[Gameday VIII - SFS] GM Mjolbeard's 1-34 Heart of the Foe (Inactive)

Game Master Mjolbeard89

The Jeskraal somehow looks like a cute baby Jinsul :>
@Mjolbeard: Any terrain to worry about here?

Lynn raises a hand up to her headphones, tapping a button to turn on their external speakers and begin playing backing music she queued up last the group rested. She sweeps an outstretched hand towards the jinsuls before resting it against her collarbone. She breathes in and ♫♪ begins to sing ♫♪!

As she does, a cunning trap slides silently up out of the snow around the jeskraal and the blue jinsul. Walls of dark grey steel - 20 ft tall and shaped into an square enclosure - seal the two away from their red-tinted friend. The interior walls of the enclosure blister and ripple, sprouting thousands of extremely sharp quills, discouraging any inside from physically trying to batter their way out.

Walls indicated with pink on the map. Ceiling is open to the sky. Enclosure is a product of ye olde Holographic Image. If they interact, Will DC16 to disbelieve.

Yeah, I kinda want to pet the Jeskraal.

S9 chomps down with her mandibles, disappointed in herself for having drawn attention to the party. "There goes the sneaky plan. Sorry, guys!"

The shirren kicks her legs up and backflips a good ten feet, then dashes back to join Ra and Hef.

The black mote encircling the shirren suddenly elongates and flattens as it covers the creature. Moving forward, it looks longingly towards the city.

'Well....looks like we get to play after all. Careful everyone! Stay safe!'

Graviton Mode 1/3
Move up next to Hef

What kind of skill check to identify creature? Just want to verify if they are humanoid (unlikely) as many of my abilities only work on humanoids, and also if immune to mind-affecting abilities for my mind thrust.

Poppilo moves tactically close (behind) his allies, pulling out his pistol. "Draw them in nearer, will ya?"

@Lynn - Nope, no weird terrain stuff here!
@Poppilo - Life Science already gave you basically everything on the jeskraal (animal). Culture if you want to know more about the jinsul (monstrous humanoids).

Aside from Lynn, who creates some fantastic illusory walls to dissuade one of the jinsul and its jeskraal companion from advancing, most of the group takes the first few seconds of combat to take more tactically advantageous positions.

The red jinsul does not hesitate, though, and raises its rifle to fire at the nearest target.

Attack vs RaRaRa: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22 Damage (P): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

The bullet punches into his thigh, and a spurt of blood tinges the dust at his feet red.

INITIATIVE
Jinsul Hunting Party - Round 1
PCs in bold may act!
S9
Hef
Jinsul 1 (blue)
Jinsul 2 (red)
Jeskraal
Show
Lynn
Poppilo
Ra (-8)

Lynn already made the culture check on Jinsuls much earlier on - but if there's something more about these particular ones...
Culture (tell me about feral jinsuls): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20

Lynn confirms that jinsul are indeed humanoid in their mental capacities, if not in their physiology, and so should be susceptible to mental assaults. She does know, however, that the multitude of eyes covering their strange "heads" makes them impossible to trap in a flanking position. They also have the ability to leap large distances from a stand-still. These characteristics are common among all jinsul, though, and these do not seem to have any additional traits to distinguish them.

Hef sticks close to his allies, summoning a select variety of glowing suns that zip towards the nearest enemy, slamming into it with more force than flame.

Cast as a Full Action Magic Missile, targeting Red for 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 2, 4) + 3 = 12, 3 first lvl spells remain.

S9 flips her sniper rifle out and stares through the scope, watching the magic missiles smash into the jinsul. "Nice shot, Hef! Now it's my turn!"

Shirren-eye rifle vs red: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 211d10 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Hef and S9 both easily find their targets, badly wounding the jinsul that had noticed the shirren's passing, and who has now grown to regret ever seeing her.

From inside the enclosure, however, you hear an alien scream of rage as the jinsul trapped inside raises its rifle and attempts to use the butt of the gun to hammer his way through the illusory walls.

Will to disbelieve: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

The wall stands solid in the jinsul's mind, though, and so it remains trapped inside.

The red-caped jinsul, badly hurt by Hef and S9, fires another shot at the missile-slinging mystic before beating a hasty retreat.

Attack vs Hef KAC: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22 Damage (P): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

The bullet just manages to graze the kasatha's lowleft forearm, drawing a bit of blood but not seriously injuring him.

Finally, the bestial jeskraal tries its own luck against the walls of Lynn's illusion.

Will to disbelieve: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

No matter how hard it tries to beat its tail against the thorny walls, however, they refuse to fall from its mind!

INITIATIVE
Jinsul Hunting Party - Round 1
PCs in bold may act!
S9 (-4 HP)
Hef (-3 SP, -1 HP)
Jinsul 1 (blue)
Jinsul 2 (red) (-19)
Jeskraal
Show
Lynn (-3 HP)
Poppilo (-1 HP)
Ra (-8 SP)

'Neat trick!' shrieks Xo telepathically to it's companions.

Taking in the situation, the shirren moves closer to their foes. Closing it's eyes for a moment to concentrate, the black fluid covering it thickens.

Move 30ft
Gain DR 1/- as a Move action
Graviton Mode 2/3

"Hmmph, not bad, not bad." Poppilo grunts in grudging appreciation for the illusory wall."But beat this!" He starts chanting and weaving his hands through the hand.

Cast summon creature 2

♫♪ The flowers start to dance, welcoming the spring tii-iime~♫♪

Lynn continues her song with extra energy and a certain degree of smugness as her illusory containment keeps most of the foes at bay. She winks at Poppilo with a grin.

Maintaining the illusion with the standard. No action but to sing with her move.

Posting Round 2 Action to prevent delays since it appears Hef will go before the enemies.

Hef moves up behind the Shirren, preparing to help his ally if attacked. He simply says, "I'm sorry, but we can't let you go warn anyone of this mission. We did try to avoid this fight, but we will not fail to end it." He quickly summons up two small suns and they zip out, slamming into the fleeing Jinsul.

Move, Standard to Cast Magic Missile for 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (2, 4) + 2 = 8 force damage to Red, 2 first level spells remain. Bodyguard Feat used if any adjacent ally is attacked.

Ra will continue attuning to Photon (2), take a move action to move up, and then a standard action for a Stellar Rush to close on the red Jinsul.

Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17 Damage(S)(Crit Wound): 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Ra, based on your positioning on the map, I'm gonna say you went after Blue rather than Red.

Reflex for half: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

The blue-caped jinsul reels as flames erupt from within the wall surrounding himself and the jeskraal.

Lynn maintains her illusion, while Poppilo begins weaving his magics to bring an extra-planar ally to the fight. Show continues positioning, ready to move in and strike.

Meanwhile, Hef sends more missiles careening across the battlefield, chasing down the red-caped jinsul and slaying it, even as it flees!

INITIATIVE
Jinsul Hunting Party - Round 2
PCs in bold may act!
S9 (-4 HP)
Hef (-3 SP, -1 HP)
Jinsul 1 (blue) (-10)
Jinsul 2 (red) (-27, dead)
Jeskraal
Show
Lynn (-3 HP)
Poppilo (-1 HP)
Ra (-8 SP)

Since no one in the party has made saves against it, Lynn's enclosure is also opaque to everyone in the party. I would suggest readying attacks for when either the creatures inside figure out what's what, or for when she drops the illusion at the top of next round.

S9 stares at the enclosure, shrugging. "Well, looks like I'll just wait for them to come out!" She aims her sniper rifle and readies a shot.

Ah! That's a good point, Lynn. I'm going to let Ra's damage stand, but moving forward, folks will need to make saves to disbelieve the illusion.

From within the enclosure, more shrieks of anger and animal roars echo out.

Jinsul will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Jeskraal will: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

Despite their flailing against the walls around them, though, both remain trapped within the illusion created by Lynn.

Switching to block initiative

INITIATIVE
Jinsul Hunting Party
All PCs may act!
Jinsul 1 (blue) (-10)
Jeskraal
Show
Lynn (-3 HP)
Poppilo (-1 HP)
Ra (-8 SP)
S9 (-4 HP)
Hef (-3 SP, -1 HP)

Now that we're in block init, feel free to delay until after Lynn so you can take your full turns against them.

Lynn adjusts the lyrics of her song to say "Alright guys, gimme just a moment and...~" as she points at the enclosure. She winks and the enclosure shatters into a wave of flower petals and disappears. (Ceasing to maintain concentration)

As she continues singing, the air around her thrums with energy. Visible ripples form around her and when she sweeps her hand through them, she gathers three beads of force in her palm. She tosses them lightly into the air at the peak of one of her lines, only for all three to change direction and zip towards the blue jinsul!

Magic Missile; w/ harmful spells: 3d4 + 5 ⇒ (4, 2, 3) + 5 = 14

Just as the walls drop, 3 tiny winged serpentine creatures appear right over the head of one of the jinsuls. They wicked fangs tear into the alien.

vs blue (unless it's already done from the MM):
protean 1 bite vs KAC: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15 dmg: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
protean 2 bite vs KAC: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24 dmg: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
protean 3 bite vs KAC: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24 dmg: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
If any hits KAC+4, it also grapples Vossi.

That done, he closes in, drawing his pistol along the way and fires upon the same target.

vs blue: thunderstrike sonic pistol vs EAC, range: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 3 - 2 = 5 sonic dmg: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Protean 1 (1/4) HP 6 | EAC 10; KAC 12 | F:+3 R:+1 W:+0 | Immunities acid, entangled, grappled, paralyzed, pinned
Protean 2 (1/4) HP 6 | EAC 10; KAC 12 | F:+3 R:+1 W:+0 | Immunities acid, entangled, grappled, paralyzed, pinned
Protean 3 (1/4) HP 6 | EAC 10; KAC 12 | F:+3 R:+1 W:+0 | Immunities acid, entangled, grappled, paralyzed, pinned

Hef moves up to get into support range with the enemy, drawing his spear as he does. He waves back at the Shirren, "It's time for your big show, Show!"

Double Move while drawing Tactical Spear, Reaction to use Bodyguard if any adjacent ally is attacked.

Ra delays until the curtain falls.

this is assuming the Jinsul falls from the damage already dealt to it.

He fully attunes to Photon (3), takes a guarded step to the adorable Jeskraal, wonders if killing what is essentially a hunting dog is bad, and then looks past the adorable beedy eyes to the terrifying 8 legs and pincers, and strikes out at it unless someone tells him not to.

Solar Scimitar: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16Damage: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

Rushing forward, Xochitl smiles as the walls fall. 'Good timing!'

Double Move

All ranged attacks vs Yellow get +1 to hit (as long as I don't block line of sight for attacker
Graviton Mode 3/3

"Ah-ha! Now I see 'em!" S9 looks through her scope and fires the rifle at the jinsul.

Shirren-eye rifle: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 141d10 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

The illusion falls, revealing the remaining enemies. A flurry of bolts of magical energy and summoned outsiders converge on the remaining jinsul and tear the hunter apart!

Hef and Show continue moving in, closing in on their enemy to provide melee support against the jeskraal,

Ra moves in as well and strikes a deep blow on the beast, which S9 follows up with a well-aimed shot from afar!

Apparently enraged by the death of its masters, the jeskraal fights on, lashing out at Ra after the solarian's blade cut through its precious armor to wound it so severely.

Bite: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9 Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

INITIATIVE
Jinsul Hunting Party
All PCs may act!
Jeskraal (-21)
Show
Lynn (-3 HP)
Poppilo (-1 HP)
Ra (-8 SP)
S9 (-4 HP)
Hef (-3 SP, -1 HP)

Hef steps carefully up next to the creature, stabbing at it with his spear, "Finish it quickly."

Guarded Step, Stab at Jeskraal

Returning Cold Iron Tactical Spear vs. KAC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12 for Magic/Cold Iron/Piercing + W.S.: 1d6 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 3 = 6

Bodyguard used as a Reaction if any adjacent allies are attacked.

The black ooze covering Show thickens further as it rears back the pulsating gauntlet. Swinging wildly, the shirren continues to chitter to its companions.

'Shoot it! Shoot it now!'

Entangling Thunderstrike Gauntlet: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8 for B and So Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

As move action Gain dr 2/- until leave graviton mode
grant +1 to ranged attacks vs yellow

Ra maintains Photon Attunement, and goes for a full-round attack on the Jeskraal, attempting to carve an X in its carapace.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23Damage: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11Damage: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

Ra only manages to carve half of his X before the jeskraal lets out a gurgling screech and falls dead!

LOOT TIME!

The jinsuls carry pieces of scavenged armor once worn by jinsul commanders and decorated with military medals. Each of the jinsul is also wearing a set of armor roughly equivalent to a set of Second Skin armor, and is wielding a jinsul version of a hunting rifle. The armor that the jeskraal had inhabited for its own protective covering once made up a set of freebooter armor I.

Off in the distance, you also recognize that another jinsul, missing a leg and wearing a scarf-like
wrapping of animal fur, is watching you. Based on your previous research into jinsul culture, you can tell that this jinsul has been disciplined in some way, hence the missing leg.

♫♪"Dazzlin' moon light, just wishing you were here this autumn night~
Should winter arrive, no storms will cloud our skies~"♫♪

With a wink toward both team and the unnatural storm above, Lynn wraps her song and hops forward to rejoin the group.
---
Culture: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18
Engineering: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

"We should take the medals with us! Someone like Royo would totally LOVE getting his paws on some physical cultural heritage!" Lynn comments before noticing the jinsul off in the distance. Seeing that the group has been spotted already, she shrugs and gives the jinsul a hearty, full-armed wave. "Heeeyyyyy~ Don't mess with us!"

As Lynn waves, the jinsul turns and scuttles away, its missing leg slowing it somewhat. Still, it's odd that this jinsul seemed to just be observing the fight without trying to interfere in any way...

Feel free to let me know if you wanted to rest or check anything else out here. Otherwise, I'll move us on toward the city!

Columns of smoke rise from a blasted cityscape. Scorched skeletal frames of circular structures
loom over the rubble-choked streets, their contents stripped or burned away. A chorus of distant keening wails, punctuated by the occasional crash of a collapsing building, replace the bustling urban sounds that one would expect from a city. Jinsul fanatics perform debased blood rituals throughout the streets and structures, most of them too engrossed in their violent rites to notice your arrival.

Perception checks from everyone, please!

How far away was the observing jinsul? Too far for a charm person (35ft)?

"None of you too badly injured, I see? Good, don't want to waste my spells unnecessarily."

He looks into the distance. "What in the world? I knew they were bizarre, but man, that is bizarre."

perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21

Culture (t): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

Hef nods as the android identifies the value of the regalia, "I agree, let us take that. But let's move along quickly, our watcher may be simply be going for reinforcements. Staying moving will give us a the best chance at surviving this Charlie Foxtrot of a mission."

@Poppilo - Yup, much further away. Probably just a bit past the end of "long" spell range for the party's level, so something like 600 feet away.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

'Well that went swimmingly! Too bad they wasn't more chatty. Better to make friends than corpses.' rings cheerily in your heads.

With a shake of it's head, it watches the Jinsul hobble away. 'I wonder whats up with that one. Aside from the obvious of course.'

Stopping suddenly as they enter town, Xochitl tugs out it's datapad and begins taking notes, slowly moving to catch up with the group. 'Ok...so the Hive was a bit debase in its actions...but this - is - unusual for you humanoids, right?'

'Exciting though to learn more about them though!'

"Yes, I'm only lightly injured, bullets barely phase me."
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Ra also Sidereal Influence attunes to Photon for a 1d6 bonus to any Intimidates.

Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (2) + 0 = 2

"Hmmmmmm~" Lynn peers back the way the group came, almost totally unaware that the noises up ahead indicate a nightmarish horrorscape. "Why did that little Jinsul run away? I thought they were all murder machines bent on proving themselves to be big and tough even though they were left behind?"

When the rest of the team points out the screaming and blood rituals up ahead, she gasps in overacted surprise "OH JEEZ~! I kinda don't want to go in there. Do we really want to get close to all those jinsuls?"

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
S9 squats and duck walks low through the burning city, her rifle used as a sort of flashlight.. "Whatever ritual this is, at least they aren't attacking us. But Lynn's right, getting too close could set them off. Do you see any way through, Poppilo?"

I considered scouting ahead, but I'm awaiting results of that Perception check, just in case

Hef eyes the vicious battling, "Just keep moving, hopefully we won't draw any extra attention." He fails miserably at avoiding notice.

Stealth - AC Penalty: 1d20 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 - 1 = 2

As the party pushes further into the city, you find a large dilapidated structure to take some shelter behind to separate yourselves from the jinsul performing their barbaric rituals. As you round the corner, however, Poppilo and Hef suddenly hear the roar of an engine and turns in time to see a strange vehicle loaded with jinsul careening toward the group!

Combat Map

INITIATIVE
Ambush in the Pyre City - Surprise Round
Poppilo and Hef may act!
S9
Ra
Lynn
Show
Jeskraal
Hef
Poppilo
Jinsul

Hef moves back to guard the flank from the incoming enemy, drawing his spear as he does.

Move while drawing tactical spear.

Poppilo waits for the vehicle to approach and as soon as it comes into range (35ft), he sends a wave of psychic energy at the pilot, twisting the mind and memory to treat him as a friend.

Ready action to use force amity: spend 1 RP to cast charm person (will DC17). Likely to get +5 to its saving throw unless no one attacks my target.

Hef and Poppilo ready themselves for battle as the vehicle full of enemies comes flying toward the party at high speed. As the vehicle approaches, Poppilo reaches out and tries to turn the driver's mind to consider him a friend.

Will: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

The jinsul recognizes Poppilo's worth as a mighty warrior and steers the vehicle to slam into one of the pathetic fools the great lashunta has deigned to travel with for a short time. The vehicle veers to the right and heads straight toward S9!

Piloting to ram: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 5 - 4 = 9

Remarkably, the vehicle putters to a halt right in front of the operative, sparing her from a world of hurt!

INITIATIVE
Ambush in the Pyre City - Round 1
PCs in bold may act!
S9
Ra
Lynn
Show
Jeskraal
Hef
Poppilo
Jinsul

Ra will attune to Photon (1), and make a Stellar Rush to the nearest Jinsul (blue), taking a whack at him with his Solar weapon.
Solar Scimitar: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15Damage: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
Ra uses his move action to call upon the mysteries of the black hole, and gains DR1/- until his next turn (Dark Matter)

Since they're all still on their vehicle, I'm guessing that they could just keep driving again next round. Do they look like they all have ranged weapons? In particular, does it look like they have lasers?

Oh, and which color jinsul got friend beamed?
---
Lynn squeaks in surprise at the vehicle almost slamming into all of them. She springs back and away from the group of Jinsul, then spins around to point up at the sky. She gasps in overacted surprise, but speaks in common as she says "Lynn special coming up~ It's not real b-dubs"

Lynn breaks in ♪♫ into a fast-paced song ♪♫ as she spins her sonic magic into another illusion. This time around, she creates the image of a great Kohkleim Demon descending from the swirling storm above! She has the demon-image stare disapprovingly down at the jinsuls. (Elevation is at her maximum range, and sits in the direction the jinsuls came from)

(Will DC16 to disbelieve)

"Yikes!" S9 leaps up and rolls over the hood of the vehicle, landing and jumping across the terrain. "Whew. Too close. Way too close!"

Move away, then draw small arm

Which one is the charmed one?

The black orb engulfs show again as it scurries forward. Gagging a bit,a wad of acid flies forth from it's mandibles.

Wiping away the bile, it smiles. 'So you wanna keep fighting or become friends?' asks show of the opponents.

Acid Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 3) = 6
Should get Yellow, Blue, and Green - 15ft cone acid Breath Ref DC 14 for Half

I'm gonna say Blue was the driver, and is the one Poppilo charmed

Lynn - The jinsul are armed with some variety of rifle, though you would need to do an Engineering check to figure out what variety they are without having seen them in action. I'll roll Will saves for your illusion on the appropriate NPC's turns.

Ra rushes in with his solar weapon drawn and slashes at the driver, but the jinsul bats away the attack by raising its rifle and deflecting the blow away.

Lynn creates another illusion, this one the huge and terrifying visage of a kokhleim demon!

S9 gives herself some more room between the hood of the jinsul's street crawler and her considerably smaller and more fragile body.

Show gives the jinsul and jeskraal a taste of her acidic breath, coating them in steaming, sizzling burns.

Yellow reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Blue reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Green reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Jeskraal (yellow) will: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
Jesraal (orange) will: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

Both jeskraal seem somewhat cowed by the sudden appearance of the kokhleim demon, but it does not stop them from leaping off of the vehicle and striking out at the Starfinders.

Yellow hops down (guarded step) and strikes at Show with its dangerous-looking mandibles.

Bite: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12 Damage (P): 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Orange also crawls down from within the vehicle and scuttles around the front end to move in and viciously bite Ra.

Bite: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25 Damage (P): 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

INITIATIVE
Ambush in the Pyre City - Round 1
PCs in bold may act!
S9
Ra (-10)
Lynn
Show
Jeskraal (Yellow) (-6, believes illusion)
Jeskraal (Orange) (disbelieves illusion)
Hef
Poppilo
Jinsul (Blue) (-6)
Jinsul (Green) (-3)
Jinsul (Red)
Jinsul (Purple)