Game Master S's "Devastation Ark" (Inactive)

Game Master Chris Marsh

Janzi's exhortation of the crowd is a masterclass in diplomacy. A older human steps out to challenge him, but it's clear the man's tone is one of hope for resolution.

"But we can't simply stay here. We need a ship. It doesn't have to be this ship, we just need to get out of here!"

Booker climbs a set of invisible steps to hover above the crowd again. "Listen up! You wanna get through this alive? Then you've got no better chance o' surviving than stayin' put right here on Absalom Station. This station's never fallen to outside attack, not even when the Bone Sages tried it 'fore the Pact Worlds was formed."

"If you're thinkin' that running's your better odds, you're lookin' at tinfoil and callin' it tougher than an industrial plastic. Between any ship y'can find and the Station, I can tell you which one that big invading dreadnought can rip apart with ease... and it ain't the one with a Starstone. Try to fly outta here and you're good as dead. Stay, and you'll get through."

EDIT (per Slack): Intimidate: 1d20 + 18 + 1 + 2 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 18 + 1 + 2 - 2 - 2 = 30 cumulative penalties included

After a moment's pause, "If it's shelter an' protection you need, go to Jatembe Park and ask for Iwalewa. They'll take care o' you, I promise."

The crowd doesn't seem to buy it, "This is different!" and "JUST LOOK AT THE VIDS!" The shouts continue. It appears that Booker's words are a step backwards.

The first man looks up, "Please, get us off the station. The rich are leaving, why can't we?"

Someone in the crowd, "Find us a f@!~ing ship!" This is met by angry shouts of agreement.

As if to drive home the point, the guns on the ship at the center of the kerfuffle turn towards the crowd!

Capaq looks at the party with hope....

"I was personally asked by the Pact Worlds Council to consult on strategy for defeating the incoming warship. I assure you, whatever impressions you've gotten from 'the vids' don't amount to anything worth mentioning. The simple truth is that you're much safer on the Station than off it."

"And the rich ain't leaving either---the same problem applies. Flee and you die, stay and you live. Simple."

Booker raises his voice. "You there! Stewards! Commandeer this ship and report to Director-General Camulan for immediate deployment."

"And you." Booker swivels the barrel of his gun towards Ziotris on the gangway. "Stand your men down and go home, now. I promise you that your precious credits ain't an accepted currency at Pharasma's Boneyard."

Intimidate: 1d20 + 18 + 2 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 18 + 2 - 2 - 2 = 31

Booker's words strike a bad chord as the rich are clearly leaving; Ziotris prepares his ship for take off.

Capaq seems disheartened by the turn of events. The stewards also cower. Barely out of their teenage years, the situation is overwhelming. They don't move in friendly fire of Booker's words.

Capaq to Booker in particular, "Please, do not let this turn to violence. Is there no ship available?"

The situation seems like it's a sneeze away from MASSIVE violence.

Alright, so I was under the impression that any ships rabbiting were currently getting (or were about to be) blown to bits, but evidently that is not the case. Let me try this again.

"Gig, Hack, see if you can pull up records of any freighters docked nearby. If they wanna risk it, it's their skin. This ship, though, has guns that we need." He points at Ziotris's ship. "So it ain't taking off without a Steward crew. Dunk, lend me a hand, will ya?"

Booker launches himself at full speed towards the gangway.

Now we're talking!

Dunk gives the curve blade a flourish, then follows after Booker.

"Bloody hell, Booker. Shut up."

Hack-It drifts off from the group, looking for a console or terminal that he can tap into.
His goal will be to search the network for a reasonably unoccupied ship within their records (maybe even one freshly built), transfer ownership over to himself (including biometrics), and then unlock that bad boy for flight. If that's doable, please take my Computers check.
Computers: 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (9) + 29 = 38

Hack-it quickly finds that there's a cargo vessel in the next hanger over. It's scheduled to be impounded. It's systems have been scrubbed and left unprotected.

Unfortunately, before he can report back, Booker decides to assault the ship...

Remembering that there really is no head for thinking with the pair of jarheads, Hack-It starts shouting at the two soldiers. "Stand down, you idiots! Stay put, because that s&%! only makes things worse! Be peacekeepers for a change, and let me do my thing."

Having found a suitable ship, he sets to the task of making it available for use...
Computers: 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (13) + 29 = 42

Janzi is alarmed to find himself agreeing with Hack-It for once. Hang on, Shooter Jennings and Godzilla. We might have a solution for the crowd, and then we can address Runaway Ziotris. With extreme violence, if necessary.

Gig jumps onto the computer system and tries to find a way to prevent Ziotris’ ship from taking off until Booker gives it the okay.

Computers: 1d20 + 33 ⇒ (4) + 33 = 37

Hack-it notices an unsecured wifi signal on a ship called the Gilded Galleon..... that holy s**+.

Capaq's left eyebrow goes up and he stares at Hack-it as if to say, "Huh."

Hack-It grins. "Oh, that's just too hilarious."
He immediately sets to hacking the Gilded Galleon
Computers: 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (19) + 29 = 48

All of a sudden the ship-to-ship guns aboard the Gilded Galleon go limp. It's engines similarly shut down!

Capaq gives a grin wide enough to be seen across the hanger. He misses no time, "Quickly next door! We'll get you out of here!" The man's voice carries far. It's booming timbre somehow enhanced.

The gangway opens a bit, and only a bit. The manual hatch takes a few seconds. It's enough to give the crowd a moment to start to move. One of the stewards looks to the party, "What are we supposed to do now?"

Will get combat ready in an hour or so.

That was quite the hour...

The bodyguard detail that Ziotris has employed waste no time turning to violence. They begin to push through the mob to attack the Starfinders!

In round 1 the crowd is still fleeing. Every square is difficult terrain for this round. AoE abilities will cause civilian casualties in this round.

Round 1:
Booker: Go
Hostiles: TBD
Dunklezahn: TBD
Gig: TBD
Janzi: TBD
Hack-it: TBD

Hostiles: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Booker: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
Dunklezahn: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
Gig: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Hack-it: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Janzi: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

"Wrong choice." Standing on air some ten feet above the fleeing crowd, Booker wastes no time to aim down the ironsight at the lead bodyguard.

Heavy Machine Gun AMBUSCADE @ Blue: 1d20 + 24 - 2 + 2 - 5 + 1 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 24 - 2 + 2 - 5 + 1 + 7 = 39
Damage: 7d10 + 19 + 7 + 7 ⇒ (8, 8, 9, 5, 9, 2, 1) + 19 + 7 + 7 = 75

Heavy Machine Gun AMBUSCADE @ Blue: 1d20 + 24 - 2 + 2 - 5 + 1 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 24 - 2 + 2 - 5 + 1 + 7 = 47 CRIT
Damage: 14d10 + 38 + 14 + 14 ⇒ (5, 1, 1, 9, 6, 4, 4, 9, 9, 3, 4, 8, 6, 9) + 38 + 14 + 14 = 144 plus Severe Wound (Vorpal): 1d20 ⇒ 13 LOST EYE DC 23 Reflex vs. -2 Perception

Heavy Machine Gun AMBUSCADE @ Blue: 1d20 + 24 - 2 + 2 - 5 + 1 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 24 - 2 + 2 - 5 + 1 + 7 = 45
Damage: 7d10 + 19 + 7 + 7 ⇒ (4, 1, 2, 6, 8, 8, 8) + 19 + 7 + 7 = 70

If Blue goes down, re-direct subsequent shots to Black (-1 penalty on attack result).

Clip: 96/100 rounds.

Booker opens fire and shorts the dragonkin's head completely off its body!

The remaining three maintain their resolve, and they converge on Booker and each breath a cone of fire that engulfs not only Booker, but quite a few civilians too!
Black Fire: 16d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 2, 4, 3, 5, 6, 4, 1, 1, 1, 1, 6, 6, 2, 6) = 53
Red Fire: 16d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 6, 3, 1, 5, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 1, 4, 5, 3, 3) = 51
Green Fire: 16d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 6, 5, 6, 1, 2, 6, 4, 1, 4, 6, 3, 2, 4, 4) = 61
Each allows a reflex DC 20 for half.

Round 1:
Booker: Crit and kill
Hostiles: Breath
Dunklezahn: Go
Gig: Go
Janzi: Go
Hack-it: Go

Reflex: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23 SUCCESS
Reflex: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30 SUCCESS
Reflex: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31 SUCCESS

Booker does a barrel roll in the air, dodging much of the blasts. Fire resistance reduces total damage to 66. I do not suppose that being 10' up helps avoid civilian casualties?

Always the hard way, Janzi says with a smile. Your funeral. He motions to Dunk to hold off a moment.

Cast confusion, DC 23 Will. If relevant, Janzi has Spell Penetration. Anyone unaffected, he'll let his mindlinked companions know that.

Booker thinks he's got to stay AT LEAST 40' up to keep out of the way of civilians the next time that breath comes in.

Black Will: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17 FAIL
Red Will: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34 Pass
Green Will: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27 Pass

Janzi scrambles the mind of the guard on the left flank!

Round 1:
Booker: Crit and kill
Hostiles: Breath
Dunklezahn: Go
Gig: Go
Janzi: Confusion
Hack-it: Go

In an effort to avoid civilian casualties, he fires off a full round of magic missiles at the black dragon kin.

Magic Missiles: 3d4 + 10 ⇒ (4, 2, 2) + 10 = 18

”You would do better to help us than to hinder!”

With GM's permission, please permit, Gig's Magic Missiles to be directed at Red instead. Thanks.

Dunk activates his Titan Shield. He then charges in to cover Booker, swinging the shield around to give them both cover against the two dragonkin standing shoulder to shoulder.

Dunk then brings his ire down against the remaining dragonkin(black).

Move: Activate Shield, Standard: Charge

Curve Blade: 1d20 + 23 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 23 - 4 = 29
S Damage: 8d10 + 27 ⇒ (9, 2, 6, 3, 1, 4, 3, 3) + 27 = 58

Curve Blade: 1d20 + 23 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 23 - 4 = 24
S Damage: 8d10 + 27 ⇒ (3, 4, 5, 10, 10, 6, 10, 5) + 27 = 80

As per Slack clarification, Dunk would attack Red

A bit confused in their own right within the chaos, Gig and Dunk quickly redirect their power towards one of the other dragonkin.

Gig's missiles and Dunk's curveblade both take their toll on the merc.

Round 1:
Booker: Crit and kill
Hostiles: Breath
Dunklezahn: Hits
Gig: MM
Janzi: Confusion
Hack-it: Go

Computers (DC 35): 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (17) + 29 = 46

Hack-It punches a series of commands into his wrist console, sending them to the ship's armaments. Sends later, they turn online...

"Now would be a really smart time for you to surrender."

Hack-it brings a very big pair of guns to the fight. Unwilling to face off against ship-to-ship weaponry, they throw their hands up.

Capaq quickly comes rushing over. The crowd is nearly gone, but there are some charred civilians.

He takes a deep breath, "While not perfect, and through no thanks to Booker, you did what you could to quell the violence."

He turns to the dragonkin and suddenly Capaq's eyes turn to pure silver and his voice turns to a complete chord.

"Flee. Leave these people. No harm will come to you."

He turns to you, his eyes and voice returning to normal, "Thank you again. I am no longer bound to help these people, and I hope that they find solace. The situation here is dire, and I'll help how I can. I can channel my power into some of the dead generators and shore up Absalom Station’s failed shields until a more permanent solution can be found."

He doesn't give an opening for questions. His eyes flash once more and a hovercycle of pure white and chrome appears. He quickly mounts it, "Good luck mortals."

As he races off onto a street not designed for vehicles, all that remain are you, the stewards, and a really confused trillionaire aboard.

For your victory, each Starfinder earns 153,600 XP

Mysticism: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (14) + 23 = 37

"Thanks for your help, Capaq! Hopefully I will see you at that concert some day!"

Gig has heard of, but never SEEN an exodus angel. Exodus angels serve as the guardians of these communities, watching over migrant groups as they wander. The angels remain within these new societies for several generations, disguised as mundane citizens, before returning to Heaven. As a result, these angels are sometimes considered by their wards to be spiritual embodiments of their associated diasporas—both a reminder of the community’s roots and a guardian of the new society that has been created.

"...and through no thanks to Booker..."

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better."

Game Master S wrote:

"...and through no thanks to Booker..."

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better."

I mean, angels ARE super judgy.

EDIT: deleted some OOC text.

Booker silently grinds his teeth, holding his tongue until Capaq is gone. Then he swivels on the Stewards. "You lot! Get on that ship and do your Gods-damned jobs. Arrest Ziotris for ordering the murder of civilians, and report immediately to the Director-General for deployment. He'll give you further instructions." He claps his hands together to startle them into action. "Now! Let's go! Now!"

"Uhhhhh....Yes. Yes sir! Uhhh... ON IT!"

Booker's tone works on the guards and they board the now unguarded ship!

It doesn't take long for them to come out with a VERY angry Ziotris. "Thanks. Thanks for the help. We owe you!"

What now? There's some stuff going down in the Gardenia District still

Before you can leave though, another frantic message hits the emergency comm:

“Hello? Can anyone hear me? The other communicators aren’t working, but... I don’t know if anyone can hear me, but we’re stuck inside Sella’s bar and... it looks like there’s trolls, but Mitska’s plasma gun didn’t work on them. It just bounced right off them and they...” The message is interrupted by what sounds like rocks being pulverized and a scream. The voice sobs hoarsely, “We can’t get out! We can’t get out! Someone please, please help!”

You've got two crises...

Sella's Bar? I know that place! Janzi says, heading there without hesitation. Although, if it blows up, I won't have to pay that tab...hmmm...

"Yes but if they support up and coming musicians and then go out of business, it will be an even greater tragedy. Let's go save the pub from trolls!"

Hack-It rolls his eyes but otherwise follows along, flying with his jetpack.

Opting for the new threat, and hoping the devils in the Gardenia District haven't turned violent, the party makes the trip to Sella's.

Cambrisa jumps on the comms and gives you the low down, "Void trolls. Like their normal cousins, they heal fast if you don't burn them. Just watch out, because these have been touched by the Beyond. Sometimes Energy and magic will literally bounce off their hide!"

Arriving at the square where the bar stands, a massive crowd is currently moving from hiding to fleeing. The trolls, for the moment, seem to be more interested in destroying buildings than killing.

A local sees the insanely armed party and assumes you're there to help, "There's a whole bunch of elves in there. The doors are fused shut, but the trolls won't let that stop them!"

Hostiles: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Booker: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20
Dunklezahn: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
Gig: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Hack-it: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Janzi: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

For the moment, the trolls are NOT engaging with you. They're trying to tear into the bar.

Round 1:
Booker: Go
Dunklezahn: Go
Void Trolls: TBD
Gig: TBD
Hack-it: TBD
Janzi: TBD

Booker wastes no time in getting their attention. "Oy! Nice tasty man flesh over here! Also, lead bullets."

Heavy Machine Gun AMBUSCADE @ Blue: 1d20 + 24 - 2 + 2 - 5 + 1 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 24 - 2 + 2 - 5 + 1 + 7 = 29
Piercing Damage: 7d10 + 19 + 7 + 7 ⇒ (1, 10, 9, 3, 10, 1, 5) + 19 + 7 + 7 = 72

Heavy Machine Gun AMBUSCADE @ Blue: 1d20 + 24 - 2 + 2 - 5 + 1 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 24 - 2 + 2 - 5 + 1 + 7 = 43
Piercing Damage: 7d10 + 19 + 7 + 7 ⇒ (9, 10, 1, 8, 1, 9, 10) + 19 + 7 + 7 = 81

Heavy Machine Gun AMBUSCADE @ Blue: 1d20 + 24 - 2 + 2 - 5 + 1 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 24 - 2 + 2 - 5 + 1 + 7 = 45
Piercing Damage: 7d10 + 19 + 7 + 7 ⇒ (4, 6, 2, 5, 10, 9, 7) + 19 + 7 + 7 = 76

If Blue goes down, re-target to White with a -1 penalty on the attack rolls.

Clip: 88/100 rounds.

Dunk readies for the assault, activating his force field and the Titan Shield.

Booker opens fire. His very first shot hits the trolls hide and bounces right back at him! Booker takes 30 Piercing damage, half with a DC 20 REF.

The other shots hit, but it will take a LOT more than that.

the violence is enough to get their attention though! With massive roars they close distance!

Round 1:
Booker: ATK
Dunklezahn: Tank
Void Trolls: GRRRRR
Gig: Go
Hack-it: Go
Janzi: Go

Reflex: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19 darn

Booker grunts as the bullet slams back into him. "Guess she forgot to mention that lead bounces too," he growls. DR cuts it to 15 dmg.

Gig starts off with a magic missile on Booker’s target and tries to see if it resists force damage.

Magic Missile: 3d4 + 3 + 7 ⇒ (3, 1, 2) + 3 + 7 = 16

Janzi clucks his tongue. Not so fast, there, lads. Cast slow, DC 22 Will. Affects Red, White, and Blue.

Gig's SR: 1d20 ⇒ 20 A trio of missiles slam into the injured troll.

Janzi's SR Red, White, Blue: 3d20 ⇒ (6, 1, 3) = 10 Janzi's spell, however, fails to affect any of the trolls!

Round 1:
Booker: ATK
Dunklezahn: Tank
Void Trolls: GRRRRR
Gig: MM
Hack-it: G-o
Janzi: Slow

Hack-It takes to the sky, flying 30ft up to get clear of any troll arms. "We just had to piss them off, eh?"

He shrugs, then fires upon one of the trolls using his zenith laser pistol.
Pew pew vs Blue: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (17) + 21 = 38
Damage (Fire): 8d4 + 7 ⇒ (3, 3, 2, 3, 1, 4, 1, 2) + 7 = 26

The laser blast wounds the troll! The party looks on as the troll's wounds begin to heal! Laser fire doesn't seem to suppress its regeneration! Looks like only acid will.

Round 2:
Booker: Go
Dunklezahn: Go
Void Trolls: TBD
Gig: TBD
Hack-it: TBD
Janzi: TBD

"Gig, time for some nanites!" Booker leaves the wounded troll for Dunklezahn to deal with, and turns his attention to the lone troll plodding towards a flank.

I could switch to an Acid weapon, but I think we are better off with me maximizing damage output if others can finish them off.

Heavy Machine Gun @ Black: 1d20 + 24 - 2 + 2 - 5 ⇒ (3) + 24 - 2 + 2 - 5 = 22
Piercing Damage: 7d10 + 19 + 7 + 2d6 ⇒ (10, 3, 7, 6, 8, 3, 3) + 19 + 7 + (2, 3) = 71 reduce any DR by 15

Heavy Machine Gun @ Black: 1d20 + 24 - 2 + 2 - 5 ⇒ (19) + 24 - 2 + 2 - 5 = 38
Piercing Damage: 7d10 + 19 + 7 + 2d6 ⇒ (4, 8, 7, 3, 4, 6, 6) + 19 + 7 + (6, 1) = 71 reduce any DR by 15

Heavy Machine Gun @ Black: 1d20 + 24 - 2 + 2 - 5 ⇒ (15) + 24 - 2 + 2 - 5 = 34
Piercing Damage: 7d10 + 19 + 7 + 2d6 ⇒ (8, 9, 5, 7, 5, 2, 4) + 19 + 7 + (1, 6) = 73 reduce any DR by 15

Note: if the Titan shield offers Black cover from Booker, I will spend 1 RP to reduce that cover by one step (Intense Focus).

Clip: 76/100 rounds.

The shield provides cover against attacks coming from the far side of the shield but not against attacks originating from the side you’re on.

Dunk focuses his attacks on Blue.

Curve Blade: 1d20 + 23 - 6 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 23 - 6 - 2 = 33
S Damage: 8d10 + 27 + 7 ⇒ (2, 7, 2, 9, 5, 4, 4, 6) + 27 + 7 = 73

Curve Blade: 1d20 + 23 - 6 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 23 - 6 - 2 = 31
S Damage: 8d10 + 27 + 7 ⇒ (2, 8, 7, 3, 6, 10, 6, 1) + 27 + 7 = 77

Curve Blade: 1d20 + 23 - 6 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 23 - 6 - 2 = 33
S Damage: 8d10 + 27 + 7 ⇒ (8, 10, 6, 9, 3, 10, 8, 2) + 27 + 7 = 90

The two soldiers ply their trade, blasting and slicing through the troll phalanx. Booker blasts two holes in a second troll whilst Dunk eviscerates his target. Unfortunately, the "dead" troll's wounds begin to heal!

The two already at the shield wall try to fight over the top:
Red v. Dunk: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (3) + 27 = 30
White v. Dunk: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (2) + 27 = 29
But it's kind of pathetic honestly.

To the north the other troll closes distance and tries to bite Gig's head clean off!
Bite v. Gig: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (17) + 27 = 44 for DMG: 8d6 + 20 ⇒ (1, 4, 3, 4, 5, 1, 2, 6) + 20 = 46!

Round 2:
Booker: Hits
Dunklezahn: "Kill"
Void Trolls: ATK!
Gig: Go
Hack-it: Go
Janzi: Go