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"Well, maybe you are not mind controlled. No grith ever asked me my name. I am Orrian." says the voice that seems to come from the sword. "And yes, that is my body there." it adds.
"I never visited Akiton. Though I heard it went downhill after drift engines were invented."
The sword spins to address Option-8 "Most grioths are very militant— both their culture and society revolve around interstellar raids. A better question is, why did they stay? The answer is Mazdrun itself. The planet’s planar anomalies caused their arrival portals to falter, leaving them stranded. They could have devised a method to return home, but they didn’t. Something kept them here. I believe General Itharris is interested in the cenote that lays at the heart of Sangoro’s Bulwark. Of course, Mazdrun is also a prime site for voidglass production.”
When Jek speaks, the sword rotates again. "This is all in my research. The younger generation, so slow to read the works of those who have gone before. Well, I could give you a quick summary of the Founders if you like? “They’re so fascinating and yet still such a mystery! We don’t even know what they looked like, except that they had twelve appendages—six legs and six arms. They revered the elemental planes and had a great affinity for planar magic. My theory is that Mazdrun used to orbit an unstable star that was doomed for destruction. To save their civilization, the Founders created a powerful construct by sacrificing their oldest and most powerful members. They used this construct to shift their planet to its current location, but I think something went awry with the ritual. The planet first shifted to the Plane of Fire and then to the Plane of Water, which devastated the surface. Countless people perished. The Founders had to sacrifice many more of their leaders than they originally intended in order to give the construct enough power to finish the ritual. I think this is how their civilization collapsed.”
The sword bobs up and down. "Please, send on my data, I can all but sense my time coming to an end, and I have been here so, so long..."
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The files are densely written in an archaic academic style. No chance a virus could survive that.
"... But thankyou...Starfinders..."
At that the sword drops to the ground, inert.
With time on your side now, you have also been able to decipher some of the ritual steps that adorn the walls of the chamber. They seem to tie into the plane of earth somehow.
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Ahh, the foul laboratory.. You are quickly ushered into the halls of Sangoro's Bulwark and a portable command post occupied by VC Naiaj.
Naiaj is grim when she speaks. “Starfinders, you’re just in time. I’ve received reports of a laboratory nearby filled with unsettling machinery. The lab’s robotic defenders drove off our scouts and seem intent on destroying whatever is inside. Head there immediately and recover whatever data you can.”
Status:
Ears weakened 3/4RP;
Dirk weakened; 4sp damage;
Jekcedo Impaired; 1 sp damage; 8hp damage; 3/5RP; b
Option-8 Weakened.
Dhomer 8sp damage;
Twila-5 8sp
Conditions
Weakened - Con track poison damage;
The victim takes a –2 penalty to Fortitude saves, Constitution checks, and Constitution-based DCs. Every time the victim attempts a Fortitude save against the poison—whether he succeeds or fails—he loses Hit Points as per on initial exposure.
Impaired - Con track poison damage, as weakened, plus..:
The victim takes an additional –2 penalty to the affected checks and the affected DCs decrease by an additional 2. If she has 1 or more levels in a spellcasting class whose key ability score is Intelligence, she can’t cast her 2 highest levels of spells from that class.
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The entrance to the laboratory is rough-hewn and filthy, with
dirt and dried smears of an unidentifiable fluid coating the floor.
Status:
Ears weakened 3/4RP;
Dirk weakened; 2/3RP;
Jekcedo Impaired; 1 sp damage; 8hp damage; 3/5RP; b
Option-8 Weakened.
Dhomer 8sp damage;
Twila-5 4/5rp;
Conditions
Weakened - Con track poison damage;
The victim takes a –2 penalty to Fortitude saves, Constitution checks, and Constitution-based DCs. Every time the victim attempts a Fortitude save against the poison—whether he succeeds or fails—he loses Hit Points as per on initial exposure.
Impaired - Con track poison damage, as weakened, plus..:
The victim takes an additional –2 penalty to the affected checks and the affected DCs decrease by an additional 2. If she has 1 or more levels in a spellcasting class whose key ability score is Intelligence, she can’t cast her 2 highest levels of spells from that class.
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The "Rugs" are in reality large vats of ...unpleasant... shaded liquids shapes swirl within them... arghh...it's humanoid! It's not just a shape. Turning your attention to the other you swallow hard and make out its shape.... as a craggolk!
Feeling unwell, you are further dismayed to notice movement coming from further two the south as two robots from further south fly toward you!
Status: init, if you beat a 24 you may post a regular rounds action as well.
Ears weakened 3/4RP;
Dirk weakened; 2/3RP;
Jekcedo Impaired; 1 sp damage; 8hp damage; 3/5RP; b
Option-8 Weakened.
Dhomer 8sp damage;
Twila-5 4/5rp;
Robot blue
robot red
Conditions
Weakened - Con track poison damage;
The victim takes a –2 penalty to Fortitude saves, Constitution checks, and Constitution-based DCs. Every time the victim attempts a Fortitude save against the poison—whether he succeeds or fails—he loses Hit Points as per on initial exposure.
Impaired - Con track poison damage, as weakened, plus..:
The victim takes an additional –2 penalty to the affected checks and the affected DCs decrease by an additional 2. If she has 1 or more levels in a spellcasting class whose key ability score is Intelligence, she can’t cast her 2 highest levels of spells from that class.
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The lead two robots open fire on Ears, evidently not having noticed Twila's stealthy approach.
Status:
Ears weakened ; 3sp damage;3/4RP;
Dirk weakened; 2/3RP;
Jekcedo Impaired; 1 sp damage; 8hp damage; 3/5RP; b
Option-8 Weakened.
Dhomer 8sp damage;
Twila-5 4/5rp; (stealthed)
Robot blue
robot red
Robot green
robot pink
Conditions
Weakened - Con track poison damage;
The victim takes a –2 penalty to Fortitude saves, Constitution checks, and Constitution-based DCs. Every time the victim attempts a Fortitude save against the poison—whether he succeeds or fails—he loses Hit Points as per on initial exposure.
Impaired - Con track poison damage, as weakened, plus..:
The victim takes an additional –2 penalty to the affected checks and the affected DCs decrease by an additional 2. If she has 1 or more levels in a spellcasting class whose key ability score is Intelligence, she can’t cast her 2 highest levels of spells from that class.
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Jek takes 2 move actions drawing a frag and a shock grenade one on each move. Jek is careful staying close to the opposite wall, to avoid Twila-5 so as to not draw attention to her. As Jek turns down the path to the right side of the map Jek yes at the robots. "Over here." Jek waves at the robots hoping to keep them distracted.
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Gingerly stepping around the mass of humanoid on the ground before her and deliberately *not* thinking about that yet (definitely not!), Twila-5 slides along the wall, drawing her static shock pistol while padding silently forward to stand beside Dhomer. She takes aim at the red bot and fires.
Okay, maybe she *was* thinking about that--a little too much.
"Dozens of Starfinders have been freed from captivity!" lxthia announces. "Against all odds, these stalwart Starfinders survived the original assault on Sangoro's Bulwark and have languished for years as prisoners under cruel grioth rule. Now freed from their bonds, those still able and willing have taken up arms and joined the fight to overthrow their captors."
"Welcome back, Starfinders. You've been missed." Naiaj nods her head in respect. "But there's no time for a tearful reunion now. The enemy's not beaten yet!"
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Ears shoots the red robot, his bullet pings through it, sending sparks everywhere. "New target identified." it says. Well, not in common as such, but you are pretty sure that is what it means.
Jek draws a pair of grenades and heads down the side wall, trying to distract them as well. More laser tracker land on him.
Dirk then charges forward. With unfortunate consequences. A grenade goes off. It appears there was a trap in the room that Twila missed.
An explosion rattles everyone in the room.
Even more unfortunately the two big tanks, made of glass, don't take kindly at all to the explosion and also shatter. Dirk tries to avoid the acidic contents, not to mention the very creepy and now dead Starfinder from his side.
Twilia is just out of the immediate splash radius, although a craggolk flops weakly at her feet.
But maybe it was not that unfortunate as the first two robots also get splashed.
The red robot is almost totally submerged and looks to be in a very bad state.
Option runs forward and quickly finishes off the red robot. While Dhomher seeing the mess runs straight for it. This is his type of situation!
Twila stays very quiet, distracted by the flapping craggolk.
The blue robot fires at the mess inducing Dirk.
The two new robot dash forward to intercept Dirk and Dhomer.
Status: Bold to post
Ears weakened ; 3sp damage;3/4RP;
Jekcedo Impaired; 1 sp damage; 8hp damage; 3/5RP; reflex DC14 vs 10/5 F damage;
Dirk weakened;15sp damage; 2/3RP; reflex DC14 vs 10/5 F damage; reflex DC 17 vs 12 acid damage;
Option-8 Weakened.
Dhomer 15sp damage;
Twila-5 4/5rp; (stealthed); reflex DC14 vs 10/5 F damage;
Robot blue 6 damage;
Robot green
robot pink
Conditions
Weakened - Con track poison damage;
The victim takes a –2 penalty to Fortitude saves, Constitution checks, and Constitution-based DCs. Every time the victim attempts a Fortitude save against the poison—whether he succeeds or fails—he loses Hit Points as per on initial exposure.
Impaired - Con track poison damage, as weakened, plus..:
The victim takes an additional –2 penalty to the affected checks and the affected DCs decrease by an additional 2. If she has 1 or more levels in a spellcasting class whose key ability score is Intelligence, she can’t cast her 2 highest levels of spells from that class.
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Jek tosses a grenade
He must have tossed it a bit far, because the front two robots avoid the worst of the blast. The blue one at the back is blasted to pieces.
Dirk strikes out when trying to use his new powers against the robot in front of him.
Option, seeing little to choose between the two remaining robots, picks on the green one, which is looking much the worse for wear now.
Status: Harrying fire: available; Bold to post
Ears weakened ; 3sp damage;3/4RP;
Dhomer 15sp damage;
Twila-5 4/5rp; (stealthed); reflex DC14 vs 10/5 F damage;
Robot green 14 damage
robot pink 7 damage
Jekcedo Impaired; 6 sp damage; 8hp damage; 3/5RP;
Dirk weakened;20sp damage; 2/3RP; ; reflex DC 17 vs 12 acid damage;
Option-8 Weakened.
Conditions
Group:
Unbreakable resolve: +4 to each of your initiative and +2 to will waves
Unexpected reinforcements: Once per combat, call down harrying fire on an opponent.
Individuals
Weakened - Con track poison damage;
The victim takes a –2 penalty to Fortitude saves, Constitution checks, and Constitution-based DCs. Every time the victim attempts a Fortitude save against the poison—whether he succeeds or fails—he loses Hit Points as per on initial exposure.
Impaired - Con track poison damage, as weakened, plus..:
The victim takes an additional –2 penalty to the affected checks and the affected DCs decrease by an additional 2. If she has 1 or more levels in a spellcasting class whose key ability score is Intelligence, she can’t cast her 2 highest levels of spells from that class.
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Ears takes out the purple robot with a single shot through its visual sensor. "Boomb"
Twila then does the same with the second robot. Dhomer makes sure they are not "playing dead", scattering their remains around the room before realizing that someone is going to have to tidy the place up. Probably him.
Combat over
You search through the area and find only two rooms of particular interest.
The first is an undamaged lab...
Status: Harrying fire: available;
Ears weakened ; 3sp damage;3/4RP;
Dhomer 15sp damage;
Twila-5 5sp damage; 4/5rp;
Jekcedo Impaired; 6 sp damage; 8hp damage; 3/5RP;
Dirk weakened;20sp damage; 2/3RP; ; reflex DC 17 vs 12 acid damage;
Option-8 Weakened.
Conditions
Group:
Unbreakable resolve: +4 to each of your initiative and +2 to will waves
Unexpected reinforcements: Once per combat, call down harrying fire on an opponent.
Individuals
Weakened - Con track poison damage;
The victim takes a –2 penalty to Fortitude saves, Constitution checks, and Constitution-based DCs. Every time the victim attempts a Fortitude save against the poison—whether he succeeds or fails—he loses Hit Points as per on initial exposure.
Impaired - Con track poison damage, as weakened, plus..:
The victim takes an additional –2 penalty to the affected checks and the affected DCs decrease by an additional 2. If she has 1 or more levels in a spellcasting class whose key ability score is Intelligence, she can’t cast her 2 highest levels of spells from that class.
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Searching the lab, Dhomer is the first to make a discovery. It appears that a grith known as Eclipse Seer Remthaize has been “re-programming” the minds of captured Starfinders, turning them into sleeper agents. Much of the data deals with these brainwashing methods and could prove useful in helping any affected Starfinders with their recovery.
Twila finds out that a few sleeper agents have already been dispatched throughout the universe. The robots were attempting to delete these locations from the database to protect these agents’ identities, but were interrupted by your arrival. Most of the names and locations can be recovered.
Dirk locates information that indicates The leader of the grioths is General Itharris. As a “Vessel for the Void,” she has been gifted with special powers. She wears a voidglass containment suit, which keeps her body stable and prevents “the voice” from consuming her entirely.
Jekcedo then almost finds nothing, but Dirk helpfuly bumps a bench at the right time, revealing a note book showing that Eclipse Seer Remthaize collected samples from General Itharris and tried to imbue the test subjects with them. All these experiments have been lethal, save for “Subject Y3.” The corpses of failed experiments are stored in the vats for further study.
You continue to search the lab, and find out what presumably is "subject Y3". There is a single vat in the room labeled “Subject Y3.” Unlike the other vats, the specimen inside this vat is alive and in suspended animation
They appear to be a ysoki. A hairless ysoki. A ten foot tall, hairless ysoki...
Status: Harrying fire: available; Bold to do lab checks
Option-8 Weakened.
Ears weakened ; 3sp damage;3/4RP;
Dhomer 15sp damage;
Twila-5 5sp damage; 4/5rp;
Jekcedo Impaired; 6 sp damage; 8hp damage; 3/5RP;
Dirk weakened; 26sp damage; 2/3RP;
Conditions
Group:
Unbreakable resolve: +4 to each of your initiative and +2 to will waves
Unexpected reinforcements: Once per combat, call down harrying fire on an opponent.
Individuals
Weakened - Con track poison damage;
The victim takes a –2 penalty to Fortitude saves, Constitution checks, and Constitution-based DCs. Every time the victim attempts a Fortitude save against the poison—whether he succeeds or fails—he loses Hit Points as per on initial exposure.
Impaired - Con track poison damage, as weakened, plus..:
The victim takes an additional –2 penalty to the affected checks and the affected DCs decrease by an additional 2. If she has 1 or more levels in a spellcasting class whose key ability score is Intelligence, she can’t cast her 2 highest levels of spells from that class.
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"I can't crack the code on this but I might be able to get the setting right for an awakening sequence." Jek does their best to set the setting to aid the compute check.
Jek redies a Stickybomb Grenade in case it is one of the sleeper agents.
"If this is a sleeper agent we might need to be ready to subdue them, better to not have to kill one of our own."