[Gameday XIII] SFS1 #3-21: Frozen Ambitions: Renevval's Blight (Inactive)

Game Master cmlobue

Sadly, neither Obo nor the summoned creature can strike Ainveln, even with the benefits of flanking.

The guard shifts position and takes a swipe at Dawnfriend.

Longsword: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32
Slashing Damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

If that hits, DC 20 Fortitude or sickened for 2d4 ⇒ (4, 1) = 5 rounds.

The energy continues to drain from the sapling.

Round 3 - bolded may go

Obozaya (-30 SP)
Guard (-2 ???)
Sapling (?15?)
Tofana (-8 SP, sickened 4 rounds)
Aluradux
Ainveln (-45 HP)
Dawnfriend (-25 SP, Fort save)
Agathion

Tofana is gratified to see the guard remove himself, but somewhat dismayed to see him attack Dawnfriend. "Dawnfriend, look out."

Still the guard has given her an opening to the primary target. Tofana hits her jump jets to skip over the tres adorbs lion and drops toward Ainveln from above, trying to surprise him with her knife in his head.

Trick Attack, successful v CR, sickened : 1d20 - 20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (18) - 20 + 12 - 2 = 8 If successful, opponent is flat-footed until my next turn.
Survival Knife v KAC, sickened, flanking: 1d20 + 7 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 2 - 2 = 14 ... damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 S Analog, Operative
If trick and attack are successful, Trick Attack damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4

Fortitude save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

Dawnfriend's orange fur takes on a rather unpleasant greenish tinge.

Aluradux continues to press the attack with her magics.

magic missile vs Ainveln: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 4, 2) + 3 = 13

Ainveln was not expecting an aerial assault from Tofana, but still manages to get out of the way of his dagger.

She was expecting magic missiles from Aluradux, but can't do much about them.

The gnome is definitely not happy about being surrounded. He steps back and gestures for vines to emerge from the ground, snaking around the bodies of everyone nearby.

DC 18 Reflex or become entangled. If you become entangled, you cannot move until you make a DC 15 Acrobatics or Strength check. You must repeat the same if you end your turn in the area or when you enter it.

Reflex Save, Guard: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Round 3-4 - bolded may go

Obozaya (-30 SP, Reflex Save)
Guard (-2 ???)
Sapling (?15?)
Tofana (-8 SP, sickened 3 rounds, Reflex Save)
Aluradux
Ainveln (-58 HP, -1 RP, flat-footed)
Dawnfriend (-25 SP, sickened 5 rounds, Reflex Save)
Agathion

Ref save, sickened: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 7 - 2 = 19

Dawnfriend's Reflex save, sickened: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 3 - 2 = 20

Despite the illness infecting him, Dawnfriend is able to avoid getting entangled by the vines. He steps out of the way and grabs at the damai. "Stop fighting!"

Grapple attack w/ grappler and Improved Combat Maneuver: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

The lion again strikes slashes at the gnome.
Claw attack w/ flanking: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Claw damage (slashing): 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Obozaya's Reflex save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Obozaya strides through the vines, paying them little heed, and swings her doshko at the guard.
Doshko attack vs. guard's EAC w/ flanking: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Doshko damage (flame) vs. guard: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Assuming that hits and Obozaya has cleave, so since the gnome is adjacent to the guard, Obo will just keep going ...
Cleave attack vs. gnome's EAC: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Cleave damage (flame) on gnome: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

That is an unpleasant sequence of 1's.

Obozaya strides through the vines and smacks the guard. She doesn't get anywhere close to Ainveln on the backswing.

The lion's claws glance off the gnome's armor.

Dawnfriend grabs the guard.

The guard tries to break free.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26

And does so.

The sapling continues to weaken.

Round 4 - bolded may go

Obozaya (-30 SP)
Guard (-9 HP, -2 ???)
Sapling (?20?)
Tofana (-8 SP, sickened 3 rounds)
Aluradux
Ainveln (-58 HP, -1 RP, flat-footed)
Dawnfriend (-25 SP, sickened 4 rounds)
Agathion

Trick Attack v CR, sickened: 1d20 - 20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (12) - 20 + 7 - 2 = -3 If successful, opponent is flat-footed until my next turn.
Survival Knife v KAC, sickened, flanking: 1d20 + 7 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 7 - 2 + 2 = 18 ... damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 S Analog, Operative
If trick and attack are successful, Trick Attack damage: 1d8 ⇒ 6

Tofana steps clear of the entangling plants to contain the bleachling and flank with Obo again and after swinging her rifle unconvincingly as a feint, slashes at the gnome with her knife.

Hey would Ainveln casting entanglement have earned him AoOs from us? Also, if Ainveln has a melee weapon drawn, Tofana's going to draw an AoO for movement unless she can move a careful 5' diagonal as part of a trick attack.

He wasn't casting.

Dull but effective. Let's do this again

Aluradux continues to apply pressure to the gnome with force missiles.

magic missile vs Ainveln: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 3, 1) + 3 = 10

Interesting.

Tofana's still not getting anywhere pretending to use his rifle as a club, but the knife still hits home.

Dull but effective does its thing.

Ainveln continues to try to maneuver out of the fray. He tries to smack Tofana across the head.

Sunset Shimmerstone Staff: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
Bludgeoning Damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (5, 3) + 6 = 14

Round 4-5 - bolded may go

Obozaya (-30 SP)
Guard (-9 HP, -2 ???)
Sapling (?20?)
Tofana (-8 SP, sickened 3 rounds)
Aluradux
Ainveln (-73 HP, -1 RP, flat-footed)
Dawnfriend (-25 SP, sickened 4 rounds)
Agathion

The agathion lion steps up and bites again at Ainveln, determined if nothing else.

Lion claw attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Lion claw damage (slashing): 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Dawnfriend again tries to give the guard a hug. "Can't we be friends!"

Grapple attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

Obozaya whacks at the guard, not interested in being friends.
Full attack

doshko attack 1 w/ flanking: 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 7 - 4 = 14
Doshko damage (flame): 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Doshko attack 2 w/ flanking: 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 7 - 4 = 16
Doshko damage (flame): 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

The less said about the Starfinders' activities that round, the better.

The guard steps out of the vines and hacks at Obo.

Longsword: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33
Slashing Damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

If that hits, DC 20 Fortitude or sickened for 2d4 ⇒ (3, 1) = 4 rounds.

The sapling is definitely looking worse for wear.

Round 5 - bolded may go

Obozaya (-32 SP, -10 HP, Fort save)
Guard (-9 HP, -2 ???)
Sapling (?25?)
Tofana (-8 SP, sickened 3 rounds)
Aluradux
Ainveln (-73 HP, -1 RP, flat-footed)
Dawnfriend (-25 SP, sickened 3 rounds)
Agathion

Obozaya's fortitude save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Sickened for 4 rounds it is.

I do believe Tofana's down to 2 rounds of sickness.

Tofana lunges at the bodyguard, but her real target is still Ainveln. She lands hard on her forward foot, pushes off and reverses direction and moves to head off Ainveln.

She's going to draw AoO from both of them, I do believe.

Trick Attack v CR, sickened: 1d20 - 20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (3) - 20 + 7 - 2 = -12 If successful, opponent is flat-footed until my next turn.
Survival Knife v KAC, sickened: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 7 - 2 = 7 ... damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 S Analog, Operative

If trick and attack are successful, Trick Attack damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4

"Gods damn you. Leave that poor tree alone." Aluradux once again launches a series of projectiles at the gnome.

magic missile vs Ainveln: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 2, 3) + 3 = 11

Tofana is definitely not feeling well, and his performance is showing it.

Longsword: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25
Slashing Damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

If that hits, DC 20 Fortitude or sickened for 2d4 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6 rounds.

Sunset Shimmerstone Staff: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20
Bludgeoning Damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (6, 6) + 6 = 18

Aluradux keeps the missile party going. Ainveln drops, but is clearly still alive.

Round 5-6 - bolded may go

Obozaya (-32 SP, -10 HP, sickened 4 rounds)
Guard (-9 HP, -4 ???)
Sapling (?25?)
Tofana (-21 SP, -17 HP, sickened 2-6 rounds, Fort save)
Aluradux
Ainveln (-75 HP, -2 RP, stable)
Dawnfriend (-25 SP, sickened 3 rounds)
Agathion

Fort save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

Bruised and cut, Tofana gazes impassively as Ainveln goes down.

5 hp left, but she's got a little buffer now, and she's drawn their AoO so ya'll ought to be able to move freely.

Thanksgiving celebrations. I'll be out of touch for a day or three.

Should have thought of this earlier ... does the sapling count as an "ally" for the purpose of my healing abilities? If so, Dawnfriend uses his Lifelink ability on the tree, recovering it with 5 points of HP. If he's unable to use that ability on the tree, he'll use it on Obozaya instead. Either way, I take 5 points of HP damage.

The tiny celestial lion takes a cautious step and then slashes at the guard, with flanking from the helpful Dawnfriend.

Agathion lion's claw attack vs KAC w/ flanking: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Agathion lion's claw damage (slashing): 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Seeing the opening made by Tofana, Dawnfriend dashes past the guard be in a better position to help Obozaya, and fires his static arc pistol at the guard.

Static arc pistol attack vs. guard's EAC: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Static arc pistol damage (electricity, nonlethal): 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Considered harrying fire, but that wouldn't have been a success, either

Obozaya swings her doshko twice at the guard, hoping to hit him with at least one of the fevered attacks.
Doshko attack vs. guard's EAC, multiattack, sickened, w/ flanking: 1d20 + 7 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 7 - 2 - 4 = 18
Doshko damage (flame): 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Doshko attack vs. guard's EAC, multiattack, sickened, w/ flanking: 1d20 + 7 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 7 - 2 - 4 = 5
Doshko damage (flame): 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

If you think the tree is an ally, it's an ally.

Dawnfriend takes some of the sapling's damage onto himself. He fires at the guard, but the shot is wide.

The lion also fails to make contact. How much longer will it be here?

Obo does strike the guard once with her doshko.

The guard disengages to go after Aluradux, who seems to be the most effective combatant.

The life continues to drain from the tree.

Round 6 - bolded may go

Obozaya (-32 SP, -10 HP, sickened 3 rounds, AOO)
Guard (-23 HP, -4 ???)
Sapling (?25?)
Tofana (-21 SP, -17 HP, sickened 2 rounds)
Aluradux
Ainveln (-75 HP, -2 RP, stable)
Dawnfriend (-25 SP, -5 HP, sickened 2 rounds, AOO)
Agathion (AOO)

Aluradux carefully steps away from the guard and casts a spell causing ...: 1d4 ⇒ 3 images to appear and mirror the lashunta's movements.

Guarded step, cast mirror image

Tofana drops her knife and levers her rifle into firing position. She sights deliberately down the barrel and puts a round into Ainveln's head.

From the spoiler:
If an enemy is within striking distance -- careful 5' move away and shoot Ainveln with the sniper rifle.
Shobhad horizon striker, tactical v KAC: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24 ... damage: 2d4 + 3 ⇒ (2, 2) + 3 = 7 SP 100 ft. — 2 rounds 1 2 Analog, sniper (500 ft.), unwieldy
If an enemy is not within striking distance, just shoot Ainveln.

I summoned on round 1, it manifested on round 2, and lasts for 5 rounds ... so it pops after this round.

Obozaya AoO w/ doshko vs EAC w/ sickened: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 7 - 2 = 13
Obozaya doshko damage (flame): 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Agathion lion AoO claw attack vs KAC: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Agathion lion AoO claw damage (slashing): 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Dawnfriend AoO unarmed vs KAC w/ sickened: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 - 2 = 3
Dawnfriend unarmed damage (bludgeoning, archaic, nonlethal): 1d3 ⇒ 3

Obozaya doesn't seem all that into this fight, to be honest, but the normally pacificist Dawnfriend is flailing his arms around wildly to try to attack the guard to no avail.

The celestial lion, however, finally lands an effective strike. It mews appreciatively.

The guard dodges all the attacks except the agathion's as it departs.

Tofana puts another round into the prone gnome.

Aluradux calls forth protective magic.

Ainveln stabilizes once more.

Round 6-7 - bolded may go

Obozaya (-32 SP, -10 HP, sickened 3 rounds)
Guard (-28 HP, -4 ???)
Sapling (?25?)
Tofana (-21 SP, -17 HP, sickened 2 rounds)
Aluradux (3 images)
Ainveln (-75 HP, -3 RP, stable)
Dawnfriend (-25 SP, -5 HP, sickened 2 rounds)
Agathion

Tofana is normally impassive, but now she frowns. "Ainveln is the primary target. He resists death. Could he be leeching from the tree to stay alive?"

The rifle was not effective, but she's pretty sure if she severs his neck, no amount of magic can save him. She looks down for her knife.

cmlobue, can she pick up the dropped knife as part of her 5' move to Ainveln's side, or will that be two actions?

Picking up an item would be its own action. There is an exception for drawing a weapon while you move, but that is for something already in your possession.

About what I figured, but it didn't hurt to ask. Thanks!

Like bipedal komodo dragon dogging its prey, Obozaya spins and pursues the guard. Unlike a komodo dragon, she has a flaming doshko instead of teeth. She drives the weapon into the guard's unprotected back.

Charge. -2 to attack, and to her AC

Doshko attack vs. guard's EAC, sickened: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 7 - 2 = 25
Doshko damage (flame): 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Doshko crit damage (flame): 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

and that's a wounding weapon!

WOund Effect: 1d20 ⇒ 4

Wound
Roll on Table 7–11: Wounding Weapons. The target must
succeed at a saving throw of the listed type (if any) or suffer
the listed effect. If the creature lacks a specified location, use
the general location.

TABLE 7–11: WOUNDING WEAPONS
D20 LOCATION SAVE EFFECT
1–10 General — Bleed 1d6
11–13 Eye (sensory) Ref Lost eye, –2 Perception
14–15 Leg (mobility) Fort Severed limb, –10 land speed
16–17 Arm (manipulation) Ref Severed limb, lose a hand
18–19 Vital organ Fort 1d4 Con damage
20 Brain Fort Stunned 1 round

That did indeed move thing forward.

Obo strides down to the guard and hacks with her doshko. The damai is certainly wounded and bleeding. To the point where you don't think it will be getting up again.

The sapling also looks like it is on its last legs. Roots. Whatever, you think you need to do something about that very soon.

Round 6-7 - bolded may go

Obozaya (-32 SP, -10 HP, sickened 2 rounds)
Guard
Sapling (?30?)
Tofana (-21 SP, -17 HP, sickened 2 rounds)
Aluradux (3 images)
Ainveln (-75 HP, -3 RP, stable)
Dawnfriend (-25 SP, -5 HP, sickened 2 rounds)
Agathion

Tofana glances at the tree. She has no experience with, or real knowledge of plant life, but it just looks bad. She better hurry.

Her knife landed two steps back, and it's just too much trouble to get it when she has a new cartridge in hand. She reloads and ...

Shobhad horizon striker, tactical v KAC, sickened: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 8 - 2 = 21... damage: 2d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 1) + 3 = 7 SP 100 ft. — 2 rounds 1 2 Analog, sniper (500 ft.), unwieldy

Would have preferred a coup de grace I think. Oh well.

"I repeat. This is the primary target."

Dawnfriend again heals the tree. Lifelink: Absorbs 5 of the tree's HP damage

He moves toward the tree, wading into the entangling foliage. Now that he's within range, he casts [i]shield other[i] on the sapling.
Half the damage will go onto me each round.

The lion slashes at the rogue xenodruid ...

Lion attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Lion damage (slashing): 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

... and then vanishes.

Dawnfriend takes more of the tree's damage on himself.

Tofana shoots the prone gnome, who finally stops moving.

Obozaya (-32 SP, -10 HP)
Sapling (-25 HP)
Tofana (-21 SP, -17 HP)
Dawnfriend (-25 SP, -10 HP)

The sapling has several of its branches forcibly wrapped around two tall rods that appear to be made from shimmerstone. The Starfinders must safely remove these rods before they can reverse the ritual.

First, you need to extract the rods from the kinwood’s branches, by succeeding at either an Athletics check to remove the rods by force, or an Engineering check to drive wedges between the branches and the rods so the rods fall out naturally.

Once the agents remove the rods, the kinwood sapling goes into shock from the pain of having its branches torn in such a way. To prevent it from taking further damage, the Starfinders can either succeed at a Diplomacy check to try to calm it, or a Medicine check to try and physically lessen the pain with first aid care. Expending healing items or magic grants the PCs a +4 circumstance bonus to either check.

Finally, after the agents assist the sapling, they can use the sapling’s connection to the attempted ritual to counteract some of the corruption that already took place in the forest. To do so, the Starfinders must succeed at either a Life Science check to create a serum that can be applied to the sapling’s roots and slowly spread to the other trees, or succeed at a Mysticism check to directly counteract Ainveln’s corruption magic. PCs who expend uses of relevant spells such as dispel magic gain a +4 circumstance bonus to this check.

There are consequences for failing the checks, so you may be better off choosing a primary and aiding, or at least waiting for one result before making a second check.

Mossgrove will use his xenowarden skills to soothe the sapling, giving you a +4 on each check.

Aluradux rushes over to the sapling and pats it soothingly. **Don't worry. We'll help you. Just be brave for a bit.**

She turns to her companions. "Okay what's our best approach to this?"

Tofana stares down at the (finally) dead gnome. She keeps staring while she steps back to retrieve her knife, while she walks forward and bends to wipe the knife's blade on the gnome's sleeve, and while she straightens up and sheathes the knife.

Her gaze snaps up to Aluradux when the lashunta speaks. She casually kicks Ainveln in the head while she walks over to Aluradux and the sapling.

"I am unsure. Plant organism repair is not a field in which I am experienced. Perhaps if we remove the inorganic contaminants the sapling will recover."

Aluradux pulls Snafu from his carrier and places the gremlin on the ground. "Be good Snafu. I need to remove these rods from the sapling's branches and I need to move carefully so that I don't hurt the poor thing further. I can't have you squirming so you just stay there and be still, okay?"

The gremlin's eyes go wide. He makes a soft cooing sound as he moves to the tree and gives it a hug.

She pats the tree lightly. **Be brave. I'm here to help. This might hurt a bit but I'll be as gentle as I can.**She proceeds to carefully pull back the branches and remove the rods.

engineering: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28
If this counts as disable device then Snafu provides a +2 morale bonus

Once the rods have been removes she gently strokes the tree and telepathically speaks soothingly to it. As she does so she applies a serum of healing to the injured sapling. **You were very brave. It's almost over now. Just hold on a little bit longer.**

diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 10 + 4 = 28
Includes +4 from the serum of healing

"Okay I think the worst part is over. I should be able to create a serum to combat the corruption. Once I apply it to the sapling it should start to slowly spread to the other trees."

life science: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (14) + 19 = 33

None of those rolls include the +4 bonus from Mossgrove.

The rods stop glowing as the corruption ceases its spread. The nearby forest slowly turns greener as the shadowy fog dissipates. Mossgrove thanks each Starfinder personally and promises to welcome any future Starfinders who come to the planet to wilderness tours any time, free of charge.

It takes a few weeks for your efforts to fully reinvigorate the forest. In the meantime, the remaining Xenowardens send the Starfinders a shipment of credits and equipment as thanks for helping to heal the forest of its affliction. Curious about the organization responsible for saving their forests, several dozen ghorans from Memory Willow seek to join the Starfinder Society in the months following this adventure’s events.

The team meets with Ehu Hadif a few weeks later on Absalom Station. The First Seeker explains that all the information they recovered from the lumber mill has been turned over to the proper authorities. Ehu mentions that the Veskarium wants to thank them personally. In the meeting room, he activates a video call with several Veskarium officials who thank each agent individually for finding proof of Jularaz’s actions. They inform the Starfinders that they will keep a closer eye on Jularaz and make sure his ambitions are not so misplaced in the future. The representatives confirm that they wish to continue working with the Starfinders in the future. After the call, Ehu congratulates you on helping cement an alliance for the Society in Near Space.

Nice rolls, Aluradux. No aids required.

After their initial debriefing, Tofana thanks Dawnfriend and Aluradux. She tells them they were good team members and wishes them luck on future assignments.

At the meeting with Hadif, when the First Seeker moves to activate the video call, but before the connection is complete, Tofana remembers a previously scheduled oral surgery and leaves the room hurriedly.