[Gameday XIV] SFS1 #3-01 Crash Down (Inactive)

Game Master cmlobue

Anock recognizes bits of their crashed ship on these crabs. She almost feels bad shooting at a Starfinder vessel, and certainly doesn't hit it.

Poko has even worse luck, needing to clear a jam from her pistol.

Nippostia, however, does manage to land a shot. The yellow crab is clearly hurt, but then it begins to change color. It is now a bluish-white. (This will not be reflected in the thread or on the map, for our own ease of discussion. It's still officially the yellow crab.)

The yellow crab moves up to Wilson and swings a pincer at him.

Claw: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
Slashing Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Electricity Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2

The blue one crosses the water to threaten Anock, and the red one does the same for Domehead.

Round 2 - bolded may go

Red
Yellow (-5 HP, color change)
Blue
Wilson (-8 SP)
Green
Anock
Poko
Nippostia

I believe yellow had to pass through a square threatened by my cryopike to get to me, so AoO.

AoO cryopike strike vs yellow's EAC: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
AoO cryopike damage (cold, nonlethal) on yellow: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Wilson whistles, signaling Domehead to dart across the others and get into position on the other side of them.

Move Action: Forgo move action to grant move to Domehead.

Domehead Tumble DC 20+1.5 CR vs red: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Domehead Tumble DC 20+1.5 CR vs green: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
Domehead Tumble DC 20+1.5 CR vs yellow: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Didn't work, Domehead doesn't go anywhere. Red gets AoO and stops me from moving. Since I never actually reached yellow, I guess that one doesn't get AoO on Domehead.

Though his companion wasn't able to give flanking, Wilson does try to swing his cryopike at yellow again.

Standard action: attack
Cryopike attack vs yellow's EAC: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Cryopike damage (cold, nonlethal): 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Wilson stabs the yellow crab as it approaches, and it changes color again, this time becoming bone-white.

The energy damage to Wilson is cold, not electricity.

The red crab takes advantage of Domehead's movements.

Claw: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
Slashing Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Wilson's follow-up doesn't get anywhere close.

The green crab tries to strike both Wilson and Domehead.

Claw vs. Wilson: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30
Slashing Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Claw vs. Domehead: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
Slashing Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Yeowch!

Round 2 - bolded may go

Red
Yellow (-16 HP, color change)
Blue
Wilson (-22 SP) and Domehead (-16 HP)
Green
Anock
Poko
Nippostia

"Oh, great, so they like absorb energy or something, too... Anock, can you do that healing thing?"

"Right!" Anock steps back and manifests her nanites as a cloud, bemoaning the loss of the emergency beacon. Hopefully it'll be a short duration. With a mental nudge, she causes the nanites to surge, granting Wilson Fast Healing 1 SP only.

She then tries to figure out why these crabs keep changing colors.

Life Science DC 17: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

It must be a threat display. She shows just what she thinks of their technicolor baloney by shooting the crab that had just scuttled up to her in the, uh, face? Sure, we'll call it a face. Wretched thing.

Azimuth laser pistol vs. Blue: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Fire damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Maybe she should focus more on aiming than on criticizing the physical appearance of the locals.

5 foot step
Move action: Cloud Array
Swift Action: Nanite Surge
Standard Action: Attack

Poko boosts Wilson

"Go Wilson!

get back 5 STA

“Pin them there if you can! I have one more spell gem!”

Move: Draw spell gem from backpack.
Standard: Cast Acidic Mist

10’ radius centered on the X square. Should get yellow, green, and red, but miss Domehead and blue.

Acidic Mist: You call forth the corrosive atmosphere of a gas giant to damage your opponents. A creature that starts its turn in the area takes 2d6 damage. The corrosive mist does not obscure vision.

Acid damage: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 4) = 9 Affects all creatures who start in the acid cloud for this turn and three more (total 4 turns).

Poko and Anock both provide healing to Wilson, who is drawing the brunt of the attack. Anock also tries to shoot one, but can't multitask under these conditions.

Nippostia draws a gem and casts a spell using it.

This spell needs to be centered on an intersection, not a square. You still hit the same three enemies, though.

As the acid begins to eat into the red and yellow crabs, they change colors once again, both turning into a sickly purplish green.

The red once goes after the source of the magic. Provoking from Domehead and Anock

Claw: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
Slashing Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Acid Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2

The yellow one keeps banging on Wilson.

Claw: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 10 - 4 = 23
Slashing Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Acid Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1

Claw: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 10 - 4 = 17
Slashing Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Acid Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1

The blue one takes a step and pinches Anock.

Claw: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 10 + 2 = 14
Slashing Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Round 3 - bolded may go

Red (-9 HP, color change)
Yellow (-25 HP, color change)
Blue
Wilson (-27 SP, fast healing 1) and Domehead (-16 HP, AOO)
Green
Anock (-8 SP, AOO)
Poko
Nippostia (-6? HP)

Unfortunately, as I looked over the SF1 rules, I don't think creature companions get a reaction. There might be a feat that gives them one, but I don't have it.

Wilson feels invigorated by Poko ... and by Anock's nanites ... but then less invigorated by the assault from the crabs.

Getting desperate, Wilson tries to attack the yellow and green ones (regardless of what color they are at the moment).

Cryopike attack on yellow's EAC: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 6 - 4 = 10
Cryopike damage (cold, nonlethal): 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Cryopike attack on green's EAC: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 6 - 4 = 15
Cryopike damage (cold, nonlethal): 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Alas, Domehead cannot take advantage of the situation. At least Wilson manages to stab the green crab, which grows extremely pale.

It tries to get back at Wilson in the only way it knows how.

Claw: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 10 - 4 = 12
Slashing Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Cold Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Claw: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 10 - 4 = 17
Slashing Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Cold Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2

A trickle of blood escapes Wilson's cheek.

Round 3 - bolded may go

Red (-9 HP, color change)
Yellow (-25 HP, color change)
Blue
Wilson (-36 SP, -1 HP, fast healing 1) and Domehead (-16 HP)
Green (-10 HP, color change)
Anock (-8 SP, AOO)
Poko
Nippostia (-6? HP)

Unfortunately, Anock doesn't have a melee weapon out right now, so can't do an AOO either.

Well, Anock isn't a fan of being flanked. How dare these crabs? *Surely* there's enough other stuff to eat on this planet--Wilson was able to find plenty of edible animals, for crying out loud! She takes a step back, relying on Domehead's rump to protect her and hoping against all hope that nothing exits the orifices at that end while she's standing there. Perhaps this time she'll actually manage to shoot a crab?

Azimuth laser pistol vs. Red (flanked): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Fire damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

When the crab unexpectedly rushes Nippostia, she tries to dodge but misses the opening.

“Hey now… shoo! Stop! OW!!!”

She reaches toward her knife and glares at the creature.

“Okay… I can play rough, too. Let’s hope you have enough brain in there to scream in crabby pain.”

Move action: Guarded step south.
Standard action: Cast 1st level Mind Thrust at red

Mind thrust damage: 2d10 ⇒ (6, 4) = 10 DC 14 Will save for half damage

Poko shoots the nearest bad guy.

attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Anock fires her laser at the red crab, who shifts to a bright orange hue.

Poko tries a shot of her own, but does not make contact.

Nippostia stabs her psyche directly into the red crab's mind.

Will Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

It has no defense against the unconventional attack.

The red creature keeps poking at Anock.

Claw: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 10 - 4 = 14
Slashing Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Fire Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 3

Claw: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 10 - 4 = 8
Slashing Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Fire Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1

The yellow crab, still in the cloud of acid, finally succumbs to its wounds.

The blue one steps toward Domehead and attacks the animal.

Claw: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
Slashing Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

It's definitely looking the worse for wear.

Round 4 - bolded may go

Red (-23 HP, color change)
Yellow
Blue
Wilson (-35 SP, -1 HP, fast healing 1) and Domehead (-25 HP)
Green (-19 HP, color change)
Anock (-15 SP)
Poko
Nippostia (-6 HP)

"That rescue ship can't get here soon enough!" Anock shouts, trying again to shoot the crab that just changed colors when she shot it last time. So *weird*!

Azimuth laser pistol vs. Red: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Fire damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

For some reason, the link to the slides is telling me that the file isn't there. I don't know if it's been deleted or if it's just a permissions issue.

The nanites slowly regenerate Wilson's energy. +1 Stamina Points

He then continues swinging his cryopike at the crabs in reach.

Cryopike multi-attack 1 vs EAC: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 6 - 4 = 12
Cryopike damage (cold, nonlethal): 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Cryopike multi-attack 2 vs EAC: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 6 - 4 = 6
Cryopike damage (cold, nonlethal): 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Being the only one in reach, both of Wilson's attacks are at the green crab (and presumably miss).

Wilson's attacks do indeed miss.

His target suffers more acid damage and decides to step out of the cloud before taking a swing at Wilson.

Claw: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16
Slashing Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Acid Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Round 4 - bolded may go

Red (-23 HP, color change)
Yellow
Blue
Wilson (-36 SP, -5 HP, fast healing 1) and Domehead (-25 HP)
Green (-23 HP, color change)
Anock (-15 SP)
Poko
Nippostia (-6 HP)

“Okay, that worked… time to send some more mental pain because I’ve had it with you!! Leave us alone!”

Move action: Nip steps around the crab and moves north of Poko.
Standard action: Cast 2nd level Mind Thrust at red

Mind thrust damage: 4d10 ⇒ (2, 7, 6, 10) = 25 DC 15 Will save for half damage

Nippostia gives the red crab the last headache it will ever have.

No save as it goes down even on half damage.

Round 4 - bolded may go

Red
Yellow
Blue
Wilson (-36 SP, -5 HP, fast healing 1) and Domehead (-25 HP)
Green (-23 HP, color change)
Anock (-15 SP)
Poko
Nippostia (-6 HP)

"Oh thank *goodness*!" Anock exclaims as Nip causes one crab's brains to leak out of its carapace. Exasperated at her gun's inability to aim straight, she steps sideways and grabs her tactical baton so she can try to clonk the final crab near her on its head.

Tactical baton: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Bludgeoning damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

"Oh for the love of--Rrrrgh!"

Poko shoots again. She gets dirt in her eye and misses.

attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

The ranks of creatures are thinning, but neither Anock nor Poko manage any progress just now.

The blue crab, still unharmed, lashes out at both adjacent enemies.

Claw vs. Anock: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 10 - 4 = 22
Slashing Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Claw vs. Anock: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 10 - 4 = 15
Slashing Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Round 5 - bolded may go

Red
Yellow
Blue
Wilson (-35 SP, -5 HP, fast healing 1) and Domehead (-25 HP)
Green (-23 HP, color change)
Anock (-20 SP)
Poko
Nippostia (-6 HP)

Wilson whistles, which Domehead takes as a command to get out of the way.

Swift action: Sacrifice to give Domehead move + swift action. AoO from blue.

Wilson then whacks at green again.

Cryopike attack on green's EAC: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Cryopike damage (cold, nonlethal): 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Domehead gets out of the way. The green crab gets skewered.

Round 5 - bolded may go

Red
Yellow
Blue
Wilson (-35 SP, -5 HP, fast healing 1) and Domehead (-25 HP)
Green
Anock (-20 SP)
Poko
Nippostia (-6 SP)

“One to go! Die seafood!!!”

Move action: Nip steps around the crab and moves north of Poko.
Standard action: Cast 2nd level Mind Thrust at blue

Mind thrust damage: 4d10 ⇒ (10, 1, 5, 7) = 23 DC 15 Will save for half damage

"Ow! Hold still you pernicious pest!" Anock grants herself a nanite surge, gaining a bit of healing for herself as well as Wilson. Trying a different tactic, she prances around a bit before whacking at the crab in the hopes that it'll be confused enough for her to hit it.

Tactical baton: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Bludgeoning damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Anock now gets Fast Healing 1 (SP only), and 1 Temp HP per round (which I keep forgetting--sorry Wilson!).

Poko shoots again.

attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

"Ah me bad shot!"

The Starfinders are confident that the day will be theirs. Unfortunately, that confidence doesn't do much for their aim. Fortunately, Nippostia doesn't need to target her spell.

Will Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

It rushes over and tries to snap the source of its headache in half.

Claw: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
Slashing Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

But it can't focus with its brain feeling like it's about to leak out.

Round 6 - bolded may go

Red
Yellow
Blue (-23 HP)
Wilson (-34 SP, -5 HP, fast healing 1) and Domehead (-25 HP)
Green
Anock (-20 SP)
Poko
Nippostia (-6 SP)

It looks like the crab moved through squares threatened by my reach weapon.

Cryopike AoO vs. EAC: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Cryopike damage (cold, nonlethal): 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Assuming the creature is still conscious, Wilson then whistles for Domehead to advance toward it, then steps up on the other side and attacks.

Swift action: Sacrfice so that Domehead gets move and swift action. Domehead moves up to crab. Move action: Guarded step. Standard action: Attack

Cryopike attack vs flanked EAC: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Cryopike damage (cold, nonlethal): 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Okay, I really doubt it's still moving...

Wilson opens his comms channel to the ship, "Get us off this ****ing planet!"

Wilson takes down the final crab as it skitters toward Nippostia. Perhaps it wouldn't have critically failed its attack if it were still alive?

Shortly after the Starfinders defeat the remaining creatures, the Lamplighter arrives in the sky above. The ship uses its thrusters to clear a section of the jungle and lowers a boarding ramp for the agents to evacuate Iski. The Society rescue ship can take on anything they can carry, but the ship doesn’t land or perform tasks other than rescue, considering Iski’s unpredictable and lethal nature.

Aboard the Lamplighter, Captain Tynda welcomes the group and offers them quarters the crew has prepared, as well as beds in sick bay if necessary. She’s just relieved to have successfully completed her rescue mission and brought the missing team back home. The Lamplighter enters the Drift soon after the rescue and reaches Absalom Station in 1d6 ⇒ 2 days.

Once the vessel returns to Absalom Station, Venture-Captain Arvin debriefs them and expresses his admiration for their survival skills. “I had no idea we were sending you into a deathtrap. I guess that comes with the territory. But now we know a lot more about Iski—like not to go back there unprepared! The creatures you had to face were dangerous enough; I don’t even want to contemplate what they’ll be like the next time we see them,” he says finally, shrugging his shoulders. “Here’s hoping we never find out.”

With their mission still considered a success due to the trove of information the Starfinders uncovered about the world, they also receive a personalized message from First Seeker Ehu Hadif. The current leader of the Starfinder Society sends his thanks for the courage and dedication the team showed on their mission, while apologizing that he cannot personally deliver the message due to his ongoing negotiations with high-ranking members of the Veskarium.

"Hmph. A letter of commendation is cheapened by excuses. He ought to have just left that out. Now I feel slighted," Anock grumps.

Despite spending as much time as possible in the shower on the way back to civilization, she still feels contaminated and is monitoring herself closely for signs of infection. "I'm still flabbergasted that we weren't put in quarantine for at least four weeks upon our return. Who *knows* what pathogens we could be harboring?!" For her part, she quarantines herself for that duration. As a reward, she books some serious time in a health spa afterwards. Maybe after that she'll finally feel clean, inside and out.

"Yeah nufriends. We so glad we home." Poko runs and hugs her crewmates "We don't have to sleep outside no more!"