"Yeah, I got her." She jabs a thumb towards the back of the pile of bones, adding "Easy." before she gives a brief irritated look at Ted. "Could have done without the gunk man."
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Spectre (70 dmg)
Ted (12 dmg)
Arc (18 dmg) x2 turns
Isu (59 dmg, 1 negative level)
Sydney
Zeera Vesh ?
It's obviously strange for Sydney to be here right now, but otherwise she doesn't seem to be suspicious. She even gives you a 'What the f@+& man?' scowl when you start staring at her.
Isu checks behind the rock pile and sees... just a splattering of sticky goop across the ground. No sign of Vesh.
Meanwhile, Spectre's shot hits true. Sydney gives him a look of utter outrage at the betrayal before dissolving into a pile of dust once more.
Out of Combat
The experience fighting Vesh for a second time jogs Ted's memory regarding Jiang-Shi vampires. He remembers that a Jiang-Shi vampire's prayer scroll makes them extremely difficult to kill. As you noticed during this encounter, a destroyed jiang-shi vampire turns to dust - but so long as their prayer scroll was intact when they died, they can regenerate from their dusted state after a minute or so.
In order to fully kill a jiang-shi, its dust must be scattered on the wind (a difficult task on wind-less Eox), or its dust can be mixed with rice and vinegar. Either option will consecrate their dust and prevent them from regenerating. If neither is possible, repeated injury the moment they regenerate is a torturous but effective means of keeping them down.
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The sudden appearance of "Sydney" and Spectre's quick and ruthless dispatching of her stops Arcalinte's rage dead in its tracks, but he is relieved when Spectre's intuitions turn out to be correct.
"Isu, ash is what's LEFT after something's burned to the point it can be burned no further..."
He turns to the others, sword at the ready, figuring they'll just kill her again until they had a means of dispatching her for good.
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"Wind you say, Sir Ted? There is no wind on this planet, but you do have this one!"
Isu gathers up the ash as best as he can, holding it in his hands. Then he begins to run, gathering up speed and cruising across the ground at a very impressive speed. He allows the air to flow through his hands to scatter the dust.
Isu runs at full pelt, scattering the vampire's dust into the thin Eoxian air. Thin clouds of dust drift down across the cracked ground. You wait. Eye the dust for any movement. But after a couple of minutes, nothing stirs. It looks like she's no longer able to recover!
----
With Vesh truly dealt with, you're finally able to settle down and rest. And once you've caught your breath and examined your wounds (or chassis damage in Spectre's case), you're able to turn your attention to the data module that Vesh had on her person.
Spectre takes the device and hooks it expertly into his custom rig and boots it up to examine the file structure. As expected from first glance, it looks to be locked down quite well, though you're surprised to find its contents quite sparse. It seems Vesh was very vigilant to delete or transfer old data elsewhere.
One firewall protects a data file named Nav_0119. While a locked Journal archive (named ZV_01) with only a single entry demands a password for access.
Connecting to Spectre's custom rig with his own hacking kit, Ted tries to brute-force his way into the Journal entry. While the security doesn't yield to his skills, it *seems* that he didn't trigger any safeguards either.
Ted focuses his efforts on the Journal archive once more and breaks through the authentication with a sudden burst of insight. Within, he finds only a single journal entry, seemingly the most recent one.
...
>> Entry 34
> The recruitment efforts have been fruitful. More than 100 true patriots have joined our cause. And yet, I feel unsatisfied. What difference will even a hundred soldiers make that won't be completely eclipsed once we finally have access to the Stellar Degenerator?
> I ache to join our forces mustering for the journey. And yet, my upcoming mission is key to our final success. The Key to the Gate! The means by which we will unseal our new weapon.
> Those fools from the Cult of the Devourer did much of the work tracking it down for us, and now we will reap the rewards. The journey to the Nejeor system will be long. And more likely than not, Nejeor will already by crawling with members of their idiotic cult. But I don't doubt my new division's capacity to eradicate all who stand in our way.
> The Key will be ours, the Gate of Twelve Suns soon unlocked, and the Pact Worlds will exist at OUR mercy. And for my instrumental role in this success, I'll be raised to Captain... no, to Admiral... or perhaps even to supplant the Undying High Admiral Shathrava himself? Can I really aspire to such a lofty position?
> The only puzzle remaining are the Starfinders. From our instruments left near Star Eater's Spine, a Starfinder Starship dispatched the ships we left guarding the asteroid. And my informants found them arriving in Orphys soon after. It seems they too search for the Gate and Key. But between Xerantha and my own forces, I don't expect any trouble with them if they sniff too close. And we will soon be away in any case.
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"Good. This one could use another trip to Absalom Station. These cred sticks are burning a hole in this one's pockets."
Isu pulls out his personalized Abadar.com catalog and starts flipping through it. "This one has been eyeing a new power armor set. Why should this one walk when a machine can do the walking for this one?"
Ted's probing at the encrypted file triggers a warning message written in Eoxian.
CK_EC_401:01_02
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Isu finds a possible armor in his magazine, and checks his bank account on his comm unit. "Gods, what has this one ever done to earn so few credits! This stuff is expensive."
He begins remote depositing all of the loose credsticks into his bank account, and then with a click of a few buttons, aided by his many hands and fingers, gives each party member their proper share via TransferCreds.Abadar.com.
Deciding to hold onto the remaining encrypted data archive for now, you check again to make sure the vampire is fully deceased (she is) before heading back down the massive stone steps and out of the canyon. Once you're back to your borrowed buggy, its a short trip back to Orphys.
A ghoulish courier in a neatly fitting tweed suit inclines his head as you arrive. He clears his throat (a trained affectation, it seems) before saying "Welcome back, sirs. A message for you from the Ambassador." He extends a clear glass single-use datapad.
I trust you found what you needed. However, whether you did or did not, we are all rid of a common enemy. The Pact Worlds are just the smallest bit safer thanks to your murderous inclinations. And to encourage such good behavior in the future, I have reserved a small monetary award for your service. Please find it attached.
May we encounter additional mutually beneficial opportunities in the future.
The message is unsigned.
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The return trip from Eox to Absalom Station is quick, only a single day through the Drift thanks to the Starstone. But it's quite strange seeing every last bit of Sydney's
You dock at your reserved Starfinder berth at the Station, and are almost immediately hailed by Chiskisk over local comms. "WELCOME BACK! Since you're back here in one piece I'm going to guess everything went positively driftingly! No updates over comms please - loose lips and all that for you folks with lips - come over to my office. I want to hear what went down on Eox. AND I have a surprise for you!"
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You arrive in Chiskisk's office to find the space reorganized with a big dining table taking up the center of the room. A massive pot of cheese fondue sits in the center, with platters of various delicacies from across the Pact World are arrayed around it. Chiskisk leans over to the center and stirs the fondue for a battered ladle. They point their antennae in your direction and then towards the seats around the table.
"Again, welcome back! You're all in one piece and no one got turned into a ghoul. Just that is already cause to celebrate! Get yourself a plate, help yourselves. And while you do, tell me what you learned on Eox! What happened with the Corpse Fleet?"
As Chiskisk's energetic telepathy washes over you, you notice you're not the only occupants of the room. Another human already sits at the table.
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As Isu opens his mouth to answer some of those questions, he notices a the new human.
Frowning, he says, "Can we speak in front of the new one? This one for one want to see how tall he is before any sensitive information is shared. Moles could be anywhere."
This spurs a thought and he pulls out his comm unit and says into it, "Note to this one: Watch out for moles that could be moles. Probable halfling pets."
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The man sitting at the table isn't very old by human standards, probably in his mid-thirties. His shoulder-length brown hair is pulled back by a simple cord. He wears a blue cloak over his armor. A pack and a staff lean up against the wall behind him.
However, he looks to have seen much more action than his age would suggest. His cloak is fraying at the edges. His hands appear to be rough and calloused. His armor bears the marks of many battles.
Still, his face is calm enough as the group walks into Chiskisk's office. Hearing the Kasatha's comment, his eyebrows raise in a questioning expression. He stands, both in greeting and in response to the remark about height, rising to a height of an even six feet.
"Hello" he says, with a voice that is calm and level. "Chiskisk was just telling me that I am to join you in your travels. My name is Jellico Kent. I am...on loan from the Temple of Desna. As such, it would probably be appropriate for you to speak in my presence."
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"Ah! A believer. This one is also a follower of a higher being, a goddess in fact, Sarenrae the mighty, she who did all the mighty deeds and, uh... had them written in this book here, which is only half-written really... Uh... Arcalinte Soter! Tell the man more about Sarenrae! This one is called Isu Greelax Zyte of Clam Tarma, House Hadula, Scion of Isuma the Missing, and you, Desna follower, may call this one Isu Greelax Zyte of Clam Tarma, House Hadula, Scion of Isuma the Missing."
Chiskisk bobs their antennae apologetically in Jelico's direction "So very sorry! I was so full of excitement for what they found that I forgot all about introductions!" They wave claws at first the newcomer and then toward the rest of the team. "Master Kent, this here is the team I was talking about - Isu Greelax Zyte of Clam Tarma, House Hadula, Scion of Isuma the Missing, Arcalinte, Ted, Spectre and oh-" They look around "No Sydney?"
Once the situation with Sydney is explained, they continue with "Master Kent here comes to us from some of the Society's friends in the Desnan faith. Our recent clashes with the Cult of the Devourer, or should I say your recent experience with the cult, drew their attention. You see, Master Kent here has been on the trail of some of the Cult's members, members from the cell that you traced to Star Eater's Spine, in fact! Thanks to your mission, we have some idea of what that cult cell might be up to now. The Society saw it as the perfect opportunity for both our organizations to help each other." Chiskisk clasps their claws together.
"Considering the weapon at stake in your mission - the Stellar Degenerator - you'll undoubtedly be crossing paths with the Cult again soon." They turn faceted eyes to gaze at Jelico "Master Kent, I expect this will give you the opportunity you're looking for to apprehend your thief. And this group of Starfinders could certainly use your expertise regarding the cult and your knowledge of the Vast." Chiskisk nods happily "A perfect match."
Chiskisk looks between you all. "Good? Good. Now dig in and tell me all about Eox!"
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"That's the life of a Starfinder, Isu. Passion for causes over passion for credits," Arcalinte replies with a shrug.
"Your priorities need recalibration," Spectre says. "Passion for passion of credits is a cause worth supporting."
Spectre considers what to report. "I have calculated the probability of monetizing the Stellar Degenerator to be high, though it would likely involve holding planets hostage. Likely, my allies would frown upon that possibility. It seems that stopping the Stellar Degenerator, and monetizing saving the universe while repurposing halfling cults is more likely to lead to profits."
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"How generous of the Ambassador to subsidize the Society," Arcalinte comments when they receive his message, waggling his eyebrows at Isu and Spectre. "Given what we're up against, I can only imagine those mutually beneficial opportunities will come sooner than he expects."
Arcalinte spends much less time in his chamber during the trip back to Absalom Station, seated in the cockpit as he catches up on his coursework. It felt very different with Sydney no longer at the helm...less homey...they'd probably need to work on that. He greets Chiskisk's hail when they arrive.
"Have WE got a debriefing for you!"
Upon arriving at Chiskisk's impromptu party, Arcalinte gives a surprised smile.
"Thank you, Chiskisk! This is an INCREDIBLY welcome change from the rations we were living off on Eox, considering the local fare was...not really meant for folk like us."
He starts filling a small plate and sets it down as the newcomer, Jelico, introduces himself. He folds his hands and bows before returning to it.
"May your Cycle be long and your path illuminated, Jelico. I'm Arcalinte Soter, Sola of the Order of the Empty Orbit. Any servant of the Dawnflower's dearest friend and love is a friend of mine."
When Chiskisk asks about Sydney, he frowns.
"Sydney decided to part company with us on Eox. The thrills of a Starfinder's career weren't the kind of thrills she wanted. She didn't return for an actual resignation, then? Pity...I'd have thought she might have wanted to catch up with Solari and Ralkawi, maybe even Grix. How are they doing, anyway?"
As the conversation turns to Jelico joining their crew, his smile returns.
"Stellar! We need every ally we can get for this search...the entire Pact Worlds could be placed at risk if we fail, no matter which enemy gets their hands on it. So you're an investigator, Jelico? An inquisitor? Desna's faithful have always struck me as more...casual in those elements. Spiritual, yes, but less concerned with codes than with experience of the mystical and new."
At the mention of halflings and cults, he gets a grumpy expression on his face.
"Ignore those two. Isu's read too much infosphere garbage about the Unseen and Spectre insists on encouraging his delusions for profit. There is no halfling ghoul slaver pizza cult. We have the cult that we and you are both after, and the Corpse Fleet, which DOES have a large number of ghouls in its ranks, but halflings aren't involved anywhere."
Chiskisk looks eminently pleased at Arc's reaction to the feast, bobbing their antennae up and down as their mandibles waggle. "Wonderful! I spent quite some time choosing the choicest options, and hmm, might have gotten carried away?"
"Ah, as for Ralkawi, I've been told she is quite the handful. The first week she threatened to burn down the Lorespire, in fact! But I understand she's starting to settle in now. Which is good. Because I'm not so sure she wouldn't have tried to burn things down, considering her Devourer Cult conditioning." Chiskisk clicks their mandibles, and its not clear if they're joking or not. "Grix should be on his way to the Veskarium right now to fill our Lodge there on the latest news about your mission. There's the concern that the Veskarium might catch wind of the Stellar Degenerator and begin their own pursuit of it in secret. Probably better that they don't!"
There's a current of amusement in Chiskisk's telepathy as they add "Hmm, space is quite vast, perhaps that halfling ghoul slaver pizza cult is out there somewhere?" Their mandibles click after a pregnant pause. "Kidding of course!"
"But what about Eox? Don't leave me in the dark here."
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Jellico addresses Arc, "It's true, our clergy, by and large, are a peaceful group. But there are some of us who are a bit more gifted in the combat arts and still want to serve the church. I've been in our small, but effective, defense corps during my entire service as a mystic. Lately, I've been hunting down those, who I just learned, are our common enemies."
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"Isu, he just said he's a mystic. He's capable of casting spells like you've learned how to, except maybe more effective as he's had much more experience casting than you," Arcalinte comments.
"I was getting to that part, Chiskisk, thank you: Our arrival on Eox was greeted with a pleasant surprise. We were contacted by Ambassador Nor, whom Grix likely tipped off that we were bound there, and he advised us to visit an associate of his, one Waneda Trux, a director in the Ministry of Vigilance. She provided us a pair of leads as to the Corpse Fleet's recent activities, a burglary at Fleshworks Fabrications and the report of a former Bone Trooper named Gretal Rapinder, whose roommate, one Harvinne Nessex, ran off to join the Corpse Fleet."
"At Fleshworks Fabrications, we discovered the perpetrator of the theft was a marrowblight who infiltrated the factory under invisibility, and when we sought out Ms. Rapinder, she was being harassed by a trio of bigoted ghouls that we were forced to dispatch, and we found evidence Ms. Nessex had sought out a Commander Zeera Vesh, a jiang-shi officer in the Corpse Fleet, and were able to determine Vesh's location from that data. We rented some buggies to travel out to the area, but were set upon by a massive creature, an ellicoth I believe they're called. It drove us towards a hut we'd spotted, and inside we found the marrowblight thief we'd been looking for, Xerantha Mortrant. She understandably wasn't interested in sheltering us from the rampaging beast, and though we struggled to keep alive both against her and the ellicoth, we eventually triumphed! It was, unfortunately, at that point, that Sydney decided to part ways with us, though it was amicable. I hope we get a chance to work together again in the future."
He pours himself some tea and sips before continuing.
"Searching Mortrant's hut revealed some valuable items AND information. Mortrant had been losing patience with Commander Vesh and was planning to attack her if Vesh did not bring her with her to fight the living, at Skullcap Gorge. We traveled there and found Vesh laying in wait for us. It was a tense battle, but we prevailed once again. Vesh tried to pull a fast one on us after we killed her once, reforming in a nearby hiding place and disguising herself as Sydney. None of us were fooled, and we took her down again relatively quickly, and thanks to Ted's knowledge and Isu's imagination, we found a way to kill her permanently. And among her remains, we found this data-module, which we've been attempting to crack open. We know where the Cult of the Devourer and the Corpse Fleet are racing to now: the Nejeor system. We're hoping to find out WHERE the Nejeor system is, but the module has safeguards that will wipe its data with one more failure to breach it. We're hoping to show it to some of the Dataphiles, as many of the Society's best hackers can be found among them, see if with their talents combined with Spectre's and Ted's to beat it."
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Chiskisk listens in intently to Arc's explanation, providing mental waves of surprise at the twists and turns after the group arrived on Eox. Mid way through, they tap something out on a datapad. When Arc finishes, Chiskisk is quiet, rubbing a spot on their carapace as they think about the implications.
They finally voice (mentally) their thoughts. "This is distressing news. The Cult of the Devourer were dangerous enough, but it seems the Corpse Fleet is turning their entire organization around towards pursuing the Gate of Twelve Suns and the Stellar Degenerator. While the Cult is unpredictable and desperate, their resources are limited and their organization prone to infighting and self-destructive choices. If it had come to it, the Society and our allies might have been able to muster a response against them. The Corpse Fleet is a different beast entirely. Thousands of starships, hundreds of thousands of undead crew. And the discipline and structure to efficiently do whatever is necessary to gain control of the weapon." Chiskisk shivers.
"The Pact Worlds will need to get ready. If it comes to it, we need to be ready to face the Corpse Fleet - force against force. But that's easier thought than done." Chiskisk droops visibly "Well, that's for me to work out."
"The Nejeor system doesn't show up in any of the searchable Lorespire archives. If it isn't under a different name, it must be somewhere far out into the Vast. I'll tap Royo to search the physical archives for any leads."
As Chiskisk suggests that, Spectre (who had been busy silently interfacing with the data module plugged into his custom rig) carefully cracks the encryption on the remaining file.
Chiskisk sits up straight "AHA! And authorization codes as well." They ask Spectre to list off a few sets of galactic coordinates, which they plot on a 3D map that projects just above the pot of fondue. "The Vast indeed. This Nejeor system is weeks away from Pact Space even by Drift drive!"
Chiskisk mulls over the situation for a minute before finally sending "We can't afford to let either the Cult or the Corpse Fleet to find this Key to the Gate. Team! This might be the most dangerous mission I've ever asked anyone to undertake. But we desperately need you to go to Nejeor and stop them. Steal the Key out from beneath them both and return it to the Pact Worlds. Or better yet, destroy it. Are you willing to undertake this mission? Jelico, I realize this is a lot of put on your shoulders as well, but I hope you're willing still to join them."
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Chiskisk adds "Then eat up and start getting yourselves ready. The trip may be long, but each day you spend at the Station before leaving is another day both factions will have on you. I'll requisition funds for you to kit yourselves out. Once you're out in the Vast, any stores will be days of Drift travel away - and weeks more to get back out. You'll want to get everything you think you'll need now."
Pausing in their frenzied planning, Chiskisk looks to each of you and visibly swells with pride "You've come a long way from the team investigating gangs on the Station, haven't you? Defeating a Corpse Fleet commander and uncovering a threat to the entire galaxy! And if all goes well, ending that threat as well. If all goes well..."
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