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

Game Master Nefreet

RD-S2 charges up the battery of their rifle and fires
“let’s try and take this out quickly we don’t to be discovered.”
boosted overcharge vs EAC: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31
damage: 6d6 + 15 ⇒ (6, 5, 1, 4, 4, 3) + 15 = 38

Shandi fades into the shadows.

The Jubsnuth bellows from both its mouths at Botamo, Kush, Thrym: 1d3 ⇒ 2 and charges forward!

Bite vs KAC: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (1) + 21 = 22
Piercing: 2d10 + 15 - 7 ⇒ (6, 10) + 15 - 7 = 24

...but luckily Kush knows how to avoid his grandmother's slobbery kisses.

More sounds of chanting and thunder can be heard up in the forest canopy.

ROUND 2
BOLD MAY ACT!!
------------------------------
??? ()
Kush ()
Thrym (–57 stamina)
RD-S2 ()
Botamo ()
Jubsnuth (81 damage)

Shandi (–97 stamina)

Thrym frowns, focuses, and unleashes a pair of blasts at the great beast.

"Imagine how many could feast upon the flesh of such a beast!"

Ghost Killer Minor Disruption Rifle: 1d20 + 18 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 18 - 1 = 30, for 3d8 + 10 ⇒ (6, 2, 5) + 10 = 23 Sonic damage.
Ghost Killer Minor Disruption Rifle: 1d20 + 18 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 18 - 1 = 22, for 3d8 + 10 ⇒ (7, 5, 2) + 10 = 24 Sonic damage.

Now that the Jubsnuth has chosen a target, Botamo activates his newly installed haste circuit and moves to flank it and end the fight quickly. He defies gravity and flies over and around the tree and lands at the far end of the beast across from Kush And slashes with his flaming sword.

Fire vs KAC: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (18) + 17 = 354d6 + 28 ⇒ (4, 2, 1, 5) + 28 = 40

"I can think of 5 who will feast tonight!" he yells as he slashes through the beast.

Hasted, Photon 2, and probably provoked and AoO.

Attack of Opportunity: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (8) + 21 = 29 (sadly not enough to swallow whole)
Piercing: 2d10 + 15 - 10 ⇒ (2, 2) + 15 - 10 = 9

The Jubsnuth gets a quick lick before Thrym and Botamo tear into it. The beast collapses under the fury of the assault.

ROUND 2
BOLD MAY ACT!!
------------------------------
??? ()
Kush ()
Thrym (–57 stamina)
RD-S2 ()
Botamo (–9 stamina)
Jubsnuth

Shandi (–97 stamina)

RD-S2 cracks up the charge on their rifle before trying to find the source of the chanting
Perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (18) + 15 = 33

Since Kush cannot take a carefully Guarded Step into the foliage--
correct? That is Difficult Terrain, right?

--he steps back, Guardedly, and, being now out of range of the beast's maw, he calls upon the Divine Powers to cast a spell and divine the most vulnerable portion of the beast's mind to then overload it with a glut of evil and harmful psychic information, showing it many nice vegetable dishes, and flowers and rainbows.

Mind Thrust IV, DC 21: 10d10 ⇒ (5, 10, 6, 9, 9, 5, 6, 4, 9, 1) = 64
Half damage if Will Save (DC21) made ; if Save fails: the beast is fatigued for 1 round

that's excellent damage but the thing is dead already.

Kush, if you would like to do something else during round 2, go ahead and post it.

As the beast crumples to the ground the storm above rumbles to a crescendo! Lightning strikes nearby trees, thunder crackles overhead and the wind delivers upon you an armor clad shirren with fanged maws on its palms and hollow sockets where its eyes should be. In a jarring, telepathic shout it proclaims, "I am the watcher without eyes, the tooth of the Devourer, and I sentence you to DIE!"

It then centers a cosmic eddy on Thrym, RD-S2 and PCD-3!

Bludgeoning Damage: 4d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 4, 2) = 9
Reflex, PCD-3: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11 (7 damage, prone, half speed)
Reflex, RD-S2: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21 (2 damage, prone, half speed)
Reflex, Thrym: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30 (no damage, half speed)

ROUND 3
EVERYONE MAY ACT!!
------------------------------
??? (Flying 30 feet up, 3 mirror images, 9rds displacement, see invisibility)
Kush ()
Thrym (–57 stamina; half speed)
RD-S2 (-2 stamina; prone, half speed)
PCD-3 (7 damage; prone, half speed)
Botamo (–9 stamina)
Jubsnuth

Active Conditions: 10rds cosmic eddy

For every 5 you beat the DC by, state which of the following spoilers you wish to inform the group about:

Okay, sorry, missed that on my phone. I'll just have Kush not act in round 2. And I'll just delay for now.
Mysticism: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (12) + 23 = 35
People can open all spoilers if you want.
I'll write and RP It later.

Kush prepares to attack the big beast that will be so hard to kill, when he realizes it is dead, like one of his grandmother's cream puffs.

He is about to take a selfie of himself in front of the big beast's maw--

--when the new attack happens.

As the flying thing attacks his friends, Kush calls out: "Oh, but the rumors we've heard are true! This is an... Atrocite!
Potent agents of the Devourer, its hands speak words of destruction. And they send out void bolts.
Energy attacks are easier to hit it, and it has a strong will.
It also has spells..."

All can read all spoilers above.

Kush moves over towards the Atrocite and hurls his axe at it--

Axe vs. KAC: 1d20 + 14 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 14 - 2 = 19 (30 ft. range thrown, so -2 for range)
Slashing Magic Adamantine Holy Ghost killer: 2d6 + 15 ⇒ (6, 5) + 15 = 26

--and then Calls the axe back to his hand.

Mysticism : 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15

"I've never heard of such a hoser but it easy enough to kill eh!" Botamo yells as he leaps into the air to defy gravity once more, landing in the branches of the trees just close enough to the creature to attack!

Haste Full attack Fire vs KAC : 1d20 + 17 - 3 ⇒ (11) + 17 - 3 = 254d6 + 28 ⇒ (6, 6, 2, 1) + 28 = 43
Haste Full attack Fire vs KAC : 1d20 + 17 - 3 ⇒ (13) + 17 - 3 = 274d6 + 28 ⇒ (5, 1, 5, 2) + 28 = 41

if everyone is withing 30' of me next round I can haste the rest of you, though this thing might not last that long hehe.

If it launches a force bolt at me I will use my reaction to Deflect it if possible.

Thrym frowns at the new arrival, shrugs, and then shoots it.

"The only destruction that it shall bring, will be its own..."

Ghost Killer Minor Disruption Rifle: 1d20 + 18 - 1 ⇒ (3) + 18 - 1 = 20, for 3d8 + 10 ⇒ (6, 7, 6) + 10 = 29 Sonic damage.
Ghost Killer Minor Disruption Rifle: 1d20 + 18 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 18 - 1 = 19, for 3d8 + 10 ⇒ (7, 6, 6) + 10 = 29 Sonic damage.

Although not with rolls like that...

RD-S2 quickly releases a burst of binary
"01010000 01000011 01000100 00101101 00110011 00100000 01010100 01100001 01101011 01100101 00100000 01101111 01110101 01110100 00100000 01110100 01101000 01100101 00100000 01000001 01110100 01110010 01101111 01100011 01101001 01110100 01100101 00101110"

Regarding the rules interaction of displacement and mirror image, I will tentatively go with Option #2 until more information presents itself.

Kush's axe misses its mark, but an illusory copy of the atrocite vanishes in the process (missed AC by less than 5).

Miss chance, Botamo, #1: 1d100 ⇒ 70
1 is a Hit: 1d3 ⇒ 2
Miss chance, Botamo, #2: 1d100 ⇒ 26

And Botamo destroys the remaining two images, completely disorienting Thrym in the process...

Miss chance, RD-S2: 1d100 ⇒ 2
Miss chance, PCD-3: 1d100 ⇒ 55

...but not PCD-3!

Annoyed at the overwhelming firepower, the Atrocite takes a flying Guarded Step away from Botamo (and the tree he's clinging to) before unleashing a dark green energy beam at Botamo, Kush: 1d2 ⇒ 2 Kush!

Enervation vs EAC: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (2) + 19 = 21

...but an unfortunate butterfly intercepts the draining attack.

ROUND 4
EVERYONE MAY ACT!!
------------------------------
Atrocity (30 damage; Flying 30 feet up, 8rds displacement, see invisibility)
Kush ()
Thrym (–57 stamina; half speed)
RD-S2 (-2 stamina; prone, half speed)
PCD-3 (7 damage; half speed)
Botamo (–9 stamina)
Jubsnuth

Active Conditions: 9rds cosmic eddy

Kush moves right under the creature, and checks to see if it has something under its skirt... before throwing his axe up--
Displacement, Hit on a 1: 1d2 ⇒ 1
Axe vs. KAC: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20 (just 30 feet, so no -2, correct?)
Slashing Magic Adamantine Holy Ghost killer: 2d6 + 15 ⇒ (5, 3) + 15 = 23
--before calling it back.

Did I Miss when we were introduced to PCD-3 or is that forthcoming?

Botamo Defies gravity to find a more suitable branch to land on and full attack the Atrocite!

full attack fire vs KAC : 1d20 + 17 - 3 ⇒ (9) + 17 - 3 = 234d6 + 28 ⇒ (2, 4, 6, 5) + 28 = 45
displaced hits on 1 : 1d2 ⇒ 2
full attack fire vs KAC : 1d20 + 17 - 3 ⇒ (11) + 17 - 3 = 254d6 + 28 ⇒ (2, 1, 1, 3) + 28 = 35
displaced hits on 1 : 1d2 ⇒ 2

But unfortunately cant track the abomination and misses both swipes.

When rolling for displacement, please roll the d100 for consistency. Otherwise it's easy to pick and choose what gets you the result you want.

That particular attack misses anyways, but just for future rolls.

"Ancestors, guide my aim!"

Ghostly whispers rise up around Thrym, and his Third Eye opens, glowing with pale light.

Spending 1 Resolve Point to reduce his Total Concealment to just Concealment.

He then opens fire!

Ghost Killer Minor Disruption Rifle: 1d20 + 18 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 18 - 1 = 34, for 3d8 + 10 ⇒ (3, 8, 6) + 10 = 27 Sonic damage.
Miss Chance (High=Hit): 1d100 ⇒ 38.
Ghost Killer Minor Disruption Rifle: 1d20 + 18 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 18 - 1 = 19, for 3d8 + 10 ⇒ (5, 1, 5) + 10 = 21 Sonic damage.
Miss Chance (High=Hit): 1d100 ⇒ 55.

RD-S2 takes aim and fires from the ground
boosted overcharge vs EAC: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21
miss chance, High: 1d100 ⇒ 48
Fire damage: 6d6 + 15 ⇒ (2, 6, 2, 4, 5, 4) + 15 = 38
PCD-3 relies on their hardwired hatred to guide their aim
Gamma Rifle Ionizing vs EAC: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24
miss chance, High: 1d100 ⇒ 55
Fire Damage: 2d12 + 12 ⇒ (8, 4) + 12 = 24

Once again PCD-3... always the contributor of the group... manages to draw blood and singe flesh... just like they've done during every firefight they've been involved in...

The atrocite is none the pleased, but is still presented with an angry Solarian and (OH GODS I JUST NOTICED WHAT THRYM DID!).

The atrocite takes a flying Guarded Step away from Botamo, shouts a telepathic "May the Devourer consume your soul!", and Plane Shifts away.

COMBAT OVER!!
------------------------------
Kush ()
Thrym (–57 stamina)
RD-S2 (-2 stamina)
PCD-3 (7 damage)
Botamo (–9 stamina)

*nudges PCD-3 to introduce themselves*

"At least we have souls, and that must be tasty to be consume-worthy...
So, where did he, that, go?
To warn its friends?"

Mysticism: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17

"NO MAY HE CONSUME YOUR SOUL, HNNNHHHAAAHH!!!!" Botamo roars out moves and slashes at the atrocities seconds after it disappeared.

"HEY!!! COME BACK YE HOSER!... I dont know Kush. Wherever they went, I hope they have the bravery to face me again!" he yells triumphantly as he floats back to the ground.

PCD-3 scans the area for their target. Seeing that the target is gone they reload their sniper, place the partially expended battery in their backup generator.
"01001110 01101111 00100000 01110110 01101001 01110011 01101001 01100010 01101100 01100101 00100000 01101000 01101111 01110011 01110100 01101001 01101100 01100101 01110011 00100000 01100111 01110101 01100001 01110010 01100100 00100000 01110011 01110101 01100010 01110010 01101111 01110101 01110100 01101001 01101110 01100101 00100000 01100101 01101110 01100111 01100001 01100111 01100101 01100100 00101110"

"For the rest of the mission my drone will be guarding me instead of the ship. I feel their time is better spent on mission"
RD-S2 reloads their rifle, then hands the depleted battery to PCD-3

Did we know you had a drone already? How botamo reacts would definitely depend on if he was aware PCD-3 existed haha.

I said I introduced everyone to PCD-3 on the ship. But I guess I did not explain that it was my drone

Ahhh ok I Might have missed or forgot it. No worries!

Now that the combat had settled,"Well gosh darn, we aren't gonna stop those cultist hosers if we sit around here all day, lets head out eh?" he says before leading the way.

Kush looks at RD-S2 and PCD-3 reloading one another's weapons and exchanging items: "I did not know you were married!"

The group packs up and continues on.

Map updated.

Eventually, the path through the harsh jungle turns into the remains of a battered road leading to a large, bunker-like structure. As you approach, you can easily see that the front doors of the building have been blown inward by some explosive force, although the rest of the building has resisted the deterioration that all too often consumes architecture over time. Even so, jungle plants festoon nearly every exterior surface.

More of the jungle has been scorched here, most likely the result of a large explosion that has blasted a hole through the wall of a one-story building. The entrance is now a charred mangle of metal and melted plastic. Sounds of cruel laughter can be heard from inside.

"Seems like they just love destroying things... but, at least they are having fun!"

Kush will follow along if his Captain approaches.

Botamo couldn't help but continue to feel unsettled at how much this place looked like home... only brighter. but is that better or not?

His philosophical pondering was cut short when they came upon the scene; Botamo was disgusted. Such a weak creature being tortured for fun? That was not the hunter way and Botamo certainly wouldnt tolerate it from these ancestor blasted cultists!

Botamo began glowing with solar light as he aproached the cultist. He met the eyes of the red cultist before waiving his hand over his face and saying "this is not the entertainment you are looking for...."

Botamo uses Hypnotic glow to cast Command on the red cultist, asking him to flee. DC 20 will save.

Depending on Init'... but, if we get the drop:

Kush will cast a spell, aiming at the purple cultist before addressing him: "Hello, friend! I think our Atrocite comrade wants you to strip naked and go find 72 purple death-head mushrooms in the forest, to put up your--, well, we'll see what to do with when you get them."

Charm Person DC 18 Will Save

Red, Will Save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

"This cuddly creature isn't worth our time!" Red will flee when they get to act.

Purple, Will Save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

"Death-head? That sounds like something I'd do..." Charm Person is tricky to keep active, though, due to the "Any act by you or your apparent allies that threatens the charmed creature breaks the spell" part... but we'll see ^_^

The creature takes the opportunity to run into a corner and cower.

SURPRISE ROUND-ROUND 1
BOLD MAY ACT!!
------------------------------
Thrym (–57 stamina)
RD-S2 (-2 stamina)
PCD-3 (7 damage)
Black ()
Purple (charmed)
Red (about to flee...)
Yellow ()
Botamo (–9 stamina)
Kush ()

Odd happenstance of Initiative. Both Thrym and RD-S2 get a surprise action, and then they start off Round 1, so feel free to post both.

“This is my drone, I built them. We are not married.”
RD-S2 activates their energy shield while cranking the charge of their weapon before advancing. PCD-3 advances with RD-S2

Not wanting to disturb Kush's spell, Thrym simply braces his gun, and leans on it.

[Red] takes one look at the approaching Kish army and makes a bee line to the backroom exit, activating the door and shouting for help.

[Purple] wanders off into the forest (provoking from Botamo, if he chooses to take it) and promptly finds his first of many, many mushrooms.

The two remaining cultists rush forward and flank Kush! "Never liked Larry anyways."

Black, Sintered Longsword, Flank: 1d20 + 17 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 17 + 2 = 31
Slashing: 2d8 + 14 - 7 ⇒ (6, 4) + 14 - 7 = 17

Yellow, Sintered Longsword, Flank: 1d20 + 17 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 17 + 2 = 28
Slashing: 2d8 + 14 - 7 ⇒ (2, 6) + 14 - 7 = 15

The critter continues to cower.

ROUND 1-2
EVERYONE MAY ACT!!
------------------------------
Thrym (–57 stamina)
RD-S2 (-2 stamina)
PCD-3 (7 damage)
Black ()
Larry (1 mushroom collected...)
Red ()
Yellow ()
Botamo (–9 stamina)
Kush (-17 stamina)

Botamo ignites his sword in flame and slices at the yellow cultist!

fire vs KAC: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (20) + 17 = 378d6 + 56 ⇒ (3, 1, 6, 4, 4, 1, 2, 6) + 56 = 83 CRIIIIIITTT!

severe wound table : 1d20 ⇒ 111d20 ⇒ 12 Hmmm eye or eye? I choose eye! REF save vs DC 20 or lose and eye and suffer -2 perception!

"Lets see a hoser torture a helpless animal without an eye eh!!!" he says whipping his solar blade at the cultist face.

As the Black cultist slashes into Kush - thankfully he alleviates some of the blow -
(DR 7 ; so 10 damage)
Kush is quite surprised.
'What violence!'
So he swishes and swooshes, left and right, with his axe, at Black.
"So, what do you wish to discuss. I am new here, and keen on learning things!"

Axe vs. KAC: 1d20 + 14 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 14 - 4 = 22
Slashing Magic Adamantine Holy Ghost killer: 2d6 + 15 ⇒ (3, 4) + 15 = 22
Axe vs. KAC: 1d20 + 14 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 14 - 4 = 15
Slashing Magic Adamantine Holy Ghost killer: 2d6 + 15 ⇒ (3, 2) + 15 = 20

RD-S2 aims at the yellow cultist and fires.
Boosted overcharge vs EAC: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18
Fire Damge: 6d6 + 15 ⇒ (3, 4, 2, 5, 3, 5) + 15 = 37
Then boosts their weapon.

PCD-3 fires at the yellow cultist.
Gamma Rifle Ionizing vs EAC: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21
Fire damage: 2d12 + 12 ⇒ (8, 5) + 12 = 25

Reflex, Yellow: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

The eye patch that the Cultist wears anyways after gouging out his own eye months ago on a dare protects him from losing the same eye to Botamo.

It's the little victories in life, really.

(DR 7 ; so 10 damage)

Just like in Book 4, I subtract DR and any Energy Resistances in the damage roll ^_^

With the combined might of axe and gun [Yellow] goes down!

ROUND 1-2
THRYM MAY ACT!!
------------------------------
Thrym (–57 stamina)
RD-S2 (-2 stamina)
PCD-3 (7 damage)
Black (22 damage)
Larry (1 mushroom collected...)
Red ()
Yellow
Botamo (–9 stamina)
Kush (-17 stamina)

I've been slow to post due to traveling, and I know Thrym has been busy with the new online Convention; I'll give him another 24 hours to post.

Thrym focuses, and tries to 'pacify' Black.

Ghost Killer Minor Disruption Rifle: 1d20 + 18 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 18 - 1 = 34, for 3d8 + 10 ⇒ (3, 4, 2) + 10 = 19 Sonic damage.
Ghost Killer Minor Disruption Rifle: 1d20 + 18 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 18 - 1 = 18, for 3d8 + 10 ⇒ (1, 5, 1) + 10 = 17 Sonic damage.

[Red] regains their composure and runs back into the fray...

Red, Sintered Longsword vs Kush: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (5) + 17 = 22
Slashing: 2d8 + 14 - 7 ⇒ (3, 2) + 14 - 7 = 12

...while [Black] refocuses their anger against Botamo!

Black, Sintered Longsword vs Botamo: 1d20 + 17 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 17 - 4 = 25
Slashing: 2d8 + 14 - 10 ⇒ (2, 5) + 14 - 10 = 11

Black, Sintered Longsword vs Botamo: 1d20 + 17 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 17 - 4 = 15
Slashing: 2d8 + 14 - 10 ⇒ (7, 1) + 14 - 10 = 12

ROUND 2-3
EVERYONE MAY ACT!!
------------------------------
Thrym (–57 stamina)
RD-S2 (-2 stamina)
PCD-3 (7 damage)
Black (41 damage)
Larry (2 mushrooms collected...)
Red ()
Yellow
Botamo (–9 stamina)
Kush (-17 stamina)

Kush sighs, and starts swishing away, left and right, at the cultist in black...

Axe vs. KAC: 1d20 + 14 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 14 - 4 = 26
Slashing Magic Adamantine Holy Ghost killer: 2d6 + 15 ⇒ (3, 3) + 15 = 21

Axe vs. KAC: 1d20 + 14 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 14 - 4 = 14
Slashing Magic Adamantine Holy Ghost killer: 2d6 + 15 ⇒ (3, 2) + 15 = 20

Botamo swings his sword at the black cultist, "Your cowardly, and you will die for it this day!!" he yells as he slashes down twice.

Full attack fire vs KAC : 1d20 + 17 - 3 ⇒ (10) + 17 - 3 = 244d6 + 28 ⇒ (6, 6, 6, 4) + 28 = 50

Full attack fire vs KAC : 1d20 + 17 - 3 ⇒ (1) + 17 - 3 = 154d6 + 28 ⇒ (5, 6, 2, 1) + 28 = 42

And [Black] goes down!!

ROUND 2-3
BOLD MAY ACT!!
------------------------------
Thrym (–57 stamina)
RD-S2 (-2 stamina)
PCD-3 (7 damage)
Black
Larry (2 mushrooms collected...)
Red ()
Yellow
Botamo (–9 stamina)
Kush (-17 stamina)

Thrym turns his attention to Red.

Ghost Killer Minor Disruption Rifle: 1d20 + 18 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 18 - 1 = 23, for 3d8 + 10 ⇒ (8, 6, 8) + 10 = 32 Sonic damage.
Ghost Killer Minor Disruption Rifle: 1d20 + 18 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 18 - 1 = 24, for 3d8 + 10 ⇒ (6, 7, 3) + 10 = 26 Sonic damage.

RD-S2 takes aim at the Red cultist
Boosted Overcharge vs EAC: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30
Fire Damage: 6d6 + 15 ⇒ (4, 6, 5, 5, 5, 5) + 15 = 45
PCD-3 fires in tandem
Gamma Rifle Ionizing: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19
Fire Damage: 2d12 + 12 ⇒ (5, 2) + 12 = 19

Like a well-oiled machine, the group dispatches the remaining cultist, leaving just a whimpering animal cowering in the corner.

COMBAT OVER!!
------------------------------
Thrym (–57 stamina)
RD-S2 (-2 stamina)
PCD-3 (7 damage)
Larry (3 mushrooms collected...)
Botamo (–9 stamina)
Kush (-17 stamina)

Will post loot tonight. What would you like to do with the creature?