[SFS - PbP Outpost I] 1-04 Cries From the Drift - GM bigboom (Inactive)

Game Master bigboom

you gotta give him more credit than that, he doesn’t mean any harm, well, he means less harm than many others, but we just don’t get him, that’s why we need more outreach. If they had outside contact they would be more amiable.

"So we're going to fight him then? But with rules?" Lucas asks, somewhat perplexed. "I've never been in a fight that had rules. Where I'm from the only rule is 'put the other guy down first'."

Using the rule of two, I'll proceed forward...

Yuluzak clasps his hands together in delight and says, "Well it does appear honor is indeed spreading to the less civilized regions of the galaxy! You don't know how very happy this makes me!! I salute you and I wish you well in the battle we are about to engage!!"

Leif, because you executed a scan before combat started, I'll do a computers roll for you and give you the results, pre-combat.

Leif Computers Scan: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

------------------------------------------

Starship combat initiated and map revealed!!

Everyone, if you haven't already, please read how I run starship combat in the spoiler on my profile here: CLICK

Round 1 initiative:
Hirix's Piloting: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Honorbound's Piloting: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Hirix wins initiative! The Honorbound has moved using the red arrow(s) to indicate its movement path. Hirix, when you move the Drake please use the green arrow to do the same. Go ahead and make multiple copies of the green arrow if needed.

Everyone may declare your crew actions and take your rolls!!

Leif will continue scanning
looks like we are more than their match, so far I’ve gotten that they have a flask thrower on the forward arc dealing moderate damage, not quite as much as our coil gun,they match us in speed and maneuverable and have similar shields though less on the forward arc
computers: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

"Forward arc only huh? Then we've got to keep to their sides. Let's see what this rig can do." Hirix guns the Drake forwards, then attempts to drift off to one side.

Piloting, Slide Maneuver: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11 Fails. So we're stuck moving forward at half speed.

It doesn't go so well. The Drake's engines protest the sudden attempt, and Hirix is left mentally muttering "Alright alright you hunk of junk. We'll keep things more smooth-like."

Presumng I understand my engineer role. If I mess up, please adjust accordingly

Twitch looks at the reactors control panel. After studying it for a few moments he tries to divert power to the thrusters, boosting its top speed.

engineer: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

there may well be more weapons we haven’t discovered them yet

Hirix, it appears you moved the ship only two spaces from the starting position. My placement of the green arrow probably confused you. I've gone ahead and moved your ship forward another 2 hexes.

Gotcha. Thanks bigboom.

Twik speaks out loud and it’s not clear whether he is talking to Hirix or to the ship...

”Come on my friend you can do better than that! You just need to put in a tiny bit more effort!”

Despite, and perhaps because of, his seemingly directionless plea, his entreaty falls upon deaf ears and / or sensors.

Encourage the Pilot: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Hello everybody!! I'm BOT-EE-licious and I step in whenever a player needs to be botted! In this case, it has been over 24 hours since the first round of combat started so I'll go ahead with botting a couple of characters: Lucas and Kali.

Because the two ships are so far apart, it doesn't really make sense to open fire with guns just yet. Therefore, both Lucas and Kali call up the science controls at their station and attempt to scan the Honorbound!

Lucas Scan, Computers: 1d20 ⇒ 12
Kali Scan, Computers: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

Next up, GM bigboom will be back with the results of round 1! Everyone please refrain from posting in the gameplay thread until after the round 1 results post.

Round 1 Results

Engineering Phase:

• Twitch attempts to give the ship a boost of speed but mixed up a couple control sequences, resulting in no additional power making it to the engines
  
• Enemy Engineering Action: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Helm Phase:

• Leif, Lucas, and Kali each performs a successful scan and each scan reveals the presence of another weapon on the Honorbound. Kali also manages to obtain information on the enemy ship's expansion bays
  
• Enemy Science Action: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
  
• Twik attempts to encourage Hirix but Hirix is so intently focused on the piloting controls, he doesn't catch Twik's words
  
• Hirix attempts to slide the ship but because he's still getting the hang of piloting the Drake Hirix doesn't pull it off, causing the ship to move straight forward only
  
• Enemy Piloting Action: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17 ; The Honorbound's pilot, however, seems more experienced with his ship as it executes evasive maneuvers!

Gunnery Phase:

• The Honorbound does not fire any weapons this round
  
• The Honorbound's evasive maneuvers was pointless as the Drake does not fire any weapons this round

Cumulative Damage Dealt to Honorbound (F/P/S/A): 0/0/0/0

Drake Status:
HP: 70/70
Shields (F/P/S/A): 15/10/10/15

Round 2 initiative:
Hirix's Piloting: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
Honorbound's Piloting: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Hirix wins initiative - the Honorbound has moved. Everyone may declare your actions and take your rolls!

Quick question to everyone. When looking at the round 1 results post above, do the words 'Round 1 Results' look bigger or smaller to you? The font on those words are supposed to look bigger than average but on my screen, they show up smaller. Thanks for the feedback!!

continue the scan
they have another flask thrower on the front they seem to have upped the cyber-defense now that they're in combat let me see if i can bypass them
computers: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

smaller

smaller

Twitch curses slightly in Ysoki as he tries to get the control sequence correct to boost the ships speed this time around.

So lets try the left controls first than the purple switch, than flipping the red switch

engineer: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

Hirix, FYI in case you weren't already aware, the engineering divert action DC on this ship is 13. Because Twitch succeeded in putting more power to engines, your speed had increased by 2 for this round

Regarding the font size, gorrammit!! But thanks for confirming!

"Hold onto your hats cream puffs, we're going in."

Piloting, evade stunt: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Hirix, now with a better grasp of the ship's controls, sends it swerving in evasive maneuvers. She takes a circuitous path, avoiding asteroids and getting into position to flank the enemy ship.

remember no hitting the aft arc

Twik can finally see their opponent in their sights and unleashes a verbal barrage over the intercom at the enemy ship before finishing with... "Well we got this covered guys. Superior ship in every way, superior crew the works. We'll just take it easy on them to give them a chance...."

Taunt (w/ Bluff): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18 (vs DC[15 + 1.5xEnemy Tier])
Taunt Duration: 1d4 ⇒ 2

As it is now about 24 hours since the start of round 2, I'll bot Lucas and Kali to keep us progressing forward

Lucas fires the missile launcher!
Gunnery, +1 computer: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 3 + 1 = 15
Damage: 4d8 ⇒ (4, 4, 4, 1) = 13

Kali fires the coil gun!
Gunnery, +1 computer: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 2 + 1 = 11
Damage: 4d4 ⇒ (2, 2, 4, 4) = 12

Next up, GM bigboom will be back with the results of round 2! Everyone please refrain from posting in the gameplay thread until after the round 2 results post

Twik didn't specify which phase the taunt is to be applied to, so I'll assume gunnery but let me know if you want it applied to a different phase for round 3

Round 2 Results

Engineering Phase:

• Twitch successfully gives the Drake a bit of extra speed
  
• Enemy Engineering Action: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Helm Phase:

• Leif performs a successful scan and learns the remaining details of the Honorbound
  
• Enemy Science Action: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
  
• Hirix successfully executes evasive maneuvers
  
• Enemy Piloting Action: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Gunnery Phase:

• Twik's scathing words demoralizes the Honorbound's gunners
  
• Enemy Captain Action: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 10 - 2 = 19
  
• Light Laser Cannon Attack: 1d20 + 7 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 7 - 2 + 2 = 23; Damage: 2d4 ⇒ (1, 4) = 5; The Drake's fore arc has been hit!
  
• Light Laser Cannon Attack: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 6 - 2 = 22; Damage: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 4) = 7; The Drake's fore arc has been hit!
• Lucas' shot hits the Honorbound's port arc for 13 points, some of which visibly penetrates the shields!
  
• Kali's shot misses the Honorbound

Cumulative Damage Dealt to Honorbound (F/P/S/A): 0/13/0/0
-2 to gunnery in round 3

Drake Status:
HP: 70/70
Shields (F/P/S/A): 3/10/10/15

Round 3 initiative:
Hirix's Piloting: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Honorbound's Piloting: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Hirix wins initiative - the Honorbound has moved. Everyone may declare your actions and take your rolls!

Twitch rocks slightly as the ship gets blasted twice with the Honorbound’s weapons. He rights himself, and tries to repair some of the Drake’s shields that were lost.

engineer to restore 5% of 130 PCU: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19

"They've got some damned crack shots over there!"

Piloting, +1 from computer, flip and burn stunt: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 1 = 16 (That should just barely make it, since DC=15+1.5*tier, which should be DC16 for the Drake)

Hirix guns the ship forwards, then goes for a dangerous loop and spin to bring the Honorbound back into the forward gunner's sights. She juuuust barely manages to keep the ship under control, pressing everyone into their seats as the ship spins.

Her next burst of telepathy drips with relief and exhilaration "Alright boys and girls, light 'em up!"

Twik grins to himself at the muttering from the Honorbound filters back to him. It seems his taunt was successful afterall! Although, admittedly, there has been no visual affect of such results so far.

Twik turns to his gunners...."Come on lads & lasses! Let's see some more damage to that enemy ship!"

Gunnery, Aid Another: 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 Twik will aid whoever is using the most damaging weapon

However his words coming from someone with his miniature stature means they are ignored...

Kali fires the coil gun again at the Honorbound's port arc!
Gunnery: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 2 + 1 = 22
Damage: 4d4 ⇒ (2, 2, 4, 1) = 9

[dice=Piloting, +1 from computer, flip and burn stunt]d20+8+1 (That should just barely make it, since DC=15+1.5*tier, which should be DC16 for the Drake)

Sorry to pop your bubble (or flip and burn your bubble?) but the DC is 18; 1.5*tier 2 = 3; 15 +3 = DC 18. As a result, your ship just drifts forward 4 hexes. I've reflected this on the map. Sorry about that...this also means Kali's gunnery is for the aft weapon rather than the forward weapon. On the bright side, this means that honor demands that the "Honorbound" (get it? get it?) cannot shoot at you this round since it is facing your rear arc.

Kali, because you're firing the aft weapon, we'll keep your attack roll of '22' but can you drop me another 1d8 roll for the damage?

Leif will target the engines of the Honorbound

computers: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

This normally would have happened before kalis action however I understand if you don’t retroactively allow that

Darn, somehow I'd convinced myself it was Tier 1 :<

This normally would have happened before kalis action however I understand if you don’t retroactively allow that

That's totally fine. I chalk this up as due to the limitations of PBP

As it is now about 24 hours since the start of round 3, I'll bot Lucas and assist Kali with the weapon damage reroll to keep us progressing forward

Lucas fires the missile launcher!
Gunnery, +1 computer: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 1 = 13
Damage: 4d8 ⇒ (5, 4, 8, 7) = 24

Kali fires gyrolaser!
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 1

Next up, GM bigboom will be back with the results of round 3! Everyone please refrain from posting in the gameplay thread until after the round 2 results post

Round 3 Results

Engineering Phase:

• Scrambling around, Twitch manages to divert power to where it's needed most and restores 6 shield points to the forward shields!
  
• Enemy Captain Action: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20
  
• Enemy Engineering Action: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 2 = 19

Helm Phase:

• Leif's scans have given him a good understanding of his quarry and manages to target the enemy's engines
  
• Enemy Science Action: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
  
• Hirix attempts an aggressive flip and burn but misses the timing, causing the burn to miss its mark and the ship drifts forward at half speed
  
• Enemy Piloting Action: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23; The Honorbound goes evasive!

Gunnery Phase:

• Twik's words, although inspiring, doesn't quite get through to Lucas who's too distracted attempting to track his target to hear
  
• As the Honorbound is facing the Drake's rear arc, the Honorbound adheres to the rules of the duel by not opening fire!!
  
• Lucas' missile misses the Honorbound and explodes with massive force but at a harmless distance away!
  
• Kali's gyrolaser shot hits the Honorbound's port arc for 1 point of damage. It appears to have not penetrated shields

Cumulative Damage Dealt to Honorbound (F/P/S/A): 0/14/0/0

Drake Status:
HP: 70/70
Shields (F/P/S/A): 7/10/10/15
Missiles left: 3

Round 4 initiative:
Hirix's Piloting: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Honorbound's Piloting: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Hirix wins initiative. It seems no matter what the pilot of the Honorbound tries to do, Hirix constantly outwits and out-pilots her adversary!!!

The Honorbound has moved. Everyone may declare your actions and take your rolls!

Lucas activates the missile launcher's loading system, slotting another missile into the turret's launch tube and engaging the tracking system. The turret rotates to follow the Honorbound and locks on. Lucas fires at what, in his limited experience, appears to be the most opportune moment. "Only two missiles left," he calls out over the internal comm.

Missile attack, computer assist +1: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 3 + 1 = 23
Damage: 4d8 ⇒ (8, 2, 3, 5) = 18

Still queasy from that mangled loop just moments ago, Hirix sends to her crew "Alright, alright, no more tricky stuff. This rig's going to keep on the straight and narrow from now on."

Piloting, Evade Stunt: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Hirix deftly guides the Drake through the asteroid field in a wide arc, taking advantage of the cover of the asteroids all the way until the ship is head to head with the Honorbound. "Alright kid, you've got your shot, don't screw this up." her mental voice rings in Lucas and Kali's heads.

Leif will balence the shields moving as many as possible from the aft to the forward arc
computers: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Twitch does the same sequence of pushing buttons, moving levers and adjusting levels in hopes in repairing the shields once more.

Engineer: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22

As it is now about 24 hours since the start of round 4, I'll bot Twik and Kali to keep us progressing forward

Twik again tries to aid Lucas' gunnery
Gunnery, Aid Another: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Kali fires the coilgun!
Gunnery, +1 computer: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 2 + 1 = 19
Damage: 4d4 ⇒ (2, 2, 1, 1) = 6

Next up, GM bigboom will be back with the results of round 4! Everyone please refrain from posting in the gameplay thread until after the round 4 results post

Round 4 Results

Engineering Phase:

• Twitch restores another 6 shield points to the forward shields! Currently (13/10/10/15)
  
• Enemy Engineering Action: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Helm Phase:

• Leif, seeing that you're about to go head-to-head, strengthens the forward shields at the expense of the aft shields! Currently (23/10/10/5)
  
• Enemy Science Action: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
  
• Hirix takes a more conservative approach this time and goes evasive!
  
• Enemy Piloting Action: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25; The Honorbound goes evasive!

Gunnery Phase:

• Twik feeds some additional telemetry data to Lucas, aiding Lucas' next shot!
  
• Lucas' shot is dead on target this time as the missile deals 18 points of damage to the Honorbound's forward section. It appears to have taken down the shields and has caused hull damage!
  
• Kali's coilgun shot also hits the Honorbound's forward section, dealing 6 points of damage, all of which hit the hull!
  
• GM roll: 1d100 ⇒ 28
  
• Enemy Captain Action: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
  
• Flakthrower Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 1 = 15; Damage: 3d4 ⇒ (1, 2, 4) = 7; Hirix's evasive maneuvers manage to dodge the Drake out of the path of the flakthrower's projectiles!!
  
• Light Laser Canon Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24; Damage: 2d4 ⇒ (4, 2) = 6; But the laser does connect with the Drake's forward shields!

Cumulative Damage Dealt to Honorbound (F/P/S/A): 24/14/0/0

Drake Status:
HP: 70/70
Shields (F/P/S/A): 17/10/10/5
Missiles left: 2

Round 5 initiative:
Hirix's Piloting: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Honorbound's Piloting: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

For the first time this battle, the innocent Veskarium ship outmaneuvers the dastardly Starfinders!! The Honorbound wins initiative!

Hirix, please go ahead and move the Drake. I'll move the Honorbound afterwards. Everyone else may declare your actions and take your rolls!

Twitch continues to repair the shields as he is thrown about the reactor room. He thinks he got the sequence correct, but second guesses himself whether it went blue first or purple first.

restore shields: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

"Yeah, score!" Lucas calls loudly over the comm as the missile slams into the Honorbound before calming himself and making ready for another shot. Again he cycles the autoloader to ready their penultimate missile then aligns the targeting matrix with the assistance of the ship's computer. He times his shot carefully before activating the firing sequence.

Missile attack, computer assist: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 = 6

This is a bit of a weird move. I'm trying to work out which position best shields our sides and sets us up to point the nose of the Drake at the Honorbound next round. If anyone has any ideas in future rounds before I can move, feel free to throw them my way :>

Hirix tries to anticipate possible trajectories for the Honorbound and ends up taking the Drake into cover behind a trio of asteroids.

Piloting, evade stunt: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Twik calls out assistance for the gunners while pondering his next move...

"Perhaps it's time to relinquish the chair to Leif and take over a gunnery console?"

Diplomacy (Aid Another): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

1) If Im honest, I would have Aided the Missile Launcher (as the biggest damage gun) but they have already rolled and have missed regardless of the results of an aid another. But if you are feeling generous, Ill apply it to the other gunner instead. Happy either way!

2)With the once per encounter Taunt used & the enemy ship scanned, perhaps Leif is better suited to continuing as Captain? She has the Aid Another check for any 1 roll at a 95% chance of success. Plus Twik is the best gunner on board. Don't mind either way. Just an option.

Enemy Captain Action: 1d20 ⇒ 18
Enemy Piloting Action: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

The Honorbound pulls of some very fancy, tight maneuvers and positions itself to your port side!

Enemy ship has completed their move

im cool either way

For the moment Leif will do a target on the Honorbounds guns
computers: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

As mentioned in the discussion thread, I'll be botting Kali until her schedule has calmed down a bit and is able to resume posting again - hopefully this weekend

Kali fires the gyrolaser!
Gunnery, +1 computer: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 2 + 1 = 12
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4

Next up, GM bigboom will be back with the results of round 5! Everyone please refrain from posting in the gameplay thread until after the round 5 results post

Round 5 Results

Engineering Phase:

• Twitch restores another 6 shield points! Currently (19/12/12/5)
  
• Twitch didn't specify which quadrants to restore points to, so I figure you'll distribute it evenly across fore, port and starboard since you know the Honorbound won't attack your aft section
  
• Enemy Engineering Action: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Helm Phase:

• Leif, locates the Honorbound's guns and on everyone's heads up display, paints a bright red target on them labelled "Shoot This!"
  
• Enemy Science Action: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 7 - 2 = 15
  
• Hirix tries to go evasive but ducks when she should've weaved and weaved when she should have ducked
  
• The Honorbound's captain and pilot action has already been rolled

Gunnery Phase:

• Twik attempts to aid Lucas but Lucas is going back into his 'I don't wanna listen to my captain' phase!
  
• Which is unfortunate as Lucas' shot misses the Honorbound!
  
• Kali's pew pew gyrolaser, however, hits the Honorbound's starboard section, dealing 4 points of damage, all of which appear to be absorbed by shields!
  
• Light Laser Canon Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 1 = 17; Damage: 2d4 ⇒ (4, 2) = 6; The shot hits the Drake, but the entire blast was absorbed by the port shields!
  
• Light Laser Canon Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9; Damage: 2d4 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7; The shot goes far wide!!

Cumulative Damage Dealt to Honorbound (F/P/S/A): 24/14/4/0

Drake Status:
HP: 70/70
Shields (F/P/S/A): 17/4/10/5
Missiles left: 1

Round 6 initiative:
Hirix's Piloting: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Honorbound's Piloting: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

Hirix has won the initiative! The Honorbound has moved. Everyone may go ahead and delcare your actions and take your rolls!!

Hirix, I just realized the Drake is facing head on with an asteroid ahead. If your ship collides with it, then the Drake will come to a complete stop in the hex right before hitting the asteroid and the asteroid will explode. Of course you can come to a stop, pull a maneuver, or pull a stunt to avoid a collision. But if you want, I'll allow you to do something else cinematically that sounds cool - just give me a description and a die roll and we'll see how it plays out!

Hirix reverses the thrusters, decelerating the ship and turning its nose to face directly at the Honorbound.

Turn in place 'stunt', which apparently doesn't need a skill check. I don't have any cool ideas other than "throw the exploding asteroids at them", and I can't imagine how that'd work, so I'm sticking to the safe option. :>

"I figure they've got to be flagging after those shots to their front. We keep it up, give them a chance to surrender over comms."

Twik abandons his captains role to call up the missile launcher targeting systems and preps one of their final few to fire almost point blank at the Honorbound.

Missiles Away!: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Boom!: 4d8 ⇒ (3, 2, 4, 1) = 10

Twitch will continue to repair the shields that are damaged. He effortlessly gets the sequence down as the ship comes to a sudden stop.

repair shields, the 4: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28