The Dire GM's [SFS] #2-10: Corporate Interests (OutPost III 2020) (Inactive)

Game Master CanisDirus

This is the discussion thread for #2-10: Corporate Interests (Tie 3-6) as part of Outpost III, set to begin on March 30, 2020!

Recruitment for this game is handled through the OutPost III Google spreadsheet located HERE

Feel free to pop in and say hello if you're part of the game!

Dire's PbP "Table Rules" -

0 - RL > Game. No other rules trump rule 0! :D

1 - I'd like it if everyone posted once a day Mon-Fri. Friday night through Sunday night is eh-whatever (I am in US Eastern Time, for reference). I'll try to post when I can over weekends, but I know people have lives and won't always be online, so no worries.

2 - If you don't post in the middle of an "action" scene for a day, you get skipped once (or botted if your action would be super obvious or you leave a note to me or another player "proxying" your character). If you don't post a second time, you get "botted" by me to do something simple (usually just attack or aid another). If we get into the 3-5 range, I'll probably drop you a line off-list to see what's up. If it goes on too long...well, I hate dropping people from games, but it unfortunately happens :(

3 - When you've got a saving throw to make, please roll that first before posting any other actions/rolls (unless it can occur before the save).

4 - Feel free to roll perception and sense motive whenever you want, and if you have a reroll, feel free to use that anytime as well.

5 - Have fun! Rule 5 trumps all other rules! :P

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Also, please post the following information in this discussion thread:

Player Name/Alias:
Character Name:
Character Level:
Organized Play # / Character #:
Perception Modifier:
Initiative Modifier:
What is your favorite color:
What is your quest Day Job (if any) Roll:

After the briefing and initial info/culture checks, I'll ask you about slotting boons and such, but until then - the above is all I need.

Thanks very much, and I look forward to running this scenario for you! :)

Because this scenario has a Starship encounter, I wanted to post the following to help you familiarize yourselves with how I like to run these in Play-by-Post.

GM Instructions for Starship Combat: Because this is PbP and Ship combat can be somewhat slow even in person, I'm going to allow everyone to declare actions and make rolls at once. However, in copying another great GM's idea that I've seen, I'm going to ask that all of your dice rolls be kept behind [spoiler ] tags. When declaring your actions, though, please write those so your fellow Starfinders can see them (to allow you to work together with what each other are doing), and also feel free to post as many contingencies as you'd like, using a similar format as below.
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Example:

Phase: Helm
Role: Pilot
Action: If our ship is forced to move first, I will attempt the "Evade" maneuver to increase our AC/TL and then try to get around very wide to the "south" of target X, making sure our front arc is facing it. If we can move second, I will instead attempt to increase our maneuverability to accomplish the same thing while making sure to not end up adjacent to the enemy.

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Exception:

Because you all know the DCs that you are rolling for, if you succeed at taking an action that has an effect for a crewmember in a phase of starship combat that occurs after the one you act in, you may edit your post (or make a second post if you'd rather do it that way) to indicate such.

Example 1: The Engineer successfully diverts power to the shields (let's say +6 shields). The Engineer can post this visibly so that the Science Officer knows how many shield points they have to play with should they decide to utilize the "Balance" action during the Helm phase.

Example 2: The Science Officer wants to move all your shields to one quadrant to fend off an enemy - they can either tell the Pilot that they are doing so or ask the pilot to set them up to do things that way. Alternatively, the Science Officer can make their post with a details on how they want to move the shields once they see the positions of the enemy ship(s) in relation to theirs.

I know this is a lot to take in all at once. If you want a more thorough look at the Starship rules you can find them on the Paizo SRD site:

Starship Rules

Starship Crew Actions

Player Name/Alias: Florent
Character Name: HunterKiller 45-2
Character Level: 5
Organized Play # / Character #: 754-704
Perception Modifier: +11
Initiative Modifier: +7
What is your favorite color: - Orange -
What is your quest Day Job (if any) Roll: Profession (Bounty Hunter): 1d20 + 12 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 12 + 1 + 4 = 21

Player Name/Alias: meloriel
Character Name: Julakesh Starfist
Character Level: 4
Organized Play # / Character #: 276820-701
Perception Modifier: 4
Initiative Modifier: 0
What is your favorite color: Red
What is your quest Day Job (if any) Roll: Never!

Hi everyone! Happy to be here!

Player Name/Alias: Jim Crase
Character Name: Kitkul
Character Level:5
Organized Play # / Character #:56565-702
Perception Modifier: +5
Initiative Modifier: +2
What is your favorite color: Mine: Blue. Kitkul Ultraviolet
What is your quest Day Job (if any) Roll:Profession (Bodyguard): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14

Player Name/Alias: Cellion
Character Name: LINE-04 "Lynn"
Character Level: 5
Organized Play # / Character #: 233690-701
Perception Modifier: +0 (Pshaw, what would you ever need *that* for?)
Initiative Modifier: +7
What is your favorite color: Violet
Day Job (if any) Roll: Profession (Idol): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (3) + 16 = 19

Hi folks! Some familiar faces :)

I'm mulling over items for Lynn to drop her credits on. She doesn't use weapons, and her armor is good enough for now. Hmmm...

Since Dire GM mentioned this....

We probably want to think bout starship roles.

Kitkul (being a solarian) has limited skills sets.

They would prefer Chief Mate (Athletics +11)
I am certain they could do Captain (Diplo/Intim +8), but there are better likely

Also would make a decent gunner ( Ranged +7)

HK is an average gunner (+8) a meh pilot (+9, 1 rank) and good as a science officer or engineer (+14 each)

Although Julakesh thinks she's an amazing gunner, she's not. The only thing she doesn't suck at is chief mate (+9).

Hmmm... Lynn's got that SciOfficer/Engineer skillset (+14/+13 respectively). She doesn't have piloting as a backup. She could gun with +6, but you probably don't want that.

Peeking at the players who haven't chimed in yet, I think HK's +9 might be our best piloting. :S

This is like the Starship Combat C team. Too bad we can't just Engineering our foes to death.

Well, not with that attitude you can't! :-P

This quest pack can be run in any order, so I think I might actually run the starship encounter first (since in pbp it is arguably the longest of them). You won't be using the standard Drake/Pegasus frames, either, just to add a tiny air (or, I guess, vacuum?) of mystery for those who haven't played or run this before!

Player Name/Alias: Lysle
Character Name: Rozzicheep "Lightfoot" Bernnshaw
Character Level: 5
Organized Play # / Character #: 90900-706
Perception Modifier: +5
Initiative Modifier: +6
What is your favorite color: Blue. No, green--!
Day Job (if any) Roll: "Whether I toil or rest, whether I succeed or fail, may it all be for the glory of Sarenrae." - Lightfoot.

At the time of posting, I still need to level up this PC.

Also, I have both played and run this before, so I will refraining from making too many decisions.

Given how much has changed on my end of the screen since getting this game set up (having to do a lot to teach local GMs how to run online games), I'm running a little bit behind. I'm going to push our start back 12-18 hours so we'll start either late-night on the 30th or some time on the 31st.

Just wanted to let you all know!

No worries. And good on you spreading the joys of online play :)

Weird. I'd dotted in, but this wasn't showing that I had unread messages. Sorry. Here's my info.

Player Name/Alias: Andrew/azjauthor
Character Name: Flenn Cybertooth
Character Level: 3
Organized Play # / Character #: 108452-706
Perception Modifier: +4
Initiative Modifier: +3
What is your favorite color: Green
What is your quest Day Job (if any) Roll: Profession(lab tech): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30

Looks like we may be split tier on this one. I'm okay running high if we're borderline.

Since I'm a couple of levels lower here, looks like other folks have better modifiers for pretty much any of the starship roles than I would. My normal position is Engineer with a +12.

I could switch my ysoki to this 3rd level dwarf envoy if he better suits the table, but he is all social skills and self-preservation. Not much use for Starship, beyond a middling computers and a good captain with Encourage, Demand or Taunt.

Flenn is correct, unless someone does change characters, we're at APL 4.5 which means you would get to decide whether you want to play low or high tier.

Feel free to discuss/vote here or in pm to me as you prefer. No matter what, I'll have the mission briefing posted in the next couple of hours.

Like I said, I'm fine with going high-tier ... We seem to have enough people who can take damage that I'm not too concerned about a TPK or anything, particularly on a quest mission where I assume we will be able to rest between missions. I'm most concerned about me being able to pull my weight on the starship portions. But I think we can handle it. :)

I would prefer high-tier.

High-tier!

Sure...high tier.

Sure, why not.

Yep high-tier sounds good to me. Quests should make it easier.

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT BOONS FOR THIS SCENARIO:

Because this scenario is, effectively, a "quest pack," the rules on boons are different than usual. You can only lot permanent personal boons that give you access to play your character's race (if non-core/always-available). At the end of the adventure you can still earn fame and reputation towards your factions as per normal, however. Also, I'm okay with promotional boons being available (t-shirts/faction pins/etc.).

Aaaaaaand, we're off!

I should have gotten your character introductions out of the way sooner - my bad on that, sorry. But, once you're settled in, I'll get the next part posted. Expect things to kick off in short order! ;)

I will slot my Promotional boon (Coin Award) in this case :-)

I will slot my t-shirt re-roll, then.

Personal: Race (Formian)
Promotional: Shirt Reroll
Staying the faction Kitkul has always been, Exo-guardian.

Promotional: Shirt reroll
Faction: Wayfinders

I'm Dataphiles. Have the Improved boon, but assuming I don't get the Improved benefit, since we aren't technically slotting the boon.

That is what I am thinking also Flenn (I have the improved Exo). Hence I just said Exo so that The Dire GM has it available when making the chronicle sheets.

Lightfoot an handle most rolls modestly, except for Science Officer.

Captain - +6+1d6 Diplomacy w/expertise, +2 Bluff/Intimidate
Engineer +10
Pilot +10
Mystic +9

Ooh, I think you're our new pilot then Lightfoot.

Julakesh just has the Wayfinder faction slotted, then.

Something's come up IRL, and I won't have the time to keep up with this game. I need to drop out. I apologize for the trouble and wasting everyone's time. Dropping a game isn't something I take lightly.

Thanks for understanding.
I look forward to playing with all of you again in the future.

I hope whatever it is turns out okay. Hang in there.

Sorry to read that Julakesh...
Best wishes for your IRL!

Rather than leave the group at 5 players playing up (APL 4.6), I may have a 6th who will join us (level 5). Plus, they know meloriel and have also mentioned jumping out should Julakesh return. Stay tuned!

I was in two other games with meloriel too. If she comes back I'll happily drop for her, but thanks for the invite. I hope I can help!

Player Name/Alias: Elektra
Character Name: Kaylee Kanta
Character Level: 5
Organized Play # / Character #: 57894-702
Perception Modifier: 11
Initiative Modifier: 6
What is your favorite color: Red
What is your quest Day Job (if any) Roll: Profession mechanic/engineer: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24

I wasn't expecting to play Kaylee right now so I just quickly leveled her up to 5. If anyone catches any mistakes please let me know? Ty! <3

Oh yea and if you want Kaylee in whatever ship role,

Pilot: +16 (5 ranks and +1 to ship speed)
Captain: +12 diplomacy (5 ranks), +1 bluff, +1 intimidate
Engineer: +14 (5 ranks(
Science Officer: +14 (5 ranks plus wireless hack)
Gunner: +9 (5 ranks)
Chief Mate: +9 (5 ranks)

...ship combat might be one of my favorite things

So 20 seconds before I was going to make my round (and end of combat) post, our power went out. My laptop has no battery, so, zap.

what I was able to get from my phone 30 seconds before I also lost the ability to get online from my phone (blue dot is me)

Since I can't go to bed without power, and my "backup" laptop's battery was apparently 100% discharged, I'm now in an Arby's parking lot several miles away (thankfully online on my phone again, finally) using my car as a generator for the laptop using a power converter. I'll be here until power comes back on at home or I get too tired to work on stuff.

If you need me for anything, ping me on discord - CanisDirus#6627

I'll post as soon as I'm able. Sorry, all.

Ouch at the awful timing!

No worries Dire. We'll sit tight in the mean time.

I worked in my car until the laptop's battery was charged then went home so as not to leave my cat alone in the dark...but now I can't even get internet except 5 seconds every 10 minutes...Yay living in the woods :-(

My post is written in a text file. The second I have power, I'll post. Needless to say, you're out of combat. If you want to preemptively make one piloting check (Lightfoot) and engineering / computers checks (anyone/everyone else) in the game thread, feel free.

...So frustrating.

Take care of yourself my friend!

And thank you to try your best for us :)

Le sigh, 14 hours and counting.

Apologies for not posting. I'm fine but I've unexpectedly had to help some other people out with some stuff that took many more hours out of my last 24 hours than I expected. I'll have our next post up as soon as I placate my cat (so that she does not decide to poop in my bed or something to show her displeasure with me).

np I have some rl drama going on right now so I'll tr to keep up with posting as best I can.

I apologize, these last two days have been slightly more hectic than I planned for. I'll have a new post up soon-ish.

Some less-than-pleasant news. Kaylee's player is in the hospital with severe flu-like symptoms. The "c" word isn't being used officially, yet, but it's being presumed. I'll bot her character from here on out unless I hear anything else.

Quick recovery and best wishes for her!