Game Master S's "Dead Suns" (Inactive)

Game Master Chris Marsh

Gig's warning puts the stakes into perspective. During the chase the trains moved passed what must have been thousands of undead sailors and marines.

Booker pulls up to the command stop, only to see more opposition, and these considerably more intimidating.

The comm crackles back, "Please I would know why I suddenly find myself with a worthy foe." In response, everyone's comm activates and stays open. No amount of button pushing seems to turn it off.

The three creatures blocking your progress look really hungry, but do not move yet. In fact, they appear to be moored in place. And can be identified with a Mysticism check

Booker motions for the others to exit the train. "Gotta run, sorry! No time to chat!" he smirks at the comm, quickly configuring the auto-pilot to take the train to the armory on the other side of the ship (area 23).

As soon as the train lurches away from the platform, he jumps off through a window, rejoining the others. Acrobatics: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (17) + 21 = 38

Will post more, pending result.

Mysticism: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (19) + 24 = 43

Janzi speaks telepathically (telepathic message). Hack, Gig, anything you can do about that...?

Janzi knows these to be Ellicoth. Once normal herbavores from Eox, they have been morphed and changed by their undead masters. The gargantuan creatures no longer eat vegetation or even breathe like normal animals.
Instead, they siphon vital energy directly from other creatures and use it to sustain their own agonized existences. They give off harmful levels of radiation, and those tendrils can suck the energy out of you. You can ask 2 more questions.

When Booker doesn't play nice on the comm, there's a snarl which reaches all of your comms. A moment later the bindings on the beasts release!

"“In the end, the brief abnormality of your lives will end, and I’ll see to it that such fine specimens as yourselves are converted into potent agents of the Corpse Fleet. Under my command, of course. I find it useful to have a quick word with the fleeting flicker of life a body hasn’t released yet in order to determine what form of undeath will best suit it in the eons that follow its last breath.”

As the shackles release, the three massive beasts move to make a meal out of the party!

Round 1:
Dunklezahn: Go
Booker: Go
Gig: Go
Ellicoths: TBD
Janzi: TBD
Hack-it: TBD

Since Janzi IDed the creatures, I'll hand this out now to make the posting smoother. They all exude medium levels of radiation. If you get within 30' you'll need to make a FORT DC 13 or become weakened due to radiation sickness. If you get within 15' the DC is 17. Radiation sickness is a poison, and a hard one to throw off. your armor does help: Armor protects you against low levels of radiation and grants a +4 circumstance bonus to saving throws against higher levels of radiation. Armor of 7th level and higher grants immunity to medium radiation levels and provides a +6 circumstance bonus to saving throws against higher levels of radiation. No armor’s bonuses apply to saves against radiation sickness, regardless of the level of radiation exposure that caused you to contract it.

Hostiles: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (15) + 0 = 15
Booker: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18
Dunklezahn: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28
Gig: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Hack-it: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Janzi: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

If I recall correctly from the previous station, the area north of us is open except for computers and such, and the jumbotron/screens hang down from the ceiling. So I should be able to get a shot through without a problem? Booker's Sniper's Aim reduces any bonus they might get from partial cover.

If not, Booker will move and take a single shot (+5 attack bonus).

"Sounds like we're in a rush," Booker mutters. Wasting no time, Booker buries three rapid shots into the ellicoth dead ahead.

Combat Rifle Onslaught @ Red: 1d20 + 19 - 2 - 5 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 19 - 2 - 5 + 1 = 26
Damage: 3d8 + 13 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (3, 4, 1) + 13 + 5 + 1 = 27

Combat Rifle Onslaught @ Red: 1d20 + 19 - 2 - 5 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 19 - 2 - 5 + 1 = 15
Damage: 3d8 + 13 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (5, 3, 1) + 13 + 5 + 1 = 28

Combat Rifle Onslaught @ Red: 1d20 + 19 - 2 - 5 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 19 - 2 - 5 + 1 = 22
Damage: 3d8 + 13 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (1, 2, 4) + 13 + 5 + 1 = 26

Clip: 9/12 rounds.

It's a self contained room. Besides, you would have missed.

Booker strafes left and shoots the center ellicoth. The shot lands, and there's a clear wound, but the massive creature is going to be hard to bring down.

Round 1:
Dunklezahn: Go
Booker: Hit
Gig: Go
Ellicoths: TBD
Janzi: TBD
Hack-it: TBD

Dunk keeps his position and pulls out his rifle. He takes aim at the beast on the right wing and fires off several shots.

Combat Rifle: 1d20 + 17 - 6 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 17 - 6 - 2 = 21
Damage: 3d8 + 9 + 5 ⇒ (7, 1, 2) + 9 + 5 = 24

Combat Rifle: 1d20 + 17 - 6 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 17 - 6 - 2 = 29
Damage: 3d8 + 9 + 5 ⇒ (1, 6, 8) + 9 + 5 = 29
Addt'l Crit Damage: 3d8 + 9 + 5 ⇒ (8, 4, 1) + 9 + 5 = 27

Combat Rifle: 1d20 + 17 - 6 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 17 - 6 - 2 = 21
Damage: 3d8 + 9 + 5 ⇒ (5, 1, 6) + 9 + 5 = 26

Clip: 9/12

Dunk holds back for now. He only hits once, but that hit is center mass and leaves a big wound.

Round 1:
Dunklezahn: Hit
Booker: Hit
Gig: Go
Ellicoths: TBD
Janzi: TBD
Hack-it: TBD

Gig steps around the corner, sees two of the massive beasts and quickly moves his hands in somatic gestures to cast explosive blast and drop it halfway between black and red.

Explosive Blast: 9d6 + 6 ⇒ (1, 4, 4, 5, 6, 4, 6, 6, 4) + 6 = 46 DC 18 Reflex Save for half.

"Time for a little fry up, Partners!"

Red REF: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33
Red REF: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19

The massive creatures are surprisingly nimble, but the spell still burns a bit. They close as quickly as they can, trying to gore the party for an easy meal!

Gig finds himself TOO close: Black v. Gig: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (12) + 22 = 34 for DMG: 2d10 + 15 ⇒ (10, 1) + 15 = 26

Red v. Dunk: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (6) + 22 = 28 MISS

Please check your armor, and your proximity to EACH of them. Roll a FORT save for each (DC 13 15'-30', DC 17 0'-15') remember that your armor matters. It's just too much for me to track for everyone.

Round 1:
Dunklezahn: Hit
Booker: Hit
Gig: BOOM
Ellicoths: TBD
Janzi: Go
Hack-it: Go

"Booker, are you sure we got off at the right stop? I'm not sure that we are supposed to be here."

"Aw, c'mon!" Hack-It gripes, with the new foe present. "You didn't even try to let Janzi talk them out of fight. This is ridiculous," the mechanic follows this with a shot from his sonic pistol. Hum's rifle attachment follows suit.
Hack-It vs White: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21
Damage (Sonic): 3d6 + 5 ⇒ (3, 1, 2) + 5 = 11
Hum vs White: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33
Damage (Sonic): 3d8 + 11 ⇒ (3, 5, 8) + 11 = 27

Hack-it's aim isn't bad, but he doesn't hit a soft spot and the shot seems ineffective. Hum on the other hand, scores a solid hit.

Round 1:
Dunklezahn: Hit
Booker: Hit
Gig: BOOM
Ellicoths: TBD
Janzi: Go
Hack-it: Hit

Janzi takes a step over for a clear shot at White with a rifle borrowed from Booker.

dual acid dart rifle: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27
acid & piercing: 2d8 ⇒ (5, 6) = 11

Hmm. Not bad.

Janzi makes a solid hit on the right flank!

Round 2:
Dunklezahn: Go
Booker: Go
Gig: Go
Ellicoths: TBD
Janzi: TBD
Hack-it: TBD

Seeing the radiation readings on his HUD spike but stay within safe margins, Dunk readies as the beasts approach.

Precooked steaks approach. I shall season you with DEATH!

Dunk charges ahead into the midst of the beasts and carves into them.

Ultrathin Longsword, Red: 1d20 + 17 - 4 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 17 - 4 - 2 = 16
Slashing Damage: 4d8 + 21 + 5 ⇒ (1, 2, 2, 1) + 21 + 5 = 32

Ultrathin Longsword, White: 1d20 + 17 - 4 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 17 - 4 - 2 = 25
Slashing Damage: 4d8 + 21 + 5 ⇒ (5, 1, 1, 7) + 21 + 5 = 40

Gig scurries around the corner to see two more on the east side. He quickly moves his hands somatically and casts another explosive blast which he drops on the far side of red and white (in a position to get both red and white but not dunk).

Explosive Blast: 9d6 + 6 ⇒ (1, 1, 4, 5, 6, 4, 6, 2, 4) + 6 = 39 (DC 18 Reflex Save for half)

"Watch out, my friends. They are closing in on us!"

Dunk rushes in, trying to avoid the horns: AoO: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (16) + 22 = 38 but getting hit nonetheless DMG: 2d10 + 15 ⇒ (10, 2) + 15 = 27

His opening swing is thwarted, but the second lands clean! A massive slash opens in the creature's underbelly. It roars in fury and pain, but does not fall.

Round 2:
Dunklezahn: Hit
Booker: Go
Gig: Go
Ellicoths: TBD
Janzi: TBD
Hack-it: TBD

Booker knows his job is to hold the back line, so he dumps firepower into the oncoming Black behemoth. Possibly all for naught, given those rolls. Yuck.

Combat Rifle Onslaught @ Black: 1d20 + 19 - 5 ⇒ (4) + 19 - 5 = 18
Piercing Damage: 3d8 + 13 ⇒ (3, 2, 7) + 13 = 25

Combat Rifle Onslaught @ Black: 1d20 + 19 - 5 ⇒ (9) + 19 - 5 = 23
Piercing Damage: 3d8 + 13 ⇒ (2, 3, 3) + 13 = 21

Combat Rifle Onslaught @ Black: 1d20 + 19 - 5 ⇒ (9) + 19 - 5 = 23
Piercing Damage: 3d8 + 13 ⇒ (1, 3, 3) + 13 = 20

Clip: 8/12 rounds.

Booker opens wide, but all three of his attacks miss!

Round 2:
Dunklezahn: Hit
Booker: Miss
Gig: Go
Ellicoths: TBD
Janzi: TBD
Hack-it: TBD

Red REF: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17
White REF: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20

Gig's encore works a fair bit better as he catches one of them full on. The other one moves a bit, but it's not enough! The ellicoth drops dead on the deck!

Booker opens wide, but all three of his attacks miss!

Round 2:
Dunklezahn: Hit
Booker: Miss
Gig: BOOM
Ellicoths: ATK
Janzi: Go
Hack-it: Go

Hack-It and Hum both move forward to get a clear shot on the other beast, heading over to help Dunklezahn. The drone's rifle attachment lets forth a sonic blast!
Hum vs Red: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20
Damage (Sonic): 3d8 + 11 ⇒ (7, 1, 7) + 11 = 26

Hum's shot ricochets off the creature's massive flank.

Round 2:
Dunklezahn: Hit
Booker: Miss
Gig: BOOM
Ellicoths: ATK
Janzi: Go
Hack-it: Miss

Janzi moves over to the far side of Hack-It, making sure to smack his tail out of the way with his hand as he moves past, taking aim at Red over Dunk's head. The ysoki's glare elicits a response: Hey, I didn't want to step on it. Well, not much, anyway.

dual acid dart rifle: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26
acid & piercing: 2d8 ⇒ (8, 4) = 12

2/18 used.

Janzi scores a hit as some of the flesh sizzles away!

Round 3:
Dunklezahn: Go
Booker: Go
Gig: Go
Ellicoths: TBD
Janzi: TBD
Hack-it: TBD

Dunk holds the line and continues slashing at the beast.

Ultrathin Longsword: 1d20 + 17 - 6 ⇒ (17) + 17 - 6 = 28
Slashing Damage: 4d8 + 21 ⇒ (8, 4, 2, 4) + 21 = 39

Ultrathin Longsword: 1d20 + 17 - 6 ⇒ (4) + 17 - 6 = 15
Slashing Damage: 4d8 + 21 ⇒ (8, 3, 7, 3) + 21 = 42

Ultrathin Longsword: 1d20 + 17 - 6 ⇒ (3) + 17 - 6 = 14
Slashing Damage: 4d8 + 21 ⇒ (1, 8, 4, 8) + 21 = 42

Dunklezahn's opening slash nearly fells the beast. It teeters...

Round 3:
Dunklezahn: Hit!
Booker: Go
Gig: Go
Ellicoths: TBD
Janzi: TBD
Hack-it: TBD

Booker gives his trigger-finger some further exercise.

Combat Rifle Onslaught @ Black: 1d20 + 19 - 5 ⇒ (3) + 19 - 5 = 17
Piercing Damage: 3d8 + 13 ⇒ (8, 2, 3) + 13 = 26

Combat Rifle Onslaught @ Black: 1d20 + 19 - 5 ⇒ (10) + 19 - 5 = 24
Piercing Damage: 3d8 + 13 ⇒ (6, 7, 5) + 13 = 31

Combat Rifle Onslaught @ Black: 1d20 + 19 - 5 ⇒ (12) + 19 - 5 = 26
Piercing Damage: 3d8 + 13 ⇒ (3, 4, 4) + 13 = 24

Clip: 5/12 rounds.

Booker's aim still suffers, but he eventually gets it under control. He scores a pair of hits on the left flank

Round 3:
Dunklezahn: Hit!
Booker: Hits
Gig: Go
Ellicoths: TBD
Janzi: TBD
Hack-it: TBD

Gig uses his time to cast Magic Missile at Red which he now knows by heart.

Magic Missile: 3d4 + 8 ⇒ (4, 1, 4) + 8 = 17

"You think your big and tough? Well, it's time for you to fall, big guy!"

Gig's missiles slam into the ellicoth. The massive creature collapses, nearly crushing Dunklezahn!

The remaining foe eschews the horns to try and wrap a tendril around Booker: ATK: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (10) + 22 = 32 for DMG: 3d6 + 9 ⇒ (4, 4, 5) + 9 = 22 and is staggered. DC 16 FORT for half damage and negate staggered.

Round 3:
Dunklezahn: Hit!
Booker: Hits
Gig: Kill
Ellicoths: ATK
Janzi: Go
Hack-it: Go

Janzi activates his haste circuit and hustles over to take a shot at Black.

dual acid dart rifle: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
acid & piercing: 2d8 ⇒ (5, 6) = 11

3/18 used.

Fort: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26 SUCCESS

Booker chomps down on his cigarette, unbothered. Successful save plus Enhanced Resistance reduces total damage to 0.

Janzi's shot is well wide this time. The party closes in on the beast which either doesn't realize the odds, or doesn't care.

Round 3:
Dunklezahn: Hit!
Booker: Hits
Gig: Kill
Ellicoths: ATK
Janzi: Miss
Hack-it: Go

Round 4:
Dunklezahn: Go
Booker: Go
Gig: Go
Ellicoths: TBD
Janzi: TBD
Hack-it: TBD

"One more down. Now to save Booker I guess," Hack-It mutters. He punches in commands to send his drone back, and quickly follows it. When it reaches the corner, the rifle attachment begins to shake slightly before letting off a sonic burst at the beast!
Hum: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21
Damage (Sonic): 3d8 + 11 ⇒ (3, 3, 7) + 11 = 24

Hum's shot lands at a poor angle, not direct enough to harm the beast.

Round 4:
Dunklezahn: Go
Booker: Go
Gig: Go
Ellicoths: TBD
Janzi: TBD
Hack-it: TBD

Booker snorts. "As if y'could," he replies. He fires another burst at the beast above him.

Combat Rifle Onslaught: 1d20 + 19 - 5 ⇒ (3) + 19 - 5 = 17
Piercing Damage: 3d8 + 13 ⇒ (4, 5, 6) + 13 = 28

Combat Rifle Onslaught: 1d20 + 19 - 5 ⇒ (17) + 19 - 5 = 31
Piercing Damage: 3d8 + 13 ⇒ (4, 2, 3) + 13 = 22

Combat Rifle Onslaught: 1d20 + 19 - 5 ⇒ (4) + 19 - 5 = 18
Piercing Damage: 3d8 + 13 ⇒ (8, 7, 7) + 13 = 35

Clip: 2/12 rounds.

Booker lands a hit during his burst. The creature clearly looks like its about to return to trying to gore the party to death after the failure of its life force sucking tentacle attack.

Round 4:
Dunklezahn: Go
Booker: Hit
Gig: Go
Ellicoths: TBD
Janzi: TBD
Hack-it: TBD

Gig moves across into position where he casts a one action Magic Missile at the undead beast.

Magic Missile: 2d4 + 7 ⇒ (1, 3) + 7 = 11

Dunk comes around the far side of the building, seeing the beasts rear end poking out from behind. Dunk charges forward, slashing out at it with his longsword.

Move, Std. to charge

Ultrathin Longsword: 1d20 + 17 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 17 - 4 = 25
Slashing Damage: 4d8 + 21 ⇒ (6, 3, 2, 7) + 21 = 39

Ultrathin Longsword: 1d20 + 17 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 17 - 4 = 23
Slashing Damage: 4d8 + 21 ⇒ (6, 2, 1, 3) + 21 = 33

Dunklezahn and Gig combine to bring down the third ellicoth. A frustrated growl presages an abrupt cut off of the open comm unit.

For defeating the trio of ellicoths the Starfinders earn 19,200 XP.

"Gig, Hack, see what y'can find on those terminals. Where we need to go, how long we have 'til more security arrives," Booker orders, pressing fresh ammunition into his clip. "Dunk, y'need a minute?"

Yeah, I'll take a minute to catch my breath. Those things had some tough hide. Really worked the arms to move the sword through that skin and muscle.

Computers: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (5) + 23 = 28

"Alright, Booker. This is the situation. The entire ship's security detail is going to be here in 3 minutes. Wait a second.... this IS tied into the central computer. I could deactivate the alert system here, permanently... but it won't be easy. Hack, do you have any extra chewing gum?"

Gig delves into the computer system and tries to see if he can deactivate the alert system.

Computers: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (5) + 23 = 28

Gig can't make his way through the system. Security will be here in just under 3 minutes!

"Dammit! Sorry, Booker. They dropped a boolean loop variable in their code and I missed it. We are going to have company in about 3 minutes."

Gig may not be able to deactivate the entire alert system, but he tries to make it appear that the company is somewhere else on the ship.

Computers: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (4) + 23 = 27

When he does not make progress he starts banging on the keys in frustration. "Stop! Stop! Stop! you stupid system! Why don't listen to me?!"

"Damnit Gig! I'm the computer person! This is my thing! It's in my name even!"

Hack-It then attacks the terminal as best he can.
Computers: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (13) + 21 = 34

Hack-it lives up to his name, rerouting the emergency elsewhere. He thinks it'll be hours before they figure out what he's done!

The northern doors all lead into something akin to a narthex before leading to a large set of doors labeled "Command" in Necril.