[PbP Gameday VIII][SFS 2-03] The Withering World (GM Gustavef) (Inactive)

Game Master Andrew Harasty

/activate empathy subroutines ... processing... processing...

”DOCTOR!” shouts The Analog Affair. ”ARE YOU OK?”

He immediately wraps his end of the cable around himself and yells to AMOSU, ”HOLD ON! I’M GOING DOWN!”

He leaps into the crevasse, activating his jump jets to set himself down safely near Doc Conway.

”You weren’t affecting sarcasm as a form of social commentary when you claimed not to be an acrobat, were you? And, what does ‘f%!!ing m*&!!$~~$!*& c@**,’ mean?” asks the somewhat naive android as he hands Doc Conway the cable to tie around himself.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16Please add any GM mods for Jet Pack

With the line from Analog secured around its waist, AMOSU quickly calculates a series of jumps and rolls to cross the tree-bridge.

Watching as the others cross, AMOSU braces itself using the near by rocks or trees. As the Doctor falls and Analog dives after him, AMOSU's eyes widen and then set as it prepares for the inevitable snap of the line.

Jet Packs will work. However...

Gulkyn slips a bit but with the cable able to not fall in to the creavasse. The Doctor, not so lucky.

Ref, Gaelin: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13
He does slip and fall taking some damage 2d6 ⇒ (2, 3) = 5. But fortunately catches himself before falling too deep in the pit of glowing bugs. Though while dangling over the edge the mound of glowing insects seem to surge and build up towards him.

Dr Gaelin will need to make another Acrobatics or Athletics to climb back up and out

athletics: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (20) + 0 = 20

[dice=athletics]d20+0

The Analog Affair watches Doc Conway dig deep and pull himself up the cable, out of the crevasse.

/activate team spirit promotional commentary... processing... processing

"Damn. Doctor Conway. You are doing very well. You. Go. Boy."

Erm ..... thanks ... replies a rather embarrassed Dr Conway. He then brushes himself down in case any bugs are still crawling on him. Shall we continue?

After clearing the crevasse you make your way to the Ancient Ruin

A well-trod path of orange soil winds through the lush vegetation in this sheltered grove. Tall, gray trees crowned with yellow leaves hide the sun from view, but the white nimbus of light surrounding the black hole is inescapable and dominates the sky. In the southern end of the grove is an ancient stone ruin Yellow Star, sunken into the earth, while to the east is a tall stone marker illuminated by blue and red symbols Red Symbol.

Gaelin and AMOSU catch sight of some type of technological sensor at the green maker. Looks like some type of motion or infrared detector.

AMOSU will halt the group and point out the sensor system, "It would appear that others are interested in monitoring the status of this menhir. I shall attempt to disable the device without alerting the other party."

AMOSU moves around the sensor's field of observation, and attempts to wire the sensor so that it continues to show the area as undisturbed.

Trying to disable the sensor, but make it look like it's operating normally.
Engineering: 1d20 + 10 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 10 + 4 = 22 +10 Skill Mod, +4 Kit

AMOUS is able to see that the sensor was a trigger for a grenade trap and is readily able to nullify its potential danger.

Feel free to move around and let me know what you would like to examine. I will be slow this weekend as I am at Skal con. So no hurry

Once AMOSU gives the all clear, Gulkyn will cautiously approach the stone marker and see what he can learn.
Perception?: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Are we able to acquire and use the grenade? Or was it 'ruined' by the disarm?

AMOSU goes through its pack, taking out an array of sensory equipment. "I shall begin analyzing our surroundings. I shall alert the team to anything of interest."

Perception: 1d20 + 9 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 9 + 4 = 24 +9 Skill Mod, +4 Toolkit

Disabling the trap yields you two mk 1 "disintegrator grenades" Like incendiary grenades but does acid damage instead

Gus examines the ruins and considers their construction, wondering if they appear to be in good shape.

engineering: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

*goes to have a closer look at the tall stone marker*

A stone pillar, tightly orbited by glowing symbols that hover mere inches above its surface, rises above this clearing. Most of the floating symbols are white, though the bottom third are blue. In the center of the menhir, a tarry black growth contracts every few seconds like a slowly beating heart. Bulging blackened veins radiate out from this grotesque tumor, creeping farther across the stone with every pulse. Around these veins the floating symbols glow a malign red and become jagged and malformed.

Around the menhir the world is changed. It’s hot, the plants are dead, and the air stinks of decay. The once-white accretion disk of the distant black hole glows blood red, cradling and ominous black disk in its center—the singularity’s event horizon impossibly made visible.

The black growth beats. Its veins writhe. A blue symbol shatters, its shards of light darken to red, then rejoin in a new configuration.

physical science: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

Gus will share what he has found.

"Looks like we got some cypherin' to do!"

AMOSU moves next to Gustav, offering to help with the formulas.

mysticism: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23phy sci: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Might have to leave you guys to do the cyphering. I'm a doctor, not a mathematician

Gus plugs some of these formulas into his custom rig. Can any of them be solved?

computers?: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

Clearly out of his element with the formulas, Gulkyn moves on to explore the ruins, while keeping an eye out for more cultists.

It looks like you will be able to “correct” the equations.

There are three equations that need to be corrected, but only one person can work on them at a time. And it takes a full round action to do. They can be corrected with a Mysticism, Physical Science, or Profession(Mathematics) check

As you start your work, the corrupting energy reacts to your efforts and two of the guardian statues, covered in the corrupting growth, animate and move towards the party

However, only The Analog Affair and AMOUS seem to be ready for the rocks to move.

MARKER -- Current Time (0:00)

Group conditions:
Round 1

AMOSU
The Analog Affair

Guardian Statue, green -- dmg
Guardian Statue, purple -- dmg

Domak
Dr Gaelin Conway
Gulkyn
Gus

Since I stated I moved to Gustav earlier, am I close enough to correct the equations?

Yes. You started close enough. Since it is a full round it you are "occupied" for the full time

Thank you GM Gustavef, going with the first spoiler then.
Was the Phy Sci roll sufficient? Total 22 roll

The Analog Affair sees the statues begin moving and immediately moves to protect AMOSU, who seems to be busy with something important.

"The statues seems to be moving. Beware," says The Analog Affair as he draws his weapons. He aims one at the purple statue.

BLAM! : 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 Dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 2

For some reason, he lacks the ability to properly aim his weapon. As if he didn't have the correct experience.

AMOSU works on the equation and seems to be making head way. Still need to complete two more checks

The Analog Affair shoot wildly, but the statue itself moves forward and slams in to the android

Body Spike Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27 v KAC
Body Spike Dmg: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 P

The other one steps forward and a spray of freezing black sludge covers everyone else.

Sludge Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 5) = 6 C

Only AMOSU finds some cover from the cold blast.

Everyone is up.

MARKER -- Current Time (0:00)

Group conditions:
Round 1
Equations solved 1/3

AMOSU -- 3 SP dmg
The Analog Affair -- 10 SP dmg
Dr Gaelin Conway - 6 SP dmg
[b]Gulkyn - 6 SP dmg
Gus - 6 SP dmg

Guardian Statue, green -- dmg
Guardian Statue, purple -- dmg

AMOSU, seeing the team engaging in combat, tries to work on the equations as quickly as possible. "These really are amazing. Some are far beyond currently mathematical theorization."

Physical Science: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

Gulkyn grabs his mote while stepping up to the nearest guardian. "Keep working on them, we'll try and hold these things off!" he says before taking a swing at the statue.

Photon attuning
Solar Weapon: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Damage: 1d6 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 1 = 12 (B) + 1 (E)

The Analog Affair staggers under the attack, still not healed from his previous damage.

But he steps back five feet and unleashes both barrels of his tactial semi-automatic pistols.

BLAM! : 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19 Dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 2
BLAM! : 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17 Dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 2

But, yet again, his shots seem weak and ineffectual.

Not having a weapon that could pour out damage, Dr Conway tries to use his mysticism to work on the last equation. mysticism: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18

Gus grunts, brushes off some of the goo he just blasted with, gets to work on the equations.

"Let's science the heck out of these!"

Physical Science: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

Only one person can make a check each round. So I will go with AMOSU this round. Galean and Gus can take other actions still

Gulkyn's strike pounds away at the one statue. While the Analog's bullet hit but do nothing effective

Bold can still act

MARKER -- Current Time (0:00)

Group conditions:
Round 1
Equations solved 1/3

AMOSU -- 3 SP dmg
The Analog Affair -- 10 SP dmg
Dr Gaelin Conway - 6 SP dmg
Gulkyn - 6 SP dmg
Gus - 6 SP dmg

Guardian Statue, green -- 10 dmg
Guardian Statue, purple -- dmg

Did the 21 work?

it is a full round action. I will let you know after the statues go

Gus pulls out his rifle and blasts away at one of the statues purple

to hit: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
electrical damage, nonlethal: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Gus also commands RAY to fire on the same statue.

I copied and pasted RAY onto the map within a couple of squares of Gus.

to hit: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
fire damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Dr Conway takes a shot at the purple statue as well using his static arc pistol, thumbing the setting from 'Organics' to 'Undead' (i.e. stun to lethal) fire: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7electricity lethal damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

AMOSU finishes the next equasion Still need to complete one more check

The shots of Gus and Galen go wide, but Ray does hit and burn off some of the growth.

The One statue next to Gulkyn swings
Body Spike Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29 v KAC
Body Spike Dmg: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8 P

The purple one then spews its cold ichor on Analog, Gus and AMOSU, and Ray

Sludge Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 6) = 10

Only AMOSU again avoids the bulk of the blast
Everyone is up.

MARKER -- Current Time (0:00)

Group conditions:
Round 1
Equations solved 1/3

AMOSU -- 8 SP dmg
The Analog Affair -- 16 SP 4 HP dmg
Dr Gaelin Conway - 6 SP dmg
[b]Gulkyn - 6 SP dmg
Gus - 7 SP 9 HP dmg

Guardian Statue, green -- 11 dmg
Guardian Statue, purple -- 1 dmg

Gulkyn staggers from the blow. A little late, he causes some of his mote energy to surround his body, before striking at the statue again.

Photon attuning 2. Move action to enable Dark Matter (DR 1/-) for 1 round.

Solar Weapon: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Damage: 1d6 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 1 = 11 (B) + 1 (E)

Gulkyn smashes the one statue to pieces.

AMOSU, impressed with its own ability to avoid the blasts of freezing goo, continues to work through the final equation.

Physical Science: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

"I hope I can record these equations, the ramifications are simply astounding! I shall assist with detaining our assaulters shortly."

The Analog Affair attempts to shoot the remaining statue.

BLAM! : 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
BLAM! : 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Hmmm. Perhaps I should activate my violence subroutines.

takes a shot at the remaining statue

fire: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
electricity lethal damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Gus shoots at the remaining statue.

to hit: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18
nonlethal electrical damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Ray also fires.
too hit: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
fire damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

The non-lethal hits but does not effect the statue . Everyone else chips away. It move up to AMOSU ready to smash him, but the android finishes the last equation and the corrupted energy empowering the construct fades and it stops mid swing.

You can take a moment to recover before looking down at the alter

Sparkling stone stairs lead down into a pair of sunken chambers that have clearly been ransacked. Debris from broken furniture and shattered crystals litter the floor. Nailed to the wall by a rusty iron spike is the severed head of a creature with three eye stalks, dead at least a few days.

Searching the wreckage, you discover destroyed silicone panes that were once the dead quorlu’s records. You also find an empty aerosol container and a plastic bowl dusted with residue from a red powder. Both objects are of Pact Worlds origin and contained ingredients necessary for the Reddened Eye’s corruption ritual they performed on the menhir.

medicine: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21