Focusing optical sensors
Once the Starfinders escape the river, the whole chamber collapses in on itself moments after they exit, causing lava to back up.
Fitch appears as a holographic projection held by Ixthia the Unbreakable as the Starfinders take a final moment to prepare for their assault. She addresses everyone as calmly as she can, even though concern is evident in her tone. “Here’s the situation. You’ve only got about an hour left to take that shield down before Pikora 317 is doomed, Starfinders. But I hear we have some new information.”
Ziggy finishes speaking with a group of rescued selamids and visiting Xenowardens before addressing the Starfinders. “This creature is named Garako, and it is an earth elemental that is at least a millennium old. It was pulled into the Drift early in life thanks to a passing ship, and later into the demonic Outer Rifts. Eventually, it found its way back into the Universe after it grew to its current size and began to consume everything, including a Drift beacon.”
Ixthia continues. “We’ve also learned that Garako has a core—a heart, if you will. If we can sabotage the heart, that might be enough to make it go dormant and take down its defenses. For a little while, it’ll just be a rocky moon again.”
Fitch pipes in, “And when that happens, I’ll unleash every nuke and missile we have in the fleet. Which means you all need to evacuate as soon as the sabotage is done, understood Starfinders? Good luck, and make sure you get out of there alive, okay?”
The tunnel leads to a dead end. Before anyone can stop to get their bearings, the floor opens up as one of Garako’s heart valves pulses, sending the Starfinders tumbling down a shallow shaft. After regaining their feet, they find themselves standing amid several thick floating platforms of rock that rest atop the bright heart of Garako, which undulates with a surface made of viscous lava.
Unexpectedly, the Xenowarden captain Dajagal is also present, their wings unfurled and arms outstretched, as if in telepathic communion with the heart. When the Starfinders arrive, the xenodruid opens their eyes. “Turn back while you still can, Starfinders. I have finally found what I have been looking for. Garako—this being, is unique amongst all life in the cosmos. It’s a shame the people of Pikora 317 won’t live, but in the grand scheme of things, the conservation of unique lifeforms is a sacred duty we must all be willing to sacrifice for.”
All around Garako’s heart, Dajagal’s acolytes draw their weapons, ready to support their leader and fight off the Starfinders.
The light in this chamber is bright, illuminated by the red-hot glow from Garako’s heart. The circular shapes on the map are heart regulation valves that are 5-feet high and can be used to take cover behind. The bridges between rocky platforms are vein-like material and are difficult terrain, and the L-shaped structure in the southwest is a 15-foot-high fiendish heart stent that acts as a wall.
Icy liquid comes pouring in, cooling the surface layer of the heart.
The Xenowardens are waiting for you to make the first move. Negotiation or combat?
Strike is not programmed for diplomacy, he arms himself at the ready, and calculates the odds of survival.
The Starfinders hesitate for a moment, wondering if diplomacy is an option, but decide that the Xenowardens would probably not have drawn weapons already if they were really willing to talk.
To the southwest, a giant crystalline creature bursts from the lava.
Round 1 - bolded may go
Reeve
Torla
Strike
Rattus
Purple
Green
Red
Mec-03
Blue
Martin
Reeve had been preparing to parlay, but he sees the group grip their weapons and knows Strike and Mech are about to spring into action. He's torn, seeing reason in the Xenowardens argument, but Pikora 317 deserves to live too.
"Livin Moon Anihilation!!" He brandishes his guitar again and plays the party's .
Torla chooses to become graviton attuned when initiative is rolled.
She moves forward and uses the attune action to summon her solar flare.
Then she uses the solar flare to attack the crystal creature.
Strike locks in on the threat, and moves in to strike with precision. He closes in on the crystalline monster and swings hard with his blade before activating his nanite shield.
◆Mobile Aim (Purple), ◆Strike, ◆Cast Shield as an innate cantrip
Reeve decides to sing, sing and sing.
Torla channels the power of gravity to fire a high-density pellet at the purple foe.
Strike mixes offense and defense, hitting the crystalline entity from behind a magical shield.
The crystal creature vanishes briefly, then appears behind the Starfinders.
It stabs out with a sharp limb at Reeve.
The ysoki falls to the ground.
It follows with a quick jab at Mec-03
The Xenowarden in red crosses the vein and slashes at Torla.
The one in green summons roots to carry its ally across the chamber, then moves closer and fires at Strike Noir.
Round 1 - bolded may go
Torla (-4 HP)
Strike (-1 HP)
Rattus (delay)
Reeve (-12 HP, dying 1, prone)
Purple (-16 HP)
Red
Green
Mec-03 (-12 HP)
Blue
Martin
Neither of Rattus' attacks land.
Round 1 - bolded may go
Torla (-4 HP)
Strike (-1 HP)
Rattus
Reeve (-12 HP, dying 1, prone)
Purple (-16 HP)
Red
Green
Mec-03 (-12 HP)
Blue
Martin
Mec-03 unloads everything he has into the crystal creature. It is noticeably hurt by the shot.
The Xenowarden in blue steps toward Torla and casts a spell. Its hand briefly mutates into a giant claw, which they use to rake at the solarian.
She barely avoids collapsing on the spot.
Round 1-2 - bolded may go
Torla (-18 HP)
Strike (-1 HP)
Rattus
Reeve (-12 HP, dying 1, prone)
Purple (-46 HP)
Red
Green
Mec-03 (-12 HP)
Blue
Martin
Reeves breath is shallow and raspy and if he was conscious he'd probably record a sample to use in his next album.
Martin gasps, seeing the rock star drop. He takes a Step over to the ysoki (◆), pulls his sole medpatch out with one hand (◆), and applies it right to Reeve's forehead (◆)!