Hi, everyone. Please dot and delete from this gameplay thread
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The Exo-Guardians do not currently have a headquarters on Absalom Station, but their leader, Zigvigix resides in the poor but trendy neighborhood of Downlow. Garbage litters the ground around the district’s largest art park — a cement lot filled with undulating metal sculptures and covered in graffiti of grotesquely adorable creatures. The sounds of music and chatter drift over from the nearby clubs, chronically interrupted by the roar of the local gangsters’ engines. A heavily augmented host shirren is sitting on one of the park benches, eating a simple meal of cold grub-noodles and rice candy. Their antennae perk up at the tremor of approaching footsteps.
“Welcome, new Starfinders! And congratulations!” the shirren’s voice telepathically projects. “My speech-name is Zigvigix, but feel free to call me Ziggy if that would be easier for you. Have some rice candy to celebrate your graduation! Today is your big day!
“When you are ready, I have two assignments I could use assistance with. The first is to help me secure a new headquarters on Absalom Station. I’ve been in talks with our station’s protectors, the Stewards, and they were kind enough to give us ownership of a warehouse here in Downlow for that purpose! The current owners no longer want it because a vicious alien took it over and kills anyone who goes inside. Once the alien is gone and the warehouse cargo has been returned to its owners, we can start installing desks and computers, so please go in and incinerate the creature!
“My second assignment...” Zigvigix twitches their tooth barbs for a moment and then holds out a credstick. “Please buy the brand-new Strawberry Machine Cake album, Star Sugar Heartlove!!!, which is out today, and give it to Historia-7 when you see her. She is the head of the Dataphiles, so you should meet her today! I wish to do it myself, but I... I have trouble standing for long periods of time. Thank you very much!”
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"Ok! Ziggy pleased ta meet ya again. I best be thank'n ye fer lettin' me in ta the Exo-Guardians." pausing for a moment the half-orc listens to the shirren's requests. " Take care of an alien squatter. You got it. Na 'bout tha album." Morroda looks over Ziggy for some sign as he is acting strange.
"Augments such as yours should na cause difficulty with stand'n. Also, why do ya wish us to take it ta Historia-7?
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Incinerating aliens, she says... Chip looks at Dee curiously. Strictly business, I see. Note to self: don't mess with the android.
Chip is his usual chattery self on the way to Downlow, though it appears he's taken extra measures should any local law enforcement spot him. "Don't mind me, Mr. ... Morroda, was it?" He uses the half-orcs sheer size as cover, standing close enough to avoid the gaze of any potential bouncers from the other night's incident. "Just admiring those massive guns of yours!"
When introduced to Zigvigix, Chip is more intrigued about the album than the alien. "So you want us to give a copy of the album to Historia-7? Is she a fan? ... Are you a fan?"
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Cora's nose twitches at the range of scents that assault her delicate senses as they enter the Downlow, but she manages to keep herself from commenting on it. Soon her awareness of the surroundings is overtaken by her excitement at the chance to meet her first faction leader in person! The fun just doesn't stop today. "A deadly alien, well! I guess it's clear why nobody wants that place!" She tuts for a few moments at the situation. "At least it will be ours for the taking. Do we know what kind of alien it is? Er... Ziggy?" Cora stumbles a little at the overly familiar nickname, but at least it is pronounceable, unlike most Shirren names one could mention. Or not, as the case may be, she reflects philosophically.
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Ziggy's antennae droop a bit as they reply, "We noticed that Historia-7 seemed down ever since losing her mentor to the Scoured Stars incident. We hope that some sugar-pop music will cheer her up. After all, sugar in all its forms always makes any situation better!"[b] Ziggy perks up a bit and extends their hand. [b]"Here! Have more rice candy!"
They quickly continue, getting quite excited, "Oh yes, we're a fan of all sugar-pop music! For example, there's 'Shape of Your Sugar' by Eddie Sheerands, 'Sugar, That's What I Like' by Muno Brars, 'Despa-sugar' by Fuis Lonsi & Mommy Yankee, 'I Feel the Sugar Coming' by The Weekday featuring Punky Dafts, 'Gangnam Sugar Style' by Sci-fi... And so many more! It's a shame we won't be able to listen to this latest release. We find it very difficult to stand in long lines. Unfortunately, these augments only grant us minimal mobility - took on some severe injuries a while back, we're afraid."
Turning to Cora, Ziggy says, "That's an EXCELLENT question! In fact, we have some holorecordings!
He plays the footage for you and you see a large 'thing' that appears to be a clump of feathers. It shoots out a feathery harpoon from somewhere within its mass which hits a vesk not too far from it. The vesk crumples to the ground and the feathery mass moves over the vesk, enveloping him.
Ziggy says, "We believe this creature is a feather stalker which, as you can see, is a predator far more unpleasant than its name implies. As far as the Stewards have been able to piece together, that vesk in the recording, a two-bit crime lord, illegally imported the creature. Aaaaaaaand then the beast promptly ate him. Try not to suffer the same fate... wouldn't want your tombstone to read 'killed by a feather.' No, no... I'm sure that would not tickle your loved ones' funny bones!" Ziggy chuckles as they pops another piece of rice candy into their mouth.
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"I don't know about you guys, but I say we pick up this album first. I hear they're selling out fast," Chip says, rolling a single credit over his knuckles. "If Strawberry Machine Cake is this popular, I wouldn't mind buying an album for myself. I wonder if I'd be able to resell it for profit if I held it for long enough," he laughs.
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Cora's ears perk up at the offered rice candy. She takes one and then delicately sniffs it before placing it in her mouth. "Quite tasty!" she exclaims while nodding. "Sugar is all well and good, but you should be careful, too much sugar will rot your..." She trails off, realizing that she doesn't know enough about shirren anatomy to be sure what effect sugar would have. "Never mind," she finishes lamely.
She watches the recording attentively, and recognizes all the signs from a creature she read about during her long, boring ride to Absalom Station. "Oh yes, feather stalkers! I can tell this one can see in the dark, and resists cold well, can sicken you if it hits, but in spite of how big it is, the feather stalker can only land a hit if you stand right next to it." She ticks off each fact on her fingers. "That's except for the harpoon attack it does, which can hit you out of nowhere. You can see it in action right there." She replays those seconds of the vid. "Sounds nasty - I never thought I'd actually meet one."
Cora notices that everyone else in the group seems much more focused on this sugar-strawberry-whatever music, and she sighs. "Well all right, I suppose we can go get that done first."
Cora peers a little closer at Ziggy, who is still gushing about pop music. "Don't you want one for yourself too? If it's your favorite music and you won't be able to stand in line yourself to get it."
Ziggy replies to Cora, slightly embarrassed, "Oh well, what we want is of little consequence in the grand scheme of things! Besides, the money would be better spent elsewhere to benefit a larger collective! No, no need to splurge on such an unnecessary luxury for us!"
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"Ai! Sounds like as a good a plan as any." Morroda agrees with heading to the get the Album. "Off to Absalom Tower Records then?"
After heading down a bit away from Ziggy Morroda say "I be think'n we should get ol' Ziggy a copy too. Might'n even brighten their day a bit too. I wonder if I can get a copy myself, Chips right, could prove profitable later." thinking to himself That track would probably be a good one to listen to in the future too!
As you bid Ziggy farewell, he offers you a few more pieces of rice candy. When you exit the art park, a little drone approaches your party and broadcasts a holorecording from Kaiole! The image of Kaiole states:
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"Hi guys! As you probably have noticed by now, I kinda went missing somewhere between the Lorespire Complex and on the way to Downlow to meet Ziggy. Apologies for that but I'm experiencing a psychotic episode... errrrr... I have been called away due to a professional medical emergency. Need to urgently attend to one of my patients!! I've informed Guidance and it assured me that a nice human lady will join you in my stead. Goes by the name of 'Fairy Moonbrite,' I believe? Please extend her all the same courtesies that you would extend me!! And before you know it, I'll be back by your side to continue our Commencement!!! Oh and uh, can ya pick up a copy of that album for me also please? Thanks guys, you're the best!"
With that, the recording ceases and the drone flies away!
Moving on, you arrive at the closest mall with an Absalom Tower Records shop selling the limited edition physical copy of Stawberry Machine Cake's album, Star Sugar Heartlove. As you approach, there is a very audible, very loud din and as you get closer, you realize it is from the massive crowd, formed into a line that snakes all around the mall. The line consists mostly of kids busy making duck faces while taking selfies. Scattered here and there, are some kids even younger - brought here by their obviously horrified parents standing beside them who obviously did not know what they were getting into. Aside from the parents, you notice NO ONE in line is your age - they're all at least half or less. As you walk towards the end of the line, you get nothing but stares from the kids who then giggle at each other saying things like: "Oh my gods! What are they wearing?!?!" "Wow, look at them, they're ancient!!" "Whatever! As long as they don't stand next to me!"
When you find the end of the line, the music shop isn't even visible to you as it is in an entirely different wing of the mall. That's how long the line is... you poor sods.
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I left Aballon for this? Dee thinks. Gods have mercy upon the Pact Worlds if this is the future Dee takes a spare seat at a noodle bar, opposite the mall and orders a strong tasting broth of dubious origin She sips, observes the crowd, and tries to spot any trouble makers
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"Ancient?" Chip looks at the teenager sideways. I should ice this youngster right here. ..... Nah, I've got a better idea.
Chip whistles casually as he marches along the edge of the long line. When he's somewhere near the front third of it, he commands his combat drone to make an obvious attempt to skip the line - as a distraction, of course, and Chip attempt to slip in unnoticed further ahead.
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Looking at the line Morroda gets a very preturbed look on his face. "Wait here." he gruffly says to the assembled team.
Walking up to the main entrance he looks to the security guard/rent a cop for this event and looks him square in the eye and says "How 'bout yous and I pla' nice right na and you let me and me friends into the VIP line." stating as rather more of a command than a special request.
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Chip, uses his drone as a distraction to slip into line much further ahead of the rest of the party. You believe you managed to get away with it and settle in for the much shorter wait when you feel a little tug at your shirt. You turn around and see no one immediately behind you... That is until you look down.
Before you is an agonizingly cute little human girl with curly hair and big brown eyes. She says, "Mr. Ysoki, my daddy always told me to wait my turn in line and never to cut in front because it is rude and unfair to everyone else who has been waiting. You don't want to be rude or unfair, do you Mr. Ysoki?"
Before you can reply you hear a low, burly-sounding voice say, "No, of course he doesn't. He just made a mistake and thought this was the end of the line but he'll move to the correct place in line now, pumpkin." You look past the girl, see a pair of human knees, then look upwards to see one of the biggest, toughest human males you've ever seen looking down and speaking to the cute little girl with a warm smile on his face. He then looks at you straight in the eye, maintaining the smile but without the warmth, "Isn't that true, Mr. Ysoki?"
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Morroda walks up to the entrance looking for the person in charge to intimidate and finds a store employee managing the line. The employee is a human kid, obviously a high school student who works here part-time and is perhaps about 15 years old. He is visibly awkward, not a prime physical example of his species, definitely awkward, visible acne on his face, and his voice cracks a bit when he talks as though his voice is still undergoing the transition from kid to adult. He's wearing an Absalom Tower Records employee name tag that identifies him as 'Bobby.'
Morroda towers over Bobby and the moment Morroda utters his words of intimidation, all the kids (several dozen) standing around in line whip out their personal comm devices and begin a holovid recording.
Little Bobby, looking like he's never before been so scared, says with a voice cracking from both fear and puberty, "Uhh.. uhhh... Please don't hurt me sir!! I... I... I'm just working here aft... aft... after school... All I want to do is save some money to b... b... buy some Dungeonfinder RPG miniatures!!" Little Bobby is practically in tears and nearly on his knees when he says, "Here! Here! Follow me!!" He goes to the shop door, opens it and steps aside, allowing you to enter. "If I take you to the front, you won't kill me, right mister?? I think I can get you one or two copies... Just PLEASE don't kill me!!"
While he awaits your entry, the kids standing around in line recording these events boo and hiss a bit, saying things like "Don't be a bully!" "It's just a music album!" "Why does he get to go to the front? That's not fair!" "Somebody call the Stewards or better yet, the Starfinders! They're good people and will protect us!"
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Dee sits idly, watching the crowd All this, just for a few pop songs. She smiles to herself and allows her mind to drift. She is soon back on Aballon, where she always finds herself when she allows her conciousness to wander. Familiar sights of the metal city flash before her. The smells of oil and industry, the hustle and bustle of industry in full flow. And then, as is always the case, she finds herself alone, in a darkened alley, searing pain coarsing through her. She looks down, and realises she is on the dirty floor of the alley, her laser pistol beside her, still warm to the touch. She is clutching something, a piece of paper, coated in warm blood. She realises it is her own. On it, it says "Seek Guidance child".
A scream brings her round back to the reality of Absalom and she instinctively reaches for her pistol, only to realise it was the joyful scream of someone clutching a copy of the new record. She releases the grip on her pistol. Stay focussed Dee. Stay focussed
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Chip figures best not to push the issue and replies to the little girl, "You're absolutely right cutie! I made a mistake.. I'd never want to be rude or unfair, especially to you!"
Chip gives the girl's father an apologetic look then heads over to Starcreds, buys a snappuccino, grabs a seat next to Dee, takes a sip of the sweet, icy, coffee goodness and watches the crowd.
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Morroda ignores the crowd, follows little Bobby into the shop and purchases two copies - the most that Bobby can put together for Morroda. Morroda, feeling a bit thankful and a bit sorry for browbeating little Bobby, decides to tip Bobby a few creds. Bobby says, "Wow, thank you sir! Now I can afford that vesk miniature I've been saving up for!" Upon hearing this, Morroda's intimidating glare slowly returns and in response, Bobby immediately says, "Uhhhh... I meant half-orc! I've been saving up for that half-orc miniature!" Satisfied, Morroda shakes Bobby's hand and heads toward the exit. Unfortunately, Morroda gets caught up in the surge of kids storming out of the store and suffers bludgeoning damage.
Later that night, a video of Morroda intimidating a kid for a Strawberry Machine Cake album goes viral on the station's infosphere. It dies out in a couple days but for those several days, Morroda becomes an online meme where an image of the large, menacing Morroda towers over a little human kid is subtitled: 'Nothing stands between me and my Star Sugar Heartlove!' Also during that time, walking around the station, random strangers will ask Morroda, "Hey, aren't you that guy who loves Strawberry Machine Cake....?" And finally, over the next week or so, Morroda's drinking buddies tease him about his newfound love of teeny bopper music.
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Faria and Cora, however, take the legitimate course of action and wait in line...for SIX hours! As a result, both of you suffer the fatigued condition and Cora also falls prey to the surge of kids when exiting the shop, suffering bludgeoning damage. Faria, however, nimbly avoids the storm of kids. On the bright side, the two of you are able to purchase as many copies of the album as the party desires.
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You reach the Downlow warehouse and station security allows you through the force barrier set up around the warehouse perimeter. The doors to the warehouse were forced open and no longer lock. You step inside...
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Cora drags herself through the doors of the warehouse. Her eyes have lost most of the sparkle that they had earlier in the day. Mentally she's still standing back in line, glaring down a nine-year-old child who was trying to cut in line. Is this day over yet...?
She startles to awareness when Faria's yellow blade springs into existence just in front of her. "Right, we're here for the... feather stalker," she mumbles, and gives herself a shake. This is no time to be dozing off! Hop to it!
Cora pulls out her laser rifle and then cautiously moves forward and tries to take cover behind one of the small crates. She looks and sniffs around that area, and she casts detect magic to look for any magical auras nearby.
Morroda, Cora, and Dee 42 advance further into the warehouse. Morroda, having forgotten to turn off the Star Sugar Heartlove!! track blasting through his earphones, is quite distracted and doesn't notice anything amiss. Cora looks around very carefully but sees nothing. Dee 42 moves along both quietly and alertly but also sees nothing. All remains quiet in this dim, dark warehouse...too quiet.....
As Morroda walks up to the control panel, he sees that it's a vehicle charging apparatus with, unfortunately, no lighting controls. But as soon as he finishes looking over the controls, he looks to the south and up on the catwalk Morroda spots the feather stalker in all it's fluffy glory!! It moves to attack!!
The feather stalker is up on the catwalk, climbs down 15 feet with the ease of a spider and another 15 feet across the ground towards Morroda, then launches a deadly feather at him!!
Morroda is struck with a glancing blow!!
The following characters in bold may take their action:
Feather Stalker
Chip
Cora (-2, fatigued)
Faria (fatigued)
Morroda (-2-3= -5)
Dee
Chip moves in closer taking cover behind a pillar next to Dee 42 and takes a shot with his pistol, yelling, "Maybe this will take a chip out of ya!"
Chip's shot goes far wide as he moves into position behind the pillar.
Cora's beam, however, finds the feathery animal's center of mass and leaves some burnt feather marks!
Faria moves in with her glowy, menacing weapon!
Morroda swings and just catches the edge of the creature, causing it to quiver in pain!
Dee tries to take advantage of Morroda's skillful maneuvering but nevertheless misses the shot!
The over-evolved pillow-stuffing full attacks Morroda!
Its first attack misses Morroda by a mile but the second swing connects! In addition, Morroda feels sickened for rounds!
The following characters in bold may take their action:
Feather Stalker (-15)
Chip
Cora (-2, fatigued)
Faria (fatigued)
Morroda (-11, 2 rounds sickened)
Dee
Remember all ranged attacks on the stalker get a +1 from Morroda's coordinated shot!
Cora the little ysoki mystic lets loose a decidedly non-mystical laser beam, striking the feather stalker right where it hurts feather stalkers the most and not only leaves behind burnt feathers but actually catches the stalker on fire!
Morroda, seeing the stalker in distress, presses the advantage and slices it nearly in half with a mighty swing!
The stalker goes down in one big fluffy, burnt mess, reminiscent of that mix of non-edible items you stuck in the microwave as an 'experiment' when you were a kid.
Moments after the stalker goes down, a contingent of station security moves into the warehouse to start removing cargo and freeing up space for the Exo-Guardians. They state that they saw your kill via security cameras and thank you for your assistance. They'll wrap things up from here.
Ziggy emerges from the crowd, approaches the party and says, "Well done, Starfinders! We knew you'd emerge victorious, never a doubt in our mind... No, not at all! Here, have some more rice candy! Did you also manage to deliver the Strawberry Machine Cake album to Historia-7?"