[SFS - PbP] 1-05 The First Mandate - GM bigboom (Inactive)

Game Master bigboom

One other note. Each perception roll will uncover only one bomb, even if there are multiple bombs adjacent to you in your search area.

Kallus still has a round 1 action available but I'll proceed to round 2 so that we can keep moving forward.

0689 tries to subtly look under the buffet table but tries too hard, whipping down for a quick look and back up again! This results in neither getting a good look under the table nor in a very subtle movement. It is a good thing Varag seems to have caught the attention of the crowd.

Elwin heads over to the buffet table opposite 0689, ducks down and, similar to 0689, ducks down for a look then stands up. Elwin gets a slightly better look but doesn't manage to look thoroughly before getting nervous and standings up again but bumps his head on the way up. It is a really good thing Varag seems to have caught the attention of the crowd.

Esar, I don't think those are columns. I believe those are actually round tables for people to stand around and rest their drinks or food on as they stand around and chat.
Esar scans the area around one of the cocktail tables but doesn't have a chance to get a full look around him when he leans a bit too hard on the table and slips, causing the glasses and plates on the table to rattle a bit. It is a really, really good thing Varag seems to have caught the attention of the crowd.

Smek silently, quietly, surreptitiously heads over towards the stage, perfectly appearing as a tech - so much so that he avoids the gaze of everyone even though everyone is focused on Varag who is not more than a mere 10 feet away. Smek peers intently under the stage and.... finds a spherical device! Oh yes! It's one of the bombs!!

Bomb discovered by Smek now revealed on the map!

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Round 2

The following characters in bold may take your actions.

Smek
Triloteya
Elwin
Varag
Esar
0689
Kallus (you get two rounds worth of actions)

Kallus positions himself between the stage and one entrance to the AV Room. As Varag speaks, Kallus telekinetically messes with some buttons and levers to try to distract the AV room to see what is going on, causing lights to flicker and the sound to distort a bit.

Not sure what kind of roll you will need, so I'll go with
Mysticism: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Round 2, Kallus will continue keeping the AV room busy, as he can.

Kallus, that's a cool idea, using psychokinetic hand to mess with the controls in the AV room and distract whomever is in that room. And I'd be fine with that but in order to use that cantrip, you need to be able to see what buttons and levers you want to manipulate and from where you're standing, you cannot see into the AV room. You're on the opaque side of a one-way window and there is a holoprojector shining onto your side of that window making it look like a normal wall.

You know the layout so you know there is an AV room on the other side of that window but you can't see into it. Bear in mind that while the team are in the Skyreach room, those areas of the map that I've tinted red are not visible to the team. I've drawn a red line from your current token showing the path you'd have to take to get to the AV room.

Given this, please feel free to retroactively change your round 1 and 2 actions.

is it possible to simply mess with the speakers or light projectors on this side of the wall? If so, that is what Kallus will do, otherwise he will go into the AV room.

Okay sure, we can go with that. A Mysticism roll will be fine - please drop me another roll for round 2!

Smek whispers into his comm, "I found one of the devices. Back corner of the stage, to Varag's left," Smek begins working quickly to disable the device while still trying to appear as a tech (and as unnoticed as possible), "I'm betting more are around the stage, it's the only place that Luwazi would've held still long enough to target with stationary explosives."

Smek pauses briefly, "Has anyone seen the assassin?"

Stealth: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22
Engineering: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20
I'm guessing I can't disarm and search in the pseudo-combat rounds? How are the bombs triggered - timer, remote, pressure?

Mysticism Round 2: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Smek, that's correct. You cannot search and disarm in the same round as each would be a standard action in this case.

Smek gets to work on the first bomb discovered, making quick work of it. You think you just might've been able to do the job without those instructions found earlier in the engineering bay but they certainly did make your job go easier!

I've turned the bomb token upside down to illustrate that it is now disarmed.

Smek, just as you finish the job, you look up at the crowd and you catch Ykris looking at you straight in the eyes. He gives you a subtle nod that no one else in the crowd would notice. The parasite then detaches from Jhireu and sneakily skitters underneath the stage and appears to be looking around.

In round 1, Kallus began moving around the mic and speaker setup but there was no effect.

Kallus continues to utilize his psychokinetic hand to maneuvers the speakers just a bit further and adjust the mics a bite more in the direction of those speakers... And this time success!! Kallus' manipulation causes sound feedback to occur! The crowd winces a bit at the disturbance and you overhear one of the staff standing nearby you speak into her comm unit, "Sanivvi! What's going on in there? We're getting feedback on the speakers out here!"

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Round 2

The following characters in bold may take your actions.

Smek
Triloteya
Elwin
Varag
Esar
0689
Kallus

0689 answers, "Copy on my way up"

It will be a double move to get up there. Not sure if I can still look for another bomb. Will roll anyway. And good thinking Kallus.

perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

If i blow this for you guys, I am so sorry.

Edit: no pun intended

HAHA! ba dum tish!!! I grant you a stealth bonus for the bad pun!! Not gonna help you with a roll like that, but you get a pat on the back from me regardless!!!

Oh and it doesn't really matter anyways because with a double move, you can't also search. And if you're not searching/disabling, no stealth roll needed. Still, I'm a fan of that post!

Esar notices the woman call Sanivvi on her comm unit. "Well, that's interesting." he mutters.
He then reaches into his comm unit. "I'm going to see if I can't go find our assassin and distract them. Guessing probably in the AV room."

Double move, although making a stop at the table to refill his drink.

Stealth, if needed to avoid being noticed: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

Varag waives over a server. He picks up a drink and raises it, "I would also like to thank, First Seeker Luwazi Elsebo for continuing the Starfinder Society after the tragedy with the expedition to the Scoured Stars. With her guidance the Starfinder Society continues to excel."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Elwin grabs a chicken leg (Is this actually chicken, he thinks) and saunters over to one of the round tables closer. He then tries to slyly check said table out, ready to 'drop' the chicken to cover any failed stealth rolls...

"On my way to the stage,will check some of the tables closer to it on my way.."

perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Stealth may not be Elwin's forte...

I won't be able to post till late tonight, and I think I'm next on the Initiative table... I don't think much will change so here's my actions for the next round.

Smek begins slowly inching his way across the stage, as if following a line or cable (and using the shadows from the stage lights to conceal his presence). Varag you beautiful four-armed, silver-tongued wonder! Kallus you mystic mayhem machine! Keep them captivated!

Whispering into his comm, "Did someone say Savinnni? Controlling the AV... Great thinking Esar, do you need help? I think I'm better suited to playing hide and seek with the explosives, but Kallus your close right? Should we try to take her alive, see who hired her?"

Smek continues to hunt for the other explosives...

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
I don't think I need Stealth, thanks Kallus and Varag! Just in case, to avoid the eyes of the general crowd.
Stealth: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28

Esar stops for a second after hearing Smek. "Honestly, my plan was to just distract her by being as annoying as possible until you find all of the bombs. I'm worried about her blowing up the explosives if we try and capture her; for all we know, she's psychic and can set them off with her mind. But if distraction doesn't work and she starts trying to kill me for some reason... maybe someone should be ready to help."

It'll be 12+ hours before I can next post, so here's a quick update to move us along...

0689 and Esar move towards the stage (no stealth/bluff) needed.

Once the feedback dies down, Varag continues to maintain everyone's attention.

Elwin moves in closer and searches but doesn't find anything. In addition, he moves a bit clumsily but people don't notice due to the speaker feedback and Varag's speech.

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Round 3

Smek finds another bomb. New bomb revealed.

Ykris, whom Smek can see, the parasite was looking around under the stage, found a bomb and disarmed it, then returned to its host. Upside down bomb revealed.

Everyone except Smek may now take your turn for round 3.

I'll put up a more proper post at the end of my work day.

Elwin moves closer to the stage and checks the small table beside the stage.

Will be funny if there's another '8' for stealth!

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
Stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Lol!

"Esar, hold fast, I'll come with you" 0689 then turn towards the door, and meets Esar in the hallway. Trying to sneak out of the main hall.

stealth, if needed: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Esar sees 0689 and smiles (although you don’t know that). ”Alright then. Do we want to go for a distraction first or straight up arrest her?”

No matter what 0689/the party says, Esar walks forward through the hall and gets to the door, waiting to open it.

Raising his glass again, "Lets not forget our guests of honor Naiaj, Iteration-177, Royo, Ykris and Zo!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

Varag then drops the mic.

Round 3 Recap

Smek continues to pretend being a sound tech work as he looks around under the stage. You perk up a bit when the feedback hits and you convincingly react as though you're attempting to eliminate the issue - when in fact you locate another spherical bomb!!

Bomb token revealed

As you spot the bomb, you look over under the stage and see that Ykris, detached from its host is no longer scurrying around but is in fact working on something. What is that? Oh!! It's another bomb! And Ykris has disarmed it!! Ykris skitters back to his host and you look up to see Ykris give you a subtle wink and a thumbs up.

Ykris has disarmed a bomb for you! An upside down token has been revealed.

Elvin continues to clumsily bumble forward towards the stage, unable to find any more explosive devices nor really able to hide what he's truly up to.

BUT Varag manages to keep the ENTIRE room hanging on his every single word. Now, it's not exactly what he's saying but rather it's how he says it. The charisma. The power. The emotion. The soothing, attractive voice. Everyone is absolutely spellbound. In a different time and place, fans (both male AND female, mind you) would be throwing themselves at you along with unmentionable articles of clothing!!

Seeing the situation in the main room progressing nicely, Esar and 0689 head into the service hallway and head towards the AV room. Is the assassin truly located there??

Kallus still has a round 3 action available but we'll move on to round 4 and Kallus can take two actions.

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Round 4

The following characters in bold may take your actions.

Smek
Triloteya
Elwin
Varag
Esar
0689
Kallus (may take a round 3 AND round 4 action)

"Ah. I'm getting nowhere in here. I can defuse but I can't find them and am just bumbling around. I'll join you back there.."

Elwin then proceeds towards the back...

I'll take help disarming, it'll move the bombs out quicker. Plus, I think bomb 4 is in the other corner (shocking spoiler)... The fifth I'm curious about, maybe the podium. I'm just more afraid as we search Savinni-assassin will catch on to us and escape.

0689 moves towards the door and nods to Esar. "Let's do this" A single move action to get to the door and ready to open it to let Esar through.

Smek takes a moment to discreetly nod his thanks to Ykris. Desna's grace this is going too well... Fate keep with us...

Smek presses low, and makes a few angry gestures as if the repair is annoyingly eluding him, as he quick attempts to disarm the next bomb.

Stealth: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22
Engineering: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30

"Three bombs down, two to go. Desna be with you, remember the assassin doesn't know we're onto her yet. Keep her engaged as long as you can before playing our hand." Smek mouths a prayer of thanks and asking for further luck as he returns his focus to stage.

Seeing the crowd thoroughly distracted, Kallus watches as his teammates approach. He calls Radaszam on the intercom. "Have your people seal off all exits to this area. If she runs, we need to leave her no where to go." He then nods to the others as he moves to the door to the AV room. "I'm going in, we'll need someone to cover the other door."

With that, he enters the AV room in a rush. "Savinni, you're needed on stage, one of the mics have shorted out!" He then readies to grab the one that stands up as her name is mentioned.

Bluff: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Readied Grab: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

Just realized even with double move one round 3, I may be just out of movement to do all that.. feel free to peel back as needed, but that is Kallus' plan.

Kallus, that's right, you won't be able to do all that yet. Round three you moved to the Skyreach room door and spent a standard to open the door. Round four you double moved up to the AV room door and so don't yet have an action available to open the door yet. Which might be a good thing with that bluff roll!

Elwin, 0689 and Kallus move further in towards the AV room while Smek works on another bomb. Smek finds the bomb not particularly complex and he easily disconnects the power source, rendering the explosive harmless.

Round 4

The following characters in bold may take your actions.

Smek
Triloteya
Elwin
Varag
Esar
0689
Kallus

Esar opens the door and steps in.

Bluff check to distract, if used.: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Excellent.

A woman fitting Savinni's description is in fact there and she says "Oh thank you! Yah, I was watching that Witchwyrd and his speech. He's so captivating, you know? I've rarely seen a speaker as good as him! And then when that feedback occurred - well, I have no idea how that happened and I got flustered."

Token of human woman Savinni revealed on map

Round 4

The following characters in bold may take your actions.

Smek
Triloteya
Elwin
Varag
Esar
0689
Kallus

Varag drops down off the stage and starts shaking everyone's hands.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

A variety of guests crowd around Varag, eager to shake his hands...

Round 5

The following characters in bold may take your actions.

Smek
Triloteya - delays her action
Elwin
Varag
Esar
0689
Kallus

Smek continues his way across the stage hunting for the remaining two explosives. Since it seems to be working, he continues to keep up the ruse of repairing something while remaining as in the shadows as he can.

Stealth: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

"Everyone we should go and thank First Seeker Luwazi Elsebo for hosting such a wonderful event," states Varag as he encourages everyone to move towards the back of the room.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Seeing that Esar already has the woman convinced that he is of no harm, he guards the other door in case she attempts to leave that way.

Ready to Grab her.

Elwin moves to the door, listening in to see if the person we think is the assassin makes a move, ready to enter the room.

Kallus and Elwin, do you two leave the door you're standing next to closed or open?

Having uncovered a couple bombs and disarmed them, Smek has become more familiar with the explosive devices as they are all fairly similar. This makes it easier for you to spot them as you've uncovered the last two, one of which was DIRECTLY underneath Varag during his glorious speech.

Remaining bombs revealed.

Varag has convinced the crowd to move towards Luwazi, crowding around her, offering their thanks and applause.

Round 5

The following characters in bold may take your actions.

Smek
Triloteya
Elwin
Varag
Esar
0689
Kallus

Esar walks over to the controls and starts fiddling around.
Bluff because he has no clue what he's doing, and is probably making things worse.: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

Closed, but is it completely opaque?

Kallus, yup, it's completely opaque.

Esar, please roll a will save.

Will save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Lovely.

I have a SFS T-Shirt, but I forgot to slot the boon at the start, and the slot is open. May I use my reroll for this save, or is it too late (assuming it gives me a reroll)? I can take a photo and send it to you if you need it.

The t-shirt boon would give you a reroll but since it's not slotted, you can't typically use it. But let's do this. You'll suffer the ill effects for two full rounds and at the start of round 8, you can go for a reroll that you normally wouldn't be able to in this situation.

Esar walks into the room and starts fiddling with the controls. Savinni cocks an eyebrow, not fully convinced you know what you're doing. She says, "Ummm... Okay. Really no, it's okay. Thank you for trying to help, I really appreciate it but I don't think that's going to fix the problem.

"And once you do that, you go right ahead and take a break. Have some food, maybe a drink, just enjoy yourself. I'll take care of things in here, don't you worry. Thank you!"

At this point, unless someone tells you, Kallus, Elwin, Smek and Varag have no idea what happened in the AV room aside from Esar talking to Savinni.

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Moving Triloteya down in the order due to her delayed action and moving Kallus up as he's already acted in round 5. So now 0689 still has
a round 5 action and everyone else can take their round 6 action.

Round 5 cont'd & Round 6

The following characters in bold may take your actions.

Kallus
Smek
Elwin
Varag
Esar
Triloteya
0689

0689 moves into the room and closes the door behind him.

I am guessing closing the door is a move action.

I'm guessing Smek hasn't figured out a way to disarm both bombs in one round?

Smek smiles in approval at how Varag is working the room, genius... Gather accolades for the Second Seeker and shift the crowd from the fight. I like this Witchwyrd. Whispered into his comm, "We're almost in the clear everyone... Great work Varag."

Smek continues his ruse, working to fix a tech glitch while trying to hide from the room. Realizing time is running out, he works as quickly as he can...

Stealth: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19
Engineering: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28

Sensing the ruse going down fast, Kallus opens the door. "He's not going anywhere and neither are you, Savinni. Have a seat,
try not to fall. We're going to have a little chat. "

Open door, Command DC 13 Will or she does exactly as told and doesn't remember why.

Will save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

She shrugs off the effects of your spell...just barely!

Smek, no sorry. You can't disarm two bombs in the same round. But if you think about it with the weird timescale of this encounter, you found 3 bombs and disarmed all three in just 36 seconds. Amazing!

It takes me like 20 times as long just to get up outta bed.

Hearing the chatter, Elwin lets out a low curse and enters the room. Not knowing that anything may have happened to Esar, he just readies to act and back up Kallus.

Pointing to the Vesk, "Lets not forget Radaszam and his leadership of the Obsidian Spiders and the Acquisitives!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23