Pogo and Howland's page

Thanks. It was fun.

Pogo is happy to help rebuilding efforts, offering his skills in engineering and computers.

Engineering: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23

Pogo continues evasive maneuvers, turning hard to starboard.

Successful Evade stunt adds 2 to the ships AC and TL.

Only the coilgun can target it this round. One hit from it ought to end the fight, I think.

Initiative, Piloting, ship bonus: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 11 + 1 = 14
Piloting, Evade Stunt, Ship bonus, computer bonus: 1d20 + 11 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 11 + 1 + 1 = 23

With less atmosphere, Pogo steers the ship toward the monster while weaving erratically to make it harder for the beast to hit the ship.

Depending on how the katura moves, we may be able to hit it with the fore EMP cannon this round or the next.

Pogo will keep leading the Katura while trying to present a harder target to hit by swerving.

Piloting, ship bonus, computer bonus: 1d20 + 11 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 11 + 1 + 1 = 25
Evade Stunt, DC 13, +2 circumstance bonus to its AC and TL until the start of the next round.

Piloting, ship bonud: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 11 + 1 = 22

Katura may go first. Pogo will keep away from it and hope the coilgun finishes it off.

Pogo makes a turn but keep moving away from the Katura. "Fire when ready!"

That oughta hit and hurt.

Piloting: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27

Katura moves first.

Oshari might want to retcon that attack roll. The EMP cannon is in the fore gunnery port but the monster is chasing us. Of course, there might not be anything else useful that can be done at present. Boosting the weapons might help. With any luck, that last coilgun attack will end this.

Pogo watches the katura intently, steering the ship this way and that to avoid the tenticles.

Piloting, ship bonus, computer bonus, Evade Stunt: 1d20 + 11 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 11 + 1 + 1 = 17
The DC is 13, so that's a success. +2 circumstance bonus to ship's AC and TL until the start of the next round.

Piloting: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25

Pogo keeps pace with the katura, letting it pursue but keeping it too far away to slam into the craft. Move two forward.

Pogo tells everyone to hold onto something. He moves forward and then hits the directional thrusters full blast to rotate the ship 180°. Flip and burn stunt. Then he descends to the katura's level. "Fire when ready! I'll keep us ahead of it."

Piloting: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31

From this point on, I suspect we'll just be trading attacks with no change in relative positions. It may be possible to predict the outgome given the gunnery rolls and likely damage done.

Has the Katura moved for the upcoming round? Also, is it limited by the atmosphere as we are, movement of 1 at lowest altitude? It looks like we won't be able to avoid the tentacles, but we can try to avoid the slam attack. I'll move our ship once I'm told that the katura has moved for this round, since our initiative was higher.

Piloting, Ship bonus, initiative: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31

Can we turn at level 2 and then descend to level 1 to be in a position to attack or do we need to descend first and take the penalties to movement? Can we fire on it from higher altitude, perhaps with some kind of stunt? Not sure how much altitude changes for the different levels. They can move first and Pogo will try a stunt to change direction and let it chase us, since our EMP cannon is not likely to help. Oshari may as well return to Engineering.

Pogo says, "I'll try to make it chase us and hope we can keep it following by while staying out of reach so we can hit it with the coil gun. Oshiri, how about you fire the EMP cannon at it while we are facing it, since there isn't much you can do at engineering at the moment. I'm going to do a flip and burn in a moment."

The EMP Cannon is at -2 for range, but gets +1 from the ship computer, so it's worth a shot, so to speak, just in case it does affect it. We were supposed to get a gunnery check last round from Wilson. Then we need another for this round.

Since we have seen it, can we know what range the tentacles reach in terms of starship combat hexes?

Next round's initiative.
Piloting, starship bonus: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 11 + 1 = 20

Pogo suggests Wilson move to the coilgun controls, Oshari move to the Engineering station, with Pogo and Asgrok maintaining the roles of pilot and science officer. If/when the creature gets within close range, we can consider shifting someone to forward EMP Cannon, if we think an EMP will affect the creature.

There is a link in Pogo's header to a copy of the Azata Control Sheet. I'll update it if/when we take damage or make other changes. Has anyone made a life science roll to see if we know anything helpful about this creature? We need to know if the EMP weapon can affect it. It normally affects things like computer systems, but it might affect the brain of a creature, I suppose.

Also, the ship's computer gives a +1 to any three rolls plus +1 to piloting, so add that in when you make a roll.

"It's climbing! That's good! The atmosphere is thinner and we can maneuver better and go faster."

Piloting, Starship: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 11 + 1 = 17

Pogo is still fighting the atmosphere, something the creature is apparently well evolved to move through. Pogo increases the speed and continues to close on the Katura. Moved ship two hexes forward.

Are we still in round 1? The Katura is in range of our coil gun. Do we get an attack roll? If Wilson and Pogo have used their actions then Oshiri should make the attack roll this round.

Having a high piloting skill increases the chance of winning initiative. But if others wish it, Pogo can shift to the turret for round 2 if Oshiri wants to take the piloting role.

Pogo takes the pilot station and concentrates on maneuvering the ship to give it an advantageous attack position. His choices are limited by the need to move slowly through the atmosphere.

Piloting, ship bonus: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 11 + 1 = 22

Not a lot of choice with a maximum move of 1. Pogo will move 1 hex forward. The turret coilgun has a range of 20, so wherever the creature moves it should be in close range.

With this limited movement rate, Wilson might want to ret-con the Chief Mate action, as I don't think it really helps to give it more maneuverability, at this point, at any rate. The fore cannon has a range of 5, so it will be at -4 to hit, but if we can have a gunner in both the turret and fore port, we could take both shots and hope to get lucky on the cannon shot. That's assuming the creature doesn't move out of the fore gunner arc.

Pogo and Howland join the parade.

If the Starfinders can get to their ship, Pogo is in favor of using the ship's weapons on the beastie or if nothing else, search for other signs of Envar.

Pogo is running out of ideas on how to placate the mob. He falls back on hoping they can see reason.

"If you really want to be rid of us, let us look for Envar and hustle him away. If you kill us, our organization will be forced to send a rescue squad and then you'll just have more of our kind to deal with."

Diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 12

Pogo points out how the wounds suffered by their kith were those of a wild beast, whereas he and his fellow starfinders have weapons that leave very different wounds.

Medicine: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Pogo grits his teeth and keeps shooting, as he instructs Howland to do the same.

Laser Pistol vs EAC: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Damage, F: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Skipshot Pistol vs KAC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Damage, P: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Neither of them is particularly skillful at ranged attacks, unfortunately, using their pistols mainly in self-defense.

Pogo and Howland continue to send laser light and skipshot slubs at the creature.

Laser Pistol vs EAC: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Damage, F: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Skipshot Pistol vs KAC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Damage, P: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Pogo and Howland open fire on the creature.

Pogo
Laser Pistol vs EAC: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Damage, F: 1d4 ⇒ 1
Crit Damage, burn: 1d4 ⇒ 2
Burn
Source Starfinder Core Rulebook pg. 182
The target gains the burning condition (see page 273).

Howland
Skipshot Pistol vs KAC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Damage, P: 1d4 ⇒ 1

I am sorry for not posting recently. As I said I would be, I was traveling since Saturday morning and while I had some time on the weekend with Internet access, I had trouble signing on to Paizo and could not bet a password reset to work. I'm just now able to post again, but now I'm crunched for time as I get caught up on my work and all my games. I'll post as soon as I can, but I'm okay with 'botting my character if it will help keep things from bogging down.

I danced for a time on a Moonshadow, on the plus side!

Pogo tries to contribute with some conciliatory words. "You people are not all the same. Obviously some have been weak willed enough to follow Envar while upstanding folks like yourselves know better. Well, humans and other Pact Worlds folk are also not all the same. Envar is a childish rich kid who hasn't got the sense the gods gave a goblin. We're here to help you by reuniting Envar with his family, so if you hinder us, you'll be prolonging your problem with him."

Diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 17

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 10

"Let's avoid a fight," Pogo says to the others.

Pogo excels at none of the options, so he will wait and try to aid any of the non-violent attempts at resolution that might need it.

Pogo shrugs and agrees to climb the scaffold and scrub a bit.

Fortitude: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

His small, nimble fingers have little trouble with the task.

"I think there are scholars back home who have studied the effects of an individual from an alien world on society. I believe it is considered hard to predict, as societies are prone to non-linear responses to small stimuli. Perhaps by chance Envar resembles an anarchic figure from folklore or young people are stressed about things and looking for a way to rebel."

Is there a mechanism provided? Spell, universal translator?

My work schedule has changed. For the next five weeks, I'll be unable to post generally after 3 PM (same time zone as New York City) on Monday through Thursday. I'll check games in the morning and make what posts I can.

Also, I may be traveling on April 6-9. I should have some access to Wifi and a laptop, but if a post is needed in this period, please
'bot my character. It's possible the trip will not happen, in which case I'll let you know. (I'm hoping to see the total solar eclipse on April 8 in Ohio, USA.)

"Five'll get ya ten Envar was here," Pogo murmurs before any of the others arrive.

Remind me how we are able to understand their language.

Pogo shrugs. "A wink's as good as a nod and all that."

"Data is all we need, thanks."

"There is likely valuable information on that comm unit that could help us locate him, so we better ask the head honchos to let these guys let us at least look at that."

"That sounds wise. Scientists ought to be less swayed by prejudice, if their scientific process is anything like our own," Pogo says.

Pogo follows up on Asgrok's monologue with more specific information about the current mission. "As an organization that performs a variety of services to those in our federation which we call the Pact Worlds, we are not operatives of a government or a major business. The leader of one of our important energy corporations has a son who has more technological and financial resources than common sense. He was known to be enjoying a vacation and visiting exotic locations. Then he stopped communicating."

"We only had this photo to try to figure out his last known location." Pogo pulls up the image of Envar on the purple sky planet with the dim red star and hands the comm unit to Howland and has the drone show the images to the ixtli in the blue chair and then to the others. "Not much to go on, as you can see, but we have impressive data processing capacities that were able to identify this star system. We consider it great good fortune to have discovered not only the missing person we seek but in the process to discover a sophisticated sentient race with impressive technological achievements. We have much to gain from a peaceful opening of communication and trade.

"The boy's mother is worried sick about him and he has a following of sorts among well-connected young people. We only want to bring him home safely to his mother. Cooperating with us could be an important first step to making a powerful ally with technological sophistication matching your own."

He mentions a few ways Pact World technologies might be able to improve the functions of the station.

Engineering: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31

Pogo volunteers to explain. Can he be understood or does someone need to translate for him? Either way, He says, "Envar is a member of a race known as Lashunta. They have some abilities to communicate their thoughts directly. There are many other races in our confederation of worlds. I am an Ysoki." Pointing to Asgrok, "Ze is a race known as a contemplative. He," pointing to Wilson, "is a human. And we have a nuar, the fellow with the horns. The universe is full of different types of intelligent life, you see. We tend to think this diversity provides resilience and strength, so long as we cooperate. There are other races in our confederacy who are quite different from any you see here."

Life Science: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Pogo stands straight and quiet, happy for a skilled lawyer to handle this parley. He shifts his gaze around the room, keeping watch for any actions that suggest the hosts plan anything violent.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Pogo will take 10 on the engineering roll if he can. If not, see the roll below.

Engineering: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22

Pogo keeps quiet, but finds himself staring at the advanced technology similar to most space stations and indicating the locals possess advanced technological understanding. If Envar came this way, they likely can provide evidence of it and perhaps help the Starfinders locate where he went from here if he is not present. He keeps on guard, however, for though they seem friendly, they might be holding him prisoner and may do the same to the new arrivals.

Pogo agrees it is best to follow the natives.

Pogo has no ranks in Culture, so no dice. He speaks a number of languages, but has no tech or magic to help with translation.

Pogo is prepared to try to cobble together a series of video images on his comm unit to try to get across some basic concepts with pictures.

Computers: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

Pogo is also grateful for a breather.

Spend 1 rp, recover SP. He's still down 4 hp out of 8.

Pogo tries to spot a shortcut to help Oshiri make better time.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

"Cut left and duck under that fallen tree. It's a straight shot from there!"

Stealth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Even though there is no cover, Pogo scurries into the cave and turns to watch what happens to his comrades.

Stealth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Pogo finds there's not much cover near the cave.

Stealth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Pogo and Howland continue to scramble along under cover of vegetation. He plans to distract the beast with some laser shots once he gets closer to the cave.

Pogo groans in pain at the thumping from the flying whomping katura. He tries to find more plant cover.

Stealth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

He gets out of sight again, slipping through some fern-like patches that arch over his head. Howland keeps pace.

Pogo and Howland moan in sympathy toward the wounded and perhaps doomed Asgrok. Wilson seemed to be doing an admirable job of helping him, so the mechanic and his drone keep moving below the tree line and underbrush, hoping to avoid detection.

Stealth DC 14 to remain unseen under the cover of the trees
Stealth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Unfortunately, he hits a barren patch and must run out in the open for a space.