PaizoCon 2022 - SF Adventure: The Starfinder Four vs. the Hardlight Harlequin (Play-by-Post) (Inactive)

Game Master Lysle

Newly-recruited Starfinder Society agents should prepare for training!

Please read the first post in the Discussion thread. Then, go ahead and "dot and delete" in this thread.

dot

The past week was grueling for new recruits. Venture-Captain Suulhu-Huur was adamant that Starfinders need to be prepared for anything and put you through a series of training missions on the oceanic planet of Arniselle, sometimes back-to-back and without warning. But you survived and succeeded, and not only are you headed home for some well-earned rest, but you’ve managed to slip in a treat along the way: a stop to attend the last day of this year’s HACTexpo—the show that announces some of the best holographic amusement chamber games. The week of training meant you missed the opening ceremonies and the biggest announcements, but there’s still time to try out some new game demos and maybe even score some last-day deals on new tech.

The moon where HACTech has its headquarters and expo center comes into sight on the viewscreen. A splash of the distinctive lights of civilization illuminates a spot on the otherwise bland and featureless rock. The starship’s comm unit crackles—but instead of landing instructions, it emits a piercing screech. An accompanying haptic alert vibrates chitin, bone, and the ship’s bulkheads. The vidscreen flashes red, and emergency lights flash throughout the ship. It’s an emergency distress signal!

The screech ends, replaced with a tinny, frantic voice interrupted by bursts of silence and static that’s automatically transcribed on the vidscreen. “Anyone hearing—smess— help! Everything’s—haywire, the software—out of control, digitizing—if we don’t—the entire moon! Please—one—help!”

At first it seems like another unannounced training exercise—but a quick scan confirms the signal’s validity, and
it’s coming from the HACTexpo!
What do you do?

After performing an initial reconnaissance, it is clear that that there’s something terribly wrong at the HACTexpo, and you are the only ones who can help.

The HACTech expo center and corporate HQ has an attached spaceport, with digital signage and automated messages to direct incoming traffic. Though the messages and signage are flickering and, though occasionally insensible, repeatedly flash warnings such as, "STARSHIPS CEASE STOPPAGE; STEER STARWARDS" and "VESSELS VEER VEHEMENTLY VOIDWARD!"

As you descend towards the moon, asteroids hurtle through the space lanes, tumbling ominously while well-placed dramatic lighting sets them in sharp contrast to the darkness of space and the surface of the moon behind them. Here and there one flickers, fading out of existence while others manifest at the edges of the vidscreen. They seem too perfectly crafted to be real; any asteroids this close to the moon ought to fall to the surface rather than zipping around dramatically. With a ship-shaking jolt, one of the strange rocks nicks the starboard weapons turret, setting off proximity alerts across the bridge. Strange as they are, these asteroids seem plenty solid, as if made by some kind of hardlight! Time to take evasive action!

During the approach to the landing platform, each PC can perform one action to help avoid the hardlight asteroids. You may choose from the list of actions below or you may creatively describe how a different action/skill of your choosing could be used to address the situation. Only a single skill or attack roll should be used for the attempt and the attempt can be made by only one character. However, the other PCs may help with the attempt with a successful DC 16 Diplomacy check to encourage them or a DC 16 Intimidation check to remind them of the dire consequences of failure. The PC receiving aid gains a +2 bonus to their check or attack roll, but they can gain this bonus only once.

List of possible actions:
• Piloting check to navigate the ship through complicated evasive maneuvers to avoid the asteroids.
• Ranged attack roll to blast the rocks apart using the starship’s weaponry.]
• Computers check to scan the makeup of the asteroid and to disrupt the code to lessen their impact.
• Perception check to plot a safe course by analyzing the asteroids’ paths and discerning patterns in their movement.
• Engineering check to push the ship’s engines by overcharging the ship’s thrusters to charge through the asteroids as fast as possible.

On the trip to HACTech Expo, the blue-skinned android who identified himself as Err0r spent as much time on a datapad as possible, reading up on news from the convention. He is happy to show his allies some... unintended functions within their devices if asked, and probably takes a turn at the stick.

When they get the broken distress call, Err0r quickly goes to the maion computers and scans the location. "What is wrong with these readings," he complains, letting out a burst of static that you can only assume is obscene. "Either it's there or it's not," he adds, kicking the machine. "Just show me some good data!"

Err0r's most useful skills for the asteroinds are COmputers +12 and Piloting +10.

Ritta is a fairly tall female vlaka. She spent her time during the training mission encouraging the rest of the team. She spent her off hours gazing longingly at the stars.

The alarms are especially confusing, since she can see the flashing lights but not hear the alarms or the verbal communication.

The smoke and flashing lights are making it difficult to read their lips. What is going on?

Applicable skills would be Perception (+11) to chart the course or Diplomacy to Encourage (+9)

Chox Lets everyone know he is not a skills monkey.
Skills Acrobatics +3, Athletics +9, Culture +2, Intimidate +8,
Perception +4; (reduce the DC of Culture checks when
recalling information about entertainment combat, fighting
styles, and gladiatorial traditions by 5).

Gliko's stats are here.

My apologies. I misunderstood the mechanics for this section. Each PC may attempt a skill check, but each skill can be used only ONCE. For instance, once a PC attempts a Computers check, no other PC can use that skill. One player should act for the 4th pregen, Gliko.

Each PC can perform one action to help avoid the hardlight asteroids. You may choose from the list of actions below or you may creatively describe how a different action/skill of your choosing could be used to address the situation. Instead of making an attempt, a PC may help with another's attempt with a successful DC 16 Diplomacy check to encourage them or a DC 16 Intimidation check to remind them of the dire consequences of failure. The PC receiving aid gains a +2 bonus to their check or attack roll, but they can gain this bonus only once.

List of possible actions:
• Piloting check to navigate the ship through complicated evasive maneuvers to avoid the asteroids.
• Ranged attack roll to blast the rocks apart using the starship’s weaponry.
• Computers check to scan the makeup of the asteroid and to disrupt the code to lessen their impact.
• Perception check to plot a safe course by analyzing the asteroids’ paths and discerning patterns in their movement.
• Engineering check to push the ship’s engines by overcharging the ship’s thrusters to charge through the asteroids as fast as possible.

Err0r tries to get more detailed information about the asteroids.

Computers: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19

Err0r tries to get more detailed information about the asteroids.

Err0r gains the information needed to disrupt the code of the hardlight asteroids, lessening their impact against the hull of your starship.

One success!

Each remaining PC can perform one action to help avoid the hardlight asteroids. You may choose from the list of actions below or you may creatively describe how a different action/skill of your choosing could be used to address the situation. Instead of making an attempt, a PC may help with another's attempt with a successful DC 16 Diplomacy check to encourage them or a DC 16 Intimidation check to remind them of the dire consequences of failure. The PC receiving aid gains a +2 bonus to their check or attack roll, but they can gain this bonus only once.

List of possible actions:
• Piloting check to navigate the ship through complicated evasive maneuvers to avoid the asteroids.
• Ranged attack roll to blast the rocks apart using the starship’s weaponry.
• Perception check to plot a safe course by analyzing the asteroids’ paths and discerning patterns in their movement.
• Engineering check to push the ship’s engines by overcharging the ship’s thrusters to charge through the asteroids as fast as possible.

Trying to keep things moving.

I'll see if I can find us a safe way through

Perception check to plot a safe course: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

Obviously, I cannot. Too much smoke

We must push
perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

I will bot Gliko to keep us moving, but would prefer one or more of the PCs to control their actions in the future.

The diminutive Gliko engages the ship flight controls, attempting to navigate the ship through complicated evasive maneuvers to avoid the asteroids.
Piloting: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18
Success!

Despite the efforts, the ship has a rough landing and the party is knocked about the bridge.
Each PC takes nonlethal bludgeoning damage in the amount of: 2d8 ⇒ (5, 8) = 13

Not far from where the ship has landed, signs directing visitors to the HACTexpo can be easily spotted. The exposition hall is large enough to accommodate the relatively small HACTexpo, which is limited to only a few hundred attendees and journalists. All welcome and information signs point toward the wide, carpeted walkway leading to the expo center’s main entrance.

Dim, flickering lighting extends along the walkway from the spaceport to the expo hall, but the vidscreens lining the hall seem to be working just fine. Each flashes between advertisements for various HACTech products and clips of high-octane animated action scenes from the Champion Squad comic book series.

Map of the expo now revealed on Slides.

Please place your tokens on the map where you wish to be.

Each PC may attempt a Perception check.

Each PC may attempt a second Perception check.

perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
2nd perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 switched out the pregen token for my picture avatar so it will be easier for me and others to know who I am.

Perception check the first: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

Well, that didn't go very well.

Second Perception check: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28

That's better. We'll see what it gets us.

Glika, Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

That's better. We'll see what it gets us.

That will do for check two! (Err0r may still attempt the first Perception check).

Passing by the video screens, the sharp-eyed vlaka notices that the projectors of the automated holographic greeter has been altered so to create a trap to cause harm to unsuspecting arrivals when they approach within 10 feet of the doors!

To deactivate the trap requires a successful Engineering (disable hardlight projectors) or Computers (disconnect projectors from the network).

I have updated token positions on the map with dotted-yellow line demarcating the trap.

Perception Check #1: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Just realized that Glika has the highest Engineering AND Computers of the party.

Glika, Engineering: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26

The raxalite goes to work on the projectors. As she finishes, an android with a friendly face and a neat HACTech polo flickers into view in front of the doors. “Welcome to the HACTexpo!” Their words appear over their head in a subtle subtitling system. “Registration and Will Call are just ahead. If you’ve pre-registered, you’ll find the expo hall to your right, and you—”

The android’s voice dissolves into a screech of static as their image flickers and scrambles. The light resolves into a different figure, a male gnome wearing a jester’s outfit, complete with belled hat. He waves an enormous pair of scissors and picks up where the android left off. “—won’t stop me this time, Champion Squad! I’m going to create the greatest game the galaxy has ever seen, and everyone will know the Hardlight Harlequin created it!”

The hardlight figure concludes with a burst of shrill laughter. The laughter grows in intensity, threatening to rend flesh in addition to eardrums!

The figure looks like something like this.

However, it appears that Glika's work was successful as the hardlight projector shuts down before the intensity grows to full capacity.

Advancing player tokens past the doors.

Beyond the doors is the area for registration and will call. Here, attendees would normally have to stop to either register for the event or pick up pre-registered badges. At present, several beings in uniforms and others dressed as comic and vidgamer characters can be seen hiding behind a large registration desk.

When the PCs enter, a female shirren peeks out from her hiding place and furtively gestures at you to approach. "I am Shikaska," she explains. "I am just an employee of HACTech responsible for the registration area for the expo, but none of this is supposed to be happening. Things went dreadfully wrong when the company’s CTO, Jaype Meriandrew, unveiled his brand-new game at the showcase event last night. Several small explosions rang out, leaving parts of the facility without power. Worse, the remaining games and software have all gone haywire! Digital projections seem to be overwriting reality!"

Picture of Shikaska now on Slides.

"I have no idea where Jaype is now, or what happened to him. But, I know that most of us who survived the disaster have taken shelter throughout the facility."

"Anyone who enters this place is met by that distorted hardlight hologram message and that ear-splitting sound," she continues. "But, you've obviously found a way around that. If that is the case, then I can lead those of us here and shepherd the group of attendees and employees to safety. Once they are safe, I can return here to the registration area so help any others that are here to flee."

"Just don't make me go into the rest of the expo hall," she pleads. "I haven't any idea what’s causing the strange digital manifestations or how to stop them. But, I certainly don't want to be their next victim!"

The shirren hands you a map of the expo.

Where to next, Starfinders?

Culture: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Gliko's Profession Vidgamer: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30

Gliko says, "Someone is cosplaying as a villain from Champion Squad."

Err0r adds, "It's definitely best to get everyone you can out of here. We'll take a look around." And grab any swag left behind. "Do any of the terminals here give us access to more than the ticketing system?"

If someone is cosplaying a villain from Champion Squad maybe we should move across the Central Hub to the Champion Squad booth to see what we can find.

Ritta strokes her chin as she thinks.

Jaype may also have more information. Any idea where they were last seen?

Just in case, I'd like to Sense Motive on Shikaska, just to see if they are being completely truthful.

"Do any of the terminals here give us access to more than the ticketing system?"

"Oh, no. I very much doubt it. HACTech takes security very seriously," assures Shikaska.

Jaype may also have more information. Any idea where they were last seen?

"I was here at the registration desk during the unveiling, when I heard the explosions," explains the shirren. "I didn't see what happened to Jaype, but there may still be some inside who do."

Ritta senses that Shikaska is frightened, but forthcoming.

Nothing else of interest in this area, so I will move you into the Central Hub. Please arrange your tokens anywhere you would like within the dotted-green area.

The HACTexpo centers around an enormous holographic display in the main hall. When you enter the expo hall, you see that it has descended into chaos.

Intermittent illumination flickers through the broad, open space as the industrial lights spark and flare unpredictably. The various displays and booths for HACTech games and partner companies are abandoned, but holoprojectors and vidscreens vie for attention throughout the empty room.

Far stranger, the scenes shown on screen seem to be spilling over into reality: enormous batlike creatures shriek and swoop through the hall from a gothic-themed booth in one corner, while a group of soldiers in Pact Worlds–branded military armor dash along one wall, shouting commands to one another while artillery fire blazes around them. In some areas, the floor glows in bright, blocky patterns, walls display pixelated textures that shift abruptly, and otherwise mundane objects flicker in and out of reality between bursts of static. The smell of burnt electronics pervades the air, and the noise of the different displays is punctuated by the occasional pop or sizzle of frying circuitry.

The hall showcases a raised platform (area contains green shapes and swirls on map) with enormous holodisplays surrounding a holographic amusement chamber with transparent walls, so the user is visible from the entire hall. The displays now show a surprisingly realistic rendition of four superheroes dashing toward a space station’s power core, where a colorfully dressed villain laughs maniacally, one hand on an enormous lever.

Captions on the screens mirror his words. “You’re too late, Champion Squad!” the villain cackles, throwing the lever. “The galaxy’s best game has already begun!” An instant later, the display scrambles into static and starts the loop over from the start.

The tiered stage holds a few lifeless bodies. Some where uniforms identifying them as HACTech staff. Others are equipped with vid-recorders and holo-feed tech, suggesting that they were journalists. The hub's raise stage is fitted with fabric skirting. A set of double doors line the east wall behind the stage.

Culture: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Gliko's Profession Vidgamer: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29
Gliko's Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Gliko says, "Attract mode on this thing is broken, if this is as much as it's showing. And something is under there," they add, pointing under the stage.

Ritta starts to move toward the stage to see what is under the fabric skirt.

perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12 Is too busy noticing the clothing everyone is wearing and the patters on the floor.

Rustling beneath the skirt, Gliko spots a few limbs and shapes. They appear to be attendees and staff that have taken shelter. A few limbs point southward towards the booth for Necromancer: The Series.

Following their motions, Gliko spots a trio of ghastly winged creatures straight out of the Necromancer vidgame series prepared to swoop out of the related booth (area A8) toward the PCs. The terrifying batlike beasts resemble hardlight projections, but have digitized into reality and now seem entirely real!

Picture of winged creatures now on Slides.

The three winged creatures each take fly, zooming towards the party!
Move action of flying for all three

Map updated with position of winged creatures.

DEATH FLIES FORWARD! - Surprise Round Begins!

PCs in bold may take a standard or move action

Winged creatures (blue, red, yellow)
Gliko
Willy/Chox
Err0r
Ritta

BOTTING Gliko - No post in 24+ hours

The raxalite attempts to identify these winged terrors.
Engineering: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25

Gliko realizes that these creatures are hardlight versions of animals known as carrion bats. The carrion bats swoop down at their prey attacking with their beating wings before flying off. Their thick, leather-like hides are easier to penetrate with energy weapons.
Feats Spring Attack
EAC 11; KAC 13

Gliko draws their pulsecaster pistol.

One of the three flying foes (blue) swoops down towards Gliko, battering the raxalite with its wings as it flies by.
Hardlight carrion bat (blue), Spring Attack w/ wing v Gliko KAC: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Damage (B): 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

The other two also fly towards Starfinders and try to smack with their wings.
Hardlight carrion bats (red & yellow): Fly 60 ft.
dice=Hardlight carrion bat (red), Melee attack wing v Ritta KAC: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Damage (B): 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
dice=Hardlight carrion bat (yellow), Melee attack wing v Willy/Chox KAC: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Damage (B): 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

DEATH FLIES FORWARD! - Round One Begins!

PCs in bold may take a full round of actions

Hardlight carrion bats (blue, red, yellow)
Gliko
Willy/Chox -8 SP
Err0r
Ritta

Assuming Red is in reach:

Ritta manifests her Solar Weapon and swings at Red.

Attack on Red with Solar Weapon: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Bludgeoning Damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

And start Photon Attunement

Err0r draws a grenade and tosses it into the fray, hitting Red and Yellow Ritta.

Screamer Grenade I vs. AC 5: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Sonic Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 10 plus deafened 1d4 ⇒ 1 minutes (DC 15)
Off Target Direction: 1d8 ⇒ 2
Off Target Distance: 1d4 ⇒ 3

I AM ERR0R.

did the bat actually fly by, or is it actually in melee?
Melee carbon steel curve blade as I swing that hit: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21 dmg: 1d10 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12 slashing

Ritta manifests her Solar Weapon and swings at Red.

Ritta whallops the hardlight carrion bat.

Err0r draws a grenade and tosses it into the fray, hitting Red and Yellow Ritta.

Carrion Bat (red), Reflex (DC 15): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

The shrill blast causes one of the carrion bats (red) to nearly glitch out existence.

did the bat actually fly by, or is it actually in melee?

Only carrion bat (blue) was able to pull off a Spring attack and fly by. Carrion bats (red & yellow) are in melee.

Willy/Chox slashes another carrion bat (yellow)

BOTTING Gliko - No post in 24+ hours (would prefer a player control Gliko in the future).

The raxalite takes a position (Guarded Step) and fires their static arc pistol at a nearby carrion bat.
At? 1 blue, 2 yellow: 1d2 ⇒ 1

Gliko, Ranged (static arc pistol): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Damage (E): 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

One of the three flying foes (blue) again swoops down towards Gliko, battering the raxalite with its wings as it flies by.
Hardlight carrion bat (blue), Spring Attack w/ wing v Gliko KAC: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Damage (B): 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

The most injured of the carrion bats (red) tries to fly back to the area from whence it came.
Provokes AoO from Ritta.

The remaining one tries to smack Willy/Chox with it wings.
dice=Hardlight carrion bat (yellow), Melee attack wing v Willy/Chox KAC: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Damage (B): 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

DEATH FLIES FORWARD! - Round Two Begins!

PCs in bold may take a full round of actions

Hardlight carrion bat (blue) -3 HP
Hardlight carrion bat (red) -20 HP
Hardlight carrion bat (yellow) -12 HP
Gliko -6 SP
Willy/Chox -14 SP
Err0r
Ritta -10 SP (May take AoO v. red)

Ritta takes her AOO on Red

Attack on Red with Solar Weapon: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Bludgeoning Damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

The on her turn, she moves toward Yellow and tries to strike it

Attack on Yellow with Solar Weapon: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Bludgeoning Damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

And continue Photon attunement

Gliko will attempt to Trick Attack Blue, Sneaking across the room.

Trick for Trick Attack, Stealth DC 20 + CR: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34
Attack roll for Trick Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Base Static Arc damage, Electricity: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Trick Attack damage: 1d8 ⇒ 3

If the Trick hits, he will make Blue Off-Target

Err0r draws his pistol and fires at the nearest active bat.

Tactical Semi-Auto Pistol: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
Piercing Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Ritta takes her AOO on Red

The carrion bat flickers and disappears.

The on her turn, she moves toward Yellow and tries to strike it

Her strike easily connects, causing a second carrion bat to flicker out of existence.

Gliko will attempt to Trick Attack Blue, Sneaking across the room.

Gliko fools the carrion bat and their shot sends it reeling off target.

Err0r draws his pistol and fires at the nearest active bat.

The android's shot catches the off-target carrion bat.

DEATH FLIES FORWARD! - Round Two Cont'd!

PCs in bold may take a full round of actions

Hardlight carrion bat (blue) -18 HP (off-target)
Hardlight carrion bat (red) -29 HP
Hardlight carrion bat (yellow) -24 HP
Gliko -6 SP
Willy/Chox -14 SP
Err0r
Ritta -10 SP

Swing at yellow, or at least when it gets into melee hit: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11 vs KAc dmg: 1d10 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15 slashing.

Swing at yellow, or at least when it gets into melee

The bolida misses his mark.

Nevertheless, the remaining hardlight carrion bat (blue) flees back to the Necromancer: The Series booth.

Unless you wish to pursue...

COMBAT OVER

Suddenly on a nearby vidscreen appears the image of a gnomish jester.

"An easy victory, Champion Squad!" The image boasts. "But, it will be your last! Everyone knows that carrion bats are simple beasts, which is why they are only low-level enemies in the Necromancer game series. My plan is to create not just a better game..."

"But, the GREATEST VIDEOGAME THAT THE GALAXY HAS EVER SEEN!"

With the coast clear, the attendees hiding beneath the hub's raised stage begin to exit.

"Thanks for saving us," says an ysoki with an attendees badge. "But, if you guys are supposed to he Champion Squad, you had better work on your cosplay. Those costumes are terrible!"

Party Status:
Gliko -6 SP
Willy/Chox -14 SP
Err0r
Ritta -10 SP

Where to, Starfinders?

Where to next, Starfinders?

We didn't make it to the Champion Squad booth before we got attacked, so we should probably check that out.

Agreed, although the other option is to follow the Bat. I think I prefer the Champion Squad booth for now.

We should rest here, I for one would like to take 10 minutes

You are free to rest and recover Stamina points. I will assume each PC has unless indicated otherwise.

Following the battle with the hardlight carrion bats and the exit of those trapped beneath the stage area, the party makes its way to the booth for The Champion Squad HAC game, which has been touted as one of the expo’s highlights. The game was advertised as being based on the prominent, popular, and expensive-to-license comic book series of the same name. Yet, strangely, the heroes seem to be missing from the holographic demos throughout the booth, replaced by the comic’s villains.

"Not only does the upcoming game provide life-like graphics, but its seamlessly blends tangible hardlight projections with bleeding-edge VR technology to create an experience unlike any other. And speaking of 'bleeding-edge', watch as the Horrible Harlequin cuts and snips through opponents like paper!" declares the audio coming from a nearby vidscreen as it displays several of the game's cut scenes and gameplay depicting a gnome in a bright jester's costume. [b]"Have you ever seen such a fine specimen of madcap might and comedic command?"

The display continues reciting nonstop praise and adoration for the upcoming game and its main antagonist for several minutes before a fuller figure of the gnome in a bright jester’s costume strolls onto the screen. His spoken words also appear in comic-style speech bubbles over his head. “Thank you, thank you, my loyal and admiring fans! Rest assured our future is a bright one, free from the meddling of troublesome interlopers... like these so-called ‘heroes.’”

His finger stabs out toward the viewer in accusation, and then he vanishes in a flash of light.

A moment later, the demo starts anew.

The booth also contains a long, see-through table display containing various pieces of swag and promo items, including a pair of the this year's exclusive promo item: a devil-in-a-box with the Horrible Harlequin inside and armed with a comically large pair of scissors!

Out of the corner of their eye the bolida gladiator spots movement from the pair of promos as their boxes begin to open!

Picture of the promos now on Slides.

CUTTING EDGES IN THE CHAMPION SQUAD BOOTH! - Surprise Round!

PCs in bold may take a standard or move action

Willy/Chox
Promo (red)
Ritta
Gliko
Err0r
Promo (yellow)

Willy doesn't want to waste an action moving to red and hopes red moves to him, so he will delay after red.

One of the two promos (red), pulls itself partially into its box, which now provides it with some cover.

CUTTING EDGES IN THE CHAMPION SQUAD BOOTH! - Surprise Round Cont'd!

PCs in bold may take a standard or move action

Promo (red) (Boxed)
Willy/Chox
Ritta
Gliko
Err0r
Promo (yellow)

Ritta will manifest her Solar Weapon and ready an action to strike any enemy who gets within Melee range.

Gliko will move and pull out their Static Arc pistol while they move.

Move up to yellow and attack hit: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17 vs KAC with his melee carbon steel blade weapon. dmg: 1d10 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18 slashing.

Ritta will manifest her Solar Weapon and ready an action to strike any enemy who gets within Melee range.

It is still surprise round. Manifesting the solar weapon is a move action, so no ready this turn (Yes, you may keep the die roll for your next attack roll if you choose).

Move up to yellow and attack with his melee carbon steel blade weapon.

It is still surprise round. Moving up to yellow is move action, so no attack this turn (Yes, you may keep the die roll for your next attack roll if you choose).

In the interest of keeping the game moving (and not having to recall the token's original position), I will Willy/Chox's move action for the Surprise Round.

When the Starfinder approaches one of the promos (yellow) it attacks!

Promo (yellow), Melee cutters v Willy/Chox: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15
Damage (S): 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

The other promo (red), still partially in its box clumsily bounces toward the vlaka, then slashes with its scissors.
Move
Promo (red). Melee cutters v Ritta w/boxed: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 12 - 2 = 25
Damage (S): 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

CUTTING EDGES IN THE CHAMPION SQUAD BOOTH! - First Full Round Begins!

PCs in bold may take a full round of actions.

Promo (red) (Boxed)
Willy/Chox
Ritta -5 SP
Gliko
Err0r
Promo (yellow)

Err0r will step away from the monster-in-a-box and shoot it.

Tactical Semi-Auto Pistol vs. Red: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13 Maybe +2 if Gliko's trick helps?
Piercing Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Stupid bad guys not getting within 15 feet of each other...

Gliko will Trick Attack Red.

Stealth, Tricks CR: 1d20 + 15 - 20 ⇒ (20) + 15 - 20 = 15
Static Arc Pistol: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Electricity Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Trick Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7

Gliko will Trick Attack Red.

Despite the promo (red)having cover from its box, Gliko readily fools the toy and shocks it with a strong bolt of electricity.

Err0r will step away from the monster-in-a-box and shoot it.

Alas, even with Gliko's help, the android's shot bounces off of the promo's box.

PCs in bold may take a full round of actions.

Promo (red) -13 HP (Boxed; flat-footed)
Willy/Chox
Ritta -5 SP
Gliko
Err0r
Promo (yellow)

Ritta will keep the die rolls from the readied action and attack Red, since he bounced up.

Ritta will photon attune.

You shouldn't play with scissors, little one.