[YFF/SFS/DMK] 6-10 The Death of Kortus IV (Inactive)

Game Master Kludde

The last tank goes down in a crossfire of sonic blasts, electric strike and unspecified additional effects, leaving the stomper tank as a burnt-out monument to the horrors of war.

As the final tank collapses to the ground, the last of the Order infantry on the landing pad are defeated. In moments, a Starfinder shuttle arrives to evacuate more civilians while the gathered Starfinders and Stewards tend the wounded. Ongie scans the crowd of refugees, looking more distressed by the moment. “Has anyone seen Roget?” she asks repeatedly, before sighing in despair. “My father’s not among the survivors. You have to search the mine for him! It’s where he was last seen and—” Her anxiety is interrupted by a low rumbling that quickly grows to a heavy tremble. With a reverberating crash, a damaged mech swerves its way into view and stumbles onto the landing pad. Several Starfinder teams ready their weapons, but the mech’s cockpit opens, revealing the pilot. Tara Nova hops out, looking bruised and bloody. “Ah, you already took out the tanks. Sorry I’m late, but we have another problem. Who’s got a working comm link? Mine’s busted.”

Just report in that there's a convoy of Order vehicles, which has been spotted heading to the mines. Even worse, Sozirenn is on site! We have to bring the fight to the mines! Tara insists.

Will nods gravely.

"Understood. We should be on our way. I hear today is a good day for an undead dragon to die... again."

Did we take advantage of all the extra gear we've found? I know J'Shun took the forcefield.

"Double time it to the mines Kommandos! We've got a dragon to deal with."

J'Shun's intricately decorated armor reflects the light shining off of it making it seem like he is glowing and the clan Summersword crest, a longsword inset upon a blazing sun, on his rageshkor shield is a clear beacon to everyone that the first son of Clan Summersword is in command of the battlefield.

Rani sends the report for Tara. She looks grim. Understood. Let's go get Roget

Tara reports in on the situation. After a few moments of thought, Ehu’s voice crackles over the comms. “Sensor scans indicate that most Order forces have cleared out, but there’s nearly thirty life signs still inside the mines. Red Team, Blue Team, proceed to the mines. Rescue what civilians you can, then get back to the landing pad for evacuation. Exercise extreme caution if you encounter Sozirenn. We’ve lost dozens of Starfinders to them already. Ongie, you are not cleared to join them. Report for evacuation.”

While Ongie looks stunned for a moment, she nods, as if acknowledging a trip to the mines would likely result in her death. “Promise me you’ll bring my father back, if you can,” she presses. Meanwhile, Tara hops into the damaged mech’s cockpit and lowers its hand, opening its palm. “Time is of the essence, so climb aboard and hang on tight; I’ll get us to the mines!”

The city whistles past in a haze of smoke and flames as Tara pilots the mech, pushing its engines to their maximum. The giant machine rocks back and forth as it’s buffeted by the air, charging over the city’s outer buildings. As it nears the mine, the sound of explosions tears the sky. A series of missiles whistle past the mech, trailing white plumes behind them. Tara swerves to the right, but another projectile slams into the vessel’s side, sending it hurling down. The mech crashes, mercifully near the mine’s entrance. As Order soldiers and vehicles converge on the area, Tara unleashes a punishing hail of gunfire from the mech’s guns. “I’ll hold the entrance!” she shouts. “You clear the mine! And make sure to give Sozirenn a bullet for me! Go, now!”

The mines are very quiet. There’s no sign of any Order soldiers in the entryway passages, but as the group progresses downward, the first signs of conflict become apparent: discharged ammunition, laser burns on the rocky walls, collapsed passages, and the corpses of civilian miners. There's a discarded medium excavation laser and a driver seismic pick.

Perception: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (19) + 21 = 40.

Will easily points out the additional items.

"Let's keep locked and loaded!"

The walls of the winding stone tunnels glimmer with strands of thin ore, illuminated by the sterile light of flickering panels. Ahead, nearly thirty civilians, all filthy, bruised, and bony from starvation, huddle in a metal cage.

A cruel laugh echoes through the surrounding tunnels, seeming to come from everywhere at once. “I can smell you, Starfinders,” the voice snarls. “Your society butchered my paramour. I’ve enjoyed taking revenge on your fellows; it’s why we allowed you to know of our cull. We knew you’d come here to play the heroes, and in allowing it, we could thin your ranks. It’s quite helpful of you to gather all your bravest Starfinders in one place, so far from reinforcements.” The sound of talons scraping across stone punctuates Sozirenn’s words. “Kortus IV burns, and the Starfinders will hobble home, broken and leaderless. If you think the battles you’ve lost here are a defeat, wait until you see what’s coming!”

Only part of this mazy map is visible, and it's hard to tell where the sound is coming from. The prisoners are in a locked cage straight ahead.

---
Rani
Roquefort
---
Enemies
---
Will
Verrek
Gil-Oloth
J'Shun
---

"We can't even promise to bring ourselves back" Roquefort jokes grimly "We will do our job"

***
Perception 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (11) + 21 = 32

"Nice engineer-class crisis wrench and starship welder"

Roquefort turns on his MedObserve interface so he can track life signs, and heads down the tunnel.

Ninja'd it seems

Roquefort splits into several copies
Holograhic clone 1d4 ⇒ 3
Then moves to the side tunnels, not interested in walking into the obvious kill-zone.

Verrek puts his tattooed hand on Ongie's shoulder and nods silently, then climbs into the mech.

On the way to the mines, he looks at the destroyed city disappearing into smoke and says some verses in a slightly singsong voice... thoughtfully, to himself, as if remembering something.

The war was lost
The treaty signed
I was not caught
I crossed the line
I was not caught
Though many tried
I live among you
Well-disguised

The dwarf enters the mines in silence, but the song keeps spinning in his head. Suitable lines. It's time to pay the bills.

Names so deep
And names so true
They're blood to me
They're dust to you
There is no need
And this survives
There's Truth that lives
And Truth that dies

When Verrek hears Sozirenn's voice, he snorts. I'm not afraid of death. I'll just take you with me, that's fine with me.

Rani nods to Ongie We'll bring him back - one way or another

At the mine, she goes into stealth mode, following Roquefort, in the hope she can get the prisoners out of danger while the others hold off the opposition.

stealth: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (11) + 24 = 35

Rani and Roquefort are very wary of a trap, and stealthily moves around the underground maze, until they see a flickering of light betraying the presence of Sorizenn and their cronies.

There's the sound of spellcasting and the flapping of wings.

Mirror Image, Red: 1d4 ⇒ 1
Mirror Image, Blue: 1d4 ⇒ 4

---(Round 1)--
Will
Verrek
Gil-Oloth
J'Shun
---(Round 2)--
Rani
Roquefort
---
Sorizzen
Ysoki - Red (+1 fake)
Ysoki - Blue (+4 fakes)
---

"Don't make me laugh. Your partner was a swindler and a thug. The fact that he is now lying on an Exo-Guardian autopsy table, waiting to be taken apart in the name of 'Collection and Examination' is just icing on the cake. From memory, in the process they found the latest anniversary present that had been picked out for you - unfortunately such a gaudy Ring of Resistance was so tasteless nobody wanted it, but we were able to get good credits for it at a certain Vesk's pawnshop, so it wasn't a total loss.

Besides, you are misunderstanding something very important - we aren't stuck down here with you; you are stuck down here with us; caught like a rat in a trap... or possibly some kind of overly-self-important skink."

Yes, I am trying to provoke her into doing something rash...notably, doing so *before* I move :-P

Will then quietly flaps forward, a pistol covered in golden holographic holy symbols clutched in his hand, and takes a shot at her.

Conserving Holy Quantum Storage Spell Storing Aurora Arc Pistol: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (15) + 17 = 32, for 3d6 + 6 + 5d8 ⇒ (6, 5, 1) + 6 + (1, 2, 5, 5, 3) = 34 (Holy) Electricity damage.

Roquefort chases the enemy rat.

Vs Red
Called Corona Laser Pistol
Trick Attack (SM) Take 10 = CR13 Tricked.
Attack 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24 vs FF EAC
Which image? Hit on 1 - 1d2 ⇒ 2
Damage 2d4 + 4 + 5d8 ⇒ (4, 1) + 4 + (7, 5, 6, 3, 7) = 37 F
+10 points bleed damage.

Roquefort blows out the image!

*cough* Just to be clear, that was a trick attack. I get CR 20 or less, and she is flat-footed.

Verrek smiles wryly at the familiar spell. He walks forward and does the same thing.

Mirror Image: 1d4 ⇒ 3

I see dead people two red ratfolks on the map. Is this how it should be?

Will takes aim at the undead dragonkin, who flinches for a moment as Will speaks, enough for will to land his shot.

Roquefort eliminates the spell of the ysoki warrior, while Verrek gives the enemy a taste of their own medicine.

Colors now fixed

---(Round 1)--
Will
Verrek
Gil-Oloth
J'Shun
---(Round 2)--
Rani
Roquefort
---
Sorizzen (34)
Ysoki - Red
Ysoki - Blue (+4 fakes)
---

Gil-Oloth's couch moves her closer to the action.

Rani makes an acrobatic dash across the gap while firing at Red

Autotrick cr 14+
aphelion laser pistol: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18
fire: 3d4 + 5 ⇒ (2, 4, 4) + 5 = 15
extra: 5d8 ⇒ (3, 1, 4, 6, 2) = 16

J'Shun turns on his force field and then uses entropy to speed his approach toward the dragon.

Is that a slight sloshing sound inside Rani's weapon?

Gil-Oloth moves closer to where the fight is, while Rani provides cover fire, while her laser gun gives off some steam...

J'Shun faces the challenge head on!

Knife, Roquefort: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 322d4 + 9 ⇒ (1, 3) + 9 = 13

---
Sorizzen emerges from the mining shafts, filling the air with the sound of flapping wings. Without hesitation, the dragonkin exhales send a cloud of crackling electricity towards the starfinders.

Breath weapon, Electricity: 12d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 6, 2, 1, 1, 3, 1, 5, 1, 4, 3) = 34 DC 18 Reflex for half Vs J'shun, Will, Verrek

The yskoi mercenary behind the dragonkin invokes a spell, and hurls an object towards Will and Verrek

Explosive blast, AC5 + damage: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (18) + 17 = 359d6 ⇒ (4, 6, 4, 3, 3, 6, 6, 1, 1) = 34Vs Will, Verrek, DC 20 Reflex for half

The other ysoki takes a step back and sends a surge of electricity at Roquefort and Gil-Oloth

Arcing Surge: 10d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 5, 6, 4, 6, 3, 6, 6, 2) = 50VS Roque, G-O, DC 20 Reflex for half

---(Round 2)--
Will
Verrek
Gil-Oloth
J'Shun
---(Round 3)--
Rani
Roquefort
---
Sorizzen (34)
Ysoki - Red
Ysoki - Blue (+4 fakes)
---

Reflex: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15.
Reflex: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23.

Will is caught off-guard by the first blast of electricity, but easily dodges the second.

"Shocking!"

He then tries to reply the favour in kind, taking another shot at Sorizzen, zeroing in on her exact position thanks to his sniper scope.

Trick Attack - 'Take 10' = 40. Flat-Footed.

Conserving Holy Quantum Storage Spell Storing Aurora Arc Pistol + Sniper Scope: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (10) + 17 = 27, for 3d6 + 6 + 5d8 ⇒ (3, 3, 4) + 6 + (6, 6, 7, 6, 1) = 42 (Holy) Electricity damage.

Roquefort seems fine with the small cut from the knife, these ysoki are nothing like the ones he trained with on The Executioners' Nest - he watches the enemy Ysoki through the MedObserve Interface, a slight thrill as he sees their heart rate rise and the stress indicators showing on their vital sign readout...

Ref 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28
He just sidesteps the blast and gets back up in the rodents face - then pulls the trigger.

Vs Red
Called Corona Laser Pistol
Trick Attack (SM) Take 10 = CR13 Tricked.
Attack 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25 vs FF EAC
Damage 2d4 + 4 + 5d8 ⇒ (1, 2) + 4 + (1, 6, 7, 4, 6) = 31 F
+10 points bleed damage.

"Bleed for me"

Ref: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19 - 17 dmg
Ref: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17 - 34 dmg

Not wanting to step on the bridge, which seems dangerous to him, Verrek teleports directly to one of the servants of Sorizzen and hits...

Flash Teleport (1RP) + Spellstrike

Ghost Killer Storm Doshko + Jolting Surge: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 11 + 2 = 212d8 + 12 + 4d6 ⇒ (1, 1) + 12 + (3, 6, 5, 3) = 31 - electricity vs EAC

Ref DC20: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31
Ref DC20: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Gil-Oloth avoid the worst of the blast, but not her couch.

She concentrates as her couch moves closer and cast Hold Person Will DC19 to avoid on the Ysoki.

Will takes a careful aim through the sniper scope, and finds the massive dragon defiantly staring back at him. All the easier to land a shot.

Roquefort shoots the ysoki in front of him, making good use of the distracting sharp blow landed by Verrek

Gil-Oloth attempts to freeze the Ysoki in place, but it takes more than this to outsmart the Order mercenary.

Will vs Hold: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32

---(Round 2)--
Will
Verrek
Gil-Oloth
J'Shun
---(Round 3)--
Rani
Roquefort
---
Sorizzen (76)
Ysoki - Red (62 + 10 bleed)
Ysoki - Blue (+4 fakes)
---

What is that in front of J'Shun? Is it a bridge?

It's a bridge over a chasm, which looks sturdy (i.e. not a collapse hazard in any way). The sides are just some rope handholds, quite easy to cross. The area that says 'cage' is the cage full of prisoners.

Can he charge across it from where he is?

I think that hole in the ground two squares away will make it hard. Unless you have a jump- or flying charge ability, I'm tempted to say 'no'

J'Shun activates his jet pack and flies straight at the dragon. Coming to a landing next to it he swings Sun Crusher at it's jugular.

Entropic Strike vs. Dragon EAC: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24
Bludgeoning Damage (Force): 3d6 + 15 ⇒ (6, 6, 3) + 15 = 30

"I AM SPACE ADMIRAL J'SHUN KAY, FIRST SON OF CLAN SUMMERSWORD, HOUSE OF DAVION, LINE OF ATSU, BORN IN FIRE! Face me in ritual combat filthy worm."

Rani stealthly takes another shot at Red
Autotrick cr 14+
aphelion laser pistol: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29
fire: 3d4 + 5 ⇒ (4, 3, 4) + 5 = 16
extra: 5d8 ⇒ (8, 1, 2, 4, 4) = 19

Rani overwhelms the ysoki, while J'Shun goes for the full push through the middle, hitting the dragonkin with entropic force

Sorizzen laughs as he sees the admiral close Foolish Admiral, I have reduced a dozen worlds to ash and bone. Do you truly believe you can stop me?

The dragonkin dives onto the Admiral and grabs the kasatha, tearing into him with their augmented claws.

Solar weapon, vs J'Shun, plus grab: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (17) + 23 = 404d6 + 19 ⇒ (4, 4, 1, 6) + 19 = 34

The ysoki behind the dragon creates some space, then conjures a line of electricity hitting both the dragon and the admiral

Arcing surge: 10d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 1, 5, 6, 5, 1, 3, 5, 1) = 39DC 20 Reflex for half, vs admiral

The last ysoki takes a step back, and also send forth an arc of electricty, catching Will and Verrek

Arcing surge: 10d6 ⇒ (2, 6, 6, 2, 2, 6, 4, 4, 2, 3) = 37DC 20 Reflex for half, vs will, verrek

---(Round 3)--
Will
Verrek
Gil-Oloth
J'Shun (grappled)
---(Round 4)--
Rani
Roquefort
---
Sorizzen (106 / cd3)
Ysoki - Red (107 + 10 bleed)
Ysoki - Blue (+4 fakes)
---

Reflex: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27.

Will snorts.

"Don't worry - we are working on doing the same to you."

He then lines up another careful shot on the overgrown undead skink.

Trick Attack - 'Take 10' = 40. Flat-Footed.

Conserving Holy Quantum Storage Spell Storing Aurora Arc Pistol + Sniper Scope: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (16) + 17 = 33, for 3d6 + 6 + 5d8 ⇒ (5, 6, 1) + 6 + (8, 8, 2, 4, 7) = 47 (Holy) Electricity damage.

Roquefort advances on the rat again, delighted the silly enemy prioritised the lizard over self-preservation

Vs Red
Called Corona Laser Pistol
Trick Attack (SM) Take 10 = CR13 Tricked.
Attack 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29 vs FF EAC
Damage 2d4 + 4 + 5d8 ⇒ (1, 4) + 4 + (1, 7, 3, 5, 5) = 30 F
+10 points bleed damage.

Rani takes another shot at Red, while looking for the door to the cage.

Autotrick cr 14+
aphelion laser pistol: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31
fire: 3d4 + 5 ⇒ (4, 3, 4) + 5 = 16
extra: 5d8 ⇒ (8, 1, 2, 1, 3) = 15

J'Shun's forcefield absorbs most of the dragon's attack and much of the rest is negated by his ability to shape entropy to his needs. mitigate, so 5 damage goes through

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 9 - 2 = 23

The Space Admiral takes a shock from the ysoki spell, but his control of entropy allows him to use some of it to his advantage.

Caught in the dragon's grasp J'Shun strikes back with Sun Crusher and brings around his shield to protect him from the dragon's breath.

Entropic Strike vs. Dragon EAC: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 12 - 2 = 21
Bludgeoning (Force) Damage: 3d6 + 15 ⇒ (4, 1, 3) + 15 = 23

Entropy +1, EAC 30, KAC 32 this round.

Gil-Oloth's couch reacts against the Ysoki in its reach with its vines as they cast a spell.

AoO Xenolash vs KAC: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25
Damages, S&A: 2d4 + 12 ⇒ (2, 3) + 12 = 17

Gil-Oloth shoots at the Ysoki

Aphelion Laser Rifle vs Red EAC: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
Damages, F&So: 3d6 + 9 ⇒ (2, 5, 6) + 9 = 22

The couch steps next to the Ysoki and strikes.

Xenolash vs KAC: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20
Damages, S&A: 2d4 + 12 ⇒ (3, 2) + 12 = 17

Roquefort blasts the ysoki with his laser gun, and the order mercenary collapses in a heap of smoke.

Rani finds a locked door on the side of the cage (Engineering + standard action to open)

Also, no target for Rani or G-O, so action refund...

The admiral struggles against the hold of the dragonkin, almost manages to hit it. If only...

---(Round 3)--
Will
Verrek
Gil-Oloth (refunded)
J'Shun (grappled)
---(Round 4)--
Rani (refunded)
Roquefort
---
Sorizzen (153 / cd3)
Ysoki - Red (DOWN)
Ysoki - Blue (+4 fakes)
---

Rani goes for the lock
Excuse me. Is there a Roget in here? His daughter says 'Hi!'.

engineering: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (17) + 17 = 34

Rani heads out to the cage lock, opens it with a flourish, and finds the familiar face of Roget among the crowd. The ysoki looks a lot more time-worn than the last time Rani laid eyes on him. He coughs and says here.... As the cage door swings open, Roget leads out the prisoners, who hurry for the exit. We're not fighters... and we have no arms...

---(Round 3)--
Will
Verrek
Gil-Oloth (refunded)
J'Shun (grappled)
---(Round 4)--
Rani
Roquefort
---
Sorizzen (153 / cd3)
Ysoki - Red (DOWN)
Ysoki - Blue (+4 fakes)
---

Have the Order maimed the poor prisoners?! thinks Gil-Oloth as they said they have no arms!

Take cover behind us, we will take care of the Order's men. Says the elf in a yawn.

Then she makes her couch move closer to the undead abomination and shoots twice at it!

Aphelion vs EAC: 1d20 + 11 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 11 - 4 = 25
Damages, F&So: 3d6 + 9 ⇒ (3, 3, 6) + 9 = 21
Aphelion vs EAC: 1d20 + 11 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 11 - 4 = 17
Damages, F&So: 3d6 + 9 ⇒ (2, 6, 1) + 9 = 18

If J'Shun's attack missed by 1 he will use his turquoise cube aeon stone to add +1 to the roll so it hits.

Nono, arms! As in 'the right to arm bears'

Gil-Oloth fires at the dragon, and blasting the wing of the abonimation. The little repositioning is enough for J'Shun to turn a missed attack into a hit, hitting the dragonkin in the soft, decaying underbelly.

Gil-Oloth's second shot seems to miss, but the dragon tries to drag J'Shun into the shot's path.

1RP to redirect, vs J'Shun: 1d20 + 20 - 4 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 20 - 4 - 2 = 28

---(Round 3)--
Will
Verrek
Gil-Oloth
J'Shun (grappled)
---(Round 4)--
Rani
Roquefort
---
Sorizzen (211 / cd3)
Ysoki - Red (DOWN)
Ysoki - Blue (+4 fakes)
---

No arm, no chocolate!
I know, I was just thinking that it was funny to say it, especially in my character's head :D

Ref: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Once again burned by electricity, Verrek only growls ferociously. He walks forward... And then teleports behind the dragon's back.

Flank for Admiral! And for me if I'll survive for next round .)

Verrek at least provides a good distraction for the prisoner to make their escape. Teleporting into the back of the dragon, he provides a nuisance for the founder.

You annoying gnat! I have lived a hundred lives and died a hundred deaths— nothing can truly kill me!

With that, the drgaon bursts into a ball of electricity

Electric Discharge: 12d8 ⇒ (3, 7, 2, 2, 6, 6, 5, 4, 2, 1, 4, 3) = 45 Verrek, J'Shun, Gil-Oloth, DC 18 Reflex for half

From the back, the ysoki adds to the mayhem by firing a batch of magical missiles at the admiral

Magic Missile, J'Shun: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (2, 2, 4) + 3 = 11

---(Round 4)--
Will
Verrek
Gil-Oloth
J'Shun
---(Round 5)--
Rani
Roquefort
---
Sorizzen (211 / cd3)
Ysoki - Red (DOWN)
Ysoki - Blue (+4 fakes)
---

"Then we will just have to keep adding to them, until you meet your final end."

So saying, Will lines up another careful shot.

Trick Attack - 'Take 10' = 40. Flat-Footed.

Conserving Holy Quantum Storage Spell Storing Aurora Arc Pistol + Sniper Scope: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (13) + 17 = 30, for 3d6 + 6 + 5d8 ⇒ (5, 1, 1) + 6 + (4, 3, 3, 5, 5) = 33 (Holy) Electricity damage.