[SF Adventure] To Defy the Dragon

Game Master cmlobue

A fearsome dragon monarch rules over planet Genrovis with an adamantine claw, oppressing its people, hoarding resources, and controlling the world’s dwindling energy. As Genrovis rebels against the dragon’s tyranny, a group of heroes delve into forbidden ruins seeking legendary technology from the ancient past—four one-of-a-kind mechs! But will their mechs be strong enough to take on a dragon?

Each of you is contacted by a female human calling herself Zefne desMoraine. She asks you to provide security for a smuggling operation. The job offers a chance to help a worthy cause for altruistic characters, and a paycheck for more mercenary types.

After accepting the job, you all meet up at a starport to introduce (or reintroduce) yourselves to each other and select the hull you will be taking to Genrovis.

I accept the job, I'm definitely altruistic. and little does she know I only plan to return half the stuff the tyrants stole and keep the other half for myself, or at least a quarter of it, assuming it is valuable. Unless the resource is something stupid like wood because the tyrants imposed a law down saying no chopping down trees, then I'll will be really disappointed. Yeah right, altruistic, hidden ulterior motives.

Sefel nervously twitches as he types out his response to the query from Zefne.

Okay, but just this one time. I'm not really the smuggling type, and I'm only out of work temporarily! Yup, I should be back in the office any time. But, I suppose this could be interesting once! I'm good with computers. >8)

"I'll do it!" Yargnod says almost before Zefne is finished. He doesn't particularly care about helping people, either. But, a paycheck sounds good. So does an excuse to get further away from Daimalko. He's sure people are looking for a certain something he has, which is why he left his home planet in the first place. The fact that no one has confronted him about it doesn't mean they're NOT looking, it just means they either haven't caught up to him or they're waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

When he shows up, almost all of Yargnod's gear appears to be scavenged. His skittersuit is at least second hand and has clearly been reconfigured to fit a humanoid of his side rather than a smaller being. The jet back module attached to it is new, though. Actually, he doesn't seem to have much gear and, notably, he is unarmed.

Yargnod appears a bit scavenged, himself. At first, he seems to be a simple hobgoblin but the long tusks protruding up from his bottom lip, bulging eyes and shock of thick white hair suggest otherwise. He's also quite grimy, with oil, glue, paint and other stains marring his armor and skin and quite a few crumbs from hastily eaten meals liberally mixed in.

He watches everyone warily and makes no particular effort to introduce himself.

A tall thin male damaya lashunta strolls casually across the starport floor. His antennae sweep an arc that encompasses the room. He's wearing a green basic flight suit. A sidearm pistol in a covered holster and a couple grenades hang on his belt. A simple pack is slung over one shoulder. Behind him a porter pushes a handtruck with three crates.

"You're all Zefne's crew? I was told to report here to meet the rest of the crew and requisition a ship. Name's Telirix Sporestorm, but you all can call me Tel."

Sefel's expression lights up when another of his kin appears. His antennae dancings on his head and motioning towards Telirix.

Indeed, we are the forming crew. We know little more than you so far! I do software and arcane magicks! You seem to be some sort of weapons specialist?

The four agents hired by Zefne track each other down at the spaceport. Once there, you exchange basic information and find that the Genrovian has arranged for a choice of ships for you to use for your journey. There is a Drake and Pegasus, both frames you are quite familiar with. You also see an Immortal in case you are expecting trouble. And somehow, they have also arranged for an Aurora.

"I'm Yognard Kir'eed. You can call me Yognard," Yognard says. He's already eyeing the ships.

Because he's always expecting trouble, he heads toward the Immortal but then pauses and huddles close to the other three.

"There must be a crew on the bigger ships. Can't be run with just 4 people. They're more powerful, but then we have to deal with the crew."

He looks around warily before leaning pack in. "And we might have to DEAL with the crew. You never know when there's going to be a spy or mole or betrayer around."

He pauses and leans back suspiciously, looking at you each closely. "You never know.

"So, what do you think? Take our chances with strangers or just trust each other in a Drake?"

Sefel's expression lights up when another of his kin appears. His antennae dancings on his head and motioning towards Telirix.

Indeed, we are the forming crew. We know little more than you so far! I do software and arcane magicks! You seem to be some sort of weapons specialist?

The newcomer's antennae swivel to point directly at Sefel.

"Just a retired Starfinder. I'd rather talk than fight, but if it comes to it, I want to end the fight standing."

"I'm Yognard Kir'eed. You can call me Yognard," Yognard says. He's already eyeing the ships.

Because he's always expecting trouble, he heads toward the Immortal but then pauses and huddles close to the other three.

"There must be a crew on the bigger ships. Can't be run with just 4 people. They're more powerful, but then we have to deal with the crew."

He looks around warily before leaning pack in. "And we might have to DEAL with the crew. You never know when there's going to be a spy or mole or betrayer around."

He pauses and leans back suspiciously, looking at you each closely. "You never know.

"So, what do you think? Take our chances with strangers or just trust each other in a Drake?"

Piloting: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27

Tel watches the goblin start toward the Immortal, and then turn back. He considers the question. "The big ones are full on military kit. Arriving on those will make a statement. In my experience with creative logistics, a low profile draws less attention, and so less trouble. The Pegasus is wilier, and more of a pilot's ship. If we are expecting trouble, the Drake might be the best compromise. But maybe we want to have a look inside first and see if the ships are in good condition."

[ooc]

Sefel nods. Finesse, I like it. I vote Pegasus too.

None of the ships are fresh out of the shipyards, but everything seems to be in working order.

Looks like you are going to take a Pegasus. I'll post the next step in about 14 hours unless there is a major disagreement. And feel free to name your new home away from home.

The team boards the Pegasus and begins the trip to Genrovis. They take the time to pick a suitable name, learn everything there is to know about each other, and decide who will be sitting in what chair when trouble arrives.

Trouble arrives as they enter the atmosphere of the planet. A large living creature and two swarms of smaller ones are approaching the ship.

Computers check to learn more. You may include the Pegasus' bonuses.

Yargnod is not exactly surprised when something that appears dangerous approaches their ship. If anything, he's surprised they've gone this long without being attacked. The universe is trying to kill them all, after all.

But, for the moment, he tries to figure out exactly what the universe is trying to use to kill him, right now.

Computers: 1d20 + 20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 20 + 4 = 36

The Drift is not a friendly place, but it's also not a place where you are likely to have a lot of random encounters. Fortunately for you, the ride was bumpy, but otherwise uneventful.

Everything approaching you is alive, but acts as three starships - the larger creature is one, and the smaller ones operate in tandem in a way that makes them function as two others (which are identical to each other).

With that roll, you can have basic information about each, or basic information and defenses on one "starship" of your choice. Others can make Computers checks to learn more.

Yargnod focuses on the big one. The big ones are the most dangerous. He analyzes the scans to get basic information and the defenses that it might have.

The large creature is a tiny starship dragon (i.e. it's a creature with the dragon type that functions as a starship). No crew, speed 12, perfect maneuverability (turn 0).

AC 25; TL 19; 175/175 HP; Shields - forward 30/30, port 30/30, starboard 30/30, aft 30/30; no core PCU.

Computers (ship bonus): 1d20 + 22 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 22 + 4 = 42

Sefel joins Yargnod in scanning their approaching foes. He focuses first on the two swarms.

The swarms are identical to each other. They each function as a small starship dragon. No crew, speed 8, maneuverability good (turn 0).

AC 21; TL 15; 145/145 HP; no Shields; no Core PCU.

Attack (Forward) breath weapon (4d4 plus irradiate; 2 hexes)

The swarms can turn on a dime. We should be wary of their positioning... he relays telepathically to the rest of the team.

Tel rolls out of his bunk and up to the enlarged cockpit that serves as the Pegasus bridge. "What's going on ?"

>Slide 4<

The creatures continue to approach. They are not making any attempt to communicate, but they are clearly hostile.

Round 1 - engineering phase and pilot initiative

Pegasus
Large Dragon
Red Flight
Blue Flight

The approaching creatures speed up.

Yargnod pulls up the engineering interface on his console and sets the quick toggle to the gunner's station.

"Giant monsters want to eat us. So...basically a Tuesday back home. I don't want to get eaten. If you don't want to get eaten, I suggest you have a seat and fire up some guns. I'm about to send them some extra power.

"Unless someone wants to see if talking to them is an option."

First I got to roll Piloting init Unless you already did that for both the enemy and me, or this is round 0
piloting init: 1d20 + 20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 20 + 1 = 26 edit, almost for the +1, the piloting bonus of the ship itself.

Round 0 was the scans as they approached. I just prefer having pilots roll initiative during the engineering phase on PBP because it can already be slow enough without having to split up the actions in the helm phase.

"Not getting eaten is good." Telirix moves to one of the couches and toggles up the gunnery controls.
"Patch them through to me. I'll try talking, if I'm not otherwise busy."

While prepping the guns, lashunta also begins trying to hail the incoming creatures in a variety pof languages starting with Triaxian.

(Brethedan, Castrovelian, Common, Eoxian, Kasatha, Sarcesian, Shirren, Triaxian, Vercite, Vesk)

Sefel sits down at the science console and...

attempts to target the big creatures sensors while Telirix attempts to hail the creatures.

Target System: sensors (Computers): 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (20) + 22 = 42

Telirix does not get any response. Whether that is because they can't communicate with a starship or don't want to is unclear, but the result is the same: they continue to approach.

Sefel has the targeting computers working at 100% efficiency.

The two flights of smaller dragons try to flank your ship.

Round 1 - helm phase

Blue Flight
Red Flight
Pegasus
Large Dragon

piloting back up manuever: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (12) + 21 = 33 drew red line to show where I was. Both of those ships are within 10 hexes for gunnery purposes and in front arc.

"Didn't think talking would work. Looks like we'll solve this with the guns. Or can we outrun them?"

Th large dragon approaches, but stays close to one of its ally groups.

Round 1 - gunnery phase

Blue Flight
Red Flight
Pegasus
Large Dragon

Did I miss the Engineering phase? I can never remember the order. If I'm allowed to...

Yargnod diverts power from several less important systems like entertainment, long range communications, life support, to pump more energy into the guns.

Engineering (Divert): 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (1) + 20 = 21

But all he manages to do is erase all their saved episodes of the Triaxian Soap Opera "Day of Our Lives."

Engineering phase is first, os yes, you missed it. As the dice made clear.

Talk to them is a no, and if we outrun them, there is no guarantee they will track us down later. I guess we have to destroy them or do enough damage to make them run.

"Nice." Telirix appreciates Mordack's precision positioning. He slews the forward particle beam toward the isolated creatures, and thumbs the firing button.

Gunnery v blue , ship's bonus: 1d20 + 9 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 9 + 5 = 15 ... damage: 10d6 ⇒ (5, 1, 4, 1, 3, 4, 4, 2, 1, 1) = 26

I didn't see anyone claim the ship's computer bonus to aid actions. I'll plan on using it unless someone says something.

Edit: Shazbat!

That's alright, Telirix. Okay, who's on the Turret Gun, before they try to eat our ship alive, even if they aren't firing, they could eat us.

On it!

Sefel slides over to the turret and fires the twin laser.

Gunnery vs the big un, twin laser damage: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 305d8 ⇒ (2, 4, 7, 3, 6) = 22

Telirix's particle beam sails past the enemy, but Sefel nails the leader with his lasers

The dragons make no attacks against you this round. Perhaps they can only attack at close range.

Round 2 - engineering phase and pilot initiative

Blue Flight
Red Flight
Pegasus
Large Dragon (forward shields 8/30)

The Red dragons seem to be slowing, but the others maintain their velocity.

"I didn't like that show anyway," Yargnod says to no one in particular.

"Oh, I see. Whoever designed this ship put the polarity dispenser in the retrograde quadrant. I guess that's one way to do things...if you want to do them wrong."

Since the dragons aren't shooting back yet, he works to make his gunners shooting better.

Engineering (Divert): 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (10) + 20 = 30

That was exactly what I needed. For any damage rolls this turn all 1's are treated as 2's."

piloting init: 1d20 + 20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 20 + 1 = 24

Yargnod stops playing around in the media database and juices the guns.

The boss and red flight maneuver around each other to approach on your port side.

Round 2 - piloting phase

Red Flight
Large Dragon (forward shields 8/30)
Pegasus
Blue Flight

Seems like they need to be in melee, so I'm going to back up again, hopefully I win init next time to do a flip and burn or something after they try to get into melee. piloting backup manuever: 1d20 + 20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 20 + 1 = 37

Excuse me while I move the hex grid, since you are moving in the exact opposite direction from where I was expecting.

The blue group moves back into formation.

Round 2 - gunnery phase

Red Flight
Large Dragon (forward shields 8/30)
Pegasus
Blue Flight

Sefel's antennae dance atop his head in excitement from his last shot. He's typically more used to getting adrenaline from debugging a particularly tricky piece of code, or hacking a system that isn't his own.

Woohoo! These things will be stellar history in no time!

Again he fires the turret...

Gunnery vs the big un, twin laser damage: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 185d8 ⇒ (1, 4, 3, 2, 3) = 13
Converting the 1 to 2, that's 14 damage. But likely doesn't matter because boo low rolls.

UPDATE I see we aren't bolded now, so if I jumped the gun, order my post appropriately.

Telirix notes Sefel's success. C'mon, can't look like a complete piker when Sefel's doing so well.

Gunnery v large , ship's bonus: 1d20 + 9 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 5 = 16 ... damage: 10d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 5, 1, 1) = 21

Away for the weekend. Tel's probalby going to just keep firing.

Sorry, I am being inconsistent with bolding on this battle. Everything in a phase happens simultaneously except ship movement, so roll as soon as your phase happens.

Neither Sefel nor Telirix can get a bead on the larger dragon. Blue flight seems to think it's close enough and unleashes some sort of flak at you, but it falls short.

Are you remembering to assign your ship bonuses?

Round 3 - engineering phase and pilot initiative

Red Flight
Large Dragon (forward shields 8/30)
Pegasus
Blue Flight

You see an eerie glow from each of the enemies, as if they are charging some sort of weapon.

"Hey! What are you guys doing? Do you think I'm going to be able to do that all the time? I mean, I am, but you don't know that so don't waste those shots," Yargnod says.

But he's definitely got it down, now so it doesn't matter, that much.

Engineering (Divert): 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (7) + 20 = 27

All the toilets on the ship flush at the same time.

For reference, the DC is 30.

piloting init: 1d20 + 20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 20 + 1 = 37

The plumbing works, but now may not be the best time for a bathroom break.

The enemy tries to surround the Pegasus.

Round 3 - helm phase

Large Dragon (forward shields 8/30)
Red Flight
Blue Flight
Pegasus