SFS #2-04: Future's Fall (Inactive)

Game Master Mustaparta

A cheerful verthani technician finishes installing a holographic display in the meeting room as Venture-Captain Kunoris Vex eagerly watches over his shoulder. Outside, through the meeting room’s primary window, a pair of gnoll gardeners tend to part of a sprawling hydroponics facility built around a crashed cargo pod. In the larger ship landing area, an excited yeti with grease-caked fur leads a group of confused mechanics through trust fall exercises.

As the technician finishes, Venture-Captain Vex rushes him out the door and ushers those remaining to sit. “Starfinders! Please, come inside and sit. We’re almost settled in here. It’s starting to feel like a proper lodge and not a war zone.” He smiles warmly and offers to shake everyone’s hand or equivalent appendage before gesturing to the conference table.

Vex activates his wrist-mounted comm unit to activate a display on the table, first showing Salvation’s End and then the long hall of vault doors contained within it. “We’ve continued our exploration and examination of the numerous vaults contained within this moon, but the guiding intelligence behind them remains an enigma. To date, the vaults have contained different social experiments involving simple or ancient societies, but recently we intercepted signals from a vault and detected the presence of Pact World and Veskarium communications. The transmissions use encryption patterns our people did not recognize. I’d like you to review them, if any of you have skills at deciphering such things.”

Introduce characters and roll a DC 15 Computers or Culture check.

A cuttlefish, reddish with sparkling skin, and in a humanoid body made of water and clad in armor of lashunta make, greets Deep Blue in their shared language before taking a seat. <Greeting to each of you,> a smooth telepathic voice says from the fish's direction. <I am Khubelu. I believe I was sent because of my skill at negotiations. It is a pleasure to make each of your acquaintances, and I am sure this will be a highly fruitful mission.>

She then turns to Vex. <I have some facility with languages, so I will do my best to interpret these messages. What can you tell us about previous expeditions in the vault?>

Still need to get her profile updated. Will do so in the next couple of days.

A creature that looks more like a mobile rock than anything else clomps gracefully into the room. "I am called Chrysanthemum," she says, looking at everyone at the same time with her three eye stalks. "I am a quorlu and am profiencient with combat maneuvers. Please stand behind me if you wish." Her outer carapace is formed of a fascinating pattern of crystals, obviously lending to her name.

She takes in the introductory information and ponders for a moment.

Culture: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

A thin, female lashunta struts looks over everyone in the room, bearing a smug grin on her face and a pair of digital screens with pixelated where her eyes should be. A vaguely arachnid looking drone hovers in the air behind her. "Vex, what's this? You brought me a present? I love cracking into codes like this, especially when the creators think they've got it locked down."

Her eyes shift from two green ring pupils to a pair of animated hourglasses as she begins remotely decrypting the data. "I'm Navia. Mechanical engineer, social engineer, sharpshooter, and the best hacker in the Society outside of Celita herself. My two lovely assistants, X-4LL1S and Spider, are also along for the ride."

Computers: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (8) + 22 = 30

Chrysanthemum takes a look at the encrypted transimissions and decodes content of two transmissions. Handouts 1 and 2 on slide 2

Navia succeeds encrypting two additional messages. Handouts 3 and 4 on slide 2 LINK to slides

“Ah yes, the vault, I guess I got ahead of myself! We know this is an artificial moon. It contains a sophisticated artificial gravity generator and a number of sealed-off vaults. It seems some manner of intelligence controls this entire station, but we haven’t managed to contact it to determine its purpose. We’ve previously located vaults with pre-Gap dwarven culture and a test of group dominance behavior.” Vex speaks to Khubelu

Chrysanthemum reviews all the messages. "Most interesting, Venture-Captain. However, I do not understand the messages or how they are relevant. Did these come from inside a vault, as you call them? Should we assist the beings in the vault? There seems to be some confusion inside."

"Yes, they come from the vault. First you need to find out what's going on there. We will stay in touch via wireless communication so if you need my opinion how we should react, feel free to call any time."

Note: If a player has earned the Claimant to Salvation boon (Starfinder Society Scenario #1–00: Claim to Salvation) for any character, the PC she plays gains a single reroll that can be used for any one d20 roll during the course of this scenario.

I have that boon. I always forget about it, too. :)

Navia's eyes flicker as she skims through the data, looking of to the side as if entertaining an errant thought. "Hmm. Looks like a lot is going down there. The second message is especially interesting. It sounds kind of like an artificial intelligence. I'd like to pull it apart if I can and see what it's got going on."

Her hands are already busy checking the charge on her sniper rifle.

Vex shakes his head after reviewing the transmissions. “We haven’t seen anything this modern coming from a vault before. We’ve also picked up increased activity from the facility’s automated drones around the areas of this vault. We need to find out what the facility’s intelligence is doing and what’s happening in that vault. I don’t want to find out too late it’s been simulating attacks on Pact Worlds facilities.” Kunoris Vex gives a broad smile as he brings up a display of the lodge’s signal facilities. “Fortunately, I can send you in with support this time. We installed a new communications array, and it should be powerful enough to function within the vaults. If you need information, advice, or emergency support, you can reach me on your comm units. For now, head into the vault, find out what’s going on inside, and be ready for anything!”

Chrysanthemum nods sharply and heads for the designated area. She checks her environmental controls and weapons along the way just in case.

Everyone ready to go? You have purchased all equipment you want?

Ground transport, in the form of an all-terrain transport piloted by a dwarven driver originating from the vaults, navigates the main hallway of Salvation’s End and drops the Starfinders at an open maintenance hatch. The journey takes about 3 hours once you depart the lodge. A narrow walkway extends through a crevice that runs up and down hundreds of feet, and hundreds of drones performing maintenance tasks on the vault’s exterior panels.

Chrysanthemum "helps" by pointing out incredibly obvious things.

Engineering or Physical Science aid: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Computers aid: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

I'll take the pre-flight time to purchase a couple batteries and spell gems of supercharge weapon

Navia's eyes scan over the drones, with the pupils briefly reshaping themselves into question marks. "I wonder what's directing them..."
Engineering: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (4) + 22 = 26
Computers: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (13) + 22 = 35

She bites her lips and leans back a bit. "Sheesh. There's enough hydraulic pressure in there to fire off the Lorespire like a model rocket. That, and new drones are getting involved for some reason."

If one of the drones hovers close enough, Navia would love to use Remote Hack to try and determine its directive. And just in case...

Computers: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (15) + 22 = 37

No further shopping.

Khubelu thanks the driver at they reach the vault. She turns her attention to the goings-on in the area. Navia points out everything she was likely to have noticed, so the envoy starts looking for someone she can communicate with.

The stellifera tries to help with the drones.

Computers: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

You don't actually see the drones. They work in the background and no further are given.

Proceeding further down the walkway, you find a large, open airlock. Hot air drifts through from the other side, and an enormous array of holoprojectors lines the far wall, rising hundreds of feet into the air. Passing through the opening, you find yourself in a vast desert.

Rocky, red desert terrain stretches to the holoprojected horizon. The familiar stars of the Pact Worlds system sparkle in the evening sky, mixed with the twinkle of light on enormous starships and other manufactured craft orbiting above. Conical volcanic peaks rise up in the distance, one in particular dwarfing the other landmarks. A closer peak draws attention though, only a short walk away, structures and lights along its western slope.

If you succeed at a DC 30 Perception check, or if you have a targeting computer upgrade, telescope, or similar gear, try a DC 20 Culture, Piloting, or Profession (soldier) check.

Khubelu's minion checks out the mountains.

Physical Science: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14

They are very mountainy.

Chrysanthemum continues with her "helpful" remarks.

Physical Science aid: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13
Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24

The mountains are indeed mountainy.

Physical Science: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

Navia's pupils shape themselves like question marks as she looks over the horizon. She draws her sniper rifle and gazes down the scope for an easier view.

Perception: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 36

My pupils are stuck looking like W's. I can' even UwU because it just looks like the start of a URL.

While you don't recognize the mountain peak, its easy to identify the simulation as one of the Pact World of Akiton. Gravity in the area is one-third normal, counting as a low-gravity environment. With help of sniper scope Navia spots huge structure orbiting in space.

Culture: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25

Navia lowers her rifle, eyes briefly shifting to a pair of reptilian heads before going back to normal. "It looks like a Veskarium orbital defense platform up there. Strange.... they usually don't set up shop unless they've already conquered the area."

As you survey the area, Keskodai notices a large animal approaching you from hiding like ambushing a prey.

Perception checks from everyone first.

Keskodai perception: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (10) + 17 = 27

Chrysanthemum moves to the front of the group in a defensive stance.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20
Culture from before: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Navia's Perception: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 36
X4-LL1S' Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18

Khubelus Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Only Navia notices both large-sized wolflike creatures. Both run quite fast as they approach you. Combat happens on slide 4. Place your tokens there. (Link)

Link is view only, so I can't add my token.

Khubelu is up, so it should be available now.

[Dice=Khubelus Perception]1d20+6

Only Navia notices both large-sized wolflike creatures. Both run quite fast as they approach you. Combat happens on slide 4. Place your tokens there. (Link)

Its now editable. Chrys goes first.

Chrysanthemum charges into the fray, battering (at) the orange wolf with her fist.

Entropic strike: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13 for Acid Bludgeoning: 2d6 + 13 ⇒ (1, 4) + 13 = 18

(EP 2, mitigate 7 damage for 1 EP if needed, 10' reach with taclash for AOs)

Vanguard misses the wolf and is attacked by its mate. It seems to form some kind telepathic contact with you trying to reflect your inner doubts and fears.

Bite: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (10) + 18 = 28
piercing: 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (6, 4) + 12 = 22 15 after subtracting mitigate

Keskodai responds by a spell causing mental pain to orange wolf.

Mind thrust, 3rd lvl: 7d10 ⇒ (3, 4, 4, 7, 6, 3, 3) = 30
Orange's will save DC 19: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Khubelu next, Chrys gets an AoO vs. green as it approaches.

Khubelu tries to outwit the green wolf.

Clever Feint + Convincing Liar: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21
> if die was 6 or less, Free Reroll: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (8) + 16 = 24
> if die was 7 or higher, Add Expertise: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
vs. higher of 10 + Sense Motive bonus or 15 + 1½ × CR
> success - target is flat-footed until end of my next turn
> failure - target is flat-footed against me until end of my next turn
Merciful Advanced Skipshot Pistol: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23 vs. KAC
Piercing Damage: 2d4 + 3 ⇒ (2, 4) + 3 = 9 Nonlethal unless target is immune

Green is flat-footed only against Khubelu

Khubelu hits the green while orange wolf bites and scratches the Quorlu, but she is protected by her armor.

bite: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22
claw: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23
claw: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21

Navia and Xallis next

"X-4, you're up!" Navia gestures towards one of the wolves as she takes aim.
Readying a shot until after X4-LL1S fires.

The arachnid done flies forward and upward, looming over the battle as its mandibles click-clack and fire off a round.

Harrying Fire vs Orange, AC 15: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28

Seizing the opportunity, Navia overcharges her sniper rifle, firing a concentrated beam of heat.

Navia's sniper vs Orange: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 13 + 2 = 25 fire damage (overcharge): 2d8 + 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (5, 8) + (3) + 9 = 25

Orange is badly burnt by Navia's accurate shot.

Chrys next

Will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Chrysanthemum grunts as she's bitten by a wolf. She swings her taclash at the approaching one, hoping to keep it at bay a little.

Entropic strike, reach, AO: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14 for Acid Bludgeoning Force: 2d6 + 13 ⇒ (1, 2) + 13 = 16

She then swings twice at the most injured wolf.

Entropic strike, full 1: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 10 - 4 = 12 for Acid Bludgeoning Force: 2d6 + 13 ⇒ (5, 1) + 13 = 19
Entropic strike, full 2: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 10 - 4 = 11 for Acid Bludgeoning Force: 2d6 + 13 ⇒ (2, 2) + 13 = 17

Well, that was useful. I hope folks appreciate the beating I'm going to take here. :)

Taking beatings is what vanguards are for.

Green attacks the Vanguard scoring one devastating hit.

bite: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23
claw: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32
crit slashing: 2d8 + 24 ⇒ (7, 6) + 24 = 37
claw: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18

Khubelu's turn

Khubelu continues to go after the green wolf.

Clever Feint + Convincing Liar: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (3) + 16 = 19
> if die was 6 or less, Free Reroll: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (15) + 16 = 31
> if die was 7 or higher, Add Expertise: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
vs. higher of 10 + Sense Motive bonus or 15 + 1½ × CR
> success - target is flat-footed until end of my next turn
> failure - target is flat-footed against me until end of my next turn
Merciful Advanced Skipshot Pistol: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22 vs. KAC
Piercing Damage: 2d4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 2) + 3 = 9 Nonlethal unless target is immune

Khubelu succeeds feinting and hitting the green. Keskodai draws and fires his pistol at orange.

corona laser pistol: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
fire: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 4) + 4 = 9

Orange moves to flank position and bites Chrys. provokes AoO

bite: 1d20 + 18 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 18 + 2 = 33
piercing: 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (5, 5) + 12 = 22

Navia and Xallis next

Navia maintains her aim on her target and signals for her drone to take another distracting shot to set up another blazing bolt.

Harrying Fire vs Orange, AC 15: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24

Navia's sniper vs Orange: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 13 + 2 = 28 fire damage (overcharge): 2d8 + 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (2, 7) + (3) + 9 = 21

Second time in row Navia hits the orange with laser gun.

Chrys's turn

Chrys swings her taclash as orange moves to flank her (she is unflankable).

Entropic strike, reach: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23 for Acid Bludgeoning: 2d6 + 13 ⇒ (3, 6) + 13 = 22

EP 2

She continues to pound on orange (assuming that's the most injured).

Entropic strike, full 1: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 10 - 4 = 26 for Acid Bludgeoning: 2d6 + 13 ⇒ (6, 5) + 13 = 24
Entropic strike, full 2: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 10 - 4 = 25 for Acid Bludgeoning: 2d6 + 13 ⇒ (6, 3) + 13 = 22

Chrys kills the orange in two strikes and hits green with third blow.

Green relentlessly tries to bite and scratch Chrys, but fails. Keskodai fires pistol at the foe.

bite: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18
claw: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13
claw: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21

corona laser pistol: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Khubelu and Navia

Navia begins to hum to herself as she takes aim for another charged shot. "...along came a spider, who sat down beside her, and offered a new loaded clip..."

Harrying Fire vs Green, AC 15: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30

Navia's sniper vs Green: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 13 + 2 = 30 fire damage (overcharge): 2d8 + 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (5, 5) + (6) + 9 = 25

Navia's laser hits target again, but its not yet dead.

Khubelu next, I will bot after 20 hours

Khubelu keeps doing what she's doing to green.

Clever Feint + Convincing Liar: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (2) + 16 = 18
> if die was 6 or less, Free Reroll: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 36
> if die was 7 or higher, Add Expertise: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
vs. higher of 10 + Sense Motive bonus or 15 + 1½ × CR
> success - target is flat-footed until end of my next turn
> failure - target is flat-footed against me until end of my next turn
Merciful Advanced Skipshot Pistol: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19 vs. KAC
Piercing Damage: 2d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 4) + 3 = 10 Nonlethal unless target is immune

Khubelu's feint succeeds, but she misses narrowly.

Chrys's turn

Chrysanthemum continues punching away at the critter since it hasn't learned to leave her alone. Yet.

Entropic strike, full 1: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 10 - 4 = 10 for Acid Bludgeoning: 2d6 + 13 ⇒ (1, 2) + 13 = 16
Entropic strike, full 2: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 10 - 4 = 17 for Acid Bludgeoning: 2d6 + 13 ⇒ (3, 4) + 13 = 20

Which could be because she can't hit them.

EP 4, I think. Will use to mitigate until she has one left.

With help of Khubelu's feint Chrys manages to hit with second strike. The foe decides to run away.

Combat over

With a cursory examination of the area, you can find remnants of a Veskarium patrol from Buyer’s Remorse nearby. The drychens destroyed the vesk’s armor, but you can recover two combat rifles with 40 longarm rounds between them, plus four frag grenades III.

Also try a DC 27 Perception check.