Thanks for having me. This will be my first Starfinder experience.
Forgot we were supposed to use pregens, here's the best rat portrait I can find. LOL
|
A short hiss precedes the opening of an adjacent door. A woman with a determined look steps through the opening, holding a datapad in one hand as she sits down at the nearby table, takes a calm breath, and begins to speak, “Ah good, you made it. All of you come highly recommended. You have skills, and the Starfinder Society has credits.”
She pauses, looks over the group she has assembled, and continues, “How rude of me—introductions. I am Luwazi Elsebo, the elected First Seeker of the Starfinder Society, and I have an exceptionally fair sum of credits available in return for your specialized services. For this mission, each of you will represent the Starfinder Society, but hold no official title within our organization. As you can probably tell by the empty halls around us, I need to use mercenaries to act as temporary agents. If you agree to the terms, I would like to offer you all a job."
“The Starfinder Society endured a staggering setback several months ago when our previous First Seeker led a mission into a region of space known as the Scoured Stars. We lost almost all our experienced field agents and assets in that endeavor. What the Starfinder Society really needs right now is something to entice outside interest and investment. In short, we need to make a major discovery."
“Prior to the Scoured Stars incident, the Society acquired exclusive rights to explore a rather unique moon. The inhabitants of the nearby planet call it Salvation’s End and see it as a ‘false moon’ due to its visible metal components and underlying superstructure. There’s the potential that it’s nothing more than a mangled hunk of stellar debris on the remains of a moon, but there’s also the chance that the entire object could be one inconceivably large structure.”"
Luwazi lets loose a devilish smile. “This is where you come in. I want you to go to Salvation’s End and explore the surface. First, you’ll need to make a quick trip to the moon of Varos, which orbits the nearby gas giant, Bretheda. There’s a high level security complex on Varos that has a survivor from a rogue prospecting mission to Salvation’s End. I want you to question the prisoner, find out what you can about the so-called ‘false moon,’ and then make way to Salvation’s End. Once there, you will need to see if the moon is worthless, or something valuable enough for the Society to announce. Understood?”
Raia nods her head, her two antennae waving in opposite rhythm with one another, "I have often wondered what exactly happened at the Scoured Stars Incident, much of the information appears to have been classified, or simply expunged from records. With that said, I find the prospect of exploring such an unknown object more exciting and completely overwhelming any fear or dread of past mishaps. Do you have any old data tapes regarding this region, the locals, or the object in question? While the locals call it Salvation's End, does it have a firm and legal name in the registry, or might we, as its explorers, be permitted to having formal naming rights?"
Obozaya, a large vesk, listens with a straight face.
"Credits? I'm in. I'll have to see how much this 'exceptionally fair sum' is before I agree to sign on for more, but my weapons are at your disposal."
Raia observes Obozaya for a moment, contemplating the Vesk's bright colors and stalwart nature. "It will be nice having another female on the team, especially one so obviously made for combat. I believe we will get along well. Have you a name friend, I am Raia."
"Sorry, every time I hear the word 'credits,' that's all I can focus on. I'm Obozya...a pleasure, I'm sure."
A grey kasatha opens his eyes as Luwazi finishes, dispelling the growing perception that he was sleeping through it. His pure black eyes denote interest and wisdom, however, as he answers.
The Fifth Hadith of Jehir Madrogous of House Torlack impels us to "Seek that which is Strange and Fearful, for through danger there is knowledge, and in knowledge there is wisdom". Let us meditate on that.
He closes his eyes again briefly, then continues, oblivious to whether anyone else had joined him.
The mission is just, the employer honorable, and the outcome unknown. I, Altronus Barasul Dovenayan of House Holdare, will join you on your quest. May the Forebears guide our thoughts and actions.
As he says this last part -- which seems like a common saying although you've never heard it -- he ritually touches his forehead, ears, eyes, mouth (covered by a ceremonial mask), chest, and stomach.
He then closes his eyes again and remains still.
"Ha! Just let me and Scout handle security. You have our services."
The ysoki straps on his goggles and starts tinkering with his makeshift drone. Metals clanging as he smiles with enthusiasm.
"By the way, the name's Quig. And while we're having this briefing, is there anything else we need to know about the prisoner that needs interviewing?"
Raia considers her new companions. "Ummmm, welcome."
|
|
Luwazi Elsebo reiterates in a bit more detail. “We need you to seek out a pilot named Livewire, who is interred at the ‘Sauna’—a prison colony on the volcanic moon Varos. Contact this prisoner, as she is the only survivor of an expedition that trespassed on Salvation’s End. Once you establish contact, it’s a matter of gathering intelligence. We doubt this information is cheap, so we authorized a spending account for you to encourage Livewire to talk. We need to know why her team’s illegal salvage on the moon failed. Once you get this information, we need you to travel to the false moon. Touch down, scout for hostiles, and look for any indications that it’s more than a moon with crashed starships piled atop it.”
“I’m able to provide a spending account of 2,500 credits for mission
expenditures; this does not include expenses for personal use, but instead for dealing with Livewire and the other occupants at the Sauna to help in your mission. Upon completion of your greater mission to Salvation’s End, you will each receive 3,000 credits. In addition, you have use of a brand-new Pegasus-class starship for the mission. If we end on agreeable terms, you can count on the Starfinder Society for more work in the near future. Trust me when I say an ongoing partnership would be quite… lucrative, for both parties.”
Luwazi takes you to a hanger to show you the spaceship. "We’re stretched thin on other fronts. It’s no secret we recently lost a large contingent of agents and ships in the Scoured Stars incident, but don’t worry; we are not without resources.”
"Remember, you are not Startfinders, and keep our involvement quiet. The warden denied our requests to meet with Livewire. They indicated that our presence would rub salt in a fresh wound. So, whatever you do, do not let the warden or Livewire know that you are working for the Starfinder Society. I have set up a front to explain your meeting with Livewire: you are all investigators hired by an unnamed corporation looking to remain anonymous. You’re researching a rash of disappeared spacecraft that have gone missing when their flight path took them too close to Salvation’s End.”
“Wonderful! I am so excited to conduct business with you.” With a renewed energy, Luwazi steps further into a large hangar bay containing a pristine ship with a stylized symbol of the Starfinder Society along its hull. Several engineers, laborers, and mechanics buzz about the hangar running diagnostics, polishing the vessel’s unspoiled hull, and finishing the last touches for a maiden launch. Luwazi looks up to the ship with beaming pride, reaches into the folds of her clothing, and pulls out an expensive vintage of champagne, and extends the bottle outward as she exclaims with a wide grin, “The ship is yours for the mission, it is only right you christen it! Tonight, we celebrate; tomorrow you sail off into the stars.”
Altronus seems pleased by the ship, running his four hands along its sleek exterior lines appreciatively.
This will do. It is certainly better than Queen Zannis of House Berennon had when she ventured too close to the sun and discovered Z-Mesons.
His eyes frown when he sees the Starfinder logo.
But this will have to be painted over if we are going incognito. We don't want a repeat of the Incident at Fortress Chumashk, do we?
Raia, being one that is more in tune with science and technology, and not so much with voodoo and false notions of good luck, takes the bottle of champagne, walks up to the ship, and indecorously smashes the bottle against the hull saying, "You're now the Pride of Holdare." She turns and points at one of the workers in the bay area and instructs, "you heard the Captain," as she nods at Altronus. " We can't have that logo on the ship for this mission. Now scrub it off. Use a low grit sandblaster across the whole hull even, we can't have this thing all shiny and new. Shoot it with a blaster a few times and give it some score marks, and maybe a pock mark or three. Tell me, does the inside have that 'new spaceship smell?' If so, how about getting a bunch of Castrovelian puffer sheep to tramp through it, and maybe spill some Abadarian brandies on the cushions. We can't have this thing looking like what she is: a brand new Starfinder ship! Paint her name on her, rough it up and repaint it a couple times."
She waits a moment as the tech stares at her, before she yells again, "I said move, don't just stand there gawping, like you've never had clear instructions before!"
She turns and faces the group, "shall we find a good meal and plan this out while the necessary modifications are made to the ship?"
Altronus hides his surprise at being summarily promoted, and exhorts the techs,
It is wise to begin work immediately. You do NOT want to see my First Mate angry. I expect the work done within 2 standard hours.
Outside of the tech's hearing, he jokes with Raia.
Did it have to be Castrovelian puffer sheep? I may have to spend the whole mission with my rebreather activated.
"They are very pungent, aren't they. This isn't my first time away from port you know. I may have picked up a trick or two along the way. Besides, he may not even find any of them around here."
Then I am afraid of what he will find instead.
Quig programs Scout to make a quick survey of the ship's exterior structures using the drone's camera. Inside, he observes the computers and other control units, making the needed modifications. He skitters past engineers, mechanics and techs who are all busy giving the newly christened Pride of Holdare its needed makeover.
"Now this is my idea of celebration." He squeals with excitement, just as Scout lands next to him. He examines the images taken and pats the drone lightly.
Obozaya's attempts to hide her excitement at the upcoming credits, and the possibility of more, are feeble.
She watches as Raia christens the ship. "Could we not have passed the bottle around before that?" she mutters. Still, with an exciting mission and credits to be had, she begins pacing and checking her weapons.
"I checked the label, it was low grade swill. You didn't want it."
Raia appraises her new companions. "I don't suppose any of you are actually capable of flying that sweet piece of machine, which hopefully will look less sweet in the near future."
I think you just volunteered , Raia. Obozaya, you'll join me on gunnery detail. Quig, you'll be handling Engineering and Science, whichever needs the most help at the time.
I want status reports of all major systems within a standard hour of setting foot inside.
"Aye aye Captain! I must admit I have been wanting to take one of these babies out for a spin ever since I first read about them."
Is anyone else concerned that the Starfinder Society just met us recently and is giving us a brand new vessel, one of their few remaining? I'm not entirely sure I trust them.
The credits are good, but as Hadith Fifty-Seven of X the Tenth of House Kilkarre tells us, "A million gold coins is worth less to a dead kasatha than a single more breath". We must be cautious of their motives, as we are cautious of each other's, until we understand them fully.
"Please, don't be so suspicious! They didn't just give us a ship, they gave us a really great ship!"
|
|
You eat, drink and be merry while the Starfinder logo is quickly removed from the Pegasus and other notable repairs and paint jobs are to be completed.
The next day you board your brand new, second hand, starship and set course for Varos. The trip is only expected to take a couple of days unless you use the Drift (which Luwazi strongly recommends against)...
This bizarre organic complex wildly contrasts the more pleasing Brethedan arcologies found within the swirls and eddies of the neighboring gas giant. Here, only the indentured or the foolhardy suffer Varos’ tidally heated hellscapes for a chance to mine the moon’s spectacular gemstones. While the prison is safely above the moon’s surface, the extreme temperatures radiate upwards, heating the structure despite its distance and advanced organic coolant systems.
You are quickly hailed with a brisk "Starship, please identify yourself and your reason for visiting"
Raia's attention comes up from her control console, and she looks expectantly at Altronus.
Altronus steps into the appropriate spot and signals for the viewscreen to be enabled.
I am Captain Altronus of the Pride of Holdare. We are investigating a significant loss of Corporation property and materiel related to a particular moon, of which one of your prisoners is a potential eyewitness.
He puts just a little emphasis on "Corporation" to signify that the deliberate omission of the name indicates a desire for anonymity.
Requesting permission to land.
Short and simple. The Fifty-Third Hadith of Chairman Dehniz of House Mehniz reminds us that "Excessive and uncalled-for detail is the mark of the nervous deceiver".
|
|
Coordinates soon appear on your computer's display. "You have permission to land. This is the docking pad's coordinates. Leave any armaments and contraband (such as food, toiletries, or anything else to tempt prisoners with) on the vessel." The voice breaks for a moment before continuing on. "Credsticks are allowed as the facility always accepts any donations. Speak with the Warden immediately upon your arrival."
Once docked, an organic bridge connects the pad to the structure itself.
Raia patiently awaits the Captain's orders, but she does go ahead and preload a flight plan, so she can just punch the "Execute" command when instructed.
Altronus removes his armaments as requested, leaving only the omnipresent little ball of blue light circling his head.
"Accepts any donations", eh? I'll bet they do.
He loads a nondescript credstick with the funds provided by the Starfinders and secretes it in an interior pocket, relatively safe from pickpockets.
When everyone is ready, he leads the crew into the facility and politely requests an audience with the Warden.
Once docked, an organic bridge connects the pad to the structure itself.
Quig leaves his arms, hesitates a moment and decides also to set Scout in one corner of the Pride of Holdare.
I'm not taking any chances, my friend. He scampers off with his companions.
Raia will leave her weapons behind.
Raia communicates telepathically with Altronus: "Just so you know Captain, like Obozaya over there, I am not completely defanged, just because our weapons have been taken away."
"Leave our weapons?!" Obozaya asks in despair. "What do they expect us to do without them?!?"
|
|
As soon as you disembark extremely hot air blasts you, and while your armor should protect you for their jaunt towards the Sauna, it becomes evident that any prolonged exposure outside the prison is foolhardy.
A flotilla of four barathus—floating, iridescent masses of flesh with draping tentacle appendages—wordlessly greet the PCs and escort you to the nearby Warden’s office.
The halls and rooms of the Sauna are entirely organic, comprised mostly of fleshy blue walls replete with pulsating green veins. Tunnels take odd angles, sometimes sloping up or down, which is a nuisance to humanoid creatures but not an impediment to the floating barathus.
As you arrive at the Warden’s office, several hard, plastic chairs await arranged in a semicircle around a matching table. Opposite the table floats the Warden, an almost comical creature that looks like a dozen of the barathu guards mashed together into a floating mass of iridescent flesh and tentacles.
A telepathic mind opens a line of communication with each of you as it echoes across your mind.
"Please have some refreshments." The tentacles motion towards a tray of gray mush and glasses of an opaque, milky substance. While these refreshments look welcoming, especially the drink to help cool off, the ever-present stench makes the idea of eating difficult.
vs DC-5
To the Captain: "Captain, that warden is a bunch of the lesser barathu combined to form a more powerful one. I sense no hostility here."
Raia tries some of the vittles and states, "thank you! Traveling so far can really let a girl work up an appetite."