GM Valen's Starfinder Society Scenario #1-12: Ashes of Discovery (Hellknights)(December 2023)(TABLE 2)(Tier 3-4) (Inactive)

Game Master Lysle

A summons arrives requesting your presence at the Lorespire Complex on Absalom Station. There, you are to receive your assignment from Guidance. The networked entity is comprised of the personalities of prominent former Starfinder Society members, including the majority of First Seekers.

A gnome buries his nose in a tablet.

Then realizes he's in a meeting.

"Ah sorry Zarzucket here!"

A Sarcesian wearing an engineering toolbelt, well used leather engineering work clothes and a sniper rifle walks in.

Huh. Must be early for once. Soarin.

An android, followed by a little drone, enters and greets you.

Since it looks like you want to go high tier, I will bring a pregen.

A familiar-looking android sidles into the room.

Against the far wall of the meeting room rests a cluster of sleek black computers rests. The Starfinder Society emblem at the center of the server cluster shines and begins projecting a stream of holographic light. standing at the end of the meeting table closest to the servers.

“Greetings, I am Guidance. I have a new assignment for you. Please observe.”

The projection gestures a flicking hand to its side, and a stream of data detailing an outpost made of interconnected circular chambers scrolls beside it.

“One of the Pact Worlds’ most prestigious organizations, the Hellknights of the Order of the Pike, recently discovered a dataset detailing the location of an outpost abandoned over two hundred years ago," Guidance explains. "The organization has requested that the Starfinder Society dispatch a team of agents to secure the site, along with any remaining equipment or data. Your team will travel to this outpost and retrieve as much information about it as possible. You should also salvage any relevant equipment, which the Society will take as part of its payment. If you have questions, now is the time to present them."

Please fill providethe requested modifiers and starship roles and Slides.

Any questions for Guidance, Starfinders?

A young eager looking human walks in, dressed in heavy armor.

"Does anyone know what's on the world?"

And where abouts is this world. Presumably we will need to requisition a starship to get there.

Against the far wall of the meeting room rests a cluster of sleek black computers rests. The Starfinder Society emblem at the center of the server cluster shines and begins projecting a stream of holographic light. standing at the end of the meeting table closest to the servers.

“Greetings, I am Guidance. I have a new assignment for you. Please observe.”

The projection gestures a flicking hand to its side, and a stream of data detailing an outpost made of interconnected circular chambers scrolls beside it.

“One of the Pact Worlds’ most prestigious organizations, the Hellknights of the Order of the Pike, recently discovered a dataset detailing the location of an outpost abandoned over two hundred years ago," Guidance explains. "The organization has requested that the Starfinder Society dispatch a team of agents to secure the site, along with any remaining equipment or data. Your team will travel to this outpost and retrieve as much information about it as possible. You should also salvage any relevant equipment, which the Society will take as part of its payment. If you have questions, now is the time to present them."

Please fill providethe requested modifiers and starship roles and Slides.

Any questions for Guidance, Starfinders?

The half-elf looks around; "Good point: we don't have to travel there on a commercial vessel ... right?"

"Does anyone know what's on the world?"

"Yes." Guidance replies with an AI's precision.

And where abouts is this world. Presumably we will need to requisition a starship to get there.

“The planet is located in Near Space and has been identified as 'Colony-666' per the basic numbering system employed during the colonization rush that followed the advent of Drift travel." notes Guidance. "According to initial reports, the planet remains within the early stages of planetary formation. Prior impacts from extraterrestrial bodies released enormous amounts of heat that have prevented much of the rock from solidifying at the surface. As a result, convection currents in the mantle brought molten rock to the surface and caused cooling rock to descend into magmatic seas. Heavier elements, such as iron, descended deeper into the terrestrial body and became a stable core, whereas lighter elements, such as silicon, rose and became incorporated into a growing crust."

"The tectonic activity resulted in the formation of a primitive atmosphere, containing hydrogen and helium, to which was added additional atmospheric components due to volcanic outgassing as the crust cooled. Currently, radio spectroscopy scans indicate the presence of ammonia, methane, neon, water vapour, and nitrogen, in addition to hydrogen and helium. The atmosphere would be considered toxic to most Pact World life forms."

"The gravitational pull of the planet appears to be quite close to standard." The image flickers for a moment, then continues. "Transportation to the planet does require a starship or other Drift capable vessel."

The half-elf looks around; "Good point: we don't have to travel there on a commercial vessel ... right?"

"You are correct," acknowledges the artificial intelligence. "For this assignment, you have been authorized use of a Drake or a Pegasus starship. Both starship frames can complete this assignment. Please consider the following advantages when making your decision: Drake frames have greater firepower, whereas Pegasus starships are equipped with advanced science labs and sensors. As always, to optimize the chances of completing the assignment, it is recommended that each Starfinder team choose a ship that covers any area of weakness. However, the final decision is based on your personal preference."

Any other questions for Guidance? Also, if please go ahead and designate your PC's starship role.

Soarin is a starship engineer by profession so he'll take engineering. As for the ship, he votes Pegasus, recommending a particular one, that was adopted by the LGBT community on the station, the newly commissioned Rainbow Dash

"Ah what about life forms?"

@GM can you delete Zarzucket from the game please :)

Soarin is a starship engineer by profession so he'll take engineering. As for the ship, he votes Pegasus, recommending a particular one, that was adopted by the LGBT community on the station, the newly commissioned Rainbow Dash

The Rainbow Dash is certainly an option. But, some selection of Drake is also an option.

"Ah what about life forms?"

“There is limited data on the planet’s inhabitants, if any," concedes Guidance. "As always, endeavor for a peaceful first contact, and keep the reputation of the Starfinder Society and the Pact Worlds in mind.”

@GM can you delete Zarzucket from the game please :)

Done.

Iseph shrugs.

"Personally, I prefer the heavier firepower of the Drake chassis. More reliable in a fight."

He didn't want to get excited ... which didn't work. AT ALL.

"The Dash? Really? OMG, there is an explorer grade CPU on that ship. At one point there was even a discussion of compiling a gender-fluid AI subroutine! We should totally crew that ship."

Looks like 2 votes for Pegasus and 1 for Drake; any more votes? If not, then I will move us aboard the [i]Pegasus in about
48 hours or so.

Well wishes to all, whether you are celebrating a holiday, spending time with family and/or friends, counting the days down to new year, or for whatever circumstances you may be dealing with when this message finds you!

"I'm more of a ground fighter. If folks want the Drake it works for me!"

Looks like 2 votes for Pegasus and 2 votes for Drake. Would Dora 34 like to chime in? Otherwise, in about 24 hours, I will leave it up to the RNG.

I just hope that we do not have to fight anyone. This seems more like a First Contact mission to me. Assuming that anything can live in that atmosphere. Although given that the Hellknights put an outpost there. Guidance? Did they put the outpost in orbit or on the surface? And is there any record what the outpost was used for? I am not very familiar with Hellknights.

Guidance? Did they put the outpost in orbit or on the surface? And is there any record what the outpost was used for? I am not very familiar with Hellknights.

"The outpost lies on the surface of the planet," Guidance replies. "According to the information provided to the Society, the outpost was intended to be a monitoring station for other colonies in the area."

"With regard for those unfamiliar with the Hellknights, they are a collection of knightly orders, which pre-date the Gap and which have a unique focus on the promulgation of law. They are seek to bring order to those planetary bodies or entire systems that they have determined to be lacking in the virtue." The flickering image projected by Guidance suddenly assumes a stark, armored, and rigid shape. "Once order has been imposed, the Hellknights see to its maintenance at all costs."

"The Hellnight Order of the Pike is primarily dedicated to maintaining order in less developed areas of space, focusing foremost on slaying monsters that jeopardize peace and threaten innocent lives. More than mere killers, these Hellknights often take a naturalist's approach to their monster hunting, learning about their prey and extensively documenting this information."

Huh. Thank you Guidance. So ... I suppose the reason that they are called Hell Knights is lost in antiquity and they are not actually Knights from Hell

Dirk scratches his head.

"Yeah dealing with fiends wouldn't be a great idea!"

"I thought devils were from Hell, and fiends were from the Abyss? We have to study this stuff in ancient history on Castrovel, kinda boring. But the alignment of the planes, and the monsters from them is factual; Hell is devoted to Law, while the Abyss is aligned with Chaos. Long ago, it seems this mattered a lot."

"I've always preferred piloting the Drake."

"Hellknights are known to train with summoned devils," Guidance acknowledges. "Those individual Hellknights that have defeated a devil in combat wear armor distinctive of their particular orders."

"However, the final decision is based on your personal preference."

"The Drake it is." Guidance concedes.

The journey to your destination takes: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 4) = 15 days of Drift travel. During this time, the you have plenty of time to assume your roles aboard the starship, Drake. Shortly after your starship arrives in system, the ship’s sensors pick up an unusual creature coming directly toward you!

ROUND ONE OF STARSHIP COMBAT BEGINS!

Engineering Phase Begins!

Creature, Piloting for Initiative: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23
Also, Pilot may roll Initiative. If the result does not beat a 23, then you may also position the Drake ship (green) on the map.

The map now available on Slides.

I haven't done any starship combat in a year or two, so I may be a bit rusty...

piloting for initiative: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32 That's only adding Dora's piloting skill bonus. Is there anything I'm forgetting, like a bonus from the ship?

You could draw a +1 computer bonus from the Drake's mk 1 trinode computer, if you wish to use it for Initiative (Not that you need it).

Drake stats now posted on Slides.

ROUND ONE OF STARSHIP COMBAT Cont'd!

Engineering Phase Cont'd!

Any PC who wishes to act in the Engineering Phase my now do so.

Helm Phase Begins!

The creature races directly for you!

The map now available on Slides.

Any PC who wishes to act in the Helm Phase my now do so.

Down in engineering, Soarin boosts the engines
engineeting: 1d20 + 9 + 1d6 ⇒ (9) + 9 + (1) = 19

You could draw a +1 computer bonus from the Drake's mk 1 trinode computer, if you wish to use it for Initiative (Not that you need it).

Drake stats now posted on Slides.

ROUND ONE OF STARSHIP COMBAT Cont'd!

Engineering Phase Cont'd!

Any PC who wishes to act in the Engineering Phase my now do so.

Helm Phase Begins!

The creature races directly for you!
** spoiler omitted **

The map now available on Slides.

Any PC who wishes to act in the Helm Phase my now do so.

** spoiler omitted **[/spoiler]

lmk if a Scan can be performed?

lmk if a Scan can be performed?

Yes, a Scan action can be performed by any Science Officer as Helm Phase has begun. I should have noted that. The Scan action requires a Computers check, but the result is otherwise the same as the Magic Officer listed above. If you meet a DC, you may open the Magic Officer spoiler in my prior post.

Jeison Reyes wrote:

lmk if a Scan can be performed?

Yes, a Scan action can be performed by any Science Officer as Helm Phase has begun. I should have noted that. The Scan action requires a Computers check, but the result is otherwise the same as the Magic Officer listed above. If you meet a DC, you may open the Magic Officer spoiler in my prior post.

COMP: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30

"Team, let's be careful; let's try to stay out of range & bearing of the maw of this thing, that bite could be a problem."

Jeison relays:
LIVING STARSHIP (?) TIER 3
N Medium starship aberration
Speed 12 Maneuverability good (+3 Piloting, turn 2)
AC 15 ; TL 14 (AC 17; TL 16 currently)
HP 65; DT —; CT 13
Attack (Forward) energy drain bite +5 2d4 and EMP effect

"Team, let's be careful; let's try to stay out of range & bearing of the maw of this thing, that bite could be a problem."

Jeison relays:
LIVING STARSHIP (?) TIER 3
N Medium starship aberration
Speed 12 Maneuverability good (+3 Piloting, turn 2)
AC 15 ; TL 14 (AC 17; TL 16 currently)
HP 65; DT —; CT 13
Attack (Forward) energy drain bite +5 2d4 and EMP effect
Attack (Port) claws +5 (4d4)
Attack (Starboard) claws +5 (4d4)

The roll was high enough to reveal more information, noted now above.

ROUND ONE OF STARSHIP COMBAT Cont'd!

Engineering Phase Cont'd!

Any PC who wishes to act in the Engineering Phase may now do so.

Helm Phase Cont'd!

Any PC who wishes to act in the Helm Phase may now do so.

Gunnery Phase Begins!

Any PC who wishes to act in the Gunnery Phase may now do so.

The map now available on Slides.

Iseph grabs the controls for the missile launcher, and has at!

High Explosive Missile Launcher: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 8 + 1 = 19, for 4d8 ⇒ (6, 3, 2, 3) = 14 damage.

Does anyone know what it is we're shooting at? Soarin asks over the comms.

Any suggestions how we want to move the ship? As I said, I'm rusty at starship combat.

Does anyone know what it is we're shooting at? Soarin asks over the comms.

?

Does anyone know what it is we're shooting at? Soarin asks over the comms.

Posted previously

Dirk jumps into the laser turret and fires.

attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

"Just getting warmed up"

Any suggestions how we want to move the ship? As I said, I'm rusty at starship combat.

Well, based on what you know...

Soarin wrote:

Does anyone know what it is we're shooting at? Soarin asks over the comms.

Posted previously

Jeison relays:
LIVING STARSHIP (?) TIER 3
N Medium starship aberration
Speed 12 Maneuverability good (+3 Piloting, turn 2)
AC 15 ; TL 14 (AC 17; TL 16 currently)
HP 65; DT —; CT 13
Attack (Forward) energy drain bite +5 2d4 and EMP effect

...the creature has, at least, a melee attack, but fortunately it has no bioshields (unlike the other poor table). I would suggest moving so that it does not bite you. That being said, it is considerably faster than the Drake. I would also suggest an Evade Stunt (as I don't think you have enough gunners to make the Fly-by Attack Stunt worthwhile).

I realize it is a busy time of year, but would someone please bot the Drake's movement? Then, I will resolve this round of starship combat.

I realize it is a busy time of year, but would someone please bot the Drake's movement? Then, I will resolve this round of starship combat.

I would if I understood movement a little better; the ship really wants to flank the space fish and stay away from its mouth tho

Drake moved - I tried to get the creature in it's forward arc but I am not sure I succeeded

ROUND ONE OF STARSHIP COMBAT Cont'd!

Drake moved - I tried to get the creature in it's forward arc but I am not sure I succeeded

Just shy of forward arc. The creature ended up being in the Drake's starboard arc. However, as there are two turret weapons on the Drake, it isn't likely to be much of an issue.

The Drake swings behind the creature and strikes its tail with missile, causing shards of its crystalline hide to break off into space.

The creature flies aggressively, but does not bring any weapon to bear.

ROUND TWO OF STARSHIP COMBAT Begins!

Engineering Phase (Round Two) Begins!

Any PC who wishes to act in the Engineering Phase my now do so.

Creature (red), Piloting for Initiative: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23
Dora 34, Piloting for Initiative: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 28
Creature moves first

Helm Phase (Round Two) Begins!

The creature turns, opens its maw and tries to fly by the Starfinder vessel for a bite!
Creature (red), Piloting for Fly-By: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31

Position of creature now updated on Map on Slides.

Any PC who wishes to act in the Helm Phase my now do so.

Gunnery Phase (Round Two) Begins!

Any PC who wishes to act in the Gunnery Phase my now do so.

Gunnery, Round 2:

Encouraged, Iseph lines up another shot, and has at!

High Explosive Missile Launcher: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 8 + 1 = 23, for 4d8 ⇒ (6, 2, 3, 2) = 13 damage.

Gunnery, Round 2:

Encouraged, Iseph lines up another shot, and has at!

High Explosive Missile Launcher: 1d20+8+1, for 4d8 damage.

Oops! This reminded me that I forgot to do something.

Soarin puts more power into the weapons

Dirk fires again.

gunnery: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

laser cannon: 4d8 ⇒ (8, 5, 4, 3) = 20

C-3PO wrote:

Gunnery, Round 2:

Encouraged, Iseph lines up another shot, and has at!

High Explosive Missile Launcher: 1d20+8+1, for 4d8 damage.

Oops! This reminded me that I forgot to do something.

** spoiler omitted **

Should Jeison scan (versus scrying) at this point?

Should Jeison scan (versus scrying) at this point?

I am sorry. I should have been more clear. Jeison may do either. The DC is the same, only the skill used is different. With a successful DC 15 Computers OR Mysticism check, a PC may open the Scrying action spoiler in the prior post.

COMP: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23

"We need to be caregul of the beast connecting with the ship. It's attacks are powerful."

Jeison relays:
LIVING STARSHIP (?) TIER 3
N Medium starship aberration
Speed 12 Maneuverability good (+3 Piloting, turn 2)
AC 15 ; TL 14 (AC 17; TL 16 currently)
HP 65 51; DT —; CT 13
Attack (Forward) energy drain bite +5 2d4 and EMP effect
Attack (Port) claws +5 (4d4)
Attack (Starboard) claws +5 (4d4)