Cupi shakes his head, "Historia didn't have the ability to interact with reality like we've experienced. This fits the previous narrative better. Someone who knows a bit about Starfinder history over the last 7 years. I mean, it is possible, but fantastically unlikely."
Now you mention it ... that WAS Historia Prime. I spent a lot of time chasing his machinations all over the Vast. And he managed to get at Ziggy. That was NOT nice. If it wasn't that, it was the Drift Crash.
Departing engineering, the team take a spiraling hall through the Perfect Silence. They soon begin to notice strange minerals jutting from the wall.
As they pass one of the exterior windows that line this path, they note an impossible sight. The planet Aucturn suddenly looms outside the ship. The rocky world in the Golarion system is in the process of cracking, its exterior crust breaking apart from within as something vast and monolithic begins to emerge.
Before they can see exactly what, the shutter closes.
Continuing on toward the bridge, the team pass a particularly reflective metal section of wall. It shows a shirren Starfinder dressed in white clothes, being overrun and battered by the attacks of Swarm components at the base of a space elevator. A voice from afar screams, ”Palivhar!” before the assault is interrupted by an explosion. Amid the debris, the shirren’s form twists and contorts under the Swarm with a cry of anguish, they morph into a mutated Swarm monster.
The metal wall ripples, the scene vanishes.
"Oh, I heard about that! A bunch of Starfinders landed on a planet, and one gave their life to make sure the entire platoon got off the planet safely! Oh gods, are we seeing the final moments of Starfinders past? Who would do this? Not Historia prime I don't think! The were cruel, but it always had some greater point to it. But this serves no logical purpose I can think of."
Lashunta Icon Soldier (Steward Officer) 13 | SP 68/117, HP 95/95, RP 10/11 | EAC 33, KAC 39 (EAC 35, KAC 41) | Fort +10, Ref +11, Will +9
Jasmine likewise seems to be reflecting to herself, while hurrying along towards the bridge.
Telepathically to her companions (Soryn, Cupi and Rani)
There is certainly something very strange and off about this whole situation. We have been experiencing and witnessing much of the Starfinder Society's recent history, but to what end? Is this connected to the cosmic event we were sent here to observe? How is Reizirp and or Historia Prime connected, if at all? So much that doesn't seem to make sense or add up.
Tell me about it. I get the feeling I'm going to be lying on Celly's couch again undergoing more trauma therapy. I'm going to need at least a hug after this. And there never seems to be a skittermander about when you want one.
Next, a glimpse through the exterior windows now reveals a battle brewing between two fleets.
DC 20 Culture or Piloting check:
You realize that the ships belong to the Veskarium and the Azlanti Star Empire. The Azlanti vessels seem slightly off, as some of them have a distinct purple coloration that’s in stark contrast to the normal emerald green of their ships.
There is nought the team can do as they continue down the hall toward their destination.
A surveillance monitor near the ceiling emits a screech of static from its speakers. On the screen, citizens in an Absalom Station neighborhood fall to their knees en masse, clutching their ears and wailing in pain. A booming, but incomprehensible voice cuts through the static.
Jamine, Rani or DC 20 Culture check:
You recognize the language as Dwarven, even though you can not discern what is being said.
A flickering glimpse of another scene appears briefly on the screen, showing an old dwarven man sitting upon a throne in a bleak, barren wasteland.
The monitor returns to black and silent.
Lashunta Icon Soldier (Steward Officer) 13 | SP 68/117, HP 95/95, RP 10/11 | EAC 33, KAC 39 (EAC 35, KAC 41) | Fort +10, Ref +11, Will +9
Culture:1d20 + 23 ⇒ (3) + 23 = 26
The voice is speaking Dwarven, but I can't tell what is being said. I agree that these visions are quite disturbing, and making a recording is prudent.
On the final approach to the main bridge of the Perfect Silence, the team find various crew members lying comatose or semi-comatose in the corridor. Without stopping for longer than the sense of urgency allows, they can do little to help. The best they manage as a response from any are vague mutterings. The most coherent is a mumbled ”Jadnura trying to solve this with the Tear …”.
When they arrive at the bridge it seems strangely muted. A handful of Starfinder agents stiffly operate their terminals, ignoring the arrival of the returning team. The shutters are open to a stunning celestial display, with the forward viewing port filled with kaleidoscopic colours and swirling matter from extraplanar abodes. The spectacular show beyond the view screen moves in sync with the rhythmic pulsing of the Tear relic, which now rests on an elevated platform where a stressed Jadnura sits, desperately trying to commune with the artifact.
Soryn, however, has a keen eye and notices some discrepancies, particularly in the way Luwazi moves. As Soryn attempts to inform the rest of the team, “Luwazi” stops in place and begins to shriek, before breaking apart into a swarm of glittering stones. Several crew members turn in mechanical lockstep and move to support the new entity in defense of the Tear.
Slide 6
As this happens, the very surroundings of the bridge dissipates to reveal a desolate lunar landscape.
Jasmine is the only one either processes fast enough or simply ignores the distractions to react immediately to this new threat. Cupi and Soryn are still mentally on the bridge trying to make sense of what is happening to their leaders and fellow Starfinders.
After Charging Jasmine has a -2 penalty to AC until the start of her next turn
"What is that thing?"
Jasmine in consultation with Steve will try to identify the strange mass.
Skill Roll, please apply the appropriate modifier:1d20 ⇒ 17
Jasmine's skills: Culture +23 (can identify humanoids or monstrous humanoids as if with life science 1/day, which I'll use if applicable), Engineering +23
Steve's Skills: (hireling) Life Science +21, Mysticism +21
Jasmine start of with a rush and a scorching attack. She also identifies the swirling mass at an animated quartz swarm, knowing it as a magical/technological construct. She remembers they have a specific Piezoelectric ability that means when they take physical damage they also deal electric damage to those in or adjacent, while if they take electric damage, they similarly deal bludgeoning to those in the immediate area.
The odd Starfinder crew members respond (represented by token of Luwazi but they don’t look like her).
Blue moves away from Jasmine while keeping Culpi in view and attempts to shoot the ysoki.
pistol vs KAC:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (18) + 15 = 33 potential piercing damage:2d6 + 7 ⇒ (4, 3) + 7 = 14
And manages to score a hit.
Green and Red concentrate their fire on Jasmine
Green pistol vs KAC:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (15) + 15 = 30 potential piercing damage:2d6 + 7 ⇒ (3, 2) + 7 = 12 Red pistol vs KAC:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (1) + 15 = 16 potential piercing damage:2d6 + 7 ⇒ (3, 6) + 7 = 16
Neither of them make it through Jasmine’s armor.
Jasmine manages to cause some significant damage to blue as they move past.
Jasmine fires on green and notices their appearance seems to melt away revealing a robot. They also seem to take more damage than expected once their true nature is exposed.
The swarm flies over Jasmine.
Bludgeoning and Electric damage:2d6 + 16 ⇒ (6, 6) + 16 = 28
Round One continued, [Round Two] commences, those in bold may act
The impact of the hit turns Cupi's body slightly. He then notices the likely robotic nature of the non-swarm enemies and grins.
"Lock on to the back two Viki. And I'll send one a present," he says as he taps on his wrist datapad.
Combat Tracking and then Override on green
Override: If it is an android, drone, robot, or a creature with the technological subtype, it needs to make a Will save (DC 24) or be dazed for 1 round. If the target fails its saving throw by 10 or more, it is not dazed and you can dictate its actions for 1 round, though these actions can’t be obviously self-destructive. Once a creature has attempted a saving throw against this attack (regardless of the result), it is immune to this attack for 24 hours.
Reflex vs DC16:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14 Will vs DC24:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Jasmine drops plasma into the swarm, frying some of the components.
Soryn directs the team to focus on Blue and leads by example. The sonic blast uncovers evidence of the robot within the disguise.
Cupi focuses on Green and temporarily takes control of it.
Red continues to fire on Jasmine
pistol attack:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (7) + 15 = 22 potential piercing damage:2d6 + 7 ⇒ (5, 2) + 7 = 14
Green fails to act (Let’s see what Cupi makes them do.)
Blue momentarily turns their attention to Soryn who just damaged them, then fires on Rani who is closer.
pistol attack:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (7) + 15 = 22 potential piercing damage:2d6 + 7 ⇒ (6, 5) + 7 = 18
Jasmine notices after damaging the swarm that it provides a gentle massage in return. bludgeoning damage:2d6 ⇒ (4, 4) = 8
She also sends a clear message to Red about the dangers of firing on her while in range.
Over the comms a gleeful chuckle can be heard from Cupi as Green turns on Blue and fires.
pistol attack:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (9) + 15 = 24 potential piercing damage:2d6 + 7 ⇒ (5, 5) + 7 = 17
It gets in a clean shot, though doesn’t do quite as much damage as expected.
Round Two continued, those in bold may act
Jasmine -9SP
Red1 -41HP
Green2 -112HP
Blue3 -75 Get’Em
Rani (waiting for possible retcon and/or further action)
Swarm -33HP
Cupi -4SP
Soryn
The swarm continues on its mindless path. Attracted to the presence of more bodies it converges on Cupi and Soryn. Each is assaulted by 2d6 + 16 ⇒ (4, 4) + 16 = 24 bludgeoning and electricity damage.
Round Two continues, Round Three commences. Those in bold may act Jasmine -9SP
Red1 -41HP
Green2 -112HP
Blue3 -75 Get’Em
Rani
Swarm -33HP
Cupi -4SP
Soryn
Cupi waves of the swarm and then focuses his digital attention on red.
"More presents," he says as he taps on his wrist datapad again.
Override on red
Override: If it is an android, drone, robot, or a creature with the technological subtype, it needs to make a Will save (DC 24) or be dazed for 1 round. If the target fails its saving throw by 10 or more, it is not dazed and you can dictate its actions for 1 round, though these actions can’t be obviously self-destructive. Once a creature has attempted a saving throw against this attack (regardless of the result), it is immune to this attack for 24 hours.
Lashunta Icon Soldier (Steward Officer) 13 | SP 68/117, HP 95/95, RP 10/11 | EAC 33, KAC 39 (EAC 35, KAC 41) | Fort +10, Ref +11, Will +9
Jasmine will maintain her position aligning her shield against the green enemy move action, +1 to KAC and EAC vs that enemy and fire her starheart cannon to catch the corner of the swarm and no other targets. standard action
Attack on Square:1d20 + 18 ⇒ (9) + 18 = 27 Plasma Damage:2d6 + 13 ⇒ (3, 5) + 13 = 21Ref DC 16 for 1/2
Cupi attempts to mind control one of the false Starfinder agents, leaving it dazed instead.
Jasmine keeps her guard up against attack while focusing fire on the swarm. Unfortunately while being successful, this also triggers the swarm’s piezoelectric reaction, causing minor damage to Culpi and Soryn ((8 bludgeoning, DC 18 Reflex for half))
Round Two continues, Round Three commences. Those in bold may act
Jasmine -9SP
Red1 -41HP dazed
Green2 -112HP
Blue3 -75 Get’Em
Rani
Swarm -54HP
Cupi -28SP Reflex
Soryn -24SP Reflex
Soryn leaves Cupi to commune with the swarm then offers a less than friendly message to blue, who now looks quite injured and definitely robotic, as it’s advanced synthskin disguise falls away. All of the robotics appear to regenerate a little as they prepare to act.
Blue returns fire on Soryn.
attack vs KAC30:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (9) + 15 = 24 potential P damage:2d6 + 7 ⇒ (4, 6) + 7 = 17
Then advances on Rani.
Red and Green cautiously step toward Jasmine and take a swing.
Red attack vs KAC39:1d20 + 18 ⇒ (11) + 18 = 29 potential B damage:2d6 + 8 ⇒ (1, 1) + 8 = 10
Green attack vs KAC39:1d20 + 18 ⇒ (16) + 18 = 34 potential B damage:2d6 + 8 ⇒ (5, 6) + 8 = 19
Both learn the futility of their actions.
Round Three continues. Those in bold may act
Jasmine -9SP
Red1 -31HP dazed
Green2 -102HP
Blue3 -82 Get’Em
Rani
Swarm -54HP
Cupi -28SP Reflex
Soryn -28SP
