Hmm's Against the Aeon Throne -- The Adventures of The Teapot!

Game Master Hmm

Aibretta limps up. "I don't think anything will be operating as intended with all those hobgars chewing on the wiring," she grins, then winces as she touches her face. "Gah, I'm all swollen up where those guys hit me." Then she shrugs. "But I'm alive because of you, and I won't forget it." She then looks around at all the bodies laying about. "Er... this was kind of public. I'm not sure that an infitration is possible any more. They've gotta know that you're coming, right?"

"Right. So you'll be expected." Quorsica shrugs and finishes her sandwich, wipes her hands on her tunic, then looks at the rest of you. "Let's go through the rest of the rooms."

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

"ROOM TWO. Some kind of barracks. Main sleeping area for the cadets."

Then she points to a semi-circular room. "ROOM THREE. The washroom. I got hosed down there." She makes a face. "But otherwise a normal area."

"ROOM FOUR. Another sort of staging area, I think."

"ROOM FIVE. Some kind of loot room. They threw in there all the stuff they confiscated from us. I think they even tossed Ludvar's voicebox in there." Quorsica tilts her head towards a colonist with burn marks all over him that has been holding a white writing tablet.

Ludvar looks up, and you can see his face is hideous -- half burned away, and then reconstructed but poorly. He scribbles. Yeah, they took my voice. Thought it might be computer storage or something. JERKS.

Quorisca continues, starting from the top of the barracks again.

"ROOM SIX. I have no idea what's in there, but I saw the door."

"ROOM SEVEN. Their mess hall. They liked to march us in there and make us watch while they ate. One day they were eating pork from one of MY pigs."

"ROOM EIGHT." Quorsica points to a round room in the center. "High muckety-mucks marched us in and out of there, and there were computers and holo screens so it's a control center or conference room or something."

"ROOM NINE." Quorsica frowns. "Some kind of training room or somethin'. Mats on the floor and other exercise stuff. The Azlants went in there and shouted and thumped and came out all sweaty."

"ROOM TEN." Quorsica looks up at you with her mouth full of broken teeth and grins. "Home sweet home. This is where they kept us locked up until I said things about Olajra's mum and her mating habits. I may have implied that Alajra was half elf. Then they dragged me out, beat me, and left me for dead. Good times, good times."

"ROOM ELEVEN." She points at it. "Another mystery room. Know it's there because of the door." Then she looks at all of you. "Any questions?"

Dalinar takes a sandwich but looks uncomfortable eating it. Like he would be more comfortable with a fork and knife, even for a sandwich. As the gathered people give examples of just how poorly the occupiers treated them he begins to look angry again but it's much more restrained than before, only noticeable in his set jaw and clenched fist.

Dalinar finishes his sandwich just before the briefing is finished. He dismisses his solar armor and pulls a handkerchief from somewhere in the kasatha microcord he has on beneath to wipe his mouth almost daintily. "Do you know if there are usually guards by the doors? If I have to wear that armor to get inside I would rather take it off sooner than later."

Wint puts his training in infiltration to use, recognizing that something doesn't quite add up.

"We know that they're quite capable of killing prisoners. Lets go raid them quickly. We go in, free the prisoners, and get out.

How did they take you in and out of room 10? Either a door is missing or you must have been into rooms 8 AND 9"

"For a building they just plonked down in the middle of town, it sure is a big place. How big was their ship, anyway?" Prosper glances up at the sky for a moment, half expecting to see the mothership hovering there. "So, Cedona was split from the rest of you, but she's probably around here somewhere?" He waggles his finger all over the map "Or did they take her out of the barracks?"

Once Quorsica answers, Prosper begins counting off the azlanti remaining on his fingers, growing additional fingers once he reaches ten, counting up to 13. "So uh, Jellik said something earlier about there being 30 azlantis here in Madelon's. We've killed or dealt with 17 of them so far, so 13 left, right? Sound right to you Quorsica, or was Jellik way off?"

@Wint. You're right. Oops. Editing.

"I doubt we all need to be in the Azlanti armor to open the door. Curretly not all of us would fit well." He looks at himself and Wint. "They could be modified in time, but that is something we don't have. One or two to open and the rest of us could pile in. I suspect getting to the central control area quickly would be useful. Then we can see if we can use the building security for our advantage. Or at least keep the Azlanti from using it against us."

Minos ponders while he chews on a few of the sandwich.

Spec nods along with Minos. "Yes, yes indeed, additional appendages and human armor do not good bedfellows make.

He peers down at the map "Maybe this is a stupid civilian question, but why don't we go in the back door?"

He raps a talon over the door into room 4.

"This entryway here at room 1, there is something about it.... I think there is a term for restricted single-entry locations where unknown numbers of enemies can get to the same location from multiple other opposed points ... was it pilc?..no, .. cruzf?.., not that either ... something box .. targeting box?, jack in the box? .. noo, umm hotbox?....definitely not that...KILLLBOX! that was it! from Riedolph Flurme's The Modern Warrior, chapter 20." page 204 parag..."
He grins happily that he managed to recall the information .... then realizes he wandered off topic again ...

"Killbox is bad right?"

"Correction: Actually, Zo!'s produced KILLBOX was one of the highest rated films released on the Core Worlds. It was initially received by critics with praise for its cinematography and- BZZZZZZZT- Killbox is the correct dictionary definition."

Quorsica shrugs. "All I know is I'm not in any shape to face them as I am now. So I'll let you pick when entrance you think best." Quorsica frowns as she counts. "Not sure how many soldiers are left now, but some went back up in that big ship, and we haven't seen a wave come out of that barracks since the last group went down, so my guess is that there's not that many left in that building, and they're hunkered down and waiting. That's a guess, though, based on what I know of military people. Who knows how Azlanti think on stuff like this?"

Pick how you want to go in, and put yourselves at that entrance. Or go in from BOTH directions and split the party!

Back door sounds like an ideal choice. I'll have my needle rifle ready, but first...

The artwork is confusing, but there are no streams going through the center of Madelon's Landing, or the Azlantis would not have been able to control the water so easily. That's a dirt path.

Curses! Foiled again by artwork!
I'll vote to go to the back door then if everyone else is cool for that side.

"Do we know if the back door opens the same way? I still say we try it, I am confident that we can make it open. However many of them are left makes no difference to me. I will make them pay for intruding on these people or die trying."

If we decide to go to the back I would appreciate if someone could put my token there. I am fine with going in first if we need a marching order.

"The big problem with going through the back door is that we'd STILL have to come through the front anyway. We end up going further and will have to face EVERYBODY one way or the other

But if we go through the front door hopefully somebody can jam shut the door to the barracks (both doors if we move quickly enough) so we won't have to face EVERYBODY. "

"But dear Wint, is not the entire purpose of this venture to uproot the Azlanti infestation and remove it from Madelon's Landing entirely? That being the case, locking whatever cadets happen to be in their barracks will only delay the inevitable and give them more time to make things unpleasant.

But if you feel that strongly, do we not have the capability to execute a two-pronged attack on the barracks, and thus deny them a great deal of cover and preparation? Or am I just showing my civilian-ism again?"

Spec finally looks up at the much taller remainder of the MS "You all obviously know more than I do on practical matters ... What do you all think .... Front, Rear, or both?"

"I plan to search that entire building either way Master Wint, so the distance is the same. I am not opposed to using the other door but I would not get my hopes up that we shall get out of fighting everyone in there. They know we are coming so it seems more likely to me that they will all be in the staging area pointing their weapons at the door. I am more than willing to walk in the front to get shot at while others go in the back and flank them."

"Tactical Observation: A two pronged attack would force both of us to have split forces, but our advantage lies in that they are confined in the singular unit, where as our entry can be spread out. Should they have coverage at the doors, a few grenade blasts will be able to deal devastating damage to them. If they plan to killbox either entrance, we could engage with that tactic, and catch them all off guard."

"I suspect good friend Rush and I can convince the door to open for us. Assuming that it is not just barricaded. The size of the force remaining is the same. Given the close quarters of the situation, splitting up would make our numbers more useful. Also I pick up an new trick to bolster our numbers with a few of the other 'friends' we have made here"

Minos will head to the smaller back door with Rush. He will wait to break it open till he gets a signal from the front or we are all assembled there.

If we split, I suggest both parties move towards the barracks first then to coordinate to the mess hall and converge there

Perception for trap on door/lock: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Engineering to open/disable: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

Pon steps from around behind the module where he was siting and walks toward the group, his stride is confident. He carries an Azlanti helmet underneath his arm, survival knife at his hip, and the Azlanti rifle on his back. "The professor has a valid point. A pincer move would be the most beneficial. However, such a move must be made strategically. When you play imperial conquest the best way to execute such move is to try to be inconspicuous with such a maneuver, because the opponent can see what you are doing. The best way to be inconspicuous, is to use as little pieces as possible. That is what I propose." At this point he has reached the rest of them and is looking at the map as well. He points to the front entrance, "Given our various skill sets I propose four or five of you enter from the front. This is what they will be expecting. So far as we have been able to tell, they believe that anyone who is non-Azlanti is lesser. Let's use this against them. We are simpletons so why wouldn't we just use the front door?" Pon the looks to Wint and points at him, "Wint and I will enter from the back door. I would suggest that Prosper join us, but he has, thus far, been unwilling to disguise himself as an Azlanti. If he is willing, I would have him join Wint and I as well." Pon then looks to Abrietta, "Abrietta, I would ask for a lock pick kit if you have one, it would greatly improve our chances." He looks back toward the group, "Any questions?"

"Problem.. You no open door.." Rush says to Pon. His blade shoots out of his hand, and he looks it over. "We open door.." He says, looking to Minos.

LINGSTON chimes in. "Clarification: I am afraid Rush is correct, Mr. Pon; between you and Wint, you are less than capable with complex doors which may require our touch. Assuming the back door doesn't open to Azlanti armor, of course."

"Input: Perhaps our front line fighters should be in separate locations, that way we may be able to support those who rely more readily on ranged tactics."

Pon pinches the bridge of his nose and takes a deep breath. "Fine. You want to kick in the doors? So be it. But if this plan of yours goes south, I will do what needs to be done to ensure the defeat of the Azlanti and the safety of this colony."

Before all the planning begins, Prosper whispers to Spec "I thiiiiink that Quorsica doesn't like Cedona much. She totally dodged the question about where Cedona was taken. Hope we're looking in the right place, huh?"

----

As the more strategic members of the team lay out plans, Prosper nods along as if he's totally following. Once there's a gap, he asks "So, uh, they're going to be ready for us, right? Do we have like some smoke grenades? Or a way to cut a hole in the side of their barracks? 'Always be where your enemy doesn't expect you' is like rule #3 or something. And they know the ways into their own building, probably?"

"Y'know, splitting up sounds dangerous! They can focus their numbers and take us out. That's totally in here somewhere." He whips out his battered Skyfire Legion training manual. "But if you guys really think its the right way, I'm not gonna let you down!"

At Pon's comments, he looks with confusion at the guy "Why do you keep doing that... thing? You know. Where you talk about someone like they're not there." He runs a hand through his long, luxurious hair and looks down awkwardly "That's uh, not very nice." He looks up "And I'm not unwilling to disguise myself! I've trained for that, I'll, uh, have you know! But we've dealt with everything so far by running in and fighting it. No point disguising if that's the plan."

I'm not sure what you're getting at by suggesting Prosper needs to be in disguise to join the back door team, Pon. Is this supposed to be some kind of tricky team that infiltrates at the same time? Because it seems Wint would give it away. You've lost me OOC.

Pon, obviously ignoring Prosper, put his Azlanti helmet on and begins checking his rifle over once more, "Well, if we are going to kick in the door, we should do it sooner than later so that they have less time to prepare."

Dalinar sighs exceptionally loudly. "Pon do you know the difference between an argument and a disagreement? No one but you feels the need to argue. And maybe this doesn't need to be said but, you are not in charge. If you think you're plan will work say so and maybe we can agree. Don't take it personally if not."

Rush sheds the Lashunta Ringwear he was wearing previously to put on the Cadet armor. It looks awkward on him, as the armor was clearly not designed for his shell. With a little make up and blend, someone could mistaken him for an Azlanti guard with a bad back from a distance and if they squint.

"For the love of cookies and milk you guys! Pon, will you go help our engineers at the back door, and the rest of us will go play in the killbox?

Hummus and chips, kids these days!"

Without even turning back around, Pon says, with an edge in his voice, "As the Professor says we have not the time to discuss things further. If you desperately want to have a larger conversation about this, we can do so after the Azlanti are dealt with. Until then, time is not on our side."

Dalinar shrugs and starts walking towards the bunker. "Here's a smaller conversation. After this is over a larger discussion will not be necessary. Unless of course you are referring to who is in charge, in which case it still is not needed. This crew is a democracy. Deal with it." He finishes with an edge of his own.

Rush moves up to Pon, and emits a very low, almost inaudibile buzzing noise, before moving his arms in front of him.

"Clarification: I believe Rush is showing in his native tongue that he still trusts you."

Afterwards, Rush moves to the back side of the bunker and tries to open the door when given the signal to do so.

When Pon starts huffing and ignoring people, Prosper shares a confused look with the rest of the team and shrugs helplessly.

He joins up with Spec and whispers "I think Pon might need some alone time. He sounds really stressed out." before picking up a set of azlanti armor and a helmet. "Y'know, this is super heavy. How do those cadets move around wearing these things?" He points at the armored shoulders. He heaves the armor over his head and wriggles into it in a decidedly boneless fashion, before donning the helm.

"Alright! One azlanti to trick the scanners! And with all the language tips from Spec, maybe we can fool any security questions too." He grins "I've heard the answer is always 1234."

And so the group decides once again to split the party!

Never a dull moment for this GM! Yay!

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

BACK. DOOR -- Room 4

Rush puts on Azlant Armor, and heads with Minos to the back door. As he stomps up to it, a pair of hobgars are absently munching on some sparking wiring outside. Still, the door swings open -- then shut -- then open again as he approaches. The sturdy airlock-style door leads inside the garrison; the red light above it flickers erratically as the interior door opens.

WHOOOSH.

This wide room features a single blank screen and a computer folded up on a tray beneath it. A stout metal door in the east wall has an unlit red light above it. Two other doors—one near the heavy door and other in the west wall— are smaller and labeled with vivid green letters. You two can easily read the words "Supplies" and "Barracks" in Azlanti. Which way do you go?

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

FRONT DOOR -- Room 1

As Pon and Prosper approach, the door starts to stutter open. Rrrrrrrr-Whirrrrr

Then it swings fully. To no one's surprise, the moment that door opens, people start shooting at you. Killbox indeed!

If you had time to look around, you'd notice that this room is sparsely furnished but well illuminated. A heavy metal double door to the west resembles a starship airlock door. Smaller doors to the north and east are each painted with bright green lettering. The south wall bears several holovid screens displaying a detailed composite map of Madelon's Landing, with heavy annotations scrolling beneath each building. A computer panel fits snugly beneath the screens on a sleek foldout shelf.

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

Round 1
Active conditions:

================================

Rush
Pon
Dalinar
Wint
Prosper
Minos
Spec

================================

The poor sad Azlantis:
Pink
Green

================================

Pon rushes next to the building trying to remain mostly out of sight.

Stealth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

When the door swings away, Spec raises his wings and causes them to flare with light in a dizzying spiral directed at Green.
Activating Faerie Feathers to bluff

He also begins telling Green that he's getting very tired and that someone must have unloaded his rifle, because it sure looks light..
Clever Feint
Bluff: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 2 + (4) = 16 If successful, opponent is flat footed to everyone until the end of Spec's next turn

With the pink azlanti clearly outlined in the doorway, Prosper talks into his suit intercomm "<<Hey, anyone else notice how that cadet isn't leaning on their left leg? Maybe you guys can take advantage of that! Oh, but be careful, there might be traps set up!>>"

He aims his flare rifle and fires a distracting flare in the pink cadet's direction!

Get 'Em on pink: +1 to hit.

Fire Support vs. DC15: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10 (If successful, next ally to attack foe gets a +2 circumstance bonus on attack roll; Next ally that foe attacks gets a +2 circumstance bonus to AC for that one attack)

That will teach me to take time out to run a PFS game :-). 21 posts by the time I get back :-) :-)

Wint got quite confused listening to all the arguing and was unhappy at all the anger. But only one plan called him out by name so he decides he can help the most by following their plan.

He joins Minos and Rush at the back door.

"Lets hit the barracks from this side. That should help the others"

He advances to the door (note, automatically gets a perception check for traps)
perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
"Ready?"

Once the others are ready he'll open the door.

Dalinar moves towards the closer foe and makes his attack. His armor once again flares to life as his blood starts pumping.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Going with photon attunement.

Pon moves alongside the building.

Team Backdoor

Rush, Minos and Wint decide to go in the barracks.

The south end of the room contains two rounded protrusions with a narrow hall between them; the northern end is lined with bunks, each with a footlocker bearing two different insignia. All the beds are neatly made. To the right of you is a closed door to the washroom, helpfully labeled as such in Azlanti. The lights keep flickering on and off in this room.

To the northern end is the sound of shooting, including shooting at you, as a readied shot goes off from behind one of the bunk beds!

Imperial Pacification Rifle vs Wint: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Piercing Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

Team Front Door

Pon sneaks. Spec successfully feints Green. Prosper does a Get 'Em on Pink, who alas, no one is attacking yet. Dalinar rushes in to attack Green but misses!

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

It's Team Azlant's turn. Green drops her rifle and pulls her survival knife to stab Dalinar, but finds him so imposing that she misses!

Green Survival Knife vs Dalinar: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Slashing Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Pink bravely shoots Dalinar in the back!

Pink Imperial Pacification Rifle vs Dalinar: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Piercing Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 5

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

Round 2
Active conditions:

================================

Rush
Pon
Dalinar (-5)
Wint (-4)
Prosper
Minos
Spec

================================

The poor sad Azlantis:
Pink (Get 'Em until Prosper's turn)
Green (Feinted until Spec's turn)
Blue

================================

Pon rushes around the corner and takes a shot at the Azlanti shooting Dalinar in the back, though he does seem to be ready for attacks at himself as well.

Attack defensively vs KAC: 1d20 + 4 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 4 - 4 + 1 = 14
P: 1d8 ⇒ 4

AC now 15/17

Pon successfully shoots Pink!

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

Round 2
Active conditions:

================================

Rush
Pon (defensive)
Dalinar (-5)
Wint (-4)
Prosper
Minos
Spec

================================

The poor sad Azlantis:
Pink (Get 'Em until Prosper's turn, -4)
Green (Feinted until Spec's turn)
Blue

================================

Spec feels like he's really beginning to connect with the Green cadet and decides to mess with him some more.

He yells in Azlanti "वह वास्तव में हरे रंग का नहीं है, आप अपने शापित काले चश्मे को उतार दें।!"

Clever Feint
Bluff: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 2 + (5) = 20 {If successful, opponent is flat footed to everyone until the end of Spec's next turn}

Minos begins to mutter a story about toys for the playful children and begins to scatter pieces of junk around him.

Begin casting Summon Creature

Dalinar's connection with the power of the stars grows causing his armor to act as it did before. Stag Render also bursts into flames suddenly. Dalinar is taken aback for a moment, but only a moment. He puts his flaming sword to its intended purpose.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Fire Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Crit: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Move action to activate Plasma Sheathe and another photon attunement.

Prosper clomps on in with an ungainly stride in his heavy armor. With how easily the door opened at the first sign of *anyone* with the armor on, he's regretting his own choice to don the suit. It's awfully hot and stuffy.

Over comms, he adds "I'll cover you Dalinar!" before sending another distracting flare at Pink.

Fire Support vs. DC15: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 (If successful, next ally to attack foe gets a +2 circumstance bonus on attack roll; Next ally that foe attacks gets a +2 circumstance bonus to AC for that one attack)

But it bounces off the ceiling and into the other room instead!

"Ow. Ok, we're here to kill you so I suppose I can't blame you. But, still. Ow! You're going to regret that!"

Unable to get quite close enough to hit the Azlanti with his club, Wint instead dashes into the room, ducking under a bunk bed at the last moment, and shoots the Azlanti

stealth for trick attack: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28
laser pistol (EAC): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24 for
fire: 1d4 ⇒ 1 plus trick attack: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Pon messes with Green and feints him again! Prosper moves into the room, cursing Azlant armor. Minos is scattering junk around in hopes of attracting hobgars with his spell, Dalinar chops Green's head off, and Wint runs forward and shoots.

@Wint, did you want to use your once-a-day hyper ability to get up there? I'll let you retcon if you do.

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

Round 2
Active conditions:

================================

Rush
Pon (defensive)
Dalinar (-5)
Wint (-4)
Prosper
Minos
Spec

================================

The poor sad Azlantis:
Pink (-4)
Green (DEAD)
Blue (-3)

================================

Click. Whirr.

BOTTING RUSH

The Death Shrimp sees how far away the Azlanti is, and he takes aim!

Combat Tracking: Needle Rifle: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Beat me to the post, but that was what I was gonna do.

Now it's the Azlanti's turn!

Yellow, who has been hiding in the bathroom the entire time, opens the door to take a potshot at the summoning Minos!

Yellow imperial pacification rifle vs Minos: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Piercing Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 1

Yellow hits Minos and the spell is lost!

Pink imperial pacification rifle vs Prosper: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Piercing Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 6

Prosper gets hit!

And Blue turns around after seeing Dal behead his comrade, and shoots at Dal!

Blue imperial pacification rifle vs Dalinar: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Piercing Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 6

But Blue is too intimidated to hit Dalinar!

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

Round 3
Active conditions:

================================

Rush
Pon (defensive)
Dalinar (-5)
Wint (-4)
Prosper (-6)
Minos (-1)
Spec

================================

The poor sad Azlantis:
Pink (-4)
Green (DEAD)
Blue (-8)
Yellow

================================

Rush will continue shooting at the Azlanti. This time taking aim at yellow.

Combat Tracking Needle Rifle: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6