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Venture-Captain Naiaj watches a map holographically projected onto the spherical wall of the dimly lit chamber. This meeting room is aptly named the “Starscape Chamber” and hosts various important strategic meetings for the Society. The pale bleachling gnome slightly nods a greeting, hardly looking away from the stellar map. “Thank you for meeting with me on such short notice,” she says, as she finally turns away from the map. “As you should already know, the Starfinder Society lost not only many agents but also a great deal of equipment in the Scoured Stars incident. Since then, we’ve been dealing with a shortage of guns, ammunition, armor, tools, and provisions. Over the past four months, the Society has recovered to the point that we are able to start replacing some of the equipment we lost. While we are explorers, right now, battle-ready firearms are sorely needed.”
Naiaj momentarily turns to face the map and makes a request: “Starscape, show me Nightarch.” The map on the wall zooms in on one of the outermost planets of the Pact Worlds, showing a gloomy, air-sealed settlement on the small gray planetoid identified as Apostae. “After calling in a lot of favors and holding lengthy negotiations, we managed to secure a deal with the drow of Apostae to obtain a shipment of weapons. House Zeizerer arranged a deal between the Starfinder Society and House Xicton, a lesser drow house with a solid track record on sales. I personally oversaw the negotiations, and only recently returned to Absalom Station to deposit the down payment owed to House Xicton.”
“My intention was to send you to Nightarch, the drow’s surface settlement on Apostae, to guard this delivery. However,” Naiaj pauses briefly, staring blankly at the map on the wall before continuing, “I just received word that the weapon shipment has been stolen. According to my contacts in Nightarch, the thief is a minor noble of House Zeizerer named Villyth, who went rogue and stole the weapons. We do not know her motives or the current whereabouts of the shipment, but I’m sending you to Nightarch to find the weapons and bring them to Absalom Station. As you may have heard, the interhouse politics of the drow are lethal and treacherous, and you will find only trouble if you start searching blindly. For this reason, I’ve arranged for you to meet with Ceobarn Zeizerer, who represents House Zeizerer in this specific matter. You are to discuss how the Society can get its shipment back without causing a diplomatic incident.
“Your shuttle is ready, so I expect you to get your things and get going as soon as possible. If you have any questions, now is the time to ask.”
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A thoroughly glammed up halfling woman bounds into the room, carefully prepared hair bouncing wildly around her.
Hiya! I'm Vixi Trixen - yes, that Vixi Trixen. Glad to work a gig with you all.
I'm always worried when there's a thief connected to our contact - how much should we trust Ceobarn? Any chance the Xicton's are pulling a fast one?
Navasi won't go out of her way to make introductions, but if anyone comes up to her to introduce themselves she will be friendly and respond in kind.
She stays quiet throughout Naiaj's announcements, nodding along to agree at certain points. She well knew the value of weapons, even to the most peaceful of explorers and had some experience with weapons dealers from her time with the Diaspora pirates. No one else needed to know about that though. Dealing with the drow would be... problematic, at best. Upon hearing the shipment had been stolen, she mutters quietly "How come it never goes smooth?"
After Naiaj is finished, she asks "This seems like an internal problem with the drow, why has it come down to the buyer (us) to chase down the product? And do we have any information on this 'Villyth'?"
The shirren in the room speaks, "It is a pleasure to meet you all in such good health. I know little of this Apostae or of the Drow that inhabit it. Is the planet safe, do we need anything special to aid us all. And these drow, they live in Houses, how quaint. Though it sounds as if you have more knowledge of them than I, please feel free to share what you know. Sharing is good." The creature lets out a small ccough and his head jerks back, "How rude of me, you may call me Keskodai." His claw-like hands clap with joy at the introduction.
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A sleek Android, six feet of purple carbon on chrome, is clearly not paying attention as Naiaj's briefing begins. A muffled Strawberry Machine Cake remix can be heard looping through a pair of earpods currently worn loose around it's neck.
As the Starscape's focus whirls to Apostae, however, the briefing grabs the Android's full attention. The looping music stops. The Android's posture goes rigid, his eyes wide as it stuffs it's earpods into a jacket pocket.
"I'm sorry," it says in the general direction of the Venture Captain, "but why is the Starfinder Society buying guns from the thrice-damned Drow?"
It shakes it's head and
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Naiaj responds to Navasi.
“Villyth is a minor noble in the hierarchy of House Zeizerer. I understand that she is something of a rebel, and as far as I know, her actions were not sanctioned by her house."
"House Zeizerer, itself, is the most powerful drow household on Apostae, controlling the major surface settlement of Nightarch. They are demon-worshipers and arms dealers like the rest of them, but as far as drow houses go, they are quite reliable because they have a reputation to uphold. Complications like this are bad for the business. Our representative with them, Ceobarn Zeizerer, has always been blunt and up-front with me—how I prefer to handle most of my social interactions.”
"Ceobarn wanted just to wave off the incident with Caveat Emptor. But I did remind him that the Society is both a good ally and business customer. As such he would like to maintain relationships with us, but wants to distance himself from this incident."
The Venture Captain sighs with G.U.N.N. “Like it or not, Apostae is not only a member of the Pact Worlds, but also the weapon capital of the solar system. Their firearms are high quality and come at reasonable prices. Despite their fearsome reputation, drow are generally as good as their word when it comes to selling and trading weapons.”
Culture or Diplomacy(Gather Information)
Nightarch is a metropolis of over 1,200,000 inhabitants, most of whom are drow elves. Their society is traditionally matriarchal, but contrary to popular belief, the gender divide is not backed by law; rather, it is a holdover from pre-Gap times. A drow man with enough contacts, cunning, and wealth may rise to positions of leadership, rivaling drow women in power.
The city has a sizable orc and halforc population, but they are treated as second-class citizens at best, and slaves at worst. Most orcs and halforcs are destined to live and die as mercenaries, or, as some drow houses prefer to put it, cannon fodder.
Weapons are Nightarch’s main export, and many drow houses are involved in arms trade. What most people don’t know is that there are thousands of miles of tunnels and numerous vaults of alien technology beneath the surface of Apostae. Many weapons designed in Nightarch are reverse-engineered from this technology.
Of the many bizarre technologies that drow are known for, fleshwarping is perhaps the least understood. It involves mutations and magic to transform a humanoid creature into a hate-filled abomination. While originally a punishment, a more refined form of fleshwarping can be used to create augmentations which—while gruesome to behold—greatly enhance the individual’s physical qualities. In the most drastic cases of fleshwarping, the target often suffers from incredibly reduced intelligence, limiting the creature’s tactical acumen.
In response to Keskodai: "I don't know much, all I know is their society is mostly matriarchal, though it's not unheard of for men to rise to positions of prestige as well. It seems the android might have better knowledge in this area than myself." She turns to GUNN "Were you speaking drow just then? That is likely to come in handy."
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GUNN, thoroughly rebuffed by the Venture Captain, resumes a neutral posture and turns to address the gathered Starfinders. To Navasi in particular, he says, "Knowing Drow might help us in a corporate tower, but that's - probably - not where we're going. The way I figure, best place to hide on Apostae is underground. That's assuming the thief is trying to hide. I would."
The Android's head scans side-to-side as it takes in the rest of it's companions.
"I don't suppose any of you speak Orcish?
Keskodai's antennae flick from side to side, as he takes inn the words, Looking down you hear him say "Chk Chk, we go to Apostae, we go to find our weapons."
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GUNN fishes around in it's jacket pocket for a moment before retrieving it's earpods. It flicks a piece off of lint off of one before installing them into recessed sockets in it's cranium, the muffled opening notes of Star Sugar Heartlove!!! audible as soon as the contacts meet. It turns and makes for the door.
"Yeah, yeah,"
"let's do this damned thing."
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As the shuttle approaches the dull gray planetoid, several fighters emerge from a hulking capital ship identified as part of the local fleet defense: the Blood Armada. These fighters whizz past like a swarm of angry wasps. The navigation computer lets out a blaring alert as the capital ship scans the shuttle, but soon after, the alert ends and the fighters fly back to the massive carrier. The shuttle descends into low-orbit, and several small settlements with sealed atmospheres come into view. Further out, beneath clouds of dust, several mile-wide blast doors, many large craters, and miles-deep crevices can be seen across the planetoid’s surface. The shuttle soars closer to Apostae’s surface, fast approaching the dark city of Nightarch. The eponymous arch and various tower houses can be seen within the city limits. Nightarch’s vast spaceport is alive with hundreds of blinking red and purple lights, which guide the shuttle into the gloomy capital of the drow.
When you disembark, two drow guards working for House Zeizerer—Laibross and Sirendeil—escort you through a labyrinth of air-filled, enclosed tunnels to Mileshadow, a tall corporate building owned by House Zeizerer. On the top floor of the building, the guards lead the party to the office of Ceobarn Zeizerer, a representative of the house.
An intelligent inventor and scientist, Ceobarn rose through the ranks despite his gender, not only because of his talent but also because he is a masterful manipulator who has managed to make himself irreplaceable.
The guards open the door to a spacious office on the top floor of the tall building, and without even a hint of emotion, one drow barely mutters, “Wait here.” The greentinged windows in the room offer a majestic view over the gloomy Nightarch. Several statues and holographic devices depicting grinning fiends sit on shelves on the walls and on a darkwood desk at the far end of the room. A curious fixture reminiscent of a demonic spider looks down from the ceiling with many glistening eyes.
You are given some time alone in room before Ceobarn arrives.
You realize that the statues and holograms depict different aspects of the demon lord Abraxas.
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Vixi happily examines the decor, but as she paces the waiting room, she murmurs a little advice to her companions, Be really careful with this guy. Not a lot of male drow make it up through the ranks, so he'll be talented, and, from what I've heard, he's a masterful manipulator.
And if that statue of Abraxas is any clue, he's a demon worshiper who idolizes forbidden magics. So that's something else to watch out for.
Navasi frowns a bit at Vixi's warning. "That's good to be aware of, thanks for the heads up." The corner of her mouth twitches up and her eyes twinkle as she teases "...and I thought you said you didn't know much about Apostae."
Mysticism
Troubled by Vixi's throw away comment about demon worshippers troubles Keskodai, he takes time to look at the symbols in the room. Despite that, his antennae vibrate and drop forward, "Thanks Vixi, this Abraxas, if it is as you say a demon, not something I have come across before. I don't like this. But we have a job to do." Keskodai shuffles away from the statues.
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A wall panel at the back of the office slides open, and a middleaged drow walks in and settles into a red armchair behind the desk. “I am Ceobarn Zeizerer.” He gives a nonchalant wave of his hand, and the demonic statue in the ceiling starts shedding a purple glow, illuminating the room. “I take it that your eyes haven’t adjusted to the light levels on Apostae. You are Naiaj’s Starfinders, correct? I heard about the shipment. A most unfortunate setback. Villyth has always been a troublemaker.” After a brief silence, he spits, “But it is not our fault. House Zeizerer officially disowned her months ago. Why should I help you?”
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Disavowal is all well and good, but you can't seriously expect that in a place as appropriately paranoid as Apostae that the actions of a "known rogue" won't still splash back to your own credibility?
We've seen that tried before with House Mizzrym's "banishment" of Pharaun. If you don't give us more than a bit of expectorant on the carpet to help make this good to the Society, you have to expect that this will be seen as nothing more than a trumped up fake-feud.
And those are just embarrassing for everyone.
"If you don't see this as a problem for yourself and your house, you are sorely mistaken. When a weapons deal brokered by your house goes sideways from someone also associated with your house, one has to wonder where she got her information from. If you don't help us, this will surely damage your reputation, at least with the Starfinder Society. I suggest if you want to keep a working business relationship with us in the future you assist us in tracking down this shipment and your wayward kin."
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Ceobarn listens to the argument of the vesk and is about to counter, but GUNN's subtle reinforcement of word, makes him pause.
"Yes! Yes! I suspect we should not find our interests hampered by such...unpleasantness." The Drow seems to be a bit more favorable, but could be persuaded more.
Status
Success - 3
Fails - 0
Skills used: Intimidate, Culture, Bluff.
Remaining attempts - 3
GUNN's knowledge of Drow knows that even if not overtly, many still give some respect to the Demon Lord Abraxas.
Vixi has also notices that Ceobarn is making a subtle point to keep you on one side of his desk.
"We've talked about the negative repercussions of what is likely to happen if you don't help us, but now I want to discuss the positives of what will happen if you do help us. The starfinder society has many varied contacts, and can give your products word of mouth advertisements to bring you much more clientele. More business is always good business."
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GUNN turns three-quarter profile to the Drow salaryman, shielding the screen of it's comm. unit as it dashes off a text message to Keskodai:
UR exp. with demons rite? Drow <3 that dren, maybe we can use spider-lamp Abrax to persuade: throw magic-sounding words around, he'll eat it up LOL
It returns it's communicator to the dock on the sleeve of it's D-Suit and apologizes to Ceobarn for being so "rude" - "Sorry about that - some people just don't understand 'I can't talk, I'm working,' right?"
Although a follower of Pharesma, Keskodia says a small prayer to Abadar the Lord of Commerce, to give his words more power.
"I see you are a drow that takes the gods seriously and honour them." the shirren says pointing to the demon statues and symbols. "I am sure that the Lord Abraxas would be more honoured by the downfall of those who seek to defame you, rather than letting these steal your power through their actions. You want to honour the Lord not bring ridicule on him. By helping us to return the weapons, your Lord will be honoured by seeing the downfall of his enemies. If the Lord Abraxas sees your actions and is pleased, he may just reward you with some of his power." The shirren is quiet as he senses the power of the words, before he adds, "And the power of the magic of the gods is within me." his claw points at the a small statue of the demon gods. "I command you come here and speak to me your secrets." The statue rises into the air as Keskodai's claw beckons it come closer, it obeys his command and comes close to the shirrens ear. Keskodai leans his ear, as though to hear the statues words as the shirren speaks in its own language to back again. Then turns back to the drow. "See I have Lord Abraxas' ear, what I say and whether he grants you a small portion of his powerful magic, might rest on my words with him. I hope you will co-operate and the Lord Abraxas may reward you."
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Ceobarn nods to Navasi. "Threats and doom only get us so far, we should build better relations that will be more profitable for all of us going forward."
The drow turns to Keskodai with a quizzical tilt of his head, mildly suspicious of his parlor tricks. "Although, being in the good graces of my patron is always a benefit, it is not something that mere words can suffice. I can offer my aid, but pleasing Abraxas will take a few more resources, and my tithe is enough already. "
You realize that the argument and trick were not convincing enough. Though he has left an opening that if you would "donate" a small tithe (300 credits) that would make come around.
Status
Success - 4
Pending - 1
Fails - 0
Skills used: Intimidate, Culture, Bluff, Mysticism, Diplomacy
Remaining attempts - 1
Keskodai's antennae twitch in response to the request for a donation, or was that payment? Keskodai looks at the rest of his companions.
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Navasi is unable to get anything that would be useful to press from Ceobarn. Though he does smile as he speaks. "You are a capable group of people. I see Naiaj knows here people well. . It is true that Villyth’s actions are bad for business and she must be stopped. On behalf of House Zeizerer, I grant you twenty-four hours of diplomatic immunity. Use this time to retrieve the weapons using whatever means you deem necessary. Here’s a document that proves you’re acting on my authority. If the situation requires it, kill Villyth. But rest assured, if you abuse the power I bestow you, there will be consequences. The drow never forget."
“I know Villyth well enough to know that she has guards and other defenses. The more you know, the less likely you are to walk into a trap. So use your twenty four hours wisely. Remember that before the time is up, you must locate the weapons, plan your heist, travel to the location, get the weapons, and most importantly, get off my planet!”