[SF2/ACE] SPS1 Shards of the Glass Planet

Game Master Kludde

For millennia, Birnam’s Bubble has been a planet untouched by outsiders, fully encapsulated in an impenetrable shield of unknown energy and protected by powerful automated defenses. Through this barrier, explorers and surveyors have glimpsed pristine settlements, verdant flora, and inexplicable magical emanations—yet no fauna or citizens populate the world’s surface.

As in many other parts of the galaxy, the Drift Crisis changed everything. Now, the energy barrier surrounding Birnam’s Bubble cracks like shattering glass, and shards of this solidified energy have begun to fall through the atmosphere to the planet’s surface, causing significant destruction. Enter the breach and uncover the secrets of the lost civilizations of Birnam’s Bubble before they're lost forever!

Welcome to the Starfinder Playtest! You can directly shape the future of the Starfinder Roleplaying Game by participating in a fun and rigorous playtest period using the Starfinder Playtest Rulebook and one of several playtest adventures—including Starfinder Playtest Scenarios! Each Starfinder Playtest Scenario is a short, single-session adventure designed to be played in 2–3 hours and written by a member of the Starfinder Team.

/dot

Dot Dot Dot.

A male vesk enters the room.
"Vesk soldier Torbokka reporting for duty."

.

Well, at least the Scribble is a comfortable ship, you have to hand that to the Weydanites. The group find themselves on-board the shuttle owned by the church of Weydan, on a landing trajectory away from the temple-ship Stylus of Destiny onto the surface of Birnam's Bubble.

Just a few moment before landing, a recorded comm's message arrives:

Welcome to the Birnam’s Bubble survey team! We’ve had our eyes on this planet for many years. No one in recorded history has ever passed through the energy field surrounding the planet to learn why all its living people and animals are missing, or who built the ancient cities that dot the surface. In the wake of the Drift Crisis, the energy field has begun to shatter, falling piece by piece to the surface. While this enables us to explore the planet, the field’s collapse is causing great destruction, which we project will only get worse in time. On behalf of the Church of Weydan, he who is the Endless Horizon, I thank you for your help in exploring the planet before its secrets are lost forever.

You’ll be joining one of the hinterlands survey teams at the coordinates provided. They’re investigating interesting structures in the jungle near one of the planet’s cities. We believe these structures are linked to the magitech satellites that generate the planet’s energy field. If we can find out how to activate the structures, we might be able to stabilize the field’s collapse and preserve the planet. Coordinate with the team to survey the area, and above all else, remember that our mission is one of peace.
—-Captain Expedite-8 of the Stylus of Destiny

The route from the energy shield entry point to the landing site takes the ship past a pristine but empty city of glistening buildings. A small clearing in the verdant jungle is just large enough for a second ship to land next to the Weydanite advance survey team’s shuttle. The sensor readouts indicate “ambient energy of indeterminate danger” in the atmosphere, but for now, all is calm.

Too calm. Despite the lush jungle surroundings, the only audible sound is a light wind gently rustling the leaves of the planet’s strange flora. There are no buzzing insects, no chirping birds, nor any other sight or sound of life.

As the group exits the shuttle, they see the Weydanite advance survey team a short distance to the east along a wide path through the jungle. A voice calls out from the survey site, hailing the group...

"Better look into what that is!" Iseph presses forward carefully.

"Must be expecting trouble if they added me to the team, about the only thing I'm good at surveying is my ammo supply."

Torbokka looks side to side surveying the area for reasons to reduce his ammo supply.

The hails comes from a friendly Kasatha, who waves with two hands, while tapping on a datapad with the other set.

A1
A formation of purplish-black boulders juts from the jungle floor. A large patch of grass around it has taken on the same dark color, rather than its usual vibrant green.

“Hello there! I’m Mehusel, head of this little team. We’ve discovered a tower that we think will help stabilize the planet’s shattering energy field. We’re preparing to activate it, but before we do, we’ve got to survey the site. We’ve noted other points of interest, too. There’s the tower itself, some strange consoles to the south, odd rock formations to the north, and potentially dangerous flora to the east. Could you help out before we try to activate the tower?

Lovinetta is over there the kasatha says, pointing to a skittermander in the distance (A4), she's our technician, and Jharna, our botanist, is over there Mehusel says, pointing at another spot (A5).

Each of the areas of the survey site (A1 through A5) has something for the PCs to investigate as part of their survey efforts. You have four “rounds,” each round representing about 15 minutes of effort, and for each round you can attempt a single check to survey the area, as well as additional specific checks for each area. You're allowed to split up to best apply your expertise to the different survey sites.

The sites are:
- A1 Rock Formation
- A2 Glowing boulders
- A3 Column of wood and metal on a stone platform
- A4 Alcove surrounded by rock walls which contains short columns of stone (Lovinetta)
- A5 Strange flora (Jharna)

Map updated: please place your token on the Map

"I'll go check out the strange flora, flora attracts pray, pray attacks predators, I'm here to take care of predators, and sometimes the flora is the predator."

Torbokka first checks the area for signs of predators, or things of interest, with his machine gun ready.
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

Then Torbokka checks out the strange flora
Nature: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

Will give the final two players some time to join and post with their characters...

---
Torbokka (Flora)
Iseph
(Ilmakis' Character)
(Ekateh's Character)
---

AFK45-1 is an old fashioned droid.

Neutral: I agree with the lizard like meatball. Flora attracts prey.

They follows Torbokka in the Flora area.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
Survival: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Iseph heads to the rock formation.

Perception 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

Chk Chk, the slightly scary-looking priest of the new deity Zon-Shelyn, nods in agreement. You hear a telepathic voice in your head, whispering: :: Flowers are beautiful. Predatory flowers can bring pain. When beauty breeds pain, there is even more beauty. That's what Zon-Shelyn wants from us. Forward. ::

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

A1
Iseph stays at the rock formation, and Mehusel helpfully steps aside and says “There’s another one just like it up on that ledge to the east, but that one’s glowing! What do you make of them?”

For Survey this area:
- Mining Lore or Physical Science Lore check, or a Crafting or Thievery check, to collect a small physical sample of the boulders.
- Nature or Occultism check, or a Perception check to inspect the rocks for peculiarities

Torbokka, Chk Chk and AFK47-1 move out to the flora area, passing by the column of wood and metal.

A3

A column of wood and metal rises from a stone platform. At the top, a beam of intricately knotted wood rests perpendicular to the column. There are engravings in the metal at the base of the column, and the lichen growing on the tower glows with a soft blue light.

To investigate:
- Art Lore or Warfare Lore check, or a Society check to interpret the engravings at the base of the column
- Crafting, Computers, Arcana or Society check to inspect the tower

A5

Two types of strange flora grow near the dirt path. Some plants resemble bulbous, spiky berries, each several feet in diameter, while others are fern-like succulents with large green and purple leaves and a bloom of bright orange flowers at the center. Jharna is lost in thought inspecting the plants while standing on the path, barely noticing the incoming adventurers. When Torbokka starts checking out the flowers, Jharna suddenly speaks out and says “Careful. Not sure what’ll make these things activate, but they seem dangerous. The ones with the orange flowers look angry.”

Plants with orange flowers are marked with 'F'

You can make the following checks to investigate:
- Acrobatics, Perception, or Thievery check to inspect the berries (marked with 'B')
- Life Science Lore check or a Nature check to inspect the roots of the plants

---Check round 1---
Torbokka
Iseph
AKF47-1
Chk'Chk
---Check round 2---
Torbokka
Iseph
AKF47-1
Chk'Chk
---

You can all make survey check to collect information - One check per round, in any of the locations. You can also head to one of the two remaining locations and I'll tell you what checks there are. One check per round, though you can help eachother (is aid another still a thing?)

The sites are:
A1 Rock Formation
- Mining Lore or Physical Science Lore check, or a Crafting or Thievery check, to collect a small physical sample of the boulders.
- Nature or Occultism check, or a Perception check to inspect the rocks for peculiarities
A2 Glowing boulders
-- ??
A3 Column of wood and metal on a stone platform
- Art Lore or Warfare Lore check, or a Society check to interpret the engravings at the base of the column
- Crafting, Computers, Arcana or Society check to inspect the tower[/ooc
A4 Alcove surrounded by rock walls which contains short columns of stone (Lovinetta)
A5 Strange flora (Jharna)
- Acrobatics, Perception, or Thievery check to inspect the berries (marked with 'B')
- Life Science Lore check or a Nature check to inspect the roots of the plants
[/ooc]

Thievery 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Iseph tries swiping a piece...

Torbokka inspect the roots
Nature: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

"It's always good to inspect the roots, some plants will use them as a trap and others can uproot and run away, it'll see if this one got any surprises for us."

Torbokka moves closer to inspect the roots with his gun aimed at the plant, as he does he says.
"Be a good plant or I'll have to shoot you."

Chk Chk is trying to get in touch with the nature of this place... He seems slightly inhibited, wandering among this greenery, but in fact it is a meditative practice that allows him to feel the vibe of the green world around him.

A1 Nature: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
A5 Nature: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Iseph swipes one of the berries, and the lack of an immediate rash shows him that they're actually fine to touch, and completely harmless. The fern-like plants have bulbs concealed at the base of each orange flower, and those may open or react in response to an external stimulus.

Torbokka notices that the roots of the flowery plants and the berries are linked underground, and there seems to be some kind of symbiotic relationship between the two organisms, allowing them to exist in harmonious balance without requiring external pollination.

Chk Chk is elsewhere, inspecting the rocks. The rocks here look dry and shriveled, as if the energy has been drained from them. The shirren then moves on to the flower patch and confirms what Torbokka already found out: the underground roots are linked.

---Check round 1---
Torbokka
Iseph
AKF47-1
Chk'Chk
---Check round 2---
Torbokka
Iseph
AKF47-1
Chk'Chk
---Check round 3---
Torbokka
Iseph
AKF47-1
Chk'Chk
---
SP: 4
---

The sites are:
A1 Rock Formation
- Mining Lore or Physical Science Lore check, or a Crafting or Thievery check, to collect a small physical sample of the boulders.
- Nature or Occultism check, or a Perception check to inspect the rocks for peculiarities
A2 Glowing boulders
-??
A3 Column of wood and metal on a stone platform
- Art Lore or Warfare Lore check, or a Society check to interpret the engravings at the base of the column
- Crafting, Computers, Arcana or Society check to inspect the tower[/ooc
A4 Alcove surrounded by rock walls which contains short columns of stone (Lovinetta)
-??
A5 Strange flora (Jharna)
- Acrobatics, Perception, or Thievery check to inspect the berries (marked with 'B')
- Life Science Lore check or a Nature check to inspect the roots of the plants

A3
Iseph checks the tower
Computers 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Next Torbokka checks out the Column of wood and metal on a stone platform at 3A

"What's this writing here?"
Lore warfare: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

"Kind of looks like skittermander graffiti to me, I can't make any sense out of it."

Iseph checks out the tower, but fails to notice anything particular. Perhaps further investigation will yield something. Torbokka blunders about, and doesn't manage to decipher anything.

You can all make check for rounds 3 and 4. Note that you haven't been to A2 and A4 yet

---Check round 3---
Torbokka
Iseph
AKF47-1 (can also roll checks for R1 and R2)
Chk'Chk
---Check round 4---
Torbokka
Iseph
AKF47-1
Chk'Chk
---
SP: 4
---

A3
Iseph continues to check the tower
Computers 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

"Not really looking like much"

Round 3 Torbokka takes a second look at the Column at A4.
Lore warfare: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

"This can't be right, who builds a monument to the survivors of the great pillow fight? "

Round 4 Torbokka looks at it from a different angle
Society: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

"Ok, starting to think this might actually say something."

R3 Chk Chk will go to inspect the columns of stone (a4).

Isephs investigation of the tower still yields nothing.

Torbokka spends some effort looking at the column, and while he initially gets nowhere, his last attempt helps him make sense of the engravings in the column: they depict starships in battle near a planet surrounded by a cloud of energy. There are beings on the planet who appear to be hiding beneath the cloud, out of sight of the starships. These lifeforms are stout people wearing robes; their bodies are shaped like chiseled stone, and they have multiple eyes.

Chk Chk moves to the alcove. There, an alcove surrounded by rock walls contains short columns of stone, each about 3 feet high. The columns are studded with gems and metal panels, and ancient runes are carved into nearly every inch of their surfaces.

The skittermander Lovinetta waves to Chk Chk when they first approach the consoles. “Hi nufriend! Mind help-helping me? I think these are magical controls for the tower over there, but I’m not sure how they work or what they’re supposed to do. I made some fun sketches of them and sent them to the other survey teams on my datapad, and it turns out these weird consoles are found all over the planet! Neat, huh?

A4:
- Arcana or Occultism check to determine the tower’s purpose
- Vidgame Lore check or a Computers check to understand the consoles
- Crafting or Society check to inspect the runes and gemstones

Looks like AKF is temporarily out - could someone suggest actions?

---Check round 3---
Torbokka
Iseph
AKF47-1 (can also roll checks for R1 and R2)
Chk'Chk
---Check round 4---
Torbokka
Iseph
AKF47-1
Chk'Chk
---
SP: 5
---

The sites are:
A1 Rock Formation
- Mining Lore or Physical Science Lore check, or a Crafting or Thievery check, to collect a small physical sample of the boulders.
- Nature or Occultism check, or a Perception check to inspect the rocks for peculiarities
A2 Glowing boulders
-??
A3 Column of wood and metal on a stone platform
- Art Lore or Warfare Lore check, or a Society check to interpret the engravings at the base of the column
- Crafting, Computers, Arcana or Society check to inspect the tower[/ooc
A4 Alcove surrounded by rock walls which contains short columns of stone
- Arcana or Occultism check to determine the tower’s purpose
- Vidgame Lore check or a Computers check to understand the consoles
- Crafting or Society check to inspect the runes and gemstones
A5 Strange flora (Jharna)
- Acrobatics, Perception, or Thievery check to inspect the berries (marked with 'B')
- Life Science Lore check or a Nature check to inspect the roots of the plants

R3 А4

Craft: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Chk Chk looks at the console for a long time. Silently. Then he shrugs and walks away without making a sound.

R4 to А2 plz .)

Chk takes a long look at the gemstones, and concludes some of the runes and gemstones were altered long after the columns were originally constructed: the gemstones were removed and replaced and the runes were re-carved at some point.

A2

A formation of glowing boulders stands atop a high ledge. These boulders resemble the darkened boulders to the southwest (A1), but they emit soft light and a low hum.

A2:
- Life Science Lore or Nature check for the light.
- Music Lore or Performance or Medicine for the sound

---Check round 4---
Torbokka
Iseph
AKF47-1 (4 rolls)
Chk'Chk
---
SP: 6
---

I'm still waiting for rolls from Iseph, AKF and Chk

Nature 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Botting for AFK. I hope we haven't lost them their 1 and only post was 8 days ago. AFK if you make it back before the GM replies feel free to ignore this and take your turns.

Area A1
Crafting: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Crafting: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

Area A4
Arcana: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Arcana: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Medicine: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

AFK collects a small sample of the rocks, and concludes they once held some
amount of life essence—they weren’t just made of matter—but something has drained them dry.

At the glowing rocks, Chk makes an interesting discovery: the soft hum of the rocks isn't constant, but rather pulses along with him own heartbeat, with subtle changes in pitch in line with the breathing of those around it.

---

After a good hour of searching, Mehusel calls together the starfinders. I think we have some interesting discoveries... hmmm... The magitech tower network is interesting. It's almost as if it is in a state of deterioration. it was in a tenuous equilibrium, but at this rate it will fail in a matter of weeks, unless we manage to invene.

Oh, this in something! The original design of the magitech network was inspired by the concepts of balance and symbiosis. It draws on these ideas as metaphysical concepts, using the them—and the naturally symbiotic relationships between objects and lifeforms on the planet—as a sort of power source. Do you see these additions, though? They were added to the towers at some later point was designed to exploit these metaphysical concepts, rather than exist in balance with them.

---

No sooner has the survey team reached their conclusion as the groupo receives an urgent comme message.

The captain’s voice crackles out of every comm unit in the area. “Attention all survey teams! There’s been an accident at one of the towers! The magitech is responding! We’re processing the data as fast as we can, but we’re not sure what to expect next. Continue your observations but prioritize your safety. When you—”

The communication suddenly cuts off just as the jungle floods with the sounds of chirping and chattering wildlife. The sounds rapidly cut in and out, like audio playing through a loose connection. In sync with the sound, wildlife appears and disappears from sight: a flock of colorful birds appears above the tree line, seemingly out of nowhere, and flies a few yards before vanishing again. Small, rocky lifeforms wearing robes and huddling in a corner near the magitech console also flash in and out of existence, muttering to one another in astonishment at the sight of the survey team. The oscillating sights and sounds slowly stabilize, and the beings and wildlife stop vanishing just as a massive crack appears in the sky above—the planet’s shield is under enormous stress. The rocky lifeforms cry out in alarm, but a bellowing beast that appears near the tower drowns out their shouts.

At this point, it is still possible to perform a nature check to command an animal

---
Chk Chk
Torbokka
---
Monster
---
Iseph
AFK
---

:: This is not very good ::, Chk Chk telepathically notes.

Concentrating, the young priest of Zon-Shelyn tries to telepathically send the animal emotions of safety and peace.

Nature: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Torbokka ◆◆moves closer with his machine gun ready to see what it is
◆Nature recall knowlage: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Chk Chk tries to calm the animal, while Torbokka moves to close range, ready to fire.

The creature, from its current position, folds open its hard exterior shell, raising it like a pair of wings, in an intimidating display.

Torbokka must make a DC 18 Will save or be frightened for 1 round (frightened 1)

---R1
Iseph
AFK
---R2
Chk Chk
Torbokka
---
Monster
---

Will 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Iseph heads closer to the treat and draws their pistol!

Move,move,manipulate

Will: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
frightened, You take a status penalty equal to this value to all your checks and DCs

Confused that the creature did not attack Torbokka tries to hide that he is frightened, taking a step forward to show he is not frightened even if he is. Next tries to frighten it back, Then tries to see how it reacts or why it is so frightening. All while pointing his machine gun at it.

◆ guard step
◆ Intimidation: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 3 - 2 = 11
◆ Nature: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 3 - 2 = 7

"I don't know what's going on with this creature, but I'm not wasting ammo if it doesn't attack first."

Botting for AKF47-1 round 1

AFK47-1 spends the whole round moving closer to see what is going on.
◆◆◆ move

Iseph moves closer while Torbokka attempts to steel himself and intimidate the monster, though unconvincingly. AFK moves steps forward, and all eyes are on Chk Chk

---R1
Iseph
AFK
---R2
Chk Chk
Torbokka
---
Monster
---

Chk Chk blesses Iseph with lines from the gloomy but beautiful poetry dedicated to Zon-Shelyn.

◆◆ Move & ◆ GUIDANCE on Iseph(+1 status bonus to one attack roll, Perception check, saving throw, or skill check)

Chk Chk blesses Iseph, and then sees the creature rumble forward to Torbokka, trying to assert its dominance. Through pain.

◆ Move
◆ Bite, Torbokka: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 241d10 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
◆ Fist (agile), Torbokka: 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 9 - 4 = 71d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

---R2
Iseph
AFK
---R3
Chk Chk
Torbokka
---
Monster
---

Torbokka steps back to shoot in automatic fire mode

◆ Guraded step back
◆◆ Machine Gun auto-fire, DC17 basic reflex save.
Machine Gun damage P: 1d8 ⇒ 2

PRIMARY TARGET follow-up Strike on a single target
Machine Gun: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Machine Gun damage P: 1d8 ⇒ 6

Ammo 16/20

Torbokka doesn't seem to like being asserted dominance over, and fires his machine. The bullet makes a satisfying crunching sound as it pierces the monster's armor, though it doesn't seem to calm it at all.

Reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21 Is the reflex save for half damage?

---R2
Iseph
AFK
---R3
Chk Chk
Torbokka
---
Monster (7)
---

Botting for AFK47-1 round 2

AFK47-1 moves closer as they aim marking the creature as their target, then fires 2 aimed shots at the creatures

◆ moble aim ◆ ranged Strike ◆ ranged Strike -5

Semi-auto pistol: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
Damage P: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Aimed precision damage P: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Semi-auto pistol: 1d20 + 9 - 5 ⇒ (10) + 9 - 5 = 14
Damage P: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Aimed precision damage P: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Iseph continues to close distance, taking aim at the creature...

Attack 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
Damage 1d6 + 1d4 ⇒ (5) + (1) = 6

Attack 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Damage 1d6 + 1d4 ⇒ (2) + (4) = 6

◆ Aim
◆ Strike
◆ Strike

If it makes an offensive move or action towards us, Iseph will use Hair Trigger as a reaction to shoot it again
Attack 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
Damage 2d6 + 2d4 ⇒ (1, 3) + (4, 1) = 9

AFK aims at the incoming monster, but his shots plink of the hard exterior shell. Iseph manages to land a shot under the shell, but his second of also bounces off.

---R2
Iseph
AFK
---R3
Chk Chk
Torbokka
---
Monster (13 + 9 once it attacks)
---

Can I have an action for Chk?

Botting for Chk Chk

◆ move
◆ recall knowledge to learn about the creature
Nature: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
◆ GUIDANCE on Iseph
(+1 status to 1 attack, Perception check, saving throw, or skill check)

Chk CHk tries to recall what he knows about the creature, and recalls the vulnerability to intimidation (See spoiler way above)

The creature once again tries to assert its dominance, raises its shell and takes a long-range swipe at torbokka

Fist (reach): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 151d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Iseph immediately reacts in retaliation...

---R3
Iseph (Guidance from Chk)
AFK
---R4
Chk Chk
Torbokka
---
Monster (22)
---