GM Valen's SFS 2-07 - Four for the First (November 2020)(Subtier 1-2) (Inactive)

Game Master Lysle

This is a place to post out-of-character discussions, including anticipated changes in posting availability and boon selection.

Testing the post as function

GMV, Before we start, Burn would like to buy a static electroshock pistol, spare battery, and industrial backpack, and a called weapon fusion seal which he'll place on his sword. He'll sell his old consumer backpack. I think that leaves him with 141.3 , but I might not have added in his last chronicle's pay. I will double check.

For this mission, he won't carry food or hygiene kit to get his encumbrance down.

Similarly, Rilynn added a Mk1 Ring of Resistance for 735cr from a prior chronicle.

Also, boons - I don't have many good ones to choose from right now, but I do have the intriguing "High Society Influence (Ally Boon)", which stipulates, "You will be told if this boon is important to a future scenario prior to slotting your boons." Please advise.

Rhubarb-e will purchase 2 Frag Grenades, since she used up her supply in her most previous adventure.

Also, boons - I don't have many good ones to choose from right now, but I do have the intriguing "High Society Influence (Ally Boon)", which stipulates, "You will be told if this boon is important to a future scenario prior to slotting your boons." Please advise.

Boon selection technically comes after the briefing is complete. I will signal when that is the case. However, looking ahead, there are no linked

Also, feel free to list any purchases, which I assume a PC does either before or after the briefing.

Boons:

Wayfinders champion (Faction)

Yaraesa’s Wisdom (Social): +1 to skill checks to recall knowledge, +2 insight bonus to all checks made to influence or interact with followers of Yaraesa, and, once per adventure, when you roll a skill check to recall knowledge, you can check a box that precedes this boon to reroll the result.

Not a lot of boons on this fella.

You still packing loads more than this character I am running!

Yow! You guys have been busy. I tried to sneak in a post or two over the weekend, but chores, work, social engagements conspired against me.

GMV, Burn is slotting the exoguardian faction boon. Nothing else looks good for this mission. Before we leave he'll purchase 2 called fusions, 1 for his sword, one for his reaction cannon.

Rhubarb-e has purchased two new Frag Grenades MKI to replace those from her last mission.

@GM - I will almost always be posting at this time of night (my time). so if Lexicor is ever first in the initiative again and it becomes an issue, just delay him until last so as not to hold up activities.

Quick rules question: if multiple PCs have the same readied action trigger, do those actions resolve in initiative order or something else?

Quick rules question: if multiple PCs have the same readied action trigger, do those actions resolve in initiative order or something else?

My understanding is that they generally resolve in Initiative order if they have the same readied trigger action, although "defensive" actions occur prior to "offensive" ones.

Rhubarb-e is packing Frag Grenades Mk I (2) She has one ready.

Isn't the door open?

Rilynn then opens the door.

On the map it is not.

Rhubarb-e is packing Frag Grenades Mk I (2) She has one ready.

Take 2 they're small.

Map won't change to show open doors unless Lysle is going way above and beyond.

I think Therenger edited Rilynn's post after I made Burn's. I was thinking about suggesting that she just open the door instead of trying to gain sole control. But I've missed more important things before. I better go post a contingency for Burn if we open the door.

Was making a lengthy post during much of the above. Hopefully, my post makes the current state of things clear.

Isn't the door open?

Probably. This door is driving me nuts.

Operatives are overpowered, they say. Nerf operatives, they say.

At least you're not playing a Solarian.

I luv my solarian. She can punch through a wall.

That's a talent with very limited utility, which pretty much sums up Solarians. I ran one for 2 years.

Pulled an all nighter for work Monday night. At my age, recovery from such shenanigans is brutal. Sorry if I held things up at all.

My parents have sold their house and Monday I'm going to Illinois to help them move back to Connecticut. Trying to squeeze a lot of work in before Friday. This weekend I'll be trying to get the house squared away. Unless I get a lucky confluence of time and internet access, I won't be posting much or even at all until December 4 or so.

Anyway, I've got to fly. See you in December. (And hopefully once or twice tween times. )

Bot Burn as required. Just remember he's equally comfortable in a ranged fight or going toe to toe. And his motto, if he ever had the inclination to formulate one would be 'Everyone gets home alive.'

Best of luck on the move. I am moving in January myself. My wife and I have been packing up etc. Not as fun as it used to be.

"Meme Nom Mimsosil Homus Jul" wrote:

As Burnham strikes down the last jinsul, Meme can't but feel like he was instrumental in defeating these things.

I think you were. I probably would have missed without the flank bonus. And if asked, Burn would say the same. He and I both love playing with other PCs and players that are willing to mix it up. Team work for the win!

The final strike would have missed, but for the flank (which I tried to indicate in my description of the battle). As voting has already completed, I feel less concerned about presenting the NPCs in an unflattering way, but my interpretation of the description of Tara Nova is that she is more interested in making vidstars and good PR over presenting events accurately, which I tried to convey in my posts through her choices and commentary.

Just realized the irony of having a morlamaw asking us to kick squatters from an abandoned lodge...

I don't see it. What is the irony?

In other business --GMV, I finally got around to looking thoroughly over Burn's boons, and he's actually got a good one. Since we essentially just received a new mission would it be OK to slot Yareasa's wisdom as his social boon for the remaining duration of the adventure. (He had slotted only Exo-guardian champion. )

Yaraesa’s Wisdom (Social; Limited-Use): By helping stabilize Enereth-7, you’ve earned the attention of the goddess Yaraesa. When you slot this boon, you gain a +1 bonus to all skill checks made to recall knowledge. You also gain a +2 insight bonus to all checks made to influence or interact with followers of Yaraesa. Finally, once per adventure when you roll a skill check to recall knowledge, you can check a box that precedes this boon to reroll the result.

If not, I completely understand.

I don't see it. What is the irony?

Hope those who celebrate Thanksgiving had a nice one.

Bot Burn?

I was wondering.

Bot GM?

Apologies. I couldn't get away much over the last few days and then, resuming school/work after the break was a bit demanding.

Under the circumstances, I will bot Burnham.

LOL. We have all been there GM Valen. No worries!

Sorry, Meme. I thought a chance at immediate damage would help, but instead you'll probably take some friendly fire. I'll close to melee and we can flank next round.

Wow, this might actually cost me a new mount!

Rilynn winces as her shot is deflected into Gava's mount. She has to wonder if she is a liability in this particular fight.

At least I can go take a hit for someone who is actually effective.

She runs up behind blue and tries to punch it.

I had a PFS low level monk who's main job was damage sponge. One scenario I was working with a caster who kept spamming cure lights from his wand to keep me on my feet. I spent round after round one hit away from death.

It was one way to contribute.

Yow! Even melee attacks get redirected. We've got to stay out of each other's reach, and try to flank these things and win with melee.

Well, they also obviously have a DR 5 that nullified my slashing attack. I'd love to move away and use my static arc pistol, but I'm completely surrounded.

Well, they also obviously have a DR 5 that nullified my slashing attack. I'd love to move away and use my static arc pistol, but I'm completely surrounded.

This encounter is another example of how pbp is a poor substitute for table play when it comes to tactical combat. The map offers multiple areas where we could effectively bottleneck our adversaries, but in the interest of time we are encouraged to run in and shoot it out in the open. It is what it is.

We could try to dance with the door again and cut off the two in the room engaged with Rhubarbie and Gava. That would have worked last time if I didn't make the mistake with my triggered action. Just a thought. This is a battle we might easily lose if GM keeps making his coin flips.

I just realized this encounter may be on a different day than the prior combat. I was thinking Lexicor was out of magic missiles. But if we rested, he has two more.

We had days or weeks of space travel to and from. I think we're rested.

So I checked my inventory. I have 2 smoke grenades. I can begin using them next. But, like Gava, I kind of am in the thick of it.

It's a standard action to activate environmental protection. Any hobkins out in the open will just move away, and net effect is we gain a place to hide in exchange for a round without attacks. We need to guarantee that we can bottle up some of them.(Rhubarbies pair?) Can we afford to take out one or two in the open first with focused attacks?

Rilynn is a net negative in this combat, so she can volunteer to isolate the two in the room next to Rubarbie, as long as the door responds to Engineering rolls. We know there's power in the building so I don't see why not.

My only other weapons are an Arc Pistol, and a hand axe. I think the Arc Pistol would be useful. Drive em off with smoke and we can all try to zap them.

Question. What rule book are mounts in? I see things like vehicles and ships, but mounts are all new to me.