GM Kate's Commencement [closed] (Inactive)

Game Master Kate Baker

Oops! Sorry, didn't see that.

Reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

As Zal turns, he gets crushed by the wave of fans. "Ow. Ow ow ow."

Zoomy hovers above the rushing crowd, bouncing up and down as it looks at Zal. XD

Reflex: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

Unfortunately, the crowd doesn't even seem to notice Rafflesia standing obliviously in their path of destruction, and pushes the ysoki over on their way to the front counter.

failing a save by ONE is so much worse than just totally biffing it ='(

Reflex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Null can only put up a hand to signal "stop" before the fervent wave of fandom knocks them to the ground.

As they crawl outside, bits of electronic junk falling off in a pathetic trail behind them, they say to nobody in particular "xxiii'd like to go now."

Albums acquired! (And only minor injuries sustained.) We still need to know whether Pokya avoided the crowd, but would you prefer to drop the albums off now or go straight to the warehouse?

I vote let's go finish our mission first.

Same!

Botting for Pokya, per request.

Reflex save: 1d20 ⇒ 9

Pokya, trying hard to protect her companions from the vicious crowd, takes 1 point of damage when several androids trample her toes. So that's one point off your stamina. Sorry!

Station security allows you through the force barrier set up around the perimeter of the warehouse.

The doors to the warehouse were forced open and no longer lock. The warehouse ceiling is 30 feet high, and a catwalk runs 15 feet above the floor. The crates and vehicle are approximately 5 feet tall, while the cylindrical containers and the crate-filled scaffolding are 10 feet tall. Climbing the crates and scaffolding requires a successful DC 10 Athletics check. A pit in the warehouse floor is 10 feet deep. The scattered junk on the floor creates an area of difficult terrain. The lights on the catwalk are not bright enough to illuminate the area, leaving the warehouse in dim light.

There is currently no sign of the feather stalker.

Hey, there's a map up on Slide 2! I put you in a reasonable marching order, but feel free to switch yourselves around. What would you like to do?

Pokya hobbles along on bruised toes, but manages to keep up with the group.

There's a bit of a clicking sound as one long clawed finger taps absently at a credstick in Pokya's pocket. The vesk's face is pensive, belatedly realizing that buying a copy of the album means there's only 4 credits left.

As they enter the warehouse, Pokya shrugs and pulls out the light reaction cannon peering around, focusing attention and aim of the reaction cannon on the catwalk.

Pokya quietly asks the group, "Should we stick in a cluster with our backs to each other or fan out into formation and do a sweep?"

"That catwalk looks like a good spot for anyone more comfortable at range. I'm going right down the middle, and I'd be happy to have you beside me." With that, Rogers begins to slowly move forward into the room, doshko at the ready.

Tuudak's "eye" sheds dull orange light into the gloom. "If I get a quill through either of these albums, I'm going to be very cross." He crouches low and moves to Rogers's left, glancing about for any sign of the creature. His well-balanced, readied stance is slightly at odds with his scholar's robes and generally pleasant demeanor.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Stealth: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

"I will secure a position on the catwalk." Zal timidly sneaks up the stairs to the left, pistol in hand.

Zal focuses on his custom rig, issuing a command to Zoomy. The drone beeps softly, flying above the cylindrical container behind Rogers.

Still no sign of the creature!

Null heads for the northern catwalk, scanning the room while slowly moving along the wall toward the pit.

Seeing his allies move into position, Rogers edges farther forward.

Still no sign! You're not in rounds currently, but everyone can take one more action and then we'll see what happens.

Null continues along the northern catwalk, splitting their attention between the melee vanguard and the pit.

Zal moves along the catwalk, keeping eyes on the middle of the room.

Zoomy hovers forward over the cylindrical containers and stops above a crate near Rogers.

Creeping into the warehouse, Pokya watches Zal and Null scramble up to the catwalks, and decides to stick to the ground level.

I don't like this...
An azimuth pistol appears in Tuudak's hand, its dark body glinting in the orange light, and the nuar creeps forward amongst the cylindrical containers.

There is a sudden burst of magic from on top of the scaffolding! A shimmering pile of feathers suddenly becomes noticeable, nestled among the crates.

It got a single surprise round action, and now we are in regular initiative.

Zaldekan
Pokya
Rogers
Rafflesia
Feather stalker
Tuudak
Null.0

Zal, Pokya, Rogers, and Rafflesia are up! Play-by-post generally uses block initiative to speed things along. Everyone who is up before the monster may post their actions in whatever order. If your action depends on what another character does, feel free to post an if-then statement.

I'll also allow a new Life Science check for information as you are seeing it in person and that might jog your memory more than a video did!

Athletics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Rogers runs forward, trying to vault off the vehicle in front of him and up onto the scaffolding in an effort to disrupt the creature before it can start launching feathery doom at the party.

Unfortunately, his foot slips as he tries to step up onto the vehicle and what he imagined as a majestic leap ends up being a disappointing thud against the scaffolding as he barely keeps his feet (failed by less than 5, so don't fall, I think). Sheepishly, he stows his doshko and prepares to climb.

Zaldekan rushes along the catwalk with pistol in hand, trying to get a better shot at the feather stalker. As he runs, Zal assumes direct control of Zoomy, commanding the drone to fly closer and fire its pulsecaster pistol at the beast.

Zoomy's pulsecaster pistol shot: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Zoomy does not quite hit. Rogers prepares to climb the scaffolding after a failed jump.

Pokya and Rafflesia are up!

Rafflesia squeals in terror and covers her eyes as the feather stalker makes its flashy appearance, but she quickly pulls herself together enough to get just into range to take a shot with her laser pistol.

Azimuth Laser Pistol: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

...Rafflesia chuckles to herself and glances around to make sure no one noticed that she forgot to take her hand from over her eyes.

Pokya takes aim and squeezes the trigger on the light reaction cannon.

Light Reaction Cannon: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

Rafflesia misses with her weapon, but Pokya takes aim with her massive firearm and hits the bundle of feathers firmly in its center of mass.

Unfortunately, the shimmery force surrounding its feather crackles, sending an arc back toward Pokya.

9 damage back to Pokya, or succeed at a DC 11 Reflex save to only take 4. Sorry! On the bright side, the spell is dismissed now, so it can't do that again!

The creature moves slightly and aims a feather harpoon at the little buzzing drone approaching the scaffolding.

feather attack!: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
ouch, poor Zoomy!: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Zaldekan
Pokya
Rogers
Rafflesia
Feather stalker -9hp
Tuudak
Null.0

The party is up!

Crap! Gotta get up there before it fires on anyone else!

Athletics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Rogers climbs up the scaffolding and advances on the monster, drawing his doshko as he goes. As he approaches the creature, he brings his weapon across in a mighty arc.

Doshko attack!: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Ouch!: 1d12 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10 Piercing.

Rogers connects, sending feathers flying!

Null slams their staff into the scaffolding to brace themself as they cast magic missile as a full action, sending three bolts of force careening almost 100 feet across the room. The first two missiles carve wild arcs through the air and nearly die out just before hitting, but the the third pulses directly at the feather stalker.

Missiles: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (1, 1, 4) + 3 = 9

Reflex: 1d20 ⇒ 19

Tuudak emerges from the cluster of cylinders and heads towards the scaffolding. His hooves clack against the metal floor and raise a rattling, clattering cacophony when he sprints through the scattered junk.

Skidding to a halt, he raises his pistol in both hands, and squeezes off a shot—the ruby dart goes wide. "Damn."
He frowns, and the orange light in his eye socket flickers and dampens. Graviton attuned 1
He shoots a glance over his shoulder towards Rafflesia. "Ha, and I even had my eyes open! I need to book more time at the range."

Azimuth laser pistol: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Null's bolts of force make the creature shudder, and Pokya dodges the brunt of the reflected shot!

Zal, Rafflesia, and Pokya can take their round 2 turns!

Zoomy rights itself after the heavy blow, a >_< on its display.

It takes another shot at the feather stalker before following an order from Zaldekan to retreat.

pulescaster pistol: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1 E

Zoomy hits, frying a few feathers before backing off!

Creature is at -29 hit points! Rafflesia and Pokya are up.

Pokya takes another shot and then tries to move 5ft (forward, diagonally left) immediately before the feather stalker can reflect it back.

Light Reaction Cannon: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

Pokya hits! This time, there is no arc back.

Botting for Rafflesia:

The ysoki attempts another shot with the laser pistol!

attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

And the feather stalker goes down! Well done!

If you want to look around the crates a little bit, please attempt a Perception check.

Rogers steadies himself on his backswing, then stops himself from swinging again when he sees the creature fall. "Nice shootin' folks! Now," he pauses to look around, "let's see what we can find in this new home of ours!"

Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (16) + 0 = 16

Rogers finds 1d4 ⇒ 1: a battery!

The crackling sounds of Null's patchy electrical system fade as the android returns to a regular standing posture.

To Rogers:
"xxiiindeed. Most efficient."

Null attempts to survey the room, but sparks from their junk armor interfere with their vision.

Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (3) + 0 = 3

Zaldekan heads back down to the ground floor from the catwalk. A sparking and smoking Zoomy wobbly hovers back to the vesk, and he catches the drone as it flies into his arms.

"Don't worry—I'll get you fixed up as soon as I can."

Zal walks out onto the ground floor while cradling Zoomy, joining the others in looking around the room.

Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (14) + 0 = 14

Null doesn't find much, but Zaldekan finds 1d4 ⇒ 4 a medpatch!

"Well, shall we go report to Ziggy, then see what tasks the Dataphiles head has for us?"

Null nods at Rogers before approaching Zaldekan.

They hold out their hand to Zoomy and ask the drone "xxmmmay I help? It would take about 10 minutes."

You definitely have time! This scenario is a little vague on how long you have to do everything, but given how long your tasks so far have taken, it's pretty reasonable to go home and sleep after you report back to Ziggy.

Pokya pokes around the warehouse too.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 8

Pokya unfortunately does not find anything, perhaps still rattled by the attack from the feather stalker.

I'm assuming that you will bring Ziggy their album now. They squeal with utter delight. "Oh, how could you have possibly known that I wanted a copy too! I can't wait to listen to this; it will make great music to get the new headquarters set up to! Oh, but I've got to give you something, too...I wish I could offer you more credits for the work you've done." They offer you a charge cloak, a set of basic iridishell armor, a pair of incendiary grenades 1, and 400 credits. "Have fun with the grenades, but don’t blow yourselves
up—I like you!"

You can sleep before going to see Historia-7 for the Dataphiles mission.

"Thanks, Ziggy. I think with a little love that warehouse will make a great home base!"

After making plans to meet his compatriots in the morning, Rogers heads home to his apartment, stopping only for an oat-cake sandwich and some corn fritters for dinner on his way home.

Pokya sees others making arrangements for resting and shifts uncomfortably from foot to foot. "Someone should probably make sure no other creatures decide to try infesting the warehouse now that the feather stalker has been dealt with. I'll rest up back there and my presence should keep any unwanted pests at bay for the time being."

Pokya passes a pleasant enough evening in the warehouse, and nothing else attacks.

In the morning, everyone arrives to meet Historia-7, the Dataphiles' leader, for your next assignment. The Lorespire Complex, home and heart of the Starfinder Society, is a striking campus dedicated to knowledge. Communal labs and historical departments study the Archives’ massive collection of artifacts and texts, gathered by generations of agents from across the galaxy. A quick search of the directory indicates Historia-7 frequents the Archives’ Cortex, a computerized matrix containing digital records of the Starfinder Society’s most prominent discoveries.

The android reclines on a raised chair and is plugged into the local infosphere when the doors open. The neural cables detach themselves from her neck as she swivels in her seat to address the new arrivals. “Greetings, Starfinders,” she says calmly. “I am Historia-7. If you are seeking a mission from me, please be aware that my request requires both discretion and speed. Do not accept it if you feel incapable of working within these parameters.

“I discovered someone recently hacked into Bluerise Tower’s computer systems and stole a large amount of sensitive data from the resident corporations. I wish to be privy to this information. I managed to trace the hacker’s location through many proxies and erased the trail so that station and corporate security should be delayed in their pursuit. This deception will not fool them for long, so you must move quickly to retrieve the data before they can recover it. I will leave you to decide what to do with the hacker afterward, but should it be feasible, I believe that person would be an asset to the Society.”