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Standing off to one side of the large hall is a Shirren who is tall for his species, standing at six foot two. Dressed in a reinforced jumpsuit upon which panels of energy-reflective foil have been layered, they carry a rifle on their back and a small-arm at their waist, as well as a small knife opposite the gun. Other than their backpack, the only other notable think on them is a nametag on their left shoulder, which reads Klysk. On the wall next to them sits a small, spidery looking drone, which shimmers in and out of sight as its surface paint automatically tries to match the patterns on the wall behind it.
Due to how often he turns his head to look around the room, Klysk appears to be somewhat nervous. However, he cheerfully telepathically greets anyone who comes within range, asking what their assignment is. Occasionally, if the conversation lasts long enough, he can be seen to tilt his head slightly to see his drone, which waves its hands in obvious sign-language. Most of his close friends and associates know that he is deaf, but it is not something that the average member of the Society is fully aware of.
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Valikar lumbers more than anything. His heavy steps clatter against the floor with every stride as he wanders through the hall, occasionally nudging someone smaller out of his way. He looks old by vesk standards, with dull, brown colored scales covered in scars. The only thing more scratched and dented than his face is his armor of plated enamel fused into a suit. His posture suggests a resigned sort of fatigue, as if he's been going too long but hasn't found a time to stop.
He glowers at the room in general, not so much in anger but more that it just appears to be how he looks at everyone, even those he likes. Finally he lets out a huff of a breath through his nostrils, twin curls of smoking puffing up past his face as he catches sight of Klysk.
There is a small, white Ysoki sitting atop his shoulders fiddling with a personal computer and looking utterly nonplussed by where she is. It's the confidence that comes with knowing a large, grumpy creature is keeping an eye on you.
The vest reaches where Klysk is perched and stops near him with a grunt and roll of his shoulders. "I think we've been assigned to the same unit for the operation." His growling pauses as the Ysoki holds the datapad near his eyes, then he looks back at the Shirren. "You're Klysk, right?" Another pause as he nods his head. "Valikar."
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Sensing them approach through the vibrations they cause in the air, Klysk looks towards the large Vesk as they approach. Watching them as they speak, he glances towards the hands of his drone before replying. Extending his mind and hand concurrently, he speaks telepathically as he offers his hand to shake. Yes, my speech-name is Klysk. It is good to meet you Valikar. Who would your compatriot happen to be?
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Valikar eyes the hand briefly, makes a judgement on how hard to squeeze, and does his best not to crush anything significant as he shakes it. "Heh, you're one of those head space talkers, huh? I can work with that." He doesn't seem to have noticed Klysk's use of his drone to translate. When asked about a companion he first turns at the waist to look behind himself for anyone else joining the group.
When no one is there he has a sudden realization who the Shirren was referring too. He turns back and jerks a thumb up at his friend, who's gone back to reading on his shoulder. "That's Kemple. She's an old friend. Sticks with me and keeps me heading in the right direction. Logistics sort of things." And directions. And manners. No need to speak those aloud. "You look like a gearhead. You the tech specialist for the unit?"
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A lean Katashas swaggers in to the room. "Blessings of the Drinkless God upon all." He nods to to the Vesk and Shirren already assembled. "I am Dart Handman, servant of Kadin Kaylin. Seeker of adventure and fighter of oppression. " At his hip is a fine sword and a pistol in a holster. His armor is close fitting under a blouse shirt with a red and gold sash around his waist. "Plachant! Bring tea for everyone"
Following him is a small Ysoki valet that nods to the room. There is a slight look of exhaustion about the ysoki. However, he deftly produces cups and pours a red sweat smelling tea from a carafe. He hands one glass to Dart and offers to everyone else.
First Seeker Elsebo Luwazi clears her throat and makes an announcement to all of the gathered Starfinders as they slowly trickle in. “Starfinders, we stand at the precipice of momentous history, and I want to thank you all for making it possible for us to be here today. The Starfinder Society has spent the last year recovering from the Scoured Stars incident, our greatest defeat in recent history. We are finally ready to return to the Scoured Stars, find out what happened to our missing colleagues and friends, and rescue any survivors we can find. Report to your stations and lend your assistance to our fleet by performing the final preparatory tasks. More instructions will come shortly.”
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Hollis is a somewhat short human male with a military haircut and bearing. He raises his eyebrow slightly as Dart introduces himself, but nods approvingly at Valikar and Klysk.
"I'm Hollis, Hollis Brucke. Stick with me, work together, and we'll come through the other side of whatever mess we're about to get ourselves in."
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After a long voyage through the Drift, the bulk of the Starfinder fleet has arrived at the outer reaches of the Scoured Stars system. Several immense carriers form the core of the fleet and contain docked transport ships, fighter craft, and scout vessels. Each of the stored ships contains armor, weapons, provisions, and other equipment. There is an almost palpable feeling of tension and excitement as hundreds of Starfinders aboard the central carriers prepare themselves for the mission. Ahead, a shimmering veil of golden energy conceals the three stars known to be within.
Venture-Captain Naiaj, a no-nonsense bleachling gnome, approaches with a datapad in hand. “Do you have all your gear? Are you ready? Good. Now let’s help our fleet get ready for the final journey into the Scoured Stars. But first, tell me your names and what special training you have so we can assign an appropriate task for you to assist with.”
Historia-7: Diagnostics
Naiaj: Engine Check
Radazam: Equipment Check
Zigvigix: Missile Tube Cleanup
Arvin: Morale boost
Fitch: Threat analysis
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The PCs meet with Zigvigix, leader of the Exo-Guardians, in the missile bay. “Hey! Thanks for showing up! I’ve got a special mission just for you! See those missile tubes? I need them checked to make sure that there’s nothing obstructing missiles from being launched, so could you climb or crawl in and have a look? I’m pretty sure it’s safe and we won’t accidently fire you into space!”
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Easy: Pleased with the PCs’ efficiency, Zigvigix has some special ordnance loaded in the PCs’ starship. Once during the adventure, the party gains a +2 bonus to any one starship combat attack roll, and that attack does not consume ammunition in the case of a weapon with the limited fire property.
Average: When using the reward, all the PCs’ attack rolls during that round gain the benefits of the Easy tier reward.
Hard: In place of the reward above, select any one successful starship weapon attack to count as a critical hit if it hits, even if the die result isn’t a natural 20.
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Once Dart has finished cleaning up, Valikar will take the time to watch the loading of their ship with extra ordnance before wandering over to where Fitch is analyzing potential threats in the next room. "Venture-Captain Naiaj sent me over." He rolls one of his shoulders while glancing around the room, several pops coming from either him or his armor. "Said you needed help. If I can't do it, someone on my team can."
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Her nose and whiskers twitching, Fitch, leader of the Wayfinders, reads something on a large screen in the science lab while her children operate other consoles and devices. “Hey, can you help me with something? What we have here is a database built from references to creatures in travelers’ logs and fragments of communication signals that were sent from the Scoured Stars before the force field appeared. Sift through the info and take notes on what kind of threats we might face.”
Fitch then pats one of her nearby children on the shoulder. “See this red guy here, Kirkath? Your notes should be: This is a balor demon, if you see one… RUN!”
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Klysk is easily able to provide the assistance necessary.
Easy: Going through the information gives the PCs a good
idea of what type of monsters they might face: misshapen
abominations, carnivorous plants, dead things, megafauna,
robots, terrible extraplanar beings, and worse. The PCs can
reroll one check to recall knowledge about any creature
they encounter within the Scoured Stars.
Average: Once during the adventure, the PCs can instead
activate this reward to gain a +2 bonus to each of their
initiative checks for that encounter. Unlike most rewards,
they can choose to do this after rolling initiative but before
the combat begins.
Hard: When the group fights something they’ve identified with
a skill check using the recall knowledge use of that skill and
the party activates this reward, each PC gains a +4 bonus to
their initiative check instead of the +2 bonus for activating
this reward.
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Valikar has some knowledge of engineering, enough to keep his personal gear running and maybe fix that door that keeps getting stuck to his classroom in the Lorespire. But he doesn't trust himself to take the lead on repairs of major operation vehicles. Instead he offers to do the heavy lifting and wrench passing for one of the more technical people present. "Want me to check the oil levels?" He offers in a helpful growl.
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Easy: Thankful for the help, the chief engineer installs a special
boost switch in the PCs’ ship. Once during the adventure,
the PCs can flip the switch to add +4 to a single Engineering
or Piloting check during starship combat.
Average: When using the reward above, all the PCs’
Engineering and Piloting checks made during the same
round gain the +4 bonus.
Hard: In place of the reward above, the PCs can force
the crew of an enemy ship to take a –2 penalty to all
Engineering and Piloting checks made during the round.
The use of this ability must be declared at the start of the
starship combat round.
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Venture-Captain Arvin briefs you in the access corridor just outside the bridge. “Many Starfinders, especially newer recruits, fear what might await us in the Scoured Stars. Talk to your colleagues and see if you can lift their spirits. You have my permission to be creative— pep talks, jokes, or playing some music through the comm system are each valid options.”
Easy: The overall morale improves, and the PCs can rely on
their allies to help them when the going gets rough. Once
during the adventure, the group can gain the benefit of aid
another (+2 bonus) to all skill checks for 1 round.
Average: When using the reward, the benefit applies to both
skill checks and attack rolls.
Hard: In place of the reward above, once during the adventure,
when the table uses an Aid Token, they get two benefits
instead of one, but cannot choose the same effect twice.
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Radaszam, leader of the Acquisitives, waits for you in the cargo bay. “As you’ve probably surmised, things might get hairy once we’re in the Scoured Stars. Ain’t no glamor in this task, but it’s important—check these weapons, armor, medical supplies, and survival gear, and replace any faulty gear so we all might just make it back home alive.”
Easy: Radaszam thanks the PCs for their help. Once during the adventure, each PC can requisition a weapon with an item level up to the PC’s level for the duration of one mission. The group must use this ability prior to starting a new encounter, and this ability cannot be used during Part 4. The weapon comes with a fully charged battery or full magazine.
Average: In addition to the reward above, the PCs can also requisition a single consumable item with an item level equal to the PC’s level. These consumables cannot have permanent effects, and PCs who do not use them during the course of the scenario must return them at the end of the adventure.
Hard: When using the Easy tier reward, the weapon can have an item level up to the PC’s level + 1.
Historia-7, leader of the Dataphiles, shows you the carrier ship’s science station on the bridge. “Thank you for your assistance. Once we jump into the Scoured Stars, we will need to scan the system to locate any survivors from the previous expedition. Please check connections and run tests on the ship’s computers to ensure the sensors, comms, and other critical systems are running without glitches.”
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Easy: Thankful for the assistance, Historia-7 shares a priority code that allows the PCs to divert CPU power from a carrier to their starship, granting them a +4 bonus to any one Computers check during starship combat. Alternatively, a PC can use this code on a ground mission, allowing that PC to count as being trained in Computers for one check.
Average: In place of the reward above, when a PC fails a Computers check, they may activate the reward to reroll the check with a +4 bonus.
Hard: When the PCs use either of the rewards above, they can roll twice on the Computers check, take the better result, and add a +4 bonus to it.
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Valikar makes a small sound to himself and looks at the rest of the gathered group. "That was pretty simple. Not sure why they needed us. Guess we have time to check our own gear." Which he proceeds to do by going over all the cinches on his armor and then just finding a wall to lean against nearby their ship. The big vesk didn't have much else to do at the moment and decided to follow the old soldier's credo of sleep when you can.
His Ysoki companion stayed awake nearby to slap him in the head if anyone came closer to ask him something, but otherwise he was a softly snoring statue.
Suddenly, every screen aboard the Starfinder fleet switches to show nominated First Seeker Luwazi Elsebo standing next to a golden obelisk about two feet in height. Behind her, a large observatory window showcases the Godshield, a shimmering force field surrounding the Scoured Stars system. Luwazi Elsebo slowly lifts her eyes from the artifact and addresses the Society.
“Starfinders, this is the Tear, an ancient artifact some of our most skilled agents recovered during a recent mission. The Tear is our key back to the Scoured Stars—our key to liberating those who were lost a year ago. We are ready, so let’s not waste any more time.”
Luwazi Elsebo speaks a few words in an alien language and the artifact start humming softly. She then traces her finger along the artifact’s surface, and a set of glowing runes appear around the obelisk. The golden field surrounding the Scoured Stars starts twisting upon itself, and massive gashes appear as the force field starts tearing itself apart. As the final shreds of the shimmering field evaporate, Elsebo speaks: “It is time. Good luck, Starfinders. Fleet—activate Drift engines! Go!”
One by one, the ships of the fleet pierce the veil between the Material Plane and others, splashing through space like it was water, and then vanish into the swirling depths of the Drift.
*****
Whisked away through the Drift, the Starfinder Society fleet spreads across the three solar systems that form the Scoured Stars. The ships begin scanning the planets, asteroids, and other objects orbiting the three distinct stars. The fleet’s long-range sensors soon start picking up communication signals, energy signatures, and signs of life. After a quick analysis, the Society has identified a few locations where information on the lost Starfinders is most likely to be found. After nearly a year of waiting, the search for survivors can begin!
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The imposing vesk Radaszam, leader of the Acquisitives, stands near a large screen that displays a tidally locked planet labeled as Callion-2. “Starfinders,” he greets, in his pleasantly low voice, “I’m sure you’ll find this mission interesting. Our sensors have detected numerous communication signals broadcast from Callion-2. Because one side of the planet is always facing the sun, only a narrow habitable zone exists, but here’s the interesting part: the entire habitable area is covered in one big, technologically advanced megacity. Finding survivors, or at least useful information in the city, seems likely. I’ll upload mission data on your ship’s computer. Good luck and come back safely!”
There are several locations that you can investigate in the megacity.
- Factory
- Library
- Military Base
- Residential area
- Shopping Mall
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A cryo-tube slides out of the wall on the ship, and disgorges a strange sight: What at first glance appears to be a robotic organism crafted in the shape of an Ysoki, with an exo-cortex grafted to the side of its metal cranium. However, on closer inspection, it is readily apparent that a single visible organic feature remains: A moist pair of very-much-alive black eyes. The figure then addresses the party in an obviously-synthesised voice:
"Greetings. The name is Buzz. Apologies for the delay; apparently, I took longer than I was expecting to recharge, and run a repair diagnostic on my systems. I'm a reasonable pilot, and good with technological systems."
Buzz then grins.
"I also enjoy blowing things up," he says, hefting a disintegrator cannon.
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Valikar stares at the new arrival popping out of their... wall. Then stares a bit longer. "Ziggy has a strange idea of what special ordinance is." He lets out a suffering sigh, glances at his own Ysoki companion who just shrugs at him, and then lumbers over towards Buzz. "Good. Blow things up. You awake enough to walk? Or should I carry you?"
He might be a bit grumpy about one of the crew having dodged all the prep work. Makes it harder to figure out how to work together. He nods to Klysk "We're going to stand out where ever we go, but especially that sort of place. And attention might be what we need. So our missing members realize we're here."
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There are no living inhabitants in the residential area; you encounter only robots making repairs and cleaning the residences.
You determine that the city was abandoned long ago—likely millennia ago—and the original inhabitants left the machines to take care of the city.
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Plachant does his quick survey and takes notes on a datapad. The Ysoki softly speaks to Dart, "Sir, It seems that this place has been abandoned for quite some time. Though the machines are still keeping everything in order. Maybe the Library will have some information regarding their exodus?"
Dart commands, "Yes, the Library." Dart starts to march off, after a moment he glances back. Plachant sighs and points to the other direction. Then with out hesitation, Dart about faces and marches towards the Library. Plachent flows with exasperation.
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As you walk around the megacity, you hear strange, alien music, sort of akin to distorted modern elevator music. It is playing in the background from loudspeakers integrated into the city’s buildings and infrastructure.
You notice an androgynous human watching you walk from the residential area from a distance. They appear to be just observing, but when you turn to approach them, they quickly turn and are lost in the maze of buildings.
It takes 10 minutes walking to get to the library.
With the exception of the ever-present alien music, this enormous building remains completely silent. Digital and physical records from the planet’s past fill shelves and data archives stretching for the equivalent of city blocks.
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As the party travels the only music playing isn't what comes from the surroundings. Firstly, you can hear the big, grizzled lizard occasionally humming what are clearly Star Sugar Heartlove songs, and secondly there moments the silence is broken by what can only be drowish death metal blasting out of his comm unit of its own volition.
Valikar clearly seems to like the music, but he silences the annoyance the moment it starts as they reach the library. He gets a bit of an "I-told-you-so" look from Kemple before he wanders over to start checking records for anything useful. "Dart. You don't seem the library sort."