[Outpost III / SFS] GMJones' 2-3 The Withering World (Inactive)

Game Master Jones228

Elwin looks at the Menhir closely.

"Ah. while I can easily stumble and fall off a log into a ravine full of acidic bugs, I might be able to actually help here.."

physical science: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

And the dicebot still hate me...

life science: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

"Interesting... "

Elwin passes along the info from the pertinent spoilers.

Berith attempts to decipher what she can using Science!™

Physical Science Check: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

"Those blue markings are solved gravity equations. It looks as if the red ones are in error somehow. Should we focus on those?" She asks the group.

I should jsut train all of the knowledge skills so Vyviane can at least try to aid. Next level I guess.

Vyviane looks at the growing thing and frowns. "Well that is clearly not good. Sadly I have very little I can help you with here. Rhys, Elywin or someone, just point me at something to shoot or stab or do that I can possibly do and I shall!"

"OK, so this was a ritual, a blood ritual, the worst. Now, how do we stop it..."

Berith and Rhys correctly identify the incorrect equations. By touching the marker, you identify as a group that the correct answers can be drawn overtop of the incorrect. As the group huddles around the Marker, movement can be heard from beyond, in the jungle.

a successful Mysticism, Physical Science, or Profession (mathematician) check can complete an incorrect equation.

Elwin, Viviane and Ziamat may act before *something happens*. figures it's 2/3 that can't help! Dicebot is unforgiving!

perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22 to look for the movement and where that is. I'll probably move there if I can spot it.

Ziamat spots the two Guardian Quorlu statues breaking free of their bases and coming forward to protect the marker.

They will be emerging on either side of the marker once Elwin, Viviane and Ziamat finish their actions. If you haven't already, place your icons where you'd like. Your team is standing on the side of the marker identified nwith the yellow X

Elwin ponders the question from a different angle after seeing the rest of the evidence...
physical science: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

"Wow. Talk about new math. This is incredibly valuable!"

Having thought about the equations since encountering them in orbit, Elwin traces his finger through an incorrect equation and changes its values. The swirling magic symbols change from red to blue, and the pulsating black tar seems to recede slightly, as Yaraesa's magic grows stronger.

1/3 Equations solved. Vivian and Ziamat may act. If you can't assist with the skill checks, may I suggest readying an action or delaying.

Vyviane gives the moving statues a slight look of disbelief. "What the dang things don't activate when the cultists come and demonstrably do harm. Don't move on the thing slowly destroying the monument? No! People come to help? Yep that's a danger and means the statues have to activate. Ugh! Piss poor security. Probably only reacts to non-quorlu presences only. Or the cultists had the security codes."

She pulls her weapon, and prepares to fire on the things if the things prove to be aggressive, or get too close. Readying a shot if the things make an attack or get too close.

Little Zap-Zap (Static Arc-Pistol) vs. EAC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Electric Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Is this a surprise round and only get one action, or do we get full actions as this isn't a surprise round. Cause I plan to fly up to the yellow X and breath a 30 foot cone of fire. It would not matter if I can see them or not, if they are in that 30 foot cone, which is a lot of space to cover, they still have to make that reflex save.

Moved my character.
If I can breath fire before round 1 and init is rolled then dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 4 reflex 12 for half.

You were aware of them approaching, so you can take full actions. I just started the initiative without announcing combat had begun, in case it didn't. The dice just didn't go your way with 2 out of three characters unable to attempt the skill checks before the guardians turn

Ziamat breathes fire to the right side of the marker as the Blue Corrupted Guardian emerges into sight.

Reflex: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12 and takes 2 fire damage.

In retaliation, the Guardian fires all three of its eye rays, creating a 30-foot cone of freezing black sludge. Chunky shrapnel spreads out over Ziamat and Rhys.
Cold Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 2) = 5 DC 13 Reflex for half damage.

To the left of the marker, a second Guardian emerges and fires it's corrupting spray against Tixylix and Elwin, narrowly missing Viviane.

Cold Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7 DC 13 Reflex for half damage.

All remaining PC's may make their round one actions, Then Ziamat, Viviane and Elwin may act again. If you three want to post, I'll just count your action as happening after Tix, Rhys and Berith.

Berith moves forward and attempts to solve one of the equations in the midst of the chaos.

Physical Science Check: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

She waits to see if it turned from red to blue as the other did.

refl: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Elwin reels back in pain...

OK, we need a third check, right? Is it any of the initial checks or a specific one? Will hold my action for now, will make a check if needed or try to damage a baddie if not.

Rhys points her left hand towards that strange thing Which skill to indentify them? and three magical projectiles are flying towards it and she hopes that this will not be one of those rare times when this spell does not work. Spell Resistance: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Magic Missle: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3Magic Missle: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2Magic Missle: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
"I would love to solve it right now but we should give each person giving it a try all the space to concentrate on that task and not overwrite that person's work. I would love to give it a try next time, but i am a bit far away."

Full action to use Magic Missile on blue.

Rhys, you are correct, only one PC can attempt per round, as a full round action. Berith, would you like to replay your turn? I am sorry I did not make it clear...or made no mention of it whatsoever..... Elwin could attempt again as a second round action. Any of the three skill can be used, so you can repeat Physical Science. New gm, still have lots of errors left to make!

The shooting stars crash into the Guardian. It seems to shake off what could have been a grievous wound. Guardian Statues could be identified with mysticism check

It's okay, just don't burn yourself out! Hope you have family and friends reminding you to eat and sleep and do stuff to get the stress our of your system.

Seeing how that guardian creature shrug off that spell Rhys is squinting at it and going through all the creatures she is remembering capable of doing that.
Mysticism: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
"Anybody remembers creatures with Spell Resistance or being immume to force damage?"
Reduce the DC of Culture and Mysticism checks to recall knowledge about hidden cults and secretive religions, including knowledge about their beliefs, hierarchy, and symbols, by 5.
But i believe it was simple that very low SR check. ;) We will see.

In that case...
Elwin moves towards Blue (assuming that's the one Rhys hit) and reaches out to try to touch it...
jolting surge touch v EAC: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
E damage: 4d6 ⇒ (3, 5, 6, 1) = 15

mysticism: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

While Elwin fails to connect with the Guardian, he gets close enough to identify that it's some kind of magical construct. Elwin, what 2 pieces of useful information would you like about the Guardian?

Rhys identifies that it that it does indeed have a resistance to spells. SR12 for ease and speed of posting

Hmmm... Any other defensive abilities and special attacks? Anyone think of better options?

reflex: 3 + 1d20 ⇒ 3 + (14) = 17 edit coming please wait.
After taking two damage, Ziamat edges closer to hit blue with his staff
hit: 4 + 1d20 ⇒ 4 + (12) = 16 vs KAC dmg: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 and it has block ability.

Hmmm... Any other defensive abilities and special attacks? Anyone think of better options?

Resistances! Knowing which weapon to deal damage with is important!

Vyviane gives a frown as the statues start shooting things at her crew. She looks up at the one that very nearly hit her and calls out, "Hey, dummy security! Don't hurting my crew when they're just helping out! Jeez, you ought not be here at all if you let that happen to your relic!" She punctuates the last sentence with a point at the monolith.

Trick Attack, Bluff: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (9) + 17 = 26
Extra damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1
Little Zap-Zap (Static Arc-Pistol) vs. EAC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Electric Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

DR 2/adamantine. Immunities: construct immunities. You also saw the corrupting spray already which it used when it appeared

Viviane taunts the construct but fails to land the shot from her pistol.

Ziamat strikes the Guardian with his staff, it's dense shell shaking off some of the blow.

Tixylix may act, and Berith may choose to redo her turn due to my error. If you'd like to make a round 1 action and use your successful check as a round 2 action I'm happy to make up for my mistake that way.

Initiate order:
Round 1 - Equation check made
Viviane
Elwin
Ziamat
Guardians
Berith
Tixylix
Rhys
Round 2:
Viviane
Elwin
Ziamat
Guardians

I posted and my post got eaten. Luckily it didn't have any great RP in it.

Tixy and the Drone move up and target blue.

Tactical Semi-Auto Pistol: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16 Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Laser rifle, azimuth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16 Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 6

Tixylix and the drone both hammer the Guardian, blasting away large chunks of its hulking form.

Blue has taken 15 points of damage

Round 1 Redo: Berith readies an action (Standard) to fire after her drone's movement, directs her drone to move (Move, granting the drone an extra Move action), the drone moves (Move action), and they both fire (Readied Action plus drone Standard action. Attacks are vs Red.
Berith's Ranged Attack vs EAC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
Berith's Fire Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7
Shai's Ranged Attack vs EAC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Shai's Plasma (F&E) Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 9

Berith and Shai mercilessly blast the second Guardian, inflicting major damage. Both constructs continue their assualt.

Red lumbers up to the group and swings its body spike down at Berith.

Melee attack, body spikes: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
Damage, P: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Blue strikes out at Ziamat.
Melee attack, body spikes: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
Damage, P: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Initiate order: All PC's may act!
Round 2 - No checks made
Berith - May choose to use previous skill check, or continue fighting.
Tixylix
Rhys
Round 3 - No checks made
Viviane
Elwin
Ziamat
Guardians. Red -16hp, Blue -15Hp

Berith uses her previous skill check as a full round action, since she doesn't have to direct her drone, though, and it doesn't need to move, the drone still can fire this round.

While Berith attempts to solve the equation, Shai opens fire on the same guardian as before.

Shai's Ranged Attack vs EAC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Shai's Plasma (F&E) Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 4

Shai blasts the Guardian to bits, freeing up Berith to reach out and correct the equation.

Red is dead, 2/3 equations completed

Elwin once again reaches out to try to just touch the last guardian...
jolting surge, EAC: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
E damage: 4d6 ⇒ (3, 5, 2, 6) = 16

Once again he can't quite get good contact.
Man, dicebot really hates me on every one of my games. :)

Limbing towards that guardian Rhys balls her fist and hopes to land a solid hit.
"I will try to get near that stone as soon as possible. But for now hears my fist!"

Battleglove to hit KAC: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Damage is Bludgeoning: 1d4 ⇒ 3

oouch And Ziamat swings back at blue hit: 4 + 1d20 ⇒ 4 + (2) = 6 vs KAC dmg: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 blunt damage and block ability.

Vyviane gives a smile as the crew takes down the first statue. "Brilliant work there. Now who's going to handle working on solving equations next. Berith you still good for that?"

She then looks over at the last remaining statue. "They're on their last feet. Let's get it down and broken. Yoo-hoo, Mr. Tall-Dark-and-Stony!"

Little Zap-Zap (Static Arc-Pistol) vs. EAC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Electric Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

At Viviane's shot, the remaining Guardian stumbles backwards and falls. As it strikes the ground, the black growth on the broken pieces of the Guardians and the marker explodes in a brilliant blue light. With the creeping black sickness gone, a holy glowing symbol of Yaraesa is revealed on the marker once again and pulses with a healthy energy. The twisting clouds in the sky break, and daylight pours through as they disperse.

Combat End!

The crew is left standing beside the marker in the quiet of the jungle.

This concludes Quest 2, check in with VC Arvin when you are ready to move on.

Watching the last guardian drop with Vyviane's shot, Berith replies, "I'm good with it, but not as good as you. Nice shot. And you can call me Berry."

I'm ready to move on whenever everyone else is.

Yes, and Ziamat rests up for the night. Pretty sure it is a day between each quest in any scenario that has 5 quests, from into the unknown, to the commencement to this one.

The Commencement isn't a quest pack, so it's really up to the party/GM how they handle it. Some of the missions are pretty long in game time, so it makes sense to have a night's sleep or whatever between them, but it doesn't say anything in the scenario about it, so it's a GM call. For quest packs (like ITU, 1-16, and 2-03) though, yeah. You're supposed to treat each quest like a brand new gaming session. Everyone starts each quest at full health/stamina/resolve/spells/charges on batteries. Each mission in this is a full 'reset' for the characters.

I am okay with moving on. I thought we have to do the last equation but outside a combat situation we can handle that quickly.

Outside the combat Rhys gives it a try to solve the last incorrect part.
Mysticism: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
I liked the part of only one character being able to do something on the stone and the others have to fight. You can move to the stone and then have to do something else and you cannot do the skill check right then.
It's a nice challenge.

---------------
The next day Rhys is jogging a round through the ship. "Feels so good to be able to move around without this painful scratches. It's healed enough!"

"Well, it seems as if we are making progress here. Let's rest up and see what comes up next.."

The crew reports their findings back to Venture Captain Arvin. While he is interested to learn about the corruption of the Marker and Guardians, it is the red dust you collected that draws his attention. He suggests this may lead to a new line of questioning to the captured Devourer Cultists and thanks you for a job well done.

You spend the night on the ship waiting for your next assignment.

Quest 3: Ingredients

In the morning, the Arvin hails the Loreseeker. "The Devourer cultists who’ve already spread across this planet seem intent on corrupting the markers that keep the planet from falling into the nearby black hole. Your next assignment is to prevent the cultists from destroying more markers with their foul rituals. Based on what we’ve learned from the cultist you've captured, and an analysis of the substance, the easiest way to do so is to swap out some of the cultists’ ritual components for extremely similar substances you can find in this jungle. We’ve identified a site the Devourer cultists are using to store their ritual components. Go into the nearby jungle and retrieve some pollen from a baneflower, crushed nightvine fruit, and the secretions from a Tanisk. Use these to pollute the Devourer’s cache of components. Handle them with care, some are quite toxic.
I’ve attached coordinates to the Devourer cultists’ cache. Be quick to complete this, as you’ll need to add these pollutants before the cultists return!

You bring the ship down again into a clearing and set off into the cool and damp rain forest to forage for the items Arvin identified. This place seems free of the weather and seismic events that plague other areas. It seems quite active, unlike the other areas you've encountered that have been corrupted. Local wildlife moves through the trees around the area, rattling the crystalline leaves and filling the area with a soothing melodic sound. The leaves above form a thick canopy. Water drips down slowly on you as you move along.
Ahead, the trail widens to about ten feet. Rough roots emerge from the ground, making extended travel bothersome. Local fauna squawks through the foliage. Washed-out colors fill the sky almost to a blue white, and the great orb of the sun rises towards its zenith.

You spread out over the area and begin searching. Everyone can attempt one of the checks to start. Map is located on Slide 6

Baneflower:Any PC attempting this can place their icons anywhere along the path

Nightvine:Any PC attempting this can place their icons at ant tree on the map
Looking up up at the canopy of trees, approximately 20 feet from the ground, the group spots dark greenish-blue twisted vines spread out from tree to tree. Flowering on the vines is a small red crystal.

Tanisk:Any PC attempting this can place their icons at the river.
Tiny frog-like creatures known as tanisks meander around the stream along the southern edge of the area. The tanisks don't appear aggressive or overtly dangerous, but they move quickly when threatened.

Elwin saunters down the path, checking out this BaneFlower. He carefully selects one and tries to properly harvest it...

life sciences: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

Describe "carefully" and "properly" for me. Asking for a friend!

Rhys is looking for a body of water and then tries to catch one of the tiny froglike creatures.
Survival: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
The first one is jumping into the water and Rhys splashes a lot of water but no luck.

Shaking off the water she tries again. "Come little... come..."
Survival: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

Rhys is holding one of the little creatures in her hand. "So how do i harvest that little sac on your back?" She eyes that creature between her fingers making sure to form some kind of cage and making sure it can't move a limb.

Feel free to read the spoiler for the first fail! :)

Ziamat will help fly someone else up to the nightvine. I don't have a slashing weapon to bring it down and I ain't using my breath weapon.

Tixylix stands atop his drone, balancing on tiptoes trying to reach the Nightvine.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (8) + 0 = 8

Overbalancing as he reaches up he falls off the drone and crashes into the ground knocking the wind out of himself. Gasping for a moment he lies there.

Tixylix stands atop his drone, balancing on tiptoes trying to reach the Nightvine.

Overbalancing as he reaches up he falls off the drone and crashes into the ground knocking the wind out of himself. Gasping for a moment he lies there.

You got ninjaed, but you probably would have allowed Ziamat to pick you up and fly you there.

Oh and I keep forgetting this, but when init is rolled, both me and Tixylix get the higher of our two inits cause of the Dragonkin's bond.

Heh...
Elwin, with armor sealed, gently grasps the flower below it's body and uses his knife to quickly cut and separate several inches below the flower.

Thanks Ziamat

...with armor sealed...

Elwin picks the flowers freely and suffers no ill effects.

Tixylix and Ziamat are linked so closely (that they post at the exact same time) that Ziamat prevents any falling damage. Ziamat offers to fly Tixylix, or anyone else with the ability to cut or burn the fruit free, up to avoid climbing. A slashing or burning attack and damage roll must still be made.

I will try to remember the Initiative trick from now on. Pretty sure you did tell me before we started.

Rhys, what do you try to do to acquire the fluid from the creature? There's only a few wrong answers.

Tixylix draws his survival knife and slices at the fruit.

Survival Knife: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2