GM Dennis - SFS #4-10 The Way In - Table 2 (Inactive)

Game Master Dennis Muldoon

"Sending the deck plan as we've compiled it to your coms now. I've marked the locations of the life signs as best we can place them." Added to slides.

You have the rest of today to ask any more questions and make any final preparations, then I'll move us on.

"Conrad, baby, they just said that they 'don't really know enough about the enemy ship to know for sure where the bridge is'. says Lucius, shaking his head. "Starfinders these days."

Ixthia stares at you, their coral face impassive. "We know where the bridge would normally be located, and that may very well be it. However, if this ship is crewed entirely by robots, as it seems, then who knows what changes they've made to the normal ship layout to better serve their purpose?"

He then pulls a bottle of something out of his left cheek, and takes a swig. "Anyone want some?"

"I'll stick to my tea thanks"

"OK Ixthia, if that is all the information you have I'll be on my way and get ready for an exciting flight"

While the bulk of the Starfinder fleet engages and distracts the enemy, the secondary force launches at the enemy fleet’s flank. Accelerating quickly, the squadron soars past the first wave of defense with only a few shots fired, burning toward the command ship at the center. It’s a short victory, however, as a second detachment of enemies move forward to intercept the charge.

A pair of Starfinder vessels break off from the squadron and head straight for this second wave, strafing the lead fighter before arcing off from the rest of the squad in an effort to draw them away. Others move to take their place, maintaining a defensive perimeter between the enemy and the breaching vessel of the secondary force, an Azata bearing a large, conical payload beneath its hull. More and more Starfinder vessels break formation to engage defenders or are disabled by enemy fire, leaving only three to approach the enemy flagship. Suddenly, a massive blast from the flagship’s heavy weapons knocks out the escort ship on the left.

A voice crackles over the intercom from the remaining escort ship, “I’m going to try to draw that thing’s fire! Get the payload launched, then get out of there!” With that, the final escort surges forward, heading directly for the heavy weapon mount before making an evasive maneuver just in time to avoid another massive blast.

The flagship looms large as, finally, the Azata launches its payload. As the ship arcs away, a single large thruster at the back of the cone sputters to life and propels the breaching craft forward, moving far too quickly for the flagship’s defenses to track as it slams into the side of the vessel, the nose of the cone piercing the outer hull and wedging the breaching pod in place!

The nose cone of the breeching pod opens, allowing you to rush into the room within. There, you find half a dozen gunnery stations manned by sigil-covered robots! Half of the automatons have been destroyed in your violent entry; the other half seem disoriented but recovering!

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Initiative!

Earlier:

"Conrad, baby, they just said that they 'don't really know enough about the enemy ship to know for sure where the bridge is'. says Lucius, shaking his head. "Starfinders these days."

He then pulls a bottle of something out of his left cheek, and takes a swig. "Anyone want some?"

Usyl stares at Lucius through his armor's red-tinted visor. "Everything in moderation, friend. Empirical evidence and past experience both allow me to faithfully say that you do not want a Hellknight conducting a mid-mission sobriety check."

Usyl stares at Lucius through his armor's red-tinted visor. "Everything in moderation, friend. Empirical evidence and past experience both allow me to faithfully say that you do not want a Hellknight conducting a mid-mission sobriety check."

Conrad looks around sheepishly despite the insane danger of the situation.

Scurrying up through Blinky's space, Pheobe sees one clearly. She the keeps close to the wall, and attempts to trick attack #2.

Trick attack: 1d20 - 20 + 17 ⇒ (16) - 20 + 17 = 13 Successful against CR 13
Called Thunderstrike Sonic pistol: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
trick damage: 3d8 ⇒ (5, 1, 3) = 9
Sonic Pistol Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Pheobe furtive movements seem to throw the far robot even further off balance, which allows her to hit the creature with a shot! 13 hits flat-footed EAC. Meanwhile, the nearest robot turns and walks up the wall to the ceiling! #3 is now 15 feet up.

Initiative!

That visual for the entry was awesome. You should pass that on to the writer GM ;-)

"Let's go, press'em, GET'EM! Get'em ALL!" Conrad encourages his teammates to overtake the robots quickly Resolve point to grant +1 to hit v. all of the enemies.

He fires his skipshot pistol at the damaged robot:

ATK v. KAC: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 9 + 1 = 13, but gets a bit too excited. (Pierce DMG if hit: 2d4 + 3 ⇒ (2, 1) + 3 = 6)

Getting in ahead of my turn coming up
Engineering check to identify 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
If enough - special defences (don't want to get electrocuted by hitting them with natural atacks etc)

These robots don't have any special defenses that might harm you. They have integrated weapons and the ability to walk up the wall to get away from you via their magnetic limbs (and the usual construct immunities).

Though his target is still off-balance from Pheobe's trickery, Conrad just misses as he tries to shoot around Usyl and Blinky. Meanwhile, another robot climbs up to the ceiling (like the previous one, staggered for round 1).

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Initiative!

In case anyone else wants to try to identify them as well.

Mysticism in advance to ID: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (6) + 15 = 21

Blinky surges forward and into the melee on the remaining ground dweller, swinging a beefy great axe.

Get 'em
Attack 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 10 + 1 = 14 vs FF KAC
Damage 1d12 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

Engineering: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (13) + 17 = 30

Ishkitik telepathically lets people know Use electricity if you have it!

Ishkitik's voice suddenly gets deep and booming as she announces "ISHKITOK HAS ENTERED THE ARENA!" vocal modulator

Ishkitok's smiling face turn frowning and her chest panel opens to reveal an aurora storm doshko. The drone marches toward the battle.

Ishkitik aims her static arc pistol at Bot 3!

overcharged shot: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27
pew!: 1d6 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 2 + (5) = 10

Blinky rushes forward and connects with a vicious strike on the flat-footed robot, badly damaging the construct but not quite destroying it!

Ishkitik, meanwhile, sends her bot charging forward while she blasts one of the robots at the ceiling! The electricity crackles across its frame, seeming to do more damage than you might expect.

Initiative!

Lucius starts by activating his usual routine. He beams a virus to the console below #3 and the console goes haywire, and Abysshead plays from all speakers!

Trick attack: 1d20 + 17 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 17 + 4 = 27 CR 7 or less!
Without moving into additional risk, he fires his Holy Called Membrane Holdout Pistol.
Magic laser, get em!: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 9 + 1 = 22
fire, good: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 Trick attack: 3d8 ⇒ (6, 8, 3) = 17

”Yeah,,baby, that should do it!”

Lucius distracts the nearest robot with sudden noises, then takes advantage of the opening to land a shot right in a critical spot, slicing neatly across the joints connecting the robots legs to its body! The two limbs remain on the wall, while the rest falls and dashes itself open on the floor below. #3 down!

Meanwhile, #2's begins to track Blinky's movements as its arm suddenly sparks and begins to glow white hot, as it swings the limb--and it's integrated welding unit--at Blinky!

Integrated welder vs. Blinky EAC, combat tracking: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 2 = 15
E&F damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Blinky is easily able to deflect the blow, however.

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Initiative!

"All right, come on let's get this one first! Quick, let's bring it down!" Conrad takes another shot and focuses on the messed up robot:
ATK v. R2: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 9 + 1 = 28 for DMG: 2d4 + 3 ⇒ (2, 2) + 3 = 7 Get'em on R2

GM, can I assume that we would have been able to draw weapons before our breaching craft launched? If so - you would all have seen Usyl slowly draw a long shadowy chain from one wrist, eerily clanking out to the ground one link at a time.

Usyl calls out to the others over their comms, "they have some sort of healing runes on their bodies they can activate to help each other. Be wary of it if they close in with each other."

Unable to react before he first begins moving, he is unable to give a proper victory cry from Lucius's perfect shot. Instead, he advances at double-quick time, stopping not far behind Blinky.

Finally close enough, he locks his gaze on R2, channeling overbearing hate into that gaze, to see if it works on these robots. (technically Usyl went before Conrad so he'd target 2, even if it ends up that Conrad's post above me killed it)

Fail = R2 takes a -1 to AC.

(Double-move, swift action stare)

GM, just reminder that Usyl has a reach weapon for threatening AoOs if allowed to draw it, and also Victory Cry reactions if an ally drops one of the enemies. If an ally is down SP and drops an enemy, Usyl will use "Regroup!" but if that ally is not hurt, he'll use "Keep Moving!"

Pheobe hustlers up to the the other side of Usyl, hoping to catch the attention of #1. Hoping to confuse it, she pulls out her other pistol, concealing that she is shooting at it from her hip.

Trick attack (Slight of hand): 1d20 - 20 + 17 ⇒ (6) - 20 + 17 = 3 CR 3 or less
Called Trailblazer Static Arc Pistol: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
trick damage: 3d8 ⇒ (4, 6, 1) = 11
Static Arc Pistol Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Fine to have weapons in hand before exiting the pod.

Usyl moves up behind Blinky and tries to attack the robot's mind, though it doesn't seem to have any effect. Conrad, meanwhile, takes careful aim at Blinky's opponent, landing a perfect shot that destroys it! Usyl lets out a cry of victory, exhorting you to hurry up and finish off the enemies! Keep Moving! means everyone gets a +10 ft morale bonus to speed for one round.

Pheope just manages to fool the remaining enemy, then takes advantage of that confusion to hit the robot with a burst of electricity! Though its badly damaged, it track's Pheobe's movements and fires its own shot at the screedreep in response!

Integrated pistol vs. Pheobe EAC, combat tracking: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 10 + 2 = 21
Electricity damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

It manages to catch her and do some damage!

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Initiative!

Blinky draws a knife and hurls it with force at the machine.

Attack 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26 vs KAC
Damage 1d4 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

Knowing he's not a great shot at-range, but also knowing that most of his magic will be useless on board this ship, Usyl moves to the side a bit while drawing a pistol, attempting to provide Harrying Fire.

Harrying Fire: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14 vs. DC 15
(that's a fail, unless get 'em is on R1 lol)

"Ouch! Pheobe exclaims as the shot hits her shoulder. Looking back at the robot, she tweaks pulls her gun away from her hip, and tossing it from one hand to the other as she shoots at the robots core.

Trick attack (Slight of hand): 1d20 - 20 + 17 ⇒ (11) - 20 + 17 = 8 CR 8 or less
Called Trailblazer Static Arc Pistol: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30
trick damage: 3d8 ⇒ (6, 4, 3) = 13
Static Arc Pistol Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Crit trick damage: 3d8 ⇒ (1, 4, 8) = 13
Crit Static Arc Pistol Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Total 37 Damage

Usyl blinks, then regains a calm tone. "Exceptional shot, Phoebe."

Assuming Phoebe kills it, Regroup! victory cry to restore 9 Stamina to Phoebe as a reaction.

Pheobe goes to return fire, only to see it first fall to Blinky's well-placed knife! Blinky killed it before Pheobe could act; Pheobe can save her battery charge, but Regroup doesn't come into play I'm afraid. Out of combat.

As you catch your breath, your comm units crackle to life with an update from Ixthia about the fleet battle raging outside. "The enemy ships are tough, but we have a few tricks ready for them. Don't worry Starfinder, we'll buy you the time you need. Good luck!"

The only exit from this room, aside from the one you created, is a door on the Starboard wall.

Blinky rips the knife back out of the smashed panel on the robot "Now that's a knife"

Clutching axe in hand, he heads for the exit on the starboard wall.

Lucius takes a moment to see if there is anything of use here before following Blinky. ”Never can be too sure. Always somfin dat yuze can use ”

No worries - that just means Phoebe doesn't need to take a 10min rest before I can use Regroup! on her again, lol.

As Usyl takes stock of the area, he looks around for any useful intel or equipment;

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32

...while noting to the others through comms, "I regret to inform you that a majority of my magical abilities are not useful versus purely robotic forces, and these ones seemed to be without a mind that could be affected, as well. If any of you use kinetic weapons but would like to have an easier time landing blows, let me know and I will remain by your side to enhance your armaments. Between that, healing, and intimidating even machinery, I will make sure to do my part here."

(Huzzah that demoralize works vs constructs and undead, at least)

"Then save your magic for other purposes, and bring your chain and heavy armour, you rattle their cage and get in close, we can flank 'em and spank 'em", the oversized furmountain seems to be enjoying this way too much.

Neither Lucius nor Usyl (nor anyone else for that matter) find anything useful in this chamber, which has been largely destroyed by your dramatic entrance. Opening the door reveals a long chamber, the walls lined with what look like repair equipment attached to robotic arms, though all are stationary. Additional doors open on each of the other three walls.

"Well, th' way I sees it, we gots two choices. First, we check out th' faint life signs... but dat's prob'bly gonna end up wit' fightin'. Th' other is to check out th' larger source o' life signs... but wit' Starfinder luck, dats gonna be some big space beast weze gotta fight. So, I t'ink we should hit th' big signs... just in case I get surprised an' we don' get attacked."

Either way, Lucius checks out the doors he is standing in front of for traps and locks.

"Center doors lead to big things. You ready?" Conrad moves up, indicating that he's ready.

"Let's go!" Ishkitik puts Ishkitok up front and stands a little behind.

Planning out their route ahead, Lucius, Conrad, and Ishkitik (accompanied by Ishkitok) move across the hallway toward the door on the far side. As they move into the room, however, the robot arms lining the wall begin to beep and then extend, reaching for the strange malfunctioning robots that just entered the hallway (that's you)!

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Initiative!

I'm assuming it is automatic sliding doors - if so:

Blinky barrels through the hallway and through the door opposite.

If not, Blinky holds his ground

We'll call opening the door a swift action, so that works fine.

Blinky barrels through the room, ending up in another short hallway, this one mercifully free of wayward repair systems. Speaking of which, the robot arms try to fix whatever is wrong with these weird robots in this room (that's you)!

Repairing Conrad (vs. EAC): 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (20) + 17 = 37 Oof.
E&F damage: 6d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 3, 5, 3, 1) = 17
Crit damage: 6d6 ⇒ (4, 3, 1, 4, 6, 5) = 23

Repairing Lucius (vs. EAC): 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (1) + 17 = 18

Repairing Ishkitik (vs. EAC): 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (17) + 17 = 34
E&F damage: 6d6 ⇒ (2, 6, 2, 2, 2, 1) = 15

Repairing Ishkitok (vs. EAC): 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (7) + 17 = 24 Working as intended!
Healing: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 6) = 9

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Initiative!

Usyl will wait to see if anyone can disable all of this, but if not...

Taking a deep breath, Usyl takes off as fast as he can through the trapped area, only barely having enough speed to make it through from one side into the hallway Blinky entered.

Ishkitik reaches for one of the arms after it finishes with Ishkitok.

Engineering: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (13) + 17 = 30

"Oh, nice, Ishkitok got a wash and wax."

SP: 2/42, HP: 40/40

Conrad gives a yelp, that was close! He makes like he's going to bum rush it, but then pulls back, encouraging everyone to get it Bluff to Feint Bluff: 1d20 + 14 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 14 + (1) + 1 = 31. Enemy is Flat-footed and everyone has a +1 to hit

Conrad makes ready to try and fake out the wall as Usyl makes ready to charge through the room. Both are proven unnecessary, though, as Ishkitik disables the mechanism, rendering the hallway safe! Out of combat.

Lucius sees that Ishkitik has things under control, so relaxes, strutting into the room with his sword cane tap, tap, tapping

"Nice.... I totally distracted him while Ishkitik worked. Totally." Conrad winks, letting people know he isn't serious.

He then gets serious and looks about, "Anything in here? We're on the clock otherwise."

Conrad finds nothing of interest in this second hallway save the three other doors that exit from it. Where to next? Reminder about the deck plan you got from your scans (slide 7).

"Life forms were detected in this room, so I don't suppose it is the toasters - I reckon this one"

Blinky updates the map on the comms units.

"Yep. Let's do this."