You have been summoned to meet with Venture-Captain Arvin at his office on Absalom Station at the Lorespire Complex.
When you arrive, the door to his office is closed.
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A handsome, tall lashunta with a showy hat walks into the room, very curious to learn of his new assignment, and wondering if he will see any of the friends he has made thus far in his past two assignments.
Mustachio, seeing no one he recognizes, turns his eyes to his new rifle. Purchased with nearly all of his Starfinder Society income, it is his new treasure. Perhaps with it, he can one day overcome the ignominy of the Green Sniper.
SFS ## 258259-702
Mustachio
Mustachio Marino
Wayfinders Champion (Faction Boon)
You’ve declared your allegiance to the Wayfinders and dedicate your missions to furthering the goals of that faction. A character with this boon slotted at the end of a successfully completed scenario gains Reputation as detailed in the primary and secondary success conditions of that scenario.
Faction's Friend (Social Boon; 3 uses): By assisting various factions of the Starfinder Society, you have proven yourself as a dependable asset. By slotting this boon, if you would fail to earn Fame at the end of the adventure by failing to fulfill a success condition, you can check one of the boxes on this boon. Doing so reminds your current championed faction of your past exploits, and you still earn 1 Reputation (but no Fame) with that faction as if you had successfully fulfilled the condition. You can use this boon only if you would also gain at least 1 XP for completing the adventure.
Marked Field Agent (Slotless Boon) SYSTEM:Hand , MODEL: Single ,LEVEL: 1. This implant rests underneath the skin of the palm of one hand, or at the end of a tentacle or similar appendage in species that lack hands. The augmentation can be activated or deactivated mentally as a swift action. Activating the implant causes a rendition of the Starfinder Society’s symbol to glow underneath the skin. This augmentation acts as a mark, letting others know you are a member of the Starfinder Society. It also increases the light level within 5 feet by one step while active.
Automated Defenses (Starship Boon): You defeated one of the orbital defense platforms orbiting the planet Elytrio. The platform contained several unique, albeit technologically outdated, innovations in starship design. The most promising adaptation of the technology is its ability to deter oncoming missiles using miniature automated drones. When you slot this starship boon, once per starship combat, a science officer can reduce the speed on a single tracking weapon fired at your starship by 50% for 1 round. Declare the use of this ability when the enemy weapon is fired but before its gunnery check is attempted. A science officer can spend a Resolve Point to activate this boon in any subsequent round or encounter. A starship can only be improved by a single copy of this boon.
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Standing in the hallway, the taller Android flashes a rehearsed smile- more mechanical than genuine. His features are decidedly construct, looking only in the vaguest way humanoid. Blueish circuits cover his cool, steel, 'skin' and a prominent circular device sits in the center of his forehead.
A rifle sits comfortably slung across his back. He silently watches the noble knock, awaiting a response.
A burly vesk bedecked with weapons and wearing battle dress clanks past everyone and comes up to the door.
"Why is this door closed?" the vesk asks angrily. "I have an appointment!" The vesk checks her chronometer. "For right now!"
The vesk pounds on the door to the office several times. "Captain Arvin?" she shouts through the door. "Recruit Obozaya reporting for duty as ordered sir!"
She tries the doorknob...
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"It seems most probable that we have arrived before the appointed time. It may be to our benefit to show restraint in this instance."
The words come across coldly, although not rudely. More of a simple observation and statement of fact. Astrator turns towards the newest arrivals.
"It is inappropriate to give your commitment but not follow through. I expect that you will have more success here with us."
The doors to the office slide open with a soft pneumatic hiss.
Inside is a well-lit and blue-carpeted office. Venture-Captain Arvin, a handsome and determined-looking damaya lashunta, sits behind a desk, his eyes riveted on a glassy display. After a heartbeat, he glances towards the open door and motions everyone to enter.
“Apologies, please come in. Be seated if you like, although this shouldn’t take long.” Arvin taps a button on a console and murmurs to a digital assistant, “Croyd, put everything on hold for a few minutes. If anyone calls, please explain I’m in mission briefing and I’ll get right back to them.” He then darkens the display to give his full attention.
“Right. I have an assignment for you. This one is a little a different than others you might have received.” He pauses before he explains, “It’s an internal matter.”
“You’re probably aware that after the Scoured Stars incident many of our colleagues elected to leave the Society. That is unfortunate, but not surprising.” Arvin laments. “We hate to lose good field agents, but no one is conscripted into our ranks. Normally we wish them well and that’s that. In this case, the defector, former field agent Reynald Talbot, stole an artifact from the Lorespire Complex before departing. Theft is where the Society draws the line; I need you to get that artifact back.”
“Unfortunately, Talbot left weeks ago and we only discovered the theft in the last 24 hours. We launched an immediate investigation to determine the identity of the thief and their last known whereabouts. It’s our bad luck that Talbot was smart enough to get off the station and head to Akiton, where there’s no central government or law enforcement to easily call upon. I need you to track him down and recover the artifact. We know Talbot caught a shuttle to the Akitonian city of Maro, so that’s a great place to start. The Society will, of course, cover your travel expenses.”
"Hmph," Obozaya grunts. "So do you want this Talbot back in custody too? Or do you only care about the artifact?"
"And this artifact, how do we recognize it?"
Thinking back to things he has heard the about Akiton. The noble will hint at what he knows So you are sending us to a place where by the very fact that we are off worlders we will be suspect?
“Sounds like you are familiar with Akiton. Good, that knowledge should serve you well. “ Arvin says to Donavaan, approvingly. “The good news is, however, is that the place may be suspect of Talbot too. Talbot’s smart, capable, a bit brash, and a reasonable field agent. He is also self-entitled and ambitious. After the Scoured Stars incident, he expected to be promoted to venture-captain, but the Forum felt he needed more time. He got angry. We think this theft is retaliation. If Talbot acted or did anything at all out of the ordinary once he got to Akiton, chances are pretty good that someone there was likely to have noticed.”
[ "Hmph," Obozaya grunts. "So do you want this Talbot back in custody too? Or do you only care about the artifact?"
”I want the stone back. Talbot’s not worth the expense of dragging back here, so you can do whatever you think is necessary with him.” Arvin responds to the vesk. “That said, you don’t have a license to go on a mass killing spree. Don’t make the Society look bad. It might be tough to do on Akiton, but don’t take that as a challenge.”
"And this artifact, how do we recognize it?"
“Good question,” Arvin notes, “but the answer is complicated. In appearance, the artifact looks like an ordinary stone with arcane markings on it. Like other magical items, it possesses a magical aura. However, we believe the artifact, by nature, to be one of deception. We’re operating under the assumption that Talbot thinks he’s stolen an object from old Golarion called a philosopher’s stone. Legend has it that the stone could transmute matter, among other properties.”
”“What Talbot actually stole, however…” Arvin continues, “was recently re-cataloged as a charlatan’s stone. It does something similar, except the effect is a potent illusion and only temporary. We think ancient con artists used to make false gold.”
“Any other questions?”
Do we have a description of this Talbot?
"Of course," replies Arvin, handing a data chit over to Donavaan. "The Society has information on all of our agents."
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"I know little of the worlds outside of this vicinity. On the report of my companions it would appear this is a challenging environment. Do not show concern, Venture Captain Arvin. My circuits are wired specifically for the location and identification of items that produce magic fields. At this time I require no farther information to perform the requested tasks"
Statement finished, Astrator turns on his heels and strides confidently back out into the office and on toward the hangar bay.
After making preparations for your mission, you leave Absalom Station via shuttle for Akiton. The trip is relatively short.
Outside the observation windows of the shuttle floats Akiton, a world the color of blood, rust, and red clay. A thick shell of white caps both poles. The shuttle descends toward the planet, and a barely perceptible shift in gravity occurs as the ship’s artificial gravity begins to lessen and the planet’s natural gravity begins to take hold.
From suborbital heights, a handful of small towns, large complexes, and industrial sites that spew noxious fumes into the thin atmosphere surround the trench city of Maro. A spidery web of dirt roads scratched into the rust-colored ground by regular traffic connects these sites to the metropolis.
Maro, the so-called City of Lights itself, comes into view as the ship begins its final descent. The city occupies more of a vertical space than horizontal, built into a six-mile-long section of trench that is half as deep and a half mile wide. Entire neighborhoods and business districts are built into the walls, accessed by patio entrances.
Lights, neon signs, and holographic advertising bejewel either side of this urban canyon, while an active spaceport and industrial zones occupy the ground level. As the shuttle lands, it does so beneath the backdrop of an immense mural of brightly glowing neon-green graffiti that reads in Common: “Git Out! Planet’s Broke!”
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"This whole thing reminds me of when I starred as Hostage #5 in the feature film "Aspis Rising". You may have seen it, and probably recognized me. Anyone? Anyone? Well, anyway, in the opening scene of that film, a member of a gang stole an expensive painting and tried to sell in a pawnshop. The problem was, the painting was worth more than all the other goods in the pawnshop put together, and it was hard hiding that much money. Same thing here. That artifact is big money. We find someone who is flashing big money around-- new big money-- and we have a lead."
Mustachio starts to mingle and talk to the people on the streets of Maro, asking them if they have ever seen "Undead Lover of Eox" and if they would like an autograph from Bruno. But at the same time, he also tries to subtly determine if people are aware of any new money coming into town, or who the big shots are... because of course they might be interested in meeting him, the "famous" actor.
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"This environment is not conducive to societal progress" Astrator observes as the shuttle lands. The glow of the city-canyon, graffiti, and poverty would be overwhelming under different circumstances. However, his Android nature continues to focus very narrowly on the task requested of them.
"Marino makes a logical observation. I would also scan the local consumable media to determine any anomalies in the local culture. Extra expenses. News stories. Abnormal events."
"I take it Talbot doesn't have a comm number listed?"
Obozaya scraches her chin.
"If you had one of these charlatan's stone things, what would you do with it?" she asks the others. "Anything that would make the news?"
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As the ship settles on the dock, Astrators comm unit buzzes, alerting him to the new connection with the local infosphere. Pulling out the unit, he begins to dig into the the flashing news, updates, and 'polices' associated witht he new world.
Pulling up his personal contacts, Astrator accesses a communication thread with several other computer programers, across multiple worlds. He types out a quick message, pressing send
Arrived on Akiton. Seeking information. Please advice.
Mustachip and Donavaan spend , canvasing Maro in search of information about Reynald Talbot. Given the specific information you have, such as Talbot’s time of arrival and the specific shuttle he flew in on, you had a solid starting point. Together, you discover that Talbot departed to small mining town called Tasch a few miles outside of Maro.
Drawing upon his professional background, contacts, and capacity to sift through information sources, like interplanetary news outlets or trade gossip, to find clues on Talbot’s whereabouts, Astrator discovers a strange anomaly. AbadarCorp, the largest corporation in the Pact Worlds, recently purchased a large amount of Drift engine fuel from the nearby town of Tasch. While the discovery of Drift engine fuel on Akiton is impressive, the fact that the AbadarCorp fleet that purchased the fuel is 2 days overdue for departure suggests something is likely amiss with the delivery.
Getting transportation to the nearby mining town of Tasch is not difficult. You are able to rent a personal vehicle or catch a ride to the small former mining town—the Starfinder Society pays for your travel expenses, so don’t have to worry about paying for travel.
You obtain a ride on an elongated dune buggy that transports you from Maro into the red dunes of Akiton’s surface. The journey only takes 2 hours, with the buggy stopping just outside the city limits before continuing to other peripheral towns.
As you arrive at the town of Tasch, you see that a long dusty road, lined with single-story dwellings, runs through the town of Tasch. Some powered vehicles rest chained to their owner’s homes. A small general store stands near the center of town, illuminated by flickering white lights. Another building, full of locals, hosts a signpost that reads “Digger’s Dive”—clearly the town bar. Although the sun beats down on this desert town, its citizens meander around the bar in good cheer. Most are ysoki and humans, with the occasional lumbering four-armed shobhad mingling among them.
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"Hey friends, yes, it is me, Bruno from that famous film "Undead Lovers of Eox". Say, have you seen my friend? He looks like this. He is late to the set of "Guardians of Absalom", my newest film, starring me as Captain Awesome."
Mustachio shows everyone his comm-unit screen, which has the picture of Talbot on it.
combined with bluff?
gah!
"You were in 'Undead Lovers of Eox?' I though that was all CGI!" Obozaya laughs. "Mind you, the original script was based on a picture from the Veskarium, which was much better."
"Maybe we should ask about buying Drift Fuel."
"Hey friends, yes, it is me, Bruno from that famous film "Undead Lovers of Eox". Say, have you seen my friend? He looks like this. He is late to the set of "Guardians of Absalom", my newest film, starring me as Captain Awesome."
"Seen 'im? 'Course, I seen 'im!" responds an ysoki, seemingly in a hurry. "He's my 'friend', too! Why he's a friend to all of us here! But I had know idears that he dun got involved in the pichur bidness!" The ysoki points over at the building where the"Digger's Dive" sign hangs."If yur lookin' for where he's gotton to now, then yur better off askin' the other miners there in the 'Dive'."
Miners in the 'Dive.' Are they a rough bunch, after all, we are walking into a bar. This places doesn't have a lot of bar fights does it?
"Not less, folks got dem selves reasons for fightin'." The ysoki responds. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I gots me a buggy ta ketch!"
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Astrator looks up from him comm-unit to see Marino talking boisterously with one of the locals. He steps up toward the end of the conversation. ”How has he earned the friendship of so many in such a small passage of time?”
Looking towards the bar, Astrator activates his circuits attended to magical auras. Once the team has finished their questions, he abruptly turns and strides off toward the bar.
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Mustachio turns to the others and sees Donavaan frowning at him. "Frown all you want, but I get results. Unlike you wall flowers. Shall we head over to the 'Dive? Sounds like a rough place. Keep your hands on your weapons. Of course, bar fights ARE great fun, just watch "The Adventures of Captain Flash and his Drunken Bros" starring me as Starfight Pilot #6."
"All right, let's go then. That must be it there."
Obozaya heads for the sign that says "Digger's Dive."
The noble will take a little time to cast detect psychic significance.
You enter “Digger’s Dive” through a swinging, waist-high wooden half-door. Several miners and their families occupy the bar. A good number of faces look your way as you enter, their eyes looking to meet you, before returning to their previous activities of engaging in conversations, emptying drink containers, and finishing large-portioned meals.
Faint electric lights dangle from the ceiling, while the open sky is visible from cracks between the planks that serve as a roof. The floor is solid wood. The interior walls and ceiling supports are mud brick, the latter being carved in a rare attempt at ornamentation. The tavern is divided in two halves by an energy field with an opening on the northern end. The bar lining the southern wall is open to either side, with a wall of half-empty bottles behind it. The tables are wooden and makeshift, but solid. The east end has square wooden platform about a foot above the floor. Much of the single-story building is constructed of wood—obviously imported.
Two sets of double doors are built into the northern and southern walls on the west end, both ajar. A single closed door provides an exit behind the west end of the bar. No windows line the walls, but there are small rectangular openings in the exterior walls at ceiling height, to allow for ventilation.
An ysoki woman slings drinks to the miners sitting at the bar. A power generator and water condenser, though apparently outside, send the southern wall slightly vibrating, giving off a low, constant hum that adds to the din brought on by the patrons.
A few open tables are scattered about the room, on both sides of the energy field, nestled between rough looking locals, even the few children present look as if they have lived hard lives. But, the general feeling of the room is a pleasant one. The drinks appear to be flowing freely and food portions seem generous.
At first glance, you do not spot anyone matching the holographic image of Talbot.
Astrator's receptors do not register any magical auras within the room.
Obozaya strolls over to the bar.
"What's the strongest thing you got? I'll take two," she grins.