OutPost 1: GM Kate's Sanctuary of Drowned Delight, Table 2 (Inactive)

Game Master Kate Baker

Rahm nods, making sure to get both audio and visual records of the exchange.

With a notable twinge of nervousness in his telepathic message, Keskodai says telepathically to his team members, "Most holy relics... Y-you don't th-think we'll find the bodies of the Manta Corp in there....do you?"

Chk Chk makes a small little noise that you interpret as a gasp, followed by a tap, tap, tap that somehow resembles the sound: 'dun Dun DUUUN!!'

For a silent larvae in a glass jar, Chk Chk is amazingly expressive!

'Dorks' is not approved in the first contact lexicon.

"Now you're just being nit-picky."

You're a doofus.

Hawthorne listens to the discussion between Charli and Hinevera, considering the morlamaw's behavior.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (16) + 0 = 16

Keskodai receives two voices from Hawthorne responding to his telepathic statement.

"She, at least, seems forthright."
I don't trust anyone, but I doubt they would consider murdered explorers to be holy relics.

Mikkazuki sends back to Keskodai “You mean keep a token showing you were victorious over your opponent? You said they were worshipping a god of loss, not conquest.”

So strange...I will have to ask sometime if Keskodai has seen the Display of Conquest on Vesk 6. Plenty of war trophies there.

Hinevera seems genuine, as far as Hawthorne can tell.

Charli has no reason to doubt Hinevera's sincerity.

Charli poses for a few more pictures with Hinevera, then says. "Thank you, Hinevera!" Turning back to the rest of the team, she asks, "Does anyone else have more questions for our lovely source, or shall we let her get back to work?"

I have still some questions. says Antoine while droping His caméra.

Can you tell us more about Odessa? Where is she from. What type of leader sur is? What Do you know about her.

After this Hinevera, would like to follow us to Absolom station? You seem to be a pleasant individual.

"Oh, Oshessa is amazing! Just wait until you hear her speak! She takes care of us and guides us. I'm not sure what clophirium is, but the other Starfinders were asking about that too. Oh no, I couldn't possibly leave! I have too many responsibilities here."

Still recording, Rahm waits for any other questions.

It would seem likely that they are going to the religious service here now.

"When will Oshessa be speaking today?" Hawthorne asks.

While priest is engaging the morlamaw, Sophia sends out a text through Hawthorne's comm unit: Maybe we should cart the equipment to the submersible and then scout around the outside of the lodge.

"Sure, we can drop all the stuff off in the sub. But afterwards, how about we check out their living area through the southeast airlock? Perhaps there are some additional Starfinder items left behind in there that we should recover."

Rahm nods, adding "I like Keskodai's plan"

“I like both plans,” Charli notes. “Let’s do it!’

Then she types to Sophia, It’s kind of fun having a texting buddy. Thanks for sharing all your ideas. So... Um... What kind of things do you do for Hawthorne? Is it like rooming with your best friend, or more like sharing a business? There’s a saying about two heads being better than one, and I’ve been wondering what it’s like to always have someone with whom you can bounce ideas.

I'm hearing multiple votes for the barracks, so I'll move you along there. You can take stuff out to the submersible first; you presumably left it right outside the front airlock.

An airlock at the top of the staircase separates the flooded lower floor of the building from the upper floor. Beyond the airlock is a large facility lined with beds and chests. This space provides living space for potentially several dozen creatures. Several morlamaws lounge in their beds, while curtains separate off several corners.

BOB, Charli, Keskodai and Rahm9 notice something small and shiny stick to the bottom of one of the curtains.

Charli pulls off the lid of her tea glass to refill it, and then drops the tea lid, letting it roll near the curtains.

Bluff to Pass Secret Message: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

“Gosh, I’m clumsy today! My hands are full, and now look what I’ve dropped by their curtains. I’ll have to wash it, there can be anything back there. Antoine, or someone else, can you help me?”

Then, to divert the attention of the Morlamaws, she smiles and walks to the center of the room. “Meanwhile, I could make some tea for the rest of you. Would anyone here like some?”

"Oh Charli! You're so clumsy! We're always having to pick up after you!! But that's okay, it's good practice for when Chk Chk gets bigger and I'll have to tidy his room and pick up his toys! Here, let me help!"

Keskoda gives Charli a not-so-subtle wink which Chk Chk responds to by emoting yet another larval facepalm that screams Oh Em Gee! Can't you be just a tad more subtle? Get with the program dad!! You're so embarrassing!!!

Oblivious to his son's distress, Keskodai walks over and crouches down to pick up the dropped tea lid as well as the small shiny, trying to determine what it is.

Antoine sighs.

Why do you always asking me those things?

He crouchs and Search for the Shining thing.

It looks like a Starfinder insignia.

Culture or Engineering check, please

Having neither culture nor engineering...

Keskodai telepathically says to the party, "This object looks like a Starfinder insignia but I cannot tell if it has any other purpose. Anyone else want to take a look?"

Keskodai hands it over to anyone who wishes to look it over.

Charli grins to Antoine, “I always ask you because you look so cute when you pout like that.” Then she laughs. “I’ll help you when you need it too, I promise!”

She pours tea for Morlamaws, then makes her way back to offer tea to her colleagues...

Culture: 1d20 + 9 + 1d6 ⇒ (13) + 9 + (3) = 25

...and get a peek at that insignia. Can she tell anything about the insignia?

She sure can! This insignia uses the new logo. It is definitely not 100 years old.

Charli shares the information over Keskodai’s telepathy channel! Keskodai, that’s a new insignia. Another sign that our Kalos were here, and that they did not leave willingly.

Hawthorne engages his environmental protections before following into the airlock in case the environment is not favorable.

He looks at the insignia in the shirren's hand.

Engineering (Take 10): 10 + 10 = 20

Meanwhile, Sophia composes another message to the gnome: I spent a lot of my time trying to keep Hawthorne out of trouble and alive. My combat reflexes are better than his. A lot of me is better than him, but I feel affection toward him, so I have declined the opportunity to download myself.

Hawthorne also thinks that this is a new insignia.

Mikkazuki isn’t sure why all the subterfuge, but she doesn’t interfere.

Instead, she looks around trying to get a sense of how long the morlamaws have inhabited the Lodge.

I doubt they are much for interior decorating, but if they had done any repairs that may give an indication. Might also be other signs of recent wear.

Keskodai will poke his head around a bit more, looking for items of interest, but taking care not to wander into private areas where his poking around will offend the morlamaws present.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28

Are there any other exits out of this room aside from the way we came in?

Mikkazuki thinks that they've been here at least a few years.

There is only the single airlock entrance into this area.

Anything else to do downstairs or ready to head up?

Hawthorne heads out through the airlock and climbs the stairs once the others indicate that they are finished investigating the living quarters.

Seeing Hawthorne head up, Mikkazuki falls in line behind him. Tapping on her comm unit, she sends the group a text.

"I have a bad feeling about this."

Morlamaws are starting to take seats in the benches, and Hinevera waves at you. "Are you going to join us? The sermon is just about to begin!"

If you are attending the sermon, feel free to place your token wherever you'd like your character to sit.

At Hinevera’s wave, Mikkazuki changes course to go sit near her.

Charli is delighted to see Hinevera in the front row. She seats herself right next to her favorite Morlamaw, and says, “Thank you for picking a front row seat. As short as I am, I’d have trouble seeing in the back!” She leans over to her friend. “What’s the best etiquette here? Is this a singing and yelling church, or one of the ones where we all have to sit quietly?”

Antoine goes also on front. Have a bad fealing about this.

I believe the front row is at the bottom of the map, where the stage is, not the top where the entry airlock is...??

Keskodai looks for a seat towards the front but next to a morlamaw so that he can ask questions as they come to mind during the sermon....

Hinevera responds, "Well, there's not a lot of singing, but I don't think you'll find it boring! Oshessa is an amazing speaker."

I'll get the sermon post together after work.

Hawthorne takes a seat at the end of the pew a few rows back in order to have an escape route if things go sour. Sophia composes a message for him and sends it to the others' comm units. However, he leaves his rifles stowed on the back of his ceremonial armor.

Ask Hinevera if the kalo stayed for the sermon and if eating anything is part of the service.

Rahm is relieved when Charli and Keskodai deftly manage to inspect the item of note, then made even the more anxious once its nature is revealed. This does not bode well.

As services are about to begin, and they are clearly staying, the android soldier elects to remain at the back of the room near a corner - the better to have clear sight lines, and should it come to that, maximum coverage for suppressing fire.

Charli smiles at the text. Sophia was getting downright chatty. We already know they stayed for the service. But the food question is really good. Thanks!

She turns to her new friend. "No singing, got it. How about food? Is there only food involved, or is that reserved after the service?"

No worry for me, I am becoming an expert at "eating" alien food. texts Antoine while sitting.

Don't get me started on alien food! As a food service professional, I am appalled at some of the stuff we have to eat. Still, I got told by Fitch in no uncertain terms that if you're served space boogers, you smile and ask for second helpings. Charli texts back.

”No, there’s no food, but we’ll all have dinner together afterward! I do hope you’ll join us”

Jut about then, Oshessa emerges and takes the stage. While her demeanor was somewhat brusque when she greeted you earlier, her persona in front of the crowd is magnetic. Every morlamaw is rapt at her every word.

She speaks— in Common, for the benefit of the sect’s new guests—on the importance of loss to have meaning in one’s life, and “how, without pain, we would never appreciate the joyous things in life.” She tells the story of their journey to this place, after being cast out of their city. They faced dangerous animals and violent currents, but eventually made it here, to their new home. Their previous losses lead to this wonderful place. Oshessa makes large, expressive gestures with her flippers, to drive every point home.

Telepathically, Keskodai says to the party, "Interesting... when Oshessa says 'joyous things,' I believe it to have a secondary meaning in the lore of Zon-Kuthon that refers to particularly devoted servants of said god. Anyone get the feeling Oshessa might be a bit... radical?"

Projecting to Keskodai, Mikkazuki notes “It depends on how she got all those scars on her flippers. If they are self-inflicted, that would be concerning.”

"Yowza! I did NOT see that! What a troubling thought!!" replies Keskodai telepathically.

A light *tap* emanates from Chk Chk to which Keskodai responds, "Oh quiet! Lots of people say 'yowza'... not just geeky dads!"

Keskodai refocuses his attention back on the sermon, commenting on the expressive flippers, "And like I said before... even if they turn out to be a rabid murderous extremist cult, they sure are cute!"

The sermon continues on the topics of loss and pain, but nothing else stands out as unusual. Unfortunately for Charli, there is no audience participation, although none of the morlamaws seem bored.

After about twenty minutes, the sermon comes to an end. The morlawmaws begin filing into the other half of the room for dinner, while Oshessa leaves the stage and moves back toward A8.

"Wait Miss Oshessa, we want to talk to you!"

She pauses, before entering the airlock. "Yes? I hope you enjoyed the sermon."

We need to talk with her in private I think.

“At least for me, it has raised yet more questions.”

She pauses to look to others in the group, then looks back at Oshessa. “Would you have time to discuss it with us?”

Aid Another, Diplomacy?: 1d20 ⇒ 2 Note to self: flash less claw when gesturing with the hands.

"Oh, I could speak for a few minutes, but I am quite tired after the sermon, and I'd like to rest."