GM Quirk's GATEWAY TO ABSALOM, group 2 (Inactive)

Game Master Quirk, Private Eye

Moxie is surprised by the creature's appearance. "Oh, well...with you down here taking care of the ship, I suppose Captain McLaren had need of me. I'm sure he would be very glad to have you back though. What's your name?"

Yoromishtali keeps his hands at his sides. He glances over Moxie and Chiaiese at the living space. ”That looks fairly comfortable,” he whispers to the group. ”This is a good ship despite the lack of room for combat training.”

"There are some who call me...TIM!."

Tim continues, "Have you seen Captain McLaren? I should very much like to see him...it seems like it's been...AGES!"

"Wow," said Chiaiese of the Djinn Mirage. "Wow." She winks at Yoro.

"This is really amazing. This really is truly amazing. This is so amazingly amazing I think I'd like to steal it."

"I'm something of an android's rights activist myself, do you want I should try and break the news gently to them?" Xic doesn't really speak verbally, but you can tell that he's picked up on whispering, even if it is telepathic. Everyone can also tell that he has no idea what he'd say here.

"First, we need to secure the ship and verify its status. Can you show us around? Have you been performing regular maintenance and upkeep? Do any parts need replacement?"

Though it's hard to be certain, Tim seems agitated. "No no NO! I want to see Captain McLaren! Where is he?" The being paces back and forth across the corridor up ahead.

Moxie looks at Tim with a roll of his eyes. "Well he's not here. He's up on the Station habitat. If you want to go see him, that's fine. We just need to secure the ship first, then we can take you to him."

Chiaiese can see the group is confounded by the persistence of the synthetic being at the helm. She decides to attempt shenanigans, stepping into the cockpit and seating herself at the Engineering console. She runs a diagnostic.

Computers: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21

Chiaiese begins down the hall toward the cockpit.

The strange being is not pleased. It becomes aggressive and violent.
"I must defend the ship for Captain McLaren! You shall not pass!"

Time for initiative. I moved Chiaiese up to the point where the creature became violent. Looking at initiative, it seems you were all prepared to see this. You all go first, as I rolled terribly.

1. Tremox
2. Anton
3. Xic
4. Chiaiese
5. Yoro
6. enemy creature

Anton had dithered in the background rehearsing a speech. 'Actually I'M the Captain. Actually I'm THE Captain. Actually I'm the CAPTAIN. ATUALLY I'm the Captain....' and so on, but none of them seemed to really work, and he just assumed the others would sort it out.

And as shooting starts he understands that the situation is, indeed, getting sorted out. The two of them move up to get a good shot.

Viv, guns popping out of their cupolas, are quickly followed by her booming war-voice.

"I will crush those who stand before me."

Viv Attack 1!: 1d20 + 4 - 3 ⇒ (18) + 4 - 3 = 19
Viv Damage!: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Viv Attack 2!: 1d20 + 4 - 3 ⇒ (18) + 4 - 3 = 19
Viv Damage!: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Anton Attack!: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Anton Damage!: 1d6 ⇒ 4

"I'mSorryI'mSorryI'mSorryI'mSorry!" Xic would rather not infringe on this creature's individual rights by trying to shut it down through the ship's systems. Still, it's preferable to trying to blast this poor loyal robot to bits. There appears to be a panel in front of him, and he gets to hacking.

Computers, hacking: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (14) + 16 = 30

Moxie darts up to the living area, drawing his pistol. He leans out to try and draw the attention of the creature.

Clever Feint (expertise) vs DC 15+1.5CR: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (15) + 8 + (3) = 26

Chiaiese steps aside as the autocannon that is Viv shortens the remaining lifespan of the dutiful robot to zero. In case there is anything left of it, the Lashunta exercises her newly recovered ninja abilities.

Computers Stunt: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25 If successful, choosing the Off-Target condition.

Attack: 1d20 ⇒ 19
Dmg, Survival Knife: 1d4 ⇒ 4 S

Tremox and Chiaiese do a good job of confusing and suprising the creature.

The troubling thing is that you're not sure that Anton or Viv's bullets actually damaged the creature...the same goes for Chiaiese's knife.

Bold may go. Round 1.

1. Tremox
2. Anton
3. Xic
4. Chiaiese
5. Yoro
6. enemy creature [flat footed and off target]

Yorimishtali hurries through the ship, jumping and sliding across the small circular table. Athletics check if needed...
Athletics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

Once he lands, he pulls his doshko from its holder and advances to the robot’s side.

Two move actions for this turn.

The creature begins sparking. Electricity arcs all along its form. Large, leathery bat wings extend from its back.

It rears back, opens its mouth, and a cone of sparks and electrical arcs sprays across Chiaiese and Yoro.

electrical damage: 2d8 ⇒ (5, 6) = 11
DC 12 reflex save for half damage.

Tim is indignant, surly, and violent. "I don't want to talk anymore, so I guess I'm going to char your flesh! Hahah!"

Bold may go. Round 2.

1. Tremox
2. Anton
3. Xic
4. Chiaiese
5. Yoro
6. enemy creature [flat footed and off target]

"Yeah, screw that! Get 'em!" Moxie yells at the others, pointing to Tim. He fires a shot from his pistol at it, more to rally everyone else, but it is surprisingly accurate.

Get 'em to give everyone a +1 to hit
Pistol (Get 'em): 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 3 + 1 = 19
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Tremox, you feel certain that your pistol hit squarely, but you're not sure it did any real damage.

Don't get too discouraged. Yoro may be able to break through, and Xic might have something brewing. Meanwhile, a mysticism roll to identify this thing may be in order, if anyone has that. An engineering roll might give you some hints as well.

Reflex Save DC 12: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

Yoromishtali is able to avoid some of the electrical discharges. Feeling his muscles twitch, he says ”Just passing!” as he squeezes between Chiaiese and their adversary, using his doshko for balance and defense. Once repositioned, the vesk attempts to strike the creature.

Melee attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 1 = 7
Damage: 1d12 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Move action: moving 10 (or so) feet
Standard action: melee attack

Reflex: 1d20 ⇒ 17

What the hell is this thing? She scours her mind for clues.
Mysticism: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

I have recently wondered why the Xenoseeker theme even exists when so often this is a straight-up Mysticism roll.

Chiaiese shirks the electrical attack but puzzles at her lack of penetration with the knife. She changes tactics, raising her finger and releasing a jet of acid at the little monster.

Attack: 1d20 ⇒ 5
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1

Chiaiese recognizes this as a "tech mephit," a magical creature sent from other planes to act as servants and guardians.

You know two things about this. What would you like to know?

I'm tempted to know 2 things that are completely irrelevant to this situation just to tweak Anton for stating the obvious, as if we haven't been gaming together for thirty years.

In a flash of insight, not unlike the wave of inspiration which bestowed on her supernatural talents, Chiaiese remembers clearly two things about Tech Mephits: weaknesses and tactics. More specifically, what forms of damage they are susceptible to and whether they prefer to act alone or in groups. This kind of information is invaluable to an agent of the Camerarius, who often finds herself on hostile alien worlds.

They are not particularly susceptible to anything in particular, though magic will overcome the fact that they seem to have resistance to normal kinetic damage.

Mephits will often act alone, but it's not out of the question to find them in groups of up to a dozen.

Organization solitary, pair, gang (3–6), or mob (7–12)

They are not particularly susceptible to anything in particular, though magic will overcome the fact that they seem to have resistance to normal kinetic damage.

Mephits will often act alone, but it's not out of the question to find them in groups of up to a dozen.

Organization solitary, pair, gang (3–6), or mob (7–12)

This is cryptic to the point that I don't know what to do with it. And I'm out of spells for the day.

GM Quirk wrote:

They are not particularly susceptible to anything in particular, though magic will overcome the fact that they seem to have resistance to normal kinetic damage.

Mephits will often act alone, but it's not out of the question to find them in groups of up to a dozen.

Organization solitary, pair, gang (3–6), or mob (7–12)

This is cryptic to the point that I don't know what to do with it. And I'm out of spells for the day.

Mephits have DR 5/magic. That's what this refers to.

This could be very problematic. Moxie pretty much can't break that DR. I don't think Anton can either.

"Fire suppression, huh? Well, it worked last time..."
Hacking into fire suppression: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 26
I'm hoping for some sort of foam or gel?
Xic's appendages fly over the console, tuning out the violence. The exocortex implanted into his brain filtered the important information out from the white noise, and projected it loud and clear into his mind.
"Tech mephit. Highly resistant to lasers. A soul in a body of metal. Certainly falls under the broad category of android..."

Up near the cockpit, several small spray valves open up and a very wet foam begins spraying into the area. As the area begins filling with foam, Tim suddenly looks over to Yoro and Chiaiese. The two of you swear he has an alarmed look on his face as much of the sparking and arcing electricity on and inside his body becomes subdued.

Everyone inside of the foam has concealment.

I believe we are waiting for Anton to go.

Anton was thinking about a way to just. keep. shooting. and hoping for the best, but between the questionable efficacy of the shots combined with WHY IS EVERYTHING COVERED BY FOAM AGAIN?!? he's just not enough of a warrior to process this.

Held action

The mephit seems slowed down by the foam, but not so much that he doesn't attempt to viciously attack Yoro using his razor-sharp claws.

to hit: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 8 - 2 = 16
damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Yoro and Chiaiese, please give me a perception check.

Bold may go. Round 3.

1. Tremox
2. Anton
3. Xic
4. Chiaiese (-5)
5. Yoro (-8)
6. enemy creature [flat footed and off target]

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

"Plan B, plan B!"

Xic looks for voice recordings of the captain on the system, captain's logs, birthday calls, anything, and quickly tries to scrap together a believable version of the following to be played off the intercom. "Tim. Stand down. Work with them."
Computers: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (14) + 16 = 30

Maybe if we pile up conditions it will get sick (literally) of trying to kill us.

Now that she knows it can feel things, Chiaiese combines her two tactics.

Computers Stunt: Dirty Trick: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24 If successful, bestowing the Shaken condition.

Her finger goes off again in the direction of the Mephit, shooting it with acid.

Energy Ray: 1d20 ⇒ 16
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 3

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

Chiaiese hits the mephit with her little blast of magic.

And you know what? You're pretty certain you actually damaged it!

Yoro and Anton may go.

Seeing the difficulty the tech mephit is having with the foam, Yoromishtali attempts a quick slash from his doshko, using the momentum of the swing to spin and unleash a kick.

Full Action: Full attack
Doshko: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 5 - 4 = 14 Slashing Damage: 1d12 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Kick (unarmed attack): 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 5 - 4 = 20 Bludgeoning Damage: 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

"Yeah, get it!" Moxie wave his pistol again around again, trying to rally the others.

Move action: Get 'em; Standard Action: Clever Feint

Clever Feint (expertise): 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (19) + 8 + (5) = 32

Seeing as I can't damage it, I don't know what action to take here, so feel free to keep it moving.

Yoro delivers a pair of nasty blows after Tremox fakes Tim out. Yoro feels the metal puncturing and crushing under his blow.

The Mephit presses his now desperate attack, clawing at Yoro again.

to hit with sickened penalty: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 8 - 2 = 15
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2
Hit!

Bold may go. Round 4.

1. Tremox
2. Anton
3. Xic
4. Chiaiese (-5)
5. Yoro (-10)
6. enemy creature (-13)[flat footed]

If the Mephit's CR is less than 5, then my Stunt And Strike from last round would have succeeded, stacking the Shaken condition on top of Sickened, so it would be -4 to hit. (Unless conditions don't stack - I'm not sure if they do)

Chiaiese focuses on the Great Ursaur tattoo winding around her torso - her spell cache. With it, she conjures a final three magic missiles to pummel the mephit! Yeah, forgot about this ability.

Full round Magic Missile

Damage: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (2, 4, 2) + 3 = 11

Yoromishtali gnashes his teeth as he gets injured. He spins the doshko twice then brings it down in a vertical slash.

Standard action
Doshko: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 Slashing Damage: 1d12 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Yoro, given that I forgot Chiaiese's stunt and strike last turn, you were NOT hit by the creature.

Chiaiese unleashes a devastating barrage of magic at Tim. The magical ties that bind him together are clearly beginning to unravel.

Yoro swings his heavy doshko, but misses the creature.

Xic, Tremox, and Anton: what do you have for me?

"Yeah, that's it! It can't stand too much more!" Moxie encourages the others and then tries to line up a shot of his own.

Attack (get 'em): 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 3 + 1 = 21
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

With the room already crowded, and with concealment, and me not being able to damage, I got nuthin'. ^_^

"Plan J! Plan J!"

Activate interior security, hopefully it doesn't kill anyone! Computers: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (16) + 16 = 32

Tremox's shot is accurate, but it does not seem to damage the mephit.

The mephit hisses and attempts to zip down the hall toward the cargo bay, running past Anton and Tremox as it does.

It's making a double move. Yoro, you may take an attack of opportunity should you wish (and if Chiaiese, Anton, or Tremox have a melee weapon out, they can as well).

[spoiler=Xic]Though the mephit is attempting to move through the ship, there is a second laser array closer to the cargo bay that can attack the creature.[/ooc]

Bold may go. Round 4.

1. Tremox
2. Anton
3. Xic
4. Chiaiese (-5)
5. Yoro (-8)
6. enemy creature (-24)

Chiaiese still holds her survival knife.

Attack of Opportunity: 1d20 ⇒ 5

With her compliment of magic missiles fully exhausted, Chiaiese reaches back into her bag of dirty tricks.

Computers Stunt, Dirty Trick: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33 Bestowing the Sickened condition.

Chasing the mephit down the hall, she aims her finger and fires another blast of magical acid at it.

Energy Ray: 1d20 ⇒ 20
Damage+Crit: 1d3 + 1d3 ⇒ (1) + (2) = 3