GM Dennis's page

Lapodie has better luck finding parts than Walter, finding an old metal advertisement that's perfect for Conrad's aesthetic improvements! The +4 from Lapodie is enough to make that a success.

Dr. Dov and Kastien, meanwhile, finish improving the weapon systems, while Zark puts the finishing touches on the propulsion. Successes for all three. You've maxed out your bonuses, and installed the grappler.

A race official comes by with a datapad turning it to show you. "Congratulations! You've won over the fans, and they have chosen you as the winners of the build competition! As a reward, you will be given a small advantage to begin the race." Your advantage is that you get to start a little ways back from the starting line, and can begin accelerating before the light turns green, so that when it does, you have a running start. Mechanically, this is represented by your pilot getting to roll twice and take the better result on the first Piloting check during the race.

Final:

Success Tracking:
Build Points Earned: 15 -> BUILD COMPETITION WIN!
Engine Upgrades Earned: 4/4
Weapon Upgrades Earned: 3/3
Scouting Insights Earned: 3/3
Grappler Installed: Yes

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With the build competition completed, you have 30 minutes in the green room to relax and prepare before the race begins. You can use this time however you'd like, including investigating the strange goings-on if you choose. Let me know what you'd like to do, in broad terms.

Just FYI that Kate and I will be traveling this weekend, Friday - Monday. I should have time to post, but may be a little slower than I would otherwise be.

I know Zark hasn't posted, but you have collectively succeeded enough that I'm going to move us on.

While Walter and Conrad calmly and quickly clear the area, Kastien leaps onto the drone, holding it down long enough for Dov to disable it (despite Lapodie's "help" :P).

As this was happening during the final phase of the build competition, please go ahead and roll checks for the fourth round of building. You can then decide what to do from there (including further investigation of the drone if you'd like). For now, though...

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Available Activities:

Find Parts (Acrobatics, Athletics, Perception): A PC who spends their round hunting through the piles of junk and succeeds at a DC 20 Acrobatics, Athletics, or Perception check retrieves useful components to use in upgrading their racer. They earn 1 Build Point and give one ally of their choice a +4 circumstance bonus to their check to improve the racer this round (please specify who you want to aid with your roll).

Upgrade Propulsion and Handling (Engineering, Physical Science): A PC who spends their round improving, repairing, or tuning the propulsion and handling of the junkracer and succeeds at a DC 24 Engineering or Physical Science check earns 1 Build Point. The improvements give the PC acting as pilot during the race a +1 circumstance bonus to all Piloting checks, cumulative up to +3.

Upgrade Weapons (Engineering, Computers, Ranged Attack): A PC who spends their round improving, replacing, or testing the junkracer’s weapon systems and succeeds at a DC 24 Engineering check, Computers check, or ranged attack roll earns 1 Build Point. All ranged attacks and skill checks related to using the junkracer’s weapons during the race get a +1 circumstance bonus, cumulative to +3. Alternatively, a PC can forgo this bonus and instead install a grappler line; this upgrade can only be done once. It consists of a small launcher that can fire a cable line with a set of strong, remotely controlled jaws on the end, capable of latching on to a target up to 100 feet away. When rolling for this activity, please tell me whether you are trying to upgrade the weapons, or whether you are trying to install a grappler system.

Aesthetic Upgrades (varies): A PC can spend their round improving the appearance of the team’s junkracer rather than making functional improvements. Give the PC a few moments to describe the improvements they’re making, then they should attempt a DC 24 skill check appropriate to the improvement. Success earns 2 Build Points, but doesn’t provide any bonus during the race. Each PC can only attempt this check once. I’m pretty open to creative skill uses for this one, but please be sure to include a description of how you are using that skill to accomplish an aesthetic upgrade.

Scouting the Competition (Bluff, Diplomacy, Stealth): A PC can spend their round gathering more information about their competitors in the hopes of gaining an edge. They can do so by succeeding at a DC 20 Stealth check to go unnoticed, or a DC 24 Bluff or Diplomacy check to convince other racers to stop working long enough to talk. The PCs can leverage insights gained from this information to give all PCs a +1 circumstance bonus to Diplomacy, Intimidate, and Sense Motive checks made during the race, cumulative up to +3. In addition to the bonus, I will tell you one piece of information about an opponent for each success. No Build Points for this one, since it doesn’t improve your racer.

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ROUND 4:

Success Tracking:
Build Points Earned: 9
Engine Upgrades Earned: 3/4
Weapon Upgrades Earned: 2/3
Scouting Insights Earned: 3/3
Grappler Installed: no

Everyone, please roll your fourth (and final) round of checks.

Perhaps due to the earlier incident with the lift in Lemgem's pit, you're on heightened alertness, and you all notice something strange. Walter and Conrad realize that one of the custom camera drones Ratrod utilizes is moving strangely, its focus not on the builders but on the common work area in the middle of all the pits. Kastien and Zark note that it seems to be floating unsteadily toward the spare acetylene tanks. Dr. Dov, particularly perceptive, spots an extra high capacity battery mounted to the underside of the drone, wires protruding. Looking at the pile of tanks, you note that several of them seem to be missing their safety caps. Funny, you didn't notice that about them before....

Another disaster looms! So what can you do about it?!

With some 'help' from Walter and Zark, Dr. Dov continues improving the Success for Dov, not so much for Zark or Walter.

Meanwhile, Kastien tries to calibrate the weapon systems, but just can't quite get it dialed in...that is until Conrad arrives with some useful parts, which Lapodie quickly installs! Success finding parts for Conrad, success upgrading the weapon systems for Lapodie.

End of Round 3:

Success Tracking:
Build Points Earned: 9
Engine Upgrades Earned: 3/4
Weapon Upgrades Earned: 2/3
Scouting Insights Earned: 3/3
Grappler Installed: no

Before we move to the final round of checks, please roll me your choice of a Perception or Sense Motive check (possible to get even if untrained).

Lapodie notices the distinctive marks of a sharp blade on the damaged cable, clearly indicating that this was no accident.

"Huh, now that's odd" Lemgem says. "Nobody's been here but me since I started working. When the heck did they do that? Heck, I wasn't even supposed to be in this bay! Me and Kyvex switched, just before the start." She considers for a moment, her brow furrowed, then shrugs. "Anyway, guess we'd better get back to building. The clock is ticking!"

Well done preventing catastrophe! Feel free to post any further followup, then please roll your third round checks.

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Available Activities:

Find Parts (Acrobatics, Athletics, Perception): A PC who spends their round hunting through the piles of junk and succeeds at a DC 20 Acrobatics, Athletics, or Perception check retrieves useful components to use in upgrading their racer. They earn 1 Build Point and give one ally of their choice a +4 circumstance bonus to their check to improve the racer this round (please specify who you want to aid with your roll).

Upgrade Propulsion and Handling (Engineering, Physical Science): A PC who spends their round improving, repairing, or tuning the propulsion and handling of the junkracer and succeeds at a DC 24 Engineering or Physical Science check earns 1 Build Point. The improvements give the PC acting as pilot during the race a +1 circumstance bonus to all Piloting checks, cumulative up to +3.

Upgrade Weapons (Engineering, Computers, Ranged Attack): A PC who spends their round improving, replacing, or testing the junkracer’s weapon systems and succeeds at a DC 24 Engineering check, Computers check, or ranged attack roll earns 1 Build Point. All ranged attacks and skill checks related to using the junkracer’s weapons during the race get a +1 circumstance bonus, cumulative to +3. Alternatively, a PC can forgo this bonus and instead install a grappler line; this upgrade can only be done once. It consists of a small launcher that can fire a cable line with a set of strong, remotely controlled jaws on the end, capable of latching on to a target up to 100 feet away. When rolling for this activity, please tell me whether you are trying to upgrade the weapons, or whether you are trying to install a grappler system.

Aesthetic Upgrades (varies): A PC can spend their round improving the appearance of the team’s junkracer rather than making functional improvements. Give the PC a few moments to describe the improvements they’re making, then they should attempt a DC 24 skill check appropriate to the improvement. Success earns 2 Build Points, but doesn’t provide any bonus during the race. Each PC can only attempt this check once. I’m pretty open to creative skill uses for this one, but please be sure to include a description of how you are using that skill to accomplish an aesthetic upgrade.

Scouting the Competition (Bluff, Diplomacy, Stealth): A PC can spend their round gathering more information about their competitors in the hopes of gaining an edge. They can do so by succeeding at a DC 20 Stealth check to go unnoticed, or a DC 24 Bluff or Diplomacy check to convince other racers to stop working long enough to talk. The PCs can leverage insights gained from this information to give all PCs a +1 circumstance bonus to Diplomacy, Intimidate, and Sense Motive checks made during the race, cumulative up to +3. In addition to the bonus, I will tell you one piece of information about an opponent for each success. No Build Points for this one, since it doesn’t improve your racer.

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ROUND 3:

Success Tracking:
Build Points Earned: 6
Engine Upgrades Earned: 2/4
Weapon Upgrades Earned: 1/3
Scouting Insights Earned: 3/3
Grappler Installed: no

Everyone, please roll your third round of checks.

Lemgem looks up in alarm at Walter's amplified warning. To her credit, it takes only a heartbeat before she processes and immediately moves to safely lower her vehicle before the lift fails. "Wow, good shout friend; thanks for the heads-up! That could have been bad. I wonder how that happened?"

Conrad continues making conversation with the other teams, gleaning more useful tidbits that might provide an advantage, as well as some juicy rumors. He's joined this time by Kastien, who turns his attention to the fans. Two successes scouting. You have now maxed out that bonus. You can continue scouting for more rumors if you want, though reminder that these checks don't earn any Build Points.

Over the last eight years, no one beat Ratrod more than Kyvex, who defeated him a whopping 15 times. Laboni and Unem Spinout have racked up quite a few wins as well, with Laboni beating Ratrod seven times, and Unem four.

Kyvex avoids Glimma, going out of their way to interact with her as little as possible. Most racers attribute this to painful memories of their lost friend Orsis, Glimma’s son, but some rumors persist of a more personal conflict between the two.

Meanwhile, Lapodie searches, successfully, for parts, supplying Zark in upgrading the weapon systems. Build point for Lapodie, plus a bonus for Kastien who earns another Build Point and a bonus to weapons.

Walter, meanwhile, joins Lapodie in searching for parts, finding some useful bits to help Dov--who immediately puts them to good use! Success for Walter (just barely!), who earns one Build Point and gives Dov a +4. Dov also succeeds, earning another Build Point and another +1 to engines.

Success Tracking:
Build Points Earned: 6
Engine Upgrades Earned: 2/4
Weapon Upgrades Earned: 1/3
Scouting Insights Earned: 3/3
Grappler Installed: no

(another post incoming)

[dice=Perception]1d20+6

Kastien continued looking for good junk - as if there was such a thing - but mostly he was interested in the other racers and the trackside fans. Hey, it worked for them last time. After all, he was the one that got Laboni on the Starfinders' side the last time they were here.

[dice=Diplomacy]1d20+14

I'm a little confused by your accompanying text here; can you clarify your intention? Is Perception to look for junk your build competition check? Or is the Diplomacy check your build competition check to scout opponents and the perception is the other check I asked for?

Separate from your build checks, please roll a Perception, Engineering, or Profession (electrician, mechanic, or similar) check.

Zark struggles to make the readily-available materials into an enhanced propulsion system, while Lapodie similarly struggles with the weapon systems. Seeing the lack of useful materials holding his allies back, Kastien heads out into the junkyard looking for useful things. It seems the other teams beat him to the punch, however, as there doesn't seem to be anything useful close by. He'll have to range deeper into the junkyard if he wants to find the good stuff. Three failures.

Dr. Dov spends a few moments carefully considering before beginning, carefully selecting some specialty items from his toolkit and carefully applying them to the thruster intakes to improve laminar flow. Special propulsion success, as discussed.

Walter, meanwhile, focuses on the aesthetics of the racer, in order to best appeal to the target audience. Their research is time well spent, as a cohesive look quickly comes together. Aesthetic upgrade success for Walter, 2 Build Points earned.

Conrad takes another tack, focusing on his opponents instead. He strikes up conversations with members of several teams, and comes away with some interesting information. Scouting success.

Rumor has it Laboni is planning to create her own competing track and has even begun quietly approaching other racers about investing in the venture.

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Available Activities:
Find Parts (Acrobatics, Athletics, Perception): A PC who spends their round hunting through the piles of junk and succeeds at a DC 20 Acrobatics, Athletics, or Perception check retrieves useful components to use in upgrading their racer. They earn 1 Build Point and give one ally of their choice a +4 circumstance bonus to their check to improve the racer this round (please specify who you want to aid with your roll).

Upgrade Propulsion and Handling (Engineering, Physical Science): A PC who spends their round improving, repairing, or tuning the propulsion and handling of the junkracer and succeeds at a DC 24 Engineering or Physical Science check earns 1 Build Point. The improvements give the PC acting as pilot during the race a +1 circumstance bonus to all Piloting checks, cumulative up to +3.

Upgrade Weapons (Engineering, Computers, Ranged Attack): A PC who spends their round improving, replacing, or testing the junkracer’s weapon systems and succeeds at a DC 24 Engineering check, Computers check, or ranged attack roll earns 1 Build Point. All ranged attacks and skill checks related to using the junkracer’s weapons during the race get a +1 circumstance bonus, cumulative to +3. Alternatively, a PC can forgo this bonus and instead install a grappler line; this upgrade can only be done once. It consists of a small launcher that can fire a cable line with a set of strong, remotely controlled jaws on the end, capable of latching on to a target up to 100 feet away. When rolling for this activity, please tell me whether you are trying to upgrade the weapons, or whether you are trying to install a grappler system.

Aesthetic Upgrades (varies): A PC can spend their round improving the appearance of the team’s junkracer rather than making functional improvements. Give the PC a few moments to describe the improvements they’re making, then they should attempt a DC 24 skill check appropriate to the improvement. Success earns 2 Build Points, but doesn’t provide any bonus during the race. Each PC can only attempt this check once. I’m pretty open to creative skill uses for this one, but please be sure to include a description of how you are using that skill to accomplish an aesthetic upgrade.

Scouting the Competition (Bluff, Diplomacy, Stealth): A PC can spend their round gathering more information about their competitors in the hopes of gaining an edge. They can do so by succeeding at a DC 20 Stealth check to go unnoticed, or a DC 24 Bluff or Diplomacy check to convince other racers to stop working long enough to talk. The PCs can leverage insights gained from this information to give all PCs a +1 circumstance bonus to Diplomacy, Intimidate, and Sense Motive checks made during the race, cumulative up to +3. In addition to the bonus, I will tell you one piece of information about an opponent for each success. No Build Points for this one, since it doesn’t improve your racer.

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ROUND 2:

Success Tracking:
Build Points Earned: 2
Engine Upgrades Earned: 1/4
Weapon Upgrades Earned: 0/3
Scouting Insights Earned: 1/3
Grappler Installed: no

Everyone, please roll your second round of checks.

I'm assuming we can't Take 10?

I don't see anything in the Take 10 rules that would prevent you from doing so in this case. It is a timed competition, but you're not in immediate danger, nor is it particularly hectic, and no one check here is crucial enough for the adventure to hinge on. Go ahead and take 10 if you'd like going forward.

I'll tell you that we aren't going to be using the normal vehicle/piloting rules for this scenario, and the vehicle's actual stats won't really come into play. I do want to honor your archetype, though, since that feels like something that *should* work in this scenario. So, here's what I propose: If you spend your round improving the vehicle's propulsion and use your Starmetal Application ability, I will count that as an automatic success (no check needed), basically counting the speed bonus as an upgrade to the propulsion. In addition, that success won't count toward the normal cap of +3, effectively raising the maximum bonus you can get to propulsion here to +4. Does that sound reasonable to you?

”Are we limited to just materials in this junkyard? How about tools? Do you have any that we can use? Do you have any problem if we use some of our own stuff?”

"As I said, tools have been provided for you in your build area. You're welcome to use any other equipment you have on you. As for materials, in order to keep the competition on an even playing field, please make use of materials you find in the junkyard."

The build competition will be run as four rounds of checks, with each round representing 30 minutes of working time. Each round, each of you will select one of the five activities available during the build competition listed below and roll an associated check. Successes on most activities earn Build Points, which represent your progress toward winning the fan vote. Some activities also convey other benefits, such as upgrading the performance of your racer or gathering more information about your opponents. I’m going to leave the DCs visible so that you don’t have to wait to see whether your teammate succeeded before deciding on your roll.

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Available Activities:

Find Parts (Acrobatics, Athletics, Perception): A PC who spends their round hunting through the piles of junk and succeeds at a DC 20 Acrobatics, Athletics, or Perception check retrieves useful components to use in upgrading their racer. They earn 1 Build Point and give one ally of their choice a +4 circumstance bonus to their check to improve the racer this round (please specify who you want to aid with your roll).

Upgrade Propulsion and Handling (Engineering, Physical Science): A PC who spends their round improving, repairing, or tuning the propulsion and handling of the junkracer and succeeds at a DC 24 Engineering or Physical Science check earns 1 Build Point. The improvements give the PC acting as pilot during the race a +1 circumstance bonus to all Piloting checks, cumulative up to +3.

Upgrade Weapons (Engineering, Computers, Ranged Attack): A PC who spends their round improving, replacing, or testing the junkracer’s weapon systems and succeeds at a DC 24 Engineering check, Computers check, or ranged attack roll earns 1 Build Point. All ranged attacks and skill checks related to using the junkracer’s weapons during the race get a +1 circumstance bonus, cumulative to +3. Alternatively, a PC can forgo this bonus and instead install a grappler line; this upgrade can only be done once. It consists of a small launcher that can fire a cable line with a set of strong, remotely controlled jaws on the end, capable of latching on to a target up to 100 feet away. When rolling for this activity, please tell me whether you are trying to upgrade the weapons, or whether you are trying to install a grappler system.

Aesthetic Upgrades (varies): A PC can spend their round improving the appearance of the team’s junkracer rather than making functional improvements. Give the PC a few moments to describe the improvements they’re making, then they should attempt a DC 24 skill check appropriate to the improvement. Success earns 2 Build Points, but doesn’t provide any bonus during the race. Each PC can only attempt this check once. I’m pretty open to creative skill uses for this one, but please be sure to include a description of how you are using that skill to accomplish an aesthetic upgrade.

Scouting the Competition (Bluff, Diplomacy, Stealth): A PC can spend their round gathering more information about their competitors in the hopes of gaining an edge. They can do so by succeeding at a DC 20 Stealth check to go unnoticed, or a DC 24 Bluff or Diplomacy check to convince other racers to stop working long enough to talk. The PCs can leverage insights gained from this information to give all PCs a +1 circumstance bonus to Diplomacy, Intimidate, and Sense Motive checks made during the race, cumulative up to +3. In addition to the bonus, I will tell you one piece of information about an opponent for each success. No Build Points for this one, since it doesn’t improve your racer.

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ROUND 1:

Success Tracking:

"There you have it, folks! Looks like the Starfinders brought some star power with them today. Let's see if it pays off!"

With that, Avarin and her crew rush off to their next segment as a race official in a white jumpsuit walks briskly toward you holding a datapad. She speaks quickly as she guides you toward one of several identical clear spaces carved out of the surrounding junk, where a vehicle waits on a hoverlift.

"Right this way, the build competition is about to start. Here's the quick rundown: we've provided each team with an identicle single-occupancy racer. Each vehicle has a basic drive system and an energy weapon designed to temporarily hamper other vehicles. You have two hours to make whatever alterations you'd like, using any materials you can find in the junkyard. Tools have been provided in your build area, and there's extra tanks of acetylene and such in the center area. At the end of the two hours, the fans will vote on their favorite build, and that team gets a slight advantage to start the race. Any questions?"

Feel free to ask any questions. Another post incoming with the build competition mechanics.

Ratrod’s racetrack is in the heart of Botscrap, within one of the many junkyards that give the district its name. A tall corrugated iron fence, topped with razor wire, surrounds the yard. Massive mounds of scrap metal, robotic components, and other technological junk are visible rising above the fence line, and the sound of revving engines and the chatter of a crowd echoes from within.

When you arrive outside the closed gates, a flying camera drone swoops down and hovers in front of you. It extends a small screen above a USB port, “Insert Token” spelled out in large block letters on the screen.

When Kastien inserts the token, the screen briefly flashes green with a smiling face, before the drone flies up out of the way and the gate rattles open to admit you.

As you enter the grounds, a film crew led by a jububnan woman holding a mic rushes over to you.

“’Awesome’ Ace Avarin here, folks, broadcasting live from the scene of the biggest junkrace of the year, Ratrod’s highly anticipated Grudge Match! And here we have our final team arriving, representatives of the infamous Starfinder Society. Tell me, folks, how does it feel to be here representing the Society in the Grudge Match? Do you think your training will give you the edge? And how do you feel about racing against your former ally, Laboni?”

Any response to “Awesome” Ace Avarin?

All you were told was that the datastick was your entry token.

Neither Conrad nor Walter detect any sense of deception in the drone's presentation.

The cleanup team dispatched by Radaszam arrives a short time later, taking possession of the bodies and the captive and promising to coordinate with station security. With that, you're free to proceed to the racetrack.

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Ratrod’s racetrack is in the heart of Botscrap, within one of the many junkyards that give the district its name. A tall corrugated iron fence, topped with razor wire, surrounds the yard. Massive mounds of scrap metal, robotic components, and other technological junk are visible rising above the fence line, and the sound of revving engines and the chatter of a crowd echoes from within.

When you arrive outside the closed gates, a flying camera drone swoops down and hovers in front of you. It extends a small screen above a USB port, “Insert Token” spelled out in large block letters on the screen.

Roger, cleanup crew on the way. I look forward to reading your report.

Anything else before heading to the track? Will move us on tomorrow, unless I hear otherwise.

Conrad is off his game a bit, perhaps trying to do too many things....but it doesn't seem to matter. The nuar shrugs his broad shoulders and says in a friendly tone "Nothin' to extract. We were hired by Overwatch, usual dead drop system. Don't know anything 'bout the client--don't need to know. That's the point of going through Overwatch. We get a mission, do the mission, get paid. Oh, and before you have your big friend ask...I don't know anything about Overwatch either. Business done through modulated phone calls and dead drops." They shrug again, and add "Guess they like their privacy."

As you're interrogating the nuar, you get a message from Radaszam that reads You at the track yet? What's the situation look like there?

What's your next move? Wake up the unconscious nuar? Proceed to the junkyard? Something else?

Rifling through the fallen and unconscious attackers' pockets and possessions, you find the following:

Walter's words still echo as Dov drives the point home with a well-aimed debilitating concoction. The android glances around, assessing the situation, then turns and runs down an alleyway to the north!

Out of combat. You can try to chase him down if you want, though you'd be doing so down narrow, unfamiliar alleyways. Nuar #2 did go down to nonlethal damage, so you do still have one living foe here.

Kastien, note that Conrad has Improved Get 'Em, so the attack bonus he provides is +2, rather than +1.

Conrad directs his allies at one of the androids in particular, and Zark and Kastien are happy to oblige. The coordinated assault is too much for the android, who collapses to the ground! Android B is down.

---------

Initiative!

Sorry, forgot to take the nuar token off the map. Nuar is down, so I'll direct that (successful) shot at android B.

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Initiative!

Walter inspires their allies and puts some pep back in Kastien's step. Meanwhile, Dov takes careful aim and does the opposite to the remaining nuar, the acid from his gun sizzling into the warrior and seeming to sap his strength (failure on the fort vs. inhibitor). It proves to be too much, and the nuar slumps to the ground, unconscious!

The android to the north curses under their breath, firing off two more quick shots at Kastien.

Rifle vs. Kastien, target tracking, full attack: 1d20 + 10 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 10 + 2 - 4 = 16
Nonlethal electricity: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Rifle vs. Kastien, target tracking, full attack: 1d20 + 10 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 10 + 2 - 4 = 25
Nonlethal electricity: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

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Initiative!

The remaining nuar ducks Kastien's gauntlet, and one of the androids tries to take advantage of the moment to land a shot on the lashunta.

Rifle vs. Kastien's EAC, target tracking: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 10 + 2 = 23
Nonlethal electricity: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

---------

Initiative!

Zark takes advantage of the lead nuar's distraction, firing off a laser blast from an unseen angle. The nuar is completely unprepared, and the blast knocks him from his feet and leaves him lying motionless on the ground, a wisp of smoke rising from the scorchmark on his chest. Red/#1 down!

The remaining nuar curses, then brings their pike around in two quick arcs, trying to take out Kastien quickly.

Pike vs. Kastien, full attack: 1d20 + 12 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 12 - 4 = 11
Nonlethal cold: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

Pike vs. Kastien, full attack: 1d20 + 12 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 12 - 4 = 19
Nonlethal cold: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17

Kastien bats aside both swings, however, ready for his counterattack!

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Initiative!

Conrad changes tactics,l focusing on one of the snipers. The crafty android, however, quickly ducks around the corner, making good use of the cover to avoid being hit. They quick movement into cover similarly throws off Lapodie's aim, as well.

Zark may act.

The nuar groans at the pun, despite himself...at least until the bolt of medicated acid impacts him squarely in the chest.

The remaining android calls out, calmly, "never mind that, focus on the one with the key." Taking their own advice, they take a moment to aim, carefully, a holographic HUD springing up in front of their eyes, before taking a shot at Kastien.

Rifle, target tracking: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 10 + 2 = 28
Nonlethal electricity: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

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Initiative!

no worries; I know for me it's particularly hard to track what's going on as a player when the rhythm of the game is disrupted. Hopefully we can get into a good flow going forward, and I'll be better about tracking that sort of thing in notes in the initiative block, so it's easier to spot.

Going to assume Walter knew what they were doing (though do want to point out that Improved Get 'Em should be +2 not +1, and that you have a +1 bonus from Coordinated Shot as well).

Walter further exhorts their allies, but even with their own encouragement and Kastien's helpful positioning, their shot just catches the edge of the dumpster and ricochets away.

The remaining nuar loops around into a flanking position against Kastien, bringing his pike around in an efficient arc (I mistakenly referred to these as stavese earlier, but they're actually pikes at this tier).

Pike, flanking vs. Kastien: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 12 + 2 = 20
Nonlethal cold: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

The nimble solarian is able to dodge the attack though, maintaining his grip on the datastick.

---------

Initiative!

Spending Resolve for Get 'Em to affect attack and damage rolls against all enemies within 60 feet.

Conrad already did that this round, using an envoy improvisation that saved his resolve for this round (sorry, I should have done a better job indicating that in the init block). Does that affect your actions here, or would you spend the resolve anyway, to extend the duration?

On another note, I described it in the narrative intro but didn't explicitly call it out: that gray-and-brown structure next to Kastien is a dumpster, which provides partial cover.

Kastian lands a solid blow on the surprised nuar, rocking them back on their heels for a moment. Seeing Kastien's duplicitous non-compliance, the android that had taken aim at him fires!

Rifle, target tracking: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 10 + 2 = 22
Nonlethal electricity: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

The bolt connects, though it's clear that they have their phasers set to stun weapons meant to incapacitate, rather than kill.

---------

Initiative!

Conrad encourages his allies as Zark leaps into action, catching the nearer nuar off guard with a shot from their laser pistol. Lapodie similarly leaps into action, landing a shot on the other approaching nuar. Kastien, meanwhile, opts for trickery, holding up the token as bait.

One of the androids takes careful aim at Kastien, but holds fire, waiting for him to surrender the datastick. The farther nuar shrugs off Lapodie's shot, moving forward and reaching for the datastick in Kastien's hand.

Kastien, please make your readied attack.

In case it wasn't clear, Kastien has readied an action to strike if one of the enemies tries to take the datastick or attack Kastien in melee.

Sounds good. For future, I find it helpful to have the readied attack in spoiler tags, so I can resolve and move forward.

Thanks. Sorry for the radio silence, folks. We were traveling this weekend, and either the flight or me being allergic to Texas made my eye worse for a few days. I seem to be on the mend, though, so should be back to regular posting.

Kastien, is it your intention to give them the datastick, or just show that you have it?

Zark has the nuar spinning in circles looking for him before landing a well-placed shot from an unexpected direction. Lapodie, meanwhile, takes careful aim and lands a perfectly-placed shot of her own.

Conrad may act.

I want to be clear that I'm not ignoring the high diplo role there, just that these folks can't be dissuaded in their mission in that way.

The nuar nods and says "the hard way it is then", and raises his staff.

---------

Initiative!

"Hand over the token. Last chance."

You take your leave of the grumpy dealmaker, heading toward The Spike. Conrad hobnobs with everyone you run into, hoping to get some more intel, but no one seems to know anything more than you do about the details of the race. As you descend deeper into The Spike, the corridors become more cramped, windows frequently barred or boarded over, and the glitzy holovid displays of topside businesses are replaced with neon lights and painted signs. As you reach the Botscrap district, the housing blocks, cafes, and bodegas of other neighborhoods grow less frequent, with whole blocks dedicated to the massive, sprawling junkyards that give the district its name.

Eventually, you come to an intersection of wide corridors where gaudy neon signs bathe a nearby dumpster in sickly pink light. Boarded windows and spray-painted security doors show most of the storefronts to be vacant, though the door of a dank cantina stands propped open to the southwest, the sound of clinking bottles and muttered conversation occasionally spilling out. Pedestrians hurry through the area, avoiding eye contact. Leaning against the walls on the far side of the intersection are a small group of what look like street toughs, wearing matching colors. As you approach, they begin to move, the two androids in the back moving toward strategic corners, while two burly nuars draw staves and approach. ”Hand over the entry token”, the lead figure demands.

I may be a little slow going for a while. I'm dealing with an eye issue that makes it hard to look at a computer screen for very long.

Lapodie and Dr. Delano have heard that Ratrod is promoting the big race today as "The Grudge Match". He's invited all the racers he feels have wronged him in some way over the years to compete, so he can beat them all at once. There's a lot of fan excitement, particularly for the potential drama that might unfold. Aside from Ratrod's grudges, the race is also slated to feature a team of Starfinders (that's you!) racing against a former Starfinder, and a mother racing against her late son's best friend, who was involved in the crash that killed him.

Walter and Zark additionally recall that Ratrod is very picky about the way his races are broadcast, going so far as to order custom-built versions of a popular camera drone model with special programming tailoed to his needs.

You all also recall that in this sort of one-off junkrace, base vehicles are usually supplied to the racers, though you may have a chance to customize once you're there.

I'll move us on tomorrow night, unless there are any other questions for Radaszam.

“Sit down,” Radaszam growls when the lift empties you out into his office, scarcely glancing up from his datapad as he nods toward several open seats in his office. After a moment, he looks up and says, “Eight years ago, I sent a team of Starfinders to help get a young agent out of a jam caused by her own big mouth. Well, I guess I don't need to tell you that, since most of you were on that team. Anyway, as you know, our team helped her build and pilot a vehicle to victory in a junkrace, down in the Spike. And what did that ingrate do to thank me for my help? She quit! Well, good riddance, I say.”

“Ugh, I’m getting aggravated just thinking about it,” he grumbles, shaking his head. “Enough about her. Turns out the guy she beat, a ysoki named Ratrod, has held a grudge against me all these years for helping her out. He’s challenged the Society, wants me to send another team to a big race he’s putting together. Normally I’d ignore it, but as it happens, I’m in need of some new intel sources down in that part of the Spike, and from what I hear, this Ratrod has his ear to the ground.”

“That’s where you come in. Head down to the Botscrap district and enter Ratrod’s race. Showing up is enough to build the inroads I need, but you may as well try to win while you’re there, just to make a good impression for the Society. Take this.” Radaszam holds out a small datastick. “Don’t lose it; that’s your ticket into the gate. I’ve sent you a dossier on everything we could gather about the other racers, though it’s not much. Any questions?”

Dossier added to the slides. Those of you who participated in #1-01 The Commencement know and can share the following with your teammates.

Junkracing is most popular in the Botscrap district of Absalom Station’s Spike, where tracks have been set up in many of the bigger junkyards.

The most famous junkracing track is owned by Ratrod, a veteran ysoki racer with ties to the Scrap Union. Eight years ago, Ratrod’s reputation was ruined when he lost a race to a hotshot team of Starfinders, and he’s been working his way back up ever since.

Everyone can also attempt a Culture, Engineering, or Piloting check to recall knowledge about junk racing, or a Diplomacy check to gatehr more information.

Please sign in on the slide deck, if you haven't yet.

Annoyingly nondescript music plays as you ride one of the lifts in the Lorespire Complex, heading for the office of Radaszam the Dealmaker, who has requested your presence. You awkwardly make eye contact...maybe you should introduce yourself to break the ice?

Please take a moment to introduce your character! Also, please let me know if this character played SFS #1-01: The Commencement.

Also, my plan is to start this some time next week, after the long weekend (for US folks, anyway)/PaizoCon/etc. If we target Wednesday, does that work for everyone?