[SFS 1-05] GM Cellion's The First Mandate (Inactive)

Game Master Cellion

"Thank you, Mustachio." Cournae steels herself, draws a knife from the inside of her sleeve and attempts to calmly stab the creature to death.

Attack vs. Blue (KAC) w/ Knife (+ Get 'Em): 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 2 + 1 = 20
Knife Damage (S): 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0
Apparently, Cournae is carrying a butterknife.

Mustachio is about to help Cournae with the closer threat, but then sees Donovan take a bad hit. He yells word of encouragment over to him.

"Friend Donovan, do not fear. If you die, I will ask Zo! to give your eulogy! Friend Cournae, keep at it!"

Donovan regains 7 SP and putting Get 'Em back on the blue.

Zye carefully lines up a shot against the red flying serpent, taking advantage of the environment to analyze the right time for a perfect shot. His laser pistol bolt catches the serpent right in the back of the neck! Miss Chiff attempts a similar shot, but her own laser bolt strikes a nearby barrel.

Donovan attempts to fire at point blank range, provoking a sudden, opportunistic attack from the serpent. Its tail connects with his head this time, leaving him reeling. Dealing 5 bludgeoning to HP. In a show of defiance, he follows up by sticking is rifle in its mouth and blasting away! Its body begins to smolder and burn from the inside, but it doesn't fall right away. Nice crit!

Cournae attempts to fight the flying serpent with her knife, and while she connects with her strike, the knife can't quite penetrate the creature's hide.

The red serpent thrashes about as it burns, but the flames don't manages to kill it. It takes 1 points of fire damage from burning. Instead, it tries to escape from the dangerous creatures it attacked, flying off towards the northeast corner of the room. Once there, it rubs itself against the wall until it manages to extinguish the flames.

The blue serpent, unaware or uncaring about its fellow flying serpent creature, swings at Cournae with its tail once more! Cournae ducks, and the tail sails narrowly over her head.

||| INITATIVE |||
Cournae (-2HP)
Mustachio
SerpentRed (-20)
SerpentBlue (-9), get 'em applied
Miss Chiff (-7)
Zye (-7)
Donovan (-8 HP)

Bold are up

"Fire!"

Huchket Rifle w/ damage: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 = 81d10 ⇒ 4

And keeping Get Em on Blue

"Why must I deal with you, vexing creature!?" Cournae slashes at the air again, trying to murder the spiked serpent in a completely serene and scholarly manner.

Attack vs. Blue (KAC) w/ Knife (+ Get 'Em): 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 2 + 1 = 13
Knife Damage: 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3

Chiff will move into the room and take cover behind the barrel she shot. She will then take aim and fire at the red serpent in the corner.

Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19 for Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4 Burn.

I think I hit something, finally!!!

Donovan takes aim at red (or blue if red is down).

Laser Rifle, Azimuth
To Hit: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11 To Hurt: 1d8 ⇒ 8

There we - ow - go! We got 'em on the ropes! Zye calls out his own, less mechincically effective, version of 'Go Get 'Em' as he moves forwards and fires another shot. At Red if its still up, Blue if Miss Chiff or Donovan downed it already

Survival (for his next trick) vs DC 20+their CR: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (8) + 16 = 24
attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20 +1 if end up shooting at blue for fire damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Mustachio and Donovan fire away with their rifles but end up missing their attacks against the blue-ish flying serpent. Miss Chiff on the other had is far more accurate, landing a laser bolt into one of the red serpent's wings. It flaps weakly a couple of times and then collapses to the ground and expires!

Cournae narrowly misses a swing of her dagger at blue, but Zye lands another deadly laser bolt in its torso!
Extra trick attack damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4
But the serpent continues flying!

The remaining serpent, angered by Zye's attack, flaps over towards the operative instead. Provokes AoO from Cournae. It tries to slap him with its tail and scores a glancing blow. Dealing 4 bludgeoning damage.

||| INITATIVE |||
Cournae (-2HP)
Mustachio
SerpentRed
SerpentBlue (-17), get 'em applied
Miss Chiff (-7)
Zye (-11)
Donovan (-8 HP)

Bold are up

Mustachio doesn't have a good angle on the beast, so he jogs forward for a clear shot, and a shoots!

Huchket Rifle w/ damage: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 91d10 ⇒ 3

Cournae slashes at the flying serpent as it darts away.

AoO vs. Blue (KAC) w/ Knife (+ Get 'Em): 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 2 + 1 = 22
Knife Damage (S): 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1

Drawing a pulsecaster pistol from somewhere within her robes, Cournae aims the weapon and then fires, but the stunning shot goes wide.

Attack vs. Blue (EAC) w/ Pulsecaster Pistol: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Oh I didn't think that through... Zye says as the serpent glides towards him. He then has little time to think at all as it bashes at his face. The force of the blow causes Zye to drop his pistol: desperate, he draws out his knife and stabs at the monster.

Fighting defensively this round, for +2 dodge to AC

Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 1 - 4 = 20 for damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Chiff moves around the barrel and debris to get a better shot at the flapping monster. She then fires off a shot.

attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20 for 1d4 ⇒ 1 damage.

Cournae, Zye and Miss Chiff each land strikes of their knives or lasers, but in each case they do little more than scratch or singe the serpent creature!

It rears up to attack Zye once more... but when its tail swings in, Zye manages to duck underneath it and emerge unscathed!

||| INITATIVE |||
Cournae (-2HP)
Mustachio
SerpentBlue (-20), get 'em applied
Miss Chiff (-7)
Zye (-11)
Donovan (-8 HP)

Bold are up

Donovan takes another shot at the blue serpent.

Laser Rifle, Azimuth
To Hit: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11 To Hurt: 1d8 ⇒ 1

Still fighting defensively

Zye ducks the tail's sweep and desperately stabs back at the serpent. His fur is becoming damp with sweat. Stand...still...

Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 - 4 = 2 for damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

"I can't believe I am saying this, but I miss the Vesk!"

Huchket Rifle w/ damage: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 81d10 ⇒ 10 these rolls!

and continue Get 'Em.

Chiff watches and waits till she gets a clean shot a the creature, then fires off a shot.

attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16 for damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

I feel so stupid, forgot about the stamina and such and probably should of waited on using the healing serum.

While most of the group send errant shots and knife swings all over the room, Miss Chiff steps into clear firing position and delivers a laser bolt powerful enough to finish the flying serpent! Its wings seize up and it collapses to the ground.

---

Now that the heat of combat is past, you notice that both of the two flying serpents sported leathery collars around their necks, giving them the appearance of some kind of bizarre and dangerous pet.

"This battle was... not professionally done. Pull it together, Starfinders! Let me be an inspiration to you. Who here has seen "The Adventures of Captain Flash and his Drunken Bros", starring me as Starfight Pilot #6? Now those guys could fight!"

Mustachio leans over to investigate the collars. Are there any markings that could denote the owners?

culture: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Cournae busies herself searching the room. "Clearly those... things were left to slow us down. Quickly, we must find any evidence we can before making haste back to the gala!"

Perception check: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

If Cournae can't find anything of note, she'll take a moment to sweep the room with detect magic.

Chiff gives a slight chuckle at Mustachio's comment as she leans against the shot barrel. As her heart rate drops to normal she holsters her pistol.
What was those things?

Noting Cournae's comment she straightens up and gives the place a once over as well.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

The collars are plain and stripped of any labeling that would identify their origin. One bears a metal tag with the word 'Zap' on it, the other a tag with the word 'Zip' on it.

Cournae and Miss Chiff search the room, and while Cournae doesn't find too much of interest, Miss Chiff finds a few potential clues. Among the discarded wrappers and packaging to the south end of the room, she notices that some of the wrapping plastic bears the label of an explosives manufacturer! Searching the room thoroughly, she finds that there are a total of five such packages, indicating that five separate industrial-grade explosives must have been unwrapped here.

A peek into the backpack that was discarded next to some of the storage barrels in the south end of the room reveals quite a few items of interest. An unremarkable set of clothing appropriate for a maintenance worker, a set of basic lashunta tempweave armor, an Anchoring Fusion Seal, a hygiene kit containing a a vial of Dagret’s Scalesheen Oil and a jar of FLĒQ Texture Cream for Curly Hair, and finally, a large datapad.

The datapad turns on readily enough, but you find it secured against physical and digital intrusion. Computers check required to hack into.

The only magical aura Cournae spots is from the fusion seal.

"Ah! FLEQ brand. My personal favorite. Excuse me, an actor always needs to looks his best."

Mustachio pops open the Texture Cream for Curly Hair and generously applies to his luscious locks. Circumstance bonus for all charisma based skills, Cellion? Eh? Eh? Nudge nudge.

"I did a sweep of that room and didn't find anything. I suppose the assassin could have place explosives later, though, dressed as a maintenance worker."

I'll need to rent that one Mustachio. Zye says. He leans against a wall and pulls out his own healing potion.

heal me: 1d8 ⇒ 2

I can try to hack that. And I know time is of the essence. But maybe give me a few seconds. If that thing explodes too, I'm not sure how much use I'll be.

Chiff ponders all the clues and looks at the datapad.

"With what we have now, we know there are at least five explosives or one large explosive.Anchoring Fusion seal,Lashunta armor, Scalesheen Oil and Texture Cream for Curly hair. Any ideas?

She looks over at Zye. "Want me to give the datapad a try? I can probably take a hit if it goes bad, or toss the thing in a barrel before it explodes. Or we can do it together, that might be best.

"Scalesheen Oil and Cream.... It is like we are looking for a Vesk with good hair. I feel like... that could be a real possibility!"

Mustachio gets out the cream again and takes a huge whiff, and then walks around saying, "Smell my hair. Don't be shy, now. How often can you say you've smelled the hair of a movie star? Ok, everyone now! Lock this scent into your olfactory memory. If you smell it again-besides me of course- we have our suspect."

Chiff ponders all the clues and looks at the datapad.

"With what we have now, we know there are at least five explosives or one large explosive.Anchoring Fusion seal,Lashunta armor, Scalesheen Oil and Texture Cream for Curly hair. Any ideas?

She looks over at Zye. "Want me to give the datapad a try? I can probably take a hit if it goes bad, or toss the thing in a barrel before it explodes. Or we can do it together, that might be best.

Zye looks up at his fellow Ysoki and nods. "Okay, you're right. There's five bombs out there, which is at least 5 too many to waste time about. On one. Two. Thr--

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

Chiff on the three mark works to crack the datapad.

Computers: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Did not add any aid bonus

Even with the two of you working at the security together, the access protection denies you any progress. There are a couple of moments where you think you've almost got it, and then the datapad ejects you back to the initial login screen.

One failure, you can try again. For PbP speed's sake, I'll let you know you have two more attempts before something happens, and you're looking to hit DC25. Feel free to roll another attempt if the first one doesn't work.

Chiff continues at the hacking attempt.

Computers: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17 2nd attempt.
Computers: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 3rd attempt.

Did not add any aid/assist bonus.

Ouch! looks like I have failed at hacking.

If she has enough time while the searching/hacking is happening (10 minutes), Cournae will focus her efforts into repairing Zye's wounds with her healing touch ability (+5 HP).

"Zye, stop bleeding on everything. You'll contaminate the crime scene. Ugh, you are all cut up - this is not what your skin should look like!"

As Cournae lectures Zye on the finer points of ysoki dermatology, her forceful words erase some of his wounds from existence.

Mustachio continues to go over the pile of objects. He grabs the anchoring seal and spends some time attaching it to his weapon.

He looks at the wrapping for the explosives. "Clearly this was a staging area. They are probably already heading back to the gala, explosives on hand. We need to hurry back there. Hopefully the datapad gives us an identity, otherwise we are looking for a team of a vesk, a lashunta, and someone with very good smelling curly hair."

Despite Miss Chiff's best efforts, the datapad resists intrusion. Upon your third failed attempt to bypass its outer level of security the device enters into a lockdown mode, blocking any further attempts to access it in any way. Effectively, all you now have in hand is an expensive chunk of metal and plastic. (Triggered a lockout countermeasure)

With some clues in hand, you head back towards the gala, taking the same elevators that you took down to the Sparks district in the first place. During this journey you have enough time to heal with healing touch and rest to recover SP.

----

The elevator doors open and you're met with uniformed members of the Obsidian Spiders. They look you over silently and then direct you towards the northern service hallway. There, Radaszam waits next to a door looking out into the gala floor, observing the guests.

As you approach he closes the door and turns towards you. From the grimace on his face as he looks at you, he's not entirely happy. "I was starting to think I should send some of the Spiders down there to check on you. Radio silence from the whole group of you for half an hour!" He utters the briefest of snarls at that amateur behavior and then composes himself. "Alright, what did you find down there?"

~~~

Once you've explained all that you found, Radaszam spends a minute quietly in thought. "Seems like we'll be looking for five explosives, and judging by the fact that the gala is ending soon, they're likely already set up. Luwazi announced ahead of time that she's to give a speech at the end of the gala, so that's the most likely time they'd be set off." His nostrils flare "Since the end-time of the gala wasn't set ahead of time, Triloteya has to have some way of monitoring when that speech will happen. Which means they either have a feed of the gala, or they're here somewhere. I'd bet on the second one. Criminals have a way of wanting to bask in the reactions of their victims."

"As for Triloteya, scale shine and curly hair cream... not quite enough to narrow down the suspects alone. But your thought around the smell of the cream is a good one Mustachio. You might be able to identify them that way. Its a shame you bricked the datapad. There might have been more information in there."

Pausing here to allow for responses.

Curses! We are running against a tight clock

"We need to get back into that gala and check out the servers and guests, fast! If they have someone there, that person is going to keep to the fringes, maybe a back room, so that they don't get caught in the blast. Keep your noses about you! Uh.... I better wash out my hair. "

Mustachio runs to a nearby washroom to wash the cream out of his hair, so he doesn't confuse other people's sniffers. He soon emerges with his normally lucious and bouncy hair hanging straight down and sopping, and he tightly affixes his feathered hat on top.

This is exactly a like a Mission Impossible episode from the late 80s where they identify the suspect at a party by perfume choice. Turns out it was a cross-dresser, so watch for that!

Zye will definitely take that 10-minute rest

Thanks a lot Cournae! Zye says, genuinely gracious to the fellow Starfinder Ysoki gotta stick together I guess Hopefully Desna's gonna smile on me a bit more soon enough.

---

How much longer's the gala expected to last? Zye asks nervously. And where do you think the bombs would best be set? He peeks out and scans the room, trying not to draw any partygoers' eyes. I bet one under the stage at least. Maybe the buffet tables?

"The stage. At least one of them. Others may be scattered around the room for confusion as well as damage."

Chiff notes Zye's question about placement of the bombs and turns to Radaszam.
"Mr. Radaszam is there a demolition expert on your team present? Perhaps we can narrow down the search area by asking where they would place 5 bombs for best effect.......Also would getting a jammer in place be possible or advisable?

Lets see three days, so probably got explosives here before security, then they come in clean, get the explosives and place them.
If that is the case they would be hidden in plain sight, so something easily overlooked.

Chiff say to the group in general. "We should also keep an eye out for mundane things that may be the explosives in disguise, hidden in plain sight sort of thing.

Chiff looks at the borrowed armor she is wearing and then down at her feet. Before smiling. "Oh there is something, that place was grimy so there is chance the suspects shoes or such may be dirty.

"We've got another 30 minutes until Luwazi's announcement. Not much time, but better than many jobs I've dealt with. With a small place like this, job should be able to find them if you split up and search."

"The stage would be the most obvious place for one, but they could really be anywhere. As for signal jammers: I'll be deploying one just in case, but if our culprit is close by, any detonator they use will likely be able to bypass the jamming by utilizing a low-frequency wave." (See note in spoiler below for a bit of behind the scenes) "I do have a few demolition experts in the Obsidian Spiders, but... hm."

Radaszam crosses his arms as he considers something. "Luwazi was looking for a way to show off how capable our new agents are, and this might be a good way to do it, if you're all feeling up to it. My Obsidian Spiders can certainly locate the bombs and defuse them while you search for, identify and apprehend Triloteya. They're thoroughly trained for this kind of thing." He taps a claw against his chin. "On the other hand, we can make this a real show if you think you can do it. If your team alone not only apprehends Triloteya but also locates and defuses the bombs... that'd be daring, impressive. Luwazi would be able to point to a new team as exemplars, in the middle of the gala..." Reading your expressions, he continues with "Of course, my team will be ready to back you up if you falter."

So two choices here: Bombs + Triloteya, or just Triloteya. Up to you guys.

Chiff looks at the group "I am up for going after both."

On the map of the gala house, there's a set of stairs. Where do they lead to?"

"Well, it's good to have backup in case we utterly fail. Let's go save the world, and look impressive doing it."

Up for both! Let's jump on this.

Mustachio nods and agrees. "We know we are heroes. So let's show them."

I'm sure you'll tell us- but-- any specific rules here or are we just going about making checks?

Seems we have 3/5 in support, so I'll assume you're in for the more challenging plan! Also, before we continue, I'll answer Donovan's question in character: Radaszam responds to his question with "So we have the main hall here, access corridors to the north and south sides so the staff can bring up food and stage it before taking it into the main hall. Behind the stage to the west is the AV room. Controls the lights and audio for the stage."

"Good to hear you've got a bit of spirit in you." Radaszam grins in approval when he hears you're up for the more audacious plan. "Get out there then. I'll keep a close eye on proceedings, contact Luwazi and the other higher ups so they're aware of the plan, and keep you up to date via comms if anything changes. Good luck."

----

So here's how this'll work:

You have two tasks you must handle simultaneously: Finding and disabling the five explosive devices located within the gala hall, and identifying and capturing or killing Triloteya. Your goal is to accomplish these objectives without alerting Triloteya to your actions and causing them to panic and trigger the explosives early! This event happens in rounds of somewhat non-specific length. During each round, you may attempt to search for explosives (requiring a perception check), attempt to disable an identified explosive (requiring an engineering check), search for Triloteya (Perception check), or attempt to draw the attention of the room away from any of the other party members doing their things (By taking the stage and offering an check that you think is reasonable to hold the room's attention).

Every skill check listed above is negotiable. If you think you have a good explanation for why another skill would work, you may attempt that instead. Just note that the DC will likely be higher in such cases.

When you either attempt to search for explosives or disable and identified explosive, you need to also provide a stealth or bluff check to disguise what you're doing, so as not to attract Triloteya's attention. Alternatively, if someone is currently drawing the room's attention, no stealth or bluff checks are needed.

You may specify that you're interacting with particular people or investigating specific places at the gala, as part of making your check each round. While the check is the main way you progress the event, I'll take your specific investigation target into consideration, providing a circumstance bonus when you are on the right track.

---

ROUND 1 - GO!

Mustachio whispers to the others, "As soon as we have a bead on the explosives or Tiloteya, let me know and I'll take the stage. I'm 100% positive that I can keep all eyes on me when I need to... No really, I'll take it for the team."[/b]

But for now, Mustachio heads out to the access corridors and studies the staff as they go by. He pays particular attention to any extra-shiny vesk and of course sniffs every persons' odor as they pass.

perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16 bonus for being intimately familiar with FLEQ brand hair creams? :D

Understood Zye says. But it would be for a distraction though, right? Not an audition?

Somewhat nervous at the answer to that, Zye's head is already turning to look around for the bombs themselves.

Perception for bombs: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Chiff nods and heads out to mingle among the people, her intent is to locate the Triloteya. She does tap out a question concerning the bombs to the group. -Are the bombs small enough to be pocketed?

If need be, and there small enough, I can use sleight of hand to get a bomb unnoticed out of the area? Also would Sense Motive be a viable option instead of perception?

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Seeing Zye's and Miss Chiff's posts, let me remind you that:

Your goal is to accomplish these objectives without alerting Triloteya to your actions and causing them to panic and trigger the explosives early!

When you either attempt to search for explosives or disable an identified explosive, you need to also provide a stealth or bluff check to disguise what you're doing, so as not to attract Triloteya's attention. Alternatively, if someone is currently drawing the room's attention, no stealth or bluff checks are needed.

Miss Chiff knows from seeing the packages that the explosives are adhesive type. Attempting to remove them without defusing them might set them off!

If you can explain how a skill is effective, you can try most stuff. Give it a go and I'll let you change your roll if a particular skill definitely won't work.