[SF2/ACE] 104 The Great Absalom Relay (Inactive)

Game Master Kludde

Mimzalee tries very hard not to raise a hand or four, since she's already played twice. Instead she says encouragingly, "You can do it, Willow!"

Willow? Technological Constant? Are you up for it? the Ysoki woman asks. You can just call me Dot, you know, like the round thing. I've got many good customer in the Society, but today I can't play favourites, I'm afraid...

It's your turn to hawk some wares. You can channel your inner salesman with a Diplomacy check to convince people to buy, go the unorthodox route with Deception or Intimidation, or take the low road with a Thievery check to swap visitors’ credsticks for accessories. Those with relevant Lore skills like Corporate Lore or Mercantile Lore can see if those expensive MBAs are good for something.

Is Legal lore eligible to precise all the laws protecting the customers who buy the things?

Now that she is stepping up to the task, Willow Warbles hums a brief melody to calm herself down and tries to figure out a strategy. She looks over at Technological Constant, trying to get inspiration. With the two of them floating side by side, she decides that they look like a matching set, or maybe a contrasting pair.

Something pings in her memory and she tries to dredge it up. Two people, trying to accomplish a goal, similar but different... It was something in a vidgame I played once, about law enforcement. What was it again? Someone was good and someone was bad... She assumes TC is probably going to be good at this task, so she has to become bad.

She pulls out her cryopike and moves aggressively towards people passing by to physically stop them from getting away. [Hey you! You want an Absalom Station mug, I can tell. And another ten of them for each of your friends. You do have that many friends, right?!]

Intimidation: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Assuming Legal lore is eligible...

The contemplative addresses to the people around arguing the law will help the customers in case of an issue.

Legal lore: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

An absalom Station mug? No, that's way too spiky for me, I prefer my mugs smooth like a black hole.

Willow doesn't seem to get so far, but when TC joins in, pointing the dangers and consequences for personal liability on black hole mugs the two quickly manages to sell a box of novelty spiky Absalom Station mugs.

---
That's half the inventory gone already. I feel feel bad for the teams that are coming later, the market will be so saturated!
---

Two successes, only two more to go! Can I have another round of checks?

Legal Lore: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

Be sure that you have 30 days at disposal to retract yourselves after the purchase. So you don't risk anything. And you make profit from the offer now. The offer won't stand long you know.

Deciding that her strategy is working splendidly, Willow Warbles doubles down and identifies another target potential customer.

"Buy this genuine antique hat, and be a part of Station history! Or would you rather I make you history?"

Intimidation: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Jock contemplates how successful he would have been had he attempted this task using his idea to play his sax and when people give him tips, he'd give them one of the items as a special reward. He plays his sax anyway, but off to the side so he doesn't distract potential marks .... er customers.

Well done, well done! Dot says, That's a great profit and all in a day's... well ten minutes' work! Here, have this little keepsake to remind me by when you do your next task!

Dot hands the group a photograph of a mural depicting children from around the pacts worlds and near space, holding hands and smiling. Did you know Vesk look really cute as kids?

To solve this clue, at least one PC must succeed at a Diplomacy check to Gather Information, Computers check to Access Infosphere, or Society check to Recall Knowledge.

---
Wow, that is the angriest salesman I've seen in a while, Lethel.

Be careful, Quell, he might just try to sell you life insurance!
---

Computer: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Technological Constant tries to find it out on the infosphere of course.

Technological Constants reverse image search yields a location in Little Akiton, where the mural adorns the wall of the community center. Little Akiton is a ramshackle and community-minded neighborhood located in the Arms of the Station. At the location a steely femaly hylki greets the group.

A human woman with a kind smile rises from a comfortable rocking chair in the lobby of this cozy community center. “Greetings, Relay racers! My name is Joia Mollen and I welcome you to Little Akiton. This is your final obstacle before the final gauntlet, and I’m afraid you’ve reached a decision point!”

“You have your choice of two tasks to complete, each reflecting the culture of this wonderful neighborhood. All team members will need to participate, no matter which task you choose.”

“Your first choice is to Live it Up! There’s a block party just down the street, and they need some entertainment. A local dance crew will teach you a routine, and you’ll need to perform it to the crowd’s satisfaction.”

“Alternatively, you can Choke it Down. Sunny’s Diner is a neighborhood staple and the home-fried grubs in gravy are a particular treat. If each of
you can finish a full portion, you’ll be on your way!”

Jock makes a face at the idea of eating grubs. "I ate enough revolting grub while in the service. Let's party!" he yells and holds up his sax. "I can handles a dance party!"

I don't think I can help either way here.

"They both sound pretty great. I'm up for whatever!"

If the party option includes dancing, I suspect acrobatics will be a useful skill, which several of us have as trained skills. Performance and music related skills will probably also be an option.

Willow Warbles bobs up and down with glee at hearing the entertaining options presented to them. [Dancing! I have already been practicing for this all day. Surely the audience will love us.]

I'm ok with either, but it seems like the dance routine is a popular choice.

Dorini looks confused, but then agrees to dancing. She is curious what this is going to look like.

Dancy party it is!

In an instant, four youthful locals appear, a rag-tag band of street-smarts that call themselves the Happy Soup-Serving Cru (with a 'u'). Their leader, an Ysoki called 'Tilt' says Pay close attention! We'll teach you the moves, but at the party, you're on your own. Give me a beat! five-six-seven-eight.

Tilt drops to the floor in a ball of fast-moving fur, and serves some mad moves in a showmanlike performance before the rest of the crew join in. It looks complicated, but definitely doable.

For your own version, I need a Performance, Acrobatics, Diplomacy, or Deception check from everyone. Dancing or Music lore would help as well.

The contemplative uses his knowledge of music to interpret the show.

Music lore: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Willow Warbles does not feel great confidence in her ability to memorize the routine quickly, so she relies on her physical ability to copy the movements.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Mimzy's dance is more of a celebration than a performance.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Which is too bad, since it's a contest and she's supposed to be repeating the moves she was taught, but she's having a great time all the same.

I'm not sure who are the participants, since we all just agreed to do the dance competition. Jock will play his sax as he dances the moves.

Performance, trained: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Everyone is participating in this game, I still need a check from Dorini

---
Does that look like the moves Tilt made?

Well, it's rythmic, that's for sure, but only Willow seems to have a grasp on the moves, the rest of them... let's call it freestyle

You're being so kind, Quell
---

Can somebody roll a check for Dorini?

Looks like diplomacy is Dorini's best skill of the options.

Dorini Diplomacy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Dorini saves the dance! Using all her experience in Dance Dance Destruction (the Abysshead-licensed arcade dance game), Dorini convincingly vibes her way through the dance challenge.

The next clue... trivial! "“The Great Absalom Relay ends where it began!"

Back at Jatembe park, an obstacle course is set out from existing park structures. So far, not too difficult even.

---
This is the moment we've been waiting for.

Yes, it's not the battle royale we were hoping for, but this obstacle course looks challenging enough!

Hey, look, there! It's our own Zo! Media Superstars, well ahead of the Starfinders!
---

“Should we do it, boss?” a stocky man asks Liall as the Zo! Media Superstars catch their breath at the end of an ornamental bridge.

“I’m not so sure, Russ. The techs said they weren’t sure exactly what—” she begins to respond.

“Ah c’mon! They’re right on us! Forget this, I’m doin’ it.” The man pulls a spherical grenade out of his pack and shouts “Enjoy this, Starfinders!” before hurling it toward the end of the bridge.

A burst of smoke and magical energy issues as the grenade collides with the ground. Before the smoke clears, the opposing team’s expressions change to surprise.

“Uh... Have fun, Starfinders!” Liall shouts as she quickly ushers her team to the next obstacle.

Two ferocious-looking boars, clad in cybernetic augmentations, separate the group from the next obstacle. Prepare to get cyber-gored!

Bold is up. Please place your token anywhere in the box 'pcs start here'

---
Dorini
---
Cyber-Boar
Cyber-Boar
---
Willow
Mimzy
TC
Jock
---
(Event)
---

Can somebody post an action for Dorini?

---
AbadarCorp wishes you all a low-inflation and high disposable income 326!
---

Dorini has summon robot spell, which seems appropriate since we are facing summoned creatures. But when I look at the available creatures at level -1 with the tech trait, their sources are adventure modules, so I'm not sure if their PFS legal. If they are, I'd suggest summoning a mechanizer sabotuer. If these are not an option, then I'd have her stride twice up onto that platform just north of the PC starting area and interact to draw her laser pistol. I placed her icon on the map and moved her as described above. If she summons instead, she would be next to Jock in the starting area.

I'll go with the double strike action, just to keep things a bit simple

---
Hey, I know it wasn't planned, but this makes for some nice extra gore!

Yes, indeed. Dorini takes the high ground as the boars charge straight for that group of Pathfinders.

And to think this is all thank to our own Zo! Media Entertainment Superstars! Well done!
---

The boars charge up, and Jock and Mimzy end up on the receiving end of some cyber-tusks. Both of the beasts end up missing narrowly.

Tusk, Jock: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 10 + 2 = 182d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 3) + 4 = 9
Tusk, Mimzy: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 10 + 2 = 152d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 3) + 4 = 10

Everyone is up!

---
Willow
Mimzy
TC
Jock
Dorini
---
(Event)
---
Cyber-Boar
Cyber-Boar
---

Jock steps to the side ◆so only one cyberboar is threatening him, revs up his fangblade ◆, and swings it at the unexpected visitor ◆.

Fangblade: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
Damage, S, boosted: 1d10 + 3 + 1d12 ⇒ (4) + 3 + (3) = 10

Technological Constant casts a first spell upon both boars.

Electric arc, DC 17: 2d4 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3

Then he casts Warp terrain as his Quantum field is up with the initiative.

Warp terrain makes it Difficult terrain for both boars but lets the field as usual for my allies.

I center Quantum field on me.

As enemies appear and charge at the party, Mimzy becomes surrounded by light. Most of it coalesces into the shape of a hammer with a long handle, though a mote of starlight remains near one of her empty hands.

"Hey, this is supposed to be a friendly game," she says as she circles around, "Attacking people is not allowed!" This proclamation is punctuated by her own attack, firing a beam of light and following it up with a swing of her hammer as the weapon changes, becoming cold and dark. It also misses wildly (and might vanish entirely).

◇ Attune
◆ Stride to flank Red (hopefully they don't have RS, because that triggers from both of them)
◆◆ Binaric Assault Red
Photon Flare (ranged, no flank): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17 for fire damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 (range increment 30 feet. On a critical success, the target additionally takes 1d6 persistent fire damage.)
Solar Weapon (Flanking): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8 for bludgeoning damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
If the Flare hit, Mimzalee swaps to Graviton attunement, though I see it doesn't immediately matter because the Solar Weapon strike definitely missed.
If both miss, she becomes unattuned.

Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Jock just barely misses the incoming boar, just as an arc of elctricity causes the cybernetic augmentations of the boars to seize up. Mimzy maneuvers around, but not before landing a fiery hit, which singes the fur of the boar.

---
Look at How TC deals with this! With obstacle creation like that, shouldn't he have been in charge of setting up this challenge?
---

Willow and Dorini are up. Can I have actions for them?

---
Willow
Mimzy
TC
Jock
Dorini
---
(Event)
---
Cyber-Boar - Blue (4)
Cyber-Boar - Red (15)
---

Could someone post actions for Willow and/or Dorini?

I'll post a laser attack for Dorini:

Ranged [1] laser pistol +5 (expend 2, mag 10, range increment 40 feet, reload 1, tech), Damage 1d6 F

Laser Pistol: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Damage, F: 1d6 ⇒ 5

---
Ooh! Right on the noggins! That has to be foul, right?

This isn't brutaris, Quell
---

The cyber-boar takes a hit from the laser shot, just as the racing team representing the Free Captain catches up with the Starfinders.

You can ask them for help with a (free) Diplomacy check

Willow standher ground against the boar, poking it with a cryopike, while the boars ferociously gore the front line.

Willow, vs blue
Crypike: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 141d10 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Crypike: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 5 - 4 = 171d10 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Crypike: 1d20 + 5 - 8 ⇒ (4) + 5 - 8 = 11d10 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Tusk, Jock: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 252d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 5) + 4 = 11
Tusk, Jock: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 10 - 4 = 232d6 + 4 ⇒ (1, 1) + 4 = 6
Tusk, Jock: 1d20 + 10 - 8 ⇒ (12) + 10 - 8 = 142d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 5) + 4 = 11

Tusk, Willow: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 152d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 1) + 4 = 8
Tusk, Willow: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 10 - 4 = 222d6 + 4 ⇒ (1, 5) + 4 = 10
Tusk, Willow: 1d20 + 10 - 8 ⇒ (5) + 10 - 8 = 72d6 + 4 ⇒ (6, 5) + 4 = 15

Everyone is up!

---
Willow
Mimzy
TC
Jock
Dorini
---
(Event)
---
Cyber-Boar - Blue (13)
Cyber-Boar - Red (20)
---

Jock takes two serious wounds but keeps fighting. He boosts his fangblade ◆, then attacks the nearest cyberboar. If his first attack doesn't bring it down, he attacks again.

◆Fangblade: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Damage, S, boosted: 1d10 + 3 + 1d12 ⇒ (9) + 3 + (3) = 15

◆Fangblade, map 1: 1d20 + 6 - 5 ⇒ (7) + 6 - 5 = 8
Damage, S: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

"Hoy! A little help. They cheated and sicced these critters at us."
Diplomacy, untrained: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

"Oh no, Jock just back away!"

Still, for the moment his position is helpful. Mimzy fires a blast at the boar between her and Jock, but, well... she was always better in melee. Which she proves with a swing of her heavy hammer. It shimmers back into light as it hits.

"We could use some help!" she says cheerfully, "We've got to stop these monsters before they get away and hurt someone."
If the wounded Starfinders won't back down, she'd better step up.

◆◆ Binaric Assault Red (or Blue if Red is down, but then no flank for the melee attack)
Graviton Flare: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8 for bludgeoning damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Graviton Weapon (Reach, flanking): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22 for bludgeoning damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 and the target's space and all squares adjacent to it are difficult terrain for that creature until the end of its next turn.
The first attack that hits switches her to Photon attunement. If both miss she loses attunement.
◆ Attune if necessary, otherwise Step
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Technological Constant casts a first spell upon both boars.

Electric arc, DC 17: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6

Then he sustains his Quantum field. The area is difficult terrain for the boars which also have -5 ft to their movement inside the area.

Jock rips into the boar, but to his frustration, the boar doesn't go down despite the massive gash in its neck. He tries again, but his swing misses. Concerned, Mimzy steps in and misses with a flare, only to finally kill off the boar with her graviton weapon.

Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

The last boar standing evaded TC's electric arc, but the jolt of electricity still manages to damage some of the boar's implants.

Can somebody post actions for Willow and Dorini?

---
Willow
Mimzy
TC
Jock
Dorini
---
(Event)
---
Cyber-Boar - Blue (17)
Cyber-Boar - Red (DOWN)
---

Dorini shoots at the remaining boar.

attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Willow moves opposite Mimzy and brandishes her cryopike to try to end this extracurricular test and the threat to life and limb it poses.

Cryopike +5, 1d10+2 P or C (modular, either analog or powered and tech, reach 10)
Cryopike: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17 Flanking bonus applies.
Damage, C: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Dorini's laser only enrages the board more, as Willow moves in for a stab. Enraged and cornered, the boar goes for Mimzalee!

Tusk, Mimzy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 212d6 + 4 ⇒ (6, 6) + 4 = 16
Tusk, Mimzy: 1d20 + 10 - 5 ⇒ (7) + 10 - 5 = 122d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 5) + 4 = 11
Tusk, Mimzy: 1d20 + 10 - 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 - 10 = 112d6 + 4 ⇒ (1, 6) + 4 = 11

---
Those Free Captains don't seem to be inclined to help the Starfinders at all!

not their problem, it seems. Or maybe they just didn't hear them?

Yeah, it's hard to make out what they're saying over their screams of pain.

There's another team passing by, this time it's the Stewards! Maybe they'll be more helpful?
---

You can also try diplomacy to get the stewards to help you out

---
Willow
Mimzy
TC
Jock
Dorini
---
(Event)
---
Cyber-Boar - Blue (22)
Cyber-Boar - Red (DOWN)
---

Technological Constant doesn't sustains his Quantum Field this time. He goes to finish of the beast.

Force barrage: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 3, 4) + 3 = 13

"One down! One to go! Any of you bystanders want to take a shot, go for it!"

Diplomacy, untrained: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

Jock steps over the place where the summoned boar evaporated after expiring ◆, revs his fangblade ◆, and swings it at the remaining beast ◆.

Fangblade: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Damage, S, boosted: 1d10 + 3 + 1d12 ⇒ (6) + 3 + (5) = 14

Oh no, Jock didn't hear her! And now after that last hit Mimzy seems to be hurt worse than he is. They'd better handle this immediately.

"Hi hello!" she calls to the Stewards, "We could use some help with this monster, before it escapes!"
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

She doesn't have any healing medicine with her, so Mimzalee steps back before attacking. Not that she wants Willow to get hurt, but it's probably better if it goes after her next instead of someone already injured.

◆ Step
◆◆ Binaric Assault
- Photon Weapon (Reach, flanking): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 for bludgeoning damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 and fire damage: 1 = 1
- Photon Flare: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20 for fire damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 (range increment 30 feet. On a critical success, the target additionally takes 1d6 persistent fire damage.)
First attack that hits (which I'm going to assume is the flare) switches her to Photon Attunement. If both miss, Mimzy instead becomes unattuned.

Dorini tries calling out for help to the passing contestants.

diplomacy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

She shoots at the boar.

attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Dorini calls out to those who are hurt that she has a medpatch they can use. (not trained in medicine, though)

---
Will you look at that! That last boar just keeps tanking hit after hit. It's not even flinching after that force barrage

My money is on Jock to finish it off, here he goes!

Ooh! That has to hurt! And it does... the boar is down!

There's hope for the Starfinders after all, they only have to clear the obstacle course now!
---

Combat over!

What is usually a leisurely stroll in the park, is now an adrenaline-filled track of bumper bridges, rope-swinging across ponds, gazebo-climbing and bush-whacking.

Everybody can participate in the obstacle course, and checks are Acrobatics, Athletics, Crafting, Performance, Survival, or Thievery check. Examples of relevant Lore skills include Labor Lore, Media Lore, or Sports Lore.

I have a fly speed I Hope I can use or to get an automatic success…