[SFS/Shifty] The Vast Experiment (A) (Inactive)

Game Master Nik B.

Almost forgot J'Shun's victory cry.

As Chorizal lands several devastating attacks on the big bot J'Shun yells, "Up the Summersword!"

@Chorizal, you get back 8 stamina points back.

AoO
Attack 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (12) + 18 = 30 vs FF KAC
Damage 2d10 + 8 ⇒ (6, 3) + 8 = 17 S

Chorizal turns to run and is stabbed in the back for his troubles.

The Vesk manages to round the corner and nail the Robot with two mighty blows - punching holes through armour plates and sending shrapnel everywhere!

Vyv can't get a lock on the thing with all these people moving around and fires - but the shot fails to make an impact.

Jshun swings for the fences after inspiring Chorizal to greater glory, the blade landing once.

R2
Vyv - acted
J'Shun - acted

R3
Chivix
Nadia
Chorizal - acted
ENEMY

B 110
G 12
W 95

Chivix smied to himself as the sniper bot took another shot, and maybe one more good shot would do it. He fired a pair of shots, overcharging the rifle and depleting his power pack.

vs sniper: 1d20 + 15 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 15 - 4 = 20
F damage, overcharge: 2d6 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (6, 2) + 8 + (2) = 18

vs sniper: 1d20 + 15 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 15 - 4 = 23
F damage, overcharge: 2d6 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (1, 5) + 8 + (2) = 16

The sniper-bot comes apart in a shower of sparks and smouldering mechanical parts.

The second shot goes towards the rampaging beast, but with the cover provided by the conveyor belts and machinery, the shot isn't accurate enough.

Nadia up! :)

Nadia flies over to get a better line of fire on the invisible one, spends a resolve point to convert another caustic conversion to electrical damange and throws those nanites!

vs EAC: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

damage(E): 4d4 ⇒ (4, 1, 4, 4) = 13

“And how is Datch doing? How did it feel like to get fooled by a rat?”

The large bot swings for Chorizal then runes flash and the giant robot blinks away, reappearing elsewhere on the battlefield.

Black vs KAC
Slam
Attack 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (5) + 19 = 24 vs KAC
Damage 2d10 + 15 ⇒ (2, 9) + 15 = 26

Grey - vanishes.
2d8 ⇒ (4, 7) = 11
[spoiler=What Nadia sees[/spoiler]
The robot vanishes and then moves over to the larger one, the runes glow as it reaches out to the larger robot, which immediately starts showing signs of repair[/ooc]

R3
Vyv
J'Shun

R4
Chivix
Nadia
Chorizal
ENEMY

B 105 (+2r of 5.)
G 30
W ERROR.

J'Shun, isn't letting the big bot get away that easy. He charges back across the battlefield in pursuit.

"Coward, face me the first son of Summersword in ritual combat!"

J'Shun, activates the hyper graft on his heart extra move action which allows him to shunt even more entropic energy into his first strike against the big bot. Tears of the Sun flashes twice through the air in a deadly pattern of sword strokes.

Entropic Strike vs. Black EAC: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 10 - 4 = 22
Acid (Force) Damage: 2d6 + 12 + 2d4 ⇒ (5, 3) + 12 + (1, 1) = 22

Entropic Strike vs. Black EAC: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 10 - 4 = 10
Acid (Force) Damage: 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (5, 3) + 12 = 20

Entropy points +0, used both to boost the damage of J'Shun's first attack. EAC 24, KAC 26 this round.

"Fooled by a sapient as clever as Datch was? Is this robot trying to insult Chivix? Perhaps it should try 'yo momma' jokes? Chivix has a rather large list archived. For example, yo momma is so lazy she has a stay at home job and she is still late to work every day."

Chivix chattered at the big bot as he did a quick swap of battery packs on his rifle and had Gravy begin tracking the big robot.

Move - swap batteries, move - combat tracking

Chorizal manages to avoid the bot's counterstroke but it really just can get away from the Sons of Summersword. Chorizal comes around the corner, lines himself up then charges at the big bot.

Basic Dragonglaive: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18
Slashing and Electricity Damage: 1d8 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19

"It's a robot, Chivix. Yo mama jokes don't work on robots. Try this one. Your predecessor model is so obsolete its code was written in Basic."

The machine replies to Chivix “I promise there’s an even bigger surprise in store for you! That is, if you live long enough to see the finale!”

J'Shun rushes the big robot and it slams him on the way in.
Attack 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (10) + 19 = 29 vs KAC
Damage 2d10 + 14 ⇒ (5, 7) + 14 = 26

Despite the attack, J'Shuns momentum carries through and he lands a blow of his own!

Chorizal finds his blow going wide.

Chivix gets busy reloading...

R3
Vyv
J'Shun - acted

R4
Chivix - acted
Nadia
Chorizal - acted
ENEMY

B 127 (+2r of 5.)
G 30
W ERROR.

Nadia flies down to a position she hopes will let her line up some electricity later on and does a standard action magic missle at the invisible one
damage(Fo): 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (3, 4) + 2 = 9
I hadn't noticed if you've been doing the ongoing damage for the two electric caustic conversions. 5e per round for 5 rounds each

J'Shun 1 entropy point from being hit by the big bot and his EAC is now 25 and KAC 27.

Vyv, moves in to take a shot on the big bot, but with her Thunderstrike pistol this time.

Bluff Trick; Take 10 for 14 CR
If hit, Flat-footed for one round
Boom, Holla, BOOM! (Thunderstrike pistol) vs. EAC: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15
Sonic Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Extra damage: 4d8 ⇒ (8, 8, 4, 7) = 27

@Nadia - Hmm, I just scrolled up and re-read your nanite attack, I had applied that initial 13+DoT to the main robot, but it appears you were actually targeting the smaller invisible one - which one did you want me to apply the damage to as so far it is is burning the main bot :)

Force missiles slam into the machine which looks all bent and broken but still battling away.

R3
Vyv
J'Shun - acted

R4
Chivix - acted
Nadia - acted
Chorizal - acted
ENEMY

B 136 (+2r of 5.)
G 30
W ERROR.

I think I ninja'd you taking Vyv's turn.

Yep Ninjad!
Machine still up, so can retcon damage from Nadia if it is supposed to be against grey

2d8 ⇒ (4, 6) = 10

The Large robot appears to regenerate some of the damage despite nanites trying to eat it.

It swings for J'Shun, then blinks away, reappearing elsewhere!

Attack 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (19) + 19 = 38 vs KAC
Damage 2d10 + 14 ⇒ (8, 10) + 14 = 32

R4
Vyv
J'Shun

R5
Chivix
Nadia
Chorizal
ENEMY

B 129 (5 ongoing)
G 47
W ERROR.

J'Shun uses his control of entropy to place his tactical shield in the way of the blow from the big bot just enough to deflect some of the damage. Mitigate, the attack does 7 less damage.

"Coward, you will not escape the sons of Summersword!"

Hasted J'Shun races after the big bot and swings twice with his entropy powered devastation blade again.

Entropic Strike vs. Big Bot EAC: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 10 - 4 = 13
Acid (Force) Damage: 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (1, 4) + 12 = 17

Entropic Strike vs. Big Bot EAC: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 10 - 4 = 20 If this attack misses by 1, J'Shun activates his turquoise cube aeon stone as a reaction to add one to the roll and allow it to hit.
Acid (Force) Damage: 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (6, 5) + 12 = 23

Entropy points +0, EAC 23, KAC 25 this round.

Jshun swings for the fences, but alas, the blows fail to land - even if he could channel the gods.

Attack 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (18) + 19 = 37 KAC
Damage 2d10 + 14 ⇒ (5, 10) + 14 = 29

It strikes at J'Shun as he arrives though - he eats another brutal blow.

@Nadia - Hmm, I just scrolled up and re-read your nanite attack, I had applied that initial 13+DoT to the main robot, but it appears you were actually targeting the smaller invisible one - which one did you want me to apply the damage to as so far it is is burning the main bot :)

Force missiles slam into the machine which looks all bent and broken but still battling away.

R3
Vyv
J'Shun - acted

R4
Chivix - acted
Nadia - acted
Chorizal - acted
ENEMY

B 136 (+2r of 5.)
G 30
W ERROR.

Yeah it was supposed to be against Grey, my bad if my post wasnt clear. Sometimes I think they are and they aren't because of a last minute edit.

Chorizal marches down the line, turns and uses the dragonglaive on his combiweapon as a guide as he fires his static arc caster at the big bot.

Static Shock Caster: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
Electricity: 1d12 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18 DC15 Refl for half.

Targeting the intersection on the back so that J'Shun doesn't get caught in the blast.

With a fresh power pack in and Gravy tracking the large robot, Chivix leveled his barely cooled off rifle and fired.

"GRAVY! The robot is the size of a small hovercar and stupid AI can't event hit it? No! Do not try and blame it on the rifle. Rifle worked just fine on sniper. Chivix thinks Gravy is play Ninja Gaiden XXII - The Gaidening while Chivix and friends are fighting again! What do you mean, 'just the third level'?!?!?!?!"

The shirren's voice moved to a set of burrs and clicks that were likely his native language as he argued with his AI companion.

vs big boy: 1d20 + 15 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 15 - 4 = 16
F damage, overcharge: 2d6 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (5, 3) + 8 + (6) = 22
vs big boy: 1d20 + 15 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 15 - 4 = 13
F damage, overcharge: 2d6 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (1, 1) + 8 + (2) = 12

J'Shun, gains a single entropy point thanks to taking another beat down. Would his second attack hit if the big bot was flat footed?

His EAC is 25 and KAC 27 now.

It possibly would have hit if flat-footed, but it wasn't at the time - being flat-footed would have changed that whole round for you
Ref 1d20 ⇒ 9 - pass.

The explosion singes the bot, but it is still up and running.

Chivix has no luck getting a shot to land on it.

R4
Vyv
J'Shun - acted

R5
Chivix - acted
Nadia
Chorizal - acted
ENEMY

B 115
G 79 (5 ongoing)
W ERROR.

So taking Vyv's turn could change everything since she is in front of J'Shun in the initiative order.

/End combat.

The Starfinders overcome the robots.

We moved Vyv to that spot in the combat order so you could take her turn with yours, if she was going to shoot at it and attempt to flat foot it then that could have taken place before Jshun moved. I retconned the damage to the robots but that would have also changed their plans significantly, retconning again so that Vyv can now shoot to flat foot it so jshun can hit it and also deny it’s AOO is probably a bit much. Vyv is now parked until the player returns.

Steep stairs descend into the dark depths of the underground facility, where many storage rooms with rusting shelves lie abandoned. Deeper still, the air gets heavier, and the steel walls give way to corridors excavated into rough, mineral-rich rock. A monotonous din echoes through this area, where several ancient robotic machines with appendages suitable for drilling and mining are digging a cylindrical hole that is already dozens of feet deep. Placed near the edge of the hole are a few dozen plastic barrels with a complex set of wires attached to them.

The skill checks required for these are pretty trivial, so will cut to the key info as I don't think you could even fail the rolls :)

* You notice that recently, the mining robots have been digging a deep hole without recovering valuable minerals or ores. I

* You determine that the containers near the hole have high-yield explosives in them, which are wired to detonate when triggered by a single switch. However, the last stages of constructing the explosive, including installing the switch, have not been completed.

* You further realize that the amount of explosives combined with the depth of the holes could totally annihilate the city and everything within hundreds of miles, possibly even causing planetary-scale damage.

"Wow this is some real b-tri-vid villin stuff. Did these robots accidentally download the complete tri-vid tropes info sphere site and think it was supposed to be a documentary? We should probably call this in."

Does Chorizal pick up some of the valuable minerals or ores he finds laying around? Who can be sure with the subtle way he does so? (He absolutely does so, apparently trying to be subtle but with predictable results.)

"They do NOT like this place for some reason. We should definitely let someone know. I guess the good news is the bots already evacuated the city for us. Do you think we should try to steal some of these barrels to make sure they can't blow the place up?"

My bad, I just wasn't sure how long I should wait for Vyv to post. I'd prefer not to bot her, but if I have to again I'll give her 24 hours before I do it and I'll always post for her and J'Shun at the same time.

"The bots were planning to destroy this entire world. We got here just in time. This could be the beginning of a system wide invasion by them. We have to get this information back to the fleet."

Chorizal finds a new pet rock whilst noting just how much explosive material is actually in this place - mountains of it.

J'Shun and Nadia start raising communications just as Zigvigix contacts all callsigns in the fleet, the shirren’s relieved voice speaks through the static. “Zigvigix here, my teams have just finished investigating the power readings on the three moons. Across several locations near the mining colonies, we found a huge quantity of high-yield explosives. Imagine what would have happened if we had been too late! I think any one of those detonations would have destroyed a sizable chunk of a moon!”

Fitch answers without missing a beat, “I hear you, Zigvigix. Several of my teams made similar discoveries. We were lucky this time.” She pauses briefly, then continues, “Zigvigix, can you see what I see? Our scanners just picked up more power readings.”

Zigvigix replies, sounding alarmed. “I can see them; one is near my position... Ah! This looks bad. If we don’t make it out of here, remember us, remember—” The message abruptly cuts off in a screech of static.
“Zigvigix? Zig?” Fitch calls out into the dead air, but there is no answer. Her voice trembling, she orders, “Teams, get out of there now! I repeat, get back to your ships and get out of there!”

Bright flashes pierce the sky, emanating from somewhere beyond the horizon. Moments later, slight tremors can be felt, but the seismic waves get stronger and stronger with each explosion. Panicked messages start coming in on comms from teams across the planet to create a frenzied chorus screaming, “Evacuate, evacuate!”

Chorizal's eyes narrow for a moment. He doesn't like to lose.

But he likes the idea of being evaporated even less.

"Back to the ship, Chosen! Let's move! Move! MOVE!" he shouts as he begins the long sprint back to the ship.

Chivix didn't hesitate as the evacuation order came in. If there was this much sabotage at this site, then there was no reason there could not be more elsewhere.

"If it comes to hanging around here for more information, or taking what has already been gathered and running, then Chivix could use the exercise!"

"You heard the captain, on the bounce, back to the Indefatigable we're getting out of here."

You decide the smart decision is to make a run for the spaceport. Buildings and trees shake violently, and dust begins to obscure visibility; seismic waves make the ground wobble as though it were liquid, and sinkholes begin to appear.

As you reach your ship, you receive signals confirming that explosions have wracked the moons where Zigvigix’s forces were and find that they cannot contact any ships from Zigvigix’s fleet. As your ship begins its ascent you see chunks of the surrounding mountains crashing
onto the city, and the shield towers that once protected the city against thunderstorms fall as arcs of electricity leap
dangerously between them.

As the planet’s gravity begins to fail, you use it to propel the ship
on an optimal trajectory toward the Swift Clarity. The dissipating gravitational forces of Siygess-4 toss the escaping starship toward the Swift Clarity. Three ships of unknown design fire relentlessly upon the command ship, tearing smoldering holes in its hull. More and more enemy ships emerge from the Drift, forcing the remaining Starfinder ships on the defensive, unable to aid Fitch.

Fitch sends a bleak message through the ship’s comms. “I won’t lie, things are looking pretty grim here. The Swift Clarity’s engines are disabled, most of our weapons are busted, and uh, I don’t think she can take too many more direct hits. Attack the enemies with all you’ve got and see if you can lure them in our aft arc—we still have some functional weapons there.”

Starship combat.
R1
Engineering Phase!
Engineer up
I assume Chorizal flying, who is doing other things?

J'Shun will be the captain and Vyv will be a gunner this time.

"Accelerate to attack speed, Captain Chorizal."

Opening a hailing frequency to the bot's ships, J'Shun broadcasts a message to them.

"Unknown vessels this is Space Admiral J'Shun Kay, first son of Clan Summersword, House Davion, line of Atsu, born in fire! commanding officer of the the Starfinder Space Navy starship Indefatigable, surrender now or we will destroy you."

Intimidate (Taunt): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15 J'Shun will apply the taunt to the gunners in the starship at the middle of the bot's formation.

Rounds: 1d4 ⇒ 4

J'Shun just gets an automated message back in a grating synthesized voice “You will be removed, you will be removed”

Engineering action up, then we're into Helm phase

Your ship is a T8 Drake

"Diverting power to engines. Chorizal, get the Indefatigable in position for heavy shooting. Chivix will work at bolstering some ship systems in the meantime."

engineering DC 22: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (1) + 18 = 19

"No! Gravy, Chivix said to divert to engines. Why would Chivix want to divert to shields? The indefatigable has not taken damage! Yes, I know last time...but this is not last time!"

engineering DC 22: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (9) + 18 = 27 Using t-shirt reroll

Speed increased by two

Starship combat.
R1
Engineering Phase:
Chivix - Speed Up.
J'Shun - Taunt.

Helm Phase:
Enemy Pilots 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 15 = 31
Chorizal - Beat 31 or move first :)

"Heavy shooting is what I like best!" Chorizal declares.

Piloting: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 23

He charges straight into the fight, but then, remembering Fitch's advice, cuts hard to the right.

The maneuver is unpredictable.

Piloting (Evasion): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (8) + 16 = 24 Fail but not by 5 or more.

Piloting (Next Round's Initiative): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (9) + 16 = 25

Piloting DG 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (8) + 15 = 23 F
Piloting LG 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (9) + 15 = 24 F
Piloting W 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (18) + 15 = 33 P

The ships try match Chorizals dance, but like Chorizal, not a lot of luck - except for one.

Two come in taking firing positions on the Indy whilst one scoots towards the command vessel...

Gunnery phase!

Nadia scans the enemy ships
science officer/computers: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (10) + 20 = 30

Chorizal's evade actually succeeded. He only needed a 22, 10 + 1 1/2 ship's tier.

Yep...you're right. I don't know why I read that as 10+2 x ship's tier.

Think we both made that mistake :)

Nadia tries scanning the enemy ship, but it clearly has very strong defences as she only gets a limited amount of information from the scan as the enemy countermeasures keep trying to jam the signals.

WYVERN MK I ASSAULT SHIP
TIER 8
Medium transport
Crew: 0. Automated.
Speed 10; Maneuverability average (turn 2); Drift 2
AC 23; TL 24
HP 100; DT –; CT 20
Shields medium 100 (forward 30, port 25, starboard 25, aft 20)
...more info available

Gunner up

Vyv, unloads a broadside on the closest bot ship. She fires the turret and port weapons. Looks like no one took any of the Drake's +2 bonuses so I will use them all now.

Heavy Antimatter Missile vs. TL: 1d20 + 11 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 11 + 2 - 2 = 29
Damage: 10d10 ⇒ (3, 5, 4, 9, 3, 3, 9, 5, 1, 6) = 48

Light Particle Beam vs. AC: 1d20 + 11 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 11 + 2 - 2 = 24
Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 6) = 10

Coilgun vs. AC: 1d20 + 11 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 11 + 2 - 2 = 13
Damage: 4d4 ⇒ (4, 2, 4, 4) = 14

Critical Threshold: 1d100 ⇒ 100

Yes this combat is pretty rough, it is the 'final combat' of the four part series, I guess they want it to be super memorable - you are essentially outnumbered by foes that can pack a serious punch

A lone gunner back on the 'sinking' Swift Clarity opens fire on the drones, the drone in white livery takes a heavy blast to starboard.

Fron the Indy, the HAML slams into the ship, blowing out the shields and hammering the hull, but the Light Particle Beam misses by a hair due to the enemy ship flying evasively

The ships return fire.

One of the drones unleashes into the flagship, the heavily damaged vessel takes the full brunt of the attack and starts to buckle, whilst it is still intact (for now) you can see how desperate it will soon become.
5 more hits until destroyed

The two other drones go after the Starfinders, all drilling in on the Port shields.

LG
Particle Beam
Attack 1d20 + 15 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 15 + 3 = 28
Damage 8d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 5, 4, 5, 3, 6, 3) = 30

Linked Light Plasma Cannon
Attack 1d20 + 15 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 15 + 3 = 21
Damage 4d12 ⇒ (8, 4, 7, 10) = 29

W
Particle Beam
Attack 1d20 + 15 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 15 + 3 = 34
Damage 8d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 3, 1, 6, 6, 4, 2) = 25

Linked Light Plasma Cannon
Attack 1d20 + 15 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 15 + 3 = 36
Damage 4d12 ⇒ (4, 7, 3, 11) = 25

Ouch - that's going to hurt
Tracking 3 hits for 80 damage?
If so 1d100 ⇒ 561d4 ⇒ 4 (Weapons array - Port and Turret) and 1d100 ⇒ 91Power Core

R2
Engineering Phase
Engineer up

Chivix ignored the claxons as he turned to the damage monitors. "Power core at 80% and the turret and port side weapons are glitching. Working on shields first, then weapons. Gravy, patch into the power routing and clear banks 7 through 13."

Chivix quickly made some adjustments to the shields, restoring service to the damaged areas.

engineering, restore shields: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (14) + 18 = 32

12 shield points restored to port shields

R2
Engineering Phase
Eng 1d20 + 15 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 15 + 3 = 21
Both the Indy and the drone try repairing shiels... only one manages!

Helm Phase
Science Officer & Pilot
Captain at any point
Piloting 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (7) + 15 = 22

Chorizal manages to outfly the drones!

Piloting DG 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (9) + 15 = 24
Piloting LG 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32
Piloting W 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (7) + 15 = 22

They dance around artfully, two trying to chase the Indy whilst one continues to pound the flagship.

The damaged drone flies dangerously close to you as it attempts to get out of the arc of the damaged flagship.

Free AoO at its Aft quadrant

Science officer/Captain, then we go to Gunnery

Nadia tries to lock on to the damaged drone, computers: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (9) + 20 = 29
-1 rp

"Damn the torpedoes, rake them again Lieutenant Isafira." J'Shun will use his Authority Medallion to boost his aid another bonus to a +4 if his roll succeeds. Vyv will use it when she fires the missile launcher.

Gunnery (Aid Another): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Waiting to see where Chorizal takes us before doing another broadside. For now I'll roll the AOO.

Persistent Particle Beam AOO vs. AC: 1d20 + 11 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 11 + 2 - 2 = 17
Damage: 10d6 ⇒ (2, 6, 1, 6, 2, 4, 3, 1, 2, 6) = 33

J'Shun can't aid another in a Starship combat role (that I'm aware of) he can only Demand or Encourage as a Captain, mind you Demand would have the same net effect of a +4 on one action (once)

The Port and Turret (HAML) is still Glitching at -2
Nadia has LOCKED ON to the Damaged drone, +2 for Gunnery against that target for the rest of the round

The gambit pays off for the repositioning drone as the PPB streaks wide of the target.