GM Bret's PbP Gameday IX: SFS #3-00 The Last Bite (Tier 5-6) (Inactive)

Game Master BretI

Good here

Central Hub

This circular chamber is empty, save for an intricate mosaic on the floor depicts an emaciated rat with red eyes curled in on itself. Sealed metal doors lead outward in all four cardinal directions, with impressive double doors leading east and west, while single doors lead north and south.

Orrian has the group stop just before anyone steps on the Mosaic. Taking a closer look, he warns people that there are pressure plates on the floor. Either the group needs to find a different route, or someone needs to take care of the trap.

Engineering to Disable, only Botting given in door procedure was for opening doors.

Zargothrax hovers his foot over one of the plates right as Orrian calls out the trap. He falls over backward, landing on his tail and yelps. "Erm... lemme just take a look-see at that there trappy-do... Gunnz... think ya can lend a hand?"

He fishes around in his pack and pulls out his handy dandy trapsmith tools, then gets to work.

Engineering + Toolkit: 1d20 + 12 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 12 + 4 = 32 If Gunnz is willing, she can't fail to aid.

Gunnz points out the edge of a moving tile to Zarg.

"Careful lizard wizard, or your'll be an ex-lizard, or a lizard-ghost or something."

Auto aids on engineering

"Aye. Datch, I don't suppose we can get a list of your tricks before you get yourself blown up with us?"

Zargothrax and Gunnz successfully disable the pressure plates.

Datch says “I don’t think you can afford my consulting rate, especially not with the price adjustment for having disrupted my plans. If you do have a few million credits though, do let me know.”

You find nothing else of interest here,

You continue across the center area and down the southern hallway. Turning to the east, you go to the next door you can access.

The door seems safe to open. Zargothrax opens it and Thom is ready.

Partial concrete walls divide this large office into several cubicle workstations. A statue in the southwest corner is the room's most prominent feature: a brass rat holding a curved dagger in its teeth. The statue is speckled with dried blood.

I have placed you just outside the room.

"Well.. that is an interesting statue. I suppose this one wants a blood offering..." notes Gunnz.

"Anyone carry some spare blood with them?"

"Pretty sure we've been carting around some spare blood." Srurdez chimes in good-naturedly and glances towards Datch, again with that hungry Vesk look.

"Offering Grandmother the blood of her own children?" Datch taunts Srurdez. "Are you sure that is what she wants?"

“Three down, one to go!” Fitch’s voice exclaims over the static. “That’s the third checkpoint. Keep up the good work!”

Table GMs, checkpoint three is complete.

All of the sudden, you notice the force field on the door to the west goes down. All of the Yellow doors are now accessible..

No reason to do this encounter, probably want to go through a Yellow door.

As the locks pop open, Srurdez looks back at Datch with a level stare. "I mean, I guess not. But seems she likes threats."

I am along for the ride, wherever folks wanna go has my approval.

"Well I was gonna say we offer her our blood ann then take some of yers in payment but ya know... seems like granny's purdy happy as is. Hurm... nuffin else 'ere... less go down the hall and see what's over... here!"

Path suggested on map. Does Srurdez count as a second vote? =P

"Yes, let's go. Time is running short." Thomagar nods at Zarg, keeping his arms glowing.

Finding no traps on the doors, Zargothrax opens it.

This opulent chamber is a temple to honor Lao Shu Po, and its décor represents a drastic departure from the aesthetics of the surrounding complex. The transparent ceiling forty feet above exposes a spectacular view of space. A twenty-foot-tall statue of Grandmother Rat presides over the room atop a stone plinth. The steps, plinth, and statue are carved jade, and the statue’s eyes are flawless rubies. Velvet drapes of purple and green hang behind the shrine, and a patterned rug partially covers the ivory floor tiles.

Candles are the only illumination in this room.

"Well, isn't this fancy." comments Gunnz.

"Want to say a last prayer before our departure?" she jibes at Datch.

"And make it quick. I want to get outa here."

Thomagar studies the rug for a moment, then carefully pulls it aside to see if it is hiding anything below.

Under the rug is the station floor. Nothing of interest.

This is a full temple to Grandmother Rat. Might want to review her portfolio. There are enough people here trained in mysticism that you would know the basics.

"So I guess we need to feed it something hidden..." I know the solution, so I'll hang back.

"What... like tell it a secret? Or offer Datch to his mistress?" asks Gunnz.

"It's a shrine ta the Rat Granny... so uh... prob'ly turn out all da lights, steal everythin' that aint nailed down, and stab each other in da back."

Mysticism: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

He looks around the room, scanning for auras, then (assuming he gets some concurrance) extinguishes the candles one by one... by belching on them. Once they're out, he'll carefully and quietly remove a jewel.

Sleight of Hand: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Datch replies to Conrad "You're not supposed to get out. Wouldn't be a proper death trap if you just walked out."

As Zargothrax begins extinguishing the candles, Datch says "Well, that is going to make it difficult to see what is happening."

Thom is looking under the rug and Zargothrax is belching on candles. Anyone else doing anything in the room?

Gunnz is keeping a very close eye on Datch. With her suit lights on. And her gun out. Not that she doesn't trust him... but she really, really doesn't trust him.

Once all of the lights are out, Zargothrax lights his jetpack and brings himself up to the top of the statue. He grabs onto the shoulder and cuts the thrusters, letting the light dissapate. "Hurrr.... sorry.... heh... heh..."

With that he pries the eye gems out and waits.

Orrian, not knowing much about Grandmother rat, would've checked behind the drapes before the lights started going out.

"Uhh..." he begins, before pausing as the lights go out. "I hope there's a point to this..."

It is dark in the room.

Zarg mutters to the statue, "Wanna know a secret? Dun tell Ziggy but..."

He looks both ways and in a hushed tone whispers into the statue's ear.

With that he flips his comms back on and mutters, "Kay... did the dark thingy and stealin and secrets... anyone wanna backstab me and steal the gems? Then maybe put em back as a triboot?"

Zargothrax is throwing darts at her portfolio to see what sticks. If anyone has a better idea let me know.

As Zargothrax finishes whispering in the statue’s ear, the floor rumbles softly as a series of clicks resound throughout the complex. The force fields over the doors to escape the complex release.

Violet doors are now open.

Note: No success reported for this because of reasons. This means it doesn’t help other groups get past this.

"Well folks, I think we cleared in record time. Now that our exit is secure, why don't we explore the place for anything we missed like good Starfinders?" Srurdez says jovially.

"Ah hah! Perfect!"

He shoves the gems back into the eye sockets for the next guys, not really knowing what actually was required to clear the place, then jets down to see what's next.

"Well shouldn't we like... check out the exit? Make shore deres no... robits there want'n ta blow us up? Den clear out da reset 'o da rooms?"

Marking suggested path on map.

Gunnz eyes up the lizard wizard with awe. "You told it a magic word!" she says with glee.

"I hope that doesn't get you into trouble with your cabal back home."

Then, implish smile on her face she adds. "My ma always told me that 'please' was the magic word. Didn't seem to work on her though, even when I asked real nicely to stay out late."

She jumps to the front of the group and takes the designated path, eyes open for trouble.

This oblong lobby features twin stone fountains to the north. A double doors to the east leads to the main hallway, and doors to the north and south lead to narrow side corridors. The elevator that transported you from your starship to this floor of the complex is clearly visible beyond the glass doors to the west.

Just as you are moving through the lobby, a tall, androgynous elf with inky eyes and bluish-purple hair comes out of the door you were headed towards. They wear a jet-black armored suit.

In a voice devoid of emotion, they greet you.
"Ah, good I caught you in time. I do appreciate your tenacity, but fear I can not allow you nor Datch to escape the complex."

Datch gives a surprised exclamation of "What?" The apple that she has been munching on falls from her paw.

Bolded may act.
Life bubble all around!

Round 1:

Orrian
Gunnz
Thom
Conrad
Elf in Black
Zargothrax
Srurdez

"Hurm? Wha? You espect us ta talk?"

"No, I expect you all to die here with me." the elf replies.

Datch is still trying to figure out where her magnificent plan went wrong this time.

Deciding that this elf was not a fun person at all, Gunnz dances across the floor, firing her laser at him as she travelled.

"Datch is our prisoner, not yours. And Datch, who is the elf?"
trick attack: 1d20 + 19 - 20 ⇒ (19) + 19 - 20 = 18
attack vs EAC: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24 vs FF
F damage: 2d4 + 3 ⇒ (2, 3) + 3 = 8 Plus flatfooted vs everyone
trick damage?: 3d8 ⇒ (3, 6, 7) = 16

Stellar mode 1

Will delay until after Conrad but before the elf in case he uses improved get'em.

"I know not who you are nor what your intentions are, but we cannot allow you to detain us here." With that, Thomagar infuses his arms with stellar energy as he moves forward to swing at the elf.

solar palm vs KAC, photon mode: 1d20 + 5 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 5 + 5 + 1 = 27 bludgeoning dmg: 1d6 + 5 + 5 + 3 + 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 5 + 3 + (1) + 1 = 20

+2 to attack if Conrad uses improved get'em

Gunnz his the elf with her laser shot, causing them to wince in pain.

“Iroiveth.” the tall, dark and moody elf elf replies. They certainly aren’t the talkative type.

As requested, waiting for Conrad before resolving Thom’s action.

Bolded may act.
Life bubble all around!

Round 1:

Orrian
Gunnz
Thom Action resolved after Conrad acts
Conrad
Elf in Black 24 damage
Zargothrax
Srurdez

Orrian moves forward and to the side to get a better shot at the elf.

"Please move. We've had kind of a long week," he says, not waiting for an answer before firing.

Laser: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
Fire: 2d4 + 5 ⇒ (4, 2) + 5 = 11

Remember, the elf is flat footed against everyone, so that is another +2 to hit.

Orrian hits with their laser thanks to Gunnz having tricked them.

Bolded may act.
Life bubble all around!

Round 1:

Orrian
Gunnz
Thom Action resolved after Conrad acts
Conrad
Elf in Black 35 damage
Zargothrax
Srurdez

I approve of the James Bond-esque repartee. Sadly I don't have Improved Get'em yet. That's next.

"Holy @#$%@%snacks! What the what?" Conrad gestures with all the chutzpah he can summon, trying to bamboozle the elf:

Bluff: 1d20 + 15 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 15 + (6) + 1 = 32 If the feint works, the elf is flat-footed to everyone until Conrads next turn. Get'em on the elf.

“Why are you so confused? The concept is really quite simple. I kill you or delay you long enough that the station explodes before you get out.” Their face shows no signs of their confusion, but it is plain they are taken somewhat off guard by Conrad’s over the top reaction.

She takes a guarded step as she brings her sword to bear on Thom.
Sintered Longsword: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17
Slashing: 2d10 + 14 ⇒ (2, 7) + 14 = 23

She then seems to exert her will to act again.

Bolded may act.
Life bubble all around!

Round 1:

Orrian
Gunnz
Thom Action resolved after Conrad acts
Conrad
Iroiveth in Black 35 damage, flat footed
Zargothrax
Srurdez
Iroiveth in Black again!

"Yer sure 'bout that? Seems like yer the one that's confused..."

He waddles up and goes for the old three-stooges eye poke loaded with an Inject Nanobots spell.

Inject Nanobots vs EAC: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Damage: 4d8 ⇒ (8, 2, 7, 2) = 19 and Confused.

Fort DC 17 for half dmg and no confusion. Will DC 17 each round to shake confusion.

Srurdez rushes forward, drawing his axe with a huge hungry smile on his face. "Finally, something with flesh! Let's party!"

Move action to move into flank with Thom, drawing axe while moving. Standard action to Combat Expertise attack.

Intimidate Combat Expertise (Success if CR12 or less): 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (15) + 19 = 34
Attack Roll with Throwing Returning Dispelling Sinetered Greataxe, Get 'Em+Flank vs FF KAC: 1d20 + 11 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 11 + 1 + 2 = 30
Greataxe Damage: 3d6 + 12 ⇒ (2, 6, 2) + 12 = 22
Expertise Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 extra damage and Grim-Trophies-modified Shaken effect (only if Initimidate was a success)

Just realized I hadn't resolved Thom's action. Fixing that now.
Thom easily hits the elf in black. They grunt as the hit lands.

"Not impressed, little vesk." is Iroiveth's reply to Zargothrax's attack.
Fort save: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26

After a grunt of pain, she tells Srurdez "You however have shown yourself competent."

With that, she decides to attack Srurdez.
Sintered Longsword, shaken: 1d20 + 14 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 14 - 2 = 29
Slashing: 2d10 + 14 ⇒ (4, 4) + 14 = 22

Bolded may act.
Life bubble all around!

Round 2:

Orrian
Gunnz
Thom
Conrad
Iroiveth in Black 91 damage, flat footed, shaken
Zargothrax
Srurdez 17 damage

"So erm... gonna admit I aint gonna shed a tear if Datch ends up pushin up daisies, but ahm not so keen on the whole blowin up with 'er thing. So whats all this ta you?"

Stellar mode 2

In such close quarters, Thomagar sets aside any intentions to release his solar energy, keeping it within to power his attacks. He sends his palms to slam on the elf in two quick successions.

photon mode, get'em, flanking, full attack
solar palm vs KAC: 1d20 + 5 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 5 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 4 = 23 bludgeoning dmg: 1d6 + 5 + 5 + 3 + 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 5 + 3 + (4) + 1 = 23
solar palm vs KAC: 1d20 + 5 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 4 = 21 bludgeoning dmg: 1d6 + 5 + 5 + 3 + 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 5 + 3 + (2) + 1 = 22