GM Blazej - SFS Yesteryear's Truth (Inactive)

Game Master Zynete

Really not complaining as it was a good round for us, but I don't really understand what happened to the ship's position. It looks like our Drake has been flipped upside-down from where I put it at the end of the movement?

Apologies, I confused myself on the directions. I fixed the placement from where you had set it. Rae'Van's shot is closer as result, but still barely a miss because of the range. The current map placement is now correct.

Round 6

The effect of the malfunctioning power core is apparent as Helios has a far easier time matching the turns of the drone platform. It attempts to start a quick turn back toward the orbit of the planet, but doesn't it make it too far before you make chase.

Piloting Initiative
Red Drone Platform
Drake
Blue Drone
Yellow Drone

Actions Left
Alejandro Carlos (+1 Mod on check)
Helios-4 (+1 Mod on Piloting check)
Kis
Rae'Van (+1 Mod on check)

PC Ship Status
Shields 30/40 (forward 10, port 10, starboard 10, aft 0)
HP 66/70
1/5 Missile Remaining

Red Enemy Ship Status
Drone Bays (Malfunctioning, Hold it Together)
Power Core (Malfunctioning)

PC ship turn. Red has moved, Blue and Yellow will move after.

Awesome, no worries

"Bloody hell! They just won't let go, won't they!? Only one thing to do, then. Let's light this ship up!"

The android brings the Drake up the rear of the mothership in hopes of damaging the latter, while trying to evade the Drones still.

Alejandro holds the trigger down extra hard, as if it will hit harder if he does, "ALMOST GOT IT! POUR ON MORE DAMAGE!!!"

HUZZAH!

"Come on, ya heapa junk!" Kis smacks the controls to apply that special mechanics touch. "Where da shields at?"

Botting.
Rae'Van Gunnery Gyrolaser: 1d20 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 + 2 + 1 = 22
Gyrolaser Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 6

Blue Enemy Laser Attack on Port: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Yellow Enemy Laser Attack on Aft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Alejandro keeps pushing the stream of shots into the platform. The restored aft shield on the drone ship aren't able to stop the precision attack straight into the drone bay wrecking that entire system as the red ring along the base powers off. Rae'Van's shot pierces the hull of the ship as the entire station begins to fail.

Kis is able to restore shields to the aft as the fighters continue to fire upon your ship, neither of their shots able to connect.

Round 7

With the drone bay wrecked the AI switches stratagems and starts moving to divert power to the shields, but with the malfunctioning power core, it first needs to repair that. The systems are slowly recovering, but are not operational yet.

Piloting Initiative
Drake
Red Drone Platform
Blue Drone
Yellow Drone

Actions Left
Alejandro Carlos (+1 Mod on check)
Helios-4 (+1 Mod on Piloting check)
Kis
Rae'Van (+1 Mod on check)

PC Ship Status
Shields 36/40 (forward 10, port 10, starboard 10, aft 6)
HP 66/70
1/5 Missile Remaining

Red Enemy Ship Status
Drone Bays (Wrecked)
Power Core (Malfunctioning)

PCs act first. All shields are have been broken on the enemy ship aside the forward. One more significant hit will bring it down.

Seeing the enemy ship begin to fall apart, Helios grins once again.

"How 'bout we say farewell with an explosive surprise? Prepare to fire, boys."

Flyby on the mothership
The android pushes the vessel's drive to its limits, positioning the Drake right above the mothership. For a brief moment, it is in an ideal position for the gunners to target the enemy directly.

"Fire away!"

As the ship skims the enemy mothership, he attempts to time his firing to maximum effect, "HIT EM HARD WITH THE LASER WHEN WE CLOSE!"

The flyby would bring the drone platform within range of all three of the ship weapons this turn

The enemy ships move and adjust their positions. The drone platform moves to return back to a near orbit and the fighters push with relentless tenacity against your ship.

Actions Left
Kis
Rae'Van (+1 Mod on check)

"Now dat's more like it ya heap. Got inemore left in ya?" Kis tries one more time to strengthen the shields.

”Yessir, Captain!
Kis, when in range, fire the frontal gyrolaser, while I shoot our last missile!

Blue Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Damage: 2d4 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7
Yellow Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

The last missile into the drone platform removes the need for the call for all weapons. The platform's systems begin to shut down one by one and the drones quickly deactivate after losing their signal, only dealing minor damage to the hull with their last volley.

Stations go quiet as the alerts are settled and the space around your ship calms as the combat ends.

The weapons fire didn't destroy the platform entirely though. It is disabled and would take extensive effort to repair. With the recent memory of Winks and her salvage within mind, there would likely be some components within these drone station that could be brought in for study and salvage.

The party can make Engineering checks to salvage/inspect the station.

With the calm settled it is easy to turn the ships scanners toward the planet Elytrio. They reveal the planet has a breathable atmophere, standard gravity, and higher than normal levels of radiation. The radiation isn't at the level to be harmful though. Most of the planet appears to be desolate with little sign of life.

Most notable though is that there is a large energy output from what appears to be a fully functional city in the southern hemisphere. Readings show technology there is comparable to that of the Pact Worlds. The systems are slightly outdated compared to those you normally have access.

Within the city there are life forms although more information is limited by a massive force field protecting the city and half a mile around it.

As the platform deactivates, Helios-4 erupts in a loud and hearty laugh.

"Wooooo! Yeah, take that, meatbags! My, how amazing was that!?" He turns to the rest of the crew. "Great job, all of ya. Splendid work." Turning to Alejandro, he adds: "Hey Cap'n, you know you lose all your composure when you gun?" He winks then turns back to his control panel and initiates a scan.

"Let's see if we can find something interesting."

Engineering: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

When the scan is over, he speaks to the captain again, though in a more serious tone.

"Seems they don't like strangers, with that force field o' theirs. We probably won't get too warm a welcome, I suggest maybe landing some distance away from the city. Waddaya think, Cap'n?" He blows a bubble of gum while waiting for Alejandro to reply.

Kis joins the rest of the crew in a celebratory 'woo hoo' once the platform goes dark. "I's knew she had it in her the wholes time. No doubts no doubts." The technology in that platform would certainly interest any mechanic or technomancer worth their weight in UPBs. She quickly runs her fingers over the scans trying to figure the whole thing out a bit, "Tell mes all yer secrets ye little pain in mes hull!"

Engineering: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25
Possible -5 DC to identify technology from theme knowledge.

"Intrestin tech fer sures. No doubts no doubts. I's thinks we's need to check out that force field down their," she motions to Elytrio, "Coulds be keepin things out or, evens worse, keepin things in. In either case, I's thinks we's need to go with caution, like Helios says."

While there is value in the base salvage within the platform, the tracking system it uses is rather unique. Helios-4 and Kis both pick out that various portions of the algorithms the system use are rather innovative. The multi-drone control algorithms stand out as the biggest outliers. It would require some prototyping along with weeks of work but there might be some of your starship systems to benefit from these designs.

It doesn't take more than a casual scan over the terrain to identify potential landing sites. There is a prime site a few hours hike from the force field that will put the ship out of visual range and stable enough to support the ship.

Sorry for the delay, I live in the wrong time frame, appearantly...
I wanted to ask if our survey on the enemy ship wreck has let us the possibility to also make some investigation on the alien species that built it (written language, anatomy, or at least general body shape, biology, etc.)
Just to have an idea of what to expect if we will meet any survivors on the planet surface.
Here are some rolls that could possibly (?) get any eventual infos:

Computers: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

Engineering: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

Medicine: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

”That plateau about 15K clicks northwest of the force field looks like a perfect landing site: Captain, shall we head there?
Let’s also scan that area to see if we find traces of lifeforms: I’d rather not discover too late that this planet is inhabited by distant cousins of Daimalko’s kaijus...”

"A good scurry sounds right fine tes me, Cap. I's thinks Diggz could use it too. I's also wanna see dat tech up close, ya knows. What do we's do wit da platform in da mean times?"

Alejandro chuckles at Helio's comment with a big smile, "You seem to be assuming my normal state to be composed, maybe all that was just the act?"

He also invests time trying to figure out some details about the race that built the space defenses.

Culture? (t): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Heading down to the planet, he agrees with the suggestions and landing location. "Well done crew, well done." Heading out of the ship he makes sure the translation bot is following along and starts the trek towards the shielded city.

Before heading down on the planet, Helios nudges a shoulder towards the platform.

"What do we do with the mothership? Should we get closer for scans, or at least mark the position for an eventual society pickup?"

There is little on the station to indicate that it was prepared for peaceful resolution, especially with the limited systems it has for allowing two way communication. While it is difficult to gauge a culture based on the design of a single system, Alejandro has the impression that the society that built this was one prepared for war.

The station is small enough that the most critical and valuable parts could fit within the Drake for the return trip. Either now or when preparing for your return trip.

It is difficult to pick up individual lifesigns within the wastelands. There is a smattering of life to be found outside the city. Radiation and caverns make it difficult to get a clear read or estimate.

Taking the ship down is an to an easy landing gives a wide view of the desert wasteland along with the city in the distance. There is a small number of creatures that skitter into the ground as you step onto planet away from your ship. Scans confirm the air is safe to breath and the radiation is within acceptable tolerances even without environmental protections.

As you head to the city you feel the air shift and ground shake as something approaches from some direction.

There is an update on the maps, everyone can place themselves in a marching order within the black outlined box.

If anyone is trained in Life Science they might be able to analyze what appears.

Life Science: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Seeing a creature emerge from the sands, Helios presses a spot on his temple, and the circuits around his eye begin to glow.

"Looks like a lion-lizard hybrid... And bears every mark of being a predator. Get to cover, or be ready to defend yourself if it attacks! And don't let it bite you!"

Putting himself in the middle of the group (unless everyone else is unwilling to lead the way), Alejandro sees the beasts emerge and pulls out his pistol in case things go poorly. He puts his free hand up, "Easy there, eeeeaaaasy there."

Are the creatures obviously attacking or just sizing us up? If sizing us up, Alejandro will try to use his wildwise implant to try to befriend the creatures.

As they land, Kis has Diggz travel in front of her. She knows that, while Diggz may get damaged, he is easy to repair. Plus, she's a bit of a coward. "K, Diggz. Keep us safe here."

As the beast breaks through the sand, the ysoki lets out a shriek, "Ahhhh! Wha's that thing? Diggz, gets ready ta prove yous metal!"

Rae’Van, riding Hubris in bike configuration, takes position close to Diggz.

Both keep pistols ready and eyes open on the mysterious beast.

The party is caught off guard by the erupting sand before revealing the large creature. It looks like a muscular lion with a beige colored mane, but the rest of the body is lizard like, with dark scales and a segmented tail.

It offers little response to Alejandro's soothing words releasing a roar. He however is able to understand the hostile beast with the aid of the augmentation. Though the challenge the envoy is able to comprehend, "Meat. Hunt all meat!". It is certainly aggressive and not open to talking. Based on its size and temperament the party likely doesn't have enough food to sate it.

Round 1
Alejandro Carlos
Kis
Rae’Van
Beast
Helios-4

Bold can act.

Kis, true to form, moves away from the rest of the group, drawing her pistol from her cheeks as she goes. With her other hand, she quickly turns some if the rings on her rig and Diggz levels its pistol at the beast and fires.

Azimuth laser pistol: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Fire damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

The laser from Diggz connects with the predator's hide and, while it does singe the creature, much of the energy refracts off the dull hide and off into the sky and into the desert ground as it tries to sweep it away.

The laser does reduced damage to the creature.

Round 1
Alejandro Carlos
Kis
Rae’Van
Beast (1 damage)
Helios-4

”Let’s take it down before he tries to eat us!
I have a feeling this is not one of the civilized creatures that built the city and the satellite...or civization here has done some serious steps backwards...

Rae’Van pilotes Hubris in a more favorable shooting range and then both of them fire their postols to the menacing beast:

Rae’Van static arc pistol: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Energy Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Hubris Azimuth las-pistol: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Fire Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Alejandro hollars, "It ain't interested in anything but ripping us apart, TAKE IT DOWN!" He levels his pistol and fires. *BLAMMO*

Get 'Em (Move) used on Lion, +1 hit for allies for one round. Shooting (Standard) the Lion. Cover or Soft Cover penalties left up to GM to apply to enemy AC.

Semi-Auto Pistol vs. KAC + Get 'Em: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 = 6 for Piercing: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Rae'Van Critical Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Rae'Van gives a powerful blast of electricity straight the monstrous head. Excess lightning arcs int the ground as it gives an overpowering roar that grips at the most primal fear centers at your core. It then lunges forward pushing toward Rae'Van and his drone, scattering the laser light aside as the Alejando's shots linger behind it.

Everyone needs to to make a DC 12 Will save or be shaken (-2 on attack rolls, skill checks, and saving throws) for 1d4 rounds. This is a mind-affecting, sense-dependent, fear effect.

Round 1-2
Beast (7 damage)
Helios-4
-
Alejandro Carlos
Kis
Rae’Van

+1 to attack the creature from Get 'Em

Bold can act.
Rae'van and drone lie well within the reach of the voracious beast.

Will DC 12: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 for 1d4 ⇒ 1 rounds.

Shying back from the roar, Alejandro still points at the beast, "Look there, a weak spot when it roars. Strike now!"

Get 'Em refreshed for another round (Move), Shooting Lion (Standard), no cover (yay!) but shaken this round.

Semi-Auto Pistol vs. KAC + Get 'Em - Shaken: 1d20 + 4 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 4 + 1 - 2 = 14 for Piercing: 1d6 ⇒ 5

”Aaaargh! This noise is terrible!”

Will Save: 1d20 ⇒ 13

Rae’Van covers his ears just in time to avoid the beast’s roar effect.
Seeing the alien lion-lizard charging toward him, he dismounts from Hubris (swift move), makes a cautious step away from the charging monster (move action: guarded step) and fires another charge pistol shot:
Rae’Van static arc pistol: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 2 + 1 = 16
Energy Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Hubris, now relying only on its circuits’ limited AI, confronts the monster’s charge swinging a massive wrench-arm against its opened maw:
Hubris Wrench (tactical baton): 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 1 = 10
Bludgeoning Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Kis rears back from the beast's roar.

Will: 1d20 ⇒ 5
1d4 ⇒ 1 rounds

"AHHHH! WHAT IS DIS THING!!?!! Get it, get it, get it!" She keeps strafing past the creature and lines up a shot with her freezing pistol.

Subzero hail pistol: 1d20 + 2 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 + 1 - 2 = 17
Cold damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

The limited capabilities of Diggz kick in as he continues to fire on the beast.

Azimuth laser pistol: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Fire damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Will Save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

"Ah!" The android exclaims as the creature roars. Barely unphased, he shakes his head before shouting: "Take that, you bloody freak of nature!"

Helios-4 draws his assault rifle and fires at the beast.

Attack, Azimuth Laser Rifle: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 1 = 7
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 1 Fire

The laser fire barely missiles the creature's hide and Alejandro's shot only barely misses as he recovers from the titanic roar of the native creature.

The shots from Rae'van and Kis burn and freeze the creature. Neither terribly threaten the massive creature, but enough to irritate and enrage it as it brings itself down upon Rae'Van's drone, Hubris. The first attack catches nothing but sand but the second tears into the metal frame. The creature roars with dissatisfaction as the drone continues to move and fight.

Bite Attack vs Hubris KAC: 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 9 - 4 = 6
Piercing Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Bite Attack vs Hubris KAC: 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 9 - 4 = 18
Piercing Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
6 damage to Hubris after 1/- DR

Round 2-3
Beast (11 damage)
Helios-4
-
Alejandro Carlos
Kis
Rae’Van (Hubris: 4/10 HP)

+1 to attack the creature from Get 'Em

Helios steps next to Alejandro, and, without waiting for a word, waves his mechanical hand over his weapon. Heat starts to emanate from the pistol, and steam rises.

"Don't miss this one, Cap'n!"

Used Supercharge Weapon on the pistol; +4d6 Damage if the next attack hits.

Seeing Hubris badly mauled, Rae'Van provides cover fire to allow the robot to hide behind some rock outcropping:

Rae’Van static arc pistol: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 2 + 1 = 16
Energy Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Bluff check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Move action: Diversion feat to allow Hubris to hide

Kis continues to move around the lion-ish beast. Her head is clear now that the roar has stopped.

Subzero hail pistol: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 2 + 1 = 11
Cold damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Diggz doubles down on his assault and fires away.

Laser blaster (azimuth laser pistol): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Fire damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Alejandro points his pistol at the critter and takes his time, "Hoooy boy, this'll get 'em good... if it hits."

Get 'Em refreshed (Move), Attack Lion (Standard).

Semi-Auto Pistol vs. KAC + Get 'Em: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 4 + 1 = 17 for Piercing + Supercharge: 1d6 + 4d6 ⇒ (6) + (6, 1, 2, 3) = 18

And then almost falls down from the massive explosion when he pulls the trigger.

Beast Sense Motive: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (18) - 2 = 16

Hubris Stealth: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
Beast Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Despite the catching the creature off guard it isn't enough for Hubris to hide from sight. Although the barrage of laser fire constantly irritates and begins to do serious injury to the creature. As Diggz laser connects with the beast, the laser reflects again of the shell and bounces back off, this time in the direction of the drone itself! Both Diggz and the creature are injured by the laser blast, both taking a fraction of the beam's power.

Laser Reflection vs Diggz EAC: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
1 Fire Damage to Diggz from reflected laser

The creature reacts quickly and almost is able to dodge the powerful shot from Alejandro, but the bullets move with incredible power and blast through the creature's tough hide. Heavily wounded from the shot it bellows in rage. It struggles to remain standing but it turns full attention to the source of the blast and bounds toward Alejandro as he recovers himself from the power of the cannon.

It moves right past both of the drones to tear into the human before it.

Bite Attack vs Alejandro KAC: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
Piercing Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
7 Damage to Alejandro

If the map is accurate and Hubris didn't move last turn, it will get an AoO with a melee weapon.

Round 3-4
Beast (34 damage)
Helios-4
-
Alejandro Carlos (5/12 SP)
Kis (Diggz: 9/10 HP)
Rae’Van (Hubris: 4/10 HP) Hubris AoO

+1 morale bonus to attack the creature from Get 'Em (Clarification, I don't believe this bonus doesn't apply to the drones in the party because it is a mind affecting ability).
Alejandro: Supercharged weapon for +4d6 damage

Kis moves around the beast as it lumbers by, effectively hemming it in on all sides. She levels his pistol at the beast and fires again. "Whys don't ya die already!"

Subzero hail pistol: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 1 = 8
Cold/Piercing damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

With the limited AI it has, Diggz continues concentrating his fire on the beast, despite the ricochet.

Laser blaster: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Fire damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Alejandro reels back from the strike, desperation just a hair evident in his voice, "Okay, now anytime would be good to finish this beast off!"

Staring the beast down, he takes a slow breath to calm himself, exhaling through clenched teeth. You hear him muttering, "Okay now, you got this. You've been in worse scrapes. You are tougher than some stupid reflecting lion."

Get 'Em refreshed (Move), Inspiring Boost on Self for 7 Stamina Points back (Standard).

Hubris’ logic circuits let it quickly react to the beast’s movement, and the drone waves its wrench arm to impact against the monster’s hide:
Hubris Wrench (tactical baton): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Bludgeoning Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Rae’Van and Hubris, then, both fire against the rampaging monster (Rae’Van makes a full attack):

Rae’Van static arc pistol -1st shot: 1d20 + 2 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 2 + 1 - 4 = 13
Energy Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Rae’Van static arc pistol - 2nd sho: 1d20 + 2 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 2 + 1 - 4 = 17
Energy Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Hubris Azimuth las-pistol: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Fire Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

"Won't you friggin' die!"

Helios seems full of rage as he takes another shot at the beast.

Attack, Azimuth Laser Rifle: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 = 9
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 6