[YEE/SFS/ACE] 7-06 Archives of Eternity

Game Master Kludde

Kadef points out the tracks, and Lexicor concludes they were made by constructs. It's not too clear whether they were moving together or separately, the tracks are too criss-crossed for that.

Where do you want to go?

Left through the single door - check for trapos or wards etc though - take time we're not in a rush

Noticing Ratrace moving to a side door, Kadef says,"Let us at least look through here first."

The kasatha stands, and walks across the room to where he can look through the gap between the door that are ajar.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

” Agreed.“

Kadef takes a peek through the double doors. Whatever purpose this shadowy room once served is hard to discern, as it’s been stripped nearly bare. Disturbed dust and discolored walls and flooring indicate much of this room’s contents were removed entirely in the recent past, leaving only two ransacked storage lockers, a table surrounded by broken chairs, and a damaged mining robot behind. The floor is littered with a jumble of dirt and discarded junk.

Do you still want to go left?

GO left.

" Nothing important in there. Let's move on."

The room contains four large tables with integrated holographic
consoles. A fifth table against the south wall is a display case containing a variety of ancient computer chips and mechanical components—a small collection of component samples. The display case is covered in a thick layer of dust and only two of the consoles are operational.

Computers to interact with the consoles

Lexicor immediately fixates on the dusty consoles

” Despite the dust and obvious disregard for scheduled maintenance these consoles may contain vital information.“

perception : 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

”tThis is terrible . I am definitely filing a complaint against this company.“

computers : 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

The androids OCD gets the better of him and he cannot concentrate past the dust

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

After a cursory glance, Kadef follows Lexicor into the room.

"This area has been abandoned for a long time. While such a thing is commonplace in most cultures, I would have thought that in the logic driven society of Aballon, all resources would be utilized and continually renewed. Very interesting."

Computers 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

Perception 1d20 ⇒ 6

"What is this operating system?"

Lexicor and Ratrace work on one of the consoles, but after a few keytaps and attempts to enter password, the console blows up in a crackling of smoke, the sparks burning little black marks on Lexicor's armor.

One functioning console left...

Computers 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

"I'll try THIS one"

Butcher activates the environmental controls on his armor and draws his static arc pistol.

Computers: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17

"You need a light touch with these antique machines."

"Then I should not touch it at all."

”If these computers had been receiving proper maintenance according to manufacturer specifications, normal usage and touch should pose no risk. Of damage. As that has not occurred, Master Brownose’s assessment is quite valid.“

He continues to try to reattach the broken knob to the first console.

I don't have computers, but I have engineering. Is there any way I can usefully use this skill for consoles?

Ratrace tries the other console, and instead of blowing it up, he manages to get it up and running. The computer offers access to a folder containing schematics. Browsing through them, it's quite quickly apparent that this is a database of robot blueprints which were built in Eternity.

A few schematics stand out: they're robots which are clearly the direct predecessors of today’s anacite laborers. There's a schematic of a centipede-like mining robot with a large drill, hammer, and a face-mounted ice ray, a robot designed for ground warfare with customizable weapon arrays, including a trio of laser cannons, and finally a series of massive magitech robots.

There's some annotations that the Lexi-kin initially shows as "ready", "squeeze", and "polish".

Do you want to keep looking here or explore another area?

Ratrace is happy to search the place thoroughly

Butcher continues the search of the current area.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

I'd prefer to take 10 on this roll if I can.
Culture: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19 Doesn't matter, but could I have?

"I am no expert on Aballonian culture, but if I remember correctly, this ready, squeeze, polish sequence could indicate an aggressive, warlike attitude. Ready squeeze and polish could respectively be synonyms for preparation, extraction, and maintenance. labelling the magitech and combat units preparation, suggests that preparation is actually a hostile invasion. Extraction then suggests stripping the conquered entity of resources, and maintenance would then be garrisoning or otherwise controlling the subjugated population. The attitude is almost swarm-like."

Locks nods at Kadef's words. It seems that we are all on the verge of a very dark mystery here.

While Kadef discusses the output of the Lexi-Kin, Butcher points out a secret passage that leads to a long corridor.

Lexicor looks up from the broken console to notice the others milling about

”What is the new discovery ?“ and he moves to the doorway

'Secret oassage eh?" the Ysoki seems immediately interested.

Lexicor has a peek through the secret passage, and sees a long corridor, with a number of doors to one side.

perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10 down the hall for movement etc.

An assortment of doors to explore. Are we done here or is there still active cataloging to complete?

Butcher will cautiously enter the secret passage and check to see if he can see any traps.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

If he doesn't find any traps he will open the first door in the passage.

"Well blokes it's about time we got stuck in. Back me up."

Staff and pistol in hand, Kadef steps through the secret door behind Butcher. He turns and makes sure the door can be opened from this side before moving further forward.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Lexicor will follow as cautiously as he can.

There are five doors in total with marking that the Lexi-kin's garbled output state are "Keep counting", "No halting" "Any time" "Any side" "No stoppping"

Each of the doors leads to a small archive.

Researching take a DC 15 Computers, Culture, Engineering, or Mysticism check

Culture 1d20 ⇒ 17
Computers 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

Ratrace gets to work after examining the information available, and shares his findings as he goes.

Spoilers can be opened for everyone

Butcher will enter the Keep Counting archive.

Lexicor will try the 'No Halting' door.

Kadef follows Butcher.

Butcher, Lexicor and Kadef enter into the archive rooms, which Ratrace quickly demystifies as being decicated to each of the original cities of the First Ones. It's clear that 'No Halting' instead corresponds to Continuum, and the archives contain plenty of material to conclude that it held a central position, either as a founding city or administrative hub. 'Keep Counting' corresponds to Infinity, which the records indicate was a research hub for magitech research and development, including research into other dimensions and realities.

It's also clear that the function of Eternity was as a center for the development of weapons, including weaponized robots and weapons of mass destruction.

The data archives for Ubiquity and Enduring have been severely damaged, though a follow-up team of Starfinders could possibly have some luck extracting information.

Where to next?

Keen to head deeper, have put a red arrow as the suggested destination

Lexicor returns after logging his non-descript findings.

”Nothing of significance to report beyond the city connection previously mentioned .“

"Let's keep moving."

Following Ratrace's arrow.

"Right. Lead on."

Still following Butcher.

There's an alcove in the corridor, with an almost trivial-to-spot secret (presumably harder to spot from the other end).

Could Ratrace also add their icon(s?) and initiative to the slides?

Done
Perception 1d20 ⇒ 2

percpetion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

"There's something odd about that door. It's like a wilderness, zoo, construction site. JUst an odd mix of different sounds. Can you hear it?"

The kasatha fills his fourth hand with his smoke grenade. (He's already wielding a battlestaff, and pulsecaster. I've got to get him some better weapons.)

Lexicor tries to hear it…

perc : 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
” Interesting “

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

"I can hear it."

Butcher will check the door for traps.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

"Would one of you wonderful chaps open the door for me. I've got something for the occupants if they prove to be dangerous."

Butcher draws an improvised concussion grenade from a pouch attached to his utility belt with his free hand. He has his Static Arc pistol in one hand and grenade in the other.

Kadef hears a mix of different sounds, but the group presses on, and when Butcher gives the all-clear, what happen after opening the door is immediately... quite disconcerting.

All senses are assaulted by constant change as the environment within the room flicks from one impossibility to another in rapid succession. A deadly rainstorm, a humming server room, a swirl of colorful gas, a meadow of razor-petaled flowers, the void of space, a confusing collection of shuddering pixels. With each fluctuation it’s possible to glimpse small details of the room containing these ever-changing environments. Now-familiar white walls lined with glowing circuitry, doors to the north and south, rotting chairs. Still, the flickering chaos unfolds in a collision of sights, sounds, smells, and sensations—unbelievable, but feeling all too real.

The room is filled with a shifting maze, where the Starfinders encounters alternative versions of themselves - as if their own selves from different timelines decided to make a visit. There's a Butcher wielding a foppish hat and an enormous moustache, ratrace with a very different version of scrapheap made out of starmetal bits, and a version of Lexicor sporting a mohawk. That might just be the actual Lexicor from this timeline, though.

This round, you all gets +2 to skill checks and save

The place is an area of degraded reality, and while you can escape it, it would leave the area unsafe for further visits by follow-up teams.

Each of you can make 1 action every round:
Encourage: You can encourage another player with an appropriate skill check (as long as you can somehow defend its use) to aid in repairing or escaping.
Escape: You attempt to escape the alternate reality and return to one of the adjacent halls by attempting either a Reflex or Will save or a Acrobatics, Athletics, or Mysticism check. Multiple successes are needed to escape.
Repair Reality: You can try to repair the degraded reality by attempting a Mysticism or Physical Science check. Alternatively, you can spend 1 Resolve Point and attempt a Will save to instead repair it through sheer force of will. Multiple successes are needed.

---
Ratrace
Lexicor
Butcher
Kadef
Loxx
---

Retrace looks aghast!

"We can't leave it like this! I don't even know how it got to BE like this!"

Physical Science 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

Loxx begins to pronounce words in a language that has gone back tens of thousands of years and combines them with complex hand passes.

Mysticism: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Lexicor is bewildered by the reality disconnect

”This is highly illogical behavior and does not obey the three laws of physics at all..“

phys science : 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8 +2 from bonus?

Physical Science: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 12 + 2 = 24

Butcher runs his hand over the thin mustache that he has on his real face.

"So that's what I look like with a thicker mustache."