GM Dinketry and the Dead Suns AP (Inactive)

Game Master dinketry

"If that's true, we'll be happy to deliver that information. As a neutral party, our goal is to recover any data we can pertaining to what happened so things can be turned over to whoever has a legal right to it."

August obviously doesn't consume coffee - it would reveal far too much of himself.

He coughs at Diamaante's statement.

"I'm sure what my colleague meant to say is that we'll keep an open mind to come up with a factual basis to help resolve the issue. Certainly we'll forward any information regarding the crew to you so you can inform next of kin. However our findings will be forwarded to Ambassador Nor who retains final judgement."

"And on that note do you have a copy of the contract between the Acreon and AE?"

Idar politely mimes taking a sip of the coffee under his scarf, for politeness sake, but doesn't really drink. Coffee isn't his drink, and he also knows that desert-dwelling Akitonians tend to make strong beverages to cover a lack of water quality.

"No, I don't have a copy of the contract between Astral Extractions and the Acreon. I'm sure that Astral Extractions has a copy, and there's likely a copy in the Acreon's files. Might be worth taking a look at, that."

Captain Serissi answers all of your questions and implores you to do your best to find out what happened to the crew of the Acreon. Once the conversation and the coffee has run dry, you make your way back to the Hippocampus and pull away from the Dust Runner with a farewell from Otal. Your ship's computer suggests a 90 minute voyage to the quarantine zone around the Acreon and the Drift Rock, and you all settle into your stations again.

As you move further away from Absalom Station and the Armada, you get a good view of the gigantic space platform ringed by the constantly-moving flotilla of spaceships and detritus. Its strange beauty isn't lost on any of you.

Just GM stuff: 3d6 + 5 ⇒ (4, 6, 1) + 5 = 16

"We have time for film, yes? Suggestions?"

"I've always been partial to the Space Race series--and not just because I have a supporting role in the seventh one," Diamaante giggles.

Computers: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

Jaxom attempts to keep emotion from his voice as he announces, ”Captain! There is a ship coming towards us. Zero bearing drift confirmed. We are on a collision course! I recommend we do something.”

"Huh?" Diamaante hurried back to the captain's chair. "Alright, evasive maneuvers! Let's scan the ship and try to opening a hailing frequency."

Idar has to pull out of the in-flight entertainment catalogue as the captain calls for evasive manoeuvres.

Map

An alarm suddenly sounds in the cockpit at Idar's station.

Round 1!

Engineer, please give me your actions at the top of the round!

"I knew we should have headed straight to the Acreon."

"Incoming ship powering weapons. Am detecting targeting sensors."

Idar tends his panel, powering their own weapons and de-activating safety interlocks.

Divert Power (DC 12): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Telion fumbled with the controls for a moment, before calling out, "Damn it, does anyone know what the symbol for power distribution looks like? I can't find anything more than a recurring message that the engine is 'operating within normal parameters' and 'shields are at 100% power.'"

GM roll: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

Diamaante, as captain, you can go whenever you'd like. Just let me know what your roll is affecting when you do so.

Telion growls from his Engineering station, failing to boost the engines much past their growing groan.

August, what action are you taking as a pilot? Flying doesn't require a check, and your turn radius is already zero, so your roll suggests a stunt. I need you to tell me which stunt.

The small ship appears on the heads-up tactical display at all stations. The klaxon sounds a bit more urgent.

Science Officer, you're acting after your Pilot this round. You may act!

I thought we opposed pilot rolls and that decided who moved first?

Yup, you're right, August. Apologies. Still getting stuff wrong...

GM roll: 1d20 + 1 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 1 + 13 = 32 I think you're going first.

You watch the ship come blazing in towards your shuttle, hot and heavy.

Don't forget that you get a +1 to any 3 checks per round.

Pilot may move the ship on the map (and do a stunt, if you'd like) and Science Officer may act!

No worries! I can't move on my phone sadly! But I'll turn towards the ship and try to close.

August sees the incoming ship and turns aggressively to attack, throwing the ship into an evasive pattern.

Piloting: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23 Evade action DC 12

"Executing evasive pattern Aleph! Idar, get the guns ready."

There is a thunk and a whir from somewhere behind the bridge as the ship's turret is freed and begins to pivot.

"Guns online." The high-pitch whine of capacitors can be heard through the body of the small shuttle. "Taking power."

Idar briefly looks over his should at the hovering camera-drone, slightly happy for the impartial recording that this is self defense.

Idar redirects the forward laser controls to August's station, since the pilot is in a better position to point the whole ship at a target.
If I'm reading the rules correctly, Idar can only fire one gun, but another crew member can make a Snap Shot at -2 penalty as long as they do it first.

"Am tracking target. Warning shots?"

FYI August, you get a +3 to all Piloting checks in this ship.

GM roll: 1d10 ⇒ 10

Idar, that's not how I see 'Snap Shot' working. I've posted my explanation in the Discussion thread.

The aggressively-moving smaller ship whizzes around to the starboard side of the Hippocampus, bearing down on the ship's flank. The signalling klaxon now has changed to a solid alarming tone.

Awaiting Jaxom and his Helm action as the Science Officer.

Computers: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 10 + 2 = 14 Fail

Jaxom attempts to help the guns zero in on the enemy’s engines...

Computers: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 10 + 2 = 15

”Shoot for her engines,” Jaxom says over the intercom.

That’s a “Target System” Action. If successful our weapons Crit on 19/20and the Crit damage goes right to the systems targeted, or something like that.

Gunnery phase! Idar and Diamaante, give me some rolls!

Idar drops his reticle over the incoming ship and discharges the coilgun.

With a loud electric *crack* and a noticeable thud of recoil, the coilgun dumps its capacitor banks into a tremendous magnetic field, propelling a ferrous slug the size of a man's fist out the barrel at a speed best described as 'ridiculous'.

Gunnery: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10Plus whatever bonus from Diamaante.

The capacitor whine recurs as the machinery prepares for a second shot.

Oops, I missed the update yesterday! Sorry for the delay!

"Idar, you better make this count! We need to disable that ship now. Open fire!" Diamaante shouts, adrenaline pumping as the battle is joined.

Intimidate (Demand) DC 16: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

That should add +4 to Idar's attack roll.

We can also grab a +1 from the computer's trinode (which I should have done in the first place), so does 15 hit?

Damage?: 4d4 ⇒ (3, 3, 1, 4) = 11

Idar rotates the coilgun in the direction of the incoming ship, but just as his blast goes off, the sleek ship banks to the left and the slug sails off into unfettered space.

The unidentified ship lets loose a barrage of lasers from its forward arc on the Hippocampus' starboard flank.

Ranged Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 201d8 ⇒ 2 HIT! - 2 hp to starboard shields

The ships jostles slightly as the glancing laser blasts are absorbed by the starboard shields.

Round 2! - Engineering Phase

Telion (and Diamaante if you'd like), you're up!

GM roll: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

Telion, you're up!

I'll enact GM-Bot for Telion, who will divert energy to mend the shields.

GM Bot for Telion, Divert Energy, +1 Bonus (1 of 3): 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 1 = 24 SUCCESS - shields mended!

Telion finds the power distribution coupling he's been searching for. With a surging noise, a rush of fusion core energy restores the shields.

Round 2! - Helm Phase

August, give us a Piloting check!

GM roll: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 14 + 1 = 26

Piloting: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29 Flyby!

August pulls hard on the control yoke and moves the Hippocampus into an arc that allows them to overshoot the attacking spacecraft.

"Idar, I'm lining up on this bastard! Get ready to hit it with everything we've got."

Idar preps the magnetic cannon to fire as August completes his flyby, using the computer to help compensate for the sudden changes in direction. Declaring my intent to take a +1 from the computer.

Coilgun: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 5 + 1 = 25
Damage: 4d4 ⇒ (2, 4, 1, 4) = 11

August, you move second this round. I need you to complete a separate Piloting check for the Flyby manoeuvre.

"Keep her steady, Mister Vydoc! Full speed ahead!"

Encourage (Diplomacy DC 15): 1d20 + 10 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 10 + (2) = 18

+2 to August's Piloting check for the flyby maneuver.

Also, as the enemy moves first, you may want to re-think the Flyby. Check the map.

Whoops! Honestly rolling piloting each turn for initiative seems cumbersome; I wonder if they'll change that.

Piloting: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 11 + 2 = 18 Vs. DC 15 + 1.5xEnemy Starship Tier so that still works on any ship Tier 2 or below?

August, you get a +3 to all Piloting checks while using the Hippocampus. Your roll for the Flyby manoeuvre met the requirements, but the manoeuvre is useless this round as you won't be able to "fly by" the enemy ship - it's too far away.

"Idar, I'm lining up on this bastard! Get ready to hit it with everything we've got."

August, please move your ship on the map where you'd like the ship to go. (6 movement hexes).

As August swings the ship around to prepare for a blistering strafing run, the enemy ship beats the Hippocampus to the punch, strafing it and flying out of range for a reprisal. The only consolation is Idar, whose guns were prepped by August's words to fire.

Jaxom, you have a Science Officer action to make this round. Idar has already rolled his attack roll, and I'd suggest you revisit his post before choosing your option for this phase.

I'm including the + 3 when I roll + 11; my normal piloting roll would be + 8

Oops!

Jaxom, you’re up!

Jaxom again tries to help the guns zero in on the enemy’s engines...

Computers: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 10 + 2 = 17

”I said the engines!”

That’s a “Target System” Action. If successful our weapons Crit on 19/20and the Crit damage goes right to the systems targeted, or something like that.

Ranged Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 81d8 ⇒ 6 MISS!

The enemy ship comes strafing straight by the Hippocampus, allowing everyone on board a full view of the eerie repose of the ship's sole occupant, laid fully supine with their eyes wide open as they shoot by the ship.

The enemy ship's lasers target poorly at close range, however, missing off your port side. Idar, on the other hand, does not miss, scoring a critical hit to the enemy's...

GM roll: 1d100 ⇒ 3

...life support systems!

A huge gout of fire erupts within the very small ship, perilously close to where the pilot lies in some form of catatonic concentration.

Round 3 - Engineering Phase!

GM roll: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
GM-Bot for Telion, Divert Power (Engines): 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 6 + 1 = 22 SUCCESS! +2 to Speed this round

Round 3 - Helm Phase!

GM roll: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 14 + 1 = 16

August, give me the first Piloting roll of this round!

Shouldn't there be 4d4 more damage for the crit? Shouldn’t it be against propulsion?

Piloting: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25

August, you pilot second this round again. Jaxom, you and August both may make your Helm checks for actions!

I've addressed your questions, Jaxom, in the Discussion thread.

GM roll: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 14 + 1 = 34

The enemy ship seems to be taking evasive manoeuvres, but squaring around to face your ship off your rear starboard side.

The fire in the cockpit of the enemy ship seems to have extinguished, but the ship seeks to moving somewhat erratically as it speeds past you.

Correction for engines glitching, not life support systems.

Piloting: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28

August will turn twice and pursue towards the small vessel.

No special move? No roll necessary for just moving.

"Hit them again, Idar! Right up their exhaust port!" Diamaante shouts, eagerly leaning forward in her chair. Her eyes twinkle with excitement.

Intimidate DC 16 (Demand): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

+4 on Idar's next attack roll.

Awaiting Jaxom's Science Officer action.

Jaxom, give us your Science Officer action when you can. Idar, go ahead and give us your Gunnery check.

Ranged Attack on Hippocampus: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 71d8 ⇒ 7

Ha!