[YEE/SFS/ACE] 7-05 The day the River Died (Inactive)

Game Master Kludde

The River Between is a rushing waterway contained within a cylindrical containment field that winds through the Diaspora, connecting hundreds of asteroids and sarcesian crèche worlds in an endless loop. For years, the River Between’s current has slowed, and its waters have darkened, becoming fallow and murky. Now, the River Between is drying up, and all signs indicate it’s an act of sabotage perpetrated by notorious space pirate Alera Okwana, captain of the Riveters. Grab your laser pistol, plot a course for the Diaspora, and raid a pirate stronghold in your quest to save the River Between!

"Zomeone haz dammed the River? Thiz cannot Ztand!"

I moved to table B, table A filled up too fast to fit the rest of the team from Zo v Zo! and Jek has tickets to Dash's next game.

What tier will this run? Have Kaath if that fits on table B?

George 09-23 looks at the others as he waits for the mission to start.

/dot

A fit drow, in black skin-tight armor one size too small, chosen so apparently to emphasize his broad shoulders and narrow waist, nods to the other Starfinders. Name's Antethriss.

"Is this where we are supposed to meet? I was told this mission would not involve any combat whatsoever. I'm just here because I was told someone was needed from the accounting department."

A nervous looking dromada addresses the group. His anxiety about being out in the field is palatable. Anyone who observes him for any length of time begins to feel his anxiety themselves.

He removes a nasal spray from his belt pouch and inserts it into his nose before activating it. He breathes deeply as the mist from the spray seems to give him some relief.

"Something in these conference rooms always causes my allergies to act up. Don't they ever vacuum in here?"

The Master of Stars. Flagship of the Starfinder fleet, mobile base, headquarters of the Wayfinders faction.

The bridge of the Master of Stars is large, spacious, and brightly lit, and brimming with crew. Starfinders, science officers, engineers, and other supplementary crew hurry back and forth as they perform their duties, operate the scanners, and maintain the massive starship.

Fitch stands with the middle of the room, bent over a digital tabletop with a holographic interface and at least a dozen mission briefs and reports open at once. Behind her, eight ysoki children tumble about, bumping into the crew and jostling levers and buttons that look like they should not be jostled—typical behavior for Fitch’s grandchildren.

The ysoki grandchildren regard the starfinder group with interest, with one of the asking Are you brothers? while poking his nose at Anthethriss and Seldszar, as a second tries to climb Trober. Two of the ysoki gasp and stare at Dr. A-Prof until one points out Xagyg and says There! A big one!, and finally one looks at George and just waves Hiiiii!

“There you are, Starfinders!” Fitch exclaims, pulling up a hologram of a river winding through an asteroid belt. “Let’s get right to it. As you may know, the River Between is the lifeblood of the Diaspora. The water flowing within its containment field sustains hundreds of flourishing settlements and provides a means of cheap travel throughout the region. Over the past several months—”

Fitch’s grandkids suddenly bound across the table, their scurrying motion causing the holograms to shift wildly, then wink out completely. The youngest ysoki screeches and waves their arms around, nails bared in an inaccurate imitation of some aggressive monster.

“Not during briefings!” Fitch shrieks as she shoos the kids away. Gesturing at a nearby ysoki Starfinder, she calls, “Kiha! Watch the kids!”

Kiha groans melodramatically. “I’m working, Grandma!”

“So am I! That’s an order, Starfinder!”

With a roll of her eyes, Kiha ushers the kids away, muttering, “Kirkath should be saddled with the babysitting.”

Fitch takes a deep breath as she reopens her files. “The River Between is deteriorating. Where the waters once flowed cold and clear, they’ve slowed to a murky crawl. Even worse, water levels are lowering, as if there’s a leak somewhere along the route. Sarcesian créche worlds throughout the Diaspora are already seeing poor harvests and failing filtration infrastructure. Whatever’s happening, we need to figure out how to halt and reverse its progression.

“Our scouts pinpointed the source of this inexplicable drainage: an asteroid that serves as the base of operations for a group of pirates called the Riveters. Word is the Riveters abducted half a dozen scientists, engineers, and arcanists from across the Diaspora, whom they’ve yet to issue ransom demands for. I strongly believe the Riveters are using the expertise of those abducted to sabotage the River Between, likely to hold the whole Diaspora hostage and demand a ransom for its repair. Your mission is to rescue the civilians and stop the pirates from causing irreversible damage to the River Between.”

I'll answer any question you might have, and I need you to pick one of the ships we have in our hangar bay. Fitch brings up a datapad. We currently have the Hurricane, which is a Pegasus-class ship, the Drake-Class Thunderbolt and the Preference, an Azata ship.

Welcome to 7-05 The day the river died! I'll try to keep my American Pie references to a minimum, if you will all be so kind to fill out the RPG Chronicles and add your init, perception and token to the slides. There's also a choice of ship to me made, and there's a helper sheet that can help you select your preferred starship role, to save some discussion when the inevitable space whale show up to try and eat your ship.

"Antethriss and I are not related, we are just typical products of the Apostae beauty standard"

"If they haven't given a ransom demand yet, then perhaps ransom is not what they have in mind - perhaps they feel there is better profit to be made via an avenue we haven't yet identified. No matter, we will find out directly"

"We are heading off to meet with pirates, the Drake it is. There is enough scientific capability in the half a dozen scientists, engineers, and arcanists they have abducted that we can utilise when we free them"

"Apostae beauty standard" sounds like an understatement for horrible mutilation....

You should know that the Riveters are a group of pirates who’ve established their home base on Asteroid Y-47. As far as we can tell, they number around three dozen pirates, plus an unknown number of supplementary crew. Their fleet consists of six starships. Their captain, Alera Okwana, is a human woman whose personal starship is the Rusty Rivet.

The Riveters run random patrols around the asteroid. We’ve also gathered that they installed weaponry on the exterior of the asteroid, but we haven’t tested the full breadth of their defensive capabilities.

"Let's get scans or other intel of where the defenses are, and anything we know about their ships or the Rusty Rivet"

"I suppose we have a few options, take a Drake and go head to head, or maybe grab a scientific vessel and act like lost researchers and let them come to us - then jump them"

"Behave, why won't you behave," Trober pleads with the ysoki child clinging to him.

"This is why I don't have any children."

"Wait, I was told this mission wouldn't have any combat involved. No one told me about any space pirates. They certainly don't pay their taxes."

"Why does this always happen to me. That's it I'm quitting the Starfinder Society!"

I vote for a Drake since it sounds like there will be starship combat.

"We better hope that we do not face their entire fleet or it will be a quick mission. Hopefully we will be able to but if not perhaps we can take the Thunderbolt, a drake class ship."

"Drake it is"

A beetle-folk with a reddish-purple carapace buzzes into the room.

"Hello everyone! I'm Xagyg. Pleased to meet you. If we are discussing starship options, I would agree - the Drake chassis is probably our best option for going pirate-hunting."

I know Trober, you prefer accounting. Currently there are some individuals that are unaccounted for.

The pirates abducted a mechanical engineer named Jazen who specializes in hybrid technology; two historians, Linatta Cray and Firin Udor, who specialize in the history of the Diaspora; Quira, a spellcaster known for her powerful disenchantments; Rad-3, a hydrologist who has been studying the decline in the flow of the River Between; and Mirai Vox, a noted physicist. Each of the abductees is renowned in their respective fields, and the combination of all their knowledge and abilities could cause significant destruction.

---

Drake it is! Don't forget to populate sheets and RPG chronicles!

---

The Drake sets out from the Master of Stars to their destination, which shouldn't be more than two days of travel. Early on the second day of the trip, an Inheritorworks light freighter shows up on the scanners, which is unmistakenly powered by an archon drive. Soon enough, a hail calls the Starfinder ship. Hey there! a friendly human captain speaks on the holo-screen, This is Captain Hada Ebun of the Herald. Where does the universe take you today?

"We have zerved on Drakez before - they are a fine choize when combat loomz."

"Hello, Captain Hada Ebun of the Herald." buzzes the mini-mantid collective known as Dr. A-Prof.

"We are explorerz & today we travel in zearch of knowledge about the River. What can you tell uz about it? Have you heard anything interezting?"

"Archon drive, nice ship. What mission are you on?"

The River Between. Yes, I've rumours about lowering water levels. Unfortunately, we can't make a detour from our current mission, which is to investigate the effects of Aucturn’s unholy effluence. I'll make sure to notify my superiors in the Church of Iomedae of the situation. May Iomedae guide your way!

---

As the pockmarked form of Asteroid Y-47 comes into view, so does the winding trail of the River Between as it weaves through clusters of smaller asteroids and debris. The river flows directly into one end of Asteroid Y-47 and out the other. The water flowing through the containment field is murky, and there are places where debris has penetrated it or where water is leaking out through the field.

It is possible to approach stealthily, and for that I'd need a check from every crewmember. Any check for which you can justify the use works, some examples are Computers or Mysticism check to shroud the ship’s signature and signals, an Engineering check to help the starship run as
efficiently as possible, a Physical Science check to determine asteroid trajectories, or a Piloting check to plot a course using asteroids as cover.

Mysticism: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (5) + 19 = 24.

Xagyg's wings buzz in alarm.

"The containment field is severely weakened, on the verge of failing!"

He then does his best to mystically shroud the ship's signals from detection.

Mysticism: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (12) + 19 = 31.

Though Trober threatens to quit the society the inevitable happens and when told to report to the party's Drake he does. Even though he is terrified of dangerous missions he's even more terrified of going against the group, so once again peer pressure keeps the dromada from running away.

"I've never seen anything like this before," Trober says as he gazes in wonder at the River Between.

The Collective examines the data from the ship's sensors.

Physical Science and the ship's basic computer boost: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 10 + 2 = 32

"Agreed - containment failure zeemz imminent.'

Factoring in stealthy approach vectors
Physical Science and the ship's basic computer boost as well as one of the three computer boosts: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 10 + 2 + 2 = 18

Before

Antethriss makes a formal bow to a Seldszar Erelhei-Cinlu upon meeting. Not as deep as before, because gradually he is catching up with his drow colleague on the hierarchical ladder. But still polite enough not to get shot in the back.

Then he turns his attention to another agent.

Trober. As always, I'm glad to see you by my side on a dangerous suicide mission. And I give you greetings from Mistress Shari.

____

Now

Well. I can give you some good advice on how to hide using the asteroid belt. It's the same as hiding from a drow sniper from an enemy corporation behind garbage cans, only we hide from alien ships and behind asteroids. The principle is the same.

Stealth: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16

Maybe it's not as similar as Antethriss thinks.

PhySci1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29

"You have the right idea Antethriss, some of those asteroids have a high alloy content, we can use those ones as they will be harder for radar to penetrate, and our ship may be confused as just another metal deposit if someone is scanning"

"Suicide mission!!! I'm not the type of agent that should be assigned to a SUICIDE MISSION! I wish Mistress Shari was here. She's always confident no matter what the situation is. I wouldn't have to make any decision and she would tell me exactly what to do."

I love you guys! Whatever morning I have, your posts make me smile .)

Still waiting for checks from Trober and George

---
Xagyg (31)
Trober
Ante (16)
Seldszar (29)
Dr. A-Prof (18)
George
---

Piloting: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27

George 09-23 tries to hide the ship with electronic counter-measures.

Computers: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (12) + 17 = 29

A cylindrical river of greyish brown water courses through the area, flowing directly into (and then out of) a large asteroid in the distance. Trickles of water leak from the river in a few places, dissipating as they impact debris and burst into tiny droplets. A gruff, boisterous voice crackles through the ship’s communication channel, originating from a nearby vessel.

“Intruders?! Blast ‘em back to Absalom Station, Riveters! We’ll pull what we can from their blasted holds!

Time for starship combat! Let's see a Pilot roll!

Your stealthy action gave you the jump on the enemies, and in round 1, every action gets a +2 on the roll!

Enemy Pilot, R1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12
Enemy Pilot, R1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27
Enemy Pilot, R1: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24

Everyone can post their actions, and I will puzzle everything together!

---(Round 1)---
Engineering
Helm
Gunnery
---
Everyone!
---
Defrex
Defrex
Dyad
---

Xagyg is our best pilot by far.

"Oh no, what do we do, what do we do!" Trober seems to be on the verge of a panic attack.

Taking control of the main gun, Xagyg tries to blow up the closest ship.

Heavy Torpedo Launcher: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 12 + 2 = 24, for 5d10 ⇒ (10, 6, 2, 9, 10) = 37 damage.

I suggest Xagyg switch to the pilot position in round 2. Trober's piloting modifier is only +12 whereas Xagyg's is +17

I also suggest we have multiple gunners so we can fire all our weapon's at the same time.

"Wait, what, me pilot!!! I barely passed my licensing test. I've never flown in combat before."

Trober presses his palm down on his control panel as if to signify he won't be convinced to be the pilot, but instead he presses down on the ship's flight controls sending the ship into a violent series of evasive maneuvers.

Piloting Initiative: 1d20 + 12 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 12 + 2 + 2 = 21 I used one of the Drake's bonuses.
Piloting (Evade): 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 12 + 2 = 30

Just verifying - all 3 of the +2 from the tri-nod are used now, right?

The Collective cues up the plasma torp targeting program, waiting for the ships to converge a bit before firing.

I've moved the first ship - Starfinders to move next

No, only one has been used since we all get a special +2 bonus for all our rolls this round.

Your stealthy action gave you the jump on the enemies, and in round 1, every action gets a +2 on the roll!

Paradox: 1d20 ⇒ 4
Paradox: 1d20 ⇒ 17
Paradox: 1d20 ⇒ 17

I am SFS GM with almost 3 novas (two games left), I have gone through at least 14 books of different starfinder adventure paths as a player and so on... I'm still looking at the starship combat when it starts, blinking my eyes and being like, "what's going on here"... Anyway, for the first couple of minutes, until I rediscover the rules.

Drow sits on the captain's throne chair. There is a smug smile on his face, he likes himself very much right now. He points his finger at the gunner. Come on, man, they're just bums on rusty troughs. Shoot them!

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

It sounds unconvincing, too smug.

Seldszar understands the brief and simply jumps onto a gunnery station to have at it.

Gun 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 7 + 2 = 27
Particle Beam 8d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 1, 1, 1, 6, 3, 2) = 21

Moved, I changed Trober's piloting action to a slide since I would have been able to see what the first ship did before picking an action this round. That will put us in position to fire all our forward quadrant and turret guns at it.

No, only one has been used since we all get a special +2 bonus for all our rolls this round.

Thanks - I missed that.

Dr A quickly realizes that the torpedoes are being controlled elsewhere. They flip over to the front-mounted coil guns instead.

coil gun attack vs a pirate ship in the front arc: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
coil gun damage: 4d4 ⇒ (3, 4, 1, 2) = 10

Antethriss tries to sound all captainy, but he's probably watched to many episodes of Glowbug.

Trober gently slides the Thunderbolt to the side, while Xagyg, Dr A Prof and Seldszar take place at the gunnery stations.

Can I have an action for George?

Trober can already roll initiative for Round 2:

---(Round 1)---
Engineering
Helm
Gunnery
---
George
Trober (Pilot)
Xagyg (24 for 37 vs ?)
Dr A (25 for 10 vs Blue)
SEC (27 for 21 vs ?)
---
Defrex
Defrex
Dyad
---
---(Round 2)---
Init: Beat 23 or move first
---

I suggest everyone shoot blue.

I'll give Xagyg a chance to take over as pilot in round 2. Trober can switch to a guns.

George will divert power to the ship's weapon systems.

Engineering (Divert): 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 15 + 2 = 21

If successful all damage rolls that were 1's become 2's.

George boosts the weapon systems. Dr. Aprof releases a stream of particles and connect with the screaming Defrex coming in from behind an asteroid, and is only takes a single torpedo hit from Xagyg to blow the ship to smithereens. Seldszar retargets the coil cun to collapse the front shield of the Dyad, and lights up the bridge with green tauon particles. Tauons don't have a color, but the chromium in the hull is what makes them glow green.

Coilgun snap shot: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 3 - 2 = 164d4 ⇒ (1, 2, 4, 4) = 11
Torpedo Launcher: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 103d8 ⇒ (1, 4, 6) = 11

The enemy's attempts at hitting the Thunderbolt are limited to some chunks of rock chiseled off a nearby asteroid.

Crit: 1d100 ⇒ 51
1d3 ⇒ 2

Start of round 2! Pilot moves first unless they beat 23

---(Round 2)---
Engineering
Helm
Gunnery
---
[b]George
Trober (Pilot)
Xagyg
Dr A
SEC
---
Defrex - Blue (DESTROYED)
Defrex
Dyad - (FS 10; HP 11; F2G)
---
---(Round 2)---
Init: Beat 23 or move first
---

Xagyg might be the best pilot, but he is also the best gunner, and damage is what ends combats, so I am happy to stay where I am.

Nodding in satisfaction, Xagyg squeezes off another missile at the next closest target.

Heavy Torpedo Launcher: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27, for 5d10 ⇒ (7, 10, 7, 4, 4) = 32 damage.

Piloting (Initiative): 17 + 12 = 29 Trober will use a paradox to win initiative in round 2.

The Collective takes aim at the Dyad (presuming it falls in the Thunderbolt's front arc).

front arc coilgun: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12
coil gun rounds: 4d4 ⇒ (3, 2, 3, 2) = 10

The enemies close in, but Trober somehow keeps his cool and outmaneuvers the pirates.

Enemy has moved, Trober can make his move

---(Round 2)---
Engineering
Helm
Gunnery
---
George
Trober (Pilot)
Xagyg (27 for 32 at closest)
Dr A (12 for 10 at Dyad)
SEC
Antethriss
---
Defrex - Blue (DESTROYED)
Defrex
Dyad - (FS 10; HP 11; F2G)
---
---(Round 2)---
Init: Beat 23 or move first
---

Seldszar continues blasting away!
Taking a computer bonus

Gun 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 7 + 2 = 28
Particle Beam 8d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 1, 5, 6, 5, 6, 5) = 39