[SFS] 6-05 Unearthing Ulumbia (Inactive)

Game Master Kludde

George 09-23 nods as the soldiers interrogate the clerk and manager. He searches his memory files and discovers a reference to the good cop, bad cop routine in the distant past. Apparently Brock wears the bad cop hat very, very well.

The android attempts to read the female's body language but is just not sure what he is sensing. He shrugs thinking that people should come with an operating manual included to help explain their erratic and illogical emotional reactions.

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 10

I am not expecting George to actually make that check. It is just more fun to watch the emotionally stunted robot android stand slightly confused in the corner of the room. ;)

Shokil eyes up the storekeeper.

"I think we need to know a bit more than that." he says

SM: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

Neither Shokil nor Count-14 really pick up on what is wrong...

Nikko takes a stab at deciphering her attitude, believing that they've already seen this outcome.

Using Paradox 17 here for the d20 roll

17 (P-dox) +10 (SM) = 27 Sense Motive

Brock gives the manager an appraising looks as they get the information. He leans in. "You sure about that? Lookin' a little cagey, there ... Withholding information does potentially make you an accomplice, you know?"

Sense Motive w/ expertise: 1d20 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (20) + 6 + (2) = 28

Are you afraid to say more because you believe they'll come back for you? We can conceal where we got any info and it should be safe for you to tell us.

Sense motive: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26 to go with the above convincing

Nikko and Brock figure out there is more to this, and Caliavet initially explains Onshore owns the building Scajamine is located in, and she doesn’t want to jeopardize her business by meddling in their affairs. There seems to be more to it, though, and when Brock and Darkrunner press on, the elf says Alright, let me show you something in the back.

Caliavet guides the group to a back room with a metal door in the ground. She whispers That would be a secret door that leads to Onshore, then sighs as if to muster courage My brother... my brother was killed by Freyan and Davaine. We had long suspected Onshore were up to no good, so when Eleveri, my brother, decided to figure what illegals things it was that they were doing, he went through this passage. He never returned, and I can only suspect that those ghouls killed him.

I checked in with law enforcement, of course, but that only led to Onshore being cleared wihtin the day! To this day, Eleveri is listed as missing. I don't dare to cross onshore, because I'll 'disappear' the same way...

The door is locked, and I no longer have a key... but I'm sure you can pry it open if you want to take this route...

"Thank you for sharing with us."

The android says to the manager before examining the door and lock for any signs of traps, magical or otherwise.

Detect Magic is cast and any possible auras on the door or the lock will be scrutinised. George 09-23 will then spend a couple of minutes examining the door and lock for signs of traps. He pulls out a scanning device to aid in his search.

34 Perception on a take 20 and a +4 circumstance bonus for his Broad-Spectrum Scanning Kit.

Like a living walking hardware store George has all the specialised tools necessary for easily unlocking or disarming any trap the party may find.

I love all the little toys in SF. You just need to have the right tool for the job. :)

George cracks open the door to reveal an underground tunnel, which ends after a few hundred feet, leading to a metal ladder. The ladder leads up to the backside of a bookshelf, which can be pushed out of the way.

The otherside of the bookshelf has a book 'Demise without Time' sticking out, marking it as the lever to open the bookcase from that side. The bookcase itself is located in a modest office that, beside the bookcase, contains two desks and a whiteboard.

There's a lot of paperwork - witness of the unreliability of technology on this planet - filed away in binders and desk drawers.

Map updated - please place your tokens

Nikko tries to make sense of the mass of paperwork.

Culture to make sense of the mess: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

"What a mess." Nikko exclaims.

George 09-23 has a look at the paperwork as well.

Culture: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22

"It looks like this paperwork is forged. Clearly this company is not on the up and up."

The space wizard then reaches into one of his many pockets and he grabs a tiny but powerful battery which he holds in the palm of his left hand.

As she leads them through the secret door, Darkrunner makes a point to look around for cameras that would have caught it opening, and their passing through it.

I checked in with law enforcement, of course, but that only led to Onshore being cleared wihtin the day! To this day, Eleveri is listed as missing. I don't dare to cross onshore, because I'll 'disappear' the same way...

Are they aware that you did this? Is there any lingering risk of retaliation?

Caliavet stays back in her storefront, correct? Does she close the secret door after us?

--------------------
In the office beyond the tunnel...

Darkrunner looks for clues that this office has been recently occupied.

Perception, recently occupied office: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23

If nothing notable turns up, he approaches the door quietly and carefully. He presses his ear to it and listens for activity on the other side.

Perception, listening for activity beyond the door: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21

Delea uses detect magic to look around the room.

Shokil flicks through papers, looking for anything of interest.

culture(aid): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

He keeps his distance from the door, and rifle never far from pointing in that direction.

From the other side of the door, some muffled sounds can be heard occasionally, as well as a radio playing the undead crooning quartet the Carrion Crooner's all-time classic hit:

With apologies to the Righteous Brothers

♫ You never close your eyes anymore
Now that you've lost your lids
And there's no tenderness
In the bones that were your fingertips ♫

♫ You're trying hard not to show it
Baby
But baby, baby you're undead! ♫

♫ You've lost
That living feeling
O-oh
That living feeling
You've lost that living feeling
Cause you're gone, gone, gone
Ooh-oh-oh ♫

Ready to go through the door?

Ow! That is so terrible. ;) Now I understand the cover art on your slide for the scenario. These extra touches really make the difference. Thanks DM Kludde. :)

George 09-23 expecting trouble waits until people are ready to proceed (by opening the door) before partially depleting his battery and turning himself invisible. He calmly places his battery back in his pocket.

George 09-23 is now invisible.

Winces

Shokil eyes up the door. "Ready.."

The bunker door in sight, Sgt Smith nodded to the entry team. 'Nothing subtle here boys, once we are through the door, they'll know we are here and they ain't going to be pelting us with marshmallows.' He gave a nod to Chxxlas and his satchel charges then hunkered down to avoid getting caught in the blast.

Begins penning screen-play for Top Gun & Zombies :P

Darkrunner frowns in disappointment at what he hears. It's not that he wants trouble, but...?

He goes ahead and opens the door, his laser pistol in his hand at his side.

The group barges through the door into a staff area, decked out with motivational posters, a water cooler, and with side rooms to a small meeting office an a kitchenette.

The motivational posters have such inspiring phrases as "Devour challenges to satiate your professional appetite", or "Reach for success with a grip that even death can't break.", or Embrace change like a ghoul seeking fresh souls.

One the other side of the door, there's a trio of ghoul employees, whose cold dead hands solidly grip some frost-bite rifles...

---
Brock
Shokil
Darkrunner
---
Ghoul
Ghoul
Ghoul
---
Delea
George 09-23
Nikko
---

Darkrunner sighs, looking around for the source of the music before springing into action.

He rushes along the wall through the door and attempts to cause some of the lights behind the ghouls to flash and strobe a bit for distraction and to mask when he stops in his run.

[full round] trick attack RED (moving 25 ft)
corona laser pistol attack RED, F damage: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 302d4 + 3 ⇒ (1, 1) + 3 = 5 critical burn 1d4
Computers, Trick attack fire damage: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (2) + 17 = 194d8 ⇒ (2, 2, 2, 2) = 8
If this succeeds, RED is flat-footed against this attack
Debilitating Trick (Ex) When you succeed at both the skill check and attack roll of your trick attack, you can make the target flat-footed or off-target until the beginning of your next turn. (choosing flat-footed if it works)

wow, very low damage rolls

Shokil pauses for a moment, not wanting to be the first to open hostilities. Then Darkrunner-42 fires, and with a sigh the author joins in.

attack vs kac,DA: 1d20 + 15 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 15 - 2 = 18
P dmaage,DA,BB: 2d10 + 8 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (1, 10) + 8 + 2 + 4 = 25

Question for Darkrunner.

As a 7th-level Operative, don't you get the ability to Take 10 on your Trick Attack checks?

Huh yeah, I missed that this could apply in combat. Has skill focus (computers), so just assume a 27 result there from now on (and I suppose for that roll too, if allowed). 10 + 17

Darkrunnner shoot a ghoul in the face, while Shokil just barely misses his shot.

Crit damage: 2d4 + 3 + 4d8 ⇒ (1, 1) + 3 + (2, 1, 3, 7) = 18

The music is just coming from a portable radio, playing the very 'Golden Moldies' greatest hits of the undead, though the songs are harder to hear over the sound of gunfire.

♫ Are you staying alive, with the tic-toc five?
Or will you give it all up with the ghoulish fever? ♫

♫ I listened to the beat
The beat of the soul
Buzzing in my head
But now it's long gone ♫

---
Brock
Shokil
Darkrunner
---
Ghoul - Red (31)
Ghoul
Ghoul
---
Delea
George 09-23
Nikko
---

"Okay ... so no negotiation, then ..." Brock triggers his jump jets, firing into the room. His rifle appears in his hands as he lands, and he fires through two ghouls conveniently standing in a line.

red star plasma rifle attack vs. EAC (line on orange and blue): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
red star plasma rifle damage (electricity/fire): 1d10 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Brock fires his plasma rifle, fires a jet of plasma, but completely misses the two ghouls.

Hissing and gargling, the ghouls moves up, clawing at brock, but only scratching his armor.

Claw vs Brock: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (6) + 16 = 221d8 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21
Claw vs Brock: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 231d8 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16

The last ghoul has a gun, and holds it as if he's been practicing, though the shot indicates he should practice more...

Rail Gun, Darkrunner: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 171d10 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Everyone is up!

---
Delea
George 09-23
Nikko
---
Brock
Shokil
Darkrunner
---
Ghoul - Red (31)
Ghoul
Ghoul
---

The Technomancer tries to remember what he might know about ghouls.

Mysticism, Identify Creature: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23

George 09-23 stays invisible but casts a spell from behind the scene. Soon after a Crest-Eater (or what appears to be a Crest-Eater) appears in-between the ghouls.

Holographic Image is cast. Will DC 17 can be attempted if the image is interacted with as a move action.

George 09-23 is invisible.

@DM Kludde - My understanding of illusion spells is that they will not break invisibility unless they directly target an opponent or include it in its area of effect (like a Explosive Blast spell). If you disagree then let me know and I can revise my action with a Summon Creature II spell. :)

The (illusion of a) Crest-Eater towers over the ghouls. It licks it chops and its muscles tense as it appears to prepare to pounce.

Moving into the next room, Nikko pulls their laser rifle & aims at the closest eoxian.

laser rifle vs orange ghoul's EAC: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16
fire damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (4, 6) + 6 = 16

It's a mediocre shot, but has a great effect vs whatever it hit.

Satisfied having distracted his first target enough for hefty damage, he glides to the right and tries again on a different ghoul.

[full round] trick attack ORANGE (moving 10 ft)
corona laser pistol attack ORANGE, F damage: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 212d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 2) + 3 = 8 critical burn 1d4
Computers (specialization skill mastery take 10), Trick attack fire damage: 10 + 17 = 274d8 ⇒ (6, 8, 1, 3) = 18
If this succeeds, ORANGE is flat-footed against this attack
Debilitating Trick (Ex) When you succeed at both the skill check and attack roll of your trick attack, you can make the target flat-footed or off-target until the beginning of your next turn. (choosing flat-footed if it works)

Illusion with invisibility works for me, with the constraints you've quoted.

Suddenly, the contains an crest-eater, growling at the ghouls. Did you cast it as lvl 2?

Nikko blasts the recreation room's wall, but Darkrunner dazzles orange with a shot, making the ghoul look slightly confused on where to move.

---
Delea
George 09-23
Nikko
---
Brock
Shokil
Darkrunner
---
Ghoul - Red (31)
Ghoul - Orange (26, FF)
Ghoul
---

@DM Kludde - The Crest Eater is silently licking its chops and not growling. It was cast at level 1 so no audio component. The ghouls will figure it out sooner than latter but a round or two of confusion is worth a 1st level spell slot. :)

Brock steps back and fires his gun at an angle, in a line that hits two of the ghouls. "Eat my plasma ..."

Move action: Guarded Step. Standard action: Attack
red star plasma rifle attack vs. EAC on orange (flat-footed) and red: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
red star plasma rifle damage (electricity/fire): 1d10 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Delea moves forward.

going to use healing channel with harm undead feat next turn, but it's a full action.

Does Red still have critical burn from Darkrunner's natural 20?

Shokil seeing the fight pick up, moves into the next room . Eying up the orange ghoul he quickly fires his rifle again.

attack KAc, DA, FF: 1d20 + 15 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 15 - 2 + 2 = 21
P damage, DA,BB: 2d10 + 8 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (3, 6) + 8 + 2 + 4 = 23

Retcon Fire damage from DR's crit: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Brock blasts away at the undead, lighting up two of them as Delea moves into position. Shokil takes a steady aim, and fires for the weak spots!

Seeing the immediate threat of the crest-eater, the burning ghoul claws at it, seeing through the illusion as it does so.

Claw vs illusion: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 261d8 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19
Will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

The other two ghouls carefully step up to brock, then rend into him.

Claw, Brock: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (14) + 16 = 301d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Claw, Brock: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (13) + 16 = 291d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

---
Delea
George 09-23
Nikko
---
Brock
Shokil
Darkrunner
---
Ghoul - Red (49 + 1d4 burning)
Ghoul - Orange (64, FF)
Ghoul
---

"Right, right - I recall watching this scene the other day."mutters Nikko as they trigger two shots, one at each of the ghouls attacking Brock.

Using Paradox 15 for the closest ghoul

15 (Paradox) +10 -4 = 21 to hit Orange
fire damage vs Orange: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (6, 1) + 6 = 13

shot vs Blue: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 10 - 4 = 14
fire damage vs Blue: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (6, 5) + 6 = 17

George 09-23 ceases concentration on the illusion of the Crest Eater and he begins to summon in another distraction.

He begins to cast Summon Creature I.

George 09-23 is invisible.

Shokil looks on aghast... as the ghoul takes his best shot and just keeps on slashing away. Slightly unnerved, he quickly aims and fires again.

attack vs orange KAC: 1d20 + 15 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 15 - 2 + 2 = 32
P damage: 2d10 + 8 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (4, 3) + 8 + 2 + 4 = 21

Delea calls for divine aid, and tries to smite all the undead.

channel damage: 6d8 ⇒ (8, 1, 7, 7, 4, 4) = 31
will save for half, also heals all allies with HP damage within 30 ft

With things getting tight, Darkrunner cuts to the sign and starts back down the hall where he only has a clean shot at one of the ghouls (for now).

[full round] trick attack ORANGE (moving 25 ft)
corona laser pistol attack ORANGE, F damage: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 282d4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 1) + 3 = 8 critical burn 1d4
Computers (specialization skill mastery take 10), Trick attack fire damage: 10 + 17 = 274d8 ⇒ (8, 8, 3, 6) = 25
If this succeeds, ORANGE is flat-footed against this attack
Debilitating Trick (Ex) When you succeed at both the skill check and attack roll of your trick attack, you can make the target flat-footed or off-target until the beginning of your next turn. (choosing flat-footed if it works)

Nikko lands a shot on orange, but then looks like he's aiming for the radio...

♫ People try to put me d-down
(talkin' 'bout regeneration)
Just because I'm shambling around
(talkin' 'bout regeneration)
Say I look so awful and c-c-cold
(talkin' 'bout regeneration)
You know I died before I got old
(talkin' 'bout regeneration) ♫

In the background, just audible over the blaring sound of the radio, the words of a summoning spell can be heard.

Shokil finally downs a ghoul, while Delea tries to drain the unlife from the room.

Will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
I couldn't find the DC, and figured out it would be DC18. Even if I'm off by a bit, it looks like a pass and a fail

Both ghouls let out pained unliving screams, but the screaming is stopped short when Darkrunner makes good use of the distraction to shoot a ghoul in the head.

---
Delea
George 09-23
Nikko
---
Brock
Shokil
Darkrunner
---
Ghoul - Red (DOWN)
Ghoul - Orange (DOWN)
Ghoul - Blue (15)
---

@DM Kludde - There are no visual, audio or material components for (almost all) spell casting in SF. I personally love the components as it makes you feel like you are actually casting a spell but we all have to bend to modern sensibilities. :)

I notice that the explicit components appear to have been removed from PF2 Remastered, as well. I noticed that there is kind of a vague comment that you need to be able to move and speak to perform the actions of casting a spell. I haven't dug deeply into the book, but was a little surprised at that.

Brock drops the rifle and says, "Good, I prefer up close and personal ..." He punches a quick jab with one fist, with a follow-up from the other.

Free action: Drop weapon. Full action: Full attack
Unarmed strike 1 w/ full attack penalty: 1d20 + 14 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 14 - 4 = 15
Unarmed strike damage (bludgeoning): 1d4 + 19 ⇒ (3) + 19 = 22

Unarmed strike 2 w/ full attack penalty: 1d20 + 14 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 14 - 4 = 14
Unarmed strike damage (bludgeoning): 1d4 + 19 ⇒ (1) + 19 = 20

Brock goes all-out in a flurry of attacks, going mano-a-mano with the ghoul. Both of them hit absolutely nothing

Claw, Brock: 1d20 + 16 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 16 - 4 = 241d8 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20
Claw, Brock: 1d20 + 16 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 16 - 4 = 241d8 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19

♫ When you walk in a horde
Hold your arms up high
And keep them afraid of the dark♫

♫ Haunt on through the wind
Haunt on through the rain
Let their dream be tossed and thrown ♫

♫ Walk on, walk oon
Keep hope from their hearts
And you never haunt alone
You NEEEEVEEEER haunt aloooonee… ♫

---
Delea
George 09-23
Nikko
---
Brock
Shokil
Darkrunner
---
Ghoul - Red (DOWN)
Ghoul - Orange (DOWN)
Ghoul - Blue (15)
---

George's spell completes and a tiny toy soldier appears. The robot solider fires its musket twice at Blue and waves of sonic energy scream its way.

Sonic gun, Full Attack vs Blue: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 5 - 4 = 14

Sonic Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Sonic gun, Full Attack vs Blue: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 5 - 4 = 6

Sonic Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

George 09-23 takes a breather with the battle almost over.

George 09-23 is invisible.

Chambering the last bullet in his magazine, Shokil lines up the final ghoul, hoping that its own final moments are close by.

attack vs KAC,DA: 1d20 + 15 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 15 - 2 = 19
P dmaage, BB,DA: 2d10 + 8 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (5, 10) + 8 + 2 + 4 = 29

Then he takes out the spent magazine and changes it.

Darkrunner seems pleased that they're making progress on the ghouls.

Perhaps we can surround the last one!

He rounds the corner and attempts to taunt and distract it with sounds of its fallen ghoul companions.

[full round] trick attack BLUE (moving 20 ft)
corona laser pistol attack BLUE, F damage: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 132d4 + 3 ⇒ (2, 1) + 3 = 6 critical burn 1d4
Computers (specialization skill mastery take 10), Trick attack fire damage: 10 + 17 = 274d8 ⇒ (4, 1, 4, 2) = 11
If this succeeds, BLUE is flat-footed against this attack
Debilitating Trick (Ex) When you succeed at both the skill check and attack roll of your trick attack, you can make the target flat-footed or off-target until the beginning of your next turn. (choosing flat-footed if it works)