[dice=Needler @ ]1d20+28[/dice] [dice=P Dmg]8d6+15[/dice] [ooc]Includes x Inhibitor, x if it hits.[/ooc
Piloting, Evade:1d20 + 20 ⇒ (20) + 20 = 40
As the ship rocks from the blow, Shocca yells backwards. "Nice work, Ajithu! Try that again! Let's see if I can dodge over the river!"Cliffs directly right to the Frozen River.
Reference Actions - Pilot:
- Move (no check needed) = move to an adjacent hex
- Evade (Moderate piloting check) = move to an adjacent hex, on success, foes take -2 penalty to gunnery rolls, on failure, your ship takes -2 penalty to gunnery rolls.
- Double back (Hard piloting check) = move to the hex you just left, on success, foes stay where they are
- Outmaneuver foes (Very Hard piloting check) = move to an adjacent hex, on success, both foes move to the wrong hex to pursue, on failure, foes get a free attack.
Male Half-Elf Solarian 20 | SP 198/198 HP 146/146 RP 12/12 | EAC 35(37) KAC 36(38); DR 5/- Resist Fire 20 | F +16; R +15; W +16 | Speed 25 ft. | Init +6 | Perc +30
Arcalinte nods to Achlyss and takes a shot at the drone to try and throw off its piloting enough to cause it to fly into the rockslide!
Shocca sends the Simplicity weaving this way and that, while the rest of the crew focus their attention on waylaying the red drone. Ajithu's magical manipulation fails to create a big enough distraction to scramble red's navigation, but Arc's shot to red's engines and Achlyss' shooting into the cliffs both land. A tumble of rock rains down toward red, pummeling the drone and sending it spiraling down toward the ground. For a moment it looks like it's going to outright crash, but its autostabilizers kick in and it manages to right itself moments before it does. Still, you've knocked it well off course and disabled it for the round.
In the distance, the blue drone tries to find a direct path to catch up to you, but it ends up not quite able to close as you head into the frozen river.
As you enter the frozen river, you realize the terrain is wide open and quite exposed, favoring the drones and their faster thrusters quite significantly. Luckily, they're both currently some distance behind you!
Thanks to your efforts, you're in the clear this round with neither drone in your hex. They'll likely start catching up again next round, but for now you can take any action that doesn't ask you to select a foe. Switchin roles just for this round might be effective!
ROUND 4
Simplicity - AC28 - HP 2/3 - Systems Nominal
Blue Sivv Drone - Systems Nominal
Red Sivv Drone - Systems Nominal
Terrain: Frozen River -
The evade and outmaneuver pilot actions are harder.
Frozen River special Engineer action - "Supercool Systems" On a successful very hard engineering check, all checks next round get a +2 bonus.
[dice=Needler @ ]1d20+28[/dice] [dice=P Dmg]8d6+15[/dice] [ooc]Includes x Inhibitor, x if it hits.[/ooc
Note to self: avoid this darn river.Shocca floors the thrusters, heading straight towards the village that showed up on the scan. [b]"Well done, y'all! We needed that breathing room. Let's see if there's any distractions available in the village up ahead.[/dice] Moving to the Village.
Male Half-Elf Solarian 20 | SP 198/198 HP 146/146 RP 12/12 | EAC 35(37) KAC 36(38); DR 5/- Resist Fire 20 | F +16; R +15; W +16 | Speed 25 ft. | Init +6 | Perc +30
"I just wish there was something I could do to fix the damage they did to us," Arcalinte says ruefully.
Seriously, is Shocca the only one with Engineering in the group?
@Achlyss: There's no captain role for this chase. Roles are as listed here. You could take the engineer role and aid system, which counts as a +2 and doesn't require a check. @Ajithu: You can't reach either foe with actions once you're not sharing a hex (hexes are a mile apart and you're trying to target them with magic!). You could try an action that doesn't take targeting a foe. @Arc: There are a few actions that don't require checks, or that have fairly easy DCs, if you'd like to try those.
Shocca smoothly sends the Simplicity across the frozen river and in to an unfinished vacation village. Far below you, you see a small group of logger-bots and a large automated crane near an in-progress lodge. Before you can ponder the new possibilities around the village, Ajithu engages his mystical powers and, with Achlyss' aid, weaves a spell around the Simplicity.
The two Sivv drones burn at high speed toward you. They end up closer, but don't manage to entirely catch up.
With a flash of light as Ajithu's magic takes effect, the ship lurches to the Quantum Step:1d6 ⇒ 5 northwest, ending up above another section of the frozen river!
ROUND 5
Simplicity - AC28 - HP 2/3 - Systems Nominal
Blue Sivv Drone - Systems Nominal
Red Sivv Drone - Systems Nominal
Terrain: Frozen River -
The evade and outmaneuver pilot actions are harder.
Frozen River special Engineer action - "Supercool Systems" On a successful very hard engineering check, all checks next round get a +2 bonus.
[dice=Needler @ ]1d20+28[/dice] [dice=P Dmg]8d6+15[/dice] [ooc]Includes x Inhibitor, x if it hits.[/ooc
Shocca stutters. "Ope, uh, well, I guess we're going to head over those Snow Dunes! Ajithu... try to magic our way eastwards!" The ikeshti's knuckles turn white as she pushes the ship forward.
Male Half-Elf Solarian 20 | SP 198/198 HP 146/146 RP 12/12 | EAC 35(37) KAC 36(38); DR 5/- Resist Fire 20 | F +16; R +15; W +16 | Speed 25 ft. | Init +6 | Perc +30
Without any aid this time, Ajithu's magic doesn't manage to properly grip the Simplicity to shift it through space. Despite this, Shocca speeds the ship directly north-east and away from your pursuers. Arc and Achlyss fire away as the drones start to approach, but the long range leaves their shots to trace glowing lines across the frozen surface of the river. It's only when you're flying over open terrain that the drones finally catch up.
(For clarity, since all movement happens at the end of the round, the drones just caught up to you at that point and you don't have a chance to hold your gunnery actions for that point. That said, you've got them in range this turn if you want to use gunnery or manipulation actions on them.)
ROUND 6
Simplicity - AC28 - HP 2/3 - Systems Nominal
Blue Sivv Drone - Systems Nominal
Red Sivv Drone - Systems Nominal
[dice=Needler @ ]1d20+28[/dice] [dice=P Dmg]8d6+15[/dice] [ooc]Includes x Inhibitor, x if it hits.[/ooc
Piloting,Evade:1d20 + 20 ⇒ (20) + 20 = 40
Not confident in her own piloting skills, Shocca tries a simple evasive maneuver again. Compared to most other groups I've seen at this level, +20 feels pretty low for a Pilot. She points forward. "We're headed to the dunes, let's see if we can find some cover!"Empty space to Space Dunes directly East.
Reference:
- Move (no check needed) = move to an adjacent hex
- Evade (Moderate piloting check) = move to an adjacent hex, on success, foes take -2 penalty to gunnery rolls, on failure, your ship takes -2 penalty to gunnery rolls.
- Double back (Hard piloting check) = move to the hex you just left, on success, foes stay where they are
- Outmaneuver foes (Very Hard piloting check) = move to an adjacent hex, on success, both foes move to the wrong hex to pursue, on failure, foes get a free attack.
Male Half-Elf Solarian 20 | SP 198/198 HP 146/146 RP 12/12 | EAC 35(37) KAC 36(38); DR 5/- Resist Fire 20 | F +16; R +15; W +16 | Speed 25 ft. | Init +6 | Perc +30
"Roger that!" Arcalinte says as he takes a shot at the other drone.
Achlyss' Shoot to Kill vs. Blue:1d20 + 13 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 13 + 6 = 39
GM Screen:
1d20 ⇒ 2 1d6 ⇒ 4
Just as the drones catch up, you deliver an astounding display of magic and marksmanship (in Arc's case, astounding in quite a different way). Ajithu clouds the red drone's sensors, sending it far off course. Shocca sends the Simplicity on an evasive course. And while Arc's weapons fire decorates the stars above, Achlyss manages a single precise shot that sends a drone tumbling out of the sky and into the snowy terrain below.
While this is happening though, the drones are not idle. Though blue is knocked out of action, red still lashes out with nanite strands, attempting to bisect your ship. With Shocca's help though, you sway out of the way of the attack!
Before you know it, you're flying low over enormous white dunes of glittering snow. The dunes are light and powdery, providing an opportunity to create some impromptu cover. You look back and see Red went the exact opposite direction - a lucky break thanks to Ajithu's hard work!
ROUND 7
Simplicity - AC28 - HP 2/3 - Systems Nominal
Blue Sivv Drone - Delayed, Systems Nominal
Red Sivv Drone - Systems Nominal
Terrain: Snow Dunes -
The befuddle targeting Hacker/Manipulator action is easier in this terrain.
Snow Dunes special Pilot OR Gunner action - "Snow Spray" On a successful hard gunnery or piloting check, you gain a 50% miss chance this round. If it was a piloting check, you also move to an adjacent hex whether you succeed or not.
They're out of range for shooting, so I'll assume Arc holds action as well.
GM Screen:
2d20 ⇒ (8, 15) = 23
Having shaken off both drones, Shocca has no trouble heading down into the ice tunnels bored through the nearby mountain. Ajithu attempts once more to draw out the magic that earlier shifted the Simplicity through space, but struggles to recreate it. Behind you, both drones accelerate to try to catch up with you, but only blue reaches the ice tunnels soon after you do.
Down in the ice tunnels, undulating walls of clear crystal surround you, glinting brilliantly in the glow from the Simplicity's external spotlights. You're forced to fly more slowly as the tunnels twist and intersect, but the diverging paths make it easier to lose your pursuers.
ROUND 8
Simplicity - AC28 - HP 2/3 - Systems Nominal
Blue Sivv Drone - Delayed, Systems Nominal
Red Sivv Drone - Systems Nominal
Terrain: Ice Tunnels -
The double back and outmaneuver Pilot actions are easier in this terrain, but all Gunner actions are more difficult.
Ice Tunnels special Gunner action - "Collapse Tunnel" On a successful hard gunnery check, you collapse the tunnel behind you, disabling any foes that share your hex for 2 rounds. If you fail, you instead deal 1 hit to your own ship.
[dice=Needler @ ]1d20+28[/dice] [dice=P Dmg]8d6+15[/dice] [ooc]Includes x Inhibitor, x if it hits.[/ooc
Piloting, outmaneuver :1d20 + 20 ⇒ (16) + 20 = 36
"Ajithu, do some meditation or pray to the Machine God or something!" She jerks the steering column to the side. "But first, hold on!"Icy Tunnels to Rocky Peaks.
Male Half-Elf Solarian 20 | SP 198/198 HP 146/146 RP 12/12 | EAC 35(37) KAC 36(38); DR 5/- Resist Fire 20 | F +16; R +15; W +16 | Speed 25 ft. | Init +6 | Perc +30
Arcalinte takes a deep breath and focuses to try and bring the tunnels down.
Uh oh x2. But I won't double-penalize you guys for failing the tunnel collapse twice between the two of you!
GM Screen:
1d20 ⇒ 5 1d20 ⇒ 17
Achlyss and Arc's attempts to collapse the tunnel behind you only result in several large slabs of ice cleaving free from the ceiling and falling onto you. Most deflect off your shields, but several pierce through and pummel the hull. (You take 1 hit)
Ajithu tries and fails to confuse the navigation equipment on the blue drone as well, leaving the Simplicity exposed to an attack from the drone. A nanite lash slices through a trio of icy stalactites on its way to catch your fleeing craft. You just barely slip out of reach of the attack. The moment you do, Shocca takes advantage of the distance to head some a series of side tunnels and successfully outmaneuver blue.
As you emerge from the ice tunnels and head into the rocky peaks, you see the blue drone wandering off the to south east. Unfortunately, soon afterward you also see the red drone catching up to you! It's already within shooting range...
The rocky peaks slant at improbable angles, bare even in the middle of the wintery weather. As you come close to them, Ajithu senses some latent energy in them that he might be able to tap.
ROUND 9
Simplicity - AC28 - HP 1/3 - Systems Nominal
Blue Sivv Drone - Systems Nominal
Red Sivv Drone - Systems Nominal
Terrain: Rocky Peaks -
Hacker/Manipulator actions are easier.
Rocky Peaks special Engineer action - "Siphon Energy" On a successful hard engineering check, you give an ally a +6 bonus to their check this round.
Male Half-Elf Solarian 20 | SP 198/198 HP 146/146 RP 12/12 | EAC 35(37) KAC 36(38); DR 5/- Resist Fire 20 | F +16; R +15; W +16 | Speed 25 ft. | Init +6 | Perc +30
Arcalinte takes another shot too.
"We HAVE to be more careful! One more hit from ANYTHING and we're down!" he cries.
[dice=Needler @ ]1d20+28[/dice] [dice=P Dmg]8d6+15[/dice] [ooc]Includes x Inhibitor, x if it hits.[/ooc
Pilot, Evade:1d20 + 20 ⇒ (5) + 20 = 25
Feeling the ship's systems on the edge of collapse, Shocca tries some more evasive manouvers. "Arc, you're not wrong. Let's see if we can dodge this bad boy. I don't want to walk again!"Rocky peaks to Geysers... hopefully.
You can't target blue because it's not in your hex Achlyss, so I'll assume you're targeting red.
GM Screen:
2d20 ⇒ (7, 17) = 24
While Ajithu's magic struggles to fool the navigation systems of the red drone, Achlyss' shot glances off the same target, failing to knock it out of the sky. Shocca keeps you evasive as you head eastward, but it's Arc's sharp shooting that deflects an incoming nanite lash from red as it tries to slice your ship apart.
As you zip among the geysers, you see both of the two drones have caught up with you. The Spire is in sight to the south east... But still at least a mile away. You just need to hold on a little more!
ROUND 10
Simplicity - AC28 - HP 1/3 - Systems Nominal
Blue Sivv Drone - Systems Nominal
Red Sivv Drone - Systems Nominal
Terrain: Geysers -
Pilot Evade action is easier in this terrain.
Geyser Special Pilot Action "Ride Eruption" - Move to an adjacent hex. On a successful very hard piloting check, you use the geysers to thrust your ship safely far into the sky. Enemy attacks can't reach you this round on a success.
Male Half-Elf Solarian 20 | SP 198/198 HP 146/146 RP 12/12 | EAC 35(37) KAC 36(38); DR 5/- Resist Fire 20 | F +16; R +15; W +16 | Speed 25 ft. | Init +6 | Perc +30
"Comeoncomeoncomeon..." Arcalinte mutters as he takes one last shot!
Male Half-Elf Solarian 20 | SP 198/198 HP 146/146 RP 12/12 | EAC 35(37) KAC 36(38); DR 5/- Resist Fire 20 | F +16; R +15; W +16 | Speed 25 ft. | Init +6 | Perc +30
GM Cellion wrote:
Which of the Gunnery actions are you two taking? See the list from when we started the chase.
"Intercept Attacks," I guess? It's what I've been doing most of this chase...
With Lyta's drone capturing every moment of heroics, Shocca aims right for the largest geyser. Ajithu tries to confuse red's navigation, but just barely falls short of sending it off in a different direction. Achlyss fires away but his shot goes off and traces a path in the snow. Arc readies to intercept an attack from the drones, but before they can attack, you're abruptly sent over a hundred feet into the air, riding the erupting steam and boiling water.
Shocca angles you toward the tower and you swiftly glide down to the land in front of it. As you get close, you notice over a dozen of the drones swirling around the Spire. They twist and reorient, heading towards you on an intercept course. Just as they're all about to converge on you, Shocca settles the Simplicity on the ground. The exact moment you do, the drones twirl off, losing track of you.
Most return to their orbit of the Spire above, while others return back to their patrol of the larger area.
Next to your ship, the Spire towers several hundred feet. It seems to be made of some strange semi-organic, semi-metallic material, shimmering a silvery purple in the light of the sun. Twin spiral ramps circle around the exterior of the tower, rising almost to the peak.
You've survived the drones, now the Spire awaits.
And with that, you all level up! I'm currently traveling, so let's pause here for everyone to get leveled up. Once I'm back home on Sunday and have my book to reference, we'll continue with the Spire!
Male Half-Elf Solarian 20 | SP 198/198 HP 146/146 RP 12/12 | EAC 35(37) KAC 36(38); DR 5/- Resist Fire 20 | F +16; R +15; W +16 | Speed 25 ft. | Init +6 | Perc +30
Arcalinte yells in surprise and maybe a little delight as the geyser blasts them upwards. Then, as they make their final approach he tenses, expecting this is the end...until they land and the drones depart. He breathe a sigh of relief as they settle.
"Can we open a comm channel back to the Chalet? We should alert them we made it if we can."
Then he looks around at the damage the Simplicity has sustained and frowns, giving a knowing and apologetic look to Achlyss.
[dice=Needler @ ]1d20+28[/dice] [dice=P Dmg]8d6+15[/dice] [ooc]Includes x Inhibitor, x if it hits.[/ooc
CRASH
Shocca looks up and out the window. "We did it! WE DID IT!" She takes a deep breath in and wishes for her heat lamp back on Absalom Station. "I mean... we totally had that under control. Those shiny boys had nothing on us!" She tries to reach out to the Chalet before taking a few minutes with her microlab. It's unclear if she's updating the technology within or just trying to calm her nerves before heading into the unknown fortress.
Whoa, level up?! I don't know why, I was not expecting that. I'll have it ready by Sunday.
Borai Death-Touched Vanguard 15| SP 236/236 HP 111/111 RP 11/11 | EAC 35 KAC 37; | F +17; R +15 (imp evasion); W +8 | Init +6 | Perc +23 | Entropic Strike: +21 (7d6+14+15; 10' reach)
Achlyss leaves his turret and claps Shocca on the shoulder, probably not recognizing his strength because it's much too hard.
"Now THAT was some piloting! The guns kept them off our tail, but I think we would have been done for if not for that. Of course, I'm still not sure I can be killed anyway, but the rest of you may not have made it out of that."
To Arc, he says "I'm fine reporting back, but to our sponsor, not the media."
Male Half-Elf Solarian 20 | SP 198/198 HP 146/146 RP 12/12 | EAC 35(37) KAC 36(38); DR 5/- Resist Fire 20 | F +16; R +15; W +16 | Speed 25 ft. | Init +6 | Perc +30
"The media is right here," Arcalinte replies dryly, jerking his head towards the drone. "They can review our footage upon our return."
