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

Game Master Kludde

The professor doesn't really know about the engine, but Xagyg is quick to fill him in. If the arcane engine was properly recalibrated from the exterior chambers, much of the overflowing energy pouring from the failing arcane engine could be redirected from the interior of the engine and out into space. This would blow a large hole in the asteroid but would allow for a small team to enter the interior of the arcane engine and initiate a manual shutdown from inside. While this would not prevent the River Between from drying up, it would prevent the explosion of the arcane engine and the utter destruction of the River Between and its underlaying solar currents.

One the river, the Prof know that it was constructed around a preexisting natural phenomenon—a powerful solar current that winds through the Diaspora, connecting countless asteroids and debris. It’s possible that this solar current once connected locations on the twin planets Damiar and Iovo long before the destruction of these planets caused the creation of the Diaspora.

Xagyg also know doing nothing is not an option: in time, the arcane engine will suffer cataclysmic failure and explode, potentially destroying the River Between and its underlaying forces, causing unknown ripple effects across the Diaspora. Failure could occur in a few weeks or a few days; the engineering of the arcane engine is too much of an unknown to be able to calculate a more accurate time frame.

Uh.. excuse me Dr. Mirai interrupts if your are ready discussing these option, do you want to spare some time for our plan?

“We’re running out of options, but we have a plan. It’s dangerous, but it’s the only chance we have.” Dr. Vox glances around, ensuring they have everyone’s attention. “The arcane engine is failing and can’t be fixed. We either let it explode, destroying the River Between completely, or we shut it down, allowing the River Between to dry up as the containment fields dissipate, but preserving the underlaying solar currents that make it flow. First, we must recalibrate the engine from here in the exterior, venting the energy from inside the arcane engine out through the asteroid into space. Then we send a team into the arcane engine to perform a manual shut down at its core.”

Captain Okwana quirks an eyebrow. “Your plan is to destroy my base, most of the asteroid, and let the River Between dry up?

Dr. Vox nods. “Yes. But, technically, the solar currents underlaying the River Between will endure. These currents predate the creation of the containment fields, meaning it predates the flooding of the River Between. The River Between isn’t the water at all, it’s the solar stream within the water!”

“People can’t drink solar currents, Vox.”

“Yes, but the solar currents are the only thing we can salvage, and they have so much potential. We have to try.”

Captain Okwana sighs. “I’ll order an evacuation. You and I stay, Vox, to operate the machinery. And you too, Starfinders. You want to meddle? Here’s your chance. You can enter the arcane engine and shut it down. My Riveters will see the other researchers to their homes.

The riveter base descends into mild chaos as the evacuation is ordered. The pirates and non-essential personnel begin rounding up equipment, personal data readings and valuables in chaotic but expedient fashion.

Captain Okwana and Dr. Vox remain in the exterior chambers of the arcane engine to prepare for recalibration.

Apologies for the enduring walls of text

Dr. Vox adjusts a series of dials, levers, and magical energy as they recalibrate the arcane engine. Loud, metallic creaking resounds as the buildup of energy puts immense strain on the asteroid. Cracks appear along the ground as the built-up energy seeks the path of least resistance and is shunted out of the engine’s seams and into the air and porous rock below. Ribbons of light whip out of these seams with increasing urgency until a deafening explosion rocks the asteroid, violently shaking the ground as the energy blasts through the side of the asteroid and out into space. Inside the ritual chambers, emergency lights flicker on and off, shrouded by plumes of dust. When the dust settles, the force panel reveals the interior of the arcane engine. Captain Okwana coughs loudly as she pulls one final lever, causing the force panel to lower and the energy shielding to dissipate. The path to the core is exposed.

Now it's your turn to act the scientist says you can enter the interior of the arcane engine now

Magic energy continues to vent from the arcane engine, and tremors sweep across Asteroid Y-47.

The arcane engine consists of a series of confusing, branching tunnels.

Engineering or Mysticism roll to use your knowledge of arcane devices, Perception or Survival to navigate the tunnels based on visual clues and past experiences

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

"Hmm - thoze zigils - zunlight & wind they zhow."

Engineering: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Perception: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (20) + 17 = 37.

Xagyg nods.

"I concur."

He then tries to navigate by them.

Mysticism: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (12) + 18 = 30.

"Recovering kidnapped persons has turned into quite a different adventure than I anticipated"

Engineering 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31
Perception 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

George 09-23 activates the seals on his armor should there be a radiation leak it will provide some protection. He then takes out a scanning device to help navigate his way through the maze.

Engineering: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34

Perception, Scanning Device: 1d20 + 11 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 11 + 4 = 35

The professor notices the sigils on the wall depicting sunlight and wind, but as the group progresses deeper into the tunnel system, more and more sigils depicting water becomes visible. There is an ominous loud rumbling noise, the tell-tale sign of more energy venting from the arcane engine.

The final corridor is a tunnel running parallel through part of The River Between—an impressive feat of art and engineering. The recent explosion has caused structural damage to this tunnel, however, and where the once crystal-clear water of the ancient River Between flowed around it, the murky water found in the present day has leaked into the tunnel, flooding the passage. The water is incredibly cold, and it looks like the only way through is either through swimming the passage or by squeezing into a narrow crevasse above the water line and carefully squirm across to the other side.

I need an Athletics check to swim through the water to reach the other end. A Medium or smaller creature can instead squeeze into a narrow crevasse above the tunnel, balancing on the fragile and slick containment field by succeeding at a Acrobatics check

Xagyg opts to wriggle his way through the narrow gap.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (20) + 17 = 37.

"There is no way you are going to get me in that water."

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23

Am I right in concluding that an amorphous composite-being with a fly speed could easily negotiate this hazard?

"Not my strong suit"

Acrobatics 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Am I right in concluding that an amorphous composite-being with a fly speed could easily negotiate this hazard?

As long as nobody left a trap full of sticky liquid: yes.

Dr. A-Prof easily scouts ahead, while Trober and Xagyg carefully shimmy across.

Seldszar follows suit, but a strong tremor dislodges him from his foothold, and he falls down on the far end of the stream. He manages to get out, but not before the strong stream knocks his skull against a rock

Bludgeoning damage, Seldszar: 4d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 6, 3) = 18

Still need rolls for Ante and George

Ooof, will be sitting down after THAT one!

George 09-23 uses another high tech gadget to help balance himself as he crawls through the tunnel above.

Acrobatics, Circumstance bonus due to Tech: 1d20 + 12 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 12 + 4 = 17

My rolling as usual. :( If an 18 would succeed on this roll I will activate my luck stone to boost the roll retroactively.

George looks a bit out of it, but manages to get past the flooded hallway.

Botting Ante
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31

Antethriss, now easily identifiable as the drow wihout a bump on his head, rocket kicks himself across the stream.

The corridor ends into a large chamber. This large chamber contains six prominent statues of sarcesians, each seemingly carved from colored light. The two statues closest to the entrance glow with soft red light and reach up toward a river of light 50 feet overhead that flows west-to-east through openings in the chamber. The two middle statues glow a muted white and cast their faces downward. The final two statues are quite damaged, but they glow a warm blue and look toward the doors at the far end of the room. Engraved on the ground are three words: Light. Loss. Life. Beyond these final statues stands a set of stairs that end abruptly at a solid wall of light.

There are two side alcoves.

Map updated

Seld takes a few minutes to dry out and put an icepack on the bump.
Spend 1 RP

Seldszar takes the time to look at the statues carefully prior to looking at the chamber to the left.

"This place is really creepy, can we just get out of here?"

The Collective gives the statues an appraising look before flitting off to the relative East to peer into that alcove.

Seldzar dives into the west alcove. The alcove holds a variety of miniature art objects in display cases: a dagger, crown, and butterfly wings. On the other side, Dr. A-Prof finds similar display cases, which holda wand, a wreath of flowers, and large gemstone.

Life Science DC is 5 less if it deals with Xenobiology: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32

"Hyzzopus - very interesting. They're zymbolic of zacrifizez made for the sake of love."

"Light. Loss. Life"

"Loss maybe?"

Is Seldszar trying something out, or just speculating?

Also, if you want to investigate, feel free to riddle with some rolls. Perception, Mysticism, Culture or any other talent you have may all reveal something on this puzzle

Xagyg gives it some thought, recalling what he can of the mystical overtones of such objects.

Perception: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (18) + 17 = 35.
Mysticism: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (15) + 18 = 33.
Culture: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20.

Culture: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22

"I hope before the sacrifice was made life insurance had already been purchased. Death and taxes are the only two things that are inevitable in life."

Prondering the Cultural significance of this puzzle: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

The Collective has no clue.

Spitballing ideas at this stage

Perception 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

"I'm going to look over the other side, perhaps more information may be found over there"

Will check the other side

Seldszar joins the professor in the other alcove, and finds displays with a wand, a wreath of flowers, and large gemstone.

West Alcove: a wand, a wreath of flowers, and large gemstone
East Alcove: a dagger, crown, and butterfly wings

Xagyg inspects the lightly glowing statues, and figures out that each likely corresponds to one of light, loss and life.

Xagyg's best guess is that 'Light' refers to the solar currents that the sarcesians used before the flooding of the River Between. 'Loss' refers to a great sacrifice made by many sarcesians. 'Life' refers to the survival of the sarcesian people, despite devastation.

Each of the statues looks incomplete in some way—the red ones are the only ones without wings, the white ones look like something should rest on their heads, and the blue ones look damaged.