Yes, please decide how you will move, as you are going moving first this round. Unless someone states otherwise, I will eventually go with Basalt's proposed movement for you.
Bluff +4, Computers +3, Culture +3, Diplomacy +4, Engineering +3, Life Science +11, Medicine +11, Perception +11, Physical Science +8, Sense Motive +8, Sleight of Hand +7
Basalt wrote:
"What is this large object?" Basalt asks no one in particular, already putting the ship on the defensive. "Not a matter, we will fix the posed problem."
Where do we want to move, friends? I'd say just two squares forward for now to get into particle beam range.
"Fly us closer, shirr-ling!" cries Vlodkoya, waving a wicked-looking needler pistol in the air, "I want to shoots them in the eyeballs!"
I agree with Basalt - medium range in the front arc is our best shooting position. Failing that, it might go medium starboard > short port > short starboard, but we'll need to find what, exactly, we're up against.
As the enemy is spotted, Fixit quickly diverts excess power to the ships weapons, giving them slightly more damaging power. Meanwhile, Pangea-Kappa focuses the sensors of the ship on the now fast approaching the Pegasus. Getting a positive lock on the ship, some information starts appearing in front of him.
Approaching ship: Detected Crew Complement: 0
Ship Identification: Medium Starship Aberration
Ship Speed: 14 (turn 2)
AC: 15; TL: 14
Hull Points: 65; Shield Points: 0
PCU: 175
Forward Arc Weapon: Energy Drain Bite (detecting functions as an EMP weapon)
Letting you get this information before you decide on your finalized travel route. If you want, you can retroactively change your stunt Basalt.
Bluff +4, Computers +3, Culture +3, Diplomacy +4, Engineering +3, Life Science +11, Medicine +11, Perception +11, Physical Science +8, Sense Motive +8, Sleight of Hand +7
Donovan Delacroix wrote:
Doc, you want to take the turret and one of the +2 bonuses? Donovan can take the forward gun and the other bonus.
"Yes! Yes! Spinning gun for the good doctor!" Vlodkoya clamps himself down into one of the gunner stations, gripping the control stick with both meaty claws. Beneath the ship, a sleek particle beam weapon emerges from the turret housing and begins to track the approaching aberration.
Using one of the duonode bonuses for my action.
Gunnery Phase 1:
Since Vlodkoya is manning the turret weapon, the final arc of the target is irrelevant - only the range (10 hexes) matters.
Shoot Action w/ Turret Light Particle Beam (+ duonode bonus):1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 5 + 2 = 20 Light Particle Beam Damage:3d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 4) = 8 Looks like Fixit successfully diverted power to the weapons, so that should be 9 damage to the appropriate arc.
"A-ha! Like shootings big fish in tiny barrel! Not so hard, this job."
Sexless Android| SP 0/35 ; HP 15/39 ; RP 5/5 | (+4 Mobility) EAC 19 ; KAC 19 | (+2 vs.disease, mind-affecting, poison, sleep) Fort. +4 ; Ref. +3 ; Will +4 | Speed 30 ft. | Perception +4 ; SM +2| Active condition(s):
OOC:
N lvl 5 Solarian (worships Triune)
Kappa hits the comm button, to communicate with all onboard: "It is not a ship... well, not really. It is like a living ship. Some sort of aberration. Maybe we can communicate with it? But it seems to have a vicious bite, so..."
The android shares all the info'.
Round 1
As Basalt brings your ship forward a small distance, the enemy creature-ship speeds towards you. It appears to be going into a head-on charge, but then loops around to your starboard side and ending in your aft arc, directly adjacent to the Pegasus.
Description of creature:
From what you can see of it on your viewscreens, it resembles some monstrous amalgamation of various sea creatures. The center of its body looks somewhat like that of a crab, with an armored shell, clusters of spines on its back, and two massive pincered arms emerging to either side. Emerging from the front is a long and eel-like neck, which ends in a head covered in dozens of glowing yellow eyes. Its tail is also similarly eel-like, although it ends with a protrusion of numerous glowing crystalline shards. However, you cannot easily tell what its mouth looks like, other than that it lacks any clearly defined jaw structure.
It is at this point that the gunners of the ship can easily target the creature. However, with it being located in the aft arc of the ship, only Vlodkoya can target the ship. He swivels the turret and lets loose a concentrated stream of plasma into the opponent, burning a line along the creatures neck. Angered by this, the creature swings at the ship with one of its claws, but fails to gain any purchase. At the same time, one of the spines from its back rockets off in an explosive burst, destroying the shields in your aft arc and impacting into your hull.
Pegasus Status Shields: F 20; P 15; S 15; A 0 Hull Points: 61/65
.
In Round 2, the opponent will be moving first. As such, I will post their results now, so that you can better react to them.
Round 2
The crystalline shards along the creatures tail begin glowing, and it then rockets off away from your ship, moving faster than any of you have ever likely seen a ship move before. At the end of its movement, the creature turns back to face you.
Sexless Android| SP 0/35 ; HP 15/39 ; RP 5/5 | (+4 Mobility) EAC 19 ; KAC 19 | (+2 vs.disease, mind-affecting, poison, sleep) Fort. +4 ; Ref. +3 ; Will +4 | Speed 30 ft. | Perception +4 ; SM +2| Active condition(s):
OOC:
N lvl 5 Solarian (worships Triune)
Kappa mutters something about the universe creating too many odd beasts.
Science Officer DC16 Balance Shields:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Typing away on the computer, Kappa balances the Pegasus' shields.
I will balance the shields, after the engineer Diverts some SP back (if he does do this).
Opting for the "evenly distribute them to all four quadrants, putting any excess SP in the forward quadrant" (I can calculate, or the GM can, once I know if the engineer is adding SPs).
"Basalt", Host Shirren Vanguard 4 | SP 18/44, HP 38/38, RP 4/4 | EAC 20/KAC 21 (21/22), CMD 29 | Fort +7, Ref +6, Will +3 | Init +2 | Perception +8 | EP 1/4
Basalt eschews any fancy moves, instead edging the ship forward and at the creature. "The ship cannot outrun it, but may avoid if reacted quickly to. Good word was learned for this...juke!"
Maneuver (DC 21):1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 9 + 1 = 26
I'd say we move three hexes down and to the right, and pointed at our friend.
Male CG damaya lashunta priest mystic (overlord) 4 | SP 24/24 HP 27/28 | RP 5/7 | EAC 15; KAC 15 | Fort +1; Ref +1; Will +9 | Init: +0 | Perc: +12, SM: +10 | Speed 30 fly 30| Healing Touch 1/1 | Detect Thoughts 1/1 | Spells: 1st 1/5; 2nd 0/3 | Active conditions: nil
@Pangea-Kappa, actually, the Starfinder FAQ now allows the engineer to allocate the shield points anywhere they want, making science officers' balance shield action rather redundant. Perhaps might want to target system?
"Bah, that's no ship! That is flying... whatever. Monster. Thing. No wonder my taunts didn't work." Poppilo speaks confidently. Swivelling his chair to face Vlodkoya, he continues, "Good shot, Doc Scaly! Didn't think you have it with those fat fingers of yours. Give us another one!" Hmm, is this encouragement or insult? Lol! :)
Male CG damaya lashunta priest mystic (overlord) 4 | SP 24/24 HP 27/28 | RP 5/7 | EAC 15; KAC 15 | Fort +1; Ref +1; Will +9 | Init: +0 | Perc: +12, SM: +10 | Speed 30 fly 30| Healing Touch 1/1 | Detect Thoughts 1/1 | Spells: 1st 1/5; 2nd 0/3 | Active conditions: nil
Pangea-Kappa wrote:
Ah, yes, making me totally useless in Space combat, forgot (((
If retcon okay, then target PCU
"Aim for the heart! It's that thing to the port side..."
Actually, I've found target systems to be extremely powerful. Not so much the effect of doubling chances of crit, but being able to consistently determine which systems get critical damage everytime they cross the Critical Threshold. Bringing down the power core down to malfunctioning or wrecked affects not only hinders shield restoration but also affects all other systems. Or bringing down engines worsen their initiative, very important since very often whoever wins initiative get a significant advantage. (This is arguable though since some would not see initiative as a "pilot action".) Also, target system has a low DC, meaning you will almost consistently succeed.
Male CG Ysoki Roboticist Mechanic 4 | SP 24/24 HP 26/26 | RP 7/7 | EAC 16; KAC 17 | Fort +4; Ref +7; Will +2 | Init: +3 | Perc: +9, SM: +0 | Speed 30ft | Memory Module 1/1 | Active conditions: None.
Fixit recovers himself quickly after being thrown to the ground by the impact - "Ouch! That.... thing... hits hard. Best to keep our defenses up I think!"
Divert Auxiliary power to the shields to recover SP Engineering:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30
Vlodkoya's shot strikes the creature just behind one of the crab-like claws, sending fragments of crystal and a fountain of white-hot fluid careening into space.
"Ooh! That is very bad surgery, but very good shootings! I is excellent doctor, and the 'droid-ling is quality science-bot!"
As Fixit quickly repairs the damage the creature caused to the shields restoring 8 Shield Points to aft arc, Basalt moves the Pegasus to face the creature. Pangea-Kappa then manages to get a lock onto the heart of your opponent, giving the gunners a clear target. While Donovan's shot reflects off the creatures carapace, Vlodkoya scores a solid hit.
Writhing in pain at the shot you just did to it, your opponent launches one of its spines in retaliation. Shooting straight towards you, it impacts on your shields dealing 9 damage.
Round 3
Sensing that being in front of your ship is potentially bad for its health, the creature charges straight at the Pegasus, flying extremely near your ship and attacking you with one of its limbs. will roll later It then turns at the end of its movement.
Pegasus Status Shields: F 11; P 15; S 15; A 8 Hull Points: 61/65
Initiative
Round 1: Party first done
Round 2: Creature first done
Round 3: Creature first
Round 4: Party first
Round 5: (?) first 33
Round 6: (?) first 20
Male CG Ysoki Roboticist Mechanic 4 | SP 24/24 HP 26/26 | RP 7/7 | EAC 16; KAC 17 | Fort +4; Ref +7; Will +2 | Init: +3 | Perc: +9, SM: +0 | Speed 30ft | Memory Module 1/1 | Active conditions: None.
Fixit manages to keep his feet this time as the strange enemy hits their ship again.
He monitors the damage to his shields via a nearby display. He continues his tinkering with the auxiliary power.
”Hmmm not too bad so far. Nothing I can’t keep up with.”
Engineering:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19 Divert power to Shields. Boost SP in the area that was just hit if we moved first. If we moved second, then put as many as possible into whichever area is facing the creature and the rest in the other.
I moved your ship to as close as I could from Basalt's directions, mainly focusing on keeping you facing your opponent (as that will let both guns be fired)
As Basalt brings the ship around, Fixit quickly restores power to the forward shields, which almost brings them up to full. 8 points restored to the forward quadrant Pangea-Kappa then lights up the wound the good Doctor had previously done to the creature, pointing out the newly opened weak point in the creatures hide. This allows Donovan to hit that spot directly, while Vlodkoya's shot burns off the end of the beast's tail.
However, it is at this point that the data comes in showing how the creature had attacked you on its close fly-by. One of its claws had slammed into your shields, causing damage just over that restored by Fixit. 9 Points of damage to forward arc.
Round 4
Unfortunately, you lost initiative for this round and the next, so you move first in Round 4.
Pegasus Status Shields: F 10; P 15; S 15; A 8 Hull Points: 61/65
Initiative
Round 1: Party first done
Round 2: Creature first done
Round 3: Creature first done
Round 4: Party first
Round 5: Party first
Round 6: Creature first
Sexless Android| SP 0/35 ; HP 15/39 ; RP 5/5 | (+4 Mobility) EAC 19 ; KAC 19 | (+2 vs.disease, mind-affecting, poison, sleep) Fort. +4 ; Ref. +3 ; Will +4 | Speed 30 ft. | Perception +4 ; SM +2| Active condition(s):
OOC:
N lvl 5 Solarian (worships Triune)
Kappa grumbles, and wonders if this beast has a soft underbelly, or, even better, some private parts to aim at... but he still calls out: "Aim for the heart!"
"Basalt", Host Shirren Vanguard 4 | SP 18/44, HP 38/38, RP 4/4 | EAC 20/KAC 21 (21/22), CMD 29 | Fort +7, Ref +6, Will +3 | Init +2 | Perception +8 | EP 1/4
Basalt's wild control flounders as the ship rocks slightly, accidentally passing the creature. "The ship will let it come close," they say. "Bait it for one more try at frontal shielding, so the strongest weapons will show its error!"
"Basalt", Host Shirren Vanguard 4 | SP 18/44, HP 38/38, RP 4/4 | EAC 20/KAC 21 (21/22), CMD 29 | Fort +7, Ref +6, Will +3 | Init +2 | Perception +8 | EP 1/4
That sounds like a better idea. I failed the check, though, so it gets a free attack and we can't use the front weapon. We'll move as far as we can, three diagonal hexes to the top-left of it and through its space?
Male CG Ysoki Roboticist Mechanic 4 | SP 24/24 HP 26/26 | RP 7/7 | EAC 16; KAC 17 | Fort +4; Ref +7; Will +2 | Init: +3 | Perc: +9, SM: +0 | Speed 30ft | Memory Module 1/1 | Active conditions: None.
Fixit continues to rattle around in the bowels of the ship replacing burnt out components and generally running first aid on the ships shields. However, he's working to fast for his own good and touches something he wasnt supposed to. Sparks fly out in a shower and he ends up on his rump.
"Ooops!"
Engineering - Divert Power to Shields:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15
Fixit tries once more to restore power to the shields, but fails for the first time. Then, as Pangea-Kappa once again targets the heart of the creature, Basalt brings the ship on a daring flyby maneuver, just barely dodging one of the creatures claws. You actually succeed at the flyby maneuver! This means that Donovan's shot will be able to hit.
The creature then flys around in a looping pattern, ending up directley next to your aft arc. It then tries to claw at your ship again, but Basalt is able to dodge out of the way. However, it then fires another one of its spines into your ship, aimed directly in the path that was taken to dodge its claw. With a shuddering impact, it breaks through the shields and impacts into the hull. 11 damage to your aft arc, 3 of which goes to your hull.
It is at this point that you notice that Donovan had hit the creature along its head which is now shewed somewhat, with several of its eyes scorched away.
Round 5
And, you guys move first again.
Pegasus Status Shields: F 10; P 15; S 15; A 0 Hull Points: 58/65
Initiative
Round 1: Party first done
Round 2: Creature first done
Round 3: Creature first done
Round 4: Party first done
Round 5: Party first
Round 6: Creature first
"Basalt", Host Shirren Vanguard 4 | SP 18/44, HP 38/38, RP 4/4 | EAC 20/KAC 21 (21/22), CMD 29 | Fort +7, Ref +6, Will +3 | Init +2 | Perception +8 | EP 1/4
Ah, I thought the DC was 1.5x our tier, so 21. Either way, I'll try it again.
Flyby, DC 21(?):1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 9 + 1 = 17
"The ship will dissuade this creature's attack before its existence is taken into question," Basalt says matter-of-factly, as they direct the Pegasus narrowly past it again.
Success or fail, we should end up just above and to the right of it, pointing to the top-right.
Male CG damaya lashunta priest mystic (overlord) 4 | SP 24/24 HP 27/28 | RP 5/7 | EAC 15; KAC 15 | Fort +1; Ref +1; Will +9 | Init: +0 | Perc: +12, SM: +10 | Speed 30 fly 30| Healing Touch 1/1 | Detect Thoughts 1/1 | Spells: 1st 1/5; 2nd 0/3 | Active conditions: nil
"Tsk, tsk, Doc Scaly, that didn't go that well that time. Come, come, I am sure you can do better than that!" Poppilo hardly seems affected by being hushed.
Working quickly, Fixit brings the shields on your aft arc back up to functioning levels. Basalt then brings the ship around in a tight turn, angling to get a repeat of his previous action. Unfortunatley, this brings the ship dangerously close to one of the creatures claws. For some reason however, it doesn't strike out at you. Through this, Pangea-Kappa is able to lock onto the creatures heart with the sensors yet again, giving the two gunners a precise spot to target. However, Vlodkoya's shot misses as the creature dodges out of the way, and Donovan has no angle to fire from.
At this point, the creatures tail (what remains of it at least) begins glowing a pale yellow-green. Suddenly, the beast speeds off into the depths of space, apparently fleeing from you with all due haste.
The creature moves directly forwards 16 hexes (off the map), and moves another 14 hexes away at the beginning of Round 6. Unless you wish to pursue it, it will continue doing so for the forseeable future.
Male CG damaya lashunta priest mystic (overlord) 4 | SP 24/24 HP 27/28 | RP 5/7 | EAC 15; KAC 15 | Fort +1; Ref +1; Will +9 | Init: +0 | Perc: +12, SM: +10 | Speed 30 fly 30| Healing Touch 1/1 | Detect Thoughts 1/1 | Spells: 1st 1/5; 2nd 0/3 | Active conditions: nil
Poppilo stares at the blip of the monstrosity flying away for half a breath, before he broadcasts in an uncharacteristically serious tone, "Fellow Starfinders, we need to hunt it down. Should ships return to this planet, and that is very possible after our investigations, we cannot leave this to ambush them. The next craft might might very well just be a civilian ship."
Of course, feel free to overrule him. It's not he's like the captain of the ship or anything. :)
Since the majority vote so far is to continue to the surface of the planet, that is what will be done.
Turning the ship back towards the planet, the Starfinders continue on with their mission. Locating the coordinates of the outpost is relatively easy. However, as Pangea-Kappa brings the sensors to focus on that region of the planet, the feed crackles slightly with static and snow. All that he can easily tell about the region in the vicinity of the outpost is that there is some form of dangerous storm around it. It seems to be a relatively localized event, but appears to be highly erratic and intense, making landing inside of it too dangerous of an endeavor. Scanning around the storm for any suitable landing locations nearby, you soon locate one a couple miles from the edge of the storm.
Bringing the ship down through the atmosphere, Basalt is easily able to bring the Pegasus to rest on the ground. Looking around the area outside the ship, you find yourselves in an extremely dry, rocky terrain. The landscape for miles around is dotted with mesas and buttes, with occasional dry streambeds cutting across the land. As your ship settles down, you all look out and know that you will have a several hour long walk coming up.
Human Mercenary Envoy 5| Sta 35/35 HP 32/34 RP 4/6| EAC 19 (23) KAC 19 (25)| Fo +4 Re +8 Wi +4| Init +4 Percep +6|
"Ok, people, looks like we're going for a leisurely stroll in the country. Make sure your power batteries are maxed out including the ones for your enviro-seals. Double check your weapons and other gear. Oh! You never know who'll be watching, so put on your happy face." Donovan makes sure his gear is in order, especially his flask.
