GM Jhaeman's "Dawn of Flame, Chapter 1: Fire Starters" (Inactive)

Game Master Jhaeman

Cabizo, can you stabilize Vilo so she doesn't die, or is your character staying out of the fight?

Xylian fires at the ifrit woman and manages to hit her, but the blast clearly has no effect on the fire being.

Overcharge Staim and Xylian’s weapons.
Laser Pistol: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Scrappy Reroll: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
F Damage: 1d4 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + (1) = 2

Can do! Feel free to yell it.

Cabizo! Help Vilo, fast! Don't let her die!

The ifrit's fiery blast had the fortunate side-effect of cauterizing Vilo's wounds, and she'll live--for now! Looking nervous, Shujae fires her subzero pistol again, and Staim does the same with his plasma bolter. But the ifrit emerges from the fusillade with only a shoulder graze.

Vilo spends her last RP to stabilise automatically. Shujae misses, but Staim hits for 2 points.

Initiative (Round 4)

Zharis
Cabizo
Zeylan
Ifrit
Shujae (12/14 SP, 12/12 HP, 4/5 RP)
Vilo (0/14 SP, 0/16 HP, 0/3 RP) [unconscious, stable]
Xylian

Bold should go!

Zharis steps in front of the captives so that none of them get accidentally hurt while crazytown is firing into their midst.

Then she fires her Tactical Semi-auto pistol at the Ifrit.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Cabizo! Help Vilo, fast! Don't let her die!

Cabizo wipes his eyes. ”I-I’ll try!” Peering past Staim, the skittermander waves a hand and concentrates.

Casting stabilize on Vilo. There’s not really much Cabizo can do at this point with a laser pistol, a survival knife, and no spell slots. X(

The ifrit takes a bullet in the shoulder from Zharis' pistol. The mercenary's wounds are really starting to accumulate! Seeing the doors to the south welded shut, she walks calmly to the west and stands in front of Xylian. "Okay, here's how it's going to be. You step aside and let me pass, and we let bygones be bygones." She keeps her doshko ready for action if the offer's not accepted.

"What!? You traitor! I paid you good money!" Zeylan shouts. He then points at Zharis. "And you! Get away from my hostages!" He opens fire again with his plasma rifle.

The ifrit has done a move action to move and a standard action to ready an action. Zeylan attacks Zharis and hits, dealing 8 E&F.

Initiative (Round 4)

Zharis
Cabizo
Zeylan
Ifrit
Shujae (12/14 SP, 12/12 HP, 4/5 RP)
Vilo (0/14 SP, 0/16 HP, 0/3 RP) [unconscious, stable]
Xylian

Bold should go!

There’s not really much Cabizo can do at this point with a laser pistol, a survival knife, and no spell slots.

When the ifrit is gone, you could come out here and shoot the other guy. Looks like I'll collapse shortly, but you guys still might be able to take him if you get some long range weapons going.

”You must be the smart one. Take any others who still live with you when you leave, we’ve already killed seventy-five percent of the mercenaries here.” Xylian says to the woman, more-or-less ignoring her. He couldn’t harm her and neither could Staim - she could walk away or continue attack with impunity - may as well give her the opportunity to spare some bloodshed.

Move to that little podium thing and take cover behind it, second move action to target the last bad guy.

Shujae and Staim rush into the chamber to give their allies support.

Shujae takes one shot at Zeylan, but there's a range increment penalty, he's going to have cover behind his barricade, and he still has his clones active, so chances are slim. The attack misses.

Good work guys, you wore the ifrit down enough to trigger his morale condition, which is just as good as getting him to zero. I don't know whether you're going to win or lose this big final encounter, but you're giving a good accounting of yourselves!

Initiative (Round 5)

Zharis
Cabizo
Zeylan
Ifrit
Shujae (12/14 SP, 12/12 HP, 4/5 RP)
Vilo (0/14 SP, 0/16 HP, 0/3 RP) [unconscious, stable]
Xylian

Bold should go!

Delaying until after the mercenary captain leaves. For... personal safety reasons. X(

Cabizo tries not to flinch as the mean mercenary walks past him - but he can’t stop the tears that continue to leak from his eyes like water from a faulty faucet. Limping back into the room next to the fallen Vilo, he blindly fires his pistol at the other meanie.

Laser Pistol: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Fire damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Question... how are these counselors/councilors/town leaders bound? Are they able to hold a weapon?

Zharis drops her gun at the feet of the toughest looking captive and walks over to the crazy man, drawing her tactical dueling sword on the way. When she gets there, she puts all her strength into a two handed overhand chop, roaring in frustration.

in pathfinder drop would be a free action and you can draw a weapon while moving, but let me know if it is different and I'll revise.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Bleeding profusely and tired of getting shot at by crazytown, Zharis then lowers her voice and says

I'm getting tired of being shot at, Crazytown. Everything you say is ludicrous. She left because your cause isn't worth dying for. I sure hope you feel otherwise, because I am going to happily kill you.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Zharis chops down with tremendous power at Zeylan, but the only thing destroyed is a holographic clone!

Although cornered behind his makeshift barricade, the paranoid leader of the Sunrise Collective isn't about to give up! He draws a baton, and emerges to duel Zharis!

Cabizo's attack missed. Zharis' attack was a crit, but unfortunately only "popped" a mirror image. Zeylan has 3 mirror images left. His counter-attack with a tactical baton fails with a natural 1.

The councillors are bound with manacles. Starfinder manacles are better than handcuffs, I guess, because they specifically keep a character from being able to hold any objects.

Initiative (Round 5)

Zharis
Cabizo
Zeylan
Vilo (0/14 SP, 0/16 HP, 0/3 RP) [unconscious, stable]
Shujae (12/14 SP, 12/12 HP, 4/5 RP)
Xylian

Bold should go!

Sorry I'm in the way guys... he stepped behind me; I purposely didn't walk in front of him. However, if you walk into the room you should be able to get a better angle, and at least this turn he won't shoot you since he is using a melee weapon now.

Xylian moves to the corner of the stage to get a better sight on the remaining rebel (assuming the ifrit actually left) and fires, not even managing to hit one of the holograms.

Move to the Southeasternmost corner of the stage and shoot.
Laser Gun: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
F Damage: 1d4 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + (4) = 8

Shujae moves further into the room to get a better angle and fires her hail pistol again, but can't connect.

Both Xylian and Shujae missed.

attack vs Zeylan EAC w/ cover: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Initiative (Round 6)

Zharis
Cabizo
Zeylan
Vilo (0/14 SP, 0/16 HP, 0/3 RP) [unconscious, stable]
Shujae (12/14 SP, 12/12 HP, 4/5 RP)
Xylian

Bold should go!

Zharis takes a guarded step and attempts to hit crazytown again.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Cabizo continues bawling and squeezing the trigger of his pistol.

Laser Pistol: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Fire damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Zharis' blade disrupts another holographic clone, but Cabizo hits the real thing! Zeylan shrieks when the fiery blast scorches his arm, and he redoubles his paranoid fury. "Won't drag me back to the heart of the sun with you! The Sunrise Collective will never fall!"

Zharis hit and popped a clone, and Cabizo hit. Zeylan is doing a full attack on Zharis. One of the attacks hits--Zharis, you take 4 B.

Initiative (Round 6)

Zharis
Cabizo
Zeylan
Vilo (0/14 SP, 0/16 HP, 0/3 RP) [unconscious, stable]
Shujae (12/14 SP, 12/12 HP, 4/5 RP)
Xylian

Bold should go!

Zharis slumps to the floor.

As ‘Zharis falls, Xylian finally hits... something!
LASER GUN: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
f damage: 1d4 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + (3) = 4

The room is filled with blasts and bolts of energy! Xylian hits Zeylan with a laser blast, while Shujae's cold blast disrupts another holographic clone.

Zeylan is down to one clone.

Initiative (Round 7)

Zharis* [unconscious]
Cabizo
Zeylan
Vilo (0/14 SP, 0/16 HP, 0/3 RP) [unconscious, stable]
Shujae (12/14 SP, 12/12 HP, 4/5 RP)
Xylian

Bold should go!

Zharis, you need to spend 1 RP to stabilize (unless Cabizo uses a spell to do it). Once you're stable, you can spend another RP to "get back in the fight" with 1 hp if you choose. (though you can't stabilize yourself and get back in the fight in the same round).

Zharis will go ahead and stabilize herself with one RP. Then Cabizo can shoot at the bad guy instead.

I feel like we’re putting much too much faith in Cabizo’s aim. XD

Unable to see the fallen Zharis through his tears, Cabizo keeps squeezing the trigger of his pistol.

Laser Pistol: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Fire damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Poor Cabizo is the foundation of our team.

Grazed by Cabizo's shot, Zeylan somersaults forward and comes up holding a pistol! A loud CRACK! echoes through the room as he shoots back. Cabizo barely manages to duck in time.

Cabizo's attack hit the real thing. Zeylan is trying a trick attack against Cabizo. The attack *just* misses.

Initiative (Round 7)

Zharis* [unconscious, stable]
Cabizo
Zeylan
Vilo (0/14 SP, 0/16 HP, 0/3 RP) [unconscious, stable]
Shujae (12/14 SP, 12/12 HP, 4/5 RP)
Xylian

Bold should go!

Despite being ignored, having the advantage of elevation, and the alien man performing some strange acrobatics - possibly related to the mental instability he is displaying - Xylian misses again.

Laser Pistol: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
F Damage: 1d4 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + (4) = 7

Shujae and Staim continue blasting away, hoping the leader of the Sunrise Collective drops before the rest of their teammates do! Although Shujae's attack only splatters freezing pellets against the back wall, Staim sends a plasma burst right into Zeylan Trinipol's face! The man screams "It burns, it burns!" and then drops to his knees, whimpering. "I . . . surrender," he bawls.

You did it! Whew, that was close. I thought we were headed to TPK territory there for a while.

We are off Initiative.

Shujae's attack vs EAC: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Staim's attack vs EAC: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
1real,2clone: 1d2 ⇒ 1
damage: 1d10 ⇒ 10

Zharis uses her last point of RP to stand up again.

They cut the captives free, tie up the bad guy, take his stuff.

Zharis recovers her dropped pistol, and then she uses what medicine skill she has to attempt treating deadly wounds with her medkit.

Medicine Check (Vilo): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Medicine Check (Cabizo): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Medicine Check (Zharis): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Just realized that all I have is a basic medkit (DC 25), so all attempts fail... would need a 20 to succeed. Unless someone has an advanced medkit (DC 20) to loan me (or has a better bonus to make the roll), we're going to have to carry Vilo out.

Zharis introduces herself and her friends to the now-released captives and says

Sorry, we aren't in a great position to retake the building completely, and I am not sure if all of the forces have left. We can sneak you out, or contact someone for you, if you have people to help. We could also use crazytown as leverage to get out if necessary, but we have wounded, so we're going to have to get you safe and then find the nearest medical facility. Do you know where that would be?

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

My apologies. I'm usually better at talking to dignitaries. I'm just a little bit worried about my team.

”Ah. Well done, Staim.” Xylian says, lowering his pistol. ”Watch that one, would you?” His tone formal and professional as always as he indicates their prisoner. Businesslike, he takes Cabizo’s hand and guides him into a sitting position on the floor, removes his medkit from his bag, and begins to examine the gruesome wound. ”This looks severe, Cabizo.”

MEDS: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
Cabizo is like, missing a leg now, right?

The freed councillors are overjoyed as their manacles are unlocked using a key found in Zeylan's pocket. One of the councillors, a korasha lashunta named Inona Norivahr, offers you all her sincere thanks. She replies to Zharis, "We're not going anywhere. These cowards took us by surprise, but that won't happen again." She gets out her comm link and broadcasts a live video across Asanatown's infosphere announcing that the coup is over and Zeylan Trinipol is in custody. Video of the Sunrise Collective's "handsome and glorious" leader whimpering in the background as she speaks lends truth to her announcement, and it's not long before word comes in that the other members of the group have also surrendered!

Soon, journalists, security guards, and medical teams flood into Horizon House. Zeylan Trinipol and his cronies are hauled away, with people already speculating that the strange psychic burst from Mataras might lend credence to an insanity defense. A medic announces that Cabizo is going to need extensive surgery on his leg, but will be able to walk again normally within a matter of days. Asanatown officials promise to cover the cost of the surgery and rehabilitation, while Inona Norivahr promises a commendation and monetary reward is forthcoming for your heroic efforts.

Nib and Taeress emerge from the crowd, with neither realising they've started holding hands. Both are relieved to see everyone is alive, though they're also anxious over Cabizo's and Vilo's conditions. Nib takes a deep breath and says "Wow, you lot sure are dedicated to science! Trust me, the Deep Cultures Institute will share everything it has on Mataras and the sinking of Far Portal. Scientists, celebrities, and heroes--all in one package!"

Zharis almost starts weeping with relief when Inona takes over and sorts things out, but despite feeling close to death physically, emotionally she sticks with it and is able to project a calm and confident demeanor for the cameras when they came... this was more normal for her, and suppressing all else for the camera was second nature.

When she sees Nib and Taeress, she goes over and greets them warmly, assuring them that this triumph was due in large part to them and that she is happy to see that they have rediscovered their affection for each other, laying her paw across their two joined hands, and making sure they notice that they are back together again.

After Vilo is up and Cabizo is being looked at, she allows herself to be treated too, hoping that she can get a good night's sleep before they have to face any other real-life drama. Turns out fiction is a lot easier, but that was good. This would inform her acting.

The potential fame from their actions in freeing the councilors never crosses Xylian's mind, nor do any political implications beyond Taeress' promise that the councilors would help them with their study. He cares not about who runs the sun city, only that they do not interfere with his work. He does note that, for self defense purposes, he should acquire a wider variety of weaponry - something he never thought he would need in his scholarly pursuits.

Being completely uninjured despite their full-frontal assault on a fortified position, Xylian returns to the Sun Runner to affix repairs to the ship while Cabizo undergoes his short stint of surgery and physical therapy and they find replacement crewmembers.

I don't think Xylian got hit even once in our siege. Guess that 8 con won't keep this alien down.

"...and if you want to talk to someone about this traumatic experience - or anything else that's on your mind - you can reach me at cabizo allsix very professional email at spacemail dot net and I'd be happy to schedule a session with you. Yes, no spaces or hyphens. Oh, here, I've got business pigment pods..." Even as Cabizo is being carried off to an ambulance on a hover-stretcher, the ever-compassionate (or ever-entrepreneurial) skittermander continues to offer his services to the counselors and even Zeylan.