Swarm Wars! presented by GM Sparrowhawk

Game Master Bristor

Telsix moves in to better espy the creature.

To clarify, that pink orb is like a stained glass dome at the top of the monastery, so the central pathway is clear of obstructions. And yes, you can shoot over the tables, and they provide partial cover.

Tegrodera is up!

Tegrodera follows Sevash in seeking-cover behind a table and readies his new Venomcaster to administer a boost to Aysen.

Readying an action to apply an AC buff to Aysen should he be targeted by an attack

The lumbering, beetle-like swarm creature waddles forward, walking right into the trap that you failed to disarm! Boing! Spiked bars pop up, trying to clamp on to the creatures legs, but it is surprisingly nimble for its size.
Reflex save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

It closes on Aysén, causing Tegrodera to shoot Aysén with a booster; the creature slams into him despite the help.
slam: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28
B dmg: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

From between the chitinous plates on the creatures back, emerge three dredgers, who swarm *cough* out and close on Sevash, Telsix and Tegrodera, each attacking with a claw to no effect.

Red vs. Telsix: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
dmg: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Blue vs. Sevash: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
dmg: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Yellow vs. Tegrodera: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
dmg: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Round 2 of Combat: Midnight Squad is up!
Party-wide buffs: N/A
Aysén -5 SP; +1 AC for 3 rounds
Telsix
Sevash
Tegrodera
Big Bug Purple
Blue Dredger
Yellow Dredger
Red Dredger

Sevash will step back and shoot at blue
"If Hylax has anything to help, it would be appreciated" She will yell to Xelonan

Experimental Azimuth Laser Rifle: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12 for Fire: 1d8 ⇒ 6

Sevash hits the dredger squarely, provoking a cry of pain or anger from it.

You can hear Xelonan shuffling around in the back room. "Yes, help, right, of course."

Aysén will swing twice at the large bug in front of him (Photon attunement 2/3).
"Am I punching the swarm equivalent of a jeep?"

Polarity Gauntlet: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 First attack vs EAC
Polarity Gauntlet: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12 Second attack vs EAC

Electric: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 Damage if second attack hits

"Perhaps this troop carrier could be reconfigured."

Telsix takes a guarded step back and casts baleful polymorph on the big bug.
Will DC 15

Aysén’s electric fists bounce off the hard carapace. Telsix’s magic takes hold slightly shrinking and distorting the creature.
Will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Tegrodera is up!

Attempting to fend off the Dredger, Tegrodera assumes a defensive position (Total Defense for +4 AC) while scanning the larger-ish Swarm creature to answer Aysen's question.

Identify: 20 + 9 = 29

Tegrodera’s studying pays off, and he knows that this covecyte will explode in a rain of acid when it dies, along with other normal swarm stuff like immunity to acid, fear, and limited blindsense (vibration).

The convecyte slams Aysén, despite its misshapen form.
slam: 1d20 + 11 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 11 - 1 = 20
B dmg: 1d6 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 4 - 1 = 9

While the three dredgers keep up their attacks on their targets, imnjuring Telsix and Tegrodera

Red vs. Telsix: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
dmg: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Blue vs. Sevash: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
dmg: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Yellow vs. Tegrodera: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
dmg: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Round 3 of Combat: Midnight Squad is up!
Party-wide buffs: N/A
Aysén -14 SP; +1 AC for 2 rounds
Telsix -8 SP
Sevash
Tegrodera -7 SP
Big Bug Purple –1 penalty to almost everything for 2 minutes
Blue Dredger -6 HP
Yellow Dredger
Red Dredger

"Yes Aysen, that Jeep Convecyte is a Swarm transport creature but one that's overly full of caustic fluid. Finish it from range if at all possible lest it burst on you!"

Conveying the results of his scan between yelps from the yellow dredger's attack, Tegrodera attempts to fire at it from close-range.

Venomcaster: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 for Piercing: 1d8 ⇒ 1 and a -1 on attacks for 6 rounds

Sevash will provoke from blue to fire two shots
One at blue
Experimental Azimuth Laser Rifle: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10 for Fire: 1d8 ⇒ 8

and one at the big boy
Studied Experimental Azimuth Laser Rifle: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10 for Fire: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Is this dice roller working? 4 8s on 2 different types of dice?

Aysén will frown at Tegrodera while being bludgeoned by the jeep (Photon attunement 3/3)

Aysén guarded steps then explodes with steller energy (Supernova, reflex DC 13 for half damage) hitting the big bug and yellow (but not Tegrodera).

Fire: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 2, 6) = 14 Supernova damage

Tegrodera misses, clearly getting used to the new weapon. Sevash roasts her dredger target into a crispy husk, but can’t hit the broad side of a jeep, apparently. Aysén takes an different approach, exploding with the power of a sun, hurting both creatures in the blast, although they seem to avoid the worst of it.

Jeep Reflex: 1d20 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 4 - 1 = 21
Yellow Reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

Round 3 of Combat: Telsix is up!
Party-wide buffs: N/A
Aysén -14 SP; +1 AC for 2 rounds
Telsix -8 SP
Sevash
Tegrodera -7 SP
Big Bug Purple -7 HP ; –1 penalty to almost everything for 2 minutes
Blue Dredger
Yellow Dredger -7 HP
Red Dredger

Telsix directs their stare against the large creature, then fires at it.

explorer handcoil: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11 for E: 1d6 ⇒ 3
Will DC 15 vs the stare or -1 AC

Will save vs. overbearing stare: 1d20 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 - 1 = 4

Thanks to its misshapen body and the overbearing stare, Telsix scores a hit on the big bug, although the red dredger takes an attack of opportunity, and follow up again on its turn!

Red AoO vs. Telsix: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
dmg: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Red vs. Telsix: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
dmg: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Yellow stays after Tegrodera . . .
Yellow vs. Tegrodera: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
dmg: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

And the big guys lashes out at Aysén again
slam: 1d20 + 11 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 11 - 1 = 27
B dmg: 1d6 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 - 1 = 4

Xelonan casts a spell, and then moves in to touch Telsix.
Cure: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Round 4 of Combat: Midnight Squad is up!
Party-wide buffs: N/A
Aysén -16 SP; -2 HP; +1 AC for 1 rounds
Telsix -11 SP; -7 HP
Sevash
Tegrodera -14 SP; -1 HP
Big Bug Purple -10 HP ; -1 penalty to almost everything for 2 minutes; -1 AC on top
Yellow Dredger -7 HP
Red Dredger

Aysén flurries again, hoping to hit at least half as hard as the jeep. (Photon attunement 1/3)

Polarity Gauntlet: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13 First Attack
Polarity Gauntlet: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16 Second Attack

Electric: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 First Attack damage
Electric: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 Second Attack damage
Electric: 1d3 ⇒ 1 Polarize damage if both attacks hit

Sevash sends all her firepower at the big bug
Full attack
Studied Experimental Azimuth Laser Rifle: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22 for Fire: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Studied Experimental Azimuth Laser Rifle: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7 for Fire: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Critical effect Burn: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Clutching the Venomcaster in one hand Tegrodera draws his survival knife and tries to bury it into Yellow.

Knife: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21 for Slashing: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Aysén electrifies the jeep, hitting with both strikes, thanks to Telsix Collective’s magic impairment, and Sevash follows lightning with a firestorm, killing the hulking beetle. As Tegrodera warned, this causes it to burble and gurgle for a moment before it explodes in a shower of caustic acid that hits everyone.

acid dmg: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (4, 2) + 4 = 10 Reflex DC 11 for half
Xelonan reflex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Acid still dripping off everything, Tegrodera manages to bury his knife in the dredgers abdomen.

Round 4 of Combat: Reflex saves from all, Telsix is up, unless they fail their save, in which case they are down!
Party-wide buffs: N/A
Aysén -16 SP; -2 HP; +1 AC for 1 rounds
Telsix -11 SP; -7 HP
Sevash
Tegrodera -14 SP; -1 HP
Yellow Dredger -10 HP
Red Dredger

Reflex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Feeling the beetle's caustic fluids dissolving his armor, clothing, and body Tegrodera attempts to slash at Yellow again.

I can help them if I can just reach them!

Knife: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17 for Slashing: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Reflex: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

Barely hanging on, Telsix withdraws from the bugu threatening them.

Xelonan also withdraws, following Telsix’s retreat.

The dredgers continue their work, with red moving up to attack Aysén to no effect, and yellow trying to get revenge on Tegrodera for that stab wound.

Red vs. Aysen: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
dmg: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Yellow vs. Tegrodera: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
dmg: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Yellow drops Tegrodera before he can stab again!

Round 5 of Combat: Telsix, Aysen and Sevash are up! Need Reflex saves from Aysén and Sevash; Tegrodera, are you spending an RP to stabilize?
Party-wide buffs: N/A
Aysén -16 SP; -2 HP
Telsix -11 SP; -7 HP
Sevash
Tegrodera -14 SP; -18 HP: Unconscious & dying
Yellow Dredger -10 HP
Red Dredger

TElsix moves closer and casts stabilize on Tegrodera.

I'll spend RP to stay in the fight when it's pertinent, conscious with 1 HP right? Thanks for the stabilize Matt!

Reflex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10 Fail reflex save

Aysén swings at Red in desperation, horribly burned by acid (Photon attunement 2/3)

Polarity Gauntlet: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15 First Attack
Polarity Gauntlet: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12 Second Attack

Electric: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 First Attack damage
Electric: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 Second Attack damage
Electric: 1d3 ⇒ 2 Polarize damage if both hit

"I'm not gonna die here! I'm gonna have multiple garages and a pool!"

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

She will move around to get a clear shot on yellow
Experimental Azimuth Laser Rifle: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 for Fire: 1d8 ⇒ 6

"Any healing for a fellow follower of Hylax, Xelonan" Sevash will yell, gesturing toward Tegrodera

"Trying to get to Telsix while they are still up!"

Xelonan continues to follow Telsix, finally catching up and casting cure.

1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10hp healed on Telsix.

Telsix stabilizes Tegrodera, and in turn gets healed by Xelonan. Sevash misses, but Aysén connects on both hits to his target, despite being badly bludgeoned and acid-burned. Both dredgers are missing limbs and hurt as well, but continue to attack, both on Aysén this time. Despite his heroic (?) efforts, Aysén falls to the onslaught.

Red vs. Aysen: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
dmg: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Yellow vs. Aysen: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
dmg: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Xelonan runs past Telsix and Sevash in order to cast cure on Tegrodera, bringing him back to the fight. saves you the RP and the turn, although you are prone and dropped your weapon.
Cure: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Round 6 of Combat: Midnight Squad is up!
Party-wide buffs: N/A
Aysén -0 HP, unconscious and dying
Telsix -11 SP
Sevash -5 SP
Tegrodera -10 HP; prone
Yellow Dredger -10 HP
Red Dredger -9 HP

Telsix re-crosses the battlefield and heals Aysen.

mystic cure: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

If Aysén gets to act after getting healed, he stands up and takes a defensive stance (Total defense). (Photon attunement 1/3)

If he doesn't he spends a resolve to stabilize before getting healed.

Retrieving his Wraith-Sting Rifle, Tegrodera remains prone and readies to give Aysen a basic booster (+1 AC for 3 rounds) should either Dredger move to attack him.

Aysén stands and enters a defensive position, while Tegrodera prepares to aid him. Can Sevash save the day?

Sevash takes two quick shots, hoping to end the battle. She does take out the red dredger, with only yellow remaining.
Attack Red: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18 1d8 ⇒ 5
Attack Yellow: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 1d8 ⇒ 8

Yellow doesn't notice the extra defense Aysén has put up, further bolstered by a booster from Tegrodera, and its claw is useless.
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Round 7 of Combat: Midnight Squad is up!
Party-wide buffs: N/A
Aysén +1 AC for 2 rounds; -9 HP
Telsix -11 SP
Sevash -5 SP
Tegrodera -10 HP
Yellow Dredger -10 HP

Tegrodera swaps to the Venomcaster and while remaining prone on the ground fires a shot at the remaining Dredger, imbuing it with a minor inhibitor to add insult to (hopeful) injury

Vencomcaster: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19 for Piercing: 1d8 ⇒ 6 w/ a -1 penalty on attacks for 6 rounds

Aysén continues to hold the defensive stance, building up steller energy (total defense, photon attunement 2/3).

Bookmark for where we ended the synchronous session with the Swarm rapidly eating through the hangar walls and the aluminum-glass display to get at where we're gathered on the launchpad

As you rush around, getting the rest of the cargo on board, and constantly checking the countdown on the refueling, you start to hear skittering behind the jammed door, and then shapes on the other side of the transparent aluminum window. You can see a more humanoid swarm creature sparing something on the window from a device attached to its arm – knowing that many swarm have an affinity for acid, you surmise the window will soon be gone. 30 seconds remain before fueling process is complete and you can shut the ramp doors and prepare for departure.

Note, I’ve changed the map, to give more room and mix it up a bit. You would have time to move some crates around to create cover for yourself, if you choose. Place yourselves whereever you’d like to be. Also note the fancy “ramp” I’ve added to designate where the ramp up into the [/i]Terminus Wild[/i] is, and the thick purple line where the melted window is.

Round 1 of Combat: Midnight Squad is up.
30 seconds until fueling complete

Tegrodera
Aysén
Sevash
Telsix
Acid Cannon Guy (blue)
Dredger (red)
Dredger (yellow)
Vorphoma (green)

Battle Map

Sevash will move behind cover

if it is possible to move some cover in front of the fueling set up, she will do that as well

Feel free to draw little boxes wherever you want - you'd have some time to do that. Also, in case I wasn't clear, there is a hole in the window, and that's what the purple line shows. So they have some cover from you in there but you can attack them.

I don't want to play your characters for you, but I know it can be harder to keep track of things in PbP - you do have some grenades as loot . . .

Aysén would sprint forward behind some cover, waiting for the creatures to make it inside (Photon attunement 1/3)

Telsix would join Sevash behind cover and take the suggestion to pull out a grenade.

I made two little barricades along the hazard strip on the loading dock

Hurrying to take cover behind an impromptu barricade, Tegrodera readies to fire a minor inhibitor-laced needle at the Swarm once a clear shot presents itself.

For readying actions like this, would you like me to include the roll when readying or wait to see if it gets prompted?

Sorry, I wasn't clear: you can all be where you are now, with grenades out, etc. Tegrodera might still have same readied action, I imagine, likewise with Aysén waiting and powering up his photon.Does anyone want to act differently knowing you didn't need to spend actions getting in position?

Sevash would ready to fire when the door is breached

That's right now. Window has melted and is open - the purple line is the opening they've burned. You may attack.

Two dredgers emerge from the melting partition, with a red one racing to close on Aysén (double move), and another racing towards Tegrodera.

Sevash, Tegrodera, and Telsix can all take a readied action, if you wish. Feel free to choose any of the targets.

They are followed by a flying vorphoma who is 10 feet in the air – it fires a barb at Aysén, but misses. green Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Finally, using some surprising speed, the more humanoid one vaults through the opening and races into the hangar, finding cover behind some boxes.

Round 2 of Combat: Midnight Squad is up.
24 seconds until fueling complete
Tegrodera
Aysén
Sevash
Telsix
Acid Cannon Guy (blue)
Dredger (red)
Dredger (yellow)
Vorphoma (green)

Battle Map

Aysén swings twice at the dredger menacing him (Photon attunement 2/3)

Polarity Gauntlet: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 First Attack
Polarity Gauntlet: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 Second Attack
Electric: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 Damage first attack
Electric: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 Damage second attack

"At least they didn't bring a jeep!"