[SFS/Shifty] #2:10 Corporate Interests (B) (Inactive)

Game Master Nik B.

Seeing Jack handle the sniper rifle and Sully going for rifle

Do we have anyone other then Sully who could use the heavy weapon with any chance of success?

OP-1 walks past the heavy weapon shaking his head and picks up one of the pistols and shoots it at increasing distances before delivering a report on his findings

To hit 20 ft away: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Damage: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (1, 1) + 2 = 4
To hit 40 ft away: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 8 - 2 = 25
Damage: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (1, 4) + 2 = 7
To hit 60 ft away: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 8 - 4 = 9
Damage: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (4, 1) + 2 = 7
To hit 60 ft away: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 8 - 4 = 6
Damage: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (3, 3) + 2 = 8
To hit 60 ft away: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 8 - 4 = 14
Damage: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (3, 3) + 2 = 8

"The Babau’s Kiss is a good weapon for when you have to fight inside a building. But when you are out in an open area such as a grassy field, a dessert or an ice plain and need to fire at long range because you can't get closer to your target under cover it seems to suffer from accuracy issues. I suggest to add a scope or laser targeting system to compensate"

At 20 and 40' the android easily nails the targets. Seems like the weapon works reasonably.

"Thanks, I'll take a note of that - Weapon could use a reflex sight" the half-orc taps away at his datapad.

Engineering: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Sully rubs his hands for warmth as he puts back the rifle. ”Something’s up with the cryo, I keep getting nipped.”

Sully can tell there is a fault, but can't quite crack what is causing it.

"That doesn't sound encouraging, then again, maybe we just sell them to people from icy planets" the Half-orc suggests, noting in the datapad again.

"One to go huh?"

"I want to try them all!"

Seeing the interest in the pistols, Quig starts with the Swarm Zapper. "Ooo, a big boy!" He drags it to the edge of the table, hops down to the ground and then pulls it onto his shoulder like a bazooka. He fires until the battery is dry while aiming carefully at a long range target.

Swarm Zapper, not proficient: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 - 4 = 9 … damage: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 1) = 7
Swarm Zapper, not proficient: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 - 4 = 8 … damage: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 2) = 8

"I didn't hit a thing. That's on me. I've never fired such a big gun before. But maybe if it had a tripod mount I could do better."

For the Apostae's Ire, the ysoki sheds his pack. Again he drags the weapon off the table, and this time he bows under its weight. He staggers to the firing line and sprays the 100, 60, 50, 40, and 30' targets.

Apostae's Ire, not proficient, strength, range 100: 1d20 + 4 - 4 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 4 - 4 - 2 - 2 = 14 … damage: 1d12 ⇒ 12
Apostae's Ire, not proficient, strength, range 60: 1d20 + 4 - 4 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 - 4 - 2 - 2 = -1 … damage: 1d12 ⇒ 12
Apostae's Ire, not proficient, strength, range 50: 1d20 + 4 - 4 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 4 - 4 - 2 = 9 … damage: 1d12 ⇒ 1
Apostae's Ire, not proficient, strength, range 40: 1d20 + 4 - 4 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 4 - 4 - 2 = 18 … damage: 1d12 ⇒ 12 crit damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5
Apostae's Ire, not proficient, strength, range 30: 1d20 + 4 - 4 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 4 - 4 - 2 = 6 … damage: 1d12 ⇒ 6

He chuckles with pleasure at the way the gun rips up the landscape and stops to clap his hands at the destruction of the 40' target. "Did you see that!? Incredible! If I could beef up Scout's lifters and rig one of those to him ... fearsome!"

He scuttles back to the table. "But none of those counted. They were just for fun. Sully had trouble with the cryo unit, so I'm going to skip that one. We count the Kiss, right?" He looks questioningly at Crax, but is already pulling the gun out of OP-1's hand and slapping a fresh magazine in. "This will be very scientific because I've got a control weapon right here."

Babau's Kiss, range 30: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 4 - 2 = 12 … damage: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 4) = 7
Babau's Kiss, range 30: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 - 2 = 5 … damage: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 1) = 4
Babau's Kiss, range 30: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 - 2 = 5 … damage: 2d4 ⇒ (1, 1) = 2
Babau's Kiss, range 30: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 4 - 2 = 13 … damage: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 1) = 4

The ysoki frowns. I'm usually a better shot than that, but the shots are grouped to the right and were low, high, high, low...." He pulls his own pistol and reels off six quick shots.

Semi-auto, range 30: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24 … damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2 crit damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Semi-auto, range 30: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22 … damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3
Semi-auto, range 30: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 … damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Semi-auto, range 30: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 … damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Semi-auto, range 30: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17 … damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Semi-auto, range 30: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 … damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

"I'll bet if you port the top of the barrel, you'll stabilize her a little."

Quig starts playing with all the weapons.

1d100 ⇒ 10

As he pops off the second shot the magazine trips an electrical fault, ejects, and subsequently explodes.

Damage 4d8 ⇒ (3, 8, 1, 6) = 18

"Geez, was that a grenade?"

***

Apostaes Ire starts lighting up the range, but the shots are all wide, until the fourth shot hits and creates an electrical surge that fries not only the 40' target, but also tags the 30' and 50' leaving them burning bits of plastic.

It also chews a chunk of battery.

***

Babaus kiss puts the rounds downrange effectively, but Quig is a bit off (setting the record straight with his usual firearm).

***

"Well you tried 'em all, looks like some work still to be done"

Making his notes and shaking his head, Crax leads you into a meeting room that adjoins the range. Along with comfortable couches, there is a table littered with wrist-badge devices.

"Feel free to have a look"

"These bands are a new personal force field device that we would like you to test out. There's a turret out on the range you can go wander in front of for a test run, or you can just wear them in a firefight against our new robots and see how they perform 'in the field' as it were"

"Turret then robots, or just robots?" Crax gets ready to hit a button on his datapad.

Sully scratches his head. ”I’d think turret alone first. Otherwise we might get some confounding variables.”

Quig scratches an ear. "Give me ten minutes first. My ears are still ringing from that explosion. What kind of arms is that turret packing anyway?"

Spend an RP to rest.

"Just a light canon - I'm sure the force fields should be good for a hit or two" he gestures towards the objects on the table confidently.

"Fire away." replies "Jack". "Can't so much to this body that hasn't been done already."

"Fire away." replies "Jack". "Can't do much to this body that hasn't been done already."

"If you're that confident, I'll go. Say why don't you come with us, Crax?"

Quig will a grab a wristband and follow Sully and Jack into the turret target terrain.

OP-1 picks up the wrist band and judging by what happened with the weapons before malfunctioning decides to give them a quick look over

Engineering forcefield: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

before putting it on.

Sully also inspects the band before donning it.

Engineering: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

"If you're that confident, I'll go. Say why don't you come with us, Crax?"

He taps his datapad, "I'm just here to run the ranges and take notes, you guys are the ones in the expensive armour" he smiles as he comments like a person who has precisely zero interest of walking into harms way.

OP-1 and Sully take a detailed look at the bracelets...

Sully's face pales as he looks over the forcefield. "Spread out folks! These things will blind you if they absorb damage! Make a note of that when Crax comes back, getting impatient with testing shoddy tech on live subjects." With that, he activates his bracelet and closes his eyes, bracing for impact and flash.

Dr. Morvius takes one of the force fields and spreads out.

Sully, Dr Creed, and Quig wander over to the turreted canon and spread out.

Ther are three short blasts from the canon as it fires at the assembled Starfinders

Dr Creed 5d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 6, 3, 1) = 17 DC16 Will save - dazzled or blind (1d3 rounds)
Quig 5d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 6, 6, 2) = 26 DC16 Will save - dazzled or blind (1 hour)
Sully 5d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 6, 2, 6) = 18 DC16 Will save or dazzled or blind (1d3 rounds)

There are two bright flashes as Creed and Sully take a hit, but a dazzling blast as Quigs shield is penetrated!

6 damage on Quig

"So... how'd they go? All good? Ready to fight some robots?"

will save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Seeing it's party members get blasted and blinking rapidly OP-1 comments

"..we are going to need a minute here" You can't tell for sure due to the robotic sounding voice but you can almost pick up a hint of sarcasm in the androids tone

before addressing the party

"Are you alright?"

Will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

The elebrian groans and blinks repeatedly, trying to restore his sight. ”Give me a minute, your forcefield flashed me!”

When the cannon shot hits, Quig reels blindly with pain. He misses his footing and falls prone on the ground.
"Urgathoa take you , Crax, and all your stupid shoddy gear! Somebody give me a hand. I can't see anything and it feels like the forcefield let the damn laser crisp me. Smells like my fur is singed right through my armor. Has anyone got a medkit?"

The ysoki stays down with his hands covering his eyes.

Will save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Crax looks a bit concerned at how this is all playing out "So... not ideal huh?" he asks as he gets the first aid kit from the office.

Over to you guys how you want to play this :)

"I'd help Sho, but I think I just forgot who I was and peed myself. . ."

"Good for blind-fighting, I suppose." comments "Jack" as he puts on one of the force-fields. He turns to Quig. "Do you think you can alter the lights before testing them on the battlefield?"

Not waiting for an answer, the half-orc turns to Crax, "I'm willing to take on some robots if you want to put the defensive capabilities through their paces."

Sully shakes his head slowly as his vision gradually returns. "Not ideal, no. Can we give Quig a little while to get his sight back? Testing your robots won't be any good otherwise, unless you want to use them against blind ysoki. Seriously, did nobody note the blinding flash during R&D stress tests?! This thing is a liability."

Quig can tell that the design is straight-up faulty, and although they could be redesigned it would take a significant rebuild - and at that point you'd be beta-testing a different device.

"Dunno, I just run the ranges and take the notes" the half-orc shrugs, "I don't do design"

OK so here's the problem: The quest is for the party to trial and evaluate a series of items, all of which have a design fault. There is a chance (with a high enough check) to identify the fault on any given item using Engineering, or the fault is found when the situational trigger occurs. Where the scenario has a problem is it doesn't specify what happens when the fault is found out in advance or during the turret test - in this case you know exactly what the fault is, when and how it occurs, and have actually demonstrated both the minor AND major faults on the item.

Personally happy to call it completed successfully there, unless people want to strap on a couple of the forcefields and be shot at by killer robots while blinded

I’m happy to kick this back to R&D without an extra encounter.

Happy for a roleplayed ending then

Happy for this to come to a close at this point.

The other parts of this adventure were all interesting. This one might be a bit wackier at a live table, but it's not ideal online.

I have had fun with you all.

"Well then, suppose we wanted feedback and we got it - not your fault it wasn't the feedback we were hoping for"

During the trip back to the shuttle, Crax continues to take notes on any last thoughts on the tests you've performed and where Arabani Arms may improve their designs for future tests and eventual production.

Your shuttle takes you immediately back to the Lorespire Complex, where you are ushered in to meet Venture-Captain Naiaj and discuss the recent tests.

"Apparently the items we sent you to test were 'in the development stage', I apologise for any particularly impeding malfunctions that you endured, but I'm grateful that we had such staunch agents taking the lead on this assignment. I hope that in the future, the Society can arrange better trade agreements with Arabani Arms and perhaps get the improved - and fixed -versions of all these Arabani tech items in the hands of Starfinders"

"That's all for now - you probably need a holiday"

Thanks all! That's a wrap!

Happy with the rp-ending. Thanks for running an awesome game as allways