GM Frost's (SF2E) S01-03 Disaster at Dreamlink Labs [PbP Gameday XIV] (Inactive)

Game Master Frozen Frost

Kunris checks the room where the skittermander came from and finds that mundane supplies are stored on the shelves and lockers that line this room.

"I think so." she responds. "Have you seen like big insects before you arrived here? They attacked me. I only barely saw one of them! Hmm… I swear I heard strange voices, too…” she adds.

“There were ten of us in the labs. Arta was our leader—have you seen her yet? She’s a lashunta with gray skin and shoulder-length dark hair. Anyway, she’s a follower of the Newborn and invited the rest of us to work with her. I think I heard her and some of the others running toward the combination laboratory. Maybe they managed to hide in a dreamscape, because the attackers wouldn’t know you need psychic shards and an aucturnite anchor to open it! Oh, I hope they got in there okay!” there is concern in her words about what happened to other researchers.

"Which areas have you checked already?"

Kunris motions to the previous room, and then describes the storage room and the first room they entered. "Just those three so far, and then in here. What is left?" He points at the refrigeration chamber. "Is that the aucturnite anchor?"

We only found the one male lashunta body, right? So with him and this skittermander, we've got 8 other scientists unaccounted for?

Merasmos waits for a quiet moment when no one is paying attention to the Skittermander before lowering his voice and discreetly asking her a question.

"Were you the one who wrote the dream report. If so..." He gestures at his gun and his medallion. "Do you recognise me?"

Chk Chk looks concerned when they hear "like big insects."
"I hope the big ones like insects are not from the swarm. If the others are hiding in a dreamscape, Tadasi, if you think they are safe there, maybe we should search the rest of the station first?"
Chk Chk pauses for a moment, then adds.
" By the way, I'm Chk Chk."

Kunris motions to the previous room, and then describes the storage room and the first room they entered. "Just those three so far, and then in here. What is left?" He points at the refrigeration chamber. "Is that the aucturnite anchor?"

We only found the one male lashunta body, right? So with him and this skittermander, we've got 8 other scientists unaccounted for?

"Oh, no. The Extraction Lab, that must be our leader, Arta, or another scientist. I just realized that from your holo-skin, sorry, all lashuntas look the same to me." Tadasi is worried about what the group has checked so far.

When Kunris points out the chamber, Tadasi feels a sense of relief. "Yes! I need that aucturnite anchor. I still need the psychic shards, and those are in the lab, we need to get those."

"We are researching on aucturnite. When the Newborn hatched, remnants of Aucturn were left behind. They have so many interesting properties! Some of aucturnite is organic matter, some of it is frozen ichor, and some is psychic energy that we’ve been able to distill into shards. Arta theorized that if we combine it just right, we can access the psychic dreams the Newborn hid inside. Neat, huh?” she shares to them.

Merasmos waits for a quiet moment when no one is paying attention to the Skittermander before lowering his voice and discreetly asking her a question.

"Were you the one who wrote the dream report. If so..." He gestures at his gun and his medallion. "Do you recognise me?"

She blinks twice, looking at Merasmos from head to toe. "Yes, it was you! But how? I wrote that report, it means... interesting." she tells Merasmos.

Chk Chk looks concerned when they hear "like big insects."

"I hope the big ones like insects are not from the swarm. If the others are hiding in a dreamscape, Tadasi, if you think they are safe there, maybe we should search the rest of the station first?"
Chk Chk pauses for a moment, then adds.
" By the way, I'm Chk Chk."

Tadasi looks at Chk from head to toe. "Hmm, I don't think they look like you, I haven't gotten a good look at any of them, but I don't think they are from the Swarm."

Tadasi wants to go to the lab, but you actually have the psychic shards she is looking for.

Tadasi explains they need to find the psychic shards and aucturnite anchor, "I need to get into the lab to get the shards and we need to go to the security room to see what we are dealing with." she gives Kunris the keycard.

"We grabbed those shards from the lab." He glances around to see who has those cannisters, as he grabs the keycard. "You want to stay here or come with us to the security room?"

"Interesting? What do you mmmmmean by that...I would like to read mmmmore about the experiment. Also, if you do not want people reading your top secret research, I suggest setting your computers to automatically lock after 5 minutes of inactivity." Merasmos presses for more information.

"I think going to the security room first would be a good idea; any information about what we are up against and where it might be would help."

Chk Chk ponders it's not the swarm.
"So not the swarm... So many good options for insect species, sadly, many bad options too."

Access Dreams, yes that sounds nice.

"We grabbed those shards from the lab." He glances around to see who has those cannisters, as he grabs the keycard. "You want to stay here or come with us to the security room?"

"Nice! Thanks!" she takes the shards from there.

"Interesting? What do you mmmmmean by that...I would like to read mmmmore about the experiment. Also, if you do not want people reading your top secret research, I suggest setting your computers to automatically lock after 5 minutes of inactivity." Merasmos presses for more information.

"As Arta theorized, we might be able to gain access to psychic dreams of the Newborn. But we need to research about it, but it sound exciting!" the skittermander tells them with excitement.

"Of course I will go with you, I don't when these insects will come back to me." she then motions to them to the security room.

The security room is locked and can be accessed by Tadasi’s keycard. Inside, Tadasi gives them a quick but short tour.

"Dreamlink Labs is equipped for handling highly sensitive and dangerous materials. The security room holds the controls for the ship’s security systems and the magical sensors that monitor the labs. Please check what you find from here."

Bannakaffalatta plugs into the terminal and tries to gain entry.

Computer T: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Computer T: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Computer T: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Not sure if we're allowed to make multiple checks. But go ahead and open the first 2 spoilers

Multiple checks are allowed.

Kunris isn't a computer-oriented operative, so lets the tech team take care of the hacking. He does take a count of how many of the orocoran raiders entered the station. We've taken out three, so how many of the different types are left?

OOH! I might know something here!

He considers if he knows anything of these raiders from his mis-spent youth as a smuggler.

Recall Knowledge (Piracy Lore): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
At level 1 with the easier difficulty on a related Lore skill, that is probably only a failure instead of a crit ... barely.

"What the heck are these things? Does anyone know anything about this species? Any resistances or vulnerabilities we should account for?"

Nature: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Looks like there are some kind of magical sensors that track all of the equipment and experiments in this laboratory. There are a bunch of error messages from broken equipment and interrupted processes in the extraction lab. The anchor refrigeration module remains secure, what that is. Also, there's an anomaly in the combination lab, whatever a combination lab is. I suppose they are combining something in there? Arta, do you know what any of this means?"

Chk Chk turns towards Kunris
"That's a good question!"

Nature: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14 to recall knowledge of the creatures we have encountered.

"Hang on a second. I'm literally not from this time, so excuse me if I am missing something...but what makes you think entering into an eldritch deity's dreams is a good idea?" He's so flabbergasted that he forgets to stretch out his m's.

Merasmos chats with the Skittermander until Bannakaffalatta reaches a firewall. He leaves the conversation, heads to the terminal before offering to step in.

"Let mmmme try. I have...a way with technology. If we are to reach the survivors quickly, speed is of the essence."

Computers to Hack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

"Well, in another universe I knew the passcodes, probably."

Bannakaffalatta growls and tries again.

Computer T: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

"Bannakaffalatta - frustrated!" he growls.

Merasmos tries taking over.

Computers to Hack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Computers to Hack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

Computers to Hack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

"MMMMerasmos - successful!" He cries out happily as images of the leading scientist, the Orocorans and the Skittermander scientist flash on screen. "Oh hey, that's you, isn't it?" He points the Skittermander scientist on screen to Tadasi.

Arcana DC 15: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

"Look! There's broken equipment and interrupted processes in the extraction lab (A2), the status of the anchor refrigeration module is uncertain (A5), and there's some kind of anomaly in the combination lab. Which should we deal with first?"

Trex Xert will see what he can do computers: 5d20 ⇒ (11, 14, 9, 2, 12) = 48 each with +7. 18, 21, 16, 9 and 19.
arcana: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

Which room are we in? Is the security room A7? Can we see what A8 is?

"The extraction lab is where we came in and got the shards canisters. We just came from the room with the refrigeration unit and the aucturnite is still in there. We should check out these other rooms then head to the combination lab. Several baddies and scientists seemed to vanish from.in there ... so I assume they were teleported into this dreamscape. Does that sounds right, Tadasi?"

Everyone is at A7.

"No need to worry, you've got the shards and the aucturnite anchor we need. Those are what you found in the security feeds." Tadasi assures them.

Chk Chk recalls that these creatures don't have weaknesses that they can exploit, but he knows that orocorans, those insectile legged creatures are immune to confusion, and resists any mental assaults.

"Combination Lab? Perhaps that where they retreated. We need these shards and anchor to follow them there."

Tadasi enters the room (A8) and finds that the power core inside untouched and operating normally.

"Thanks be the gods. The power core is safe." Tadasi sighs in relief.

"Come on! Let's go to the combination lab!" she quickly motions to them.

The corpse of a female ysoki is sprawled across the stairs leading into the room (A9). At the top of the stairs is an observation room overlooking the combination lab (A10), which is empty except for a strange device in the center.

Going to the combination lab, they find that it is locked.

"Who did I passed on the keycard? Open this with that card, quick!"

Kunris uses the keycard to open the door, then swaps the card out for a smoke grenade in his off hand. He holds his laser rifle in his other hand.

"Everyone be ready for ... whatever we find in there."

He stays low, behind cover, and as much into the shadows as he can as they enter the room.

Chk Chk readies their pain glave, powering it up.
"Ready with the pain, hoping for sunshine."

"Yes, yes, now is the time we drop pithy one liners. I have foreseen it!" Merasmos deadpans as he aims his breacher at the door.

A strange magitech device occupies most of the room. Two receptacles on the front are clearly made to hold objects: one a diamond-shaped divot meant to hold something small (a psychic shard) and the other an inset square coated with black residue (the cube of aucturnite).

When the Starfinders approach the device, they experience flashes of visions.

"Weird," Kunris mutters, catching himself a moment before throwing his smoke grenade to hide from an enemy that isn't there. "Let's get this thing activated so we can maybe rescue the scientists. Hopefully they are still alive."

Bannakaffalatta clamps his hands over his ears and shuts his eyes. "Bannakaffalatta - panicked!" he wails.

Talapathically to everyone
"We're standing in some kind of blue-purple cloud of gas, it looks cool, but we might want to stop breathing until we find out what it is."

Nature T: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

Arcana to Identify magic: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

"Do not be fooled by the strange mmmmmmind gas! We are mmmmmerely in the mmmmidst of an active psychic mmmmmindscape. Press forward!" Merasmos urges the party.

The skittermander panics but finds that there is no attacker nearby. "Let's keep moving! My friends might be in the dreamscape!" she hurriedly tell them. "Put the shard and aucturnite there! Slot them in, quick!" she adds, pointing at the slots for them.

When they place a psychic shard and a cube of aucturnite into the machine, Tadasi then clicks the start button. The silence becomes so oppressive their ears start to ring. It feels as though the gravity in the room is slowly decreasing, and the lights flicker. One second, they are in a laboratory; the next, they’re standing on a platform that’s suspended amid blue clouds and a purple atmosphere. A loud scream draws their attention across the dreamscape, where they see Arta and three other scientists trying to maintain a psychic shield against their attackers. As they watch, one of the orocorans stabs the shield with is proboscis and a crack radiates out from the point of impact.

"Arta!" Tadasi screams when she sees what is happening. "Please, help them!" she tells the Starfinders.

Nothing in the dreamscape is quite solid, but it’s not unsolid, either. Creatures can traverse the platforms and dream cloud alike, though the clouds are difficult terrain.

Blue Raider continues to break the psychic shield protecting Arta and friends.

⬤ INTO THE DREAMSCAPE! Round 1 ⬤
Terrain Feature(s): Nothing in the dreamscape is quite solid, but it’s not unsolid, either. Creatures can traverse the platforms and dream cloud alike, though the clouds are difficult terrain.
Map Link: ENCOUNTER MAP

➤ BOLD NAMES CAN ACT; STRIKETHROUGH MEANS ELIMINATED.
Blue Raider (- HP)
➤ Merasmos the Magician (AC 18) (26/26 HP)
➤ Kunris (AC 18) (17/17 HP)
➤ Bannakaffalatta (AC 17) (20/21 HP)
➤ Trex Xert (AC 14) (18/18 HP)
➤ Chk Chk (AC 17) (18/18 HP)
Red Shosodax (- HP)
Yellow Raider (- HP)
Arta (AC ) (0/ HP)

REFERENCES

You are at the south-eastern platform of the Map, freely position your icons within the platform before you act.

Given how high I am in the initiative order, I'm guessing that my Stealth roll beat their Perception DC, so I'm starting undetected.

Kunris tosses the smoke grenade out in front of him, obscuring sight so he can advance to the next platform, staying hidden behind the wall.

◆ Area Fire: Smoke Grenade

◆ Stride (behind smoke, so still undetected)

◆ Sneak

Trex will delay, I want them to come to me so I can force barrage them, not waste all 3 of my actions moving turn 1.

Ditto. Delay

Chk Chk uses all 3 actions trying to get into pistol range

"Quick, we need to save the survivors before it's too late!"

Kunris unleashes smoke to concealed anyone inside it. He moves behind it and tries to sneak. Kunris remains Undetected

Trex and Banna delays, calculating their next moves, while Chi goes into range of his weapon.

Meramos is still up!

Merasmos' quantum field unleashes itself and encompasses the Shosodax and the Raider.

"Grrravity displeases me, so I have remmmmmmoved it! Some of it, anyways..." Merasmos says as he uses Debris Zone to mess with his Quantum Field. Gravity starts to weaken within the Zone, making the area difficult terrain. At the same time, Merasmos thinks about the Shosodax and the Raider.

He wants to know if either of them have any special interaction with Lightning damage.

If he doesn't remember that the Shosodax has electricity resistance or immunities, Merasmos holds both hands into the air. Lightning starts to crackle and spark from his eyes as it coalesces into a lance of energy aimed straight at the bipedal alien.

"FOOLS! SUFFER THE WRATH OF MMMMMMERASMOS! THUNDERSTRIKE!" He bellows.

DC 18 Reflex Save, -1 to save and Clumsy 1 if wearing metal armour, Electricity and Sonic Damage respectively: 1d12 ⇒ 71d4 ⇒ 2 Total 9 damage

◇ Activate Quantum Field, ◆ Debris Zone, ◇ Sustain Field, ◇ RK on Shosodax and Raider, ◆◆ Thunderstrike Shosodax

Merasmos unleashes his quantum field that encompasses the attacking raiders.

Merasmos knows that the raiders and Merasmos do not resist or immune to electricity, but he knows both are resistant to anything mental.

He unleashes lightning and thunder against Shosodax, electrifying and thundering at the enemy!
Shosodax (wears armored coat): DC 18 Reflex save: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17 (Fail, 9 damage)

Shosodax slightly advances, and shoots a projectile at Chi! The enemy then reloads
Reaction Breacher, 100 ft: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17 hit
Damage, Bludgeoning + Mental: 1d8 + 1d8 ⇒ (3) + (1) = 4

Yellow raider joins Blue Raider in cracking the psychic shield of the group.

Arta, on the other hand, concentrates and shifts part of the dreamscape to move the raiders away from her.

Seeing what Arta did, you can do the same with ◆ Influence Dreamscape (see below).

Blue Raider gets back after being moved and continues to breaking her shield.

⬤ INTO THE DREAMSCAPE! Round 2 ⬤
Terrain Feature(s): Nothing in the dreamscape is quite solid, but it’s not unsolid, either. Creatures can traverse the platforms and dream cloud alike, though the clouds are difficult terrain.
Map Link: ENCOUNTER MAP

➤ BOLD NAMES CAN ACT; STRIKETHROUGH MEANS ELIMINATED.
Blue Raider (- HP)
➤ Merasmos the Magician (AC 18) (26/26 HP)
➤ Kunris (AC 18) (17/17 HP) | Undetected
➤ Bannakaffalatta (AC 17) (20/21 HP)
➤ Trex Xert (AC 14) (18/18 HP)
➤ Chk Chk (AC 17) (14/18 HP)
Red Shosodax (-9 HP)
Yellow Raider (- HP)
Arta (AC ) (0/ HP)

REFERENCES

Kunris appreciates the flamboyance of Merasmos' attack ... particularly since it helps divert attention even more away from him as a ghost operative. He brings his laser rifle up and trains his shot on Shosodax.

◇ Aim (free when undetected from Ghost specialization)

He then takes two shots at the enemy, revealing his location with the first one.

◆ Strike
Laser rifle attack on off-guard Shosodax: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
Laser rifle damage (fire) w/ Aim bonus: 1d8 + 1d4 ⇒ (4) + (2) = 6

◆ Strike
Laser rifle attack on Shosodax w/ MAP: 1d20 + 9 - 5 ⇒ (5) + 9 - 5 = 9
Laser rifle damage (fire) w/ Aim bonus: 1d8 + 1d4 ⇒ (8) + (4) = 12

He mutters and ducks behind the wall.
◆ Take Cover - AC 22 against ranged attacks

Red is within 100 feet so force barrage dmg: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (2, 4, 3) + 3 = 12

Chk Chk strides twice, then uses their vitality pool to heal themselves 4 hp, while yelling insults at the attackers, trying to draw them away from the survivors.

"Over here, you bug scum."

Merasmos Strides thrice up to Chk Chk.

Kunris aims but shooting the enemy is a bit tricky. He finds cover.

Trex sends missiles to Shosodax. 12 force damage

Chk moves and heals himself, while trying to get the enemy's attention. +4 HP

Merasmos follows Chk.

⬤ INTO THE DREAMSCAPE! Round 2 ⬤
Terrain Feature(s): Nothing in the dreamscape is quite solid, but it’s not unsolid, either. Creatures can traverse the platforms and dream cloud alike, though the clouds are difficult terrain.
Map Link: ENCOUNTER MAP

➤ BOLD NAMES CAN ACT; STRIKETHROUGH MEANS ELIMINATED.
Blue Raider (- HP)
Merasmos the Magician (AC 18) (26/26 HP)
Kunris (AC 18) (17/17 HP) | AC 22 vs ranged attacks
➤ Bannakaffalatta (AC 17) (20/21 HP)
Trex Xert (AC 14) (18/18 HP)
Chk Chk (AC 17) (18/18 HP)
Red Shosodax (-21 HP)
Yellow Raider (- HP)
Arta (AC ) (0/ HP)

REFERENCES

Botting Bannakaffalatta. Looks like his weapon just has a range of 30 feet ... so we'll be moving this turn.

"Bannakaffalatta," the android yells as he charges to a nearby platform, slowed as he's walking along the clouds.

◆ Stride
◆ Stride
◆ Stride

Thanks for the bot. Too many things going on ATM

Banna moves slowly but surely.

Shosodax shoots once more at Chi and reloads.
Reaction Breacher, 100 ft: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12 miss

The enemy shoots again, but also misses.
Reaction Breacher, 100 ft: 1d20 + 11 - 5 ⇒ (6) + 11 - 5 = 12 miss

Yellow Raider return into position and continues breaking Arta's psychic shield. Arta keeps them at bay, moving both Yellow and Blue away from them.

Blue, being pushed, keeps getting back to the scientist, attacking the shield, and this time, it breaks!

"Oh no! Help them, please! They will kill them!" Tadasi cries.

⬤ INTO THE DREAMSCAPE! Round 3 ⬤
Terrain Feature(s): Nothing in the dreamscape is quite solid, but it’s not unsolid, either. Creatures can traverse the platforms and dream cloud alike, though the clouds are difficult terrain.
Map Link: ENCOUNTER MAP

➤ BOLD NAMES CAN ACT; STRIKETHROUGH MEANS ELIMINATED.
Blue Raider (- HP)
➤ Merasmos the Magician (AC 18) (26/26 HP)
➤ Kunris (AC 18) (17/17 HP) | AC 22 vs ranged attacks
➤ Bannakaffalatta (AC 17) (20/21 HP)
➤ Trex Xert (AC 14) (18/18 HP)
➤ Chk Chk (AC 17) (18/18 HP)
Red Shosodax (-21 HP)
Yellow Raider (- HP)
Arta (AC ) (0/ HP)

REFERENCES

Kunris calls over comms, "I've got the blue one lined up, but it might be good if one of you magic types could move the scientists out of the way."

He advances, staying behind cover, and then fires at his mark.

◆ Mobile Aim: Stride and Aim at Blue as mark
◆ Strike at Blue
laser rifle attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
laser rifle damage (fire) w/ Aim precision: 1d8 + 1d4 ⇒ (6) + (3) = 9

◆ Strike at Blue
laser rifle attack w/ MAP: 1d20 + 9 - 5 ⇒ (5) + 9 - 5 = 9
laser rifle damage (fire) w/ Aim precision: 1d8 + 1d4 ⇒ (3) + (2) = 5

I'd need a 10 on Thievery to do it ... and clearly I am not rolling a 10 anytime soon.

Trex will triple move forward

"The best I can do at this range is cast gun to try to draw the creatures away from the scientists. If I can get closer, I can heal the scientists if needed."
◆ Strides
◆ Draws their arc pistol
◆ Strikes at blue (second range increment)
Arc pistol: 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 5 - 2 = 15
Arc pistol damage E: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Influence Dreamscape DC 14 Occultism vs Blue: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Influence Dreamscape DC 14 Occultism vs Blue: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

Influence Dreamscape DC 14 Occultism vs Yellow: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

His brow furrowed with absolute concentration, Merasmos focuses on getting the bugs as far away from the scientists as possible.

3x ◆ Influence the Dreamscape

Kunris calls over comms, "I've got the blue one lined up, but it might be good if one of you magic types could move the scientists out of the way."

I just realised you meant influence the dream scape. I'll try that next turn if still needed

Kunris aims for Blue but hits amiss. both miss

Trex keeps moving.

Chk shoots Blue with accuracy despite distance. hit, 3 E damage

Meramos keeps the raiders away from the scientists. Merasmos, I will let you move Blue and Yellow, accordingly, all Successes.

Can somebody bot Banna?

⬤ INTO THE DREAMSCAPE! Round 3 ⬤
Terrain Feature(s): Nothing in the dreamscape is quite solid, but it’s not unsolid, either. Creatures can traverse the platforms and dream cloud alike, though the clouds are difficult terrain.
Map Link: ENCOUNTER MAP

➤ BOLD NAMES CAN ACT; STRIKETHROUGH MEANS ELIMINATED.
Blue Raider (-3 HP)
Merasmos the Magician (AC 18) (26/26 HP)
Kunris (AC 18) (17/17 HP) | AC 22 vs ranged attacks
➤ Bannakaffalatta (AC 17) (20/21 HP)
Trex Xert (AC 14) (18/18 HP)
Chk Chk (AC 17) (18/18 HP)
Red Shosodax (-21 HP)
Yellow Raider (- HP)
Arta (AC ) (0/ HP)

REFERENCES