Zoomba’s Secrets Long Submerged [Gameday XII][SFS] (Inactive)

Game Master Zoomba

Perception: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (9) + 22 = 31

<I see them, too. Elthel warned us that we would attract attention. I hope we can ditch them when we get where we're going.>

If you want to try and ditch the stone giant en route, you can (each) attempt Survival or Stealth checks

Can Iskakii distract them with a Bluff check while others sneak off, then sneak off himself?

Once the stone giant is pointed out to Zefira, she wonders, Why would a giant follow a bunch of off-worlders with a baby in tow? My gut tells me that's no baby. She starts pondering ways to lose their tail without Kurvaysr catching on.

Surprisingly, Zefira's Stealth is not maxed out--she is a very flashy hotshot pilot, after all. So Survival it is.
Survival: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (13) + 21 = 34

Can Iskakii distract them with a Bluff check while others sneak off, then sneak off himself?

I'd allow it: You'd still need to make a Stealth/Survival check yourself, but a good Bluff/distraction could lower the DC for those checks for the group.

My thoughts exactly. A ghost operative is probably going to have less trouble sneaking off himself.

Iskakii starts hovering around the giant's head, fluttering in various directions just behind the "guide." It looks like the kiriinta is taking in the scenery and wants to check everything out. If such an easily distracted person could be isolated from their group, they would be an easy mark.

Bluff: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (5) + 20 = 25

Unfortunately, Geiti isn't in stealth mode right now, so their roll is going to be lowish. There's also the heavy armor thing.

Stealth: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Xysh attempts to slink off using the crowd as a distraction.

Survival: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21

Iskaki flies up and about, making themselves very conspicuous. The pronounced movement seems to catch your stone giant tail's eye, giving the rest of you a chance to slip away down some side streets and into a denser crowd providing more cover.

Kurvasyr is confused by your zigging at first, but slinks with you. As you regroup, she listens to the description of the stone giant you were fleeing and frowns deeply. "Hmm, that sounds like Grannock. I know them: they work as an "assitant" for Chancellor Sereveg. A traditionalist fool, not in favor of the explosion of off-worlders coming to our world lately. Grannock's children are far too old to be walked along in a tram like that too: it seems you have many eyes on you"

The cloud giant smirks a bit, but looks up and says "Ah, and here we are: Expedition Emporium. I do hope you find what you are looking for in here! I must myself be off now, but before I leave you is there anywhere else in Anduwaar you are planning on visiting? I'd be happy to give you some directions to help you navigate these over-sized streets."

Feel free to ask/not ask/respond as you like. When you do enter the Emporium:

Heading through the entrance of Expedition Emporium the shop's scale is huge - even for giants. Shelves and bins are filled with all sorts of equipment. Sections for sea travel and underwater diving abut rows of climbing gear and personal vehicle accessories for flight. A few customers move about the store while a hill giant stands behind the register. She has broad shoulders, a square jaw, and neatly kept hair and simle but functional clothes, and moves about with the demenaor of a trained and experienced soldier though the slightest of sags in her belly and the small graying of her hair indicate its been some time since she's seen any fierce action.. A nametag labels her as 'Gyli'

Noticing you, the hill giant asks Ho! Come on in. See anything you like, or anything you're looking for? Can't say most of our stuff was built to fit you, but I can see what I can do about re-sizing somethings, depending on what they are.

"Thank you for the guidance." Xysh nods and enters the store.

He moves up to the counter, looking around at all the options available. <What were we looking for here again? Other than passing on the message?>

Zefira graciously thanks Kurvasyr for her guidance and information, but doesn't share anything more about her group's future plans before taking her leave of the cloud giant and entering the store.

<Elthel said that Gyli may have some useful tales from her time patrolling the ruins,> Zefira reminds the others. <If we can get her to open up a bit about that, give her some time to get used to chatting shirren-style, that should give you an opportunity to pass on Elthel's message privately, Xysh.>

Zefira gives the hill giant a friendly smile, and makes a point of glancing politely at her nametag before saying, "Good day, Gyli! My name is Zefira. I appreciate that sizing might be a challenge for folks like us, but your shop came highly recommended. We need to prepare for an expedition on and under the sea."

Going out to the ocean huh? Gyli says, her eyebrow raised. Well, I have some things that might help with that. Be sure you know what you're getting into though. You know the three Eyes Pholsakr's three moons are named 'Fandarra's Eye', Monderhal's Eye', and 'Thremyr's Eye' make tides tricky to track, and even if you've timed it right a bad quake can send the waters chruning somehting fierce. And that's to say nothing of the things living below the surface.

the hill giant moves around the counter to start to look though some of the Emporium's gear. You must be a pretty confident bunch to come so far for this. What are you hoping to see?

If you're trying to actively get on her good side/get her to open up, Diplomacy checks could work. You could also try to prove your competence with Athletics, Acrobatics, or Survival, or a Culture check to assess her rank and status and show her the right level of respect and response. Ideally you would want multiple successes here (though each of you can pick one option to try and roll for)

Zefira's minimum Perception result result is 22, so I'm just going to make the separate skill check from the spoiler for now, to give others a chance to chime in before I reply in character again. Acrobatics will definitely be her contribution to the main skill challenge.

Culture: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (6) + 21 = 27 (reduce DC of Culture checks by 5 to recall knowledge about vehicles, starships, and famous hot-shot pilots)

Zefira knows that the pin Gyli is subtly wearing is one associated with followers of Forgotten - a stone giant seer said to know damning secrets buried by the Cloud Imperium centuries ago, and who is said to be spreading their messages through whispers and intimate underground meetings

Iskakii is all about demonstrating his mobility. While he only flutters 20 ft per round, he can run 50, and has a fantastic knack for avoiding damage. <But what good will that do me if I am not equipped to work underwater?> he asks.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (14) + 28 = 42

Athletics: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16

Griss goes through a partial workout, nothing special, just showing that she has some idea how to move.

OMG, Paizo boards hate me right now. I haven't rolled well (when it counts) on any thread today. Come on Paizo, through a sick person a break.

Xysh looks around to see if there is anyone close to hear what they're talking about. She casts Comprehend Customs, before speaking quietly to the giant.

"We're investigating Talgradur and everything that happened when it crashed. Do you have anything that will help us out down there? Or any information? Elthel recommended we speak with you and is hoping to pick your brain."

Culture: 1d20 + 23 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 23 + 2 = 28

Zefira passes on to her teammates what she knows about Gyli's pin to the others using Xysh's telepathic link. <This little chat promises to be very interesting,> the operative concludes, sounding intrigued.

"I've been to Talgradur once before, so I know it can be difficult and dangerous to move around the ruins. But navigating hostile environments is precisely my specialty." Zefira activates her forcepack in cruising mode as she speaks, and effortlessly flies up to perch jauntily on a nearby shelf in the underwater gear section that is roughly on Gyli's eye level. "But I'm always looking for new tricks and gear to make our job safer and easier."

Acrobatics (take 10, skill mastery): 10 + 27 = 37

Talgradur? Gyli looks surprised. And you've been there before? Well, you are full of surprises. She kneels down to check on some of the lower shelves, her expression noticable softening as you mention Elthel. Well, just to get there you'll need a hydroplane or surfboat. Though I'm sure the Imperium would handle providing that - as you must know they're quite protective about who can access that tragic place. For yourselves, I'd recommend making sure your scanning tech is up to date. Down underwater its not only dark but the silt can really obscure your peripherals. Plus some weapons that can really cut through the water without dealing with its resistance to protect yourselves from what might have moved in down there.

Gyli relaxes a bit and settles into a large chair against the wall opposite the door. She pours herself a drink, offering the you a keg-sized mug of hard liquor as well.

You know, back in the day I was in the Pholskar Frontier Forces. One night we were patrolling Talgradur and I was monitoring the sonar in the combat information center. Everything was quiet as we made our way through the heart of the Talgradur ruins, when suddenly a seaquake shook the area and a massive sonar contact appeared, moving directly at us!” Gyli takes a long sip of her drink. “The skipper ordered an emergency crash dive and we just barely scraped past that thing, whatever it was. Just as quickly as it appeared, it was gone — off into the ruins somewhere. We searched for hours but never saw it again. I had heard tales of giant sea monsters haunting the old ruins, but the old salts telling them were usually three sheets to the wind! It’s hard to write them off now, though, once you’ve seen something the size of a sub suddenly appear and disappear deep within the wreckage of Talgradur. So watch your backs

Sipping her drink, she pauses in thought for a seocnd, then goes behind the counter and returns with and underwater ultrathin dueling sword and HFD sonic pistol with an ultra-capacity battery - sized for you! Here, take these along with you. Don't have much ask for the toothpick or pop gun from most of my clients, but might keep you alive down there.

Iskakii eyes the pistol with a hint of glee in his eyes, but looks to the others to see if anybody else needs it more.

Pretty much anybody can use pistols, but I like the idea of it. And I am sure this is a type of damage that somebody will need. Since I already spent some cash getting a spec pistol, does anybody need this one?

At the offer of a drink, Zefira glides down to the giant mug, and shuts down her forcepack. She takes a moment to pull one of her vast collection of toolkits out of her null-space chamber and extract a flask to use to dip out a more reasonable portion for herself. She sips at the liquor as she listens to Gyli's story.

"A sea monster the size of a sub--one of your people's subs?" she replies, impressed. "The only time I've fought anything that big, I had a starship to do it with."

"You mentioned scanning gear. What do you have to cut through the silt? I have goggles that let me see through fog, smoke, and vegetation, but I'm not sure they're quite up to that kind of interference."

Zefira has clearsight goggles, but re-reading the description I'm not sure if they'd help with silty water. GM call?

I'm fine with someone else taking the weapons. The sword isn't an operative weapon (so that's a 6-point drop in accuracy for me!), and Zefira uses small arms even at melee range, so it doesn't interest her--though she'd thank Gyli sincerely for such fancy weapons!

Geiti is in more or less the same situation. She's almost exclusively melee focused, so that I believe all but one of her feats are disabled when she uses ranged weapons.

Geiti bows. "Thank you very much for the gifts." Geiti takes both weapons. Unless somone else wants it Geiti will carry the sword. The underwater penalty negation might make it usable.

Zefira has clearsight goggles, but re-reading the description I'm not sure if they'd help with silty water. GM call?

I'll allow it: the goggles mention foliage and vegetation as things it assists with seeing through - while these are a bit different than silt, they cover a similar-enough (solids blocking bits of vision and offering visual cover) that it seems to me it would apply here.

At the offer of a drink, Zefira glides down to the giant mug, and shuts down her forcepack. She takes a moment to pull one of her vast collection of toolkits out of her null-space chamber and extract a flask to use to dip out a more reasonable portion for herself. She sips at the liquor as she listens to Gyli's story.

"A sea monster the size of a sub--one of your people's subs?" she replies, impressed. "The only time I've fought anything that big, I had a starship to do it with."

"You mentioned scanning gear. What do you have to cut through the silt? I have goggles that let me see through fog, smoke, and vegetation, but I'm not sure they're quite up to that kind of interference."

Ours. Gyli replies with a smirk at the question of the sub size.

The giant looks around. The dark and dirt around can make vision tricky. Those goggles of yours she says glancing at Zefira's could do the trick. Things that help senorary expands beyond your eyes could too. blindsense/blindvision abilites

Xysh has blindsense 60' which will help, depending on the size of the place. No bets on that though. :) She can use the pistol, but bought something for underwater and is good without it.

Anything else to purchase here, or good to move on?
(Your vehicle to approach the Talgradur site is being provided by Elthel and the Cloud Imperium; its restricted airspace and seaspace so the closest your own personal starship could get is the closest coast)

Xysh will ask about a scanner for the silt. Especially if it will go beyond 60 feet.

I think I'm good.

Well, there are motion-sensor scanners Gyli thinks out loud. Bit cumbersome to use in a fight though. I may have one in the back I can get for you if you want.

Up to you. Feel free to make other purchases if you'd like, but to keep the scenario moving...

--

With the meeting request delivered and some supplies picked up, you're able to make your way westward along Anduwar's plateau. Eventually massive buildings give way to much smaller structures as you pass over into the Sicantro district. While a few giants can be found going about their business, here they are the ones needing to take extra care as the whole district is sized for medium creatures and populated by many travellers and new off-worlders to Pholskar.

You're able to find 'Felicitous Morsels' with little difficulty. Through its doors you find a dimly-lit and cozy tavern. Patrons of many different species are eating, drinking, and chatting amiably to each other while a strix is finishing up a long slow ballad on a small stage in the corner. Finishing the performance and taking a break from their set, the strix heads to the bar to relax with a drink and mingle for a bit, thanking the audience and promising they'll return onstage shortly. They're wearing a sparkling white, purple, and yellow bodysuit that *pops* against the more muted colors of the tavern, but what really catches the eye is how their wings transition from color to color in a brilliant spectacle, from black, to yellow, to purple, and back to black again.

Iskakii can't fail that check.

<That color changing pattern is coming from their necklace. It's a storm giant design. You don't see much storm giant gear outside of Agrishall.>

22 is Zefira's minimum with two of those skills.

"Oh, that's gorgeous," Zefira says aloud, appreciating the flashy effect on the strix's wings as much as she does their song. Once she works out how it's done, she's still impressed--and even more intrigued, given the device's origin. <Shall we go get some drinks and chat up Chireet?> she asks the others, even as she starts heading towards the bar.

Nonbinary flag colors and pronouns. I love little details like that!

Xysh nods in appreciation of the performance, following Zefira to the bar.

He'll pass on the motion-sensors, since his blindsense is better than anything he can buy.

Culture: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

That was unexpected, lol. Geiti is not a skilled individual. Geiti also has 60 feet of darkvision, color darkvision if it matters.

Geiti nods to the performer, and throws a tip in the hat, if it is that kind of performance, then sits near the rest of the party.

Nonbinary flag colors and pronouns. I love little details like that!

I did not realize/catch the color scheme connection. That more you know!

The strix gives an appreciative nod back to Geiti as the lashunta tosses in a tip. After getting their drink from the bartender they move over to your group, saying:

Glad you enjoyed the performance. Can't say I recognize any of you four before though. What brings you to Anduwar: working on some sort of business deal or just passing through?

"Passing through, more or less, but we were told we had to see your act. And you were magnificent!" Zefira effuses with unfeigned sincerity. "I'd wager those light effects must be even more spectacular in flight!" She reins herself in a little before adding, "I'm Zefira Lachlan, with the Starfinder Society."

She hasn't been making any attempt to hide her affiliation so far, and sees no reason to start now--part of their mission here is to make the Society look good, after all.

Nonbinary flag colors and pronouns. I love little details like that!

Funny story- I bought a pin to use as Iskakii's token at a con last year. I had it for a full year before I learned it was nonbinary colors. Really cool pin.

Thanks! This space isn't the best for flight - bit too low of a ceiling, not something I end up saying much in this city! - but occasionally I perform at the Sabin Witch and they can give off the full effect The strix says as they introduce themselves as well.

Chireet. It's a pleasure. And Starfinders huh? The last Starfinders to visit Pholskar caused quite a stir. Chireet whistles and smiles a bit Which fair enough. It’s about time if you ask me.

"What happened from your point of view?" Xysh inquires.

Well, Chireet takes a sip from their glass and glances around as they drink (though no one around you seems especially listening in on you five) I know your lot came in and did some work for the Imperium. And that while what that work was the Imperium has kept a lid on its clear enough it lit a bit of a firecracker under all the factions up there.

Which is good. The giants here tend to live for a lot longer than you and I. It can tend to make some mindsets slow to change, especially those in power. Grudges too - resentments can live longer than the cause. Shakeups can give a chance for those questioning the status quo to maybe get a solid foot in the door They shrug So to speak at least

Reminder (just cause it’s been a bit) Elthel’s favor asked here was to deliver a letter to Chireet

"Yes, long lives mean long memories...and for some, a very long time to become accustomed to dictating how things are done," Zefira says delicately, keeping her voice down. "But fortunately not all giants are so rigid. Some are trying to make change from within."

As she speaks, Zefira reaches inside her jacket and palms the letter from Elthel. She uses her gambler’s skills at misdirection to try to avoid drawing too much notice to herself as she offers the letter to Chireet.

Sleight of Hand: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (3) + 17 = 20
Ah, c'mon, I wanted this to be cool. Guess I'll burn my reroll early.
Sleight of Hand (+2 novas): 1d20 + 17 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 17 + 2 = 34
Much better!

"Things definitely need a shakeup periodically." Xysh is studiously neutral in his comment, but the body language suggests that it's long overdue here.

Chireet's eyes raise as they feels a letter slipped into their hand. The strix quickly breaks the seal and opens it. They read it swiftly, then stretch their arms out in a yawn that brings the paper into a small plasma candle hanging from a nearby wall mount. The letter is burned up in seconds.

Wouldn't that be nice Chireet says as they continue to talk to you and sip their drink. Maybe I'll see the day. Not counting on it mind you, but you never know.

The strix slips a hand into their pocket. By the by, I noticed you liking my outfit. This isn't exactly the same sparkle, but given your line of work might be a bit more useful. I certainly aren't getting nasty magicks thrown at me during my act frequently.

Chireet pulls out an obsidian annulus aeon stone[/i] and gives it to you. an object massively more valuable than even the most top-tier tavern performer would normally have

Well, I know what I'm saving my money for...

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

If Xysh had eyebrows, they would have just flown off his face.

Zefira can't fail that Sense Motive DC. And she's trained in Mysticism, but only barely, so would rely on Xysh to understand this item. (If that matters here at all, I know a lot of GMs just handwave that part, especially if the source is friendly.) But it's clearly no ordinary bauble.

Zefira takes the ring-shaped gemstone, and looks at it closely. "Oh, that's pretty," she says appreciatively, before looking back up at Chireet with renewed curiosity. "It certainly doesn't hold a candle to all of this," she says, grinning as she gestures eloquently at the strix and their outfit, "but...thank you, Chireet." It's clear that she realizes that this is an exceptionally valuable gift.

As she sets the aeon stone into orbit around her head, joining her turquoise cube, she quietly recites a Desnan teaching to herself: "'Be ready for challenges and unexpected friends.'" Zefira's not normally one to invoke gods in ordinary conversation--apart from Lady Luck at the gambling table--but something about this meeting seems to have struck a personal chord for her.

I hope the rest of you don't mind if she claims this item for now? Zefira frequently annoys enemies she's fighting enough to put a big damn target on herself.

Not a problem here. Iskakii is a ghost operative, so he probably prefers not being seen.

In contrast, Zefira is both an ace pilot AND a daredevil operative, and thus a cocky showoff in combat. Keeping the boss's attention away from the less mobile and/or tough PCs is her usual M.O. ;)

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Geiti bows, "You are quite generous."

Getting has a tendency to be very quite, but close enough to the front that she still attracts attention.

Chireet waves a dismissive hand. I wasn't using it. You might. Not everyone in the galaxy has a low opinion of your Society despite what gets written on the infospheres: I'm sure you can do something good with it. For whatever it might be you're back here to do.

The strix smiles, then moves to stand. Now, I do have to continue a bit of my set. Stay and watch if you'd like. Or if you need to go, feel free to swing by again before you leave the planet. It's always interesting to hear what's going on out in the wider universe from the mouths of those who've been out there!

"We're already here, so it would be a shame to miss any more of your show," Zefira replies, glancing at her her companions for confirmation. "And if Desna smiles on us, I'll gladly return to trade some stories before we leave Pholskar."

Chireet takes the stage once more to the modest applause of the tavern's other patrons. They go into a string of uptempo tunes that allow the strix to dance about onstage, whihc in turn highlights their color-shifting outfit and wings to mesmerizing effect. The tavern's regulars seem quite pleased with the set as the strix continues.

---

When you eventually depart and are ready to set out to explore your assigned section of Talgradur.

Supplies stocked and errands completed you're able to head to the starship to fly from the city to the closest access point to Talgradur. The ship Elthel has arranged to be loaned to you seems top of the line, with coordinates already loaded in and a mk 3 null-space chamber resting in the cargo hold for you to collect any artifacts or discoveries you might find in. The starship also has an expedition surfboat resting in the cargo hold Stat block added to the slides. This boat is designed to be able to be remotely self-deployed from low altitude into water, where its own autopilot will engage and direct the craft to the closest shore to where the starship lands. Essentially since you're not allowed to get too close to the ruins by air, you can drop the boat into the water once you near the 'restricted zone', park your starship, then climb into the surfboat and finish the voyage to the site in it.

These craft you had been led to expect. What is less expected is the presence of a familiar face outside your docking bay. The cloud giant Kurvasyr is sitting and reading a datapad as you approach, and seeing you rises:

"Well, hello again Starfinders. I hope your walk around our fair city was pleasant? From the look of you it seems you were able to find your own way without too much trouble."

She crouches down in front of you. The smile never leaves her face, but the expression in her eyes gleams with a more serious glimmer.

“May I be frank with you, my new friends? I know that your First Seeker has been liaising with Elthel over these last few years, but I'm afraid she may not have been direct with you about the full picture. Elthel is old, and I know she comes off as shrewd, but in her heart, she’s nothing but a naive idealist. She doesn’t understand how deep tensions run in Anduwar. Legitimate threats to our city are already at our door. Offworld rebels and spies from Agrishall stoke unrest and turn our own people against the Cloud Imperium. They aim to weaken us before they attack—shatter our bonds of community, sow doubt, and nurture discontent. Then, they will act."

Kuvasyr sighs heavily "Your current sponsor so focused on her hope in a utopic and undivided Pholskar that she doesn’t see that her plans will get this city and its people crushed in the coming war. Agrishall is not our ally. They never were. We do not have peace; we have a détente — one that Agrishall will soon end. If we don’t act soon, Anduwar will fall.”

The cloud giant leans in even more "I've read reports on your Society. Your actions in the Scoured Stars system showed you can take action to be on the right side in trying times. You can do so again. When you complete your expedition of the ruins, provide me with your report and any data you collect. I'll return it within a few hours and you can report to Elthel just as you would anyway. You've nothing to lose, and a city's gratitude to gain."

As Chireet prepares to perform once more, Zefira collects her drink order–one of the more exotic-sounding local cocktails–and finds a seat as close to the stage as she can manage without intruding upon any of the other patrons. To all appearances, she is thoroughly delighted with the show, applauding enthusiastically but always within the limits of decorum befitting a trained diplomat.

(Xysh can easily guess that his friend would be far less restrained in her cheering if this were a show back in one of her regular haunts in the Pact Worlds–say, Songbird Station or one of the solar casinos. That strix definitely made an impression on Zefira!)

The pilot is still softly humming snatches of some of Chireet’s catchier tunes to herself when the team reaches the spacedock, but she breaks off when she spots Kurvasyr. She listens politely to the cloud giant while trying to determine how much they can afford to trust her. When Kurvasyr mentions the Scoured Stars, Zefira looks rather grim; she fought in the opening battle of that conflict shortly after joining the Society, and named one of her pistols “Godkiller” after her most recent fight with the jinsul.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (10) + 21 = 31

I’ve been posting a lot lately, so I’ll give the others a chance to speak first, if they want to.