GM S' "The Stumbling Society 2: Sangoro's Gifts"

Game Master Chris Marsh

The Adventure Continues...

You receive an alert on your comms. Fitch, leader of the Wayfinders calls you to the Lorespire Complex.

An older ysoki woman, Fitch of the Wayfinders faction, stands behind a table in the center of the room. A frozen holographic image, hovers above the table, depicting strange, moth‑like creatures with brightly colored wings in a dense jungle, apparently in the midst of a shoot‑out. Each of the creatures grips a gun in their front two claws, and the combatants seem to be divided into two groups. The weaponry the creatures wield is emblazoned with the Starfinder Society emblem.

“Welcome, fellow Starfinders,” Fitch says. “We’ve got ourselves a serious problem. As some of you may know, a mission was dispatched recently to a compound once held by the Exo‑Guardians. They lost control of it during the hubbub of the Scoured Stars incident, but now that things are more stable, First Seeker Elsebo hoped to reclaim the weapons and other equipment held there. Unfortunately, by the time you got there, it was too late— someone beat us to it! Best we can figure judging by the message she left at the site, the culprit’s a ysoki woman calling herself Datch. This isn’t the first time she’s come to the Society’s attention, and we’ve been trying to figure out her game ever since. Our immediate problem, though, is what she’s done with the supplies she stole from that facility.”

Fitch clicks a button on the table, and the vid‑footage springs to life. The sound of gunfire fills the room as the creatures engage in a brief battle. After several creatures fall, both sides retreat, screeching wordlessly at each other. Once the vid finishes, the hologram disappears. “This footage was taken on a planet called Stabrisis‑14,” Fitch says. “It’s been charted, but not explored— the local inhabitants aren’t very advanced technologically and we didn’t want to interfere in their civilization. But apparently, Datch has been dropping crates of our equipment for them to find. The last thing the Starfinders need in the middle of this smear campaign is for people to think we’re handing out weapons to developing worlds, not to mention the response from our weapon manufacturing partners if they think we can’t keep hold of our arms. I need you to go to Stabrisis‑14 and get back our equipment, hopefully before this gets out. And please, try to find a diplomatic way to do so. The only thing that would look worse for the Starfinders than seemingly distributing these weapons would be causing a massacre on a low‑tech world."

"I’ll be sending another agent along with you, a maraquoi named Saivessa. They’ll be following you in a second ship so they can secure the equipment you find; that way, you won’t have to waste time gathering it.” Fitch runs her hands through her fur—judging by the tousles at the top of her head, not for the first time today. “Any questions?”

What can you tell us about the world we are going to? Any idea what the local languages are, or will we be using interpretive dance and shadow puppetry to communicate?

Stell arrives full of chatter about her successful concert series in several big venues around the Pact Worlds, including a performance at Hamisfore Theatorium in the Eye of Absalom Station. She happily shares images her fans took at some of the concerts as well as some video tracks of some numbers.

Once the briefing starts, however, she is focused on the new mission. "Other than the weapons deliveries, are we aware of any communications with the inhabitants of the world? Also, what types of weapons do we know were delievered? Do they have any special properties we should be concerned about defending against?"

Galen expresses some interest in Stell's concert images although he hadn't gone. His idea of music is more symphony orchestras and string quartets - playing the more classical stuff.

He frowns at the holodisplay.
And who are they fighting with these armaments - each other? Should we attempt to open diplomatic relationships with them in order to peacefully resolve their differences?

He already is making plans to bring a full suite of medical facilities - just in case.

Fitch answers the questions in turn:

"You are headed to Stabrisis-14. We don’t know too much about the world, only what we’ve gotten through scans and this footage. It’s a jungle planet in Near Space, orbiting a red star. As for the inhabitants, all we know about them is that they haven’t developed advanced technology and seem to be divided into semi‑nomadic tribes. We haven’t studied them extensively yet. It’s hard to say whether they’d speak any language we’d recognize. I’d recommend preparing spells to communicate or bringing along any translation equipment if you’ve got; otherwise, you might have some difficulty.”

"I wish I could say Stell, it's a veritable buffet of various things."

"Indeed, each other. They kill at a level that they would not be able to were it not for our weapons."

Stell has a Tetrad Certified Translator in case we can't use mystic or technomancer abilities to communicate.

Dr Conway sighs. That never ends well. And what possible motive would Datch have had?

”Fitch, do we have any way of tracking down the lost equipment? Is there a way to know if we have found everything?”

Fitch looks at Aldor and sarcastically replies, "Yes, I'm sending YOU to track it down. We know where it is, you just need to get in there. As for finding everything, that's a good question. And no.... not really."

Back from vacation. I'll start tomorrow!

You wrap up the briefing, and prepare for the trip. Once your destination is plugged in, it looks like it'll take 3d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 4) = 13 days to travel to Stabrisis‑14. The journey is mostly uneventful, save for a brief encounter with another starship, the Clutter Collector. An ysoki captain named Winks hails the your ship, checking in to see if you need any assistance. When it appears you don't need anything, Winks continues. Based on the sound of her voice it's more out of boredom than anything, and she quickly changes to conversing about her ship’s current endeavor: trawling the Drift for matter pulled from other planes. Winks indicates that she’s discovered a potential find several weeks away, and she wishes you well in your journey before breaking out of comms range.

Meanwhile, Saivessa grows restless and calls you over the comms to talk every so often.

When you emerge from the Drift near Stabrisis‑14, you quickly detect two starships circling the area in a set pattern. Upon your arrival, the ships turn to face you, clearly targeting their weapons arrays at YOU. The PCs have one round to scan the enemy ships before they attack. Thankfully, Saivessa’s transport ship is slightly delayed in the Drift so you don't have to protect anyone else. I'll start posting the details, but pick your positions and someone can scan!

”I trust that one of you knows how to fly this craft?”

Aldor races to a computer station and conducts a scan of the vessel.

Computers: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

I'm a doctor, not a pilot

He'll take Mystic Officer.

Stell is probably best suited for captain with high bonuses on Bluff, Diplomacy, and Intimidate. She is +11 at engineering and computers (4 ranks in each), so she could do either engineering or science officer if need be. Her gunnery bonus would be +8. She has +10 in piloting with 1 rank.

That leaves GFB in the Pilot Seat. Let's do this!

Aldor makes a quick scan. These are automated drone fighters and that they have neither Drift engines nor the appropriate mechanisms to make it through a planet’s atmosphere to land. He also realizes there must be a platform nearby that launched these ships, though none is readily visible. It must be cloaked.

The science officer can take a unique action to Scan for the platform. It's been a bit, I'll build the combat tracker right now.

Open Crew Actions: Erratic Maneuvering, Feign Disaster, Prioritize Calculation, Range Finding, Ready Weapons System
►Captain (Stell): Demand, Encourage, Moving Speech, Orders, Taunt
Chief Mate (Name): Maintenance Panel Access, Targeting Aid
Engineer (NA): Divert, Hold It Together, Patch, Overpower, Quick Fix
►Magic Officer (Dr. Conway): Eldritch Shot, Scrying, Mystic Haze, Psychic Currents

DRAKE STATUS:
AC: 20 TL: 19 Speed:
Systems Status: Good
Hull: 85/85 (CT: 17)
Shields:

Do we need an engineer and a gunner? Seems the minimum crew is Engineer, Science Officer, Pilot, Gunner. Stell could do any of those although if pilot and gunner are not needed in the first round, she can do one of the captain actions and then switch to another station for round 2. Gold-Flecked Black is highly skilled as a pilot. Sounds like Aldor is science officer. Can the magic officer do things that are equivalent of Engineer or Gunner? It's been a while since I was in a starship battle.

Stell works the computer to help Aldor scan for the drone platform.

Computers, encourage (aid) DC 10: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

IT's been a while for me too. You definitely need a Gunner, and it can't really be replaced with anyone else. Pilot and Gunner are MUST HAVE. Engineer is a close second. (First Mate and MAgic Officer can do some of the other things) Don't forget that your ship gives +2 to any 3 checks in addition to +2 on Computers checks. I strongly recommend using those. Given that I'd like to get some momentum going, I'll handwave the position switch for anyone this opening round, so you can jump to Gunner. Once we get things moving, this should be no less efficient than a normal combat.So Dr. Conway should take Stell's +2 Aid on a Mysticism check to scan for the Platform while Aldor either stays or moves. I'll hold at this phase for the Doctor to post.

ENGINEERING PHASE:
Open Crew Actions: Erratic Maneuvering, Feign Disaster, Prioritize Calculation, Range Finding, Ready Weapons System
Captain (Stell): Demand, Encourage, Moving Speech, Orders, Taunt
Chief Mate (Name): Maintenance Panel Access, Targeting Aid
Engineer (): Divert, Hold It Together, Patch, Overpower, Quick Fix
►Magic Officer (Dr. Conway): Eldritch Shot, Scrying, Mystic Haze, Psychic Currents

DRAKE STATUS:
AC: 20 TL: 19 Speed:
Systems Status: Good
Hull: 85/85 (CT: 17)
Shields:

mysticism: 1d20 + 21 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 21 + 2 = 34

Aldor looks for where he can be most useful and heads to engineering.

Dr. Conway scries the area and locates the launch platform. He doesn't get any additional information, but the platform looks like it's got plenty of other drones to launch.

HELM PHASE (Initiative):
Magic Officer (Dr. Conway): Precognition
Enemy Initiative: Piloting: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19
►Pilot: Initiative If you lose this roll, immediately move to the HELM PHASE

HELM PHASE:
Captain (Name): Available
Chief Mate (Name): Hard Turn, Manual Realignment, Maximize Speed
Pilot (Gold-Flecked Black, 5 Ranks): Audacious Gambit, Full Power, Fly, Maneuver, Stunt
Science Officer (Name): Balance, Improve Countermeasures, Lock On, Scan, Target System

DRAKE STATUS:
AC: 20 TL: 19 Speed:
Systems Status: Good
Hull: 85/85 (CT: 17)
Shields:

Piloting: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (8) + 20 = 28.

Once the threat of more drones is confirmed, Stell shifts out of the captain's chair and over to the gunner controls.

Do we need to put a few missiles on to that launch platform?

Quick at the stick, the party gets the jump on the drones. It looks like no others are launching.... yet.

The two drones move to intercept you.

HELM PHASE:
Captain (Name): Available
Chief Mate (Name): Hard Turn, Manual Realignment, Maximize Speed
►Pilot (Gold-Flecked Black, 5 Ranks): Audacious Gambit, Full Power, Fly, Maneuver, Stunt
Science Officer (Name): Balance, Improve Countermeasures, Lock On, Scan, Target System

DRAKE STATUS:
AC: 20 TL: 19 Speed:
Systems Status: Good
Hull: 85/85 (CT: 17)
Shields:

Gold-Flecked Black simply tries to Evade.

Piloting: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (15) + 20 = 35.

Where on the map is the drone launch platform?

Far right. Apologies for not making them unique pogs. Platform is WHITE

Fair enough, then. I head straight for it with the ship!

The Starfinders split through, heading for the platform!

The drones open fire via their turrets as the Starfinders fly by:
Red Gunnery: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Blue Gunnery: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
The evasive flying is enough to leave you untouched!

GUNNERY PHASE:
Captain (Name): Available
►Gunner 1 (Stell, +2): Fire At Will, Shoot, Broadside, Precise Targeting

DRAKE STATUS:
AC: 20 TL: 19 Speed:
Systems Status: Good
Hull: 85/85 (CT: 17)
Shields:

For reference, I have 8 ranks in Piloting, so the Drake's AC/TL should be 23/22, increasing to 25/24 with Evade.

For reference, I have 8 ranks in Piloting, so the Drake's AC/TL should be 23/22, increasing to 25/24 with Evade.

Got it. your sheet is out of date then!

Technically, the sheet was from when I used this profile for a different game; the hyperlink at the top of the page was always this current PC. I have edited for clarity.

For the record, all the weapons have long range (20).

Stell lines up the forward particle beam and fires at the droid base.

Gunnery, ship bonus: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 2 = 30
Particle Beam Damage: 8d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 1, 6, 4, 5, 3, 2) = 32
Critical Hit System roll: 1d100 ⇒ 37

Stell let's out a whoop as her shot hits something important.

The Starfinders open with a helluva first shot. Stell's aim is perfect, and the beam cuts through the shields, damages the hull and then some!

ENGINEERING PHASE:
Open Crew Actions: Erratic Maneuvering, Feign Disaster, Prioritize Calculation, Range Finding, Ready Weapons System
Captain (Name): Demand, Encourage, Moving Speech, Orders, Taunt
Chief Mate (Name): Maintenance Panel Access, Targeting Aid
►Engineer (Aldor): Divert, Hold It Together, Patch, Overpower, Quick Fix
►Magic Officer (Dr. Conway): Eldritch Shot, Scrying, Mystic Haze, Psychic Currents

DRAKE STATUS:
AC: 20 TL: 19 Speed:
Systems Status: Good
Hull: 85/85 (CT: 17)
Shields:

Stell allows her self a momentary hoot betraying some cockiness, then settles down to get ready for the next opportunity.

Dr Conway uses Mysticism to enhance Stall's next shot.
mysticism: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (2) + 21 = 23

Dr. Conway puts more eggs into Stell's basket, bumping her next shot. Success. Stell the canon's range is 25 this round.

ENGINEERING PHASE:
Open Crew Actions: Erratic Maneuvering, Feign Disaster, Prioritize Calculation, Range Finding, Ready Weapons System
Captain (Name): Demand, Encourage, Moving Speech, Orders, Taunt
Chief Mate (Name): Maintenance Panel Access, Targeting Aid
►Engineer (Aldor): Divert, Hold It Together, Patch, Overpower, Quick Fix
Magic Officer (Dr. Conway): Eldritch Shot, Scrying, Mystic Haze, Psychic Currents

DRAKE STATUS:
AC: 20 TL: 19 Speed:
Systems Status: Good
Hull: 85/85 (CT: 17)
Shields:

Aldor uses overpower systems to help outgun the enemy!

Engineering vs Enemy Ship DC: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

Aldor doesn't manage to change up the systems in time for the next pass.

HELM PHASE (Initiative):
Magic Officer (Dr. Conway): Precognition
Enemy Initiative: Piloting: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30
►Pilot: Initiative If you lose this roll, immediately move to the HELM PHASEway): Eldritch Shot, Scrying, Mystic Haze, Psychic Currents

DRAKE STATUS:
AC: 20 TL: 19 Speed:
Systems Status: Good
Hull: 85/85 (CT: 17)
Shields:

Piloting: 1d20 + 20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 20 + 2 = 31.

Gold-Flecked Black continues to deominate the chessboard. Discovered, the platform moves sluggishly out of the direct line.

The drones both loop around, flying...
Red: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17
Blue: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22
...Evasively.

HELM PHASE:
Captain (Name): Available
Chief Mate (Name): Hard Turn, Manual Realignment, Maximize Speed
►Pilot (Gold-Flecked Black, 5 Ranks): Audacious Gambit, Full Power, Fly, Maneuver, Stunt
Science Officer (Name): Balance, Improve Countermeasures, Lock On, Scan, Target System

DRAKE STATUS:
AC: 20 TL: 19 Speed:
Systems Status: Good
Hull: 85/85 (CT: 17)
Shields:

Gold-Flecked Black continues to chase the platform down.

Piloting to Evade: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (17) + 20 = 37.

Eyes on the prize! Open fire!

The drones fire torpedoes at your aft!
Red: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26 hit for DMG: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 1) = 12
Blue: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19 MISS

GUNNERY PHASE:
Captain (Name): Available
►Gunner 1 (Stell, +2): Fire At Will, Shoot, Broadside, Precise Targeting

DRAKE STATUS:
AC: 20 TL: 19 Speed:
Systems Status: Good
Hull: 85/85 (CT: 17)
Shields:

Stell switches to the turret gun and sends a heavy plasma torpedo at the base.

Gunnery, ship bonus: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 8 + 2 = 25
Heavy Plasma Torpedo damage: 5d10 ⇒ (9, 9, 7, 2, 2) = 29
Speed is 12 hexes per round, so it should reach the drone base this round. 4 torpedoes remaining.

Stell scores another hit, lightly burning the hull.

ENGINEERING PHASE:
Open Crew Actions: Erratic Maneuvering, Feign Disaster, Prioritize Calculation, Range Finding, Ready Weapons System
Captain (Name): Demand, Encourage, Moving Speech, Orders, Taunt
Chief Mate (Name): Maintenance Panel Access, Targeting Aid
►Engineer (Aldor): Divert, Hold It Together, Patch, Overpower, Quick Fix
►Magic Officer (Dr. Conway): Eldritch Shot, Scrying, Mystic Haze, Psychic Currents

DRAKE STATUS:
AC: 20 TL: 19 Speed:
Systems Status: Good
Hull: 85/85 (CT: 17)
Shields:

In lieu of any instructions to the contrary Dr Conway uses Mysticism to enhance Stall's next shot again.
mysticism: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (13) + 21 = 34

Don't get too cocky Stell. The battle isn't over yet

His tone is like a father lightly reprimanding a daughter - and given their age difference, Dr Conway could be old enough to be Stell's parent.

Aldor's player is at GenCon. someoen may want to bot him (likely boosting weapons or he jumps to gunner given that you're untouched.

Aldor-BOT:

Aldor jumps on the particle cannon, and takes a shot at the platform...

Particle Cannon: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 2 = 9, for 8d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 1, 4, 1, 6, 2, 2) = 21 damage.

However, even with the ship's guidance, his targeting is *way* off.

Well, the good news is that botting him at this stage is JUST moving positions, so we can ignore that die roll :-)

The doctor boosts the weapons as Aldor jumps to the particle canon.

HELM PHASE (Initiative):
Magic Officer (Dr. Conway): Precognition
Enemy Initiative: Piloting: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16
►Pilot: Initiative If you lose this roll, immediately move to the HELM PHASE

DRAKE STATUS:
AC: 20 TL: 19 Speed:
Systems Status: Good
Hull: 85/85 (CT: 17)
Shields: