[PbP Gameday VII] (SFS 1-03) GM Valen's Yesteryear's Truth (Inactive)

Game Master Lysle

I don't think shaken applies to damage?

Correct. I pasted the definition from an internet source, but it was in error.

BOTTING Dora 34 - to keep things moving and as I understand she is still under the weather per Discussion post.

Dora 34 fire her pistol again at the sand brute.
Ranged attack (semi-auto pistol, tactical) med range: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 - 2 = 5
Damage (P): 1d6 ⇒ 5

She then directs Arod forward to do the same.
Ranged attack (semi-auto pistol, tactical): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Damage (P): 1d6 ⇒ 2
Crit Damage (P): 1d6 ⇒ 5

Taeon distracts the beast, allowing Ashtif to connect a shot. The drone, too, gets off a devastating shot.

Failing to heed his comrade's words earlier, Roddy also gets off a shot, but he does minimal damage to the creature as the reflective hide of the creature focuses a portion of the laser fire into the direction of the Starfinders. Fortunately, the Starfinders are too far away from the beast and the energy dissipates before it can cause harm.

Apparently wishing to stay away from the drone, the sand brute moves toward the more protein rich food sources of Roddy and Ashtif. With Roddy closer, the creature attempts to take a bit.

Melee (bite): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14
Damage (bite)(P): 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

The creature's jaws connect with the Starfinder, but are unable to pierce his armor.

Party is up!

Round Two Initiative

You guys
Sand Brute -13 HP

Flexer-5 shakes off his irrational fear of a sack of organic bits and pieces, and takes a shot with his rifle.

KAC attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 1 = 22
P Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 6

Roddy grins, stows the rifle and cracks his knuckles. "Now THIS is what I'm talking about." A kind of manic glee lights up the big man's eyes, and he goes in for a haymaker.

Hammer Fist: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

If my original position was threatened (if brute has reach), then I will make a Guarded Step and shoot, but I think I lose my trick attack. If not, then I'll just move away and shoot. I'll go ahead and roll the trick attack, in case it applies.

Ashtif edges back, to be sure he's out of the reach of the creature's attacks, then uses another mound of dirt as cover to fire again, hopefully hitting an exposed weakness of the creature.

Survival trick attack: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13
Pistol attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Pistol damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1 P
Trick attack damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2 P

Another rock goes flying
1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 3 - 4 = 18
1d6 ⇒ 1

The sand brute is pelted by rifle shot, a rock, and fists. Only the halfling pilot's attack goes flying off its mark!

The beast is clearly injured, yet hunger and desperation seem to drive it to fight on.

Round Two Initiative Cont'd

PCs in bold may act

Ashtif
Donavaan
Flexer-5
Roddy
Dora
Taeon
Sand Brute -24 HP

Taeon advances, continuing to wave his pistol at the creature, then faking like he's aiming at it.

Bluff Check: 1d20 + 10 + 1d6 ⇒ (7) + 10 + (1) = 18
DC is 15+1.5*CR. Success means it's flat-footed vs. everyone. Failure and it's only flatfooted vs. Taeon until the end of his next turn.

BOTTING Dora 34 - no post in 48+ hours.

Dora 34 moves up and fires her pistol once again at the sand brute.
Ranged attack (semi-auto pistol, tactical): 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 4 - 2 = 9
Damage (P): 1d6 ⇒ 6

Arod remains in place and fires.
Ranged attack (semi-auto pistol, tactical): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Damage (P): 1d6 ⇒ 2

Neither shot connects.

Still somewhat distracted by Taeon, the hungry, injured fights on, trying to sink some teeth into Roddy.

Full attack action
Melee (bite), full attack: 1d20 + 11 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 11 - 4 = 21
Damage (bite)(P): 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Melee (bite), full attack: 1d20 + 11 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 11 - 4 = 9
Damage (bite)(P): 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

It manages to do so.

Round Three Initiative Cont'd

All PCs may act

Ashtif
Donavaan
Flexer-5
Roddy -9 HP/-2 SP
Dora
Taeon
Sand Brute -24 HP

Ashtif continues to move, attempting to use the terrain to his advantage ... although the creature is so intent with gnawing on Roddy, this strategy seems to be having little effect.

Survival trick attack: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28
Pistol attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Pistol damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1 P
Trick attack damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3 P

Just read trick attack and realized something about the wording ... the trick attack roll happens before the attack, and makes the target flat-footed ... does that mean the target is flat-footed even if the actual ranged attack fails?

Taeon joins in with the others in attacking the creature. He finally shoot at it with his pistol.

Attack vs flatfooted: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Roddy snarls in pain as the brute's teeth find their mark. "Son of a...!" The comment trails off with the swing of his heavy fists.

Hammer Fist: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 B

Did you mean for that to be -9 SP/-2 HP?

@Ashtif: I believe the flat-footed effect is only for your attack made as part of the trick attack, so the penalty will help your attack, but only your attack. Once you are level 4 you can extend the effect or apply other debuffs.

Flexer-5 shoots the darn sack of meat again. "Hey stop throwing rocks and fleshy fists and let's get this thing!"

KAC attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 1 = 11
P Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 2

Did you mean for that to be -9 SP/-2 HP?

I did.

The Starfinders do not let the sand brute's drawing of blood go unanswered, but only Taeon manages to land a shot on the beast. The piercing shot causes the creature to howl out in agony.

Round Three Initiative Cont'd

PCs in bold may act

Ashtif
Donavaan
Flexer-5
Roddy -9 SP/-2 HP
Dora
Taeon
Sand Brute -30 HP

Dora shoots again at the creature.

attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Then she directs Arod to do the same.

attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

No longer distracted, the sand brute dodges out of the way of the android mechanic's shot. However, the drone sinks another projectile into the sand brute's thick, reflective hide.

Round Three Initiative Cont'd

PCs in bold may act

Ashtif
Donavaan
Flexer-5
Roddy -9 SP/-2 HP
Dora
Taeon
Sand Brute -33 HP

BOTTING-Donavaan T'aar as no post in 24 hours

Yet another rock goes flying
Ranged attack: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 3 - 4 = 11
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Donavaan's rock misses.

Having had a taste of fresh meat, the sand brute attempts to make a meal of Roddy.

Full attack action
Melee (bite), full attack: 1d20 + 11 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 11 - 4 = 19
Damage (bite)(P): 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Melee (bite), full attack: 1d20 + 11 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 11 - 4 = 25
Damage (bite)(P): 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

It brings the Starfinder down!

Round Four Initiative Cont'd

All PCs may act

Ashtif
Donavaan
Flexer-5
Roddy -9 SP/-11HP (dying)
Dora
Taeon
Sand Brute -33 HP

Spending a Resolve Point to stabilize. Y'all are on your own. :P

Dora and Arod continue to attack the creature, trying to take it down so they can rescue Roddy.

Dora attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Arod attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Arod damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Again the drone inflicts a deep wound on the hungry sand brute, causing it to refrain from dining on Starfinder.

Yet, it seems determined to fight rather than relinquish what it believes is its kill.

Round Four Initiative Cont'd

PCs in bold may act

Ashtif
Donavaan
Flexer-5
Roddy -9 SP/-11HP (stabilized)
Dora
Taeon
Sand Brute -37 HP

"Stupid laser-proof monster!"

KAC attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 4 + 1 = 20
P Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 1

Taeon gapes at Roddy nearly being killed. He shouts to the soldier. "Hey, we still need you! I'll patch you up once we're done with this monster!"

Inspiring Boost to Roddy. 7SP restored

Sorry, got called into a mentor meeting last minute yesterday afternoon

Seeing that the solider has gone down the noble opens up his mind and attempts to use it's power to crush the mind of the monster
casting mind thrust
2d10 ⇒ (1, 7) = 8

Will save 14 for .5

Taeon, I believe stabilizing while dying means I remain unconscious at 0hp, so the SP boost won't bring me to consciousness. But check with Valen in case I'm wrong.

Will save (DC 14): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

The android mechanic’s rifle deals a glancing blow to the creature. Yet, when faced with the mystic's mind thrust, it is able to resist, but only for a moment before its primitive brain overloads and shutdown. Fangs and fury cease and the beast slumps to the ground.

Yet, even as the creature falls, some movement on the edge of the bluffs catches your eyes. You are able to make out the forms of four insectoid creatures. Each is clearly holding with some strange weapon resembling a firearm. Though their weapons are drawn, they are not presently pointed directly at you. The insectoids are approaching your position, slowly, from the same direction that the sand brute had come.

Picture of one of the insectoid creatures has been revealed on Slides.

Locations of insectoid creatures have been added to Maps.

Round Five Initiative Begins

PCs in bold may act

Ashtif
Donavaan
Flexer-5
Roddy -2 SP/-11HP (stabilized) Note: Roddy remains unconscious until he has at least 1 HP restored. (CRB, pg. 250)
Dora
[Taeon
Sand Brute -40 HP (dead)
Insectoid Creatures

Sense Motive: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (16) - 2 = 14
Engineering: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

Flexer-5 has a rare insight into successfully reading organic behavior and thinks they aren't immediately hostile. "This may be your chance for that peaceful contact, Doc. I don't think they want to fight, maybe they just are lizard hunting too! Someone turn on that translator thing."

Flexer-5 stashes his hunting rifle. It's not a purely peaceful gesture as it may seem, since in reality he mostly prefers the laser rifle anyway, but he keeps that holstered for now as well.

With enough time Flexer-5 can take 20 on medicine to heal 5 HP to Roddy if Roddy doesn't want someone to use up Roddy's serum or have another non-consumable heal.

Dora puts away her gun, and has Arod point his at the ground. Then she kneels down next to Roddy. "Can any of you help him?" If no one offers anything else, such as magic healing, she first checks in his pack for a healing serum, and if she can't find one there, gets out her own to carefully feed to him.

If you give me some time I might be able to help him the mystic states.

This is the first time that I have used my mystic ability so I am having to read up about the healing.

Once per day, you can spend 10 minutes to magically heal an ally up to 5 Hit Points per mystic level.

It looks like I can bring him up 10 hp if we have the time?

Taking us out of rounds for now.

As the Starfinders holster their weapons and begin attending to the wounded, one of the insectoid creatures shouts something in what appears to be some alien language--one that resembles a series of clacking sounds.

While speaking, the insectoid creature holds up one of its hand and lowers its head to show the flat of its twin mandibles. It straps the weapon to its back and slowly begins to approach.

If I had any serums, I would say use them, but I don't. Probably use the med kit first, if we have the time, and save the mystic healing for after (I could certainly use both if you're willing). Depending on how negotiations go with these things, we might not have time for either! Fingers crossed.

Dora digs a medkit out of her pack and tries to heal Roddy.

medicine: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

I am fine either way

Culture 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
I recognize this language as similar to the one transmitted by the orbital drone platform, though simpler and
more guttural. he says hearing the bug men talk.

The doctor moves over to help Roddy, applying a serum to him.

He looks over his shoulder back at the aliens. "Hello friends! Please, we mean you no harm. Our friend was hurt by the giant creature. Do you know it?"

Mk1 Healing Serum: 1d8 ⇒ 8

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

If the bugs don't react poorly to Flexer-5 starting some medical procedures on the fallen soldier, Flexer-5 will leave the talking to the talky ones and try to fix up Roddy.

If GM allows, 20 minutes for take 20 on Medicine check. 20 + 11 = 31, beats medkit DC of 25 by 5 to restore 1 HP per Roddy hit die + Flexer's INT Mod = 1 + 4 = 5 HP.

Flexer hums while he works, eventually getting into lyrics "The hip bone's connected to the - elbow. Wait... that's not right... It's ok Roddy we'll get this straight in a few minutes."

The insectoids approach within twenty feet of the party, then remain at a distance as the Starfinders go about healing Roddy. They keep looking over at the remains of the sand brute and then the party.

When Taeon turns to address them specifically, they all begin looking around, trying to determine who the lashunta is speaking to. Then, one of them, points to an appendage at Taeon. “N-noe…yt?”, it says hesitantly—the words sounding all the more odd originating from mandibles.

The insectoid walks another five feet closer party, though the other three remain back. It points at Taeon once again, repeating its words, now a little louder and a little affirmatively. “Noe-yt.”, it says.

Then, pointing the same appendage at itself, it says, “Dy-stane.”. It nods its head up and down as it repeats, the word, “Dy-stane.”.

Taeon looks confused for a moment. Then, the light turns on. "Oh! No, no." He points at himself. "Tae-on."

He points at the approaching alien, nodding. "Dystane." Then, he points at himself again. "Tae-on."

"Tae...on?" the insectoid responds hesitantly to the lashunta, pointing to the Starfinder. It repeats the name again, "Taeon."

The insectoid calls back to the other insectoids behind it. "Taeon! Taeon!", it repeats. It points vigorously at the lashunta.

Then, with its mandibles waiving energetically, it says, "Klata tulchk nik, Taeon!" The insectoid's arms fly up in the air and motion warmly.

"Yes, Taeon!" The lashunta smiles and echos his words telepathically. Taeon!

He motions to the others. "I think he wants us to come with them." He tries to help Roddy to his feet.

Assuming the Medicine checks were enough to put a few HP back into Roddy...

Roddy groans and accepts the lashunta's hand, getting groggily to his feet. He blinks in confusion a few times at the bug-creatures, then to Taeon. "Uh, we have the translator-thingy, right? Is it working?" If the others are willing to follow the bug-people, Roddy shrugs, slings his dropped laser rifle, and follows suit.

how effective would a mind link be in this case?

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Culture: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Ashtif pushes the button on the translator module attached to his belt, so it can begin processing the language. He smiles and waves, but says to Roddy, "It'll take a few minutes, but it's running."

Assuming the Medicine checks were enough to put a few HP back into Roddy...

The healing serum and medical treatment are effective. Roddy is conscious.

how effective would a mind link be in this case?

I'll leave that call up to you. I will note that the spell is not language dependent and that the communication is one way. If you attempt it, let me know what information you are trying to communicate.

With the rudimentary translator provided by Fitch activated and the insectoids speaking, the party confirms that the insectoids are essentially saying, "hunt ended" and "come with us.”

The one Taeon referred to as "Dystane" nods its head, again gives a beckoning gesture, and turns to head into the desert away from the direction of the city enveloped within the force-field.

Dora (and Arod) follow.

Is an action by a PC and her drone sufficient to satisfy the "Rule of Two"?

Regardless, I get the sense the party is prepared to follow so...

The group of insectoid beings head across the desert sands, looking periodically behind them, presumably to see if the party is still following. As you travel, the sand dunes give way to taller and rockier outcroppings peering out of the sands. After about a thirty-minute trek from the site of the sand brute's ambush, you set eyes upon a prominent cliff face that is riddled with dozens of small cave openings.

Dozens of beetle-like aliens crawl in and out of the many caves that dot the face of this otherwise drab cliff. Most of them are dressed in simple leather frocks, while the few with crude weapons are covered with sturdier armor. A small garden filled with sickly plants is visible off to one side, next to what looks like the opening to a well. A handful of smaller insectoids, almost certainly children, sit in front of a pair of older aliens, who are both wearing brightly colored necklaces. They appear to be either telling the young ones a story or teaching them a lesson.

Rousing cheers and apparent greetings arise up from among the insectoid populace as they begin to catch site of Dystane and the others.

Due to its limited capacity, I will assume the translator is turned off until a post indicates otherwise.

However, once the other insectoids catch a glimpse of your party, the energetic greetings and cheery clacking of mandibles quickly die off, replaced by hushed chirping sounds.

Upon spotting Dystane and the others, the pair of older aliens with the brightly colored necklaces look at one another before rising to their feet. Dystane quickly strides forward to meet with them and an animated conversation, involving various clacking mandibles ensues.

After the exchange appears to come to a conclusion, the two necklaced insectoids gesture for you all to come close.