GM Valen's - Into the Unknown Quests (WITHOUT STARSHIPS) (NOW WITH STARSHIPS) (Inactive)

Game Master Lysle

Based on description of Exegara provided by the vesk pawnbroker, Pangea concludes that the Eoxian is quite likely a ghoul.
I am putting this information out in the open as I assume that Pangea would have shared it during the approach to the Vat Garden (and to keep things moving). With the high result, Pangea knows one more piece of information about ghouls. Other PCs may, of course, make Mysticism rolls to provide likely information about the undead.

Upon arrival, it is evident that the current occupants of the Vat Garden are aware of the party's arrival.

Surprise Round Initiative

PCs in bold may take a standard or move action

D’Gavin
AMOSU
Flight-suited female with cloak (Who could it be?)
Thugs
Dr. Buse Clan-Wahi (adjusted with proper Initiative modifier; thanks for letting me know!)
Ukigashk
Pangea

I don't appear to be in that list.

I don't appear to be in that list.

Sorry, you got cut off.

Surprise Round Initiative

PCs in bold may take a standard or move action

D’Gavin
AMOSU
Flight-suited female with cloak
3 Thugs
Dr. Buse Clan-Wahi
Ukigashk
Pangea
Quicklet

AMOSU mentally reviews the teams comments regarding undead and nonlethal combat, then quietly says "My files lack sufficient information regarding the undead, and I have no combat experience involving such creatures. Is there an advisable means of capture? Or other defenses to be aware of?"

No Mysticism here. Anyone else?

AMOSU falls in behind Ukigashk, "As we both are limited in our stealth abilities, I shall provide fire support for Ukigashk. Do to the limitations of my weapon against Exegara I will focus on the other targets."AMOSU keeps its Pulsecaster in firing position.

Holding my initiative to act just after Ukigashk. AMOSU will follow behind Ukigashk, staying within about 10'. It will continue to use its amazing roll of 11 on Stealth just in case.

Pangea calls out: "It's an undead, for sure, and I think it's a ghoul! And... let me think, do ghouls have damage resistance?"

My 1 question is whether there is some kind of DR (since Vanguards hit with Bludgeoning).
Normally, knowing that it is an Undead, we know what immunities an Undead has:

The figure wearing the flight suit hisses, "Intruders are coming. Do as you were paid to do." She then steps into brush.

The three thugs follow.

Per Map notes in earlier post (and with Map), foliage down within the Vat offers total concealment from upper walkway.

First Full Round Initiative

PCs in bold may act

D’Gavin
AMOSU
Flight-suited female with cloak (concealed in brush)
3 Thugs (concealed in brush)
Dr. Buse Clan-Wahi
Ukigashk
Pangea
Quicklet

D'Gavin will move forward and fire upon the first enemy to appear.

Auto-Pistol: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21 Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6

AMOSU will continue to hold until after Ukigashk, following after with about 10ft of distance.

As one of the Starfinders begins to come down the steps, there is a rustling in the bushes as one of the thugs runs out with his hammer held high.

The Starfinder, prepared, fires his pistol, burning a hole in the thug. Yet, the hammer-wielder keeps coming and swings at the shooter.

Melee (assault hammer): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Damage (B): 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

However, he fails to connect.

There is some more movement in the thick undergrowth.

First Full Round Initiative Cont'd/Second Round Begins

PCs in bold may act

Flight-suited female with cloak (concealed in brush)
2 Thugs (concealed in brush)
Thug (green) -6 HP
Dr. Buse Clan-Wahi
Ukigashk
Pangea
Quicklet
Round Two
D’Gavin
AMOSU

Pangea moves forward and projects her fist at the thug, calling open the powers of entropy...

Entropic Strike vs. KAC: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Acid: 1d3 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

AMOSU locks its targeting system on the thug that stepped from the brush, and fires a quick shot off from its Pulsecaster.

For AMOSU - Move act, targeting system; standard act, firing
Attack/EAC: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Dam/Nonlethal: 1d6 ⇒ 3
In case there's still a miss chance, 1 is miss.
Cover/20% miss: 1d5 ⇒ 2

AMOSU then calls out, ” Out of respect for all sentient life I offer all of you this opportunity to surrender. Failure to comply in 5 seconds will result in continued aggression... 4 seconds... 3...”

Ukigashk moves forward along side D'Gavin, and lunges with his longsword. His attack deflected by the hired thugs armor.

Longsword: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 3

Following the lunge he adjusts his stance to bring his shield to bear against the thug dressed in green.

The thug (green) dodges the blade and first, but not--after failing to comply with the android's request--the blast.

First Full Round Initiative Cont'd/Second Round Begins

PCs in bold may act

Flight-suited female with cloak (concealed in brush)
2 Thugs (concealed in brush)
Thug (green) -9 HP
Dr. Buse Clan-Wah
Ukigashk
Pangea
Quicklet
Round Two
D’Gavin
AMOSU

Quicklet moves up and looks around. The thug looks pretty well handled by the vanguards, but she can't see the others. Where are they?

Readied action: use Infinite Worlds to create difficult terrain between the enemies and the party if they're charging or otherwise moving into melee.

Buse rushes forward and around the visible thug, the better to stick him with a needle. "Try not to tense, it will only upset you further."

Injection Glove vs. Green: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

On a hit, he is sickened for 2 rounds.

D'Gavin manages to not get hit. The best way to not get hurt is to not get hit. He backs away from his assailant and fires again.

Auto Pistol v KAC: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

The doctor's injection proves too much for the thug (green) and he collapses on the steps.

Through the undergrowth, the thugs move closer. Although they can briefly be seen crossing the centeral path, they soon vanish into the undergrowth on the eastern part of the vat.
Locations indicated on map, but are only visible to Dr. Buse Clan-Wah at the moment as she is in the Vat.

The flight-suited female emerges from the brush, drawing back her cloak to reveal an almost skeletal face with decaying flesh hanging from it, confirming her identity as a ghoul

"Kill the breathers!" she hisses as she raises a pistol and fires at the doctor in the Vat.
Ranged (azimuth laser pistol): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Damage (f): 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Concealment if <21%: 1d100 ⇒ 85

Laser fire scorches the kasatha!

Second Round Initiative Cont'd/Thirdd Round Begins

PCs in bold may act

Flight-suited female with cloak
Thug (yellow)
Thug (blue)
Thug (green) -15 HP
Dr. Buse Clan-Wah -5 SP
Ukigashk
Pangea
Quicklet
Round Three
D’Gavin
AMOSU

Waiting for Dr. Buse to "tell" Ukigashk where the bad guys are.

Move action
Seeing the green clad thug drop to the ground, Pangea moves down the steps, and, understanding there are enemies near Dr. Buse, she wonders which way to go--Which way (1=North): 1d2 ⇒ 2
--before stepping onto the path.
Seeing a blue clad thug, Pangea swings her first at him, her Entropic powers giving it power.
Standard action
Entropic Strike vs. KAC: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Acid and/or Bludgeoning: 1d3 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

"There...argh!" Buse points out the thugs both the normal way and by taking a glancing laser shot. She retaliates with a pair of swift, if ill-timed jabs.

Injection Glove: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Injection Glove: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

With green thug down, does D'Gavin get to change actions?

Blue line indicates line of travel

Ukigashk sees Dr. Buse dealing with two assailants and moves to assist, hoping to split the attention of the thugs.

As he moves in he sets his shield for the thug that is oddly dressed in bright yellow, and strikes with his sword again. His sword takes on a strange glow as the strike is delivered and this time he finds a weak point the thugs armor.

Entropic Strike vs. EAC: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Damage: Acid and Blugeon: 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

With green thug down, does D'Gavin get to change actions?

Yes, but please be mindful of the following: Managing actions in actual Initiative order is tough to do via PbP and, since the attack roll was a miss, I was initially inclined to say no. However, as no other opponents we're then visible, D'Gavin was at the bottom of the actiom order, and a retconnisnmot likely to affect the opponent's actions, Iwill allow it although in this case. I do ask that you place arrows on the map to track any movement for the two rounds of actions to make retconning easier.

Second Round Cont'd/Third Round Initiative Begins

PCs in bold may act

Quicklet
D’Gavin (two rounds of actions)
AMOSU
Ghoul
Thug (yellow) -6 HP
Thug (blue) -5 HP
Thug (green) -15 HP
Dr. Buse Clan-Wah -5 SP
Ukigashk
Pangea
Quicklet

AMOSU moves into the brush behind Ukigashk. Once the thugs become visible, AMOSU raise its rifle and fires. "Your decision to continue hostilities is regrettable."

Attacking Yellow Thug
Attack/EAC: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Damage/Nonlethal: 1d6 ⇒ 1

After hearing ghoul shout to her lackeys, AMOSU tries to take a closer look at the thugs. The reference to "Breathers", are these beings undead?

Perception to see if the thugs are breathing, panting gasping, etc as they attack?

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

AMOSU shares anything it is able to notice about the thugs with the team.

AMOSU shares anything it is able to notice about the thugs with the team.

Each of the thugs appears to be breathing rather heavily, no doubt at the result of exertion as well as their injuries.

Second Round Cont'd/Third Round Initiative Cont'd

PCs in bold may act

Quicklet
D’Gavin (two rounds of actions)
AMOSU
Ghoul
Thug (yellow) -6 HP
Thug (blue) -5 HP
Thug (green) -15 HP
Dr. Buse Clan-Wah -5 SP
Ukigashk
Pangea
Quicklet

Quick tries to daze the mind of the nearest living foe.

Will save on the blue thug, DC 14 or be unable to take actions for 1 round.

Round 2 Action: With his intended target down, D'Gavin moves to support Dr Buse. He'll fire at any enemy he sees (and miss).

Round 3 Action: D'Gavin takes aim at yellow thug.
Auto-Pistol v KAC: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Sorry for the delay, folks.

The half-elf's shot goes wide.

Thug (blue), Will: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (2) + 0 = 2

A cloud of possibilities of endless worlds seems to overcome one of the thugs (blue)

The other (yellow) swings her hammer at one of the approaching foes. 1 Doctor, 2 Vesk: 1d2 ⇒ 1

Melee (assault hammer) v. KAC: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Damage (B): 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Her swing misses.

The undead ghoul heads for cover among the undergrowth and fires a shot down the clear path at Pangea.
Ranged (azimuth laser pistol): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Damage (F): 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Crit damage (F): 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Crit burn damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

The beam zeroes in on the vanguard!

Third Round Cont'd/Fourth Round Initiative Begins

PCs in bold may act

Dr. Buse Clan-Wah -5 SP
Ukigashk
Pangea -10 SP
Quicklet
D’Gavin
AMOSU
Ghoul
Thug (yellow) -6 HP
Thug (blue) -5 HP (dazed)
Thug (green) -15 HP

Ukigashk once again strikes at the brightly dressed thug (yellow) with his sword. As he delivers his blow the blade has a strange dark glow once again.

Entropic Strike vs. EAC: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Damage (A&B): 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

D'Gavin continues to fire at yellow thug.

Auto-Pistol v KAC: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19 Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

With the power of focused entropy, the vesk's attacks slams against the thug (yellow)! That JUST hit the thug's EAC!

With the force of the below, the woman seems surprised to be standing. Then the half-elf fires a shot that instantly drops her.
The beam zeroes in on the vanguard!

Third Round Cont'd/Fourth Round Initiative Begins

PCs in bold may act

Dr. Buse Clan-Wah -5 SP
Ukigashk
Pangea -10 SP
Quicklet
D’Gavin
AMOSU
Ghoul
Thug (yellow) -16 HP
Thug (blue) -5 HP (dazed)
Thug (green) -15 HP

Stepping ever closer to the ghoul, Buse continues looking to remove its minions from the picture with jabbing hits.

Injection Glove vs. Blue: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

The needles on the doctor's glove fail to penetrate the thug's flight suit.

Third Round Cont'd/Fourth Round Initiative Begins

PCs in bold may act

Dr. Buse Clan-Wah -5 SP
Ukigashk
Pangea -10 SP
Quicklet
D’Gavin
AMOSU
Ghoul
Thug (yellow) -16 HP
Thug (blue) -5 HP (dazed)
Thug (green) -15 HP

'Aaahhh...", Pangea is hit dead center in the chest, the laser shot burning right through her freebooter's protective armor.

The shock reminds her once again that she is mortal, and the entropy washes over her, coating her with protective powers.

Received 2 x my level in dam' + a crit' = 2 Entropy Points in my pool
(too bad I cannot use them at level 1!)
My AC goes up by 1

Glancing around, Pangea sees the second thug down, and the third seeming lost in a daze, and unable to react, so she moves down the path towards the ghoul, leaving a line of sight for her comrades.
Move action
Then Pangea smashes her shield in Exegara's undead face--
Standard action to attack
Entropic Strike vs. KAC: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Acid: 1d3 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
--crushing the ghoul's nose and cheekbones.
"Free plastic surgery, beautiful!"

Status:
EP 2/4
SP 1/11
Armor is @ 15 EAC - 16 KAC

Quick prepares a spell, tapping into an alternate reality in which this vat farm is a factory that produces industrial lubricants.

Readied action: Casting grease if the ghoul attacks. If it tries to attack with any kind of weapon, target on the weapon, and if it attacks with natural weapons, cast grease on the ground under it. Either way, a DC 15 Reflex save. If the former situation, failure means dropping the weapon. If the latter situation, failure means falling prone.

AMOSU locks its targeting system onto the remaining (Blue) thug, then fires a blast from its rifle.

Move Act, lock targeting; Standard Act, Attack
Attack/EAC: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Damage/E/Nonlethal: 1d6 ⇒ 5

As Pangea's shield crashes into the ghoul, AMOSU will call out, "If at all possible take the ghoul alive... Dead... Animate..." AMOSU shakes the confusion from its head, "The offer of surrender remains, disarm immediately."

The undead ghoul takes a shield to the face. The blow appears, at first, to dislocate her boney jaw. Hoewever, it soon becomes obvious that the dislocation is not as much the result of injury, but comes from her efforts to widen her ghoulish bite as she attempts to clamp down on the nearest Starfinder.

Yet, the quick-thinking Quicklet was prepared for such an eventuality and, with the reality of the area beneath Exegara seems to alter and change, becoming slick and slippery.

Exegara, Reflex (DC 15: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

The ghoul falls prone! Nevertheless, she tries to lash out Pangea's ankles with her gaping maw.

Melee (bite), prone: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 - 4 = 1
Damage (P) and paralysis: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

The remaining human thug takes another shot to the chest and barely remains standing. He then tries to strike the nearest Starfinder.

Melee (assault hammer): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Damage (B): 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

The head of the hammer strikes hard against the kasatha!

Fourth Round Cont'd/Fifth Round Initiative Begins

PCs in bold may act

Dr. Buse Clan-Wah -7 SP -7 HP
Ukigashk
Pangea -10 SP
Quicklet
D’Gavin
AMOSU
Ghoul -7 HP
Thug (yellow) -16 HP
Thug (blue) -10 HP
Thug (green) -15 HP

Quick raises her pistol and fires at the thug squaring off with the doctor.

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
1d6 ⇒ 3

The halfling's shot finishes off the remaining thug.

Fourth Round Cont'd/Fifth Round Initiative Begins

PCs in bold may act

Dr. Buse Clan-Wah -7 SP -7 HP
Ukigashk
Pangea -10 SP
Quicklet
D’Gavin
AMOSU
Ghoul -7 HP
Thug (yellow) -16 HP
Thug (blue) -13 HP
Thug (green) -15 HP

Ukigashk flanks the prone ghoul, points his ominously glowing sword at her and growls, "Surrender or dismemberment?"

Ready action Entropic Strike, if she makes a threatening move he strikes.

Ukigashk flanks the prone ghoul, points his ominously glowing sword at her and growls, "Surrender or dismemberment?"

In response, Exegara reluctantly tosses her gun and attempts to raise her hands while writhing on the greasy ground.

"Not much of a choice." Exegara concedes. "I yield... for now."

COMBAT OVER

Pangea will sit down, and take a deep breath: "Mind if I rest a bit... oh, brother, Doctor, you're bleeding!"

spend 1 RP to rest and get SP back to max'.

AMOSU moves to check the wounded thugs, providing first aid to and securing any that aren't dead. After, if needed, it will assist Ukigashk and anyone else with searching and securing Exegara.

If we need any rolls, let me know. I'm guessing not since the spoiler is up.

AMOSU will move to Exegara's gear, pick the datapad and begin reviewing the information within. "Interesting...," it does not look up from the datapad's screen, "You sold several Starfinder badges to a Vesk pawn shop. We wish only to know how you came to possess the badges?"

Without particularly waiting for respond, AMOSU's fingers slide across the datapad, accessing and transferring any related files to its own computer. It mumbles to itself and its computer's AI, verifying items and noting files of interest.

If needed, skill roll to access any relevant files and transfer to my computer.
Computers: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Doubting the threat of needles or serums will faze the ghoul much, Buse sets about tending to the mercenaries. She wasn't one for talking anyway. She keeps any who still are still alive stable, and confiscates their weapons. Particularly the hammer that hurt her so.

It is only after they are accounted for and Pangea notices does the kasatha take in the extent of her injuries. By then, she is doddering slightly. "Indeed. For now, I will endure. Time allowing, I can patch myself up properly."

Will also take a rest to regain SP, if there's time. I'll also use Treat Deadly Wounds on myself and anyone else who wishes.

Medicine: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

"Interesting...," it does not look up from the datapad's screen, "You sold several Starfinder badges to a Vesk pawn shop. We wish only to know how you came to possess the badges?"

“Those trinkets that I pawned to the vesk?” she hisses. “They were acquired by some of our scouts from some crash site we were investigating. Turns out that we found little more of value there. Too bad, really. It has seemed like such a promising location to find some… fresh recruits.”

AMOSU never lifts its gaze from the datapad. "Excellent... It seems you've forgot to mention the coordinates for and name of the Starfinder vessel. Could you provide those? AS well as if there were any survivors? Also, you mentioned two ships... Yours, Endless Threnody was it... And pirates, Lawblight. Could you share their specifications?"

As it speaks AMOSU becomes aware that it is confusing conversation with the files in the datapad. "My apologies new friends. I have learned much from the datapad, but it lacks some key facts. Perhaps, Exegara, you could share these details?" AMOSU continues to stare at the datapad, but more out of embarrassment than continued review.

"Pirates, pirates... always blaming the pirates", mumbles Pangea.

Recall Knowledge Culture, -5 DC re. notorious space pirates: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

"Specifications? Details?" Exegara hisses. The undead woman gives a breathless sigh. "With regards to the name of the Starfinder vessel, I believe it was the Unfounded Mayflower or some such. When we search for new recruits, their past lives are generally of little consequence. As it was, we did not find any intact remains to recruit to the Corpse Fleet. Likewise, we did not find any ... 'survivors'... as you called, which again we would immediately ... recruited to the Corpse Fleet."

"The ship that attacked us was registered as the Lawblight. They had powerful weapons and were quick. A scourge to the space lanes." she says.

"Otherwise, if you have accessed my datapad, then you no doubt have all the information that you can expect to get from me," notes Exegara.

"Lawblight? THE Lawblight?!", says Pangea. Then she whispers: "The Lawbliiiiiiight.........."