[PbP Gameday VII] (SFS 1-03) GM Valen's Yesteryear's Truth (Inactive)

Game Master Lysle

"That looks like a pretty hostile way to make contact! Can I shoot it now?"

If anyone who feels in charge tells Flexer not to fire before the gunnery phase really starts, he won't shoot. Otherwise:

Computers,Operatives Edge: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

Ashtif whispers to himself, "I've got this. I've got this." Louder, he says to the group, "Now is probably a good time to mention that this is my first time flying in combat. So if anybody has a suggestion of where they need me, or if you need a specific weapon oriented somewhere, let me know."

He then moves forward, swinging into an Evade stunt as he does so, preparing for an attack from the enemy. He moves forward, then turns counter-clockwise as best he can, trying to create some distance, but ending movement still oriented toward the ship, so the front of the Drake (and our long-range weapons) are oriented toward the orbital platform.

Piloting: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25

Evade maneuver: +2 to AC/TL. Is that enough description, or do you need to move the icon on the map?

I think I missed something, Valen. Where is the map? Assuming the ship is kept in the forward arc, Roddy will fire the coilgun.

Attack Roll: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11
Damage: 4d4 ⇒ (3, 1, 1, 2) = 7

Map can be found at link above under Campaign entitled, "Tactical Maps".

@ Ashtif - Ideally, I'd like the PCs to move tokens of PC ship (and PCs) on the map with posting (indicating movement with lines)--removes any guess work on my part. If someone cannot do so (on mobile, no time, broken link, etc.), please indicate in the post and I (or a friendly fellow Starfinder) will do it for you. I have updated the map with lines, which I believe follows the description provided.

I updated the map based on what I was planning. Thanks for clarifying.

Also, Gunners, remember that you can take the +1's to the rolls. With a +11 and a target DC of 13, I don't need it for Evading, and we get 3 of them.

Ah. Well, I don't think I'd have hit with a 12 anyway, but I will remember it for subsequent attack rolls. Thanks for the reminder!

EDIT: Also, thanks for the heads-up Valen. Now I can see where we're going. :D Are we even within weapon range? Looks like we're pretty far out yet.

Long range is 20 hexes. p. 303 (I had to look it up). Plus it still has to move in its Helm phase before the Gunnery phase technically activates. Then we'll see how much badness we're up against. *cringes waiting for Valen to unleash hurt upon us*

BOTTING Dora - No effective action to take.
BOTTING Donovaan
Encourage, Diplomacy to Sensors: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

As the Drake approaches the alien vessel, both ships take evasive maneuvers and seem to conduct scans.

On approach, the alien ship manages to slip just out of the reach of the Starfinder's forward weapons. Outside of forward arc.

However, the turret's launcher gets a lock and a missile slams into the side of the alien ship with devastating effect!
Crit: 1d100 ⇒ 41

Despite the damage to the alien ship, a drone emerges from one the open apertures on the bottom of the ship's hull, approaching forward through the debris field left by the Starfinders' opening attack.

Ash, the missiles also have a limitation from speed of 12. If The ship is farther than that, it takes a second turn with a second attack roll for another chance to miss, so you can take that into account as well. (It would be nice if they printed all that in the ship stat block)

@ Ashtif - From now on, go ahead and give me a Piloting/Initiative roll for the following round with your post. (i.e., on your next post please provide a Piloting/Initiative for Round 3)

Initiative for Round 2
Ashtif, Piloting for Initiative: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14
Platform, Piloting for Initiative: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

Starship Combat Round Two Begins!

A token for the newly emerging drone is now on the map!

@ Taeon - If you use your action to scan, please let me know if you are scanning the platform or the newly-appeared drone. If you use your action to scan the platform, a successful Computers (DC 6+) allows you to view the spoiler entitled, "Alien drone platform status", in the post above.

PCs move first.

Starship Combat Round Two Continues!

PCs move before Drone.

Thanks, Flex. I doubt we'll be far enough that will be an issue, especially with it beating me on initiative.

Ashtif continues pushing the engines, circling around in a spiral to evade fire as he orients for a firing run with the platform and drone both in the front arc. "Hopefully it won't be able to maneuver out of this. Want to try to keep banging on that front arc, while the shields are damaged. Don't know how much of a pain those drones will be, but if we can keep that thing from spitting too many more out, that'll be good."

Piloting(Evade DC 13): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
+2 AC/TL for one turn

Initiative for Round 3
Piloting, with Computer: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 11 + 1 = 13

Initiative is really not going our way. XD

Roddy grumbles under his breath, "Great. The ship had a baby. We're fighting ship babies." He glances up at the others. "Which should I target? The big one or the ba--uh, little one?"

If there's a group preference, he'll fire at that one. Otherwise, he'll fire at whatever is in his forward arc, with a preference for the big one.

Attack Roll: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 + 1 = 9
Coilgun Damage: 4d4 ⇒ (3, 3, 2, 2) = 10

Computers (DC6): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

Taeon continues scanning the drone platform. "Those little things are drones. The ship can launch one at a time. I suggest concentrating fire on the ship. Its forward shields are down and the drone launcher is malfunctioning from our last hit. If we can knock it out, we can deal with the drones afterward."

"Can do!"

When the time comes, Flexer-5 opens fire on the main ship again with the missiles.

Target Lock Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 1 = 18
Damage: 4d8 ⇒ (7, 1, 8, 4) = 20

Which role on the ship do you need me to cover?

Which role on the ship do you need me to cover?

@ Donavaan - ship's captain is your role this turn. Players may agree to switch between rounds. I have added starship role sheets that I have found to be very helpful and corrects misprints in the Core rulebook

OK, I need to review that role :)

The Starship Role Sheets linked above should bring you up to speed quickly. Holiday here in US, so I plan to bot any remaining PCs in next 24 hours to keep us moving.

divert, weapons: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

BOTTING Donavaan – No effective action left to take this round

Starship Combat Round Two Summary

Engineering Phase
Dora diverts power to the weapons aboard the Drake.

Meanwhile, the drone platform’s automated systems repair the damage drone launch doors.

Helm Phase
Taeon scans the drone platform, ascertaining its condition as Ashtif evades, trying to keep the Drake from taking fire.

The drone platform attempts to take evasive maneuvers itself, but is unsuccessful in shaking any of the Starfinder’s fire as its targeting systems lock onto the engines of the Starfinder vessel.

The attack drone flies quickly towards the Starfinder ship in an evasive pattern, positioning itself behind the Drake

Gunnery
Ignoring the fast-approaching drone, Roddy fires on the drone platform, but misses with the forward laser canon. However, the laser fire slowed the platform down enough for Flex-5 to get a lock. A high-explosive missile streaks forth from the Drake. It strikes the rear shields of the drone platform, dropping them instantly and, with its damage potential having been increased by Dora’s allocation of power, the resulting shrapnel strikes hard against the hull of the drone platform.

The ignored attack drone strikes next!

The resulting energy blast depletes the Drake's shields, but they hold.

Then, the recently-repaired doors on the drone platform open again, releasing a second attack drone!

Drake Status
HP 70
Shields light 50 (forward 15, port 10, starboard 10, aft 10)
All systems fully functional

Round Three Begins!

Drone platform and Drone 2 move first!

Map updated with movements.

PCs acting in the following phases may go:
Engineering
Helm

Just to check on something: Did the drone take our aft shields down to 0, or are they at 10?

Moved the Drake on the map for round 3. Performing the Evade stunt again.

Piloting (DC 13): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26

+2 AC/TL for this turn

Ashtif pulls forward, spiraling evasively as he closes in on the orbital platform and tries to keep the drones from hitting them. "Remember to use the targeting computers. And if that second drone closes in, we might want Roddy to fire the aft weapon, and Flex to try to hit the platform with both turret and front arc weapons, if he thinks he can pull it off. We need to get it to stop spitting those things out."

Just to check on something: Did the drone take our aft shields down to 0, or are they at 10?

Aft shields currently at 10. (And I appreciate the quick post--though I just barely finished editing!)

Since the shields seem to still be at full, Dora continues to divert to the weapons.

engineering: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

Since the shields seem to still be at full, Dora continues to divert to the weapons.

Note - Drake's shields are not at currently "full", but the aft shields were depleted by 5 points of damage. (That being said, I don't think the correction is likely to alter your action, but you may revise the action prior to my posting the attack drone's gunnery rolls.

No, that does not change my action. Thank you for the correction.

The first drone races after the Drake continuing to stay on the Starfinder's tail.

Attack Drone 1 movement updated on Map (I removed the other movement lines to make it easier to view-if it is helpful to keep them through the full round, let me know).

The following actions for Round 3 may be posted:
Captain
Science
Gunnery

Flexer-5 loads up and fires the next round of missiles, the third of five. "I sure hope we have enough of these to take that thing down!"

Target Lock Attack, computer: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 1 = 7
damage: 4d8 ⇒ (1, 8, 7, 6) = 22

Roddy shrugs. "Those drones are still eating wake at the moment. If that changes, I'll be sure to swap to the mining laser, but the range on that thing isn't great. I'm struggling to hit our target as-is!"

The deck of the Drake is comfortably cool, but Roddy is slick with sweat, as if the act of manning the gunnery computers is physically taxing. Yeah, well, he thinks to himself, you know none of it's got a damn thing to do with the temperature, pal. Come on. Put up or shut up!

He grits his teeth and tries desperately to lock onto the drone platform.

Coilgun: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 = 4

Hell of a first run for Roddy. XD

Very helpful sheets

Encourage gunners 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

That should be a diplomacy check

BOTTING Taeon – He auto-makes the scan of the Drone Platform status (essentially no other effective action he can take this round)(all can read prior Drone Platform Status spoiler)

Starship Combat Round Three Summary

Engineering Phase
Dora diverts power to the weapons aboard the Drake.

Meanwhile, the drone platform’s automated systems attempt to restore power to shields, but have no success.

Helm Phase
Taeon scans the drone platform, ascertaining its condition as Ashtif evades, trying to keep the Drake from taking fire.

The drone platform balances its shields and attempts to take evasive maneuvers itself, which appear successful as it is unhit this round.

The attack drones each fly quickly towards the Starfinder ship in evasive patterns, positioning themselves behind the Drake.

Gunnery
Perhaps finding the quiet words of the acting captain uninspiring, the Starfinders are unable to hit their mark, even as their stores of missiles continue to diminish.

The drones strike next!

Although the first drone misses, the second hits its mark-even at medium range.

The aft shields of the Drake are diminished further, but still remain in place.

Then, the recently-repaired doors on the drone platform open again, releasing a third attack drone!

Drake Status
HP 70
Shields light 50 (forward 15, port 10, starboard 10, aft 6)
All systems fully functional

Round Four Begins!

All enemy ships go first!

One of the attack drones (No. 1-green) flies dangerously close to the Drake, nearly hitting it.

Map now updated! All PCs may take their actions!

Am I interpreting that map correctly and the green drone flew through our hex? We get a free shot on it?

Am I interpreting that map correctly and the green drone flew through our hex? We get a free shot on it?

It successfully performed a fly-by, so no free shot. : (

Flexer grits his synthetic android teeth and fires again with the 4th missile salvo.

Target Lock Attack, computer: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 5 + 1 = 26
damage: 4d8 ⇒ (5, 8, 3, 4) = 20

Critical hit!: 1d100 ⇒ 7

ugh life support if we are on the standard table, really?

Okay, cool. I was thinking it took a shot this turn, but I guess that was last turn. Wasn't sure if it could Stunt and shoot.

Ashtif swears in halfling, "Rumplesnap!", as he veers off for another run at the platform. "Their shields are pretty low. Let's take that thing out, then clean up these annoying drones." He smiles, feeling very encouraging. Maybe he'd make a decent captain some day.

Round 4 - Evade Stunt
Piloting (Evade DC 13): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23
+2 AC/TL for turn

Round 5 initiative
Piloting: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

Okay, I'm just going to let Valen roll my initiative from now on ... ;)

Too metagamy to say that Taeon would use Target System on Flexer's crit?

Rebalance (DC13): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Taeon works the ship's systems to rebalance some of the shields, but fails to access the proper subroutine.

Roddy wipes the sweat from his brow and focuses. He was never that great of a shot, preferring to swing with his fists, but there are no batttlegloves on spaceships. "C'mon, Roddy, you got this," he mutters to himself, and focuses his aim once more on the drone platform...

Coilgun: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 + 1 = 11

... and begins banging his head against the console. "Nope, you don't got this."

BOTTING –Donavaan & Dora as it has been over 24 hours since combat round began

Donavaan cannot take an action this turn that will impact the results.

Dora attempts to divert power to the aft shields.
Engineering to divert to shields (DC 13) : 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

Starship Combat Round Four Summary

Engineering Phase
Dora attempts to divert power to the shields aboard the Drake, but is unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, the drone platform’s automated systems divert power to restore some of the platform’s depleted shields.

Helm Phase
Taeon attempts to rebalance the shield, but fails to access the proper subroutine while Ashtif evades, trying to put more distance away from the drones, but giving chase to the platform.

The drone platform takes evasive maneuvers itself as its automated systems balance the vessel’s shields.

Meanwhile, the drones fly around attempting to surround the Drake.

One of the attack drones (green) flies past the Drake, then makes a sharp turn. The other two move more evasively with one (purple) creating some distance before making a sharp turn and the other (yellow) attempting to remain on the Starfinders’ tail.

Gunnery

Roddy’s sweat-covered head risks becoming bruise-covered.

However, Flexer-5 fires a missile directly at the heart of the drone platform, bypassing its shields and sending a tremendous impact the reverberates through the drone’s hull and its vital systems. (In addition to crit, the amount of damage alone was greater than a single CT!)

The drones fire back!

Two of the attack drones hit their mark! The port shields of the Drake drop, but none of the remaining energy burst gets through to the hull.

Then, the doors on the drone platform open again, releasing a fourth attack drone!

Drake Status
HP 70
Shields light 31 (forward 15, port 0, starboard 10, aft 6)

Round Five Begins!

Drone platform goes first!

PCs go next!

"Okay, so they don't need to be on our port side right now," Ashtif mutters to himself as he maneuvers after the drone platform. "It's getting crowded back behind us, guys, so we might want someone on that rear gun."

Round 5 Evade
Piloting (DC 13): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15
+2 AC/TL

Round 6 Initiative
Piloting: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27
Finally, a decent initiative!

The attack drones each turn towards the Drake in pursuit!
Map updated

All PCs (other than Ashtif) may act

"This is the last missile! It had better count!"

Target Lock Attack, computer: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 1 = 15
damage: 4d8 ⇒ (6, 5, 2, 5) = 18

divert, shields: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22 success.

CORRECTED: Round Four Summary

Engineering Phase
Dora attempts to divert power to the shields aboard the Drake, but is unsuccessful. The aft shields are bolstered.

CORRECTED: Drake Status
HP 70
Shields light 47 (forward 15, port 10, starboard 10, aft 12)
All systems fully functional