[SFS/ACE] 7-07 Submerged Stars

Game Master Kludde

Mysticism to identify, indeed

George and Atu recognise the creatures as reflections, a type of water elemental that is known to either go into diffuse mode or reflection mode, absorbing or reflecting attacks. In diffuse mode, it can reduce damage from melee attacks, in reflection mode it can partially return attacks to sender

The creatures have darkvision, but no ability to detect invisibility other than through perception.

--
Atu
George
Trober
--
Monster (Red 21)
Monster (Blue 0)
---
Shari
Celly
Sakorus
---

Can we tell what mode they are in right now?

I moved Trober to his current position on the map since he would have been in the back of the group and not in the front.

Trober sees the new threat and his pent up anxiety and fear manifest into a wave of temporal disruption that erupts in a 40' cone toward red.

Bludgeoning Damage: 3d8 ⇒ (6, 8, 2) = 16 DC 14 fortitude save for half. If the save fails the target is also staggered for one round.

"Did I do that???"

Fort: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

Trober manages ot catch the reflection in a wave of energy. Both of the orbs turn into specular mode, one of them speeding at Celly and slamming into her, while the other blast water from afar

Slam, Celly: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (6) + 18 = 241d12 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22
Hard-Water Ray, Atu: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (9) + 16 = 252d6 + 8 ⇒ (5, 1) + 8 = 14

---R1
Shari
Celly
Sakorus
--R2
Atu
George
Trober
-- R2
Monster (Red 29 - Specular)
Monster (Blue 0 - Specular)
---

George 09-23 stays still and quiet in the corner as he begins to summon in some help.

Summon Creature III is being cast.

George 09-23 is invisible

Celestia curses in infernal as the new enemy is sighted. She curses even more when she gets targeted and basically lets her 'inner tiefling' out snarling and hissing at the creature. It seems rather out of character for the usually calm and friendly aasimar.

The creature then gets hit with a third level Mind Thrust
mt3: 7d10 ⇒ (6, 3, 3, 8, 8, 3, 2) = 33 will save DC 16

Trober's instincts kick in and he swims for cover. A faint glow of mystical energy surrounds him as he does so and then remains glimmering and reflecting light. Reflecting Armor

"Mistress Shari they have us surrounded!!!"

Sakorus will ID the beasts with the biohacker's move action ID.
Life or Phys Sci: 20 + 19 = 39
Would want to know Weaknesses, Resistances, and Immunities.
After that, he'll reach out to try and stab the blue one in his reach, with a -2 AC Inhibitor.
vs KAC: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19
P dmg & -2 AC: 2d8 + 11 ⇒ (1, 5) + 11 = 17

Seeing the orbs shifting modes, Atu moves and pulls out their knife into their other appendages as they fire again at the weakened creature.

Mysticism v 20+CR: 1d20 + 17 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 17 + 4 = 35
Attack v Red EAC: 1d20 + 13 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 13 - 2 = 22 for Sonic: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
plus Acid: 4d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 5, 5) = 17 if that Myst check worked

You swear charmingly, Celestia. All the fans will really like it. (+15 Sp to Celly!) She smiles and steps back a little. Cover us, Trober!

Are you RECORDING this? Celestia replies. She pauses for a bit, wondering if she's going to need a lawyer to insist on a release or royalties, before continuing with Send me a copy. It'll amuse Chryssi immensely

George performs his usual routine of calling for otherworldly help, while Celly tries to blast the enemy mentally from point blank range, but draws a physical slam instead.

AoO, Celly: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (13) + 18 = 311d12 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24

Trober digs in with a spell, while Sakorus goes on the offensive, missing his stab.

Atu hits the watery orb, who takes the damage but reflects back a part of it!

Reflected energy, Atu: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 26 5 damage

Shari gives some aid to Celly, who in in the thick of the melee now

Slam, Celly: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (4) + 18 = 221d12 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18

The other monster hides in the kelp, and blasts water at the Izalguun
Water ray, Sakorus: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (15) + 16 = 312d6 + 8 ⇒ (1, 5) + 8 = 14

---R2
Shari
Celly
Sakorus
--R3
Atu
George
Trober
-- R3
Monster (Red 34 - Specular)
Monster (Blue 0 - Specular)
---

Celestia doesn't want to be anywhere near this creature at all so she carefully backs away before triggering the hydrojet in order to end up somewhere behind Shari.

I think that Sakorus is technically flanking against the Blue reflection, with the Blue elemental? Let's see if we can do something with that!
Sakorus winces a bit from the watery blow, and takes a moment to rue not buying that defective reinforcement for his armour yet. Then, he tries to wing Blue with his capture pole, adding a -1 AC basic Inhibitor to each strike!
Melee #1 vs KAC: 1d20 + 12 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 12 - 4 = 18
P dmg #1 & -1 AC: 2d8 + 11 ⇒ (2, 2) + 11 = 15

Melee #2 vs KAC: 1d20 + 12 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 12 - 4 = 20
P dmg #2 & -1 AC: 2d8 + 11 ⇒ (8, 8) + 11 = 27

@Sakorus - Typically you cannot flank elementals. :)

Three water elemental appear and they begin to attack their fellow variant elemental monsters.

Blue:

Slam, Blue vs Blue, Full Attack: 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 9 - 4 = 17

Damage, Bludgeoning: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Slam, Blue vs Blue, Full Attack: 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 9 - 4 = 10

Damage, Bludgeoning: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Green:

Slam, Green vs Blue, Full Attack: 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 9 - 4 = 22

Damage, Bludgeoning: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Slam, Green vs Blue, Full Attack: 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 9 - 4 = 9

Damage, Bludgeoning: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Pink:

Slam, Pink vs Red: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Damage, Bludgeoning: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

George 09-23 continues to call in help.

Summon Creature II is being cast.

George 09-23 is invisible

Atu winces as their blast gets partially beamed back at them, but fires again satisfied that its at least doing something to them.

Mysticism v 20+CR: 1d20 + 17 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 17 + 4 = 24
Attack v Red EAC: 1d20 + 13 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 13 - 2 = 19 for Sonic: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
plus Acid: 4d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 4, 3) = 18 if the Myst roll worked

Trober fires his rifle at red and hopes for the best. He then continues his "tactical withdrawal" away from the elementals.

Blindmark Rifle vs. Red EAC: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 8 - 2 = 14
Sonic (non lethal) Damage: 2d4 + 5 ⇒ (2, 1) + 5 = 8

Sakorus attempts to stab the elemental twice, but unfortunately misses by the narrowest of margins.

The three summoned water elementals harass their seniors, and one even manages a hit!

Atu doesn't seem to mind being hit with reflected blasts, but his shot goes wide, as does Trober's.

Since Shari is out slightly longer-term, I will just keep her out of the fight until the player returns

The water elemental don't seem to like the competition, and take their anger out on the summoned newcomers.

Vs Magenta
Slam, Elemental: 1d20 + 18 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 18 - 4 = 171d12 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21
Slam, Elemental: 1d20 + 18 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 18 - 4 = 331d12 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23

Vs Green, then Blue
Slam, Elemental: 1d20 + 18 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 18 - 4 = 301d12 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23
Slam, Elemental: 1d20 + 18 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 18 - 4 = 271d12 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16

---R3
(Shari)
Celly
Sakorus
--R4
Atu
George
Trober
-- R4
Monster (Red 34 - Specular)
Monster (Blue 9 - Specular)
---

Two of the water elemental simply explode as they are attacked however blue remains more or less intact (4 hit points remaining). As George 09-23 finishes his spell another elemental appears and swims to distract red.

Blue:

Blue vs Blue, Full Attack: 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 9 - 4 = 8
Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Blue vs Blue, Full Attack: 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 9 - 4 = 16
Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Yellow:

Yellow vs Red: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

George 09-23 decides to preserve his magical energies and stay invisible. He simply stays put and keeps up a defensive guard.

Full Defence Action

George 09-23 is invisible

"Celly, Celly! What are we going to do? Mistress Shari seems to have fallen into some type of trance."

Trober's awkwardly points his rifle at blue and fires again.

Blindmark Rifle vs. Blue EAC: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 8 - 2 = 13
Sonic Damage (NL): 2d4 + 5 ⇒ (1, 1) + 5 = 7

He then grabs nearby bags of fertilizer that were to be used in the garden and begins arranging them in front of him like sandbags to create an improvised barrier that he can take cover behind. Barricade

Just keep doing what you're doing Trober Celly soothes as she moves over to Trober's side while trying to encourage him as if they were on a starship and she was the Captain encouraging the gunners. And sonic seems to be the best choice in this instance.

By the gods. Chryssi is going to have hysterics when she finds out I don't have appropriate weaponry, and what I DO have aren't water hardened. Gods, I'm an IDIOT!

Seeing that no one is seriously hurt, apart from herself, she fires off another third level Mind Thrust at the closest elemental.

mt3: 7d10 ⇒ (10, 5, 3, 4, 6, 1, 4) = 33 will save DC 16

Sakorus attempts to stab the elemental twice, but unfortunately misses by the narrowest of margins.

Does it hit if the Reflector was flanked? Sakorus and Blue Elemental were flanking the Blue Reflector.

I'm going to attack Blue; since it looks like Celestial is hitting Blue with the Mind Thrust, I'll try for a -2 Will save Basic Inhibitor. If I understand wrong and Celly's targetting someone else, then swap to a -1 AC Minor Inhibitor?

Sakorus keeps jabbing away ; this has to work sometime!

Melee vs Flanked KAC: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32
P dmg & -2 Will: 2d8 + 11 ⇒ (1, 6) + 11 = 18
Aw man. A not-insubstantial number of my Nat 20s are against things immune to crits :C

Focus on one at a time! We can bring them down! Atu calls over the comms before trying their own advice and firing once more at the Blue creature.

Mysticism v 20+CR: 1d20 + 17 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 17 + 4 = 40
Attack v Blue EAC: 1d20 + 13 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 13 - 2 = 20 for Sonic: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
plus Acid: 4d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 4, 5) = 18 if the Myst roll worked.

George's cannon fodder mostly misses, only the newcomer manages to score a hit.

Trober's panicked shot only hits some kelp, but Celly's spell is unerring.

Will: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

At the elemental takes the mental brunt, it also takes a stab from Sakorus, and a shot from Atu. Part of the energy is diffracted, though, and hits Sakorus in the chest.

Reflect damage to Sakorus: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (6) + 16 = 22 Sakorus takes 6 damage

The elemental next to Sakorus switches into diffuse mode, carefully moves in and slams the Izalguun.

Slam, Sakorus: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (7) + 18 = 251d12 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18

From afar, the other elemental tries to get rid of the newcomer elemental

Vs Yellow elemental
Slam: 1d20 + 18 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 18 - 4 = 291d12 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14
Slam: 1d20 + 18 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 18 - 4 = 261d12 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14

---R4
(Shari)
Celly
Sakorus
--R5
Atu
George
Trober
-- R5
Monster (Red 42 - Specular)
Monster (Blue 66 - Specular)
---

Celestia uses her third and final Mind Thrust on Blue
mt3: 7d10 ⇒ (4, 9, 6, 6, 3, 6, 5) = 39 will save DC 16

Sakorus keeps jabbing away, this time with a -1 AC Minor Inhibitor.
Melee vs KAC: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26
P dmg & -1 AC: 2d8 + 11 ⇒ (7, 1) + 11 = 19

There we go! It's thick but leaking fluid!

Myst v 20+CR: 1d20 + 17 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 17 + 4 = 25
Attack v Blue EAC: 1d20 + 13 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 13 - 2 = 20 for Sonic: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
plus Acid: 4d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 4, 3) = 18 if Myst check succeeded

"Get them, Get them Celly!"

Trober's nervous energy coalesces into magical energy that focuses itself on the object of his attention. Bolster Spell

Celly can reroll up to one of the spell’s damage dice per level of the triggering spell and use the higher result. I'm interpreting that to mean she can reroll the three lowest damage dice.

For times sake I'll just do the reroll for her.

Mind Thrust: 3d10 ⇒ (2, 2, 9) = 13 Replace her 3 from the original damage roll with a 9.

Will, inhibitor: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 11 - 2 = 16

Celly assaults the mind of the closest elemental once more, bolstered by the encouragement of Trober. Atu and Sakorus pile on the outsider, and finally bring it down with two concerted strikes.

---R4
(Shari)
Celly
Sakorus
--R5
Atu
George
Trober
-- R5
Monster (Red 42 - Specular)
Monster (Blue DEAD)
---

The yellow elemental explodes from the attacks but the blue elemental persists and it swims quickly to attack the last remaining monster.

Slam blue vs blue: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

Damage vs blue: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

With the battle nearing its end George 09-23 decides to preserve his magical energies and takes up a defensive posture.

Full Defence action.

George 09-23 is invisible

The elemental takes a blow, and promptly retaliates

Slam, Elemental: 1d20 + 18 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 18 - 4 = 281d12 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16
Slam, Elemental: 1d20 + 18 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 18 - 4 = 241d12 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15

---R5
(Shari)
Celly
Sakorus
--R6
Atu
George
Trober
-- R6
Monster (Red 51 - Specular)
Monster (Blue DEAD)
---

Celestia delays until someone needs healing apart from her.

Sakorus is great at healing HP dmg; but he can't do much about SP dmg. Sorry, Celestia!
Sakorus swims ahead to confront Red (and block off the corridor with reach!), trying to give 'em the ol' pokey-poke, again with another -1 AC Minor Inhibitor.
Melee vs KAC: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25
P dmg & -1 AC: 2d8 + 11 ⇒ (7, 4) + 11 = 22

Seeing that the numbers are in the team's favor, Trober gathers some courage and moves in on the final elemental and fires another shot from his rifle.

Blindmark Rifle vs. Blue EAC: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 8 - 2 = 26
Sonic Damage (NL): 2d4 + 5 ⇒ (4, 2) + 5 = 11 He'll use two of his paradoxes to max out the damage die, so the total is 13. (Temporal Aggression)

Critical Sonic Damage (NL): 2d4 + 5 ⇒ (3, 2) + 5 = 10

Trober doesn't see the damage his shot inflicts as his eyes are squeezed tightly shut.

Well done Trober. You hit it ... hit it real good. Ooooh ... that's gonna leave a mark.

She looks over at the Dromada.

is that why it's called a Blind-mark rifle?

Indeed. An excellent shot! Atu chatters in encouragement to Trobar as they fire their own blast before jetting south, in an attempt to circle around Sakorus to try and further close in the remaining elemental.

Mysticism v 20+CR: 1d20 + 17 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 17 + 4 = 32
Attack v EAC: 1d20 + 13 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 13 - 2 = 20 for Sonci: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
plus Acid: 4d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 6, 1) = 13 if that Myst roll worked

Sakorus parks the bus in the corridor, and stabs the last elemental, which looks close to being ended. From the side, a shot rings out and causes a rippling circular shockwave in the elemental. After Celly offers her congratulations, Atu scores a hit of his own.

---R5
(Shari)
Celly
Sakorus
--R6
Atu
George
Trober
-- R6
Monster (Red 96 - Specular)
Monster (Blue DEAD)
---

"Wait, what... did I shoot it? Can we just get out of here already???"

Yes you hit it ... square on ... and with your eyes shut. Are you using the Force Trober?

Can somebody get me an action for George?

Can somebody get me an action for George?

George has been taking Full Defense while invisible recently, so... seems likely that would continue. I'd say that, with Sakorus screening the hallway, maybe he'd feel comfortable enough doing like a Harrying Fire or something, but I'm not even sure George has a ranged weapon? His character sheet doesn't seem to list one ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I guess there's Energy Ray, but the character seems built to not personally engage in combat XD I guess he'd just keep being Defensive and Invisible.

Makes sense

George remains in fully defensive, invisible mode, while the elemental storm at Sakorus (Drawing an aoo) to attack the izalguun

Slam: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (17) + 18 = 351d12 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23 Provided Sakorus doesn't kill it

---R6
(Shari)
Celly
Sakorus
--R7
Atu
George
Trober
-- R7
Monster (Red 96 - Specular)
Monster (Blue DEAD)
---

Let's see if the AoO can do it!
AoO Melee vs KAC: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17
AoO P dmg: 2d8 + 11 ⇒ (2, 8) + 11 = 21

Hmm, no such luck, I bet. Ready to end this, Sakorus swings wildly.

Melee #1 vs KAC: 1d20 + 12 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 12 - 4 = 24
P dmg #1: 2d8 + 11 ⇒ (1, 4) + 11 = 16

Melee #2 vs KAC: 1d20 + 12 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 12 - 4 = 20
P dmg #2: 2d8 + 11 ⇒ (7, 3) + 11 = 21

"That's what my shooting instructor said, I shoot with my eyes closed. It's one of the reasons I still haven't been certified to use lethal weapons yet. That and I WORK IN ACCCOUNTING!!!"

And? I know a benarri who works as an accountant. She helps me with my taxes and such. She's also a punster and is rather good with video games. Also has to keep up with her over excited halfling partner. We got on rather well.

So be proud of being an accountant. Own it. If it wasn't for you guys commerce would be anarchy.

Celly continues to wait until someone gets hurt.

Sorry for the lack of posting. George would have gone defensive anyways. The battle is pretty well over so there is no need to waste resources. :)

George 09-23 continues his defensive stance (Full Defence).

George 09-23 is invisible

Good stabbing Sakorus! Atu calls out over their comms as they continue to jet around the arena. I think it may be almost depleted...

Myst v 20+CR: 1d20 + 17 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 17 + 4 = 32
Attack v EAC: 1d20 + 13 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 13 - 2 = 24 for Sonic: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
plus Acid: 4d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 5, 5) = 15 if the Myst roll worked