GM-BD’s ΘF DISTΔNT STΔRS & DEΔD SUNS - Δ STΔRFINDER ΔDVENTURE PΔTH (Inactive)

Game Master Black Dow

As Ed thinks out loud.. or inside our heads.. Paeon ponders his knowledge of smugglers,

Trying to determine is PAeon knows anything about the Sunrise Maiden, or smugglers that used to run this type of cargo?

SPACE PIRATE ROLL: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

DC reduced by 5 for my theme

At Ed's question DAWN's soft tone drifts over the comms;

<SMUGGLER IS A TERM THAT HAS ILLEGAL CONNOTATIONS CAPTAIN SKZZRRR'ED'KL. MY PREVIOUS OWNER CAPTAIN NASH PREFERRED THE TITLE OF "O.F.T.": OPPORTUNISTIC-FREE-TRADER. SHE UNDERTOOK NUMEROUS HAULAGE, SALVAGE AND COURIER MISSIONS THROUGHOUT THE PACT WORLDS, NEAR SPACE AND THE DRIFT. OUR CARGO BAYS HOLD INVENTORY ITEMS FROM SEVERAL OF THOSE ASSIGNMENTS.>

She pauses, commswaves hissing quietly, then speaks again;

<CAPTAIN. THE SHIP YOU DESIGNATED AS THE IRON ANUS IS HAILING US AGAIN. SAME COMMS CHANNEL OF DELTA-2-2-7. SHALL I PATCH THEM THOROUGH OR REJECT THE TRANSMISSION?>

At Ed's question DAWN's soft tone drifts over the comms;

<SMUGGLER IS A TERM THAT HAS ILLEGAL CONNOTATIONS CAPTAIN SKZZRRR'ED'KL. MY PREVIOUS OWNER CAPTAIN NASH PREFERRED THE TITLE OF "O.F.T.": OPPORTUNISTIC-FREE-TRADER.

Ed gives a double shrug with his two arm sets. It's OK, ship. I don't judge. And I really appreciate the Noodle Doodles. Ed stuffs a double handful in his pack.

[smaller]<CAPTAIN. THE SHIP YOU DESIGNATED AS THE IRON ANUS IS HAILING US AGAIN. SAME COMMS CHANNEL OF DELTA-2-2-7. SHALL I PATCH THEM THOROUGH OR REJECT THE TRANSMISSION?>

Captain Anus of the Iron Rectum. Ed corrects and turns to the others. Do we have anthing to say to these guys?

Galactic Master Black Dow wrote:

<CAPTAIN. THE SHIP YOU DESIGNATED AS THE IRON ANUS IS HAILING US AGAIN. SAME COMMS CHANNEL OF DELTA-2-2-7. SHALL I PATCH THEM THOROUGH OR REJECT THE TRANSMISSION?>

Captain Anus of the Iron Rectum. Ed corrects and turns to the others. Do we have anthing to say to these guys?

Mixing my rectums with my anuses... Not a line I ever envisaged writing, here or anywhere else... Right. Moving on...

Best take their call. I suspect they will do something nefarious regardless though. And they may tip their hand when we talk. Regardless I will be ready. Noah settles into his ship's station and pulls up the piloting console.

Changes in theme grant a net +1 to piloting and -1 to Life Science.

Ed gives a hiss of annoyance and delegates. YOU talk to them, Paeon.

Paeon grumbles as he opens his tired eyes,

'Yes Cap'n'.. SHIP! Patch them through.'

Edit: So currently the hippo was recalled due to security reasons. we found the corpse fleet commander in stasis.. Kris and Retsiji dumped it at coordinates... ALPHA. ZERO. TWO. FOUR. NINER.... So it needs to be recovered either by us or this ship (who we arent sure work for Nor)... We have 500credits each for successful delivery.. Any thoughts on if we should return it?

I had forgotten it was dumped. Noah agreed to return the "package" and feels bound by his word. He wants to return it and feels strongly about it.

Ed wants nothing to do with Commander Corpsicle and Ambassador Nope, but he ll go along if he's outvoted.

The Maiden's AI sounds almost apologetic at Ed's correction;

<MY APOLOGIES CAPTAIN SKZZRRR'ED'KL. IT IS IRON RECTUM. AS YOU WISH MR TEL' DOMAH. PATCHING YOU THROUGH>

Once again the wheezing voice of the Rictus' Captain addresses you in Eoxian;

”Csodáljuk a durva humorpróbálkozásokat, úgy érezzük, hogy ez csupán hiábavaló fátyol. Az egyik lefedi az információkat arról, amit keresünk. Rakományunk a hajón vontatta ezt az aszteroidát. A hajója ezután ugyanabból a aszteroidából származik. Könnyű belátni, hol tartják a gyanúsítottak szükségesnek további vizsgálatokat? Nem számít, talán ez a legjobb, ha szemtől szemben Acolitis Ed.”

”Készüljön fel a beszállásra.

Translation: ”While we admire your crude attempts at humour, we feel this is merely a futile veil. One that shrouds the information on that which we seek. Our cargo was on the vessel towing this asteroid. Your ship then emerges from same asteroid. Easy to see where those suspicious may deem it necessary to investigate further yes? No matter, perhaps this is best done face-to-face Acolitis Ed.”

”Prepare to be boarded.”

Noah notes that the Iron Rictus has powered up and is moving to intercept...

New map up! BATTLE STATIONS!!!

"EEEEEEEEEEEE!" Ed vocalizes a weird shriek as he sprints to the pilot station. Evasion, ship! Evasion! Can you scan them, Noahtoo? How well armed are they? Someone target those boneheads!

I am in pilot mode my captain. Someone else must handle the science officer responsibilities.

Scanning the ship is reasonable important to know armaments and firing arcs. Also, is the enemy ship so large that it takes two hexes?

N2- Check. I saw you taking Ace Pilot theme, but missed you saying explicitly that you wanted to pilot. GM- can we get a roster on the Campaign page?

Ed cocks his head in confusion a moment then goes back to throwing out commands. Oh. Right! Evade, Noahtoo! Evade! Toady, can you scan their weapon systems? Paeon, see if you can negotiate. Um, Nipper, what do you do again? Get ready to shoot them or something! Ed collapses in the Captain's chair already looking exhausted.

Paeon sits up as the commotion around his begins to ramp up,

'Ship, if you wouldn't mind patching me through.. Captain if you would be so kind as to speak in the pact world common language so all those might benefit from our conversation. I am Paeon Tel'domah. Commander Hebiza has informed us that those of the Corpse Fleet are trained in sentient languages. I would advise against boarding at this time, I remain infected by Akata.. '

I LIED: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

'Speaking of Commander Hebiza Eskolar of the Corpse Fleet, we met him earlier and our crew jettisoned him when the Hippo was recalled to Absolam station, we couldn't be sure if it was being stolen so we ensured our cargo was safe. Do you travel on behalf of Nor?'

Sense Motive?: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (14) - 1 = 13

Paeon clears his throat,

'Oh, right.. If we are boarded, Commander Hebiza will be lost to space... forever.'

Intimidate: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

'However, if you chose to remain in your craft. We can come to an arrangement. We were promised.. 5. wait, maybe 600 credits for the return of the Commander, each. If you want the coordinates to the Commander now, without Nor's personal command to us, i will sell you the information for 1000credits per crew member. Otherwise, we will continue on our mission.'

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

bad rolls for all my charisma :(

Well this rat would like to get paid. Let's see what this tug can do.

"Weapon systems are online. Shall I fire a warning shot or should we just play for keeps?

"Then again, we don't have the meat popsicle onboard, so we could just agree to be searched, but that's less fun."

@Paeon: Intimidate and diplomacy both do the same thing, try to make the opponent more friendly. Intimidate just makes them not like you after the effect wears off. Don't think they stack.

@Noah: No its just a single hex - fixed now.
@Ed: No problemo. I'll put the current crew stations/roles up
@All: Busy night ahead with a socially distanced catchup w/ friends. Will get a decent post up on the morrow.

If might help if you could also post the turn order. At one time I knew that but I have forgotten and with new roles it might have changed. Ed, I recommend you give any optional ship bonus to Piloting initially. Would really like them to go first to see their speed and what arc they want us in.

Ed's curiosity overrides his panic for the moment. Yeah, we've got a previous arrangement so what's your claim on the package? Ed adds listening for the response.

Assist Paeon's sense motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

hells, can I just sense motive on my own? :P

@ Ed , maybe our antennae are in sync. @Nipper, will do, was just making some preemptive rolls based on the dialogue.. was leaving it up to GM to decide if they were necessary..

Ok. A lot going on with parley and red-alerts! Dealing with the ongoing dialogue... which gives you pause and time to prep

The comms channel from the Iron Rictus hiss, then you hear the croaky voice of Captain Kul-Ancs in heavily accented Pact World Common;

”Finally. Ve speak to one vun who may haf answers… Clearly the true leader. Excellent. You are infected? Do not vorry. Such mortal pestilences are ov little consequence to zhis crew. Ve can however send over our necromedikal team to see if they kan alleviate your symptoms? Cleanse any others infected.

”So you conversed vith Commander Hebiza? Interesting… I vonder vhat did you speak of? As for zhis “Hippo” you mention ve haf no record of such a vessel or individual. Again do enlighten me further…”

”As for Nor. No ve are not engaged by zhat… by him. However if zhe location of Commander Hebiza vere to be lost to him, zhat would be of benefit to us...

”A counter offer then. Give us zhe Commander’s location and ve let you and your ship continue on your mission of grave importance. Failure to comply vill result in your old ship being, at best disabled, and any survivors becoming our chattel."

Paeon: From the above you discern that your bluff attempt likely failed. Anyone listening (outwit Paeon & Ed who can read spoiler) can you give me a DC10 Sense Motive check please.

Sense Motive: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (17) - 2 = 15

Even Noan, who was born very recently and not good at read humans recognizes the lie and threat and bluff of sure success. One of the things their necro guys would cure is your "life". And my read is that they intend to fight no matter what we say or do. I highly recommend battle stations. Maybe get a science scan before things go bad?

Paeon looks to Ed amused..

Will give a chance for some thoughts.. We can either double cross Nor, or we can try to dispatch with these guys.. If we want to spacefight, i think that we should try to 'lead' them to the dropped package, and then open fire.. hoping for a surprise round?

Replying to Rictus,

'A moment please Captain Kul-Ancs, request to board for medical assistance is denied.'

To our ship...

'Computer! Do you have knowledge of Captain Kul-Ancs? Noah, anything in your database? Is he Eox government?'

To the Rictus,

'If you wish to know what myself and the Commander spoke of, you will have to trade for it, nothing is free. I would also request a moment to confer with colleagues if you will.'

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

I guess we have the chance to either.. Aid the Eox Government, or Aid the Eox Corpse Fleet (who were.. renegades if i recall?

I was hoping for a scan on the Rictus to see what we're facing. Where's the Toad? Maybe Noah2 can do it if Toad is glitching.

Yeah. Corpse Fleet is rogue. Is it a culture check to try and figure out which side Ancs is on? Another sense motive?

Scan would be a DC10 Computers check (w/ +2 Bonus from Maiden's Computer systems)

At Paeon's behest D.A.W.N. attempts to collate any reference to Kul-Ancs:

<ACCESSING DATABASES FOR YOU NOW MISTER TEL'DOMAH. APOLOGIES. NOTHING LOCATED ON CAPTAIN KUL-ANCS. IT IS POSSIBLE HE PRE-DATES CURRENT RECORDS.>

We are not in "Helm Phase" so I am not sure I can scan but will give it a try.

While captain types talk Noah shifts to Science mode and scans the necro vessel.

Computers: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 13 + 2 = 35 +2 is from the ship.

Yeah you can - not in combat but don't see the issue in scanning in a passive scenario. Was a staple of original Star Trek... :)

Noah shares his scan data. She is fast and light Ed. Faster than us but our shields are better. She outguns us easily in the forward arc so we need to stay out of that and take advantage of our turret mounted lpb. We may have to run from their torpedos but our rear firing flack thrower should help protects us as long as we can maintain some distance. Of course we area already too close.

Issue is that the enemy is faster than us and the Light Plasma Torpedo Launcher has a range of 14. So if we are 14 hexes or closer and in the forward arc in firing phase we will likely take 3d8 damage. Note that right now we are 11 hexes away and in their forward arc. If we are within 10 hexes and in that deadly forward arc then we will also be shot at with their Light Particle Beam for another 3d6. So, again its super important that we win the piloting roll, making them move first. Some good news is that if we can get behind them they cannot fire at us.

We could give them the coordinates, and allow them to get ahead of us.. and hit them from behind for a surprise round? would give us the advantage of starting from behind them? To clarify, Eox is part of the pact worlds, but the corpse fleet is a rogue extension of Eox? Would attacking this ship be against pact world ... treaty? or is this corpse fleet as well?

Ed transmits to his companions. I don't trust any Eoxians, Paeon. But at least we know that Nor is supposed to be part of the Pact. I'm sensing Corpse Fleet all over these creeps though.

He looks nervous as Noahtoo recounts the Eoxian ships stats. Fast and well armed. I'd rather not fight, but I think that you're right, if it comes to it we have to hit them from behind.

I am against giving them the real coordinates of the 'package". It buys us nothing and many things could go wrong. They could call a ally near by etc. Its important to me to complete that mission of delivering that package.

@Paeon: Yup, Eox are part of the Pact World but the Corpse Fleet see themselves as true "patriots" rather than a rogue splinter group. They are outlawed by Eox and enemies of the Pact Worlds. Attacking them would not be an act of war against Eox (presuming they are indeed Corpse Fleet... :)

As you mull the next course of action, Kul-Ancs replies to Paeon's statement through the comms;

"A pity. Der offer ov medikal assistance vas sincere... As for a bargain. I offer you vunce again: The Kommander's coordinates for your lives... A fair trade yesss?"

Well, my(Paeon's) opinion isn't that we are going to get a better bargain with these guys. We are threatened and should engage them. Kill or be killed.

Paeon transmits to the crew,

Doesn't seem like there's anything to be gained, and they aren't letting us get away. Ed, what's your call? I think we have to fight.

To the Corpse Fleet,

'Ksshhh, coordinates are as fo--ows. Kshh, krsshh, alp-a...---ro, ksshh.... -err...........'

Note - this is not me railroading you guys into a scrap. Far from it, if you can get creative on this I'll run with it also As written in the AP its an ambush fight, no dialogue, but as is my want I'm injecting more leeway and flavour into these set pieces.

@ GMBD .. absolutely much more enjoyable :) . The only alternative here is we join the Corpse Fleet and try to unravel the Pact Worlds... which seems fun (and paeon could be interested) :) but not sure that's our crews direction.

Ya, let's not join the rebel zombie army, there's no real profit to me made in that.

"Can't run from this one. Besides, there's no guarantee they wont just want to take care of us pesky witnesses anyways."

I don't want to be a zombie, Ed gulps. How close are they Noahtoo? Can we manuever behind them?

Startoad who’s been listening while fiddling away with his station pokes his head up when they start discussing the pact worlds and the eoxians. “I don’t trust these dead longshanks. CIC, is helping now and she doesn’t think we should work with them either!”

The wire attached to his console let’s the words “The goblin is correct.” Appear on the screen next to him.

NOW, Noahtoo! Evade and Circle around. Ed encourages.

Encourage Piloting: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

Attempting to help Noah perform a "Hard Turn" as Chief Mate.. dunno if it's useful or not for this situation.

Athletics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

DC = 14, 10+1.5xship level.. 3

As Ed shouts Paeon also begins shouting and bashing almost frantically at the ships console as alarms blare warning at the crew,

'Let's see, just turn those that way, turn off those alarms..

One final smash of the console as a calm falls over the bridge, alarms silenced (aside from Ed),

'There ya go Noah, that should do it.. Oh by the way.. HOLD ON'

It's on! STARSHIP COMBAT ROUND 1

[ENGINEERING PHASE]

Iron Rictus Engineering DC13 - Divert: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

[HELM PHASE]

Iron Rictus Piloting: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

Noah give me a Piloting check please. Effectively determining who goes first post Engineering phase. Lowest role goes first. Remember Ed's +2 from his successful encouragement :)

Piloting: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 11 + 2 = 27

Okay - any actions from Maiden's Engineering in the meantime?

3d6 + 5 ⇒ (4, 6, 1) + 5 = 16 Amount of Hexes between your two vessels... map readjusted.

[HELM PHASE]

As cessation of conflict ends, the Iron Rictus glides ominously forward [10 MOVE, 1 TURN]

Scan DC10: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Suddenly DAWN's tone injectes with a warning;

<WARNING CREW. VESSEL DESIGNATED AS IRON RECTUM IS SCANNING US>

As the Exian vessel shifts to get the Maiden in her sights, the comms channel crackles once again with their Captain's croaking voice;

"Ve see you now. Your paltry defences... Soon you vil all be bones and meat. Raw materials to be harvested... Prepare to be flensed... Especially you Acolitis Ed... "

Intimidate DC19: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24 -2 on actions in Helm Phase for 1d4 ⇒ 2 Rounds

Crew Up - Engineering (if required to go) and all Actions in Helm Phase - Note -2 penalty due to successful taunt. Have at it folks!

We have the move to get behind her but that will leave us close. I think that is fine. We need to fight and some good rolls will put some damage on her hull. I am unsure who has what roll. How many gunners do we have? If only 1 then do not have to worry about bringing an arc to bear.

I think I'm the only gunner, so ya arc doesn't really matter, unless we want to fire at will with the -4 modifiers.

Maybe Startoad should gun this round too? I can line up the flack thrower for a shot - our second best weapon and hardest to use. Gonna do it. Two gunners please... With no damage we do not have to have engineering. Bonuses to the guns if we can.

Noah, believing that since his ship is more heavily shielded and slower decides to take an aggressive position. Believing that the enemy cannot fire upon them Noah does not bother with evasive maneuvers.

I can man a gun as well

Nice... interesting strategy. The Game is afoot!

Suddenly bereft of their plum target, the Iron Rictus spews forth one of its plasma torpedos!

Gunnery vs TL13: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19

The glowing projectile launches, then wheels ominously towards the Maiden as it secures a lock...

Give me a defensive Gunnery check someone - your Flak Thrower can destroy the torpedo with a successful DC24 check :S. NB this does not use up your Gunnery actions this round (is more like a "defensive attack of opportunity")

Edit: Also remember DAWN can grant you +1 to any 2 checks per round, +2 Computers, & +1 Piloting

I think anyone with high dex or piloting, noah? or nipper?.. paeon can't even succeed here or help with chief officer actions..

I have never been an expert in these rules and have forgotten some of what I knew but I am pretty sure those torpedos have to be in firing arc as well as regular weapons to target...No?