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Each of you have been summoned to Absalom station for a meeting with Venture-Captain Arvin, you all arrive at the office and are allowed in.
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. 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.”
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A crimson skinned human follows everyone into the room and gently moves over to a seat. Tucked into his sturdy synthetic hide boots are a pair of faded blue pants of made from a durable thick material. Strapped to his hip is a long weapon of some sort with what looks like wings engraved all over it. On his upper half the man wears a white long-sleeved shirt and a thin black jacket bearing a small symbol of Desna on it. Woven into one of the sleeves is a small device that doesn't seem to be activated. He tops the outfit off with a sturdy wide brimmed hat.
A small black mote follows him into the room. It seems to distort the light around it giving it a small halo-like effect. As the red human sits down a small glimmer of light crosses the little sphere behind him. He patiently waits as the Venture Captain fills them in on the details of the mission.
After the briefing, he finally speaks up. "It's such a shame so many people are leaving the society, and I fully agree theft should not be allowed to go unpunished. Can't say I'm happy to be going back home to Akiton, but if we have time, I might be able to visit the few members of my family still there, it has been a few years." He then gives a wolfish smile. "The travel expenses being covered is about 80 percent of why I joined in the first place. Glad to hear that wasn't just a rumor."
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Arvin looks to the pathfinders as he answers their questions, in regards of the artifact "Good question, but the answer is complicated because it’s actually two questions: what the artifact is and what Talbot thinks it is. 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 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.” He pauses for a moment as he contemplates "in regards of Talbot, He’s smart, capable, a bit brash, and a reasonable field agent. Talbot 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.” catching his breath for a moment Arvin continues "As for the stone We need to make a statement. Rumors of the theft are already circulating through the Society, and it’s important to send a message that we’re not going to tolerate that type of betrayal. Also, if we don’t react, we convey that our work is not very important because it’s not worth defending. That said, the charlatan’s stone is not worth dying over, so be careful.”
Waiting for a moment he looks at each of the starfinders "Any other questions, if not, I have arranged a transport to Akiton waiting for you, it will leave when you have gathered your gear and any last minute purchases, keep in mind, those won't be reimbursed by the society..."
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Ceolor grins at the information about their target. "So he proved himself to be a false agent and then stole a false stone? How fitting. And it's good he's a skilled agent; I'd hate to be hunting down someone my cat could find. Oh, speaking of which, I should ask my neighbor to feed him while I'm away..." He then hoists his bag and then checks all his gear is in place. With a final glance to check if his mote is where it's supposed to be, he turns to the Venture-Captain. "Other than that I should be ready to go. Let's find this man and teach him and everyone else the Starfinders are still a force to be reckoned with!"
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Exo-Guardians Champion (Faction Boon) You’ve declared your allegiance to the Exo-Guardians and dedicate your missions to furthering the goals of that faction. Prerequisites: Exo-Guardians Tier 0 Cost: 2 Fame Benefit: This Faction boon allows the character to gain Reputation with the Exo-Guardians 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. Normal: A character gains no Reputation unless she has a Faction boon slotted.
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With everything done the pathfinders are informed by Arvin where their ship to Akiton is ready, everyone is ushered in and the ship takes off. The flight is smooth and outside the observation windows 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!”
Information about Akiton
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Ceolor takes a deep breath and then gives a sigh as he steps off the shuttle. "Ah, home, sweet hell hole home. Might have been raised here, might of written my first holonovel here, might have even had my first love here. Still doesn't mean I like it." He looks up and catches sight of the graffiti and gives a bark of laugher. "Well, they ain't wrong."
He turns to the rest of the group. "I haven't been staying abreast of information about this place since I left. Anyone not follow my foible, and read up about recent events? And, more importantly, where to next?"
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"This thin environment will let you carry more and jump higher. But, the downside is you will get tired easier. Since the mining boom busted, this planet has seen hard times. There's not enough credits to go around. There isn't much law here and being newbies, people will be watching us. Be careful. The bright side is, I bet someone noticed Talbot. We just have to find the right people to ask."
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Seeing his companions, well to not sugar coat it, feeble attempts at finding a lead, Ceolor gives a sigh. He holds up the sleeve with the small device sewn into it and presses a button he says a few words about how the adventure ahs been going so far. He presses the button again turning the device off and then wanders up to one of the dock workers and in Akiton, starts asking about as outsider who came through here with some money a week or so ago or if there are any rumors about people who suddenly have a bit of credit.
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After an hour of sweet talking with the dock workers, and double checking their stories, Ceolor heads back to his group. On the way he takes another brief set of memos on his wrist voice recorder. When he finishes he gives the group a wolfish grin. "Well it probably helps I'm from here, but Suzane, Briannt, and Manru, over there," With this he points out a small group of men and women. With a wave and a wink at them, he turns back to the Starfinders, "All say a guy matching the description of our man has fled town. Seems like he's in a town called Tasch. Now what do you say we rent a vehicle and head out that way?"
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Getting a vehicle isn't to hard for the team, even getting paid for it is easy with the funds provided to the team by the Society. It takes the team a good 2hr drive till they get to Tasch. 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 fourarmed shobhad mingling among them. When the team wanders around and asks for directions people direct you towards the Digger's Dive, a small bar in town where most residents like to enjoy a drink
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Ceolor wanders into the bar, a smile plastered on his face. Oh, Desna, why are we visiting more and more places that remind me of home? I'd rather not have to keep remembering it... But this place seem more cheerful than is should be.
Keeping the false smile in place, Ceolor wanders up to the bar and takes a seat. Calling the bartender over, he starts asking after a drink in Akiton. "Hey, 'keep. Got any good Shobahad Knuckle Buster? And what is with everyone being so happy around 'ere? It's a little unnerving."
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At this point Osskalessk, a tall, powerfully-built vesk, nods to Taeon and grunts. "Beats me. My previous missions have been... livelier,
if you catch my drift. Never been one for finances."
Then, turning to look at Gethushara, he grins. "And as far as my experience goes, you're absolutely right. Let's see what we can do about it, eh?"
Osskalessk walks over to the bar to order drinks.
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As the team sits down a female Ysoki makes her way over to the 6 of you, taking orders only to return shortly after, she makes a quick wink at Twich before darting off to another table her small quips can be heard as she makes her way around the customers. There are more then enough customers in the bar for the team to have a chat with and to learn more about the little bar, town and possibly talbot.
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Taeon sits with the others and then whispers, "Don't look, but that Sherrin and those two Vesk seem a bit out of pl- I said don't look!" He rolls his eyes. "They seems out of place. They could be waiting for something or someone."
-Posted with Wayfinder
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The bar keep being particularly uncommunicative, Colorado takes his drink and meets up with the rest of his group. Sitting down he takes a sip of his drink and grimaces. "Welp, that's a Knuckle Buster alright, still tastes like someone's trying to punch your tongue."
After Taeon mentions something about people, Ceolor casually scans the room, while taking very tiny sips of his drink. Immediately recognizing the people who seem out of place, Ceolor sits back and keeps an eye on them. "I can talk with them if you want. I'm good at choosing the right words, but nothing special when it comes to talking."
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Ceolor gives Taeon a rueful smile. "Aye, sir, that it is. Now if you'll excuse me for a moment." With a large gulp, and accompanying grimace of almost pain, Ceolor stands up. He stretches, sets his weapon down and moves up to the obviously out of place group.
He casually approaches with his hand held out not holding anything but his drink. "Now I haven't been to Tasch before and I've been off world for quite some time but it's pretty rare to see off-worlders in rural Akiton. But then again it's pretty obvious most of my group's not from around here. Like to join us in 'not-belonging-here' camaraderie? I know all the best drinks you can only find on Akiton."
After a second he leans in closer and in a low, conspiratorial tone, continues, "Or you mind if I join you for a bit? I've been traveling with my group for a while. They aren't the best of conversationalists and, frankly, I am dying to have someone else to talk to."
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