B-M-R Mk II's page

I finally got a chance to play Shadow of the Vault Lore during this fall's GameDay, so am VERY eager to find an opportunity to play Clutches.

My technomancer Boomer, who is normally a stereotypically calm, "flat affect" android, is openly disgusted with the Vault Lord and growing increasingly impatient to bring their tyranny to an end. They might have taken some solace in venting their growing frustration on the Vault Lord's obnoxious lieutenant during their latest visit to Salvation's End...

Mine, too. Thanks for running!

"I've seen too much of the Vault Lord's villainy to be satisfied with anything less than their total defeat," Boomer says gravely to Vex. "You can count on me to see this through."

Boomer gladly spends time to get to know the rescued team better, and assist in their further training. The android is somewhat stereotypical in their limited expressions of emotions--apart from their open loathing of the Vault Lord and their minions--but they are a conscientious and skilled teacher.

"The Vault Lord's forces invaded the simulation, and we believe they have abducted the population for purposes unknown," Boomer reports to the drone. "we have deleted the lieutenant in charge of the invasion, but her remaining forces were too numerous for us to safely pursue further investigation."

Boomer gives a satisfied nod at Lunesha's fall as they administer the serum to Madakoko. "You were an excellent helper today, nufriend," they murmur as the skittermander revives.

serum of healing, mk 3: 6d8 ⇒ (7, 5, 1, 4, 7, 2) = 26
Mk 3 is undoubtedly overkill with the fight over, but it's what I intended, and Boomer's professional paranoia is still high right now.

The normally serene android openly scowls at the Vault Lord's haughty words. When the psychic projection vanishes, they mutter a vow: "Next time, this ends, you deluded, overweening monster."

As the Starfinders are escorted out, Boomer does their best to assess the condition of the rescued team as best they can while on the move. They seem particularly interested in Betsy Blast, who got a taste of vengeance at the end, but is obviously quite traumatized.

With their most potent spells tapped out, and a teammate down, Boomer changes tactics. They swoop off of the stage--half-running, half-flying--and hurry to Madakoko's side, pulling out a serum as they move. However, instead of administering medical assistance immediately, the android casts invisibility on the fallen skittermander. This should make it safer for Madakoko to get up and move away when he does revive.

Last 2nd-level spell slot. Boomer plans to administer the serum as a full action next turn, which should still get Madakoko back in the fight faster--and with more than the 1 HP he'd get for Stay in the Fight. They have see invisibility active, so seeing the patient won't be an issue.

"Are you regretting your allegiance yet?"

Boomer doesn't wait for an answer, but instead draws a rune in the air, creating three glowing missiles that streak unerringly towards Lunesha.

CL check vs. SR: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26
Magic Missile (force): 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (2, 2, 2) + 3 = 9

B-M-R Mk II wrote:

(But I'm landing so I won't have to spend actions to hover while doing full-round barrages.)

Aren't we still hasted?

We are. But RAW, haste lets you take a move and full attack. 3 magic missiles is a full action, not a full attack.

The android's flat affect robs Lunesha of much of the satisfaction of seeing her tormentor writhing in pain, as the single bolt hits and is half-absorbed by Boomer's own protective magic.

The technomancer circles around to land lightly on the stage. "I'll need to remember this little trick when we finally face your boss. They believe they're a Rune Lord, so are sure to be overly dependent on Azlanti magitech, too." Coolly and calmly, as if they can keep doing this all day, Boomer uses their most potent remaining spell slot to cast dispel magic one last time.

Dispel Magic, CL check: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19

I'm using my last 4th-level slot to cast a 3rd-level spell. This is the most tapped out Boomer has been since early levels! I'm down to a single 2nd-level spell, and most of their 1st-levels. But that still means I have several rounds of magic missiles available, if I can beat her SR. (But I'm landing so I won't have to spend actions to hover while doing full-round barrages.)

(FWIW, for the purposes of tracking damage, conditions, etc., I'm still down 3 SP from the hallway fight, thanks to my buff spells.)

"Cheating? You seem to be under the mistaken impression that we are here to play games," Boomer says, using their vocal modulator to make their voice sound deeper and more stern. "We are here to pass judgment." The android pulls a super-capacity battery from a pocket and drains most of its power to fuel the casting of another dispel magic targeting Lunesha.

Energize spell magic hack (1/day) as move to cast a 3rd-level spell (drains 60 [of 80] charges from battery). 2nd and final daily use of abjuration technomantic talent as a reaction to add +2 to the CL check.
Dispel Magic, CL check: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 11 + 2 = 20
Sadly, none of my remaining rerolls applies here. But I can try this spell one more time, using my one remaining 4th-level slot.

Boomer attempts to disrupt the magic of Lunesha's aeon stones by casting dispel magic. Their digital harrow deck briefly flasges into view as the android activates their spell cache to cast the spell.

No save, no SR check, just the caster level check. Boomer will use their spell cache to cast it without using a spell slot, and their abjuration technomantic talent as a reaction to add +2 to the CL check.
Dispel Magic, CL check: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 11 + 2 = 28

SR check: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21

Sensing resistance to their spell, Boomer mutters a curse about Azlanti magic, in Azlanti. They draw a pistol and, deciding that buffing the party will be more effective use of their remaining spells in this fight, cast haste.

Boomer will ready to cast when Verrek moves up enough (1 or 2 squares) for everyone but Reaper to be within 30 feet of each other. Or after Verrek takes his turn, if he doesn't move. (Sorry, Reaper. But the spell is of limited use to operatives anyway.)

And Boomer really needs to learn some conjuration spells...

Boomer casts mirror image while Lunesha monologues. images: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Boomer's usually impassive expression turns to one of cold fury when they see the Vault Lord's psychic projection.

The android flies into the room, and gains some altitude before unleashing a stream of highly volatile acid at Lunesha.

How high is the ceiling? Assuming it's at least 15 ft. for a meeting hall of this size, Boomer will be 10 ft. off the ground at the end of their move.

Arcing surge, but use energy alteration magic hack to change damage to acid (spend 1 RP to do so without increasing casting time). Use evocation technomantic talent as a reaction to set two dice to maximum damage. (Second and final use of that talent for the day.)
Arcing surge (acid, Ref DC 21): 6 + 6 + 8d6 ⇒ 6 + 6 + (2, 6, 6, 4, 5, 6, 3, 3) = 47

"Got it. Let's get there posthaste." Boomer points NNE and lifts a few inches into the air as they prepare to head out.

Boomer tries to get a fix on the distress beacon's location.

Engineering: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (6) + 20 = 26
If it's a Computers check instead, add +6 to that from higher skill modifier and datajack bonus.

Boomer attempts to disable the jammer without destroying it.

Computers: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (8) + 24 = 32 (+2 if able to access using advanced datajack)

(If the team succeeds in disabling it, Boomer will stash the device in their null-space chamber to keep it safe for later study.)

How long did it take to get here, for the purposes of tracking spell durations and such? Boomer's current spells have a total duration of 110-120 minutes, so I'm guessing they still have most of that duration left.

Culture: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (10) + 18 = 28

"Most of these games involve logic problems and hypothetical situations. In another context, I would approve."

Can't fail the Mysticism check.

"The crystal is emitting a psychic hum."

Engineering: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (16) + 21 = 37 to determine the next step.

Boomer nods agreement. "The other hand-sign was 'lake,' and it's likely close to the vault's center."

Have we seen a map of the vault yet? Or can we find one?

Boomer deals with their nerves by becoming even more stony-faced than usual, and keeps working on defusing the bomb.

Engineering: 1d20 + 21 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 21 + 4 = 31 (includes +4 to disarm traps)

Perception: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (13) + 18 = 31

Life Science: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (11) + 21 = 32

Boomer will allow someone else to enter the known code, while they rely on their mechanical expertise to make progress disarming the bomb.

Engineering: 1d20 + 21 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 21 + 4 = 26 (includes +4 to disarm traps)

"Good work, everyone," Boomer says once the ooze is defeated. They quickly assess the others' injuries. Having only negligible ones themself, the android takes point for a change as they prepare to leave the hallway. Despite their usual calm and detached demeanor, Boomer seems eager to bring Lunesha to bay as they extend a short spike from their forearm.

Tactical retractible spike: move to extend, swift to retract. Boomer almost never uses it except to activate its vanishing fusion, but this seems like a good time to have a weapon ready in case of AoOs or flanking.

"Keep the pressure on! It won't last long if we keep hitting that force field faster than it can restore it!" Boomer calls out to encourage their teammates. However, the technomancer knows they need to reserve some of their most potent battle-magics for the coming showdown with Lunesha, so switches to firing magic missiles at the ooze.

full-round Magic Missile (force): 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (2, 4, 3) + 3 = 12

Seeing that the fresh air is having some effect in the ooze, Boomer blasts it with another arcing surge, hoping to knock out its force field for good.

Energy alteration magic hack to cast as a full-round action and change damage to sonic.
Arcing Surge (sonic, DC 21 Ref half): 10d6 ⇒ (4, 5, 4, 5, 6, 5, 5, 3, 2, 1) = 40

Boomer moves closer to the vents and tries to shut them, to deprive the ooze of its natural atmosphere.

Engineering: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (4) + 21 = 25

Use promotional reroll, +3 for GM stars:
Engineering: 1d20 + 21 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 21 + 3 = 39

Boomer sees the ooze appear, and tries to learn more about it.

Life Science to identify: 1d20 + 21 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 21 + 2 = 28
Primarily interested in energy weaknesses, resistances, and immunities, and whether any particular damage type causes splitting or similar effects.

Boomer takes a step to the side to get a clear line to the ooze, then unleashes an arcing surge upon it.

Arcing surge (DC 21 Ref half): 10d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 2, 5, 2, 1, 5, 3, 3, 6) = 32
Damage is electricity, unless the check above indicates another damage type is more effective. If so, Boomer will spend 1 RP to use their energy alteration magic hack to change the damage type to whatever is most effective from acid, bludgeoning, cold, fire, piercing, slashing, or sonic, without increasing the casting time.

* Greater resistant armor (CL 11, lasts 110 minutes; resist 15 vs. cold fire, electricity, cold)

I just realized I mis-typed my list here. That second "cold" should have been sonic, because I omitted acid. Updated on my sheet.

Boomer is paranoid enough that they would have turned on their environmental protections before entering the elevator, where they correctly suspected the first traps to be.

Culture: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (14) + 18 = 32 to decipher Akitonian

Boomer hurls a small object that impacts on the floor near Reaper, exploding in a ball of fire, but leaving a safe pocket around their fellow android.

20 ft. radius burst, centered between the two turrets, with selective targeting magic hack to not affect Reaper's square.
Explosive Blast (fire, DC 21 Ref half): 9d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 2, 3, 6, 6, 1, 2, 2) = 29

I'm in another game that they were running, but that's been taken over by a backup GM. IIRC, they were battling illness in their household, and while that seems to be past, they continue to be rather overwhelmed by real life stuff for now. So I don't expect to hear much from them anytime soon.

Personally, I'm fine with either solution. Botting a character of this level can be challenging. (Heck, keeping track of what my own PC can do is challenging enough!)

(The big switch is no longer relevant, per the discussion thread.)

Boomer tries to keep Lunesha talking. "So what I'm hearing is that you lacked constructive outlets for entertainment as a child, and didn't have any friends."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24

Meanwhile, they examine the hallway as they follow Reaper down the hallway.

Perception: 1d20 + 18 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 18 + 4 = 31 (includes +4 for broad-spectrum scanner)

I had a feeling it was something like that.

Where is the big OFF switch in relation to the party? And is there a check we can attempt to figure out what it does?

And would psychokinetic hand be able to affect it? Boomer does know that cantrip, with a range of 50 ft. at their level.

Engineering: 1d20 + 21 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 21 + 4 = 29 (including +4 for trapfinder's tools)

"I am going to enjoy removing her capability for speech," Boomer mutters flatly in Infernal as they get to work trying to disable the crusher trap.

Boomer scans the corridor for further dangers as they cautiously fly forward into the passage, a few inches off the ground. "Nearly perfect dimensions for an arcing surge. Lovely," they murmur with dry, black humor.

Perception, w/scanner: 1d20 + 18 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 18 + 4 = 23
Or +22 total modifier to search, if you want to make those rolls secretly.

Boomer watches Lunesha as the others try to provoke and distract her. The android works as a lawyer when not on Society missions, so hopefully their training at reading the opposition will prove useful here.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19

Hmm, that looks like a "reply hazy, try again."

Boomer will work on the brakes while Reaper deals with the bomb.

Engineering: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (6) + 21 = 27

Wow, same result.

Boomer takes advantage of the lull in hostilities to cast a few spells on themself that should hopefully last for the duration of the current crisis. As they cast the first spell, the android calls up and fans through their digital harrow deck to enhance its power.

* See invisibility (+1 CL with divination using d.h.d. in spell cache = CL 12, lasts 120 minutes)
* Greater resistant armor (CL 11, lasts 110 minutes; resist 15 vs. cold fire, electricity, cold)
* Flight (4th level) (CL 11, lasts 110 minutes; fly 40 ft.)

Boomer's professional paranoia causes them to examining the elevator quickly but intently, while hovering in the air.

Perception: 1d20 + 18 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 18 + 4 = 35 (includes +4 to search from broad-spectrum scanner)

"Ah, clones. Of course," Boomer murmurs to themself, as that datum explains much about the false Starfinders' bizarre behavior.

They study the screen carefully as they head for the elevator. As they do so, Boomer addresses Lunesha. "Why this elaborate charade? Doesn't the Vault Lord have the power to simply take what they want?"

Perception: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (1) + 18 = 19 to study the video.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15 to keep Lunesha talking.

Wow....two nat 1's...well, at least that's not an auto-fail with skill checks. *shrug*

When Boomer sees Lunesha teleports away, the android curses briefly and bluntly in Infernal. They move closer to Betty, becoming visible as they unleash a booming bolt of lightning on the ysoki. As the echoes die away, they shout, ”Stand down! Unless you want another!”

(Move)
(No action): Use Selective Targeting magic hack to spend 1 RP to exclude all squares except Betty’s. (The line continues into the arena wall, below the stadium’s seats, but I don’t want to risk collapsing the structure underneath the already panicking crowds.)
(Reaction): One use of technomantic talent (evocation x2) to set 2 damage dice to maximum before rolling.
(Standard): Arcing Surge (10d6 E; DC 21 Ref half): 8d6 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (6, 1, 5, 6, 3, 5, 6, 6) + 6 + 6 = 50

Boomer glances at the rest of the fight--and at Lunesha--as they finish with one emitter and move briskly to the next one. Judging that their teammates seem to have things well in hand in the arena, the android quietly keeps on task, working to disable the next emitter.

Engineering: 1d20 + 20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 20 + 4 = 38 (including +4 for trapsmith’s tools)

Perception: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (13) + 18 = 31 and/or Sense Motive: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15 to try to see if Lunesha is doing anything of note besides gloating and cheering on her minions. I expect I'm at hefty penalties for distance and angle at the moment. I'll shift more of my attention to her once the containment field is down.

Boomer moves to the far side of the emitter, using it for cover from Merin and Betsy despite being invisible–and that also puts them that much closer to the next one. The android attempts to deactivate the device.

Engineering: 1d20 + 20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 20 + 4 = 32 (including +4 for trapsmith’s tools)

They know that ramiyels are half-ophidian, half-mammalian humanoids from the planet Ramiya. What else would they want to know about ramiyels?

Energy resistances/immunities? SR? Special attacks? (In that order.) Basically, I'm expecting that we'll have to fight her once the containment field is down, so trying to figure out which of Boomer's spells will be most effective.

Did Boomer learn anything about the other team's spellcasting abilities (if any)?

"Vradak's zealotry made him blind and foolish, as does yours," Boomer retorts. In quieter tones, they tell their teammates, "Keep these four busy while I deal with those emitters." The android them casts invisibility upon themself, and moves forward towards an emitter.

Is there a skill check to know anything about ramiyels? Boomer has Life Science +23, Mysticism +19 to identify creatures. 1d20 ⇒ 13 (plus appropriate skill)

Boomer decides to follow Reaper's lead, thinking it might be easier to spring whatever trap might be coming than to figure out what precisely is with this other team right now. With that in mind, they continue to study Merin and his team with arcane sight to determine if any of them are spellcasters.

Arcane sight didn't show any signs of magical influence, but just in case it comes up later, Boomer has technomantic talent with illusion. They automatically gain a save vs. any illusion within 60 ft., and the DC is reduced by 2 vs. the first two illusions encountered each day. I'll add a note to my senses line.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20

Will: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11 (+2 vs. mind-affecting, sleep)

Boomer is starting to have second thoughts about not bringing their diplomatic attache along on this mission. Usually, the technomancer deals with logical things like magic and computers, while Tuesday deal with other people's messy emotions. Rather than antagonize the sullen Starfinders further, Boomer lapses into an aloof silence until they reach the amphitheater.

Speaks Celestial. Minimum Mysticism roll is 20.

"It is unwise to calculate blast radii where your targets can hear you. Desist at once," Boomer scolds Betsy. Then, in Celestial, they tell Anavay, "I care. Speak your mind, Starfinder."

As Boomer speaks, their eyes glow softly as they use their arcane lenses to study the other team, starting with Betsy and Anavay, then Merin and Igrim.

Arcane lenses give constant arcane sight.

Boomer takes advantage of their companions running interferance with Merin to address Betsy in quiet tones. "I understand you are the expert on technology and magic for your team. Have you observed anything unusual in either category since you've been here?"

(I thought I posted earlier this evening, but apparently my post got lost in the ether. Trying again...)

"Good day, Merin and company. You may call me Boomer," the android says politely, if briskly, clearly wishing to get right to work. "Perhaps you can brief us on the way to the amphitheater?"

Boomer raises a curious eyebrow at the elf's comments. "You, too, Gil-Oloth? That seems to be a common theme to my last several missions, and not just the ones coming from Vex. The old proverb about rewards for jobs well done is, alas, all too accurate."