[SFS] GM Bigrin's Table 1 - In Pursuit of the Scoured Past (Inactive)

Game Master bigrin42

Fort Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12 Welp, there goes his hand.

Ouch! A 3-handed kasatha o_0

Gletch rounded the far corner just as the devil tightened his jaws and Senesdar jerked back a stump. The kasathan's lower-left hand was gone, the stump cauterized by the devil's fiery maw. Loomarch licked his lips and smiled. "Delicious. I love the taste of kasathans. Such...traditional flavors."

The grin was ripped from the devil's face as Azara drove his sword into the devil's back. He snarled as the hellknights continued to pour fire into the group, one dropping her flamethrower to stab at Yith with a pike. Yith jerked aside, but the flame poured over Senesdar's back, the kasatha barely standing from all the abuse.

Going to go ahead and take my round 5 action now, because I'll be busy this evening, and don't want to slow down the momentum of this madness.

Nope

Fighting through the intense pain he is in, Senesdar continues bringing his seismic pick down onto Loomarch, hoping to get in at least one lucky hit on the infernal creature.

Seismic Pick vs EAC (+Flank, -Grappled, -FA): 1d20 + 8 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 8 - 2 - 4 = 21
Damage (Sonic): 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13 Hm, the damage I've rolled has increased by one each round. Amusing.
Seismic Pick vs EAC (+Flank, -Grappled, -FA): 1d20 + 8 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 8 - 2 - 4 = 12

Yith casts and then steps between Loomarch and the stack of books, cramming herself in there to reach out and touch Senesdar...
"Not today, my friend.."

Mystic cure II healing: 3d8 + 4 ⇒ (6, 5, 4) + 4 = 19

He knew his luck was due to run out sometime, he just hoped it wouldn't have been right now. Cursing under his breath, Matt turns his attention to their critically injured team mate, and telepathically calls out to him with some inspiring words.

"You know you're not going to let that overgrown ash tray get away with that, right? You didn't need that hand anyway, you're so skilled you can beat him with two more tied behind your back!"

Matt then calls out to the rest of the team, cheering them on while pointing at the Loomarch. "Get 'em, team!"

Everyone gets a +1 to attack the target of Get 'Em! until start of my next turn. Inspiring Boost on Senesdar, who regains 11 Stamina Points (up to maximum) but can't gain the benefits of inspiring boost again until a 10-minute rest to recover stamina points.

Yith-Naarin moved in and healed Senesdar, who also felt a wave of stamina wash over him as Matt's inspiring words lifted his spirits. Fighting through the pain, he slammed his pick into Loomarch once more, release a gout of flames from the torn armor. In response, the devil lashed out at Senesdar's upper right arm, catching it with a heavy slash, but failing to grab onto it this time.

Unfortunately, Azara has nothing up his Solarian sleeve that will hurt Loomarch without hurting his fellow Starfinders...actually, he may not have anything that will hurt Loomarch, given his fiery nature.

Fortunately, he has this fancy new sword. He makes a stab at the elemental Hellknight with it.

Solar Weapon: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Slashing: 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (8, 2) + 6 = 16
Crit: 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (1, 1) + 6 = 8

Azara thrust his new sword deep into Loomarch, and the devil hissed in pain. The hellknights continued their attacks, one shooting Senesdar in the back, and the other thrusting for Azara, but missing. The air around you is thick with smoke as the fired continue to burn unchecked.

Yith moves back into the flank, swinging her Doshko at Loomarch again..
"Someone get that fire out!"

Doshko: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 2 + 1 = 13
Pierciing Damage: 2d12 + 6 ⇒ (12, 12) + 6 = 30

Yith's blow hit an already weakened portion of Loomarch's armor, and the devil's eyes bulged and erupted in fire as the doshko ripped completely through the creature. Flames swirled out from the body as it fell, joining those in the rest of the library, before going completely dark. The lifeless corpse lay still and unmoving in the middle of the chaos of the burning library.

Free now from Loomarch's grasp, and unable to do anything to help put out the fires, Senesdar runs over to the remaining Hellnight who is not engaged in combat. Attempting to leap the trench as he goes...

Athletics (DC 15): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20

he lands on the far side, seismic pick already swinging at his opponent.

Seismic Pick vs EAC: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Damage (Sonic): 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

"Trying!" Matt calls back to Yith-Naarin. Trying, and failing, he thinks. This is not exactly his area of expertise.

Taking careful aim, Matt lines up the shot against the northeast nozzles, and gently squeezes the trigger...

laser pistol, azimuth: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Fire damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Turning his attention back toward the fight from his eagle's nest above, he points toward the Hellknight nearest Senesdar and calls to the team, "Focus fire!"

Everyone gets a +1 to attack the target of Get 'Em! until start of my next turn.

Matt's shot burst the canister in the northeast corner sending a dry cloud of foam over the area. The foam seemed to have no effect on the people nearby or the books, but the flames in that area were snuffed out immediately. Senedar took advantage of the distraction to charge the hellknight shooting at him, and he buried his pick deep in the man's chest.

Sonic Pistol attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Gletch fires again, hoping that she can finally connect with her target canister.

If successful, I will begin moving right along the southern hallway.

"Give me some room, Yith!" Azara calls, feeling the solar energy building up in him to a crescendo that he can barely contain.

For the moment, he slashes the white rimmed Hellknight then steps away.

Solar Weapon: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Slashing: 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (3, 7) + 6 = 16

Gletch's shot was true this time, bursting the southwest canister and flooding that corner of the room with fire suppressant. In moments, only the fires in the southeast corner of the library were still burning. That didn't help Azara, as the solarian missed his strike. Still, his internal energies were filling him to the bursting point.

The hellknight facing Sensdar dropped his flamethrower and jabbed at the 3-armed kasatha with his pike. Senesdar twisted aside and the blow went wide. The other hellknight was either more skilled or had more luck, because her strike took Yith-Naarin in the side, adding vesk blood to the pool of kasatha and devil blood already in abundance on the floor.

Gletch runs down the hallway.

Over the comms, she says, "Azara, remember that we are trying to not burn down the library ... plus these guys have been walking through an inferno for 20 minutes, so probably immune to fire."

She doesn't have line of sight to the canister, but hurls a cold energy ray at the bit of flame she can see.

Basically treating a cold energy ray as a fire extinguisher, if possible

"Good job on the fires! Keep going!"

She grunts with the impact of the pike and whirls back on the Hellknight.
"Now, for you..."

Doshko: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
Piercing Damage: 2d12 + 6 ⇒ (1, 7) + 6 = 14

Her blow goes awry...

Senesdar continues his attack against the Hellnight, bringing two quick swings at his opponent. The first is a downward slash, going across their chest. He then reverses the swing of his weapon, bringing it back around in an upward movement.

Seismic Pick vs EAC (-FA): 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 8 - 4 = 18
Damage (Sonic): 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
Seismic Pick vs EAC (-FA): 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 8 - 4 = 24 Crit Effect: Blind (DC 16 Reflex save or be blinded 1d3 rounds)*
Crit Damage (Sonic): 2d8 + 20 ⇒ (4, 4) + 20 = 28

*(from bright weapon quality, from Loud & Proud Fighting Style Technique)

Azara rethinks his planned action, apparently. In any case, he steps back up next to Yith and swings a slash of his new sword at the Hellknight, again.

Solar Weapon: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Slashing: 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (2, 6) + 6 = 14

Crit Damage: 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (6, 7) + 6 = 19

Apologies for the delay!

Taking a deep breath, Matt crouches and steadies his aim by resting his elbow on his knee, aiming for the remaining canister in the southeast...

laser pistol, azimuth: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Fire damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

He points yet again toward the Hellknight nearest Senesdar and calls to the team, "Hit that guy!"

Everyone gets a +1 to attack the target of Get 'Em! until start of my next turn.

Yith-naarin spun and lashed out with her doshko, but the hellknight blocked the strike. Unfortunately for the hellknight, it opened her up to Azara's strike, which took her under the armpit and drove into her chest. Senesdar got a good hit in, wounding the hellknight badly, but leaving two foes still to contend with. Gletch put out one of the remaining fires, but Matt's shot was not able to penetrate the shell of the canister.

That left two foes still standing. The one with the white marks on her armor lashed out at Yith-Naarin, but missed. Senesdar wasn't as fortunate. The badly-injured kasatha took yet another blow, setting him back on his heels and feeling woozy from blood loss.

"Yith, help Senesdar. I can take care of this one!" Azara calls out.

He tries to put action to words, taking a slash with his sword in hopes of putting the target down.

Sintered Sword: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Slashing: 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (7, 3) + 6 = 16

Did pink succeed at the saving throw vs being blinded? Also, I don't think that you marked the damage on them in the Round 8 spoiler. They are marked as having the same HP as they did at the end of last round, without the damage I did this turn.

Sensedar swings two more times at the Hellnight facing him, desperately trying to bring this conflict to an end.

Seismic Pick vs EAC (+Get'Em, -FA): 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 8 + 1 - 4 = 14
Damage (Sonic): 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16
Seismic Pick vs EAC (+Get'Em, -FA): 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 8 + 1 - 4 = 23
Damage (Sonic): 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

Does the smoke provide cover or concealment, when firing at distance? For example, do I have a clear line of sight on the hellknight on the north side? I hit the other canister on a 14 earlier. Matt's gun has a range of 80 ft, so even if he had to take the penalty, it seems like that would have hit unless he was under some additional penalty.

Gletch moves up closer and fires at the remaining canister.

Thunderstrike shot: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Yith moves over to touch Senesdar.Healing flowing from her hand

Cure Wounds 2: 3d8 + 4 ⇒ (3, 8, 6) + 4 = 21

"Stay strong my friend!"

@Gletch - Matt hit, but didn't do enough damage. I am not adding any penalties for the smoke.

The final hellknghts fell with massive wounds, and Gletch managed to get a clean shot at the last fire suppression canister. The blue tank exploded in a shower of mist, and the flames sputtered out. Smoke still lingered in the room, and great swaths of books were badly damaged, or burnt entirely, but the library as a whole was saved.

After first making sure all the fires were out, you exited the library to get out of the smoke, and await further contact. It didn't take long. Royo came across the bridge, huffing and puffing, followed by the Curator, Albryan. The old ysoki panted, then held up a hand to indicate for you to wait as he caught his breath.

"Preliminary results from the data we recovered show...show that...<whew> show that one of the objects that were dispatched should have entered the system where Jadnura discovered it. That is one more data point to say we are on the right track. I used the same model and found another nearby system where an object should have come to rest. Well, nearby may be a misnomer, but with Drift travel it shouldn't be too far away. We will put together a mission for it as soon as we get back to Absalom Station. What a find!"

The Curator smiled and said, "It is good to see such enthusiasm come from knowledge gained and put to use. I wish I could say the same for the other party that came to Athaeum with you. Those hellknights managed to do a lot of damage here, and their leader stole one of our shuttles and made off with one of the texts stored here. It is especially troubling, as the volume takes appears to have no significant information in it. But that is a question for the Curators to settle."

"For you, let me relay our thanks for the service you rendered to preserve these remaining texts, and to do so without ruining them along the way. I shudder to think what a large volume of conjured water would have done to these ancient books and scrolls. You will, of course, not be charged a research fee for your time here, and I will be providing Royo with this data crystal> It will help you return to the Athaeum at any time, no matter where we are."

"Also, we are aware that the information you sought here relates not just to lost cultures, but to lost people as well. We will relax our normal procedures on wiping any devices or removing any written notes that you may have taken, allowing you to return with the information you came for, in its entirety."

"You know, it has been a long time since we Curators have had any interactions with the Starfinder Society. I think I will prevail upon my brother and sister Curators to change that. I think that we could work together to mutual benefit and a long-lasting relationship."

Gletch is intrigued to hear what Royo has to say, but glances toward the Curator, more interested in the immediate situation than their bigger objective at the moment. "What about the other Hellknight? The Vesk? Have they been detained? And Iteration-177? Do you think they were involved in the devil's plans?"

"I am surprised these Hellknights acted so openly here. I can only hope they will be brought to justice. I am, however, happy we could help. We have a good group here, even Matt..."
She looks over at Matt and winks.

"I am sure that the Hellknights believed they were dispensing justice. Their certainty in themselves burns as intensely as these books did and is an even larger detriment to knowledge. I am pleased that we were able to get what we came for and help save at least some of the texts here," Azara comments.

He looks around then settles his gaze on Senesdar. "A good group, indeed. Though one of us has suffered grievously for the cause."

"Good point, Azara! If there is anything I can do to help recover your hand, Senesdar, please let me know!"

Gingerly holding his lowleft arm, Senesdar carefully examines the stump of what used to be his lowleft hand. "Well, looking at it objectively the wound isn't all that bad. Loomarch took it off an inch or two past the wrist, and the flames completely cauterized the wound. Also, there is little hope of recovering the hand itself, due to the manner in which it was removed." Wincing slightly as he looks at it, he lowers the arm back down as he continues. "Other than phantom pains, I should be able to get through this. I will need to get a prosthesis upon returning to Absalom Station however. As impressive as this battle-scar is, missing a hand could really mess up my fighting style."

He pauses for a moment, then shakes his head slightly. "Thanks for the offer anyway, though."