GM Quirk's Threefold Conspiracy

Game Master Quirk, Private Eye

T'sorkel squeaks as the lift lowers and laser fire blasts off the bulkhead. Instinctively, he tries to use Rar'gul's greater form to block the shots. We have to stop them! Then we can find the Doctor and John!

Seeing a goblin try to cut Rar'gul though, the grad student recalls a memory of alien insects that annoyed and irritated him during one of his excursions to a set of ruins. At the speed of memory, he reaches out to Archive to find the perfect memory of the distraction and irritation. He plucks it out and casts it forth at the goblin. A glowing red firelight appears, zipping around the goblin, hoping to distract him and make him an easier target for the Trox.

Casting Wisp Ally. It performs harrying fire effect on the red goblin, giving Rar'gul +2 to his next attack against it.

Some queries in spoiler below:

Emerging from the lift, Rar'gul is greeted by a laser blast and a prod from the goblin's blade.

Reacting on an instinct borne from his urgency to reach his companions, Rar'gul reflexively reaches a bare hand toward the offending goblin, squeezing it into a clenched fist.

Entropic strike (vs EAC) w/bonus from wisp: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 2 = 8
A&B Damage: 1d3 + 3 + 1d4 ⇒ (2) + 3 + (3) = 8 (-1 EP for boost)

Entropic boost is a move action. Attack is standard.l

"Back up, Doc. There's too many doors to hold here."

With a quick nod, Doc makes a tactical retreat, crouching behind a table. Having gained a sliver of cover, the halfling takes a moment to power up her new rifle. The lozenge-shaped weapon lights up as curved panels lift away from the body, revealing a knot of internal energy; as Doc grips the stock, her glove opens at a seam to allow small surgical tubes to snake out and connect to ports on the rifle.

Move action: move 20 feet as notated on the map. Move action: draw a weapon (caustolance).

With partial cover, Doc's AC is now EAC 14 / KAC 15.

Beauregard, you have arrived in that corner of the main deck ready to go. You may take actions this turn as normal, so please move and act as you please!

I'll bot Yariel if necessary later this evening and move on to round three!

Doc taps her comm unit. "Does anyone have eyes on the hobgoblin? I would like to enroll her in a particular clinic trial of mine." Her words are innocuous, but the halfling's tone is as sharp as a zero-edge scalpel.

GMQ, in putting together my last post, I lost sight of the fact that trick attack is a full round action, and I had used a move action to draw my pistol also. Ergo, the trick attack shouldn't have taken place. Also, the goblin's shot would have hit. Too bad, it was most of my damage. John has 1 point of damage.

"Urg!" John flinches from the goblin's shot. He waves his cane again, and fires at the goblin a second time, then retires to starboard.

Trick Attack, bluff v 20+ foe's CR, special, Doc's buff: 1d20 + 11 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 11 + 4 + 2 = 21
Static Arc pistol v yellow EAC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 ... damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Trick attack damage, if made,then damage and foe is flat-footed: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Move as shown as part of trick attack.

Yariel bolts up the ladder, ”What the frack, why are they...”

She glances into the galley, noticing her pinned down allies and charges inside, ”Goblin scum! And I gave you benefit if the doubt!!!” The ysoki fiddles with her tablet and suddenly the goblin’s weapon turns into a snake, coiling confusingly around his arm... or at least that’s what she wants him to think.

Move and cast Daze vs. Yellow, DC 14 Will.

One of the goblins in the corridor bursts into the dining hall, firing his junklaser at the first target he sees--Yariel!

to hit: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
damage if hit: 1d4 ⇒ 1

The goblin already in the dining hall looks with confusion at his junk laser, but manages to shake off his bewilderment at what he thought he saw.

will save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

He shoots at John again.

to hit: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

The two goblins in the corridor continue to attack the hulking form of Rar'gul.

to hit with laser: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
damage if hit: 1d4 ⇒ 2

to hit with dog slicer: 1d20 ⇒ 2
damamge: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Bold may go. Beauregard may go twice.

1. Blue Goblin
2. Red Goblin
3. Yellow Goblin (-2)
4. Yariel
5. T'sorkel
6. Dr. Flint Bridge (-4)
7. Rar'gul (-4)
8. John (-1)
9. Beauregard
10. Green Goblin

Turn 1: Beauregard shouts "Pain Train, comming through" as he charges up to the green goblin, arm extended, and clotheslines him.

Natural weapon attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
damage if hit: 1d3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Because of Nuar abilities, this is a lethal, non-archaic attack

Turn 2: He tells the Goblin to stand down.

I think that should be -6 for Rar'gul now

Intent on the blade-swinging goblin before him, Rar'gul is barely aware of the laser strike as it grazes his shoulder. "Where's yourrr boss?"

Having missed his attempt to crush the goblin with his bare hand, the trox swings with his other hand, bringing his massive hammer around in an effort to crush his tiny assailant.

Glamered assault hammer (vs KAC): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Bludgeoning Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

The annoying insect continues to harass the goblin on its own and T'sorkel flicks his hand at the space goblin. A loose bolt flies at the creature, but just bounces harmlessly off the bulkhead. Seeing the other goblins enter the galley, T'sorkel goes after them.

Telekinetic Projectile: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

The Wisp would have added +2 to Rar'gul's attack, but I doubt it makes any difference.

Taking assessment of her limited supply of pharmaceuticals, Doc clicks her tongue in frustration before leveling her weapon at the goblins. "This is hardly an appropriate use for medical equipment!" she grumbles to no one in particular.

Full action: full attack against green (or yellow, if green is down) with the caustolance (18/20 charges remaining).

Full Attack w/ Caustolance vs. Goblin (EAC): 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 2 - 4 = -1
Caustolance Damage (A): 1d6 ⇒ 2

Full Attack w/ Caustolance vs. Goblin (EAC): 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 2 - 4 = 15
Caustolance Damage (A): 1d6 ⇒ 1

Seeing the influx of reinforcements, John stops his retreat. He steps forward and kicks a chair at his opponent, then fires his pistol.

Move as part of trick attack. Kicking the chair might not be the greatest bluff, but its what I'm using.

Trick Attack, bluff v 20+ foe's CR, special: 1d20 + 11 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 11 + 4 = 28
Static Arc pistol v yellow EAC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18 ... damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Trick attack damage, if made,then damage and foe is flat-footed: 1d4 ⇒ 3

My trick attack damage for 3 points is the highest unmodified damage roll we have this round!

Botting Yariel, who will be attacking green with an energy ray.

Energy Ray vs. EAC: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16 for Fire: 1d3 ⇒ 2

With that, green and yellow are down.

The two goblins in the dining hall are rocked with a combination of attacks, taking them both down.

Despite the assistance from T'sorkel summoned insect, Rar'gul only just misses the goblin near him.

This goblin, now emboldened by his seeming invincibility, presses the attack, with the other nearby one firing her junk laser again.

dog slicer attack: 1d20 ⇒ 13
slashing damage if hit: 1d4 ⇒ 3

laser attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
fire damage if hit: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Appears to be a hit.

Bold may go.

1. Blue Goblin
2. Red Goblin
3. Yellow Goblin (-2)
4. Yariel
5. T'sorkel
6. Dr. Flint Bridge (-4)
7. Rar'gul (-7)
8. John (-1)
9. Beauregard
10. Green Goblin

Doc doesn't hesitate - as soon as to two goblins in the dining room are dropped, she runs forward, taking an advanced position next to the door to the kitchen. Pushing the door open with the tip of her rifle and seeing no goblins, the halfling motions for her compatriots to leapfrog forward.

Move action: move as notated on the map. Standard action: ready an action to attack the first goblin (or hobgoblin) that Doc sees.

Beauregard will move forward and open the door (and move to the next door if opening the door is automatic like in Star Trek)

Seeing the goblins inside the room fall, T'sorkel calls out to the others for help. Out in the corridor! Rar'gul needs help! He's fending off two of them! With all combat around him, his connection with the Archive fades and the memory of the insect annoying the goblin winks out. Undeterred, he flips a hand at the far goblin and the bolt rips out of the bulkhead and flies at it.

Telekinetic Projectile vs blue: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

T'sorkel drops the far goblin.

Rar'gul barely notices the goblins' attacks, he is so intent upon reaching his besieged companions.

"Do not kkeep me frrom prrotecting the otherrrs!" he rumbles, slamming both his hands toward either side of the goblin's head...

Entropic strike 1(vs EAC): 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 - 4 = 10
A&B Damage: 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Entropic strike 2(vs EAC): 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 - 4 = 9
A&B Damage: 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

...and misses.

Well, this continues to be entirely underwhelming...

For you, but T'sorkel rolled some real damage there. I think it's a sign of better rolls ahead.

"On my way, T'sorkel." John hurries into the corridor, stepping over a dead goblin on the way. He points his pistol at the goblin, but Rar'gul blocks the shot. John rests his arm against the wall and announces, "Rar'gul, I can't get a shot through you!"

Then he waits an opportuninty to fire. Maybe the goblin will step toward the kitchen wall.

Move as part of trick attack. I'll let you drop in any cover modifiers to my attack, GMQ.

Trick Attack, bluff v 20+ foe's CR, special: 1d20 + 11 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 11 + 4 = 26
Static Arc pistol v yellow EAC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21 ... damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5
Trick attack damage, if made,then damage and foe is flat-footed: 1d4 ⇒ 3

-COMBAT ENDS-

More in a bit.

"The Goblins were dead, to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that."

Let's start with a quick perception from anyone who would like to roll one. You may also let me know anything specific your character would like to do at this moment.

What a miserly post. :-)

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

"Doctor Flint-Bridge is right. We need to find the hobgoblin. The two logical spots are the bridge or engineering."

Then he seems to notice his companions. "Is everyone all right? I have healing serums? Song, are you OK?"

"The Goblins were dead, to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that."

Wait, were the goblins dead at the beginning of combat? That's a plot twist.

Perception check: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

"Is everyone all right?"

Doc scoffs. "Barring the goblins, I see no injuries above superficial. Check on the cook."

Taking a deep breath, she continues, "The goblins were a distraction. Something is afoot and the clock is ticking. John is right - it's either the bridge or engineering. Normally I would suggest we divide and conquer, but currently I think our strength is in numbers. To the bridge?"

Yariel taps a quick communication to Kiiv, hoping for a fast response. She then deletes it and calls him up while letting her allies know, "Checking on Kiiv."

If he answers, "Hey Kiiv, goblins snapped and started trying to kill everyone. We took them down, you alright?"

A jolt of electricity zips by, narrowly missing Rar'gul. As the goblin before him falls, the trox spins around, ready to face his next foe.

He is surprised to find only John - arm against the wall, the crackles of electric energy still dissipating from his weapon - sharing the corridor with he and T'sorkel.

He nods to the man in silent thanks and replies telepathically to the shirren, Thanks for watching my back. He pats his smaller companion on the shoulder. You handled yourself very well. Let's find out what's going on.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Dr. Flint-Bridge is first to notice that one of the goblins has a rather large piece of fabric tucked in his belt.

It appears to be one of the Chimera's pillow cases. It has a crude map of the ship drawn on it.

These goblins were looking for something.

Beauregard throws his hands up in the air.

"This is the most cockamamie case I've ever been on. Now the Goblins are up to something. Might as well go interrogate the Hobgoblin so she can deny everything too!"

How do Jincheroga and the goblins fit into this? Maybe this is just them getting loose and running amok? They didn't seem to have any connection to the other events. T'sorkel comes over to examine the pillow case. He turns it this way and that until he figures out which way is up. He looks to see if any place on the ship is specified.

T'sorkel ascertains that the pillow case has, in black ink, a rough schematic of the Chimera. It is marked in several places with an "X". Were these goblins on some sort of scavenger hunt?

Before any of you can contemplate this further the ship’s intercom crackles, and Captain Rameem can be heard shouting, “…off my bridge!” Someone screams in a high pitch, and then the intercom cuts out again with a pop.

I believe you were planning to head for the bridge anyway. I'll get this set up further later this evening. This is the "lock and load" portion of the adventure.

I have taken the liberty to move everyone to the area of the bridge (acually just outside, though the doors have been bypassed and now stand wide open). You may move your pawns to anywhere in the corridor just outside the bridge.

On the bridge, amid the officer stations and near the central
captain’s chair, a creature that seems to be part goblin and
part wolf holds Captain Rameem by the neck.

“Stay back!” it says in Jincheroga’s voice, snarling. “I’ll tear
his throat out if you interfere!”

She addresses First Mate Lozu Pahir, who has her hands
raised. A pistol has been cast to the floor near her.
Mate Pahir says, “Let’s talk about this, Jincheroga.”

Jincheroga draws Rameem close, then says, “I’ll tear you
apart if you don’t clear the bridge and give me control. I’ll
swallow your soul, whoever you are.”

Slide 2 shows the new map. Slide 3 shows a picture of Captain Rameem that should have had up earlier. It also shows a picture of Jincheroga in her...."current form."

...

Before any of you can contemplate this further the ship’s intercom crackles, and Captain Rameem can be heard shouting, “…off my bridge!” Someone screams in a high pitch, and then the intercom cuts out again with a pop.
...

"At least we know where to go now. Rar'gul why don't you lead? Be not hasty until we know what be happening."

...

On the bridge, amid the officer stations and near the central captain’s chair, a creature that seems to be part goblin and part wolf holds Captain Rameem by the neck.

“Stay back!” it says in Jincheroga’s voice, snarling. “I’ll tear his throat out if you interfere!”

She addresses First Mate Lozu Pahir, who has her hands raised. A pistol has been cast to the floor near her. Mate Pahir says, “Let’s talk about this, Jincheroga.”

Unfortunately John doesn't have the skills to figure out what she is.

Jincheroga draws Rameem close, then says, “I’ll tear you
apart if you don’t clear the bridge and give me control. I’ll
swallow your soul, whoever you are.”

John skids to a stop in the hallway outside the bridge behind Rar'gul. This be bad, and not just her new hairstyle.

John keeps his pistol in hand, but points it at the floor.

"Jincheroga! Let's not do anything anyone will regret. IF you explain yourself, we might not shoot you. We might even help."

While he waits for a reply, he whispers, "Someone watch our backs."

"Yes, uh, whoever you are, let's talk about this reasonably and logically. First of all, giving you control of the ship does nothing. We still can't go anywhere. Kiiv hasn't completed repairs. And I doubt you can threaten him to complete them from up here on the bridge."

At John's direction, Rar'gul nods and trots toward the lift leading to the upper decks. Reaching the Crew Deck, the trox heads directly for the Bridge, coming to a stop just outside the now open doors.

Waiting for his companions to arrive, Rar'gul slips a serum of healing from his backpack and administers a dose to himself.

Healing Serum, mk I: 1d8 ⇒ 4

As the group form up in the corridor outside the Bridge, Rar'gul tries to get a good look inside, as he adds an appeal of his own.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

"We'rre all on this boat togetherrr; let us help. But should you hurrt the Captain - or the Firrst Mate - therre will be little we can do."

Skill to ID the creature?

Skill to ID the creature?

Mysticism is what you are after for this one.

Mysticism (t): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Yariel glances in and tries to figure out what the creature is, it might help their ‘negotiations’.

Mysticism: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Peeking out from behind Rar'gul's hulking form, Doc scans the creature with her custom microlab (range of 60 feet).

Life Science check to Identify Creature (w/ custom microlab): 20 + 8 = 28

"Frankly, I don't see why we should intervene here at all." Doc raises her voice so all can hear her. "I have serious reservations about supporting either of these duplicitors, so my vote is to let them fight to the death and mop up what remains. Unless anyone would like to file a petition?"

Doc, will your custom microlab allow you to identify creatures that require mysticism to identify?

To my understanding, it works on any creature, regardless or type.

As long as you have your custom microlab, as a move action you can target a creature within your line of sight and within the microlab’s range (60 feet at 1st level) and attempt a special skill check to identify it. If the creature is living, this is a Life Science check. If it is unliving, it’s a Physical Science check. The DC of this check is determined by the creature’s rarity, as presented on the Creature Rarity table on page 133 of the Core Rulebook. You can attempt this check untrained regardless of the DC, and you always treat your die roll result as a 20.

Mysticism: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Memories of the creature standing behind the Captain, float up to T'sorkel form the Archive.

Mysticism: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

ohhhhkay. A 28, 29, and 25 in mysticism, including two nattie 20's. I'm pretty much going to copy and past the entry for ya'll.

Apparently Jincheroga is a BARGHEST. Doc thinks she may have met one in the past, and T'sorkel once had to assist another family member in subduing one who became surly.

LE Medium outsider (evil, extraplanar, lawful, shapechanger)
Init +6; Senses blindsense (scent) 30 ft., darkvision 60 ft.;
Perception +10

DEFENSE
EAC 16; KAC 18
Fort +6; Ref +6; Will +5
DR 5/magic

OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee bite +13 (1d6+8 P) or
claw +13 (1d4+8 S; critical bleed 1d4)
Ranged azimuth laser pistol +11 (1d4+4 F; critical burn 1d4)
Offensive Abilities

1/day—charm monster (DC 14), dimension door (self only),
fear (2nd level, DC 13)
At will—flight (2nd level), nondetection

ECOLOGY
Environment any
Organization solitary or cult (1 plus space goblin tribe)
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Change Shape (Su) Each barghest has only one specific
goblinoid form and one specific wolf form.

Doc frowns as she scans the microlab's readouts, surreptitiously preparing a custom mix of pharmaceuticals with subtle finger twitches.

"A barghest," Rar'gul murmurs as he recognises the creature that is what-was-Jincheroga.

Either duplicator? he wonders, turning to Doc in puzzlement. The trox's mandibles twitch in alarm. Of course! He had been so focused on revealing the shapeshifter, the possibility of there being more than one had never crossed his mind!

A sudden realisation dawns on him. "Wherre's Grrath?"

"Quite right, a barghest." T'sorkel nods, his tone turning academic and unconcerned with the standoff in front of them. "They can be quite a handful, but they also can only take a single goblinoid and a single wolf form. While she might be capable of tearing out someone's throat with her jaws, she would not be able to take the form of a kasatha or squeeze through a vent grating. So therefore, the Doctor's deduction is likely correct that there is at least one of shapechanger onboard." He bows his head in Doctor Flint-Bridge's direction.

He then turns to Lozu. "Did you know? Did you know Jincheroga wasn't in her true form this whole time?"

Was planning to ask about Grath myself,SuperS.

"What be a bar guess?"

Rar'gul spies Grath's lifeless body laying on the floor near the pilot's station.

Lozu looks to T'sorkel and impatiently replies "of course I didn't know! Do something!"

Jincheroga turns to all of you and says "Oh, we can get this vessel underway again. I would be more than happy to drop all of you off wherever you would like within the Pact Worlds. All you have to do is help me secure the bridge. Take the first officer into custody, and what do you care what I do with the captain? You have already proved your case that he is a MURDERER!"