GM Jhaeman's SFS # 2-09: "Bluerise Breakout" (Inactive)

Game Master Jhaeman

Realizing he is a poor choice to talk down a frantic professional, Scruffy grunts and takes a look at the computer before trying to get information from it.
perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Take 10 on computers for a 19.

TK423 pulls out the purchased data stick.
"If they come for the data stick, this one may buy us some time."

Twila-4 manages to get Director Ebaki calmed down. "You androids are so good in a crisis!" he sniffs. "If they're coming for us, we have to get out of here! But I don’t know what I can do. I don’t have a gun or anything. But I know computers, I can help with that. Oh, and some of the doors should respond to my handprint, so I guess that might make some things easier.” Ebaki holds up his hand, forcing a smile. He looks over at TK423's datastick. [b]"That could work! The real thing has evidence of crimes that could get a lot of people in AbadarCorp in real trouble."

Scruffy gets into the computer easily--it looks like all network connections have been severed.

Okay, a map is up on Slide # 2. Scruffy, you'll have to add a token.

"Yes, opening a door would be the first step. We cannot stay in here. Is everyone ready to leave?"

Will you be able to disengage the security measures on our way out?" Tk423 asks Director Ebaki

Or if not disengage, can we at least see a vid-feed of who is entering? Kaath moves a step or two closer to the door, worrying intrusion is eminent.

"Network's down. *Sniff* Oughta get to security. I should be able to get that door open if yer ready."
Scruffy double checks to see if the computer can access any internal systems and once he is satisfied he heads over to the door.

Ebaki shakes his head at TK423's question. "The floor's systems are under control of Argent, the security AI. We just have to hope it recognises us as friendlies." He taps away at the computer, but can't get any information about what's happening out there. "Sorry! I never had access to any of Argent's operations, and now it looks like the terminal is cut off from the network."

Scruffy moves over to the door, and finds it locked. But Ebaki's handprint is all it takes for it to slide open. Outside the room, the main work area on the floor is pitch dark and mostly--but not entirely--silent. Two things are easy to detect: the smell of charred flesh and a few soft, mechanical hums that seem to be coming from different locations near the outer walls of the chamber and slowly moving around the rest of the office space!

I'm very sorry everyone, but as I mentioned in the first post in the Discussion thread, starting tomorrow I'm on my annual vacation for a week. This is as good a cliffhanger as any to leave things on. Please feel free to role-play conversations on how to proceed, and we'll get the action going again circa June 10th.

"Could this Argent AI be corrupted and turn on the people of this building?" He says as he looks out into the darkness.

"Hmm might need a bit of a distraction"
Scruffy sets his personal comms to silent and takes out 2 more generic looking comm units.

Thanks for your patience, everyone--I'm now back on duty. Okay, so to recap: you've been sent to a corporate HQ tower to retrieve a datastick. Right after Director Ebaki gave it to you, the lights went out and there was a sudden cascade of screams before almost total silence. You're in Ebaki's office, can smell charred flesh, sense some movement somewhere out in the cubicles, and know there's a motion detector not too far away. What would you like to do next?

George nods at Scruffy and looks around at the rest of the party.

"Yes, you people need your weapons. So getting back to security does seem to be our best first move. Is everyone ready to move out?"

"Scruffy would a magical noise help? What sort of distraction are you looking for?"

George knows the Ghost Sound cantrip.

Kaath nods

”I can fight without weapons if our path leads to violence. “

"Well I was hoping someone could discretely drop this comm unit around a bit away from us so we cna give it a ring to distract whatever might be out there. Magic noises might be better. Could save me a spare comm unit. I should try to take care of the motion sensor"
If he is able, scruffy will try to disable the motion sensor with engineering.
If possible since we are not in combat he will take 10 for a 21.
if not the roll is in the spoiler

Damn! I should've tried harder to keep one of my blasters! "<sigh> Does anyone have a smoke grenade or something?" I gotta get one of those. <sigh> Twila-4 shifts her grip on her crowbar, acutely aware of the imbalance of such an insufficient weapon.

"<sigh> Well, let's do something quick, or we'll be cornered. Sprinting over to Security is also an option, though the doors are probably locked. We'd have to make a stand while Scruffy gets us in. Hey, Ebaki! Are those suits of armor out there part of the security system, or are they just decoration?" Belying her internal warning systems going bonkers, Twila-4's voice retains its typical bored drone.

George coordinates with Scruffy and the other to make an appropriate magical pinging sound once they are ready to move out.

"Maybe it will buy us a couple of seconds to get closer to the security room?"

Scruffy examines the motion sensor from a distance, and quickly realises the problem: he'd have to be able to physically handle it in order to deactivate it, and getting that close would surely set it off!

In game terms, a character has to be adjacent to a sensor to deactivate it. The sensors automatically detect any creature of Small or larger size moving through any square within its area of coverage (15'). If a creature moves into one of the squares and, at the same time, takes cover behind an immobile object, the sensor does not detect that creature (but cover can’t be taken behind a moving object, and partial cover doesn’t count).

Unless someone speaks up otherwise, I'll assume the plan is the "noise distraction and sprint for the security room" proposal and will post the result in (my) evening.

Using his data pad. TK423 tries to plot a course through the office area with out tripping a sensor.

Computers: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

"At first glance, if we smash a hole in the bathroom wall we can make it to the security station with out tripping a sensor." he offers up.

Sure why plot your own course when you can make a computer do it for you. Now that is service. :)

George waits for a possible distraction while his fellow Android plots a safer path.

Twila-4 gives TK423 an inscrutable look. "<sigh> Smash a hole in the wall? If we want to get noticed, we might as well just waltz right out there." Were they joking? They had to be joking. <sigh>

"Okay, we'll have to leave here sometime, so here are our marching orders! I'll scout out front. Scruffy and Kaath, you're right behind me. Kaath, stay close to Scruffy and cover him if he needs to hack into anything. Ebaki, you're next. George 09-23 and TK423 will be your guards. Keep close to Scruffy whenever possible." Now that the moment of truth is at hand, Twila-4 is all business, though she doesn't exude a sense of urgency as one would expect. She slips over to the door, first listening carefully and then poking her head out quickly for a peek.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
How close are the noises? Can she see anything moving?

The marching order is just a suggestion, to speed things along, and could work with whatever route/method we choose. Feel free to shuffle as desired.

Kaath nods at the suggestion and is ready to defend Scruffy,

I am a tool of the cosmos to thwart whatever may transpire.

Twila-4 pokes her head out the door; there are rhythmic sounds in the distance, like something heavy walking, but she doesn't see anything.

@Everyone: this scenario is a little tricky to run via PBP. I think the easiest thing to do is have you draw the route you want to take to the security room on the slide. I can then figure out what, if anything, happens before you get there. The computer can't plot a "safe" course for you, because it doesn't have any information beyond what you input and the situation is dynamic (and it's essentially asking me, the GM, to solve the scenario for you :) Although I've reproduced the entire map for convenience, remember in practice that your characters have limited sight (60' w/ darkvision, 15' dim light with flashlights). If you want to use the cubicle walls to hide while moving, you can roll Stealth checks. Sound okay?

Groovy. :) Map updated with Orange path.

Kaath will trek through the room as indicated, motioning to others to either follow or stop if they indicate any issue spotted. He will not draw his solar weapon unless foes actually spotted.

George will follow Kaath's path after creating a Ghost Sound of a pinging Comm unit in the distance away from their course.

Origin point of the beeping is on the map now.

"<sigh> Get your travel buddies and move out." Slipping out ahead of Kaath, Twila-4 stealthily slips along the proposed orange route, keeping an eye out for anything moving and for any motion sensors.

Stealth: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

George creates an audible distraction and the group set out in single-file. "You can't leave me here!" Director Ebaki says, his eyes wide with fear. He follows along, the last in line, eyes darting nervously from side to side. As the group approach the cubicles, the source of the terrible smell is obvious: charred corpses are all that remain of the AbadarCorp employees!

And worse yet, the group has barely advanced forty feet when the rhythmic sounds in the distance suddenly stop for a half-second and begin to rapidly approach! Over the cubicle walls, the android members of the Starfinder team can see the source of the mechanical humming: two of the "Abadarmors" that Bordle pointed out on the tour are mobile and headed right for the group!

Initiative (Round 1)

Abadarmors
Ebaki
George 09-23
Twila-4
TK423
Kaath
Scruffy
Special

Bold should go!

I've placed tokens for the two Abadarmors on the slide. I think everyone but Scruffy can see them at this distance. For his turn, Director Ebaki cowers in fear (total defense)

Kaath activates his solar weapon as he advances to the next cube.

I will try to hold them off if any of you want to reach the office.

He will ready to strike if either of the foes moves within reach...

What kind of action would it be for me to disable a motion sensor?I'd like to create some blind spots if I can.
Scruffy takes a look at the cubical full of charred bodies to try to determine what happen here.
perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

"%@#$!" Kaath's got a good plan! Let's see if it works! No time for sighing, Twila-4 dashes toward the security room door, but stops short, realizing that she would be a sitting duck there with no backup. Instead, she pulls up short to set up an ambush for the approaching Abadarmor, if it comes that way. Holding up her crowbar, her eyes slip expressionlessly between it and Kaath's solar weapon. <sigh> No comment.

Readied Action: Strike with crowbar if Abadarmor comes within range.

George advances taking cover behind a cubicle wall.

(Move action and Total Defence action)

@GM Jhaeman - Can we make knowledge checks to see what we might know about the Abadarmors? Also assuming that they are some sort of animated object would Magic Missile work against them?

@Scruffy: It'll take a full action to attempt to disable a motion sensor. You realise that in every cubicle that has a smoking corpse, the computer's shock grid security device has been activated and overloaded, blowing out the circuit but killing the occupant immediately! It looks like the shock grid extends to the chair and every square adjacent to it (but not passing through a cubicle wall). I've placed a lightning bolt where there are corpses in the first row of cubicles.

@George: Yes, you can roll an Engineering check to know about the Abadarmors.

TK423 is up.

@Scruffy: It'll take a full action to attempt to disable a motion sensor. You realise that in every cubicle that has a smoking corpse, the computer's shock grid security device has been activated and overloaded, blowing out the circuit but killing the occupant immediately! It looks like the shock grid extends to the chair and every square adjacent to it (but not passing through a cubicle wall). I've placed a lightning bolt where there are corpses in the first row of cubicles.

@George: Yes, you can roll an Engineering check to know about the Abadarmors.

TK423 is up.

are the overloaded grids able to reactivate? I want to do something more productive, but I think the only useful thing might be running to the door. Any suggestions from the party?

No, once a grid is overloaded, it can't be activated again. In other words, the cubicles with dead employees (marked by the lightning bolts) are safe.

George sees what he might know about the Abadarmors.

K-Engineering: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

I've sent TK423 a PM that it's their turn, but can also bot soon if need be.

Ripping some power cords out Tk423 sets a snare trap for the Abadarmors.

Not sure if you want Slight of hand (+9) or Engineering(+6), Where the red circle is.

Slight of Hand: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
And then moves to be with the rest of the group if he can.

Ok since it would have been a move action to make the perception check and I still want to disable that motion sensor next round, I'll use my standard action to have robert-0 double move and trip other motion sensors, if that's ok.

While Kaath and Twila prepare to attack once the constructs get close, George takes cover, TK423 tries to set up an improvised snare, and Scruffy sends his drone out on a dangerous mission to distract the constructs! One of the Abadarmors takes the bait, raises an arm, and sends a titanium crossbow bolt flying towards the little robot! But the bolt sails harmlessly overhead.

The leftmost Abadarmor is attacking robert-0, while the rightmost one has done a double-move to cut the way forward.

A nat 1 is an automatic miss.

Initiative (Round 2)

Abadarmors
Ebaki
George 09-23
Twila-4
TK423
Kaath
Scruffy
Special

Bold should go!

Scruffy spends his turn trying to disable the motion sensor.
engineering: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
Robert-0 attempts to keep the other Abadarmor running in circles.
"Ya'll might wanna scatter and confuse it. Stay behind me Director, or this cubicle here should be safe once I take care of this thing-a-ma-bob."

AAArgh! It's cutting us off! As an Abadarmor appears between her and the security room, Twila-4 decides it's time to stop being a coward. "<sigh> Flank it guys. I'm going in." And with that, Twila-4 dashes around the Abadarmor and stops at the door to the security room. Knowing she's about to be hit by whatever that things's got, she positions herself into the most defensible pose she can. Staring down the automated death machine with a deadpan expression, she dares to hope that Kaath can slice into it from behind while it's pounding her into sludge.

Total Defense for standard action

George snickers at Twila-4's theatrics. He moves in closer and casts a spell that sends out sheets of flame to cover the mechanical monster.

Overheat, Reflex DC 15 for half damage: 2d8 ⇒ (5, 2) = 7

@GM Jhaeman - Would Magic Missile work vs a robot in Starfinder or are they considered an object and thus not effected?

Scruffy uses his favorite sonic screwdriver to disable the motion sensor next to him, as his drone races off into the darkness. Twila-4 bravely rushes for the door, while George conjures a sheet of flame that slightly scorches the Abadarmor.

@Scruffy: Please remember you only 15' dim light vision with your flashlight. I'm happy to assume robert-0 is rolling around randomly, but you won't really be able to help it navigate beyond your sight (unless it has darkvision or a separate source of light).

@George--sorry, you asked me that before and I forgot to answer. Yes, magic missile will work on these constructs.

The Blue Abadarmor made its save for half damage.

Kaath and TK423 are up.

TK423 seeing the Abadarmor come around the corner, TK423 rushes the metal monster to slam it against the wall to the ground.

Bull Rush w/Dex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Bull Rush
You knock the target back 5 feet, plus 5 additional feet for every 5
by which the result of your attack roll exceeds the target’s KAC + 8.
If an obstacle is in the way, the target stops at the obstacle instead

Kaath watches as the Abadarmor approaches and moves to attack.

He moves (double move 40') to interpose himself between the armor and the office.

Scruffy uses his favorite sonic screwdriver to disable the motion sensor next to him, as his drone races off into the darkness. Twila-4 bravely rushes for the door, while George conjures a sheet of flame that slightly scorches the Abadarmor.

@Scruffy: Please remember you only 15' dim light vision with your flashlight. I'm happy to assume robert-0 is rolling around randomly, but you won't really be able to help it navigate beyond your sight (unless it has darkvision or a separate source of light).

@George--sorry, you asked me that before and I forgot to answer. Yes, magic missile will work on these constructs.

The Blue Abadarmor made its save for half damage.

Kaath and TK423 are up.

** spoiler omitted **

I think I can still direct him with my custom rig as long as he is in range. Though I had forgotten about the lighting conditions so yeah he may bump into things a bit.

TK423 slams into the Abadarmor, sending it careening against the wall! It responds by extruding a long nylon cable from its wrist and snapping it like a whip at the android! Meanwhile, the other Abadarmor chases after Scruffy's drone, reloading its crossbolter as it moves.

The bull rush succeeds and knocks the Abadarmor back. It uses its integrated taclash to attack and hits. TK423, you take 7 S.

Initiative (Round 3)

Abadarmors
Ebaki
George 09-23
Twila-4
TK423
Kaath
Scruffy
Special

Bold should go!