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"Nice work, everyone," Thommo calls as the Horror dissipates. "We made short work of that!"
The second horror emerging from the mirror wipes the smile from the soldier's face.
Drawing a deep breath, he says, "Looks like a repeat performance is in order."
"Ooh, that's not right!" he murmurs as the gravity unexpectedly. Making his way to the bottom of the stairs, he finds a better line of target and THOONK he sends another round arc toward the new horror.
(on hit, successful save vs Area Fire becomes failure)[/ooc]
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Blake yells ◆◆ Get 'Em! and shoots the new Terror
Big Red strikes with his spear but misses.
Thommo mises his primary attack with the Stellar Cannon
But the new Terror critically fails to dodge the area damage, and is slowed 1
Leopold DC 16 basic Will save vs 4 mental damage. On failure, stupefied 1; on a critical failure, stupefied 2.
Big Red AC: 18/19 HP: 17/22 (Raise Shield AC19)
CTU AC: 18 | HP: 17/17
Étoile AC:15 HP: 20/20
Leopold AC:17 HP: 15/15
Thommo AC:18 HP: 21/21
Beyond Terror HP: -43 ( destroyed )
New Terror HP: -15 (slowed 1, suppressed -1 attack -10 speed)
Blake AC: 16 HP: 17/17
Bold May act.
Get 'Em! +1 attack and +1 damage to strikes
Reminder Everyone has 1 hero point
Map
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"Our friends are trying to warn us about another one!" Leopold exclaims across the area for everyone to hear, but it looks like they are already dealing with it.
Leopold shares what he recalls about the creature. "An entity of pure fear, we can easily overwhelm it with other emotions than fear." he adds before something in the mirror mentally assaults him!
But The Doctor easily steels his mind against it, probably with the help of the band.
He closes in, but as he does so, his mind is flooded with fear from the wails and disturbing emotions!
◆ Stride
vs Frightened if within 30 ft of the world mirror
The emotions are too much, but he tries his best to chant words or reassurance, just like how he does to his patients in the hospital before a major surgery.
◆◆ Disable Device
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CTU relies on his programming, and that programming is up to the task, hitting with the first attack, and the second scoring a direct hit, doing extra damage.
Étoile and The Doctor work to disable one of the hazards
The Terror gives a
◆◆ mental damage 30 enimation from the Terror yellow circle
DC 15 will save ( The Doctor, Thommo, and Big Red )
Critical Success The creature is unaffected.
Success The creature takes half damage.
Failure The creature takes full damage and is frightened 1.
Critical Failure The creature takes double damage and is frightened 2.
HAZARD A: Anyone inside the dotted line, if you feel gravity disappear, you are now in zero gravity.
Creatures in a zero-g environment float aimlessly without a method of propulsion, cosmic flight, or nearby objects to Push Off of. Creatures with a natural fly Speed can't use their fly Speed in zero-g unless they have the cosmic trait. Creatures flying via propulsion, such as jetpacks, starship thrusters, and spells like fly or void vessel, are unaffected. Unless a creature has a means of moving in zero-g, it gains the untethered condition.
To disable Hazard A: DC 13 Arcana or Occultism (trained)
Must be near one of the control stations to do this B2, B3, B4
HAZARD B: A swirling green energy emerges from the world mirror, roiling through the air with a wail of confusion and fear. All creatures within 30 feet of the world mirror become frightened 1 unless they succeed at a DC 16 Will save.
The mirror targets CTU.
mental damage : 2d4 ⇒ (3, 1) = 4 mental damage
DC 16 basic Will save. On a failure, the target also becomes stupefied 1; on a critical failure, they become stupefied 2.
To disable Hazard B: DC 16 Arcana, Nature, Religion, or Occultism (trained) to soothe the restless emotions with prayer, meditative chanting, or magical rituals.
Tthree total checks are required to disable the hazard. One more success needed.
Must be inside the circle or in reach of it to disable.
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Blake AC: 16 HP: 17/17
Leopold, Big Red, and Thommo DC 15 will save (see ◆◆Psychic Scream in previous post)
Thommo, you are 30 feet from the world mirror. frightened 1 unless you succeed at a DC 16 Will save.
CTU. DC 16 basic Will save vs 4 mental damage. On a failure, the target also becomes stupefied 1; on a critical failure, they become stupefied 2.
Leopold, Big Red, Thommo, and Étoile are in zero gravity
Big Red AC: 18/19 HP: 17/22 (pending save)
CTU AC: 18 | HP: 17/17 (pending save)
Étoile AC:15 HP: 20/20
Leopold AC:17 HP: 15/15 (pending save)
Thommo AC:18 HP: 21/21 (2 saves pending)
Beyond Terror HP: -43 ( destroyed )
New Terror HP: -37
Hazard A: no successes
Hazard B: 2 of 3 successes needed to disable
Blake AC: 16 HP: 17/17 ( Guidance )
Bold May act.
Map
Hero Points Everyone has one.
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vs Psychic Scream
The scream is reverberating inside his mind, too much to handle despite keeping his sanity checked. What complicates things now is he is under the influence of no gravity! Nevertheless, The Doctor continues to murmur words of affirmation to appease the emotions.
◆◆ Disable a Device
Now, he has to deal with the microgravity. He pushes the wall next to him to propel him close to Etoile and out of the microgravity's influence.
◆ Push Off
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Blake's raises his eyebrows when he sees people's feet lift off the ground slightly. "Well... crap.", he mutters under his breath, but realises he has no means of countering the situation.
"Someone deal with the environment, we will take care of the... whatever that is.", he shouts at the crew, then jumps over to CTU and touches the android's weapon, then his. A bolt appears in the rail, and CTU's weapon indicates one more round available. "Here ya go, buddy."
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The Doctor disables the mirror as CTU reduces the last Terror's status to KIA. Blake readies the team in case a 3rd Terror appears. Big Red's attacks miss because CTU's attacks cause the Terror to fade away in a vortex, as Étoile restores gravity to normal.
As the last Terror dies, a swirling vortex lingers as the last Terror crumbles and fades away. Its howling grows louder until, with a rush, it flies out through the mouth of the cavern in a roaring stream. Fragments arc from it like solar flares, each diving straight for one of the fluffy native creatures not struck by the ending of the first Terror. The energy slams into the creatures’ bodies and knocks them to the floor.
It’s all over in a second. The creatures pick themselves up and peer around, their eyes focusing with a new awareness. They look confused at first. Then, they begin to weep, cheer, laugh, dance, rush into each other’s arms, and babble in what is unmistakably a language.
Your friend is the first of the furry creatures to approach the party, psychically connecting with any PC still wearing a telebond band to properly introduce themself. "My name is Uloa, I and the other lu-venons thank you."
The other lu-venons are more hesitant to approach, but can be coaxed closer if the PCs take steps to make themselves appear less threatening.
Each PC can attempt one DC 20 skill check of their choice to make a good impression on the gathered lu-venons.
Before making this check, you can interact (role-play) with Uloa and the lu-venons to learn more about them.
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The Doctor straightens his suit and strides toward Uloa, his eyes fixed with clinical intensity.
“So, you are the lu-venons.” he observes, never breaking eye contact with the furry creature.
Hero Point!
“Please enlighten us. What happened here? What happened to you?” he asks, his gaze unwavering as he awaits the answer.
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Uloa explanes to Étoile.
"This is our home, we call it Luvoth. Shortly after the Gap, we learned for the first time that we weren’t alone in the Universe when we received the signal.
Uloa looks around the cave, confused.
"Did you get the signal too? Are you from the stars?"
It's common knowledge to all of you that the signal was an event over 300 years ago that led to drift travel 3 years after the Gap ended.
Uloa then turns to the Doctor.
Yes we are the Lu-venon. After we got the signal, this new knowledge was both intriguing and frightening to us, as we believed that true space travel would be far too dangerous. Lu-venon artificers of Luvoth created a magical device called a world mirror to enable psychic space travel. The intent was to channel our species’ natural psychic abilities and project our minds across space in an instant, remotely traveling to distant worlds and viewing stellar wonders without the threat of physical harm. It took us about 3 years after the signal to complete the world mirror. We just tried to start the world mirror a few days after it was completed, but something must have gone wrong. I can't remember anything that happened after we started the world mirror, until you appeared here moments ago. I feel like I just got back to my body."
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You have just entered a first contact situation with a newly encountered intelligent species. As agents of the Starfinder Society, it's up to you to make a good first impression and see if the lu-venons wish to establish official contact with other cultures outside of their planet or be left alone.
Each PC can attempt one DC 20 skill check of their choice to make a good impression on the gathered lu-venons. You can use a skill to convince them that not all of space is as scary as they thought. You could help them rebuild after their awakening, to show goodwill. Help gather food to have a big celebration. Lots of room here to get creative with using your skills.
The other lu-venons are more hesitant to approach, but can be coaxed closer if the PCs take steps to make themselves appear less threatening. +1 Bonus to make a good impression for role-playing this part. No check needed for this part.
Everyone gets a +1 bonus for having previously friended Uloa.
Anyone wearing one of the bands gets a +1 bonus
You can ask other questions if you like too.
__________________
The doctor makes a good first impression. Uloa is impressed that you know the name of their species. You notice something about the timeline of their story seems off.
Big Red does his best yoga-inspired dragonkin pose, which makes the lu-venons feel safer around Big Red as well as courious as to how did he just do that. Several gather around Big Red and try the Pose. One of them gets brave and ask Uloa to translate a question for you.
"Meeka, would like to know why you don't have fur?"
As Blake observes the lu-venons, he notices they are now looking at him and CTU as well, actually more at CTU, but they are still afraid to come closer.
Big Red (success)
CTU
Étoile
Leopold (success)
Thommo
Blake
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Unable to understand what is going on, CTU will replace the battery pack in their laser rifle, then put it away.
The lu-venons seem to feel safer with the big stick that shoots fire beams is but away. Courious, they approach CTU several circles CTU before one gets brave and scratches at CTU's leg, then taps it, before running to Uloa.
Uloa then ask CTU
"They want to know what you're made of?"
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The snow-raccoons seem nervous about Blake's crossbow at the ready; several take cover behind Big Red and CTU.
Others are curious what Uloa is saying to The Doctor and Étoile.
Some are looking at Thommo, not sure what to think yet.
Most of the rest of the lu-venons seem to be celebrating, although a few are examining the remnants of the world mirror.
Those hiding behind CTU listen to his story being translated. One of them asks.
"Are Vesk scary? Would they hurt us, or protect us?
Another ask.
Flesh and blood, like us? Do Vesk have fur too?"
Those of you with successes feel free to keep role-playing if you like.
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Étoile works with the lu-venons, examining the remnants of the world mirror. Étoile notes that some of the lu-venons mention the Signal.
The signal is a well-known event in Starfinder History. You all know the following information about. Also the current year is 325 AG The Signal
It looks like the Lu-venons were trying to convert Drift travel instructions from the signal into a form of psychic space travel. It took them about 3 years to build the world mirror. You can't determine the exact problem that caused the world mirror to fail or how it worked, but you think the world mirror was trying to act as both a psychic Drift engine and a psychic Drift beacon. These are two components that are separate in normal Drift travel. You theorise that combining them caused a feed-back loop when the world mirror failed to reach the Drift plane because it used magic (the Drift plane can only be reached by non-magical means), trapping the minds of the Lu-venons, leaving them in an animalistic state until you freed them by defeating the Terrors. The Terrors were the collective psychic imprints of all the Lu-venons trapped in a state of fear until you released them. You make a good impression on the Lu-venons when they realise your role in helping free them, and your understanding of what might have gone wrong with the world mirror.
The Lu-venons ask several questions; anyone can choose to answer one or more of them if you like. You can each have your own answer as well.
"Did you get the signal too?
Where are you from?
Are you from the stars?
Are other planets scary?
How long were we trapped in the world mirror?
How did you get here?"
_______________
Big Red (success)
CTU (Hero point to reoll?)
Étoile (success)
Leopold (success)
Thommo
Blake
Bold need skill check to make a good impression.
Optional Anyone can still answer or ask questions and role-play.
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The Lu-venons listen to CTU's story. When hearing that some planets are scary, some are not, one of the Lu-venons does the math.
"That's a 50% chance of a planet being scary or not, maybe it's safer out there than we thought!
As CTU continues, another Lu-venon gets excited at the word "civilizations" and can be heard whispering to another Lu-venon.
"Did you hear what he said? He said 'our civilizations' with an "s" and not just ' our civilization' without an "s", you know what that means? There has to be more than one other civilization, and look, three of them look the same." The Lu-venon points out, Leopold, and Thommo.
" and the other three all look different, and I don't think he's counting our civilization as one of their civilizations, so that means from my calculation that there are 5 civilizations in the galaxy! Who knew?"
When CTU starts talking about the ship and being a pilot, several of the Lu-venons raise their hands, one of the Lu-venons pushes another's hand down, trying to be the first to ask "Can you teach us to be pilots too?" The other one shouts back "Hay, I was first!"
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The Lu-venons, although fascinated with CTU's story, the Lu-venons are disappointed with not getting piloting lessons. Although this doesn't improve the situation, it also doesn't make it worse, and the Lu-venons are still willing to sue CTU as a cover if needed.
Big Red (success)
CTU (It was a good try)
Étoile (success)
Leopold (success)
Thommo
Blake
Bold needs a skill check to make a good impression.
You get +1 to the roll, +2 if you make yourself look less threatening.
Balke and Thommo still have hero points.
As long as you don't crit fail, the team succeeds.
Optional: Anyone can still answer or ask questions and role-play.
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The Doctor discusses what the lu-venons has been talking to them thru the bands.
He tells about these furry creatures getting the signal from the Gap and the things they did for fear of travelling physically across the space outside.
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Uloa sees Étoile offer the band to Blake, realising Blake has not lowered his weapon yet, as one of the smallest Lu-venon walks up and stands on their hind legs and stares up at Blake. Uloa runs over to intervene. The little one speaks to Uloa, and Uloa starts to laugh.
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Blake takes the band from Étoile, and puts it on while Leopold explains what they discussed with the creatures. Blake eases up, straps his weapon, and throws it over his shoulder. "All right."
He chuckles at the question, thinking back on how microbial life forms cause immense pain and damage despite their size. "Size is not an indication of hazard. But thank you. I like it too."
"Let me show you something." he follows up on the conversation they had with Leopold and starts tapping his communicator. It takes a few seconds, but he kneels down to show the snow-raccoons something on the display.
"The universe is dangerous, yes. There are species and groups and species that are conquering and enslaving, and some are even determined to eradicate all but their own kind." He shows images of the Silent War and the carnage throughout the period. "The species that made him," he points to CTU, "warred with mine for a very long time. It only stopped when their species," and now he points to Étoile, "attacked both factions of the war at the same time. Dozens of worlds larger than yours. We banded together and pushed them back. Somewhat. Now, Étoile's species is part of our alliance." He continues showing the images, then switches to images showing the unification of the Pact Worlds and Veskarium.
"Trade, cooperation, exchange of culture and knowledge. This is what we offer. I will not force you into a decision, but know this." He stands up. "We saw you. Eventually, someone else will. We only came to explore and map your home. Others may not be so sympathetic. I suggest you don't walk this path alone. Let us establish communications, at least. So if you need help, you are able to call on someone. Just in case."
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That leaves us with just needing Thommo's last skill checks and any role-playing. Thommo gets +1 to the roll, +2 if you make yourself look less threatening, and still has a hero point. I'll respond to Balkes and Thommo's post at the same time.
Once Thommo has gone, that concludes the adventure, other than the mission debriefing, which I'm going to combine with the next mission briefing. I got a live game to GM tomorrow, so I'll get the missing briefing post Sunday night or Monday.
Meanwhile, I have your chronicles ready. I'll get the game reported later today.
chronicles.
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Thommo doesn't understand all the chittering and commotion, but picks up enough to know some sort of exchange is going on between his companions and the Luvenons.
Lowering his cannon to the ground (after checking that the safety is engaged), he slowly slips his backpack from his shoulder and eases it to rest against his firearm. Squatting on his heels, the soldier fishes his flashlight from the pack. Learning from his earlier misstep, he instead opts for a gentle cooing sound while tracing out symbols, shapes and patterns woth the flashlight beam on a nearby rockface.
He offers the flashlight to the nearest Luvenon.
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The Lu-venons are fascinated by the flashlight, drawing the attention of all the Lu-venons. Uloa talks to the other Lu-venon before addressing the Starfidnder team.
"We would like to thank you for saving our people. We will have a celebration to remember this."
At the celebration, Uloa gives each of you a delicate silver necklace with a polished stone charm carved in the image of a baby lu-venon.
"We were afraid of what might be out there." Uloa points to the sky. "Knowing we are not alone, we lu-venon feel it would be good to have friends like the Starfinder, we look forward to establishing a more formal relationship with your people."
As the Starfinder ship takes off, the Lu-venon gaterh to watch. One of lu-venon, who had talked to CTU about piloting, says. "The metal one said he wasn't the best teacher, but he's got a cool ship!" As he does, the little lu-venon shines the flashlight up at the departing starship.
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Thanks for playing, everyone. This was a fun group to GM for, hope to see you all in the next scenario! I still have some prep to do, but get the mission debriefing/briefing set up to start us off.
I got the new game thread set up for SFS2 1-10 Rites of Rekindling