[SFS] Dead Suns, Book 6: Empire of Bones (Inactive)

Game Master Nefreet

"Are we just going to leave Xix here?

Osteth considers the question.

"She chewed through several power conduits and dismantled key processors in a very minute amount of time. Please do not leave her unsupervised."

"Oh... where is it at again?"

Osteth waves her hand in front of you and an image of the twelve suns' system comes up.

"This controller moon is where they are located now," she says while highlighting the planetoid directly to the left of your current location, "There are gravimetric disturbances that may make navigation difficult; but if you have already survived your trip here, you must have a capable vessel. When you arrive at the moon you will observe a large opening at the equator. Follow that into the planetoid and you shall eventually come upon a landing pad, although the... "demons", will likely already be occupying that location. Surprise will not be likely."

Looking at the image, Kish is in awe: "This is beautiful... can we arrange to have our people come see this?"

"These systems were designed to be maintained indefinitely... Although my calculations estimate another 5.38 billion intergalactic standard astronomical units to be the more likely timetable. But, in either case, even with the Stellar Degenerator destroyed, these systems should be observable for countless generations."

"That is nice. So, we need to get rid of some more of those crazy cultists, and destroy the big planet-shooting bow, and then we can have people come visit the area?
I am ready!"

What would the party like to do with (or to) the 'unfriendly' Ysoki?

Kush discreetly asks: "Can we hunt and eat the rodent? Or are all sentients non-edible?"

"This rodent isn't fit for hunting or eating Kush but it is of no threat to us. Ardee is our ship equipped with a brig?" Botamo asks.

“Xix does pose a small threat if she were to gain contact to the other cultists they would prepare for our arrival. The sunrise maiden does not have a brig”

"We could find some box?"

"A box would help. I'm not willing to kill a defenseless enemy, especially once who poses such little threat to us."

"Maybe it can be another little furry pet? Like the one you have just found, Captain?"

”I would not call Xix defenseless. She is a mechanic, so everything you think I can do she also can do.”

Kush looks at RD-S-2, and, having no idea what the heck it can do, she shrugs.

”I would not call Xix defenseless. She is a mechanic, so everything you think I can do she also can do.”

"Exacty. We have no use of her. You function just fine eh?' Botamo says looking at Ardee.

"Does anyone have ropes? or will we reduced to restraining the rat with vines?"

Kush smiles, and takes the thick coil of rope he has slung over his shoulder, and plops it down in front of Botamo: "Here you go, captain! 500 feet of rope... We can wrap the toothy sentient up like a sausage roll."

Tying her up it is!

Xix is certainly not happy to be wrestled to the ground and hog-tied. In fact, she reverts back to murderous rants and "Just wait 'til my brother..." sorts of threats. But Osteth seems relieved that nothing will be chewing through her cables and conduits while you're gone. She enlists the two SROs to stay behind and begin fortifying the compound from wildlife intrusions.

The trip back to the Sunrise Maiden is uneventful. Curiously, you find a discarded sack of purple-and-white mushrooms next to the bloody, severed foot of a humanoid and the tracks of something large and reptilian trailing off into the jungle. Perhaps a worthy hunt for another day.

Shandi has tended to the ship while you were gone, and welcomes you back with her customary silence. Lift off is surprisingly difficult, taking 1d2 ⇒ 2 hours, due to the massive gravity being generated by the planetoid as it gets closer to aligning with the Gate of Twelve Suns. Navigating to the nearest moon takes another 8 hours, affording all of you a chance to get a full rest.

The remaining 1d2 ⇒ 2 hours are just as choppy as when you left the first moon as your ship descends into a starship-sized hangar door built into the moon's surface. Descending to the bottom reveals three landing pads: one is occupied with a derelict and poorly-painted shuttle, while the other two are unoccupied (and afford your ship room to land).

Scanning the three hangars reveals no signs of life.

Your group has a map of the facility. You can begin in any number of the three large, rectangular areas. From there, three hover lifts descend 200 feet to the complex below. When you're ready, just place your icons in the corresponding hover lift that you're taking down.

"Ooooh! Poor Larry..."
Kush takes the foot and buries it, with a brief prayer to Talavet.

Kush will take a nap in "his" escape pod during the flight.
We recover SP & RP, is that it? (all should be at max' HP, if not Kush can heal all)
(but we do not recover spells/dailies, correct?)

Thrym winces as the small, furry humanoid is hog-tied, but keeps a civil tongue in his head.

When the party finds that Larry has become reptile-food, he nods solemnly.

"The circle of life goes on..."

When not resting, Thrym spends the rest of his 'break' meditating.

It's 12 hours between one map and the next, and you have someone flying for you, so if you want to get a full rest for recovering spells and abilities, I don't see any reason why you couldn't.

Normally, I get the sense that this travel should take 1d6 days, like traveling in the Pact Worlds, but as the first AP, I'm not sure whether the authors were aware of that.

Kush will the nestle down in the escape pod, and have a good sleep.
"May Talavet watch over us... and renew my Divine powers. It seems they will be needed."

Botamo will rest up and then begin converting the captains chambers to better suit Mr. Fuzzles.

Once they land Botamo will lead the way to the Hover lift, solar sword already out.

Kush will follow the Captain, axe in hand.

As the automated doors close behind you and the hover lift descends, you all get a very surreal feeling. The architecture, lighting and spaciousness reminds you of Istamak - but somehow, newer. Faint music begins to play out of speakers in the ceiling, the tune of which reminds you of children's songs.

That feeling of comfort and ease abruptly ends when the hover doors open and reveal a pair of fanatics holding pulsating grenades in their hands and an oblivion shade waiting your exit!

An array of upended tables and sturdy crates forms a makeshift barricade, blocking off much of the southern portion of the area (squares outlined in red are difficult terrain, and provide cover, but can be jumped over with a successful Athletics check).

ROUND 1
BOLD MAY ACT!!
------------------------------
Thrym ()
Kush ()
RD-S2 ()
PCD-3 ()
Oblivion Shade ()
Orange Berserker ()
Red Berserker ()
Botamo ()

Kush steps forward, passing Botamo--
"Excuse me, captain!"
--then steps to the side, before running for some 10 feet and leaping--

(10 ft running start to DC = to what I am jumping, 5 feet)
Athletics DC5+: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

--right over the obstacle and landing beside the cultist.
(got a 10, so jump the 10 feet left in my move)

"Hello, friend! You look upset. Do you wish to learn of the Peace of Talavet?"
Kush slashes at the cultist.

Axe vs. KAC: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31
Slashing Magic Adamantine Holy Ghost killer: 2d6 + 15 ⇒ (6, 5) + 15 = 26

"The restless spirits will be cleansed from this holy place!"

Thrym sights down his weapon, and fires upon the shade.

Ghost Killer Minor Disruption Rifle: 1d20 + 18 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 18 - 1 = 18, for 3d8 + 10 ⇒ (5, 8, 6) + 10 = 29 Magical Ghost-Touch Sonic damage.
Ghost Killer Minor Disruption Rifle: 1d20 + 18 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 18 - 1 = 26, for 3d8 + 10 ⇒ (5, 7, 6) + 10 = 28 Magical Ghost-Touch Sonic damage.

PCD-3 takes aim at the shade and fires.
Gamma Rifle Ionizing: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28
Fire damage: 2d12 + 12 ⇒ (10, 4) + 12 = 26

"I am getting tired of these ghosts."
RD-S2 fires in tandem with PCD-3
Boosted overcharge: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22
Fire Damage: 6d6 + 15 ⇒ (4, 1, 5, 5, 4, 1) + 15 = 35

Athletics DC5+: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

While that would clear the horizontal distance, it does not clear the vertical distance. But since your axe has Called, you could have still thrown it and recalled it.

When Kush tosses his axe at the berserker behind the barricade, its blade is dulled by a black force field, limiting its effectiveness (10 less damage).

Despite being ripped from side to side, the shade silently floats towards the one who exited the hoverlift.

Incorporeal Touch vs Kush: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (18) + 17 = 35
Acid Damage: 1d12 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

And then each Berserker throws their oddly-shaped grenades into the hoverlift!

Disruption Grenade: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (12) + 17 = 29 (not a 1…)
Sonic Damage, DC 18: 2d10 ⇒ (8, 6) = 14

Reflex, Botamo: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16 (full damage, staggered)
Reflex, PCD-3: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22 (half damage)
Reflex, RD-S2: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29 (half damage)
Reflex, Thrym: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25 (half damage, Adaptive triggered)

Disruption Grenade: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (3) + 17 = 20 (not a 1…)
Sonic Damage, DC 18: 2d10 ⇒ (4, 2) = 6

Reflex, Botamo: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 (full damage, staggered)
Reflex, PCD-3: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20 (half damage)
Reflex, RD-S2: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30 (half damage)
Reflex, Thrym: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25 (1 damage)

After which the orange-robed berserker draws a disintegrator pistol and the red-robed berserker shifts position while drawing their own pistol!

ROUND 1-2
EVERYONE MAY ACT!!
------------------------------
Thrym (–8/110 stamina)
Kush (–9/100 stamina)
RD-S2 (–10/80 stamina)
PCD-3 (–10/100 hp)
Oblivion Shade (58 damage)
Orange Berserker (16 damage; force field 3/10)
Red Berserker ()
Botamo (–20/100 stamina; staggered)

Do I fail by 5 or more?
Falling Prone...

"You are as but the chaff grist from the holy mill of the Ancestors - you will be discarded, and forgotten!"

Thrym keeps firing.

Ghost Killer Minor Disruption Rifle: 1d20 + 18 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 18 - 1 = 37, for 6d8 + 20 ⇒ (4, 4, 4, 1, 6, 2) + 20 = 41 Magical Ghost-Touch Sonic damage.
Ghost Killer Minor Disruption Rifle: 1d20 + 18 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 18 - 1 = 37, for 6d8 + 20 ⇒ (7, 4, 4, 3, 4, 1) + 20 = 43 Magical Ghost-Touch Sonic damage.

Huh. Apparently, the Ancestors *really* don't like this spirit :-P

If it survived that, it is also Staggered.

Do I fail by 5 or more?

It's a "low barricade", which under the definition of cover is at least half their height. I was thinking 3-4 feet tall, which would only be DC 12.

Thrym utterly shreds the spirit into oblivion.

ROUND 1-2
BOLD MAY ACT!!
------------------------------
Thrym (–8/110 stamina)
Kush (–9/100 stamina)
RD-S2 (–10/80 stamina)
PCD-3 (–10/100 hp)
Oblivion Shade
Orange Berserker (16 damage; force field 3/10)
Red Berserker (force field 10/10)
Botamo (–20/100 stamina; staggered)

So, having failed at jumping over the low barricade, Kush harrumphs and is not very happy.
At least he did not fall on his butt.

Then the silly Shade burns his skin.

"Traveling beyond the skies is very dangerous!"

He manages to toss his axe and call it back--

--now, having seen the Shade being ripped apart--

"At least you make, friend Thrym, those beyond the skies less dangerous!"

Kush moves back, and then takes a running jump--
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
--but knocks his knee against the barricade, and is once again unable to pass it.
He grumbles, and, again, tosses his axe at the orange cultist, before calling it back.

Axe vs. KAC: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17
Slashing Magic Adamantine Holy Ghost killer: 2d6 + 15 ⇒ (6, 5) + 15 = 26

Kush is not very happy.
"Cannot jump, cannot throw... what have I done to Talavet?"

FWIW, you're making me laugh out loud over here ^_^

Botamo will defy gravity to fly right up to the cultist, ready to attack next round.

PCD-3 switches targets to the red Berserker.
Gamma Rifle Ionizing: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17
Fire Damage: 2d12 + 12 ⇒ (12, 12) + 12 = 36

RD-S2 takes aim at the red Berserker firing their boosted rifle.
Boosted Overcharge: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33
Fire Damage: 6d6 + 15 ⇒ (4, 2, 5, 2, 4, 2) + 15 = 34

RD-S2 devastates his target with a single shot, but much of the damage is absorbed by a force field. That Berserker fires at Botamo for breaching the barricade...

Trick Attack, Acrobatics: 10 + 22 = 32
Liquidator Disintegrator Pistol: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (18) + 17 = 35
Acid Damage: 1d10 + 8 + 4d8 ⇒ (3) + 8 + (3, 1, 8, 8) = 31
Debilitating Trick: Flat-footed

...which distracts Botamo enough for the other Berserker to retreat and fire their own weapon!

Trick Attack, Acrobatics: 10 + 22 = 32
Liquidator Disintegrator Pistol: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (18) + 17 = 35
Acid Damage: 1d10 + 8 + 4d8 ⇒ (10) + 8 + (5, 8, 7, 8) = 46
Debilitating Trick: Off-target

ROUND 2-3
EVERYONE MAY ACT!!
------------------------------
Thrym (–8/110 stamina)
Kush (–9/100 stamina)
RD-S2 (–10/80 stamina)
PCD-3 (–10/100 hp)
Oblivion Shade
Orange Berserker (16 damage; force field 6/10)
Red Berserker (24 damage; force field 3/10)
Botamo (–97/100 stamina; Photon 2; off-target, flat-footed)

Kush moves over to the red berserker, and swings at it--

Axe vs. KAC: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16
Slashing Magic Adamantine Holy Ghost killer: 2d6 + 15 ⇒ (3, 2) + 15 = 20

--still not up to battle standards.

Thrym moves forward, and re-braces his weapon.

"Kush, stop playing with them, and just hit them!"

;-)

Kush pouts.

PCD-3 continues firing at the red berserker
Gamma Rifle Ionizing: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21
Fire Damage: 2d12 + 12 ⇒ (7, 8) + 12 = 27

RD-S2 takes aim at the red berserker.
Boosted Overcharge: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34
Dialing in on a particularly vital piece of the berserker's anatomy.
Fire Damage: 12d6 + 30 ⇒ (4, 6, 5, 5, 3, 1, 4, 1, 5, 4, 2, 5) + 30 = 75
Assaulting it with their rifle.

Botting Botamo

Botamo decides that focusing on one berserker at a time is the stronger option, and circles around to flank [red] with Kush.

Solar Weapon, Flank: 1d20 + 17 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 17 + 2 = 33
Fire damage: 4d6 + 23 ⇒ (1, 3, 1, 6) + 23 = 34

Between everyone's efforts, the red-cloaked Berserker falls. The remaining cultist skirts around Thrym and fires a single shot...

Trick Attack, Acrobatics: 10 + 22 = 32
Liquidator Disintegrator Pistol: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (14) + 17 = 31
Acid Damage: 1d10 + 8 + 4d8 ⇒ (4) + 8 + (7, 4, 7, 2) = 32 (Adaptive now activated vs Acid)
Debilitating Trick: Off-target

...before shouting out, "Deldreg! They've breached the barrier!"

ROUND 3-4
EVERYONE MAY ACT!!
------------------------------
Thrym (–40/110 stamina; off-target)
Kush (–9/100 stamina)
RD-S2 (–10/80 stamina)
PCD-3 (–10/100 hp)
Oblivion Shade
Orange Berserker (16 damage; force field 9/10)
Red Berserker
Deldreg, the Butcher ()
Botamo (–97/100 stamina; Photon 3)

Thrym acknowledges the hit with a grunt, then lines up some shots on the Orange Devil!

Ghost Killer Minor Disruption Rifle: 1d20 + 18 - 1 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 18 - 1 - 2 = 18, for 3d8 + 10 ⇒ (8, 8, 7) + 10 = 33 Magical Ghost-Touch Sonic damage.

Ghost Killer Minor Disruption Rifle: 1d20 + 18 - 1 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 18 - 1 - 2 = 35, for 6d8 + 20 ⇒ (5, 4, 6, 3, 6, 7) + 20 = 51 Magical Ghost-Touch Sonic damage, and he is Staggered for 1 round.

Orange, Fort Save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19 (I believe your DC is 22, so that fails!)

The Berserker cries out in pain, to which a huskier voice from down the hall snaps, "Quit yer yappin' an' get back'n tha fight!"

ROUND 3-4
BOLD MAY ACT!!
------------------------------
Thrym (–40/110 stamina; off-target)
Kush (–9/100 stamina)
RD-S2 (–10/80 stamina)
PCD-3 (–10/100 hp)
Oblivion Shade
Orange Berserker (58 damage; staggered; force field 0/10)
Red Berserker
Deldreg, the Butcher ()
Botamo (–97/100 stamina; Photon 3)

Kush mutters something about Quit playing, quit playing... just like momma said all the time. Nag nag nag... as he moves down the stairs--
(it is down, and not diff' terrain, correct?)

--and then casts a spell-- "Be Blasted By Talavet!", sending a cone of force at the cultist and the Butcher.
The mystical energy blast soutward in a mighty wave originating from Kush's fingertips, damaging the enemies--
Reflex DC 19 save for 1/2 damage of: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 6) = 7
--and trying to knock them back...
Bull Rush vs. KAC+8: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (12) + 17 = 29
If successful creature is knocked back 5 feet, plus 5 additional feet for every 5 by which your attack exceeds the creature’s KAC + 8. If there is an obstacle in the way, the creature stops at the obstacle instead.

Kush tries to see what this Butcher looks like.

"Hey, friend! Can you bring us six slices of ham? Will go well with the mushrooms..."

Bottom defies gravity to fly to the remaining cultist before slicing with his solar weapon,

Slashing vs KAC : 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (16) + 17 = 334d6 + 23 ⇒ (4, 3, 5, 3) + 23 = 38

PCD-3 switches targets to the Orange Berserker.
Gamma Rifle Ionizing: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21
Fire Damage: 2d12 + 12 ⇒ (12, 12) + 12 = 36

RD-S2 boosts the charge of their weapon as they rush forward.