[SFS, Campaign Mode] GM Blake's Against the Aeon Throne

Game Master Blake's Tiger

Del nods: "Great thinking... I'd start with the lone soldier, and then the trio on patrol. After which liberate the hobgar to distract them from missing their people, and hit them to get Medalon's notes back, and finally liberate the water to bolster the people's urge to fight"

Steve stops and listens for a moment. "This sounds fun. [b]Let's start with cemetery troops. Maybe they will send more out after them when they no show back up."

"I can get behind this plan. Del, I like the angle of your thrusters."

Antenor looks around, "You know what would make this easier? Grenades, lots of grenades." He leaves the request at that.

This reminds me of Book IV of REDACTED. I dig it. Can we either put a slide with these submissions on the Campaign Notes, or link it somewhere?

"You've truly thought this out, haven't you? Brains and beauty." Rril continues, laying it on thick. Sensing no reciprocation to his charm, he sighs.

"Well, seems to me that if Medalon has useful intel, that that would be the place to start." Rril responds to Del and Antenor, as if Steve had never uttered his thoughtful suggestion.

Making a thumbs up and pointing it back toward himself, Rril notes, "And this guy knows a thing or two about getting himself into some hard to reach places. I've got expert fingers." He wiggles his digits for emphasis.

"After that, I say we follow the Yokel's plan." he suggests, pointing at Del. "What do you say, crew?"

Antenor gives a thumbs up without stopping his search for A-Team style equipment.

"Yarnell. Del Yarnell."

Haro presses a few buttons on his datapad.

"Snap poll...which of the tasks should we perform first? You're going to have all of 30 seconds to vote..." he says quietly.

After a few moments, he turns to the group and says "It looks like a sizable win for the goblin's plan. I think a lot of people think his plans sound the craziest. But it would probably work better anyway, since if we take out the lone soldier in the base, he could be found or we could set the alarm off too early. Plus, like he said...they might send more troops out to replace those...I'm going with Steve's idea."

"Picking off the trio sounds likely to weaken them without alerting the rest." With visible effort, Lors adds "Steve is right."

"Excuse me for a moment." Rril interjects. The human rises to his feet, then steps outside of the fabricated building. Now alone, he stares for a few moments at the faded AbadarCorp logo on the exterior wall of the building before slamming his head against it. As he does so, he releases a muffled cry, "STEEEEEEEEEEEVE!"

Closing his eyes, Rril ceases the head-banging, lifts his head, and then opens his eyes once again as if giving himself the strength to regain his composure.

After checking the reflection of his forehead in a nearby transparasteel window to ensure he left no visible mark and then straightening his flightsuit, Rril calmly re-enters the building and rejoins the party.

"So?" he asks aloud with a tone conveying an air of confidence in the plan that belies his troubled mind and concerns, "When do we get started?"

rofl

Haro must be making things up because dead center in the radius of a planetary wide signal jammer.

I'll try to get you started later tonight. Work was a bear and need to get dinner ready.

"If you're looking for anything useful, don't bother," Aibretta tells Antenor. "The soldiers raided my shop and took anything that could be more dangerous than as a bludgeon--and even some of that--at least not without several days worth of clever ingenuity. They even took my UPB programmer."

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Once you are rested and prepared, you set out for the cemetery.

The colony’s cemetery is not large, consisting of only a few headstones and a heavy wrought-iron fence in a clearing hacked out of the forest. A stone plinth near the center of the area is carved with a list of names. A gravel trail near the cemetery is covered with fallen leaves, and a thick mist surrounds the graves.

Current map courtesy of GM Hmm

Place yourselves wherever you would like and prepare your ambush. You have access to the graveyard through the unlocked gates.

"Bleep bleep! There's some freaky giant in the middle over there, let's RUN!"

"No, he's with us... I hope."
Del points to the stone plinth in the center.
"It's actually SynthStone®, a gift from AbadarCorp."

Del sends "U." to hide in the foliage outside the cemetery, and to cover the path with its camera, so he can follow things on his comm' unit.

The Del hides against the wall, near the doors.
Waiting--
Take 20 Stealth for... 20

"U" takes a couple minutes getting into the best position--
Take 20 for 27 Stealth
--and then scan left and right with its camera, transmitting images to Del.

Rril, once again in the Azlanti armor "disguise", looks around.
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

"No one around, eh? Where is this trio of bad guys?" he mutters. "I knew we should have started out getting some good intel rather than trying to rely on others."

The sulking scoundrel takes up a defensive post at the cemetery gate, attempting to appear as if he is standing guard outside the cemetary.

Steve skitters among the tombstone, reading some of the names and phrases written on their tombstones. The spider-legs of his drone poke lightly into the stones as he climbs up and over them with ease.

Oonopidae Stealth: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (12) + 16 = 28
Steve Stealth: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

If taking-20 on Stealth is allowed, Lors will definitely do that.

Lors hunkers down behind some appropriately grey tombstones to the best of her abilities.

Stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

Haro must be making things up because dead center in the radius of a planetary wide signal jammer.

Sorry, retcon that to say IF I could conduct a snap poll, I bet they would go with the goblin. XD

Haro takes one of the flanks, not sure how this will turn out. He tries to focus his mind in the event he needs to use his mental powers.

"Do we see them yet?" he whispers.

stealth: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (12) - 2 = 10

Antenor mumbles a bit as he takes position, "This is creepier than expected. Let's hope it's not prophetic too."

Most everyone hides in the cemetery, taking cover inside the iron fence and hiding behind the stone markers. The older graves have carved stone markers. The fresh graves--no more than a day old--are marked with simple rocks.

Rril stands at the cemetery gate and waits. Eight minutes later--Rril knows because he's been counting the impatient minutes--three Azlanti soldiers walk into view. They pause when they catch sight of the bounty hunter in disguise.

Initiative for Action Tracking

Yellow
Lors
Rril
Del
Antenor
Blue
Haro
Steve
Red

Rril raises his index finger towards his helmeted mouth, indicating what he hopes is the universal sign for "hush, be quiet". He then motions over towards the brush across from the cemetery where he believes the drone is currently located.

Raising his captured rifle, Rril points it towards the brush, taking up a firing stance, then motions, silently for the Azlanti soldiers to approach and form a defensive firing line between the cemetery gate and the brush.

Full round action to elaborately Lie (CRB, pg. 137)

Bluff: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

The three guards creep over to where Rril the false-Azlanti stands aiming at a bush. They raise their rifles to match. One looks to Rril.

Combat! Surprise Round. Bold may act.

Surprise Round: 1 Standard or 1 Move action.

Yellow
Lors
Rril
Del
Antenor
Blue
Haro
Steve
Red

Haro jumps from hiding. With his tactical pike drawn, he rushes toward the three troopers.

single move action

"I'm sorry? Would you mind repeating that? I didn't quite catch it." Rril quips.

Is the gate open?

If so, Rril steps inside. Guarded step into adjacent square right of current position on Map.

Otherwise, Rril attempts a feint on the nearest trooper.
Bluff, feint v. red: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

Lors gently lobs a grenade into their midst before taking a firmer grip on her pike.

Shock Grenade: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Electricity: 1d8 ⇒ 2 DC 14 Ref for 1/2

Gate is open unless I missed one of you closing it.

"Contract this!", yells Del as he comes up with his industrial welder turned on, ready to try and melt an Azlanti facial armor.

Happy to be so admired by all these soldiers, "U." fires its newly acquired laser at the soldier with the red belt.
Laser Pistol vs. EAC (80 ft.): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Fire (crit' Burn 1d4): 1d4 ⇒ 3
1 charge used

Hearing the yelling, Steve wheels Oonopidae around and rushes the guard filled gate. "Wheeee!" He draws his pistol in the process.

Antenor maintains his cover, not wanting to mess up the more violent party members with an awkward shot. Instead he opts to give some encouragement. "That's it! The one with the red belt is TOAST!" Get'em on Red.

Just before Rril can hop through the gate, he is momentarily blinded by the flash of a shock grenade. The Azlanti soldiers appear unsatisfactorily singed. Del moves toward the gate while 'U' fires a shot into the closest soldier's chest. Haro and Steve charge from hiding.

The far soldier rushes past Del to make it more difficult to take out the unit with grenades and fires a slug into the mechanic's previously not wounded arm.

Combat! Round 1. Bold may act.

Yellow (-2)
Lors
Rril
Del (-7) (has AOO vs. Yellow as he moved past)
Antenor
Blue (-1)
Haro
Steve
Red (-4) (+1 to hit until Antenor's turn)

Del lashes out at the passing soldier—
Welder vs. EAC: 1d20 ⇒ 5
E & f (no crit'): 1d4 ⇒ 4
—before wincing as he hit and starts bleeding.

"Come on Del, don't let'em get to you! Stick it to that guy!"

Get'em again on Red, and a move with a grenade out.

Rril gives a confused-looking glance at the nearest trooper, as if to say "Why'd you have to be this way?", trying to cause the trooper to question his plan of violence.

However, Rril then quickly drops the unfamiliar rifle along with the ruse. Stepping back, he draws his pistol to line up a shot. Guarded Step; Quick Draw

Trick Attack, Bluff w/Spy Spec: 1d20 + 9 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 9 + 4 = 25
Ranged (pistol, semi-auto) v red KAC w/GE: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 4 + 1 = 20
Damage (pistol)(P): 1d6 ⇒ 2
Add Damage if Trick Attack Successful: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Hit for 7 damage, correct?

Del swings the welder at red--
Welder vs. EAC w. Get Em: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
E & f (no crit'): 1d4 ⇒ 1
--and orders "U." to blast away.

"Yes, master."
"U." fires twice at red.
Laser Pistol vs. EAC w. Get Em (80 ft.) #1: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
Laser Pistol vs. EAC w. Get Em (80 ft.) #2: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
Fire 1 (crit' Burn 1d4): 1d4 ⇒ 1
Fire 2 (crit' Burn 1d4): 1d4 ⇒ 1

Lors advances towards the gate, trying to trap her foes in a web of steel.

Pike @Red (Get 'Em): 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 1 = 11
Piercing: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Del: Correct. 7 damage more. 0/6 3/10.

Everyone turns their focus onto the soldier with the slowest reactions. Del burns him with the welder, 'U' pelts him with laser fire, Rril hits him squarely, and then Lors runs him through with her pike. The shobhad lifts the corpse off the ground with the force of the thrust, dropping it a few feet away.

The young cadets seem taken aback by how swiftly you rabble took down one of their own. The second soldier, realizing that she is trapped, carefully steps back to at least gain the cover of the fence and shoots the goblin's pistol arm.

Combat! Round 1. Bold may act.

Yellow (-2)
Lors: Hit (AOO vs. Blue through cover)
Rril: Hit
Del (-7): Hit, U Hit x 2
Antenor: Get' Em
Blue (-1)
Haro
Steve (-7)

Steve screams in pain as the bullet pierces into his arm. "Gahh!" raising his pistol he fires off a quick shot back at the soldier, just before chasing it down on Oonopidae.

Azimuth Laser Pistol: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

As Oonopidae skitters out from behind the fence-line Steve laughs. I got you now!"[/b] His giant goblin smile beams through the pain.

Steve tags his target with his laser before chasing him down, cackling.

The first Azlanti soldier continues to back away and then fires at the terrifying four-armed giant that just skewered her companion. The slug strikes Lors in the side of the head but somehow fails to penetrate her skull. The scalp wound bleeds profusely, though, making for quite the dramatic scene.

Combat! Round 2. Bold may act.

Yellow (-2)
Haro
Lors (-12) (AOO vs. Blue through cover)
Rril
Del (-7)
Antenor
Blue (-2)
Steve (-7)

Del moves in and swings the welder at blue.
He jabs the plasma arc right into the Azlanti's face, burning him bad.
Welder vs. EAC: 1d20 ⇒ 20
E & f (no crit'): 1d4 ⇒ 3
E & f Crit dam': 1d4 ⇒ 2

"U." fires at yellow.
Laser Pistol vs. EAC (80 ft.): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Fire (crit' Burn 1d4): 1d4 ⇒ 3

Entertaining as a grenade for a single foe would be, Antenor knows that someone escaping is very bad. He turns the corner and takes a pot shot V. Yellow EAC: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17 for Measly Fire: 1d4 ⇒ 4

"Now, we've got them running." Rril notes with a smile as he races outside of the cemetery and raising his pistol at the fleeing trooper.

Trick Attack, Bluff w/Spy Spec: 1d20 + 9 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 9 + 4 = 33
Ranged (pistol, semi-auto) v yellow KAC w/GE: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Damage (pistol)(P): 1d6 ⇒ 3
Add Damage if Trick Attack Successful: 1d4 ⇒ 1

The Azlanti soldier goes down in a hail of fire. She did not even see the gun that killed her.

Snarling behind her cracked helm, Lors emerged from the cemetery to unleash her wrath on the insect who had shot her!

AoO: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Piercing: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Pike: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Piercing: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Despite having to reach over the fence to strike, Lors nearly takes the arm off of the near soldier. Del shoves his welder in the young man's face. Then Lors strikes again and fells him.

Combat Over

Del sits down to rest.
If we stay here 10 minutes, otherwise later.

Sorry for not posting yesterday...had unexpected obligations at work.

Haro looks at the items they have found. "We have enough ceremonial armor for everyone to dress up no, do we not? This could make infiltrating the base easier."