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You have all received an invitation by a Venture-Captain of the Starfinder Society by the name of Arvin (a male damaya lashunta) to meet him in the Lorespire complex where you will be briefed further.
As you make your way there you notice there are others, who are clearly here for the same reason you are
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"Hello, hello, hello. Please don't make a fuss. I know that I'm famous and all that but let's not let that get in the way of business shall we. I am Flashbang and representative of my species here on the station. It has come to my attention that the Starfinder Soceity may need my help...in between my political duties, I would be happy to assist in any way I can....of course for a small fee I'm sure. Otherwise it might be considered a shady campaign contribution. OH! And I definitely promise to pull my weight!"
He winks at the others gathered here and begins to size them up for their strengths, weaknesses, and of course their political positions on the issues of the station.
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"Hello, hello, hello. Please don't make a fuss. I know that I'm famous and all that but let's not let that get in the way of business shall we. I am Flashbang and representative of my species here on the station."
"Reprozentrative, eh? Iz dat so?"
The question lingers in the air for a brief moment as a small, disheveled ysoki dressed in clothing slightly too tight for her comes bounding towards the solarian. Her dress and heavy accent, mark her as one who has most likley had a hard life and grown up on the back streets or corridors of some neglected town or starship.
Moving on all fours limbs for extra speed, this newcomer closes the distance between herself and Flashbang rather quickly. Racing towards him, the female ysoki stops just short of bumping into the politician and nearly knocking him over. Looking up at the other ysoki, the she steps up on her tiptoes in an effort to get directly into Flashbang’s face.
”Wellz now,” she says slowly and deliberately, allowing her hot breath to pour out with every word. ”I sure as shootin’ don’t have no memory of votin’ fer yah.”
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Yet another Ysoki wanders into the room, this one marked with black and white fur and dressed in a lab coat. He is holding a strange little device and seems to be controlling a small spidery robot that precedes him.
"Hiya, guys. Sorry I'm late, had to update the control module on this baby but I think I got it going real good now as you can see the limbs are really stable because I switched out the gyro for an Abadartech Model-71 which is obviously way better than the kluged Anacite Naviprocessor I had which is supposed to have simulated gyroscopic balancing but it doesn't seem to work unless you are on Aballon which is really stupid."
Skeek looks around at the group.
"Uh... which one of you is Arvin? I'm new around here it's my first time on Absalom Station 'cause I grew up on Verces but we lost our research grant so I needed to find another job and then I heard the Starfinders were hiring but I had to move to get the job so that's why I came oh and you can call me 'Goggles' by the way everyone does because I used to wear these big goggles all the time but I got my eyes fixed so I don't need them anymore but the name stuck."
He looks at the others blankly.
"Okay, maybe I'll just sit over here."
"*Beep!*"
The spidery drone follows the ysoki to the chair.
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After you've been ushered into the briefing room;
The tall and confident lashunta man gestures to several functional chairs, inviting you to sit.
“Thank you for arriving so quickly. As I mentioned in my comm message, we have an urgent opportunity to recover some critical information.
“Several months ago, a crew of Starfinders took a ship called the Unbounded Wayfarer into the Vast to explore a series of uncharted
planets. They never returned. Earlier today, a vesk pawnbroker in the Downlow neighborhood contacted us, offering to sell us several Starfinder insignias. These insignias belonged to the lost crew of the Unbounded Wayfarer, and that immediately caught the Society’s attention. The pawnbroker—named Julzakama—doesn’t realize the true value of the insignias. We negotiated a purchase price in exchange for the insignias and information about the seller. We hope this seller can lead us to the Unbounded Wayfarer and its crew.
“We’ve remotely transferred the requested credits to Julzakama. Now, we need you to collect the insignias and all the information you can from the vesk regarding whoever sold him the insignias, and then track down that seller. Learn where to find the Unbounded Wayfarer and its crew. I’m worried that the seller might not be on the station for long, so act quickly. If you have any questions, please make them fast.”
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That is very disturbing. If the ship were simply lost due to Drift hazard, that is a natural consequence to interstellar travel. But if the insignias were retrieved then that suggests foul play may have been involved. We may face vicious pirates, or worse.
Analyzing...0%...32%...78%...100%...Inconsistency noted. Details...
But if the insignias were not sold at their true value, then whoever sold them to Julzakama did not know their meaning.
We must speak to this Julzakama and determine from whom they purchased the insignias.
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”Wellz now,” she says slowly and deliberately, allowing her hot breath to pour out with every word. ”I sure as shootin’ don’t have no memory of votin’ fer yah.”
With her nose pressed next to Flashbang’s face, the standoffish Rizzit continues to stare. Then her nose twitches as she catches a scent. ”Hey! Youz smell a lot like my cuzzin. Dey callz ‘im Cheddah, cause he likez da cheeze so much. Come to t’ink of it. Youzan me -- wee mightz be related.”
Rizzit gives the icon a pat on the shoulder before being summoned into the room to meet with Venture-Captain Arvin.
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After Arvin provides the team with their mission, the ysoki notes, ”So weez assigned to go on a shoppin’ trip? Meh. I suppose dere's worse ways to makesa livin’.” She turns to leave the room, then stops and turns back around.
“Say…” she asks looking back tat the Venture-Captain, ”Wheres we suppost ta fine dis Jewel-Comma persun anyways?”
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The Ysoki in the lab coat nods vigorously.
"Hi there sir and thanks for calling on me you won't be disappointed I assure you because Spider-Pig (which is this very handy little machine here with all the little legs) and myself are both quite resourceful and we look forward to this mission very much."
He listens intently to the mission briefing. Once the Venture-Captain finishes, he bursts into questions.
"Sir, you said that Mister Julzakama doesn't know the value of the insignias. But I don't know the value of them either so perhaps you can tell me why they are valuable oh and also do I get one because I haven't got anything yet that says Starfinders on it except my ID card and a badge would be great especially if it has gold inlay or is really shiny."
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"Sir, you said that Mister Julzakama doesn't know the value of the insignias. But I don't know the value of them either so perhaps you can tell me why they are valuable oh and also do I get one because I haven't got anything yet that says Starfinders on it except my ID card and a badge would be great especially if it has gold inlay or is really shiny."
"Careful, dere, Goggs" Rizzit whispers to the other ysoki. "You keep badgerin' dem about badges they mite t'ink that yor... well... like... a badger or sumptin." The operative's nose twitches as she catches a scent. She gives a sniff. "Say! Youz smells a lot like a cuzzin o' mine.”
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At Rizzit question on where to find the pawnshop Venture-Captain Arvin provides directions to Julzakama’s shop.
Information which Rizzit tries to verify by doing a quick online search but get's distracted by 10 ways to bake a ziwit! Loose 10 pounds overnight! And "What bands are a hit right now..find out in just 1 click!
He then looks at Skeek "I sometimes forget how much new ...recruits we have lately. Let me explain. The crew of the Unbounded Wayfarer received the insignias long ago for exemplary service to the Society. Although this isn’t common knowledge outside the Starfinder Society, these insignias are no mere trinkets; they can be used to encrypt or decrypt information that the Starfinders wanted to keep hidden."
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”We are most pleased to be called upon by the Starfinder Society once again. We are knowing very little of the biology of you Ysoki, but we shall study diligently, so we can keep you alive, if possible, or to taxidermy you into a reasonable facsimile if not.” A strange sound comes from the shirren’s thorax: laughing? ”We are Keskodai, and pleased to be meeting you all.”
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”We are most pleased to be called upon by the Starfinder Society once again. We are knowing very little of the biology of you Ysoki, but we shall study diligently, so we can keep you alive, if possible, or to taxidermy you into a reasonable facsimile if not.” A strange sound comes from the shirren’s thorax: laughing? ”We are Keskodai, and pleased to be meeting you all.”
"Pleezed to meechu too, Keskodai." responds Rizzit, seemingly oblivious to the shirren's attempt at humor (among other things).
"I 'presheate yu keepin' yor studies to dillin' gently, but deres no need for da taxidermeese. If I'm gettin' round the stasheon, den I'm probley gonna walk and if I'm goin' into space, I t'ink I'd prefur pilitin' myself!"
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Flashbang observes his companions and makes no assertion to interject but pays very close attention to who is assertive and who is passive.
so we have 2 cousins here, an android, a shirren, and a mystery figure. I will have to keep a close eye on these group dynamics.
to Mincey "well I don't know about cousins, but you sure do smell like one of our kind. Don't worry about voting for me, it is kind of a given that there aren't too many of us around here. but do let me know what woes you may have against the system. We ysokis have to stick together."
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after receiving the briefing
"Oh my! Oh my! A Vesk...they do tend to be a little touchy when it comes to talking and not whacking things with a stick. Any advanced knowledge you can fill us in on will help with what is expected to be tense negotiations. How much did the Society pay for the insignias? Is it customary with this Vesk to share his sources? How does he feel about the local ordnance that establishes every sentient species an equal voice? hmmmm?"
"Oh and what of the starship? Are we intending on pursuing this ship if we recover the datapads? Should we request additional support? Or is this illustrious assemblage our ship's crew?"
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He then looks at Skeek "I sometimes forget how much new ...recruits we have lately. Let me explain. The crew of the Unbounded Wayfarer received the insignias long ago for exemplary service to the Society. Although this isn’t common knowledge outside the Starfinder Society, these insignias are no mere trinkets; they can be used to encrypt or decrypt information that the Starfinders wanted to keep hidden."
"Oh! I see... so it is like a medal but with a practical use and clearly if he knew this Juzakama might ask for much more money which we would be forced to pay to keep them out of the wrong hands!"
Goggles nods vigorously again.
Once the Venture-Captain answers everyone's questions, Goggles begins again.
"Well, let us get going then and collect these insignia and get information from the merchant and since he has been paid already I'm sure there will be no problem."
He looks around at the others.
"Okay?"
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Downlow is a poor and densely populated section of the Spike
that extends below Absalom Station. Julzakama’s shop is less than an hour from the Lorespire Complex, the headquarters of the Starfinder Society, and reaching the run-down store is fairly simple.
Although some areas of Downlow are clean and trendy, this narrow alley of concrete and metal buildings drips with oil and sparking wires. A wide, red neon electric sign reads “Julzakama’s Loans” on a building sandwiched between a Kuthite sensation house and a derelict building covered with graffiti. The shop’s solid metal door contains a single, small window too grimy to peer through.
Juzakama will do as we say or else.
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The interior of Julzakama’s Loans is crammed with shelves containing all manner of near-valueless items, from small appliances to VR game consoles and jars of colored powders. The shop has the acrid smell of a reptile house that has not been cleaned in months. A massive vesk in a muscle shirt stands at the rear of the shop, behind a low desk and a series of heavy metal bars anchored into the ceiling.
He is carelessly disassembling an old computer when you arrive, but he looks up from his work when you enter the shop.
"What can I do for ya's?"
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tactical_analysis()...complete. Recommend "Favorable Law Enforcement Officer vs. Unfavorable Law Enforcement Officer" role play for maximum tactical advantage.
Good day, sir. I was told by an acquaintance that you might have rare or interesting badges not available to the general public. I'm quite keen on purchasing some for my collection.
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Y'aint gonna get thru to 'im dat widda fancy woids, tallbot. Rizzt thinks to herself. The ysoki pulls out her blade.
"Look, I'm gonsta cut to da chaze 'ere, lizard lips. Da name is 'Mincey'" the ysoki says as she scrapes her blade across the disassembled computer parts the Best was working on. "And not causes eyes minces woids."
The ysoki makes a jump up on the shop counter.
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Skeek comes into the shop and look around.
"Hey... you got a lot of neat stuff here! How much is this proton converter? Also do you have an isostatic oscillator with a xenon firing chamber? And a semiconducting cable crimper..."
Skeek shakes his head.
"Actually that's not why we're here you see we're from the Starfinder society and we came to pick up a bunch of Starfinder insignias which we already paid for and to ask you about who bought them because it's very important we find out where they got them and who they are."
"But I could still use a proton converter as long as it's one of the ones that doesn't use the brass contacts because the conductivity drops way off and I need the signal strength."
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When Tamon and Skeek mention the badges Julzakama gives a wide smile. He picks up and then slides a metal box towards you.
"I wazz expecting you. Thanks for the business droid-ling"
The box contains seven insignias bearing the compass-like logo of the Starfinder Society.
As Rizzit tries to jump on the counter and scatters computer pieces everywhere the Vesk looks a bit annoyed, but seeing how it doesn't add to the clutter of his shop he decides to let it slide for now.
The vesk scratches the scaly skin between his bony beardspikes with a clawed hand and says, “Seems I’m now fully paid for those trinkets there. I remember Arvin said something about wanting information, too, and I can do that. But information costs extra.”
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""Eggstra? Eggstra!?!" Rizzit cries out in her high-pitched voice. ”” She pulls her a second knife and bears her mammalian teeth at the lizard.
Then, the ysoki cocks her head back at a party member behind her. ”But foist, my palley ‘ere iz gonna ‘splainz to yuut why it’s a good idear to give uz da informashiun wez askin’ fur."
Neb cocks his head and says in clearly accented common, "'ittle one, we will not be paying any extra for information. Do as we say, do it now, do it quickly."
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Flashbang has been unusually quiet and seems to be thinking about the current situation.
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Seeing how eager his companions are to deal with this Vesk, he takes up a position to observe and will attempt to lend aid when needed.
Mincey, Mincey, Mincey. At least this adventure will be entertaining, he thinks to himself.
Flashbang's demeanor visibly changes from his jovial self to one of quiet seriousness "Mr. Julzakama, I am sure you know the laws of this station that very much frown upon illegally collecting property and then trying to extort more funds for information about the illegal activity. We are not here to cause problems for you nor your patrons, but we need to know who and where that person is. Then we will leave your establishment, which I think is reward for you in and of itself. Or we can pass along our disagreement with the local authorities for them to conduct a full investigation. I'm sure your business will not suffer in the least having all of that attention. hmmm.?"
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As everyone bears down on him - even if not everyone is that intimidating, the group effort seems to have rattled him a bit - he responds:"Geez rat-ling..don't blow a casket..“All right, all right; the seller was named Exegara, and she wasn’t from around here. Wore a flight suit, like she had come off a long trip. Once she had her money, she asked about where to purchase clean skeletons. I don’t carry goods like that, so I sent her to the Vat Garden.She was definitely an Eoxian. She looked like a man-ling, but didn’t breathe or blink or anything, and that she mentioned something about hiring some local muscle “just in case.”
"And I can get you a discount of 5% on proton converters..but I just sold the last of those 2 days ago..you'd have to wait on the next shipment to arrive before you can buy any of those"
You 'av made the smart choice 'ittle one. Neb bellows. To the vat gardens, come with me if you want to live.
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Flashbang turns back to his jovial self
"Why thank you good sir. I hope this slight disagreement will not color your opinion of the plight of my people. But do know that today, you have earned a favor of information. Please ask for me, if you think you ever need to find out information about...illegal activities. Thank you and have a good day." With that he gives a flourishing bow.
"On to the Vat Garden! I do love interacting with Eoxians. They tend to be so disagreable and confrontational." he smiles and pulls his tactical pike.
"Oh?! Unless someone here thinks they can reason with an illegally involved Eox?"
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As you leave the Vesk replies
"Yeah..I'd be looking forward to meeting you again Rat-lings..I'm sure to keep some proton converters stocked.."
After a quick search Rizzet finds out that the journey from Julzakama’s Loans to the Vat Garden takes about 10 minutes.
Downlow’s Vat Garden was once a vast pool of bio-active substances that drained away decades ago. The residue in the pool still enhances the growth of biological organisms, and an enterprising ysoki family purchased the empty pool and turned it into a garden, selling fresh plants around Absalom Station.
Demand exceeded their supply, so the family took in any sort of biological waste as mulch to grow their riotous tangle of plants.
An open secret around Downlow is that the ysoki also act as a mortuary for the very poor: they take dead bodies for free as mulch for their plants.
Garden is a ysoki-operated garden