Game Master S's "Fly Free or Die"

Game Master Chris Marsh

Portable medical pods that provide automated care to sick patients crowd this long room occupied by species from throughout Near Space. Nurse drones fly back and forth monitoring patients, all suffering from hellfire toxin. Their bodies appear covered in charcoal gray bulbs that burn with an inner fire and ebb and swell as if breathing. The room smells like a campfire. The nurse drones ignore you.

Aldor begins looking through the window of the pods. He looks for someone who matches Agavana's description.

"Spread out. Let's see if our prey is hiding out in here."

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

Chip does the same, using his drone to increase the search area.

perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

No one sees anyone who matches the description, and the drones continue to ignore the party...

Aldo looks around the room for anything that may be useful to the party such as serums of healing.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

"This room really doesn't have much in it do they? Watch out in case those drones turn on us."

Doesn't look like there's anything to take here.

"Maybe someone more gifted with the gab should see if they can get some answers about the person we are looking for from these patients. Are they really a saint like that guy said, or is there a different story here?"

"I've got the gift of the gab, but do you really think these victims of toxin are up for a little chat? Let me try the nurses?"

Aldo comes up to one of the nurse drones, and addresses one of them by politely asking, "Excuse me, I am looking for a patient by the name of Agavana. Do you have any such name on your records?"

Previously they just went about their business, and it seemed like they were just busy. Now Aldo confirms that they're clearly not programmed to "gab." None of the patients are conscious either...

Looks like time to move on.

"Yep."

The former sanctuary of the temple bears Weydan’s symbol on the floor. It now functions as a command center; dozens of displays track creatures around the galaxy. Several maps, carefully tagged and pinned, hang about the room. Blue crystals on the walls emit a strange but pleasant hum. Working at the front of the room is an SRO you've seen before, though this one is clearly Charity Mk5.

Even more surprising is that a vesk matching Agavana's description is also working.

Charity is quick to speak, “Well, if it ain’t the scamps that turned the other ‘mes’ into scrap metal! But seein’ as how I know how to fix myself up pretty good, I’ll let that go. Now, are we all gonna throw down while my friend here melts your brain, or are you gonna listen to what the lady has to say?”

By all means, let us prevent brain-melting. Please, we'd love to, as they say, "chew the fat."

“I do not know you, but I suspect you have been sent here by some imperial agent who calls me Oathbreaker. But I don’t answer to that name. Through life and death, I have held my oath to the Veskarium. I remain Agavana Stoneblood. Speak and I will answer honorably, as always."”

”Well met, Agavana. I’m Aldo Cygnaurius at your service. You are correct. They do call you oathbreaker. Would you like to share your side of the story and let us know what you did to warrant that title.”

"I, Agavana “Oathbreaker” didn’t commit the theft of the zayapedes, nor did I massacre the population of Burandamana. The murder of employees at TruBlu served as a cover-up by a clandestine faction of the Veskarium so secretive that even the High Despots don’t know about it—the Adamant Scale."

She takes a deep breath. "I was stationed in Burandamana, which served as a testing ground for hellfire toxin. Adamant Scale agents killed me while cleaning up loose ends, but I awoke in the morgue, a vision of Weydan before my eyes." she lets it sink in before continuing.

Since my return I converted to Weydan's worship, and I've been investigating the Adamant Scale, becoming a threat to that organization. I persuaded Jassk Beskask to steal the zayapedes so that I could research an antidote to hellfire toxin. When the Adamant Scale discovered the theft, they staged a break-in at their own facility to cover it up and create an excuse for Captain Fireheart— who doesn’t know the truth—to track me down."

"How is it that every job we take is anything but a straightforward job where we do the work and collect the money?". The Aasimar asks himself as he listens intently.

"Agavna, your story sounds very compelling. Why is it that they want you? Do you carry the secrets of their hellfire toxin with you that will be a serious threat to them? Do you have any suggestions on how we can resolve this?"

"They want to bring me down because I'm a threat to them! Their faction within the Veskarium is so well-hidden that even the Council of Despots does not know of its existence. The Adamant Scale claims to protect the empire and strike at its enemies, but its members answer to no one save themselves. It was the Adamant Scale who turned the humble zayapede into deadly hellfire toxin—a poison I have experienced firsthand, as you might see. They toil tirelessly for the perfect bioweapon, and when I find their victims, I bring them here for treatment. However, experimenting on small populations will never be enough for the Adamant Scale. I believe they are preparing another large test on the scale of Burandamana, and I persuaded Jassk to steal the zayapedes so I could find an antidote in time."

“Instead, you have found me. Can we avoid violence, because I DON'T carry the secrets....yet. I need more time, and I have already hired a starship to transport me somewhere far from here. Simply let me go."

"What part of all that sounds like we are getting paid?"

Angel sighs.

"Do you have any corpses kicking around that could pass for you? We surely need to bring something back. Don't really want to ruin our reputation either. These people sound pretty dangerous to me."

”Angel brings up a good point. We would love to get paid and protect you. Is there anything we can bring back that might prove to them that you are dead but in reality you have gotten away?”

"I'm sorry to say that in the end, you don't want that. I'm going to see this through, and help people. Trust me. If you get paid and I turn up alive, and I will, you'll be a new target. You don't want that. I'm sorry you won't get paid on this one, but think of the good you'll be doing if you let me go."

I can see that you are helping people here, so thats in your favor. But do you have any proof of these claims? Anything for us to go on? Evidence of the Adamantine Scales?

The vesk turns to his comrades and whispers low. We need SOMETHING to show for our efforts. I can deal with leaving without getting paid. But walking away breaking a contract and losing honor is much harder to swallow. He lets out a hissing breath. Im sure our client would be very interested in evidence of these Adamantine Scales group

"Look around! This is the proof. The work here is all towards that end. Don't break the contract, just don't go back and say you're still on the trail. Look I have some stuff lying around. I can give you 5 Bps worth of material. It's all I can spare."

"Hearing Kaz's opion, I think we can keep looking for you indefinitely. Also, we do appreciate the 5 Bps. It will really help us. You see, we are working at building a reputation and we want to keep getting business in the future. We know that money is not everything, but we are hunted ourselves by the Edge and we need to thrive if we want to keep ahead of them. Perhaps that is why we have a soft spot for you. We really support underdogs, especially against the corrupt."

"Well, I know what it's like to be hunted. If we have an agreement, I've got a ship which I just charted that can take me offworld. Agreed?"

"Yes, we are agreed. We will pretend to continue searching for you. However, before we depart ways, could you tell us what you know about Captain Eshovayo Fireheart? Does he seem like the sort who cannot be trusted and who will be suspicious if we do not find you?"

"He's determined and single minded. If you never find me he'll just hire more people until I'm finally dead. He is, though, a vesk of honor."

She gathers her things and Charity Mk5 hands over 5 Bp. And the party earns 1,200 XP.

"Thank you. The ship should be here any minute then."

When you see the ship arrive, you recognize it instantly, the Wintermourn

The Wintermourn descends softly and lands nearby. When its cargo hold opens, you briefly greet and chat with Niva, Nemelith, Jinx, and Dizzy. Agavana boards the vessel and thanks you for serving freedom, Weydan, and the people of the Veskarium.

As the Wintermourn starts to lift off from the planet, Charity mk 5 leads you back to the temple. “Well,” she begins, “that was all in a good day’s work—”

She then explodes in a blast of plasma as two BMC Maulers streak by overhead! The ships complete their strafing run before also rising to the sky in pursuit of the Wintermourn . Niva's voice suddenly comes over your personal comm. “Dammit!” she says, “I thought we finally lost those lizards in orbit! Hey, if you can get these two off our backs, I’ll owe ya one.”

What say you?

”Lets get up there and help them out. There is no better reward than having Niva owe us one.”

I rebuilt my ship tracker now that I'm doing more of it. Unfortunately, I don't remember what role people signed up for, so we'll start there!

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STARSHIP COMBAT GM TRACKER
Starship
Tactical Map
Bonus Resolve: 0
Critical Damage Table
Options Adjusted for level: No

”ROLE PHASE”:
You may switch roles at the top of a round.
Captain: Vacant
Chief Mate: Vacant
Engineer: Vacant
Gunner: Vacant
Magic Officer: Vacant
Pilot: Vacant
Science Officer: Vacant

The Wintermourn blasts free, leaving you to fend off two frustrated fighters! Engagement Distance: 3d6 + 5 ⇒ (1, 5, 6) + 5 = 17. Awaiting Angel's Role. Often someone who can switch it up starts in Science for the scan.

Open Crew Actions: Erratic Maneuvering, Feign Disaster, Prioritize Calculation, Range Finding, Ready Weapons System
►Captain (Aldo): Demand, Encourage, Moving Speech, Orders, Taunt
Chief Mate (Name): Maintenance Panel Access, Targeting Aid
Engineer (Name): Divert, Hold It Together, Patch, Overpower, Quick Fix
Magic Officer (Name): Eldritch Shot, Scrying, Mystic Haze, Psychic Currents

********************************************
STARSHIP COMBAT
TACTICAL MAP
GM TRACKER[/b]
Starship
Tactical Map
Bonus Resolve: 0
Critical Damage Table
Options Adjusted for level: No

Aldo starts off by encouraging their pilot.

"You've got this. Let's beat them to the punch!

Diplomacy (to Encourage) vs. DC 15: 1d20 + 15 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 15 + (2) = 19

Aldo gets Chip pumped up for the fight ahead. Having never brought the FireStorm to a fight, everyone is a little tense.

Angel scans the ships to figure out what you're dealing with: Science Officer: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 15 + 2 = 32. she nails it, getting a complete and total readout on the ships:

Tiny fighters with a crew of only two, size.
HP: 35 CT: 7
AC: 19, TL: 18
Speed: 10 Maneuverability: Good (1)
Computer Assistance: +1 any one check per round, +4 Computers, +1 Piloting
Weapons:
Forward Arc: light plasma cannon, tactical nuclear missile launcher
Aft Arc: Flak Thrower
Systems Status: All Functioning
Shields: Diverting amount: 4

HELM PHASE (Initiative):
Magic Officer (Name): Precognition
Enemy Initiative: Piloting: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26
Pilot: Initiative If you lose this roll, immediately move to the HELM PHASE

HELM PHASE:

Pilot (Chip): Audacious Gambit, Full Power, Fly, Manuever, Stunt

********************************************
STARSHIP COMBAT
TACTICAL MAP
GM TRACKER
Starship
Bonus Resolve: 0
Critical Damage Table
Options Adjusted for level: No

Chip, brimming with confidence at Aldo's encouragement, foregoes using the computer just yet...he'll wait for The Opportune Moment.

piloting, init: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 13 + 2 = 20

looks like we won...that means they move first, right?

Per Slack, no. the goal is still to roll higher than the enemy. High is always good. In the spoiler labeled "FireStorm Status" you'll find all your stats. you have a speed of 12 with good maneuverability. This means you can move 12 hexes during the helm phase, and you need to move forward 1 hex before turning one hex. During this phase you can execute a Stunt. Stunts have a variety of effects. Some can alter your movement beyond your ship's stats (Back off, flip and burn, etc.) Some can change your stats (Evasive). There are plenty more. They all play off your pilot skill. The full list is HERE. In remastered Starfinder, EVERYONE can CRIT their actions.

Chip maneuvers the Firestorm to try to avoid a flank; he throws in some erratic patterns to confound the fighters as well Evade; as a Tier 4 ship I calc the DC to be 16

Pilot, Encouraged: 1d20 + 13 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 13 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 24

The two ships immediately bank to keep the FireStorm forward.

Green Pilot: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23SLIDE
White Pilot: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19 Evade

OPEN FIRE!

Green Tactical Nuke: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15 MISS!
White Tactical Nuke: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22 HIT! for DMG: 5d8 ⇒ (2, 6, 2, 2, 7) = 19 The shields hold, but they're damaged (23 down to 4).

GUNNERY PHASE:
►Gunner 1 (Kaz): Fire At Will, Shoot

********************************************
STARSHIP COMBAT
TACTICAL MAP
GM TRACKER
Starship
Bonus Resolve: 0
Critical Damage Table
Critical Skill check results
Options Adjusted for level: No

Chip glances over to Kaz, his expression deadly serious. Kaz...fire. FIRE!! (2:00)

"Scanning vessel for fire... no smoke or fire detected. Now is not the time to distract me, Chip."

At the controls Kaz fires on the other ship. Aaarrrgggghhhhh!!!

Gunnery 1d20 + 8 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 4 = 32
Missles 4d8 ⇒ (8, 8, 2, 7) = 25

as per Slack, missiles are on the port side. So, rerolling damage for turret

Turret damage: 6d4 ⇒ (2, 1, 1, 2, 2, 1) = 9

Chip pipes up EXCELLENT targeting Kaz! Turning to Port to return close to our previous position. This should force the Green fighter to play catch-up while we continue firing on White.

Unfortunately the way starship combat works, Kaz only gets the critical hit results if he damages the hull, otherwise it's all absorbed by shields.

Kaz scores a hit on the white striped ship's forward arc, nearly breaking through their shields.

I'm posting the next two phases since the enemy are in snub fighters, they don't really have options here.

”ROLE PHASE”:
You may switch roles at the top of a round.
Captain: Aldo
Chief Mate: Vacant
Engineer: Vacant
Gunner: Kaz
Magic Officer: Vacant
Pilot: Chip
Science Officer: Angel

ENGINEERING PHASE:
Open Crew Actions: Erratic Maneuvering, Feign Disaster, Prioritize Calculation, Range Finding, Ready Weapons System
►Captain (Aldo): Demand, Encourage, Moving Speech, Orders, Taunt
Chief Mate (Name): Maintenance Panel Access, Targeting Aid
Engineer (Name): Divert, Hold It Together, Patch, Overpower, Quick Fix
Magic Officer (Name): Eldritch Shot, Scrying, Mystic Haze, Psychic Currents

********************************************
STARSHIP COMBAT
TACTICAL MAP
GM TRACKER
Starship
Bonus Resolve: 0
Critical Damage Table
Critical Skill check results
Options Adjusted for level: No

[ooc] I think I understand correctly I could switch to Engineering]

Angel jumps over to Engineering, and tries to divert power to the shields:

Engineering: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32

Angel does something. It's hard to tell what, but she does something. Suddenly most of the shields come back up online!

HELM PHASE (Initiative):

Enemy Initiative: Piloting: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14
Pilot: Initiative Chip cannot lose this roll, so I'll advance.

The enemy fighters split, trying to keep apart:
Green: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19 Tight turn
White: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23 Back off!

HELM PHASE:
Captain (Aldo): Available
Pilot (Chip): Audacious Gambit, Full Power, Fly, Maneuver, Stunt

********************************************
STARSHIP COMBAT
TACTICAL MAP
GM TRACKER
Starship
Bonus Resolve: 0
Critical Damage Table
Critical Skill check results
Options Adjusted for level: No

chip moves the ship toward White, banking to starboard--giving the Firestorm's port side, and its missile launcher, to the enemy. He jukes the ship a bit, trying to lessen its own profile.

Evade: 1d20 + 13 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 13 + 2 + 1 = 27 <--success, +2 AC

Pulling up right next to the fighter, Chip points the starboard arc missile launcher dead to rights.

White: 1d20 ⇒ 10 MISS
Green: 1d20 ⇒ 8 MISS

They just can't hit you!

Assuming Aldo encourages Kaz 1d20 ⇒ 1 FAIL

GUNNERY PHASE:
►Captain (Aldo): Available
Gunner 1 (Kaz): Fire At Will, Shoot, Broadside, Precise Targeting

********************************************
STARSHIP COMBAT
TACTICAL MAP
GM TRACKER
Starship
Bonus Resolve: 0
Critical Damage Table
Critical Skill check results
Options Adjusted for level: No

BOTTING FOR KAZ

Kaz peers intently at his screen, then throws his clawed hand down on the missile button!!

attack: 1d20 + 8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 4 = 13
missiles: 4d8 ⇒ (8, 2, 3, 8) = 21