[SFS] GM kuey's Into the Unknown (SFS Quest) - PbP GD6 (Inactive)

Game Master kuey

Hakrinag, you couldn't take a guarded step (move action) and attack (standard action) during the surprise round. However, I reread the scenario and it states that the skreebara burst out amongst you so it should start adjacent. (This is so that it can attack on the surprise round.) I've readjusted its starting position, moved Hakrinag back to starting position, and resolved combat from there.

Caught up in the heat of the battle, Hakrinag sets aside his weariness, moves up and slams his doshko on the skreebara, smashing through its thick armor. The vermin rears up it head and screeches in pain.

It swings it head around and chomps down on Hakrinag with its powerful mandibles. They slices deep into his side, while their sonic emanations bruises his flesh.
bite vs Hakrinag KAC: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20 slashing dmg: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 + sonic dmg: 1d3 ⇒ 3

combat map
Bold may act
-------
Surprise Round (standard or move action only): Status: Nil
~~~
beast (10)
Pangea-Epsilon
Jonas
Madrigal (SP 3/5?)
Eli
Asier-23-7 (surprised: flat-footed)
-------
Round 1
~~~
Hakrinag (SP 1/9)

Surprised by the beast's sudden appearance, Jonas nevertheless manages to gather his wits about him quickly. Certainly quickly enough for him to draw his pistol and stand ready to fire at the creature at the first chance he gets.

Just drawing weapon for this round as I did not have the guy walk about with it already drawn. Probably a habit I should have him gain sooner or later. Maybe sooner... :-P

Pan-Ep looks up at the beast, and... casts a spell, calling upon Triune's knowledge and power to scan the skreebara's mind, and divine the most vulnerable portion of it's thoughts.
"Oh, it fears the crystal storms too!" Pangea thinks, and starts to send information about storm after storm pelting down on the monstrous worm, overload its brain.
Casting Mind Thrust. DC15 Will save for 1/2 damage (it is mind affecting). Damage being: Boil the Brain: 2d10 ⇒ (5, 5) = 10

"Shoot that thing, guys! Come on, you can do it!!!" NOT Get 'em! Just words of encouragement!

Pistol: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

"On it!", Eli shouts, and takes a beeline towards the mounted gun. She runs past the creature, attempting to evade its claws and mandibles.

Hakrinag swings his weapon around while he spins to gather momentum and sends the sharp blades into the insect's exoskeleton. "HAHAAA!"
________

Jonas, mentioned in my previous post that I would generally assume that characters would have their weapons drawn in hostile territory, but definitely, you have the final say.
Eli, not sure where you're getting the DC. Tumbling is 15 + 1.5xCR, not 25. But the 2nd and 3rd still failed though. Also, you haven't moved your token so I moved her where I thought you wanted.
Madrigal, did you wanted to expend an RP while resting earlier to recover the SP damage from the crystals?

Jonas draws his weapon, ready to attack the giant beast. Pangea-Epsilon activates his form of weapon - his mind, blasting the skreebara with a barrage of overwhelming mental images. The weak-minded creature gets pounded psychically by him, and again it screeches in pain.
will: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Madrigal fires her pistol at it, hitting the softer flesh under its thick armor. Eli, deciding that she needs heavier firepower, races for the x-gen gun. She starts well in ducking under the forbidding mandibles but stumbles on the soft sand, right into their path. The powerful bite slices deep into her side, and she almost faints from the great pain.
bite vs Eli KAC: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29 slashing dmg: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 + sonic dmg: 1d3 ⇒ 3

Hakrinag steps along the side of the vermin. Taking advantage of its attack on Eli, he slams his doshko again down on the skreebara, once again smashing through its hard armor and biting deep into its flesh below. Once again, its screams fills the air.

The giant vermin-like beast is shivering in weakness, its blood and gore pouring copiously into the ground. But this is its territory and the Starfinders are invaders. It steps back and swings its head to face the reptilian that has causes it the most damage thus far, and releases a horrendous scream right at Hakrinag.
sonic damage vs Hakrinag: 4d4 ⇒ (1, 4, 3, 3) = 11 reflex DC12 for half

Sorry, made a mistake in my monster info just now. The attack is in a line, not cone. I'm not certain how line attacks would emanate from large creatures, but it seems to me that if it wants to get Hakrinag, it can't get anyone else.

combat map
Bold may act
-------
Round 1: Status: Nil
~~~
beast (35)
Pangea-Epsilon
Jonas
Madrigal (SP 3/5?)
Eli (SP 0/6, HP 6/10
Asier-23-7
-------
Round 2
~~~
Hakrinag (SP 1/9, -11 or -5 ref DC12)

Pangea-Epsilon will take a guarded step (one never knows!) to be beside Hakrinag, and cast a (non provoking) spell.
The Mystic Cure heals Hakrinag by -- HP heals: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 -- 6 Hits Points (cannot heal SP).
Pangea will keep its hands on Hakrinag, and transfer the Vesk's wounds to itself if needed.
Pangea can heal more HP by taking HP damage itself. Pangea is willing to take up to 9 HP damage to cure Hakrinag up to full HP health

Caught off-guard by the creature's style of attack, Hakrinag's vision explodes with stars. Barely able to make anything out, the relentless flurry of Doshko strikes continues at where he hopes the skreebara still is. "A fight to remember! A vesk never backs down!"

________

Hakrinag fails to jump out of the way in time, and takes the sonic blast full on. The attack tears open his flesh and ruptures his organs, and he is on the verge of collapse. Pangea-Epsilon reacts immediately, stepping forward to lay his hand on the vesk. The wounds immediately close up, and other than being winded, Harkinag looks almost whole again. However, the android's artificial flesh rips open, taking some semblance of the wounds that Hakrinag had borne earlier.

Not hesitating a moment to even say thanks, Hakrinag brings down his doshko again on the skreebara. Again, his mighty attack connects, this time smashing in the head of the creature. It collapses onto the ground, its six legs twitching violently before they gradually become still.

Combat over!
Character Status:
Hakrinag - SP: 0/9, HP 10/10
Pangea-Epsilon - SP: 7/7, HP: 6/10
Madrigal - SP: 3/5
Eli - SP: 0/6, HP:6/10

Oops, Asier-23-7 didn't get to take a turn. Sorry though as I'm trying to move things along, because we still have one more chapter to go!

As the beast collapses, so does Hakrinag. A thick knee thuds into the ground and he braces himself on his doshko, taking deep, ragged breaths. "Android, that is a good trick you have there. We shall be excellent battle brothers," he declares, still staring at the floor.

After a minute, he stands back up. "I owe you a debt. I intend to pay it in blood, but should you desire an alternative medium, I am yours to direct." He then looks at the android's wound and points to his own chest. "If you're lucky, that'll make for quite the scar!"
________
Another break and RP to recover SP?

Go ahead and rest up if you want although it doesn't really matter.

Whilst examining the body of the skreebara, you realise that the tough, overlapping crystals that make up the skreebara’s carapace might be valuable. DC 12 Life Science check to harvest crystals worth 800 credits from the creature. If you fail this check, you accidentally damage it and only manage to recover 400 credits worth. You may aid in this check.

You also turn to examine the wreckage that is spread out over a large area. The tactical X-gen gun affixed to the section of shattered hull can be removed, a job that takes about 10 minutes of work. However, it is too damaged to reload, and can only fire off its its remaining shots. At least, it can be sold as scrap.

Otherwise, the Unbounded Wayfarer is clearly damaged far beyond repair. There are also no survivors - you find seven desiccated corpses in the wreckage. Any other crew members were likely pulled out by the skreebara and devoured. At the bridge, you find one of the corpse with its hand lying near the distress call button - he had managed to send out the signal but did not survive long enough for rescue.

Nonetheless, you turn to search through the debris for any useful information.

You find signs that the ship had been salvaged earlier - anything obviously worth salvaging was likely taken away by the Corpse Fleet explorer that plundered it earlier. There was something that they had missed, however.

Although the Unbounded Wayfarer’s computers are beyond repair, they retain sufficient power to interact with the Starfinder insignias. The computer interface ports contain an indentation the same shape as the Starfinder insignias. The Corpse Fleet crew had obviously overlooked this connection. When you slot an insignia into the indentation, the computer flares to life just enough to display a datafile of worlds previously explored by crew of the Unbounded Wayfarer. They include:

• A wasteland planet called Elytrio that displayed signs of scattered technology.
• A sentient asteroid called Lamentia teeming with morlock “children” in the Vast.
• A massive space station called End of Bright Things stuck between the orbits of two blue dwarf stars.
• A stormy, oceanic world called Wealdriad, with upthrust columns of basalt piercing the storm-tossed ocean’s surface.

Having successfully recovered the data module from the Unbounded Wayfarer, you can now safely retrace your steps to the Odyssey and leave Ulmarid’s surface.

Chapter 4 completed successfully! Will wait approximately 12 hours before starting last chapter. Will be putting the stats for Odyssey in maps and handouts if you would like to get familiar with it.

Not being able to attack is fine! I'll use it to my advantage.

Asier just stands there with a blank look in his eyes unblinking as he records the movements and actions of the creature in front of him. After Hakrinag smashes the things head in, though his eyes come back into focus and he blinks a couple of times. "Thanks for holding it off everyone! I got some amazing footage of... actually Epison what was it again? And how do you spell it; I need to put a name on this file. It would have been good if I could have had a little more time to analyze it, but I at least got to see it's screech. Now if I could take a few samples, I should have enough data to add a short entry to Szuta's database."

Asier then proceeds to gather a few samples of the creature's exoskeleton, blood and other fluids as well as taking long looks at some of the more interesting structures of the creature. After determining the crystals could be highly valuable, he proceeds to strip them to strip them off te creature. He doesn't take any more than 10 minutes in total, allowing the rest of the group to rest up if needed. When he finishes he turns to everyone and says, "I believe I have collected enough information, now let's get moving before another storm or creature appears."

As they approach the ship Asier points out some odd markings on the hull. "What ever took them down had some very heavy artillery!"

_______
Agh, Ninja'd by the GM with a skill check or two I can actually do!
Life Sciences: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

"We need to take these corpses back for a proper burial. Eli, could you return to the ship and fly it closer so we don't have to drag them so far, please?"

"I am fairly certain Hakrinag does not share your interest about its screech, Asier," Jonas comments, his tone close enough to that of a quip.

"And you are correct about the ship that took the Wayfarer down," he continues as he looks at the ship's hull. "Coilguns or railguns, from the looks of it. And the Wayfarer did try to avoid the fire but it seems like it darted the wrong way. Or that the enemy ship's gunners were too quick."

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

With her palms on her wounds, Eli waddles over to the crashed ship, checking the hull damage. She confirms Jonas' observations, and takes notes on the datafile displayed when the insignias are inserted ( or copies the entire thing, if possible ).

After Madrigal's request, she nods, but has a request before that. "The bug got me good. Can someone look at these before I go? Getting caught in that storm in this condition might be an issue."

Pangea-Epsilon uses Triune's powers to heal Eli, taking 10 minutes to commune with its God and channel energy to mend the wounds, doing so while its comrades rest to recuperate their stamina.
Eli gets 5 HP back. Used my 1/day Healing Touch
Then, Pangea casts its last daily spell to heal its own wounds.
Mystic Cure: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Pan-Ep bows to Hakrinag: "I am just doing my duty, friend, if I may, I just ask that you respect and help followers of Triune if you can, when you meet them in your adventures and explorations".
Eek! That means the skreebara had dropped you to 0...

Eli nods at Epsilon afterwards: "Much appreciated. I'll try to convince Hakrinag to give you priority service after we wash that uniform.", she adds with a spark in her eye.

Once the wounds mend, Eli asks for 10 minutes to get back in shape, and walks towards the dunes, making notes on the planet on the way.

Eli sets out towards the Odyssey on her own (!!!) safely, and pilots the ship back to the rest of the party. They spend some time reverently transporting the remaining Starfinder remains on board, before finally taking off.

Chapter 5 - Lawblight
A warning klaxon blares, and the ship lurches. The asteroid field around the world of Ulmarid is more agitated than on the descent down to the surface. Although it’s not clear what has caused the anomalous activity, what’s certain is that you must reach safer altitude before a more serious collision occurs.

Eli, as per the descent earlier, need a piloting check to navigate back through the asteroid field around Ulmarid (DC unknown, but appears more difficult that earlier). Madrigal can attempt a DC 10 Piloting check or a DC 17 Diplomacy or Intimidate check to add a +2 bonus to Eli's check. Science officers (not necessarily just Jonas) can each attempt a DC 15 Computers check to add an additional +2 bonus to the pilot’s check.

Seeing the asteroid field is more agitated than earlier, Asier takes to one of the scanner control panels and tries to help plot a course through the asteroids.

"Eli, if you take a left by 1.236 degrees, bank up for 5.336 seconds and then accelerate for a burst of 8.6659 seconds, you should be able to shoot through that large hole in the asteroid right in front of us!"

_______
Computers: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Arugh, I literally just rolled for boons for Gameday VI in another thread and got a two. Curses RNG curses.

Eli grins at Twenty-Three's instructions. "I'll try. What happens if I miss any or all of those by 10 miliseconds?"

Piloting + Aid: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 10 + 2 = 22

"Not much unlees you happen to miss one by more than 30 miliseconds, then we crash, burn and all the organic people die horrible deaths... We could go around it, but going through is much more exciting isn't it? Also having seen your flying, I have every belief you can do it."

The asteroids rain down upon the Odyssey, and despite a number of really close calls, Eli competently threads a path through the obstacles with some precision directions from Asier-23-7. Nonetheless, it was a tense hours or so for the entire crew before the ship clears the bulk of the asteroid field.

Just as everyone starts to relax and prepare for an uneventful trip back to Absalom Station, klaxon calls sound out throughout the ship as the scanners detect an approaching ship. A large vessel of rusted metal slips from behind an enormous asteroid directly behind you, its weapons already firing. The front of the ship resembles a stylized skull with crossed bones beneath—a clear indication of space pirates!

A transmission from the enemy ship beams over. "How nice for you to drop in," a deep rumbling voice projects from the Odyssey's speakers. "I knew if we left the distress beacon on and just lie in ambush in the asteroid field, it would draw ships in like honey draws flies. First that undead ship, and now you. You have the pleasure of being the prey of the Lawblight. Consider it an honor. In the very short remaining existence of your light, that is. Over and out. For good."

Before panic sets in though, you are reminded that you are not wholly unprepared.

• In questioning Exegara earlier in the Vat Garden, you were already pre-warned of the possibility of the ambush by the Lawblight. As such, Eli is not completely taken by surprise and manages to maneuver the Odyssey to a somewhat more advantageous position before engagement. Before combat commence, you may reposition the Odyssey up to 4 hexes in any direction (disregarding the actual maneuverability of Odyssey), with any facing you choose.
  
• When the Loreseeker first encountered the Endless Threnody, Jonas had scanned the ship, and had logged in the damage pattern of its aft. As such, you have some information of the Lawblight's torpedoes weapon system. The ship computer, with this information, is better able to predict the torpedoes' flight path, and perhaps, evade them. The first time one of the Lawblight’s heavy torpedoes would hit the Odyssey, it misses instead.
  
• The data you downloaded from the Endless Threnody after boarding it contains some information on the Lawblight, likely picked up by the Threnody's scanning combat during their battle. You automatically gain information about the Lawblight’s basic information, defenses, and weapons, which I've share below.
  
• Whilst examining the damage pattern on the Unbounded Wayfarer back on the surface of Ulmarid, Eli picked up some sense of how the Lawblight's coilguns fire, allowing her to better evade those attacks. The Lawblight must roll twice for each gunnery check it makes with its coilguns and take the worse result.

Immediately, Jonas calls up the relevant information on the Lawblight, sending it to all your workstations.

Ship Information Lawblight | Medium transport | Crew Complement 6 | Speed 6 | Maneuverability average (turn 2)
Defense Systems AC 13 | TL 13 | Hull 70 | Shields F:15 P:5 S:5 A:5 | PCU 130
Weapons Systems Forward: coilgun (4d4), heavy torpedo launcher (5d8) | Aft: gyrolaser (1d8) | Turret: coilgun (4d4)

Pangea-Epsilon, as a Priest, reduces the DC by to Recall Knowl' re. religious traditions, symbols, leaders... so I imagine it applies.
If it applies: all can read the spoiler - will not put info in RP in case it does not apply
Mysticism DC 7 (or 12): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Culture: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Madrigal opens up the comm line to the Besmaran Pirate ship "Captain of the enemy vessel, this is Madrigal Seraphine, the ship you have attacked was not an undead ship, but a Starfinder ship. We are on a peaceful rescue mission. Please stand down!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (11) + (6) + 8 = 25

I know this won't work, the fight is going to happen, but it is what Madrigal would do.

starting distance: 3d6 + 5 ⇒ (1, 6, 3) + 5 = 15 First player, remember you can reposition the Odyssey up to 4 hexes from its starting position, and with any facing before combat commences.

Hazards This combat occurs around clusters of asteroids. These asteroids are sufficiently slow-moving that, for the duration of the starship combat, they are effectively stationary on the map. Clusters of asteroids block a starship’s line of fire, so the ships can maneuver around the asteroids for cover from enemy fire. A starship that crosses into a hex containing an asteroid takes 4d6 damage to a random facing (maximum once per turn), but can continue moving as normal.

Being forewarned, and with Eli's lightning quick reflexes, she manages to outmaneuver and reacts more nimbly to place the Odyssey at a more advantageous position before either ships' weapons can engage.

The Lawblight captain had thought that its broadcast of that taunting message but the heart and will of the Starfinders are strong, and remain resolute. Meanwhile, the engineer manages to transfer some of its auxiliary power to the ship's weapons, empowering their attacks. The pilot, despite reacting slow than Eli, still is skilled enough to weave the ship about, making it a difficult target, as it flies straight for the Odyssey. The science officer manages to hack into the Odyssey before Jonas repels the intrusion, not only learning of the Odyssey's basic ship information, but of its defenses as well.

The loser of init can't plan its gunnery actions as it depends on the final facing after the winner has moved their ship. Also, I've put what are likely the relevant skills for all the characters below for ease of reference.

combat map
-------
Ship Status
Odyssey: 85/85 | F:20 P:15 S:15 A:20 | Life Support: Normal | Sensors: Normal | Weapons: Normal | Engine: Normal | Power: Normal
Lawblight: 70/70 | F:15 P:5 S:5 A:5 | Life Support: Normal | Sensors: Normal | Weapons: Normal | Engine: Normal | Power: Normal --> divert to weapons; evade;
~~~
Round 1: Asier-23-7
~~~
Engineering Phase
Helm Phase
Gunnery Phase
---
Madrigal: bluff +10; intimidate +8; diplomacy +8+1d6; computers +5; gunnery +0
Asier-23-7: engineering +8; computers +8; gunnery +3
Jonas: engineering +7; computers +9; gunnery +2
Eli: engineering +7; computers +7; piloting +10; gunnery +4
Hakrinag: gunnery +2
Pangea-Epsilon: gunnery +2

Asier, good luck! This round's on you!

"Pffffff - Pirates!", Eli laughs. "And here I thought something more sinister was lurking about."

Still, she re-checks the straps on her seat and grabs the flight stick tighter: "Time to space-dance, guys. Strap in!"

I did not have much of a chance to sit down and work on this until now, sorry! Also one question should we be posting dialogue (Especially for the captain's actions) and descriptive text or just what they do and the roll for it and let people fill in from there?

Taunt, Bluff DC?: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

”Aye, captain, extra power to the weapons coming right up" Asier follows Madrigal's orders and, hoping to Triune that this power board likes him better, tries to divert extra power to the guns. He misses one of the more important steps and messes up.

Divert Power DC18: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Ugh, I knew I should have moved that memory module over to engineering.

Evade DC18: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

Computers DC?, computer boost: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 9 + 1 = 19

Coil Gun, turret, open fire: 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 2 - 4 = 1
Missile launcher open fire, computer boost: 1d20 + 2 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 - 4 + 1 = 5
Heavy laser, computer boost: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 2 + 1 = 20
Damage: 4d8 ⇒ (1, 2, 3, 2) = 8
That damage is just pitiful!

Asier-23-7, you brought up a good point about the roleplay part of this. I'll take it up at discussion thread. Separately, note that in taunting, you need to determine a specific phase. I'll take it as gunnery. Also, please help to draw in the path taken. Polyline works well.

Lawblight is tier 2. Don't think that needs to be a secret.

Finding her efforts at diplomacy rebuffed, she turns the full force of personality across the transmissions to Lawblight, greatly shaking the morale of pirates especially the gunners. Asier-23-7 attempts to divert auxillary power to the weapons, but Odyssey must be related to Loreseeker, for it resists his attempts as much as the previous craft. Meanwhile, Eli takes the Odyssey to swoop around on as tight a turn as the ship can muster while taking evasive actions at the same time, bring its forward arc to come upon the Lawblight's unweaponed port side. Jonas successfully hacks into the enemy ship, planting a bug in its power core system. Hakrinag fires away with both weapons in the turret but he is still unfamiliar with the new system and fires too early before the Lawblight moves into the firezone. Epsilon-Pangea, however, manages to land blasts from the forward laser cannons, shutting down Lawblight's port shields and damaging its hull.
taunt duration: 1d4 ⇒ 3

The Lawblight returns fire with the only weapon it can, the turret coilgun. Eli accurately predicts the path of the rounds from studying the damage on the hull of the Unbounded Wayfarer and easily dodges the attack.
turret coilgun, taunted: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 8 - 2 = 8 Taking worse of two rolls
turret coilgun, taunted: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 8 - 2 = 21

combat map
-------
Odyssey: 85/85 | F:20 P:15 S:15 A:20 | Life Support: Normal | Sensors: Normal | Weapons: Normal | Engine: Normal | Power: Normal --> target (engine)
Lawblight: 67/70 | F:15 P:0 S:5 A:5 | Life Support: Normal | Sensors: Normal | Weapons: Normal | Engine: Normal | Power: Normal --> taunted (gunnery 1/3); target (power); demand (gunner); divert (weapons)
~~~
Round 2: Hakrinag: All phases
~~~
Madrigal: bluff +10; intimidate +8; diplomacy +8+1d6; computers +5; gunnery +0
Asier-23-7: engineering +8; computers +8; gunnery +3
Jonas: engineering +7; computers +9; gunnery +2
Eli: engineering +7; computers +7; piloting +10; gunnery +4
Hakrinag: gunnery +2
Pangea-Epsilon: gunnery +2

The Lawblight tries to outmaneuver the Odyssey but Eli once again proves to be a better pilot.

Seeing his gunners shaken by Madrigal, the captain starts screaming through his public address system at the first gunner to instil discipline back into him, even if temporary. The engineer keeps the auxillary power diverted to the weapon system to supercharge them. The pilot, despite being slower to react, still successfully manages to reverse the ship, trying to keep Odyssey to its front. At the same time, the science officer returns Jonas' favour by similarly planting a bug into the Odyssey's engine system.

Over to you, Hakrinag.

The ship skirts the astroid cluster and turns towards the shieldless port side. Once lined up, weapons fire!

Captain Madrigal will encourage Encourage (Diplomacy, Pangea), DC 19: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (13) + 8 + (1) = 22 Success
Engineer Asier will divert to weapons Divert (Weapons), DC 18: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14 Fail
Pilot Eli will try to Evade incoming fire Evade, DC 18: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19 Success
Science Officer Jonas will target systems Target Systems (Weapons), DC 19: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14 Fail
Gunners Hakrinag and Pangea will fire their weapons
Hakrinag (Coilgun): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 194d4 ⇒ (1, 1, 2, 2) = 6
Hakrinag (High Explosive Missile Launcher): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 54d8 ⇒ (1, 3, 1, 6) = 11
Pangea (Coilgun): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 244d4 ⇒ (1, 1, 4, 1) = 7 Crit!
System?: 1d100 ⇒ 60 Weapons
Pangea (Heavy Laser Cannon): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 64d8 ⇒ (4, 1, 1, 3) = 9
________
My plan is to keep blasting away at their port shields, which I did my best to angle us towards while keeping that astroid cluster at our back. If I understand the maneuverability correctly, if we come in close like this they will have a much harder time getting a good position on us. Sorry if I messed up -_-

Sorry I made a mistake in the earlier ship status. Lawblight should not have its power core system targeted. The Odyssey had hit Lawblight the last round but didn't cause critical damage, so it is gone. Otherwise, Hakrinag could not have attempted to target the weapon system, because you can only have one system targeted at a time.

Separately, each gunner can only fire one weapon at a time. They can fire two each using the Fire At Will action, but with a -4 for each attack. In this case, I would take it that way and apply the -4 to all the attack rolls, which doesn't change the outcome. Alternatively, You can reassign the crew to different position, in this case to gunnery, if you feel they would contribute more there. That's why I listed everyone's gunnery checks.

Madrigal sends words of encouragement to Pangea-Epsilon, who despite being an emotionless android, still finds himself buoyed by her gesture. Asier-23-7 continues to struggle with the managing the auxiliary power controls. Jonas, this time, finds the enemy science officer has put up some firewalls and fails to hack into their computer system. Eli, however, continues her graceful flying, bring the Odyssey once again to bear on the Lawblight's port side, while taking evasive actions as the same time.

The gunners, eager to take down the unscrupulous pirates, fire all the guns are their disposal. Hakrinag's control of the turret coilguns are spot on as the rounds rip into Lawblight's unshielded port side. His unfamiliarity with missiles shows, however, as yet another one flies out into the abyss of space aimlessly. Pangea-Epsilon with a level of hyperfocus that only androids can bring out, similarly manages to punch deep into the Lawblight's hull with his forward coilguns as well.
coilgun crit damage: 4d4 ⇒ (4, 4, 4, 1) = 13 which arc; 1=forward clockwise: 1d4 ⇒ 2 => starboard arc

The damage also pushed the Lawblight through two CTs, so two more crits!
crit 1 system: 1d100 ⇒ 7 => life support
crit 2 system: 1d100 ⇒ 20 => sensors

The combination of both coilgun rounds wreck major damage across the Lawblight, shorting out multiple ship systems including its starboard targeting, life support and sensor systems.

The Lawblight turret gunner fires his coilgun at the same time. This time, he seems better prepared for Eli's flying and the rounds flies unerringly towards the Odyssey. Only in the last minute does Eli manage to pull away and the rounds glance off the forward shields.
turret coilgun, taunted, demand: 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 8 - 2 + 4 = 16 => Really close! Your AC is 17 due to Eli's evasive actions!
turret coilgun, taunted, demand: 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 8 - 2 + 4 = 27

combat map
-------
Odyssey: 85/85 | F:20 P:15 S:15 A:20 | Life Support: Normal | Sensors: Normal | Weapons: Normal (missile 3/5)| Engine: Normal | Power: Normal --> target (engine)
Lawblight: 41/70 | F:15 P:0 S:5 A:5 | Life Support: GLITCH | Sensors: GLITCH | Weapons: GLITCH (S) | Engine: Normal | Power: Normal --> taunted (gunnery 2/3)
~~~
Round 3: Eli: Engineering & Helm Phase
~~~
Madrigal: bluff +10; intimidate +8; diplomacy +8+1d6; computers +5; gunnery +0
Asier-23-7: engineering +8; computers +8; gunnery +3
Jonas: engineering +7; computers +9; gunnery +2
Eli: engineering +7; computers +7; piloting +10; gunnery +4
Hakrinag: gunnery +2
Pangea-Epsilon: gunnery +2

Eli init: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
Lawblight init: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

Adrenalin from desperation fuels the Lawblight pilot who, this time, manages to get the jump on Eli.

Eli, take over please. You can only post Engineering and Helm phase actions as until Lawblight moves, you wouldn't know what guns you can fire. You can either post the gunnery actions after my next posting, or just set up a series of conditions and rolls and I'll take over. Oh, don't forget about the 3x +1 computer bonus!

The nav-console reports an imminent collision alert, but the Odyssey takes a swift turn to starport, ending up behind an asteroid.

I like to suggest to stop movement with at least 2 hexes between the ships or we will end up moving through the same hex and getting fired at for free. If this occurs, we are forced to do a maneuver to reduce delay available to change course, and can't boost AC, etc. The AC boost is especially good, since they have that 'misfortune' debuff.

Eli, Piloting, Maneuver (reduce turn rate) vs DC 23: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27
Jonas, Computers, Hack - Power core using a +1: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 8 + 1 = 21

This initiative is messing us up. Can I use Madrigal's encourage in this turn to increase the next initiative roll by 2?

+1 boosts used this turn: 2/3

combat map
-------
Odyssey: 85/85 | F:20 P:15 S:15 A:10 | Life Support: Normal | Sensors: Normal | Weapons: Normal (missile 3/5)| Engine: Normal | Power: Normal --> target (engine); encouraged pilot init;
Lawblight: 41/70 | F:17 P:1 S:6 A:6 | Life Support: GLITCH (Patch) | Sensors: GLITCH | Weapons: GLITCH (S) | Engine: Normal | Power: Normal --> target (power)
~~~
Round 3: Eli: Engineering & Helm Phase
~~~
Madrigal: bluff +10; intimidate +8; diplomacy +8+1d6; computers +5; gunnery +0
Asier-23-7: engineering +8; computers +8; gunnery +3
Jonas: engineering +7; computers +9; gunnery +2
Eli: engineering +7; computers +7; piloting +10; gunnery +4
Hakrinag: gunnery +2
Pangea-Epsilon: gunnery +2

Eli, yes, because of the strange way I do initiative, I'll allow that. Also, I noticed Asier-23-7 didn't take any actions. I assume you're assigning him to guns?

Madrigal turns her attention to Eli, boosting her morale to keep her more attentive to the moves of Lawblight. Eli executes a tight turn, narrowly avoiding Lawblight while coming up beside an asteroid for protection. Jonas, working near-magic on the computers, manages to plant a bug in the Lawblight's power core monitoring system.

The captain, seeing his ship's life support system starting to fail, races to the engineering section to install a quick patch to keep it going. He commands the engineer to restore the damaged shields, which he completed successfully, while ordering the science officer to transfer some of that to the unshielded port side, which he failed. Through all this, the pilot follows Eli's lead and executes a tight turn, narrowly zooming by the nearby asteroid, to come up behind the Odyssey.

The gunners siezes this opportunity. The first gunner fires away the forward torpedo but the nearby asteroid interferes with the tracking system, and it smashes into the big rock instead. The second gunner, however, aims true with the turret coilgun. The rounds smashes against the Odyssey's aft shields, which although weaken, does not fail, keeping the hull still intact.

Eli, go ahead and fire your weapons!

Yeap we're doing both turrets and the aft coil with this badboy and see what hits.

23-7, Coilgun, Aft : 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 54d4 ⇒ (4, 1, 2, 4) = 11
Hakrinag, HEMS, Turret, +1 on this: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 2 + 1 = 184d8 ⇒ (8, 2, 2, 8) = 20
Epsilon, Coilgun, Turret: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 54d4 ⇒ (1, 1, 2, 4) = 8

Eh. Could be worse, I guess.

Asier, completely ticked off about his failure to do anything with the Odessy's cursed board fumes silently for a moment before turning on the comms and sending out a comment. "I'm done with trying to finagle these controls right now! I need to shoot at something. I'll be in gunner bay three if anyone needs me."

His curse for starship computers apparently follows him to the gunner bay though as he fires off a few wild shots that might hit someone in a century or two, but definitely does not hit their intended target.

In contrast, Hakrinag can be heard roaring with triumph as he finally lands a savage blow with the missile launcher. "PANGEA, DID YOU SEE THAT?! THOSE PIRATES SHALL BOW BEFORE OUR SUPERIOR MIGHT!" he screams at his display, shaking the rig with his excitement.

Rattling around the shaking rig and buffeted by the vivacious vesk, Pangea calls out: "Y... y... yessss!", and cheers!

"Hakrinag, nice shot! Keep it up!"

combat map
-------
Odyssey: 85/85 | F:20 P:15 S:15 A:10 | Life Support: Normal | Sensors: Normal | Weapons: Normal (missile 3/5)| Engine: Normal | Power: Normal --> target (engine)
Lawblight: 38/70 | F:3 P:2 S:7 A:7 | Life Support: GLITCH (Patch) | Sensors: GLITCH (Patch)| Weapons: GLITCH (S) | Engine: Normal | Power: Normal --> target (power); evade
~~~
Round 4: Eli: Engineering & Helm Phase
~~~
Madrigal: bluff +10; intimidate +8; diplomacy +8+1d6; computers +5; gunnery +0
Asier-23-7: engineering +8; computers +8; gunnery +3
Jonas: engineering +7; computers +9; gunnery +2
Eli: engineering +7; computers +7; piloting +10; gunnery +4
Hakrinag: gunnery +2
Pangea-Epsilon: gunnery +2

The Lawblight pilot was able to duck and weave erratically about enough to cause both androids to miscalculate its path, missing both coilguns. The seeking missile, however, is not fooled and slams head on. The resulting explosion takes out the forward shields completely, and damaging the hulls.

Eli init, encouraged: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 10 + 2 = 17 Good thing you had that encourage bonus!
Lawblight init: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Despite not breaching the hull, the Lawblight still shakes violently from the missile explosion. This throws off the pilot, and Eli once again gets the jump on him.

The captain stays in the engineering section, installing some quick-fix patches to restore the ship's sensors to optimal functionality, while screaming at the engineer to restore some shields. With his boss briefing directly down his neck, he manages to divert some power to do so. Unfortunately, the science officer is still too frazzled to shift more of the shields to the vulnerable front. The pilot meanwhile flies the craft around the asteroid, waiting for the Odyssey to emerge from the other side to blast it with its forward weapons, taking evasive maneuvers while doing so.

Over to you, Madrigal.

Captain Madrigal will Encourage (Diplomacy, Hackring) DC 19: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (12) + 8 + (1) = 21 YES
Engineer Asier will Divert (Weapons), DC 18: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13 NO
Pilot Eli will try to Evade incoming fire DC 18: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22YES
Science Officer Jonas will Target Systems (Weapons), DC 19: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28 YES
Gunners Hakrinag and Pangea will fire their weapons
Hakrinag (Coilgun Turret): 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 + 2 = 22
Coilgun Damage: 4d4 ⇒ (2, 4, 2, 2) = 10
Pangea Heavy Laser Cannon: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
Coilgun Damage: 4d8 ⇒ (3, 8, 8, 5) = 24

Madrigal, encouraged by the fighting so far, keeps the gunners active.
Asier, as normal, can't divert power, much less patch anything.
Eli does his best to evade incoming fire!
Jonas targets the Weapons subsystem on the pirate ship, however....
Hakrinag and Pangea shots were accurate AND damaging, but didn't crit.

Pangea hugs Hakrinag and dances around the gunnery station: "We hit! We hit!"

Caught up in the heat of the moment, Hakrinag finds himself hugging and dancing around with Pangea. "WE ARE THE MASTERS OF ALL SPACE! FEAR US PIRATES, FOR YOUR DOOM IS UPON YOU!" the vesk screams, adding in more roars, high-fives and epic fist bumps with his favorite Pangea model.

Madrigal, because the maneuverability of the Odyssey is turn 2, it needs to move forward 2 hexes before making a turn. So I've moved the ship one more hex forward. Also, Jonas can't target the weapon system because the power system is already targeted. I'll transfer that very nice roll to fire a weapon instead. The high explosive missile launcher on the turret will do very nicely.

Jonas' firing of high explosive missile launcher: 4d8 ⇒ (7, 7, 8, 7) = 29

Wow, so total damage: 10 + 24 + 29 = 63...

Lawblight heavy torpedo launcher: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25 first torpedo hit negated
Lawblight coil gun roll 1: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17 worse of two rolls still hit. dmg: 4d4 ⇒ (4, 4, 2, 3) = 13
Lawblight coil gun roll 2: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Eli expertly pilots the Odyssey to emerge from behind the asteroid, turning the craft at the last minute to fast the Lawblight head on. As if a final confrontation, both ships fire their best weapons almost simultaneously at each other. The Lawblight torpedo flies straight and true, but the Odyssey computer, having been fed data of that weapon system, autoengages an evasive maneuver, weaving past the torpedo which again slams into the nearby asteroid. The Lawblight's forward coilguns smash to the Odyssey, but only sufficient to weaken the forward shield.

Launched by Jonas, Hakrinag and Pangea-Epsilon, a missile, a heavy laser blast and a burst of coilgun rounds propel themselves towards the Lawblight straight and true. The pilot is barely able to dodge out of the way when all three punches through the meager shields, and completely through the severely weakened hull. The resulting explosions, which first starts in the power core system but subsequently spreads to more and more sections rip, the ship completely apart, filling up the screen of the Odyssey with fiery fireworks! When it eventually dies down, all that remains of the pirate ship are pieces of debris floating about in space.

Combat over!

With the Lawblight defeated, you are free to return to Absalom Station with the information retrieved from the wreckage of the Unbounded Wayfarer. Venture-Captain Arvin greets you with a warm smile as you disembark. “You can undergo the tedium of a complete debrief later. First, I’ve arranged for you all to enjoy a few days’ downtime in Kemanis, at the high-end clubs, theaters, and VR parlors. You’ve earned it. But,” he warns, with a sly twinkle in his eye, “after that, it’ll be time to put you back to work. Perhaps it is time for your commencement...”

"Kemanis' parlors... by Triune, there must be some lost souls to bless there!" Epsilon thinks, and, as a smile comes to its face: "We did our duty, and are ready to serve the Sociery!".

Welcome to my PbP game for SFS Quest: Into the Unknown. Hope you would have a blast!

Before we start, I would to share some of my ground rules. (In spoiler tags to not take up space.)

Getting Started
Ok with that out of the way, a few tasks before we kick off.

A. Go to the Gameplay page and ninja dot, i.e. submit a post then delete it.
B. Go to the maps and handouts page and fill out the table there. (Don’t worry about the 3 boxes below the table, i.e. token, initiative and perception. I’ll take care of that.)
C. In this Discussion thread, do your day job rolls (if any), and share whatever OOC information you would like the rest of the party to know about your character e.g. class, level, special abilities. If you have not decided what class to play, you can do that here as well. We’ll leave character descriptions and introductions to the gameplay thread later when we are about to start.

Tentatively, I’m hoping to get started on 25 Aug, but might be delayed depending on how much time I have to get ready. So watch this space!

Fantastic!

Welcome, welcome. Please take some time to read the above. I know it is long, but we're not starting just yet. :)

Please feel free to take some time here to discuss what character you would like to play, taking note especially of #8 above. There may or may not be space combat in this quest... :P

If you are not quite certain just yet, you can always play one of the pregens first. And as this is actually a series of 5 quests, you could technically change character between quests if you want to experiment a bit. However, please take note of #8. :)

Please feel free to ask questions. This is a good time for all of us, including me, to figure out the rules!

p.s. Oh by the way, in the sign-up sheet, I was asking if you've played this quest before, not whether you have played SFS before. :)

Hi! Given what the group posted as what they are inclined to play, I am going to play my Envoy. I can easily cover the 1st part of #8, with maxed Charisma. Very much a "social" character, with fighting being a distant second. When I get home from work tonight, I will go ahead and modify my character page to more reflect the one you like.

p.s. Oh by the way, in the sign-up sheet, I was asking if you've played this quest before, not whether you have played SFS before. :)
First intelligence check failed... nice.

Hello and thank you for having me!
Hello fellow Starfinders and companions to be!

I can post 1/day for sure. I am in Europe, so might be a bit at odds with other people's timezones (but at the very least I check and post every morning, which means I do not miss the 24 hour cycle).

I have DMed the Quest (last Friday night, got all 5 parts done) and I have four more slots of running it scheduled in the next 2 weeks, which I hope does not disqualify me here.
I am very keen to play it, since I will probably not be playing much SFS (I am the VO who'll be running SFS in our part of the Galaxy to get things going...) and not the Quest I am quite sure, in our game shops.

I will not be spoiling/meta-gaming, which is why I chose the character I did.

My character: I have created a series of characters, and they are all Androids, which is all I intend to play in SFS. They are all built by the same company, PANGEA, and each model is a different class (I'll give some IC background), and, of course looks alike.
Thus this will be PANGEA-Epsilon, the Mystic model.
It is a Healer Mystic (God: Triune), thus more of a support character (w. Healing Channel, Healing Touch, and mostly healing spells - I still have to make sure I understand how that free spell works for Mystics).
I did take Grenade Prof' as my 1st level feat, and have 1 smoke & 3 frag' grenades.
But, in general, Epsilon is not a front liner, nor a decider, but a backup character that would thus not be up for spoiling the plot.

re. Space Combat - Epsilon is a lame duck, and would only be fit as a Gunner (w. only +1 before Vessel Computers etc.). The only other skill being +1 in Piloting (I have negatives in Captain skills, and no Engineering or Computers).
Have no fear, Epsilon does have planetside skills (Culture, Life Science, Medicine, Mysticism, Survival...).
And if all fails, PANGEA-Epsilon will be good at giving the last rites: +11 Profession Chaplain with his Kit of Triune vestments and Holy i-Book.

So that's my long-winded intro'.

Eric Collins (Eric Collins-France on the boards)
Pangea-Epsilon
101218 #705
Day Job: After the adventure, Epsilon gathers you all together, to join hands and other appendages, and pray to all mighty Triune...
Profession Chaplain: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30

(Eric Collins - France)
And my Day Job roll is actually 31.
(sorry, forgot it is +12 not +11)

Hello everyone.

I am in Europe as well and I can do the 1/day thing, sure.

As for the quest, I have not played it before. Of course, I have never played in a PFS or SFS PbP before either so... ;-)

The character I will be playing is an android by the name of Jonas Bishop. His first name he chose himself, but the last name however is a designation. He is the product of something called the Chess Project, his creation alongside other like him taking place a little under two centuries ago, a couple of decades before androids were recognized as full citizens; he remained active for a short time after his creation before being mostly memory-wiped and deactivated and laying dormant until "waking up" relatively recently. That is also the reason he lacks the tattoo-like glowing circuitry, instead looking quite a bit more human (a fact that perhaps hints at his being made as an infiltration unit of some kind), although the synthetic pale skin and entirely white eyes -not to mention his never using contractions- leave little room for doubt as to what he is.

The above would be a bit of fluff. As for crunch, I am going with the Spacefarer theme and for either a Mechanic (with an Exocortex AI) or an Operative (with the Daredevil specialization), so either way I will be investing in Computers and Mechanics and Physical Science among other things (like Acrobatics, Piloting, Sleight of Hand and Stealth if I go with the Operative). The exact class will depend on what the others are set on making I think.

No Day Job for me, if that is acceptable of course.

Also, if it is alright with you, you can refer to this profile to see how I was planning to set up his character sheet. I will of course be adding the various special abilities descriptions for ease of reference, though I would prefer to do so under a spoiler so as to avoid cluttering it all up. What do you think? It is I believe close enough to the one you linked, but if you feel it to be too different, I can follow your example more faithfully.

P.S. What name do I put as player name? F. Castor or my real name?

Player Name: Emmjay
Character Name: Madrigal Seraphine
Info: Envoy (Icon) 1
Faction: Wayfinder
SFS #: 224344-701
Profession (Comedian):Profession: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
Perception: +10
Initiative: +0

+Information added to your Handout Information

Hi! I don't have my character profile set up yet, but would like to play an operative. If this makes for several redundant skills/abilities, I can play a soldier as well.

This will be my first Starfinder game, so please be patient with me. I have played a decent amount of PbP games, so hopefully that helps me out :)

My operative would have the Ghost specialization while my soldier will focus on melee combat, if that helps anyone else choose their characters.

Hello everyone!

Sedoriku here. I'm looking at playing this character. He's an android exocortex android. He's the result of a realization that one can easily play an android who has barely been renewed and a second realization that an android mechanic could readily inherit an exocortex from his body's previous owner. Thus Asier, who has literally been here less than two weeks, is still trying to learn things and is highly reliant upon his exocortex's AI (who I haven't named yet...). He should be able to cover either 3 or 4 of number 8 with no problem.

I don't have his character sheet together yet, but I'll be working on it today, this evening, along with finishing up some details for a few other characters. And if anyone is dead set on a mechanic I can readily design a new character.

I'm also in an East Asian time zone, I hasn't caused too many problems (besides the majority of posts happening when I'm asleep.) And for starship combat I can readily post a spoiler of what I'd like to do before going to sleep (even if it's not my turn.)

P.S. What name do I put as player name? F. Castor or my real name?

I think as long as your PFS/SFS number is correct the name doesn't matter too much... But I may be wrong on that.

Welcome, welcome, to one and all from all time zones. Hmm, perhaps it was because I posted during a time that the Americans are mostly asleep. :) I'm actually posting from East Asia myself.

To clarify on my #8 above, I was referring specifically only to space combat, and it is more a matter of skills spread than character spread. So don't feel constrained about playing a class that someone else is already playing. Classes do not determine a character. :) So long as we don't have a party of 6 mystics or solarians, the skills would be easy to spread out.

Eric, glad to have an experienced SFS GM here! Definitely please help point things out if I get some of the rules wrong. :) And no, no issue with having played or GMed before. Especially the poor GMs who never get to play... *sob* *sob* Oh, and on the connection spells for mystic, I posted at Castamir how I think it works. This comes from cracking my head over it for a few days whilst creating my mystic character. :)

F. Castor, the profile page looks fine. However, although it would not an issue for this quest, you might need a section to indicate the different boons slotted for the current adventure, e.g. ally, social, starship, etc. And the name is up to you. As Asier shared, it is really the PFS number that matters.

Madrigal, had a quick look at your character sheet. In case you didn't notice, both the skill synergy feat and the expertise dice gives insight bonus, i.e. they do not stack. General forum consensus seems that it is intentional so that an envoy won't get +17 skill checks at level 1 (+4 stat, +3 class skill, +1 rank, +3 skill focus, +1d6 expertise dice).

Gummy Bear, redundant skills is not an issue really. (Outside of space combat, there are NEVER redundant skills.) What is good though is to cover the different space combat skills, so no worries about skills overlapping.

To consolidate the characters so far:
- Madrigal: Envoy, likely captain
- Pangea-Epsilon: Mystic (Healing), likely gunner
- F. Castor: Mechanic (Exocortex) or Operative (Daredevil)
- Gummy Bear: Operative (Ghost) or Soldier
- Asier-23-7: Mechanic (Exocortex)
- NotEspi: Operative (Ghost), likely pilot

Thanks for the heads up. Still reading up on the rules and such. To correct the issue I changed Skill Synergy to Bluff and Perception. I (now) understand that I can't take Bluff as a skill expertise, but truthfully, I don't think I would want it anyway.

I doubt I'm experienced! Just started... but am learning.
Okay, I'll speak up if I see something I believe is not correct (a lot to take in - I made one big mistake in the first game!).
Thanks for having me!
re. the connection spells for mystic, I did not see it was you who wrote that post (it's still open in my browser!). I will be re-reading it and the rules... but I realized I forgot we can rebuild before level 2 (and then swap out / change 1 spell when you level) so it's not super important (I wanted to take Mystic Cure and Lesser Remove Condition in my idea as a healer/support character).
Just a note: I really like what they have done to spells, making them versatile (Mystic Cure can do so many things after level 4) and w. extra powers (like being able to not overheal but give temp' points, or transfer one own's HPs etc.).
And neither Mystic Cure nor Lesser Remove Condition provoke! (easier to become a battlefield healer).

Thanks for the info and answers, guys. As for the boons, I actually do have a place where I refer to them; it is under the Starfinder Society spoiler in the Jonas Bishop character sheet/profile page. I can put them in the proper character sheet though if you wish.

As for the PC himself, I am still deciding on whether he will be a Mechanic or an Operative. Main reason I chose these two classes is that they are varied enough and have quite a few cool features, features that I can pass off in fluff as the android and his nanotech and capabilities upgrading and evolving and adapting as he "grows" and levels up (I kinda plan to play him over multiple SFS PbPs if possible).

Regardless of the actual class, I will be aiming to fill either the Engineer or the Science Officer role as both of those character builds will have Computers, Engineering and Physical Science trained.

With an Operative already locked in so to speak, I was considering the Mechanic. But seeing as how someone else is also going for a Mechanic, I guess either one will do for me, as there will be some overlap either way.

So we have 3 operatives (2 of them ghosts, on top of everything). I think I'll read up on the solarian. Unless Castor and Bear decide to go for the other options. Since this would be my first Starfinder experience, I don't really mind which class to pick. Everything I would opt for is a breath of fresh air.

Also - Hi everyone!

@F.Castor - go for the Operative, then, no problem.

I'll get to my duties in other threads and then read up on an alternative option in terms of class.

Oh, worry not! I am equally sold on both the Mechanic and the Operative, so by all means, play the Ghost Lady if you prefer it. Besides, even if I do end up as an Operative, he will be of the Daredevil specialization and more a sciencey guy rather than a killing -sniping or otherwise- machine. Not that he will not be hitting people as well mind you.

Also, and not to speak for the others of course, I do not count 3 Operatives really. I see Gummy Bear having put in Operative (Ghost) or Soldier as class, while Sedoriku has said Mechanic or something else.

Fair enough. Going with Eli, then.

Player Name: NotEspi
Character Name: Eli Scone
Faction: Wayfinders
ID #179284-701
Roll: Profession - Navigator: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Init: +5
Perc: +5
SeMo: +5

Ship combat skills:
Gunner - Piloting 10
Pilot - Piloting 10
Engineer - Engineering 6
Science Officers - Computers 6
Captain - Diplomacy 4

With Eli's theme and character, I would prefer to take the pilot seat, but I can take other slots as well. Just please - not the captain one.

Hello everyone...I'm not used to the paizo message boards!

I did roll up an android Mechanic with drone (Outlaw), perhaps if Castor can go the operative route, I could avoid scrambling to roll a new character up?

My intent for the mechanic is to be a professor of engineering who leans more towards computer science. That is why he wont be investing in the physical sciences skill. He however will focus on developing his skills with medicine, so he can act as a backup for someone who focuses more exclusively on that. So for the most part TRS-80 will focus on Engineering, Computers, and medicine.

The rest of his skills are more physical based so he can take advantage of his android heritage. Such as athletics, perception etc.

The other mechanic can focus more on the physical sciences such as repairing gadgets, disable device, starship repair etc? while I focus on computer hacking etc in game?

If need be I can still write up a frontlining solarian by Friday. Though 2 operatives shouldn't be an issue. 3 is pushing it, I think.

Besides being a skill monkey, Eli is a melee character too, so we should have that covered.

Hello everyone...I'm not used to the paizo message boards!

I did roll up an android Mechanic with drone (Outlaw), perhaps if Castor can go the operative route, I could avoid scrambling to roll a new character up?

TRS-80, I've just pm'ed you. I think there's a misunderstanding. I don't have you on my table.

If need be I can still write up a frontlining solarian by Friday. Though 2 operatives shouldn't be an issue. 3 is pushing it, I think.

Besides being a skill monkey, Eli is a melee character too, so we should have that covered.

Although I have not read up on the operative in depth, I feel that operatives are generally quite a flexible class that can play multiple roles. They can be built as melee or ranged fighters, and depending on the specialisation, can be completely different in play style.

Eli, you've read the forum talk that the +4 to stealth for ghost's trick attack might be an error? Well, I will stick officially to what's in the core rulebook so won't be an issue for this game. But you might need to be prepared that the +4 gets errata'ed away in the future.

Separately, like the issue with envoys, operative's edge is an insight bonus, so would not stack with skill focus for acrobatics and stealth.

I'll fix those. Can you link to the +4 to stealth comment? It's a level 1 anyway so it might end up being very different before I hit 2. I Might actually change it to daredevil after the scenario. Fits the bravado theme more.

I'll get a soldier rolled up. Variety is fun :) then we can see more classes in action!

I'll fix those. Can you link to the +4 to stealth comment? It's a level 1 anyway so it might end up being very different before I hit 2. I Might actually change it to daredevil after the scenario. Fits the bravado theme more.

Here you go.

I got a character sheet together! I still need to finalize purchases (I listed off things I wanted to buy, but didn't calculate if I could be them; they should be within the thousand credit limit) and double check a few things but it's late here and I want to go to bed.

So, Asier-23-7, since you are going with the Mechanic, which ship role are you going to be filling? Engineer or Science Officer?

I keep thinking Engineer will be best for him. He can cover science officer if needed but that feels like a role he'd need more expertise/experience in before he could accomplish it well.

@Eli Scone - but also all:
You wrote Gunner - Piloting 10.
Look in the CRB p. 320.
Gunnery is actually based on the RANKS in Pilot, not your score.
So, at level 1, you can only have a +1 from Pilot.
Gunnery is calculated as follows:

BAB or Ranks in Piloting Skill
+
DEX mod'
(and then you tack on the variables: range penalty ; bonus from Ship's computer ; bonus from Science Officer and/or Captain)

So, basically, you start w. 0 or +1 from BAB/Pilot Rank + your DEX bonus

(on another note, I still have not found the entries on Range Penalties!)

Ah, so that's a standard attack action dice rolling. Nice catch. Still so much to read about this game.

Range - just checked it's on page 303. Second to last paragraph. The weapons range should be is otherwise listed in the ship specific weapon's entry.

Super, thanks a lot for the ranges (I'd seen Short Long etc., but had not yet read the part where the hexes were listed per range).

Mechanics question: besides more/bigger damage dice, why would I choose a 2handed weapon over a 1handed weapon? Unless I'm missing something, they have the same static modifier to damage.

I think more/bigger damage dice is the answer...

That's actually something that was bothering me. There is no modifier for two-handers? As in 1.5 STR like in PF. Or am I just being dumb and not finding it?

Amended Day Job roll to 32.
Circumstance Bonuses stack, so the Professional Outfit & Toolkit stack... meaning I forgot a +1 to my previous count (a total of +13 to my roll of 19, as shown above).

As a Chaplain I can thus put on some pinafore dress of Triune, and then unfold my kit with e-Candles and Holy-Pad!

That's actually something that was bothering me. There is no modifier for two-handers? As in 1.5 STR like in PF. Or am I just being dumb and not finding it?

Yah, they removed the 1.5 Str mod. (Incidentally, there's also no more power attack.) However, like pointed out at the Castamir's Station, other than the bigger damage, many of them have cool abilities. Like at level 1, you might be able to scrape together enough money to buy a tactical, pike, a reach weapon. Unlike in PFS, a reach weapon can attack both 5' and 10' away. That is really useful when going against ranged enemies and spellcasters. Even if they take a guarded step (5-foot step) away, you still threaten them.

Or you could get the tactical doshko, which does a whopping 1d12!!! My drone in my first game one-shot an enemy in The Commencement. :) But alas, no AoO with it.

Also, as pointed out, without shields, there is less use for the off-hand. Sure, you could carry a small arm for more flexibility. But until you get into melee, you can still carry a two-handed weapon in one hand (but not attack with it), and a small arm in the other.

Eli Scone, I think there is something wrong with your ability scores. As a human you should not have an 8 anywhere, unless you dropped some points. Even so though, unless I am missing something about SFS, that does not actually give you extra points to put in other abilities.

F. Castor: you are right that SFS does not allow you to lower attributes to gain points.

I remember seeing somewhere that you can lower attributes for no gain if you wish (super harsh RP there!)...

You can indeed for RP or fluff purposes, but that does not give you any extra points. And in Eli's case, if I am calculating things correctly, we have the following (assuming the human's +2 going to Dexterity):

Str 10 = 10
Dex 18 = 10 +1 (Theme) +2 (Human) +5 points
Con 14 = 10 +4 points
Int 12 = 10 +2 points
Wis 11 = 10 +1 point
Cha 8 = 10 -2 points

So, basically, 12 points have been spent to raise attributes, while 2 points have been subtracted from Charisma.

Old habits die hard, I suppose. Fixed. Thanks for pointing it out. It SHOULD be fine now. Insight bonuses not stacking, fixed the attributes.

Though that is quite an interesting design choice - not being able to lower a stat is not something I have encountered in an RPG before this.

Edit: Also changed the specialisation to daredevil to fit the theme more, and changed a feat. Fleet > Iron Will

So, so far we have:

Asier-23-7: NG Male Android Scholar Mechanic (Exocortex), Engineer

Eli Scone: CG Female Human Ace Pilot Operative (Daredevil), Pilot

Mardigal Seraphine: LN Female Lashunta (Damaya) Icon Envoy, Captain

Pangea-Epsilon: N Android Priest Mystic (Healer), ?

That leaves Gummy Bear's character, who is going to be a Soldier, and my character, who is going to be an Android, a Spacefarer and either a Mechanic (Exocortex) or an Operative (Daredevil).

And we kinda need a Gunner and a Science Officer. Regardless of which class I am going with, I will be trying to fill the Science Officer role (hopefully at least semi-sufficiently).

Sigh... Decision, decisions... Still, I should be able to make up my mind before the start of the game, especially seeing as how I have both options built and already among my profiles (just a bit of switching around of info, so cut-paste to the rescue).

Eli Scone, just a heads up, but the Daredevil spec gives Skill Focus with Acrobatics and Athletics. You have factored it in as far as the skills are concerned, but your list of feats needs a bit of updating (check the Skill Focus feats you have).

re. Space Combat:

+1 Gunnery

I posted that Epsilon is a lame duck, and would only be fit as a Gunner (w. only +1 before Vessel Computers etc.).
The only other skill being +1 in Piloting which I imagine will be well under the others' pilot skills!
(I have negatives in Captain skills, and no Engineering or Computers).

Asier should be ready to go! I'd love it if some one could look over his character sheet and make sure I didn't mess anything up (like calculating skills as though he had an 18 Int. oops!)

Player Name: Sedoriku
Character Name: Asier-23-7
Faction slotted: Dataphiles
SFS ID#: 179284-701
Day-job Roll: No day job yet

Great! Looks ok to me, but please chip in and take a look for each other. As we are new, I think it is great that we're helping each other out! :)

If you've not done so, once your character is more or less complete, please fill in your character info here.

This is F. Castor's character reporting in. A N Male Android Spacefarer Mechanic (Exocortex) looking to fill the Science Officer ship role.

He should be complete, though I will give the Equipment section another read and see if anything else is useful to purchase. Either way, he should be ready by the time the game begins.

Am I blind or am I missing where to find the Day Job Roll to credits chart?

It's just the roll result doubled, it seems.

Link to doc, page 45

It's just the roll result doubled, it seems.

Link to doc, page 45

No wonder I couldn't find it. I was looking for a chart like in PFS.....

Gummy Bear's Soldier here. Idk if I just built the character poorly, but I feel so... limited. Feedback appreciated! Are we still allowed to take ten for dayjob checks?