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

Game Master bigboom

"No, don't..." Lucas calls out, too late as Kali reaches out to the body. The snap of the deactivating force field and the unnatural scream of the ghostly thing rising from the armour stir Lucas into action. He has no idea what he's facing, but does know that his team are counting on him. He steps forward, his new force baton raised to strike at the spectral kasatha.

Move Action to take a guarded step, Standard Action to attack Yotto's ghost with my force baton.

Force baton attack, presumably vs KAC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
20% miss chance - miss on <=20: 1d100 ⇒ 51
Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 which counts as a force effect

Botting Leif this round...

Leif takes a guarded step back away from the ghostly monster and takes a shot with her flame pistol!

Flame Pistol vs EAC: 1d20 ⇒ 16

Fire damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Miss Chance <=20: 1d100 ⇒ 37

Lucas, that's correct, the force baton is versus KAC

Lucas takes a solid swing but he misses.

Leif, however hits the ghost with a jet of flame from her pistol! But although it visibly had an effect on the target, some of the flames appeared to have harmlessly passed through the ghost!

1 Lucas, 2 Kali: 1d2 ⇒ 2

The apparition turns towards Kali and swings with its incorporeal claw!

Claw vs KAC: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30
Slashing Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

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

Round 1 cont'd & Round 2

The following characters in bold my take their action:

Lucas
Leif
Yotto (-1)
Kali (-6, confused 2 rounds)
Hirix (confused 2 rounds)
Ketch
Twik

Kali, because the ghost attacked you while you were confused, you must attack it this round. Also, despite being confused, I'll still accept a mysticism roll from you this round to identify this creature, if you wish.

Everyone, just a bit of GM advice. Seeing how accurate and hard this thing hits, you may want to keep healing serums handy. And don't forget that two were found in the mess

Confusion %: 1d100 ⇒ 50 Babbles incoherently

Hirix continues to send wave after wave of paranoid thoughts out indiscriminately, but thankfully keeps her laser pistol aimed at the ceiling rather than turning it against any of her allies.

Seeing how easily the creature harmed his companion, Twik dodges sideways and unleashes with his pistol while screaming...

"AND THATS WHY YOU LEAVE THINGS ALONE!"

Trick Attack - Bluff vs (20+CR): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26
If the Trick Attack succeeds, the attack roll is vs flatfooted KAC and the bonus damage is applied
Trick Attack - Pistol vs KAC: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
TA Damage (Piercing): 1d6 ⇒ 6
TA Bonus Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2
Miss <=20: 1d100 ⇒ 78

Hirix sounds like she's gone off the deep end... poor girl. Will she ever be right in the head again???

Twik pulls off some fancy shooting that strikes the Yotto ghost right in the heart! But similar to the video where the shuriken passed through Yotto harmlessly, Twik's bullets also pass through this monstrosity without any effect!

And I forgot to make a roll for round 2, which I'll do now....
Unknown Effect: 1d100 ⇒ 59

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

Round 1 cont'd & Round 2

The following characters in bold my take their action:

Lucas
Leif
Yotto (-1)
Kali (-6, confused 2 rounds)
Hirix (confused 1 round)
Ketch
Twik

Ketch’s mind races as the floating apparition attacks his fellow crew. He takes a step to get a better angle at the enemy. He tries to line up a shot as best as possible, and pulls the trigger of his laser pistol.

Stealth trick attack vs 20+cr: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
azimuth pistol: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 201d6 ⇒ 5
if truck successful: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Could someone in the room draw a melee weapon to help me flank the ghost please? Kali or Twik maybe? Might make things go down a bit easier if I can get more hits on it with the force baton.

As the ghost thing lunges for Kali Lucas uses the opening to step behind the creature and bring his baton down towards it with as much force as he can muster.

Move Action to take a Guarded Step, Standard Action to attack the ghost.

Baton attack vs KAC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
20% miss chance - miss on <=20: 1d100 ⇒ 61
Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Kali pull yourself together
Heal 6 stamina from a inspiring boost
Twik take my flame pistol you'll do much better with it than me
i hold it out if you can't get to me then someone else can take it

Botting Kali this round

Mysticism: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

With a look of confusion in her eyes, she speaks to herself, but is loud enough for everyone else to hear, "That thing is undead... It's a driftdead... a driftdead... Driftdead can fly... it...it has undead immunities... and while in the Material plane, it's incorporeal...

Kali then takes a guarded step back and fires her static arc pistol at the driftdead.
Arc Pistol vs EAC: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
Good thing I rolled a crit while botting Kali rather than for Yotto!
Electricity Damage, Critical: 1d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + (5) = 9

See page 264 of CRB for a description of incorporeal. Undead immunities are listed here: CLICK

Edit: Miss Chance: 1d100 ⇒ 57

Ketch successfully catches Yotto off guard and hits his mark! The laser, while causing some damage, does seem to partially pass through Yotto.

Lucas scores a solid hit on Yotto and the baton does not phase through the driftdead! Unlike everybody else's weapons, the baton appears to be fully effective!

Kali's spirits pick up as she gets inspired by Leif. Kali is still confused between who is friend and who is foe but at least she's feeling pretty good about it!

Leif, if you want, you can spend a standard action to toss your pistol to someone who wants it

Kali, in her confusion, attacks whatever attacked her last, which in this case is the driftdead. The beam from her pistol leaps out and strikes Yotto in a vulnerable spot causing more damage than usual! Unfortunately, the electric bolt also arcs from Yotto to Lucas, causing 2 points of damage to Lucas as well. Sorry Lucas!

Yotto turns to face Lucas and rips at Lucas with its claws!
Claw vs KAC: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20
Slashing Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

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

Unknown effect, Round 3: 1d100 ⇒ 50

Round 2 cont'd & Round 3

The following characters in bold may take their action:

Lucas (0/8 SP, 9/11 HP)
Leif
Yotto (-16)
Kali (confused 1 round)
Hirix (confused 1 round)
Ketch
Twik

Confusion %: 1d100 ⇒ 42 Babbles incoherently

Hirix continues to send waves of barely-coherent paranoia. She discharges her laser pistol into the ceiling as part of some kind of hard-to-decipher threat. Something about "there's skeletons inside every single one of you"...

Ketch once again tries to duck and weave in the eerie light of the ship to catch his enemy off guard.

stealth for FF: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29
azi pistol: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 41d6 ⇒ 11d4 ⇒ 4

Lucas is pleased to find that his baton connects solidly with the ghost but is unable to celebrate for long when he finds himself electrocuted by Kali's pistol, then slashed brutally by the ghost's very solid claws. Gritting his teeth against the pain he brings his baton around again, desperately trying to beat the ghost back to death.

Standard Action to attack Yotto.

Baton attack vs KAC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
20% miss chance - miss on <=20: 1d100 ⇒ 4
Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

"Ohhhhhh, pretty lights...

"Ohhhhhh, pretty lights...

Hahaha! Actually, you can go ahead and make an attack on Yotto because per the rules, if something attacks you while you are confused, then you are to keep attacking that thing back. Since Yotto attacked you last, you may keep attacking it despite your confusion.

In addition, if you wish, you can use your harm undead feat to attack it - which will also have the side benefit of healing Lucas a couple of HP. Basically, you're confused as to who is friend or foe but at the moment, you know that Yotto is definitely foe and you know it is undead and vulnerable to your channel.

Lucas, you gotta grit your teeth and bear it, you've been through tougher brutaris games than this.
Heal 6 stamina

Okay guys, I did a bit of research and am going to retcon something in the party's favor. Per page 430 of the CRB, all armor includes an integrated comm unit. Per page 218, comm units include a 15' cone flashlight.

Therefore, Lucas' armor, if desired, can shine light in front of him, illuminating Yotto for everyone to see and removing the dim light concealment miss chance penalty.

(Trying to gather composure), "What foul creature hit me?

Mysticism: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

Channel: 2d8 ⇒ (5, 6) = 11

Hirix continues to act like that very strange cousin that no one in the family likes to talk about...

Ketch manages to throw Yotto for a loop but his shot misses, unable to take advantage of Yotto's distracted state.

With grim determination, Lucas swings hard and connects, dealing Yotto a big *thunk!*

Leif's words spurs Lucas on!!

Kali emits a burst of holy energy, intending to do as much harm on the driftdead as possible, which also happens to heal the electrical damage done to Lucas just moments ago!

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

Round 2 cont'd & Round 3

The following characters in bold may take their action:

Lucas (6/8 SP, 11/11 HP)
Leif
Yotto (-34)
Kali (-1 RP, -1 spell)
Hirix
Ketch
Twik

Unsure if someone actually threw me an energy weapon in the end. If so, he will use that. Otherwise he'll try his luck with his trusty pistol. Sorry Twik doesn't want to get into melee with this monster. It will probably one shot him.

Twik takes more careful aim with his pistol while faking a dash to try and catch the creature off guard.

Trick Attack - Bluff vs (20+CR): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15
If the Trick Attack succeeds, the attack roll is vs flatfooted KAC and the bonus damage is applied
Trick Attack - Pistol vs KAC: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
TA Damage (Piercing): 1d6 ⇒ 4
TA Bonus Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Yotto Will Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Apologies, I forgot to roll Yotto's will save against the channel, which Yotto succeeds for half damage

Yotto doesn't fall for Twik's fancy moves and Twik's shot goes wide!

Yotto presses her attack on Lucas!
Claw vs KAC: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
Slashing Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
And Yotto lands a blow but Lucas' armor turns it away completely, leaving Lucas unharmed!!

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

Round 3 cont'd & Round 4

Unknown Effect, Round 4: 1d100 ⇒ 25
A pulse shudders through the air which seems to cause your weapons to malfunction!
Unless your weapon has the analog or archaic property, you take a -2 attack penalty on round 4.

The following characters in bold may take their action:

Lucas (6/8 SP, 11/11 HP) (-2 ATK unless analog or archaic)
Leif (-2 ATK unless analog or archaic)
Yotto (-28)
Kali (-1 RP, -1 spell slot)
Hirix
Ketch
Twik

Twik feints again and let's fly...

Trick Attack - Bluff vs (20+CR): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32
If the Trick Attack succeeds, the attack roll is vs flatfooted KAC and the bonus damage is applied
Trick Attack - Pistol vs KAC: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
TA Damage (Piercing): 1d6 ⇒ 5
TA Bonus Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Stirred by Leif's inspiration and feeling stronger following Kali's burst of energy Lucas easily deflects the ghost's claws, turning himself to take the blow on his shoulder plate the same way he'd turn his body to take a tackle on the brutaris court.

He draws his baton back to strike but feels the grip grow hot and the energy flow through the weapon fizzle and flicker for a moment. Undeterred, he brings the weapon down on the ghost, it's outline illuminated by the short-range torchbeams mounted on his helmet.

GM - that's my favourite kind of retcon, one that makes things easier!
Standard Action to attack Yotto.

Baton attack vs KAC: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 4 - 2 = 18
Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Hirix shakes herself free from the mind-addling effect on her, sending out a dryly irritated "Damned spooks" as she brings her laser pistol to aim at the remnant of Yotto.

She watches the creature carefully, analyzing its movements to predict the moment right before it moves in to strike. She fires right as its next lunge creates an opening.

Trick attack (Sense Motive): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31
Az. Laser Pistol (fire): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Az. Laser Pistol damage, w/ trick attack: 1d4 + 1d4 ⇒ (1) + (4) = 5

Leif will toss his flame pistol to twik attacking twiks square: 1d20 ⇒ 12 then draw his semi-auto

Ketch once again tries to duck in and out of the shadows.

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

azi pistol: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 3 - 2 = 121d4 ⇒ 21d4 ⇒ 4

Ketch, you don't suffer the -2 because you're technically still in 'round 3' rather than 'round 4'. So that'll do it!

Hirix's ever-sharp eye spots the perfect moment and perfect location to shoot and scores a hit!

Ketch's maneuvers throw Yotto off JUST enough to expose himself to Ketch's laser and suffer a hit!

Twik successfully feints Yotto but his shot goes pinging far away from its intended target.

With Yotto looking like it is soon to be truly dead, Lucas must've spotted the final nail in Yotto's coffin because Lucas' baton swing nailed it! The driftdead falls to the ground and doesn't get up.

Combat Concluded!!

With the driftdead now...ahem...dead, here are all the items in the room:

• battle harness but with no power left
  
• a purple force field upgrade within the battle harness that can be removed and used in your own armor's upgrade slot
  
• a starship battery
  
• the captain's personal effects (found earlier by Twik)
  
• credstick with 500 creds (found earlier by Twik)

At this point, you can take a 10 minute rest and spend a RP to regain all your SP if you wish. Just say so and deduct a RP from your stat line.

I'll need to know who takes which items and which items are left behind, so please call it out.

With the battery now in your possession, the party can easily power up the bridge door. So go ahead and post up your post-combat actions and/or discussions then call out when you're ready to open the last door. I've moved your tokens in formation to that door.

did you say there were two bodies?

There's the body of the driftdead Yotto that you guys just finished smacking down. And within the armor is the long dead body of the ship's captain.

Hirix can't help but shudder at the sight once the driftdead falls. "Dirty business this, setting the risen dead back to rest. Hardly a wonder why they shut it in here." Hirix searches through the room for any other relevant evidence.

Ultimately she picks up the battery, battle harness and force field upgrade, though the offers the last one to Lucas. She flicks her antennae in his direction and grudgingly sends "You did good back there buster. Kept your head 'in the game', you'd say. You'll need this shield too, in case we come across any more of those things."

She heads over to the engine room and installs the additional battery before returning to the grisly mess hall.

Hirix is generally ready to proceed. At some point we might want to do inventory on which personal effects we have, to make sure we have everything we need to bring back to the Idari.

The battle harness is a set of powered armor, bulk 20 (CRB pg 204) so it's not something anyone can just easily carry. To give this bulk some context, bear in mind that a character can carry half their Strength in bulk before getting encumbered or overburdened. A character can wear the powered armor but if it has run out of power (which it has), then there are quite a few penalties - see the 'Capacity and Usage' description in CRB pg. 203, 204.

The party can lug the armor (with or without the dead captain inside) to the airlock entrance next to the android limbs and leave it there so that the party can grab it on the way out the door when the party departs this haunted ship... assuming the party survives this ship of horrors, that is.... muahahaha!!!

As for the crewmembers' personal items, the party has grabbed from the crew quarters: 1) the Idari scale model, 2) a datapad with Teliu's logs, 3) a ceremonial Idaran force training baton, and 4) a bound copy of the book 'Customs of Kasath.' Here in the Captain's quarters, Twik found the captain's personal effects but the Yotto battle broke out before anyone had a chance to pick them up.

Twik will grab anything with Nil bulk and insist that someone with muscle carries everything else. The power armor we can drag back to the entrance for later.

Lucas shudders as the creature collapses to the floor, glad that it's finally dead. Or dead again. Or redead. He doesn't linger on the thought for too long, hearing Hirix's voice in his head. He gladly accepts the force field generator from her and, with a little difficulty, quickly installs the module into his armour's upgrade slot.

He moves over to the large and unpowered armour, gets a grip, and starts dragging it across the deck with a piercing shriek of metal-on-metal. "Let's get going then," he says.

Through dark hallways with flickering emergency lights and floors covered in blood and turret parts, the party drags the body of the captain still encased in the powered armor to the airlock entrance, setting it down next to the android limbs previously placed there by Kali.

Here's that piercing shrieking sound that Lucas aptly described: metal-on-metal

Afterwards, the party returns to the engine room and Hirix installs the starship battery, providing power to the bridge door. As you move through the hallways, you take notice of the energy pulse that occurred during your battle with Yotto and realize it has actually been pulsing since you boarded this ship, but it took your weapon malfunctions in the heat of battle to truly take note of it. The pulses seem to occur at irregular intervals and when it does, the already dim emergency lights flicker off for a few seconds before coming back on.

Pressing on without pause or break, the party gathers up at the bridge door and opens it. The bridge interior is alight in red warning screens. The nearing ethereal storm looms beyond the forward viewing platform, while the ship’s failing power causes each station’s panels to flicker intermittently. A battered captain’s chair oversees two tiers of descending operations panels. Seated in one of the two forward-most stations, you vaguely make out a kasatha corpse.

The corpse is indicated on the map with a red B (for body). Once you move your token to enter the room, please give me a perception check in addition to describing any other actions you wish to take.

GM sekrets: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

Hirix notes the pulses of energy and sends "I'd put good money on that being related to that storm outside. Let's wrap this business up." Her sending is practically confirmed once the bridge is opened and the storm shows up on the forward viewing platform.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Hirix is immediately wary of the body, examining it visually for any signs that its another of those foul ghostly undead. Furthermore, she keeps an eye open for an undamaged and powered terminal that could be used to retrieve the Bulwark data the group had come for.

Who wants to bet that GM secret roll was for another of those ghosts making a stealth check?

”Sounds good to me. I’ve had enough of this place. Spirits of the dead, etheric storms - not the best use for my talents”

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Thats my guess
Leif will approach slowly and cautiously
life science: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
culture: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
perception: 1d20 ⇒ 10

Twik, as you need to be in the room to perceive, I've moved your token next to Hirix.

"Did I see some healing serums earlier?" Lucas asks as the group makes their way to the captain's quarters. "Could do with getting this gash sealed up," he says, pointing to where Yotto had sliced his arm.

Anyone mind if I drink one of our Mk1 Serums of Healing?

"Yeah, I'd like to be long gone before this storm hits," Lucas agrees, readying his pistol and his force baton before stepping into the room and looking around.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 1

Lucas, Kali channeled earlier so that healed all your HP damage, putting you at your full 11 HP.

Also, that Perception roll!! LOL! Well, hopefully it means you'll roll a 20 when you most need it!

Lucas, Kali channeled earlier so that healed all your HP damage, putting you at your full 11 HP.

Also, that Perception roll!! LOL! Well, hopefully it means you'll roll a 20 when you most need it!

So she did, didn't spot it. Thanks GM.

also, i assume we took a short rest even if we didn't spend points beacsue otherwise i can't inspire Lucas and Kali

I'm assuming not as no one spent their points when I mentioned it. If I understand the mechanics correctly, inspire won't work again unless the recipient has spent a resolve point while resting. If Lucas or Kali wants to retcon a short rest in prior to entering this room, I'm okay with it. They'll just have to spend a RP.

Botting Ketch and Kali

Both Ketch and Kali move just inside the room and peer over at the body towards the front of the bridge...

Perception, Ketch Um: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Perception, Kali: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

When Ketch walks in and looks over towards the body, Ketch realizes that there is a creature macabrely sitting inside the corpse, wearing it like a camouflage suit, hiding in plain sight!!

Then before Ketch has a chance to warn anyone, the small sized creature BURSTS out of the kasatha body, the kasatha's head flung into the air off to the side where it grotesquely hits the ground with a squishy *thud!* then rolls off into a corner. The creature is grasping a damaged-looking sparking plasma pistol in one hand and various blunt instruments in its other hands as it attacks!!

Combat Initiated!

An image of the creature has been unmasked in the slides. Identifying it will require a mysticism check.

For the surprise round, Ketch and the creature may each take an action.
1 Lucas, 2 Leif, 3 Hirix: 1d3 ⇒ 2
Plasma Pistol vs EAC: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
E&F Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
The creature acts first in the surprise round and takes a shot, hitting Leif!

Surprise Round & Round 1

Unknown Effect, Round 1: 1d100 ⇒ 27

The following characters in bold may take their action:
Twik <-- In round 1 and may take all actions as per normal
Xill
Leif (0/5 SP, 9/9 HP)
Ketch <-- In surprise round and may take 1 action
Hirix
Lucas (6/8 SP, 11/11 HP)
Kali (-1 RP, -1 spell slot)

That is some sweet art. I like the improvised keyboard shield :>

While Hirix doesn't recognize the creature, its hostility is more than obvious. She lowers herself into a crouch, ready to spring away if the creature advances. (No gameplay effect of course.)

Surprised by the creature bursting out of a dead body of all things, Twik faking a dodge one way before stepping to the other. He uses the distraction to improve his chances of hitting the creature.

Trick Attack - Bluff vs (20+CR): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15
If the Trick Attack succeeds, the attack roll is vs flatfooted KAC and the bonus damage is applied
Trick Attack - Pistol vs KAC: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
TA Damage (Piercing): 1d6 ⇒ 1
TA Bonus Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Botting Ketch's surprise round action so that we can get everyone into the round 1 action!

Ketch uses a standard action to attack during the surprise round!
Laser Pistol vs EAC: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Fire Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Ketch's shot misses by a hair while Twik, being caught a bit off guard, misses completely.

The small creature moves up to Lucas and attempts to bite him!
Bite vs KAC: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21
Piercing Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

The creature successfully bites Lucas, who then feels a strange, tingling sensation...
Lucas Fort Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
...but Lucas' innate toughness overcomes whatever foul ability the creature possesses and the tingling fades away without effect on Lucas!

Round 1 cont'd & Round 2

Unknown Effect, Round 2: 1d100 ⇒ 10
A pulse shudders through the air which seems to cause your weapons to malfunction!
Unless your weapon has the analog or archaic property, you take a -2 attack penalty on round 4.

The following characters in bold may take their action:
Twik (-2 ATK unless analog or archaic) <-- currently in round 2
Xill
Leif (0/5 SP, 9/9 HP) <-- currently in round 1
Ketch <-- currently in round 1
Hirix <-- currently in round 1
Lucas (0/8 SP, 8/11 HP) <-- currently in round 1
Kali (-1 RP, -1 spell slot) <-- currently in round 1