GM Quirk's Threefold Conspiracy

Game Master Quirk, Private Eye

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!"

Doc idly fiddles with her rifle, keeping the tone of her voice casual. "And why should we trust you? You've been lying to us about who you are and why you're here since the beginning. You're currently attempting a mutiny. You sent a squad of mercenary goblins to loot the passengers. Oh, and about them..." Doc takes a moment to brush some lint from her sleeve, "I do hope you weren't expecting to get them back."

"So. You're in armed opposition against the crew of this fine vessel. Your backup is gone. The largest share of gun," Doc waves vaguely at the group in the hallway, "is, currently, uncommitted. Fill in some of the details, Jincheroga, and make your case."

Yariel is in agreement and adds on, "Take a breath and look at your sitch, you have literally one VERY SHORT TERM bargaining chip. You kill that one, we walk in and slaughter you. It'll be sad, but we won't worry too hard about it. Half of us out here can easily pilot this little bucket of bolts. So, before you do something incredibly stupid, why don't you give us a bit of actual incentive to do what you want. What were you looking for and how much is it worth, maybe we can come up with a new deal."

We just gotta keep her talking and get the hostage clear, then we can blast this b****.

Beauregard sighs.

”This is why amateurs shouldn’t do PI work. Listen, Jincheroga, we suspect it is the captain. But we don’t have incontrovertible proof. Loads of circumstantial evidence? Yes. Proof? No. Besides, courts are in charge of punishments, not us. Also, if did as You say that would make us accessories to murder, just as bad as the captain. . . and you. Look, the easiest way out of this for you is to let whoever that is go, and agree to get locked up in your room. Otherwise things just get uglier.”

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

T'sorkel nods to Lozu, taking her word for it. He shrugs and listens to the others speaking to Jincheroga. "Actually, that's an interesting point. Jincheroga, you're in a unique position to determine if our deductions have been correct. Does the Captain smell like a kasatha?"

John waits for the barghest to reply with his trigger finger laid carefully along the barrel of his arc pistol.

Jincheroga appears ready to snarl something back at you when Lozu lunges for her pistol on the floor. She gets off an off-balanced shot that goes well over Jincheroga's head.

Jincheroga screams furiously, chomps down on Captain Rameem's neck and tosses the body to the side like a rag doll.

Time for initiative, I think.

Jincheroga steps behind the captain's chair, perhaps granting himself a little cover. He looks toward Rar'gul and casts a spell.

Bold may go.

1. Jincheroga
2. T'sorkel
3. John
4. Beauregard
5. Dr. Flint-Bridge
6. Rar'gul
7. Yariel
8. Lozu

Beauregard starts bluring into black and white and then casually tells Jincheroga: "And there I was, punching the Barghest from behind."

Much to her surprise, when the Barghest turns around, she sees a shadowy black and white version of the Nuar is throwing a punch at her. She's esaisly able to dodge, but the phantom is distracting

Casting Whisp ally, it will harry (-2 to hit) her attacks.

Doc clicks her tongue in irritation. "Nobody's ever interested in talking. Always with the shooting." The halfing steps lightly, seeking a flanking position against the barghest. Raising her rifle, Doc pulls the trigger, sending a chemically-laden beam of energy in Jincheroga's direction.

Move action: move as shown on map; hopefully gaining some cover. Standard action: Use the caustolance to deliver an inhibitor biohack to Jincheroga. If it hits, it will reduce her DR by 5 for 5 rounds.

Attack vs. Jincheroga (EAC) w/ Caustolance: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

Oh, and how is our buddy Rameem looking?

Medicine check: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (9) + 8 + (3) = 20

Doc's shot misses.

So DR will still be in play. Good idea though.

Noticing Grath's crumpled form on the floor of the Bridge, Rar'gul grips the haft of his hammer tightly enough to turn his knuckles white.

He begins to charge in as the chaos unfolds, but hesitates at the threshold, shaking his head as though to clear it.

Will save DC13: 1d20 ⇒ 16 Shaken 1 round

Glancing around, he regains his bearings, and closes on Jincheroga.

Once within reach of the barghest, he sets his feet and reaches a hand toward the creature.

Entropic strike (vs EAC): 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 - 2 = 5 (Magical weapon)
A&B Damage: 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

"Ah, see that was the bite I was speaking of!" T'sorkel suddenly realizes violence is breaking out and scuttles to take cover behind one of the stations. He flicks his hand out and a loose datapad Grath had been holding flies across the room toward Jincheroga.

Telekinetic Projectile: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Yariel darts into the room, program already up and running. She skids to a stop next to the big guy and releases all the overclocked energy from her computer, scorching the air in front of her and narrowly missing the Trox but enveloping Jerkface McGee, "Take that ya HOBBO SCUM!"

Move, Cast Overheat for 2d8 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3 Fire Damage, Reflex DC 15 for half

Damn

John dashes in, brandishing his cane threateningly. He stops suddenly and levels his pistol at the daemon-goblin.

Move as shown as part of trick attack.

Trick Attack, bluff v 20+ foe's CR, special: 1d20 + 11 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 11 + 4 = 31
Static Arc pistol v Jincher's EAC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17 ... damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Trick attack damage, if made,then damage and foe is flat-footed: 1d4 ⇒ 1

While Doc, Rar'gul, and T'sorkel all miss, Yariel does manage to singe Jincheroga with her spell (and she missed the save).

John's shot proves to be accurate, causing Jincheroga to wince when the electrical damage hits.

Lozu fires, attempting harrying fire (+2 for the next attack to hit).

to hit: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15Hit! Next attack is +2 to hit!

Jicheroga becomes angry.

She takes it out on Rar'gul.

Bite attack with penalty from wisp: 1d20 + 13 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 13 - 2 = 25
damage: 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Bold may go.

1. Jincheroga (-10)
2. T'sorkel
3. John
4. Beauregard
5. Dr. Flint-Bridge
6. Rar'gul (-9)
7. Yariel
8. Lozu

Doc moves cautiously yet confidently around the bridge station, getting a better view of the barghest before dumping another load of bio-altering chemicals into a focused beam of energy.

Move action: move as shown on map. Standard action: Use the caustolance to deliver an inhibitor biohack to Jincheroga. If it hits, it will reduce her DR by 5 for 5 rounds (no saving throw). (EDIT: caustolance battery is at 16/20; biohacks are spent.)

Attack vs. Jincheroga (EAC) w/ Caustolance: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

That should do it!

As a caustic catalyst spreads across Jincheroga's wiry fur, Doc smiles with grim satisfaction. "Rar'gul! It's time to bring down the hammer."

That is indeed a hit. DR is down! Doc, you can still give me a damage roll for this attack.

I think that +2 is best used for Rar'gul. T'sorkel will "delay" in the initiative order to allow him to use it since it's technically just the next attack that gets it, but I'll post now.

Lozu, get down! T'sorkel warns her. He flicks his hand at the Barghast and the datapad flies at him again.

Telekinetic Projectile: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

FYI, it appears that Dr. Flint-Bridge used the bonus on her attack (and it might have been the difference). T'sorkel, your attack hits as well.

Doc, you can still give me a damage roll for this attack.

It's my understanding that the caustoject and caustolance lines of firearms are unique in that they can either deal damage or inject a substance (but not both at the same time) in contrast to most injection weapons.

Ahhh. There is a new wrinkle in my brain today. Thank you.

The Nuar strides forward and taps Rargul on the shoulder. The Nuar briefly flickers black and white for a moment. Rargul turns black and white for six seconds.

”It was at that moment that the creature hit the barghest with that well-known vanguard sonic damage.”

cast shifting strike. RAR’GUL! Your next strike does sonic damage and an extra 2d6 damage. Hit or miss it is gone after your next swing.
Whisp ally will continue to Harry (-2 to hit on next attack)

Yariel yells while moving, "Big guy, wait a tic I'll set ya up!" She darts around Jincherassbag and tries to distract the barghast as her thin decorative glove suddenly transforms into a weighted fist of doom.

Move into Flanking, Strike.

Glamered Cestus Battleglove vs. KAC + Flank: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11 for Magic/Bludgeoning: 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2

______________________

Am I missing something somewhere? I can't find an aid another attack option like in pfs1. Was it completely removed and replaced with harrying/covering fire?

+1 EP for 2/3

Rar'gul stands firm under the creature's onslaught. Thanks to the distractions provided by his companions, the vicious bite mostly glances off his armour.

Nevertheless, the blow packs considerable punch and the large trox sets his feet. Nodding to Yariel, he waits for thebrigjt moment to launch two quick jabs at the barghest with his free hand.

Entropic strike 1 (vs EAC): 1d20 + 4 - 4 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 4 - 4 + 2 = 13
Sonic Damage: 1d3 + 3 + 2d6 ⇒ (1) + 3 + (3, 6) = 13

Entropic strike 2 (vs EAC): 1d20 + 4 - 4 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 4 - 4 + 2 = 20
A&B Damage: 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

John likes his spot; there's a gap between the big trox and the smaller ysoki through which he can thread a shot. He grabs a tool off the control panel behind him and tosses it at the barghest. He follows it quickly with a pistol shot.

Remember, J's flat-footed from last round's trick attack.

Trick Attack, bluff v 20+ foe's CR, special: 1d20 + 11 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 11 + 4 = 30
Static Arc pistol v Jincher's EAC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 ... damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Trick attack damage, if made,then damage and foe is flat-footed: 1d4 ⇒ 3

That won't hit.

Though Rar'gul narrowly misses with his empowered strike, his backswing manages to connect. Paired with T'sorkel's spell Jincheroga once again understands that this will be no easy fight, especially since Dr. Flint-Bridge has worked her strange Witchcraft to mitigate her abilities to ignore all but the most violent hits.

Still, she fights on, continuing to attack Rar'gul.

bite: 1d20 + 13 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 13 - 2 = 22
damage: 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Meanwhile, Lozu continues to try to at least keep the beast from running rampant.

to hit for harrying fire: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

Hit! Next attack is +2 to hit vs. Jincheroga

Bold may go.

1. Jincheroga (-21)
2. T'sorkel
3. John
4. Beauregard
5. Dr. Flint-Bridge
6. Rar'gul (-22)
7. Yariel
8. Lozu

Rar'gul reduces the flow of decay around him, absorbing some of the impact from the barghest's attack. -1 EP: Mitigate 2 damage. EP: 1/3

As the situation grows dire, Rar'gul starts reaching for a healing serum. Realising he has little that will offset the damage from creature's strikes, he changes tactic and unleashes another flurry of punches.

Entropic strike 1 (vs EAC): 1d20 + 4 - 4 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 - 4 + 2 + 2 = 5 Flanking and Harrying
A&B Damage: 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Entropic strike 2 (vs EAC): 1d20 + 4 - 4 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 4 - 4 + 2 = 16
A&B Damage: 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

T'sorkel motions with his hand and the tool John threw as a distraction becomes a real attack as it reverses course and flies back at the Barghast.

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

"Rar'gul! Don't stop moving! Keep those arms pumping and stay conscious!" Doc barks a dubious order at the Trox, hoping to keep him in the barghest's face for a few moments longer.

Standard Action: inspiring boost envoy improvisation, targeting Rar'gul.

Rar'gul! You regain 5 SP. May Hylax be with you.

Yariel stands her ground as well as her allies unleash a flurry of attacks.

As long as big guy is up, I'll keep on keeping on. Ugh, this is not what I'm built for!

She punches at Jincheroga again, "HERE COMES THE BOOM!"

Strike, Move to Draw a Mk1 Serum of Healing.

Glamered Cestus Battleglove vs. KAC + Flank: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18 for Magic/Bludgeoning: 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0 (Aka 1 Nonlethal)

Rar'gul is not looking good.

John drops his pistol and graps the two ends of his cane. With a twist of his wrists, there's a snap, and he pulls the lower end of the cane away to reveal a thin, tempered steel blade. He lunges into the melee beside the bleeding trox.

Drop pistol as free action. Move as shown, drawing weapon on the way.

sword cane v KAC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14 ... damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 critical Bleed 1d3;

Still waiting for Beauregard, but I have a moment in between my day job and my part-time job so I thought I would begin the transition between turns. You guys are doing a great job getting your moves in--most of you are making two posts a day!

Rar'gul, though perhaps on his last legs, bravely fights on (encouraged by the doctor). He manages to batter the barghest once again. Little Yariel also manages to remind the creature she is there.

John and T'sorkel cannot find their mark.

Sensing the opportunity to finish off the trox, Jincheroga's massive claw comes down upon him.

to hit: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30
damage: 1d4 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Rar'gul falls to the ground unconscious.

Lozu screams out, then continues to fire her pistol at Jincheroga.

to hit for harrying fire: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Miss

Bold may go.

1. Jincheroga (-27)
2. T'sorkel
3. John
4. Beauregard
5. Dr. Flint-Bridge
6. Rar'gul (unconscious)
7. Yariel
8. Lozu

Following Beauregard, the rest of you may take your turns.

The shadow Beauregard keeps distracting The barghest last round for it

Beauregard takes out a stimpack healing serum and injects it into Rar’Gul

Rar’Gul healed: 1d8 ⇒ 5

I guess I should add that Beauregard's turn could cause changes to Jincheroga's. I will retcon as necessary.

I guess I should add that Beauregard's turn could cause changes to Jincheroga's. I will retcon as necessary.

No need to retcon. Just say I delayed until The Barghest goes. My plan was to heal Rar’Gul should he goes down anyway.

Seeing the trox hit the floor, Doc reflexively reaches for her medkit. Beauregard beats her to the punch, however, so the halfling focuses on trying to remotely reconfigure the barghest's innards.

Full Action: full attack with the caustolance; 14/20 charges remaining.

Full Attack vs. Jincheroga (EAC) w/ Caustolance: 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 2 - 4 = 10
Caustolance Damage (A): 1d6 ⇒ 2

Full Attack vs. Jincheroga (EAC) w/ Caustolance: 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 2 - 4 = 14
Caustolance Damage (A): 1d6 ⇒ 3

John edges toward the fallen trox, but doesn't want to foul his footwork on the body. He keeps his bladed cane swinging quickly, striking high, high, and then sweeping low to disguise his real target.

Trick Attack, bluff v 20+ foe's CR, special: 1d20 + 11 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 11 + 4 = 16
sword cane v KAC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20 ... damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 critical Bleed 1d3;
Trick attack damage, if made,then damage and foe is flat-footed: 1d4 ⇒ 4

After checking in with Rar'gul over in discussion, we will make Beauregard's "shot in the arm" BEFORE Jincheroga's claw attack. This leaves Beauregard still standing.

Beauregard manages to inject Rar'gul with a healing serum just in time, keeping the big guy going, at least a little longer.

While Dr. Flint-Bridge misses with her shots, John pokes Jincheroga with his cane (though the trick attack does not work).

Bold may go.

1. Jincheroga (-31)
2. T'sorkel
3. John
4. Beauregard
5. Dr. Flint-Bridge
6. Rar'gul (currently 0 SP / 2 HP)
7. Yariel
8. Lozu

Cast Wisp ally again to continue giving this guy -2 to hit on his first attack. My last 1st level spell of the day.

Yikes, I hadn't been paying close attention to how much damage Rar'gul had been taking.

T'sorkel chitters as he sees Rar'gul struggle to keep himself in the fight. He leaps over the console with atypical flair and tries to get to the Trox. He hold a memory of Rar'gul hale and hearty in his mind and as he touches him, the memory tries to reshape the reality of the situation.

Mystic Cure: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

No problem, T'sorkel. It didn't help that he was down a little HP and SP to start with.

+1 EP. EP: 2/3

For the briefest of moments, Rar'gul sees a ghostly, black-and-white version of himself sprawled on the floor at his feet. Looking like something out of an old-timey holovid, the apparition vanishes as suddenly as it appeared.

Whether the vision had shown an alternate past or granted a glimpse of what awaited in the future, he was uncertain. What he did know was that he needed to stay on his feet, and keep the creature's attention away from his friends, for as long as possible.

"Thankkks," he says, a little shakily. "Herre's to yourrr health."

Reaching behind his back, Rar'gul liberates a vial from a pocket of his pack and, popping the lid, downs a faintly glowing liquid.

Move: retrieving serum, Standard: imbibe serum

Serum of Helaing mk I: 1d8 ⇒ 2

Yariel continues her onslaught mainly to keep up the distraction, but always hoping to get a lucky hit in.

Strike

Glamered Cestus Battleglove vs. KAC + Flank: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 for Magic/Bludgeoning: 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3

"Flash, get farther behind her!"

If Rar'gul goes down we're going to lose flanking until one of us moves two squares. A careful step to port leaves you flanking with Rar'gul and puts either of us one step away from flanking if Rar goes down. Just a thought, completely your choice.

Yariel takes a guarded step to the side as requested.

Using her remaining move action if still allowed.

Not a problem. Take that step.

Lozu continues to fire wildly at Jincheroga, hoping to at least keep its head down.

to hit for harrying fire: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Hit! Next attack against Jincheroga is +2 to hit.

Jincheroga begins flailing wildly, attacking at random.

who's it gonna be?: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Yariel is slashed at by Jincheroga's massive claw.

to hit with wisp penalty: 1d20 + 13 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 13 - 2 = 16
damage: 1d4 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Bold may go.

1. Jincheroga (-31)
2. T'sorkel
3. John
4. Beauregard
5. Dr. Flint-Bridge
6. Rar'gul
7. Yariel (-11)
8. Lozu

After healing Rar'gul, T'sorkel directs his focus back at Jincheroga, addressing her. Jincheroga, Fall! He thrusts memories of spinning and falling at the Barghast.

Cast Command (DC14 Will save). Fall Prone

will save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Jincheroga ain't goin' for that.

Doc sees Jicheroga's swipe coming and barks a warning to the ysoki: "Yariel! DUCK!" She's not fast enough to avoid the attack, but it doesn't hit quite so hard.

Standard Action: inspiring boost envoy improvisation, targeting Yariel.

Yariel! You regain 5 SP.

"Flash!" Rar'gul calls in alarm, seeing the barghest rake a claw at his little partner. "YOU LEAVE HER BE!" he bellows, continuing to lash out at the creature.

Entropic strike 1 (vs EAC), flanking + harry: 1d20 + 4 - 4 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 4 - 4 + 2 + 2 = 11
A&B Damage: 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Entropic strike 2 (vs EAC), flanking : 1d20 + 4 - 4 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 4 - 4 + 2 = 16
A&B Damage: 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Beauregard runs up

Is the captain really dead? This will affect the rest of my turn.