GM Kate's Commencement [closed] (Inactive)

Game Master Kate Baker

Zal catches a glimpse of Zoomy bouncing up and down as it excitedly spectates the race, but remembering the mission, he refocuses on the task at hand. Using the remote, he attempts to swing his energy weapon to try to hit Ratrod at point-blank range.

Energy weapon: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

As Zal is about to fire, his peripheral vision catches a storm of flowing locks emerging from a mysterious cardboard box. Distracted by the windswept Tuudak, Zal wildly misses.

Null glances up to read Jaboni's expression before aiming at Ratrod's racer again.

I wonder what compelled this person to boast. It's taking four of us just to keep up.

Kinetic weapon: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

Everyone unfortunately misses, but Rogers keeps the racer moving fast!

Lemgem goes faster than you thought she could!
gnome nonsense: 1d4 ⇒ 4 -> speed boost!
Piloting: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

Nyizin stalls out!
Piloting: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 8 - 4 = 5

Velocity keeps it up full speed!
Piloting: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16

Orsis stalls out!
Piloting: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Ratrod only goes half-speed, and looks furious about it! (morale condition in effect!)
Piloting: 1d20 + 10 - 8 ⇒ (11) + 10 - 8 = 13

(The race is to 3000 feet, by the way. I had forgotten to say.)

Laboni is out in front, but unfortunately, that makes her a target!

(Remember that an energy attack on Ratrod will help him! Party is up!)

The racers aim their weapons.

Lemgem aims at you and misses!
kinetic weapon: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Nyizin has no weapons.

Velocity aims at Lemgem and Ratrod. They hit Ratrod!
kinetic weapon: 1d20 ⇒ 4
kinetic weapon: 1d20 ⇒ 15

Orsis aims at you and Ratrod, and misses both.
energy weapon: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3
kinetic weapon: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4

Ratrod aims at you! He hits you and smiles! -4 to Rogers's piloting roll!
energy weapon: 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 5 - 2 = 17

Tuudak adjusts his aim and fires another blast at Velocity's racer, but the sudden hit notification and damage alerts on his console distract him. He grits his teeth in frustration as red icons reflect on the surface of his goggles.

Energy weapon: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Rogers flinches as Ratrod's blast hits their racer. "Bah! I've flown through worse!"

Piloting, ship, 1 hit: 1d20 + 8 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 8 + 5 - 4 = 20

Ha! Forgot about that, so good thing I missed!

Zal sees the shot from Lemgem fly at Laboni's racer, and he aims his weapon to return fire, but the shot—yet again—sails wide.

Energy weapon: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

Today is really not my day...

Null takes aim at Ratrod again, fires, and watches the shot kick up dirt.

How did I end up here?

Kinetic weapon: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Tuudak gestures emphatically at the remote control pod's main display. "Take your time, focus, and wait for the right shot There's no way we're losing!" He leans back over his controls, brow furrowed, the tip of his tongue extending from the corner of his mouth.

Zal actually hit against Lemgem's EAC!

Tuudak and Null unfortunately miss. Rogers keeps up the pace!

Lemgem stalls in place after big move last round!
gnome nonsense: 1d4 ⇒ 2
Piloting: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 6 - 4 = 6

Nyizin hits the wall!
Piloting: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Velocity keeps speeding along!
Piloting: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18

Orsis goes full throttle!
Piloting: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Ratrod tries to keep it together, but Pokya's insults keep rattling in his ears!
Piloting: 1d20 + 10 - 4 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 10 - 4 - 2 = 9

Frustrated, Nyizin pulls a lever and the armored panels of her racer pop off. The lightweight vehicle is suddenly the fastest one on the racetrack, but she has almost no protection!

Lemgem aims at you and hits! -4 to Rogers's piloting roll!
kinetic weapon: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

Nyizin has no weapons.

Velocity aims at Lemgem and Ratrod. They hit Lemgem!
kinetic weapon: 1d20 ⇒ 12
kinetic weapon: 1d20 ⇒ 6

Orsis aims at you and Ratrod, and misses both.
energy weapon: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0
kinetic weapon: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3

Ratrod aims at you! He misses!
energy weapon: 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 5 - 2 = 8

Party is up!

Piloting, ship, one hit: 1d20 + 8 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 5 - 4 = 14

"Steady...steady...stea-HEY, YOU OAF! WHERE'D YOU LEARN TO DRIVE!"

Breathe in... hold... Tuudak is mere inches from his console waiting for Velocity to come into his sights. "I've got you now, you—whoa!" Just as the vehicle moves within the crosshairs, however, the entire screen shifts violently to one side. "Rogers! What're you doing out there!?"

Energy weapon: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

"Yeah, yeah! Do you want me to hold it steady for your shot, or do you want me to try to dodge theirs? Can't exactly do both."

When the armored panels clatter onto the racetrack, Zal trains his sights on Nyizin's vehicle and fires, energy arcing toward the sleek vessel.

Energy weapon: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

Null's pupils narrow to pintpoints when they see Nyizin hit the wall, but they cock their head with interest when she drops her racer's armor and lurches forward.

An excellent gambit. I would like to see where this goes.

Null aims carefully, trying to miss Nyizin's racer by just a bit.

Kinetic weapon: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

Rogers has to slow down about after the gnome's direct hit.

Zal and Null both attack Nyizin, exposed in a bare frame.

Lemgem gets a burst of speed that sends her straight into a wall!
gnome nonsense: 1d4 ⇒ 4
Piloting: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 6 - 4 = 8

Nyizin moves full throttle, even with the penalties! You see her move an astonishing 750 feet!
Piloting: 1d20 + 8 - 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 - 8 = 19

Velocity keeps their speed steady!
Piloting: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16

Orsis tries to catch up!
Piloting: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Ratrod gets back up to half-speed!
Piloting: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 10 - 2 = 11

And the attacks begin again!

Lemgem aims at you and hits! -4 to Rogers's piloting roll!
kinetic weapon: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

Nyizin has no weapons.

Velocity aims at Nyzin and Ratrod. They hit both!
kinetic weapon: 1d20 ⇒ 19
kinetic weapon: 1d20 ⇒ 20

Orsis aims at you and Velocity, and hits Velocity.
energy weapon: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1
kinetic weapon: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (15) - 1 = 14

Ratrod aims at you and misses!
energy weapon: 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 5 - 2 = 11

"Grr, stupid gnome! Too busy shootin' us to drive straight!" Rogers grumbles, but manages to get the racer back up to speed trying to put more distance between them and the others.

Piloting, racer, 1 hit: 1d20 + 8 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 8 + 5 - 4 = 19

Tuudak's view screen rocks violently but quickly recovers. "You're a savant, Rogers! I'm sorry I ever doubted you!!" He leans in and nudges the targeting reticule onto Velocity's racer. "Now back off!"

Energy weapon: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

Whoops, Velocity promised to finish 2nd - send that shot at Nyizin instead!

Zal nods thoughtfully as Lemgem's vehicle slams into the wall and then miraculously hits Laboni's racer.

I must learn these advanced gnome techniques.

The burst of energy from Orsis's vehicle arcs overhead. Zal growls and aims his weapon at the lashunta's racer.

Energy weapon: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

Botting for Null

kinetic energy weapon toward Ratrod: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

Three shots and three hits!

As Rogers brings the finish line into sight, your opponents make their checks:

Lemgem's boost of speed is still going, but she's stuck in place!
gnome nonsense: 1d4 ⇒ 4
Piloting: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Nyizin's plan has backfired, as the heavy shots are preventing her from taking advantage of her extra speed!
Piloting: 1d20 + 8 - 4 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 8 - 4 - 4 = 3

Velocity keeps cruising along!
Piloting: 1d20 + 12 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 12 - 4 = 21

Orsis stalls out and shakes his fist!
Piloting: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 8 - 4 = 7

Ratrod is still struggling at half-speed!
Piloting: 1d20 + 10 - 4 - 4 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 10 - 4 - 4 - 2 = 15

The finish line is so close now! Can you make it?

Lemgem aims at you and misses!
kinetic weapon: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Nyizin has no weapons.

Velocity aims at Nyzin and Ratrod. They hit both!
kinetic weapon: 1d20 ⇒ 12
kinetic weapon: 1d20 ⇒ 17

Orsis aims at Velocity and you, and hits Velocity.
energy weapon: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (18) - 1 = 17
kinetic weapon: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (7) - 1 = 6

Ratrod aims at you! He scores a direct hit and grins, thinking he might still be in this! -4 to Rogers's piloting roll!
energy weapon: 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 5 - 2 = 19

"Argh! Give up, you furry little jerk!"

Piloting, racer, 1 hit: 1d20 + 8 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 8 + 5 - 4 = 11

Null sends their final shot into the dirt.

Forgoing action!

Given how poorly I rolled, we'll only move half speed this round and thus won't quite reach the line. We're likely to have one more round after this.

Zal takes aim at Orsis's vehicle.

Energy weapon: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

His shot hits the dirt in the same spot as Null's.

"Uh, haha! With victory almost assured, I join you, friend, in celebratory dirt shots! A beloved vesk tradition, believe it or not!

Tuudak's shot also goes wide! "I, ah. Yes, I'll also join in your beloved tradition. Intentionally."

Energy weapon: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Bluff: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

The three gunners make celebratory dirt shots, but a bit pre-emptively, as Rogers struggles to keep up the pace.

Lemgem pulls away from the wall!
gnome nonsense: 1d4 ⇒ 2
Piloting: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Nyizin has trouble with the aerodynamics of her bare vehicle and gets caught in place!
Piloting: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 8 - 4 = 9

Velocity keeps their second place position, as they continue at full speed!
Piloting: 1d20 + 12 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 12 - 4 = 26

Orsis tries to catch up!
Piloting: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

Ratrod devastated by your imminent victory, falls behind!
Piloting: 1d20 + 10 - 4 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 10 - 4 - 2 = 9

Everyone prepares for what may be their last attack rolls!

Lemgem aims at you and hits! -4 to Rogers's piloting roll!
kinetic weapon: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

Nyizin has no weapons.

Velocity aims at Orsis and Ratrod. They hit Ratrod!
kinetic weapon: 1d20 ⇒ 8
kinetic weapon: 1d20 ⇒ 19

Orsis aims at you and Velocity, and misses both.
energy weapon: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4
kinetic weapon: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 8

Ratrod aims at you! He just barely hits! Another -4 to Rogers's piloting roll!
energy weapon: 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 5 - 2 = 12

Party is up!

Running into the wall, not running into the wall... There must be something to this strategy—I just know it!

Zal shoots at Lemgem again, desperate to understand the gnome's esoteric racing style.

Energy weapon: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

"If you folks are done punishing the ground for what I am sure are various and sundry transgressions, can we get back to the race?"

Piloting, ship, 2 hits: 1d20 + 8 + 5 - 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 5 - 8 = 6 <-LOL

Startled by Lemgem's shot, Rogers frantically steers to avoid spinning out. He's just about corrected a nasty fish-tail wobble when Ratrod lands a perfectly timed blast, sending Laboni's racer careening into the wall!

Null's torso sparks violently and their whirring vocals sound harsher than usual.
"xxffffine."

Kinetic weapon: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14 at Ratrod

Tuudak's shot slams directly into Orsis's front housing. "What was that, Rogers?"
Energy weapon: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

Zal, Tuudak, and Null all hit!

Lemgem backs up directly into another wall, as her variable engine speed kicks back on!
gnome nonsense: 1d4 ⇒ 4
Piloting: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 6 - 4 = 5

Nyizin starts to gain ground!
Piloting: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Velocity seems they should slow to half-speed, but they get momentarily stuck on a hill! They blink one headlight at you, apparently like a wink.
Piloting: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14

Orsis, shocked by Tuudak's hit, stops short!
Piloting: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 8 - 4 = 5

Ratrod uses grim determination to keep up!
Piloting: 1d20 + 10 - 8 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 10 - 8 - 2 = 18

Everyone realizes that they could still be in this!

Lemgem aims at you and misses!
kinetic weapon: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Nyizin has no weapons.

Velocity aims at Nyzin and Ratrod. They miss both!
kinetic weapon: 1d20 ⇒ 6
kinetic weapon: 1d20 ⇒ 3

Orsis aims at Velocity and you, and misses both.
energy weapon: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0
kinetic weapon: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (11) - 1 = 10

Ratrod aims at you! He gets a shot off straight at you and grins! -4 to Rogers's piloting roll!
energy weapon: 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 5 - 2 = 20

"Don't bother me, I'm driving!"

Piloting, racer, hit once: 1d20 + 8 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 5 - 4 = 12 <--Wow, these rolls.

Distracted as he is, Rogers scrapes the racer along the wall for a while before finally getting back on track, limping across the finish line! "There, finally! Now you can shoot the ground all you want!"

Zal shoots the ground again, kicking up a massive wave of dirt..

Energy weapon: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

"Take that, ground!

I'm glad I saved that 18 for the ground. -_-

Laboni's racer easily crosses the finish line first, with Velocity in a close second. The crowd cheers wildly!

There is a brief awards ceremony where Laboni graciously accepts a trophy, a cash award, and some other prizes. She approaches Ratrod afterward.

"That was a great race. I'm really sorry about being rude before. I got caught up in the moment. I actually really look up to you, and I've been a fan of your show for a long time."

Ratrod blushes slightly. "Ah, you're all right, kid. I know what it's like to be young and hot-headed. You did great, though, and the crowd loves you! Why don't you come back next week? And here, let me show you where the good stash of gear is."

Laboni returns to you. "Thank you so much for all your help! I think these prizes should go to you. I think I will come back next week, though! Rogers, maybe I can get a few driving lessons before then?"

You get 400 credits and a set of graphite carbon skin armor!

You can hang out with the racers for a little while, and then it will be time to meet back up with Ceren!

And thank you Pokya and Rafflesia for your patience! In a face-to-face game, I would have had you run the ally, Velocity, but that seemed too difficult to pull off in this format.

"Sure thing, kid." Rogers pulls out his comm unit and brings up the calendar, briefly scheduling a few short-notice lessons before the next race.

Rafflesia returns to the group, covered in all manner of mysterious, strange-smelling materials, arms full of junk. "Oh, did I miss the race?! I guess I got a little too carried away rummaging through that junk pile..."

You had arranged to meet Ceren and Jubair at Jatembe Park, which occupies a wide portion of the Eye of Absalom Station. Filled with lush trees and open grass fields, the park offers some natural terrain to the otherwise metalclad station. Ceren’s meeting point is one such forested portion of the park, specifically a spot often ignored by citizens due to the winding path required to reach it.

You spot Ceren on the other side of the bridge, but before you can cross to get to her, three individuals looking like Bluerise Security call out to her. "Ma'am, we're going to need you to come with us to answer some questions."

Another turns to you and says, "Move along, citizens, nothing to see here."

The agent outlined in yellow draws a pistol and holds it at his side threateningly.

Yellow agent
Zal
Red Agent
Rafflesia
Null
Pokya
Rogers
Purple agent
Tuudak

What do you want to do, Zaldekan?

Uh-oh, this smells like trouble.

Zal directs Zoomy to sneak through the trees to the east to get a better position on the "agents." He then approaches cautiously. "What's going on, officers?"

Bluff: 1d20 ⇒ 18 Trying to seem nonthreatening and try to help Zoomy sneak.

Zoomy Stealth at half speed: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14 Can I have Zoomy fly among the branches of the tree to the east? Otherwise, I'll have Zoomy fly up and over, using the Bluff check to work as a diversion to help, if that works.

Yup, that’s fine! Zoomy can go in the trees.

*sneaky in tree*

The agent outlined in red leaves the trees and approaches Ceren.

"Ma'am, please don't make this difficult. We just need to ask some questions about a recent data breach."

Yellow agent
Zal
Red Agent
Rafflesia
Null
Pokya
Rogers
Purple agent
Tuudak

"Aw crap, the corporate goons are here!" Not being thrilled with the proximity of the far goon to their new friends, Rogers charges across the bridge at her.

Charge!: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18 No penalty to charging because Nuars are awesome.
Doshko!: 1d12 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Rogers has Step Up and will take any available AoO.

Seeing Rogers sprint into action, Null darts over behind Zal and casts daze (Will DC 15) on the pistol-wielding (yellow) agent.

"xxnnthis does not have to end badly for you...unless you insist on it." Null's voice crackles more than usual as sparks begin flashing near their throat.

Rogers unsurprisingly hits, though the agent is still standing.

Will save: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (13) + 0 = 13

The agent in yellow suddenly goes blank, his mouth hanging open slightly.

Yellow agent
Zal
Red Agent -11 hp
Rafflesia
Null
Pokya
Rogers
Purple agent
Tuudak

Pokya and Rafflesia are up!

Botting Rafflesia, who attempts to daze the purple agent.

Will save: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (14) + 0 = 14

I believe that just makes it!

Botting Pokya, who moves in.

attack, assault hammer: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

The purple agent moves into the trees and shoots at Pokya.

pulsecaster pistol: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3 nonlethal, electricity

Sorry, Pokya!

Yellow agent -7 hp
Zal
Red Agent -11 hp
Rafflesia
Null
Pokya
Rogers
Purple agent
Tuudak

Tuudak is up!

Tuudak fidgets nervously throughout the initial exchange, but his demeanor changes once shots are fired. Bullies for hire!

The nuar crashes into the tree line in pursuit of purple agent, robes streaming behind him. The light in his eye flows down his arm and surrounds his fist, which he drives towards the corporate goon's oh-so-punchable face.

Punch!: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Nonlethal damage?: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 1 = 10
And I'm now photo attuned!

Tuudak punches the agent successfully!

The yellow agent is dazed, so things move along to Zal!

Yellow agent -7 hp
Zal
Red Agent -11 hp
Rafflesia
Null
Pokya
Rogers
Purple agent
Tuudak

Seeing Rogers rush across the bridge, Zal moves in to assist, drawing his pistol. Beeps and boops emit from his custom rig as Zal navigates Zoomy's combat UI.

"Zoomy! Use your zap attack, now!"

Zoomy chirps back in affirmation, firing a bolt of electricity at the agent Tuudak is engaging.

Pulsecaster pistol: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Nonlethal electricity damage (if that's a hit): 1d4 ⇒ 4

Attacking the purple agent!

Zoomy hits! Combined with Tuudak's punch, that agent is down, unconscious.

Red pulls out a tactical baton.

"This doesn't concern you. Just walk away."

She makes her point by emphatically striking Rogers.

baton attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
ouch!: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Yellow agent -7 hp
Zal
Red Agent -11 hp
Rafflesia
Null
Pokya
Rogers
Tuudak

Everyone else is up!