GM Quirk's JUNKER'S DELIGHT

Game Master Quirk, Private Eye

Janebok follows Zetara's gaze toward the tires, nods, and then shuffles toward them with her odd, lanky, laborious gait born of life in low gravity.

Zetara looks at Gath.

Vari-13 is probably looking for something besides tires and fenders. Let's just start this way and go all the way around. I imagine there will be more interesting stuff further in. Hopefully no more bugs, but you never know, so be on your guard.

Then she walks with Janebok towards the tires.

"Hey!" Senkuviene telepathically snaps at Zetara's "bug" comment before making a buzzing sound not unlike a humanoid "raspberry."

She hovers her board after Zetara and Janebok towards the tires.

Zetara takes a moment to understand what Sen was trying to convey, but then says

Oh, I just meant non-sentient bugs. No offense. I'll try to be clearer in the future, and you are a valuable entity, and ... uh, I forget what polite thing I am supposed to say next, but the point is that I like you, consider you a competent team member, didn't mean that you were a non-sentient bug that might attack us, and that I was trying to avoid, and I am, uh... super abjectly sorrowful that I have insulted you and will endeavor never to do so again.

Most of that is deadpan, but she makes an effort to adjust her expression there at the end to look sorry as well.

She waits, probably not quite long enough, and then says

Forgive me?

You can tell that she is just going through the motions, but not because she is mocking or means to offend, but because she honestly doesn't understand why these steps are required, and is waiting to see if there are any more steps to go through.

You all move toward the tire piles.

I have placed a new slide at #2 in the stack. To the south is the entrance and the area where you fought the khefaks. To the east, you believe you noticed the "maze" of fenders (though I have left that obscured on the map for now). We probably won't need pawns here...probably...

The path widens to form a clearing with a massive mound
of discarded tires at its center. Many of these tires are
ripped to shreds, leaving only strips of treated rubber. The
pungent smell of rotting rubber hangs heavily in the air.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Zetara spots a backpack and some other useful items under some junk camouflage, and draws everyone's attention to it, in case anyone had need of the items.

Janebok notes the useful items and nods. She recommends splitting up the cover seeds between two of the party members.

The R2E's are the good kind. Real top-shelf stuff.

Zetara packs up everything that people don't take, including the camoflage, and brings it along in case they can use or sell it later.

Zetara takes a moment to understand what Sen was trying to convey, but then says

Oh, I just meant non-sentient bugs. No offense. I'll try to be clearer in the future, and you are a valuable entity, and ... uh, I forget what polite thing I am supposed to say next, but the point is that I like you, consider you a competent team member, didn't mean that you were a non-sentient bug that might attack us, and that I was trying to avoid, and I am, uh... super abjectly sorrowful that I have insulted you and will endeavor never to do so again.

Most of that is deadpan, but she makes an effort to adjust her expression there at the end to look sorry as well.

She waits, probably not quite long enough, and then says

Forgive me?

You can tell that she is just going through the motions, but not because she is mocking or means to offend, but because she honestly doesn't understand why these steps are required, and is waiting to see if there are any more steps to go through.

"Sure sure, I forgive ya. I was just teasing," Sen replies brightly.

When Zetara locates the hidden cash, Sen joins her in looking the stuff over.

"So you think Vari-13 left this or was it some other scav?" she wonders aloud (telepathically).

I didn't really think about who left it here, but that's an interesting question. Perhaps it is best to assume it was someone else so that there is no implied obligation to give it back when we find Vari-13?

Ears flattened back, Locket tries to relocate the surviving khefaks closer to their nests.

Scowling, the pahtra grunts in reply to his colleagues' queries. "Too late now," he grumbles, ears lifting. "Words won't change it."

He turns his bright eyes to regard Janebok. Tilting his head slightly to one side, he shrugs, murmuring, "They were protecting their homes - like any of us would."

When the discussion turns to his restraint from lethal force, Locket takes a breath as though about to speak. He stops, seeming to reconsider, before offering, "Just because you can doesn't mean you should."

"Don't worry, we don't think you're a bug," he says to Sen. "More of a pest - especially on that death trap of yours," he adds in a grumble, a sign his better humour is returning.

He follows his companions further into the tyre towers.

I didn't really think about who left it here, but that's an interesting question. Perhaps it is best to assume it was someone else so that there is no implied obligation to give it back when we find Vari-13?

Gath seems confused. "What do you mean? If it's Vari's then we have to give it back. That's just what's right."

...

When the discussion turns to his restraint from lethal force, Locket takes a breath as though about to speak. He stops, seeming to reconsider, before offering, "Just because you can doesn't mean you should."

Gath nudges Urchatai. "That's my friend Locket. He's serious about right and wrong, but he thinks about it different from me.

... [b]"Don't worry, we don't think you're a bug," he says to Sen. "More of a pest - especially on that death trap of yours," he adds in a grumble, a sign his better humour is returning.

He follows his companions further into the tyre towers.

Gath want to say something teasing to Sen, but can't think of anything. He just smiles tusk-ily and starts walking toward the tires.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Zetara glances at Gath when he objects and says, a little bit more slowly,

You're right. Right now we just don't know, so it is just salvage that belongs to us, and we can use it and not worry about it... but if we find out for sure it belongs to Vari-13, then we'll give back whatever is left. But if we just guess, and we assume that everything belongs to Vari before we actually find out, then we won't be able to use anything. Does that make sense?

Gath frowns, and is quiet for a moment before his brow unwrinkles. "Sure. It does make sense that we can use Vari's stuff to find Vari."

Janebok nods. "Sssalvage unlesss proper owner found. Perfectly sssensssible."

Zetara adjusts her facial muscles into a smile and nods at Gath. He didn't really get the message that she was sending, but as long as he was satisfied and they could move on, it didn't matter... and actually would likely cause more problems if she attempted to explain further, since the ownership of the scrap yard itself (and everything in it) could come into play. Law-abiding was good, but could get in the way of a good cover.

She moved farther ahead, looking for signs of life.

There is a strange smell coming from the northeast.

If you look at slide 2, the odor seems to be coming from the northeast corner of the map.

What's up with the mottled brown area to the WNW?

Looking at the tires, Gath shouts, "VARI! VARI-13! ARE YOU HERE?"

Zetara continues past the tires, noting a strange odor from up ahead and wondering how she can even smell it over the tire scent.

When Gath shouts, she makes sure she has her pistol in hand in case the sound attracts some resistance, but mostly she is trying to figure out what that smell is.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Unfortunately, after running it through an identification subroutine it just comes out as "burning tires" again... even though she can tell it is a different smell, coming from a different direction, apparently her subsystems were too confused by the mixture. She needed to get closer.

She walks Northeast.

What's up with the mottled brown area to the WNW?

Looking at the tires, Gath shouts, "VARI! VARI-13! ARE YOU HERE?"

I think what you are seeing is just part of the graphics on the page. It's supposed to look like rust. Not really part of the Caryards.

The Caryards is eerily quiet as Gath call out.

More later tonight. Playing with local friends on Roll20. Just starting volume 5 of Fly Free or Die.

"Don't worry, we don't think you're a bug," he says to Sen. "More of a pest - especially on that death trap of yours," he adds in a grumble, a sign his better humour is returning.

"At least it makes a good furdryer for ya!" Sen replies, followed by a hissing giggle.

She shrugs as Zetara and Gath discuss salvage rights. She knew Gath had a lot of integrity, but he was generally an agreeable guy too, so she didn't think this'd spiral into an argument. Her antennae jerk when he calls out, and she cringes a bit.

"No disrespect, Big Guy, but I think they wanted us to be a bit more subtle...if people didn't know we were lookin' for Vari here, they sure do now."

Zetara follows her nose toward the northeast, likely with most of the rest of you eventually following. This is what she sees:

The path here is mostly blocked by a large spill of toxic-looking
chemicals, oozing from ragged holes in metal barrels to the
west. A stretch of metal plating has been placed across the
waste far from the barrels, hugging a steep wall of vehicle seats
of all shapes, sizes, and materials.

There is a new slide showing this area and areas further north. Take a look, and let me know how you proceed.

Engineering/life science/physical science all have same bonus, trying to ID the toxic ooze: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Janebok eyes the barrels and the metal plating. "I believe this was conssstructed to avoid the toxins." She moves to the beginning of the metal plating and inspects it from where she stands to try to determine how safe it will be to walk on.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Engineering: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Zetara nods, and sees that Janebok is evaluating the path for instability, so she waits just a moment to see if there is any advice forthcoming for crossing, but unless a definitive no is explained... like an explosive trap or something, she jumps up on the metal plating and starts across, attempting to keep her balance while crossing, so she doesn't tumble down into the toxic ooze.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

If possible, she double-moves across (but wasn't sure if it was half-movement or not, so just moved her 30 feet total).

GMQ, how hard would it be to climb over the piled junk and bypass A5-A7.

Janebok surmises that the smelly liquid pooling here is some sort of strong acid. It seems plausible that khefak's may have gnawed holes in the metal barrels that held this acid, causing the leaks.

Furthermore, Janebok believes that the metal plating extending across the acid should be a safe way to get across.

Zetara proves this by crossing safely. I did go ahead and allow a double move, placing you just on the other side of the pooled acid.

Gath examines the walls, considering if he could, or should, attempt to climb them. Three things discourage him. First, the height of the walls of junk seem intimidating (20 feet in places). Also, there are rusty, sharp bits of metal and glass stacked among these walls. Finally, it's apparent that there are numerous khefaks that inhabit these walls of junk, making it even more difficult to manage climbing the walls.

Everyone may move up to their speed here. Uchurtai, I moved you closer so you would be near everyone else.

With ample evidence that the walkway is safe, Janebok simply strides across it.

Double move marked on map.

Thanks. Started writing up a post for crossing but got sidetracked.

Sen fires up her zoomboard and makes a jump to catch up with Janebok and Zetara!

Athletics: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

You've got me thinking of the reef off Catalina. It was probably limestone or some soft rock. Lots of holes and crevices for moray eels. Put your hand in the wrong place and lose a finger.

"Use the high ground." Gath's grandsire would often say.

Gath looks up at the wall, frowning, planning a route up. Then he notices a khefak head protruding from under a small ledge, and one in a crevice between the crushed bodies of two vehicles of indeterminate nature. Looking closely he spots half a dozen easily, and shudders. "Wait for me!"

He shuffles quickly after the others, but the bridge gives him pause. The metal plates might be fine for the more petite and agile members of the group, but it just seems a little flimsy for a strapping young shobhad.

He waits for the others to clear the bridge completely before he steps gingerly to make his way across.

Seeing Gath makes his way across, Uchurtai gives a slight sight of relief knowing that the bridge will support his weight. He holsters his gun and spear and follows along with the rest of the party.

Zetara, Janebok, and Senk all rush across the bridge safely. Once they are clear of the bridge, Gath follows. This leaves Locket and Uchurtai still trailing behind.

On the far side of the acid spill, you are among several hollowed-out and crushed vehicle chassis that are stacked atop one another, forming a series of small ziggurats. Paths of dusty grit twist and turn around the
structures, which appear stained in places with oil and
other lubricants.

It is Janebok and Zetara that are first to notice skittering coming toward them...

This is going to be a tough one...there is all of only three or four places where Uchurtai or Gath could stand here. Bold may go, round one.

1. Locket
2. Enemy Red
3. Enemy Green
4. Gath
5. Zetara
6. Uchurtai
7. Janebok
8. Senk
9. Enemy yellow
10. Enemy blue

Also went ahead and moved Uchurtai up, at least as far as he could go, as Gath still partially blocks the way.

I'm not sure whether Locket still has the earlier opportunity given to move across the "bridge" or if he's missed his chance/there's no longer enough room to do so.

Distracted by his study of the unusually formed landscape, Locket is slow to begin his crossing of the planks. Surefooted and moving swiftly, the pahtra quickly catches up to his companions as they reach the far bank.

With only a double move this turn, he reaches a point just behind Uchurtai (possibly between the two shobhad, if you deem there's sufficient space) but does not have the movement - or space on the far bank - to reach terra firma.

GMQ, is that round thing west of Gath solid, or a vat of liquid?

GMQ, is that round thing west of Gath solid, or a vat of liquid?

Honestly unsure, and the map isn't very bold as far as the lines go. I went ahead and placed a red line where the acid becomes deep enough to become potentially dangerous. I know this place is tight. Consider it part of the fun of this encounter.

I'm not sure whether Locket still has the earlier opportunity given to move across the "bridge" or if he's missed his chance/there's no longer enough room to do so.

Distracted by his study of the unusually formed landscape, Locket is slow to begin his crossing of the planks. Surefooted and moving swiftly, the pahtra quickly catches up to his companions as they reach the far bank.

With only a double move this turn, he reaches a point just behind Uchurtai (possibly between the two shobhad, if you deem there's sufficient space) but does not have the movement - or space on the far bank - to reach terra firma.

Honestly, I thought about putting everyone in initiative before you started crossing, but that would have tipped everyone off that something was up. You did have between Sunday and Tuesday to get a post in before the khefak's showed up. When you reach the space behind Uchurtai, something happens...see my next post.

As Locket nears Uchurtai along the metal plates that bridge the pools of acid, all too late he notices that having two people on the bridge at the same time, particularly if one of them is the size of Uchurtai, may not have been the wisest decision. The stacked seats next to the metal plates begin to collapse on Uchurtai and Locket.

I need both Uchurtai to make a DC 13 Reflex save. IF YOU FAIL: You will take: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 4) = 9 damage and be pushed 10 feet--right into the chemical spill! IF YOU MAKE THE SAVE: take half damage (4) and you are NOT pushed.

Meanwhile, the khefaks skitter toward you. One of them (red) crawls under the pile of cars to the right and disappears. Another rolls right up to Janebok, snapping its crab claws as it does!

to hit: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Miss!

This is going to be a tough one...there is all of only three or four places where Uchurtai or Gath could stand here. Bold may go, round one.

1. Locket
2. Enemy Red
3. Enemy Green
4. Gath
5. Zetara
6. Uchurtai
7. Janebok
8. Senk
9. Enemy yellow
10. Enemy blue

Zetara takes a guarded step, hoping to give room for at least one of her allies to move up, and then pulls out her tactical baton, knowing she probably wouldn't be able to maintain enough distance to use her pistol effectively.

Gath squeezes past Sen and Janebok to shuffle forward. He remembers how awkward his club felt when he attacked the khefak before and considers how close Janebok is to the creature. He draws his big knife with his lower right hand and stabs downward at the vermin menacing the vesk.

Move as shown and draw knife.

dice= knife, survival v KAC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16 ... damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 (critical -; Analog, operative)

Janebok carefully steps back and fires at the Khefak in front of her, trying to randomize its midsection with high velocity perforation.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Dam: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Gath steps forward and violently guts one of the creatures. It expires on the spot. Janebok steps back and fires, missing another nearby khefak.

Waiting for Sen and Uchurtai to go. I will bot later this evening.

Will have my actions up in a few hours.

Reflex: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

The rickety bridge is just a bit too much for Uchurtai's massive frame and he tumbles into the chemical spill.

He squeezes in behind Janebok and pulls out his weapons.

"Coming through on your left," Locket mumbled to Uchurtai as he gained on the shobhad. Shifting his weight to skirt around his larger companion, the pahtra hadn't anticipated the metal plate beneath them shifting...

Reflex DC13: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

...and tumbles into the acid right behind Uchurtai.

Botting Sen:

Sen zips by everyone on his hover board drone. As he turns the corner, he comes into view of another khefak (yellow).

Sen instructs his drone to fire.

to hit: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
damage, E and F: 1d6 ⇒ 1

The shot goes up above the khefak and explodes harmlessly behind it.

The khefaks defend their nests. One attacks Sen, and one attacks Zetara.

yellow on Sen: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

blue on Zetara: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Pair of hits.

Meanwhile, the falling seats do a number on Uchurtai and Locket. They both are pushed into the acid, causing burns on each.

You each take: 1d6 ⇒ 4 acid damage. You will take this damage on your next turn as well unless you use a standard action to rinse the acid off using a gallon of water or a fire extinguisher. Locket, you are NOT prone, you can move right out of the acid (much like Uchurtai already did on his turn).

This is going to be a tough one...there is all of only three or four places where Uchurtai or Gath could stand here. Bold may go, round one.

1. Locket (-13, one more round of acid)
2. Enemy Red (currently hiding under car piles)
3. Enemy Green (DEAD)
4. Gath
5. Zetara (-6)
6. Uchurtai (-13, one more round of acid)
7. Janebok
8. Sen (-3)
9. Enemy yellow
10. Enemy blue

Zetara sees Sen zoom past her, and is glad she made it, and that there is room for people to move, but then the khefaks are upon them, and when she gets viciously chomped, she stops thinking about tactics and gets to attacking.

She raises her baton as though going for the head, but at the last moment bashes the creature's midsection instead, trying to break its spine.

Bluff (Trick Attack): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28

Attack (Tactical Baton): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11 (against flatfooted if trick attack worked)
Damage (Bludgeoning): 1d4 ⇒ 4 (+4 if trick attack worked)

I'm back! Also, not to harp on things, GM Quirk, but Sen is a girl.

"Looks like the survivors got friends!" Sen telepathically shouts to the others. "Or mommies!"

I have updated Locket's SP and HP to reflect current damage levels.

Gritting his teeth against the acid's burn, Locket wades out from the acid pool. Slipping between between Janebok and Gath, the pahtra frees his kusari-fundo and, striding forward, spins his weapon out in an effort to chase off the nearest khefak (blue).

Kusari-fundo: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 - 4 = 17
Non-lethal cold damage: 1d3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5