[SFS/ACE] 7-07 Submerged Stars

Game Master Kludde

George 09-23 activates his borrowed Hydrojet armor upgrade. He swims effortlessly to the bottom. He then attempts to bypass the glass.

I am not sure if this roll is needed at this point with the open door but if it is I am including it.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21

He looks around at the others and then speaks to them through a comm channel.

"So, do we know everything we can about this site already?"

"Giant enemy crabs!!! Are you joking??? Since when do crabs spew acid??? Mistress Shari, it's not too late to return to the submarine and leave. It's been two and a half weeks already. There is only a slim chance we will be able to find Hinevera and her team."

Sakorus is trying to be the Jack Black to Trober's Kevin Hart, in this little game of Jumanji XD

Sakorus swims up behind the dromada, and wraps an arm around his shoulder - maybe just a bit too tight. "Oh, nonsense, Mr. Drof! Crabs are wonderful creatures, giant and enemy or otherwise. Why, I was just reading a periodical about the work being done with crabs from Kalo-Mahoi's volcanic seafloor - apparently they've developed wonderful adaptations, allowing their shells to stretch and compress as they move from freezing waters to superheated vents! Marvelous.
...you will get some acid, though. Watch out for the crab acid."

Trober, we are in the temple of Pharasma. The Lady of the Graves teaches us that the end is the beginning, and the beginning is the end. Even if you die here, my friend, it will be a new beginning for someone else. Don't worry so much, it's all vanity of vanities. Shari says this as seriously and solemnly as possible, trying to hide a smile.

Bluff: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17

The tips of her lips give her away slightly...

Based on the layout of the building, Sakorus conclused this building was always underwater and was built for Large creatures. The debris indicates it once contained multiple rooms, including a large, circular, central room, surrounded by a few smaller rooms. Its likely it was a public gathering place, perhaps a meeting hall or temple.

Atu is pleased to learn what Sakorus knows about the glass: it is actually fairly rarely used on Arniselle, not only for its inability to withstand high pressure but also for the difficulties of its creation on an aquatic world. These glass panes were created from sand not found in this region, perhaps not even on this planet.

Within the bulding, there's a tusk cap sized for a morlamaw. While it's useless as a weapon unless you're a morlamaw with exactly matching dimensions, there's a weapon fusion on it does have a ghost killer fusion seal and a trailblazer fusion seal on it that can be used.

----

When the group reaches the excavation site, the sub’s autopilot pings with a notification: “Destination reached. Safe anchoring point located. End trip?”

You can choose to let the autopilot handle the docking, or to do it yourself with a piloting check

Celestia scans as much as the building as she can, grinning at Trober's reactions. She knows she shouldn't but ..... She then shrugs and offers him counselling sessions if he needs it.

I see what you mean about the glass. We use transparent aluminum for the underwater display tanks at the club. But, even that would need to be shipped in. Could another species had built this for the Morlamaw? Or did they have knowledge of space flight but lost it? Kat never mentioned that.

Although, glass would work underwater if the pressure on both sides is kept equal.

Sakorus would inspect the team's findings with great curiosity, and throughout the rest of the trip, probably wouldn't shut up about the early morlamaws' building capabilities, non-native glass, and everything else, with Celestia or whoever else is in earshot.

He's not much of a pilot, so he'd leave that decision to someone else.

Is anyone itching for either fusion? I wouldn't say no to the ghost killer, but I'm sure our Operative would put it to better use. Also, Sakorus's weapon does Piercing damage, which isn't reduced underwater, so someone else would probably benefit more from the trailblazer.

Atu's current gun can't support both the ghost-killer and the trailblazer they just bought for themselves already so go ahead (unless you were looking at the other ((partial)) operative)

The Gap did many strange things to many species Atu thinks aloud in response to Celly's comments But perhaps it is just from a distance section of this world's oceans. Someplace sacred to the Lady of Graves? The crafting and transit would have been onerous, but the effort of the work itself can sometimes be seen as a means of expression devotion.

As we reach the site, what does it look like?
And should none object, Atu can guide our craft in for a smoother landing.

Piloting: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (12) + 19 = 31

I guess that makes sense. I mean it wouldn't be the first time that has happened.

Сuriously... Shari has nothing to add yet, but she hopes that new clues will be found during the rescue of our colleagues...

> When the group reaches the excavation site
How long did it take? More than one day or less? I'm asking for stamina and RP .)

The next stop is another day from the last stop

Atu brings in the sub for a soft landing, almost soundless, and once the vessel is anchored, the group can come out.

Long-range comms are clearly not working due to the Arniselle basal, but short-range (100 feet or so) still works.

About sixty feet away another sub is anchored, one that carries the sigil of the Starfinder Society on its hull.

Perception: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (3) + 17 = 20
Look there! Acid again... (you can open the spoiler)

perception: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (7) + 17 = 24

Looks like the bottom of their sub has suffered some corrosion. A mere pittance though

Sakorus shakes his head, and tuts, through the party comms. "Giant crabs," he says while shrugging two of his large shoulders.

If possible, he'd do a perimeter check of the Sub - especially keen to see if there's anyone inside, any signs of forced entry / egress, unfortunate remains, and so on.

If Shari (or anyone, really) wants the ghost killer fusion, she can have it. If not, Sakorus would attach it to his capture pole during transit, so it can be attuned by the time we arrive.

I would think the danger from giant crabs would be their claws. Atu says as they follow Sakorus towards the oter anchored submarine. Your warning is appreciated. It is always good to learn more about the galaxy's many creatures!

Atu will also take a look at the Starfinder sub - and if it seems unlocked try to enter to see if the vehicle has any logs on it.

"Why Mx. Vaeyo, that is precisely what the giant crabs want you to think! The claws are typically for mating displays and territorial claims, but for anything they perceive as a prey item, they deploy acid to pre-digest their meat! Quite clever, actually."

I have no idea if we're actually going to fight crabs or not, or where the acid came from, but - Sakorus is certain about the crabs XD

Trober can only stare in horror at Sakorus and Shari as they talk to him. From behind the faceplate of his helmet he looks like he is about to start hyperventilating.

"Do we have to spend so much time talking about giant crabs..."

Celestia decides enough is enough, and gently leads Trober away from the others in order to calm him down. She's used to treating this sort of thing.

psychologist: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14

It seems Trober is going to be a difficult case, requiring weeks of therapy - but at least she tried.

As Sakorus moves his attention to the inside of the sub, he sees it is fully flooded.

George 09-23 puts his considerable technical skills to good use.

Engineering: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (3) + 18 = 21

Computers: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (8) + 18 = 26

The android shares his finding with his team.

Feel free to open the information tabs

Local fauna Atu reads off of the shared logs. They look up at Sakorus.

Crabs...?

The look on the izalguun's vertically-split face is stone cold and serious, as he turns to look at Atu. "Crabs," he says matter-of-factly, with a nod.

"Crabs..."

There's no crabs inside the sub, but there is some equipment: two purple nanite hypopens , one serum of remove affliction, two mk 3 serums of healing, an auto-injector and a lesser electron.

About 50 feet on, a trench splits the ocean’s floor. On its far side, a great expanse of basalt rises from the depths. It first flattens into a shelf, where bioluminescent corals shine through the dark. Beyond that, it slopes another twenty feet upwards as bare rock. Metal poles as large as trees rise through the ocean and support a spire that rises far above with its peak barely visible through the murky water. A dimly glowing substance is smeared along one of these metal poles.

The trench is over 200 feet deep. The sandy surface at its top slopes upward, rising 5 feet for every 10 feet of horizontal distance. The supports and the basalt shelf they’re built atop are an additional 20 feet above the sandy slope. You are approaching from the southeast, crossing over the trench. Feel free to put your token anywhere in the red box.

The monsters on the ocean floor are still a couple of evolutionary steps away from being crabs, but they look hostile all the same...

---
George
Shari
Sakorus
Trober
Atu
Celly
---
Monster
Monster
---

Is the party ok with Sakorus taking one each of the purple hypopen, and Mk 3 serum of healing? As the person with the injection gun :D

Also, just to make sure I understand the map: we've crossed the 200 ft trench, and we're now below the two monsters, approaching them from the trench's bottom?

Assuming we already have hydrojets turned on from exploring the sub, Sakorus moves forwards towards Red, drawing his capture pole as he goes. Then, he'd Swift Action call his called injector pistol to his hands.

Sakorus's face tilts at an odd angle, as he regards the monsters. "I say! That's no crab..?" he says, sounding both confused and disappointed. He'll use his remaining Move Action to do the Biohacker's Identification schtick - treat as a Natural 20 to ID the monsters, for a total of 39 Life Sci or Phys sci, as appropriate. He'd share whatever he knows with the rest of the party. Order of things he'd like to know:
1. Does it have vulnerabilities?
2. Does it have resistances?
3. Does it have immunities?
4. Does it have any special attacks?
5. If still remaining questions, whatever the GM thinks is appropriate to know.

Clearly not crabs. I'd rather be one of the last to act. I will wait for the actions of my comrades in other words.

As a couple of legless crabs emerge from the depths, Atu Vaeyo begins to swim forwards, drawing their pistol as they move. They focuses and utter a silent prayer to Hylax as their weapon begins to glow:

Queen, grant your power to one of your hive to reconnect with those lost and in need...

Move action to swim (drawing a gun during the move). Then Move action imbue the weapon with divine magic (via the Magical Assassin class archetype). If Sakorus ID's a specific vulnerability they'd choose that element, otherwise will pick Acid

George 09-23 decides to summon in some aquatic help for this battle.

Summon Creature III is being cast

Celestia is trying to figure out what they are.

Definitely not crabs - they sort of look like the tiny lampreys I've seen in the Castrovalian corals. Chryssi would call these things 'lunch' She smirks to herself.

life science: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

She hangs back with Shari, ready to act if anyone gets hurt.

"Legless crabs with mouths like a shark and the body of a snake!!! What do we do? What do we do?"

Trober remains near Shari hoping for some guidance.

His fear seems to spark a spontaneous reaction in him and his body glimmers slightly with energy. Anyone looking at him notices a faint aura of energy now surrounds him. Reflecting Armor

Paradox: 1d20 ⇒ 14
Paradox: 1d20 ⇒ 17
Paradox: 1d20 ⇒ 5
Paradox: 1d20 ⇒ 17
Paradox: 1d20 ⇒ 3
Paradox: 1d20 ⇒ 17

Trober clumsily unslings a rifle from over his shoulder. The weapon is permanently set to stun mode since Trober still hasn't earned a qualifying rating in marksmanship yet from the weapons instructors who train Starfinder Society agents.

"I work in accounting!!!"

Shari swims after Atu, takes out a weapon with an imperceptible movement and suddenly shoots a bullet as if woven from the thickened darkness from a small but very sinister blaster.

VS RED
Stunt and Strike: Slight of Hand: 1d20 + 1d6 + 20 ⇒ (15) + (5) + 20 = 40 - DC = 20 + target’s CR; FF vs attack
Shadow Pistol: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 241d10 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13 - Cold vs EAC
Hope 24 vs FF EAC hits... but range 60ft, so some penalties... will see ))

Trober, go on the offensive!

Sakorus can confirm these aren't crabs, they're osiferns. Unsurprisingly, they're aquatic creatures, and with it natural habitat in the abyss (the deep ocean, that is, not the demon-infested plane), it is immune to the perils of water pressure. This is the kind of aquatic creature you can cut up, and it will regenerate, save for any damage caused electric shocks, however impractical that may be underwater.

It is also resistant to cold, and carries quite a whallop in the form of a vicous melee multi-attack. It hunts its pray by spraying a cone digestive enzymes, and then swallowing its prey whole.

Mechanically that means: Immune to dangers of extreme depth, regenation 5 (electricity), space 10ft, reach 10ft, resistance to cold, swallow whole on bite, multiattack slam, acid cone 3x/day

George starts summoning some feed for the aquatic creatures, while Atu closes in and Celly and Trober hang back.

Shari fires her shadow pistol, and manages to hit despite the distance.

Atu is beset by an osifern closing in and biting the operative, while the other one swim right up to Celly!

Bite, Atu: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (10) + 19 = 293d4 + 12 ⇒ (4, 4, 2) + 12 = 22

---R2
George
Shari
Sakorus
Trober
Atu
Celly
---
Monster (RED 6, FF)
Monster (BLUE)
---

Based on the map, looks like Red is attacking me, Sakorus, and not Atu? In which case, ow :D But Red fell right for my trap card, since mua ha ha, Sakorus is Large with a Reach weapon = 15 ft reach, which means means it provoked as it stepped in!

Sakorus readies his pole like a, well, polearm, against Red's charge! Knowing that the osiferns are Resistant to cold, and also seeing that Shari is attacking using same, Sakorus would attach a Basic Inhibitor to this AoO to reduce Red's Cold Resistance by 5, for 9 rounds, if the attack hits.
Underwater AoO vs Red: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 12 - 2 = 13
AoO dmg vs Red: 2d8 + 11 ⇒ (2, 7) + 11 = 20

For his actual turn, Sakorus would share what he's learned about the osiferns, particularly the regeneration piece: "Electricity - they need to be hit with electricity!"
Following that, he'll guarded step paddle 5 ft back against Red, and then try and land that attack, again trying for a Basic Inhibitor to reduce Cold Resist by 5 for 9 rounds on a hit.
Underwater vs Red: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 12 - 2 = 25
P dmg vs Red: 2d8 + 11 ⇒ (6, 3) + 11 = 20

"Celly watch out!"

Trober points his rifle at the approaching osifern. With his eyes squeezed tightly shut he pulls the trigger and hopes for the best.

Blindmark Rifle vs. Blue EAC: 17 + 8 - 4 - 2 = 19 Trober uses a paradox for both attack rolls.
Sonic Damage: 2d4 + 5 ⇒ (4, 4) + 5 = 13 His rifle does not have an underwater fusion on it.

Blindmark Rifle vs. Blue EAC: 17 + 8 - 4 - 2 = 19
Sonic Damage: 2d4 + 5 ⇒ (2, 1) + 5 = 8

@AbadarCorp Entertainment - Do I need to halve the damage from Water Elementals as they do not have a piercing attack. Clearly there should be a clause in here for creatures that are native to an aquatic environment. Also how does Invisibility work underwater? I had a quick look but I cannot find anything. :)

Thanks Trober Celly says as she backs off from the bluish creature. Maybe they think aasimars are tasty.

She then fires a 2nd level Mind Thrust at it.
mt2: 4d10 ⇒ (5, 8, 9, 8) = 30 DC15 will

Also operating based on their placement that red chomped Sakorus - let me know if incorrect. Uncanny Shooter means this won't provoke either way, but need to know to track SP/HP

Hearing Sakorus call out the 'ossiferns'' static flaw, Atu nudges Hylax's blessing towards the shocking side as they finish their prayer. Hlyax, guide our aim... and fire at the encoraching beast threatening their ally.

Mysticism to focus energies (vs DC 20+their CR): 1d20 + 17 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 17 + 4 = 30
Attack v Red EAC: 1d20 + 13 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 13 - 4 = 21 for Sonic: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
plus Electric: 4d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 6, 2) = 11 If that Myst roll succeeded

Yes, Sakorus was the target - I got icons mixed up

After initially failing to score a hit, Sakorus paddles back a bit and stabs the incoming osifern.

Trober pulls the trigger twice, and misses twice by the narrowest of margins.

@George: The underwater rules seem a bit incomplete, but I'd say from the phrasing 'land-based creatures have difficulty..' that non-land-based creatures don't suffer from the same restrictions (so no attack penalties for water elementals). Invisibility works as normal (and environmental protection should be enough to prevent air bubbles)

Interestingly, mind thrusts cause a streaking pattern, like a red-shifted type of Cerenkov radiation.

Will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Atu's shot shocks the osifern and causes a couple of small fish to be paralyzed in place.

---R2
George
Shari
Sakorus
Trober
Atu
Celly
---
Monster (RED 35 (5 elec), FF, cold resistance inhibited 0)
Monster (BLUE, 30)
---

Three small sized water elementals wail on the two strange creatures. They give it their all.

Green Elemental vs Red, Full Attack: 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 9 - 4 = 24

Bludgeoning Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Green Elemental vs Red, Full Attack: 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 9 - 4 = 25

Bludgeoning Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Pink Elemental vs Blue, Full Attack, Flanking: 1d20 + 9 - 4 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 9 - 4 + 2 = 18

Bludgeoning Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Pink Elemental vs Blue, Full Attack, Flanking: 1d20 + 9 - 4 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 9 - 4 + 2 = 19

Bludgeoning Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Blue Elemental vs Blue, Full Attack, Flanking: 1d20 + 9 - 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 9 - 4 + 2 = 10

Bludgeoning Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Blue Elemental vs Blue, Full Attack, Flanking: 1d20 + 9 - 4 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 9 - 4 + 2 = 16

Bludgeoning Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Critical Damage for Green Elemental vs Red

Bludgeoning Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Small Elementals EAC 12, KAC 13 HP:20, Water Mastery (waterborne creatures suffer a -1 penalty to attack and damage vs the elementals).

George 09-23 lets loose a barrage of three magical missiles at Red.

Magic Missile, Full Round Action, Harmful Spells: 3d4 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (4, 3, 2) + 3 + 3 = 15

@AbadarCorp Entertainment - Thanks for the update of the rules. Now this is my character's round 2 actions. :)

The elementals take red off-guard, and strike some rather hard hits, while blue fares altogether better and manages to avoid the elemental's blows. There's no avoiding magical missiles, of course.

---R2
George
Shari
Sakorus
Trober
Atu
Celly
---
Monster (RED 77 (5 elec), FF, cold resistance inhibited 0)
Monster (BLUE, 30)
---

Sakorus, thanks!

Wow, demonic creatures? I've never seen anything like this before, even though I've seen a lot of demons at home on Apostae. Light chatter does not prevent Shari from shooting and swimming a little further away.

VS RED
Stunt and Strike: Slight of Hand: 1d20 + 1d6 + 20 ⇒ (7) + (2) + 20 = 29 - DC = 20 + target’s CR; FF vs attack
Shadow Pistol: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 191d10 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13 - Cold vs EAC

Ah, no, they're not demons, they're from the deep ocean

The osiferns go for their closest assailants, which happen to be vortices of water.

Vs Green
Slam multiattack, Water elemental: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 241d10 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17
Slam multiattack, Water elemental: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 241d10 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14 Elemental dead
Slam multiattack, Water elemental: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 251d10 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16

vs Purple
Slam multiattack, Water elemental: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 221d10 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22 Dead
vs Blue
Slam multiattack, Water elemental: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 291d10 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14
Slam multiattack, Water elemental: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 141d10 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19

---R2
George
Shari
Sakorus
Trober
Atu
Celly
---
Monster (RED 78 (5 elec), FF, cold resistance inhibited 0)
Monster (BLUE, 25)
---

Celly fires off another second level Mind Thrust at Blue
mt2: 4d10 ⇒ (4, 1, 9, 6) = 20 DC15 will

The remaining water elemental fights on valiantly. At the very least it can be bait for these fearsome creatures of the sea.

Blue Elemental vs Blue, Full Attack: 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 9 - 4 = 25

Slam Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Blue Elemental vs Blue, Full Attack: 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 9 - 4 = 24

Slam Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Critical Damage for the first blow!

Slam Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

George 09-23 grins slightly as his summons seem to be more than a distraction. He focuses his magical energies and sends three more missiles at Red.

Magic Missile, Harmful Spells, Full Attack Action: 3d4 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (3, 4, 4) + 3 + 3 = 17

Wary of the snakes-thing's reach, Atu carefully swims a bit around the area as they try to focus Hylax's might into another blast.

Mysticism to focus energies (DC 20+their CR): 1d20 + 17 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 17 + 4 = 24
Attack v Red EAC: 1d20 + 13 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 13 - 4 = 16 for Sonic: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
plus Electric: 4d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 4, 3) = 10 if that Myst roll succeeded

Sadly their form finds it difficult I presume for the moment to be a proper vessel for full divine might. and their aim isn't great either

Trober starts grabbing chunks of loose coral and anything else he can find to create a makeshift wall in front of him that he can hide behind. Barricade Ducking down behind his makeshift cover he lifts his rifle over his head and fires it over the top of the wall without exposing himself.

Blindmark Rifle vs. Blue EAC: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 8 - 2 = 21
Sonic Damage: 2d4 + 5 ⇒ (1, 3) + 5 = 9

Sakorus will strike out at Red again, leveraging his reach to try and keep it at bay. This time, he'll apply an inhibitor for -2 to AC to Red.
vs Red KAC: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 12 - 2 = 28
P dmg & -2 AC Inhibitor: 2d8 + 11 ⇒ (6, 5) + 11 = 22

Stunt and Strike: Slight of Hand: 1d20 + 1d6 + 20 ⇒ (20) + (3) + 20 = 43 - DC = 20 + target’s CR; FF vs attack
Shadow Pistol: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 151d10 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 - Cold vs EAC
vs red