[SFS/Shifty] #3-03: Frozen Ambitions: The Shimmerstone Gateway (C) (Inactive)

Game Master Nik B.

Joe moves behind the rest of the group....she knows she shouldn't be in the front.....

ssurvival: 1d20 ⇒ 3

Shivering despite themselves as they step through the shimmering portal, Taneka activates the improved sensors built into the bug eyes of their helmet allowing them to pierce the natural gloom of the cavern. Taking a deep breath, the hint of petroleum coming through the filters of their suit, the Skittermander creeps to the north, forming a flank with the more warrior-like in their group, pistols gripped tightly.

"Hmm - yes fire could be bad - very helpful. Keep eyes sharp Team!" they speak over the comm net all business. "Allsix!"

Squizzer follows the group, encouraging anyone who slows down. They need to find a nufriend who needs help, right?

"Hup, hup, hup, hup." Mujina chants as he continues trotting forward till an opening on his right appears, peeking in with his spotlight.

"This is going more calmly than I expected. Not to jinx us."

The cavern to the north just ends in a dead end.

There is a strange cracking sound as a bunch of slug-like creatures about the size of a dog emerge through the walls - mouths open, in search of a Skitter-finder sized meal!

They are definitely yucky not-friends.

R1
Squizzer
Mujina
Taneka
ENEMY

Can't see any tokens for the enemy on the map

Hearing their nufriend's gasp as the creatures slither through rock to feast upon them, Taneka moves forwards towards Mujina-chan and raises the Skipshot pistol - a relic from their days working on Vesk Prime and squeezes the trigger - the hybrid magic teleporting the bullet much of the way before it strikes the enemy.

Slipshot vs KAC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Piercing Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Fixed :) Let me know if red or yellow :)

Thanks ^^ - Red please

"Oh...those look...well gross." Mujina grimaces as he prepares to get his hands dirty, or gooey.

Gain 1 Entropy Point.

He then steps up to yellow, shield first before slamming it into the creature.

Entropic Strike: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Damage (Acid and Bludgeoning): 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Taneka manages to damage a slug with some skipshot shooting!

Mujina misses anything worthwhile on the slug.

R1
Squizzer
Mujina - acted
Taneka - acted
ENEMY

R 1

Squizzer shoots her pistol at the yellow enemy.

attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Squizzer misses.

The yucky-not friends try slobbering on...

Taneka!
Attack 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24 vs KAC
Damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Mujina!
Attack 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11 vs KAC
Damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

R1
Buddy
Joe-Bones

R2
Squizzer
Mujina
Taneka
ENEMY

R 1
O

Buddy moves a tad forward and shots the closest slime

Attack vs kac: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
damage, c&p: 1d8 ⇒ 6

"Nufriends, move forwards!

Buddy gets a shot right on target!

R1
Buddy - attacked!
Joe-Bones

R2
Squizzer
Mujina
Taneka
ENEMY

R 7
O

Taneka freezes as the monsster slobbers all over them - hitting them hard enough to cause bruising later. "Ouchie!" Taking a step back away from the creature they squeeze the trigger again on their pistol at the slug with a red stripe.

attack vs kac: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 for damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

The slime made the handgrip slippery, and the shot is off!

R1
Buddy - attacked!
Joe-Bones

R2
Squizzer
Mujina
Taneka - attacked
ENEMY

R 7
O

Mujina doesn't let his first miss stop his assault, this time striking out twice against the Red-Striped slug with Taneka.

Full-Attack.
Entropic Strike: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Damage (Acid and Bludgeoning): 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Entropic Strike: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Damage (Acid and Bludgeoning) + Polarity (if 1st attack hits): 1d3 + 3 + 1d3 ⇒ (3) + 3 + (2) = 8
Critical Damage: 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Mujina misses again - then strikes beautifully!

R1
Buddy - attacked!
Joe-Bones

R2
Squizzer
Mujina - attacked
Taneka - attacked
ENEMY

R 7
Y 12

Joe will use her microlab to determine what they are dealing with.
Move action to identify, life science for living, physical for nonliving 'take 20': 20 + 11 = 31 if living, if non-living 1 less

"Fascinating...." And with that, she will spout all the information she might know to her nu-friends.

With that she will shoot Mujina-chan with a biohack from her needler pistol -1 dart

I didn't ask if I could scan people, but we had a trip here...so I hope I did during that trip.....GM's call. If GM allows, Mujina-chan gets +1 to AC (enchancment) for 5 rounds.....

Happy with the scan!

Jo-Bones custom microlabcomes in handy, she identifies these creatures as Diathas, or as they are commonly knowns 'exploding slugs!'
What info did you need?

Oh....Special Defenses is one I will always ask...with a 31 I probably get one or two more at least....so in order, Special Abilities, Special Attacks, and then Dealers Choice if I have extra questions....

I don't want to keep everyone waiting, so I'll post a conditional action. If nothing Joe says changes things, Squizzer will shoot again.

attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

The creature appears to be a Diatha

***

Squizzer ships the enemy again!

***

They both attempt to devour Taneka!
Flanking

Attack 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 8 + 2 = 26 vs KAC
Damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

The other stays on Mujina!
Attack 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 8 + 2 = 20 vs KAC
Damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

R2
Buddy
Joe-Bones

R3
Squizzer
Mujina
Taneka
ENEMY

R 7
Y 13

Taking a step away from the slug that had just taken a deep bite of them, causing blood to stain their white fur underneath their bug-like armour, Taneka tries to psyche themselves up. "Allsix Taneka! You got this, your nufriends need you!" they whisper, giving themselves an inspiring boost.Feeling invigorated again they glare at the slug.

Guarded step and inspiring boost for +5 stamina

"All...they EXPLODE...NOT NICE SLUGS!.....have to hurt them with bludgeoning or cold, or else they go BOOM! I am pretty certain this is what the petrol smell is coming from!"

With that...she does something both incredibly brave and stupid...she runs forward, allowing the slug to attack her if it can, to attempt to grapple the red slug with her capture pole.

Moved up and to the north of the red slug, not in yellows range

Capture Pole (grapple attempt: 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 + 2 + 2 = 24 +2 for grapple special property on weapon, +2 for being a skittermander
Damage (Sedative mk1): 1d4 ⇒ 4

Capture pole specifically calls out it can inject during a grapple. Sedative is 1 out of 5 I can make without a 10 minute rest

Taneka backs up

The capture pole injects the slug.

R2
Buddy
Joe-Bones acted

R3
Squizzer
Mujina acted
Taneka
ENEMY

R 7
Y 17

"What? They explode...AGHH" Mujina exclaims while shifting away from the red slug before battering the yellow. Gulping, as he expects it to explode.

Guarded Step.
Entropic Strike: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Damage (Acid and Bludgeoning): 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Mujina smacks the yellow tinged slug - and is unsurprised when it explodes!

Hits Mujina and Red
Fire 1d6 ⇒ 3
Ref 10 for half
1d20 ⇒ 12

R2
Buddy
Joe-Bones acted

R3
Squizzer
Mujina acted
Taneka acted
ENEMY

R 8
Y Dead

Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Knowing it was coming allowed him to duck behind his shield from most of the explosion.

Buddy tries to aim through Squizzer, his blue fur on his face pushed into his hailcannon

"I can do this, I can do this."

Shoot vs KAC: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Damage, C&P: 1d8 ⇒ 7

Squizzer fires
attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3
Hitting it!

***

The creature shuffles after Mujina, still set on a meal.
Attack 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

R3
Buddy
Joe-Bones

R4
Squizzer
Mujina
Taneka
ENEMY

R 11
Y Dead

Joe sees that the first one didn't get stopped from exploding, so decides to do her best to stop this one.

Pulling another sedative out of her microlab, she slams it into the capture pole...and tries to grapple the thing again!

Capture Pole (grapple attempt): 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 + 2 + 2 = 24 +2 for grapple special property on weapon, +2 for being a skittermander, if beat KAC+8 grappled, KAC+13 pinned...
Damage (Sedative mk1): 1d4 ⇒ 4

Uhh.....anybody feel that I got into some kind of time loop???? 2 attacks both roll 18, both attacks with the sedative...rolls a 4.... Though I have to say....grapple weapon with skittermander who would have thought....I might need to get improved grapple maybe....

Joe nails the thing with a sedative... the thing looks a bit woozy!

There is an ominous creaking and cracking sound in the cavern.

R3
Buddy
Joe-Bones - acted

R4
Squizzer
Mujina
Taneka
ENEMY

R 15
Y Dead

"Nu-allies, do you hear that sound?" Mujina says getting more worried, yet he steps further away to lure the creature before it explodes.

"Come on slimey. Over here!"

Guarded Step.
Standard -> Move.

Buddy moves in front of Squizzer his rings clinging as he moves and raises his cannon

Attack vs KAC: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Damage, C&P: 1d8 ⇒ 3

With doubts he looks at his weapon and says

"I think it is broken, I can't go much closer than that!"

Squizzer misses.

Mujina backs right off.

R3
Buddy
Joe-Bones - acted

R4
Squizzer - acted
Mujina - acted
Taneka
ENEMY

R 15
Y Dead

Thanks for the bot. It looks like Buddy acted, but it got labelled as if Squizzer acted instead? I'll post a turn in a spoiler, in case I'm misunderstanding things.

Welcome - yes it appears I misattributed the action :)

The slug lives a moment longer as the shot misses...

Taneka up!

Unable to shoot the slug without causing it to explode, Taneka instead tries to cheer on the stalwart Mujina. "Go-go nufriend Mujina! Squish the bug, no acid remember! You got this!" they call over the Comms, hoping to inspire them.

Inspiring Boost on Mujina for 5 Stamina

The creature shuffles after Joe Bones - the closer potential meal!
Attack 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

R4
Buddy
Joe-Bones

R5
Squizzer
Mujina
Taneka
ENEMY

R 15
Y Dead

The slug comes closer to her, using the pole she does her best to keep it at bay.

She pulls a third sedative out of her microlab, slamming it in the pole as she pushes it at the creature!

Capture Pole (grapple attempt): 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 + 2 + 2 = 26 +2 for grapple special property on weapon, +2 for being a skittermander, if beat KAC+8 grappled, KAC+13 pinned...hopefully I did that!

Damage (Sedative mk1): 1d4 ⇒ 1
Crit damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

...Crit. I think I am going to get for my level 3 feat Improved grapple....

The creature shuts down, but the cracking sound above you from the first explosion is starting to sound really serious...

The structure of the cavern has been damage causing it to begin to cave in around the portal. The ensuing collapse completely blocks access to the portal. A faint light reflecting through the rubble indicates the portal is still active, but it’s inaccessible.

As you push forward to investigate the rest of the complex you find a pair of vesk corpses near the cavern’s exit are propped up against the wall, their stiff bodies partially devoured by the diathas. A doshko lays on the ground near one of the corpses.

"We have turned in to settlers instead of explorers!" Mujina laments falling into despair at the sit of the cave in.

He starts to look down all the tunnels they have passed thus far, not wanting to stop but walking slower than before.

Buddy looks at the found doshko. For a moment he compares it with his.

"I could use it to try to uncover the portal."

Was the whole portal buried? Or a corridor leading to it, and we can look for a different entrance?

It looks like the portal is well and truly buried - you'll probably be about to heading off looking around for other entrances etc shortly :)

Breathing a deep sigh as the final slug monster twitches and falls still, overtaken by Guiseppelia's bizarre pole and crashes down - just as the ceiling behind them cracks and breaks. "Oops... Seems this place isn't very stable - best find a way out and work out where we are!" they state, trying to keep Mujina from breaking down or fretting. "Look we stronger than Vesk - they fell to the Slug monsters and we took 'em out! Allsix!"

Checking over the Vesk, Taneka tries to work out why they were here and any clues as to their current location.

Joe goes over to the two vesk, attempting to figure out what might have originally killed them.

Medicine: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16

"So true Taneka....Vesks are very strong individual fighters, while us skitters are able to work more in concert. We can Allsix better in combat as a group than the Vesks can. I think this is why they keep us around."

Physical Science: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
She looks around, trying to make certain the cave will not collapse further on them.

The two bodies were wearing Defrex, the doshko is out of charge.

Joe discerns that they died of asphyxiation, likely because their armors’ environmental protections ran out.

Taneka also locates a keycard displaying the model number of a starship, KV-2160, tucked into the pockets of one of the bodies.

With nothing else left to work out you move on.

The dark tunnel large enough for the kothamas to travel finally leads to an ever-colder exterior. A severe, windless chill envelops you all as you step out of the cave system and into a deep trench.

You have found yourselves on Traverse - the moon, in a trench formed by the moon’s volcanic activity. The rocky, slick walls are 20 feet high and difficult to scale.

You could attempt a DC22 Athletics - or DC17 if you have a way to deal fire damage and make handholds, Or a DC15 Physical science check to find a better route.

Joe looks up at the very difficult clime up a pretty sheer trench.

I...uhh....don't do well climbing. Let me look for some other way...."

Physical Science: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

[ooc]See...she is helping!!!![/dice]

"I could ask a little fire creature to be our nufriend and come help..." suggests Squizzer.