GM Quirk's Threefold Conspiracy

Game Master Quirk, Private Eye

Oh! Oh! T'sorkel digs the Tetred Certified Translator out of his pack and begins to activate it as the dragon is speaking. Oh, blast it this is going to take too long! But if we can keep him talking, it would help.

He stands up from his position, trying to address the dragon. Please, we mean you no harm. We only seek to pass. He switches to a different language, repeating the same message and bowing to the dragon each time.

Culture: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (11) + 16 = 27

T'sorkel knows Akitonian, Aklo, Castrovelian, Common, Goblin, Kasatha, Shirren, Vesk, and Yoski. But not Draconic. I'm hoping either the Dragon knows one of those languages or it's close enough with his culture check to convey the info.

It's no stress, ET.

Judging by the spoilers, John speaks Draconic and has already addressed the dragon and initiated a conversation.

Although, it is a great idea - I had forgotten about the translator - it would be nice if we could all understand what was transpiring.

The dragon cocks his head in such a way that tells you all that John might actually be making sense to him.

For a moment, you are all concerned when the dragon strides forward, stopping just short of John and Rar'gul. It speaks with his deep, rumbling tones once again.

As suddenly as the dragon arrives, he flies off to the northwest toward the former Steward base.

Pokotho hunkers down low behind the wheel of the cruiser, the engine idling but still turned on, ready for any of his allies to dive in and make a break for it if needs be. The priest has more faith in his abilities to drive and outmanuever than he did his chances to best a dragon in combat. Though after several moments of hissing and snarling, John appears to have driven the dragon off.

Pokotho breathes a noticeable sigh of relief. "I don't know what you said, but thank you," Pokey says graciously, "Unless it was 'eat the shirren'."

"I would never do that. It might have eaten T'sorkel." John grins, but then his shoulders slump.

"Dragons be strongly motivated by profit. If some had more scruples they'd make fine Abadarans. Be it, I've sent him in search of treasure in the ruins of Tyralkis. He may be disappointed to find a smoking radioactive ruin. We should hurry."

John returns to the truck and pulls himself up into the cab. "Onward!"

I had no idea you spoke Draconic, John! Excellent work! Have you ever thought of becoming a translator? The University had many Draconic texts that they simply cannot decipher. The Shirren seems to have almost forgotten the dangerous dragon as he considers how John might help them uncover forgotten texts.

Today really hasn’t gone the way Lilly imagined. Yet watching one of her friends get into a conversation with a big dragon and apparently convince the dragon to go pound sand somewhere else seems to fit right into the continuing narrative.

“I have no idea what just happened there, John, but I’m calling you if I ever need a contract negotiated. Or someone removed from a contract negotiation.” Or someone just removed in general…

She shrugs and slides back into the cruiser.

“Accept the good, adapt to the bad, and make your own luck when the universe lets you. Thank you, universe, for this strange good. Don’t get cocky.”

The cruiser takes its place in the little convoy.

"Abadar smiled on us. If we make it back to Absalom Station, I might take you up on that job offer T'sorkel. It sounds relaxing after this adventure. OF sourse the price would have to be fair."

As you continue toward the southeast, you start picking up a distress beacon on your comm units. It seems to be emanating from a pit just ahead.

This pit has been dug in the dark igneous rock here, cut
into terraces that descend about 10 feet at a time to the
bottom, 50 feet down. To the west, a ramp allows access
to the pit’s floor, where large vats, a grinding machine,
conveyors, and storage facilities still stand.

I'll try to find something to serve as a map later. The one in the book is a funky scale, so I can't easily copy and paste it into the slides.

Edit to add: I believe I found a suitable map--just imagine less green! I put a couple pieces of mining equipment in the pit area.

An intrusive beeping interrupts Lilly’s concentration. An incoming distress beacon?

She immediately looks at the vehicles in their little convoy, but sees nothing out of the ordinary.

“Is anyone else getting a distress beacon? Seems to be coming from…” — she checks the readout again — “…below the surface?”

The pit almost immediately comes into view and the signal gets stronger.

“Anyone else want to see what kind of crisis they’re having in the hole? I’m in…” It’s certainly not the weirdest thing today…

She pulls the cruiser into line with the others and climbs on top of it for a better look into the hole.

Perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (6) + 15 = 21

John stops. "Let's make this quick. If they look humanoid, can you make sure they really are, Doc?"

”"Let's make this quick. If they look humanoid, can you make sure they really are, Doc?"”

Lilly nods. “Now that I know how to scan for reptoids, sure.”

An involuntary shiver catches her off-guard.

Effin’ reptoids.

T'sorkel approaches the edge of the pit. Do you think anyone is alive down there? Maybe they need help.

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30

T'sorkel approaches the edge of the pit. Do you think anyone is alive down there? Maybe they need help.

[dice=Perception]1d20+13

It's clear to T'sorkel that there are a couple of humanoids attempting to hide behind the mining equipment.

Shown on map.

Oh, there's a couple people hiding! Look!

Jumping down from the truck, Rar'gul joins his companions in surveying the scene below.

"Does it strrikke anyone else as odd that they would set off a distrress beaccon and then try to hide?" he asks, suspicious.

Scanning the area and sky above, he looks for signs of anything the pair might be hiding from (other than the party).

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17

Pokotho scratches at his mandibles, peeling away the molting bits of his husk while he surveys the scene.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20

"Seems safe to me," he says, blindly trusting in an uncertain situation, and begins walking forward and waving a hand over his head in a manner of greeting. "Good afternoon, peoples," he introduces himself, "I am Reverend Pokotho and I am definitely not a Reptoid."

Caught off-guard as Pokotho starts forward, Rar'gul grunts and hurries forward to keep close to the priest in the event the strangers prove hostile.

"It be a classic ambush setup. Distress signal as bait, then attack from hiding when someone comes looking." John draws his pistol, but keeps it low by his thigh while he moves forward to cover the party's right flank. He swivels his head, looking for the expected ambush.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14

“Wha—? No, wait!!”

The cruiser muffles Lilly’s yelp as she watches Pokotho jump out of the truck and head toward the creatures.

Damn, damn, damn, damn… why's he always in such a all-fired hurry?

She climbs out of her cruiser and dashes down the slope, splitting her attention between keeping her footing and reading her micro lab’s screen.

Life Science to identify: 20 + 15 = 35 scanning straight ahead to the one that’s 60’ away

Pokotho scratches at his mandibles, peeling away the molting bits of his husk while he surveys the scene.

[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+13

"Seems safe to me," he says, blindly trusting in an uncertain situation, and begins walking forward and waving a hand over his head in a manner of greeting. "Good afternoon, peoples," he introduces himself, "I am Reverend Pokotho and I am definitely not a Reptoid."

One of the figures calls out. "We have injured back here! Could one of you come and help us?

T'sorkel send a mental communication towards the huamoids. Show yourselves and then we can help your wounded! he steps forward, nodding to John.

“Scanner says androids down there,” Lilly says to the team.

She moves cautiously down the ramp, redirecting her micro lab as she goes.

Life Science to identify: 20 + 15 = 35 scanning blue to identify

She replies to the call. “How many injured? What happened?”

"It seems cclearr to me," Rar'gul murmurs to the crew.

Despite his words, there is a tension to his voice. "It seems too quiet - I don't trrrust it. I'm getting as parranoid as Beau!"

"Any ideas??" he asks, rolling his shoulders to shift the energy.

The hackles on Lilly’s neck go up and she strains to look around the area when she hears John and Rar’gul.

Perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (15) + 15 = 30

Surely not… it’s just androids… please be just androids…

"Jusst say the word and I'll sprring this trrap..." he murmurs, moving forward to stay close to Doc.

Dr. Flint-Bridge's scan and keen halfling eyesight indicate that there are two androids present, both armed. There is no indication of serious injuries on either of the two.

"I'll go help them, in case the injuries are real," Pokotho telepathically communicates to Rar'gul, "Just be watching in case things go south. Wouldn't be the first time I've been lied to, but I'll be damned if I let those Reptoids shake me to the point I start abandoning helpless, innocent people."

Pokotho draws nearer, carrying his medkit. "Show me to your wounded," he offers, "Let the light of Hylax help and all that jazz." Having missed out on the fact they are Androids, he advances forward directly into the line of fire.

perception, T'sorkel, Dr. Flint Bridge, Rar'gul, Pokotho, John: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 291d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 341d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 221d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 311d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23

As Pokotho approaches, it quickly becomes apparent that this is an ambush. The two androids brandish weapons, and appear ready to fire.

In fact, the closest one cracks off a shot at Pokotho as he approaches.

to hit vs. KAC: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
damage, P: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Miss.

One of the androids calls out "Here's how this is going to go! You all surrender, and take us to whatever ship you were planning to use to get off this rock!"

RED uses his surprise round to move around one of the mining machines toward Pokotho.

SURPRISE ROUND. As you can see, I took the liberty of rolling perception checks for all of you above. T'sorkel, Pokotho, and Dr. Flint-Bridge all passed, meaning they can act in this surprise round. Remember:
you can take a move OR standard action. Following the surprise round, I will roll for initiative as normal. The two androids took their surprise rounds above. Bold may go.

1. Dr. Flint-Bridge
2. T'sorkel
3. Pokotho
4. Android red
5. Android blue

I knew it! A hoax! Look out, Pokotho! T'sorkel dashes towards one of the machines to help support the other Shirren.

Single move

Would it be possible for Pokotho to try to enter one of the excavators and operate it with a difficult piloting check? That definitely sounds like his first impression, but if it would be an annoying approach from a GM position, I am not bothered at all by approaching combat in the traditional manner. I just thought trying to squish them with a backhoe or something sounded hilarious.

Would it be possible for Pokotho to try to enter one of the excavators and operate it with a difficult piloting check? That definitely sounds like his first impression, but if it would be an annoying approach from a GM position, I am not bothered at all by approaching combat in the traditional manner. I just thought trying to squish them with a backhoe or something sounded hilarious.

I will let the fortunes of a die roll determine the possibility of firing up the excavator near red (the other piece of equipment is an ore processor, and not likely to do what you want).

Wow.

The condition of the excavator appears to be excellent. Whoever used these most recently took the utmost in care of the equipment.

Anyone can hop in and try a piloting check on the excavator. It won't be an easy target to get it to do what you want (unless you had a relevant skill, i.e. profession construction worker, or profession heavy equipment operator), but it will be possible. You'll certainly have no problem getting the piece of equipment powered up.

Pokotho hops onto the edge of the excavator and swings inside, taking a position at the controls.

"Now aren't you a beauty," he says, lovingly taking the controls in his hands, "Come on, girl. Let's take you out for a spin."

Piloting: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16

Jerking the controls with a hard left, Pokotho truly does take the excavator for a 'spin', swinging it around in a full circle with the bucket hanging low, swiping near the Androids as a form of Covering Fire for his allies. It's awkward and clunky movements are too slow telegraphed for effective attacking, but it certainly seems capable of at least startling someone.

T'sorkel can get those skills by spending some RP, just sayin'...

T'sorkel sticks his head up when he hears the excavator begin moving. He watches in amazement and then judgmental criticism as Pokotho begins to spin the machine and move it in jerky motions. A small part of his memories kick in, though at this point, he doesn't even know if it's from his own or the Archive. What are you doing?! You're going to break it like that! That's no way to handle it! You're not even tied into your safety harness or have your hard hat on!

“WHAT IS IT WITH THIS PLACE?!” Lilly appears to yell at the excavators, but she really feels angry at the universe. The excavators are just handy.

She draws her pistol and squeezes off a shot at red.

Zoologist injector targeting red: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Syringe damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Minor inhibitor: -1 to attack rolls for 7 rounds (no save) plus Frightening Injection if the attack successfully hits.

Between the excavator’s wild movements and her target’s attempts to dodge it, her shot appears to go wide. Unless the GM surprises me with different information...

Very nice, Pokotho. In this case, I don't care about the dice roll. What you're trying to do is reasonable. I will rule that both of these androids are affected--Dr. Flint-Bridge would have used a +2 bonus on her attack (it still wasn't enough). The next person to attack blue may take a +2 bonus. I'll rule that the excavator has 15' of reach. You can drive it, but it might be tricky. Bold may go, round 1!

1. Rar'gul
2. T'sorkel
3. Enemy Red
4. Enemy Blue (+2 to hit for next person to attack)
5. John
6. Pokotho
7. Dr. Flint Bridge

Rar'gul considers the possible diplomatic approaches to this potential ambush situation. He didn't trust this lot - something seemed... off.

And then one of them fired a shot at Pokotho.

Rar'gul was charging forward in an instant, a shield of compressed energy forming along his forearm.

+1 EP, EP:1/5. +2 AC (+1 from EP, +1 from shield), AC now 19/19.

His long strides covered the ground to the equipment easily. Winding between the two pieces of machinery, he finds himself face-to-face with the ambushers.

"Did it occur to you to just try askkking forr a rrride?" the trox rumbles.

Spotting an opening as the excavator distracts the android, Rar'gul reaches out a hand and attempts to grab the closest foe (blue).

Entropic strike (vs EAC): 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 10 + 2 = 20 w/bonus on Blue
A&B Damage, Force: 2d6 + 11 ⇒ (2, 3) + 11 = 16]

Telepathic Scream vs Blue (DC15+1.5*CR): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

T'sorkel opens a telepathic channel to the nearest android and screams, trying to overload its neural net. He climbs on top of the excavator to get a better vantage point to look down onto the androids.

John can't help but chuckle at Rar'gul's question. These 'droids are going to wish they'd played soft instead of hardball.

Rar'gul ravages the nearest android, and T'sorkel throws the fear of many gods into the mind of the same android.

Both androids produce small axes and attempt to hack down Rar'gul.

to hit, red, then blue with shaken penalty: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 101d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 8 - 2 = 19

Despite his terrible circumstances, the shaken android manages to slash Rar'gul!

damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Bold may go, round 1!

1. Rar'gul (-7)
2. T'sorkel
3. Enemy Red
4. Enemy Blue (-16, shaken two rounds)
5. John
6. Pokotho
7. Dr. Flint Bridge

John dashes forward. He uses Rar'gul to screen himself from the 'droids. When he reaches the trox, he throws himself against the excavator to geta shot under his ally's arms at the northern android.

"Right behind you."

Move 40' as shown.
Trick Attack, Stealth v DC+20: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 28 If successful, target is flat-footed against my attack and everyone else for a round.

static arc pistol v red EAC: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16 (1d6+3, critical Arc 2; Stun)

Trick attack damage if both were successful: 3d8 ⇒ (5, 1, 4) = 10

Lilly dashes down into the fray and slides into the fight by Rar’gul.

Moves 30’ into the fight. Using her Scurry feat, she shares the space with Rar’gul with no penalties for either of them.

She draws her pistol and squeezes off a shot at blue.

Zoologist injector targeting blue: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Syringe damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Minor inhibitor: -1 to attack rolls for 7 rounds (no save) plus Frightening Injection if the attack successfully hits.

“Seriously… you should’ve just asked because this is going to hurt more than you can imagine.”

Intimidate check to demoralize: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

Her voice cracks with anger, inserting a random squeak to the middle of her speech.

So much for intimidating… guess I’ll just have to kill you the old-fashioned way.

Pokotho swings the big excavator around, jerking on the controls and burying the bucket into the ground on the opposite side of the androids, furrowing through the dirt to shake them in their place and provide harrying fire for his allies.

piloting: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20

"Attacking us was a bad idea. You're digging your own graves here," he calls out to them. Then looking at the furrowed trench behind them, he gets flustered. "Well, I guess, in a literal sense I'm the one digging your graves. But you are still the ones who set the events into motion."

John's arc pistol damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

John hits with his pistol, but Dr. Flint-Bridge -just- misses with her injection pistol.

Pokotho slams the excavator bucket into the ground, causing a localized tremor that distracts the two androids. Harrying fire condition noted below.

Bold may go, round 2!

1. Rar'gul (-7)
2. T'sorkel
3. Enemy Red (-18, next attack at +2 due to harrying fire)
4. Enemy Blue (-16, shaken two rounds, next attack at +2 due to harrying fire)
5. John
6. Pokotho
7. Dr. Flint Bridge

Rar'gul takes the hit from the android's tiny axe without concern.

Rotating his broad torso to the right, he pivots back to his left, slamming his attacker with the energised shield on his left forearm, before following closely behind with a strike from his meaty right fist.

Entropic strike 1 (vs EAC): 1d20 + 10 - 4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 10 - 4 + 2 = 12 w/bonus from Harrying
A&B Damage, Force: 2d6 + 11 ⇒ (4, 5) + 11 = 20

Entropic strike 2 (vs EAC): 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 10 - 4 = 16
A&B Damage, Force: 2d6 + 11 ⇒ (6, 4) + 11 = 21

T'sorkel draws his sonic suppressor and tries to fire down on the androids as Rar'gul attacks.

Attack vs same one as Rar'gul: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Sonic Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

John, jumps up and scrambles onto the tread of the excavator to get a better firing angle on the nearest 'droid.

Athletics: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23 5' horizontal movement and up to 20' vertical. IF JOhn has to holster his gun to make the climb, he won't be able to shoot.

static arc pistol v red EAC: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25 ... damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 ( critical Arc 2; Stun)

One of the androids falls to the ground, severely injured by Rar'gul and T'sorkel (blue). The other drops his weapon and raises his hands. "I surrender! We're just trying to get off this rock! We never wanted to hurt anyone!"

Blue is down, but only by a couple of HP. He could probably be saved if you're so inclined.