Hmm's SFS 2-01: Pact World Warriors (PBP Gameday VIII) (Inactive)

Game Master Hmm

Tyus, thinking she recognizes the vesk with the drone from a previous episode, starts to hold up a hand in a shy wave, but immediately drops it when the dwarves begin harumphing. She adopts a more serious expression and pose, even crossing her arms and turning slightly to the side, as she’s seen so many contestants do before.

Smek takes a moment to size up the other team (and seizing a moment to build some PR), then walks up to the Halfing and extends a paw, "Starfinders never back down from honest competition. Ask Ratrod and the Salvage Union on Absalom. We fight fair, and we fight hard. Hopefully your team won't disappoint. Good luck."

Whether his offer of friendly competition is accepted or not, Smek gives their opponents a friendly grin and a quick bow... Which he uses to lead into a backflip joining his team, "And thank you Zo! for a chance to show what the Starfinders can do!"

Flahsy Flips if needed: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16

"Wha-a-atever." Moxie says, turning her back pointedly on the dwarves, Rose and Smek.

Meanwhile, the agendered android claps at Smek's back flips. "Oh, you're right! This competition is supposed to be fun and fair. I'm Verity! I'm so delighted to be on the show!" They smile at Smek. "Oh, please, introduce the rest of your team!"

The female vesk mechanic, seeing Tyus's glance of interest, walks up to the half-elf and inspects her gear. "I am Shonvyzam, an engineer from Vesk Prime. So... How do they equip Starfinders these days? Ah, with second skin and an equally second rate subzero pistol. How very sad for you. Vesk technology is far superior. Our gear is made to be sturdy and to last... But yours will obsolesce after just a few missions." The vesk shows off her own gear, vesk-made second skin, bruiser de-coupler, and cestus battleglove.

Meanwhile, the dashing looking lashunta male ambles over to the table containing your hosts and smiles at them, running a hand through his long, wavy hair. "Hello there!" he grins at Quell and Lethea. "I can see why Zo! chose you two as our hosts. You're both drop-dead gorgeous! My name is Rafelo! I was voted 'Mr. Qabarat' two years in a row, but I'm here to show everyone I am so much more than a pretty face!"

The male pahtra says nothing, just quietly walks around you, tail twitching, as he studies you.

Poke!

Then the pahra brushes up against Smek.

"Oh how careless of me, but with you flipping everywhere, I got momentarily confused about where I was," the Pahtra says. He ends his movement in an incredibly intricate dance move designed to show up Smek's fancy flips.

Profession Dancer: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

He bows equally gracefully, his proud tail high in the air. "I am Tillik."

"Nice to meet you, Verity. I expect this will be rather entertaining for us as well as for the audience.

Rose-5 inspects Shonvyzam's gear closely, trying to find a flaw that she can point out.
Engineering: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

She probably doesn't find anything worthy of a witty quip, though.

She speaks to Rafelo, "Perhaps if you would like people to stop associating you with your physical attractiveness, it would serve you well not to introduce yourself by telling people of your victories in contests in which attractiveness is a primary component. I am now thinking a lot more about your physical attractiveness than I would have been if you had not made those comments, so your strategy is counterproductive.

In response to Tillik's remarks, she says, "I'm glad that you are no longer confused about where you are. Smek, I did not realize that your flips could be so disorienting. This tactic may well be of use to us in the challenges ahead."

Frank eyes over the Vesk and her equipment. "Aye. It is rugged, and pretty. Pretty useless. I would'na ev'use tha' junk as supports in m'mines. Breaks when given a real test. Like t'Vesk!"

As a note, Frank's suit has pieces over 150 years, as well as recent updates. Although asymmetrical in appearance and definitely jury-rigged in places. Solid and tough as anything that has been tinkered by a dwarf for two centuries.

Tyus grins at the vesk.

”Well, Shonvyzam, if equipment were reliable, we wouldn’t need engineers, would we?”

She balances her second-rate pistol in her open palm and then concentrates on it, raising it 15 feet into the air. She lets it drop and tries to catch it nonchalantly as she says, ”I rely on ability, not tools,” with special emphasis on the word “tool” as she winks at the vesk.
Dexterity: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

If she catches the pistol, she casts ghost sound and makes the sound of an appreciative audience.

Casting telepathic message.

Deger sends a thought to Moxie, {Don't pout, it doesn't send the message you're trying for.} If she turns back to look at him he gives her a wink.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Eh, couldn't beat that DC even with a 20...

Smek brushes himself off, eyeing the Pahtra skeptically. "No worries, I'm sure Zo! will have us in worse situations. Nimble, impressive." Smek continues to engage with their opponents in friendly banter, but tries not to reveal too many of his abilities. He keeps a careful eye on each trying to guage their abilities, and weaknesses.

Any chance to learn something?
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 or
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Rafelo struts flirtatiously over to Rose, striking a manly pose. "Are you thinking of my attractiveness? How adorable!"

Shonvyzam looks at Frank's jury-rigged armor with amusement. "Vesk do not break, and continually patching the same shabby equipment over and over... that is being cheap, not virtuous!"

Tillik dances back again, this time holding Smek's borrowed pistol in his hand. "You appeared to lose something, next time don't be so... careless." He offers the pistol back with a flourish, pleased to have made an impression.

Meanwhile, Moxie glares at Deger. "Out of my head! Out of my head! After we're done with you, there won't be enough to pour down a sewer drain!"

Meanwhile, Verity is looking more and more alarmed. "Um, guys... this is supposed to be fun. Right? We're here to test ourselves and make new friends!"

Moxie turns to her teammate, "No, you idiot. We're here to CRUSH them. Gah! If you weren't so good with spells, you would not be on the team."

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

Meanwhile, Quell and Lethea are already starting to banter. "Oh my Quell, have you watched these sparks fly?"

"I have, Lethea!" Quell claps his hands. "It's almost like they're chomping at the bit to start competing! What do you think of the competition so far?"

"Well, Rafelo is quite the prettiest thing I have seen in some time," Lethea's ghostly voice observes. "And that Tillik is so graceful that we would have only caught his clever thievery on slo-mo replay. Let's watch it again!"

The cameras catch the fast bit of thievery in the middle of Tillik's practiced dance, showing it on the big screen.

"I can't help wondering," says Quell, "If there wasn't a bit of jealousy involved in him taking one of Zo!'s prizes, even if he returned it later..."

"Exactly." Lethea's ghostly voice continues. "However, I notice no cohesion in the ranks of the Rivals, while the Starfinder Six -- er, make that Seven," both undead laugh for a moment before continuing, "back each other up and have quips to spare! This will be an interesting set of contests for sure!"

"Alright, Studio Audience! What do you think so far?"

Approval Rating, Rivals: 1d100 ⇒ 97
Approval Rating, Starfinder 7: 1d100 ⇒ 2

Zo! wags a finger warningly at the audience. "Now, now, now...Just because the Rivals are bad that doesn't make them good, amirite? As for the Starfinders... let's see what kind of team spirit they can bring! Time for the next competition!"

OMG, Zo! and his polls!

That anti-Starfinder propaganda must really be working!

"That's right, Zo!" Lethea's ghostly voice agrees. "It's time for the first challenge: an obstacle course that only a true Pact World Warrior could survive.”

As the staff hustles you out of the room and toward the set, Quell fires a parting shot: “Smell you later, contestants. Feel free to be scared—fear is my favorite flavor!”

"Fear, ha!" Moxie says. "We Rivals eat fear for breakfast!" She waves to all of you as you are hustled off to separate obstacle courses. "Goodbye, losers!"

Smek tries to walk past Verity as they exit, whispering "Good luck, and yes we can be friends." He gives her a friendly wink as they pass.

He turns to Moxie, "Fear for breakfast... Ah, that must be why you stink of it!" He gives a Moxie playful grin, "Good luck Rivals, with leadership like that you'll need it." He waves as they leave.

Smek's whisker quiver in frustration hearing the polling... "Oh well, we'll just look all the brighter when we win as underdogs." He speaks more quietly to the team, "The announcers are right, the only thing holding them together is a vague will to win. We can use that, keep them questioning each other and in-fighting." He inspects his Subuer closely as he speaks, making sure it wasn't tampered with.

"We READY Starfinders?!" Smek tries to pump up the team in front of the cameras.

"So... While Smek gives the team an amazing Pep Talk, let's glance ahead, shall we?" Zo! grins, displaying a map of the entire complex.

The map is displayed on SLIDE ONE.

"Each team will be on its own identical obstacle course, separated by a floor-to-ceiling steel divider. The course is segmented by searing hot lava channels to prevent contestants from bypassing obstacles. Also because lava is AWESOME!" Zo! waves his bony arms dramatically to show just how awesome lava is. "This is a timed event, and we'll be counting each contestant's time on our score clock!"

Zo! pauses to straighten his bow tie. "That of course assumes that they are able to get past our escape rooms, of course... Oh, this'll be fun!"

From now on, we're going in rounds.

You all get herded to an elevator. You go down hundreds of feet in the elevator, when suddenly the floor of the elevator gives way and you get dumped unceremoniously into an escape room. This windowless, featureless steel chamber appears to contain no doors or hatches, preventing escape. Searing heat radiates from the floor and walls, suggesting a scorching climate or a raging fire outside the building.

ROUND ONE

Feel free to give me Perception and Engineering Checks!

Deger falls and lands directly on his head, fortunately he has his helmet on. "Hey! You can't do that to dwarves! Ve are top heavy!"

After rolling around like some shelled creature to find his feet, Deger takes a look around.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Then, just in case, the mystic will loon for any sort of magical signs.

Casting Detect Magic

Rolling on to his feet, Frank then finds and stores his c-gar while surveyin the current situation.

Engineering: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Engineering: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22

Smek tries to land in low crouch, like something out of a high-budget action vid. He takes a moment to look over the team and make sure everyone landed without incident. "Remember the team as a whole is being timed, help each other. Keep an eye out for surprises, Zo! loves improv... And real lava apparently."

Rose-5 awkwardly clambers back to her feet and looks around at the group. "Is everyone all right? That was quite the fall. Spinning Falcon, who had been slammed into the ceiling when the elevator fell, beeps in irritation. His decorative wings are now dirty and slightly askew. Rose-5 speaks to him, "Yes, I know you don't like it when your wings aren't pristine. But I don't have time to clean you right now. Sorry."

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Engineering: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

Falcon's Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

A number of things happen in the hot room. First, Deger notices a faint abjuration magical aura hailing from fairly high up on the west wall, while Smek discovers a secret door... and opens it. Meanwhile, Rose notices a small vent that is ten feet up on the same west wall -- right where Deger pointed!

Perhaps Spinning Falcon can be sent up to investigate it?

The rest of the obstacle course becomes visible, and a wave of hot - but fresh - air hits you as you escape into the much less stuffy swamp.

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

Quell shouts, "And both teams make it out of the escape room in record time! But... can they face the Mires of Misery?"

"I am breathless with anticipation, Quell!" Lethea's ethereal voice gushes.

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

Deep lava channels surround the area. A section of hard-packed dirt rises above the lava, protected on its sides by a visible force field of blue-white energy. The bank slopes downward toward an area completely submerged in muddy water. Four narrow wooden planks float along the bog's surface, offering a dry route through the morass.

A chunk of land leads into a bog submerged in 4 feet of standing water. The bog counts as difficult terrain, and Small or smaller creatures must swim, requiring a successful DC 10 Athletics check to move through these squares. The PCs can travel along the floating planks at full speed by succeeding at a DC 15 Acrobatics check to balance, or travel at half speed with by succeeding at a DC 10 Acrobatics check to balance; a PC who fails falls off the floating planks.

ROUND ONE still to act
Tyus
Kemashi

ROUND TWO
Deger
Frank
Kemoshi
Rose-5 and Spinning Falcon
Smek
Tyus

Please move yourselves on the map as you describe what you do!

Tyus lands unceremoniously on her back, but with a big smile, she claps her hands and springs up, spinning around to take it all in. She nods at Rose-5 and adds “Yeah—that was AWEsome! Is your drone okay?”

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Engineering: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Don't forget to give me your Round Two actions!

Smek glances around assessing the new terrain. "How does the team feel about me moving forward and see if there are traps? Correction, there will be traps maybe I can find them before they find us. Someone check that vent, could be a short cut or something helpful."

He draws the Subduer and makes sure to flash the branding to the camers, "Thanks Zo! for the quality equip and entertainment!" Moving forward cautiously, Smek first looks for signs of the other team, then continues. are we alone in here?

Smek has Trap Spotter (Ex) - You double your operative’s edge bonus to Perception checks to notice traps. Additionally, you automatically receive a Perception check to notice a trap when you pass within 10 feet of it. So my mod for finding is Per +7 if you need it Hmm.

Perception/Traps: DC ??: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

"Follow in my footsteps as best you can, if we can avoid a trap I will. Saves time. Let me know if you need me to help with any balancing or sneaking!" With that the Ysoki moves forward in short, rapid bursts low to the ground sniffing and scanning for anything unusual. When he reaches the planks he grins, nimbly stepping across in a mock-dance similar to Tillik. Gray arrows on map are the route Smek used.

Acrobatics/Planks: DC 15: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19

That sounds great. So long as someone is checking the terrain, you can also feel free to give me survival checks!

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

Smek walks from the sandy shore to the planks with no issue, dancing an ysoki victory dance!

"What... they're expecting traps?" Zo! raises his hand to his forehead in mock anguish. "I hope we're not becoming predictable!"

"I like the sound of you stepping on the traps first," Deger replies to Smek. He then follows the Ysoki out of the room, albeit a little slower. As he moves Deger takes stock of the surroundings.

Double Move.

Survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Frank, knowing his balance is not his strength, he move up (as quickly as his stubby dwarf legs go) And then surveys the bog:

Survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Deger and Frank notice a hazard! The water closest to the pier conceals a 15-foot-square area of quicksand. The pier itself is safe, but wading through that area -- or falling off -- might have consequences!

The quicksand is marked in brown!

Smek gives Deger a grin, "They'd have to be good to catch me," then addresses the speaker projecting Zo!'s voice, "Maybe another competition, Building a Better Mouse Trap! LIVE!. Let's see if Zo! and his team can catch a Ysoki!"

Survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

He shouts back anything useful he learns as he scampers across the obstacle course.

"Maybe we don't have to catch you! We can catch one of your teammates!" Quell replies to Smek.

All of a sudden, a claw descends from the air and extracts a surprised Kemoshi from the escape room!

"Aiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeee!" Kemoshi's arms and legs flail as he disappears from sight!

Over the speakers, you hear Radaszam growl, "What is the meaning of this? I demand an explanation!"

Lethea's calm voice states, "He got sucked out through a plot hole in the fourth wall! But don't worry! We'll let you insert a randomly chosen replacement!"

Radaszam yells, "WHOMEVER IT IS BETTER BE A STARFINDER! We had a contract for this show!"

We'll miss you, Kemoshi!

"And now for my favorite sport! BUG DROPPING!"

Zo! throws a giant lever next to him, and a trap door opens over the mires of misery, unceremoniously dumping a surprised shirren starfinder from his place in the studio audience on to the sands below.

"Well, rats. I didn't hit anyone. Oh well, there's always next time, amirite?"

"AHHHH!" the shirren shrieks aloud as she lands with a THUD on her butt in the sand. "CONFUSED!"

Quickly adapting to her unceremonious entrance, the brown-colored shirren hops to her feet and looks around with large blue compound eyes. Her antennae quiver wildly. She wears well worn, practical clothes and armour, and carries a big knife, and a semi-automatic pistol holstered on her hip. A few healing serums poke out from her pockets, but the backpack over her shoulder looks practically empty. Curiously, she has long brown hair growing atop her head. Whether it is a genetic anomaly or a wig is unclear.

Seeing fellow Starfinders she claps her hand in glee. "Oh! Hello soon-to-be-friends! HAPPY! I am Zez'ka! My last four missions were terribly horrifying and heart-wrenching! Sad! Suspenseful! SAD!" Her antenna droop in mourning. "I hope this one involves less death, dismemberment, and tears. Hopeful!" Her antennae perk right back up. "What is going on? CURIOUS!"

Noticing everyone seems to be moving really quick across the room, she lets out a loud gasp and clacks her mandibles. "OH! We're racing! I get it! Confident!" She claps her hands again, apparently very proud of herself. "Excited!"

Zez'ka moves to follow the others.

Zez'ka stands up, spends way too long talking, and moves a few spaces toward the wood planks. Movement marked in yellow.

Welcome Zez'ka!

Smek watches, somewhat dumbfounded, as a teammate is plucked from the competition only to have another air-dropped in. "Zo! you're a mad genius..." Snapping back to the obstacle course, "Smek here Zez'ka, glad to have you on board. Don't think this will be lethal... At least if we're careful." He grins broadly, and quickly tries to bring the Shirren up to speed on the game and what the team knows. Ask away if you have any questions, you haven't missed too much.

round 1
Tyus spends just a little too long looking around and trying to come up with a clever plan, before realizing the rest of the party has found a way forward. She looks embarrassed momentarily, then as surprised as the rest by the sudden replacement.
Running up to her new shirren ally, she offers a low-five and asks “HOW did you get tickets to this??”

Survival: 1d20 ⇒ 9

round 2
She eyes the planks, finds her balance, and prepares to ninja-warrior run her way across.

Acrobatics: 1d20 ⇒ 15

Chick. Whirr.

BOTTING OUR MOST NOBLE OVERLESHY

Spinning Falcon pulls out the package and then flies out of the Escape Room.

Rose-5 announces, "Um guys, there's lots of useful stuff in here!" before running out of the room herself.

"Oho, did you see that, Lethea?" Quell's voice crows with glee.

"I certainly did, Quell! Listen to him scream! Do you think he's stuck for the competition?" The ghostly voice is quite cheerful, watching some off-screen drama.

"Oh, I hope so! TASTE that delicious fear! My favorite flavor!"

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

ROUND THREE

Deger
Frank
Rose-5 and Spinning Falcon
Smek
Tyus
Zez'ka

AFter surveying the bog he sees a path to avoid the quick sand. "Well I am slow either way. So i'll take t'low road"

Frank wades though the bog avoiding the quicksand. Also fells around for any other "packages" that may be along his route.

Frank sloshes safely on the slow path. He does not trip over any hidden little presents along the way.

Meanwhile, you hear Lethea exclaim, "Moxie just kicked him in the head! I guess she doesn't tolerate failure well!"

Seeing what Frank is doing, Deger follows suit. "Good idea. As I mentioned, top heavy."

Another double move. Will we have to climb up once we get to the other side?

Smek chuckles imagining the antics of the opposing team, seeing Spinning Falcon produce a crate of useful tidbits, "Another finely crafted Zo! Care Package! Thank you!" He turns to the team, If anyone gets close enough I'll take a medpatch, the grapple, and the titanium line. I can use those to build a path if necessary."

He continues to scamper forward keeping an eye out for traps or 'natural' pitfalls.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27 and just in case
Survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Switched line color to bright purple for visibility on the map, for Smek's travel route.

Wait up, Smek! There is a wall to climb before you can go down that slide!

"Smek has reached the Wall! of! Champions!" Zo! pronounces each word as its own exclamation mark. "Can he ascend? Oh, Moxie can! Look at those little legs go!"

A sheer rock face towers above the bog. Jagged outcroppings jut from the wall to provide handholds and footholds for climbing. Atop the cliff is a metal platform that features a hatch that leads to a metal chute.

This 30-foot-tall vertical plane of stone culminates in a metal slide leading toward a blue grassy area. You can climb the wall by succeeding at a DC 15 Athletics check. Once at the top of the wall, you enter the slide by stepping onto the automated hatch. Using the slide costs no movement and dumps the you onto the grass.

What does Smek do?

Sorry! Thought those were just steps on the map... Smek is known for being over-zealous! :)

Reaching the wall Smek calls back (and uses the comm if needed), "Can Spinning Falcon bring me that gear after all? I'll climb up, secure the line and everyone can follow?" Smek waits for the team's response and the gear.

If there's consensus and Falcon can get him the gear, he launches the grapple and uses it to help scale the wall.

Athletics/DC 15: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

At the top, he resets the grapple and secures the titanium line for the others to use. "Good pace all! Keep alert, I doubt Zo! will let us keep this up for long. Last one up, retrieve the line just in case."

Taking a half moment to grandstand for the cameras as climbs and ties off the line, "Ok Zo! and Company, that claw trick was impressive! But when does the obstacle course start? Or weren't you ready for Starfinder training and team work?"

Smek then dives into the slide and rolls into a ready, action-hero crouch at the bottom.

Acrobatics/For the Fancies: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 15

I know we're using rounds, let me know how much that chews up?

Because you climb at half speed, you are still climbing at the end of ROUND THREE. However, I will allow the Athletics DC for others using the cable to drop to 10. I'm assuming that Rose would allow Spinning Falcon to just fly the box to you. You will land in the grass on ROUND FOUR, and still have a little movement left.

Zez'ka hops onto the wooden planks and scampers across, careful not to lose her balance.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22

She finds herself at the base of the wall, and reaches up for the cable line...

Double move gets her to the base of the wall, she took the wooden planks.

Good on the break, and I'll hold posting till the Round 4 call goes up.

Athletics/Climb: DC 15: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Not sure where we are but I will post a few moves since I will be offline later today

Frank will continue to slog though the mud keeping an eye out for more quicksand.

Survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Once on the other side will climb the wall
Athletics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

Thanks for the bot! Turns out my trip is delayed a day due to flooding in Houston. If you are in the Houston area, stay safe and dry!

Before going into the vent to find the gear, Falcon replies to Tyus.
"Beep bloop beep!"
He then flies up to Tyus, hovering right over her shoulder, and makes a softer sound.

As stated on the bot-turn, Falcon nudges the gear down from the vent. It's a bit awkward and unwieldy, as his appendages are entirely occupied with his weapon, but he manages. Rose-5 then carefully stacks the crate on top of him so that he can fly over to Smek.

On Round 3, Falcon and Rose both double-move forward. Rose decides to play it safe and only try to move at half speed across the planks.
Acrobatics DC 15: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Looks like she didn't need to be worried after all! Meanwhile, Spinning falcon flies up far enough to be able to see around the corner.

He's surprised to see Zez'ka here all of the sudden. He tilts his whole body to the side as he flies near her, and says "Beep boop BOP boop? Boop blip bee boop bop bee? Be boop be booop be bebebeeep... Rose-5 calls out, "He said, 'wait, where did you come from? And also welcome. And he would also like you to carry the box, because it's bothering his wings that are already scuffed and dirty." She then sighs and speaks to Falcon, "I promise we'll go to a detailing shop once we're back on Absalom station, OK?"
"Beep Beep beep!