GM Kate's 5-13 Finding the Forgotten (Inactive)

Game Master Kate Baker

Tash’s features brighten when he sees the new arrivals.

“Mayor Aliorno! Zatteh! Welcome back,“ he says, loud enough so the party hears him.

When the mayor asks about his office, Tash looks sheepish. “Yes, sorry about that. We bumped into Sheriff Rin when we got here, then looked around a bit. I got sidetracked looking for a drink dispenser and opened up your office by mistake. Do you have a break room somewhere? I'm great at tracking things in the wild but I get lost in offices.”

Charisma skills aren’t his strength, but at least he's telling the truth so there’s that…

Bluff: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Zatteh looks like she doesn't quite believe Tash, but also like she doesn't wanted to start an interstellar incident when she doesn't have any proof. She changes her scowl to a smile.

"So sorry about that. I can get you a drink. In fact, you might be interested in a bit more than just a drink! Everyone is so excited to have you here that we’ve decided to have a little celebration in your honor this evening! There will be lots of food, decorations, and the chance for everyone to get to hear from you. It will be hosted in the town square in two hours. We look forward to seeing you there.”

Iseph continues to search in the archives, for the moment oblivious to the conversation.

(Roll in prior post.)

Thanks for reminding me!

Iseph finds a death certificate for Berrla Tonhue with a date 20 years prior to what is listed on the statue’s plaque. The cause of death is listed as gunshot wounds, not an animal attack.

Would you like to do anything else before the big dinner or should we move on to that point?

I'm ok with moving on

Arms, not bears, huh? Who would have thought. Navasi says with a hint of sarcasm.

Good with moving on. Expecting poisoned food/drinks. Betrayal at the very least.

Happy to move on, I suppose?

also okay with moving on

Two hours pass.

The town square is decorated with flowers and fabric banners, and there are tables piled with food. Several townspeople play music on a makeshift bandstand, variations on old folk tunes from the various Pact Worlds. Many citizens dance, inviting you to join in.

Can I get Perception checks as you watch the festivities?

Tash picks up the smell of food and lets it guide him to the party.

“They went all out for us... it's very nice. And it still makes my whiskers twitch. The mysteries just get deeper. I'll be glad when we leave. But for now, let's enjoy!”

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30

Festivity watching: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (10) + 21 = 31

Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24.

Iseph, being understandably reasonably suspicious, keeps an eye out for trouble.

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18

Nice Shindig Navasi remarks dryly Want to join me for a dance, Grump?

Navasi reckons she might as well enjoy herself, and dancing is the best excuse to move around a lot while looking around.

Perception: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (8) + 19 = 27

Amariel has no issue eating the food, but he doesn't dance, unless he's asked by a babe.

"Sure - that'd be fun." replies Grump.

He heads out onto the floor.

I only dance to the Vercodisco...

---
♫Let's go,
I can't resist
The Vercodisco
I must insist ♫

♫ We're not in Cuvacara
And I am dancing like a slow Diatha
I'm looking for you, but I can't see ya
But I keep dancing to the beat until I find you
Till the sun goes down! ♫
--- Planet X - Vercodisco

Tahs helps himself to the food, but as he tucks in, he notices a tiny folded piece of paper under his plate. It reads "Be careful. The Mongers are always watching."

Grump notices that despite her having been the one to invite you to the festivities, Zatteh is nowhere to be seen.

"You'd think Zatteh would bother to show up for this shindig. Guess not."

Well, you know what that means, right? We don't eat any food that we haven't seen anyone else eating. Navasi says, her left hand quickly checking if her blaster is still in the right place.

Tash palms the note into his pocket and makes his way back to the group.

“They have some delicious cuisine, or at least it smells delicious. And some interesting side dishes, too.”

He leans forward and lowers his voice. “My meal came with a note… ‘The Mongers are always watching.’ I don’t remember seeing the term Monger anywhere here. Does that ring a bell from the archive search?”

He leans forward and lowers his voice. “My meal came with a note… ‘The Mongers are always watching.’ I don’t remember seeing the term Monger anywhere here. Does that ring a bell from the archive search?”

Can't say it does. We did see plenty of fishy things, so Mongers is a good term if you ask me. We still haven't found any sign of whoever this colony is trading those hangover rocks with, and we've met plenty of people that seem to in on whatever scheme they have going here. Navasi says there's also at least one person on our side. Did you see who put this note there?

”Did you see who put this note there?”

“No idea, sorry. The roast captured most of my attention in the line.”

He takes a bite. “And it was worth it. Delicious!!”

You carefully nibble your way through the meal, and no one feels any ill effects.

After about an hour, you hear a loud scream!

The crowd gets quiet and confused, while a few people, Redozoko the hunter in the lead, head toward the direction of the sound. He calls out to you, "You're supposed to be brave, right? Come along!"

"Right!" Grump calls out across the area.

But he mutters to Navasi as he moves to follow Redozoko.
"This has all the hallmarks of an ambush."

Yup Navasi says to Grump Guess it's time to meet our host now.

She feels in her pocket for a smoke grenade, and moves after Redozoko.

Iseph mutters under their breath:

"Why do I have the funny feeling that something happening *right now* is no coincidence?"

Nevertheless, they draw their pistol, and move to assist.

When you reach the town’s edge, Sheriff Rin emerges from the forest, with several large scratches and torn clothing.

“I was getting one of my good mead barrels to share, when I heard something in the forest. I went to check it out—I thought someone had gotten drunk and wandered off, you know? It was rock bears! I dropped the barrel and ran for my life.”

Redozoko looks concerned. “I don’t mind admitting when I’m out matched. If there’s more than one of those rock bears, that’s too much for me. Starfinders, you’re all very well armed and obviously highly trained. Do you think you can handle a few rock bears?”

Mayor Aliorno quickly agrees, “Yes, Starfinders! You can save us, can’t you? Will you be the heroes we need? Will you protect our town?”

Grump's pretty certain that these two are full of the stuff the badgers leave along the trail after a good meal.

Sense Motive +15

"Ya gotta do what needs doing." says the dwarf, as he reaches into his null-space chamber and pulls out his storm hammer.

This all seems pretty suspicious to Grump, who notes that Sherriff Rin's injuries are real but fairly superficial.

Assuming that you still take the job...

You follow the Sheriff's directions to the site of the attack. It's a mess, with a battered barrel on the ground, obvious claw marks on the trees, and a mess of animal prints in the earth. The barrel has been gouged by large claws and is leaking mead onto the ground.

Perception checks to investigate the site, Survival to follow the rock bear tracks out of here.

Grump spends a lot of his downtime exploring & has a good eye for his surroundings.

following rock bear tracks: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23
keeping an eye on things: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (2) + 21 = 23

Iseph eyes the site warily, fully expecting an ambush of some kind.

Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24.

Amariel, expecting rock drop bears, keeps close to the party, and has his prototype weapon out along with his shield

Perception: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (10) + 19 = 29

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32

Navasi expects the worst We're walking right into it, aren't we?

Amariel and Navasi notice some blood spatter in the area, speckled on some leaves and tree trunks. Navasi also notices a few drops of oil in the mud and some grease smeared on a tree. There’s no obvious source for either of these substances in the area.

Grump points out some rather obvious tracks that look like large bear prints.

Does Tash want to try the Survival check as well?

Tash examines the scene, holding his trident ready.

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28
Survival: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28

Apologies… this week was insane.

No worries!

Tash notices that the tracks are a little too obvious. It's almost like the creatures were deliberately leaving easy-to-follow tracks.

The trail of the rock bears leads through a forest clearing where puffy blue bushes and colorful flowers sprout from orange topsoil.

Suddenly, you hear angry screeching! There are some bird-like creatures in the area, and they seem very agitated!

Initiative!
Iseph
Navasi
Grump
Amariel
Red
Yellow
Tash

Terrain Notes: The bushes and a two-foot deep, slow-flowing stream are difficult terrain. The bushes are four feet tall and large enough to provide cover, as appropriate.

Navasi is on her toes, and is sure to warn her allies of any impendig attack

She draws her plasma pistol, preparing to shoot, but also hoping that one of the team can calm down those birds before they become a threat.

If they move our way, get the closes one first!

Move: Draw a weapon, Standard: Improved get'em, +2 to attack vs Blue

Amariel rolls towards the stream, and activates the prototype weapon's voice tracking to calibrate it towards Red one of the birds! I now get massive bonuses to damage against Red. Move action to move, move action calibrate

"I do not have any skill at bird-calming... just turning birds into yakitori skewers."

Nevertheless, Iseph refrains from shooting... for the moment.

Tromping forward, following the trail, Grump readies his stormhammer for the eventual conflict with the birds.

Perception, wary for other complications: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (18) + 21 = 39

Note also that his Clearsight Goggles make the foliage less of a factor.

Grump sees that there is one more creature in the area!

Blue: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

The creatures fly in closer and spit high-pressure streams of some inky substance!

Blue vs Grump: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (4) + 17 = 21

Red vs Grump: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (20) + 17 = 37
ouch!: 2d8 + 7 ⇒ (3, 1) + 7 = 11 plus a Fort save
crit!: 2d8 + 7 ⇒ (7, 6) + 7 = 20

Yellow vs Amariel: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (2) + 17 = 19

Grump ducks out of the way of one stream right into another, while Amariel avoids a third.

Initiative!
Iseph
Navasi
Grump, -31 SP, Fort save vs poison
Amariel
Blue, Get 'em
Red, Tracked by Amariel
Yellow
Tash

Everyone is up!

Fort Save vs toxic spit: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 7 + 2 = 24

The bird lands a solid hit, but (I hope) none of the inky goo gets past his close-pressed lips (though that cigar will definitely need to be replaced).

It looks like the birds are still airborne - how high up are they?

Life Science to ID the birds: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

"What are these beasties?" he wonders
preference for resistances if successful, your choice beyond that

While his thoughts churn, his Forcepack triggers, launching him into the sky, climbing counter-clockwise around the Blue-feathered avian.

He brings his hammer down.

paramag storm hammer vs Get'em'd Blue KAC: 1d20 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 16 + 2 = 37
B&E damage: 3d6 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (3, 4, 3) + 15 + 2 = 27

"GET SOME!" bellows the dwarf, around a soggy, somewhat smoking cigar.

A few moments ago…

Tash studies the rock bear tracks and shakes his head. “Weird thing about these rock bear tracks… they’re too clear. The feet should leave different depths of imprints, but these look identical. It’s almost like the bear wants us to find it.”

… but then the birds attack!
Tash slips through the underbrush with surprising speed. He twists the trident as he raises it to his shoulder, then lines up a shot the bird nearest to Gump.

Life science to identify the birds — it’s a long shot, but worth trying.
Life Science: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 Nope, he’s got nothing.

Nimble Moves to ignore 20’ of difficult terrain. Swift action to activate the laser rifle built into the Levaloch trident
Laser Rifle shot against Blue with Get ‘Em: 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 14 + 2 = 27
Damage: 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (6, 4) + 8 = 18 Fire

Iseph wrinkles their nose in disgust.

"Lovely..."

They then line up a shot on Blue.

Trick - 'Take 10' (Mastery) = 32. Flat-footed for 1 round.

Ghost Killer Thunderstrike Sonic Pistol: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 10 + 2 = 28, for 1d8 + 4 + 4d8 ⇒ (8) + 4 + (5, 7, 1, 4) = 29 Sonic damage.

On the off-hand that Grump takes a direct hit, his Mk 2 Electrostatic Shield shocks that attacker.

Retaliatory E-Shock: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 3) = 4

Improved Feint, vs Yellow: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16 Vs DC 15 + 1.5CR to be FF against next attack
Zero Pistol vs Yellow, C damage: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 231d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 Plus get'em, from improved get'em: +2 for everyone

Navasi makes a swift sideways movement which seems to go nowhere, then shoots at the closest bird with her zero pistol.

Amariel moves to where he can get a better shot, and brings his prototype weapon to bear. with the nimble moves feat, I can move through 20 ft of difficult terrain no problem.

Prototype Refraction Resonantor vs Red EAC: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27
Sonic Damage: 2d8 + 20 ⇒ (7, 8) + 20 = 35

Grump avoids the ink, but his cigar is indeed lost. The birds are ten feet up. He recognizes augerwings! They do not have any resistances, immunities, or vulnerabilities. He also knows that they can impale you with their long beaks if they charge you!

Grump beats Blue to the punch and flies up to smash it with a hammer.

Tash can't remember anything about them, but doesn't need to in order to land a shot with his rifle!

Iseph easily follows up with a trick attack, that takes down Blue!

Navasi nicks Yellow and Amariel gets a solid shot on Red.

Red and Yellow both dive downward, spiraling around!

Red charge vs Amariel: 1d20 + 14 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 14 - 2 = 20

Yellow charge vs Iseph: 1d20 + 14 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 14 - 2 = 28
ouch!: 2d6 + 11 ⇒ (2, 2) + 11 = 15 piercing

Red clangs off of Amariel, while Yellow not only hits Iseph but pierces them with their beak, grappling them!

At the start of Iseph's turn, that inky substance starts to leak onto them.

Initiative!
Iseph, -15 SP, grappled by Yellow, Fort save vs poison
Navasi
Grump, -31 SP
Amariel
Red, Tracked by Amariel, -35 hp (<50 % hp)
Yellow, -6 hp
Tash

Watching his primary foe plummet to the jungle floor, Grump pulls a tight tun & lands near the augerwing impaling Iseph.

He spits his cigar to the ground, turning his gaze to the yellow bird. "Hands off, you pinky-beaked varmint. Well, maybe Beaks off instead. In any case, I've got a headache for you.

Mind Thust 4 DC 21: 10d10 ⇒ (5, 5, 9, 6, 2, 8, 9, 5, 10, 4) = 63

"How d'ya line that, Birdbrain?"

If it fails the save & survives, it's Fatigued for 1 round.

Fort: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 2 = 8.

Less than impressed, Iseph vents their frustration.

"Bugger off!"

Trick - 'Take 10' (Mastery) = 32. Flat-footed for 1 round.

Tactical Knife: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28, for 2d4 + 6 + 4d8 ⇒ (3, 2) + 6 + (6, 6, 5, 2) = 30 Piercing damage.