Leila Bluetistle |
@Animal- but the point is that with it we don't *have* to carry everything.
Now if we get struck by STR damage or something we'll have to cut gear. If someone can't walk we'll have to cut gear. If we find something cool we'll have to cut gear.
And besides better that the scary jungle monster eats our pack mule then us. But that's maybe just the snack sized character speaking :-)
Astrianna Sparacello |
I'm just not feeling the pack animal. We'll be going slow enough as it is given it's A) jungle and B) everyone but Astri moves at 4 metron speed. WHich might actualy be more reason to have one, buuut I'm just feeling like it will cause more problems than it will solve.
Astri will be using Travel Clothes, carrying all of the grenades purchased, an Antitoxin, the flare gun, and the high-capacity petrol tank (for her flame pistol).
I would encouarge everyone to take a Travel Clothes and an Anti-toxin at least. Everything else can be spread out aong us in the group loot.
@Cueta: Could you take the Backup Generator armor upgrade from our group loot and use it in your Thinplate? We'll use Cueta to recharge our batteries!
@Prospero: Would you be willing to take the Charge Cloak? I feel like Prospero would get the most use out of it by using it to power an Overcharged shot from his laser rifle or something.
Leila Bluetistle |
Well isn't that sort of spiecist - halflings have evolved faster legs since the primitive halflings of yesteryear. You must free yourself of those unhelpful stereotypes Astri! :-P
(Leila is even twice as fast as you thought thanks to operatives quick movement. That's how she has time to bounce around everywhere!)
I say we should at least visit the pet shop and see what's available. Yeah if they're expensive or high maintenance then skipping is fine.
But if it isn't a huge investment what's the worst that could happen?
We'll just have it carry the least essential stuff! (Extra week of rations, some extra dry socks and a mile of rope. You know things that might be handy!)
How do the other half of us feel about this? I guess if you don't feel like it either it's probably not a good idea...
GM Stargin |
Ok I guess I'll give you guys some guidance from how I'll run any potential pack animal. All of these are fairly reasonable considerations so your characters would probably weigh it themselves
1. It's going to cost, but not all that much.
2. It makes sense for it to give you guys a speed bonus for having a pack animal taking on your burden.
3. It could run away if it gets spooked because of reasons and take whatever supplies it has on it with it as it goes. Then you'd have to decide whether to push on without or try and find it before continuing.
4. You guys do something crazy that I haven't considered which might be really good or really bad with the animal. I dunno.
Astrianna Sparacello |
Oh I had no idea! That was pretty spiecist of me Ihad no idea halflings had evolved such fast little legs!
Man you really want this pack animal... I'm fine with voting on it of course, I'm just a solid no.
Though I have to admit an entire mile of titanium cable could come in handy.
Prospero-4 |
Ugh... my last week at work didn’t turn out quite as relaxed as I planned... apologies (again) for low activity.
Prospero can take the charge cloak, no problem. We can switch if someone else would need it more.
And besides beasts of burden, there could be sci-fi-alternatives as well. Like grav-platforms, robot pack-mules, rovers etc. But it would be nice to have some way of hauling all that stuff besides our backpacks.
Cueta Guiding Star |
Yep, thanks for taking on the bulk, Astri! And thanks for the pun, GM. Today's been a day where humor is needed.
For some reason I'm not getting updates on this thread.
I vote yes on pack animal or sci-fi equivalent.
Yes, Cueta can absolutely take the backup generator.
Astrianna Sparacello |
No problem, you know me... I'm anal about this stuff. Which is probably why I don't GM, or else I'd be forcing my players to track their character's bowel movements. There would be an excel spreadsheet and everything.
WELL it looks like I've been outvoted on the pack animal situation three to one... so... I guess we're going to the pet store...
Ukulam Group Pack/Loot
(147) R2E (147 Credits) (14 bulk and 7L)
(2) Simple locks (for the Mobile Hotliers): 200 credits (2L bulk)
(4) Hygiene Kit (4 bulk)
(2) Mobile Hotlier (2 bulk)
(7) medpatches
(1) gear clamps
(10) serums of healing mk 1
(2) Spell amps of Lesser Restoration
(1) Merciful Seal (Lvl 2)
(1) Spell amp of Share Language
(1) Spell amp of Remove Condition, Lesser
(60) Rounds, Small arm (2L)
(50) Rounds, Longarm and Sniper (2L)
(4) Batteries (20 charge each, continually recharged by Cueta)
Leila Bluetistle |
Pet shop pet shop pet shop!!
---
@Bulk we are splitting everything as equally as possible I assume?
Leila will probably be leaving her formal clothes back at the ship. She'll let the pack animal carry her toolkits (nice to have but not essential) and her cables (ditto!).
Astrianna Sparacello |
Yeah let's assume everyone on the group loot is split up among us, or on the pack animal.
Also Leila, you have that sniper rifle, right? I have the feeling it's going to come in handy when we get in a fight given we're outdoors for once.
I didn't think about this until now, but are there any binoculars, telescopes, or rangefinders avaiable for purchase? Idon't think I saw any on the equipment list.
GM Stargin |
No long distance viewing devices which is a definite oversight.
Let's do some quick homebrew. Sniper weapons have a 'sniper' quality that determines how far they can be aimed with a move aim action. It makes sense that the sniper scope would be the same technology as any Starfinder scope. So let's say that you can buy similar technology levels of scope separately.
Their item level is one less than the equivalent sniper
They cost 10% of the equivalent sniper.
They allow you to make Perception checks at the 'sniper range' of the sniper at a -2 penalty because of the limited field of view.
So at your level you would be able to buy a 'shirren tactical viewscope' for 75.5 gold that'll let you carry out Perception checks at up to 50 metrons away at a -2 penalty.
When you get to level 7 you'll also be able to get a 'shirren advanced viewscope' for 935 gold that'll allow you to do the same for up to 100 metrons away.
Bulk is L.
Sound good? You can also just use the sniper for the same purpose but that'll be -4 perception since it's not meant for that use.
GM Stargin |
As for pack animal.
The closest analogue I can find to the core rules are the vehicles So I came up with this. Thoughts?:
You can rent it for 20 credits a day and 200 credits deposit. It comes with 4 batteries and you are responsible for any extra batteries it will require.
Robo Mule Level 1
Price 500 Medium land Vehicle (1 metron. wide, 1 metron long, 1 metron. high)
Speed Same as a typical PC
EAC 10; KAC 11; Cover none
HP 7 (2); Hardness 4
Attack (Collision) 2d4 (DC 9)
Modifiers –1 Piloting, -2 attack
Systems Transport Module, Travel Battery, Saddle Attachment, Animal Intelligence,
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Transport Module (Ex) The Robo Mule is able to carry 15 Bulk of equipment without any change to its speed.
Travel Battery (Ex) In standard operation the Robo Mule uses up 4 batteries for every regular day of travel. Less strenuous or more strenuous activities can change the rate battery consumption as per GM discretion.
Saddle Attachment (Ex) The Robo Mule comes with an optional saddle attachment, a small or medium sized humanoid can ride the Robo Mule. This reduces the Robo Mule Transport Module's carrying capacity to 11 Bulk without any change in speed.
Animal Intelligence (Ex) The Robo Mule has a rudimentary AI that mimics the behaviour of common pack animals on primitive worlds. They react to danger by acting 'afraid' and acting for self preservation just like a biological organism would. It reacts well to the same kind of treatment that a real pack animal would (Survival checks can be used to direct the animal). This allows the Robo Mule to act with autonomy and not require direct control at all times.
This behaviour can be overridden but requires either direct access to the robo mule's computing module or a hacking kit. The computer module is a Tier 2 computer. Once overridden the operator must devote a move action and a DC 10 computers check whenever the Robo Mule's movement is to be changed. Full direct control requires full concentration and no other action can be taken while the operator is thus controlling the Robo Mule.
Leila Bluetistle |
Hmm hmm hmmm.
Spontaneously the battery consumption seems quite high. Mechanically at least.
Assuming no recharge available (since jungle and all!) we'd need 240gp worth of batteries to keep this thing trucking. Per day. For two weeks of travel that would be a lot.
However! If Cueta simply walks 800 minutes per day the Backup Generator of her armour will supply enough juice to fuel our donkey. She doesn't really need sleep or rest right :P?
But on the flip side it feels weird if walking could somehow generate enough spare energy that it could power something else that is also walking...
Maybe simply have it run on something else?
We could just feed it solid fuel pellets or something :)
Leila Bluetistle |
I think that logically, compared to other things that use batteries, that the mule seems reasonable or even a bit under fueled.
From a player point of view however I see that we could never ever afford to bring Robo Mule anywhere let alone on a two week trip. That would cost ~3000 credits in batteries - and we'd love to get it back too!
(If two of us had the Backup Generator armour upgrade that would be enough to cover the Mules energy use. But another one of those costs around 2000 credits.)
It feels a bit like trying to use a Wand of Summon Monster to haul loot, if that analogy makes sense.
Cueta Guiding Star |
I love the robo mule, GM. Not sure what to do about the battery. Extrapolating it out from a drone makes sense, but this might be one of those things where the rules fall down a bit. I suspect that the designers weren't wanting a drone to replicate a class ability or create action economy issues.
Maybe go to one battery/day as suggested and remove any combat capability?
Leila Bluetistle |
Mm. And adding the grass eating of course!
Astrianna Sparacello |
Yeah we can handle one battery a day and grass eating.
Ugh, that means it will poop though...
So team do we want to forge our own path using the scientist's information or follow the path of thugs ahead of us?
It will probably be harder to go our own way, but we might be able to beat those guys to the ruins.
If we follow them directly they will have cleared out the significant harzards (or pissed off the locals), and we could sneak up on them in the night and really mess up their s~##.
Of course we may not have a choice and we'll just be going the same route, but if we CAN choose I'd say we make our way way and try to get ahead of them.
GM Stargin |
Ok, so here's the rules.
The location is 120 kilometrons away.
You have two options.
1. Orienteer using your notes as a guide to landmarks and travel that way. That is a DC18 Survival check, success means you travel a full 12 Kmetrons in a day.
2. Follow tracks. This is easier but slower. It's a DC12 Survival check, success means you travel 9 kilometrons.
Failing means you get lost and bumble around a bit and only make 6 kilometrons progress.
You get a +2 to the check thanks to your prior research.
Sidekick takes over house rule is in effect so no reason for everyone not to roll the Survival check.
What approach would you prefer? Would you switch out your choice on a day to day basis or just pick up and go for it?
There will be encounters on the way of course.
GM Stargin |
A few other notes:
On a successful check the robo mule will allow you to travel a further 2 kms a day. On a fail it won't help.
Thanks to the Paizo fan community again here's a rough map.
Rough Aerial map of the location
You guys are at the tip of the south east peninsula, and based on Zan's notes your route will slowly curve towards the north west until you're at the foot of the mountains.
Leila Bluetistle |
Leaning towards making our own path, if only because it is faster. Hopefully we can then engineer some way of getting either the drop on the bad guys or trick them with false clues. And hopefully get Sol out of the deal!
Astrianna Sparacello |
Oh yeah, we'll be taking one of those 'shirren tactical viewscopes'. Astri will carry it so she can tell everyone what her elf eyes see.
Yeah let's punch it! We have one person with a +9 to survival so I'm sure this will go well. It's totally in character though, I like to imagine this is the kind of barely competent group that constantly slacks off/screws around and it somehow works out in the end for them. Except Prospero, he's the straight man.
The primary survival roller for orienteering whom we aid will be Cueta, and the primary computers roller for robo-mule taming whom we aid will be Leila or Prospero (doesn't matter which, they have the same bonus), correct?
Astrianna Sparacello |
Leaning towards making our own path, if only because it is faster.
Two, I think.
Prospero-4 |
I'll vote for the orienteering as well. Getting lost in the jungle would suite our party just fine :)
Leila Bluetistle |
@Computering the mule- I think that's only for direct control. I'm sure it'll walk just fine normally :-)
Oh and I say we'll take turns riding it too since we don't have that much bulk with us. That way we might save some of our own energy.
Edit!
Made a quite impressive series of survival rolls if I dare say so. Perhaps the Pyramid People flick was quite accurate after all!
Though I did indeed forget the Mule ...
Astrianna Sparacello |
Hmm I guess I was confused by this:
A few other notes:
On a successful check the robo mule will allow you to travel a further 2 kms a day. On a fail it won't help.
I took it to mean there would also be a computers check every day.
Does that mean if we get the survival check we also get the robomule bonus?
Leila Bluetistle |
And by the looks of it, we will be hiking the right way too! :-)
There's only like 2-3 flubbs on Cuetas rolls and Astri and Leila Åre ready to pick up the slack those days it seems.
GM Stargin |
I'm assuming you guys are using your armor for the first leg of the journey? Astrianna and Leila have used up their armors environmental protections and will have to switch to Hot weather travel gear and I will roll Fort checks for high heat for the remainder of the days of travel. Don't forget, no armor bonus while wearing travel clothes!
Cueta has two more travel days of protection and Prospero has four more travel days of protection.
Leila Bluetistle |
Roll for the first day as well for Leila. Feels like it makes sense to spend the AC wisely if we are not chasing the enemy.
For example if we need an ambush or manage to fail a worrying amount of Fort saves in a row :-)
Edit: Speaking of armour! Did anyone grab the one offered?
If not Leila would have stoved it with the mule for emergency cold supply!
Astrianna Sparacello |
I get not being able to use armor and the special clothing at the same time but Second Skin specifically states:
This flexible body stocking fits tightly against its wearer and can be worn under ordinary clothes.
I'm going to have to argue that Second Skin is the only armor that should be able to be used simultaneously with other clothes. Even if we don't use its enviromental protections, it should still be able to provide EAC and KAC in conjuction with the specialty clothes.
@Leila: No one took the armor, I think it's some kind of heavy variety. I'll throw it in the group loot.
@Battery consumption: Cueta's backup Generator produces 48 charge in an 8 hour day of travel. That's 2.4 batteries charged a day.
The mule uses 20 charges a day and the mobile hotliers use 2 charge a day. That's 22 charges or 1.1 batteries used a day.
Cueta can easily keep our batteries charged through the entire journey, with one battery being charged at all times.
GM Stargin |
Alright alright, you convinced me. Second Skin can be used with Hot weather protection. It's providing you a really terrible amount of AC so I guess it's not unbalanced.
In any case, if you're not using the armor's environmental protection just roll a Fort save for every day that's passed (with appropriate clothing bonuses). That's two days so far.
If you don't roll then I'm going to assume you're using up the environmental protection.
Cueta Guiding Star |
Cueta's going to save the last two days of her armor for when she thinks she's closer to the endpoint. She'll be making fort saves from here on out.
Leila Bluetistle |
@Armour - luckily Leila has the same gear as Astri, so that's nice!
@Life Science check - Leila should have an extra +2 for a total of 17 from Alien Archive. Hopefully that's enough for some bits of info.
GM Stargin |
Nope. No info even with the +2 Liela.
To speed things up for the Weather checks. You're rolling against Very Hot Conditions. If you fail a DC15 Fort check you get 1d4 non lethal fire damage. The rules say you should roll once every hour, but nuts to that. So if you fail a daily check, then roll 12d4 nonlethal damage on yourself for the 12 hour day.
I can't really find if nonlethal damage heals faster than lethal damage anywhere in my quick scan of the rules. Anybody got any idea? In any case don't forget Resolve Points can be spent to get your stamina back with a ten minute rest and Astrianna can yell to get stamina points back once per ally before every rest period. If you guys are taking a lot of rest breaks though that'll cut into your overall travel speeds.
Leila Bluetistle |
Hmh I don't think there's anything about non-lethal healing faster since it's basically the same as normal damage, except for the last bump to zero hp. Let's hope no-one steps on a sharp rock or something after being jungle-steamed!
@knowledge - M'kay. I guess we'll have to make due then :-)
Astrianna Sparacello |
Astrianna will be saving her enviromental protection as well. Never know when we might need to wade through a poisonous swamp, or do a hustle at the end.
GM Stargin |
Updated progress.
Progress 31.4 metrons. (Two days, +2 bonus from travel clothes and +2 from robo mule, 30 minutes wasted 'cause diva)
Resources used so far.
Armor environmental protection: One day used for Cueta and Prospero-4.
I'll move on with walking through the herd in a bit if there's no other suggestions.
Astrianna Sparacello |
Astri might be a diva... but it's merely a side effect of being so fabulous.
If we start getting bad vibes from the herd we could try spooking them off with a flare from the flare gun.