GM S's "The Death of Kortos IV" (Inactive)

Game Master Chris Marsh

Gunnz blows the lock about halfway apart!

ROUND 4:
Gunnz (SP: 110/110): Fancy shootin'
Ishkitik (SP: 57/72): Go
-----Ishkitok (SP: 68/90): Go
Azara (SP: 14/98): Hit
Lady Shrike (HP: 36/74, Prone): KOed
Yuqab (SP: 46/80): Miss
Ohmarc (SP: 63/72): Heal
Sozirenn (Attuned 0): TBD

TACTICAL MAP
GM’s Tracker
Party Conditions: Inspiring Boost: , Get'em:
Gravity:LOW Atmosphere: Normal
Lighting: Normal within 30' of the yacht, dim beyond.
Battlefield terrain: Normal

With Gunnz having loosened it, Ishkitik tries to finish the job mechanically as Ishkitok takes another swing at Sozirenn.

Ishkitok storm doshko: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18
ouch!: 2d8 + 12 ⇒ (6, 4) + 12 = 22 electricity

Engineering: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (8) + 20 = 28

Sorry, lots of tech issues at the Lake House!

Ishkitok's aim isn't good enough to hit the dragon where they hurt. And the lock seems to only respond to powerful hits.

With Lady Shrike prone, Sozirenn turns their attention to Azara, leveling a powerful swing of their mystical weapon:
Solar Claw: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (7) + 23 = 30 for DMG: 4d6 + 19 ⇒ (1, 1, 6, 2) + 19 = 29

ROUND 5:[b]
Gunnz (SP: 110/110): Go
Ishkitik (SP: 57/72): Go
-----Ishkitok (SP: 68/90): Go
Azara (HP: 160/75): Go
Lady Shrike (HP: 36/74, Prone): Go
Yuqab (SP: 46/80): Go
Ohmarc (SP: 63/72): Go
Sozirenn (Attuned 1): TBD

TACTICAL MAP
GM’s Tracker
Party Conditions: Inspiring Boost: , Get'em:
Gravity:LOW Atmosphere: Normal
Lighting: Normal within 30' of the yacht, dim beyond.
Battlefield terrain: Normal

Yuqab takes advantage of Lady Shrike's prone position, leaping onto the side of the cage and firing over her at Sozirenn.

Acrobatics to trick: 10 + 26 = 36
Hailstorm class zero pistol: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 17
Cold damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (2, 4) + 5 = 11
Trick attack damage: 5d8 ⇒ (3, 1, 7, 8, 1) = 20

Gunnz stares daggers at the lock and blasts it a second time

attack vs EAC: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (13) + 16 = 29
So damage (ignores 9 hardness): 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (1, 2) + 3 = 6
If trick attack works, then add 5d8, but likely it doesn't

Ishkitik tries firing her pistol at the lock while Ishkitok keeps trying to hit Sozirenn.

Ishkitok storm doshko: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22
ouch!: 2d8 + 12 ⇒ (3, 3) + 12 = 18 electricity

Ishkitik corona laser pistol: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25
overcharged fire!: 2d4 + 4 + 2d6 ⇒ (2, 1) + 4 + (5, 3) = 15

Once again on the ground, the chaplain takes hold of her blade and takes another swipe from her prone position.

ghostkiller fangblade (prone): 1d20 + 16 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 16 - 4 = 18 damage: 1d12 + 19 ⇒ (10) + 19 = 29

A bit retcon, as I don't think I've ever had a situation that it would be useful before, but as she doesn't think trick attack works, can I use tripple attack here?

second attack (@-4) vs EAC: 1d20 + 15 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 15 - 4 = 12
damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (3, 1) + 5 = 9Ignores 9 points of hardness

triple attack (@-4) vs EAC: 1d20 + 15 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 15 - 4 = 22
damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (2, 1) + 5 = 8Ignores 9 points of hardness

Gunnz, I'll allow it.

Gunnz finally blows the lock off. The civilians inside give a cheer, but a roar from Sozirenn stuns them back to terror.

Meanwhile, Yuqab, Lady Shrike and Ishkitok all miss, though Ishkitik connects with an overcharged shot!

ROUND 5:
Gunnz (SP: 110/110): Lockbuster
Ishkitik (SP: 57/72): Hit
-----Ishkitok (SP: 68/90): Miss
Azara (HP: 160/75): Go
Lady Shrike (HP: 36/74, Prone): Miss
Yuqab (SP: 46/80): Miss
Ohmarc (SP: 63/72): Go
Sozirenn (Attuned 1): TBD

TACTICAL MAP
GM’s Tracker
Party Conditions: Inspiring Boost: , Get'em:
Gravity:LOW Atmosphere: Normal
Lighting: Normal within 30' of the yacht, dim beyond.
Battlefield terrain: Normal

Ohmarc once again uses his life link and transfers some (9 hp) of Lady Shrike's wounds to himself. He then proceeds to use another healing channel on the party. Another resolve point spent.

Healing Channel: 8d8 ⇒ (7, 5, 8, 2, 5, 1, 8, 7) = 43

This further heals Lady Shrike and Ohmarc's own wounds.

Ohmarc holds the team together as all attention turns towards Soziren

ROUND 5:
Gunnz (SP: 110/110): Lockbuster
Ishkitik (SP: 57/72): Hit
-----Ishkitok (SP: 68/90): Miss
Azara (HP: 75/75): Go
Lady Shrike (HP: 74/74, Prone): Miss
Yuqab (SP: 46/80): Miss
Ohmarc (SP: 63/72): Succor
Sozirenn (Attuned 1): TBD

TACTICAL MAP
GM’s Tracker
Party Conditions: Inspiring Boost: , Get'em:
Gravity:LOW Atmosphere: Normal
Lighting: Normal.
Battlefield terrain: Normal

"Her prisoners free, leverage gone
will she still fight on
Or will she see the true light?"

Azara's flashing blades will show her that light unless she stands down.

Solar Weapon: 1d20 + 14 - 3 ⇒ (18) + 14 - 3 = 29
Slashing: 3d6 + 1d6 + 18 ⇒ (6, 1, 6) + (5) + 18 = 36

Solar Weapon: 1d20 + 14 - 3 ⇒ (16) + 14 - 3 = 27
Slashing: 3d6 + 1d6 + 18 ⇒ (1, 3, 4) + (1) + 18 = 27

Photon Attuned 3

Azara's skill is more than up to the task as he slashes the dragon twice! It's going to take a LOT more than that. What's worse, the dragon instantly engages some nanites to start knitting the wounds closed.

The twin concerns of Azara's weapons and escaping civlians divides Sozirenn's attention. Hoping to put a quick end to the lashunta, they strike quickly!
Claw 1: 1d20 + 23 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 23 - 4 = 27 for DMG: 4d6 + 19 ⇒ (2, 2, 6, 6) + 19 = 35
Claw 2: 1d20 + 23 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 23 - 4 = 26 for DMG: 4d6 + 19 ⇒ (3, 5, 3, 1) + 19 = 31

ROUND 6:
Gunnz (SP: 110/110): Go
Ishkitik (SP: 57/72): Go
-----Ishkitok (SP: 68/90): Go
Azara (HP: 9/75): Go
Lady Shrike (HP: 74/74, Prone): Go
Yuqab (SP: 46/80): Go
Ohmarc (SP: 63/72): Go
Sozirenn (Attuned 1): TBD

TACTICAL MAP
GM’s Tracker
Party Conditions: Inspiring Boost: , Get'em:
Gravity:LOW Atmosphere: Normal
Lighting: Normal.
Battlefield terrain: Normal

Ohmarc continues with the strategy he is using and immediately transfers some (9 hp) of Azara's wounds to himself. He then channels healing energy (expend 1 resolve point) to heal his allies restoring even more hit points to his companions.

Healing Channel: 8d8 ⇒ (3, 8, 5, 6, 1, 4, 7, 6) = 40

A wave of healing energy engulfs his friends, restoring their health.

Ohmarc has an archetype of Medic. One of Ohmarc's Archetype Features is a Special Ability called Doctor from the Character Operations Manual, which says the following:

• Whenever you use equipment or one of your abilities to restore Hit Points to a creature, any surplus healing beyond that required to restore the creature to its maximum Hit Points restores that many Stamina Points to the creature.

I may have forgotten to apply that on earlier occasions, but, for most of the party just this round, that would have healed their stamina by 40 points.

Yuqab, frustrated, shouts at the civilians as he fires again at Sozirenn. "GO! Get out of there, now!"

Acrobatics to trick: 10 + 26 = 36
Hailstorm class zero pistol: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21
Cold damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (1, 4) + 5 = 10
Trick attack damage: 5d8 ⇒ (8, 8, 4, 5, 3) = 28

Someday I'll get an attack roll above a 5....

"Quick, quick, run for it.." urges Gunnz as she dashes round the corner toward the dragon.

Dashes, but keeps to the shadows, she fires quickly, trying to wound the fell beast.
trickyness: 10 + 24 = 34
attack vs FF EAC: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 15 + 2 = 30
So damage (ignores 9 hardness): 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (4, 3) + 5 = 12
tricky damage: 5d8 ⇒ (2, 1, 4, 5, 6) = 18 Plus bleed ten

Ohmarc's magic flows through the chaplain's body, mending her wounds and restoring her stamina. She stands up with a look of steely determination in her eyes.

"My allies will not let me fall. But you will meet your end alone, monster!" shouts Shrike as she drives her sword directly into the beast's chest!
ghostkiller fangblade: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 36 damage: 1d12 + 19 ⇒ (7) + 19 = 26
bonus critcal damage!: 1d12 + 19 ⇒ (1) + 19 = 20
critical: bleed: 1d8 ⇒ 8

Oh wow healing stamina with HP healing is super strong ._.

Ohmarc's true power comes to bear as the Starfinders dig deep to overpower Sozirenn. I THINK I've got the healing sorted.

Yuqab's shot goes wide, but it distracts Sozirenn enough that Gunnz and especially the prone Lady Shrike can really deliver.

The dragon reels backwards. The civilians begin to flee and there's nothing Sozirenn can do about it. There's a major opening in the dragon's torso....

ROUND 6:
Gunnz (SP: 110/110): Hit
Ishkitik (SP: 72/72): Go
-----Ishkitok (SP: 90/90): Go
Azara (SP: 8/98 HP: 75/75): Go
Lady Shrike (SP: 47/90 HP: 74/74, Prone): CRIT!
Yuqab (SP: 80/80): Miss
Ohmarc (SP: 72/72, HP: 58/58): Heal!
Sozirenn (Attuned 1): TBD

TACTICAL MAP
GM’s Tracker
Party Conditions: Inspiring Boost: , Get'em:
Gravity:LOW Atmosphere: Normal
Lighting: Normal.
Battlefield terrain: Normal

"Your evil schemes end here!" Azara declares before swinging his solar weapon rapidly at Sozirenn.

Solar Weapon: 1d20 + 14 - 3 ⇒ (8) + 14 - 3 = 19
Slashing: 3d6 + 1d6 + 18 ⇒ (1, 6, 2) + (5) + 18 = 32

Solar Weapon: 1d20 + 14 - 3 ⇒ (5) + 14 - 3 = 16
Slashing: 3d6 + 1d6 + 18 ⇒ (2, 2, 6) + (2) + 18 = 30

Unfortunately, his bravado proves greater than his skill.

Ishkitik follows behind Gunnz and takes a shot at the dragon as Ishkitok keeps swinging!

Ishkitok storm doshko[/dice: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30
ouch!: 2d8 + 12 ⇒ (4, 2) + 12 = 18 electricity

corona laser pistol: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26
overcharged fire!: 2d4 + 4 + 2d6 ⇒ (2, 1) + 4 + (5, 3) = 15

“No!” they scream as Ishkitik's doshko connects. “You will not have the honor of my death! You are not worthy of that!” Sozirenn digs their claws down into their own chest, ripping their decayed flesh, and pouring every ounce of their solarian electricity inwards. Sozirenn’s flesh burns, organs liquefying, until their charred body collapses to the ground.

There's a sudden scream, but this one is joyous. One of the escaped prisoners embraces Ongie. It's Roget!

The party begins the process of leading the civilians back to the surface. The closer you get, the more the smoke thickens.

When you return to the surface, you find Tara sitting atop the crashedmech, a pile of other charred and destroyed vehicles around her. Her only question, “Is Sozirenn dead?”

"Sozirenn gave up and burned himself to death by burning its solarian energy inward in an electric ball! I never saw anything like that before. He was certainly a vile creature! But let's not talk of such negativity. Is there anybody else who is in need of healing?"

As Azara realizes what Sozirenn is doing, his mind races with trying to figure out a way to counteract whatever nefarious action she plans to take with that pent up energy.

He can only gape in surprise as she turns it on herself. It is a stark reminder of the dangers of the power that he uses and he abruptly disconnects his link, letting the photonic energy that has built up in his cells dissipate.

"The end of Sozirenn's plot
Dark heart and dark soul
Their own doom but at what price?"

Gunnz looks on, a satisfied look on her face.

"Just saves us the trouble. If he'd just spent more time listening to the Joy that is SMC, this could all have been avoided."

The comms are alive with transmissions reporting that the Order of Dawning Fate has been routed and is retreating from Braerton and Kortus IV.

There is no joy though. The return trip through Braerton to the landing pad shows you the grim reality of your “victory.” The battle has ended, but the town has been demolished and entire sections are aflame. The stench of smoke, blood, and gasoline is prevalent, and it gets harder to breathe with each passing moment. While your environmental protections keep you safe from such hazards, the civilians so recently freed from the mines have no such protections.

As you approach the landing pad and prepare to leave, a massive explosion blooms on the distant horizon, the fallout forming a towering mushroom cloud.

Ehu shouts over the comms a moment later. “Get out of there, Starfinders! Nuclear warheads incoming! I repeat, the Order is nuking Kortus IV! Abandon all missions! Evacuate immediately!”

As the remaining Starfinders and civilians pile into the starships and reach the upper atmosphere, Braerton is engulfed in a nuclear explosion.

It’s clear there will be no further survivors.

From orbit, it’s obvious that Braerton wasn’t the only region hit. Much of Kortus IV is devastated, and huge areas will remain irradiated and uninhabitable for many decades to come.

Aboard the Master of Stars, the survivors of Kortus IV are in various states of shock and sorrow. While some thank you and the Starfinders for your help, most are mourning the losses they’ve endured. Ongie meets you at your shuttle and immediately wraps Roget into a big hug, causing both to break down in tears. When they collect themselves, both Ongie and Roget thank you for reuniting them. Roget goes further and thanks the Starfinders for coming to save the citizens of Braerton. “I know this doesn’t feel like a victory to you. How can it? But every person who made it off that planet is alive thanks to you. We owe you everything, and it’s a debt we can never repay. Thank you.”

As the Master of Stars enters the Drift and returns to Absalom Station, medics and clerks take stock. It’s estimated that 45 Starfinders died on Kortus IV, and over 1,500 civilians were rescued. While First Seeker Ehu Hadif is clearly devastated by these losses, Fitch assures you that the Starfinders remain dedicated to destroying the Order of Dawning Fate, while both the Stewards and the Veskarium have promised the Starfinder Society support in tracking down Zhaneni.

A few days into the journey to Absalom Station, Ehu approaches you privately, thanking them for their efforts and sacrifices. “The cost of this mission has been so high, but when I look at the faces of the survivors… I’ve no regrets, and neither should you. I hope you feel the same. The Order may have killed Kortus IV, but you have my word, we will stop them from committing further atrocities. On that note, I’m placing each of you in line for a commendation. It isn’t enough for what you’ve done, but it’s something. Remember the fallen, my friends; they rest among the stars now.”

You experience and reputation grow. You're hailed as heroes, whether you feel like it or not.

And you have survived and succeeded. The game is reported, and your chronicles are HERE. It has, as always, been my pleasure!