[OutPost VI] SFS 5-11: Archivist's Inquiry - GM Blazej (Inactive)

Game Master Zynete

“Oh!” Pointing the camera at themselves, Trill says “Hello, Almina! Yes, you are coming through just fine. My name is Trill.”

He then pans the camera from his Comm around the room. “This is where we are now, we think it was a security room.”

He will continue to hold the Comm unit and give Almina a view, narrating as the ‘tour’ progresses.

"Oh! It is nice to see you! Really it is great to see anything other than darkened digital space." Alima pipes up as the camera goes about.

"This place is more massive than I gave them credit for. I was thinking too small but this place Iroiveth and his cronies put together between the walls is huge. No wonder they could just vanish into here when they have a whole base."

"Looks like they cleared out most of the stuff, just like they did from their systems," she notes as she seems to draw in the view. "Let me see if I can take a minute and find any digital scraps they left behind though. I doubt they were ever that devoted to cleaning."

Pretty soon after she returns back and says, "There are a few scrambled bits of code in here that aren't completely destroyed. I don't think I can fix them, but it looks like they they look like scraps of a recording."

She hums a few bars before working out, "putting them together I'm getting some framse. It looks like Iroiveth, maybe, testing out some cybernetics. The image is really disjointed, I can't tell what kind."

Where to next?

Lets go to the main room. proposes Myzzrim' who then turns to the camera and says Hi! Myzrrim' here. Nice to meet you Alima.

"Thank you Myzrrim'! Hopefully we get to meet in person soon," she responds joyfully. "Your equipment looks a fair bit more slimmed down compared to what was standard gear during my training."

Heading back through the hallways the group is able work their way back to the large open room. The lighting flickers throughout the hallways, but remains illuminated despite it struggling.

The lighting doesn't change much of what the open room to be. Nothing is revealed across the vast open area. The signs of damage are sparsely spread out their the area; signs of brief fires, small explosions, and electrical shorts that are patched over.

As you enter, a hologram at the center of the room comes to life and protrays the witchwyrd from the projection of Iroiveth's team. She holds her hands and ready and moves about as it begins projecting sounds, but it is a garbled mess. The image jumps about from moment to moment. It makes it hard to pick out the syllables much less anything else from the announcement.

Almina calls out as she sees the hologram, "that is one of Ivoiveth's crew! She is... she is... why can't I remember her name?" She stumbles and struggles as she tries to recall.

As the hologram places the double doors from across the space open up. Four robots armed with batons and shoulder-mounted weapons march in. One of their arms stutters as it stutters from equipment errors, but all seem intent on using their weaponry against your group.

Coming out her thoughts Almina's calls out in alarm over the comms, "look out!"

Round 1
Trill
Robots
Norbert
Mizzrym’
Chance
Albrik
RZMR
Almina

Trill is able to act before the robots!

Perception DC 17: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Trill quickly recites the words he can pick up into his Comm unit. “Think that was deserve. Maybe they said fate? That must be final, vinel doesn’t make any sense. Independent? Can’t think of any other word that could have been.” He is a bit perplexed by the partial message.

When the robots pop out in attack formation, Trill replies to Almina “I’m looking, doesn’t look friendly to me!”

He moves to the side while pulling out his carbine. Once far enough that a single grenade will not hit the whole group, he casts a spell on himself.
Reflecting Armor, will use reaction to discharge it if at range

"Intruders detected," echo the robots as they scan their sensors across the party. "Seeking appropriate protocols."

"Protocol database not found. Applying default response: termination."

Their rotors moves into attack positions as two rush toward the closest Starfinders. The batons swing with all the momentum as they charge forward. "Closing distance. Maximizing force."

Blue Baton vs Trill KAC: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 4 - 2 = 20
Bludgeoning Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Just confirming, would Trill like to use reflecting armor here?

Blue Baton vs Chance KAC: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 4 - 2 = 13
Bludgeoning Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

The strikes connect, but only deal the lowest of their potential damage. They attempt to keep close, but give error messages declaring that their close combat routines can not be found.

The other two hang farther back in the room as they declare their intent, "complimenting melee attacks with ranged support. Initiating firing patterns."

Yellow Pistol vs. Norbert KAC: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
Cold & Piercing Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

White Pistol vs. Albrik KAC: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Cold & Piercing Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

The attacks land off target and fire frozen projectiles into the wall and floor. "Recalibration needed on targeting sensors."

As they charge in Almina is calling through the comms to Trill. "Absolutely not friendly! Keep flying, I think I can slow their programming a bit!"

After she declares that the bright yellow robot beings sparking and twitching as it struggles to mount a defense. Yellow is currently flat-footed.

Round 1
Robots
. blue (charge -2 AC)
. red (charge -2 AC)
. yellow (flat-footed)
. white
Norbert
Mizzrym’
Chance (3 damage)
Albrik
RZMR
Almina
Round 2
Trill (3 damage)

Everyone is up!

Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (10) + 0 = 10

Speak clearly, traitor! RZMR says as he is unable to decode anything the hologram says.

Engineering: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

An inferior product, just a mockery of a true lifeform meant to instill terror. None shall be swayed by this foul trickery.

Full round magic missile, vs red: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 1, 3) + 3 = 11

Stand down or be undone, RZMR shouts as he releases three magical bolts of energy, and adds the actually helpful announcement Please note that to conserve energy, daylight saving adjustments will be in effect from today forward.

In Europe, at least

Having his heavy laser in hands, Myzzrim' moves and shoots at the one attacking Trill.

Heavy Laser vs EAC (Blue): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Damages, F: 1d10 ⇒ 3

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Everlight, let me bring your flame into the empty shells of those automatons...
As he is praying, the holy symbol on Albriks chest starts to glow. Within seconds the light starts also to take effect on the tip of his spear, which starts to shine with an inner light by itself
cast phase blade as a swift action

Then he moves up to Trills side and tries to find an opening in the blue robots armor plates:

attack vs EAC: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
possible dmg: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

by the way: Albriks Ini is only +1

Perception DC 17: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Here words don't make any sense to me either. Maybe we can understand more once these Bots are out of the way.

Norbert will draw his Tactical semi-auto pistol as he carefully moves away (Guarded Step) from Red.

I'll leave it at that to avoid all the questions whether a Guarded Step counts as moving your speed to draw a weapon, much less trying to Trick Attack in that scenario.

Save the reaction.

Trill says “Sorry Almina.” as he drops his Comm unit.

He then takes a step back and fires at the Blue Robot. He probably should aim before shooting next time.
Subzero Ice Carbine: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 automatic
Cold & Piercing damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

“Anything I should know about these things other than they are unfriendly?”

RZMR's missiles smash into the robot and leave the motors whining as it barely keeps moving.

The rest of the party directs a stream of fire at the other charging robot and the projectiles and energy tear through the systems. Trill's shot barely hits as the machine's systems fail to move quickly following the charging attack. The blue painted robot sparks and stops moving.

Round 1
Robots
. blue (charge -2 AC, 13 damage)
. red (charge -2 AC, 11 damage)
. yellow (flat-footed)
. white
Norbert
Mizzrym’
Chance (3 damage)
Albrik
RZMR
Almina
Round 2
Trill (3 damage)

Chance's butterfly mote stops flying around her and she coalesces the mote into a large butterfly-sized weapon.

Since that happens as part of a move action normally, I don't think she can full attack this round.

Chance swings the butterfly into the red robot, attempting to finish it off! "Hurt my friends? I don't think so."

Solar Weapon: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 1 = 22
Bludgeoning + Soulfire Fusion + Electric: 1d6 + 3 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 3 + 1 = 13

Chance's weapon cuts through the robot and leaves it a pile of scrap.

"Good job!", calls out Alima from the discarded comm. "I saw a couple of them drop off the system. I'll try to keep one of them slowed down!"

The robots are undeterred by the party's abilities as they declare, "systems of melee units disabled. Close combat negative results recorded. Proceeding with ranged weapon fire."

Both of the robots slowly make distance as they fire their pistols.

Yellow Pistol vs Albrik KAC: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Cold and Piercing Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Yellow Pistol vs Trill KAC: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Cold and Piercing Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Both of the shots connect, but your armor helps mitigate the blows.

Trill has option for 2 damage reflection.

The robot with white casing begins to stutters and spark as it steps back; a result of Almina's efforts.

Round 1
Robots
. red (charge -2 AC, 24 damage)
. yellow
. white (flat-footed)
Norbert
Mizzrym’
Chance (3 damage)
Albrik (1 damage)
RZMR
Almina
Round 2
Trill (5 damage)

Everyone is up!

Norbert moves up and tries to shoot Yellow

Bluff for Trick Attack, last number is CR: 1d20 + 14 - 20 ⇒ (4) + 14 - 20 = -2
Attack roll with Tactical Semi-auto Pistol: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Piercing Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Trick Attack damage if applicable: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Trick fails and the shot goes wide. Bad round

Trill turns just enough to make the graze ineffective. PreCog safeguard using the 2 paradox

He moves forward slightly and then shoots at Yellow.
Subzero Ice Carbine: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23 automatic
Cold & Piercing damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

“Better go back to the closet. Your software is out of date!”

Chance does a Stellar Rush to charge the Yellow Robot without incurring an AC penalty.

Stellar Rush: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Flame Damage (Reflex DC 14): 2d6 ⇒ (4, 4) = 8

Albrik yelps a bit, when the pistol round hits. But after seeing Chance attack yellow, he walks around Trill and stabs at the white robot:

vs EAC: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
possible dmg: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Mizzrym' shoots twice at the robot fighting Albrik White

Heavy Laser vs EAC: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 6 - 4 = 18
Damages, F: 1d10 ⇒ 1
Heavy Laser vs EAC: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 6 - 4 = 18
Damages, F: 1d10 ⇒ 8

Norbert's shots go wide, but cut off the escape vectors for the robot as Trill's shots slam into the machine center. "Checking for software updates," murmurs the machine right as Chance's rush slam's into the robot.

Yellow Reflex: 1d20 ⇒ 19

The robot is able to stabilize and hold firm against the charge. However it is heavily seared and glitching from the amount of damage it has taken. "No up-updates found."

Abirk's swing fails to connect even as the machine's motions are slowed. It is barely able to step out of range.

Faced with cover Mizzrym's shots still do land on the aggressive automaton. The first singes the arm of the robot while the second strikes right though the core of the bot.

]Round 1
Robots
. yellow (12 damage)
. white (flat-footed, 9 damage)
Norbert
Mizzrym’
Chance (3 damage)
Albrik (1 damage)
RZMR
Almina
Round 2
Trill (5 damage)

RZMR is up.

RZMR moves to get a good shot on Yellow, then stoically misses the robot with an energy ray.

Energy ray, electricity, yellow: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 101d3 ⇒ 3

RZMR's shot misses firing through the cover of melee and the robots step back as they fire their own weapons.

"Increase distance. Fire. Fire."

Yellow Pistol vs Chance KAC: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
Cold and Piercing Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

White Pistol vs Albrik KAC: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
Cold and Piercing Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Both of the shots land and do minor damage to the armor.

Almina cheers you on as she notes, "I'm seeing they are both reporting a lot of damage. I think you have them almost taken down!" The robot covered in yellow stripes is stuttering as it stumbles and slows.

Round 3
Robots
. yellow (flat-footed, 12 damage)
. white (9 damage)
Norbert
Mizzrym’
Chance (4 damage)
Albrik (3 damage)
RZMR
Almina
Round 4
Trill (5 damage)

Everyone is up.

Norbert continues to move up and try to shoot Yellow

Bluff for Trick Attack, last number is CR: 1d20 + 14 - 20 ⇒ (17) + 14 - 20 = 11
Attack roll with Tactical Semi-auto Pistol: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Piercing Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3
Trick Attack damage if applicable: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Curse of the Operative. Great Trick Attack, lousy attack roll.

Trill moves to get a better shot and then fires at Yellow.

“I bet you couldn’t even connect and that is why you didn’t find an update.”

Subzero Ice Carbine: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14 automatic
Cold & Piercing damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Energy ray charged with contempt and electricity: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 81d3 ⇒ 2

and bad aim

RZMR once more demonstrates that markmanship isn't featured in the test of the starstone.

The projectiles, magic, and cold as the robot reboots bounce off the armor plating until the shot from Trill cuts into the cabling and disables the machine. Only one of the robots is left standing with the weaponry ready.

Round 3
Robots
. yellow (flat-footed, 19 damage)
. white (9 damage)
Norbert
Mizzrym’
Chance (4 damage)
Albrik (3 damage)
RZMR
Almina
Round 4
Trill (5 damage)

Snarling angrily, Albrik follows the white robot and tries to sink his glowing spear in one of the holes left by Mizzryms laser
vs EAC: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
possible dmg: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
But in his anger, the attack is sloppy and glances off harmlessly.

Stellar Rush: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Flame Damage (Reflex DC 14): 2d6 ⇒ (6, 5) = 11

Chance rushes the last robot in a trail of flame!

Reflex: 1d20 ⇒ 6

Combat over!

The machine processes lack of data as the wave wave of fire burns away and leaves it a pile of scorched parts on the ground.

The systems of the robots shut down and quiet as Almina cheers from the comms, "you did it! They are all down!"

After a moment she adds, "are you all alright, I can only see bits of the ceiling from this angle."

The room is safe to explore although the hologram has long since shut down. The message isn't any clearer, but it does seem like it was corrupted enough to make the message impossible to parse, only allowing a few single words that could be parsed out of the sentence.

The robots are old models, but on examination are a bit off the common base design of older security or training bots used in the Starfinder Society.

Albrik is quite flustered and panting heavily when Chance finishes the last bot.
Thank you. I'd love to say I would've managed him alone...but I'm not so sure...

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

He points to the stylized "Y" on the neck of the bot lying in fron of him on the ground.
look at that. Any idea, what that might be?

Mizzrym' moves next to the robot and studies them

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

When Albrik points out at the "Y" the drow tries to remember something about it.

Society: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Trill puts away the carbine and goes to retrieve his Comm unit. “Sorry about that, Almina. Wanted to use my gun and it requires two hands.”

“We are all fine. Thank you for disrupting the one robot’s functions!”

Trill goes over to look at what Albrik is talking about. They have to point out the symbol to him. He takes a picture of it with his Comm unit.
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Culture: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

If we have time, I wouldn’t mind taking a 10 minute rest.

I am RZMR, the Alpha to Omega. I do not care for the penultimate letter of the alphabet. RZMR says, not allowing several missed shots on a training robot induce any form of humility, It is a significance of lesser beings, serving those who would hamper society's progress. Please use the green container for any biological waste.

Y is not even the penultimate letter in the greek alphabet, by the way

Chance nods. "So... We don't know Y there is a Y. Sounds very philosophical."

Research Rat slaps a palm to his forehead. "Do you see what I've got to work with here?"

Norbert reloads his pistol.

Perception DC 15: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

That is an odd looking symbol

Culture to try to identify the symbol: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Probably not relevant, but theme knowledge is to reduce the DC of Culture or Mysticism checks by 5 when recalling information about dragons' ways, abilities, or general personal details of adult or older dragons

"No problem," responds Almina to Trill. "I have a bit I could help with out here. I rather help there than just watch you all fight."

With the picture taken she adds, "I don't recognize that." She thinks for a bit more as she asks, "Should I?"

The symbol (link to image) isn't one that any of you recognize or have seen belonging to existing corporations or organizations. Norbert's fairly certain it isn't related at all to any dragons, either individually or corporations run by dragons.

What does the group wish to do now?

"Shall we go north?" Chance asks.

Checking a couple rooms toward the north reveals them to be small storage closets. There are mounting brackets on the walls that would be used to hold various weapons including longarms and melee weapons as well as ammunition. The area is entirely emptied of gear.

Heading further north into the hallway reveals a larger workshop on the corner. A faint chemical smell lingers in this workshop. Workbenches built into the walls show signs of use with grease stains, blobs of old sealant, remnants of wires and bolts, and a few discarded small tools and notes. A computer console runs along the east wall. A cart in the corner holds broken and discarded technological components.

Almina speaks positively as she gets a view of the room, "Well this looks more positive for stuff they left behind. I'll start trying to see if there is anything accessible on my end of the terminal!"

There are a scraps of paper covered in unlabeled schematics scattered across the workbench.

For those not dealing with the diagrams or computers, searching the room turns up a number of broken and discarded items. Among them you find a toolbox that has a zipstick left behind as well as a spool of hot pink ion tape on cart buried under some old, oil-stained rags.

“Oh, more tape!” Trill says. “Wish it came in multiple colors.”

Norbert will take a look at the computer terminal.

Computers DC 15 to access the computer console: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

I just wish I understood computers better

Engineering: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

Accurate recordkeeping is the cornerstone of any succesful engineering project, so that finding may be reported and swiftly distributed. Failure to keep complete records leads to loss of information, as demonstrated here. Clearly, these engineers sought to exceed their mortal form, though the delays are lost in inefficiency.

Computers: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

The system remains in a stubborn state of inaccessibility, failing to recognise my magnamity. We shall have to resort to more insistent means.

What do you mean? Should we hit the screen?

Computers to Aid RZMR: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

+2 to RZMR's roll!

Research Rat's whiskers twitch, and he says to RZMR, "Here, bud, I got a script for that!"

Albrik's question produces a quick response from Almina, "No please!"

"I mean, there are already few systems left here and I like to keep as many working until I can get out. After I'm out you can smash them as much as you like."

With Research Rat's assistance RZMR is able to gain access to the computer system and find there are applicates that allow you to confirm that this computer was primarily used to design and test custom cybernetic augmentations. Looking through the system there is also signs of data damage and removal, but you identify a batch of files that they may be able to salvage.

You likely can use Computers skill and expertise to repair these files so that you can copy them to one of your devices. Lacking that or as an alternative, someone with Engineering skill could remove the hard drive from the system so it can be analyzed elsewhere.

In either case it would be warranted to use Worlanisi Gamble if desired since failure by a significant amount would mean loss of the data in either case.

Don't worry. I wasn't serious. I already had my fill of brawling with machines today. Our friend here has just a very peculiar way of expressing some things.

Research Rat’s Computers to Aid RZMR: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

"Need another script, bud? I got scripts for days."

+2 to RZMR's roll, and don't forget about Chance's Worlanisi Gamble ability. If you fail, you can grab a reroll.

Blessed are the eloquent, for they may smite with a single word RZMR says, before switching back into announcement mode Tonight's entertainment programme consists of an episode of 'Nufriend yufriend' followed by the latest episode of 'Spaceman Spiff'

Computers: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

Inexcusable! Reroll you puny dice!: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 9 + 1 = 23

Researh Rat turns to the halfling. "Psst.... Norbert. You got any scripts to aid him with? This looks like it might be more job than one awesome rat and one really weird android can do, if you know what I mean."

Trill starts fiddling with his Comm Unit, then goes up to Research Rat and shows him the screen. He says “I don’t know how this is supposed to help, but here is my best script.”

It is a tour script for Jatembe Park.