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

Game Master Chris Marsh

Janzi has been feverishly arguing with Munro since the aqlath moved on. What do you mean, "it just didn't record?" How can you miss such a poignant moment as that, where they found their history and might no longer be extinct? Hmm? Oh, it's not working right? Well, fix it, that's what I pay you fNO YOU'RE NOT ASKING HACK-IT FOR HELP, THAT'S LIKE ASKING A VOGON FOR A LIFT OR A SIVV FOR SOME MERCY!

Eventually Janzi makes his way back to the group, muttering to himself about the help.

Take 10 on Perception for 44.

The sounds of the sivv language make it through the door. Sounds like two voices. A fair bit of background noise make it difficult to parse any more.

Booker kicks in the door, barrel leveled.

Tired of ....all this, Booker just kicks in the door.

A wide alcove across from this room’s only door ends at a smooth, rounded wall with several metallic disks, each about two feet in diameter. Wires from each of these disks lead into an array of computers and testing equipment.

The sivv warmaster is speaking with a moon giant. The conversation isn't at all confrontational. As the door opens, both of them turn for a fight.

Hostiles: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Booker: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14 Ties go to Booker
Dunklezahn: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
Gig: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Hack-it: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Janzi: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

ROUND 1:
Hack-it: Go
Gig: Go
Janzi: Go
Booker: Go
Dunk: Go
Hostiles: TBD

Booker slides across the doorway to the hall on the other side, firing off a shot at the sivv on the way by.

Shot on the Run @ Sivv: 1d20 + 27 - 2 + 2 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 27 - 2 + 2 + 9 + 1 = 40
Piercing Damage: 7d10 + 23 + 9 + 9 ⇒ (8, 6, 9, 9, 5, 3, 6) + 23 + 9 + 9 = 87

Clip: 96/100 rounds. Unless something weird is going on (or they move), I have total cover versus return fire.

Janzi nods as Booker fires away. Makes more sense than trying to talk to 'em, he reasons. Fanatics so rarely listen to reason.

pew vs. Sivv: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (16) + 18 = 34
acid & sonic: 7d6 + 7 ⇒ (5, 1, 1, 6, 1, 4, 3) + 7 = 28
plus degeneration, if a crit: 4d6 ⇒ (1, 1, 3, 5) = 10

36/80 charges remain.

Booker and Janzi both open fire and wound the sivv warmaster!

ROUND 1:
Hack-it: Go
Gig: Go
Janzi: Hit
Booker: Hit
Dunk: Go
Hostiles: TBD

"Are you one of those fanatical Sivv? You sure look like one."

Gig casts arcing surge to strike both the Sivv and the giant.

Arcing Surge: 10d6 + 9 ⇒ (5, 4, 6, 5, 3, 4, 4, 6, 2, 2) + 9 = 50

Reflex Save DC 25 for half damage

Hack-It and Hum catchup, taking a peek through the door. "Right, more of this. I guess we kill these ones too."

Hum's rifle mount swivels to aim at the smaller sivv, then fires
Parallax Laser Rifle vs Sivv (Medium): 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (1) + 21 = 22
Damage (Fire): 8d6 + 1d8 ⇒ (6, 5, 3, 1, 3, 4, 1, 2) + (1) = 26

The shot flies wide. Hack-It swears. "I need to recalibrate you again?"

Sivv: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (5) + 19 = 24
Giant: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (19) + 16 = 35

Gig scorches both targets a bit. Hum misses by a mile.

ROUND 1:
Hack-it: Miss
Gig: Arc!
Janzi: Hit
Booker: Hit
Dunk: Go
Hostiles: TBD

Dunk rushes to the room and charges forward to take down the Sivv.

DevastationBlade: 1d20 + 26 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 26 - 4 = 34
S&E Damage: 12d8 + 30 ⇒ (3, 2, 6, 7, 1, 2, 4, 8, 3, 8, 5, 2) + 30 = 81

DevastationBlade: 1d20 + 26 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 26 - 4 = 24
S&E Damage: 12d8 + 30 ⇒ (8, 2, 7, 8, 8, 4, 8, 7, 4, 1, 7, 1) + 30 = 95

Dunk drives his blade into the warmaster's side. The wound is severe, but the sivv gives back with a quantum entangler:
ATK: 1d20 + 31 ⇒ (11) + 31 = 42 for Acid + Sonic: 8d6 + 28 ⇒ (5, 6, 3, 3, 1, 4, 1, 2) + 28 = 53.

It then turns ethereal and moves to a new position before phasing back in! No AoO.

the massive giant also reacts quickly. Drawing forth an ultraserrated longsword, it swings at Dunk:
ATK: 1d20 + 33 ⇒ (16) + 33 = 49 for Slashing: 8d10 + 30 ⇒ (8, 4, 10, 8, 1, 8, 8, 9) + 30 = 86

ROUND 2:
Hack-it: Go
Gig: Go
Janzi: Go
Booker: Go
Dunk: Go
Hostiles: TBD

Booker taps a button on his wrist and dashes ten feet towards the door, moving almost faster than the eye can see. He fires off three quick shots at the advancing sivv. Activating haste circuit to move and full attack.

Focus Fire @ Sivv: 1d20 + 27 + 2 - 2 - 5 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 27 + 2 - 2 - 5 + 1 = 33
Piercing Damage: 7d10 + 23 + 9 + 2d6 ⇒ (7, 2, 3, 10, 6, 1, 4) + 23 + 9 + (1, 1) = 67 ignores up to 15 DR

Focus Fire @ Sivv: 1d20 + 27 + 2 - 2 - 5 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 27 + 2 - 2 - 5 + 1 = 25
Piercing Damage: 7d10 + 23 + 9 + 2d6 ⇒ (4, 10, 7, 8, 8, 1, 10) + 23 + 9 + (6, 5) = 91 ignores up to 15 DR

Focus Fire @ Sivv: 1d20 + 27 + 2 - 2 - 5 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 27 + 2 - 2 - 5 + 1 = 29
Piercing Damage: 7d10 + 23 + 9 + 2d6 ⇒ (3, 10, 1, 2, 6, 7, 9) + 23 + 9 + (1, 5) = 76 ignores up to 15 DR

Clip: 84/100 rounds.

Gig takes a five foot guarded step back from the Sivv and casts magic missile at it.

2d4 + 2 + 9 ⇒ (4, 4) + 2 + 9 = 19

Janzi joins Booker in answering pain with pain, though he's not nearly as fast or efficient. He does, however, shoot over Gig's head.

pew vs. Sivv: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (14) + 18 = 32
acid & sonic: 7d6 + 7 ⇒ (2, 3, 3, 1, 2, 6, 6) + 7 = 30
plus degeneration, if a crit: 4d6 ⇒ (1, 1, 1, 4) = 7

32/80 charges remain.

Concealment 10%, Sivv: 1d100 ⇒ 81
Concealment 10%, Giant: 1d100 ⇒ 86

Dunk holds the line against the giant.

DevastationBlade: 1d20 + 26 - 6 ⇒ (11) + 26 - 6 = 31
S&E Damage: 12d8 + 30 ⇒ (4, 6, 1, 2, 4, 1, 2, 6, 5, 2, 5, 4) + 30 = 72

DevastationBlade: 1d20 + 26 - 6 ⇒ (14) + 26 - 6 = 34
S&E Damage: 12d8 + 30 ⇒ (8, 8, 4, 5, 3, 5, 2, 1, 8, 2, 7, 2) + 30 = 85

DevastationBlade: 1d20 + 26 - 6 ⇒ (11) + 26 - 6 = 31
S&E Damage: 12d8 + 30 ⇒ (8, 5, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 3, 3, 4, 4, 1) + 30 = 77

Gig, Janzi, and Booker's first shot bring the sivv down! Booker's follow ups fail to harm the giant.

Dunk gets a singular, but mighty swing through!

ROUND 2:
Hack-it: Go
Gig: MM
Janzi: Hit
Booker: Kill
Dunk: Hit
Hostiles: TBD

Hack-It moves into the room, stepping over the dead sivv. His drone follows. "Big and ugly. I get why you're angry. I would be too if I looked like you."

Hum only shoots at the behemoth.
Laser Rifle vs Blue: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (2) + 21 = 23
Damage (Fire): 8d6 + 18 ⇒ (1, 6, 2, 4, 3, 6, 6, 3) + 18 = 49

Hack-it moves in as Hum's shot misses. the massive giant continues to focus on Dunk.

Massive Blade: 1d20 + 33 ⇒ (7) + 33 = 40 but misses!

ROUND 2:
Hack-it: Go
Gig: Go
Janzi: Go
Booker: Go
Dunk: Go
Hostiles: TBD

Booker follows Hack-It into the room, quick as a cat (Haste Circuit again), but stays focused on spitting bullets rather than insults. One shot lodges in the giant's tree-trunk thick neck.

Focus Fire @ Giant: 1d20 + 27 + 2 - 2 - 5 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 27 + 2 - 2 - 5 + 1 = 31
Piercing Damage: 7d10 + 23 + 9 + 2d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 6, 6, 9, 7, 5) + 23 + 9 + (1, 2) = 75 (ignore up to 15 DR)

Focus Fire @ Giant: 1d20 + 27 + 2 - 2 - 5 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 27 + 2 - 2 - 5 + 1 = 27
Piercing Damage: 7d10 + 23 + 9 + 2d6 ⇒ (10, 6, 4, 8, 4, 10, 9) + 23 + 9 + (4, 4) = 91 (ignore up to 15 DR)

Focus Fire @ Giant: 1d20 + 27 + 2 - 2 - 5 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 27 + 2 - 2 - 5 + 1 = 43 CRITICAL
Piercing Damage: 14d10 + 46 + 18 + 4d6 ⇒ (4, 3, 9, 9, 3, 1, 2, 5, 4, 5, 9, 2, 3, 5) + 46 + 18 + (2, 1, 4, 1) = 136 (ignore up to 15 DR)
VORPAL: 2d20 ⇒ (8, 9) = 17 BLEED 1d6 ⇒ 3

Clip: 72/100 rounds. Haste Circuit 8/10.

We can shoot you too, you know, Janzi says, doing just that.

pew vs. Sivv: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (15) + 18 = 33
acid & sonic: 7d6 + 7 ⇒ (2, 6, 6, 3, 2, 5, 3) + 7 = 34
plus degeneration, if a crit: 4d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 2, 4) = 15

28/80 charges remain.

Booker and Janzi open fire both connect, though most of Booker's shots go wide. Thankfully the lone hit is to the neck!

ROUND 2:
Hack-it: Go
Gig: Go
Janzi: Hit
Booker: Hit
Dunk: Go
Hostiles: TBD

Gig takes a guarded step back and lets fire an arcing surge to hit both the Sivv and the Giant!

Arcing Surge: 10d6 + 9 ⇒ (1, 5, 6, 2, 6, 1, 5, 6, 6, 1) + 9 = 48

DC 25 Reflex Save for half

REF: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (12) + 26 = 38 Gig shocks the huge giant a bit...

ROUND 2:
Hack-it: Go
Gig: Arc
Janzi: Hit
Booker: Hit
Dunk: Go
Hostiles: TBD

"Why does everything want to kill us? It's just so... stupid. And annoying."

He follows his statement up with a shot from his pistol.
Laser Pistol vs Giant: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (14) + 21 = 35
Damage (Fire): 2d20 + 15 ⇒ (13, 14) + 15 = 42

And Hum follows suit.
Laser Rifle vs Giant: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (16) + 21 = 37
Damage (Fire): 8d6 + 18 ⇒ (6, 6, 3, 2, 2, 1, 4, 3) + 18 = 45

Dunk's resolve is unwavering.

DevastationBlade: 1d20 + 26 - 6 ⇒ (6) + 26 - 6 = 26
S&E Damage: 12d8 + 30 ⇒ (1, 3, 4, 8, 6, 2, 7, 4, 7, 3, 6, 7) + 30 = 88

DevastationBlade: 1d20 + 26 - 6 ⇒ (11) + 26 - 6 = 31
S&E Damage: 12d8 + 30 ⇒ (5, 4, 8, 2, 2, 8, 4, 7, 1, 6, 1, 8) + 30 = 86

DevastationBlade: 1d20 + 26 - 6 ⇒ (13) + 26 - 6 = 33
S&E Damage: 12d8 + 30 ⇒ (5, 4, 7, 2, 2, 8, 6, 5, 1, 7, 8, 3) + 30 = 88

Hack-it, Hum, and Dunk overwhelm the giant in a barrage of violence!

Which also earns the party 306,200 XP.

Whatever the duo was up to, it involved compiling something on the system here. Make TWO computers checks.

"I wonder what were those two up to?"

Computers: 1d20 + 37 ⇒ (17) + 37 = 54

TELL US WHAT YOU WERE DOING, COMPUTER!

Intimidate: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (17) + 21 = 38

"If you were talking to me, I would definitely respond, but I think these computers are better at keeping their feelings inside."

Computers: 1d20 + 37 ⇒ (15) + 37 = 52

PF2 style Hero Point to Dunk.

It looks like they were feeding security cam footage of your combats in space and on the ship to the main AI! You could let it continue, stop it... or mess with it...

Meanwhile Booker looks around. One of the experiments involved improved planar travel. Although the experiment never got off the ground, the long-dead scientist collected some necessary materials for it, including a transposition key and a pair of quantum boxes.

After collecting the items, Booker wanders over to the computer, cigarette in hand. He leans over Gig's shoulder, close enough that the acrid wisps cause the ysoki's whiskers to twitch.

"A vid feed, huh?" Booker grunts. He stares at the screen for a moment.

"Give us all raging battle-boners."

He takes a puff. "I'm talkin' how do they even manage to walk level bulges."

"Sure, why not?" Hack-It says, agreeing with Booker. "Whatever you do, make us look good. But I think it'd be appropriate if we suddenly were also the opposites of ourselves. Give me a big energy sword and make it look like I cut people up with it by getting close to people."

"What, you mean like if Janzi could shut up for a whole minute, and Hack-It was suddenly a good person?" Booker jokes.

"But nah, just leave the AI in the dark. Cut the feed. Let's not give it intel."

"Sure thing. Just give me a bit,"" Hack-It says, proceeding to do exactly what he wants to do. He ensures that any audio capture of Booker speaking is an octave higher, that the soldiers aim is wildly inaccurate, and that there are visible bursts of noxious gas that come from Booker's ass.

He also augments the others to varying degrees of flattery. Dunk ends up being a frightening goliath four times his size, Janzi a mute whose powers manifest from his assistant Monroe, and he turns Gig into a walking mechanized drum set. For himself, he simply erases himself from the feed, leaving Hum. "There. Done."
Per Slack, we're going with the 'mess with it' route

AI upload messed with, and treasure (transposition key and quantum boxes) the party continues their push to the core.

Booker checks out the next door. Perception: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (13) + 22 = 35

When Hack-It is finally done playing around, Janzi yanks a visscreen off the mount and hands it to Dunk. For the next time you get angry, he says, motioning to Munro to pan the room and falling into step behind Booker.

A device resembling a large telescope is embedded in the wall opposite this room’s only door. It has a large, translucent helmet rather than an eyepiece. A few supply cabinets stand against the walls to either side of it.

Hack-It puts the helmet on, mostly so that he does it before Gig does. He takes a look at what the telescope is showing.

"Great, that'll scramble his brains even more now." Booker chuckles. "Wait, hang on. You can't make scrambled wit'out eggs. Nevermind."

Booker goes to check out the cabinets. Perception: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (1) + 22 = 23

Gig looks over at Hack and observes if the helmet does anything to the Ysoki or if he overlooked any traps.

Perception: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (20) + 20 = 40

Janzi yanks Munro over and ensures he takes a long shot of Hack-It in the oversized helm, at the least-flattering angles possible and for maximum ignominy — which might work, if the Ysoki had any shame whatsoever. No, no, closer in, make sure you get his entire head.

Hack-it wins the race:

Booker looks around. The supply cabinets contain an array of materials used to maintain and repair the observation scope. None of it is useful to you.

Gig finds no traps whatsoever.

Perception: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (15) + 24 = 39

”So, Hack, are you going to tell us what you saw in the telescope or am I going to have to look myself?”

"Sure. It's nothing useful right now, but..."
All - Feel free to check the two spoilers

”I thought you were looking at some hot chicks the way you were hogging the headset. But no. It’s just more Sivv!”

As Gig looks through the telescope himself, he ponders out loud, ”Why do you think that little one has two bodyguards? Do you think he is scheming something naughty? And what is that thing doing trying to mimick him? I wonder if he knows that he is being watched?”