GM Quirk's Threefold Conspiracy

Game Master Quirk, Private Eye

GM Quark — I’ll stand by Lilly’s move. Her curiosity has gotten her in trouble before…

The nearby energy blast pulls Lilly’s attention from the mysteries at hand. Yariel’s observation about “rooms with things that attack us” plays through her mind for a moment background music in a store. Right again, Yariel. Maybe I should hang back sometimes… oh well.

Shifting into a crouching run, she moves around Rar’gul and draws her needler.

Since neither of her friends attacked the creature, she holds the pistol at her side and focuses on the conversation, looking for insight that could give her and her friends a bit of advantage.

Sense motive on the creature: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Lilly resists the urge to say something obvious like “he seems really mad” and returns to wary observation.

Moved myself back a diagonal square to stay inside 1 move action from door.

John follows the big trox into the room. He hears the hiss of the opening cylinder, and the discharge of the weapon and steps forward to get a clear view. He reaches for his pistol, but stops when his companions opt to parley.

Ready action to draw the pistol if the parley breaks down.

Yariel just deadpans "94 percent" and then moves into the room next to doc with her pistol out.

The creature remains defiant.

When Rar'gul attempts to grapple it, it seems to be about as easy as putting a wet, muddy toddler into a car seat when he wants to keep playing.

In other words, it will take a mighty feat to make a grapple work (though it's by no means impossible).

Yariel fires at the still struggling creature, but narrowly misses.

Neither T'sorkel nor Dr. Flint-Bridge are able to sense anything except a propensity for severe violence.

Bold may go. Round 1.
1. Enemy red
2. Rar'gul
3. T'sorkel
4. John Rawlins
5. Beauregard
6. Dr. Flint-Bridge
7. Yariel

Beauregard walks forward and calls upon the vague illusion of an alternate universe where he's already engaging in fisticuffs with the thing.

Cast wisp ally, for the next 4 rounds Rar'gul's first attack each round will have a +2 bonus to it.

The creature savagely attacks Rar'gul.

to hit: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
damage, E&F: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Ooooh. That stings.

Bold may go. Round 2.
1. Enemy red (+2 bonus to hit from Rar'gul's attack)
2. Rar'gul (-10)
3. T'sorkel
4. John Rawlins
5. Beauregard
6. Dr. Flint-Bridge
7. Yariel

+1 EP from damage taken. EP: 2/3

Rar'gul grunts from the impact of the creature's blow. "I don't thinkkk it wants to makke frriends," he says to T'sorkel.

Using the distraction provided by the holo-Beauregard, Rar'gul grabs at the creature's arm, redirecting the energy of its own recent attack back at it.

-1 EP for EP Boost. EP: 1/3

Entropic strike (vs EAC): 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 2 = 10 w/bonus from Beau
A&B Damage, w/Boost: 1d4 + 7 + 1d4 ⇒ (3) + 7 + (1) = 11

Dammit… I wish something would listen to us just once instead of proving Yariel right all the time.

”Everyone focus and take this thing down. Get ‘em!”

Move action for Get ‘Em on the creature, giving everyone a +1 to hit.

”Stay strong, Rar’gul… it can’t stand up to you.”

Standard action to use Inspiring Boost on Rar’gul for 9 stamina points.

T'sorkel recoils at the creature. It would appear not Rar'gul! He responds psychically, but including everyone. My boys will never join you. They shall understand the joys of freedom!"

T'sorkel reaches into the Akashic Record, realizing that the creature's telepathic nature might make it more susceptible to that pathway. In moments, he is able to find the creature's memories and realizes that as it moves, the psychic memory is instantly recorded. The Shirren is able to read out the movements of the creature as they fight it. He begins telepathically sharing this with the group.

Cast Predict Foe. T'sorkel will share the movements with the party, giving any target the effects of concealment (20% miss chance) from the creature.

Beauregard steps to the side, draws his handaxe, and throws it.

attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
damage if hit: 1d4 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Then recalls the handaxe to his hand

Round 2/4 of giving Rar a +2 to hit on his first attack from phantom Beauregard

The Ysoki fires again and then moves into flanking with the big dude.

Rotating Pistol vs. KAC: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19 for Piercing + W.S.: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (3, 1) + 2 = 6

John ducks behind a desk. He pops up and fires at the creature. Nerves get the better of him and his shot only shocks the ceiling.

Trick attack, stealth v CR+20: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19 Flat-footed to everyone if successful
arc pistol, static, get 'em: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 1 = 9 damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 E
Trick attack damage, if TA and attack roll work : 1d8 ⇒ 6

Rar'gul clearly hasn't found the right strategy for engaging this thing. His attack is awkward and fails.

John's shot is equally poor, but Beauregard and Yariel find their mark.

Dr. Flint-Bridge cheers the team on, perhaps giving Rar'gul a second wind. Let's assume get 'em is spammed for the moment. I will go back and adjust in the coming turns if it turns out Lilly does something different.

T'sorkel weaves mysterious magic.

The creature again attacks Rar'gul, though looks toward T'sorkel and hisses.

to hit: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Rar'gul's awkwardness was clearly unexpected. Miss.

Bold may go. Round 2.
1. Enemy red (-16, +1 for get 'em, +2 bonus to hit from Rar'gul's attack)
2. Rar'gul (-1)
3. T'sorkel
4. John Rawlins
5. Beauregard
6. Dr. Flint-Bridge
7. Yariel

attack with get um: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
damage if hit: 1d4 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

+1 EP on foe's miss - see Aspect Embodiment below; EP: 2/3

Rar'gul nods at Doc's words of encouragement and, drawing a deep breath, regains his composure.

"Let's do this prroperrly," he says to his opponent. "I have something to returrn that I believe belongs to you."

The trox reaches out with both hands and attempts to grab the insectoid creature, adding the energy of its earlier blow to his own attack.

Entropic strike 1 (vs EAC): 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 - 4 = 24 w/flanking, wisp, Get 'Em
A&B Damage w/Entropic Boost: 1d4 + 7 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 7 + (2) = 13

Entropic strike 2 (vs EAC): 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 2 + 1 - 4 = 14 w/flanking, Get 'Em
A&B Damage: 1d4 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

-1 EP for Boost; EP:1/3

“Great hits, everyone. Keep going — take it down!”

Move action for Get ‘Em on the creature, giving everyone a +1 to hit.

Once she gets a clear view of the creature, Lilly’s curiosity rises. Time to see what you’re made of…

Second move action to use Life Science and her trusty custom microlab to identify the insectile creature thing for a 30 (automatic 20 + 10). Looking for weaknesses, immunities, resistances, AC, attacks

T'sorkel continues to concentrate on his spell and relay the information as the creature fights the group. He's moving to the left, going to strike now! Watch out!

Continuing to concentrate on the spell. 20% miss chance on the creature's attacks.

Yariel waits till her flanking partner strikes, then carefully steps back to fire her pistol again, ”I’ll be jumping in and out of melee big guy, just wait for me to move back in before your next swing. Should keep this bugger off balance.”

Rotating Pistol vs. KAC + Get Em: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 1 = 18 for Piercing + W.S.: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (2, 2) + 2 = 6

Yariel fires her pistol and finishes of the creature.

The creature falls, shudders for a second, the EXPLODES, arcing electricity as it does.

John, Rar'gul, and Yariel, you are all in the area of effect of this explosion. You each take: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 1) = 7 electrical damage. You may attempt a DC 12 reflex save for half.

Combat over.

"Nice moves, Flash," Rar'gul rumbles in appreciation, letting his shield dissipate. ​"Good shooting."

As the electricity crackles out from the convulsing creature, Rar'gul instinctively steps forward, spreading his arms wide to shield his companions, and disperses the flows of current. "Get back!" he calls in warning.

Reflex DC12: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Dampen: John, Yariel and Rar'gul take half of whatever damage results from their Reflex saves: 3 on a fail and 1 on a save?

Dampen -1 EP; EP: 0/3 (Yay? Finally got to use an ability)

Reflex: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

The Ysoki looks down in surprise at the tiny little electrical burn on her arm, ”Wow, that was less dangerous than I thought it would be. Did you soak up the electricity Rar’gul? That’s a neat trick.”

That...thing...wanted me to join it or die as a rebel. I think it was part of the Swarm-mind T'sorkel shudders and clicks in worry. What in the world were the grays doing with it?

He tentatively moves closer to the corpse, trying to examine the machinery.

Going to try something that I haven't used before because I thought it might be really annoying for the GM.

T'sorkel suddenly turns to one of the gray corpses. He kneels down and touches the corpse, trying to draw out its Akashic memory.

Casting Grave Words
10% chance (low): 1d100 ⇒ 29

Lilly's scan is still online as the creature falls. Her microlab registers the death, but then beeps wildly as an odd energy fluctuation is followed by a sudden power spike.

“Get back! The augments, they’re going to— ”

And then they did.

Lilly’s mouth hangs open as Rar’gul steps into the blast and somehow disperses most of the energy.

How did he do that?

Once she regains her composure, she checks on everyone and shares the scan results.

“I didn’t have time to do a complete scan, but it seems to be an augmented Swarm creature of some kind. It matched most closely to a Corrovox, but it was modified with some sort of energy cybernetics. I think that's what exploded.”

Looks like I still need a save from John, but with Rar'gul's skill, not much is at stake.

T'sorkel, I'll see your annoying and raise you one annoying youtube video...

Returning to the previous chamber, T'sorkel seeks out one of the unfortunate grays. Reaching down to touch the gray, T'sorkel is able to get it to first sputter, then, surprisingly break out in SONG.

Sadly, the song really doesn't really make any sense or give any useful information.

Where are we headed now? To the north, or east?

“Two doors out from here. Anybody have a preference?”

“I’m thinking east, but…” Her voice trails off and she shrugs.

Yariel steps back from both doors to leave space for her allies and shrugs, "Works fine for me."

She quickly ejects the spent shells and reloads her little four-shooter.

"I... I guess," Rar'gul stammers, looking at his hand, uncertain. "I'm not sure."

Memories of Dal'har flash by. Injured. Dying. Rar'gul rubs the palm of his broad hand against his thigh, as though trying to clear away grime.

Turning abruptly toward the doors, he holds out an arm, palm open. Uttering a word, his hammer vanishes from where it lay on the floor, reappearing in his hand.

"Let's keep moving," he says, gruffly.

"Doesn't matter to me. Let's just find this reactor and shut it down. I don't like standing on what amounts to a ticking time bomb."

T'sorkel clicks at the reminder that the entire facility could be destroyed if the reactor fails. Yes, let's move quickly. East is as good at any. I hope this rampaging creature isn't intent on hurting the reactor more.

"We know we have to go north. I'd say try the most direct path that way."

But rule of two. We're going east.

I have added a new map that shows what things look like to the east and the far north. This seems to be some sort of marijuana growing operation...waitaminit...no, the grays aren't into that. But there could be some weird stuff here...

From the book:

Plant life of numerous varieties flourishes in this warm room
under bright grow lights built into the ceiling. Trees, brush,
moss, and fungi grow out of thick loam that covers the floor.
Dense vines and creepers obscure the stone walls.

As has become practice, Rar'gul moves to the lead, inspecting the eastern door. "Stay behind me," he cautions.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Should it appear safe to do so (and nobody warns/suggests otherwise), the trox nods to his companions and attempts to open the door.

If the door opens, he will peer through the doorway...

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

... before checking his environmental protections are active and cautiously entering the would-be greenhouse, if it seems clear.

T'sorkel enters the greenhouse following Rar'gul. How odd. Nothing we've seen would indicate the grays were interested in flora. Although if they are studying and experimenting with genetic mixtures of creatures, perhaps they did it with vegetation too. Or do you think this could be samples from their world?

He approaches one of the plants, examining it to see if it is a species he recognizes.

Life Sciences: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Yariel is happy to examine the plants from a distance.

Life Science (t): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25

Lilly squeezes between the control stations to get closer to the door. She checks her environmental seals following Rar’gul’s lead.

A rolling wave of humid, plant-scented air surrounds her with a childhood memory of laughing and running and jumping through thick foliage at that outpost on… where was that? Something seven, seven something… eh, some planet or another. There were so many.

Exotic fragrances and giant trees (well, at least they looked giant to a young halfling) wrapped her world in wild smells and sounds. She lost herself high among expansive branches stretching out behind purple-veined leaves. It was the perfect place to play and hide, especially since that shopkeeper was so mad when she ran out the door with an armload of candy.

Sweet memories make her mouth water. It tasted so good… and everything would’ve been fine if I just hadn’t dropped that stupid wrapper. Ah well, live and learn. And I learned a lot on that trip. Pouches... it's all about belt pouches...

Coming back to the moment, she checks the load on her needler pistol and syringe stick, then moves cautiously into the room.

GM Q — Can Lilly do a Life Science scan with the custom microlab to learn more about the plants or does she need a specific target?

If she can, then... Lilly scans the area with her microlab to learn more about the peculiar flora.

John steps in behind Rar'gul but slides along the left hand wall.

"Let's focus on keeping moving."

Sword in one hand, pistol in the other, the man flanks Rar'gul as the trox moves forward.

Most of you recognize some of the plants and fungi here as
native to Pact Worlds planets, such as Castrovel and Triaxus.
Others are alien to you.

There is at least one potentially problematic plant,
bell‑like and triple-cupped violet blooms, grow in the eastern
part of the room.

I'll cut to the chase and let you all know that your environmental protections on your armor will protect you from any ill effects from this plant.

Dr. Flint-Bridge and Yariel recognize the concerning plants as akin to those of the vracinea,
a sentient, carnivorous plant from Castrovel, though there does not seem to be any evidence of the sentient, ambulatory monster these blooms would usually belong to.

From the western edge of this room, you see clear tracks
through the brush and on the soil.

John buttons up his armor when he sees the others suggest and do likewise.

Then he crosses over to the far wall away from the bulk of the vegetation and continues scouting along that wall.

"What do you make of this?" he asks pointing to the path.

Survival untrained: 1d20 ⇒ 8

Beauregard will engage environmental protections and follow John

Survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

T'sorkel comes over to look at what John has found. He bends down and traces the track for a moment. It would seem a massive humanoid creature...one with clawed feet...has passed through here.

"That can't be. There be no blood spattered all about here." John deadpans.

"Our passage seems aligned with this ccrreaturre's,' Rar'gul rumbles in reply to T'sorkel's observation. "I wonderrr if it's the rreason forr the rreacctorrr's malfunction."

"Keep alert," he says, pressing on.

The only thing of interest in the rest of this lab is the corpse of a gray. It was killed and dismembered by something big and violent, and its cortex bomb went off successfully just to make sure.

It seems you have the choice of two unexplored areas in front of you--either the northwest door, or the east door that goes back into the area you skipped earlier. Oh, and tomorrow there will be something special for Yariel. Call it a flashback...

John partially retraces his steps toward the rest of the party. "Could be a gardener's shed or something around the corner, but let us check this out first."

Moved John on the map. Gonna open the door to the long east-west room. After suitably checking it of course.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

Engineering: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Beauregard will keep his tricorder going too.

"Let's just see if we can find this blasted power core and tell it to not blow us up."

perception with scanning kit: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24

Lilly raises her weapons and nods to the team.

”Let's just see if we can find this blasted power core and tell it to not blow us up.”

“Could’nae said it better myself. Just watch where you step.”

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21

T'sorkel nods. I believe it's highly unlikely any access to the reactor would be from this space. Who would put a garden near the reactor? But I am troubled by more signs of the large creature here.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

"Who knows what to expecct in this place?" Rar'gul rumbles in reply to T'sorkel, a wary eye on their surroundings as he advances with John.

Awaiting the all-clear from the Abadaran, the trox is ready to lead the way through the next door.