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

Game Master Chris Marsh

and how much of that stuff are you taking?

Janzi is gonna take, oh, about 5 kg or so.

R1G5 does a little scouting, but from his position, there's really nothing to see.

As for the cold iron. Each could easily act as a cold iron shiv (improvised weapon.) For each bulk of cold iron you'll get 112.5 credits worth of metal. There are up to 10 bulk of it. You're close enough that if you don't mind a few minutes of labor you could bring it back to the [i]Maiden.[/ii]

That seems prudent, as long as we don't spy someone watching us. Janzi would vote for that.

Dunklezahn would also vote for taking the ore.

Otherwise, he'll keep up with R1G5.

Nothing to see from that distance.

R1G5'll continue to move along the rock face to the left, remaining stealthy if possible. Maybe there's something up here.

Map updated with position.

R1G5 looks:

R1G5 calls out to everyone. Chewed-up body ahead, be ready.

Start advancing to where I see the body.

The party inches forward. The body propped against the ledge beside the acid pool is wearing an unholy symbol around its neck depicting a black hole with a red center, just like the one Janzi found before.

Medicine T10 for 20.

Mmmm... a fresh one too. Everyone, stay on the lookout. There's something else here and it must be hungry.

R1G5 will swing back down to the left.

Pog updated for party position, assuming everyone else is behind me.

The party approaches the body. This isolated grotto is dotted with piles of silvery ash. To the northwest, a low shelf of rock dams a pool of thick greenish liquid. A humanoid body in torn robes with one arm chewed off is ominously propped against the ledge.

A large creature emerges from the pool of acid. It's part drake, part octopus, and all grotesque.

Well, s+#%. Shoot that thing.

Dunklezahn draws his pistol and shoots it.

T10 on Perception for 19.

Oh! Isn't that cute! It wants to play with us!

Hostiles: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Booker: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Dunklezahn: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
Gig: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Hack-it: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (8) + 0 = 8
R.1.G.5.: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Torin: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

What the hell is THIS thing?

Round 1:
R1G5: Go
Gig: Go
Dunklezahn: Go
Janzi: Go
Hack-it: Go
Booker: Go
Hostile: TBD

Life Science: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

I have negative idea what this thing is, but it sure wanted me to jump in that acid pool.

Seeing it emerge from said acid pool, R1G5 will stealth and tumble behind Dunk, draw a laser pistol, and take a shot.

Stealth vs 20+CR: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (5) + 18 = 23

Laser Pistol: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 171d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 31d8 ⇒ 2

Life Science: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
I have less idea than R1G5 has what this thing is. But it's so cute.

Janzi does not think it so cute as to not realize it's trying to kill them — or at least trying to get R1G5 to take a bath in the acid pool — so he moves, drawing his azimuth pistol along the way, and taking a shot.
pew: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
lazors fire: 1d4 ⇒ 4

It's not with the normal flair, but R1G5 scores a light hit.... only to see it not damage the beast at all! Janzi is way off target.

Round 1:
R1G5: Insufficient DMG
Gig: Go
Dunklezahn: Go
Janzi: Miss
Hack-it: Go
Booker: Go
Hostile: TBD

Booker grins, plants one foot forward, lowers the sniper rifle, and pulls the trigger.

*BAM*

Sniper Shot!: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
Damage: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

The rifle shot echoes off the canyon walls, as the soldier reloads.

Booker's shot goes high, by a quite a few centimeters

Round 1:
R1G5: Insufficient DMG
Gig: Go
Dunklezahn: Go
Janzi: Miss
Hack-it: Go
Booker: Miss
Hostile: TBD

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Life Science: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Any Special Defenses?

"I don't know what you're idea of cute is, but that thing is a Skreesire! I don't think it sees us as anything but food!"

Gig winds up a dramatic keyboard solo for his somatic components and release a full round action of Magic Missile at the Skreesire!

Magic Missile: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (2, 3, 1) + 3 = 9

Gig's missile slams into the creature, just as Gig also tells everyone that it's immune to acid (obviously) and it's hide somewhat resists weapons not made of cold iron.

Round 1:
R1G5: Insufficient DMG
Gig: MM
Dunklezahn: Go
Janzi: Miss
Hack-it: Go
Booker: Miss
Hostile: TBD

Dunklezahn wastes no time charging the horrid beast.

Curve Blade: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 9 - 2 = 10
Slashing Damage: 1d10 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

His blade flashes past the creature, cutting into the rock in front of it.

Despite the charge, Dunklezahn misses with his swing.

Round 1:
R1G5: Insufficient DMG
Gig: MM
Dunklezahn: Miss
Janzi: Miss
Hack-it: Go
Booker: Miss
Hostile: TBD

Botting Jeff:

"Oh good, another horror," Hack-It grumbles, punching button on his rig. He and his bot rain laser fire into the pool.

Hack-It: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 7 + 1 = 26
Fire Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Sputter: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 7 + 1 = 26
Fire Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

YOU ARE WELCOME, JEFF

Both Sputter and Hack-it land telling shots. Hack-it's doesn't seem to damage the creature much - if at all, but Sputter's does.

Eschewing the mental trick, the Skreesire opts to try and drag Dunklezahn into the acid. Tentacle: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (9) + 15 = 24 for DMG: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 and Grab: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 15 = 31 and it grabs on easily!

Round 2:
R1G5: Go
Gig: Go
Dunklezahn: Go
Janzi: Go
Hack-it: Go
Booker: Go
Hostile: TBD

Get off of me!

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

The DC for escaping a grapple is ridiculous.

Booker slams the action shut on the cold iron bullet. "Kill it! Kill it dead!" He levels and fires.

Sniper Shot: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 10 + 1 = 30
Cold Iron Damage: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

He reaches for another round and reloads...

Gig repeats his keyboard solo for an encore and recasts Magic Missile at the big octopus beatie.

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

Gig keeps pumping the strange alien with magic missiles, but he can tell that it's going to take a LOT of missiles.

Dunk tries to break free, but it's just too damn hard.

when Booker uses the right ammo for the job though the creature reels in pain, not expecting such a wound!

Round 2:
R1G5: Go
Gig: MM
Dunklezahn: Stuck
Janzi: Go
Hack-it: Go
Booker: Hit
Hostile: TBD

Janzi continues to shoot with his azimuth pistol. He shoots twice this time, because why not when your chance to hit is still pretty low?

pew: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 4 - 2 = 15
fire w/Small Arms Weapon Spec: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

pew: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 4 - 2 = 20
fire w/Small Arms Weapon Spec: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

R1G5 closes in, dropping the laser pistol, pulls a tactical pistol, and stealthily moves into position.

Stealth vs DC 20+CR: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (20) + 18 = 38

Tactical Pistol vs KAC-2: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 121d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 51d8 ⇒ 8 If hit, target has -2 to AC until my next turn.

R1G5 nails the set up, but his shot is way off target. It's no worse than Janzi, who nails the monster, but doesn't penetrate its abnormal hide. Now might be a good time for harrying or covering fire.

Round 2:
R1G5: Miss
Gig: MM
Dunklezahn: Stuck
Janzi: Insufficient damage
Hack-it: Go
Booker: Hit
Hostile: TBD

Covering Fire:

You can use your standard action to make a ranged attack that provides covering fire for an ally. Make a ranged attack roll against AC 15. If you hit, you deal no damage but the selected ally gains a +2 circumstance bonus to AC against the next attack from a creature in your line of effect, so long as that attack occurs before your next turn.

Harrying Fire:

You can use your standard action to make a ranged attack that distracts a foe in your line of effect. Make an attack roll against AC 15. If you hit, you deal no damage, but the next ally to attack that foe gains a +2 circumstance bonus to her next attack roll, as long as that attack occurs before your next turn.

Hack-It lets Sputter continue firing on the monster.
Azimuth Laser Rifle: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
Fire damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

The mechanic then lays down some covering fire, hoping to protect Dunklezahn.
Covering Fire vs AC 15: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Hack-it's shot doesn't seem to hurt the monster, but Sputter lays down some covering fire.

The monster continues to try to savage Dunk It tries to drag the vesk into the acid 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (10) + 15 = 25, but fails!

Round 3:
R1G5: Go
Gig: Go
Dunklezahn: Go
Janzi: Go
Hack-it: Go
Booker: Go
Hostile: TBD

Same ol' song and dance from R1G5 but staying in place.

Stealth vs DC 20+CR: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (3) + 18 = 21

Tactical Pistol vs KAC: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 201d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Again, R1G5 strikes, but his weapon and skill with it don't seem to be enough to really hurt the monster.

Round 3:
R1G5: Not enough damage
Gig: Go
Dunklezahn: Go
Janzi: Go
Hack-it: Go
Booker: Go
Hostile: TBD

Chris, was that it's attempt to maintain the grapple?

"The grappled or pinned condition lasts until the end of your next turn, unless you renew it on your next turn with another grapple combat maneuver."

Is Dunklezahn still grappled?

If it's KAC is 17 or better, I literally cannot break the grapple. I also can't attack with any of my weapons because they're all two-handed.

I might have accidentally used Pathfinder rules. Regardless, it tried to renew the grapple and failed. Dunk is NOT grappled.

Dunklezahn wrestles his way out of the creatures grasp. As it lets go, Dunklezahn swings his curve blade around and down at it.

Curve Blade: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
Slashing Damage: 1d10 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Dunklezahn's weapon should do more damage, but the effect is muted. Still it's enough to harm and scare the alien! Unfortunately, it looks like it can take a lot more of that.

Round 3:
R1G5: Not enough damage
Gig: Go
Dunklezahn: Hit
Janzi: Go
Hack-it: Go
Booker: Go
Hostile: TBD

I'll try to aid Casanova, Janzi shouts at Hack-It, you try to help Dunk, or Sputter if you're so inclined!

Harrying fire: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

...or not.

Gig moves his hands in somatic gestures furiously trying to draw all of the techno magic he can muster to cast Caustic Conversion.

Ranged Attack vs. EAC: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Caustic Conversion Damage: 4d4 ⇒ (1, 2, 4, 2) = 9
5 additional damage on its turn for two turns!

Gig then flings magical nanites that convert water vapor around the beastie into deadly acid!

Booker watches Gig as he reloads. "That's cool an' all," he says, shouldering the long rifle again. "But didn't'cha notice it's sitting in an acid bath already?"

*BAM*

Sniper Shot: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 10 + 1 = 20
Cold Iron Damage: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

"Kinda don't think it bothers it none, you know?" The veteran calmly and efficiently shoves in another cold iron round.

Gig's magical nanites envelope and penetrate the monster. Unfortunately the creature's blood is already a strong acid, and the spell doesn't seem to help.

Janzi tries to lay down some fire, but ...something messes up his aim (it's a rock in his boot.)

Booker buries some cold iron in the alien again.... drawing the alien's ire and attention. The wounds are starting to show.

Round 3:
R1G5: Not enough damage
Gig: Caustic Conversion
Dunklezahn: Hit
Janzi: Miss
Hack-it: Go
Booker: Hit
Hostile: TBD

"You mean, do what I was already doing Janzi? Oh, good idea!"

Covering Fire for Dunk (Hack-It): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Azimuth Laser Rifle (Sputter) on Monster: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

"Damnit Janzi, stop distracting me!"

Oh, is that what you were doing? Janzi asks. Sorry, I didn't notice, due to its lack of resembling anything productive. I'll try to be more observant of your ineptitude. He finishes with a mutter. Or maybe I'll just talk to the bucket of bolts from now on.

Hack-it and Sputter shoot in random directions, unrelated to the fight at hand.

It makes matters much, much worse.

For good or ill, the skreesire abandons the vesk and turns on the human with the weapon that hurts. The creature takes a guarded step into the acid and reaches out to Booker's mind. Throw your gun in the acid... Will save from Booker

That's when the screeches of more monsters fills the thin atmosphere.

Round 4:
R1G5: Go
Gig: Go
Dunklezahn: Go
Janzi: Go
Hack-it: Go
Booker: Go
Hostile: TBD