The Tyranny of the Jedi (Alt KotOR Saga): The Mandalorians

[Mando Knight]

"Because I'd heard that you were dealing with the Sith, and that you might have known that the being that was posing as Mandalore was, in fact, a shapeshifter... one that was probably planted by the Sith to ensure that the Mandalorians would continue to be their pawns; and that if they were both true, you might take offense that a man who had slain the Sith's puppet became the new ruler of the Mandalorians and then bomb his encampment so that no one else could have the elite Mandalorian supercommandos as their allies.

He delivers this flatly, as if a holonews anchor, with barely any hint of emotion or implied accusations.

[Ascension]

"A shapeshifter, you say? How horrible!"

You get the feeling Vaklu isn't very good at Sabaac.

[Mando Knight]

((Statement:)) "You are in league with the Sith, aren't you..."

"And you already bombed Dxun. I'm disappointed in you, Vaklu. To think I almost thought that you could help us in ousting Revan." His inflection is like that of a parent or teacher softly voicing his disapproval of a child's actions... "Ah, well. I suppose that blindly loyal dogs only get what they ask for from their cruel masters."

"Unless you can show me proof that you had no hand in dealing with the Sith to control the Mandalorian clans, and that the Dxun complex is as it was a standard week or so ago, I'm afraid we'll have to terminate our relationship with you."

[Ascension]

((Shocked Response:)) "No! I couldn't possibly have bombed Dxun! I'll have the evidence! Just... wait a moment..."

The screen goes blank.

A moment later, Vaklu reappears.

"If you'll only tell me where you've relocated to, I can present conclusive evidence straightaway."

[Mando Knight]

"We're at Kessel. We'll be moving into Hutt Space soon, so we'll leave a scout to pick up the data." ((His Ackbar Sense is tingling... so of course he'd bluff, especially when he doesn't trust the other guy on the comm...)) Only his Mandalorian discipline is keeping him--and probably the rest of the bridge--from breaking out in laughter at his bluff...
((Should I be rolling Deception checks for this? I find this more amusing without having to worry about weird rolls messing up the conversation...))

[Ascension]

((This is me turning Vaklu, who, if you'll remember, was supposed to be a badass in the original outline for this game, into a total buffoon. He autofails all Deception/Perception checks.))

"Right. Thank you. Our envoys shall be on their way shortly."

((His "envoys" are named Little Boy and Fat Man.))

[Mando Knight]

"Good to speak to you again. Mandalore out." He motions for the comm officer to break the connection, then addresses everyone on the bridge.

"If we needed any proof of Vaklu's treachery, it's those hopeless bluffs that he just tried to pass. Also, asking someone for their fleet location is a stupid mistake when they don't trust you. A liar who can't bluff forfeits his right to be dealt with seriously... I mean, come on! Why would we choose Kessel?"

((In short, IT'S A TRAP!))

"In case he's smarter than he just appeared, we'd better make preparations to jump to lightspeed. Get the Quicksure on the comm."

[Ascension]

"Quicksure here. You rang?" comes the response.

[Mando Knight]

"This is Mandalore. I would like to speak with Master Shan. It's an urgent matter."

[Ascension]

"Just a moment..." the voice responds.

True to his word, it is only a moment before he is replaced by Master Shan's voice.

"Yes, Mandalore? What seems to be the problem?"

[Mando Knight]

"I just got off the comm with Vaklu. It seems that I was correct in evacuating Dxun. He wanted to know where I had relocated the fleet. I don't know how extensive his spy network is, but I told him that we were at Kessel. To be safe, I think we should bid our farewells to the Wookiees and jump to another system while preparing for our assault."

[Ascension]

"What system would you suggest?" she asks you.

[Mando Knight]

"Either the Tatoo system, Rhen Var, or somewhere in Hutt Space... like Nal Hutta and Nar Shaddaa. Personally, I'd go with the Tatoo system, it's out of the way and I doubt anyone would think of looking for a battle fleet there."

[Ascension]

((Egad! It is the Tatoo system and not the Tatooine system!))

"I think it best to avoid the Hutts, if possible... Though I understand they have a presence in the Tatoo system as well... Regardless, I think that's where we'll head for the moment, until you're ready for the assault on Rothana."

[Mando Knight]

"And that's why I want to go to somewhere under the control of the Hutts. They'll usually leave you alone if you don't mess with them, and no one would ever guess that a Jedi would go to their worlds willingly! ((and that's why Obi-Wan went undiscovered so long...)) See you there, Mandalore out."

He then tells the comm officer to relay this message to all Mandalorian ships with hyperspace capability: "This is Mandalore. We're going to jump to the Tatoo system. Prepare your hyperdrives immediately."

[Graybacca]

Mandalore i have an idea we said that we would send a reparative to meet Vaklu at Kessel, we both know its a trap for who ever goes but how about we spring a trap of are own, If both you and Lady Shan will agree to it, i would like to be the one they meet, but i wont be alone, if you'd and Lady Shan authorize it let me take, one Kyramud Battleship, one Jehavey'ir assault ship, and two Teroch gunships, and 6 Hammerheads Cruiser to greet Vaklu's Betrayal.

[Ascension]

((I'm not going to force you to abandon this plan, but let me remind you that I'm trying to get the party all back together. It would be a wee bit frustrating if you started fragmenting again...))

[Graybacca]

(((Well i did say in the post above that i would only do it if both Mandalor and Shan agree, so ether one says no, i wont do it.)))

[Mando Knight]

"No... we've got too few ships as it is. I don't want to weaken us further by sending out half of an assault force to meet what might be a full war fleet, or even a carpet of hyperspace-capable missiles." ((That, and I don't know how strong her fleet is. Information regarding the fleet at her disposal would allow me to better plan a basic assault strategy...))

[Ascension]

((IIRC I've posted it twice in IC and once in OOC. This'll be the fourth time I've said that Shan's fleet is made up of the Inexpugnable-class Quicksure (Which was supposed to be the Swiftsure, but I've screwed the name up so many times now I'm just sticking with Quicksure), and a full battle group of 64 nameless grunt Hammerhead-class ships, complete with all carried fighters, support craft, and etc.. Yes, this leaves the Mandos more than a bit undergunned in comparison, but you've got the advantage both in crew quality and in number and quality of ground troops.))

[Graybacca]

Yes, Mandalore of course your right.

[Mando Knight]

((IIRC I've posted it twice in IC and once in OOC. This'll be the fourth time I've said that Shan's fleet is made up of the Inexpugnable-class Quicksure (Which was supposed to be the Swiftsure, but I've screwed the name up so many times now I'm just sticking with Quicksure), and a full battle group of 64 nameless grunt Hammerhead-class ships, complete with all carried fighters, support craft, and etc.. Yes, this leaves the Mandos more than a bit undergunned in comparison, but you've got the advantage both in crew quality and in number and quality of ground troops.))

((I understand... though if she's got 64 Hammerheads, then this is a pretty large battlefleet. I'd still prefer to get a couple Kandosii cruisers in there (given they've got a CR of 20, equal to an Imp SD...), but we'll be able to make due with this until we get Rothana, and maybe until we fight our way to Corellia and/or Kuat... now I feel compelled to take a level in Noble so I can qualify for Legendary Commander...))

((...also, do the Mandos have enough Basilisk Wardroids left? More specifically, did the last Mandalore have one for me to take? (In the grand tradition of Star Munchkin: Kill the Monsters, Steal their Treasure, Backstab your buddy (Probably won't be doing much of that last one...)... IN SPACE!)))

[Graybacca]

((A full battle group of 64 nameless grunt Hammerhead-class ships, complete with all carried fighters, support craft, and etc.. ))

((and here are 64 names just to use to give the fleet some flare:

Pathfinder
Radiant II
Quest
Courageous
Phoenix
Wanderer
Equinox
Enterprise
Sovereign
Horizon
Eagle
Freedom
Ranger
Adventurer
Champion
Dragon
Intrepid
Pride
Questor
Valiant
Undaunted
Pride
Majesty
Ranger
Discover
Kashyyyk's Fancy
Steadfast
Solace
Iron Pride
Republic's Ghost
Majestic Messenger
Defender
Pegasus
Voyager
Wolf
Spectre
Jaguar
Rogue
Pride of Corellia
Bounty
Courageous
Warrior
Blaze of Glory
Savage Sun
Prophet of Destiny I
Paladin
Hornet
Pride of Alderaan
Guardian
Illustrious
Invincible
Bastion
Iron Guard
Huntsmen
Quickfoot
Ranger's Pride
Jade VI
Bold Bounty
Corulag's Dance
Pride of Coruscant
Freedom's Flame
Boldheart
Thunderbolt
Last Shot

We'll that's all folks))

[Ascension]

((^ That's quite impressive!))

((We're back in one thread now, folks. Check the main thread over in Gamma.))

[Ascension]

Minden's palatial estate occupies an entire block in the rich quarter of town. As you approach from the southwest a high duracrete wall blocks any view of the actual mansion itself from those on the ground, but from the air Gavik can see it... particularly the comm equipment pointing from the northeastern corner of the building toward the sky. The walls are lined with armed guards, and an anti-aircraft turret sits atop a tower at each corner.

Map

Spoiler

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((The multiple Merrels are the generic Mandalorians, Vaya's old counter is standing in for Variss, the giant Gavik is his Basilisk, the Gs are generic thugs. The turrets are not shown with counters, but would be in the four corners as described. The G and upside-down G are the gates through the wall, and the Ls and upside-down Ls are ladders. The mansion is fully furnished, and you should pretty much be able to find cover anywhere if you wish, but I don't have the time to put all the furniture on the map. The thugs on the walls are the only thugs you see for now, but there will be more of them inside.))

Initiative

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32 Variss
24 Kir Sano
20 Gavik in his Basilisk
19 Turrets
16 Elite Thugs
12 Regular Thugs
11 Rasco
8 Rally Masters
4 Shock Troopers

[Ascension]

"Well here we are," Variss says, "Let's do this up proper, boys. Make your momma proud."

Inspire Confidence.

Kir's turn.

[Graybacca]

As you wish!, Kir smiles under his helmet as he raise his commando special rifle to his shoulder and takes aim at one of the Guards on the wall and opens fire.

Kir's commando special rifle
atk [roll]1d20+8 [/roll]
dmg (3d10+6)[12]

[Graybacca]

Kir's commando special rifle
atk (1d20+8)[9]

[Mando Knight]

Gavik opens fire on the southeast turret with his laser cannons on full automatic, then drops down next to the southwest turret south of the south wall. ((I'm pretty sure that would actually be out of the other turrets' line of fire: they're on top of towers, but Gavik is below the level of the wall, and those would have to be some pretty awkward servos to be able to fire almost straight down...))

(Using Burst Fire)
Attack: (1d20+10)[29] (+8 BAB +2 Int -2 Autofire +1 Point Blank +1 Inspire Confidence)
Damage: (5d10+5)[35] x2

[Ascension]

The southeastern turret explodes in a massive fireball as the Basilisk's guns tear into it. The southwestern turret tries to retaliate, but it flies into the turret's blind spot before target acquisition is complete.

The guards on the southern wall spring into action. Going from left to right...

Guard one, noting how the Basilisk is hiding from the guns by pressing up against the base of the southwestern tower, tosses a frag grenade down off th wall in its direction.

Att: (1d20+6)[25]
Dam: (4d6)[12]

Guard two, the commander of the southern wall's forces, flicks his rifle over to full auto and tries to spray Variss, Kir Sano, and the two rally masters with blaster fire.

Att: (1d20+3)[16]
Dam: (3d10+2)[22]

Guard three follows guard two's example, though his rifle doesn't pack quite the same punch.

Att: (1d20+1)[12]
Dam: (3d8)[12] (+2 to anyone guard two damaged with his attack)

Guard four and guard five both fire single shots at the Mandalorians' hulking droid companion.

Att: (1d20+6)[19]
Dam: (3d8)[16]

Att: (1d20+6)[24]
Dam: (3d8)[14] (+2 if guard four hits)

Rasco charges toward the southern gate, igniting his sabers as he runs.

The rally masters advance and fire on guard one and guard two, respectively. The shock troopers advance and fire on guard three and guard four.

Att: (1d20+7)[20]
Dam: (3d8+3)[19]

Att: (1d20+7)[13]
Dam: (3d8+3)[22]

Att: (1d20+6)[23]
Dam: (3d8+4)[10]

Att: (1d20+6)[26]
Dam: (3d8+4)[16]

Variss assesses the situation, then fires on guard two.

Battle Analysis: (1d20+16)[36]
Att: (1d20+6)[25]
Dam: (3d10+10)[32]

Guards one through four are all wounded.