"Anyone know what this is? I can't seem to figure it out. Seems untechnical somehow."
Vetch scurries up to where Abe holds the scanner, an item he had misssed in the post fight resting.
"Oh, let me see Abe..." Vetch fiddle-faddles with the device.
Mysticism
He turns it over in his paws a few times, but can't figure it out, handing it back to Abe.
"I dunno. Looks like junk to me."
Vetch locks the ship so it doesn't get stolen, giving a glare to Dash, then is ready to move on.
”Yup, junk.” Dash confirms, not really looking at the device. ”Space junk, fallen from the sky is my bet. Savages probably worshipped it like a f@#%ing deity.”
Once everyone has their lollipops, Dash waves Zane and Draka toward the Dockmaster’s Building. ”May as well loot, er, explore the place.”
Zane walks right into the front doors of the DockMaster's Building.
Coach said to explore and gave the "it's all clear of traps" handwave.
At least Zane thinks that Coach took precautions to prevent him from falling straight into a trap.... only time will tell.
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From the landing pad, you enter the dockmaster’s building, a place where merchants and visitors to the city would declare their goods and fill out the appropriate forms. These days, it serves more as a staging area for lichen collection. The interior of the building was gutted long ago, and the walls are now covered with murals worked in crude paint and charcoal. The images seem to depict the sun in various positions in relation to the Emerald Landing Pad; each of these pictures is accompanied by a number of what appear to be tally marks.
Vetch (SP 49/49; HP 44/44; RP 7/8; Elec/Fire/Cold Res 5)
Dash (SP 45/45; HP 35/35; RP 5/6)
Draka (SP 53/53; HP 59/59; RP 6/7)
Zane (SP 65/65; HP 48/48; RP 6/7; DR/5-Cold/Fire; DR/6 Kinetic; 1 Neg Lvl)
Abe (SP 49/49; HP 46/46; RP 6/7)(Messalina 70/70)
"Very primitive group. I mean charcoal - really? Who uses that as an artistic medium?" Abe chuckles to himself and proceeds onward, sending Messalina ever forward into new chambers.
Vetch scurries from hiding spot to hiding spot, looking for things of interest while the party acclimated to this world.
Culture
”You think that’s charcoal?” Vetch replies to Abe, getting closer to sniff at the markings. ”Charcoal? Might also be poop. I dunno. Pretty lame when it could be done with magic.”
He follows Abe forward, scurrying into hiding.
Stealth
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After a few moments of discussing the intricacies of charcoal drawings both Abe and Vetch hear fighting in the distance outside of the building.
An empty window frame overlooks the street in front of the building, where two small groups of kish are fighting. Both groups have taken casualties and only three remain standing on each side.
vs DC 22
"Hey, look, two groups are fighting it out. One of the groups has a fetish on their armor - some sort of shield like shape with an upside down teardrop breaking through the top and a circle in the middle."
He leans back from the window. "That mean anything you you guys? Were the ones we just fought wearing that symbol, I don't remember looking that close through the fog. I just remember their damn clubs in my face." he grins.
He thinks about sending Messalina out there to join the fight and taking up a position by the window, but he's not sure which side to shoot. "Maybe they'll kill each other and we won't have to worry about it." he suggests.
”Upside down teardrop?” Dash looks for the symbol.
”Huh. Looks like the symbol of Talavet, a goddess of community, selfreliance, tradition, and all things f@#%ing boring. The other group look like more of the a$$holes that attacked us on the platform - I say we shoot them.”
Popping the sniper rifle from his glove, Dash takes aim.
Perception
Mysticism
Vetch large agrees with Captain SpacePants, nodding along.
"Are we getting into the middle of a religious war? Uh...which side do we want to be on?" Vetch asks.
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”I usually side with the religion that sacrifices fewer virgins.”
The vesk cracks her knuckles. "Want Draka go in? Draka smash in bug heads with hammer." Draka unstraps her Swoop Hammer and holds it in both large palms as if to demonstrate.
”I usually side with the religion that sacrifices fewer virgins.”
”No danger here,” Vetch says.
Vetch moves south, following Zane.
He skitters from hiding spot to spot.
Stealth
Abe shrugs, not particularly wanting to get into someone else's firefight. He follows Vetch to the south, but stays well back so as not to blow his stealth.
He does however send Messalina ahead and up high to assist the Ysoki in his scouting. Messalina should be around 20' up and 20' back of the small man with the bulging cheek-pouches.
”Go ahead Draka. Smash away. Zane, game on, the ball is yours.”
Dash takes a shot at one of the Jerkishes.
Zane goes charging in!
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One of the Kish, not bearing the symbol of Talavet, drops instantly as Abe shoots it right through the head. As The Zane screams and charges across the field the other two wounded Kish take off running. A little show of force drives them away as they were close to losing the battle anyways. The quickly flee into the city.
The flashy show catches the attention of this new group of Kish bearing the crude symbol on their armor. One of the Kish drops to his knees as his two companions surrounded him. He looks to be severely wounded. His two comrades don’t seem to have the skills to heal him and look unwilling to possibly exacerbate his condition by moving him. They offer a short prayer to the sky. The gestures of the prayer to be similar to those offered to Talavet in the Pact Worlds.
One of the unharmed Kish takes off into the city as the other makes soothing noises to her injured friend. They both seem a bit apprehensive about The Zane though the keep their distance as he seems alone and not currently showing them any harm.
Sense Motive
Newbies.
Vetch rolls his eyes as he slowly moves forward, offering his own holy symbol, then pointing at the wounded. He doesn’t speak, but does try to help. Using his intrinsic power, he will restore 5*lvl = 35 point back to the wounded.
Again he does not speak, letting his actions speak for him.
Vetch takes the silent but helpful approach.
Zane does the loud and boastful approach.
speaking slow and with emphasis on his words,
The Zane is buff. The Zane is sexy.
He says this and flexes his muscles and kisses the biceps. Smuch, smuch.
You will want to be a fan of THE ZANE.
he speaks assuredly. and gives hand signals to himself.
TALAVET - Likes The Zane.
Zane picks up on the deity word that Dash used, because hell - who doesn't like The Zane? All the Gods certainly like him.
He then pulls out some medical gauze and a serum of healing MkI.
Yeah, thinks Zane, "This is Zane's kind of super power. Making fans."
Abe leans on his laser rifle and watches the two approaches. He wonders which will be more successful? If he were a betting man, he'd go with Vetch, but only by a slight margin. It's not a bet he'd be willing to make in any event.
He sends Messalina up a little higher (40') to scan the area for threats while they meet these newcomers.
Draka lets out an audible breath and taps her Swoop Hammer to her shoulder. Her yellow reptilian eyes watch The Zane as he tries to converse with the natives.
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The Kish cover the wounded with their own bodies as Vetch approaches. While they don't outright attack they seem on edge and confused as their friend's wounds suddenly heal. They take a small step back surprised as they quietly chatter among themselves, though Abe is a bit too far away to distinguish actual words.
The Kish begin lowering their weapons. That is until The Zane begins screaming and kissing his biceps at them. Knee jerk reaction they nearly draw their bows on the larger man but see that he means no immediate harm and lower them once more.
The Kish seem even more confused though as they don't seem to understand a single word that The Zane says or even much of his pantomiming. One speaks up loud enough for Abe to hear. "⍙⊑⏃⏁ ⏃⍀⟒ ⊬⍜⎍⍀ ⟟⋏⏁⟒⋏⏁⟟⍜⋏⌇"
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Gal-axy WI-de V-i-deo Star Draka is here!
He points to the beautiful Vesk companion , but also abandoning the slow speech as it's tough and tedious.
She is the uber-super-star, and very Famous. Even The Great Zane just rides her coattails when she enters the....
he pauses and looks around, wanting to say the word "room" but insteads chooses to continue,
..into the mossy covered Spacedock. Everyone outside The Drift watches her. Talavet even watches her!
He then does more pantamiming.
Today is your lucky day. Ask for her Autograph. It'll be worth a TON of space Creds.
Abe translates, "They want to know who we are and whether we intend to harm them."
He sheaths his weapons, and approaches with his hands outstretched and down. He tries to pantomime peacefulness, but he's not sure how well he's doing.
He tries to show that they're looking for others like them (as opposed to the Kish.
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Vetch pfaw-pfaws *The* Zane’s dramatics, trying to keep calm among the Kish. He steps back and lets Abe do the translating.
He looks to see if anyone else needs healing, trying to seem harmless.
”Tell them we’re looking for some bad people and don’t want to hurt anyone. Tell them to ignore some of the weird stuff from Draka and *The* Zane, and we should be good. Have them deal with me or you or maybe...” Vetch looks over at Dash. ”Maybe just me or you.”
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The kish shake their head. "⋏⍜⋏⟒ ⏁⊑⏃⏁ ⌰⍜⍜☍ ⌰⟟☍⟒ ⊬⍜⎍. ⍜⋏⌰⊬ ⌇⍜⋔⟒ ⍙⟒⏃⍀⟟⋏☌ ⏚⍜⋏⟒⌇ ⏃⋏⎅ ⎎⍜⎍☌⊑⏁ ⍙⟟⏁⊑ ⏃ ⎎⟟⟒⍀☊⟒ ⍀⏃☌⟒ ⍙⟒ ⊑⏃⎅ ⋏⍜⏁ ⌇⟒⟒⋏."
In a short few minutes the Kish that ran off returns with some help and a stretcher. The new arrivals seem started at your arrival though after a bit of reassurance from the Kish speaking with you they approach within arm's distance and begin to slowly load the wounded. "⌿⌰⟒⏃⌇⟒ ⊑⟒⌰⌿ ⎍⌇ ⋔⍜⎐⟒ ⏁⊑⟒ ⍙⍜⎍⋏⎅⟒⎅ ⏃⋏⎅ ⍙⟒ ☊⏃⋏ ⌇⌿⟒⏃☍ ⎎⎍⍀⏁⊑⟒⍀ ⏃⋏⎅ ⟟ ⍙⟟⌰⌰ ⏁⏃☍⟒ ⏁⍜ ⋔⟒⟒⏁ ⊑⟒⍀⏃⌰⎅ ⏁⋉⏃⊬⌰, ⍜⎍⍀ ⌰⟒⏃⎅⟒⍀."
Seeing that they are talking with him, while he doesn't understanding a word they are saying, he fully expects them to have done some mumbo jumbo and totally know what he is saying.
Zane continues as if they are his new people and he is their star studded Icon.
And of course you will want The Zane's Autograph.... If there's something legendary on this planet, you will want to change it's name to ZaneSpire, or DangerZane.... Obviously The Zane will need to fix whatever worldly problem you have before you re-christen it, but that will obviously happen in time....
"Vetch, I can't talk to them, just understand what they say. Everything else is guesswork. That said, it seems to be working - or at least our healing impressed them. They want us to follow them, help carry the wounded," he looks at Draka and The Zane, "...and meet their leader. Apparently they're someone called Herald Tzayl."
"Some folks did come through here before us, wearing bones and fighting with a fierce rage he says. So we need to watch our backs too - there's no knowing where that lot is."
He turns to The Zane, "I dunno if they want your autograph yet. Might need to impress them first." he grins.
"So, I think we should join them. See if maybe their leader speaks other languages. I can cast Comprehend Languages once more, so if the walk is overlong to get there, we should still be OK."
He keeps Messalina up around 30' keeping an eye out for necrotic types.
Letting Abe do all the footwork, or earwork in this situation, Dash hangs back and hums his latest favorite tune. When Abe suggests they follow the savages, he gives a “gather up and lets go signal” he saw on some old vid.
”Right. Move out.”
What?! Doesn't want an autograph?
.....
oh, you said, " Yet".
O.K. Cool. Impressing people is second nature.
Zane picks up or helps pick up the wounded. He tries to take the whole burden so that Draka can enter with her usual regal bearing. He even tells her so.
Draka, you should lead on, meet this Herald Tazzy and show off your celebrity status. Might get Team Blood and Fury Penthouse accommodations at their finest hotel. Let The Zane carry the burden, and be the entourage.
Vetch nods back to Abe, showing that he can communicate without words too.
He moves out, following the Kish.
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Draka stands up at little straighter as The Zane tries explaining the vesk's viral fandom and popularity. She puffs out her chest and runs a hand over her scaly head. She's completely lost when the natives respond back to her companions, but understands that her companions are trying to push her PR (which Draka appreciates.) Draka looks back and forth from one group to the other, trying to understand what they're saying about her. "Draka intergalactic vidstar," the vesk states the obvious. "Draka make videos on health shakes, beauty tips, weekly vlogs, and new hit Blood and Fury with The Zane."
Draka does not want Comprehend Languages cast on her. "If bug men real Draka fans, they learn vesk," she comments, crossing her massive, muscular arms over her chest.
The vesk seems content following the others to talk to the leader of the clan. Draka misunderstand. ...Bug people prefer to talk? Or maybe bug people introduce Draka to best bug warrior. She flexes.
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The Zane lifts up on the stretcher helping to carry the wounded. Though he can't understand both himself and Draka quickly begin to get the impression that these KIsh don't have much in the way of technology nor probably have any idea what a Vidstar even is.
Gaining the outcasts trust the group of Starfinders follow them through the city. A small neighborhood of dilapidated residences once known as Cloudside Condominiums around a sturdy community center. It takes about 30 minutes of walking to reach the area from the spaceport.
You are led to the community center. The exact name of the building is long faded away, but the space above its front doors is marked with a large (and fairly freshly painted) symbol of Talavet. A handful of younger kish are in the space in front of the building, playing a casual game involving a ball and pairs of vertical hoops on poles on opposite sides of the court. Dozens of other kish can be seen about the neighborhood, tending to small gardens, repairing the buildings, or maintaining weapons and armor. Many of them stop what they are doing to gawk at the aliens as you are escorted into the building. The interior has clearly been recently converted into a small church, and hastily created symbols of Talavet are the majority of the decor.
Inside the kish leading the way points to another of his race wearing an austere brown robe accented with a colorful scarf around her head.
The kish that led you here steps forward before the leader and clicks a small introduction and taps his mouth just before he points back to The Zane and gives a few flex's of his arms before shrugging.
Herald Tzayl looks upon you curiously before standing. He unfolds his hands hidden within his long robes and approaches. He taps his own throat before reaching for yours.
His original comprehend languages is still going (70m duration) and he translates for the party, "This is their leader, Herald Tzayl."
Abe will step up and let him touch his throat. He'll then touch his own and try to touch Tzayl's in the same manner, though he does so very slowly, and is quick to withdraw if there seems to be surprise or hostility.
He tries speaking to the person in common, hoping for the best, "Greetings, I'm Abe and we're looking for some undead - the bone people - to stop them from doing something bad. Any chance you understand a word I'm saying?"
When that, presumably, fails, he pantomimes again, trying to get his point across, though he's not as successful as he was earlier.
A handful of younger kish are in the space in front of the building, playing a casual game involving a ball and pairs of vertical hoops on poles on opposite sides of the court.
As soon as humanly possible, Zane goes outside and starts playing. He doesn't need to speak the language to play games with children or teens. He'll hand off Bubba and Boingo to Dash or Draka before heading out.
Abe, get us the Penthouse Suite with the small chocolate squares on the pillows. Pretty Please.
and he's out the door, playin ball.
Vetch shrugs, not having much to add, but takes in the community center with a bit of pity. This place was seemingly cut off from technology and, therefore, his god. He worries for the people, wondering how such technological heathens can live...and is it really living without magic and computers?
Vetch steps forward to allow his furry throat to be touched.
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The Zane branches off and goes to play with the younger Kish. As he steps in and quickly picks up the rules and how to score the younger teens step back unsure of him, and frankly a bit scared as they shake. Watching the large human kick the ball around with a bit of skill through a few of the hoops the children quickly begin to warm up and play with Zane.
Meanwhile back inside the Community Center Abe and Vetch allow Herald Tzayl to touch their throats. Abe reaches for the leaders throat as well and the Kish all begin to laugh in an alien sort of way as their faces split to the side.
Much to Abe and Vetch's surprise they can now understand what the Kish are saying as well as speak to Herald Tzayl.
Herald Tzayl voice is a bit lighter as she introduces herself. "I am known as Herald Tzayl here. I am willing to answer many of your question but I also have some of my own that will need answering."
She motions for you to take a seat on the floor as this may be awhile. "You will be under protection here for now though if you show any ill intent or harm to my people then justice wil be harsh and it will be swift." She explains as it doesn't seem to be a threat more than a warning.
"First where do you came from? Are you affiliated with the strangers who attacked several days ago? And why have you come to Istamak?"
Abe laughs when he realizes what was done, and looks a little red with embarrassment. He shares what was said, and lets the team know what transpired. Then he turns back to the man and introduces the team, starting with Draka and ending with himself.
"We're from a star system far from here, but we are pursuing the strangers who attacked you. They are our enemies, and are trying to destroy rather a large part of our homelands. I'm hoping you can tell us something about them, so we can continue to pursue them and leave your people alone."
Zane is outside and doesn't get to meet The Herald, but is showing the Kish teens a thing or two . Okay, The Zane wasn't THAT impressive
Vetch lets Abe do the talking, confident in the man’s ability to explain things. He has questions of his own, but will wait for the right time to ask them.
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Dash allows the Kish to touch his throat as well. If they had the power to do any real harm they wouldn't be living like vagrants in the slums of an obscure world in the middle of nowhere.
"Abe here is good at laying out the basics. I'm Dash - Captain of the ship that landed us here. We're here to stop those d!cks that attacked you." He briefly wonders if Kish have the proper anatomy to properly appreciate his description. Then he wonders how a comprehend languages spell might intepret such a thing. Then he wonders why the hell he even cares to wonder. "Look, you people seem like decent folk. Living off the grid here. I get it. I've done it. Intergalactic social media makes humanoids f*$%ing crazy. Pretty sure it's made this guy racist against goblins." He nods at Vetch. "Small talk aside, it seems you have unwelcome visitors, plus some of your own people causing trouble, so it seems we're on the same side. Now, if you can just point us towards the bone-heads..."
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“You come to us in turbulent times. Those you see around you have been recently cast out from their homes for daring to speak out about Huntmaster Xavra’s desecration of tradition. And now we clash in the streets to protect ourselves. It is very sad.” Herald Tzayl waves his hand slowly at those around him.
Seeing a small bit of confusion Herald Tzayl explains a little bit further. "Huntmaster Xavra is one of Chieftain Hoyfeq’s most trusted advisors. As was I, until I stood firm against Xavra’s recent actions. He has occupied our great temple in a misguided attempt to protect it; I still believe it should be open to all. The chieftain knew I would not soon let this matter drop, so he exiled me for my troubles."
“As for those of you wearing bones. They arrived in a metal cloud like yours, but different in shape and color. Theirs looked angry, as did their clothes. We welcomed them into our great temple, but they profaned the Vault of Tales and attacked us, causing many deaths and much destruction. They then returned to their cloud and ascended into the sky.”
Vetch listens to Captain Dash, trying to keep his face placid and not too contradictory.
”Well, I’m sorry about your troubles, but we need to find these people before it gets much worse. Did they take anything with them when they left? What did they do to the Vault of Tales?”
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Draka gives her powerful tail a little flick before sitting down somewhere nearby. Good. Captain and Ship Wizard talk. Draka understands that diplomacy can be a critical part of certain missions but she herself would generally not take that route. No, the vesk way was to conquer. And while Draka's form of conquering was different than the traditional method her ancestors employed - taking over planets and enslaving entire groups of beings - conquering the internet through fan subs suited Draka just fine.
At one point during the diplomatic interaction, Draka thinks: Draka fans not like this. Not enough blood and fury. But then, an image of Wakanda pops into Draka's mind and the vesk promptly decides to continue to sit and keep her toothy maw shut.
"Yeah, I don't suppose you know where they went do you? Overhear anything? We really need to catch up to them." Abe frowns at the news they're so far behind.
'Chasing ghosts' is a good way to put it, but with the undead at the helm, it could be true!
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”Well, I’m sorry about your troubles, but we need to find these people before it gets much worse. Did they take anything with them when they left? What did they do to the Vault of Tales?”
"It is difficult to say. The Temple Found is sacred to our ancestors, so we maintain it as tradition dictates. It was open to all, until recently. After the strangers left, Huntmaster Xavra sealed himself and some of his warriors within, claiming that the temple must be kept safe from other strangers. I objected to his decision, and the chieftain saw fit to exile me for speaking out. Luckily, I was not the only one to feel this way, so my neighbors joined me in my banishment.”
“One of the many blessed areas within the Temple Found. It is a vast collection of our ancestors’ wisdom, held within sacred crystals. I sometimes used to visit the Vault when I had deep, unanswered questions. Though there is much about the words I don’t understand, I always come away from the Vault of Tales with some guidance. That is why the Temple Found should be free for all to visit.”
“The doors are shut from within and can be opened only if Xavra allows it.” She thinks for a moment. “But I have heard the voices of our ancestors speak of another way in. Perhaps if you were to listen to them, you might benefit from their insights. But first you must prove yourself worthy enough to hear those voices yourself."
She grasps Vetch's hands. "If you were found worthy by the Spirits perhaps you may find access to the Temple and find the answers you seek.” She seems hopeful.
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Though the current residents of the floating city of Istamak on the gas giant Nejeor VI live among relics of the past, they lack any real understanding of the original purpose of such artifacts. As a once-bustling metropolis slowly crumbles around them and foliage expands to cover everything, these simple folk survive by farming and hunting. They tell stories and paint murals about their ancestors, though their often-fantastic myths are based on what little information they can glean from abandoned buildings and barely functioning technology.
Abe frowns, not wanting to waste time here, but unsure how to proceed without it. Eventually he sighs, resigned to the task. "If there's another way in, we'll take it. How do we prove ourselves worthy of the voices?"