Chapter 3: mad science

Mime, Ghost and Menkaure follow Cion through the streets of Rata Sum.  They pass through marketplaces and over  suspended bridges.  There are tropical trees and flowers decorating every corner of the floating city.  The party can hear the sounds of the ocean below them.





Cion leads the party towards a large pyramid



you pass under a glowing display



and into his lab




the party is safe to rest here.  Cion provides food and shelter for the night.

Mime
AC 17
Cloak of Displacement:
Attackers are disadvantaged to Attack Mime
Hp 96/96

Initiative +3 (Advantage)
Mime's party is never surprised

Passive Perception: 15(18 in the city)

Spells
1) 4
2) 2

"This land is quite beautiful," remarks Ghost. He does not add how the lab gives him the creeps. Too many bad memories of the corp's laboratory.

Nonetheless, he takes a long rest.

Ghost
AC 18 (studded leather combat suit)
Hp 96/96
Temp HP: 0
Remaining HD: 8d10
Pass Perc: 14
Initiative +5
Action Surge: 1
Fighting Spirit: 3/3
Condition: Ronin

Menkaure will use up his lay on hands for the day before the rest to make sure everyone is full strength

The party wakes up restored after a long rest (do your own maths)




Cion looks like he hasn't slept much, as he was up working all night.  He groggily reports his progress, "I have determined that the enemy, whoever they really are, is using a micro-burst transmission which masquerades as a low density gravometric pulse wavelength.  It is somewhere between .2343332 gh\z and .3485756 gh\z.  I have created a flux amplifier to ping for the source of the signal and identify the master control tower.  I can then hack into their broadcast node and disable the system.  However, as soon as I begin hacking into the node, they will likely notice my presence and send a response team to neutralize the threat.  I am very efficient - I estimate it will take me between 30 and 60 seconds (5-10 turns) for me to disable the tower once I am inside their network.  Can you protect me for that time?"


basically, once Cion finds the tower, the party will have to protect him for at least 5 turns.  Cion needs to make 5 successful rolls using "hacking tools" for which he is proficient, against a scaling DC, as he hacks the broadcast tower.  He could succeed in as few as 5 turns, but there is no guarantee.  If Cion is killed or his computer destroyed, the mission is a failure.  Enemy response will come in continuing waves to stop him until their broadcast tower is hacked or he is stopped.

The party can setup whatever defensive measures they want, once they find the tower, before he begins his hacking rolls.

Questions?

"Excuse me Mr. Cion," Mime asks in his usual awkwardly diplomatic tone. "I think we all appreciate your interest and involvement with this mission, but may I ask why you have watched and studied this matter?"

Mime watches for operator information calls for "Yoshi" as usual.  If the plan goes south he may need to call in some backup from Sgt. Blidd...

navyik wrote:"Excuse me Mr. Cion," Mime asks in his usual awkwardly diplomatic tone. "I think we all appreciate your interest and involvement with this mission, but may I ask why you have watched and studied this matter?"

Mime watches for operator information calls for "Yoshi" as usual.  If the plan goes south he may need to call in some backup from Sgt. Blidd...

Cion blinks his bleary eyes in confusion, "Huh? Watched and studied... no, no. I figured this out last night while you were sleeping. I just noticed it yesterday in the market. If these spider bots can take control of our golems, all of Rata Sum is in danger! and the police are.... well.... I'll be polite and say incompetent to deal with such a serious threat. They do best at directing traffic."

any other questions or things you want to do to prepare?

I will probably wait for Rob's fight to end, so we don't have 2 running at once

if nothing else, I will get you guys the map and you can start planning your defenses

"Oh, I see... so what is your usual work?". Mime is genuinely curious, like a child.

navyik wrote:"Oh, I see... so what is your usual work?". Mime is genuinely curious, like a child.

Cion perks up at the interest in his work, "I study, that is to say, I attempt to study, what I refer to as a Situation of Gravity, if you follow me.  I mainly intended to discuss the major questions related to the subject of  pioneering work on the construction of a specific model of a renormalizable quantum field theory on such a so-called “θ−deformed” space-time. It also describes the relation of the model to multi-scale matrix construct of the planar forces connecting Meta City......"

Cion points to various models he has built in his lab.

"Despite much work it is fair to say that my goal has not yet been reached. In this short contribution I shall attempt to give a concise *summary* of the *situation* from my point of view. ....."

He goes through several rows of tubes and beakers containing a strangely dense liquid material.



"  So, then.... Why is this problem of interest? What are the main difficulties? What is the Situation of Gravity?  

In attempting to explain the multiverse when using generalized Maxwell equations in order to describe the behaviour of a neutral
electromagnetically bound system made up of charged particles this neutral system will violate the UFF. Therefore..... also the requirement of the UFF
forces the Maxwell equations to be of a certain structure. 3.4.4.  I found that the EEP implies the ordinary equations of motion for the physical system under
consideration."

He pauses, unsure if the audience is following his train of thought

" In Summary....  All kinds of experimental tests have to be improved.  Perhaps after this experiment, well, this isn't really an experiment, it's a mission, then?  Perhaps, you can you can help me test some of my research?"



bonus points if anyone catches the obscure reference

Menkaure (much like myself) will just nod like he knows what the hell was just said.

whit10 wrote:Menkaure (much like myself) will just nod like he knows what the hell was just said.

the chapter is called "mad science"

"With blood and steel I will defend your life during this difficult task. This I swear as a ronin!" He bows.

"I will protect you as I protect the city."

"I won't pretend to understand your research completely, but my work in road inspection does lend some familiarity.
If we live through this, you might consider applying for a research grant with the department of road management.  Metacity space-time multidimensional politics is complicated, but road resource expansion tends to fast-track funding and bypass red-tape.  It gets you out of district review and puts the decision under departmental executive purview."

He reminds me of Rasso...

navyik wrote:"I will protect you as I protect the city."

"I won't pretend to understand your research completely, but my work in road inspection does lend some familiarity.
If we live through this, you might consider applying for a research grant with the department of road management.  Metacity space-time multidimensional politics is complicated, but road resource expansion tends to fast-track funding and bypass red-tape.  It gets you out of district review and puts the decision under departmental executive purview."

He reminds me of Rasso...

Cion takes notes about the DoRM info.

nah, he's not Rasso 2.0  
he is a good-natured, if eccentric-minded, professor

it's true, they were both interested in gravity, but that just reflects the GM's own interests. a "Situation of Gravity" is not a reference to Rasso, but to the professor and his lab (the picture was chosen specifically). you will understand soon enough

the party will set up on the star, near Cion

part of his 10 rolls will be to triangulate the source of the signal, then hack into the security system broadcast antenna\control tower and finally neutralize it

let me know starting positions and anything you want to do as prep.  remember there is an expected threat response and the mission objective is to protect Cion for at least 10 turns.



the streets of Rata Sum are winding and lined with trees.  some trees even grow on top of buildings.  some buildings are open-air structures, like market shops, etc.  there are lots of civilians around, but for ease of map use, I am keeping them off the map unless they are needed

Menkaure will stay within 5' of Cion at all times to keep him alive and defended.

Start me directly to his right

I fully support Josh's declaration.

Mime could deploy initially as a sniper to provide overwatch and crowd control. Can you give relative heights of buildings and which ones have rooftops? Mime would prefer a roost in the same quadrant of the map.

building heights added

if it looks like ruins, it is an open-air stall and doesn't have a roof.  the buildings with solid floors have a roof

lets call the trees all at 40ft so they generally block LOS


**EDIT - dang that yellow looked better in PP

is red better?

Ghost will start at G-17. He is an excellent sniper too, but feels he can better protect the geek if he stays close.

Robyo wrote:Ghost will start at G-17. He is an excellent sniper too, but feels he can better protect the geek if he stays close.

"I have a have a 1 hour bio-electrical boost scramble", (long-strider scroll), "if you would like to be faster to reach threats quickly..."

"Sure, sounds fun!"

map updated

just track buffs in your stat blocks, please



go ahead and roll initiative

I will still delay just a bit to let Rob's fight finish

Mime
AC 17
Cloak of Displacement:
Attackers are disadvantaged to Attack Mime
Hp 96/96

Initiative +3 (Advantage)
Mime's party is never surprised

Passive Perception: 15(18 in the city)

Spells
1) 4
2) 2

Initiative:
Result of the throw of dice "1d20 +3" :

18 + 3 = 21

Mime watches mostly the north and east to give ghost and Menkaure the ability to focus on the west and south. He briefly checks the other firing lanes in turn, but always returns to the north and east.

Ghost
AC 18 (studded leather combat suit)
Hp 96/96
Temp HP: 0
Remaining HD: 8d10
Pass Perc: 14
Initiative +5
Speed: 30'; *1 hour: 40'
Action Surge: 1
Fighting Spirit: 3/3
Condition: Ronin

*Bio-electric boost (Longstrider spell)


Initiative: 6 + 5 = 11

Menkaure Initiative:

Roll(1d20)+3:
8,+3
Total:11

AC: 17
Initiative: +3
Movement: 30’
HP: 88
Prof. Bonus: +3

Cast Shield of Faith on Cion - 10 minutes of +2 to AC

ROUND 1

Initiative

Mime 21

Ghost 11
Menkaure 11

Cion 10



Cion
spd 25
AC 14 +2 = 16
HP  50\50


go ahead and make any declarations for "readied" actions or do whatever else you want for your first turn, since Cion is last

Cion will make his first Computer Tools rolls for his turn

Ghost
AC 18 (studded leather combat suit)
Hp 96/96
Temp HP: 0
Remaining HD: 8d10
Pass Perc: 14
Initiative +5
Speed: 30'; *1 hour: 40'
Action Surge: 1
Fighting Spirit: 3/3
Condition: Ronin

*Bio-electric boost (Longstrider spell)

Ghost already took the boost. He is on guard, alert, holding his SMG.

Mime
AC 17
Cloak of Displacement:
Attackers are disadvantaged to Attack Mime
Hp 96/96

Initiative +3 (Advantage)
Mime's party is never surprised

Passive Perception: 15(18 in the city)

Spells
1) 4
2) 2

Ready attack action against threats that appear.

Chris wrote:ROUND 1

Initiative

Mime 21
Ghost 11
Menkaure 11
Cion 10

Chris wrote:
Cion
spd 25
AC 14 +2 = 16
HP  50\50

Cion activates his crystal-powered tablet and begins sequencing his algorithm to find the master control tower.  He turn 90 degrees to the East.  Looks down, looks up.... turns 180 to the West, looks around, turns 90 degrees to the South, back to the West, back to the South.  He looks up with a gleam in his eye, "The signal is emanating from this area!"

Computer Tool success status  1\10

He follows the direction of the PING on his tablet and runs 25ft down the street.

Cion is finished.

whit10 wrote:Menkaure will stay within 5' of Cion at all times to keep him alive and defended.

Start me directly to his right

Menkaure follows Cion and maintains his position per declared action

There are no visible threats to trigger Ghost and Mime, although.... Ghost's pistol of warning flashes a danger alert through his HUD in his cyber eyes.


map updated

Chris wrote:ROUND 2
Initiative

Mime 21
Ghost 11
Menkaure 11
Cion 10

Chris wrote:
Cion
spd 25
AC 14 +2 = 16
HP  50\50

Computer Tool success status  1\10

Mime is up, Ghost and Menkaure on deck

Oh snap.  Mime dashes to run down the stairs and out the front door.  He heads for the building with the 30' round tower. "Threats are inbound."

navyik wrote:Oh snap.  Mime dashes to run down the stairs and out the front door.  He heads for the building with the 30' round tower.  "Threats are inbound."

Mime was on the 3rd floor, 30ft up, so he can only really move 30ft + 30ft down the stairs.  I put Mime on the most direct path towards the tower.  Let me know if that is not where you want to be or state a grid coordinate

Chris wrote:ROUND 1

Initiative

Mime 21
Ghost 11
Menkaure 11
Cion 10

Chris wrote:
Cion
spd 25
AC 14 +2 = 16
HP 50\50

Ghost and Menkaure are up

Menkaure will cast Divine Favor on himself - 1d4 bonus radiant damage for one minute

AC: 17
Initiative: +3
Movement: 30’
HP: 88
Prof. Bonus: +3

whit10 wrote:Menkaure will cast Divine Favor on himself - 1d4 bonus radiant damage for one minute

AC: 17
Initiative: +3
Movement: 30’
HP: 88
Prof. Bonus: +3

ok, just track the 10 rounds in your stat block, as this might be a long fight, given that Cion needs 9 more successes on his computer checks


Ghost is up

yep, taken care of

Ghost moves up to I-17.

Still no targets sighted?


Ghost
AC 18 (studded leather combat suit)
Hp 96/96
Temp HP: 0
Remaining HD: 8d10
Pass Perc: 14
Initiative +5
Speed: 30'; *1 hour: 40'
Action Surge: 1
Fighting Spirit: 3/3
Condition: Ronin

*Bio-electric boost (Longstrider spell)

Not yet.... just the vague warning from Mike's weapon of warning

Ghost continues to be on watch, waiting for any targets to appear...

Chris wrote:ROUND 1

Initiative

Mime 21
Ghost 11
Menkaure 11
Cion 10
Killer Drones 8

Chris wrote:
Cion
spd 25
AC 14 +2 = 16
HP  50\50

computer tools 2\10

Cion's fingers fly across his tablet again....  he dashes 25ft to the west....  Menkaure follows faithfully (using his move)

"it's definitely in this quadrant!"  he calls out triumphantly.  

Computer tools success 2\10.   Cion's excitement is tempered by the audible hum of motors and whirling blades.

Look, up in the sky!  it's a bird... it's a plane... it's killer drones!



a murder of killer drones (murder of crows) de-cloak in the sky over the SW quadrant of the map.  they appear to have been triggered by Cion's hacking attempts

Robyo wrote:Ghost continues to be on watch, waiting for any targets to appear...

Ghost now sees targets and can act before the KDs

Ghost should be at I-17.

He opens fire on the drone at L-12.

SMG attack) 16 + 11 = 27; if a hit) 10 + 6 = 16P damage.

Robyo wrote:Ghost should be at I-17.

He opens fire on the drone at L-12.

SMG attack) 16 + 11 = 27; if a hit) 10 + 6 = 16P damage.

sorry about the positioning, it is fixed now

Ghost takes aim and blasts one of the small drones out of the sky.  Burning wreckage crashes into street.  Between the automatic weapon fire, the explosion in the sky and the murder of drones.... the average Joes on the street turn into a panicked mob.  The Asurans begin fleeing, screaming and generally scrambling for their lives.

The other 6 drones fly about 10ft above the recognized threats:  Cion, Menkaure (their aren't clear who is using the device, but they're both in proximity) and Ghost.  Mime is not targeted nor are any civilians.

The party can see a spray gun deploy from their underbelly



the drones fire a less-than-lethal deterrent at the threats as foam sprays down.  the foam quickly hardens

1 drone can't reach Ghost, so he will just dash
1 drone fires at Ghost, but misses and hits space I-16 with foam
2 drones fire at Cion, 1 misses and foams L-8 and the other hits Cion

Cion is engulfed in fast-hardening foam.

Cion conditions = blinded and unable to breathe

2 drones fire at Menkaure, but both miss hitting squares L-9 and J-10

any squares with foam are considered difficult terrain, though you don't get stuck in it, as it is now dry

the party can still hear the whir of rotor blades from the drones, but also the sound seems to be growing louder, as if some larger drone is also approaching

map is updated

Chris wrote:ROUND 1

Initiative

Mime 21
Ghost 11
Menkaure 11
Cion 10
Killer Drones 8

Chris wrote:
Cion
spd 25
AC 14 +2 = 16
HP  50\50

computer tools 2\10

** Blind and suffocating

Mime is up
Ghost, then Menkaure on deck

AC 17
Cloak of Displacement:
Attackers are disadvantaged to Attack Mime
Hp 96/96

Initiative +3 (Advantage)
Mime's party is never surprised

Passive Perception: 15(18 in the city)

Spells
1) 4 ✓
2) 2

As a bonus action, mime casts hunters mark.

He fires at the drones.  First the one near Ghost and only moving on to the next if it drops.

Rolling "1d20 +8" 2 times

1: 6 + 8 = 14
2: 2 + 8 = 10

Damage:
Result of the throw of dice "1d10 +1d6 +3" 2 times :

10 + 1 + 3 = 14
1 + 1 + 3 = 5

To Ghost"I can handle these two.  I think you are more needed up ahead. I will catch up."

navyik wrote:
As a bonus action, mime casts hunters mark.

He fires at the drones.  First the one near Ghost and only moving on to the next if it drops.

Rolling "1d20 +8" 2 times

1: 6 + 8 = 14
2: 2 + 8 = 10

Damage:
Result of the throw of dice "1d10 +1d6 +3" 2 times :

10 + 1 + 3 = 14
1 + 1 + 3 = 5

To Ghost"I can handle these two.  I think you are more needed up ahead. I will catch up."

Mime marks and drops the drone nearest to Ghost.  It crashes and burns.  Mime's second shot is a miss at 10

Does Mime want to move?



Ghost and Menkaure are up

Mime will head down the path towards the group as far as he can.

Ghost will move down to M-11. He has 40' movement thanks to Mime's bio-electric boost. He takes cover behind the wall to the west and opens up on the drones with his SMG.

FIGHTING SPIRIT:
Starting at 3rd level, your intensity in battle can shield you and help you strike true. As a bonus action on your turn, you can give yourself advantage on weapon attack rolls until the end of the current turn. When you do so, you also gain 5 temporary hit points.

1st attack: drone at K-11) 3,5... 5 + 11 = 16; if a hit) 6 + 6 = 12P damage.
2nd attack: same drone (unless then first one is destroyed, then target is at L-10, and he shoot from behind the south side of the wall, if that's allowed) 12,7... 12 + 11 = 23; hit) 8 + 6 = 14P.

ACTION SURGE

1st attack: drone at L-10 (unless by some miracle the one at K-11 still isn't destroyed) 16,1... 16 + 11 = 27; hit) 9 + 6 = 15P damage.
2nd attack: is the 2nd drone dead? then target drone at K-8 ) 10,3... 10 + 11 = 21; hit) 5 + 6 = 11P.


Ghost
AC 18 (studded leather combat suit)
Hp 96/96
Temp HP: 5
Remaining HD: 8d10
Pass Perc: 14
Initiative +5
Speed: 30'; *1 hour: 40'
Action Surge: 0
Fighting Spirit: 2/3
Condition: Ronin

*Bio-electric boost (Longstrider spell)

Oops, I messed that up. Ghost isn't allowed two bonus actions. Ignore the use of Action Surge, thanks. He still has that in reserve.

Menkaure will try to free Cion - would using his clawed hands to try and just break the hardened foam be feasible?

Robyo wrote:Oops, I messed that up. Ghost isn't allowed two bonus actions. Ignore the use of Action Surge, thanks. He still has that in reserve.

no problem, I had the same issues with looking at Rogue - cunning action, 2 wpn fighting, etc

Ghost finds some cover and opens up on the drones.  K-11 goes down

Ghost can't get LoS on L-10 from his current position.  He could go to L-11, but he would be exposed or slide over for his last 5ft of movement to M-12 and still have some cover.  I put Ghost at M-12 to give him partial cover from the wall, but if you want him somewhere else, just let me know

Ghost destroys L-10 drone as well.  Rampage!

whit10 wrote:Menkaure will try to free Cion - would using his clawed hands to try and just break the hardened foam be feasible?

Yes!  It's a STR check DC 13, but since Menk has natural claws, he can roll with ADVANTAGE on the check

map is updated



Menkaure is still up

Cion on deck, but he is unable to breathe (like dronwing\suffocation) so he can hold his breathe for 1 rd + CON modifier, which isn't likely much for this lab rat

Strength check (w/ advantage)

Roll(1d20)+4:
2,+4
Total:6

Roll(1d20)+4:
18,+4
Total:22

lol, good thing there were two rolls.

Menkaure will free Cion. He will save his movement to stay with Cion.

Please remember this power for Menkaure and Cion

A u r a o f W a r d in g
Beginning at 7th level, ancient magic lies so heavily
upon you that it forms an eldritch ward. You and friendly
creatures within 10 feet of you have resistance to
damage from spells.

whit10 wrote:
Please remember this power for Menkaure and Cion

A u r a o f W a r d in g
Beginning at 7th level, ancient magic lies so heavily
upon you that it forms an eldritch ward. You and friendly
creatures within 10 feet of you have resistance to
damage from spells.

 please remember your own buffs and include them in your stat block if you want to me see it.  Resistance just means you take 1/2 damage, so when I tell you some spell does X damage, you take 1/2X

Menkaure rips away the hardened spray foam from a grateful Cion who gasps for air and looks shaken.  "Oh my, that is quite a response.  I didn't expect that!"  

Chris wrote:ROUND 1

Initiative

Mime 21
Ghost 11
Menkaure 11
Cion 10
Killer Drones 8

Cion flees 25ft away from the drones.  Menkaure follows diligently.

Cion uses his tablet - success #3!

Chris wrote:
Cion
spd 25
AC 14 +2 = 16
HP  50\50

computer tools 3\10

"It should be right around here.... somewhere.... I just can't quite lock down the signal yet...."  

The Drones split up, 1 to each hero....

Drone misses vs Mime, foams nearby square
Drone misses vs Ghost, foams nearby square
Drone hits!  vs Menkaure (lucky roll) - Menkaure is now blind and unable to breathe.  He has 1rd + CON modifier before he begins to suffocate.  DC 13 str check to get it off you, still with ADVANTAGE for claws

map is updated



the rotor sound is getting louder

Mime is up

Ghost, then Menkaure on deck