Ratfolk Sage

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3,771 posts. Alias of Woran.


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Dead Suns:

To give some context, since its been a while:

When you investigated Dr Solstarni's office, you checked her computer. Her personal calendar noted that Dr Solstarni is scheduled for a research sabbatical in approximately 2 months, as approved by her department head, Muhali, and the authorities in Turhalu Point on the east coast of Ukulam. However, one of the recent files on the computer was a letter from Professor Muhali granting Dr. Solstarni leave to depart 2 months early to take advantage of special conditions in the field, signed 2 days ago.

When you asked, Muhali knew nothig of this early leave and had not granted it. Also this 'two months early' would mean the expedition would have kicked off the same day Dr Solstarni disappeared.


Dead Suns:

*game ressurects as a halloween mirracle*


Dead Suns:

Gate Controller Raiyiri intently watches the video of the men in port authority gear enter the university building. Its a short clip, and when its done, she motions for Antonius to play it again.
Once its done playing a second time, she looks up at the group, slightly annoyed.

"Well. Its neither as gruesome as you made it out to be, and neither is it a private residence. So, where is this building?"

When hearing its one of the main university buildings, she frows. "I have no idea where you were going with the story because uniformed employees of the Port Authority breaking into the university is more then enough for us to launch an investigation. Although you're probably after more direct info, for your 'client'. Let me pull some info for you."

She types for a few minutes at the terminal. When she has found what she was looking for, she swivels the view screen so you can all see the information. "These are the assignment logs for the last 3 days, which should include the time these three 'employees' visited the Uni. When you said it was the university, I cross referenced it with a delivery we did have outstanding for them, laboratory equipment, cryogenically frozen organic compounds, and specialty foodstuffs with authorization from the Qabarat University of Xenoarchaeology and Xenoanthropology." She points to the relevant data entries on the screen.
"But those crates were not picked up at the university proper. Just picked up and delivered as part of some expedition some university personel is having at Turhalu Point."


Dead Suns:

She blaches a bit. "Well, that might be. But I have to review the footage, so we can have this handled properly. Depending on what the footage show, I can get the proper departments involved."


Dead Suns:

Not that its nececairily a bad thing. This is kind of you MO :D


Dead Suns:

It might help, but you did get here with the attitude of 'we caught you in a boo boo so do things for us or we'll make it nasty'.

You feel like the spam mails of 'we recorded your webcam with you doing the nasty. Pay bitcoin or we make it public'


Dead Suns:

No. You're known as an group of explorers and scolars


Dead Suns:

The face of the lashunta behind the desk grows serious. "That is indeed a serious accusation. You said you had evidence of this? Please have this at the ready while I get you my supervisor."

She stands up from the desk and toggles a comlink. She leaves the room trough a side door. A few minutes later, a female damaya lashunta walks up to the desk, dressed in a simple but good looking buisness suit.

"Hello, I am Gate Controller Raiyiri. My colleague mentioned you had evidence port authority employees broke into a private residence?"


Dead Suns:

The lashunta woman smiles. "That is unfortunate. Was the shipment delivered but damaged? Or misdelivered? In case of damage during transport, generally, your client can file a claim and if found to be just, they get reimbursed. Or if it is misdelivered, is it your client package that ended up somewhere else? Or did your client recieve something not ment for them?"


Dead Suns:

Remember that you can still make the checks to know more about Dr Eyrub if you have not done so yet

Deciding to check out the port authority first, Ikimsi, the receptionist gets you directions to the offices in Qabarat's Gateway District, and arranges for a Cuber to pick you up.
(square automated vehicles that serve as taxis)

You get out in front of a massive building. Its 20 stories high and has three wings. As you enter the building, there is a large and nicely appointed waiting area. Its busy with people coming and going.
The reception area has desks on three sides of the room. One side is for permits, one side for customs, and one side for inquiries.

As you approach the next available desk, the lashunta woman behind it greets you with a smile. "Good day, how can I be of assistance?"


Dead Suns:

So to recap:

After clearing up the 'situation' with Alibliens, Dr Muhali did some analyzation on the samples of alien writing you found on the drif rock.
She had no idea what the language ment, but knew that writing like this has shown up in elven ruins on the continent of Ukulam.
When she went to contact her colleague, Dr. Solstarni, a language expert, there was no response. Dr. Solstarni had not shown up to her classes and neither her flat mate or her parents knew where she was.

You went to the office of Dr Solstarni, which you found in disaray. Dr Muhali went to alert the authorities, and you searched the room.
You found several things:
- Dr. Solstarni's personal calendar notes that she is scheduled for a research sabbatical in approximately 2 months, as approved by her department head, Muhali, and the authorities in Turhalu Point on the east coast of Ukulam.
There is also a letter open Professor Muhali granting Dr. Solstarni leave to depart 2 months early to take advantage of special conditions in the field, signed 2 days ago. When asked, Dr Mulhali explicitly states that she did not approve the leave to be moved forward.
- You found the door to one of the offices cabinets ajar. Inside, a set of basic lashunta tempweave fitted for a kasatha had fallen from its hanger. Strangely the cabinet had a sizaable dent. Fallen under the cabinet was a piece of paper, a printout of an invitation, inviting Dr Solstarni to meet at a cafe called the 'Five Arches' to discuss a find of new artifacts.
- On the computer you also found a series of 15 messages exchanged between Dr. Solstarni and a person named Dr. Eyrub Paqual regarding Solstarni’s research into the ancient elven settlements of Ukulam. The exchanges began fairly cordially as Paqual and Solstarni discussed minor details of interest from the minimal research published about these sites. As the discussion continued, however, Paqual grew more insistent and attempted to cajole the kasatha to meet with him at a cafe called the Five Arches in Qabarat’s Gateway District 2 days ago to appraise several artifacts he had recovered. Solstarni refused, citing a busy schedule.
- Checking the security camera feed of the building, there appeared nothing out of the ordinary, except 2 days ago. A trio of korasha lashuntas carrying heavy backpacks and wearing uniforms entered the building in the late evening—after all reception personnel had left. They then took the stairs up, but there seems to be no footage of them on other floors or even leaving the building. From inconsistencies in the footage on several floors (including the fourth floor, where Dr. Solstarni’s office is), you deduce that someone hacked into the building’s security cameras and looped footage of empty hallways to hide whatever they were doing. You identify the uniforms the lashuntas are wearing as being of the Gateway District’s Port Authority. Which is strange as they have no jurisdiction at the university.
- Doing a quick infosphere search you find a series of articles about elven ruins Dr Eyrub has published over the past 6 years. (You can still make the checks in my previous post if you have not done so)


Dead Suns:

so people can choose to read about pet woes:

Last week Merah went to the vet to get a bad tooth removed. While under anesthetic, her breathing stopped. They managed to manually restart her breating again. She had to stay at the vet for a bit. She's home now. She was out of sorts for a few days, but now she's back to being queen of the house.
They dont know if it was an allergic reaction to the anasthetic or maybe other troubles, perhaps caused by the severe neglect she suffered before being taken away.


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Dead Suns:

I'll give the game a kick soon. Merah has had health troubles and gave us quite a scare so my head was totally not focused.

She's doing fine now. Annoyed she has to be given medicine. But today she licked my hand again so she's on the mend.


Dead Suns:

Yes you can!


Dead Suns:

If I messed up names, my apologies. Ive been having a lot of bad headaches again so my literally proficiencey is not great at the moment

"A Dr Eyrub Paqual? Doesnt ring a bell. But we have excelent infosphere access here. Why dont you show them, Ikimsi?"

She motions to the receptionist.
"Thank you very much. I'm going to check with the police, see if they turned anything up. Good luck. And here is my personal com code, in case you need to reach me."
She sends over her personal com code with a few presses on her datapad, after which she disapears into the elevator.

Ikimsi is already typing in some search strings. He quickly uncovers a series of articles about elven ruins Dr Eyrub has published over the past 6 years.

DC 15 Culture, Life Science, Physical Science:

At first blush, Dr Eyrub Paqual appears to be a moderately well-established academic. However, most of his articles appear in poorly vetted journals or cite him as one of numerous secondary authors

DC 21 computers check:
You dig a bit deeper into this Dr Eyrub Paqual on the infosphere, and detect inconsistencies in his online bios and records, suggesting he might be entirely fictitious.


Dead Suns:

The receptionist has no idea why the port authority would be here. If there was an issue about wrongly imported goods, it would be an issue for the logistics and/or legal departments.

As you apply scroll trough the images once more, Dr Muhali comes downstairs.
"Ah, here you are. Checking out the cameras. Good call. The police is searching the office. They no doubt will be thorough and persue all leads. But something is very wrong here and I suspect foul play. I'd like you to persue this issue seperately. You'll be able to act while the authorities would need time to arrange for authorization. Dr Muhali might be your best bet at getting the information you need, so seeing her back safe and sound is in your best interest. And because she's my friend, and I want you to succeed in getting her out of whatever trouble she is in, here is some extra help."

Dr Muhali slides a credstick across the desk. It contains 2000 credits.


Dead Suns:

Explaining that you're here helping Dr Muhali investigate something, Ikimsi, the receptionist, gladly hands you the controls of a computer console, so that you can brows trough the camera footage.

Going off the day and time of Dr Solstarni's last email, the only thing the receptionist sees is out of the ordinary, is 2 days ago. A trio of korasha lashuntas carrying heavy backpacks and wearing uniforms entered the building in the late evening—after all reception personnel had left. They then took the stairs up, but there seems to be no footage of them on other floors or even leaving the building.

DC 13 Culture check:

You identify the uniforms the lashuntas are wearing as being of the Gateway District’s Port Authority.

DC 17 Computers or Perception:

You note that there are inconsistencies in the footage on several floors (including the fourth floor, where Dr. Solstarni’s office is), suggesting that someone hacked into the building’s security cameras and looped footage of empty hallways to hide whatever they were doing. If asked, the receptionist knows nothing of how or why someone would hack the cameras.


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Dead Suns:
Jaru of Clan Ro wrote:
Woran wrote:
I'll be joining online hopefully
I had a blast playing on the Perplexity table with you last year! I generally don't like playing via Roll20 or the other VTTs but that was a fun table.

It was great playing with you in real time.

Thurston is a great GM so we lucked out!


Dead Suns:

Tony is pretty sure he's gotten as much out of the computer as he can for the moment.

As you all take another look around the office, you hear the lift *ding* at the end of the hallway, and Dr Solstrni and an Lashunta in uniform exit. While she asked you to help, Tony knows that law enforcement generally isnt very keen on others intervening.
So you make a quick exit down a side corridor and head down to the reception desk.

At the desk, the receptionist you heroically saved from the mob of journalists is still on duty. He looks happy to see you all. "Hey everyone. Are you leaving? Or is there anything I can assist you with?"


Dead Suns:

Ras looks around but doesnt spot anything interesting.
At a loss for what to check next, Jaru pensively stares into the distance, but then spots a camera down the hallway. The office doesnt appear to have one, but there are several security cameras placed at strategic points in the hallway and at the elevators so that the whole length of the corridor is covered.
When Jaru points the cameras out, Tony recalls that he hasnt seen a security office, but the entry desk you passed and the receptionist you spoke to might have acess to the cameras images.

Meanwhile Tony digs a bit trough the email conversations on the computer. He finds a series of 15 messages exchanged between Dr. Solstarni and a person named Dr. Eyrub Paqual regarding Solstarni’s research into the ancient elven settlements of Ukulam. The exchanges begin fairly cordially as Paqual and Solstarni discussed minor details of interest from the minimal research published about these sites. As the discussion continued, however, Paqual grew more insistent and attempted to cajole the kasatha to meet with him at a cafe called the Five Arches in Qabarat’s Gateway District 2 days ago to appraise several artifacts he had recovered. Solstarni refused, citing a busy schedule.


Dead Suns:

Bad investigations can be fun!


Dead Suns:

Tony checks out the computer. The blinking diode indicates that the computer is not powered down, but in sleep mode.
It easily wakes up with a keyboard press. Tony easily bypasses the login screen with a common hack that he knows this OS is vulnerable to.

Once having access to the computer, he quickly scans what programs are currently open. Her personal calendar notes that she is scheduled for a research sabbatical in approximately 2 months, as approved by her department head, Muhali, and the authorities in Turhalu Point on the east coast of Ukulam.
There is also a letter open Professor Muhali granting Dr. Solstarni leave to depart 2 months early to take advantage of special conditions in the field, signed 2 days ago.

You can make a second computer check to dive deeper Tony

While Tony tackles the computer, Jaru has a good look around.
You see the door to one of the offices cabinets stand ajar. Inside, a set of basic lashunta tempweave fitted for a kasatha has fallen from its hanger. Strangely the cabinet is dented. As you give the door a more in depth look, you spot a piece of paper sticking out. Its a printout of an invitation, inviting Dr Solstarni to meet at a cafe called the 'Five Arches' to discuss a find of new artifacts.

You, or anyone else can make another perception check or make a culture check.


Dead Suns:

Professor Muhali raises an eyebrow. "So that is where its from. That drift rock thing was popular with the students, but Im not a big fan of live streaming. Still. It must have been quite the ordeal. It does deepen the mystery. Why would a non-Elven language group on a technologically advanced rock in the drift also show up in a few known elven sites on the continent of Ukulam? Very strange. Let me call upon the specialized knowledge of a colleague."

Professor Muhali types a bit on her computer. She shrugs at what she sees and uses her com unit several times. Its clear she doesnt manage to reach the person she is trying to contact.
"This is all very strange. Give me a moment."

She goes to the corner of her office and speaks quietly with several people on her com unit. After the calls, her brow is furrowed with worry.
"I am sorry to impose upon you again, but my colleague, Dr. Solstarni appears to be missing. She is not at the office, where she should have been at this time, and she did not show up in class this morning. I contacted her parents and her flatmate, but neither have seen her either. This is very concerning. I am going to take a look at her office. If you could please accompany me."

You take a few corridors and end up in front of a heavy wood composite door. Its locked, but professor Muhali uses her keycard to unlock it.
The office behind the door is in disarray, with cabinet doors ajar, several stone artifacts scattered across the floor from open archival drawers, and a traveling bag open and half-packed. The computer on the desk at the far end of the room is dark, but a diode at its base blinks regularly

Seeing the mess, Muhali lets out a few soft but colorfull curses in Lashuta.
"This is not good. Looks like the place has been ransacked. Stay here. Im going to call the police. See if you can find any clue to what happened here."

She hurries away down the corridor.


Dead Suns:

Professor Muhali tiredly rubs her yes. "Ok, good. This s@&+storm just blew over, and I rather have it lie down and be over. And not start up again because you had *ideas*."

She types a few things on her computer. "So, Chiskisk said you had discovered some interesting writing. I can definitely help you analyze those samples. He did not mention however where you found them. Can you tell me? Context might help in deciphering them."


Dead Suns:

Having had an excellent lunch, you head back up to the office of Professor Muhali.

As you enter her office, she looks tired, but much more relaxed.
"Ah, there you are. Thank you for helping me out. I just finished talking to the board, and it looks like this storm is going to blow over soon, now that the apology has been posted. And as promised, here is some extras for helping me out."

She retrieves a credstick and a ring from a drawer. [b]"This was part of a research grant for Ailibliens, but with all that hassle, I am happy to say it got canceled and I'm granting it to you instead."

The ring is a MK 1 ring of resistance and the credstick contains 700 credits.

"Now, just one more thing before we can get on with what you all came here for. Did you delete that recording of Ailibliens that you made, like he requested?"


Dead Suns:

Well its certainly not keeping you from making a Datch joke :D


Dead Suns:

Tony comes back to the table with a veggie burrito, a bowl of steamed rice, some fresh sushi (they rolled it as you watched, perk of having the card of a faculty member) and a grilled meat sandwich. And a huge smoothie.


Dead Suns:

Before returning to the professor, you head by the canteen to meet back up with Raz and Jaru. You figure now that Alibliens made his applogy, she's going to need to make some phonecalls anyway.

The caffeteria is on the ground floor, and has big sliding doors that let in a warm breeze. Food and drink options range from simple and cheap, to fancy and quite pricy, but you have professor Muhali's card.

THe caffeteria provides all kinds of options for various kinds of diets.


Dead Suns:

I dont know that the constitution of a vending machine is, and do I really want to ask?


Dead Suns:

Yeah, I know one other person in this group recently had the second shot as well. Plus all the tension in Minnesota recently. So its been a few weeks for everyone.


Dead Suns:

"Yes. Of course that is your research. And of course you will delete it. I've send professor Muhali my files and let her know to check if you deleted your files. Now, if there is nothing else, I must continue with preparing for my next lecture.

Are you visiting Muhali directly or are you first visiting the cafeteria?


Dead Suns:

Ailabliens turns on the floating camera.

"Testing. Testing. Ah, the feed looks good. Well, if you want to record me separately I must insist that you hand over your recording to professor Muhali and that she deletes all other instances."

Ailabliens then launces into a long and convulted apology.
He then switches off the camera and voice device.
With a few clicks on his floating keyboard, he imports the videofile, edits out his 'testing testing' part, and sends both versions, the original and the edited one, to professor Mulhali.

"I hope that is satisfactionary for the professor. Now then. I did promis to help you with your research if you got out of my hair. Now then, what is it excatly that you to the university for?"


Dead Suns:

"Ah, I see Professor Muhali send you to be her eyes and ears. No need to record it for me, I can do that perfectly fine myself. If you're here to make sure I do it *now*, that is fine. Just stand in the corner, and dont make a sound.

Ailbliens takes two devices from a shelf. One is something he straps to his chest, and another is a floating camera.

Then you can hear him speak.
"Testing. Can you hear my voice with your ears now, instead of your mind?"


Dead Suns:

Migraine :(


Dead Suns:

Real bad headache day
Will post tomorrow


Dead Suns:

Professor Muhali nods understandingly. "Yeah, understandable sentiment. Whaloss, why dont you show the others to the caffeteria and get them all some lunch while Miss Blixa and Mr Antonius talk to Ailbliens. That leaves me free to call the deans the moment the apology is in. You can all rendevous at the caffeteria, and I'll let you know once I'm free to assist. Its my treat."

She slides over a plastic card with her picture on it to Whaloss, who gladly accepts it.

When Blixa and Tony make their way back to the other floor and enter Ailibiens office, he is still floating in the air, this time typing away on a tiny floating keyboard.
"Ah. You have returned. Did professor Muhali agree to my terms?"


Dead Suns:

"No, not here with me. I'm pretty sure he has some good quality equipment around so he can record his lectures for our out of campus students."


Dead Suns:

"You record him, he records himself. Doesnt matter. As long as I can point the board to a public facing apology."


Dead Suns:

"Violent? No. Dont know if he has it in him even. But I'm pretty sure that when you give him the good news that I accept his terms that he'll be as close to likable he'll ever get. And you'll be my stick-in-the-door. If you dont leave untill you've seen him record his apology I'll throw in something extra for doing this."


Dead Suns:

Professor Muhali sighs, and buries her head in her arms for a moment. A few muffled sounds escape. You cant really make out what she's saying but you're pretty sure she's cursing in Lashunta.

"Ok, yes. If that is what it takes. Fine. I accept. But one of you is going to have to go back and tell him because he's turned off his comlink. Probably so he can 'work in peace'."

Whaloss tries to blend in with a potted plant.


Dead Suns:

Whaloss had been patiently waiting for you at the elevator, and he takes you back to professor Muhali's office.

As you enter, she's furiously typing away at her computer. After hitting the enter key rather agressively, she looks up.
"Ah, you have returned. Did you get a sensible answer out of Ailbiens?'


Dead Suns:

"And it seems we're back to attacking me over a point made in a lecture you did not attend yourself. You may wrap your request in nice words but I am done here arguing with you. You can take my requests up to Professor Muhali if you wish. Or not. But I am done with you. Leave, or I will call security."


Dead Suns:

"I bet that professor Muhali set you up to this. My tenure has always been a thorn in her side and she's did her utmost best to deny me tenure in the first place. Fine. Making an apology less degrading than
enduring this academic suspension. But I am only willing to make this gesture in a convincing manner so long as you can convince Professor Muhali to make three concessions: cancel my academic suspension, restore my access to the university’s restricted collections, and pardon the whole incident in my tenure review file. In turn I'll help you with the research you're doing."


Dead Suns:

Ailbiens bobs towards Tony. "You do not need to convince me that Lashuta feel. I notice this ever day. Also, please stop the Absalom gangster accent. Its clearly put on way more heavily as an attempt to influence me, but I know you can enunciate properly. Now. Your compatriot stated you're researching something and you clearly need something from me so lets cut to the chase as to what its all about so you can leave my office and I can continue my day.

You feel Ailbien wants to help you, even if it is to get rid of you


Dead Suns:

Posting tomorrow. Work was super draining today and my brain just went *nose dive*


Dead Suns:

"Oh, Starfinders! You are always a diverse lot and that explains just barging into my office like you own the place. You do have my attention... What are you researching specifically?"


Dead Suns:

"Of course you would want to, passionately, defend the actions of your own species. The crux lies that in their emotional hesitation to cause casulties on one side, they incurred more on their own. A very curious juxtaposition. If they had wanted to prevent loss of life, those of the enemy are generally a more preferred strategy in times of war. But, I really must ask you to leave now. I will discuss these points tomorrow during my regular lecture.


Dead Suns:

In the background, Whaloss can be seen inching back towards the door.

Ailbiens bobs towards Ras.
"Blind spots you proclaim? I have yet to hear a hypothesis based on solid analysis on your part. Unless you claim your world weary pose as a basis to invade my office and criticize my conduct. The fact that you have suffered in life does not give you a unique perspective, even if you feel your suffering has a purpose."

Dismissing Ras with a wave of a tiny hand, he turns to Blixa.
"Ah, a Lashunta. Your ancestors certainly planned complete genocide and sole ownership of this planet. They knew the cost up front, as the formmians would not take this lying down, so to speak. Yet they let their emotions get in the way of effective action, which is strange, as they had fully commited to this plan of actions. You are a strange species indeed."

Bobbing towards Tony
"Not that this is not a facinating peek into the 'slice of life' of most species, one does wonder why you are here and what you want. You're not journalists. They ask such inane questions. And you're not students, not mine at least, since you're not ineffectually pleading for your grades."

life science for Blixa:

The beings known through the Pact Worlds as contemplatives of Ashok were
once humanoids of extreme intelligence living on Akiton. Upon unlocking exceptional psychic powers, they deliberately evolved their brains, to the detriment of their bodies. Now, contemplatives float along using telekinesis, their atrophied bodies dangling from pulsating brain-sacs.
Contemplatives’ specialized evolution dates back to long before the Gap, and only piecemeal records hint at their original appearance. Were they more interested in power and influence as a species, they likely would have conquered their home planet of Akiton, but instead, most contemplatives are content to ponder the multiverse and its secrets, most famously debating their conclusions in Akiton’s Halls of Reason. Contemplatives scholars are universally welcomed in laboratories, research facilities, and universities throughout the Pact Worlds, making them among the most prolific academic authors.
Although contemplatives are known to be extraordinarily intelligent, observant, and confident, their behavior is often jarring to their colleagues of other species. Individual contemplatives often refer to groups of their kindred using the first-person plural, suggesting some degree of racial hivemind, telepathic union, or sacred sense of shared existence. Further supporting this theory is the fact that contemplatives rarely come into conflict with one another, with few
instances of intraracial violence in recorded history. Despite contemplatives’ relative peacefulness, other races often perceive them as aloof, overly logical, and emotionally sterile.


Dead Suns:

Ailabiens mentaly scofs.

Of course my emotional detachment makes me a superior analyst. 'Offensive', as a judgement of my lecture, indicates a narrow perspective in the listeners. I analyzed ancient lashunta armies’ strategies against their formian neighbors and concluded that the former’s conditioned sentimentality inhibited more effectively destructive actions against their long-time enemies. The audience found my conclusion upsetting.” Ailabiens 21:2 bobs thoughtfully before adding, “Other species are endlessly fascinating.”


Dead Suns:
Blixa Myrwood wrote:
John Compton, the author, is an archeologist by training before coming to work for Paizo.

Oh, Johns cries of anguish when anyone describes tomb raider as archeology :D

But yeah, this guy is defenitely giving his own vision on things and that is part of the scene, so you can use that in the conversation if you want!

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