Swarm Wars! presented by GM Sparrowhawk

Game Master Bristor

Ameiko hops out to follow Tegrodera. Do the rest of you follow?

Sevash will stay in the vehicle with the engine idling, in case a quick escape is needed. She will have her gun at the ready as well.

Aysén would stand up in the bed of the truck, leaning out from the plastic cover, and point in the direction we came from while shouting

"Go that way! Keep moving if you want to make it out alive!"

before sitting back down in as relaxed a position as one can in this situation.

Damn fine work Aysén, keep it up

As Tegrodera hurriedly exits the transport to bring aid, Sevash from her higher elevation in the troop transport, sees figures crouching behind a car to the left, and there is something about the man in the roads bearing that seems off to her. In short, your avian brain is screaming ”Trap!”. Sevash gets a surprise round before combat.

Round 1 of Combat: Sevash gets a surprise round, then Round 1. Bold are up in that
Party-wide buffs: N/A
Aysén
Telsix
Sevash
Ameiko
Tegrodera
Red
Blue
Orange
Green (prone)

Battle Slide

Note: Aysén would need to head south off the map to get out of the back and the come around the side. Can't just go straight west, if that makes sense.

Sevash will yell "Ambush!"
She will use her surprise round to pull out her mk 1 frag grenade
"Tegrodera, get out of there!"

She will throw the grenade at red and blue on her turn and use a move action to pull out her gun.

Frag grenade: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (7) + 0 = 7 for Slashing: 1d6 ⇒ 3 DC 14 reflex save

Aysén will groan, stand up, and then climb out of the transport. He will clap together his Polarity gauntlets as he goes move towards the unexpected arrivals (Photon attunement 1/3).

"Ugh! How foolish do you have to be to ambush the people fighting to save the planet?"

Sevash has to awkwardly sidearm the grenade out the window, and unfortunately she misses her mark, with the grenade going over the heads of the two hidden people, but the blast radius still encompasses them.
1d8 ⇒ 6 1d4 ⇒ 3
Reflex save red: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Reflex save blue: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Round 1 of Combat: Telsix are up
Party-wide buffs: N/A
Aysén
Telsix
Sevash
Ameiko
Tegrodera
Red -1 hp
Blue -3 hp
Orange
Green (prone)

Battle Slide

Sorry, getting crushed by school.

Telsix will give a stare at red (Will DC 14 or -1 AC), then draw his pistol and take a shot.

laser: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17 for fire: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Red Will save: 1d20 ⇒ 19

Telsix is unable to muddle the mind of one of the foes, and due to the vehicle they are crouched behind, he’s unable to hit.

Ameiko moves forward while drawing her pistol, and crouches down on one side of an abandoned vehicle, cursing all the while.

Round 1 of Combat: Tegrodera is up
Party-wide buffs: N/A
Aysén
Telsix
Sevash
Ameiko
Tegrodera
Red
Blue
Orange
Green (prone)

Battle Slide

Scurrying over to where Ameiko is taking cover, Tegrodera would draw his needler pistol while calling out

"We're SDF troops sent here to assist, like my squadmate said it doesn't make sense for us to fight. Please stand down so that I may safely inspect your fallen companion"

Why are they attacking us? Are they even attacking us? Was this setup for us or the Swarm?

Two thugs sprint out from behind the car, blue getting behind Telsix, while red gets in a flank and swings a baton, but misses.

Red Baton attack w/ flank: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 2 = 10
Baton B dmg: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

The body on the ground that appeared hurt, pops up apparently unharmed and closes on Tegrodera, while orange circles around the vehicle the other way and takes a swing at everyone’s favorite medic, get a crunch against his thorax!

Red Baton attack w/ flank: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 2 = 15
Baton B dmg: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Round 1 of Combat: Bold are up
Party-wide buffs: N/A
Aysén
Telsix
Sevash
Ameiko
Tegrodera -6 SP
Red -1 hp
Blue -3 hp
Orange
Green

Battle Slide

Sevash, I'd say you can either make a Shove manuever with the door to push the thug out of the way, or you can fire at him from above and not provoke.

Sevash will study red and then fire down at him

Studied Experimental Azimuth Laser Rifle: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8 for Fire: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Aysén walks over and throws a punch at Red (Photon attunement 2/3)

Polarity Gauntlet: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15 To hit EAC forElectric: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 Damage

Ow, my thorax!

With inexperienced hands, Tegrodera will draw his survival knife and then take a guarded step to flank Orange with Ameiko.

Just like in training, all I have to do is stand behind them with a weapon drawn and my squadmate will help...

Aysén’s gauntlets find their mark, while Sevash doesn’t get the angle out the window quite right.
Tegrodera, I’ll hold off on your action for now until Ameiko goees

Round 2 of Combat: Telsix are up
Party-wide buffs: N/A
Aysén
Telsix
Sevash
Ameiko
Tegrodera -6 SP
Red -3 hp
Blue -3 hp
Orange
Green (prone)

Battle Slide

Telsix will move out from between the enemies, then cast ectoplasmic barrage

Red v KAC: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7 for bludgeoning: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 3) = 4
Blue v KAC: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17 for bludgeoning: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 4) = 10

Telsix is subjected to some brutal baton swings as they move away to cast, but manage to stay standing long enough to get a spell off.

Red Baton AoP w/ flank: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 2 = 27
Baton B dmg: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Blue Baton AoP w/ flank: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 2 = 14
Baton B dmg: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Blue gets the full brunt of the ectoplasmic barrage and collapses on the road.

Tegrodera sees Ameiko and the orange and green goons take a moment to look at each other. Green says, “Ameiko? What the f**** are you doing here? Help us take out these boy scouts of course that is a translation of the Suskillonian equivalent and find a ride of this rock before the bugs destroy it all!”

Ameiko takes a beat, says, “You got it, Johnny. You take care of this bug, I’ll get the drow.” She then turns, levels her pistol at Aysén’s back, at fires, hitting him square in the back.

Ameiko attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Pistol Crit P dmg: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 6) = 7

It’s at this point that you all register the scorpion tattoos you can see on your assailants necks that are the spitting image of the one Ameiko has. Curse her inevitable betrayal!

Round 2 of Combat: Tegrodera is up
Party-wide buffs: N/A
Aysén -7 SP
Telsix -5 SP/-7HP;
Sevash
Ameiko
Tegrodera -6 SP
Red -3 hp
Blue
Orange
Green (prone)

Battle Slide

Insert highlights of Ameiko's time with the party ___

Stunned at Pvt Sune's heelturn, Tegrodera takes a guarded step away from both Ameiko and Orange (1 square South) and then injects himself with a Basic Booster +1 to AC for 3 rounds

Green and orange like to gang up, so they re-establish a flank around Tegrodera and attack.

Orange Baton attack w/ flank: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 2 = 17
Baton B dmg: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Green Baton attack w/ flank: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 2 = 27
Baton B dmg: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Meanwhile, Red swings at Aysén, no doubt shaken by seeing his friend collapse to the tarmac.
Red Baton attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Baton B dmg: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Round 3 of Combat: Bold are up
Party-wide buffs: N/A
Aysén -7 SP
Telsix -5 SP/-7HP;
Sevash
Ameiko
Tegrodera -7 SP;-8 HP; +1 AC for 2 rds
Red -3 hp
Orange
Green
Blue

Battle Slide

"You've got to be kidding me" Sevash will say seeing Ameiko turn on the team

She will jump out of the vehicle, through the front passenger door and fire on orange

Experimental Azimuth Laser Rifle: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 for Fire: 1d8 ⇒ 8
Dice rollerrrrrr! *shakes fist at screen*

Telsix moves over behind Aysén and cast command on orange, ordering him to flee. (DC 15)

Orange Will save: 1d20 ⇒ 20 The goon's eye get glassy for a moment, but the adrenaline pumping through his veins allows him to shrug off the magical command.

man, dice roller hates your party in both directions!

Aysen is up!

Aysén will swing twice at Red (Photon attunment 3/3)

Polarity Gauntlet: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (6) + 0 = 6 First Attack vs EAC
Electric: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 Damage

Polarity Gauntlet: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (15) + 0 = 15 Second Attack vs EAC
Electric: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 Damage

Sorry for the delay

Aysén lands a blow on Red, his gauntlets humming with power.

Ameiko seeing her allies seem to have Tegrodera in hand, fires again at Aysén, but misses.

Ameiko attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Pistol P dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Round 3 of Combat: Tegrodera is up
Party-wide buffs: N/A
Aysén-7 SP
Telsix-5 SP/-7HP;
Sevash
Ameiko
Tegrodera -7 SP;-8 HP; +1 AC for 1 rd
Red -6 hp
Orange
Green
Blue

Battle Slide

Taking another guarded step away from both Green and Orange, Tegrodera will level his Needler Pistol at Telsix and administer a basic booster from range (+1 AC for 3 rounds)...

If I can just keep them alive we may pull through this

...leaving himself open to an Attack of Opportunity in doing so

I feel like i would do this at the table so let me take a beat - Tegrodera could withdraw and not suffer any AoO this turn. Just want to put that out there. Not trying to play your PC, but I've been rolling hot so far . . .

So I could, thank you for pointing that out! Totally forgot that withdrawing was a thing.

That being said though having re-thought my options I don't really see anything advantageous that moving would get me as I'd still eat an AoO regardless. Unless there's something blatant that I'm overlooking, my gut tells me that Tegordera would try to step out of the flank and then do something to help his allies as it's a guaranteed success with doing that opposed to the slim chance of landing an attack.

Bring it on Dice Roller: , I am (currently) unafraid!

Tegrodera, ever the team player, bolsters Telsix, but at what cost to himself?

Orange thug takes a swing with his baton at the exposed shirren, dropping the medic to the ground:
Orange AoO Baton attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Baton B dmg: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Orange and his green friend then close on Sevash, but only one of them gets the benefits of flank.

Green Baton attack w/ flank: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Baton B dmg: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Orange Baton attack w/ flank: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 2 = 22
Baton B dmg: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Meanwhile, across the field of battle, red trades blows with Aysén

Red Baton attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Baton B dmg: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Round 4 of Combat: Bold are up
Party-wide buffs: N/A
Aysén-8 SP/-5 HP
Telsix-5 SP/-7HP; +1 AC for 3 rds
Sevash -5 SP
Ameiko
Tegrodera At 0 hp. Unconscious and dying
Red -6 hp
Orange
Green
Blue

Battle Slide

With nowhere to safely move, Sevash will study orange and shoot at him point blank
Provokes

Studied Experimental Azimuth Laser Rifle: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17 for Fire: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Aysén will continue his flurry of blows swinging at Red (Photon attunment 3/3)

Polarity Gauntlet: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (6) + 0 = 6 First Attack vs EAC Electric: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 damage

Polarity Gauntlet: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (2) + 0 = 2 Second Attack vs EAC Electric: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 damage

"I thought you were smarter than this Ameiko. Looks like you're just another Jax."

Telsix casts stabilize on Tegrodera. He'll also direct his stare at yellow (Will DC 14 or -1 AC).

"We are attempting to save your lives. Cease your resistance."

Sevash, you could take a guarded step to only take 1 AoP, and without a flank bonus, if you want to do that retroactively; I’m going to presume that makes sense and only take 1 for now and moved you, but let me know if you want to undo.

Sevash shoots the orange thug right in the chest, but he takes a swing in retaliation while she’s distracted, cracking her across the head.
Orange Baton AoP: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Baton B dmg: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 1) + 4 = 7

Aysén has trouble landing another blow, and Telsix tries to befuddle the green goon, but prison life seems to have hardened his mind.

Green will vs. Telsix stare DC 14: 1d20 ⇒ 14

Ameiko responds to the taunts and calls for peace: “I’m no Jax and you know it. Telsix, you are the ones who are resisting. No one else needs to get hurt. Let me and my fellows take the carrier and everyone walks away. The planet is lost and we’re headed in the wrong direction! Hell, come with us and try to find a way off this rock!” She does not fire, and has her pistol pointed at the ground for the moment.

I’ll pause here to give you a chance to respond

Arms up in a defensive stance, surrounded by steller energy, Aysen would shout to Ameiko.

"There's no good way off this rock and you know it. You saw the skies in the last battle. You can go hop in a flying lunchbox if you want, but there's vital intelligence waiting for us at this temple, that's hope. You try any other way off this planet and you are dead for sure."

Intimidate: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

"You might be surprised at the resources my organization can bring to bear. Listen, I respect you lot, I really do. I'm trying to do you a favor that my business associates wouldn't think of. Put down your weapons and let us go, last offer."

They have you outnumbered and those of you up are badly hurt, you can't scare her. You'll need to agree to truce and lose the transport, or keep fighting, or come up with another way forward. You could also agree to join with them, but then the AP would really go off the rails :)

More thugs who can't see the big picture.

I'm fine with either decision to fight or run. If we fight Aysen will shout for Telsix to move at least 10 ft. away from him and the thugs as things are about to get hot.

Sevash will keep her gun trained on orange, ready to keep fighting but waiting for a cue from her companions.
"Why bother with this junky transport if you're so well resourced?" She will ask Ameiko through gritted teeth

Telsix waits, though he doesn't like the squad's chances.

Ameiko rolls her eyes, "Of course I don't have resources our here in the ass end of nowhere! Reos City is a different matter. But to get there we need that carrier. I'm sure you could get one of these cars running with some fuel." She levels her pistol again, aiming at Aysen. "What's it gonna be?"

Aysén will step away, keeping his defenses up.

"In the interest of keeping that bug alive, and no small desire to see tomorrow, have at it."

Sevash will lower her weapon and also step away from the transport

Telsix goes to join the rest of his companions.

“See, I knew you were savvy. Alright boys, load up. Wouldn’t feel right to leave you unarmed in the midst of a global invasion. I wish you luck.”

The thugs seem annoyed that they aren’t going to be able to leave you in only your skivvies. When one starts to protest, Ameiko shoots the dirt at his feet. “Boss doesn’t pay you to think, Frankie. Get in the truck!”

They gather their fallen comrade, throwing him in the back where Aysén had been, and Ameiko pulls a big half circle, entering the other side of the highway heading back south towards Reos City. You are left in the cold dust it kicks up on its way.

The good news is you are within hiking distance of the town of Lynmari. The bad news is you are banged up and your medic is unconscious.

Sevash will pull out a mk 1 serum of healing and give it to Tegrodera
Healing: 1d8 ⇒ 5

Eyes fluttering as he returns to consciousness, Tegrodera would sit-up and look around

"What happened? Did we win? Where'd the transport go?"

Aysén will lie down on the street to rest for 10 minutes.

"We were ambushed by idiots. We lost. They took the transport, but they were fools. You should never leave your enemies alive if you can help it."

Aysén will also take out a MK 1 Serum and drink it.

Healing: 1d8 ⇒ 2

"The sooner we get this mission done, the sooner we can turn our attention to seeking vengeance. You soldiers ready to get this mission done?"

Sevash will also take some time to rest
Then shoulder her weapon and scowl
"I'm ready. Let's be more cautious though. We can't afford anymore slip ups like that"

Sevash will keep an eye out for any abandoned vehicles on the way

I'll assume Tegordera and Telsix also use a RP to get stamina back. Any other hp healing? I'll be able to move us along later today, but I'm presuming you are still trying to fulfill you mission and looking for a vehicle to commandeer.

Do we gain the benefits of being Level 2 now, or after we take a long rest? Also, does anyone want me to attempt a "Treat Deadly Wounds" on them? If so I believe it would be the 1 your character could get this day.

Following the squad's lead Tegrodera will also take 10, replenishing his spent biohacks and applying a Mk1 Serum of Healing too.

Healing: 1d8 ⇒ 4

"My apologies Sevash, and to the rest of the squad too, for rushing-in hastily. My training is to provide aid when needed and by all accounts that person appeared injured, but I am embarrassed for the setback it's caused us. In the future, what would be the best way to proceed should we come upon an injured civilian or otherwise?"