GM S's "Race for the Dustwarren Cup" [Tier 7-10] (Inactive)

Game Master Chris Marsh

Trylara shrugs.

I have none of those skills.

Same.

Lady Shrike narrows her eyes. Criminals who lack in bravado tend to compensate with disloyalty to their own kid. "Are you sure this captain isn't just heavily modified, or perhaps a planetouched?"

Would Profession (Mercenary) make for a suitable substitute?

Prof (Merc) just in case...: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

From his position, Wat chimes in, "Whatever he is, and whatever he's after, please try to rescue Mimli. I don't expect you to give up the race for free. Her gratitude is potent. In the meanwhile, look in the hold over there. There's a secret release on the left side. They might help."

The two pirates register shock, "How did we miss that?!"

Inside are a mk 3 grenade scrambler and a pair of hoverskates.

You've got a few options to get the trail. You could use your own tracking abilities, or you could work to convince the pirates, Tayyara the kobold and Soughan the Dromad to give up the captain. Normal skills for both.

"Please cooperate with this investigation. Things will go easier for you in the long-run."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

I'll use my t-shirt reroll--Mimli needs our help!

Diplomacy Reroll (2 novas): 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 9 + 2 = 14

With my Steward "Diplomatic Training" ability, I only worsen their attitude for a failed check if I miss by 10 or more.

Officer Swizzers isn't exactly inspirational.... Anyone else want in?

"Tayyara, Soughan, my friends. We are likely going to lose our race due to this little goose chase, but we would very much appreciate getting a hold of this pirate captain. Can you help us find Captain Odrag Nao?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (16) + 17 = 33

"This does seem like a more important use of our time, and we could really use your help."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 16 + 1d6 ⇒ (13) + 16 + (2) = 31

While his allies try to shake down the would-be pirates for information, Rogers takes a look around the area looking for clues.

Survival: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33

Trylara and Ohmarc get the pirates talking. Soughan and Tayyara offer to come with you even! A quick nod from Rogers indicates that their story jives with the evidence he sees.

Assuming the trail and story line up all the way to the end, , tracking the pirates takes at least three hours and forces you to detour significantly from the course of the race.

It's a good assumption. After passing innumerable caves, you spy something. A motorized sand schooner, slightly larger than a lightsail yacht, sits anchored off a small gap in the wall of a 50-foot cliff face, revealing a tiny, rocky beach. A small cavern mouth leads deeper into the rocks, its entrance flanked by a pair of armed guards.

Tayyara makes an offer, "I can greet them, maybe keep weapons out of it?"

Rogers nods. "Good idea."

Swizzers nods as well. "Yes, we don't want this situation to escalate any further, and a peaceful resolution is always best."

Still, she watches Tayyara to make sure the kobold doesn't have any ulterior motives.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Ohmarc turns to Swizzers and asks,"What do you see is a peaceful resolution? That they let you arrest them? These pirates sound vile to me."

While the party talks, Soughan and Tayyara approach. "Hey! So we fixed up the ship and..."

The guards aren't totally buying it.

"...and well, we're here to..."

They're definitely not buying it, but they're confused enough that you could strike first before they're ready!

ROUND: Surprise
Lanius: Go
Rogers: Go
Swizzers: Go
Trylara: Go
Ohmarc: Go

ROUND 1
Lanius: Go
Rogers: Go
Swizzers: Go
Hobgoblins: TBD
Trylara: TBD
Ohmarc: TBD

SHIP STATUS: HP: 118/140
******************************************

TACTICAL MAP
GM’s Tracker
Party Conditions: Inspiring Boost: , Get'em: Red
Gravity:LOW
Atmosphere: Normal
Lighting: Normal within 30' of the yacht, dim beyond.
Battlefield terrain: Consider it liquid. Drak squares are solid and 5' above "silt line."

The aspiring paladin's wings flap hard as she launches herself towards the enemy on muscle power alone. Taking the chance to position herself, she stands between the two guards and draws her thirsty fangblade.

Ohmarc signs in exasperation and pulls out his laser rifle and fires at Red.

Azimuth Laser Rifle vs. EAC: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Fire Damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (1, 3) + 7 = 11

"I just hope that we don't lose the race due to these rascally pirates!"

"Give yourselves up--you're outnumbered and outgunned!" shouts Swizzers as she fires a pair of pistols, hoping to take the guards alive.

Full round action to fire my compliance flash rays at Red.

Compliance Flash Ray # 1 (full) vs Red EAC: 1d20 + 13 - 3 ⇒ (1) + 13 - 3 = 11
damage (nonlethal F): 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Compliance Flash Ray # 2 (full) vs Red EAC: 1d20 + 13 - 3 ⇒ (13) + 13 - 3 = 23
damage (nonlethal F): 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Trylara joins in against Red, attuning to photon.

solarian weapon attack: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18
solarian weapon damage, photon attuned: 2d6 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (3, 5) + 17 + 1 = 26 + electric: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Surprise Round:

Rogers draws his axe as he charges at the far enemy! Blitz soldier + Charge Through = Can charge through an ally as a standard action without the usual charge penalties.

Greataxe (vs. white KAC): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17
Slashing: 3d6 + 17 ⇒ (5, 1, 6) + 17 = 29

Round 1:

Rogers continues assaulting the pirate before him.

Greataxe (vs. white KAC), full attack: 1d20 + 14 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 14 - 4 = 24
Slashing: 3d6 + 17 ⇒ (3, 2, 2) + 17 = 24

Greataxe (vs. white KAC), full attack: 1d20 + 14 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 14 - 4 = 14
Slashing: 3d6 + 17 ⇒ (5, 3, 5) + 17 = 30

Rogers has Coordinated Shot, so if you're firing on white and Rogers is not providing them cover against you, you get a +1 to your attack roll.

↺ Step Up and Strike

Oh, thanks for reminding me!

Lady Lanius closes in ready as Ohmarc's laser fire connects.

Swizzers and Trylara also pile it on, both connecting in their own right.

Rogers zigs the other way, missing with his axe. His follow up is much more on point (or edge as the case may be.)

ROUND 1
Lanius: Go
Rogers: Hit
Swizzers: Go
Hobgoblins: TBD
Trylara: TBD
Ohmarc: TBD

SHIP STATUS: HP: 118/140
******************************************

TACTICAL MAP
GM’s Tracker
Party Conditions: Inspiring Boost: , Get'em: Red
Gravity:LOW
Atmosphere: Normal
Lighting: Normal within 30' of the yacht, dim beyond.
Battlefield terrain: Consider it liquid. Drak squares are solid and 5' above "silt line."

Swizzers snaps off another shot!

Compliance Flash Ray vs Red EAC: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30
damage (nonlethal F): 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Lady Shrike will continue her assault, swinging for the hips and the torso in two rapid swipes.

ghostkiller fangblade vs Red, full attack: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19 damage: 1d12 + 19 ⇒ (3) + 19 = 22

ghostkiller fangblade vs Red, full attack: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18 damage: 1d12 + 19 ⇒ (9) + 19 = 28

Swizzers delivers a direct hit as Lanius finishes the job (with lethal damage!)

The remaining guard opts for a tactical retreat. He begins shouting into the cave, but in the moment there's no sign that his cries are heard. His withdraw + move still draws from Lanius.

ROUND 1
Lanius: AoO
Rogers: Hit
Swizzers: Hit
Hobgoblins: Fall back!
Trylara: Go
Ohmarc: Go

SHIP STATUS: HP: 118/140
******************************************

TACTICAL MAP
GM’s Tracker
Party Conditions: Inspiring Boost: , Get'em: Red
Gravity:LOW
Atmosphere: Normal
Lighting: Normal within 30' of the yacht, dim beyond.
Battlefield terrain: Consider it liquid. Drak squares are solid and 5' above "silt line."

"Not so fast!"

Ghostkiller Fangblade AoO: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (5) + 19 = 24 damage: 1d12 + 19 ⇒ (11) + 19 = 30

Ohmarc takes another shot with his rifle and tries to take the escaping pirate down!

Azimuth Laser Rifle vs. EAC: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Fire Damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (6, 5) + 7 = 18<---- Double for Crit plus Burn 1d6

Trylara follows after White!

solarian weapon attack: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15
solarian weapon damage, photon attuned: 2d6 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (1, 3) + 17 + 1 = 22 + electric: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Lanius and Ohmarc combine to drop the guard before he's able to alert whomever is in the cave. At least, it seems that way...

Lady Shrike deactivates her blade and looks towards Soughan and Tayyara. "Anything you'd like to warn us about before we proceed?"

"Not even sure. At this point.... who knows. I guess I'd go in with my weapons out. Like I said, Cap’n Odrag Nao; he’s a demon, is what he is. A scary, mean pirate! He doesn’t care who he has to go through so long as he gets what he’s after."

Swizzers rushes to try to stabilize and secure the fallen pirates, mumbling to herself about excessive force.

"Swizzers, I think our friends are right. We are going to have a difficult time bringing a demon to justice. I think we are going to have to be content if we can even dispatch it."

Ohmarc checks over the pirates and sees what they have for equipment.

Ohmarc and Swizzers look over the fallen pirates. Unfortunately, it's too late for the two of them.

In total the team recovers:

When heading in, just give me a marching order.

"Demons are one thing, but we don't have to fight like them," says Swizzers with a sigh. "If there are more redeemable sapients in there, let's please try to take them alive. Internal affairs is going to be all over me as it is!"

If the heavy melee hitters want to go in first, Swizzers can snag the # 3 spot.

Trylara goes in front, clutching her battleaxe.

Rogers looms right behind his old friend, clutching his own axe.

"I'll try, Swizz. No promises."

Lanius nods. "I'll do what I can to minimize unnecessary casualties. Just be sure to stay behind me."

Shrike will stand as close to the front as possible. Considering her quick charges and 3 dimensional movement, she doesn't need to be on the first row if it's already taken.

Ohmarc follows near the back of the party his rifle loaded and looking around perceptively.

Hopefully the noise of combat has left the pirates unaware.

As the team inches south, the sounds of unhurried conversation makes it to your ears. It sounds like it's coming from the southwest...

The conversation continues.... they definitely don't know you're here.

Swizzers whispers to the others. "This should be fun. Follow my lead." Edging carefully and slowly towards the sound of the voices, she takes her spotlight out of her backpack. When she's just around the corner, she jumps into view, shines the spotlight in their faces, and shouts "Stewards! You're under arrest! Drop your weapons!"

The officer's move is bold. Lanius stays close, already armed with her sword and pistol. She can only assume these pirates will be willing to fight to the bitter end over their ill-begotten gains.

Swizzers, ever the skittermander of action, steps boldy. The low, flat rock in the center of this chamber serves as a table and is covered with discarded data sticks, a broken comm unit, and a few half-drunk jars of space goblin moonshine. The holographic flag of Free Captain Odrag Nao is projected against the western wall, depicting a scowling hobgoblin skull with two fangblades crossed beneath it.

A quartet of hobgoblins immediate stop what they're doing and look up in shock. A particularly sharp looking hobgoblin lounges on a crate in the southwest, looking east down a passage you can't see much of.

They waste no time falling to arms, though you've caught them by surprise! they're ready for action, but it'll take a moment they're all flat footed this round.

ROUND 1
Lanius: Go
Rogers: Go
Trylara: Go
Ohmarc: Go
Swizzers: Go
Hobgoblins: TBD

SHIP STATUS: HP: 118/140
******************************************

TACTICAL MAP
GM’s Tracker
Party Conditions: Inspiring Boost: , Get'em: Red
Gravity:LOW
Atmosphere: Normal
Lighting: Normal within 30' of the yacht, dim beyond.
Battlefield terrain: Normal

"They never come quietly," mumbles Swizzers, as she races around a rocky outcropping and towards the sharp-looking hobgoblin she assumes is the pirate leader. As she moves, she draws a rare weapon recovered from the Arsenal: a neutriad flail!

Double move, drawing a weapon as I go.

Trylara runs at Red and attacks, attuning to photon!

solarian weapon attack: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21
solarian weapon damage, photon attuned: 2d6 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (3, 4) + 17 + 1 = 25 + electric: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Already forgetting his halfhearted promise to Swizzers, Rogers roars and draws his axe as he charges past Ohmarc to the sharp-looking hobgoblin engaged with the skittermander! Blitz soldier, Charge Through, etc.

Greataxe (vs. KAC): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24
Slashing: 3d6 + 17 ⇒ (3, 1, 6) + 17 = 27

Lady Shrike rushes towards the enemy, planting herself in a position to cut off their escape deeper into the cave. Reinforcements? An attempt to scuttle off with some loot? She doesn't have time to think about the details.

Stand DOWN!"

Ghostkiller Fangblade vs White: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (16) + 16 = 32 damage: 1d12 + 19 ⇒ (7) + 19 = 26

Ohmarc fires at red as the battle commences.

Ranged Attack vs. EAC: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Fire Damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (1, 4) + 7 = 12