Game Master S's "To Conquer the Dragon" (Table 1) (Inactive)

Game Master Chris Marsh

Kiv looks at the script on the side of the crate, "Zeizerer, huh? We may want to take a look in these crates. They carry the mark of a known weapons dealing clan." The operative looks at the unasked question from her team. "I spent some time of the drow home world recently. I picked up a few things."

Kiv inspects the other elements of the crash site before continuing on.

Physical Science: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
Medicine: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24
Engineering: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (15) + 15 = 30
Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31

"Oh, yes, House Zeizerer! I worked with them too. Nearly made me want to die my fur..."

Culture: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (18) + 20 = 38
Medecine: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (16) + 16 = 32
Physical Science: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22
Engineering: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (6) + 18 = 24

House Zeizerer stuff. Says Neroo looking at the crates.

She tries to understand the rest, looking with respect to the crashed vessel.

She send her drone inside.

Perception (Drone) Dark + low light: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21

Perception: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (15) + 16 = 31

Medicine to aid Neroo: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28

Engineering to aid Kiv: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (11) + 16 = 27

Maverick attempts to aid Neroo in examining the dead Shirren and uses his engineering expertise to see if he can aid Kiv in getting the gates open. As he is doing this he checks the area for radiation.

A common sensor is the radiation sweeper, a handheld device capable of detecting radiation within 120 feet. A radiation sweeper cannot detect radiation through 3 feet of dirt or wood, 1 foot of stone, 1 inch of common metal, a thin sheet of lead, or any force field.

The party begins to explore the area with a bit more care. So far, there are no signs of survivors. Indeed, it looks like the shirren died of a.... self inflicted grenade wound? It seems a strange conclusion, but it's the most logical.

Just before the team begins to pick the lock, Maverick spies something worrying. He sees something odd; a deep purple crystal. It's on the ground near the spilled oil. Upon seeing the crystal everyone immediately feels a magical presence seeking and looking for thoughts.

In just a few seconds the crystal begins to glow as it rapidly (and magically) scans everyone's surface thoughts! The pulsing glow intensifies and the crystal begins to give off heat.

It's a trap! If you're quick enough, you might be able to surprise the magical probe. Any one of you can make a Mysticism check to thwart it. Since failure has consequences, I'll closely track attempts.

Duhm Kaoh: Go
"Maverick": Go
Kiv: Go
Neroo: Go
Sparks: Go

@GM can we aid with our action?

Mystic to THWART {aid?}: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Sparks' fur bristles, and, dredging it up from her cheek pouches, she suddenly spits a toolkit right out of her mouth and straight into her hand.
Using this magical trapsmith toolkit, she hopes it will help her foil the crystal.
Since this is considered a trap, Sparks should get a +4 from the kit

She then glances around, to see if anyone's mojo is stronger than hers.
If so she will defer to them, otherwise she'll go for it!
If Sparks' bonus is the highest, she will roll as the Main person vs. the crystal ; if someone else has a higher bonus, she will Aid that person

"Let's do whatever to this thingamajing about to set the oil on fire!"
Mysticism w. Kit?: 1d20 + 8 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 4 = 25

Do we all make mysticism checks and see who has the highest score or is it the number of successes and failures?

"The crystal it's a TRAP!"

Mysticism: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32

I'll change it to aid if we are going for highest score and I don't roll the highest score.

To be honest, I think there's text missing from the scenario as it's not very clear how this is supposed to work. I am going with everyone tries, no aiding. Regardless, the DC was hit :-)

Quickly the party works to pull themselves away, closing off their mind so that it doesn't explode....

Once the threat passes it's a simple matter to return to the task at hand, which is a simple to pick lock.

In the process though, you manage to catch a look at the dead shirren's weapon. It's an adamantine microserrated longsword.

Kiv and Maverick also notice that the security cameras are still functioning, as their power light is on and they're still subtle oscillating.

Kiv studies the pattern looking for a gap in the coverage.

Do the cameras seem 'hardwired' or 'bluetooth'? Would it be possible to hack the network?

Maverick searches for an access point where he or another party member can hack into the controls for the cameras.

"We should take a look at what's inside the Drow crates. There might be some advanced weapon technology housed in them."

Sparks glances around, in her mind, the surveillance cameras and such are part of the old base--
correct? (not stuff on the ship or hastily set up?)
--and she glances at the trap-gem: wondering if it looks like it was dropped there just now, or if it is some sort of pre-installed defence mechanism?

She puts her hand on Neroo's arm: "This place is trapped, so keep your done close. They might have automated guns and such. Let me send someone in who is more... expendable."

Sparks starts waving her paws, and mumbling arcane words, opening a little portal in front of her, summoning in a creature from another plane of existence: a small tornado with little arms and glowing blue eyes appears through the gate.
"Hello Dyson!", says Sparks, before switching to Auran.

Sparks will give Dyson some instructions, the idea being for the elemental to fly around for its 6 rounds of fun on this Plane, first doing a perimeter sweep some 3 rounds w. 200 ft/round?, starting by going right, to end up coming back from our left and checking out the big gun, then, when it has looped back, to go zig-zag around the buildings, passing in between them.
His task is to see if there are traps, or people hidden behind the buildings or such.

"Do your sweep, Dyson!"

Full Round action to summon (lvl 1) an Air Elemental

Indeed the cameras look hardwired, and part of the ship. The map is of the crashed ship. The monolith it crashed into isn't really a building.

Maverick leads the way looking in the crates, careful not to give the spilled chemical a chance to ignite from a spark. Within there are a few high end processors made by AbadarCorp. They'd fetch a pretty penny, but it looks like the trapped gems are the only weapons. Unfortunately, it looks like the crash broke them.

Meanwhile, the security cameras... Can be hacked with a DC 24 Computers check.

Dyson also makes a sweep of the ship and sees no survivors. It does look like a large part of the ship survived intact, broke off the cliff, and plummeted, but the winds were too strong for even the elemental (as well as being too far away.)

"Thanks Dyson! I hope you like the snow! See you again next time!", the Ysoki tells the Elemental just before it pops back to its original Plane of existence.

Happy that there seem to not be any obvious traps, Sparks is ready to start moving in.

"So, no fun weapons to turn against their owners?"

(Thanks for the clarification, GM!)

Was playing at the store last night. Catching up.

"Nice work disarming that. I got lost in thought for a moment."

Kiv looks to Sparks, "Dyson seems to be quite a handy friend to have."

Maverick attempts to hack the security cameras.

Computers: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 17

 »Yes! Dyson is nice. And less and less shy: he stays longer now! »

 »What are you trying to do Maverick? Oh! Can I help...? »
automatic success for Aid Another Computers: +2

Neroo stays away and hacks the camera from afar

Computer: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (19) + 20 = 39

Done

And redirect the feed to her own computer.

Maverick just can't seem to figure out the code to hack the cameras. Turning to Jeroo, "Thanks Jeroo, I'm not familiar enough with the binary language of this computer system."

"Jeroo? She's Neroo! Neroo, who won Absalom Idol!"

"NEROO, did I ever tell you about the time I made a high speed pass on a space admiral's daughter."

"Reminds me of the time I caught something from a ghost lady."

Neroo easily hacks into the camera system. The good news is obvious; you now can see into every room on the wreck. The tactical map is now labeled with what you can see via the cameras.

The feed that immediately grabs your attention is the engine core. The starship’s power core chamber stretches the height of the vessel, with corrugated walkways connected to rung ladders stretching up and down the core’s housing. Cracks crisscross the reaction chamber and brief flashes of plasma discharge sear the air. It appears that several of Norys’s crew survived the crash and frantically work to stabilize the power core here!

Lets help them! We can't let them die there! And if the core explode, we could be killed too!!

Says Neroo who sends her drone exploring ahead.

Kiv is stunned by her fellow lushunta. "Their survival is not the mission, finding the stolen data is. Case in point 'Idol', we just tried to kill them within the last hour. That crew may have killed a number of guests under our protection. Need I remind you that these cowards fired on innocent civilians from space?!?! So yes, we can let them die here. It's better than they deserve." Kiv tries to determine the location of the stolen information.

Computer: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (8) + 15 = 23

Again, just some RP.

"I'd try to get our mission accomplished first... find the stolen data before everything goes up! We can always decide on helping them or not later.
Rather than getting into a firefight as soon as we stabilize the core...
Where do we go look?
Check the storage area first?"

Will you judge the soldier or the officer who give the order? For myself I prefer to give a chance to the soldiers.

Kiv comes up short on the information. The bridge, after all, is at the bottom of the ravine.

Once the party decides on whether or not to save them, I'll advance. No pressure from me.

Neroo decides to go help them, sending her drone ahead.

Sparks goes to check the door to the locker and storage area...

"Make no mistake, Neroo. They are not legitimate soldiers forced to carry out questionable orders. The Frozen Trove are zealots who signed up for this. They seek chaos with malicious intent. Everyone down there is guilty, and not one of them are deserving your mercy."

Vote for data recovery, but of course will back whatever the team decides

Duhm Kaoh follows Neroo. He turns around and jogs backwards, saying to his allies, "Keep in contact, I'll make sure she doesn't play solo in this band."

"Wait there could be a massive radiation leak in the reactor room." Turning to Kiv, "Find the data, I'm going with Neroo. When those Frozen Trove crazies try to kill her after she saves them someone is going to need to save her." Maverick sprints after Neroo and Kiv, his tactical pistol drawn in one hand and his radiation sweeper in the other, already activated and scanning for a radiation leak.

Duhm Kaoh looks over to see Jerris running alongside him.

"Don't blame you on the lack of confidence." Duhm Kaoh draws his axe while moving, "So lets see them cross the bull who is getting them out."

The party hustles over to the core room, hoping to save the survivors. The last thing they see on the security camera is a gout of flame erupting from the center and killing one of the three people in the room. Only two remain.

Opening the door, the scene is grim. They are rattled and nervous after the starship battle and subsequent crash and immediately draw weapons to shoot you! It feels more like they're operating on survival instincts alone, and not any sort of intelligent strategy. You think their morale could easily snap if pushed.

Hostiles: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Duhm Kaoh: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Maverick: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27
Kiv: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Neroo: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Sparks: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

One of the survivors, a burned and bleeding vesk lights a red star plasma doshko. The other, a yoski, draws a semi-automatic pistol. You can step on any square in the room, the differences are cosmetic.

Round 1:
Maverick: Go
Neroo: Go
Hostiles: TBD
Kiv: TBD
Sparks: TBD
Duhm: TBD

Stops this nonsense! If you want to survive, surrender. We we help you stop the reactor.

Says Neroo

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 17 + 1d6 ⇒ (12) + 17 + (4) = 33

"Neroo this is your show, if it had been my choice I would have let them die. If they even look at me wrong I'm going to blow them off the face of this planet."

Delay Maverick's turn until after Neroo. After she goes Maverick will sense motive.

Is my holographic clone still active?

I guess we can't split the party? I had assumed we were going to have the three of us in the engine room and the other two looking for the data.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30

You can totally split the party. I updated the map to include everyone more as a precautionary measure in case they preferred to be involved. No worries on the map, though, as you'll see, Neroo has it well under control.

Before the two can attack, they heed Neroo's words and lower their weapons. They take one look at the core and then decide that their fate with you is their best option. They toss their weapons down, and march out of the room.

After about a minute, the core of the Diamond Glow simply shuts down. Trying to save it was quixotic at best.

They ysoki speaks up, "Please, it was just a job. I don't.... we don't want to die."

"Tell that to all the dead people you left behind on Triaxus," Maverick growls. He quickly uses his binders to lock the Ysoki's wrists behind its back. "Duhm take care of that Vesk. Well, Neroo what are we going to do with these two now. We can't just let them walk off."

Watching Neroo lead the group off into the core of the reactor, Sparks continues to go to check the door to the locker and storage area...

Maverick's admonition strikes hard. The mercenaries talk nervously, "We didn't know. It was supposed to be a bluff. She went crazy. CRAZY. She had these sudden fits of terrible rage. I heard Norys mutter something about 'revenge for the Icefront Research Station.' We're sorry. Really."

Sparks wanders off to check the door to the locker area Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20, and it seems completely safe.

Sparks will open the door, enter... and rummage around, waiting for the monster to pop out of somewhere.
Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31

Sparks picks up 2 medpatches and a canister of sprayflesh... and hopefully nothing else.

"All clear in here! You guys having fun?"

Duhm Kaoh lifts up the vesk.
"Come on; what good is a pay check if you can't live to spend it?" Seeing the confused look on the Vesk's face that a Hellknight Nuar is helping him and being considerably nice about it, Duhm Kaoh adds "The armor is for performance, but Zon-Kuthon doesn't accept the death of enemies if they can feel pain longer."

Duhm Kaoh radios back. "Yeah, buy a drink for Neroo, she made this easy. I don't believe these guys will cross us again. If they do, Zon-Kuthon doesn't give mercy twice."

"Well, Norys is CRAZY. Look, you can even take my weapon if it works as proof that we don't want a fight. It's probably best to assume she died in the crash and walk away."

Reassured the her instinct was good, Neroo says

Never assumes that the beast died.

She adds turning to her new friends Please, if you want to help, your testimony will be of great help against her! she then turns to her comrades If we can take Norys alive and judge her for her War Crime I think it will best, for the Society and for Justice. Put your weapon on stun and lets find her.

Where was she before the crash?

"Oh no. Ohhhhh no. Video statement, sure. Come with you? Absolutely not." It seems obvious to Neroo that they'd rather fight you unarmed than accompany you.