GRIM*! and Butcher continue to debate their...differing approaches to architcetural review, but blitniz and Luzviminda find something interesting. These 'newer' relatively at least intact structures are associated with teleportation magic. They likely once served as a “waypoint” of sorts for a vast array of similar teleportation devices.
As the mage and mechanic share this finding, suddenly each of you hears a sound in the distance. A sound that starts growing louder and closer by the second. A sound of scrabbling claws and snapping mandibles! You exit the buildings to see a mass of Swarm creatures all racing towards you. There are dozens - hundreds - of the creatures, an insurmountable wave rushing right at you!
As they crawl not only over each other but also many of the surrounding buildings in their sprint towards the five of you you have but a moment to say final prayers before they are on top of you. But moments before the leading set of Swarm reach you, a bit beyond you see a set of Swarm topple a building onto one of the structures that forms the teleportation array. In an instant buildings all around the ruin begin to flash. Dozens of Swarm components vanish instantly as the array goes haywire, dozens more are crushed by debris that has begun dangerously teleporting around the city. Then you yourselves are suddenly...not there...
One moment you were in the ruins. Now, in a mere blink of the eye, you look around and find yourselves in a mountaintop observatory. The observatory looks down upon a desolate wasteland, but a few miles away, a pristine structure stands tall—the base of the tensile space elevator, still intact and still reaching up through the clouds.
2386108-703 Male NG Shobhad Evolutionist 1 EAC 11, KAC 12|SP 7/7 HP 12/12|RP 4/4|Fort +3, Ref +2, Will +0|Init: +0 | Perc: +4| Speed 40 ft |
GRIM*! has a blank look on his face as he looks around
"OK, I didn't think I hit it that hard, I mean it was a hard hit, but not this kind of hard, did I break something?"
Perception:1d20 + 0 ⇒ (19) + 0 = 19 " I don't think we are in the same place."
You certianly do seem to have been transported to a different place. The mountainside you're on seems to be the same mountain your expedition is hiding in, but you are currently looking out from a different side of it. Opening mining tunnels nearby offer a possible way back inside and towards your bunker.
Movement from nearby catches your eyes however. A single large Swarm component stands, brushing off rubble it had been covered in. the creature bears wounds from the abrupt teleportation, but this sole survivor notices you and roars as it rears up to attack! One of its forearms is thing and wicked sharp, while the other is heavily overgrown with plating almost like a shield.
Blitniz's shot lips the Swarm, damaging it. As GRIM*! and Sneaker race forwards the enemy it roars and moves to meet them. Reaching GRIM*! and provoking an OoO from him it slamss into the shobad with its oversized arm.
Then GRIM*! readies a Serum of Healing just in case
Did we ever decide who took the two mk 1 serums of healing and two mk 1 adaptive serums we found? There was some other equipment with it too.
male CG kobold mechanic 2 | SP 4/12 HP 14/14 | RP 4/4 | EAC 13; KAC 16 | Fort +3; Ref +4; Will +0 | Init: +1 | Perc: +6, SM: +0, darkvision 60 ft Speed 25 ft. | Expendables: None| Active Conditions: off-target
Quote:
squad machine gun with 120 heavy rounds and a thunderstrike screamer with two high- capacity batteries.
Both are heavy weapons, so I can't use them. I think we moved on to the next mission and didn't actually sort those out. Grim should definitely have one of the healing serums, since he's the one most likely to be in melee. Anyone else have any preferences?
[GDXIII S06-99] LG Medium Female Human Priest (of Sarenrae) (Healer) Mystic 2 | SP 12/12, HP 16/16, RP 5/5 | EAC 13, KAC 14, Fort +0, Ref +2, Will +7 | Init +2, Perc +9, Senses --- | Speed 30 ft | Active conditions Infrared Sensors, darkvision (60 ft range)
Luz follows her allies, who are now attacking the swarm. "I am with you!"
2386108-703 Male NG Shobhad Evolutionist 1 EAC 11, KAC 12|SP 7/7 HP 12/12|RP 4/4|Fort +3, Ref +2, Will +0|Init: +0 | Perc: +4| Speed 40 ft |
On GRIM*!'s trun GRIM*! gain 1 MP total MP 2 +5 speed. Instinct: once per round +1 damage, crit effect knockdown, Drawback: will save when you reduce a creature to 0 HP
The very injured GRIM*! takes a guarded step to flank with Sneaker, then makes a defiant attack.
ADAPTIVE STRIKE:1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 2 = 11 Damage B:1d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9
Palivhar’s voice echoes across the Starfinder’s comms. “We’ve found a way out! Well done, Starfinders! Regroup at the bunker and rest up before your next briefing.”
Male GC Halfling Professor Mechanic 2 (PC sheet) | SP 12/12 HP 14/14 | RP 5/5 | EAC 14, KAC 15 | Fort +4, Ref +5, Will +1 | Init: +1 | Perc: +7, SM: +0 | Speed 30 ft. (Land) | Active Conditions: None.
Butcher pulls the pin on his incendiary grenade and holds it dangerously long before making a risky throw, so the grenade lands behind The Swarm component, but not next to any of his allies. Cook Grenade, aiming for the top right corner of the Swarm component's square. Radius of effect is only 5'.
"Head's up chaps."
Incendiary Grenade vs. KAC 5:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12 Fire Damage:1d6 ⇒ 4DC 19 reflex save for 1/2 damage and avoid burning condition. Fire Damage (Burning):1d4 ⇒ 1
[GDXIII S06-99] LG Medium Female Human Priest (of Sarenrae) (Healer) Mystic 2 | SP 12/12, HP 16/16, RP 5/5 | EAC 13, KAC 14, Fort +0, Ref +2, Will +7 | Init +2, Perc +9, Senses --- | Speed 30 ft | Active conditions Infrared Sensors, darkvision (60 ft range)
Luz moves behind GRIM*! to heal the big one. "I'm right behind you!" Mystic Cure:1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11 HP for GRIM*!
2386108-703 Male NG Shobhad Evolutionist 1 EAC 11, KAC 12|SP 7/7 HP 12/12|RP 4/4|Fort +3, Ref +2, Will +0|Init: +0 | Perc: +4| Speed 40 ft |
The slumped-over nearly defeated GRIM*! feels Luzviminda's healing reinflates him into the large menace he was meant to be. In a gentle polite voice GRIM*! says to Luzviminda."Thanks you Luzviminda."
From fire, laser, and fist, the Swarm creature falls. the dicebot seems to have turned in your favor lately :)
With the creature defeated, you can look about the area.. A few charts on the observatory tables can be grabbed for research, and you also find a mk 1 ring of resistance lying in the debris near the mine entrance. It’s set with a fake, but quite beautiful, szandite crystal.
The five of you are able to safely return through the mining tunnels to the bunker and inform the Starfinder Society of your findings. Saivessa listens curiously as you decribe the teleportation effect in the ruins. "Hmmmm. I'm not sure that array sounds reliable enough to use it to escape the planet. But that observatory it did send you too - I'll send a cleanup crew to check it out. And another team to see if they can actually shore up or repair that 'port array. In the meantime rest up! You've earned it, and I think Palivar's going to be annoucning a big plan soon."
you can all get a nice full-night's rest here, before our 4th and final act begins shortly...
2386108-703 Male NG Shobhad Evolutionist 1 EAC 11, KAC 12|SP 7/7 HP 12/12|RP 4/4|Fort +3, Ref +2, Will +0|Init: +0 | Perc: +4| Speed 40 ft |
In the downtime GRIM*! has Xylavol film a recap of the last battle editing in some of the actual battle footage with it.
"What a fight did yo usee that? Blitniz shot the big bug thing, then I hit it, and it hit me, and then Blitniz shot it again, and I hit it really hard! Next Sneaker hit it, and Butcher threw a grenade, boom that was cool! Then it almost killed me, and then Blitniz shot it again, and then Butcher shot it, then the nice Luzviminda healed me, thank you again Luzviminda that was nice of you, and then I got back up and was about to hit it again and Sneaker beat me to it and smashed the big bug good! That's all I got for now. Hold on wait... Xylavol is telling me something... Oh yeah, don't forget to hit like and subscribe, and maybe someday we will get more likes than Zo! How cool would that be!."
Palivhar Chooser of Hues addresses the Starfinders gathered in the bunker.
“All right, Starfinders, we have a plan. Thanks to your hard work, we’ve spotted the base of a space elevator. It looks intact, and we found a tunnel to the surface! The good news is the elevator is only a few miles away from the tunnel exit. The bad news is those few miles are crawling with Swarm.
“We’ve got a big fight ahead of us! We’ve got heart on our side, though—and that’s not all. Our teams found a hangar filled with old mining vehicles. We’ll load everyone up, and our strongest will defend the convoy as we drive to the elevator. We’ll fight off the Swarm long enough to get everyone into space, and from there we’ll rig up the comm array you recovered and send for help.
“If we’re strong enough, and lucky enough, and use every last advantage we’ve got, we just might make it out of here alive. I don’t know about you, but I could use a nice, long vacation after this. Someplace with no Swarm to speak of! All right, Starfinders. Gear up and move out! It’s time to go home.”
At Palivar and Saivessa's direction, all of the assembled Starfinders begin loading their gear and equipment into the various mining vehicles some of the squads have been able to retrofit. You five are loaded into a single vehicle together along with several support and very much non-combat-trained sepcialists —a large but fast-moving hovering mining vehicle with a grabbing arm, laser drill, and plenty of room for you and the others.
As soon as you're loaded, the convoy heads out. And almost immediately as your caravan exits the tunnel you are under attack! Masses of Swarm components rush across the planet’s landscape to attack. Thankfully, the sturdy mining vehicles offer a layer of protection against the first insect’s strikes, but its a long ride ahead of you to reach the elvator. And the Swarm is swarming and swelling behind you!
So, we're kicking off this final rush towards an escape from the planet with a Chase! Of sorts: there are a series of obstacles you'll need to overcome to navigate the landscapes and hazards ahead and keep ahead of the Swarm pursuing you all. For each Obstacle, you'll need two successful checks to overcome it. We will be going in 'rounds' so to speak, so once you overcome an obstacle and advance anyone of you who hasn't tried to roll that 'round' can begin working on the new problem. Obviously getting through this bit as overall quickly as possible is better than doing it slowly :)
Let me know if there are any questions. As for the start:
Starting up the engine you manage to figure out well enough, but as you guide your vehicle out of the hangar and out onto the planet you quickly realize that the design of this mining rig is far different than what you're used to. And if you can't get a handle on its weird controls this could be a bumpy ride...
One of you could try to quickly learn the vehicle's control scheme with a Piloting or Profession Miner check (this option specifically can only be attempted by one of you each 'round'. Any of the rest of you could help make their job easier by finding them some level terrain to ease into the learning curve with by using Computers, Perception, or Survival
male CG kobold mechanic 2 | SP 4/12 HP 14/14 | RP 4/4 | EAC 13; KAC 16 | Fort +3; Ref +4; Will +0 | Init: +1 | Perc: +6, SM: +0, darkvision 60 ft Speed 25 ft. | Expendables: None| Active Conditions: off-target
Blitniz climbs out of his armor, limping his small frame around at the base as he rests. Once back up to full, with bullets and batteries charged, he returns to his armor, again standing firm and resolute for a day's battle.
After the debrief, you do hear Blitniz's digitized voice mutter, "I said when we came in that we should investigate that space platform first, before landing on the planet." He shakes his head.
Glancing at the character sheets, it looks like Butcher and I both have the best Piloting at +5 ... since he rolled Computers, I guess I'm at the helm
With the aids of the others in navigation, Blitniz tries to get the hang of the controls on the curious mining vehicle. "I suspect this wasn't made for a bipedal species."
With butcher's computing to level out the engine and GRIM*!'s fine directions, you're able to break out onto level ground and get a passable handle on the oversized rig.
Two successes on the first two attempts. Good start :p
--
Of course as you get used to the journey, the Swarm behind you seems to be composing themselves after the surprise of your quick break. As you move along you're going to need to fend them off!
You can try to fend off the Swarm components with a Ranged attack roll (vs AC 18) or tussle with smaller components that manage to land on your vehicle with an Athletics or Acrobatics check.
And as wasting a nat 20 is a crime against Desna, I'm happy to have Blitniz's attempt this round count as a success. So Luzviminda and Sneaker, feel free to try one of the above checks!
[GDXIII S06-99] LG Medium Female Human Priest (of Sarenrae) (Healer) Mystic 2 | SP 12/12, HP 16/16, RP 5/5 | EAC 13, KAC 14, Fort +0, Ref +2, Will +7 | Init +2, Perc +9, Senses --- | Speed 30 ft | Active conditions Infrared Sensors, darkvision (60 ft range)
Acrobatics:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Luz tries her best to imitate Sneaker but with only two arms she have. "Yes, fly away from us!"
Luz manages to swat away the Swarm components that are running ahead of the pack and atop your rig.
And just in time too. A stretch of unstable and rocky terrain lies ahead that threatens to slow your progress towards the elevator.
One (and only one of you each round) can attempt a DC 15 Piloting check to help get through this obstacle. Others could try a harder DC 18 Computer, Engineering, or Physical Science one
And, in case two of you succeed before I notice to post:
Round 4 (open once two successes reached on the Unstable Terrain obstacle):
You've gained an unwelcome passenger: an even larger version of that shield-armed Swarm subspecies you fought by the observatory. You can swat it off with a melee attack v KAC 18 or a DC 15 Athletics check, or could knock some spare mining equipment from the rig into it with DC 15 Acrobatics or Sleight of Hand
male CG kobold mechanic 2 | SP 4/12 HP 14/14 | RP 4/4 | EAC 13; KAC 16 | Fort +3; Ref +4; Will +0 | Init: +1 | Perc: +6, SM: +0, darkvision 60 ft Speed 25 ft. | Expendables: None| Active Conditions: off-target
"Hold on!" Blitniz calls out as he tires to maneuver the vehicle over the unstable terrain.
Piloting:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17 2 successes between me and Butcher, so ...
With Butcher's help Blitniz able to maneuver through the terrain, but then he calls out, "Er ... we have a stowaway! Grim, can you get that Swarm out of here?"
As Butcher and Blitniz help guide you out of the rough spot, a *thud* announces that you've gained an unwelcome passenger: an even larger version of that shield-armed Swarm subspecies you fought by the observatory.
You can swat it off with a melee attack v KAC 18 or a DC 15 Athletics check, or could knock some spare mining equipment from the rig into it with DC 15 Acrobatics or Sleight of Hand
round 2. Still to act: GRIM*!, Luzviminda, Sneaker
[GDXIII S06-99] LG Medium Female Human Priest (of Sarenrae) (Healer) Mystic 2 | SP 12/12, HP 16/16, RP 5/5 | EAC 13, KAC 14, Fort +0, Ref +2, Will +7 | Init +2, Perc +9, Senses --- | Speed 30 ft | Active conditions Infrared Sensors, darkvision (60 ft range)
Acrobatics:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Luz tries to knock some spare mining equipment from the rig to the swarm that is following them. "Catch that!"
The shielded Swarm (a 'bastorox') keeps its grip on the rig even against GRIM*!'s smacks and it ducks under a dislodged drill Luzviminda sends its way. Scurrying around and under it Sneaker does manage to get in a good set of blows on some of its legs. The Swarm component buckles for a moment, its body slamming into the vehicle's hull, but its arms catch to keep it precariously on your ride and digging into the plating.
One success, but we need one more!
Round 3! All can act. One more success needed - melee attack v KAC 18 or Acrobatics/Athletics/Sleight of Hand v DC 15
Once one of you succeeds:
Obstacle 5 - Rescue Stragglers:
You've knocked your stowaway off without too much damage to your ride. Others haven't been so lucky: around you there are several Starfinders whose cars and rigs have crashed or been rendered inoperable, and are currently stranded helplessly in the way or the pursuing Swarm throng.
You can attempt a DC 18 Perception or Survival check to spot and navigate the safest route to rescue some stragglers without crashing yourselves or losing too much ground. Alternately, you could help quick-treat the injuries of the wounded with a DC 15 Medicine or Life Science check to get them back up enough to not slow you down.
Obstacle 6 - Bumpy Landing[/spoiler:
You're almost to the elevator! But a noise from the back doesn't sound good. And the controls don't seem to be responding…
Looks like that bastrox did a bit more serious damage to the rig before you knocked it off then you realized. *gulp*. [ooc]One of you each round can attempt to crash aggressively bring to a stop your rig carefully with a hard Piloting check. The rest can try to keep the other passengers calm and motivated for this final leg with a DC 15 Diplomacy or Mysticism check, or help them hoof it the final set of distance with a DC 15 Athletics or Acrobatics one
2386108-703 Male NG Shobhad Evolutionist 1 EAC 11, KAC 12|SP 7/7 HP 12/12|RP 4/4|Fort +3, Ref +2, Will +0|Init: +0 | Perc: +4| Speed 40 ft |
GRI*M! leans out the window more to allow him to swat at the bug with 2 arms this time.
"Stop moving so much so I can hit you!" Athletics:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
male CG kobold mechanic 2 | SP 4/12 HP 14/14 | RP 4/4 | EAC 13; KAC 16 | Fort +3; Ref +4; Will +0 | Init: +1 | Perc: +6, SM: +0, darkvision 60 ft Speed 25 ft. | Expendables: None| Active Conditions: off-target
Obstacle 5 Medicine:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Blitniz wheels to a stop and jumps out, slapping some medpatches onto wounded Starfinders with speed and skill, before hopping back into the driver's seat and pushing it back into drive. "Keep going!" he calls.
M Skittermander | Operative 1 | SP 6/6 HP 8/8| RP4/4| EAC 14 KAC 15 | F +0 R +5 W +2| Init +4 |Per +5 Low Light
perception DC18:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
"Over there there! To the right!" Sneaker points with 4 hands. Unfortunately the bumpy ride means that all are pointing in slightly different directions leaving his intentions unclear.
[GDXIII S06-99] LG Medium Female Human Priest (of Sarenrae) (Healer) Mystic 2 | SP 12/12, HP 16/16, RP 5/5 | EAC 13, KAC 14, Fort +0, Ref +2, Will +7 | Init +2, Perc +9, Senses --- | Speed 30 ft | Active conditions Infrared Sensors, darkvision (60 ft range)
Obstacle 5...
Survival:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
"Not there!" she admonishes Sneaker. "Let's go over there!" Luz points out the way that will cause the least damage to them.
GRIM*! Finishes the job hurling your unwanted passenger off of the rig and you leave it in the dust. Then, seeing some Starfinders who've been less fortunate in their own escapes Luzviminda plots a zig-zaggy course (with emotional support, if less 'actual support' from Sneaker) that allows Blitniz and Butcher to do some triage on the go. Together you and a group of wounded and non-coms manage to race ahead of the Swarm and using earlier procured maps come screeching in to the base of the space elevator near the front of the pack!
Well done!
The space elevator itself is massive, with elegant twisting columns arching upwards around a trio of lifts stretching from Krethiskar's surface into low orbit. As more and more carriers race up to the ancient device, you see Saivessa near a large set of computers near the center of the structure. The maraquoi waves you frantically over.
"We're loading the carriers into the elevator as fast as we can, but it won't matter much if this thing isn't running! We've got agents trying to hold back the Swarm as much as possible to buy some time, but you lot've dealt with this tech before - you helped get us into the bunker in the first place. We need this machine fully activated, ASAP!"
As the sounds of the Swarm mass get closer and gunshots echo through the air, an old and bizarre magitech console stands before you…
To activate the elevator, each of you can give a Computers, Engineering, or Mysticism check (or try to Aid one of your colleagues, though at least a few successes will be better)
