PbP GameDay IX: GM Sfounder's "The Last Bite" [Tier 7-8] (Inactive)

Game Master Chris Marsh

We have the chance to skip ahead to 4. First two votes yeah or nay have it. I'll continue until then.

Dr. Mech Coy just barely misses the shot, though it knows the enemy are largely resistant to electricity.
Patrick fires a trio of missiles at the one only slightly hurts.

Desha settles in for a solid fight after the mind scramble.

Round 1:
Arratoi: Go
Reaper: Go
Patrick: MM
Desha: Buff
Trashbot: Go
Hostiles: TBD
Dr. Mech Coy: TBD

Skip ahead to checkpoint 4.

I say skip ahead

((Yep - checkpoint 4 - how far does that get us?))

Yellow doors are now accessible.

I also vote to skip - for fear of falling behind and missing out on seeing other stuff.

You only miss this fight.

The party quickly overcomes the daemons, and gives a blood sacrifice to the altar. The next set of doors open!

Datch snickers at your progress. Map updated.

Standard door procedure I would think.
Are we now through the yellow barriers, or are we also through the pink barriers?

Not through pink. Just needed you to pick a new door. Pink are the only ones you can't get through.

What do we think, team? I’m inclined to avoid the central passage. Maybe let’s try the southern passage?

I'm ok with that plan.

Moved people in accordance with established procedure.

Before heading into the next room, Desha casts a spell of protection around herself (Reflecting Armor), then exchanges her sonic rifle for her flare rifle. As the group lines up on the door, she lets them know, "I'll take a support role in case we run into more resistance ahead. I'll light up a target for us. We can either focus all in on whatever Arratoi directs, or we can split the focus."

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.

Mysticism, Trained: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

"Anyone have an idea what we are supposed to do here?"

+14 Mysticism means I can't fail that check

"Well, Grandmother Rat's portfolio includes knowing secrets, the more hidden and the more potent, the better. Not having a clue spread out before her feet is, in and of itself, a clue. Maybe this time the sacrifice she's demanding is some kind of secret."

Patrick can't fail that check either

He pauses to admire the view of space above, only half listening to his fellow party members.

Trusty walks up to tell the statue a secret. His tough image makes it hard for him to admit a weakness that would be more appropriate to organics... but maybe this is just the sort of secret that the rat would like. "I still have nightmares about the place where I gained consciousness, and then nightmares about what happened to the people who saved us. Most organics, they don't know how precious life is. Look at Datch - killing people left and right. She doesn't understand that the only way we can all make it is by holding each other in a sacred trust. I remember you want to make your grandchildren tough enough to survive... So maybe you understand how important that spark is, and why I have nightmares about it going out."

Datch shakes her head, "Come on now. I trained you better than that. That's not a secret tsk tsk tsk. You guys are going to have to look a little deeper. Hurry, time is running out."

You did not train us at ALL Datch Patrick remarks. So what sort of secret would you like? Because I have a doozy. Something that could make me very vulnerable to the wrong people - and probably be used against me if known. Something that I have tried very hard not to let happen again. Something that has haunted me for several years and affected my entire personality. Is that the sort of dirty secret you want?

"I have given all my secrets to Sarenrae and own them no longer." Reaper takes Datch outside the room and up the hall a bit. "Any secrets given to this room are not for you to hear."

"No no no. She needs a secret you don't have. Your secrets aren't the right kind of secrets. Come on.... you can do better. I'm telling you now you haven't found the secret yet."

After checking, I'll let Trashbot attempt a Computers, Engineering, or Mysticism check

Arratoi watches on with interest to see how Trusty's interactions pans out...

Trusty turns to Datch, and quietly says, "No, you do not get to judge my secrets. Remember, I went tromping through your past. Silent Shrike was very forthcoming." Then he looks to the Grandmother. "I may not be your follower, but it's said that you can see inside souls. You teach your grandchildren to experience fear and darkness and learn from it. Well, see how my soul was tarnished by darkness! Look at my nightmares! Look at my fear! Though we SROs don't like to admit it, we're as fragile emotionally as any organic!"

Trusty follows up the revelation of his personal nightmares by reflexively cleaning up trash like the good maintenance engineer that he is.

Engineering: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (12) + 16 = 28

Tusty's words click, and the telltale sound of force fields powering down are music to Starfinder ears. Datch is simultaneously annoyed and proud. It manifests as a sharp sigh through her nose.

All doors are now open! Time to leave!

The party heads to the exit, only to find it blocked!

Standing in the way center of the room, is a tall, androgynous elf with inky eyes and bluish-purple hair wearing a jet-black armored suit.

Datch chuckles.

The elf speaks dispassionately, "My instructions are to ensure that neither Starfinders, nor Datch leave this facility alive."

Datch's chuckle vanishes.

"This is the way." The elf draws a microserrated longsword and pistol. The elf prepares for your death.

Round 1:
Trusty Trashbot: Go
Desha:
Arratoi: Go
Dr. Mech Coy: Go
Patrick: Go
Reaper Sigma: Go
Mysterious elf: TBD

Hostiles: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Arratoi: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
Desha: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24 (Infra)
Dr. Mech Coy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Trusty Trashbot: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Patrick: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Reaper ∑: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Arratoi moves to the doorway and, seeing the red creature, yells, "Get that bulbous willow-waisted armor-biting dung pile!" while firing his pistol at it!

Spending 1 RP on improved get'em, giving everyone +2 to attack and damage on the elf.

hand cannon vs KAC, get'em: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 9 + 2 = 18
P damage, get 'em: 1d12 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 2 = 8

Looking at Datch, Mech Coy says “Friend of yours, I would guess.”

Then he looks at Desha and says “Get going! You seem to need time to set up, so best hurry!”
Desha gets an extra move action.

He then moves into the room and takes cover behind the fountain.

Arratoi spurs the party through a final confrontation as the mood lighting in Datch's suite turns red to indicate that time is running low.

Unfortunately the accompanying shot goes wide. Meanwhile the doctor pushes Desha to new heights of performance!

Round 1:
Trusty Trashbot: Go
Desha: Go
Arratoi: Space bard!
Dr. Mech Coy: Spacier bard!
Patrick: Go
Reaper Sigma: Go
Mysterious elf: TBD

Patrick moves forward to get line of sight with the opposition and lets loose with an arcing surge.

electricity: 10d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 4, 2, 1, 2, 5, 4, 6, 2) = 37 saving throw DC 20 reflex for half

Desha nods her thanks to the Doctor and scurries up past most of her party. She gets into position behind the fountain, then summons an orb of brilliant blue-white light into existence, just in the peripheral vision on the elf's dominant hand side.

Double move to move 40ft (thanks, Doc!), then cast Wisp Ally.
The Wisp appears in the elf's square and provides Harrying Fire (+2 circumstance bonus) for the next person to attack them.

Trick Attack: Reflex 19 or target is disarmed of her longsword.

Stealth: 1d20 + 19 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 19 + 1 = 37 Damage: 4d8 ⇒ (1, 4, 3, 2) = 10

Fighter Handcoil, ghost killer, holy: get'em
To Hit: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 12 + 2 = 24 Electric: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

"Nice! She took your lessons to heart, Datch!" Trusty moves forward, and makes the gal flat-footed.

Bluff Trick Attack: 10 + 21 = 31
Boom (Thunderstrike Sonic Pistol): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23
Sonic Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Trick Attack: 4d8 ⇒ (2, 4, 6, 6) = 18

The Trusty Trashbot again gets lucky. By virtual of the tricksiness of the attack, the sonic pistol connects.

Desha's spell adds a bit of advantage giving Reaper Sigma a cleaner shot.

Patrick unloads without a powerful spell REF: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28. The enhanced elf easily dodges most of it, though some damage is done.

Reaper's shot is a light one, but effective.

The elf flies into action. She takes a quick shot from a hailstorm-class zero pistol at Trusty Trashbot

ATK: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (12) + 18 = 30 for COLD: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (2, 3) + 9 = 14.

She then closes with the blade and with an impossibly fast motion, cuts at the SRO
ATK: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (16) + 18 = 34 for DMG: 4d6 + 17 ⇒ (3, 3, 6, 2) + 17 = 31!

"This was not... this... what?" Datch seems at a loss right now.

Round 2:
Trusty Trashbot: Go
Desha: Go
Arratoi: Go
Dr. Mech Coy: Go
Patrick: Go
Reaper Sigma: Go
Mysterious elf: TBD

Reaper's trick attack was disarming. The elf needs to make a DC 19 Reflex or lose the longsword. I know, but she could roll a 1.

Desha's wisp happily bobs along beside the elf as he tears into the party.

Wisp continues providing harrying fire (+2 on next attack against the elf)

Desha, on the other hand, feels a bit of anxiety as it becomes clear what a threat this foe will be. "Datch," she calls out, sensing the ysoki's sudden loss of confidence, "Who's your friend?" Even as she tries to learn what is going on here, she continues supporting her allies, calling in reinforcements from another plane of existence to hopefully draw the elf's ire.

Begin casting Summon Creature II to summon a small First World Beast

"Everyone get that trashy (no offense, Trusty) spider-kissing silver-witted slothful dingle berry!" yells Arratoi as he moves into the room for a clearer shot then opens fire!

Spending 1 RP on improved get'em, giving everyone +2 to attack and damage on the elf.

hand cannon vs KAC, get'em: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 9 + 2 = 20

Using a promotional shirt boon re-roll for this attack
hand cannon vs KAC, get'em: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 9 + 2 = 28
P damage, get 'em: 1d12 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 3 + 2 = 17

Patrick was glad he didn't have to voice his secret, one rhat he believed would make his comrades think more worse of him than he believed they already did. He still didn't understand why what Trusty had said triggered the statue - maybe it was listening for key words or phrases but that was a question for another time.

Instead he lined up three magical bolts and fired them.
mm: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 1, 1) + 3 = 8

One of them he was able to debug hack: 1d4 ⇒ 2 (total of 9)

Note to self: All first level spell slots exhausted

Dr. Mech Coy tells Trusty “Fortunately she hit you in non-vital spots, dampen your pain receptors and you should be fine!”

Spend 1 RP, Inspiring Boost for total of 27 stamina
Life Science to evaluate the elf: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

He then moves away so there is more room for the rest of his group.

Missed that. Sorry: REF: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17! Boom! Trusty Trashbot, this means the sword slash did NOT occur. Instead, for the elf's bonus action they'll pick the sword BACK up, and close distance.

Desha's question is met with a fair bit of confusion, "I don't I don't know now." The feeling of not knowing something is clearly devastating to Datch. "The elf was supposed to help me improve drone tech with ghibrani knowledge..."

Desha doesn't let the answer stop the spell, as a first world beast is on its way.

Arratoi keeps the party focused, making a solid hit with the pistol.

Patrick sends a trio of missiles that wound the elf lightly, but they definitely wound.

Dr. Mech Coy evaluates the elf, sense some clear augmentations, Ask me any two questions, and take the RP back as the sword slash did not occur. You still have your turn to replace the action.

Round 2:
Trusty Trashbot: Go
Desha: Summon
Arratoi: Hit
Dr. Mech Coy: Go
Patrick: Hit
Reaper Sigma: Go
Mysterious elf: TBD

Reaper makes another attempt at her longsword.

Trick Attack: Reflex 19 or target is disarmed of her longsword.
Stealth: 1d20 + 19 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 19 + 1 = 24 Damage: 4d8 ⇒ (2, 8, 7, 3) = 20

Fighter Handcoil, ghost killer, holy: get'em
To Hit: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 12 + 2 = 15 Electric: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Reaper goes after the sword again, but this time she doesn't fall for it. Indeed, the operative's shot is also way wide.

Round 2:
Trusty Trashbot: Go
Desha: Summon
Arratoi: Hit
Dr. Mech Coy: Go
Patrick: Hit
Reaper Sigma: Miss
Mysterious elf: TBD

Rewind, thank you GM S!

Dr. Mech Coy quickly switches to non-lethal damage and then fires his Static Arc Pistol at the elf.
Ominous Static Arc Pistol vs EAC: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Non-Lethal Electrical Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

They then move out of the way so others in the group can get closer to the action.

The doctor gets a lucky shot in, just barely snagging the elf!

Round 2:
Trusty Trashbot: Go
Desha: Summon
Arratoi: Hit
Dr. Mech Coy: Hit
Patrick: Hit
Reaper Sigma: Miss
Mysterious elf: TBD

Trusty makes the elf flat-footed again.

Bluff Trick Attack: 10 + 21 = 31
Boom (Thunderstrike Sonic Pistol): 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 12 + 2 = 20
Sonic Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Trick Attack: 4d8 ⇒ (2, 1, 7, 2) = 12

Missed that I had two pieces of information. GM’s choice!

Dr. Mech Coy catches that one of the cybernetic augmentations lets the elf move extremely quickly, more than a simple haste circuit. Additionally there's some kind of augment that's keeping the elf single-mindedly focused, like it can ignore certain impediments Can clear most status effects

Trusty lucks out yet again, just barely squeaking by on his aim, but getting the job done.

The elf finally lays into Trusty:
Sword: 1d20 + 18 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 18 - 4 = 15
Sword: 1d20 + 18 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 18 - 4 = 25
Sword: 1d20 + 18 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 18 - 4 = 22
But luck is on the SRO's side!

Round 3:
Trusty Trashbot: Go
Desha: Go
Arratoi: Go
Dr. Mech Coy: Go
Patrick: Go
Reaper Sigma: Go
Mysterious elf: TBD

Mech Coy shoots at the elf while she is still flat-footed from Trusty's shot. "Watch it, that elf can move fast!"

Ominous Static Arc Pistol vs EAC: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Non-Lethal Electrical Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Patrick uses a battery to power yet another volley of magic missiles
mm: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (2, 4, 4) + 3 = 13