[SFS 5-03] Combatant's Concerto: Fugue of the Traitor (Inactive)

Game Master cmlobue

Twich explains to the others that she suspects Eshga, but does not have much evidence.

"The evidence is all circumstantial, but it does start to add up." says the golden girl. She starts counting off on her fingers.

"Eshga has been keen on this trip from the very start. She had entwined Renvir emotionally I think was trying to radicalise him. She also packed a very, large amount of gear for the trip - which may have been innocent, or maybe not."

"She also has a private coms link that she can use for... arranging thigns... a coms link that has a tech patch that enables it to work out here."

"Vokuvi also noted that Eshga is tougher than she looks and has experience eating military rations and a highly tactical mind. She also tipped her hand about knowing alot about engineering when we were working with the probe and the shriek."

"When Alfey was killed his wounds looked like those from a plasma weapon, but could have been from the Shriek itself. He also had a needle buried in his chest, which definitely was not from the Shriek. I note that Renvir has a needler and it was Eshga and Renvir that found him... Did Renvir put down his needler at any time during the storm? Who knows now."

"Lastly, she was also trying to actively direct suspicion toward Vokuvi."

The Starfinders return to the previous area, where the Liberators await them. They make the case that Eshga is the traitor, and the pahtra maintains a blank expression as they go on.

Eshga’s eyes harden into an iron stare and a tight smile crosses her lips. “That’s right,” she says, in a voice which seems entirely unlike her usual gentle tone. “I’m the one you’re looking for; the traitor. Although to be honest here, it’s Miiyu and the Liberators who are the real traitors. Their weakness betrays us all. The vesk don’t care about things like diplomacy. They kill pahtras whenever they like, their so-called justice system targets us, and their police brutalize us. We’re lesser people, and if we speak up, they pin us to the ground beneath their boot-heel. Do you truly think they’ll change? Do you think they’ll ever see us as people? Your kind never do, Starfinders; you just roll over and do whatever the Veskarium asks of you. And I’ll tell you this: if your people hadn’t destroyed the Pouncer two years ago, my brother would still be with us. You want to know why I’m willing to do whatever it takes to free our people? Take a look in the mirror, because you’ve got my brother’s blood on your hands! I’m going to enjoy killing you.”

Kultainen shouts a warning as Eshga drops a flash grenade she palmed, allowing the Starfinders to cover their eyes just before it goes off. Miiyu and Vokuvi, however, are blinded by the flash and cower in the northeast corner of the room.

Round 1 - bolded may go

Twich
Eshga
Yarameh
Kultainen
Renvir
Chk'tarlsh

Does she even know that there are four of us and she is one? Yarameh says while covering his eyes from a light grenade. She certainly has never been frightened by bright flashes and loud noises.

Twich casts slow on Eshga, or whatever her actual name is.

Will save: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29

Whatever her name is is unaffected by Twich's spell.

"We're worth more than you lackeys any day!"

Yarameh finds herself the target of a trick attack after her comment.

Trick CR: 1d20 + 25 - 20 ⇒ (10) + 25 - 20 = 15
Entangling Hailstorm-Class Zero Pistol: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21
Cold Damage: 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (3, 6) + 8 = 17
Trick Damage: 5d8 ⇒ (6, 8, 6, 5, 5) = 30

Fort DC 23 or staggered 1 round

Round 1 - bolded may go

Twich
Eshga
Yarameh (-47 SP, Fort save)
Kultainen
Renvir
Chk'tarlsh

Fort: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Plasma Bolter + Deadly Aim: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 142d8 + 11 ⇒ (2, 3) + 11 = 16

It... hurts. Crouching in pain, Yarameh barely squeezes out, my tongue is my enemy, but still turns on the music, her favorite black/death metal. A shot from a bolter does not find a target, but gradually her eyes clear up and they fill with anger. You're gonna pay, b@+~@. Let there be ROCK!

"Don't let her get under your skin Yarameh, you have this."

Inspiring words, heals 24. If you would prefer I could use 'don't quit' to remove staggered from you. Your choice. Both are standard actions so I can't do both sorry.

"Get her!"

+2 to hit, improved get'em

Yarameh manages to fire off a shot despite the debilitation, but it goes wide. She compensates with even more music.

Kultainen heals some of Yarameh's wounds and encourages the Starfinders to take down Eshga.

Renvir draws a pistol, but looks hesitantly between Eshga and Miiyu and cannot decide on a further course of action.

You may be able to talk Renvir down with Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidate or a relevant Profession, but not while attacking him.

Round 1-2 - bolded may go

Twich
Eshga (get 'em)
Yarameh (-23 SP)
Kultainen
Renvir
Chk'tarlsh

Stamina is great. The weapon is unwieldy anyway.

Twich tries daze monster on Eshga. (DC 19)

"Your brother made hish choice when he sstole the unsstable chemical matter and put millionsh of livesh at rissk," Chk'tarlsh points out to Eshga, his mandibles clacking. "Ash have you with your betrayal."

Drawing his sword as he moves, the shirren closes on Eshga. "For Alfey-" he calls, slashing at the traitor with his blade.

Opportunistic sintered longsword: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 10 + 2 = 13 w/Get'Em
Slashing Damage: 2d8 + 11 ⇒ (8, 8) + 11 = 27

Will Save: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23

The Pahtra easily dodges both Chk'tarlsh's blade and Twich's magic.

"What are you waiting for?" Eshga yells at Renvir. "Take these colonialist pigs down!"

She backs away from the shirren and fires at him.

Trick CR: 1d20 + 25 - 20 ⇒ (2) + 25 - 20 = 7
Entangling Hailstorm-Class Zero Pistol: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21
Cold Damage: 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (5, 3) + 8 = 16
Trick Damage: 5d8 ⇒ (1, 3, 7, 7, 7) = 25

Chk'tarlsh is briefly off-balance but otherwise unharmed

Round 2 - bolded may go

Twich
Eshga (get 'em)
Yarameh (-23 SP)
Kultainen
Renvir
Chk'tarlsh

Kultanien gestures to Renvir. "She has just been using you... she is as violent as the vesk!"

diplomacy: 1d20 + 18 + 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 18 + (1) + 2 = 26

Not sure if that is a whole round action or what...

Standard action to try to convince Renvir.

Yarameh walks forward, her footsteps are firm and there is ice in her gaze. Right. For Alfey.

Plasma Bolter + Deadly Aim: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 12 + 2 = 312d8 + 11 ⇒ (5, 8) + 11 = 24

The music is just switching to a metal cover of the famous classic requiem, and the bright flash of the plasma bolter looks like the flames of hell devouring the soul of a traitor and a vile murderer...

Eshga is dazzled for 1 round

"Take her down before she kills us all. But try not to kill her." says Kultanien,

Move action, improved get em +2 to hit her. I suggest you try to use NL, at least once she starts to look badly injured.

Yarameh fires a blast that strikes Eshga, which hits cleanly as the music increases.

Kultainen explains why Renvir may have chosen the wrong side.

Renvir waves his gun around, clearly not sure who he should be targeting. He seems ready to pull the trigger at a moment's notice once he makes the decision, though. 1 success to talk him down.

Round 2-3 - bolded may go

Twich
Eshga (-24 HP, get 'em)
Yarameh (-23 SP)
Kultainen
Renvir (ready)
Chk'tarlsh

Regaining his balance, Chk"tarlsh follows hot on Eshga's heels.

"You'll need to do better than that to shake me," he says. Spinning off to his left, he slashes low with his sword before coming in high on the return back to facing Eshga, leaving an open line of sight for his companions to the foe.

Opportunistic sintered longsword 1: 1d20 + 10 - 4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 10 - 4 + 2 = 12w/Get'Em
Slashing Damage: 2d8 + 11 ⇒ (1, 7) + 11 = 19

Opportunistic sintered longsword 2: 1d20 + 10 - 4 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 10 - 4 + 2 = 27w/Get'Em
Slashing Damage: 2d8 + 11 ⇒ (4, 2) + 11 = 17

Nimble Fusillade: When you make a full attack, you can also either take a guarded step or move up to half your speed. This movement can come before, between, or after your attacks, but it can’t be split up.

Chk'tarlsh moves toward Eshga and hacks at her twice. He misses with his first cut but makes contact on the backswing.

"Renvir!" the pahtra calls as she moves away from Chk'tarlsh and fires at the shirren.

Trick CR: 1d20 + 25 - 20 ⇒ (1) + 25 - 20 = 6
Entangling Hailstorm-Class Zero Pistol: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 36
Cold Damage: 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (6, 6) + 8 = 20
Trick Damage: 5d8 ⇒ (3, 6, 3, 1, 2) = 15

The bolt slams into Chk'tarlsh.

Round 3 - bolded may go

Twich (delay)
Eshga (-41 HP, get 'em)
Yarameh (-23 SP)
Kultainen
Renvir (ready)
Chk'tarlsh (-63 SP, -7 HP)

Kultanien continues to encourage the Starfinders, even as she works on Renvir.

"We need her now... focus people."
Improved get'em +2 to hit.

"Renvir, you have to see that she doesn't care for you. Hate has made her worse than that she opposes."

diplomacy: 1d20 + 18 + 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 18 + (3) + 2 = 32

Twich uses a spell gem of magic missile against the-maybe-not-Eshga.

damage: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 1, 3) + 3 = 10

The music gets louder and the flashes get brighter, while Yarameh, with a frightening insane grin in which a smile is vaguely guessed, shoots at the traitor.

Plasma Bolter + Deadly Aim: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 12 + 2 = 212d8 + 11 ⇒ (5, 5) + 11 = 21
Intimidate: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 33

Twich blasts Eshga with more missiles.

Yarameh fires his plasma bolter, but Eshga ducks out of the way.

Kultainen pleads with Renvir not to side with Eshga. The weapon drops from his hand. He turns to the pahtra and says, "Why? They could have helped us..."

Round 3-4 - bolded may go

Twich
Eshga (-51 HP, get 'em)
Yarameh (-23 SP)
Kultainen
Renvir
Chk'tarlsh (-63 SP, -7 HP)

Twich uses another magic missile spell gem.

3d4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 2, 4) + 3 = 13

GM I'm not sure that damage summary on Chk'tarlsh is correct? I think the trick attack missed as he's 7th level. FYI He started this combat with the SP and HP listed in the tag line above. He also has resistance 5 to cold damage.

Chk'tarlsh chitters as Eshga tags him with her shot. With the elusive pahtra's reluctance to stay in place, he opts for a change in tactics.

Dashing forward, he slashes once at Eshga, before quickly retreating behind the cover of the nearby wall.

Opportunistic sintered longsword: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 10 + 2 = 28 w/Get 'Em
Slashing Damage: 2d8 + 11 ⇒ (8, 1) + 11 = 20

Spring Attack As a full action, you can move up to your speed and make a single melee attack or combat maneuver without provoking any attacks of opportunity from the target of your attack. You can move both before and after the attack, but you must move at least 10 feet before the attack, and the total distance that you move cannot be greater than your speed. You cannot use this ability to attack a foe that is adjacent to you at the start of your turn.

You are correct. Updated.

Chk'tarlsh springs toward Eshga and hacks at her.

Twich sends another volley of magic at the pahtra.

Eshga glares at Renvir. "You're siding with them? I see now. Well, it doesn't matter. I'll take you all down and free Pulonis!"

She fires again at the shirren.

Trick CR: 1d20 + 25 - 20 ⇒ (11) + 25 - 20 = 16
Entangling Hailstorm-Class Zero Pistol: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 36
Cold Damage: 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (4, 3) + 8 = 15
Trick Damage: 5d8 ⇒ (7, 8, 6, 8, 5) = 34

She really has it in for Chk'tarlsh. Pretty sure that one tricks.

Chk'tarlsh falls to the floor. The pahtra laughs maniacally. "See what befalls the enemies of Pulonis!"

I assume Chk'tarlsh is stabilizing this round.

Round 4-5 - bolded may go

Twich
Eshga (-84 HP)
Yarameh (-23 SP)
Kultainen
Renvir
Chk'tarlsh (-63 SP, -55 HP, -1 RP, prone)

"It's... only a flesh wound..." says Kultainen hopefully to Charles.
Burn an RP to improve that stamina heal to 33STA healing

"Take it out before she does any more damage."

Improved get'em +2 to hit her

Wow, I've never gone through RP like this before, down to 3/10

Plasma Bolter + Deadly Aim: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 132d8 + 11 ⇒ (5, 5) + 11 = 21
Chk'tarlsh, nooo. Yarameh shoots furiously but misses...

Seeing that things are getting desperate, Twich uses her spell cache to cast explosive blast in such a way as to catch Eshga and no one else.

damage: 9d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 3, 2, 1, 5, 4, 5, 1) = 29 DC 20 reflex save for half

I know, I'm badly out of useful spells, and burning through spell gems and my emergency spell

No worries, we are playing hard mode with just four of us, and Kultainen is not much help in combat. We'll get there.

If Yarameh wants to reroll that miss, please take my campaign service coin reroll. It has a +1 from my nova.

Plasma Bolter + Deadly Aim: 1d20 + 12 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 12 + 1 + 2 = 172d8 + 11 ⇒ (7, 5) + 11 = 23
Well... This is fate )) Twich, thanks!

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17

Twich causes a fireball to erupt around Eshga, and the pahtra cannot get out of the way.

Yarameh can't replicate the feat with her firearm, though.

Kuntainen encourages Chk'tarlsh to get back into the fight.

A somewhat singed Eshga turns her attention back to Twich.

Trick CR: 1d20 + 25 - 20 ⇒ (14) + 25 - 20 = 19
Entangling Hailstorm-Class Zero Pistol: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 26
Cold Damage: 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (2, 1) + 8 = 11
Trick Damage: 5d8 ⇒ (3, 8, 6, 8, 3) = 28

Round 5-6 - bolded may go

Twich (-39 SP)
Eshga (-113 HP, get 'em)
Yarameh (-23 SP)
Kultainen
Renvir
Chk'tarlsh (-28 SP, -55 HP, -1 RP, prone)

"Don't stop down Twitch, we are almost ready to drop the cuffs onto her."

Last inspiring boost, with RP that is 33STA

"Come on team, she can't have much fight left in her."
improved get'em +2 to to

sigh... I forgot that Twich has the harmful spells magic hack, so each damaging spell should have done 4 extra damage...

Twich is rapidly running out of magic, so uses another spell gem of magic missile.

damage,harmful spells: 3d4 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (3, 4, 1) + 3 + 4 = 15

Plasma Bolter + Deadly Aim: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 12 + 2 = 162d8 + 11 ⇒ (1, 4) + 11 = 16
*sigh*

+12 damage for Twich's prior harmful spells

Twich tosses more missiles at Eshga while Kultainen heals him.

Yarameh fires a shot wide.

Chk'tarlsh gets back in the fight, gets up and gets out of the way.

The pahtra continues shooting at Twich.

Trick CR: 1d20 + 25 - 20 ⇒ (12) + 25 - 20 = 17
Entangling Hailstorm-Class Zero Pistol: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 33
Cold Damage: 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (6, 2) + 8 = 16
Trick Damage: 5d8 ⇒ (7, 4, 1, 4, 3) = 19

Round 6-7 - bolded may go

Twich (-41 SP)
Eshga (-140 HP, get 'em)
Yarameh (-23 SP)
Kultainen
Renvir
Chk'tarlsh (-28 SP, -54 HP, -2 RP)

Kultainen moves into the room, reluctantly taking her own advice.

"You shouldn't have done this." she says.

"Time to stop the killing."

Impropved get'em, +2 to him

attack,IGE vs EAC: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 8 + 2 = 26
F damage: 3d4 + 4 ⇒ (4, 3, 3) + 4 = 14

How badly wounded is she? If she looks close to death, I'll take -2 to hit for NL damage

With +14 to Medicine, you can tell that she is on her last legs.
However...

Kultainen fires at the pahtra's thigh. Clutching her wound, Eshga falls to her knees. Slowly she peels her hand back, her fingers covered in blood. “It doesn’t matter,” she murmurs, her breathing becoming shallow, “We’re not alone. And you, Starfinders… I won’t let you kill me like you killed him…” Her legs give out and she tumbles to the ground. A look of concentration covers her face, then it shifts to satisfaction; she bites down hard and swallows. From the corner of her mouth bubbles a thick, bloodied white foam. She twitches once, and rasps, “Pulonis…” Then, she falls still.

...it's written into the scenario that she won't be taken alive.

Renvir watches Eshga die in tears and runs to her side, cradling her head. He whispers something to her that no Starfinder can hear. Miiyu is shaken, but emerges to thank the Starfinders for accomplishing both the tasks she set before them, difficult though it was. She hopes that the Society and the Liberators can continue to work together.

The opinion of the surviving leaders of the Pulonis Liberation Front on what to do about the mechs is divided: while Miiyu is content to have secured the bunker and recovered considerable data from it, Vokuvi is keen to use the weaponry and mechs they’ve discovered. He plans to deploy them defensively, to protect civilian targets from imperial forces should hostilities become open warfare. Miiyu believes the use of weaponry by either side inhibits her goal of political diplomacy with the Veskarium and risks furthering paramilitary violence. Ultimately, the pair decides to seal the mechs inside the launch chamber while the PLF decides if and how they wish to use them.

Miiyu explains that the Liberators have no justice system of their own, and that the Veskarium treats prisoners who are members of the Liberators as terrorists, meaning Renvir would be executed without a trial. She believes Renvir should be set free, but Vokuvi argues against this course, claiming Renvir has already betrayed the PLF, and letting him off without punishment for Alfey’s murder is disrespectful to their departed colleague. The Starfinders know that, because Renvir’s crimes were committed outside the Pact Worlds, transferring him to the Stewards or another Pact Worlds organization for trial will result in his extradition back to the Veskarium. Alternatively, you may urge Miiyu to allow Renvir to be given over to the care of the Starfinder Society, to seek therapy at Respite and pay off his crimes through community service. Miiyu and Vokuvi refuse to allow Renvir to remain in the PLF. They ask you to determine the fate of Renvir.

Finally, Eshga’s belongings are of importance to the Starfinders. Her comm unit contains several messages, including a handful received from the Pouncer several years ago. The contents of those messages confirm that her brother was the pilot of the vessel. In addition, there are more recent messages from an indeterminate source.

The messages contain details on certain individuals within the Liberators. Renvir and Vokuvi are flagged as potential converts. Miiyu and Alfey are also referenced, with their flags indicating assassination.

computers: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15

Kultainen looks at the messages and shrugs. "There is someone out there who knows of the PLF and wants to subvert it.".

Looking around the group she suggests "I think we should take Renvir back with us. Killing him... achieves nothing other than another wasted life. Far better that he tries to right some of the wrongs he has been a part of."

what crime is Renvir even accused of? I can't think of anything he's done that could be considered a crime...

Accessory to murder.

The Starfinders decide to bring Renvir back to Absalom Station. It is clear that he was deceived by Eshga, and you are optimistic that he can be rehabilitated.

Ixthia thanks you for helping Miiyu and the PLF.

Fin.

On the one hand, I should have killed you for what you did. Yarameh points her bolter at Renvir. But I've seen worse things on Apostae. She lowers the bolter back down. Live and let live, they said. You have a chance at redemption. And I'm going to write a song about it. Or even an entire album...