[SFS_Aerondor] 04-16 Hope for the Future (tier 7-8) (Inactive)

Game Master Aerondor

So are we suppose to hack into the piece or blow it up? Also no one is bolded, but I assume that we can all go!

Vecro flies forwards and surrounds the artifact. Need two move actions to move there. If we are attacking, I will roll my attack check

Hammer: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29
Damage, fire: 3d6 + 11 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4, 1, 6) + 11 + 3 + 1 = 26

As Verrek(s) moves up toward the artifact a massive blast of electricty smashes through him and Vecro.

electric damage, ref DC21 for half: 10d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 2, 2, 1, 3, 5, 5, 4, 4) = 36

A floating figure appears and hovers 20' over the artefact.

Vecro you may keep your attack against the artefact, or choose a different action.

The artefact seems unharmed by Verrek's attack.

Status: (talked for two rounds): Party is hasted. Bold to post
Gil-Oloth 28 damage
--couch 53 damage;
Vecro - 21 damage; (7 rounds of flight used) ref DC 21 vs 36 damage
Swizzers
Verrek 16 damage; 1 images; (1 round flight used) ref DC 21 vs 36 damage
Prime (flying 30' up)

Can we make a knowledge check?

About what in particular? The artefact would be a mysticism check.

Reflex save, DC21: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

Vecro is able to dodge the worst of the blast and the solar armor resist the big portion of the remaining blast. Solar armor grants 10 electricity resistance per this post

Mysticism recall knowledge on artifact, hireling: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

Vecro flies up and swings his hammer twice at Historia Prime

Hammer@Historia, flashing stirkes: 1d20 + 11 - 3 ⇒ (12) + 11 - 3 = 20
Damage, fire: 3d6 + 11 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2, 1, 6) + 11 + 3 + 1 = 24

Hammer@Historia, flashing stirkes: 1d20 + 11 - 3 ⇒ (2) + 11 - 3 = 10
Damage, fire: 3d6 + 11 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2, 5, 4) + 11 + 3 + 1 = 26

Haste move + full strike (flashing strikes)

"There's the cause of this havoc!" shouts Officer Swizzers, pointing at the figure hovering above the artifact. "In the name of the Stewards, you're under arrest, Historia Prime. Please submit peacefully."

Move action and an Intimidate (demoralise) check (using my Diplomacy skill from Steward Stalwart Diplomatic Training). It won't work, but she'd give the baddie one last chance.

Intimidate (demoralise): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Mysticism: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26

Gil-Oloth tries to recognize what the Stars this cube is.

Ref: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Mysticism: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14
upd lol

A careful look at Historia shows their form appears a little ... pixelated. Presumably a result of Hope-01's earlier hacking attempts.

Vecro's assistant notes that the artefact might be the key to how Historia has duplicated themselves. In particular there are rumours that such an artefact could make a perfect copy of someones soul...

More concerned with putting the current soul down, Vecro swings twice with his mighty hammer but cannot connect with the flying Historia. I assume you have activated your jet pack here so are up at Historia's higher

Swizzers tries to reason, or at least scare Historia. But to no avail. "The Stewards will soon be reporting to ME"

Gil-Oloth cannot determine anything more about the artefact.

Status: (talked for two rounds): Party is hasted. Bold to post
Gil-Oloth 28 damage
--couch 53 damage;
Verrek 34 damage; 1 images; (1 round flight used)
Prime (flying 30' up)
Vecro - 29 damage; (7 rounds of flight used)
Swizzers

Interesting! Can I try to interact with the artifact through computers?

Zarta, what is this nonsense? Activate the analysis process and connect to it. The artificial intelligence in Verrek's computer responds with a pleasant female voice, of course.

Computers: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (5) + 17 = 22

Verrek gets nothing from the artefact. You suspect in the midst of melee attempts to work an unknown artefact are unlikely to be fruitful.

Same characers are still up.

Status: (talked for two rounds): Party is hasted. Bold to post
Gil-Oloth 28 damage
--couch 53 damage;
Verrek 34 damage; 1 images; (1 round flight used)
Prime (flying 30' up)
Vecro - 29 damage; (7 rounds of flight used)
Swizzers

Oh missed that there was another Pseudo-Historia.

Verrek takes a step and starts silently slicing another clone duplicate.

Ghost Killer Storm Doshko: 1d20 + 11 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 11 - 4 = 212d8 + 12 ⇒ (5, 7) + 12 = 24 - electric dmg vs EAC
Ghost Killer Storm Doshko: 1d20 + 11 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 11 - 4 = 272d8 + 12 ⇒ (5, 6) + 12 = 23 - electric dmg & electricity vs EAC

guarded step + full-attack (haste)

UPD Crit: 2d8 + 12 ⇒ (6, 7) + 12 = 25 + DC16 Fort or Staggered for 1 round

While Historia-prime deflects
Verrek's first blow, his second is right on target.

fort DC16: 1d20 ⇒ 17

The blow looks painful, even to Historia.

Status: (talked for two rounds): Party is hasted. Bold to post
Gil-Oloth 28 damage
--couch 53 damage;
Prime (flying 30' up) 48 damage;
Vecro - 29 damage; (7 rounds of flight used)
Swizzers
Verrek 34 damage; 1 images; (2 round flight used)

Gil-Oloth stays out of reach and shoots at Historia.

Aphelion Laser Rifle vs EAC: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 11 + 2 = 20
Damages, F&So: 3d6 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (6, 2, 2) + 8 + 2 = 20

Historia seems unaffected by Gil-Oloth's slightly misdirected laser strike.

Quickly Historia slams his fist into Verrek once, twice..

strike vs KAC 24: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (17) - 4 = 13
real on a 1: 1d2 ⇒ 2
strike vs KAC 24: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (1) - 4 = -3

Removing the technomancers last image, but not managing to hurt him.

Status: (talked for two rounds): Party is hasted. Bold to post
Gil-Oloth 28 damage
--couch 53 damage;
Vecro - 29 damage; (8 rounds of flight used)
Swizzers
Verrek 34 damage; (2 round flight used)
Prime (flying 30' up) 48 damage;

Verrek only smiles wryly when Historia strikes the illusion once again.

Ghost Killer Storm Doshko+ Jolting Surge: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 182d8 + 12 + 4d6 ⇒ (1, 4) + 12 + (4, 1, 6, 6) = 34 - electric dmg & electricity vs EAC

Vecro moves and swings the hammer twice trying to destroy historia prime once and for all!

Hammer@Historia, flashing stirkes: 1d20 + 11 - 3 ⇒ (20) + 11 - 3 = 28
Damage, fire: 3d6 + 11 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3, 3, 4) + 11 + 3 + 1 = 25
Damage, fire, crit + prone: 3d6 + 11 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5, 3, 4) + 11 + 3 + 1 = 27

Hammer@Historia, flashing stirkes: 1d20 + 11 - 3 ⇒ (15) + 11 - 3 = 23
Damage, fire: 3d6 + 11 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6, 5, 5) + 11 + 3 + 1 = 31

Haste move + full strike (flashing strikes)

Gil-Oloth continues to fire from her couch at Historia.

Aphelion Laser Rifle vs EAC: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 11 + 2 = 14
Damages, F&So: 3d6 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (6, 5, 4) + 8 + 2 = 25

Officer Swizzers keeps up the pressure!

Light Machine Gun vs KAC: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15
damage (piercing): 2d10 + 7 ⇒ (3, 5) + 7 = 15

I'm going to go ahead and use my shirt reroll since this seems like the big bad!

Light Machine Gun vs KAC: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13

Ha!

Verrek lauches a powerful but easily deflected attack against Historia-Prime. "Under my regime you would learn to use your weapons better."

Vecro then shows show Verrek would learn to use his weapon... on Historia. That looks like it hurt.,

Does your hammer target EAC or KAC? I would have thought EAC but you are doing fire damage with it so..?

The first blow is a monster, knocking Prime around for a moment, but their mastery over flight seems complete.
Seems no standard rule on combination of knocked prone and flight, but a scan of the boards seems to indicate a general feeling that with perfect flight there would be no need for a flight check. I'm going to rule they lose their move action though.

The stars do not align for Gil-Oloth, whose lase seems to be jammed with nanites. miss

Swizzers machine gun has the same fate!

Vecro then shows what solarian are so feared, the backswing of his hammer blow coming around and smashing all the way through Historia's pixelated face.

Historia disintegrates into a swarm of nanites which spread out, leaving the artefact unprotected.

Hope-01 looks up at you.

“The last thing you need to do is to delete the final copy of Historia-Prime.” Hope-01 says quietly.

He smiles sadly and holds out both hands, palms open. “I am the hope and kindness Historia-Prime shed long ago. I am what he rejected. What he lost. I admit I fear deletion, yet I contain the potential to exhibit Historia-Prime’s negative personality traits—to become the monster he was.” Hope-01 takes a deep breath, smiles, and exhales. “I won’t put up a fight. It’s time to end this. I’m ready.”

Status:
Gil-Oloth 28 damage
--couch 53 damage;
Swizzers
Verrek 34 damage; (2 round flight used)
Vecro - 29 damage; (8 rounds of flight used)

Sorry I stopped adding EAC and KAC for some reason. My fire damage comes from Plasma sheath that I 'casted' Originally the hammer does b&e damage => vs KAC

Vecro lands and looks at Hope-01

"That does not feel right, there has to be another way. Historia-Prime locked you for a reason, you could just have all good qualities that he ever had. Come with us to Lorespire Complex, we would vouch for you"

Diplomacy?: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25

I'm not going to vouch for him. Verrek looks at Hope-01 with some sympathy. You really were all the best that was in this creature. And swiftly hits him in the neck with the doshko still crackling from the spell.

Ghost Killer Storm Doshko+ Jolting Surge: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 11 + 2 = 192d8 + 12 + 4d6 ⇒ (6, 3) + 12 + (2, 2, 5, 5) = 35 - electric dmg & electricity vs EAC

Having reacted too slowly, Swizzers can only look on the scene with shock and sadness, mixed with relief that the danger is now passed.

For this one I'm not going with first posts=actions. Everyone can have their say here. In fact everyone has to have their say or explicitly withhold a vote. Tied one all for keep/kill

Gil-Oloth quickly calls the Stars to know if killing Hope-01 will have good or bad result in the next minute.

Swizzers is the sort that believes in redemption for those who sincerely want it, so she'd support letting Hope-01 live.

As killing Hope-01 will not be good or bad in the next few seconds, Gil-Oloth closes her eyes and go back to her dreams, puffing from her hooka.

So tiiiiring these missions...

Going for votes for keep alive (Swizzers,Vecro), one for kill (Verrek) and one abstain (Gil).

Hope-01 looks confused. He asks “Are you so willing to gamble with the lives of those around you? Will you still choose life when I become worse than he who made me?” of Officer Swizzers and Vecro, while offering a nod of acceptance to Verrek's decision.

Vecro however is persuasive in his words and offer to return to the real Lorespire complex. An offer which is needed as the fake complex continues to rapidly disintegrate around you.

Hope-01 shudders, whispers, “Thank you,” and then collapses to his knees and breaks down in happy tears.

You grab the mysterious artefact. No point in leaving *that* around to cause further trouble. Ixthia makes contact with you again and swoops in to pick you up. You quickly head back to Absalom.

Back at Absalom station youfind the scene on the ground less chaotic than might be expected. Many citizens celebrate the destruction of their mysterious attacker
"Who do you think it was?" is the most overheard question. Speculation about the truth is rife:
"Shelyn's returned, corrupted by her brother!"
"I heard it was Guidance, trying to take over Absalom."
"Abdar corp trying to make a hostile takeover"

At the Lorespire Complex, several Starfinder Society leaders are managing clean-up efforts, including Radaszam, Venture‑Captain Arvin, and Venture-Captain Naiaj, along with Ixthia of course. You are invited into private conclave with many of them, although Celita suggests that perhaps she should look after Hope-01 for the meantime.

Feel free to RP any private leadership interactions you have

Once free of the leadership, those Starfinders still in Absalom station are back in the great hall where you all started. First Seeker Ehu Hadif calls you forward by name to praise you and make sure everyone knows the role you had in defeating one of the society's oldest enemies...

Verrek shrugs his shoulders when his doshko was blocked before the very moment of impact (quite cinematic by the way). You're lucky. Live.

About as lucky as I was when I was pulled out after a life sentence...

Verrek is thinking about something of his own and does not insist on the android's death. At the spaceport, he will try to disappear as soon as possible. The hype is not for him. See you again, he will say goodbye to his comrades, clearly not going to fill out any mission reports.

Officer Swizzers is quiet and pensive over the next few days after returning from the mission. A terrible danger was averted, but not without much violence and destruction. Still, she did her duty as a Steward and was heartened by the courage shown by her Starfinder allies.

Vecro keeps a close look at Hope-01 and nods gladly when Celita offered to take them of their hair.

Vecro chats with Venture-Captains and then joins others for debriefing.

Gil-Oloth quickly lost interest of the place as it dissolve back in the ether. She returns to her Dreams and the ready of the Book of Revelations while smoking her own herbs through her hooka.

She still goes to the meet and greet with the Venture Captain, but quickly they realize that she talks about Dreams and Omens, and never something useful...