GM Quirk's JUNKER'S DELIGHT (Inactive)

Game Master Quirk, Private Eye

Responding to Gath, Asashla yells back "why am I determined to fight? BECAUSE THIS LITTLE PATCH OF DESERT IS MINE! First I'm going to kill that goblin over there," Asashla says, pointing toward Bomgozzle, "then I'm going to kill ALL OF YOU!"

Bomgozzle listens to Sen, attempting to understand what she said to him. After wrinkling his brow for a moment, he finally says "if she'll leave, there doesn't have to be any bustin' up. Of course all of you have to leave too."

"That's not very nice," Gath observes. "And it might not be very smart. We did kill the junk golem when it attacked us. Would you let us stay here a few days? We won't stay longer than that. Please?"

Gath tilts his head and makes his eyes large, almost as large as his tusks.

"Yeh! We beat the big ol' junk golem that's been terrorizing this place, so now there's more scrap you can search in safety! And soon we may be able to open even MORE parts of this place! There'd be more territory for BOTH of you!" Sen adds excitedly. "Oh! I got an idea! We could settle this with a race! That way no one gets hurt, we get a good show out of it and everyone leaves happy!"

Janebok nods long and slow. "Yesss. A raccce would be a wonderful... dissstraction."

Diplomacy aid: 1d20 ⇒ 17 Shoot! Maybe I should have rolled primary!

Zetara tried to help with the diplomatic side, although she wasn't getting the feeling that these people were going home without trying to kill each other.

Race. Race. Race. Yeah!

Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

After trying to get a race going, she backed off and got on top of a large rock where she could shoot from if needed.

She decided that if she had to choose sides, she would start shooting the Ikeshtis first. They seemed less inclined to listen to reason, although the difference wasn't appreciable.

Diplo Aid: 1d20 ⇒ 10

Uchurtai roars, "Hell yeah! Winner takes all. Reminds me of a good 'ol shobhad Blood Race."

Several meters away, Bomgozzle's posse begin excitedly murmuring amongst themselves. Bomgozzle momentarily turns away from all of you toward his excited group of goblins. Turning back, he yells across the field, "A race, you say? And winner take all? If we win, ALL OF YOU," he says, pointing toward Murrk, Qesch, and the adventurers, will go back to the city where you belong!" Turning to Asashla, he calls out, "What say you, Asashla? I'm betting you don't have the guts and gears to take this bet, you overgrown iguana face!"

Asashla bristles and appears ready to kill someone.

Gath says to the muscle-bound ikeshti, "Are you fast at all? Could be a cheap victory. Maybe not as exciting as peeling Bumgozzle out of his armor, but none of your people will get hurt. "

Uchurtai laughs, "Hah, you think the city's where I belong. No, on my bike in the badlands is where I belong, and that just happens to be right here."

Asashla finally seems to give in. "We'll see you all at 10 AM tomorrow morning! I will consume your souls after we win this race!" She heads off in a huff with her ikeshti posse.

It is at this point that you all may make plans. This will play out very similarly to how a chase works from the rulebook. The zones I have in the slides are really just to show relative position between the racers--in other words, you don't win just because you happen to be in the last zone. SO, this evening you can do modifications, figure out who is riding with Uchurtai, etc. You might also plan communications and any tricks you might like to pull. The rule of cool is going to apply here, so if you want to try something I'll likely allow it!

Zetara breathes a sigh of relief, then smothers it. Emotion again. Not good.

Can Murkk finish setting up the device now? I would rather be gone before morning, honestly. The race was a great idea to give us time, but if we can get out of here before then, I would prefer it.

... if we aren't going to be done here in time, then we should set up some sort of hazards along the track. Maybe some of those grenades could put giant divots in the track? And maybe an avalanche... we could rig that pile of old video games? Wouldn't kill anyone, but it would definitely slow them down. What other tricks? Maybe an unexpected jump over a barricade, or we could destabilize the bridge over that one area we came through... hmm. What do you guys think? I'm thinking obstacle course to make the race more interesting, but nothing that doesn't seem like a normal part of the junk around here.

Gath cocks his head to one side. "Wouldn't that be cheating?"

Murrk and Qesch look at each other. "We'll win the race, then finish getting through the force field. I say we head back to our camp, make something to eat, and get to work on Sen's hoverboard and Uchurtai's cycle."

Vari-13 is irritated that they'll have to wait to get into the wreck, but considering the sheer power that Asashla and Bomgozzle seem to possess, if there is a peaceful means to deal with the two factions, that seems like the better idea.

All of the things Zetara suggests are possible. Cheating? Maybe.
Who knows how the goblins or ikeshti would react. On the other hand, what if they cheat too! We'll begin the race tomorrow night. I recommend looking at page 282-286 of the core rulebook, or read it HERE. Things will be slightly modified, but very similar.

Zetara thinks that waiting to get inside until after the race is one of the very worst decisions that she has ever heard, but she supposes that they are smart to try and manipulate the group into helping them solve their problems as well.

No, Gath. It would just be making the race more challenging for everyone, so it is still fair. We need time to let Murkk set up the device. We need to be able to get into that ship even if we lose, right? So the more time the race takes, and the more we can get done before the race, the better our chances of getting in. Plus, I have a feeling that the other teams are going to play tricks, so that means we all should so that it stays fair. To win, we just have to figure out better tricks than they do. It's part of the game.

Rolling not because she doesn't believe what she is saying, but because any complicated justification like this is likely going to seem like lies to someone with a black and white view of the world like Gath... so bluff to try to get him to get him to see it as a game with game rules rather than as something more serious that he needs to take a stand against.

Bluff: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24

I'll remind you all that one person could ride with Uchurtai. Was it going to be Janebok? I know Zetara is your best pilot, but I promise you that the goblin and ikeshti piloting skills will be on par with what Uchurtai and Sen can do. There will be some bad rolls, but from both sides.

I'm happy for Zetara to go on, if she's interested.

Janebok nods. "Indeed. The rules of thisss raccce make it very clear that there will be... additional wrinkles..." Janebok says this because nobody has actually clarified any rules of the race, leading to inevitable chaos.

Janebok retrieves her datapad and begins preparing a few small programs that will upload a virus through the radio of all vehicles within 100 ft, making their controls less responsive by overloading their processors. She also builds in a protection against the virus into Sen's hoverboard and Uchurtai's cycle.

Computers check, if desired: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

Uchurtai's choice... don't mind either way.

Locket scowls. "Don't like the idea of setting traps or sabotaging the track," he grumbles. "A challenge was issued and accepted - it should be honoured."

"'The battle is won before taking the field'," the pahtra quotes. "Whoever is better prepared will win," he adds with a nod.

"Best we see to our racers and vehicles," he murmurs. "Might be worth keepin' some eyes out here incase of them doing something sneaky tonight."

Locket can't really help with any of the tech/knowledge skills/racing, so he will volunteer to get some rest and then try to find a hidey hole to keep watch.

Zetara looks away in frustration, wondering what this group was going to do with their good intentions if they lost the race.

She attempts to change the subject quickly.

So, Uchurtai, who's it going to be? Me or Janebok? You know I am the better pilot, but piloting isn't everything in a challenge like this. It's your bike... your choice.

Uchurtai looks at his options. The vesk he'd butted heads with several times before, or the canny operative.

He nods at Zetara, "Let's hit the dust. Not sure you'll be big enough to steer the bike, but another set of eyes and some spare hands to fire a gun never hurt. Gonna be just like raidin' convoys with the clan."

Zetara nodded.

Done. Okay, going to go check over the course, and then I'll be back.

Zetara goes to walk the route, arranging a video game avalanche that she could trigger by shooting the right spot when they rode through. Might slow people down a little, but she didn't dare do more than that, not wanting to be caught even by her own team.

She supposed she could call in the Stewards. There were safety violations in the thousands at least... but her undercover work was far too important to risk blowing her cover over this. Despite that though, she still hoped they could win the race. Preserving the idealism of some of the members of the team probably wouldn't serve them in the long term, but she found that she didn't want to be the one that woke them up to the stark realities of life either. Better to let them dream... and to allow that, they would have to win the race. Otherwise, they might be forced to shoot people instead.

"I could help watch too." Gath seems far more keen on keeping the playing field level. Unlike his friend, he doesn't conceal himself. He sits on a pile of junk next to the bike and zoom board and stares at the surrounding vista, moving his head constantly.

The next morning all of you arrive at the wreck of the Stellar Flare. Vari-13 seems hopeful, and Murrk and Qesch are besides themselves with enthusiasm. Murrk says "I can feel it--we're going to win this! Then we'll get into that wreck and figure out some lasting peace for this part of the desert!"

Across the field you the hear the sound of another vehicle approaching. Some sort of dune buggy, piloted by a couple of Ikeshti, pull up to the starting area. In the distance the you see the unmistakable form of Asashla (along with a posse of other ikeshti) looking on.

Nearer to you, there is the rumbling of a goblin junk cycle. Two of the goblins you traded with sit on the cycle, pulling up dirty goggles to reveal a friendly, toothy grin to all of you. Bomgozzle soon arrives in his armor, surrounded by a half dozen space goblins.

THE COURSE

The race with be a simple one. It begins just outside the wreck of the Stellar Flare. Racers will head toward Hunter's Rock, a familiar desert landmark, go around it, and return to the wreck. The first one to return is the winner.

The race begins in approximately an hour. You are free to make any last minute preparations, and may give me approximate positions of your characters. Murrk, Qesch, and Vari-13 will remain near the start/finish line.

Zetara checks over the bike, making sure it is in perfect working order and tightening anything up that needs to be tightened.

Engineering: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27

Locket keeps a watchful eye on the other parties, on the lookout for signs of any shenanigans.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Not Locket's arena, but do we have the opportunity for some interaction with the other racers? To agitate them or plant seeds of doubt with some Intimidation or Diplomacy?

Murrk and Qesch look at each other. "We'll win the race, then finish getting through the force field. I say we head back to our camp, make something to eat, and get to work on Sen's hoverboard and Uchurtai's cycle."

Vari-13 is irritated that they'll have to wait to get into the wreck, but considering the sheer power that Asashla and Bomgozzle seem to possess, if there is a peaceful means to deal with the two factions, that seems like the better idea.

Sen gives a thumbs up to Murrk.

"I'm always looking to give my zoomboard that little extra boost! I haven't had a chance to muck around with it what with us legging it all around this place. Let's get goin', logical mates!"

Zetara thinks that waiting to get inside until after the race is one of the very worst decisions that she has ever heard, but she supposes that they are smart to try and manipulate the group into helping them solve their problems as well.

No, Gath. It would just be making the race more challenging for everyone, so it is still fair. We need time to let Murkk set up the device. We need to be able to get into that ship even if we lose, right? So the more time the race takes, and the more we can get done before the race, the better our chances of getting in. Plus, I have a feeling that the other teams are going to play tricks, so that means we all should so that it stays fair. To win, we just have to figure out better tricks than they do. It's part of the game.

Sen listens to the discussion and shrugs a bit.

"Plank-racing's always a bit lateral, chek? I mean, you're ridin' a wide-bore home-made plasma engine strapped to a board with only your mag-locks to keep you upright, and you can STILL bomb if you don't stick the landings! But you're talkin' logical, Zetty...even if their big-bosses don't give any orders, that doesn't mean some would-be Abigail in either one's crew won't try to tip the odds in their favor...and there's the fact that we kinda didn't declare an "if we win" statement, so even if we DO win, they might just decide to start the fight anyway. Still, we should keep our shiny sides up best we can...that way they can't close ranks and accuse us of bein' cheating outworlders. This is the opportunity to make this tractor race between them end, and it looks like Murrk and Qesch have more ridin' on this than even we do...I sure as shootin' stars don't wanna let THEM down. Even in the short time we've known 'em they've become logical fam, chek-chek?"

After working with Qesch and Murrk to get everyone's gear in tip-top shape and watching them work on the device too, Sen tries to get a decent night's rest so she's able to race her best.

As the day dawns and the other competitors arrive, Sen is already at the start atop her zoomboard, crouched low and ready to vapor-trail!

Responding to Senkuvine, Zetara just says

check.

(But it didn't change anything she did afterward.)

Janebok positions herself about halfway through the race course, apparently spectating, but actually ready to try her jammer.

"I know what you mean, Sen. I don't want to let down Riddle or Vari-13 either."

Just before the race starts, Gath wishes Sen, Zetara, and Uchurtai good luck. Then he follows Locket to wherever his more strategically minded friend is going.

"Hey, Locket, do you think the other teams will try to cheat?"

Soon, all of the racers are lined up and ready to go. A light tree that Murrk came up with is set up, and when it turns from yellow to green, the racers are off!

Sen: you probably have a higher piloting skill than +5. Piloting is a class skill for you, so if you put even one point in it you get an additional +3. You also have a +2 DEX, so even if you just put one point in piloting, you're at least a +6. If you put the maximum 3 points in piloting for a third level character, you would be +8.

Chases happen in rounds with three phases, which are described in more detail below. At the start of a chase, roll initiative checks (or use the same initiative order if a grid-based vehicle combat transitioned into a chase).

1. Pilot Actions: Each vehicle’s pilot selects her pilot actions and attempts any needed checks outside the normal character initiative count.

2. Chase Progress: The GM moves the vehicles to their new zones, based on the actions the pilots chose and whether they were successful. The GM also determines whether anyone is out of range of other vehicles, and therefore out of the chase.

3. Combat: Pilots (if they have any remaining actions) and passengers take their actions in initiative order as they normally would in a combat. Passengers and pilots can fire on other vehicles, depending on their range, and pilots might be able to slam their vehicles into those of their enemies.

HERE are actions that your vehicles can take. Note that not all of these may be appropriate on a given turn.

The goblins give their junk cycle the gas, and attempt to set the pace.

piloting check, goblins speed up maneuver: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Their cycle sputters at first, but then takes off like a rocket giving the goblins the early lead!

Goblins did a more difficult "speed up" maneuver and it paid off. They immediately move ahead one zone, and will move an additional zone in the chase progress phase.

The ikeshti are more cautious, setting a more deliberate pace.

piloting check, ikeshti, keep pace maneuver: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Their dune buggy seems to be in good working order, and they move off the starting block smoothly.

They will move one zone in the chase progress phase.

EVERYONE: let's just assume that all vehicles are level one for purposes of the difficulty of these maneuvers.

Sen and Uchurtai/Zetara may choose a maneuver and go!

Zetara and Uchurtai starts out with a risky double maneuver, trying to get ahead and stay there:

Speed Up
Piloting: 1d20 + 11 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 11 - 4 = 20
Speed Up
Piloting: 1d20 + 11 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 11 - 4 = 19

YES! Barely, but yes. :) Also, Uchurtai, not trying to take control of your bike, but just trying to get an initial lead so that we can do other things if we want. Feel free to have your character grumble about me jamming on the gas or whatever.

All good, that's what I was planning on doing too!

Gath cheers his teammates off the starting line. Nothing wrong with this shobhad's lungs.

Zetara and Uchurtai starts out with a risky double maneuver, trying to get ahead and stay there:

Speed Up
[dice=Piloting]1d20+11-4
Speed Up
[dice=Piloting]1d20+11-4

YES! Barely, but yes. :) Also, Uchurtai, not trying to take control of your bike, but just trying to get an initial lead so that we can do other things if we want. Feel free to have your character grumble about me jamming on the gas or whatever.

Gutsy move. Please note that while you do immediately move forward TWO zones, you are limited to moving forward only one addition zone in the chase progress phase.

"Bah-bah-beh-beh!" Sen quips as she blasts off, lowering her profile and holding her arms back to improve the zoomboard's aerodynamics!

Piloting (Speed Up): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

Awwww yeah! FINALLY time for Sen to live out the K-Drive fantasy!

Sen has her board dialed in! She falls in next to the goblins, and just behind Uchurtai and Zetara,

This is the chase progress phase. I have moved everyone to their positions for this turn (please see the slide). The final phase is combat. Theoretically, Sen and/or the goblins could initiate combat here. for this turn, the goblins will only give her dirty looks and an obscene gesture. We'll move on to round two tomorrow. Meanwhile, feel free to roleplay. Everyone has comms, so chatter is allowed.

"Nice work guys! You're out in front!" Gath claps his lower hands and raises and shakes his upper hands in excitement.

Gath's excitement is infectious and Locket is soon accompanying the shobhad's cheering.

He casts a wary eye in the direction of the other groups, watching their reaction to the thrillig start.

Now that she's gotten into the zone, Sen taps the comm on her wrist a bit, and a speaker on her zoomboard starts blaring music...it's obviously not sonic-weapons-loud, but it makes her presence known.

"WOOOOOO-HOO!" she telepathically whoops. "♬BANGIN' ON A TRASHCAAAAN...♩"

Nice bike, Uchurtai Zetara says on the group comm channel. Smooth piloting. Thanks for letting me try.

"Proccceed" Janebok speaks, not too loud, over the intercom. "I will attempt jamming when you draw close enough."

I am halfway through the track. Around when would you say they come close, GM?

"Proccceed" Janebok speaks, not too loud, over the intercom. "I will attempt jamming when you draw close enough."

I am halfway through the track. Around when would you say they come close, GM?

Probably not this turn, but almost certainly the next.

The Ikeshti realize they need to speed up if they have any hope of keeping pace. Some of you see Ashala pacing frantically, and yelling into her comms.

speed up maneuver: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Fail. Will still move forward in one zone in the chase progress phase.

The goblins also desire to speed up and overtake Zetara and Uchurtai.

speed up maneuver: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Success! Immediately moving one zone, then an additional zone in the chase progress phase.

Zetara and Uchurtai, the zone you're in has especially deep sand.

Beginning here means that you have a -2 penalty to piloting checks. Other drivers will incur this next turn.

Sen may proceed as normal.

In fact, due to the nature of Sen's method of conveyance, I will rule that her hoverboard will not have the deep sand penalty next turn. She's going OVER it.

Sen zooms over the sand.

"IT'S 321, WHEELS ARE SOOOOOOO PRE-GAP!" she teases as she blasts ahead to catch the goblins.

Piloting (Speed Up): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

"Ooo! Look at the sand fly, Locket! GOOOO, guys! "

Locket nods his agreement with Gath, applauding in appreciation of his team-mates' skillful racing.

His eyes flick over to the opposition camps, watching for their reaction as the racers begin to separate.

Zetara leaves the piloting to Uchurtai this time, since it is his bike after all, but she gets out her sniper rifle and points it at the goblins, making a big deal of taking aim, trying to fake them out so they lose concentration.

Actually, can I just do normal things or not... does everything I do have to be one of the chase actions? I don't want to do a "trick" to make Sen take a penalty, and I don't actually want to engage with the goblins... just want to try to fake them out, and maybe trigger the video game avalanche or something. Is that possible? If not, just ignore me.

Going to go ahead and bot Uchurtai to keep things moving here. He will opt to simply keep pace, which might be wise considering the penalty from sand.

piloting, keep pace, with -2 penalty from sand: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 7 - 2 = 22

He makes it!

We are now at the CHASE PROGRESS phase. Uchurtai, with Zetara along for the ride, the goblins, and Sen are all neck-and-neck as they race across the sandy desert.

The ikeshti have fallen behind.

[ooc]Everyone who is NOT racing (so, Janebok, Gath, and Locket) may attempt a perception check.

Now it's time for the combat phase. The goblins seem intent on winning this race the old-fashioned way, so they don't seem keen to turn this into a fight. The Ikeshti are too far behind for any vehicular combat. Is there anything any of you would like to do at this point? Of course Janebok, Gath, and Locket will want to at least attempt those perception checks, as noted above (though you may also choose to do something else).