[Gameday XII] Starfinder Society Special #5-99: Battle for the Bulwark (Author's Table)(Levels 1-2) (Inactive)

Game Master Lysle

Will, DC 10: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (15) - 1 = 14

Will, DC 12: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (15) - 1 = 14

Woo Hoo!

Will DC 12: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (19) + 0 = 19 Not clear to me whether I should make this one; text didn't list me, but the init block does.

Will DC 10: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (7) + 0 = 7

will save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
will save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

DC 10 Will save: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (18) + 0 = 18 +2 vs mind-affecting effect as android
DC 12 Will save: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (1) + 0 = 1 +2 vs mind-affecting effect as android
Use Paradox! DC 12 Will save: 10 + 0 = 10 +2 vs mind-affecting effect as android

Felix draws out their pistol and shoots Red Construct
Azimuth Laser Pistol: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1 fire damage

Not clear to me whether I should make this one; text didn't list me, but the init block does.

Yes, Inky was caught in both (15 feet from red, 30 ft. from blue).

Inky is shaken.
You take a –2 penalty to ability checks, attack rolls, saving throws, and skill checks.

Leannah moves forward and tries to help deal with the bomb

I'm sorry, I'm not even sure which map we're on, so I'm not able to move my token. If I'm not able to get close enough, I'll just double move.

Map for the cellblock is on Slide 19 at present (linked).

Leannah cannot reach the bomb and deactivate it this round. A double move will provoke from grioth (blue) but get you to the bomb. I have updated the placement your token. You may use that rolled Mysticism check to try to disable the bomb next turn (or reroll if you would like).

Leannah rushes forward, a grioth (blue) tries to bite her!
Melee (bite): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
He misses!

Felix does not! The android scorches what Leannah has identified as a voidglass guardian.

The other grioth (yellow) flies toward Leannah, hoping to stop her.
Move
Melee (voidglass longsword): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Damage (S): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

The grioth slashes the Starfinder deeply!

CELLBLOCK BATTLE -Round Two Cont'd!

PCs in bold may act

Grioth (blue)
Felix -4 SP
Leannah -6 SP | -7 HP
Grioth (yellow)
Ursula -4 SP
Jatri -2 SP
Inky -4 SP (shaken 3 rounds)
Chance -4 SP
Voidglass Guardian(red) -12 HP

Unable to get closer (they really should build these places to accommodate the larger jailbreaker), and unsure he wants to anyway given his injury, Jatri draws his sidearm and fires a shot at the guardian over Ursula's shoulder.

[Move] Draw weapon
[Standard] Attack Static Arc Pistol: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 for electricity damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Ursula, able to think clearly, steps forward and slashes at Blue with her sword.

longsword: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
ouch!: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Ursuala slashes a grioth deeply! Jatri misses, bearly!

CELLBLOCK BATTLE -Round Two Cont'd!

PCs in bold may act

Grioth (blue) -10 SP
Felix -4 SP
Leannah -6 SP | -7 HP
Grioth (yellow)
Ursula -4 SP
Jatri -2 SP
Inky -4 SP (shaken 3 rounds)
Chance -4 SP
Voidglass Guardian(red) -12 HP

Another shot at red hit: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13 vs eac dmg: 1d10 ⇒ 1

Another shot at red

The shot fails to penetrate the construct's voidglass exterior.

CELLBLOCK BATTLE -Round Two Cont'd!

PCs in bold may act

Grioth (blue) -10 SP
Felix -4 SP
Leannah -6 SP | -7 HP
Grioth (yellow)
Ursula -4 SP
Jatri -2 SP
Inky -4 SP (shaken 3 rounds)
Chance -4 SP
Voidglass Guardian(red) -12 HP

Seeing an opening, Inky fights down his fear and rushes forward to help diffuse the bomb.

Engineering, shaken: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 9 - 2 = 12

Seeing an opening, Inky fights down his fear and rushes forward to help diffuse the bomb.

Fear wins out and the bomb continues its countdown towards detonation.

Drawn by that fear, the voidglass guardian targets the fearful Inky and amplifies his torment!
Guarded Step
Damage to Inky (DC 13 Will for half): 4d10 ⇒ (4, 7, 2, 1) = 14
This is a mind-affecting effect.

Observing their fellow Starfinder's suffering. Some of the prisoners begin shouting, "Release Emli, the shirren. She can help diffuse the magic of the bomb! We only have seconds before it detonates!"

One of the grioth (blue) swings his voidglass blade repeatedly at Ursuala.
Melee (voidglass longsword), full-attack: 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 7 - 4 = 10
Damage (S): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Melee (voidglass longsword), full-attack: 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 7 - 4 = 6
Damage (S): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

CELLBLOCK BATTLE -Round Three Begins!

PCs in bold may act

Grioth (blue) -10 SP
Felix -4 SP
Leannah -6 SP | -7 HP
Grioth (yellow)
Ursula -4 SP
Jatri -2 SP
Inky-4 SP (shaken 2 rounds; Will save v. damage)
Chance -4 SP
Voidglass Guardian (red) -12 HP

Felix makes a full attack at Blue!
Azimuth Laser Pistol: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 5 - 4 = 21
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2 fire damage

Azimuth Laser Pistol: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 5 - 4 = 4
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3 fire damage

Leannah will use that mysticism from before

Felix sears a grioth with one shot.

Leannah is able to dissipate some of the energry from the massive psychic surge stored up on the bomb.
Success!

However, she discovers that the mechanical components of the device continue their routine, threatening to release a potentially lethal psychic shockwave throughout the cellblock!
Engineering check still needed to fully disable the bomb.

Enraged at what the aasimar has done, a nearby grioth (yellow) descends to the bomb and targets Leannah with his voidglass blade!
Melee (voidglass longsword), full-attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Damage (S): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

His anger causes him to miss.

CELLBLOCK BATTLE -Round Three Cont'd!

PCs in bold may act

Grioth (blue) -14 SP
Felix -4 SP
Leannah -6 SP | -7 HP
Grioth (yellow)
Ursula -4 SP
Jatri -2 SP
Inky-4 SP (shaken 2 rounds; Will save v. damage)
Chance -4 SP
Voidglass Guardian (red) -12 HP

House GM post

"Dozens of Starfinders have been freed from captivity!" lxthia announces. "Against all odds, these stalwart Starfinders survived the original assault on Sangoro's Bulwark and have languished for years as prisoners under cruel grioth rule. Now freed from their bonds, those still able and willing have taken up arms and joined the fight to overthrow their captors."

"Welcome back, Starfinders. You've been missed." Naiaj nods her head in respect. "But there's no time for a tearful reunion now. The enemy's not beaten yet!"

Table GMs, the Unexpected Reinforcements condition is now in effect.

Conditions in effect now on Slides.

Unbreakable Resolve Condition: All PCs gain a +4 bonus to Initiative and a +2 bonus to Will saves for the remainder of the event.

Unexpected Reinforcements: Liberated Starfinders have joined the battlefield to aid the PCs. Once per combat for the remainder of the adventure, each PC can call for harrying fire on a foe within sight as a swift action. The next attack roll attempted against that foe gains a +2 bonus.

Jatri drops his pistol and advances, squeezing past his allies.
<Excuse me. Pardon me. So sorry.>

He slaps at the guardian. It isn't really about the hit, it's what happens if he can touch it.

[Move] Move
[Standard] Attack Entropic Strike (EAC): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15 for acid damage: 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Another shot at red hit: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22 vs eac dmg: 1d10 ⇒ 1 fire, I forgot to mention my heavy weapon has penetrating, so it penetrates hardness 1 for purposes of DR.

Ursula joins Inky and Leannah to try to disable the bomb.

Blue gets an AoO there.

Engineering: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Will save, both shaken and Unshakeable: 1d20 + 0 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 0 - 2 + 2 = 15 0/10 SP, 15/16 HP, by my count.

Before I act, two questions to help me figure out the AoO situation: (1) Which square is that Grioth in the middle on? (2) Does the construct have reach? Or was that a ranged attack it hit Inky with?

Also waiting to see if Ursula finished off the bomb.

He slaps at the guardian. It isn't really about the hit, it's what happens if he can touch it.

The bear places a paw on the guardian! Its shiny exterior sizzles on contact.

Another shot at red.

Another piece of the guardian damaged.

Ursula joins Inky and Leannah to try to disable the bomb.

The grioth (blue) swings a blade at the passing bear.

Ursula feels the pain of the cut, but then the joy of cutting the wire to the bomb.
Success! Bomb disabled!

Before I act, two questions to help me figure out the AoO situation: (1) Which square is that Grioth in the middle on? (2) Does the construct have reach? Or was that a ranged attack it hit Inky with?

Two answers: (1) The one adjacent to you (as it made a melee attack on Leannah--token now adjusted on map). (2) The construct used its Amplify Torment, which targets a creature within 30 feet (so, an ability with range) The construct is medium size and has not demonstrated any special reach.

CELLBLOCK BATTLE -Round Three Cont'd!

PCs in bold may act

Grioth (blue) -14 SP
Felix -4 SP
Leannah -6 SP | -7 HP
Grioth (yellow)
Ursula -10 SP
Jatri -2 SP
Inky -10 SP | -1 HP (shaken 2 rounds)
Chance -4 SP
Voidglass Guardian (red) -17 HP

BOTTING Inky - No posts in 24+ hours (and I think you all are about to have this wrapped up anyways...)

Inky virtually processes answers.
Delay

A grioth (blue) is determined to bring down a bear with his blade!
Melee (voidglass longsword), full-attack v. Jatri: 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 7 - 4 = 4
Damage (S): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Melee (voidglass longsword), full-attack v. Jatri: 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 7 - 4 = 17
Damage (S): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

CELLBLOCK BATTLE -Round Four Begins!

PCs in bold may act

Grioth (blue) -14 SP
Felix -4 SP
Leannah -6 SP | -7 HP
Grioth (yellow)
Ursula -10 SP
Jatri -8 SP
Inky -10 SP | -1 HP (DELAYING; shaken 2 rounds)
Chance -4 SP
Voidglass Guardian (red) -17 HP

House GM post

"Starfinders," lxthia announces. "We've nearly cleared Sangoro's Bulwark of foes. Finish your missions and regroup. The Voidglass Spire awaits."

Table GMs, this is your 1 day (5-minute) warning.

Felix helps out the bear and continues shooting at Blue!
Azimuth Laser Pistol: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 5 - 4 = 15
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1 fire damage

Azimuth Laser Pistol: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 5 - 4 = 18
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2 fire damage

Seeing Ursula finish off the bomb, Inky takes a careful step away from the nearby grioth and fires a shot at the other one.

Guarded Step, Fire at Blue (Overcharge).

Static Arc Pistol vs. blue EAC: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Electricity damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3
Overcharge: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Felix's shot drop one of the grioth [ooc[(blue)[/ooc].

I will redirect Inky shots towards the other grioth.

The other grioth (yellow) is wounded.

CELLBLOCK BATTLE -Round Four Cont'd!

PCs in bold may act

Grioth (blue) -17 SP
Felix -4 SP
Leannah -6 SP | -7 HP
Grioth (yellow) -9 HP
Ursula -10 SP
Jatri -8 SP
Inky -10 SP | -1 HP (shaken 1 round)
Chance -4 SP
Voidglass Guardian (red) -17 HP

House GM post

lxthia the Unbreakable addresses the Society via broadcast, "Starfinders, enemy forces have been driven back to the Voidglass Spire at the center of the bulwark. We've discovered the entrance, a lone bridge that leads to the spire. Resistance is fierce and they appear to be massing for a counterattack. All Starfinders still able to tight are ordered to report to the bridge to aid in the assault."

Table GMs, Part 3 has begun.

With the bomb disabled, it takes little time for the party to mop up the remaining grioth and voidglass guardian.

Followign Ixthia's broadcast, you re instructed to assemble at a location within the upper reaches of Sangoro’s Bulwark. The location is a large room, currently bustling with Starfinders.

From the front of the room, Radaszam addresses the gathered teams. “Sangoro’s Bulwark is ours, but this so-called Voidglass Spire remains an enemy stronghold. The Spire punches right through the center of Sangoro’s Bulwark, piercing through floors and other construction, out the roof and into the sky. The floors around these areas are highly unstable or are collapsed completely, which has made it tough to get close. Fortunately, we’ve found the entrance."

“There’s an opening near the top of the Spire, connected to the nearest level of the Bulwark via bridge. We’ve deployed temporary fortifications along our end of the bridge, but our foes can fly, they’ve got the advantage. Furthermore, intel indicates they’re preparing a counterattack, to drive us from the bridge and the upper reaches of the Bulwark. This is it, Starfinders! It’s on this bridge that the battle for the Bulwark will be decided!”

“We’re preparing a two-pronged counter-offensive. The bulk of our forces will remain on our side of the bridge, serving as an Anvil to withstand the brunt of their blows. Meanwhile, we ask for volunteers for a special mission to deploy behind the enemy, serving as a Hammer to shatter their ranks.”

“This second force will approach from the air, dropping through the broken roof of the Bulwark on the far side of the bridge, to flank the enemy attack force and seize the entrance to that blasted Spire.” Radaszam grins. “They get the big guns.”

With a final nod, he brings the meeting to an end. “Hammer volunteers to the front. Everyone else, hit the walls and hold your ground.”

For this mission, the PCs as a party can choose to serve as either the Anvil or Hammer. The PCs cannot choose both.

A short description of the upcoming mission, as well as future missions that may become available are now on Slides.

I will go with Rule of 2 in choosing between Anvil or Hammer. Feel free to discuss choices for an order for all available missions in the Discussion thread.

If we're assembling, sounds like there's time enough for Stamina recovery?

"Well," says Jatri telepathically, "the 'hammer' job does sound exciting, anyway. But I'm not sure we're 'big guns.'"

If we're assembling, sounds like there's time enough for Stamina recovery?

There is.

Ursula flexes. 'We have some pretty big guns, I think!'

Hammer sounds good!

Chance will 10 minute rest and recharge his gun at the recharging station. Hammer sounds good.

Inky looks nervous at the more dangerous assignment, but nods resolutely as he swaps out batteries. Hammer sounds fine to me.

Having stepped forward, Radaszam gives you a pleased nod. You then quickly are escorted to a nearby hangar with bay doors that open to the skies above.

Here, a dozen gleaming mechs, each thirty feet tall, stand within the vast hangar. A grease covered Starfinder mechanic approaches and gestures toward the machines. “Beautiful, aren’t they? These babies are experimental weaponry that were under development when the Bulwark was captured. Truth be told, they aren’t really in fighting shape, but we’ve done our best to get them running. We’ve programmed each with a simple flight plan that will automatically pilot them onto the bridge behind the enemy battalion."

"From there, the controls are yours. You’ll only have a brief window of time before they run out of juice and power down. Your mission is to do as much damage to the enemy as possible before that happens.”

The PCs can withstand up to three waves of attack before their suits runs out of power. These waves are abstract, representing a variable amount of time. Each wave, each PC must attempt an Average skill for one of the following skills to pilot the complex mechs. Some of these actions are offensive, while others are supportive:

• Batter Defenses (Offensive; Athletics): The PC batters down the entry doors of the Voidglass Spire, breaking it open for further attacks.

• Diagnostics and Repairs (Supportive; Computers or Engineering): The PC performs calculations or repairs to make the mech run more efficiently.

• Launch Attack (Offensive; Piloting): The PC opens fire with the mech’s melee or ranged weapons.

• Motivate (Supportive; Diplomacy or Intimidate): The PC inspires their crew members.

• Target Lock (Supportive; Computers or Perception): The PC target locks onto key foes for the guns to attack.

At the end of each wave, the number of successful supportive actions will be tallied. For each success, all PCs attempting offensive actions gain a cumulative +2 circumstance bonus to their skill checks.

Then, the number of successful offensive actions will be tallied. If the PCs receive a number of offensive successes equal to half the number of PCs (rounded down), they’re victorious during that wave.

The party is assigned two mechs. Each cockpit can carry up to four pilots.
I have randomly assigned PCs to a mech, but feel free to switch up when you make your post.

These experimental mechs pack a powerful punch but won’t operate for long. Once everyone is aboard, the mechs take to the air, flying from the hanger and then smashing through broken roof near the Voidglass Spire.

As the mechs land on the bridge, you can see your Starfinder comrades
in desperate combat at the bridge’s far end. A horde of grioth forces stands before you!

HAMMER - Wave One Begins!

Jatri doesn't know anything about controlling a... robot? vehicle? like this, but he does know technique for battering things down. So if he can just figure out these controls...

Athletics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

Chance will batter defenses athletics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

"Ok, ok!" Inky says, excitedly, as he flips his goggles down over his face and pries open an instrument panel. "I can figure this out!"

Engineering (Diagnostics and Repairs): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

It really would have been better if there was something mysticism could be used for here. Without that, it's like the original rules for starship combat that left mystics with almost nothing to do...

diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

It really would have been better if there was something mysticism could be used for here. Without that, it's like the original rules for starship combat that left mystics with almost nothing to do...

I understand it can be frustrating, but the party did choose Hammer as opposed to Anvil. (also I didn't write this mission, but I've received similar feedback about frustration arising from the craggolk swarms ; P). On the bright side, this mission should conclude far, far faster than most starship combats...

Two supportive successes and two offensive successses thus far.

Piloting: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30

Felix sends more ranged attacks to the enemies. "Let's all bring them down." he exclaims flatly.

Ursula works on battering down the doors further.

Athletics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Felix sends more ranged attacks to the enemies. "Let's all bring them down." he exclaims flatly.

The horde of grioth soldiers surround you, but the two massive mechs pound through their ranks. As the grioth's die, their psychic essence is pulled from their corpses and absorbed into the walls of the Voidglass Spire, which begins to glow a bright blue.

Two more successes as Ursula's efforts were bolstered by the support she got!

The mechs' readouts show that power is already beginning to fade.

More grioth swoop in to attack the mechs' position.

HAMMER - Wave Two Begins!

Available skill options are same as before.

I don't know if I like that... says Jati, observing... whatever is happening to the dead grioths, but it does seem to be working. More of the same, then?

Athletics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Felix keeps doing the same tactic, seeing the first attempt they did it is very effective.
Piloting: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

"We will reduce them in numbers!"

Another Athletics from Chance athletics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

"Let's get that door opened!"

Athletics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Inky continues furiously tinkering with the mech, trying to reroute as much power into necessary systems as possible to maximize the mech's operational time.

Engineering: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

Leannah continues to encourage the others.

diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Warning lights and klaxons blare as the mechs begin taking damage sand power levels drop further! The grioths, initially disrupted by your attack, begin to regroup.

One support success, but only two offensive successes this wave

HAMMER - Wave Three Begins!

Available skill options are same as before.