STARSHIP COMBAT ROUND EIGHT Cont'd!
Gunnery Phase Cont'd!
Grimly, Gold-Flecked Black keeps blasting away with the turret weapon, aiming for the same arc as before.
The creature's evasive manuevering allows it to barely dodge the coil gun projectiles. As it avoids the laser fire, it releases another quill.
Thanks to Kalhoun's flight training, it misses.
STARSHIP COMBAT ROUND NINE BEGINS!
Engineering Phase (Round Nine) Begins!
Helm Phase (Round Nine) Begins!
Being a predator, stalking its prey, the creature circles the Pathfinder vessel, attempting to get close.
Movement now updated on Slides.
Your efforts reveal the same information as in the prior spoiler, with the following changes:
HP 55 (31 currently)
Bioshields 40 24 (forward 10 9, port 10 0, starboard 10, aft 10 4 )
Attack (turret) tracking quills +3
Range short; Damage 3d6; limited fire 5 0
Power Core Creature heart (150 PCU)
Gunnery Phase Begins!
STARSHIP COMBAT ROUND NINE CONT'D!
All Phases Cont'd
Vega is still boosting power to the weapons.
The creature tries to move evasively.
Celebryn Edasseril fires the front laser canon.
Rover Yi fires the starboard laser canon.
Only Rover Yi manages to hit the target, but the beam burns brighter with Vega's help.
The creature makes no attack.
The creature is injured and looks prepared to flee.
OK. Besides, I better get that quill out of the hull. Does anyone want to come with?
As the creature limps off into the Vast, the Pegasus approaches the planet that holds the outpost identified as "Colony-818". Rounding the planet, you find that its moon has entered within the world's gravity well.
Extensive chunks of rock, some the size of cities, are slowly being torn away from the moon by the planet’s gravity. Those same forces pull the shredded, stony masses downward towards the planet’s surface. The resulting meteors explode and burn up within the planet’s thick, hazy atmosphere, shrouding the world in a dim, reddish glow.
Due to their proximity to the planet, the largest pieces of the remains of the dead moon are locked in a geosynchronis orbit, which just so happens to be at a point directly above the coordinates provided for the outpost. Accordingly, the area around the outpost is subject to the most severe of the meteor bombardment of the planet.
Fortunately, the planet’s thick atmosphere acts as a protective barrier, causing most of the falling debris to explode or burn away within the upper levels of the atmosphere. However, due to their solid composition, erractive movements, and high speeds, enough scorched fragments appear to be reaching the planet's surface with sufficient intensity to render an area of several miles around the outpost too dangerous for the landing of a starship.
The nearest suitable landing area consists of a vast, stone barren. The rocky ground is pocked by dozens of holes. At first, the series of earthen depressions appear at first to be craters, but soon it is clear that they contain holes that extend deep beneath the planet’s surface.
A low, rumbling sound moves through the thick air, getting louder as it approaches. A cloud of dust and dirt appears over the horizon and steadily moves toward the hole-lined barren. Just beneath the low-flying cloud are a pair of low-riding vehicles sitting atop fast-spinning wheels pushing along a set of sturdy, tank-like treads. Stretched behind and between the two vehicles is series of long, metallic strands forming a net-like device that drags along the ground, stirring up the soil into large plumes of dust.
Short beings, their eyes covered with goggles and their faces wrapped in scarves, sit atop the open-carriage vehicles. The creatures seem to point and nod in your direction and at each other as the noise from the vehicle’s rumbling engines increases and the vehicles increase the speed of their approach toward you.
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Gold-Flecked Black breathes a (telepathic) sigh of relief when the space monster runs away.
Glad to see the back of that one!
Once they are down on the surface...
The net-like device appears to be some sort of harvesting device, dredging the mineral-rich surface dirt for any small flora or fauna found on the surface or in the shallow ground just beneath it.
Let's try to avoid being caught in it, okay?
He then moves out of the path of the oncoming vehicle, waiting to one side.
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OK. Besides, I better get that quill out of the hull. Does anyone want to come with?
Kalhoun carefully maneuvers the ship through the debris and onto the safe landing coordinates. After checking everyone's gear and ensuring that environmental seals are all active, he leads the group out of the ship.
Seeing the dredging vehicle approach, he calls the mote of electricity to surround his armor and loosens his pistol in the holster, but remains unarmed (well, as unarmed as a humanoid dinosaur can be). He waits for the vehicles to get close enough that the drivers might hear him, then calls out, "Greetings! We are Starfinders, looking for a Desnan outpost in this area. Could you direct us to it?"
He waits for the vehicles to get close enough that the drivers might hear him, then calls out, "Greetings! We are Starfinders, looking for a Desnan outpost in this area. Could you direct us to it?"
As Kalhoun shouts, the vehicles come to a halt, several yards ahead of the party. The two drivers look at each other for a moment, before one jumps down from his machine and rushes toward you excitedly. The heavy gravity of the planet does not slow his stride. He removes his head covering and goggles as he approaches, revealing a green-skinned, humanoid creature with small eyes and protruding teeth.
He is soon joined by the second driver and the two come towards the party, releasing a series of grunts and waving their limbs.
"DOES NOT COMPUTE"
The drone confirms that the language being spoken is not one used among the Pact Worlds with any frequency.
They seem curious, rather than hostile - asking things like who we are, and where did we come from.
Gold-Flecked Black does his best to get a conversation started...
...but isn't sure how well his point gets across.
The stellifera's efforts are met by quizzical expressions, followed by more grunts and gestures from the green-skinned humanoids.
Meanwhile Vega points to her Holy Symbol of Desna then makes a gesturing motion around as if trying to say 'Have you seen this symbol anywhere else?'
Upon spying the holy symbol, the two not-so-much-goblin creatures give each other a glance, then begin talking to one another at a quicker pace.
Hesori smiles and looks at one of the creatures and trys to speak telepathically.
The taller of the two creatures catches Hesori's expression, then tries to mimic it. A smile briefly forms on his face, before he resumes his heated discussion with the other.
Hesori is unable to receive any discernable communication, suggesting that the Starfinder does not share a language with these particular creaures.
"Wow, those guys kinda look like Goblins ...
She then smacks her forehead as she just remembered she has a spellgem of Comprehend Language and activates it.
As the magic takes effect, Vega begins to understand the creature's alien language, catching the tale end of their exchange.
"Which is why we should take them to the see the elders!" The taller of the two creatures explains to the other.
"How do we know they aren't a threat?" The other replies. "And, even if they weren't, what makes you think the elders could understand them? We don't even know where they came from!"
"The stars! They came from the stars!" The first's voice grows insistent.
"Shush! You shouldn't being saying that." The other responds sharpy. "Especially not if you want to take them to the elders. They'll exile us both."
"But, don't you see? That is why the elders need to speak with them.
They're proof!" The first creature stamps his foot on the dusty ground for emphasis.
"You can risk it, if you wish," continues the shorter creature. "But, I am returning to the village."
The shorter creature returns his scarf and goggles to his face and begins heading back to one of the vehicles.
The other, taller creature turns his back to the vehicles and continues to plead with you. "You are from the stars, aren't you? You are not of this world, right?"
"All our lives, we've been told that space travel was too dangerous--some even said impossible--yet here you are. And the Starbeast is gone! How were you able to get past it?" The taller creature continues excitely. "Oh, how I wish you could understand me!"
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Vega does pass that on. She squats down and starts drawing pictures on the ground, starting with the ground, then the starbeast high above, along with dots to represent the stars. She then indicates the ship and her companions and draws a path coming from the stars, around the starbeast, then an arrow indicating the starbeast flying away, finishing off with the ship landing on the ground and stick figures coming out of it.
She points to herself Vega
If this doesn't work, I'm not sure what else to do.
The taller creature gives a quizzical look, as he follows Vega's strokes in the dirt. After a few moments, a look of realization seems to come over his face. He gives a toothy grin.
Looking at the undine, he thumps his chest. "Venjo!" He declares eagerly. He then thumps the Starfinder's chest. "Vega."
Pointing at the shorter creature, who has begun detaching the net that connects the two vehicles, he says, "Rapshider!"
Upon hearing his name called, the other creature looks up.
"Rapshider!" The taller one cries out again. "This is Vega. I think they will all come with us!"
Turning back to the Starfinders, he says in his native tongue. "Come, let us race back to the village." He motions for the party to follow him.
Upon approaching the two vehicles, you notice that the net once held between the two vehicles has been detached. Venjo pulls his scarf and goggles over his face and motions for the party to the do the same. He then directs the party over to one of the vehicles as he climbs up and joins Rapshider on the other.
"Do you really think they know how to drive a dirt trawler?" Rapshider asks of Venjo as the former starts the vehicle's engine.
"If I am wrong, then you don't have to worry about them following us back to the elders." Venjo replies.
He then calls out to the Starfinders, pointing at the empty dirt trawler. "Come with us back to the village," he cries. "See if you can keep up!"
"Do you think they can understand you?" Rapshider asks Venjo.
"Shut up and get ready to hit the gas lever." Venjo replies.
They want us to follow them back to their village - erm - on that thing.
Vega hops on it and attempts to start it.
Maybe it's not as similar to a sea scooter as she thought.
It is not. As Vega struggles with the starter, the other dirt trawler takes off toward the cratered field ahead, leaving the Starfinders in the dust.
No, no. You need to depress the break, and then push that button over *there* to get it to start.
Helpfully pointing out how to start it properly, Gold-Flecked Black continues to offer piloting advice.
The stellifera points his tentacles towards the right places and the dirt trawler hums to life. The sound of the starting vehicle reverbates in the thick atmosphere, causing the pair of locals to looks back at the Starfinders. Although their faces are covered, one would think the two were impressed.
"You don't place in the Star Cross without knowing how to fly anything."
Seizing the controls, Kalhoun puts the dirt trawler in full motion, rapidly narrowing the gap between vehicle of the Starfinders and that of the creatures ahead.
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The driven dust hangs low in the dense atmosphere as the two vehicles approach the center of the crater field. As the vehicles drive by the craters, more green-skinned creatures emerge from the craters, revealing them to be openings to underground dwellings and other structures. More such creatures appear and it is now evident that the party has entered the middle of a local village.
Bringing their dirt trawler to a stop, the two creatures the party had already met dismount. They are immediately met by one of the village elders.
Kalhoun manages to park the vehicle nearby and shut off its gas motor, allowing Vega to hear the discussion among the locals.
"What is the meaning of all this?" The green-skinned elder demands. "You two have come back without any catch? And who is driving the the other dirt trawler?"
"We have something better than a fresh catch, Elder Yetu," Venjo assures. "We have visitors."
"Visitors? I suppose they do seem skilled with the vehicle," conceded Yetu. "But, who are these others? Where have they come from?"
"They are from the stars, Elder Yetu," announces Venjo.
There is a clear gasp that can be heard among the collected locals, which transcends even the obvious language barriers.
"The stars? You know that such talk is forbidden." Yetu scolds the juvenile Venjo. "This world is our home. The only place we were meant to be. We, Vertrullans, were never meant to depart it. Did not the ancestors place the great beast in the sky to ensure that we never foolishly even entertain such thoughts as traveling among the stars?"
"Yes, of course. That is what we have been taught," Venjo concedes. "But, they must have gotten past the great beast somehow, for here they are."
"Be careful. The last Vertrullan who spoke of overcoming the creature and urging travel to the stars was the Exile." Yetu's expression is stern with warning.
"One of them does bear the symbol of the forbidden structure." Rapshider mutters, realizing that the discussion seems to be turning even worse than he had anticipated and clearly hoping to distance himself from the troubles mounting upon Venjo.
"The structure that breathes fire on those that approach?!" Yetu shrieks, clearly finding the explanation unacceptable. "How do you know they are star travelers and not subjects of the Exile's magic or, worse, in league with him?"
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Vega is looking more and more alarmed by the second as she translates.
I dunno how long that spellgem has left but .... we need to find a way to speak to them and soon
And I'm not sure if the quill will help. They may not associate it with the Star Beast
Vega attempts to calm the situation with diplomacy, trying to explain that they did come from the stars, they did drive off the Star Beast - and yes, you can do that too.
She looks to the others for help.
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Although the Vertrullans are clearly unable to understand the words of the Starfinders, Hesori's training in the diplomatic arts allows the lashunta to allay the elder's fears that the Starfinders may pose some immediate threat and, more impressively, to convey enough details to the locals to give them a basic understanding that the Starfinders have, in fact, arrived from offworld, overcome the Great Star Beast, and are not in league with the Exile.
"We do not oppose the visitors staying in our village, if they so wish." Elder Yetu informs Venjo. "And, should they desire to go to the forbidden structure, we will not stop them. But, if the visitors go there, they shall do so alone."
"Be sure to warn them that the forbidden structure is a dangerous place. I cannot allow any from the village to go there. Any who attempt to do so, will face exile. If these visitors are shot with fire or fall sway to magical powers, none us will be able to come to their air or recover their bodies." Elder Yetu concludes. "Though they may have come from the stars, should they go to the forbidden structure, they are likely to die here on our world."
As the elder turns and the villagers begin to disperse. A few linger for a few moments to eye the Starfinders cautiously, but most moving quickly, preferring the safety that lies within their subteranean homes.
Having understood that the party can understand him, but may not be able to do so for long, Venjo rapidly addresses the party. "I trust you understood the elder. She means what she says. When the villager learned that Rujin's daugther, Ugoki, a member of our settlement, had set out to the forbidden outpost in search of the Exile, Elder Yetu and the others would not let Rujin or any of the villagers go and try to bring her home. Ugoki has not been seen since."
"Travel to the forbidden structure is treacherous. It lies near the heart of the Field of Falling Stars. However, if you enter the Cave of Saedmara, which lies near that tower of stones on the horizon, you can travel through its main tunnels in relative safety." Venjo says. "They should return you to the surface, not far from the edge of the Field of Falling Stars."
"That is the way I believe Ugoki went and it is said the Exile went the same way." Venjo continues. "Should you encounter him, beware. Avoid him if you can and do not antagonize him. Before he was banished, it is said that he displayed magical powers. He seemed also to have lost touch with reality, for the Exile spoke of seeing a winged insect, but one unlike any on our world for its wings were delicate, too weak to fly within the atmosphere of our world. He began to speak of a prophecy, claiming that his mystic connection would grant him a divine status--like that of some foretold hero-god--whereby he would one day overcome the Great Star Beast and teach our people how to reach the stars."
Venjo pauses for a moment, "Such is, of course, unthinkable to our elders, but some of us...."
Venjo continues to speak and gesture toward the horizon and the sky, but his words can no longer be understood as the magic of the spellgem expires.
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I guess we go boldly and see what's going on. It sounds like the Desnians fitted the outpost with point defense lasers. Maybe to try and destroy incoming meteorites. But why would the outpost be attracting meteors ... unless the deflectors are running in reverse.
Besides, looks like one of them is out there in need of help
She ponders a bit more.
I wonder if Desna sent the Exile a vision of a butterfly?
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So am I. I'm also trying to remember what I know about these outposts. I was brought up on one but ... this one seems older than the one my parents ran, about what did Guidance say? 200 years old?
I know there was a network of telescopes of all sorts but ... I guess what we'll find depends on the outpost and why it's here in the first place. Should all be in the computers.