Well then. I'm going to go ahead and move the drone for round 2 since I think you have a good chance winning initiative for the second round.
Oddman's initial scan reveals the following basic information about the enemy ship:
-Living crew complement: None
-Ship classification: Shuttle
-Size: Small
-Speed: 10
-Maneuverability: Perfect
Second-1 boosts power to the engines as Rogers moves the ship around. Ozelle can't seem to find the power core, though.
Drone evade:1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 13 + 1 = 26
Gulkyn encourages Chk'tarlsh, who launches a computer generated torpedo at the drone. The sensors indicate that, had the torpedo been real, it would have hit!
The drone responds with its own computer-generated plasma!
Your sensors briefly flash red as the drone records a critical hit for almost maximum damage! Fortunately the sensors resume their normal green setting a moment afterward as the computer registers the hit wasn't real.
Akrodo's voice sounds over the open channel with his observing ship. "Ouch! Good thing that wasn't real, right Starfinders? How's it handling so far? Good hit on the drone, too!"
Onto Round 2!
Assuming you win initiative in round 2:
The drone zips behind Remorhaz. Apparently Sanjaval Spaceflight Systems hasn't told it about the Remorhaz's rear arc weapons!
Ozelle | Female LN morlamaw corporate agent envoy 2/soldier 1[/ooc] | SP 11/22 HP 23/23 RP 4/4 | EAC 16; KAC 19 | Fort +3; Ref +4; Will +4 | Init: +5 | Perc: +4, SM: +5; darkvision (60 ft) | Speed 20ft, swim 40ft | Active conditions: vesk brigantine III
"Okay, power core this time!"
Computers:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
The DC equals 5 + 1-1/2 the tier of the enemy starship + its bonus from defensive countermeasures. The next attack made by your starship that hits the enemy ship scores a critical hit on a natural roll of 19 or 20. If that attack deals critical damage, it affects the chosen system.
Interestingly, it appears based on the sensors that the drone launched an actual torpedo shape--presumably inert--at the Remorhaz. Regardless, your ship dodges away as the torpedo-shaped object boosts past.
In the meantime, Oddman uses his mystical knowledge to learn more about the ship. He determines:
-AC and TL: 14
-Total/current hull points: 35
-Total/current shield points: 80 (20 per quadrant)
-Core PCU value: 150 PCU (Pulse Green)
Ozelle successfully finds the Power Core, but Chk'tarlsh's shot misses the drone. Gulkyn continues to give pointers, and Second-1 hears his station hum appreciatively as (simulated) shields are restored to your vessel.
Akrodo's voice sounds over the comms. "Good dodging, Starfinders! Even I didn't know we had actual inert torpedos on board. Be careful; without your shields up, those could scratch the paint if they hit you! Keep trying things out!"
Male CG Kasatha colonist mystic 7 | SP 37/49 HP 46/46 | RP 7/7 | EAC 18; KAC 20 | Fort +3; Ref +4; Will +9 | Init: +2 | Perc: +14, SM: +14 | Speed 30 ft.; climb 30 ft. | Desert Stride, Darkvision 60 ft., Healing touch 35 hp/day, Mindlink 1/day | Spell slots 5/5 first level 3/4 second level 3/3 third level |
“I understand.” Oddman gets up from his corner, gathers his stones and goes to a computer station. He controls both turret guns and shoots at the drone.
Chk'tarlsh nods to Oddman as the mystic joins him at the gunnery station, sliding across to allow them both room to work. Returning his attention to the targeting display, the shirren waits for the drone to drift into the aft quadrant and unleashes both of the rear-facing weapons at their foe.
NG male nuar ace pilot soldier (blitz) 8 | SP 80/80, HP 62/62, RP 10/10 | EAC 25, KAC 27 | F+8 R+5 W+7 | Speed 50 | Init +7 | Perc +1 (darkvision), SM +1 | Piloting +17 (8 ranks) | Active Conditions:
Happy to allow the drone to stay behind the Remhorz and keep those big guns lined up, Rogers continues in generally the same direction, throwing in a few evasive maneuvers to mess with its tracking system. Moved on the map.
Ozelle decides it's better to have the shields on than off. The gunners fire, with some notional hits against the drone.
Akrodo's voice sounds on your comms. He sounds worried. "Starfinders, the drone isn't responding to my commands! And I can't confirm those torpedo shapes are inert. Nobody here knows how they got on the drone! This is terribly embarassing, but you might be in danger. For your safety, I suggest turning your weapons on and firing to destroy the drone."
The Engineer needs to make an Engineering check (DC 10) to flip the weapons to "live" as we go into round 4!
With the sudden change in threat, Chk'tarlsh focus intensifies. Antennae twitching, he monitors the display read outs, waiting for the weapons mode to switch to live.
"Time to make it count," he says, activating the computer-aided targeting system and launching a heavy torpedo at the rogue drone.
The drone fires a real torpedo into the Remorhaz! The torpedo breaks through the shields, doing actual hull damage! A burst of static comes over the comms as the torpedo hits.
But, now with real weapons, the Remorhaz's gunners find their mark. After two torpedo hits, the drone ceases attacking and powers down.
Space combat over
The comms crackle back to life, “Is everyone all right? It looks like the drone is powerless. Don’t destroy it please. If you have injured crew please return to the hangar, I’ll have medical personnel waiting for you. If everyone is well, please examine the drone to see if you can determine what happened.”
With the drone powered down, it would be relatively easy to pilot the Remorhaz over to investigate.
Investigation Engineering DC 15:
It appears the drone didn't glitch, but has been sabotaged!
Investigation Engineering Success and Computers DC 20:
Using computers, you manage to find the access codes used by saboteur to hack the drone. It was Datch! Just kidding, it wasn't Datch. When you transmit the forensic analysis to Akrodo, he recognizes the codes as belonging to a disgruntaled ex-employee with ties to the Frozen Trove dragoncorp! Akrodo assures you Sanjaval is going to fully investigate and resolve the matter.
When you bring the Remorhaz back to the Lucent Shipyards following the investigation (or lack thereof):
Akrodo is ready to meet you as you land the Remorhaz. As you disembark, he rushes up to you and says "Thank you for all of your work today. We hope that when you make your report to your superiors that it will focus on the ship and its capabilities rather than on today’s mishap. Please pass along that should the Society choose to commission the Remorhaz, in addition to the discount for providing test crew we will be extending an additional hazard discount due to the circumstances of today’s test flight. Please accept our apologies. We hope to hear from you soon.”
After departing the Burning Archipelago:
Venture-Captain Naiaj messages on your flight back to Absalom Station to ask how the test flight went.
M Android Technomancer/5 | HP 29/ 29 RES 6 / 6 STAM 30/ 30| KAC 18EAC 18| Fort 2 Ref 5 Will 6 | Perc +6 | Init +8
Engineering:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
Computers:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13
Well...it was clearly sabotaged but I couldn't tell you more than that, unfortunately. You may want to have your people look into this further. Bad for business."
Venture-Captain Naiaj expesses concern about the "drone trying to kill you" part of the test flight, but commends you for making a good impression nonetheless!
"Now, I have one more task I would like you to complete. Instead of returning to Absalom Station, go to the drow-occupied world of Apostae and meet with a representative of Arabani Arms Limited at their Karkaken Testing Grounds. This representative is going to provide an overview for some tests that Arabani Arms would like our field agents to perform on their most recent technological developments. In essence, you’ll have a chance to test out some new technology and provide feedback on it. Not only does the Society make some credits off this arrangement, but it also positions our agents to provide feedback on weapons they may well be using in the future."
After 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 days, your shuttle arrives on the planet. It descends over the drab gray rock of Apostae, diving between two impressive starships smeared with spatters of red paint resembling bloody handprints. Veering from the impressive settlement of Nightarch, the shuttle makes its way to a section of the rocky surface covered in standalone structures, many of which glisten with active power tools in the midst of assembling massive starship components or producing long-lines of smaller personal scale equipment. With a sudden lurch, the shuttle touches down on an open
platform.
As you exit the shuttle, a smiling half-orc in construction worker attire see slides greets you on the platform. He introduces himself as Crax Geshki, the Arabani Arms representative for this set of tests.
"Please accompany me to the nearby testing area on the Karakaken Testing Grounds, Starfinders. This should be simple enough. You fine folks are going to be handling some experimental weaponry in a short live-fire demonstration—I’ll need your feedback on the guns afterward. Next, we have some new personal force fields that the R&D division have been dying to test, so you’ll get to inspect those and take some shots while wearing them. Finally, and probably where you’ll all shine the most, is a live combat against some new robots that we’ve developed and plan to sell to some mercenary outfits. We just need your combat experience to review these gadgets and gizmos before we can slap the old Arabani logo on them and put ‘em out in the market!"
Feel free to ask Crax any questions you have as you walk to the testing station.
NG male nuar ace pilot soldier (blitz) 8 | SP 80/80, HP 62/62, RP 10/10 | EAC 25, KAC 27 | F+8 R+5 W+7 | Speed 50 | Init +7 | Perc +1 (darkvision), SM +1 | Piloting +17 (8 ranks) | Active Conditions:
"Well, this will be interesting! We seem to be gaining quite a bit of product-testing experience this week. Is this live combat exercise going to have any sort of safeguards, or is it live-ammo?"
Male LN Witchwyrd Ace Pilot Solarian 5 | SP 0/40 HP 22/39, Resistance: Elec 5 | RP 4/5 | EAC 17; KAC 17 | Fort +5; Ref +3; Will +4 | Init: +2 | Perc: +4, SM: +7, Darkvision 60' | Speed 30ft | Force Bolts 1. Unattuned. Active conditions: None
Gulkyn is all business as we walk, "What can you tell us about the weapons we'll be testing? Is there anything we specific we should be looking out for during the tests or are you just looking for our general opinions?"
Chk'tarlsh's antennae quiver with excitement. "Thish hash all been a very pleassinhk break from the usual missions. It ish quite excitinhk to be tesstinhk new technology before anyone elsse hash sseen it," he says audibly. "I've never tried out a force shield before."
His antennae fall still, the incident on the recent starship test flight still fresh in his mind. "Ash lonhk ash your robotsh don't go AWOL and try to kill ush. Well, more than they're ssupossed to..."
M Android Technomancer/5 | HP 29/ 29 RES 6 / 6 STAM 30/ 30| KAC 18EAC 18| Fort 2 Ref 5 Will 6 | Perc +6 | Init +8
"What Rogers and Chk said...we have some experience with these sorts of things and let's just say we've known demonstrations to be a little on the exciting side. I'd be curios to hear about the safety protocols."
Crax nods before answering. "Of course. You'll be testing the weapons and equipment to ensure nothing malfunctions. Depending on the test specifics we may need you to fire a weapon multiple times, for instance, or in different conditions. And regarding the robots, they will be using live ammunitions to ensure accurate combat data, but the robots are programmed to only render targets unconscious, not kill them."
The group approaches a long rectangular range for testing weapons. Two copies of four different weapons and several extra ammo clips are arrayed on a table beside the shooting point for the range, each noted with a holographic display. Crax ushers the party over to the weapons.
"Here are the latest prototypes in weapons development, almost ready to ship"! Displayed on the table are two copies of the following:
-Babau’s Kiss (Small Arm): This is a 4th-level projectile small arm that deals 2d4 piercing damage and has the bleed 1d4 critical hit effect. It has a range increment of 20 feet and holds 4 small arm rounds. It has the analog special property and is light bulk.
-Matron’s Wail (Longarm): This is a 4th-level cryo longarm that deals 2d6 cold damage and has the deafen critical hit effect. It has a range increment of 30 feet, uses a battery, has a usage of 2, and is 1 bulk.
-Apostae’s Ire (Heavy Weapon): This is a 4th-level laser heavy weapon that deals 1d12 fire damage and has the burn 1d6 critical hit effect. It has a range increment of 50 feet, uses a highcapacity battery (40 charges), has a usage of 4, and is 2 bulk.
-Swarm Zapper (Sniper Weapon): This is a 4th-level, shock sniper weapon that deals 2d6 electricity damage. It has a range increment of 120 feet, the sniper (500 ft.) and penetrating qualities, uses a battery (20 charges), has a usage of 10, and is 1 bulk.
Each member of the party can inspect the weapons, either individually or with assists from other party members, with an Engineering check. Please roll separately for each of the four weapon types!
NG male nuar ace pilot soldier (blitz) 8 | SP 80/80, HP 62/62, RP 10/10 | EAC 25, KAC 27 | F+8 R+5 W+7 | Speed 50 | Init +7 | Perc +1 (darkvision), SM +1 | Piloting +17 (8 ranks) | Active Conditions:
Rogers hefts the Apostae's Ire, feeling its weight and balance and going through his usual equipment-inspection routine. "I like the look of this one."
M Android Technomancer/5 | HP 29/ 29 RES 6 / 6 STAM 30/ 30| KAC 18EAC 18| Fort 2 Ref 5 Will 6 | Perc +6 | Init +8
"Babu's Kiss seems like my kind of weapon" The android gives the small arm a close examination, the follows Rogers for the other 3 and confirms his work.
Chk'tarlsh slowly paces the length of the firearm display, his multifaceted eyes eagerly drinking in the goodies on show.
Antennae trembling, the shirren emits a low trembling of pleasure as he considers the options arrayed before them.
Finally arriving at a decision, Chk'tarlsh's pacing comes to a stop by the Swarm Zapper. "Ssuitably named. I'm lookinhk forward to puttinhk it through itsh pacesh."
Male LN Witchwyrd Ace Pilot Solarian 5 | SP 0/40 HP 22/39, Resistance: Elec 5 | RP 4/5 | EAC 17; KAC 17 | Fort +5; Ref +3; Will +4 | Init: +2 | Perc: +4, SM: +7, Darkvision 60' | Speed 30ft | Force Bolts 1. Unattuned. Active conditions: None
No engineering here either
Gulkyn gives a quick glance over the weapons before picking up a Babau's Kiss and giving it a closer inspection. "Small capacity. What is this one's intended use?"
All of the weapons look like they're in tip-top shape!
"Ah, the Babau's Kiss. That one we designed as a desceptively small weapon that really packs a punch. Unfortunately we spent so much time ratcheting up the damage that the weapon doesn't carry much ammo; but you shouldn't need it if the shots are landing!"
Moving ahead because I don't believe Ozelle has Engineering either.
"Alright, Starfinders, everyone who's ready can move into the live-fire exercise! I need each of the weapon types to be fired at least five times in case there's the potential for repeated fire to cause a malfunction. So, grab a weapon of your choice and step into a firing station.
"We'll have targets moved by robotic arms activated on the range. You'll see them every 10 feet from 10 to 100 feet, and then one set 300 feet away. Try out targets at different ranges base EAC and KAC of 19 to get a feel for the how each weapon operates. Let the shooting begin!"
The next part's a little hard in the PbP format, but I tried to set up spoilers below for things that might happen if certain conditions are met with each weapon. Have fun!
When firing the Babau's Kiss and rolling a natural 1:
The weapon backfires! You deal critical hit damage against yourself!
After firing the Matron's Wail at any time:
The weapon appears to be leaking excess cold energy. Firing the weapon deals one point of cold damage to the wielder. Firing the weapon in consecutive rounds increases the cold damage by one per round as well, up to a maximum of five. If fired in five consecutive rounds, the wielder must attempt a fortitude save.
When firing Apostae's Ire, roll an extra d20 per shot that hits its target. On a result of 1-6, open:
This weapon’s shot unexpectedly arcs to all creatures within 10 feet of the original target for one-quarter damage from the initial shot! Your hit strikes an additional 1d4 target dummies from this arcing effect, but consumes an extra 2 battery charges per extra dummy struck.
After every two shots with the Swarm Zapper, roll a d20. On a result of 17-20, open:
The used battery ejects from the Swarm Zapper and immediately explodes! You take 4d8 electricity damage (no save).
The android eyes the 300ft target and shrugs. "I think that one's a bit outside this one's range..." I believe max range is 10x a weapons range, so 200 max on this one. No nat 1! I wanted to see what happened!
Chk'tarlsh takes up the Swarm Zapper, holding it reverently before him. Nodding with satisfaction, he steps up to the targeting range, carefully firing a shot at each target.
For the final target, he carefully balances the rifle and engages the optical sight, taking his time to line up the long distance shot.
Swarm Zapper 300 vs EAC19:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Reloading, Chk'tarlsh ejects the spent battery, only to have it explode immediately upon leaving the rifle.
Electricity damage:4d8 ⇒ (3, 5, 1, 3) = 12
Antennae twitching in irritation, he stalks a short distance away, muttering in Shirren.
Flexing his stung hand and rubbing his arm, he makes his way back to the targeting station and recollect the rifle. "Sseemsh there might be a problem in disssipatinhk the heat followinhk rapid ssuccesssive sshotsh."
He fires off shots at the remaining targets without further incident. See spoilered rolls.
NG male nuar ace pilot soldier (blitz) 8 | SP 80/80, HP 62/62, RP 10/10 | EAC 25, KAC 27 | F+8 R+5 W+7 | Speed 50 | Init +7 | Perc +1 (darkvision), SM +1 | Piloting +17 (8 ranks) | Active Conditions:
Didn't he say five shots?
Rogers hefts the Apostae's Ire and strides to the line. Taking aim, he begins shooting, aiming first for the nearest target then at select targets farther back.
EAC vs. 10ft Target (DC 19):1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14 EAC vs. 30ft Target (DC 19):1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16 EAC vs. 50ft Target (DC 19):1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22 EAC vs. 100ft Target (DC 19), 2nd range increment:1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 5 - 2 = 22 EAC vs. 300ft Target (DC 19), 6th range increment:1d20 + 5 - 10 ⇒ (3) + 5 - 10 = -2I don't think I've ever gotten a total that low in Starfinder before...
50ft hit:1d20 ⇒ 3 100ft hit:1d20 ⇒ 12
After his first couple shots go wide, Rogers adjusts his grip and takes aim at the 50ft target. This time, his aim is true and the shot lands square-on. What he's not prepared for, though, is the arc of energy that jumps from his intended target to the two adjacent. He steps back in alarm, then takes a moment to examine the weapon. With a frown, he raises it and fires again, striking a target 100ft away without the strange arcing effect. With a satisfied nod, he takes careful aim at the farthest target and squeezes the trigger, though this shot goes predictably wide.
"Not sure I like anything that unpredictable in combat, but it sure packs a punch."
"Good shooting!," Crax exclaims. "Thank you for those tests, and for your feedback, Starfinders! We'll make sure to look into that heat issue with the Swarm Zapper. Now, if you'll follow me."
Crax leads the group into a conference room adjacent to the range to a table littered with wrist-badge devices. "These are exciting little gadgets! They're personal force field devices for you to test out. We call them Arabani personal force fields! We set up a turret to test out the force fields while you all wear them, but if at least two of the group wears and activates the force fields during the live fire combat against our robots, we should be able to confirm both tests in one shot," he says, smiling at the last word, "and get everybody out of here early!"
"Take a look and tell me what you think!"
The devices function as a force field armor upgrade (Starfinder Core Rulebook 206) that can be activated or deactivated with a standard action that do not occupy an armor upgrade slot. The field uses a battery and has a usage of 1 charge per round. It provides 20 temporary Hit Points and fast healing 2.
Engineering DC 23 to investigate further:
Any time the force field absorbs damage, the wearer and creatures within 10 feet must succeed a DC 16 Fortitude save or be blinded for 1d3 rounds. If the creature succeeds at a Fortitude save, it is instead dazzled for 1 round. If an attack completely discharges the field’s temporary Hit Points, then the blinded condition increases to 1 hour on a failed save.
And, state if your character is volunteering to use the force field in combat or would prefer to test it against a turret.
