[SFS] GM Mjolbeard's "Into the Unknown" Quest Series (Inactive)

Game Master Mjolbeard89

Dusty follows Kaiole's lead, whipping out his pistol with dramatic flare and taking a potshot at the nearest guard.

Move to draw weapon, standard to trick attack.
Acrobatics (trick attack, DC 20+CR): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21
Attack (semi-auto pistol vs. KAC flat-footed, 2nd range increment): 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 3 - 2 = 12
Damage (P): 1d6 ⇒ 4
Trick Attack Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Sorry folks. I should have provided some more environmental information.
Your target and her hired help are down in the vat gardens, 15 ft below you. Thanks to the dense foliage, they have total concealment (50% miss chance) against your attacks, as do you against their attacks. Within the vat itself, creatures more than 10ft apart still have concealment (20% miss chance); enemies closer than this do not benefit from this concealment.
There are three entrances to the vat: two ladders and a set of steep stairs. The rules for ladders and steep surfaces require a DC 5 Climb check. This means you cannot fail by more than 5, so at worst, you won't make progress. Regardless of your success, though, you move at half speed while climbing.
With that in mind, I'll go ahead and role the miss chances for Dusty and Flint.
@Kaiole, could you please move yourself on the map to indicate where you are when you cast Mind Thrust. The range on that spell is currently 25ft for you, so you'll probably need to climb down the stairs in front of you. You can also retcon your action if you'd rather do something else. I'll wait for your decision before I roll Exegara's save.

Flint miss chance; Miss<51: 1d100 ⇒ 5

Two of the human mercenaries draw their pistols and prepare to defend their employer. One, with a yellow armband wrapped around his bicep, moves up beside Exegara and draws his pistol, while his companion with a green armband draws his own pistol and fires on Flint. Flint returns fire on the mercenary who shot at him, but the foliage foils his shot. Fortunately, it has the same effect on the mercenary. Dusty has similarly poor luck with his shot, despite the flair with which he draws and fires his pistol.

Azimuth Laser Pistol: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22 Damage (F): 1d4 ⇒ 1
Miss chance; Miss<51: 1d100 ⇒ 30

Exegara does the same as her lackey, however, and takes aim at the sharp-shooting ysoki and screeches at all of you, her long tongue whipping out menacingly, "Get out of here, little ratlings! We already had to clear your friends out of here. Just let me be on my way with what I need and you can keep your pathetic little lives!" Her shot cuts through the dense leaves and finds its target in Flint's thigh.

Azimuth Laser Pistol: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17 Damage (F): 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Miss chance; Miss<51: 1d100 ⇒ 71

INITIATIVE
The Vat Gardens
Bold may go!
Merc (blue)
Dusty
Kaiole
Flint (-3)
Merc (green)
Merc (yellow)
Exegara
Ningth
Tchisk
Filament

Gotcha! Kaiole will move up to the edge, cast it on the green mercenary instead, then drop prone

Green Will save: 1d20 ⇒ 4

The nearest mercenary takes a full blast of mind-melting energy from Kaiole. Perhaps that was part of why he missed his shot so badly?

INITIATIVE
The Vat Gardens - Round 1
Bold may go!
Merc (blue)
Dusty
Kaiole
Flint (-3)
Merc (green) (-10)
Merc (yellow)
Exegara
Ningth
Tchisk
Filament

Tchisk targets her gun with Grease (DC 16).

"Tell us what we want to know and we might let you leave to continue your wretched existence."

Ningth crawls next to Tchisk, and aims with his rifle at the nearest merc and readies an action.

Don't let.me hold us up. Filament delays until I can get a few moments before a computer.

@Tchisk, you could target the green mercenary with that spell, but Exegara is outside of the spell's range right now. Do you want to direct the attack at the mercenary or to attempt the climb check to go down the steps right next to you so you could get within range?

I did not even think to look at the range. Tchisk will target the mercenary. Thank you.

Master Filament's eyes narrow, as if peering at something that is not quite there. He then moves swiftly down the steep steps and slips into the thick undergrowth.
Double move action
Photon mode 1

Reflex save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

With a layer of grease suddenly appearing between his skin and the grip of his pistol, the green mercenary drops his pistol from shock almost as much as he does from the slipperiness of the magically summoned lubricant. This, it's safe to say, has not been his day.

Ningth fires down at the mercenary, but his shot is far wide of its mark. To avoid such inaccuracies, Master Filament decides to take an up close and personal approach and moves down into the vat to face the thugs directly.

Meanwhile, the mercenary with a blue armband finally wakes up to what's going on. He draws his pistol as he crashes through the thick vegetation, then takes aim at Master Filament and fires.

Azimuth Laser Pistol: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20 Damage (F): 1d4 ⇒ 3

The beam from the pistol has little chance to get caught up in the foliage, and smashes into Master Filament's glowing armor, putting a dark burn mark on the ysoki's fur.

INITIATIVE
The Vat Gardens - Round 2
[i]Bold may go! [/b]
Merc (blue)
Dusty
Kaiole
Flint (-3 SP)
Merc (green) (-10)
Merc (yellow)
Exegara
Ningth
Tchisk
Filament (-3 SP)

Seeing the blue mercenary advance, Kaiole shifts his focus and mind thrusts the blue one!

Mind Thrust, DC15 Will for half: 2d10 ⇒ (5, 9) = 14

Flint will take shots from his vantage point and chance the cover. Frist shooting at blue and will switch to green if blue goes down

Rifle Attack Full 1: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 5 - 4 = 12
Miss chance (<50 Miss): 1d100 ⇒ 52
Rifle Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 1

Rifle Attack Full 2: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 5 - 4 = 6
Miss chance (<50 Miss): 1d100 ⇒ 40
Rifle Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 2

Will save: 1d20 ⇒ 14

Mercenary blue takes a massive hit and Kaiole probes into his mind forcefully. The spell is too much for his body and mind to handle, and he collapses to the ground. As Blue falls, Flint directs his rifle toward Mercenary Green and puts a bullet in the man's shoulder. He still stands, however, but perhaps not for long...

INITIATIVE
The Vat Gardens - Round 2
Bold may go!
Merc (blue)
Dusty
Kaiole
Flint (-3 SP)
Merc (green) (-11)
Merc (yellow)
Exegara
Ningth
Tchisk
Filament (-3 SP)

Seeing the skirmish pick up in danger, Dusty dives past his ally to a more strategic position and fires a shot at the undead.

Full action move and trick attack against the undead. As part of his move, Dusty will use his Acrobatics check to leap down into the vat over the stairs (15 ft. fall, damage negated by successful Acrobatics).

Acrobatics (dive into vat and trick attack, DC 20+CR): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30
Miss chance (>10 ft, <21 miss): 1d100 ⇒ 21
Attack (semi-auto pistol vs. KAC, flat-footed if tricked): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Damage (P): 1d6 ⇒ 5
Crit Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Trick Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Not sure if GM wants a separate Acrobatics check to dive from the check to trick attack. If so, I'm including it here.
Separate Acrobatics check to dive into vat (if GM wants separate check between diving and trick attack): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18
Alternatively, if you'd rather Dusty use Athletics to climb rather than Acrobatics to dive, here's the check for that. Dusty still has enough movement to get to his current square climbing rather than diving; he just likes the cinematics (and using his Acrobatics modifier).
Separate Athletics check to climb into vat (if GM wants separate check to move): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

Nope, I'm super into the massive dive and roll into the vat being your Trick Attack maneuver. Well done!

Dusty leaps down into the vat and rolls to a kneeling position, where he takes a shot at Exegara. The ghoul is not ready for such an astounding maneuver and takes the shot right in the chest.

Green steps forward, drawing an assault hammer and striking at Master Filament.

Assault Hammer: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22 Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Yellow steps across the path into the foliage and also takes a shot at the solarian.

ALP: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16 Damage (F): 1d4 ⇒ 1

Exegara also steps into the plants and fires at the vulnerable Master Filament.

ALP: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16 Damage (F): 1d4 ⇒ 1

All three attacks land, but luckily the pistol shots do not penetrate deeply.

INITIATIVE
The Vat Gardens - Round 2
Bold may go!
Merc (blue)
Dusty
Kaiole
Flint (-3 SP)
Merc (green) (-11)
Merc (yellow)
Exegara (-11)
Ningth
Tchisk
Filament (-7 SP, -3 HP)

Master Filament closes his eyes, separating the pain from his mind, and focusing on the energy rising within him. Photon attunement 2.

Realizing that, due to the thick vegetation, he may be the one with the best chance to hit them, the ysoki solarian swings his pike at the uninjured mercenary and the undead ghoul!
.
Melee pike, tactical (reach) v. Yellow KAC: 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 2 - 4 = 5 Damage with photon insight bonus(pike)(P): 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Melee pike, tactical (reach) v. Exegara KAC: 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 2 - 4 = 12 Damage with photon insight bonus(pike)(P): 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Tchisk shuffles around the corner and casts Grease (dc 16) again. This time on the ground beneath the undead and her bodyguard.

Ningth says to the others, "Wait! We need to find out where she got the insignia, right? Maybe we should try to not kill her?"

Ningth yells to the woman, "Surrender! We are just looking for information, this does not need to escalate further!"

Master Filament lashes out with his pike, missing his first target, but landing a blow on Exegara.

Tchisk puts a pool of grease beneath the ghoul and the bodyguard who nimbly dodged Filament's attack.

Exegara Reflex: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20
Yellow Reflex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

Both of them manage to keep their feet, and Exegara laughs at Ningth's feeble attempt to sway her to surrender. "You must be kidding! Why should I, a member of the invincible Corpse Fleet, fear you, a jumped up rat with a delusion of grandeur fueled by membership in an organization of so-called adventurers?"

INITIATIVE
The Vat Gardens - Round 3
Bold may go!
Dusty
Kaiole
Flint (-3 SP)
Merc (green) (-11)
Merc (yellow)
Exegara (-15)
Ningth
Tchisk
Filament (-7 SP, -3 HP)

Dusty ducks around Filament's back and takes another trick shot at the ghoul. "You heard her, folks! They're looking to be corpses. Well, we always aim to please!"

Full round trick attack with pistol vs. Exegara.

Acrobatics (trick attack, DC 20+CR): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22
Attack (semi-auto pistol vs. KAC, flat-footed if tricked): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Damage (P): 1d6 ⇒ 4
Trick Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

"She is already a corpse, guessing she wants to stay animate though..." Ningth mutters to himself.

As a swift action, Kaiole stands up, then moves closer to Exegara, casting his last mind thrust at her!

Mind Thrust, DC15 Will for half: 2d10 ⇒ (9, 4) = 13

Flint lays down more bullets at the mercenaries. Starting with Green, then yellow if green goes down.

Rifle Attack, Full 1: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 5 - 4 = 4
Miss Chance (<50 miss): 1d100 ⇒ 44
Rifle Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 1

Rifle Attack, Full 1: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 5 - 4 = 18
Miss Chance (<50 miss): 1d100 ⇒ 92
Rifle Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 2

Flint mutters to himself. "One bullet left."

Dusty pulls some more fancy maneuvers, but misses his shot as he trips on a plant root. Kaiole, however, relies on his magic and attempts to overpower the ghoul's mind.

Will save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

She resists the mental assault, but still suffers for her efforts. With a convulsion, she falls to the floor of the Vat Gardens.

With Exegara disposed of, Flint turns his rifle on one of the remaining bodyguards and fells the nearer of the two.

As the only one remaining, the yellow-sleeved guard throws his hands up. "That's it, man! I'm out of here! No pay is worth this." He tries to flee, but has to be careful of the slippery fluids beneath him first.

Reflex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

He manages to get away without falling on his face, and runs for his life.

Anyone want to give chase?

INITIATIVE
The Vat Gardens - Round 3
Bold may go!
Dusty
Kaiole
Flint (-3 SP)
Merc (green) (-13)
Merc (yellow)
Exegara (-21)
Ningth
Tchisk
Filament (-7 SP, -3 HP)

Watching the undead go down, Dusty holsters his pistol and lets the last living bodyguard flee.

Master Filament stands downs as he watches the last guard go. "We did not come for him. Come, let us search the undead one and see if she can provide is with answers as to how she acquired the insignias."

Kaiole examines Exegara to see if she may possibly still be alive and if not, searches the body.

Take 20 perception for 28 if needed

Ningth walks the parameter of the room, securing the exits and making sure no one else is present.

Tchisk helps Ningth secure the room.

Flint decides the merc is not worth his last bullet in the chamber and lets the other investigate, while is clears his rifle, cleans it and reloads it.

While the others secure the room or clear their weapons, Kaiole stoops down to (though not very far) to examine the motionless Exegara. He finds that she has been destroyed, for good this time, it would seem. On her person, he finds her flight suit stationwear, azimuth laser pistol with battery
(20 charges), and a datapad.

Kaiole examines the datapad. If it requires computer skills to access, Kaiole will ask his teammates for assistance.

Kaiole is able to access some basic information in Exedra's datapad, but there appear to be some secured files as well that he is currently unable to access. It appears someone with more advanced computer skills will be needed.

"So hey, anyone has a clue how to access the data on this thing?" says Kaiole as he holds up the datapad.

"Allow me to try."
Take 10 if I can (18 total), otherwise, Computers: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Tchisk takes the datapad from Kaiole and applies his technomantic expertise to unlocking the secured information. As the files begin to load, you find that Exegara traveled aboard a vessel called the Endless Threnody that picked up the distress call of a Starfinder vessel. The Corpse Fleet ship traveled to the Starfinder vessel’s crash site on a desert planet and acquired several treasures, including the Starfinder insignias. Before the Endless Threnody could get into the Drift, it was surprised and crippled by a pirate ship identified as the [/i]Lawblight[/i]. The Endless Threnody now floats in the Drift, unable to leave, and Exegara was dispatched to acquire repair materials. Exegara’s datapad shows the Endless Threnody’s current location. In trying to uncover the location of the crippled Starfinder vessel, you find that the information is further encrypted, and directs the user to access the secured data on the Endless Threnody’s navigational computer.

With this information in hand, you report your success back to Venture Captain Arvin, who is pleased with you for following up on this lead so quickly. ”Now then, it seems there is another task to add to your list. Follow this mystery further and locate the Endless Threnody. You should take these insignias with you as well. This isn’t common knowledge outside the Starfinder Society, so keep this under your hats, but these insignias are no mere trinkets; they can be used to encrypt or decrypt information that Starfinders who wear them want to keep hidden. If all goes well at the Endless Threnody, you might be needing these very soon. Now then, please meet me at docking back 89 in an hour’s time. I will need to get some things arranged for you. I would encourage you to take that time to stock up on any supplies you might need for your voyage.” He dismisses you, then makes begins tapping rapidly on his own datapad.

Congratulations! You’ve completed the first quest and earned 1 XP, 1 Fame/Reputation, and 140 credits. If you would like to switch to a different character at this time, please let me know. Otherwise, you may make any purchases you need to make before departing Absalom Station.

Posting this to get us started on our next quest, but still feel free to make any purchases you need to during the time between. Just note that with an OOC "During the Break" or something similar.

An hour later, you find Venture-Captain Arvin standing next to the entry ramp of a sleek-looking starship. He waves his hands over the side of the starship affectionately. “This is the Loreseeker, a Pegasus-class ship that’s one of the fastest and lightest in the Society’s fleet.

“We have the location of the Endless Threnody in the Drift, courtesy of that ghoul you tracked down. Its Drift engine is incapacitated, so it’s unable to escape the Drift. Take the Loreseeker into the Drift, cripple the Eoxian ship—as a Corpse Fleet vessel, they won’t be open to negotiations—and recover the location of the lost Starfinder vessel. Any questions?”

"No questions from me. I'm ready to to head out as soon as my teammates are!"

For starship combat, I can do engineering with +7. Or a +2 backup gunner.

"Apart from the Drift engine being broken, any confirmation on the condition of the Endless Threnody?"

Tchisk is at Computers +8, Engineering +10, and Piloting +9

"The Drift is quite expansive. The longer we wait, the further from the coordinates the Endless Threnody is likely to have traveled. Master Filament notes.

Filament can be a one-trick ysoki captain with Intimidate to taunt and demand. Otherwise, he is nothing more than a mediocre gunner with +2.

Ningth can contribute in the following ways:

Computers +6, Diplomacy +7, Intimidate +2

As a gunner he would be +3 to hit.

"Ready to go!"

Dusty can do anything but captain: Computers +7, Engineering +8, Piloting +8, gunnery +3.

PROPOSED ASSIGNMENTS: Captain - Ningth; Captain - Tchisk; Engineer - Kaiole; Science - Dusty; Primary Gunner - Flint Locke; Secondary Gunner: Filament.

We can have Dusty float to gunner if we don't need science for a round or two

PROPOSED ASSIGNMENTS: Captain - Ningth; Captain - Tchisk; Engineer - Kaiole; Science - Dusty; Primary Gunner - Flint Locke; Secondary Gunner: Filament.

We can have Dusty float to gunner if we don't need science for a round or two

We can only have 1 captain at a time. We also need a pilot. I assume you wanted Tshick on pilot?

Correct, Tshick as Pilot. Ningth as Captain.

Correct, Tshick as Pilot. Ningth as Captain.

In that case, it looks good to me!

Works for me too.

BTW its Tchisk not Tshick. I am not a men's razor, thank you very much.

BTW its Tchisk not Tshick. I am not a men's razor, thank you very much.

Sorry,, I shouldn't have adopted the spelling given by the only fur-less member of the party!

"Let us depart." says Master Filament. "This old solarian is eager to once again be among the stars."

Flint would be best suited for Gunnery, but can do a spot of engineering.

Gunnery +5, Engineering +7

Flint stowes his kit in one on of the open bunks. It is a unorganized collection stuffed in a rucksack. However his rifle is kept separate in a pristine state of the art case that seem out of place among jumbled mess of belongings.

Afterwards he goes and inspects the ships armaments and nods approvingly. "The Society takes good care of their ships."