[SFS_Aerondor] 01-13 On the Trail of History (Inactive)

Game Master Aerondor

Kasza with no need to eat merely observes while the others enjoy their repast.

It considers all the data gathered and tries to draw conclusions. When Fionne approaches Spinjack, Kasza is on alert ready to protect his diminutive partner in this adventure.

Something about these "guards" triggers action alerts for Kasza, all is definitely not as it seems in this facility.

Hudson tastes Fionne's spoonful: "Thanks!", and eats all he can.

"She's right. You're so nice, with all the important research you're doing on... err... on your research. And your cool food. And great spaceship killer things. I'm sure you can help us!"
Diplomacy Aid Another: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (17) + 0 = 17

Jackojare eats some desert to, he can gain the weight.

Spinjack smiles at Fionne.

"We have seen noone apart from yourselves and other visitors since we have been here. Perhaps the locals might know of other, earlier visitors. I don' typically deal with them though."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (19) + 0 = 19
Aid Engineering: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

Threw the aid for Engineering out there since we have someone else with higher Engineering skills

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
Hudson glances at Spinjack... and raises an eyebrow.

The engineering is more of a passive check, so no aiding on that one sorry.

engineering: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17
sense motive: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (14) + 0 = 14

Speck sniffs at the food suspiciously but figured that outright poisoning would be too ludicrous so he eventually digs in. From time to time he studies what's what everyone is talking about, but he got distracted by the food.

Engineering: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Fionne sees absolutely nothing amiss. "LOCALS? OH, YOU'RE TALKIN THOSE FOUR LEG GUYS WE SAW ON THE WAY IN! WHERE ARE THEY AT? WE'LL GIVE EM A VISIT."

Hudson got 21 on SM, can he check the spoiler, or on purpose that not?

trying to come up with a good way to disseminate the information without making the others suspicious. No telepathy, any other ideas, a message to the comm units would alert the "staff." At a loss.

Just THINK very loudly at Jackojare! ;)

ROFL, forgot about our Shirren. duh!

Kasza fixes a portion of his mental focus on Jackojare without moving or taking his gaze from Spinjack

Jackojare, tell the others privately, this Spinjack is up to something. He is not showing us his true self, and is closely watching all of us. He is not to be underestimated.

Medrick slept through his engineering class so he gets no check at it.

sense motive: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (10) - 2 = 8

Medrick still seems to be in haze trying to piece everything together. He has come to the conclusion that we need to meet up again to discuss strategy before we do anything.

I know you say you haven't worked with the locals much, but are you at least familiar with their language?

Argh, been fighting the lurg for the last few days. The SM spoiler was really for Husdon rather than Kasza, but what the heck, Kas got a circumstancial bonus because he was so suspicious. So both can read the spoiler.

"The locals..." sneers Farvenzi "Are just annoying and in the way."

Dr Monsylkis chimes in. "That is hardly fair, this is their world. But they are a rather simple people. Harmless to us."

Messages can be passed in secret with bluff/sense motive and sleight of hand as well. Or maybe you share a language that is unusual? But that would require an (easier) bluff check to keep them unsuspicious. I don't think 'thinking hard' at Jack works. But you could try to pass him a secret message to start up a telepathic link.

sleight of hand: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20
Stealth: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33

retcon previous action
Kasza gets up to go stand by Fionne, Spinjack really has it on edge. On the way by he passes close to Jackojare and presses a small note into one of his claws.

The note reads, "Jackojare, please alert the others, Spinjack is not showing his true self. He also has been closely observing us. He is not to be underestimated."

Life science: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11Well I guess I was bound to flop on one of these skill checks. But wow these have been high DCs. I think I gave a pretty high Life science for level 4 and I still need a 16 on the die to make it.

So if they are such a problem, I would assume we don't have a comunication system established with them yet. If we need to talk with them, is there any messages you would like us to convey on your behalf? Medrick is torn about Dr Monsylkis. She can talk a good game about all this false research and even shows the ethics to defend the local, but then it is clear she is lying about what she is working on. She is the scariest and worst type of enemy... the kind who pretend to be good but willing to be evil...

Some checks are easier, some harder. That was a "hard" one :-)

"Not really" says the Doctor.

Farvenzi suggests "Why not go and have a talk with them?" but the doctor protests. "We have not finished showing them around our establishment yet!"

Up to you, whether you want to continue looking around the base, - the scaffold tower is the only major area as yet unexplored. Or head off into the wilderness.

Lol! I'm joking about thinking hard. But yeah, I think we could set up some discrete signal to Jackojare everytime we need him to communicate something.

life science: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
Speck is really engrossed with his food...

I feel like we're fubbing all the important checks... :(

When he is finally done, he quips, "Yeah, why not. Love to see more of this place." And figure out what you fellows are up to...

Yes, if you wouldn't mind, I know I am interested in seeing what else this place has to offer before we go on. This place is truly a marvel.

Hudson looks around the kitchen, trying to see what is so marvellous about it.
He shrugs... and grabs some more desert.

You, accompanied by the doctor, Spinjack and Farvenzi head off toward the tower. As you get closer the hum of a generator gets noticeably louder.

"This is our climatic modification technology." explains the doctor. "It gives us some control over the weather here at the station." She turns to Medric. "I'm sure you can appreciate how important that is with climate sensitive experiments."

engineering: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 15
physical science: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
engineering: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32

Speck looks appreciatively at machinery. He is more interested in the control systems, however, but doubts she would be willing to let him have a look at that after what happened earlier.

Then suddenly, he spots a logo and a memory stirs. He looks around and posts more and more of them. He quickly signals to Jackojare.

Let everyone know! I've finally found confirmation of Frozen Trove's involvement. All the station's hardware are from lab equipment company called Steelneedle Enterprises, which was acquired by Frozen Trove Labs. Happened eight years ago. Stirred up quite a bit of protests cries of monopolization. But of course, the regulators did nothing. As usual.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Hudson looks around... and yawns.
He's trying to remember what the mission was.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

Something is not quite right, but Kasza is unable to specifically identify what is off about this "research station".

Jackojare can't do anything, except communicate with his mind and help look around, so that is what he does do perception aid: 2 + 1d20 ⇒ 2 + (6) = 8

Medrick looks at the machine, not understanding how it works but appreciating the work it must do. So this will make it stat a stable level of cold all year round? To what level of precision is it able to offer? This must of cost a fortune! This must of been a really amazing grant. Thanks for showing it off.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28
Engineering: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Nice, Fionne succeeds at her first (?) skill check of the scenario :>
Seems like a bit of info that's going to be useful later.

Fionne peers up at the massive scaffold tower as she listens in to the revelations coming in via Jackojare's telepathy. She ends up shrugging. So they're Frozen Throw-rug, or whatever? Does it matter that much for the mission?

Out loud she just says "LOOKS EXPENSIVE! YOUR EXPERIMENTS HERE GOTTA BE REAL VALUABLE IF YOU DO THIS TO KEEP EM COLD YEAR ROUND." She shrugs again "SO, MEDRICK, YOU GOOD TO GO? NEVER THOUGHT I'D SAY IT, BUT I'M ANTSY TO GET STOMPIN OUTSIDE IN THE COLD."

Indeed. I think I could spend days here chatting but we have a job to do. Maybe we can talk more later. Thank you for being such gracious hosts. Are you sure there is nothing we can do to repay you for the rescue and ship repairs?

"Oh yes. The populated frozen worlds will make back all their money I am sure. Cost of freighting in food through the Drift is astronomical." explains the doctor to Medrick.

"Of course " she adds to Fionne. "Most of the time this planet is pretty cold anyway, but spring is coming and we need to be able to keep our research valid."

Smile smiles to Medrick. "Maybe you can tell me a bit about your own research over dinner?"

Are you heading off now, or any last things you want to do at the research station?

It would be good to check out as much of the station as we can. I'd vote for doing that first, making sure we saw all places.

Hudson perks up an eyebrow, and elbows Medrick: "Way to go, you heartbreaker, you!"

Jackojare is ready whenever everyone else is.

Speck is definitely not looking forward to braving the cold. He may be covered in fur, but there are bare patches everywhere. And even if not, he still doesn't like the cold.

We've been to the four locations already right? Only thing I can think of is whether to sneak back and pilfer some of the mysterious plants that the animals have been addicted to. Not sure if there's an opportunity though. If Kasza is up to it?

I would be honored, though it was not as exciting as your research, I assure you! Before we head out to the wilderness, my I use your bathroom?

Just looking for where the location of it is so if we return in a friendly way, one of our sneaky people will be able to use it to sneak away. Also, I am pretty sure we investigated all the parts of the camp. And for having a low diplomacy, I sure won her over!

Stealth: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26
Sleight of Hand: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16
Engineering: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
Disguise: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

As nice as the guided tour has been Kasza doesn't like the impressions he's getting from the guards, or the "good" Doctor to be frank. As the group moves off he slips from sight and heads to the greenhouse. Independent analysis of these plants would be profitable for the Society.

Kasza slips away from the group, while your make a last "Bio-break" before heading off. Quickly snagging a plant from the greenhouse, he rejoins the group as you head off.

Not that you really have the equipment to analyse it here..

Dr Monsylkis offers you "Good luck, there is an encampment of the izalgunn's a few hours in that direction. They may know more about what you are after. They are much like the rest of the inhabitants of this world. Large and primitive."

The ambient noise of the research station fades into the distance, muffled by the snow. The path through the trees, their long branches and fan-like fronds coated in white, is still and serene.

After maybe half an hour, in the distance, the sound of branches snapping shatters the quiet, and a guttural mix of roar and moan echoes through the wood.

Racing ahead, you see two of the six limbed humanoids armed with spears, trying to protect themselves from a pair of huge creatures. The creatures resemble gigantic sloths with giraffe-like necks and long, equine snouts.

What was that? perception: 2 + 1d20 ⇒ 2 + (12) = 14 to listen as I try to determine where, distance or what it might be.

His fur lined cap and snow goggles on, Hudson trudges along, with Betsy mounted on the rig.

"We befriend those weirdos from this planet by wasting the big sloths?"

I think Hudson has the right idea.

Life Science: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29for sloths
Life Science: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16for izalgunn
-5 dc for xenobiology theme

Fionne hefts the massive cannon off her back and toggles a couple of switches. "HELL. IT'S ABOUT TIME!" She beckons to T-eddy to ready himself as well. "YEAH HUD, LET'S WASTE SOME WILDLIFE! WE COULD USE SOME WARMIN UP ANYHOW."

T-eddy opens swivels his head to stare at the nearest of the two giant beasts and opens his mouth, revealing the barrel of a massive cannon. Metal rods shoot out of his back to help steady his body against the incoming recoil.

"Yah, let's work off some of that fine dessert we just gobbled up!"

There looks to be a battle of the giants going on. Check out the map

Squares with trees provide cover to Large or smaller creatures occupying them; Large or larger creatures treat such squares as difficult terrain. Smaller ones cannot enter them during combat. Ongoing snowfall provides creatures with concealment beyond 60 feet.

Status, bold may post:
Pvt Hudson
Fionne
Speck
Jackojare
Medrick
Sloths
Izalgunns
Kasza

Fionne settles back, raises a foot to daintily kick a safety off, flips a switch on her cannon's handle to start overcharging the batteries and calls out "YOUR PUNY TREE COVER MEANS SHIT. EAT NOISE YOU UGLY SLOTHS!!!"

Shout Projector to hit vs. AC5; penalties for 1 range inc: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 6 - 2 = 14
Overcharged Shout Projector; Explode 10ft rad. DC12 Reflex for half; Nonlethal Sonic damage: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (3, 2) + 3 = 8

Her cannon generates a concentrated burst of sonic energy that explodes around the pink giant sloth's head. She leans over and overcharges T-eddy too.

Teddy's Shout Projector to hit vs. AC5; penalties for 1 range inc: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 4 - 2 = 9
Overcharged Shout Projector; Explode 10ft rad. DC9 Reflex for half; Nonlethal Sonic damage: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 6) = 9

And he sends his own blast of sonic energy at the beast to the south.

(Standard action to overcharge and fire, move action to overcharge an adjacent ally's weapon. T-eddy's standard action is to fire. Explode target location is marked on the map with a circle.)

Jackojare will ready his hunting rifle for whatever creature comes within range and out of hiding first so no cover is given (range 90)
hit: 9 + 1d20 ⇒ 9 + (16) = 25 with hunting rifle vs KAC
dmg: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10 Piercing damage.
Edit, I might be able to hit red already, counting the diagnols, it might just be 90 feet.

Medrick draws his new nifty gun, Time to see what this thing can do! He then takes a shot at the purple sloth.

Static Arc Rifle (EAC, Purple): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
damage (Nonlethal, Electric): 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Move action to draw my weapon and standard to fire once

So we can see the giant critters or no?

They are larger than large so the trees do not give them cover, and they are closer than 60 ft so they shouldn't have concealment (plus I think we are immune to that). I do not think there is an issue of sight here.

Seeing the sudden outpour of firepower, Hudson smiles and flicks Betsy's selector to semi-auto, squeezing off two shots at the beast with the yellow eyes.
The first shot echoes over the snow but the second one does not.
Hudson looks down at Betsy, seeing that the bullet was a dud (nat' 1!): "!@@#$%"
vs. KAC #1: 1d20 + 3 + 5 + 1 - 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 + 5 + 1 - 3 = 21
vs. KAC #2: 1d20 + 3 + 5 + 1 - 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 5 + 1 - 3 = 7
no Cover, right? If there is Hudson reduces the penalty by 2
P #1: 1d10 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 1 = 13

+1 to Medrick's question: does our "snow gear" remove the 60 ft. concealment, or is that distance counting the fact we have this gear?

What the heck, you made your preparations, so while the scenario doesn't call it out, I think it is reasonable to assume you have infra-red or something similar active to make the snow penalties go away. And yes, the critters are bigger than the trees. @Fionne, why does the shout projector aim vs AC 5?
I'll assume that is correct, but normally sonic weapons still target EAC and I can't see anything in either overcharge or the shout projector that changes that..
Medrick, I'm guessing you were aiming for the pink sloth? To your south?

Fionne and Teddy make some *very* loud noises. Tree branches shatter and small furry animals fall out of nearby trees. Birds a little further out rise flapping into the air and flee the scene. The giant creatures however manage to shrug off the worst of it.

Jack takes aim.. You can see all the creatures on the map, were you aiming for a sloth-creature or one of the six limbed izalgunns?

Hudson snaps off a couple of shots, the first hitting the yellow eyed creature, but the second deflects off its thick hide. Medric takes aim at the pinkish one to the south and drills it as well.

Status, bold may post:
Speck
Jackojare readied (25/10) Just pending confirmation of target
Sloth(yellow) 17
Sloth (pink) 20
Izalgunns
Kasza
Fionne
Pvt Hudson
Medrick