.
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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 inter- house 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 gong as soon as possible. If you have any questions, now is the time to ask.”
A tall and thin shirren sporting a fabulous mustache watches the Venture-Captain's presentation intently. When she finishes, he stands up. "This sounds like a job well suited to my capabilities," he says with a smile. "Chatting people up is preferable to violence, though it pays to be prepared for that too, especially with drow. But I haven't introduced myself. Keskodai, known to some as the galaxy's friendliest death priest. And this is my son, Chk Chk." Still grinning, he gestures to a fortified jar, through the thick glass of which a tiny shirren can be seen.
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A surprisingly buff Ysoki, with a cerebral augmentation tucked behind his left ear, and a massive artillery laser strapped to his back, nods.
"Right then. Well, we can't let people steal our weapons; that sends entirely the wrong message. This needs to be contained as quickly as possible..."
He pauses, realising that he hasn't introduced himself.
"Oh, right. I'm Buzz. If it's technological, I can hack it, pull it apart, and then put it back together better than before, or pilot it. If it's organic... well..." he shrugs, "I can shoot it until it stops moving."
He then turns to the Venture Captain.
"Now, I am sure that... aggressive negotiations... may at various points be required; I am not suggesting that we go in all guns blazing (although that *is* tempting); but I assume that 'self defense' is perfectly fine...? Also, is there anything more you can tell us about any of: A) House Zeizerer; B) this Villyth; and C) Ceobarn?"
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The Android, Pangea-Beta, burns a one-use memory chip to try and recall information about Nightarch.
A non-sexuated android, with yellow lights under dark synthskin, Beta wears simple light armor, has a pike in hand, and a pack strapped to its back.
A simple aeon stone circles around its head.
"Greetings Starfinders. I am Prototype Android & Nanite Genesis Enterprise, Akiton - PANGEA - Beta model, serial #101218-702, but just call me Beta. Let us go get some weapons!"
Tapping a few keys, Pangea sends a file to all your Comm' Links, than you can check out.
Beta is very curious about Keskodai's son in a jar...
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The Starfinders remember that Apostae is a planet, as immortalized by the droid-synth band 'Astrowerk' in their hit single "Apostae is a planet"
Apostae is a planet
It's very very old
Apostae is a planet
It's very very cold
Aposate is a planet
Some distance from the sun
Apostae is a planet
It's not a well-known one
Naiaj answers Buzz's questions, Buzz, in our current situation I would loathe to lose more field agents. I would not suggest you enter the weapon capital of the solar system 'all guns blazing', as you may be in for a hot welcome.
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.
Now, for some background. House Zeizerer are 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.
Villyth Zeizerer 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.
"If that isn't what Ceobarn believes already," Keskodai chips in. He extracts an option bar from his pack and slides it through a slot in Chk Chk's container. It is then pureed into small chunks, which the infant can and does eat happily. "I suppose drow are volatile, but how would apprehending a rogue cause political turmoil in this case? Regardless, we can try to do it as quietly as possible."
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It would cause turmoil if the rogue happens to be a scion of the most powerful political family in Nightarch. Their political opponent may use this as a weakness to prod.
Yes, Ceobarn should be your first point of contact anyway, since House Zeizerer effectively controls the city.
====================
Apart from the Starfinder party, the shuttle to Apostae is empty. The journey to Apostae is quite long, it takes a full week. It is, after all, some distance from the sun.
Apostae is a planet
It barely can be seen
Apostae is a planet
It has a greyish sheen
Apostae is a planet
But you could not live there
Apostae is a planet
With tension in the air
Apostae is a planet
There's not much else to say
Apostae is planet
And it begins with Aaaaaaa...
========
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 the shuttle door opens, two silent guards in black uniforms stand ready to escort the party. The nametags on the uniforms translate into 'Leibross' and 'Sirendeil' (). The guards lead the party through a labyrinth of air-filled, enclosed tunnels, until they reach the top level of a tall, corporate building.
The nametag beside the door reads Ceobarn Zeizerer
The guards open the door to a spacious office on the top floor of the tall building, and without even a hint of emotion, Leibross barely mutters, “Wait here.” The green- tinged windows in the room offer a majestic view over the gloomy Nightarch. Several statues and holographic devices depicting grinning ends 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.
Ceobarn Zeizerer is not here.
Keskodai waits patiently as instructed, humming 'Apostae is a Planet.' "I had hoped Chk Chk's earlier experiences did not have to be with drow, their strange ways and allies," his voice whispers into the minds of the other Starfinders. "But such is the will of the universe."
A young female lashunta stands quietly in the corner. "So, you're saying this is a low-key mission then? I can deal with that. Let's hope the others can too."
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After a week of travel, Raia is itching for some action. After being led into the room, she does not see the person they are expecting. "Where do you think the Ceobarn might be, then?"
The anonymous shuttle pilot joins the party "No point heading back just yet, may as well join my fellow Starfinders for some adventure. Naiaj sent me, and I have my own equipment"
"Interesting decorations, not my taste, but certainly they make an impression"
The statues and holograms depict different aspects of the demon lord Abraxas.
Iseph and Sirion spend some moments looking at the decorations. The many glistering eyes of the spider seem to stare hard, hanging oppressively from the ceiling, when after five minutes a wall panel at the back of the office slides open.
A middle- aged 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.
Ceobarn Zeizerer speakly slowly, deliberately, as if he is tasting every word before he utters it.
“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?
The android watches to see what the response is to the opening appeals...
"These are likenesses of Abraxas, a demon lord," Keskodai's voice once again enters the Starfinders' minds. "Drow will be drow, but remain cautious of this one."
Aloud, he says to Zeizerer, "Villyth has gone against your wishes. What's more, would you not prefer your House's secrets remained with you? She likely knows some, and it is a poor Abraxan that lets his intelligence be taken. You do not strike me as a poor Abraxan."
"As you can see, we represent the Starfinder Society, and can make the information we're seeking worth your while. It would be highly beneficial to all if you were to help us locate your wayward relative."
The group makes a convincing argument, calling upon the supernatural and the technical. Sirion notices that Zeizerer is clearly annoyed about Villyth going rogue, and the skills of Buzz and Pangea-Beta convince the drow that enlisting these adventurers might be preferable over suffering the political fallout.
Very 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!”
He gives a few names and hands over a little punchcard This card contains several encryption keys that may help you get... access... to certain area of the infosphere.
He walks over to his desk and mutters something in drow.
Hanwe, allow these goon to use a company vehicle. Send Zirachaun with them.
Outside, you will find a company vehicle. I have assigned an aide to accompany you.
-----
<0 hours>
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Outside the building, an all-terrain vehicle stands ready, with a drow female standing next to it. She bluntly says You don't need me, or this vehicle right now, you must plan your approach first. Hurry, or my boss will become impatient.
Check 1: Computers or Culture
Check 2: Computers or Sense Motive
Check 3: Computers or Perception
Check 1: Diplomacy, Survival or Perception
Check 2: Acrobatics, Athletics, or Stealth
Check 3: Bluff, Intimidate, or Sense Motive
Keskodai thanks the drow woman and looks to assist Buzz in the search as best he can. Chk Chk watches, riveted by the colorful lights.
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Pangea shrugs, and hits the streets: []b]"Come on, let's do some leg work... and strong arming if needed"[b].
Pangea first tries to get the lay of the land and look around to find the right backroom deals and place to locate snitches and such--
--and then maybe has to run some people down, or shake them up a bit.
But the android is not very good at hiding its motives!
Iseph joins her fellow android hitting the streets, listening in for any information, sliding through the shadows, and pushing peoples buttons...
Perception
Stealth
Intimidate
Raia follows Keskodai, grabbing a terminal and hacking away.
Hacker team
---
1: (24)
2: (32)
3: (33)
Street team
---
1: 16
2: 21
3: 30
=========
Already quite early after departing the corporate tower, Raia manages to find a lead on the infosphere. He finds several links to high-profile weapons dealers that are sometimes known to entertain somewhat shadier deals. At the same time, Sirion, Iseph and Pangea scours the streets of Nightarch. Just when Buzz makes a major breakthrough by hacking into the mainframe of one the gun barons, Sirion manages to make contact with several informants. Finally, Raia connects the dots with the data she obtained, using advanced machine learning algorithms to identify the most likely location of the stolen arms, a warehouse in uptown Nightarch. Altogether, the investigation is barely three hours old.