GM Jhaeman's SFS # 2-10: "Corporate Interests" (Inactive)

Game Master Jhaeman

Initiative (Round 1)

Ashtif
Arvoris
Oraeus
Beast?
Lexicor
Kosigan

Bold should go!

Using Kosigan's directions, Arvoris takes a guarded step away from the creature (only if he needs to), then uses telekinetic projectile to fling a rock at the creature.

Ranged attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
B damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Ashtif mutters, since there appears to be a large crate between him and the invisible creature. He runs around, dropping the gun to the ground. As he moves, he pulls his blanket from his starfinder backpack. He skids to a stop, throwing the blanket over the spot where the creature seems to be.

As soon as the blanket leaves his hand, his called tactical semi-automatic pistol flips from his holster into the hand, ready for action.

Lexicor calls out to the voice.

If you care to enlighten us, do so by showing yourself so we have the knowledge of whom we are conversing.

Arvoris telekinetically flings a rock, but it just smashes into the wall. Ashtif's hurled blanket indicates there is indeed something standing right behind Kosigan before it falls to the ground.

Oraeus is up.

Oraeus strides up to where the blanket fell down and takes a swing at the general direction of the creature with his frost maul.

Miss chance?: 1d100 ⇒ 90
Frost Maul vs EAC: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Cold damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

"You are almost as annoying as the native plants of Castrovel. Almost."

Entropy 1/3, AC is 17/19 for the round.

Oraeus feels his frost maul slam into something solid! There's a brief grunt in response.

"Who to choose, who to choose. Yes . . . you'll do nicely!"

Suddenly, a hideous robed creature with several tentacles in place of arms appears right behind Ashtif! One of the tentacles, glowing with energy, reaches out for him . . .

Ashtif, you get hit for 24 B.

Kosigan, if you have a melee weapon out, the creature's movement away from you will provoke an AoO.

A pic of the creature is on the side of Slide # 2. As a free action on your turn, you can try to identify it with a Mysticism check.

Initiative (Round 2)

Ashtif
Arvoris
Oraeus
Beast?
Lexicor
Kosigan

Bold should go!

Pretty sure my fance stick counts as a melee weapon.

Defender Icestar Staff: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12 vs. EAC
Cold and Fire Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

No clue what it is.

Kosigan takes a swing but misses!

@Kosigan: If that roll was for your AoO, you can now still take your regular turn.

Lexicor calls out

So there you are, whatever you are. he checks his digital archives.

mysticism: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Ah yes, either a deep-space amoeba or a feral venadaemon. I am suspecting the latter.

He steps back and tries a volley of 3 magic missiles.

MM: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (1, 1, 3) + 3 = 8

Lexicor's volley of force spheres slam into the daemon, giving Kosigan an opening for another strike.

Botting Kosigan because there may have been a misunderstanding with the mention of the AoO. Unfortunately, the new attack missed.

Defender Icestar Staff vs EAC w/ cover: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
damage (Cold and Fire): 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Initiative (Round 3)

Ashtif
Arvoris
Oraeus
Feral Venadaemon
Lexicor
Kosigan

Bold should go!

Ashtif runs away, diving behind some cover as he fires at the creature.

Trick attack on the creature, w/ uncanny mobility, so it doesn't get AoO on me as I move away.

Trick Attack(Survival): 1d2 + 13 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 13 + 4 = 18
OK, going to use my re-roll on that ...
Trick Attack(Survival) reroll: 1d2 + 13 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 13 + 4 = 19
Sheesh ...

Pistol attack vs. KAC: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Pistol damage(P): 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Ashtif, it looks like you rolled a "d2" instead of a d20 on your trick attack. Also, can you instead move Ashtif closer to Arvoris so I can heal you? Right now I can't get to you without provoking, and I'd like to avoid that if possible.

GM, if you are ok with Ashtif moving next to Arvoris instead, then Arvoris will use a second level spell slot to heal Ashtif.

Mystic Cure: 3d8 + 3 ⇒ (6, 4, 3) + 3 = 16

If this is not possible, Arvoris will cast Shooting Stars at the creature using a first level spell slot.

Force damage: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 2, 3) + 3 = 11

Mysticism: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

Over the telepathy link, Arvoris will share I believe this creature is resistant to fire and cold, and immune to acid.

Ah, so I did ... Fun in PbP w/ cellphones. ;)

Trick attack(Survival): 1d20 + 13 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 13 + 4 = 22
Okay, well, I'll still try that re-roll
Trick attack(Survival): 1d20 + 13 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 13 + 4 = 24
And, in case that worked and it's a hit ...
Trick attack bonus damage: 1d8 ⇒ 8

Ashtif darts away, landing a grazing shot on the daemon. Arvoris conjures another volley of magical missiles to slam into the creature.

@Ashtif: The trick attack still failed, even on the second set of rerolls. But, you did hit with the initial attack and did some damage.

@Arvoris: Ashtif didn't move next to you, so I went with the second option.

Oraeus is up.

Oraeus moves along the back wall and around trying to get into a flanking position with Kosigan but not quite able to reach that far corner safely. From his new position he swings his frost maul up over head and down again on the demon thingie.

Frost Maul vs. EAC: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
Cold damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Oraeus' frost maul crashes down on the monster! The daemon responds by generating a surge of electricity to disrupt the android's systems, all the while keeping its true attention on Ashtif. <<Your fear will add a delightful flavour to your blood.>>

Oraeus' attack hit.

The daemon is doing a guarded stop and then casting jolting surge at Oraeus. Oraeus, you get hit and take 11 E.

Initiative (Round 3)

Ashtif
Arvoris
Oraeus
Feral Venadaemon
Lexicor
Kosigan

Bold should go!

With the creature resistant to both energy types from his staff, Kosigan changes its gear array to a gun and fires a shot.

Thunderstrike Blindmark Rifle: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 vs. EAC
Sonic Damage: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 3) + 4 = 9

Arvoris sends a message through the telepathy link.
Ashtif, if you move near me I can heal you.

The daemon spins in a whirl of ragged cloaks, evading Kosigan's sonic blast!

Attack missed.

Lexicor's turn.

Lexicor tries another volley of magic missiles (sorry I thought I already posted this).

So far, I must say, I do not feel we are much enlightened.

MMx3: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (1, 4, 3) + 3 = 11 as the force missiles streak towards the daemon.

More magical missiles streak unerringly to thump into the venadaemon's chest! The constant barrage is clearly wearing down the loathsome predator.

Initiative (Round 4)

Ashtif
Arvoris
Oraeus
Feral Venadaemon
Lexicor
Kosigan

Bold should go!

Ashtif barrel-rolls across the room toward Arvoris, coming to rest in a crouch with gun raised as he fires at the creature.

Full action: Trick attack. No AoO during movement due to uncanny mobility.

Trick Attack(Survival): 1d20 + 13 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 13 + 4 = 32
Pistol attack vs. flat-footed (?) KAC: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Pistol damage(piercing): 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Trick attack damage: 1d8 ⇒ 1

Arvoris will cast a second level mystic cure on Ashtif.

Mystic Cure: 3d8 + 3 ⇒ (1, 6, 8) + 3 = 18

The daemon awkwardly tries to grab Ashtif as the Starfinder somersaults right past it and then shoots it in the back! Arvoris is ready with some powerful magic to heal his ally's wounds.

<<Run and dance all you like, mortal, but I shall have my satisfaction!>>

Ashtif's trick attack worked (and the trick turned what would have been a miss into a hit).

Oraeus is up.

Oraeus bleeds some of the extra energy from the jolt the creature gives him into his entropy reserves and decides to try funneling that power back at the creature. Gained an extra entropy point from the 11 damage, spending two points to boost his next entropic strike.

Entropy Strike, vs EAC: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Bludgeoning damage: 1d4 + 7 + 2d4 ⇒ (1) + 7 + (1, 4) = 13

There's a small flicker in time where his frost maul goes from being in the android's hands and at his side to being completely lodged in the side of the demon thing. After a beat the weapon seems to flow in reverse from the wound and back into Oraeus's hands, but leaves a gaping wound behind as the time inverted molecules of the maul slam the less dense particles of the creature out of the way.

The daemon looks astonished to suddenly see Oraeus' frost maul lodged in its side. Its tentacle-arms reach out but then fall limp as the monster collapses in a heap of hissing smoke.

Nice! We are off Initiative.

"Great job, everyone!"

Ashtif nods. "Yeah, glad we stopped that thing from causing more damage."

With the daemon slain, Eshazi thanks you for dealing with the creature before any more employees lost their lives.

But when you report back to Venture-Captain Naiaj, she irritably snaps that Resurgent Technologies should have disclosed the danger of the mission in their initial request so that her agents knew what they were getting into! Before being drawn back into her myriad communication devices, Naiaj commends each of you for defeating such a dangerous foe.

That's a wrap on that Quest. In about 24 hours or so, we'll start the next one.

I feel more enlightened with it dead, than the promises it was making. I will record this in my memory banks, and if I should encounter one again, it will be too soon.

Having completed your mission on Aballon and reported in via comms, it's not long before Venture-Captain Naiaj has another task for you. It seems the reward for good work is more work!

The message appears on your datapads: “Sanjaval Spaceflight Systems is one of our oldest and most important corporate associates. They provide us with a number of services ranging from starship construction to analysis of the combat data The financial arrangements we have with them are considerable. Part of our deal with Sanjaval is providing personnel to test experimental equipment. They have designed a new starship model, and I would like for you to put it through its paces. I’d like to hear your thoughts on its performance before we decide whether to put in an order. Again, this is one of our more important business partners. We want them to continue to work with us. Make a good impression.
—Venture-Captain Naiaj"

Getting to the Lucent Shipyards, near the amazing "bubble cities" that orbit the Pact Worlds sun, is easy.

A vibrantly colored dragonkin dressed in a smart, business casual suit greets you when you arrive. “Hello, Starfinders! Welcome to the Burning Archipelago! My name is Akrodo. I manage your organization’s account here at Sanjaval. We’re all very excited about the ship you’ll be flying today! Our analysis of the combat data the Society sent us has been interesting, and we think you’ll be quite pleased with what we have designed. Now, if you’ll follow me, please.”

Arvoris' eyes go wide like a child with a Christmas present.

"We get to take an experimental starship on a test flight???!!! If this is our reward for the last mission, then bring on more daemons!"

Arvoris shakes Akrodo's hand enthusiastically and follows closely behind him, as he asks a barrage of questions.

"What's the name of this new ship? What type of power core does it have? Can I get the schematics downloaded to my comm? What offensive capabilities does it have? Can our team get flight jackets for this new ship?"

Kosigan calls up some schematics and sends them to Akrodo's datapad. <I look forward to helping you test this ship. Before we do so, could you have someone make these adjustments to one of the consoles? I can do it myself, but I suspect you would prefer your crew to handle any changes before the first flight.>

Lexicor almost shows emotion as the ship is mentioned
Indeed this will be an excellent opportunity to expand our starship skills and experience different control systems.

Akrodo seems pleased by your enthusiastic response--it sounds like perhaps other "volun-told" test pilots from the Starfinder Society don't see the task the same way. He leads you to a large hangar bay containing numerous ships in various states of assembly, and then stops at what looks like a medium-sized transport.

"Our analysis of many of the SFS’s armed conflicts suggested a very clear pattern: most starships try to get behind the enemy as most are more lightly armed in the aft. We have designed the Remorhaz here to appear to share armament design and layout with most other vessels, but most of the forward facing equipment are dummies. Not all mind you, there are some live weapons fore. However, the ship’s heaviest armament is in the rear. So you WANT the enemy to try to get behind you!”

Akrodo then leads you all on a tour of the ship’s interior.

“This is main engineering. Access to the engines and the power core is here. From these consoles, you will be able to divert power between systems and affect any necessary repairs. This specification manual covers all of the power needs and regulations. I understand that Society engineers have propensity for overclocking power to various systems. Please keep in mind that doing so voids the warranty.”

On the bridge, Akrodo moves around as he discusses each of the consoles.

“This is the science station. From this computer bank your science officer has full access to the ship’s computer and sensor suite. Running scans; detecting, studying, and navigating hazards; and analyzing other ships and creatures can all be done from here. Shield adjustments are also done here.”

“This is the gunnery station. This console controls all of the ship’s weaponry. All weapons can be controlled from this single console, or dispersed out among any combination of these consoles. So one person can control them if necessary, but there remains easy access for multiple gunners.”

“Here is the ship’s helm. The ship’s computer system can aid in several tasks when needed, and as such we have designed the helm to allow for some computer assistance but also to allow a pilot to spread their wings, as it were. Your combat data suggests that Society pilots enjoy a more… aggressive piloting stance.”

“And this is the big chair! It’s positioned centrally so the captain has quick and unimpeded line of sight and access to all the other stations. Intercom, tactical readouts, everything a captain needs to make the split second decisions they’ll be making is all right here in the arm rests.“

Akrodo smiles, looking proud of the ship. "So, what do you think?"

A picture and stats for the Remorhaz are now on Slide # 2. Please give me the thumbs up when you've settled on your starship roles.

Lexicor immediately gravitated towards the computer console at the helm.

is Fascinating. Is this the StarCore 487g with holographic storage arrays and mult•link neraptic interfaces?

He then looks at the science station

is This appears to have the latest in AI assisted knowledge transfers. How could anyone resist the access for such knowledge?

Arvoris tries to keep his relaxed demeanor, but is clearly looking forward to flying the ship.

"I love it! Is there anything else we need to know before we take it out? And seriously, can we get those flight jackets? I'm willing to pay for mine if we need to."

Arvoris moves to the pilot's seat and begins running through a pre-flight check of the ship.

"Interesting... it looks like one of the computer's nodes is hard wired to assist with flying the ship. I could see where that could come in handy. Also has some nice turret weapons in case the opponents figure out that getting behind us isn't a good idea."

Ashtif slips into the gunnery seat, hooking his comm unit into the console and blaring out some Strawberry Machine Cake as a combat soundtrack as he runs through system diagnostics and targeting simulations.

Akrodo laughs when asked about the flight jackets. "I'll you what, you find that the SFS isn't paying you right, come work for Sanjaval. We'll throw in the jackets as a sort of signing bonus!" He pulls out a datapad to review the specs for the test flight. "So, here's the plan. I'll have an open comms channel once you launch, and I'd appreciate some running feedback on how the systems are checking out. There's going to be a simulated space battle, the concept being that you'll first pretend to run and then catch them off-guard with the aft weaponry when they try to pursue. Of course, it's your call up there, so execute the combat in the way that feels best to you. Both ships will use simulated weaponry for the exercise, of course, and the computers on board each ship will respond to any 'battle damage' realistically. We don't want the Remorhaz or the other ship actually blasted to pieces! Sound okay? Any questions, or should I leave you to it?"

Ashif switches the audio over to one of his comms earbuds and nods. "Sounds great. What could go wrong?"

"You mentioned earlier about overclocking the systems. Should our engineer not divert power to specific systems?

Akrodo replies to Arvoris, "Well, for this test flight, it's fine. Just remember what I said about voiding the warranty if you folks end up purchasing this model. Maintenance costs over the lifetime of a vessel can really add up!"

Okay, we'll get started with the test flight in about 12 hours.

Oraeus, realizing his normal spot on the ship has been taken already, starts to stretch and ready himself to help out where he can. Starship combat doesn't play nice with heavily melee builds. Oraeus can shot secondary guns or be Cheif mate. He looks over the ship with accessing eyes, but doesn't seem to have the same enthusiasm that the rest of the crew have. "Nice ship, but do we really need improved ways of killing people?"