GM Valen's SFS 1-09- Live Exploration Extreme! (PbP) (Inactive)

Game Master Lysle

Culture: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Rex doesn't look at Krombopulous, but does speak quietly out of the corner of his mouth. "Are you sure about that? Aren't dwarves made out of stone or something?"

Seeing that the one dwarf still has his weapon out, Rex will holster the pistol but keeps the kukri in hand. He speaks to address Wazasha and the crew. "Hey crew - I don't think these guys are Pact signatories, so may not be up on current events. Stay back, no use getting a shot if you get shot for it."

He then tries to make some universal gestures of greeting and respect to convey their peaceful intentions to the dwarves.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

...which don't seem to land because he hasn't put his kukri away.

[dice=Culture]1d20+7

Rex doesn't look at Krombopulous, but does speak quietly out of the corner of his mouth. "Are you sure about that? Aren't dwarves made out of stone or something?"

KM chuckles at Rex’s comment, “well of course not, they bleed just like everyone else, and burn too” he says to Rex as he waves to the dwarves with a smile on his mandibles.

The camera crew is not deterred as the move up to get good close-ups on the newcomers.

@ Huckle Jim - Will bot you by putting you on delay if no post in next hour or so.

Huckle Jim delays - @ Huckle Jim – you may post your next action at any time, but note that your action will immediately follow the action that occurs in the prior post.

After trying a few phrases in what appear to be a series of other alien languages, the dwarven woman shakes her head.

”Fakk ithrun ov Thamar Krazdan!” the dwarven woman shouts at you pointing in turn to the cameras of the undead crew, the lights, and the weapons in each of your hands. She then points at both the great axe slung over one shoulder and the crossbow slung over the other.

Next, she looks at the male dwarf, who is aiming the crossbow, and instructs him with a nod, “Kolun lare Kav, Karaad.” He nods in assent and tightens his grip, continuing to aim.

Returning her gaze to both the Starfinders and the undead, she states somewhat warily, “Grond Orkos Kahr. Shakuroz Nazka Umgor, falluroz. Thamar grond yir makuroz da Umgor Mer quakuroz. Comuroz Nar Nadra othok. Othok suroz yir unrol ein suroz, critical error Nar sequence initiated.”

Purple dwarf delays.

If any PC can understand Aklo, Celestial, Draconic, Dwarven, Orc, or Terran, let me know.

Initiative - Those in bold make act.
YT
KM
Delea
SS
Huckle
Rex
Wazasha and undead crew

Delea continues to show that she has no weapons in her hands.

"We do not want to hurt you. We are here to explore."

diplomacy again, if allowed: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

KM will maintain his readied action

Delea continues to show that she has no weapons in her hands. "We do not want to hurt you. We are here to explore." diplomacy again, if allowed

Transparency time: Sorry, Delea, it has no effect this time per terms of the scenario. The PCs’ Diplomatic efforts were already at a -4 penalty due to the language barrier, a successful Culture check could have reduced the penalty, but that failed too, so it was a tough road to pursue to begin with and when the dice went the way they did, the result was insufficient to prompt the scenario’s trigger for a second attempt.

When the Starfinders and undead fail to comply with the dwarven woman’s demand, the dwarf with the crossbow follows her instructions and fires! Ranged attack (crossbow) for Covering Fire against AC 15: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (13) + 0 = 13

KM’s readied attack action is triggered!

EDITTED to move request re posting readied actions to Discussion thread.

THERE WAS A FIREFIGHT!!!!

sorry about that!

readied action pew pew: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 keep in mind I’m a sharpshooter so cover penalties are reduced by 2

Edit: nevermind lol

As KM's readied shot fails to find its mark, the dwarven woman rushes toward the intruding Starfinders and undead crew, drawing her great axe as she moves. Raising her weapon above her head, she brings it down upon the target before her!

Melee attack (greataxe) v. KAC: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16 Damage (greataxe, archaic & “magical”)(S): 1d12 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (11) + 2 - 3 = 10

Delea (1) or Undead crew (2): 1d2 ⇒ 2

The heavy-bladed head of the weapon sinks deep into the flesh of a camera ghoul!

Initiative - Those in bold may act.
Delea
SS
KM
YT
Huckle Jim
Rex
Wazasha and undead crew

Rex curses under his breath as he runs forward, kukri at the ready. He yells in Eoxian at the crew (

Acrobatics to trick, DC 20 + CR: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3 plus 1d4 ⇒ 2 if trick attack worked
Crit damage!: 2d4 ⇒ (4, 1) = 5
Wound: 1d20 ⇒ 5... so that's plus Bleed Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1 bleed damage.

I, uh... am sorry for effectively slamming the door shut on the diplomatic approach.

And first blood has been drawn!

Initiative - Those in bold may act.
Delea
SS
KM
YT -11 HP
Huckle Jim
Rex
Wazasha and undead crew (one hurt, but not "dying")

The camera crew seems to not be deterred still.

Delea sighs in frustration, and then takes a small step back (guarded step away from enemy) and then she uses telekinetic projectile to pick up a stone and throw it at the enemy.

1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
damage, bludgeoning: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Botting Huckle Jim - Huckle Jim Delays

@ Huckle Jim - You may post your next action at any time, but note that your action will immediately follow the action that occurs in the prior post.

The stone strikes a solid blow against the dwarven woman! She reels back in pain. Though she staggers from her injuries, the stalwart dwarf stands her ground. In doing so, she mutters a phrase in her alien language, but whether it is a curse or a prayer, you cannot tell.

@ PCs - Great roleplaying! As I get the sense that the party (at least some of you) are still seeking a solution that does not result in death to one side, I will allow one or more PCs to attempt an Intimidate check or, if you can reasonably explain a way that you are using it--a Bluff check--to attempt to cow or trick the dwarves into cooperating. As noted, there is a -4 penalty due to the language barrier, but given the superior numbers of the party and undead, the damage dealt, and the dwarves' generally inferior weapons and armor, I believe that granting a +2 circumstance modifier is reasonable. Finally, I will remind PCs that they can obtain information through the infosphere.

Seeing his companion in trouble, the other dwarf drops his crossbow. Drawing his pick on the move, he rushes to the defense of his companion, bringing his pick down on the one that has proven the greatest threat to his comrade--Rex!
Melee attack (archaic pick) v KAC: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Damage (archaic pick)(S): 1d4 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (4) + 1 - 5 = 0
1 point of NL damage to Rex.

Initiative - Those in bold may act.
Delea
SS
KM
YT -18 HP
Huckle Jim
Rex -1 SP (NL)
Wazasha and undead crew (one hurt, but not "dying")

KM will move up to behind Rex and ready an attack against the next dwarf to attack,”anyone got time to see what the fans think of this? My trigger finger is itchin’ to roast these fools but something feels off” he says to the group as he arrives, rifle barrel over Rex’s shoulder.

lvl 1 shirren soldier has no social skills

The female dwarf moves closer to the Starfinder that had just attacked her--Delea--hoping to get back at the apparent spellcaster, to make full use of her training in cleaving through her opponents with her great axe, and to set up her ally for a flanking maneuver. Move action=Guarded step 5'

She swings at Delea!
Melee attack (greataxe) v. KAC: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Damage (greataxe, archaic & “magical”)(S): 1d12 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (2) + 2 - 3 = 1

Then, the thirst of her axe-blade having not yet been sated, with the same swing, she brings her weapon around again--now striking Rex.
Melee attack (greataxe) v. KAC: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Damage (greataxe, archaic & “magical”)(S): 1d12 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (5) + 2 - 3 = 4
Cleave feat - purple dwarf at -2 AC until her next turn.

But the dwarven woman's axe tastes no blood from Rex as her blade bounces off of the vidstar's new armor.

@ KM - Your readied action goes off now. (I suppose there is a reasonable argument that it should have gone off before the attack on Rex since an offensive readied action goes off "immediately after triggering event". However, both of the dwarf's cleave attacks were part of her single standard action and is described as "a single swing", so I am going with both attacks going off first. Compare CRB, pg. 155 to pg. 249. If I am wrong, please let me know and I will adjust accordingly in the future.)

Initiative - Those in bold may act.
Delea -7 SP (including -6 from prior encounter)
SS
YT -18 HP
KM
Huckle Jim
Rex -1 SP (NL)
Wazasha and undead crew (one hurt, but not "dying")

Rex takes the axe blow as an opportunity and lets the hit push him into the wall, where he pushes off into a forward roll and moves to put himself between the dwarf and the crew, striking with the kukri hilt.

I don't think Delea's holding a weapon, so not a mechanically beneficial flank. Trick Attack again, using the -4 to deal non-lethal with the kukri this time.

Acrobatics to tumble and not provoke: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
Acrobatics to trick: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27
Attack: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 3 - 4 = 9
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1 plus 1d4 ⇒ 3 if the trick lands

Attack probably doesn't hit, but with the -2 for cleave plus the flat-footed from trick attack... stranger things have happened

sorry about not putting the rolls in the original post

KM’s ready action goes off as he fires on the female dwarf!

Readied attack vs EAC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
lazer bolt: 1d8 ⇒ 5 F

And misses once again!

@GM, my home group understands it as a purely defensive readied action happens before the provoking action but an offensive action takes place after. For instance KM readies an action to drop prone if the dwarf fires his crossbow. In this instance KM would get the prone bonus to AC to the crossbow attack. If KM’s readied action is to fire on the dwarf if the dwarf fires on him, then the dwarfs attack is resolved first.

Initiative - Those in bold may act.

Delea -7 SP
SS
YT -18 HP
KM
Huckle Jim
Rex -1 SP (NL)
Wazasha and undead crew (one hurt, but not "dying")

The camera crews move and stay still respectively as if unafraid of combat or getting hurt,

intimidate: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

"Stop this now, or we will stop holding back!"
Delea aims for the tone of a mother scolding unruly children, hoping that will get through to the dwarves even without words.

Keeping Huckle Jim in Delay for Now– I sent a PM to Huckle Jim. If I do not hear from him within the next 12 hours, I will bot him to have him Aid Another in anticipation of a future Intimidate check by another PC.

Delea's plea in the common tongue appears to go unheeded by the alien speaking dwarves. Having trained together in the arts of war, the two dwarves fight together as a team, shouting to each other in their native tongue.

The male dwarf steps forward in an effort to protect his companion. Identifying Rex as the primary threat to be neutralized and, perhaps, the most worthy among their opponents, he approaches the Starfinder. Guarded step

He then swings his pick at Rex.
Melee attack (archaic pick) v KAC: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 + 2 = 22
Damage (archaic pick)(S): 1d4 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (3) + 1 - 5 = -1 -1 SP of NL
But, due to the archaic make of his weapon, the dwarf does not inflict any lethal damage.

At the same time, the dwarven axe-fighter, though weakened by the life-blood draining from her wounds, fights on--moving into a flanking position in accordance with her training. Move=Guarded step
She swings her greataxe at Rex.
Melee attack (greataxe) v. KAC: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
She strikes a devastating blow against the Starfinder!
Critical Damage (greataxe, archaic & “magical”)(S): 1d12 + 2 - 3 + 1d12 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (12) + 2 - 3 + (8) + 2 - 3 = 18
The vidstar falls to the ground.

@ Rex - You don't go below 0 HP. You are now Unconscious and Dying. At the end of each round (Starting next) you lose 1 RP. There are three ways to stabilize. (CRB Page 250-251)
1. Someone perform first aid DC 15 Medicine Check.
2. Any sort of healing
3. Spend RP = to 1/4 your max (Min 1). This will end the dying effect. You can spend additional RP to Stay in the fight by spending 1 additional RP. If you do you gain 1 HP and become conscious once again.

Then, so great is the momentum of her swing that it strikes at one of the the undead crew filming the Starfinder.
Melee attack (greataxe) v. KAC: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Damage (greataxe, archaic & “magical”)(S): 1d12 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (9) + 2 - 3 = 8
The undead crew member responds with a lash of his tongue, but otherwise appears unphased.

Initiative - Those in bold may act.
Delea -7 SP
SS
YT -18 HP
KM
Huckle Jim Will bot if no post in 12 hours; as PM and proposed botting plan was sent prior to crit against Rex, I may reconsider the proposed botting strategy.
Rex -10 SP -8 HP (Dying)
Wazasha and undead crew (one hurt, but not "dying")

Whoah! Rough round. Did not expect that crit. Despite this set back, you guys have the means to put an end to this fight-one way or another.

”die you dirty bearded bags of rocks!” KM yells as he full attacks the blonde dwarf in front of him.

full attack vs EAC: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 - 4 = 7
pew pew: 1d8 ⇒ 5 fire damage

full attack vs EAC: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 - 4 = 16
pew pew: 1d8 ⇒ 7 fire damage

I have the Character Folio so I will use it's associated boon to reduce my cost to stablize by 1.

Although KM's first shot goes wide, the second brings down the dwarf.
blue dwarf down and aflame

Initiative - Those in bold may act.
Delea -7 SP
SS (before the throne of Pharasma)
YT -18 HP
KM
Huckle Jim Will bot if no post in 12 hours; as PM and proposed botting plan was sent prior to crit against Rex, I may reconsider the proposed botting strategy.
Rex -10 SP -8 HP (Unconscious, stable)
Wazasha and undead crew (one hurt, but not "dying")

The camera crew, seemingly excited about the developments continue their recording and take advantage of positioning for some good close shots of the dwarves.

Delea glances at Rex. He's tough enough that she hopes he will be OK until she can heal him.

She wants to give one last shot at ending this without killing both dwarves. Try to make them give up she sends telepathically to Huckle Jim.

"Stop this!" she yells.
intimidate assist: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Unfortunately, she probably squeeks it instead.

Yikes, those dice don't like me...

Botting Huckle Jim as above

Seeing his fellow Starfinder, Delea, making a last ditch attempt to bring the fight to an end without further bloodshed, Huckle Jim decides to do the same. Brandishing his weapons and pointing at the body of the dwarven woman’s companion, the bounty hunter looks the remaining dwarf square in the eyes. “Drop your weapon and you live. Keep this up and you don’t.”, he says, putting it to her firmly and forthrightly.

Intimidate w/language barrier and circumstance bonus following death of comrade (DC 15): 1d20 + 5 - 4 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 5 - 4 + 2 = 18

The dwarven woman breathes a series of fiery breaths in response, staring back at the unharmed Starfinder and his weapons. Her muscles tense, but she stays her axe.

After a few moments pass, the dwarven woman backs up, stepping over the unconscious body of Rex, and then the corpse of her companion. Though she continues to hold onto her blade, she lets her guard down and takes a knee next to the remains of her companion. She reaches down to his face, scarred from the flame, and touches it gently. She gives his body a long, mournful look. Then, firming her countenance, she looks back up in order to glare at the Starfinders. Though she clearly longs to shed tears, she seems to be holding back from doing so in the face of the armed Starfinders and the strange, undead crew.

Unless a PC wishes to take further hostile action... COMBAT IS OVER

Wow, a Dwarf obeyed a Human Hopefully by me posting the gameplay will update for me know, I'll see here.

Delea walks over right next to Rex and prays for a moment. A wave of warm healing energy washes out from her.

spending one RP to use healing channel.

healing: 2d8 ⇒ (3, 6) = 9

She smiles gently at Rex as he returns to consciousness. "That should get you back close to normal, but be a little careful, you were badly hurt."

She also tries to smile in a friendly way at the dwarf, who also should have felt some of her injuries heal.

"Why don't we rest now, so we can be ready for whatever we may face?"

Delea can regain SP without spending RP once if we rest a little because of boon slotted.

Rex's eyes flutter open painfully. "Man... We can edit that out, right fellas?" he cracks to the ghouls. He sits up slowly, still reeling from the blow. "Thank you for the save Delea." His face falls at the dead dwarf in front of him. "Damn - that's a black mark on us," he says grimly, his usual jocularity gone, though some of the tension slips as he sees at least one of the dwarves lived. He struggles painfully to a crouch and kneels by the dead dwarf, taking a moment of respectful silence. "May we find some trace of her knowledge preserved here and use it for everyone's good - dwarf and otherwise," the Starfinder says quietly. "In some other meeting, we may have been allies - but clearly dwarfkind has lost a mighty warrior today." With that, he stands up again, a little unsteadily.

"Yeah, I think a rest would be a good idea," he says. "I've felt worse... but not much worse."

1 Fan Favor for Huckle Jim for making the skill check that ended the battle.

After a quick bit of rest, Delea turns to the others. "Can one of you try to do some research, so we know how to handle the dead dwarf respectfully?"

Wazasha walks over to Huckle Jim during the rest period. "Mr. Jim? Would you please join me in the booth?"

The dwarven woman attempts to return a smile to Delea. She does not quite succeed, but her efforts seem sincere. She gives an earnest and appreciative nod to Rex, who lowered himself to the ground as an act of respect.

The dwarven woman then utters a prayer over her fallen comrade: "Fraed oz da Kadrel Nar Nirlak hands eron Torag.", she prays, then heads over to where the other dwarf was struck down. There, she bends down and grabs ahold of the fallen dwarf's pick.

The dwarven woman next walks over to where the other dwarf had dropped his crossbow during the battle. Once her companion's personal items have been gathered, the dwarven woman next heads over to the large fungi growing nearby.

With her axe, she begins to hew some long, slender portions of fungi. Retrieving a length of rope from her pack, she appears to be, not without some difficulty, fashioning a crude stretcher or sledge.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Rex calmly walks over to the crew member and retrieves the 'snack,' making sure not to make eye contact with the crew member, the camera, or really anyone. He sets it down next to the dwarf, and stands there meaningfully until the stretcher is finished, then will help load all of the fallen dwarf onto it.

perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

”Hey Rex!! Your alive! I thought I was gonna get a new Kukri,” KM says cheerfully.

Seeing the crew go for the limb, ”hey if the crew eats I wanna eat! I’m down for a 10 minute breather if you guys are.”

Delea auto-passes the mysticism check with +11.
perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Delea's ears perk up at the mention of the dwarven deity Torag. She turns rather green at the sight of the ghoul running off with dwarf parts, but relaxes when she sees Rex fix the problem.

She walks over to the dwarf woman and tries to help with the stretcher. She pays careful attention to any signs the woman gives of what she wants Delea to do.

Huckle goes over to the booth to join Wazasha.

With the help of the Starfinders, the dwarven woman manages to finish a conveyance for the body of her companion and place them within it. During the process, genuine looks of both gratitude and regret form and reform across her face. She exchanges a number of silent glances with Rex, her eyes drawn to the places where the vidstar’s life-blood recently poured forth from his body.

Once the task is completed, the woman kneels down and lays her hand on the remains and speaks a few more words in her dwarven language. She punctuates what she has said with the word, “ Edrukk”.

“ Edrukk”, the woman repeats, again placing her hand on the remains. “ Edrukk.”

Now the woman rises. Again holding back tears, she seeks to make eye contact with Delea. Placing the same hand that she had laid on her fallen friend over her armored chest, she now says, “Ylga.” She looks at the Starfinder for some sign of recognition, before thumping her chest again. “Ylga, she repeats. Then, a third time, now louder, she repeats “Ylga,” with another thump.

The dwarven woman continues looking at Delea and then tries to make eye contact with the other Starfinders. Once again, she places her hand over her chest. “suroz eron, Ylga.”, she says. Then, removing her hand from her chest, she extends it out towards Delea and then the others, with the words, “suroz eron?”

I will pause here to allow PC and NPC reaction.

Rex pauses for a second, hesitant, then places his hand on his chest. "Suroz eron Rex. Ermmmm..." He then pulls out his comm unit to check the fan forums to see if anyone is talking about how to say "We are explorers and come to seek knowledge, not war" - or whatever equivalent he can dredge up - and to double check that he replicated a greeting, and not some other bloody misunderstanding.

Computers: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Delea points carefully to the dead dwarf. "Edruk" Then she points at the dwarf woman. "Ylga" Then she points to herself. "Delea"

”Shiraz eran Krombopulos.” the shirren says, hand appendage oustretched in friendship.

Not knowing Dwarves to well or not knowing the Dwarven language and haven never lost someone close to him, he stands back quietly while others handle business. He isn't even going to pretend he knows how she feels when he never experienced anything similar himself.

Several members of the camera crews are still slightly eyeing the dead dwarf but seem to be still doing their job. Once camera crew begins to move over toward the other dwarves for some shots.