[SFS/PaizoCon Online] 5-13 Finding the forgotten (Inactive)

Game Master Kludde

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Rani is the first one in. She's a halfling operative with rainbow coloured hair and is known to be a rather experienced starship pilot. Lately she had been working for the Wayfinders to find missing Starfinders caught in the Drift Crash and get them home so she had been, until recently, based on the Master of Stars She had just made it back in time for the Battle of the Bands concert that Sonic Tumult had won, then attended the charity concert that the Advocates Faction had put on, with her girlfriend who had helped organise it along with Zigvigix and Celita. It was nice to be back on the station again.

Nimh is the next to arrive.

After chasing after Rasheen's artifacts and then helping move a number of prisoners out of the Society's prison, Nimh is hoping for a relatively normal mission.

Hello there.

Hey. Hi Zed. Rani waves to the android. Haven't seen you since the Battle for the Beacon. Haw have you been? I've been all over the Pact World System looking for survivours from the Crash. Been based on the Master of Stars for a while. Even got to fly it for a bit.

She steps over and gives the android a hip high hug.

This adventure may contain sponsored segments

The Lorespire Complex is where we find our adventurers today. Legendary are the conference room in which Starfinders receive their briefings, because it is here that the greatest of missions have been kicked off. Less well-sung are the meeting room in with Starfinders wait before being assigned a mission. Still, it is here that the beginnings of lifelong friendships are formed, through awkward introductions and friendly banter, while each adventurers tries to find an answer to the question Where will the cosmos take you today?

Welcome everybody to PaizoCon! This adventure is brought to you by our special sponsor: Cosmo Shoes (An AbadarCorp Brand). I'm only allowed to start posting true gameplay on May 29th, but I can already set the scene to allow you some banter.

“Great, you’re here on time!” Fitch remarks. “I hope you packed well. You’re heading out to the Vast for a while.” Ehu Hadif pulls up a holographic display of a single-sun solar system, zooming in on a green and blue planet. “Thank you for coming. I’m sure some of you know that one of my initial priorities as First Seeker was to investigate several Pact World- sponsored colonies that seemingly disappeared from everyone’s records. Most of these colonies, of course, were connected to Historia-Prime.”

Ehu shares a meaningful look with Fitch, then continues. “Kortus IV was not.” “The Pact Worlds sent a colony ship to Kortus IV approximately 90 years ago. The timeline is shaky, but within a few years of its founding all records of the colony were erased. It’s as though someone was trying to hide its existence. As far as we know, there’s been no communication between the Kortus colony and the Pact Worlds since. We have no idea what happened to these settlers or if any remain in the area.

Travel to Kortus IV, determine the fate of the colony and its inhabitants, and locate any survivors. If the colony still exists, find out if they need any assistance from the Starfinder Society or from the Pact Worlds. We’ll send you with food, medicine, and construction supplies to provide them.”
Fitch cuts in, looking serious. “You need to be on high alert for this mission. Things went bad the last time I led an expedition to a lost colony. Real bad. A lot of good people died. We have no reason to expect danger on Kortus IV, but we didn’t before, either. Watch out for each other. If anything feels off or you find yourselves outnumbered, come back and report in. I’ve also got a few gifts to help you out.”

Fitch gives the PCs three incendiary grenades III, a kasatha microcord IV, and an aurora arc rifle.

Welcome everybody! We've got levels 8, 9, 10, which puts us in high tier even if we add a level 8 pregen

@Nimh: can you add your details to the RPG chronicles?

Again? Rani exclaims. She then grins at Fitch. Kidding. Of course, no prob. Is the Spitfire available? Or did I run that poor Pegasus to the ground?

Again? Rani exclaims. She then grins at Fitch. Kidding. Of course, no prob. Is the Spitfire available? Or did I run that poor Pegasus to the ground?

What can I say, I like to give the occasional gift. Fitch says with a smile. When Rani mentions the Spitfire, Fitch answers it takes a bit more than a few tight turns to bring that ship down. You might want to talk to Dosirak, our new skittermander staff engineer. He was complaining about having to work 'allsix' to get the dents out of that Pegasus. You wouldn't notice anything, though.

The Thunderbolt is also available, if you would like the heavier type of ship. You're familiar with the Drake, right?

This is a scenario with the starship tag, which means you get to select a starship, which can be a Drake (the Thunderbolt), Pegasus (the Spitfire) or Azata (the Bumblebee), or any ship you have a boon for.

There's also the possibility now to make a Culture or Diplomacy check to gather info

Rani frowns Mostly in simulations I'm afraid but .... if the rest of the team prefers a Drake then I'm not going to argue ... and yeah ... I should apologise to Dosirak ... but that meteor shower was not my fault.

diplomacy: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (18) + 16 = 34

I don't have much preference for ships. I'll take care of whichever ship you choose.

Nimh doesn't have any boons to use different Starships to contribute. His only Starship boons are "Hero of the Stars" and "Automated Defenses."

Rani takes a moment to ask her vast network about bits and pieces of information. It isn't long until the information starts trickling in.

It is almost common knowledge that Starfinders dispatched by Ehu Hadif uncovered records on the lost colonies while on the library world of Athaeum. Following up on these colonies was part of Ehu’s platform for his election to First Seeker.

The library world of Athaeum contains only very rare information: everything there is the only copy in existence. For the records of these lost colonies to exist there, all traces elsewhere must have been erased.

There is a particular piece of information that the halfling discovers at the last moment, through her connections with the Poshkettle tea flag store. The lost colonies were connected to the Historia-Prime, a Starfinder who committed countless crimes in their quest for immortality and control of the Starfinder Society. Historia-Prime used the colonies as a trap, which resulted in the death of numerous Starfinders. Historia-Prime was destroyed by the Starfinders at the culmination of the Data Scourge.

If there are no questions Ehu says, you can make your way to the hangar bay. You'll find some familiar ships there.

Can I get a choice of ship?

Saar fast-walks down the corridor, his heavy gun bouncing against his back in its custom mount.

“Since when did they move an entire wing of conference rooms? The damage up here wasn’t that… ah, there!”

He turns the corner and almost immediately finds the room. He reaches toward the access control and teeters for a moment, balanced on an ornate antique mechanical leg.

Knock? Just go in? Gah…

He touches the panel, takes a deep breath, and enters the conference room.

“Greetings, all. I hope you didn’t have to wait too long. I’m Saar, antiquities expert and research mechanic, at your service.”

With a flourish, he produces real paper business cards from a silver geared case, hands them to the others around the table, and takes his seat.

—————
Saar recently returned to Absalom Station from missions that took him into the Vast, through the Veskarium, and into places he’d rather forget for now.

He’s a tall, lithe half-orc with a lanky build with greenish-brown skin, his head topped with a shock of dark hair that defies any attempt to comb it.

He projects a practiced air of accomplishment. It often catches people off guard — a bonus he plays to his advantage sometimes — since they expect half-orcs to be rougher around the edges. Even so, he still struggles to get past the lifetime of inferiority drummed into him by his childhood on Apostae.

Rani prefers the Pegasus although she's never actually flown an Azata in combat. So she goes down to the hanger bay to talk to the skittermander mechanic. Grabbing the Spitfire would be an advantage as her gear is already on it from the flight into the station the previous week.

Reviewing the data - isn't it nice to have friends in useful places, and helpful fans - she frowns at the mention of Athaeum, and makes enquiries on the approximate transit time to the Kortus system and the best way to get there. The Drift Crash really messed things up so she wasn't taking chances.

I'm Rani Silvermist and I guess I'll be your pilot for this trip she says to those she hasn't met yet. To be honest, I prefer the Pegasus class but - I'm not here to argue, I'm here to get the job done - and to have fun doing it She grins at that. My motto - if you're not having fun then, what's the point

Pegasus is the best. Unless someone owns a better ship of their own.

Saar sees that he arrived just in time to leave, so he quickly scans the info slides. One question pops into his mind. “Do we know anything about the atmosphere, plants, or wildlife on Kortas IV? Any existing inhabitants other than the colony?”

”Pegasus is best. Unless someone owns a better ship of their own.”

He picks up on the ship conversation and waits for a pause. “Pegasus sounds like the choice for this. Spent a lot of time in those engine rooms.” And there’s that great spot for a hammock between the main power connection and the secondary coolant pipes. Remember to pack that. He jots a note on his data pad.

Saar rises with the rest of the group and nods a greeting to Rani, Nimh, and Z Data Z. “Nice to meet you all. Sounds like we’ll have travel time to get to know each other and make up for my late arrival. Guess we pack and head to docking bay. I’ll carry this stuff to the ship.”

Suddenly he’s exploring the ancient tunnels with his father, remembering the strange crap he lugged out. ’If you’re walking, you can carry something.’ Good advice even today, Dad.

Gathering the gear Fitch offered, his eyes linger on the aurora arc rifle. “I’d love to see what I can do with this if nobody else wants it.”

Saar sees that he arrived just in time to leave, so he quickly scans the info slides. One question pops into his mind. “Do we know anything about the atmosphere, plants, or wildlife on Kortas IV? Any existing inhabitants other than the colony?”

Ehu drops a long long silence There is no information. The place could be deserted, or there could be people there that need your help

I seem to have a majority of pegases, so let's roll with that

---

It's quite a journey to Kortius IV, but after 5d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 3, 5, 6) = 18 days, the planet finally comes into view. Briefly after the spitfire manages to inject itself into a stable orbit, a drone launch platform moves into view, which launches two drones, powers up a turret and transmit a welcoming communication in common, and then in Vesk, Shirren and Elvish:

“No trespassing permitted on Kortus IV. Transmit access code or depart immediately. Trespassers will be treated as hostile.”

Забрањено је упадање на Кортус ИВ. Пренесите приступни код или одмах отићи. Особе које преступе ће бити третиране као непријатељске

Δεν επιτρέπεται η παραβίαση στο Kortus IV. Μετάδοση κωδικού πρόσβασης ή φύγετε αμέσως. Οι καταπατητές θα αντιμετωπίζονται ως εχθρικοί.

Kortus neljällä ei ole sallittua tunkeutumista. Lähetä pääsykoodi tai lähde heti. Tunkeutujia kohdellaan vihamielisesti

Now is probably a good time to establish combat stations. If you decide to stay, I'd ask the engineer to act and the pilot to roll a piloting roll

Nimh, assuming Saar will take Engineering, jumps on the Science station.

Any chance I can get a quick scan off before hostilities?

Computers to scan if time allows: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (17) + 18 = 35

Rani had spent some of the time on the trip practising her escape and swimming skills in the water filled, transparent aluminum tank she had stashed on board.

Upon arrival ,,,

Wow ... that's not very welcoming. BATTLE STATIONS. ALL HANDS TO BATTLE STATIONS. she exclaims as she flips the Red Alert switch.

Strap in people, this is going to be rough She is already in her four point harness and flips the Spitfire to evade the oncoming enemy

Piloting: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (20) + 21 = 41

chief mate: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17 athletics to provide a hard turn.

Nimh scans the launch pad, and learns it is unmanned and controlled by an AI.

AC and TL 20, 85 HP, 120 shields and a single turret with a particle beam (8d6). Speed 4

The drones closes in at high speed, while the launch platform slowly chugs forward.

Everyone can act!

----SPACE COMBAT----
---(round 1)
Engineering: Done
Piloting: Rani wins initiative, Z Data hard turn, Nimh scans
Gunner:
---(round 2)
Engineering: ??
Piloting: Make a piloting check for next round
[]
---
Z Data Z
Nimh
Saar
Rani Silvermist
---

piloting: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (7) + 21 = 28

Rani turns the Spitfire so tight, that it is possible to hear the hull plates complaining. She's also using techniques she learnt from Gunnz. At least she's not blasting Strawberry Machine Cake on the bridge. Nope, it's the Ride of the Valkyries.

I love the smell of particle beams in the morning. It smells like Victory.

Nimh will scan the closest Drone to get more information.

Computers to scan closest drone: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (7) + 18 = 25

Nimh scans the incoming drones while Rani seems to bend the spaceship around the corner. The hull creaks and a single bolt flies loose, ejected by the strain.

Nimh learns that the drones are also crewless. Speed 12, AC 25 TL 24, HP 40 and 120 shields

----SPACE COMBAT----
---(round 1)
Engineering: Done
Piloting: Rani wins initiative, Z Data hard turn, Nimh scans
Gunnery: ??
---(round 2)
Engineering: ??
Piloting: Rani rolled 28 (awaiting resolution of round 1-2)
[...]
---
Z Data Z
Nimh
Saar
Rani Silvermist
---

Saar trains the persistent particle beam on the drone platform and fires!

Using one +5 from the ship for the shot

Ranged Combat: 1d20 + 13 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 13 + 5 = 33

Sorry... forgot damage
Damage: 10d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 4, 2, 5, 4, 5, 5, 3, 4) = 36

The shot lands hard against the platform, almost buckling the front shield.

He calls to Z from the forward weapons station. “Zed, can you take the turret and try for one of the drones?”

There’s another +5 for you on the shot.

Can somebody post an action for Z, please?

athletics: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (4) + 15 = 19 another chief mate hard turn action.

Saar lands a solid hit on the platform, as the front shields completely collapse under the weight of the barrage.

The platform pulses bright, and a single particle beam cuts into the front shields of the Spitfire.

Particle beam: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 238d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 2, 2, 6, 2, 1, 4) = 26

The Spitfire is in the blind spot of both the drones

@Rani: I don't think you adjusted the placing of the ship, was that intended? Going to assume you intended to move, to I'm giving you a favourable outcome this time...

Piloting, platform: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28
Piloting, drones: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (14) + 18 = 32

The platform remains in place, commanding the drones.

Platform moves first, then Starfinders, then drones

Everybody is up!

----SPACE COMBAT----
Bogey 1: FSPA:0/30/30/30; 3 dmg
Bogey 2: No damage
Bogey 3: No damage
---
Damage report:
Spitfire: FSPA: 24/50/50/50; no damage
---(round 2)
Engineering: Done
Piloting: Rani partially wins initiative, Z Data hard turn
Gunnery: ??
---(round 3)
Engineering: ??
Piloting: Piloting roll for next round
[...]
---
Z Data Z
Nimh
Saar
Rani Silvermist
---

athletics: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29 hard turn chief mate.

Rani, not seeing any opportunities for a flyby, continues to move forward towards one of the drones while evading.
piloting: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (16) + 21 = 37

It looks like she is planning to flyby two ships at once.

Saar checks his rig for an update on the ship’s shields and stays at persistent particle beam firing station.

“C’mon baby… got a nice hole started. Now make it bigger.”

Using one +5 from the ship for the shot

Ranged Combat against the platform: 1d20 + 13 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 13 + 5 = 35
Damage: 10d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 5, 3, 3, 2, 6, 4, 4, 1) = 37

Going by our current position on the board, it looks like Saar can hit the platform's bow again. Our front arc line goes straight through their front hex side. That's what he's going for.

Nimh will try to rebalance the shields.

Computers to rebalance shields: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (7) + 18 = 25

Since Saar is manning the weapons, Nimh will move to engineering next round. I will go ahead and roll the engineering check for next round

Nimh will attempt to Divert power to shields

Engineering to Divert Power to Shields: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (8) + 18 = 26

I think the DC for both of these is 25 for a Tier 10 ship

Saar cocks his head to one side as he hears the shields rebalance.

“Nice work, Nimh. Good pickup. Call if you need me down there. Sounds like you have it.”

After a moment, he hits the comms button again. “Don’t worry about the hammock. It’s been through worse.”

Hammock? There's a hammock down there? Well .... could be worse. One ship I was flying had a still next to the main reactor core. I swear the product was glowing.

Rani moves into closer range of the drones, while Saar blasts the platforms forward arc, sending hot molten slag into space. On the rear side of the ship, the engine seems to completely overload from the blast.

Crit: 1d100 ⇒ 72
Crit: 1d100 ⇒ 80

The two drones close in on the Spitfire, and manage to get a torpedo lock. Two torpedos slam into the sides of the ship, while the platforms gunnery seems to be impacted by the recent hits, as the particle beam just shoot across the bow.

Drone torpedo attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 185d8 ⇒ (1, 7, 4, 1, 3) = 16
Drone torpedo attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 235d8 ⇒ (7, 2, 4, 2, 4) = 19
PLatform, particle beam: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 118d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 1, 5, 4, 6, 2, 5) = 30

--- Start of round 3 ---

Nimh works hard on getting the shields back up, and when he is done, the vessel is well-protected.

Piloting, drones: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (11) + 18 = 29
Piloting, platform: 1d20 + 12 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 12 - 4 = 15

This time, Rani easily outmaneuvers the attack drones.

Feel free to move the ship, the drones/platform hold position

--SPACE COMBAT----
Bogey 1: FSPA:0/30/30/30; 40 dmg; Engines malfunctioning
Bogey 2: No damage
Bogey 3: No damage
---
Damage report:
Spitfire: FSPA: 40/37/37/37; no damage
---(round 2 finished)
Engineering: Done
Piloting: Rani partially wins initiative, Z Data hard turn, Nimh rebalances shields
Gunnery: Saar hits the platform
---(round 3)
Engineering: Nimh diverts power to shields
Piloting: 37 Piloting roll;
Gunnery: To be rolled
---(round 4)
Engineering: [...]
Piloting: To be rolled
[...]
---
Z Data Z
Nimh
Saar
Rani Silvermist
---

Saar grins as he watches the platform shudder under his second hit.

“Rani, keep our front arc on their bow. Next shot should do it.”

Oki doki loki

So what does she do? She flyby's the nearest drone, screams past the platform then side slides the Spitfire around so it ends up bow first to the platform.

piloting: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (1) + 21 = 22
((T-shirt reroll 4 novas))
piloting: 1d20 + 21 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 21 + 4 = 41

WHEEEEEEE HOOOOOOOO!

Gunnz would have been proud.

“Zed, Rani’s setting us up for a flyby attack. Can you take the turret and try for that drone?” You have +5 on the shot.

Turning back to the forward weapon station, he makes a couple of adjustments and concentrates.

“Make this count.”

Using one +5 from the ship for the shot

Ranged Combat: 1d20 + 13 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 13 + 5 = 20
Damage: 10d6 ⇒ (4, 3, 1, 1, 6, 4, 1, 6, 2, 6) = 34

The shot lands, but just barely. He frowns and undoes the adjustments.

“Hmpf. Overcompensated.”

athletics: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (9) + 15 = 24 hard turn.

[dice=athletics]1d20+15 hard turn.

Z Data Z, can you do that over that and shoot the turret instead of doing the athletics check?

Rani successfully did a flyby maneuver on one of the drones, but I'm shooting the platform. If you can shoot the turret gun with a +5 from the ship, we won't waste Rani's flyby maneuver.

Rani screams past the drones, allowing Saar a clear shot on the unprotected forward bow of the launch platform. The result is a glorious hit of the power, causing the platform to go supernova.

Having lost their central command signal, the two remaining drones just circle around somewhat aimlessly, and (mostly) harmless.

Combat over!

The spitfire's shield start recharging, with the bow shields occasionally flashing from the impact of pieces of debris. Not too long after, a hail is received from the surface of the planet: “Kortus IV to unknown starship. Identify yourselves. What are you doing here?”

Starfinder Society vessel Spitfire responding. Looking for you actually. You were marked as a 'Lost Colony' so we came looking to see if you were okay or needed help or ..... well .... hi.

I understand the voice on the other side says and our apologies for the defense system. We did not realize you were coming, and we were unable to shut off the system in time. Please proceed to coordinate 95.478 by 67.489 to land.

The coordinates lead to a small settlement. The landing pad is currently empty, save for a few forklifts and some crates at the north end.

You can also roll culture or engineering

Upon landing, two of the town's citizens move to greet the Starfinders.

A lashunta with a big smile clears his throat. “Starfinders! Welcome to Braerton! It’s been a long time since we’ve had any contact with the Pact Worlds, and we’re overjoyed to have you here! I’m Mayor Aliorno, and this is my aide, Zatteh.” Behind him, a somber kasatha inclines her head in greeting. “Please, tell us more about your mission here, and we’ll tell you about our town.” the kasatha speaks, with a voice that is immediately recognised as the person hailing the Starfinders earlier.

Well. I'm sorry that it's taken so long to get to you but we had a few problems of our own. But yeah, we brought food, construction materials, medicines and other supplies. Basically contact was lost soon after you settled here and once we discovered it wasn't caused by the ... erm ... ongoing problem back then, we were dispatched to find out what your status is

Nimh will return to the Science Station to scan

Scan using Computers: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (10) + 18 = 28

Information using Culture: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

Information using Engineering: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (15) + 18 = 33

The quintessential Nerd, Nimh doesn't get Culture

Saar listens to the conversation and takes in the scene.

Engineering: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (8) + 22 = 30

Something’s going on here…

Saar can't help but wonder why such a small colony, no more than 2500 people, would have an automated defense system in orbit.

The scan from orbit reveals a mine a mine to the north of the town, farmlands to the east of town. There's no sign of an active infosphere or any active broadcast signals.

Rani introduces the group and the purpose of the mission, to which Mayor
Aliorno chuckles

“Oh, you won’t have much to do, I’m afraid. We’ve been entirely self-sufficient for ages. Still, you might as well look around before you leave. We’re proud of what we’ve built here. It’ll give folks a chance to show off! Come, Zatteh and I will escort you to Founder’s Square. We can speak on the way.”

You can also roll sense motive to the mayor, and nobody succeeded at that Culture roll yet.

Mayor Aliorno leads the way north from the landing pad to Founder’s Square at the town’s center. Braerton’s streets are lined with restaurants, shops, public buildings, and modest homes, constructed primarily from wood and brick. While there are vehicles present, it’s clear most people walk or cycle in Braerton. Founder’s Square is a small park centered on a lacquered statue of a human woman with one arm outstretched. The streets surrounding the park host several important buildings, including the town hall.

On the walk, many citizens crowd in to see the new arrivals, giving a surprised wave or smile. There's plenty of time to ask questions to Mayor Aliorno or Zatteh

Saar tries to mask his growing discomfort at this scene. It all seems so… normal… but an automated defense platform like that for a little place like this?

Culture: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (4) + 15 = 19 The dice gods take their revenge for shooting down the drone platform...

“Mayor, why have a defense system like that? Seems like overkill. Did your colony build it?”