GM Blazej - Pact World Warriors Gameday IX (Inactive)

Game Master Zynete

Even if it notices the party the uzorg will likely only attack once it feels threatened, at which point it will rush forward to drive away potential threats. It will likely avoid the party unless it feels that they are endangering it.

The verimu is a predator and likely view the party as prey once it detects them. Their typically hunting tactics is to hide as it closes the distance on ground until it is able to burst forth and tear apart prey with vicious claws. Food, specifically meat, would likely draw their attention.

While deaf, the akata likely will notice your scent immediately on approach. They are an ambush predator that tends to favor taking a high position before catching a target off guard. They will consume any flesh they are able, but tend to prefer humanoid targets as they can serve as hosts for their parasitic offspring. Their natural resilience would make them immune to cold and resilient against the effects of fire. It will likely not need anything to attract it and will start preparing to attack the party as soon as it is able.

My gun is non-lethal and if I remember correctly they are only knocked out if the last damage is non-lethal.

That is correct

"From what Misty just told us (above), maybe we take out the most aggressive predator - the verimu (Red) - first. We don't want to be engaged with one of the others if it attacks us. Sounds like the akata will hide in a tree and wait to ambush us, so we take it last."

"I agree with what Mec-01 suggests, as far as taking out the toughest first, but without knowing that precisely, I think this order will work."

"Can anyone other than FlexNaught do non-lethal damage?" she asks as she looks around at the rest of the team. "I can't," she remarks while drawing her pistol and looking it over to make sure it's ready.

"That big ol clawdabber over there might be best to strike first. We don't want one ingredient making a snack of the other. Maybe we can loop around the blue lion dog thing and get the other one. Somebody ought to keep and eye on the bluedog. The herd animal will probobly leave use alone until something else bothers it. Now that we're not against the clock I don't want to rush in to anything, but I'm ready to move once everyone else is."
I'm not sure if were are going into initiative or not. And being impulsive on this one could get someone hurt so I want to know everyone else is ready

Shoma flicks the toggle on their laser pistol to "stun." "Sounds like a plan to me. Y'all don't have a stun switch? Harder to aim this way, but it's worth a shot. And if your gun doesn't have one... shoot for a leg?"

Per Core page 252, a weapon that deals lethal damage can do nonlethal instead at a -4 attack penalty - however we want to roleplay it! No mention of doing so with spells though, so my mind thrust cannon is offline.

I was holding off on initiative until there was a general plan, it sounds as though you will attack the avian verimu first (one of the stronger creatures) and knock it out with nonlethal. You are approaching from the north to avoid the an immediate fight with the akata.

Shoma Steel is correct on both counts for nonlethal. You can fight nonlethally by taking a -4 penalty on the attack and, without a special ability declaring it, you can't cast spells non-lethally.

Also based on the information you have gathered, you have a pretty good idea of how quickly game would need to be butchered. For every three rounds a creature is dead and counting until the last one is taken down, you will take a -1 penalty on the checks to butcher the creature.
I do want to make a clear note that you do not get a special bonus for taking them all non-lethally.

With that in mind I will roll initiative with the idea that you are engaging the Verimu in combat. You can place yourselves on the map anywhere as long as you start your turn farther than 30 feet from any of the creatures.

Round 1
Akata (Blue)
Mahari Jones
FlexNaught
Misty Kit
Mec-01
Uzorg (Green)
Shoma Steel
Verimu (Red)
Nelek

Everyone, including Nelek, can place themselves anywhere on the map on slide 1 as long as you are farther than 30 feet from the creatures.

Anyone that is bolded (everyone aside Nelek) can take your first combat turn. I'm flexible to allow people to adjust positions as your placement works out.

Mahari slips around the nearest tree trunk and takes aim at the beast.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Damage, E: 1d6 ⇒ 3

I think the intent of using non-lethal is keep the butchering penalty counter from starting because it's not "dead." If we knock out the first 2, then kill the third, the first 2 didn't decompose, they were just sleeping. Or am I missing something?

"I can only do non-lethal damage with difficulty. Misty Kit thinks, "My weapon is not advanced enough to have an easy option there."

Loading a special dart into their weapon, Misty Kit also shoots at the Verimu.
Attack: 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 5 - 2 = 14 Assuming penalty for a range increment.
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3
Minor Inhibitor, if it hits, the Verimu will take a -1 to its attack rolls for the next 4 rounds.

I think the intent of using non-lethal is keep the butchering penalty counter from starting because it's not "dead." If we knock out the first 2, then kill the third, the first 2 didn't decompose, they were just sleeping. Or am I missing something?

That is correct

Both of the attacks from Misty Kit and Mahari land on the verimu, but the dart only barely penetrated the feathered body. It releases an aggressive squawk as it prepares to rush forward, tearing through the ground with sharp talons.

The sound of weapons fire fills the jungle arena from both the Starfinders and the rival team. Enough to start to agitate the other creatures. Not enough to drive them into a frenzy, but making all far more wary.

Shoma follows Misty and Mahari toward the creature, and is a little surprised as the first shots connect. "Alright, guess we're going lethal. Fine by me," they mutter as they switch the "stun" switch off on their pistol, "but let's see how quick we can make this, huh? For the food's sake."

For future turns, with the perception and survival results, I should have a decent source of rocks and things I can telekinetically throw, right?

Laser Pistol, 2x Attacks: 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 2 - 4 = 1

"Drek! I got this." When they realize how wide their first shot's going, they try to line up a second shot - but to no avail...

Laser Pistol, 2x Attacks: 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 2 - 4 = 1
...as their second shot hits in exactly the same place as the first. On the tree. 15 feet up.

"...I guess I was meant to hit right there?"

For future turns, with the perception and survival results, I should have a decent source of rocks and things I can telekinetically throw, right?

You can find a variety of objects to throw in the jungle including rocks, branches, and cameras. The river is the most plentiful source of stones, but there are projectiles available everywhere.

For damage, I admit to assuming that Mahari's attack with the arc pistol is nonlethal even if it isn't explicitly stated. I do have one question for Mahari.
@Mahari, is there a reason you didn't perform a trick attack?

I didn't subtract the penalty for firing noon-lethal, but sure, take -4 and make it so if that's okay.

re: trick attack. Because I simply forgot. First PBP combat with an operative, and only her second adventure. Didn't think of it until you mentioned it here.

I'll allow you to roll your trick attack check and damage, especially since it doesn't affect the actions on your turn.

As to the nonlethal static arc pistol, that has the stun property, so it would have just been a move action to change to or from nonlethal damage before combat. I was more mentioning it because, even though I assumed it was nonlethal, it wasn't specifically declared and Shoma's comment made it seem as though both attacks were lethal. You would only take the penalty to the attack if you wanted to keep your arc pistol in a lethal setting.

Round 1
Akata (Blue)
Mahari Jones
FlexNaught
Misty Kit
Mec-01
Uzorg (Green)
Shoma Steel
Verimu (Red) (6 damage; -1 to attacks until round 5)
Nelek

Nelek, Mec-01, and FlexNaught can place themselves anywhere on the map on slide 1 as long as you are farther than 30 feet from the creatures.

Bolded characters can act

The android chooses a place where he can have a point of view on each creature before they act. So he can fires using his combat tracking.

Laser azimuth rifle, non lethal: 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 7 - 4 = 18

Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Thanks for the clarification and consideration. I saw "stun" in her weapon line, and my brain thought it was a critical effect as opposed to a special property. So, yes, she would have changed the setting to Stun prior to combat.

Trick attack, Bluff, Spy: 1d20 + 13 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 13 + 4 = 28
Trick damage, Non-lethal: 1d4 ⇒ 3

The verimu begins to rush at the group, the surprise shot and laser to a side causes it to stagger and collapse under the weight of the immediate attack. From the barrage of weapon fire coming elsewhere in the jungle it seems as your rivals are not having the same level of success.

From up above on a flying platform Lethea commentates, "I hope you didn't blink because in a flash the Starfinders have taken down the verimu! Keep your eyes open wide to catch every detail of this electrifying fight!"

The akata lurks away taking cover and just beginning to take cover in the foliage as the party engages in a very successful ambush.

Round 1
Akata (Blue)
Mahari Jones
FlexNaught
Misty Kit
Mec-01
Uzorg (Green)
Shoma Steel
Verimu (Red) (20 damage; knocked out)
Nelek

FlexNaught and Nelek can act. The verimu has been knocked out nonlethally.

With defeat of the Verimu, delaying FlexNaught and Nelek to the next round.

Wariness: 1d20 ⇒ 7

Akata Stealth: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

The area still fills with weapons fire causing the Uzorg to be especially wary of the surroundings, glancing about for threats in the dense area.

The Akata skulks and takes the opportunity to hide as it moves into the branches, breaking line of sight for the moment.

The party can attempt a DC 26 Perception check to keep track of the Akata as it moves.

Round 2
Akata (Blue)
Mahari Jones
FlexNaught
Misty Kit
Mec-01
Shoma Steel
Nelek
Uzorg (Green)

The party is able to act, it is unclear how long either the akata or uzorg will passively wait as the noise of combat coming from the rival team fills the air.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28 "I probably can't hit it, but I can definitely sense it..."

Shoma moves to follow the Akata and point it out to their teammates. "This is the one that's resistant to fire and cold, right? I wonder if it's resistant to fast rocks." They lift a 5lb stone with their mind from within the mossy roots and fling it at the beast -

Telekinetic Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

...they overshoot. Big time. But hey, the fast rock points out the direction of the Akata! The very general direction.

Sorry I had a more exhausting weekend then I expected and never made it back to my desktop after Friday afternoon.
perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19

"Awe crap. Where did it go?"
Move in the direction the rock was thrown.

"Keep it in sight, Shoma. Let us know if it moves," Mahari whispers into her comms.

She heads in its general direction, not wanting to get too close to the known ambush predator.

Double move.

Misty seems sort of excited to 'see' the creature vanish.

"Oh, I have something for this!"

Misty Kit flips a switch on their dart gun and shoots Mahari!

It takes a second, but Mahari quickly realizes that she isn't hurt at all. Instead, her hearing has sharpened significantly.

"Try listening to it!"

Boosters used 2/5
Mahari you know have the following: You temporarily boost a living creature (one that does not have the unliving universal creature rule) to improve the acuity of its hearing, granting the subject the benefits of blindsense (sound) with a range of 60 feet. This benefit lasts for 60 minutes.

Shoma is able to keep a clear view of the akata within the branches of the canopy. Mahari is still unable to get a clear view on the cerulean creature, she can now hear it moving out in the braches about 15 feet off the ground.

While the may have not connected, but certainly gets the monster's attention as it prepares to attack.

Perception:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

The kasatha displaces himself in the direction of the telekinetic projectile.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

Seeing nothing, the android points his rifle in the direction of the telekinetic projectile and is ready to fire.

Uzorg Wariness: 1d20 ⇒ 12

The uzorg takes notice of the movement of the party and positions itself away, but keeps the movements slight as the noise of the laser fire still fills the air of the jungle.

The akata shows no such timidness as it rushes out of the greenry of the tree, down the length and rushes on all four limbs toward Mahari Jones. The mane-like tendrils roil in the air as it silently closes the distance not even stopping to take in our release air as it focuses all attention on the halfling.

Round 3
Akata (Blue)
Mahari Jones
FlexNaught
Misty Kit
Mec-01
Shoma Steel
Nelek
Uzorg (Green)

The akata is clearly visible to everyone now.

The android activates his combat tracking before to fires once.

Laser azimuth rifle, combat tracking, non lethal: 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 7 - 4 = 22

Damage:1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

The kasatha steps and fires himself as well towards the akata.

Rotolaser rifle:1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 3 - 4 = 8

Damage.1d8 ⇒ 2

Flexnaught juggles his gun around, "Keep your eye on the birdy, cause then you won't see my shot."
Trick attack the akata.
trick attack slight of hand: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25
EAC attach: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
nonlethal electrical damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
nonlethal trick attack damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7

crit damage?: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

FlexNaught successfully used trick attack and got a critical hit. To my understanding the trick attack damage also is multiplied on the critical hit. Even without that the akata is taken down by the shot.

"An decisive strike from FlexNaught!" cries out Quell. "Do I sense confidence, pride, or arrogance? It went by so fast I could hardly get a taste!"

The laser fire from Mec-01 and Nelek sear toward the akata. While only one of the two hits, both open up the abberant creature to a shot from FlexNaught right below the jaw. The akata silently staggers from the blow for a few moments before collapsing.

Round 3
Akata (Blue) (20 damage, unconscious)
Mahari Jones
FlexNaught
Misty Kit
Mec-01
Shoma Steel
Nelek
Uzorg (Green)

"Go team, great work!"

"Time for the akata?" Misty asks. "Since we have so many laser weapon, I might be able to reduce its fire resistance if I get lucky."

FlexNaught Trick Attack Crit: 1d8 ⇒ 3

The creature the party just took down was the fire resistant akata.

I will note I had forgotten about the fire resistance. I apologize for forgetting that when resolving the attacks this round. Still, with the high amount of damage dealt by FlexNaught it was enough to bring down the akata still.

Mahari is relieved that the sudden onslaught of fire from the guys brings it down just at her feet. She sets one booted foot on its snout and looks at the cameras. "That's Starfinder teamwork."

Flash marketing for the Society done, she starts moving toward the last target ingredient. "We gotta be careful not to spook this one," she quietly reminds her teammates. As she approaches, she tries to get a sense of how close to spooking it is.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Then she tries to fake it out with a move to the east,

Trick attack, Bluff, Spy: 1d20 + 13 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 13 + 4 = 31
Trick damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
damage, E, non-lethal setting: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Crit damage!: 1d6 + 1d4 ⇒ (1) + (3) = 4
No arc effect since no one is within 10'

"I have the feeling I may have spooked it."

Shoma stares at the unconscious akata for a moment, dazed by their teammate's firepower. "Moving right along then!"

They progress towards the uzorg, sneaking behind Mahari, trying to keep an eye on it as well -

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

- until Mahari's arc pistol cracks through the jungle. "...and so much for sneaking up!" They aim the laser pistol at a leg and fire -

Attack, Nonlethal: 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 2 - 4 = 16
Fire Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

It's very much a graze, whether it really hurt it or not - but it feels nice to aim decently for once!

Marhari gets the sense that the uzorg was likely to attack given the approach and threat the party. In addition Marhari catches sight of an unusual metal crate within the creek.

The sudden shots from Mahari nearly knocks the aquatic creatures out with a single unpredictable shot. Shoma's laser sears the creature's leg and even that wound is nearly able to cause the creature to collapse under the weight of the attacks.

It quickly falls under the volley of attacks the party has at their disposal.

The next step of the process that the meat needs to be butchered prior to it being used in the cooking. The instructions for the recipe notes that the detail the order of preparation for cooking preparing the uzorg, verimu, and finally the akata.

As noted in discussion I will need three total checks to prepare the ingredients. Each are Survival checks to prepare the ingredients. The person would be able to use either Life Science or Medicine in place at at a penalty

"I can help prepare the animals. I'm not an expert, but I know biology pretty well." Or I can go get the crate if someone tells me about it.

Mahari looks at the cameras again with a big smile as she listens to the continuing fire from the other side of the studio set. "Not so hard for a quality team," she indicates with a wave of her arm towards her teammates. "And we even stunned them, so the meat will stay fresher. We'd do that if we were fighting sentients, too, of course."

Unless they're trying to kill us!

"Thanks, Misty Kit. Yeah, let's get to it," Mahari says as she heads towards the uzorg. On the way she swings by the crate she spotted in the water. "And what do we have here?"

"And it seems as thought the Starfinders have completed their hunt and have found a hidden cache as well. Within are an assortment of tools from Graviton Expeditions, a whole assortment of tools that any explorer would love to have as they find themselves on a lush unexplored world."

Within the crate Mahari finds several weapons, magical items, and other pieces of gear amounting to an adamantine alloy survival knife, an autotarget rifle with 25 rounds, a brown force field armor upgrade, four mk 1 serums of healing, and a metal brooch with a vibrant red gemstone mounted center that a quick infosphere search confirms as a brooch of shielding

Is anybody else proficient with longarms? If no, I might get the autotarget rifle.

The android lets the others do the butchery. He could try to aid them with his medicine knowledge if needed. But they seem to be good enough like this.

"Oooh, Graviton Expo gear, niiiice. You know, I once got a tour of one of their production facilities. Very nice, very state of the art. They make some excellent hybrid gear, too."

Yeah, I *took* a private solo "tour" of the facility. Hehe. Sneaked in at night and took photos of their brand new, proprietary magitech hybridization system two days after it had just been installed. Hehe. Easy as pie, too.

"Okay, what do we have here? Mec-01, you look like you want in on this," she states as she hands him the big gun. "Seems more like Nelek's style, but I'll let you two sort it out."

"A serum for everyone, but I'll pass. Shoma you got that ring earlier, do you mind passing up a serum? I know healing is totally your wheelhouse, but I'm thinking you've got that covered."

"These force fields are nice, but they're a little bulky. Takes up too much room for my armor. Anyone got 2 upgrade slots available for it?"

She flips the survival knife over and tosses it to {thunk} into a tree by FlexNaught. "For you, big guy," she says with a wink.

The vibrant red gemstone catches Mahari's eye, though. "Oooh, shiny. I'd love to wear this, but it'll look really good on you, Misty. What do you boys, think?" she asks the cameras more than her teammates.

Sorry for bogarting this, just wanted to move it along. If anyone objects, feel free to override her.

I think Nelek uses heavier ones. I’m proficient with long ones.

To help this along I'll suggest that FlexNaught, Shoma Steel, and Misty Kit each make one Survival check (or Life Science/Medicine at slightly higher DC) and two more similar checks to aid others to butcher each of the game you have returned with. If one wants to opt out of their attempt, let me know and I'll help resolve it.

-

The Moxie's arrive in full force dragging their catch in. Rafelo calling out to the announcers, "I hope you got a close up on me dealing that final blow. Truly a life or death struggle for most, but nothing to me, especially compared to the terrible trials I went through on Akiton. That story may need to wait for later though!"

Mia Moxie is livid and holds her tongue passing by lugging around the comparatively large verimu body herself.

Shovyzam drags the azata around via cobbled together hover pallet. The mechanism is not entirely functional though as the power fluctuates for a moment as she passes by. She grumbles a bit on the converts as she quickly performs repairs and gets last bit of meat to Tillik who juggles and twirls the cooking knives as he goes through preparing each of them.

Verity-5 seems to be the one heading the cooking effort as they make precise measurements and direct the arrangement of the cooking as they repeatedly iterate toward the optimal strategy for completing the given recipe.

Cooking Phase Rules

During the following turns you each will be able take one action to either help prepare the meal or sabotage the efforts of your rivals.

The actions you have available are:

Prepare Meal (using Dexterity, Survival, Profession [artist, cook, herbalist]): This is the process of cutting and preparing ingredients. If multiple people can attempt this check during a round, I will use the highest result to determine the success of the preparation.

Disable Cooking Range (using Engineering): Disable the other team's cooking range and force them to find another heat source. The ability to wireless hacking would make this easier.

Knife Toss (using a ranged attack roll): While direct combat is prohibited, PCs can throw kitchen utensils at opposing team members. It will be random on who you have a chance to hit in the chaos of cooking.

Swap Ingredients (using Sleight of Hand): Swap one of the other team's ingredients for something unappealing such as R2E protein rations.

Other Actions: I'll consider other actions as you bring them up. The rules as presented to you at the outset prohibit outright combat. "Accidental" damage via kitchenware is allowed as mentioned above, but pushing beyond that (like throwing grenades or casting supercharge weapon on ladles) would be barred. Shoma Steel mentioned using command to disrupt cooking, I would allow that. If there are any other ideas, feel free to ask me, but don't let that stop your turn as there will several chances to perform the action you wish.

Preparing Meat
FlexNaught (Uzorg?)
Misty Kit (Verimu?)
Shoma Steel (Akata?)

I need this rolls as well, making these is separate from the cooking around below, you can do this and act in the round below.

These checks will determine how much food you have to work with during cooking

-

The Moxies don't hesitate as they fire up their range. Verity-5 takes control of the kitchen arranging and delivering measured amounts of cooking oil to the pans as he takes the first bits of meat to begin to cook them in the oil.

Rafelo takes another section of the kitchen as he deposits a variety of nuts, berries, and greenry as he goes to work cleaning them and preparing them to help provide more options to their meal's presentation.

Cooking Round 1: Uzorg
Mahari Jones
FlexNaught
Misty Kit
Mec-01
Shoma Steel
Nelek

Meal Prep

Survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Shoma borrows the knife from the loot crate and goes to town on the Akata! They're not the greatest at butchery - their survival gifts are usually more dumb luck, like guessing the weather, or - but they get the job done.

Cooking, Round 1

Survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

Shoma takes one glance at the Uzorg recipe, throws it aside, and pushes up their sleeves.

"Nah, don't trust that trash, I got this. The last freighter I was medic on, the chief cook fried Uzorg like you wouldn't believe - and she will literally kill me if we only use this tiny cup of oil."

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Shoma tries to keep an eye out for any attempt to ruin their masterpiece. But mostly they're focused on yummy, sizzly Uzorg.

I'll take the Uzorg as suggested.I'll run the rise and roll for it. I might use my reroll if its bad. I will accept any and all assist actions. Remember friends survival is not trained only and you only need a 10 to assist. Even if you arn't good at it, you can help!
Butchering
"What you need here is careful precison and a deft hand"
He then begins to cut wildly.
survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
"And that's without a targeting computer... or was it?"
Round 1
Flexnaught focuses on preparing the meal as he hums to himself.
survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
"Awe, I forgot to bring my spice weasel."

The android looks at the scene, seeing still living animals being butchered by Starfinders. Hopefully it doesn't exist any Association of defense of the animals in the Pacts worlds.

This moves forward with the implication that the creatures are dead, performed off screen, at the point the butchering begins. If there is an issue or question regarding the scene though, let me know.

oh no no. It’s a game anyway. But I said this simply because of the tv show.

Mahari drops to one knee and digs through her disguise kit until she finds some basic white foundation powder. She appears to be cheering on her team as she surreptitiously positions herself to carefully watch the Moxies. Just when she's sure she can pull it off, she palms the Moxies' dredging flour and swaps in the foundation powder.

Sleight of Hand: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

Then she casually goes back to her teammates to see if they need any other help.

Are there any defensive actions or checks we can do or make to prevent them from doing the same to us?