[SFS] 1-08 and 7-07 Arniselle Double Feature

Game Master Kludde

I just realized that I forgot to adjust for underwater penalties during the last combat. Sorry about that; I'll do it properly this time.

Backflipping through the water, Twila-5 retreats a step. She draws her tactical rotating pistol and begins to aim at Oshessa before her feet are planted on the bed on which she lands.

Trick Attack (acrobatics): 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (1) + 17 = 18
DC = 20 + target's CR
Tactical Rotating Pistol vs. Oshessa: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 10 - 2 = 14 Halved to 3 damage underwater
Piercing damage vs. Oshessa: 2d4 + 3 ⇒ (2, 2) + 3 = 7 Halved to 6 damage underwater

It's...*super* awkward in the tight quarters.

Dirk moves by and activates his solar weapon.

at blue

"Plan for this!"

attack with penalty: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

damage: 1d6 + 9 + 1d2 ⇒ (2) + 9 + (1) = 12

He slices into the side of the creature.

"Give up and drop your weapons!"

Did we have time for a ten minute rest to regain stamina?

Yes, there was enough time, I just advanced the plot to keep things moving. Feel free to spend a resolve point to recover stamina.

Kalhoun fires within the cramped environment, and as he aims, the disciple tires to sucker-tusk him. Once kalhoun aims the shot, he hits, though.

AoO, Tusk, Kalhoun: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 181d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Gold-Flecked quickly intervenes, and his shot takes down the crony.

Stell goes toe-to-tusk with Oshessa, and she is altogether harder to hit.

I got you on the underwater combat. I'm running so much of that right now that I have to remember not to apply the penalties on the one game that is above ground

Twila's shot unfortunately also misses, and Dirk reaims for the other crony, dealing a hurtful blow.

Oshessa again tries to inject poison, this time aiming for Stell, but missing by a wide margin

Injection glove, Stell: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 171d4 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

The remaining disciple aim for Dirk, trying to impale him on a tusk

Tusk, Dirk: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 8 - 4 = 211d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Tusk, Dirk: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 8 - 4 = 61d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

---R2
Twila
Stell
Dirk
Vega
Kalhoun
---R3
Gold-Flecked
---R3
Oshessa (Black border)
Crony (Blue, DEAD)
Crony (Purple border, 6)
----

Gold-Flecked Black floats up until he has a clear line-of-sight on Purple, and opens fire.

Trick: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (4) + 21 = 25. Flat-Footed for 1 round on a success.

Holy Underwater Living Static Arc Pistol: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19, for 1d6 + 2 + 3d8 ⇒ (3) + 2 + (1, 6, 8) = 20 Electricity damage.

Twila-5 drops off the bed, only to vault back onto it in a spinning backflip, (which would look so much more impressive in the air than underwater,) firing at Oshessa before her feet even touch the blanket.

Trick Attack (acrobatics): 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (14) + 17 = 31
DC = 20 + target's CR
Tactical Rotating Pistol vs. Oshessa, underwater penalty: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 10 - 2 = 20
Piercing damage vs. Oshessa: 2d4 + 3 ⇒ (1, 2) + 3 = 6 Halved to 3 damage underwater
Trick Attack Damage, if applicable: 3d8 ⇒ (1, 4, 7) = 12 Halved to 6 damage underwater
If both the Trick Attack and Weapon Attack hit, Oshessa is Staggered until the start of Twila-5's next turn.

And there goes all of Vega's stamina again. Believing that Oshessa is responsible for her pounding headache, she fires 3 magic missiles at her.
mm: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (2, 2, 3) + 3 = 10

Here's some PAIN-back

Kalhoun is no sucker for suckers, but he needs more room to maneuver. He risks another hit to get out of the corner and fires at the other minion.

Underwater Thunderstrike Blindmark Rifle: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27 vs. EAC
Sonic Damage: 2d4 ⇒ (2, 3) = 5

To be clear, Stell fitted the knife with the underwater mod to take away the penalties. The comment about having trouble underwater was based on her getting minimum damage from the damage rolls.

"No, thank you," Stell says sarcastically to Oshessa. "I'm up to date on my vaccines." As she's speaking, she readies another attack with her knife and then when Oshessa reacts to her comment, Stell strikes.

Trick Attack, Bluff, Skill Expertise: 1d20 + 15 + 4 + 1d6 - 20 ⇒ (2) + 15 + 4 + (5) - 20 = 6 = CR affected.
Success: Target is flat-footed against the trick attack; if attack hits add Trick Attack Damage and target is flat-footed until the start of Stell's next round.
Trick Attack Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 2

Survival knife vs KAC, underwater: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Damage, S: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

And I'm apparently in another d20 low roll slump and my damage rolls are near minimum again.

Gold-Flecked nearly takes out the crony, while Twila deals a wound to Oshessa. Three underwater shooting stars slam into the morlamaw as cast forward by Vega.

Kalhoun steps out of reach of the priest, hitting the crony. Stell unfortunately misses.

Oshessa gleefully rips into Stell as the crony focuses on Dirk

Injector Glove, Stell: 1d20 + 14 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 14 - 4 = 211d6 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15
Injector Glove, Stell: 1d20 + 14 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 14 - 4 = 121d6 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17

Tusk, Dirk: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 181d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

All rather pathetic misses.

---R3
Twila
Stell
Dirk
Vega
Kalhoun
---R4
Gold-Flecked
---R3
Oshessa (Black border, 19)
Crony (Blue, DEAD)
Crony (Purple border, 31)
----

Gold-Flecked Black tries to finish-off the crony.

Trick: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (2) + 21 = 23. Flat-Footed for 1 round on a success.

Holy Underwater Living Static Arc Pistol: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12, for 1d6 + 2 + 3d8 ⇒ (2) + 2 + (4, 8, 5) = 21 Electricity damage.

Stell keeps bobbing and weaving, hoping to fool Oshessa into a mistake and find an opening. Being underwater is definitely affecting her abilities so far.

Trick Attack, Bluff, Skill Expertise: 1d20 + 15 + 4 + 1d6 - 20 ⇒ (11) + 15 + 4 + (2) - 20 = 12 = CR affected.
Success: Target is flat-footed against the trick attack; if attack hits add Trick Attack Damage and target is flat-footed until the start of Stell's next round.
Trick Attack Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 1

Survival knife vs KAC, underwater: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Damage, S: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Bazz Fazz!

Vega fires off another volley of missiles at Oshessa.
mm: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 4, 3) + 3 = 13

Her last trick shot worked so well that Twila-5 tries it again.

Trick Attack (acrobatics): 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (12) + 17 = 29
DC = 20 + target's CR
Tactical Rotating Pistol vs. Oshessa, underwater penalty: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
Piercing damage vs. Oshessa: 2d4 + 3 ⇒ (1, 2) + 3 = 6 Halved to 3 damage underwater
Trick Attack Damage, if applicable: 3d8 ⇒ (2, 4, 5) = 11 Halved to 5 damage underwater
If both the Trick Attack and Weapon Attack hit, Oshessa is Staggered until the start of Twila-5's next turn.

Gold-Flecked grazes the crony, but that's enough for it to go down. Stell keeps trying to hit Oshessa, but has to play defense for now. Fortunately, Vega's missiles remain unerring. Twila's shot misses as well.

---R3
Twila
Stell
Dirk
Vega
Kalhoun
---R4
Gold-Flecked
---R3
Oshessa (Black border, 32)
Crony (Blue, DEAD)
Crony (Purple border, DEAD)
----

Dirk swings at black.

attack with penalty: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

damage: 1d6 + 9 + 1d2 ⇒ (4) + 9 + (1) = 14

"Arrgh"

Kalhoun moves out of sucker range and unleashes a Destructive Discharge at Oshessa.

Electricity Damage: 6d8 ⇒ (3, 1, 6, 8, 4, 4) = 26
Fort DC 17 half

Fort: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Dirk swings, and even though he misses, he does unbalance the morlamaw enough to be caught off-guard by the electrical blast Kalhoun brings in.

Oshessa grits her teeth, and sends some of the pain back to Kalhoun, resonating between the two.

Kalhoun must make a DC 17 will save or take 7 damage

Oshessa keeps attempting injections with her glove

Injection Glove, Dirk: 1d20 + 14 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 14 - 4 = 131d4 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14
Injection Glove, Dirk: 1d20 + 14 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 14 - 4 = 241d4 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12 DC 17 Fort save vs poison or become Weakened (Con)

---R4
Twila
Stell
Dirk
Vega
Kalhoun
---R5
Gold-Flecked
---R5
Oshessa (Black border, 51 (58 if Kalhoun makes will save))
Crony (Blue, DEAD)
Crony (Purple border, DEAD)
----

Gold-Flecked Black tries to fry Oshessa.

Trick: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (1) + 21 = 22. Flat-Footed for 1 round on a success.

Holy Underwater Living Static Arc Pistol: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25, for 1d6 + 2 + 3d8 ⇒ (1) + 2 + (7, 6, 8) = 24 Electricity damage.

Tumbling backwards on the bed, a distant part of Twila-5's brain notes that this would be more fun as a pillow fight as she aims her pistol at Oshessa.

Trick Attack (acrobatics): 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (11) + 17 = 28
DC = 20 + target's CR
Tactical Rotating Pistol vs. Oshessa, underwater penalty: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28
Piercing damage vs. Oshessa: 2d4 + 3 ⇒ (2, 4) + 3 = 9 Halved to 4 damage underwater
Trick Attack Damage, if applicable: 3d8 ⇒ (3, 1, 8) = 12 Halved to 6 damage underwater
If both the Trick Attack and Weapon Attack hit, Oshessa is Staggered until the start of Twila-5's next turn.

Fort: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

damage: 1d6 + 9 + 1d2 ⇒ (6) + 9 + (2) = 17

Dirk swings again and tries to ward off the poison.

After some deliberation, I will use my re-roll on that Trick.

Reroll, Trick: 1d20 + 21 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 21 + 3 = 29. Flat-Footed for 1 round on a success.

Vega digs deep into her spell cache and pulls out another round of missiles.
mm: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 3, 3) + 3 = 12

Stell leans enough that her hydrojets nudge her into a flanking position on Oshessa. She grips her knife tightly and vows to put as much muscle as she can into the attack. After a feint low, she thrusts the knife high.

Trick Attack, Bluff, Skill Expertise: 1d20 + 15 + 4 + 1d6 - 20 ⇒ (8) + 15 + 4 + (5) - 20 = 12 = CR affected.
Success: Target is flat-footed against the trick attack; if attack hits add Trick Attack Damage and target is flat-footed until the start of Stell's next round.
Trick Attack Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 2

underwater Survival knife vs KAC, flanking: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 8 + 2 = 19
Damage, S: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Gold-flecked and Twila catch the priest completely off-guard, dealing massive wounds to the evil morlamaw, and Vega's volley of missiles deals the killing blow, leaving Oshessa's lifeless body in the room...

Combat over!

As soon as Oshessa falls, Twila-5 stows her weapon and returns to Suulhu-Huur's side, leaving the others to search the bodies for additional incriminating evidence. Slipping her shoulder under his arm to support him once more, she asks: "You okay?"

Staring impassively at Oshessa's corpse, she remarks flatly: "Don't tell the others about this fight first. Start with her betrayal. Maybe then they'll hold off on attacking us long enough to get to safety."

I hope so. Come on. Lean on me Suulhu-Huur. I'll help you get to the ship

Vega takes the other side of the Kalo.

Returning through the airlock, the group find themselves back in the main room of the underwater lodge, where the morlamaws present gape in amazement at the appearance of Suulhu-Huur.

With the aid of Irtrine, it is easy to convince the remaining inhabitants of the true happenings, and the morlamaws are nothing short of shocked.

At this point you have the chance to make the morlamaws your allies and gain access to the cloriphium deposits. Doing so requires a diplomacy check

I can aid

As a fellow aquatic being, Gold-Flecked Black attempts to convince the morlamaws to help the Starfinders mine the deposits.

This will be a way for you to do actual good, to balance out the horrors that you were unwittingly aiding and abetting.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23.

Looks like Kalhoun is the best at this, with multiple others able to assist automatically.

"It is disappointing what has happened here. We mourn the loss of the Manta Corps, but we also mourn the losses that you have suffered because of Oshessa's crimes. It is not our way to blame those who have been tricked into doing harm. Let us work together to recover from this sad incident and forge a new bond between your people and ours." He will then discuss the Starfinders' need for clophirium and negotiate an agreement to work together in the future.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (20) + 15 = 35 plus any Aid Another provided by the others

Twila-5 chimes in. "And some of our team recognized the iconography of your god. It's...not who Oshessa told you. We'll share the information we have so you can make your own decisions about who and how you continue to worship."

Diplomacy to Aid Kalhoun: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

No .. it's a deity called Zon-Kuthon .... I ... don't suppose I can interest you all into converting to Desna can I? The goddess or travelers, adventurers and the Starry Night

diplomacy (aid): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Maybe she's better off getting the Kalo back to the submersible

...and that means we're almost done here. Can you all roll day jobs, and I'll post the wrap-up later

astronomer: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

No day job.

Profession (electrician): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

Stell composes some new music using inspiration from some of the sounds she experienced under water.

Profession (musician), job: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 15 + 1 = 23

I know someone who would like to dance to that Vega tells Stell Underwater as well

no day job.

"Dance to what? Strawberry Machine Cake?!" Dirk smiles and goes to find his digital media of their last album.

"Dance to what? Strawberry Machine Cake?!" Dirk smiles and goes to find his digital media of their last album.

Stell rolls her eyes. "Pul-EASE! My music is just as danceable but ten time more creative." She gives a demonstration and refers Dirk to her Info-Sphere site with samples of her music.

Actually ... she does ... sometimes ... but ... yeah ... *also gets the link to more Stell music*

The morlamaws mull over their future, but eventually decide to appoint Hinevera as their leader, whose first action is to profusely apologize to Suulhu-Huur for the atrocities committed against him and his team. Suulhu-Huur accepts, albeit with some understandable reservation.

The morlamaw community agress to provide access to the clophirium deposits, which is news that meet a warm welcome at the Master of Stars!

Thanks all for playing... watch this spot for the next chapter in this storyline

Several years later... Appropriate spongebob meme

Welcome to Arniselle! Arniselle is the third planet orbiting the star CX8742. On the surface, the planet is extremely cold, with average temperatures below freezing. Oceans cover most of Arniselle, with a few uninhabited, icy land masses clustered on one side of the planet.

Extreme seismic activity and a recent rise in the sea level submerged several landmasses. There are multiple large underwater cities in the deepest ocean trenches, which serve as the heart of morlamaw civilization and culture.

The group has been dispatched here for an archaeological mission, and has been requested to report to Venture-Captain Suulhu-Huur.

Arniselle Lodge is submerged beneath the frigid ocean waters. It’s grown over the half-decade since its reopening but remains modest and its staff tight knit. Outside of its airlocked walls, morlamaw agents swim as they complete their duties, each wearing uniforms that are well-kept but have seen years of service. A few kalos with their cloaked fins inspect the outer structure of the lodge, while a wrikreechee clings to the side of the submarine docks and conducts traffic. The wrikreechee waves to the group with instructions: first maneuvering them into a berth, then into the tunnel that connects to the submersible, and then to the airlock. Holograms in the airlock provide reminders to air-breathers to engage their armor’s environmental protections, as the lodge remains submerged. Inside the lodge, the group is quickly ushered to Venture Captain’s Suulhu-Huur’s office.

Venture-Captain Suulhu-Huur’s piscine face peers over thick bands of armor at her neck. She gestures to the chairs bolted across from her desk, then drifts as she waits for everyone to sit. Seatbelts and handles on the side of the chairs assist those unaccustomed to sitting underwater.

“Hinevera and her team are missing,” Suulhu-Huur declares the moment it’s polite to speak; her voice plays through the local comms. “Hinevera is the longest-serving Starfinder at Arniselle Lodge and was instrumental in reestablishing it. After years of research and surveys, her hard work paid off— she found five promising sites she suspected were built by ancient morlamaws. She led a team to perform initial explorations of the first of these sites three weeks ago. Her last transmission was received two weeks ago and she’s not responding to hails.”

“Arniselle basalt has cloaking properties, so it’s possible a rock formation is blocking her transmissions. She and her team could be happily excavating while we speak. Or they could be in danger.” Suulhu-Huur’s gill slits flare as she sighs. “I take the safety of my lodge and its members extremely seriously. I was rescued from certain death by a team of Starfinders, and it’s time we continue the tradition, don’t you think?”

“I’m dispatching you on a rescue mission. Retrace Hinevera’s float plan and determine what happened to her team. If they’re in danger, bring them back. If they’re safe, return to Arniselle Lodge to deliver their mission reports in person. The safety of my agents comes first, and that includes you. Be careful. I hope this is merely a comms error. If it isn’t, I hope you arrive in time to help.

You can ask question and/or roll Culture, Physical Science or Diplomacy

Meanwhile, Suulhu-Huur uploads a copy of Hinevera’s float plan and a personnel file, as well as a copy of the 'guide to underwater missions'.

See handouts

"Are you aware of any dangers that may exist in the area that Hinevera and her team were exploring?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (8) + 15 = 23

Culture: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22
Physical Science: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31

Twila-5 cocks her head. She and her team are well aware of the reason Suulhu-Huur cares so much about her agents' safety. While her mind is sorting through its memories about Morlamaw culture and basalt and whatnot, Twila-5 makes eye contact with the Venture Captain and says: "We'll make sure they're safe. We always have our people's back." She reaches out to clasp forearms with Suulhu-Huur, a gesture of solidarity.

Stell makes eye contact with VC Suulhu-Huur and gives a little wave, wondering if she remembers her from the rescue mission years ago.

She waits until after the briefing to talk about the past.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28

She reviews in her head the information that came with the orders to return to Arniselle as well as her review of her own notes and memories from the last mission. She also chatted with the other staff prior to the start of the meeting to see what they might share.

Stell purchased an advanced medkit since the last adventure. Otherwise she has the same equipment and stats.

I got a basic medkit and jump jets

"Hey everyone!" Dirk turns to the venture captain.

"As the others said we're here for you"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

"Who was on her team? Do we suspect sabotage?"

Amy swims into the conference room, wearing a yellow 'battle bikini' (think Yuri from the Dirty Pair) and looking rather relaxed. She also left most of her gear in the shuttle.

Yay! No gravity It's obvious she's breathing the water around her. She does an acrobatic flip in mid swim before gently descending into a chair. Her blue hair swirls around her face.

Oh. Hello Stell ... Love your music she says shyly. I'm Amy, Star Shaman Mystic and aquatic dancer

phys sci: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13

Obviously the environment and the fan-girling is proving a bit distracting.

Stell acknowledges the complement on her music with a pleasant smile and a nod of the head. "I'm trained as an envoy, but since then I've been developing spying skills. After this mission is over, we should talk about possibly doing a new music video with an aquatic theme. I like to include dancers with the videos."

Giving everybody an opportunity to dot in. Please also fill out the RPG chronicles if you haven't already done, that way I can calculate Tier