GM Bret’s PBP Gameday XII SFS #5-06 Tarnished Legacy: Historia’s Holdout (Inactive)

Game Master BretI

The nature of data is such that it can be freely replicated and extended... RZMR says... ah man, here we go again... let's just see where this goes, ...where an increment of knowledge leads to the enrichment of a dataset, both the source an destination benefit, at no incremental cost to either. Logically, maximization of mutual benefit exists only in situation where at data is free, and shared equally, by those who which to peruse it.

Thus, the proposal is to enrich our own data collection with your data, RZMR says, leaving the rest as a non-sequitor.

Profession(Philosopher): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

Alternatively... RZMR's usual commanding voice winks out and is replaced by the announcer's voice we have a special offer from AbadarCorp Entertainment! Try our all-you-can-listen music service, now free for 30 days. Now augmented, due to popular demand, with frequent special offers!

I don't even have a check for this nonsense... Mysticism?: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

The two inevitables are intrigued by the idea of enhancing their data sets and neither catches on that the logical extension is that you should just cheerfully hand over what you have without recompense.

They are both interested in the music service, Consensus-23 asking if it includes any classic metal while Skepticism-7 wants the latest progressive music.

Two successes.

"I have knowledge of the mystic arts. Like the powerful henges on Drylor 12 that emit a blue light"

Mysticism: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

"And of ruins and beings that lived in the past. Again like on Drylor 12. I did an excavation of a kings palace which was built 5,000 years ago! It was multi tiered."

Prof (archaeologist): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Tad listens carefully to how the inevitables respond to everyone else so he can shape his remarks.

sense motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

"The physics records may contain some information that could be of a great deal of use in developing more healing techniques."

medicine: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

"Your square meal is actually delicious! But, you see, you can make it better if you add desserts." Pervir shares her thoughts on the food served to her. "The data we hold also have some data related to food, you can actually check that out if you agree to exchange of information."

But to be honest, she is just making that up. Of course, they haven't gone through the data, have they? She tries to sound so sure that there is such information.

Bluff: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Although they are impressed by Zarzucket’s knowledge of the henges of Drylor 12, they are not sure how that relates to the data to be exchanged.

Mysticism success, Profession Failure

Tad listens to the conversation and watches the inevitable’s reactions before mentioning how the exchange of data would be helpful for medical research.

2 successes

The two inevitables are intrigued by the promises of recipes that Pervir makes.

One success, but what are you going to do once they get the data?

Total of six successes.
Pervir could still make one more check. Chance and Delikie have not made any yet.

"Ah you seem impressed by my knowledge of the henges. Let me show you more.." Zarzucket says and takes out his data pad. "You see they're arranged in a pattern similar to the constellations on Argus 18.." and drones on....

Whispering to Pervir
"Here, let me help..."
Delikie downloads some recipes for good desserts and briefly shows them to the inevitables.
computers: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
"Perhaps some information on the construction of Absolom Station that I collected while in the Ghost Levels will be of interest to you?"
Physical science: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
"Dangit, that's my grocery list."

Delikie finds they can not access the infosphere. Instead they are forced to talk about how the two data sets the group is offering is organized and how easy it should be to integrate it with their own records.

She is still mentally recovering from the loss of access and really can’t come up with anything related to the physical sciences as a way to sell the data.

1 success and one discovery.

Total of seven successes, which is enough regardless of how Chance does.

At this point, Skepticism-7 says “If the data you have is as you say, I think we have a trade.” Consensus-23 says “I concur.”

They get out two media devices and explains “This is a curated digital library covering both physics and metaphysics, with sources ranging from introductory to impenetrable to all but the most dedicated and brilliant scholars.” When you inspect it, you find there is also one hidden file embedded within this dataset called “Key3.r17.”

Gesturing to the second device, they say “This one is likely going to take you days to decode. It is a secure and encrypted data set with our observations on the material plane over the last few centuries.”

It would take about an hour to study the data just to get a better idea what it contains and require a Computers check.

Having given you the data sets and accepted copies of your data, the robots deactivate and the doors open. You hear a voice announce “Simulation complete.” It sounds like the same generic voice used by many commercial drones. You are now free to investigate the data and go back through the complex the way you came.

"Interesting" says Zarzucket and he looks at the data.

Computers: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

"So what does it contain, in general?" Pervir asks the gnome.

Tad politely thanks the robots, even if they have frozen.

You hear a voice announce “Simulation complete.” It sounds like the same generic voice used by many commercial drones.

RZMR adds in the exact same voice Thank you for shopping at Ab-Mart.

He then turns his attention to the datafiles Yield your secrets, puny datafiles!

computers: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31

"I like your way with data," Research Rat says in admiration.

Although Zarzucket isn’t able to find anything in the data set, RZMR finally decodes a small portion of it. It contains information of thousands of “planar incursions” into the Material Plane, which Historia-Prime was cataloguing and clearly considered a threat.

You make your way back to the lobby. You have all had plenty of time to rest while the data was being analyzed.

Historia-4 is impatiently waiting for you with a look of disdain. Before Historia-4 can speak the hologram glitches, temporarily becoming Ruby-17 and exclaiming, “You did it!” The hologram reverts to Historia-4 and dourly comments, “I'll need to increase the difficulty of this training area if anyone can just muddle through.”

“It's time for your final challenge: assessing your combat capability against actual planar creatures rather than simulations. Are you ready?”

"I knew she was gonna pull something like this! Get behind something!"
Delike sprints for cover if she can find it, drawing her pistol as she moves.

"Yay, we did it!" Chance echoes Ruby-17's outburst happily. Chance, more happy-go-lucky than Delikie, just waits to see what Historia-4 will do. She looks around the small and cheery red sitting room. "I'm assuming we're not doing planar combat here. It would wreck the furniture."

Frowning at Delikie’s reaction, Historia-4 says “Chance is correct. This area really isn’t meant for combat.”

She gestures towards the fireplace. The fire goes out and a passage is revealed going into the Abacus Cafe with a side passage descending into the station. “We will be doing it downstairs. Since it seems you are ready, I will meet you there.”

With that, the holographic image turns off.

The side passage leads down to a large, well lit arena. You are entering from the blue zone on the south end of the arena. Slide 16

A silent and still robot audience fills the chairs in this large oval stadium. The stadium is a large open space suitable for team sports or other combat exercises. Two endzones lie to the north and south. Elemental blasters dangle from the ceiling at regular intervals, and three summoning devices, each with their own dedicated computer terminal, rest on the edges of the intricately decorated arena floor.

As soon as you have entered the stadium, the entry door shuts and locks. The three summoning stations activate, summoning three elementals into the room.

Meanwhile, a robot with sawblades for hands rises up from the floor in the stadium's center and activates. You hear Historia-4’s voice emanating from the robot. She says “This shall be your final test. As it seems your interests do not properly align with my own, I really do mean final.”

“But don't fret, I will award posthumous certificates of completion to your records once this complex is reconnected to the infosphere.”

The loud speakers come on and a voice announces “Let’s Rumble!” You notice some familiar robots in the crowd. Skepticism-7 and Consensus-23 are in one area, watching with interest. The agathion robots mostly have their paws over their eyes, evidently not sure they want to see this. You do see that they peek out periodically to see what is happening. The demon robots are cheering “Kill them all! Kill them all!” from their seats.

Yellow Fire stays where it is, ready should anyone come near.

Round 1:

Yellow Fire ready
Delikie
Chance
Historia-4
Tad
Pervir
RZMR
White Ice
Zarzucket
Blue Ice

I assume those who were hurt rested during the hour wait.

Chance 21/21 SP 25/25 HP 3/4 RP
Delikie 6/6 SP 10/10 HP 3/3 RP received inspiring boost
Pervir 6/6 SP 10/10 HP 4/5 RP
RZMR 21/21 SP 19/19 HP 4/5 RP
Tad 6/6 SP 8/8 HP 5/5 RP received inspiring boost
Zarzucket 16/16 SP 14/14 HP 3/4 RP

There are three summoning stations on the map, each with a computer terminal. Each has an elemental next to it where it was summoned. You will need to be adjacent to a terminal in order to access it.

Delikie fires a shot at the blue ice.
attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Chance streaks across the room, charging at Historia's robot.

Lethal Solar Weapon: 1d20 + 7 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 1 - 2 = 8
Bludgeoning + Soulfire Fusion + Electric: 1d6 + 4 + 3 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 3 + 1 + 3 = 15

Reroll: 1d20 + 7 + 5 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 5 + 1 - 2 = 19

Delikie shoots at the nearest elemental but misses.

Chance goes running across the area and attacks the giant robot. He hits it and it looks like the electrical damage is a little more effective than normal.

Historia-4 takes a step back and says “Someone is in a hurry to be sliced up!” She then swings the flaming sawblade at Chance, cutting him and cauterizing the wound at the same time! That hit Chance hard!
Flaming sawblade: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32
Critical hit! Slashing damage: 2d4 + 10 ⇒ (3, 4) + 10 = 17 Cold damage: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 1) = 4

Chance 0/21 SP 25/25 HP 3/4 RP
Delikie 6/6 SP 10/10 HP 3/3 RP
Pervir 6/6 SP 10/10 HP 4/5 RP
RZMR 21/21 SP 19/19 HP 4/5 RP
Tad 6/6 SP 8/8 HP 5/5 RP
Zarzucket 16/16 SP 14/14 HP 3/4 RP

Round 1:

Bolded may act.

Yellow Fire ready
Delikie
Chance
Historia-4 16 damage
Tad
Pervir
RZMR
White Ice
Zarzucket
Blue Ice

Pervir RZMR speaks I crown you champion of my cause. Go forth and take down this threat! RZMR speaks as he touches the pulsecaster pistol of Pervir

Supercharge Weapon: You supercharge the target weapon. If the weapon’s next attack hits (provided it is made before the end of the next round), the attack deals 4d6 additional damage if the weapon is a single target attack or 2d6 additional damage if the weapon attacks all creatures in an area.
This bonus damage is of the same type as the weapon’s normal damage.

Make it count, please! There's always rerolls...

Level 1: 2/4

"Uhm, yeah sure..." Pervir replies awkwardly after her weapon is supercharged by the android. She positions herself and shoots Blue Ice.
Pulsecaster Pistol Attack vs Blue Ice: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Weapon Damage, Supercharged: 1d4 + 4d6 ⇒ (1) + (1, 1, 1, 1) = 5 E damage

That's too much Nat 1s. How do I get rerolls?

Rerolls: Own a vestment or bag. Paizo T-Shirts, Paizo messenger bags, might be a few other items.
If you don’t own such an item, I know there is a Campaign Coin at the table.

There is a Campaign Coin with a +5 bonus to attack rolls! Pervir, do you want to reroll with a +5 on your attack roll?

Rerolls: Own a vestment or bag. Paizo T-Shirts, Paizo messenger bags, might be a few other items.

If you don’t own such an item, I know there is a Campaign Coin at the table.

Oh, I have none of those, unfortunately.

There is a Campaign Coin with a +5 bonus to attack rolls! Pervir, do you want to reroll with a +5 on your attack roll?

Yes, please! Thank you.

Tad reaches over and injects Delikie with medicine. by the rules, I pick either movement speed +10 ft or +1 to AC. If we were playing in person, I could get input from Delikie's player, so I'm hoping that due to PbP format it's OK if I let Delikie choose in her next post.

I think that this does no damage to Delikie and no attack roll is needed, since she's willing. I did check out of character that player does not object.

Just so everyone knows, there is another campaign service coin reroll, this one with only a +1, at the table. Delikie's player and I also have a faction pin that either of us can use, since we're in the same household.

Sorry, forgot there were two campaign coins at the table. Thanks for the correction Tad!

Pervir fires the shot Pulsecaster Pistol that RZMR prepared. At first it looks like it will miss, but then the shot curves slightly and scores a direct hit on Historia-4! Right in the face!
Total base critical damage: 5 + 1d4 + 4d6 ⇒ 5 + (1) + (2, 6, 6, 4) = 24

You expect Historia-4 to have some sort of zinger of a comment. Unfortunately the robot seems to be having problems. The sort of catastrophic failure problems that tend to be rather permanent.

Ruby-17’s hologram appears above the robot. “Good! She is gone!”

Then she gets a pained look and says “I don’t have full control of the facility. If you could please find and install the electronic keys locking me down, that would be appreciated.” She looks like she is trying to carry something very heavy.

Tad gives Delikie a booster.

White Ice moves up closer to Chance but can’t quite reach them.

Round 1:

Bolded may act.

Yellow Fire ready
Delikie Choose your boost, +10 ft speed or +1 AC
Chance
Historia-4 52 damage
Tad
Pervir
RZMR
White Ice
Zarzucket
Blue Ice

Zarzucket, you have three elementals left on the battlefield and a hologram in distress. Are you going to act?

Zarzucket tries his pistol at the nearest elemental. But it misses.

attack laser pistol: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

"Oh my I'm a bad shot!"

did we rest yet? Sorry mother in law in hospital and long day at work

There was a 10 minute rest before this battle if that is what you were asking Zarzucket.

Zarzucket misses with his pistol.

Blue Ice moves over to RZMR and slams him with an icy fist.
slam: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Bludgeoning damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Yellow Fire comes blazing across the arena to try and set Chance ablaze. They miss their target.
slam: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Bludgeoning and Fire damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Chance 0/21 SP 25/25 HP 3/4 RP
Delikie 6/6 SP 10/10 HP 3/3 RP
Pervir 6/6 SP 10/10 HP 4/5 RP
RZMR 18/21 SP 19/19 HP 4/5 RP
Tad 6/6 SP 8/8 HP 5/5 RP
Zarzucket 16/16 SP 14/14 HP 3/4 RP

Round 2:

Bolded may act.

Yellow Fire
Delikie Choose your boost, +10 ft speed or +1 AC
Chance
Historia-4 52 damage
Tad
Pervir
RZMR
Zarzucket
White Ice
Blue Ice

Pervir inspires Chance with her encouraging words after she somewhat flanks the enemy next to her. "You can do it!" Chance regains 6 SP from Inspiring Boost

Well done, Pervir, agent of my cause RZMR exclaims when Pervir puts the supercharge to good use. RZMR's gloating is briefly interrupted by a stomp in the face, which RZMR interprets as a hostility. Insolent elemental. How dare you challenge a perfect immortal machine. I shall fight ice with fire!

RZMR takes a careful step back, and decides to engulf the icy elemental in a cone of fire, drawing energy from the stadium light.

Overheat: 2d8 ⇒ (6, 6) = 12 DC 16 Reflex for half

Level 1: 1/4 left

Pervir inspires Chance to stay in the fight and sets up so Chance can get a flank with her.
Chance and the elemental are in the same space right now. In order to flank, Chance would have to move.

RZMR steps back and evaporates the blue ice elemental. There is a puff of steam and it is gone.
Reflex: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

Chance 6/21 SP 25/25 HP 3/4 RP
Delikie 6/6 SP 10/10 HP 3/3 RP
Pervir 6/6 SP 10/10 HP 4/5 RP
RZMR 18/21 SP 19/19 HP 4/5 RP
Tad 6/6 SP 8/8 HP 5/5 RP
Zarzucket 16/16 SP 14/14 HP 3/4 RP

Round 2:

Bolded may act.

Yellow Fire
Delikie Choose your boost, +10 ft speed or +1 AC
Chance
Historia-4 52 damage
Tad
Pervir
RZMR
Zarzucket
White Ice
Blue Ice 18 damage

"work this time"

Zarzucket fires at the nearest bad guy. But misses again.

attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Zarzucket misses the elemental.

Chance 6/21 SP 25/25 HP 3/4 RP
Delikie 6/6 SP 10/10 HP 3/3 RP
Pervir 6/6 SP 10/10 HP 4/5 RP
RZMR 18/21 SP 19/19 HP 4/5 RP
Tad 6/6 SP 8/8 HP 5/5 RP
Zarzucket 16/16 SP 14/14 HP 3/4 RP

Round 2:

Bolded may act.

Yellow Fire
Delikie Choose your boost, +10 ft speed or +1 AC
Chance
Historia-4 52 damage
Tad
Pervir
RZMR
Zarzucket
White Ice
Blue Ice 18 damage

Lethal Solar Weapon: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 7 + 1 = 18
Bludgeoning + Soulfire Fusion + Electric: 1d6 + 4 + 3 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 3 + 1 + 3 = 16

Chance flanks with her comrade and takes out the flaming elemental.

Tad is waiting until Delikie posts, since there's some technical wording about before his next turn that matters.

Chance takes out the fire elemental.

The one remaining elemental really isn’t a challenge for the group.

You install the three electronic keys one of the terminals. As the third one takes effect, Ruby-17 calls out “You did it! Thank you so much!”

Ruby-17 looks like she has just had a huge weight taken off her.

“Hello! I’m Ruby-17, I designed this planar simulation. Sorry I couldn’t properly introduce myself before, was sort of trapped in the machine.”

“Oh, and for completing the simulation you have each earned a Starfinder Backpack emblazoned with the Dataphiles logo. I hope you will not hold the actions of one android against the whole faction. In my time, I met a lot of really interesting people.”

A robot brings in the backpacks and hands one of them to each of you.

“Right, should start thinking of the future.”

“I've been dreaming of this day for a hundred years, but now that it has come, I don't know what to do. I've been in here so long! The galaxy has changed, you know?”

“What do I do with my freedom?”

"Do you like to explore? Or do you like to maintain things or keep others safe?"

“Yes!”

“Oh, that doesn’t help much.”

She then explains the options she has considered.

She could stay here and be the custodian of the facility she built, maybe even designing new rooms for it. It might not be so lonely if it becomes a place Starfinders want to visit.

Alternatively, she could join the Guidance collective, or even go to an android creche in the hopes of finding a new body for herself. She is a bit worried though, because Guidance is imposing, and a new body might not feel right.

The fourth and final option she is considering is uploading her mind to a mobile digital projector, so that her hologram can interact with people, and she can travel.

“What do you think I should do?”

"Some of the areas here are wonderful. Maybe you should stay here and maintain them; maybe even make more. Without Historia-4 doing nasty things, this could be a good place for other Starfinders to visit."

"This place is pretty nice with some modifications, actually. But I hope you keep the agathions and remove those scary ones." Pervir winks at Ruby-17.