GM Quirk's AGAINST THE AEON THRONE (Inactive)

Game Master Quirk, Private Eye

We'll get going with the next situation tomorrow night.

"At a glance, these might pass for Azlanti, but in every way they are biologically human. I don't presume to know what or who we are dealing with yet. Hopefully, more answers than questions lie ahead."

As you continue down the path, the mist begins to thin out. At the moment, there are only patches of mist in places around the ground.

Your narrow, winding path meets the main path into Madelon's Landing. As you near the junction, a lanky human man runs toward you. It appears he has a pistol in one hand.

He sees Yoro, and turns toward you, running. Nearly out of breath he calls out "I'm Jellik Fulson, and I'm from the settlement. They're right behind me!"

I missed Neap's question about repurposing the gear.

Thak can use the pistol, but not the rifles (at least not until his next feat if that's something we need). Repurposing the gear seems to be a good option, but if there are a lot of patrols I wonder if we'll be able to get back there.

I've copied the loot to my log. Just let me know when I should delete it.

Anton, as was his habit, spent the post-combat interlude seeing to Viv and reloading his and his droid's weapons. As the enemy combatants weren't mechanical in nature, he couldn't really summon interest in their biological origin.

"Gah!" Anton yelps reflexively as the man screams something about being followed. Before he even can bring about the thought to think about it, he's connected a nearby rusted-out avidyne subspace analyzer with the forgotten remains of an ultraviolet transceiver.

"Ah, who is following you, Mr. Fulson?" he questions quite calmly behind his makeshift fortress.

Barricade action since just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you!

”Hide and ambush,” Yoromishtali says into the comm to alert his companions. He grabs his doshko from its back holder while stepping behind a tree to hide. He waves to the new man to hide near him. ”I’m Yoromishtali,” he whispers. ”How many are chasing you?”

Thanks for taking care of the loot Anton!

"Who's following me? The invaders, of course! I shot one! Got him real good. My ex-wife is going to kill me if the invaders don't first!"

When Yoro suggests hiding, Fulson doesn't waste any time. He runs for all of you, still brandishing his pistol. He slips past Yoro and sidles up next to Chiaiese. He isn't shy about a quick admiring glance toward the lashunta. "Oh...how many? I'm not sure. I think there was 4 or 5, and maybe one of their robots too."

We're not in rounds yet. I'm going to give everyone a standard and a move action to immediately use. You hear commands in that same brusque tone you heard earlier coming from the south. You don't have targets yet, but it sounds like they're close.

As the others needed their hands relatively free, Neap was fine with carrying what they could divvy up, which resulted in them having a pistol strapped to every place that they could comfortably carry, and the rifles were bundled and slung across their back. The armor was another story, so they left it stacked and stashed, with the barest minimum of regard for the bodies.

The Azlanti did themselves no favors.

At the motion from Yoro, Neap moved to the side to take a position, hunkering down to make their humanoid shape less obvious, unslinging the rifles so they did not hinder. Prior to their concealment, they did send a brief mental message to Yoro, though.

"Camera", came the reminder.
___________________________________
Stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

Thak will take a tactical semi auto pistol w/ ammo and one of the knives.

Cubber gives a soft “Yip!” as Thak scoops him up and deposits the Squox onto his shoulder. Given the range, he draws the skipshot pistol and steps off the path into the brush once again, scanning the clearing for a target.

“This is getting to be a regular thing, Cubber.”

Double move to collect Cubber, draw the pistol, and hide in the underbrush.
Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

”Camera.” The telepathic message startles Yoromishtali as he controls his breathing, mentally readying himself for combat. He looks down to check its status. Off. He shakes his head in disappointment at himself. ”Good timing, Neap. Thank you,” he comms back.

He presses the camera’s on/off button and thinks, I’ll have to do voice-over narration later.

"Come with me!" Chiaiese says in a terse whisper, dragging Fulson beside her in the undergrowth of the forest.

To the south you see a squad of the same soldiers you encountered earlier moving carefully down the path. One in the read seems to be barking out terse orders, though they are far enough away that you can't make out what they are saying (not that most of you would understand the language anyway...).

The first two take note of Yoro, level their rifles, and fire!

to hit vs. KAC: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 111d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
damage, P: 1d8 ⇒ 41d8 ⇒ 7

Uh oh. Crit! (and a miss)
additional crit damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7

Bold may go. Round 1. I modified initiative order slightly to make this easier. I gave the enemy a move action to move their speed onto the map. PLEASE NOTE that the fog has largely lifted! There is no chance of missing a target. The copse of trees and vegetation in the north central area does block line of sight.

1. Enemy blue
2. Enemy black
3. Neap
4. Anton
5. Thak
6. Chiaiese
7. Enemy red
8. Enemy orange
9. Enemy Purple
10. Yoro (-14)

Four more of them - same as before, another squad of humanoids, Chiaiese reports telepathically to the team. And there's a drone of some kind circling around to the north. It's out of my line of sight now.

She points at the ground at Fulson's feet. Stay put, keep your head down.

She then moves through the undergrowth to attempt to get behind the enemy position.

2x move.

GM Q: Did we have for a 10 minute rest before the shooting started? Asking for a friend.

Thak trains his pistol on the approaching soldiers and almost pulls the trigger when he hears the crack and thud of a shot hitting Yoro hard.

“Use the pain, Yoro! Blood redoubles honor!”

He pulls the other pistol and moves forward through the brush, hoping to stay hidden until the enemies get a little closer. He finds a spot next to Fulson and tries to calm him a bit.

“We’ll keep you safe.” Then he follows Fulson’s eye line and frowns at the townie. “Eyes on the threats, not the scenery. Besides, she’d eat you alive.”

Standard: Inspiring boost on Yoro for 7 stamina points.

Move: Draw second pistol, move 20’, and attempt to hide again.
Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

GM Q: Did we have for a 10 minute rest before the shooting started? Asking for a friend.

Well you COULD HAVE had a rest if anyone had spoken up...I'm afraid we'll have to wait until you get through the new batch of enemy soldiers. Meanwhile, we're just waiting on Neap and Anton, then the rest of the enemies will go before Yoro. I'll probably move Yoro up in the order for round 2.

I am going to have Anton hold his action as well. Hopefully he'll be along to give us a turn this weekend. Also, although Chiaiese did not specifically use stealth, I will still have the nearby soldiers roll perception checks. Their attention is mainly on the huge vesk up ahead.

perception, red and orange: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 171d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Two of the soldiers spot Chiaiese!

She'll get soft cover from the vegetation.

to hit, rifle fire: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 131d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

damage: 1d8 ⇒ 31d8 ⇒ 8

One of them hits!

The robot hovers around the copes of vegetation. There is a coughing sound as a grenade is sent toward Yoro!

to hit: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

This is a stickybomb grenade. Thak and Yoro should make a DC 10 reflex save or be entangled 2d4: 2d4 ⇒ (2, 4) = 6 rounds.

Bold may go. Round 1. I modified initiative order slightly to make this easier. I gave the enemy a move action to move their speed onto the map. PLEASE NOTE that the fog has largely lifted! There is no chance of missing a target. The copse of trees and vegetation in the north central area does block line of sight.

1. Enemy blue
2. Enemy black
3. Neap (hold)
4. Anton (hold)
5. Thak
6. Chiaiese (-8)
7. Enemy red
8. Enemy orange
9. Enemy Purple
10. Yoro (-7)

The combined excitement brought on by a new and unfamiliar drone entering, stage right, and the mental picture drawn with the words 'Besides, she’d eat you alive,' prove too much for Anton to react with celerity as shots are fired.

'But if she were to eat someone, what part would she start with?' Anton shakes his head violently and tries to think about drone parts. Clarity comes, aided with the cries of fury and pain from the large Yoro.

Making up for lost time, Anton scurries ahead to secure the flank, and puts up another ad-hoc barrier made from a discarded MK-33 radiation grid and several fronds.

the GM let me have another Move action, I'm taking it.

He's tempted to get distracted by the word 'frond' but again keeps his composure.

"Viv, let's target the drone,' he says with newfound certainty.

"Success is commemorated; Failure merely remembered," she answers.

Viv attack!: 1d20 + 5 - 3 ⇒ (15) + 5 - 3 = 17
Viv damage!: 1d6 ⇒ 3
Viv attack!: 1d20 + 5 - 3 ⇒ (10) + 5 - 3 = 12
Viv damage!: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Anton attack!: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Anton damage!: 1d6 ⇒ 6

I realized I didn’t use a resolve point to heal Yoromishtali’s (-7) damage from the previous fight, so he’s already out of SP and into HP damage. SP 0/16 HP 15/20. Ouch! The inspiring boost from Thak brings the SP to 7/16. Thanks

Reflex Save vs DC 10: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

”Blood redoubles honor!” Yoromishtali echoes with a deep rumble from his throat. He sees the blood, his blood, on the armor and raises the doshko and gives a battlecry as a grenade explodes entangling him in a mesh of a sticky substance. His feet and legs suddenly don’t move as quickly as they should. Instead of charging to the nearest enemy, Yoromishtali seeks shelter in the trees near him. He slips the doshko into its holder and wields his laser rifle. Don’t panic, he thinks aiming at one of the soldiers. He breathes out and fires his rifle.

Move action: 10’ and equip rifle
Standard action: ranged laser attack against Blue.
Ranged attack (laser) vs Blue: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 3 - 2 = 20
Damage if needed: 1d8 ⇒ 7

One of Anton's drones shots hit. Yoro also hits.

Botting Neap.

Neap steps forward. The stellifera gestures, makes a gurgling noise, then points toward the enemy robot. A large rock trembles on the ground, then is thrown violently toward the 'bot.

Telekinetic projectile.

to hit: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Miss.

One of the soldiers (blue) take careful aim at Anton and fires!

to hit: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
damage: 1d8 ⇒ 2

Hit!

Another soldier levels his rifle and fires toward Yoro.

to hit: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
damage: 1d8 ⇒ 1

Hit! But just a scratch!

Bold may go. Round 2. Thak, I'll need that reflex save from the grenade. I modified initiative order to make this easier (including moving Yoro up in the order). PLEASE NOTE that the fog has largely lifted! There is no chance of missing a target. The copse of trees and vegetation in the north central area does block line of sight.

1. Enemy blue (-7)
2. Enemy black
3. Neap
4. Anton (-2)
5. Thak (need DC 10 reflex save please)
6. Chiaiese (-8)
7. Yoro (-8 and entangled until round 7)
7. Enemy red
8. Enemy orange
9. Enemy Purple (-3)
10. Yoro (-7)

Another piece of forest debris goes wide as Neap's attempt at hitting the Drone is unsuccessful. They did move to take some cover against the soldiers, but if they all got entangled, that would be bad.
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Attack@Bot: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Chiaiese winces from the blow and utters a common Lashunta curse, the reaches back and slings a trio of magic missiles at the nearest transgressor.

Magic Missile: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (1, 4, 3) + 3 = 11 Targeting red.

Reflex vs grenade: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8 Oops.

Thak’s head swivels, eyes darting among his teammates to check their position and look for threats. He briefly wonders about the odd coughing sound from his left, but immediately recognizes the splat of the stickybomb grenade when it explodes.

He hisses involuntarily as the webbing tangles around him. “The drone carries grenades!” he calls into the comm unit. And someone wasn’t watching. Eyes on the threats. Take your own advice.

The sound of the shot hitting Chiaiese draws his attention forward. Ow! Solid hit, but she can shake it off with help.

As he shifts and rolls to escape the webbing, Thak yells to Chiaiese. “You’ve got this, Chasey. Let ‘em have it!”

Standard: Inspiring boost on Chiaiese for 7 stamina points.

Move: Attempt Acrobatics to escape the entangle.
Get me out of this stuff!: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

Yoromishtali is listed twice on the initiative list. I assume it’s like last round, where he acted after the soldiers.

"Ouchie. Dangit!" Anton yelps as he's hit with a hit of hitting.

"You'd think I could learn to build better walls," he mumbles, looking over his barricade. "Alright, well, their drone is still the biggest threat so let's keep taking it down."

"The wise man learns from the deaths of others."

Viv attack!: 1d20 + 5 - 3 ⇒ (5) + 5 - 3 = 7
Viv damage!: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Viv attack!: 1d20 + 5 - 3 ⇒ (4) + 5 - 3 = 6
Viv damage!: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Anton attack!: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Anton damage!: 1d6 ⇒ 2

'You'd think I could also build a better drone,' he thinks as they don't really "shoot" so much as provide "covering fire".

Sorry Yoro. I forgot to modify the last half of the initiative. I did move you up, as that makes things so much easier for everyone. You can go ahead and do your turn.

Bold may go. Round 2. Thak, I'll need that reflex save from the grenade. I modified initiative order to make this easier (including moving Yoro up in the order). PLEASE NOTE that the fog has largely lifted! There is no chance of missing a target. The copse of trees and vegetation in the north central area does block line of sight.

1. Enemy blue (-7)
2. Enemy black
3. Neap
4. Anton (-2)
5. Thak (need DC 10 reflex save please)
6. Chiaiese (-1)
7. Yoro (-8 and entangled until round 7)
8. Enemy red (-11)
9. Enemy orange
10. Enemy Purple (-3)

GM Q -- Thak failed the reflex save in my post on 9/2 (first line). He also attempted an Acrobatics save to get out of the webs (last two lines). Don't know if he made it, though... (crossed fingers that GM is feeling generous)

Yoromishtali struggles to move with the sticky mesh entangling his body. He’s able to move along the edge of the copse of trees. He can’t hold his rifle the way he normally would with, but the vesk aims and takes another shot at the soldier he hit moments ago.

Move action: 15’ (half-speed)
Standard action: ranged laser attack against Blue.
Ranged attack (laser) vs Blue: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 3 - 2 = 15
Damage if needed: 1d8 ⇒ 1

Neap, Anton, and Viv all miss,

Thak manages to break free of the sticky mess caused by the robot's grenade.

Chiaiese's magic missiles hurt one of the soldiers badly, and Yoro wings one of the soldiers.

None of the enemy drop. With military precision and discipline, they once again carefully aim at all of you.

I'm going to shoot at each of you once. Neap will face the robot, the rest of you are targeted by a soldier. Everyone but Anton will get cover (+2 to AC).

robot vs. Neap: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
damage, E, non-lethal: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Hit!

vs. Chiaiese: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
damage: 1d8 ⇒ 8

Hit!

vs. Yoro: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
damage: 1d8 ⇒ 6

Hit!

vs. Thak: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
damage: 1d8 ⇒ 2

Another hit! Can I make it 5 for 5?

vs. Anton: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
damage: 1d8 ⇒ 5

Yes I can! These guys are good!

Bold may go. Round 3. PLEASE NOTE that the fog has largely lifted! There is no chance of missing a target. The copse of trees and vegetation in the north central area does block line of sight.

1. Enemy blue (-8)
2. Enemy black
3. Neap (-5)
4. Anton (-7)
5. Thak (-2)
6. Chiaiese (-9)
7. Yoro (-14 and entangled until round 7)
8. Enemy red (-11)
9. Enemy orange
10. Enemy Purple (-3)

"I am not going to die on this s##&ty planet!" Chiaiese follows with three more magic missiles, the first one to finish off (red), and the rest at (blue).

Magic missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 41d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 21d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Red and blue drop.

As the enemy he had attacked falls, Yoromishtahli repositions along the edge of the trees. He aims his rifle at the next one and fires.

Round 3, entangled
Move action: 5’
Standard action: ranged laser attack against Black.
Ranged attack (laser) vs Black: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 3 - 2 = 19
Damage if needed: 1d8 ⇒ 4

“Keep your head down!” Thak pushes Fulson down for safety, but his acrobatics to escape the webs draw unwelcome attention. Pain bites Thak’s chest as a volley of shots pout into the team.

They got everyone, but it looks like Anton took the worst of that. “Anton, shake it off. Line up your shot and take them down!”

Standard: Inspiring boost on Anton for 7 stamina points.

Move: Thumps Fulson back to keep him in place. (Strictly for show.)

The drone was getting most of Neap's focus, as random debris from the ground was being flung at the drone. A random piece of branch managed to connect, though they were doing what they could to prevent it from firing another grenade.
__________________________
Attack@Drone: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19, Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

"Ouchie. Dangit!" Anton repeats as he's hit yet way whole bunch even morer...er.

"Well thank you, sir!" Anton states at Thak as, yes indeedy, he does feel better.

"Alright, Viv let's do this...oh come on that's not fair!" he yells at Chiase as she unerringly takes down two of their number.

"Death be thy compass," Viv responds stoically as she keeps firing at the offending drone.

Viv attack!: 1d20 + 5 - 3 ⇒ (12) + 5 - 3 = 14
Viv damage!: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Viv attack!: 1d20 + 5 - 3 ⇒ (12) + 5 - 3 = 14
Viv damage!: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Anton attack!: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Anton damage!: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Chiaiese's blast of magic ends two of the soldiers.

With unbelievable discipline and bravery (or stupidity?), the remaining two fight on.

Yoro hits one with his rifle.

Neap hits the robot, as does Anton. Viv's shots bounce off the armor of the robot just missing! Still, it's evident that the robot has sustained significant damage.

The remaining soldiers begin a tactical withdraw. As they do, they fire toward Yoro and Chiaiese, attempting to keep their heads hown.

They're doing covering fire to give themselves an AC bonus next round vs. Yoro and Chiaiese. They're also moving into light cover. They need to hit AC 15.

covering fire, black vs. Yoro: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Nope.

covering fire, orange vs. Chiaise: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Orange gets +2 to AC vs. any attacks from Chiaiese.

The robot slowly backs off as well, shooting Neap as it does.

to hit: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
non-lethal damage, E: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Hit!

Bold may go. Round 4. PLEASE NOTE that the fog has largely lifted! There is no chance of missing a target. The copse of trees and vegetation in the north central area does block line of sight.

1. Enemy blue (DEAD)
2. Enemy black (-4)
3. Neap (-10)
4. Anton
5. Thak (-2)
6. Chiaiese (-9)
7. Yoro (-14 and entangled until round 7)
8. Enemy red (DEAD)
9. Enemy orange
10. Enemy Purple (-12)

Chiaiese evokes the power of her spell cache tattoo, the Great Ursaur breathing life to one more round of magic missiles. The young lashunta channels her displeasure at one of the remaining soldiers.

Magic Missile vs Black: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (1, 3, 3) + 3 = 10

If Chiaiese’s magical attack dropped Black, Yoromisthali attacks Orange.

”These two are trying to escape,” Yoromishtali says. ”Great attack Chiaiese! I think you got him.” The vesk thinks at least one more rifle attack would be better than trying to run while still under the effects of the grenade. He fires then lurches from the copse, his movements hampered, in order to give chase.

Round 4, entangled
Move action: 15’
Standard action: ranged laser attack against Black or Orange.
Ranged attack (laser): 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 3 - 2 = 18
Damage if needed: 1d8 ⇒ 8

GM Q -- I think Thak should be at -8, not -2. He ended the previous combat at -6 and we didn't do a 10 minute rest afterward.

With two of their party down, the remaining soldiers seem ready to run.

They aren’t even trying to hit us… just make us keep our heads down.

When the electric zap lances into Neap, Thak shakes his head. And as usual, nobody told the technology. At least it’s not lethal damage. But why isn't it? Is this some kind of capture drone? What are these soldiers playing at?

It’s hard to judge how badly the hits landed on Neap’s watery frame, but Thak goes with his gut feeling about the pilot’s condition as he darts out to help with clean up.

“Keep your focus, Neap! We have them on the run.”

Standard: Inspiring boost on Neap for 7 stamina points.

Move: Move 30 feet to get into the combat since he’s running out of people to boost.

Black is indeed down.

With another of them falling as they fled, Neap sent another piece of debris at the drone, but it went wide.
_____________________
Attack@Drone: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Chiaiese lets loose with yet another salvo of magic, and it takes down one of the soldiers.

Yoro inflicts a terrible wound on the one remaining soldier, but he only grimaces as he readies his rifle for one more shot.

Neap misses the robot, though the robot is clearly severely damaged.

Bold may go. Round 4. STILL NEED a turn from Anton. PLEASE NOTE that the fog has largely lifted! There is no chance of missing a target. The copse of trees and vegetation in the north central area does block line of sight.

1. Enemy blue (DEAD)
2. Enemy black (DEAD)
3. Neap (-3)
4. Anton
5. Thak (-8)
6. Chiaiese (-9)
7. Yoro (-14 and entangled until round 7)
8. Enemy red (DEAD)
9. Enemy orange (-8)
10. Enemy Purple (-12)

Apologies. This week has been very hard.

Anton keeps up his fire at the drone, wanting to see what its made of...once they got it down.

Anton attack!: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Anton damage!: 1d6 ⇒ 2
Viv attack!: 1d20 + 5 - 3 ⇒ (7) + 5 - 3 = 9
Viv damage!: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Viv attack!: 1d20 + 5 - 3 ⇒ (18) + 5 - 3 = 20
Viv damage!: 1d6 ⇒ 2

All's good, Anton. We've all been there.

Anton and Viv's salvo of bullets takes down the robot.

The solitary soldier takes aim at Yoro.

to hit vs. KAC: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

damage: 1d8 ⇒ 1

His injuries obviously have affected his aim.

Bold may go. Round 5. Orange has cover from most or all of you.
PLEASE NOTE that the fog has largely lifted! There is no chance of missing a target. The copse of trees and vegetation in the north central area does block line of sight.

1. Enemy blue (DEAD)
2. Enemy black (DEAD)
3. Neap (-3)
4. Anton
5. Thak (-8)
6. Chiaiese (-9)
7. Yoro (-14 and entangled until round 7)
8. Enemy red (DEAD)
9. Enemy orange (-8)
10. Enemy Purple (-12)

Chiaiese runs to flank the last would-be assassin.

2x move.

Thak hears the robot crash to the ground, so he turns his attention to the last guard.

He moves closer to his target, holding his knife in its ready position while raising his pistol.

Move: Move 30 feet to get into range.
Skipshot pistol vs Orange KAC: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3 Piercing

Thak's on 'natural 1' patrol, doing his job to keep everyone else's rolls high.

With the help of Anton and Viv, the drone is taken out of the picture, and Neap tries to get a look at the other soldier and realizes that they are out of range of most of their abilities. Hastening out from the trees to give pursuit seemed to be the only thing that they could do, so they did it, finding themselves behind Thak.
_____________________________
Double Move

Yoromishtali suppresses a shout of victory. This isn't over yet, he thinks aiming the rifle as the target moves deeper into the brush. Calm and steady. The sticky strands continue to impede his movements.

He fires then proceeds to hurry towards the target to get a better shot if he can.

Round 5, entangled
Move action: 15'
Standard action: ranged laser attack against Orange
rifle energy attack: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 3 - 2 = 20
damage if needed: 1d8 ⇒ 1

Not sure if you meant total cover GM, if so Yoromishtali will do a double move action, moving 30' total.

Yoro kills the final soldier.

Technically, that wasn't quite enough, but I think we have established that you're going to win this one...we're off initiative, and the human who came running to you has a story to tell.

The man introduces himself as Jellik Fulson. He is a lanky man in his 40's with a gap tooth grin and hair that is just starting to turn gray. He tells you that he found his old pistol and was able to kill one of the soldiers with a lucky shot. Then he ran for it and met you.

“I don’t know how far back to start. Maybe it’s when we
saw the meteor crash-land about 10 or 20 miles from here.
A group of folks went to scout it out—Cedona, Quorsica,
and others—and they came back with some strange
news. First, they learned that the meteor was some
kind of high-tech probe, but it had been destroyed
in the crash. Interestingly, the probe landed near
an old crashed starship we hadn’t noticed before.
Been there for ages, probably. Cedona went into
the crashed ship and came out with a pack full of
old tech she was very excited about. She talked
to our leader, Madelon, and Aibretta—that’s
our best mechanic and my ex-wife—
about what she’d found.
“A few days later, a starship
sailed in above the town
commons, blasted our
communications building
to slag, and unloaded
a bunch of soldiers.
There wasn’t a lot we could do. The soldiers rounded
up everyone in town and their leader—a stern woman
whose face I never saw—told us that our planet was now
annexed as a part of the Azlanti Star Empire. Anyone that
protested was shot right there. The soldiers made us bury
the bodies, then forced us to unload some prefab building
components, which they turned into a garrison in the
center of town.
“The woman in charge asked us about the crashed
ship; turns out, it’s old Azlanti technology. She was
very interested in what Cedona found. They rounded up
Madelon, Cedona, and a few others and jailed them in the
garrison. The large ship went away, but all the soldiers
stayed. They’ve instituted martial law in town; we’re
basically prisoners. We try to make do just as before, but
anyone stepping out of line gets punished. When I got
the chance, I ran. I didn’t know there were soldiers in the
forest waiting to catch escapees. Five of them found me.
I killed one with a lucky shot, but the other four chased
me. And that brings me up to where I met you.”

Each of the four soldiers has the following:

troop ceremonial plate, imperial
pacification rifle (functions as a
hunting rifle) with 12 longarm rounds,
survival knife