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To all appearances, Saeron either does not hear or ignores Keyrock's suggestive remark. However, as they are leaving the sleeping quarters she psychokinetically lifts one of the small objects from a nearby shelf, floats it high through the air and lets it drop, attempting to hit the dwarf lightly on top of his head.
Doing her best to keep an expression of innocence on face (perhaps a faint smile is noticeable), she passes out the door and joins Joaquín by the next door, laser pistol at the ready.
This immense circular room is bare, except for several computer screens and databanks that line the inner walls. Chairs jut out from some of these computerized desks, while doors exit to the northeast, southeast, and southwest.
As you peer into the next room, Brob's fears are justified as he sees a light pink pony with rainbow hair and a clearly malicious grin on her face. She wears some sort of space suit that looks like it's been heavily modified to fit her strange, equine body type. In front of her stand two more of the strange creatures you faced in the hydroponics bay. She starts speaking in somewhat comprehensible common.
"You! You have robbed me of my Destiny! My cutie mark was to defend the village. And the only thing worth defending it from was the toriniku*. That's why I came here, to find a way to defeat the thing. But you, YOU ROBBED ME OF THAT!
"But no matter. You took it down, so you are clearly the more powerful threat. If I destroy you, then I've clearly defended the village against an even bigger threat than the stupid sky-beast! And the village will HAVE to take me back then!"
She gives you no time for a counter argument as she orders her summoned creatures to attack.
Which the weird things immediately do by shooting Joyner
Weird Things
Blasto <---Initiative here
Mnamae
Saeron
Crazy Pony
Keyrock
Joyner
Brob
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So, she just wants to help her village? If she's not crazy. Well, then. Joaquín sees an opportunity to solve the problem. "Look, we can talk this out...Ow!" He stops abruptly as an arrow strikes his armor. "OW!" Another!
He feels his power welling up inside, even as he is slowed by the attempt at diplomacy. No, no we cannot.
The drone, seized under mastrol control by its creator, skitters into the room, positioning itself in between the two "wierd things". It jabs the one of the right with its pike from a distance.
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Mnamae-6 often has difficulty understanding organics and their logic/illogic. "By that reasoning, if you destroy us, would you not then be an even bigger threat to your village? Hence, should you not then destroy yourself now?"
But he is used to organics not making sense so he does not push the issue. Instead, he sights down his rifle and fires a shot at the same weird creature, hoping that this time, he would get the chance to study its body.
The combined attacks take down one of the two ‘weird things’ and leave the other wounded. Meanwhile, the pony retreats to behind a chair for some cover and continues shouting.
”No! It is my cutie mark to protect the village! You, you things don’t even have cutie marks, we don’t know what you could be up to!”
Her horn glows, indicating she’s casting a spell. As she does, Blasto feels a presence trying to rend his mind asunder.
Blasto: will save DC 14
Or 6 dmg on a successful save
Weird Things
Blasto
Mnamae
Saeron
Crazy Pony
Keyrock <——- Init here
Joyner
Brob
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Keyrock calls out, "You’ve spoken about destiny before. As we mentioned, none of us are here to steal anyone's destiny. Why, as for me, I am just an archaic dwarf! One day, I was living in a simulation, blissfully unaware of the modern world, when I was found by Starfinders, who let me out."
"When I first heard you over the intercom system, I had only heard your voice. Now, when I enter this command and control room, I hear the same disembodied voice now coming from a body. I thought to myself, ‘Oh no! Has some spirit taken possession of this native pony creature? I don't know. I'm just an archaic dwarf!" Keyrock momentarily takes on a posture of fear and confusion, before continuing.
"But what I DO know," the dwarven lawyer asserts, "is that the force that has superior numbers and fire power, such as a force of six, trained Starfinders, has a clear strategic advantage and is more likely to prevail with an inferior force, a pony and a lone protector, that attempts to engage them in combat. I suggest that you forego any attempts to fight us.” As he speaks, the slow-moving dwarf heads further into the room.
With a great, minghty “Ora!” Joyner’s solar stand obliterates the remaining weird creature.
Blasto's shot fails to trick the pony, but does find purchase, dealing damage. Meanwhile, Brob's shot is almost comically off.
Pony Injured-6 dmg
Blasto
Mnamae <——- Init here
Saeron
Crazy Pony
Keyrock
Joyner
Brob
T771-M4 skitters on its 6 metallic legs towards the pony in the corner, and jabs into the creature, without regard for lethality or otherwise.
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Saeron reaches out for the pony-creature psychically as she closes the distance between them. She gently probes the other creature's mind for a point of weakness. Saeron launches into action, assaulting the mind of the other creature in an effort to overwhelm her.
Descriptors: Mind-Affecting
Level 1
School divination (mind-affecting)
Casting Time 1 standard action
Range close (25 + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target one creature
Duration instantaneous
Saving Throw Will half; Spell Resistance yes
Caster Level 1
Vs. SR 1
You divine the most vulnerable portion of your opponent’s mind and overload it with a glut of psychic information. The target can attempt a Will saving throw to halve the damage dealt by this spell. This spell has no effect on creatures without an Intelligence score.
Saeron reaches out for the pony-creature psychically as she closes the distance between them. She gently probes the other creature's mind for a point of weakness. Saeron launches into action, assaulting the mind of the other creature in an effort to overwhelm her.
** spoiler omitted **
Even though the pony creature largely reisits Saeron’s Spell, the Combination of the gunshot, spear wound, and psychic assault overwhelm her. She collapses on the floor, beginning to gently sob. It is clear she has lost the will to fight.
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Joaquín sighs. "I don't think we're allowed to stay mad at her." He looks to his own armor and at Blasto. "Didn't do any lasting damage to us, anwyay."
Once the pony has calmed down a bit, he approaches. "The village should forgive you if we ask; just don't hurt them with magic and it'll be fine. They're probably rather forgiving, what with the whole friendship thing."
”Bu-but I broke the rules. This castle is forbidden, and I came here anyway! A-And my cutie mark was to defend the village and I couldn’t even do that. Surely every pony thinks the village is better off without me!” she says in-between sobs.
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"Look, you broke a rule by coming here and, in doing so, threatened the lives of one of the ponies that came after you as well as myself and the members of the my crew. I realize that that sounds bad, but that’s because it is.” Keyrock says. “Very bad indeed.”
“But, let me tell you something about myself—I’m just an archaic dwarf. I was just living in an artificial simulation made to look like an ancient dwarven settlement when I was found by some Starfinders that let me out. When I captained this crew to this remote outpost based upon coordinates provided by a prestigious organization among the Pact Worlds and find it to be inhabited by four-legged creatures, I thought, ‘Oh, no! Everyone else here has four legs, but I only have two! If I walk on two legs will they think that I have broken forelegs and will they then have me euthanized?’ “ Keyrock quickly grabs his leg and acts as if he is reeling in pain, then looks up at the others with his hand outstretched and shaking his head—miming a plea for mercy. “I didn’t know! I’m just an archaic dwarf!”
"But what I DO know," the dwarven lawyer asserts, regaining his composure and speaking in a slow deliberate and cajoling tone, "is that everybody—every pony—makes mistakes. And once a mistake is made, all that can be done is to try and make up for it—“
The dwarf pauses, reaches into his belongings, and produces a form. He extends his hand to provide it to the exile.
”—or, better still, obtain qualified and skilled legal counsel. No doubt, the actions that you have taken have resulted in the violation of a number of village statutes and ordinances---not to mention breaches of local customs and practice. Ergo, you will almost certainly be called before a tribunal or other judgmental body to provide account for your actions and, if necessary, receive some sort of disciplinary or penal sentence. For the proper fee and/or alternative form of consideration, I, Keyrock Marbleheart--Attorney at Law, would be quite happy to provide you with counsel and representation in such matters."
"There is, of course, the small matter of a retainer. To begin the process, simply fill out the foregoing form in triplicate."
The pony’s limited common seems to not let her understand the Dwarf’s legalize. However, she does seem to get a snippet of it.
”What do you mean, ‘pony coming after me?”
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Brob chimes in. "Everypony is worried about you, and one of your friends risked their life in a storm to try and rescue you! You really do have ponies that care about you, no matter what. And who knows? Maybe your destiny is to defend the town from an even -worse- enemy?"
As if on cue, Keyrock still waiving the form in front of the pony pauses for a moment. Wait a second. He ponders. Why do I suddenly feel like everyone is looking at me?
"In any event." The dwarf begins again. "WIth regard to your need for legal representation, if there are any... shall we say 'unfortunate'?... precedents that we need to address, my firm is quite capable of... shall we say 'persuading'?... officials to... shall we say 'reconsider'?... their prior positions."
It takes some cajoling, but the damaged, battered pony slowly starts to come over to your side. As she talks to you over the course of ten minutes, she seems to get better slightly.
After hearing that there was a pony willing to risk the storm to try and save her, she first stares in disbelief, and then starts crying tears of joy and 'hugs' Brob and anyone else who offers a shoulder to cry on.
She explains that her kind get 'cutie marks' when they come of age, which represent their true goals in life. Cutie Marks are not limiting factors, but more like marks of your true desires in vocation. Hers is to protect the village, and she took that to mean defeat the whelp. She imposed self-exile upon herself by going to this 'castle' (which was forbidden) to try and plumb its depths and maybe find a way to defeat the whelp. She had given up so much (friends, family) to try and achieve her goal/dream, that when you came along and did it with apparent ease, she fell into despair and went a little crazy. She apologizes profusely for what she did.
She gladly takes off her armor and weapons and leads you on a tour of the facility. She takes you to the armory, which has been mostly cleared out but still has some grenades (she didn't know what they were) and heavy armor present.
She also takes you to the station commander's office where she has been sleeping mostly. The terminal has a 'Learn-to-speak common' program up, and she explains she stumbled upon it and has been using it to learn common so she could run the 'castle.' The walls are decorated with some great Desnan works of art that you think can sell for 400 credits, and the Pony (she introduces herself as Cadence), gladly lets you take them.
As you leave the facility, you find that the storm has cleared up significantly. Cadence in tow, you stop by the blue structure and pick up Timber Spruce, and the two chat for a while before Cadence 'hugs' him (as close as a pony can hug) and seems to thank him. The trek back to the village is much easier without the windstorm, but it is dusk by the time you get back, and it seems that you have returned just in time for a huge party that the ponies have set up, which is only heightened by the return of their errant exile, who wells up and cries some more. It seems there are no hard feelings for her going to the castle once she explains her reasoning and why she did what she did.
There is fun and merrymaking to the greatest degrees. And tons of prancing. Early on, some ponies come up to each of you and bite down on a gem, which shatters and suddenly you can understand their language, and they relay that they were able to get a hold of some spellgems of Share Language in your absence.
There is fun and dancing. Even an impromptu Concert
At one point several ponies 'kidnap' Mnamae-6, noticing that he has trouble communicating with words, and Encourage him to try singing instead.
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Saeron continues adding to her library of happy snaps with shots of the old technology, Desnan art and other interesting tidbits found throughout the facility.
She joins the others in reassuring the former exile and encourages her on the return journey to the village.
Saeron takes advantage of more opportunities for photos along the way and upon reaching the village.
She joins in the fun and frivolities with a joyful heart, the complete opposite of the previous party held on their arrival.
At one point through the night, she seeks out the family of the young pony that she had previously offended. She apologises and explains she has only recently discovered her gift and doesn't entirely understand it herself. She gives the youngster a demonstration and tries to pass on some mind training and basic tricks to the lad.
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Mnamae-6 finds himself surrounded by hordes of ponies with their cutie marks pressed against him. A cacophony of noises hit into him repeatedly, but eventually his positronic circuits starts deciphering a certain mathematical pattern to the sounds.
Hmm, perhaps there is something to this 'music' after all... And he opens his mouth...
"Bum, bum, bum-ba-da, ba-da. Bum, bum, bum-ba-da ah..."
Hey, this is not bad, not bad at all...
"... I luv the music, yeah yeah!" he ends with a flourish.
---
On the ride back through the Drift, you can occasionally hear a faint humming coming from his corner, "Bum, bum, ..."
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“Your name is Cadence? A name fit for a princess, no doubt.” Keyrock says. ”Now, as for my fee, ‘Princess’. Mi amore credits.”
However, upon returning to the village, Keyrock begins to realize to his displeasure that the villagers have no intention of prosecuting Cadence or pursuing any sort of trial against her. Instead, they seem content merely to sing and make merry.
At first, Keyrock silently laments the loss of a potentially lucrative fee arrangement. Then, amidst all the singing, the archaic dwarf feels compelled to add his own archaic tune. He had, after all, sung for many years as part of a blacksmith shop quartette!
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Upon his return to Absalom Station, Keyrock hands in a written report, detailing the following:
The Desnans had established a defined premises on the planet.
Such premises was known by the natives to be the property of the Desnans, potentially dangerous, and not be entered by other natives or members of the general public.
Nevertheless, one native--knowingly and with apparent reckless disregard--did trespass upon said premises and did purposefully and intentionally convert the real property and the personal property therein for her own personal use without first obtaining permission--let alone offering adequate consideration--for such use.
Furthermore, as a direct result of said actions by said native, in response to the lawful and authorized presence of the Starfinders at said premises, certain property at the premises was damaged or destroyed--resulting in financial loss as well as the diminishment of the use and enjoyment of said property by the Desnans.
In conclusion, should the Desnans wish to seek due and just compensation for such breaches of their proprietary rights, it is recommended that they seek and retain legal representation in order to better secure a monetary settlement or financial award in their favor.
As an addendum, the report notes that the law offices of Keyrock Marbleheart just so happen to provide skilled and qualified counsel on contractual matters as well as those involving disputes regarding real property and would be willing to represent any aggrieved party in potential litigation.
“Your name is Cadence? A name fit for a princess, no doubt.” Keyrock says. ”Now, as for my fee, ‘Princess’. Mi amore credits.”
Cadence looks at Keyrock quizzically, then points to the paintings she just gave them.
“Mr. Marbleheart. I find your report incongruent with the reports filed by the other Starfinders. In addition, by the files you provided, it would seem the outpost was willingly abandoned, and by the ‘extra-pact worlds exploratory accords of 157 AG,’ belongs to the country or planet to whom it is located if not actively maintained for over fifty years. Frankly, I am surprised at your attempts to bring litigation between two aparantly happy and amicable groups. I might suggest updating your Starfinder profile from NG to TN or LN. Regardless, the Church or Desna has elected to not pursue legal action at this time.”
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Brob lives it up as large as a halfling can be with the celebrating ponies, making sure to record all the songs he can, and sharing with them the ones they're interested in. He even outdoes it a bit, becoming a bit hoarse from all the ponying around, but it was worth it.
Back at Absalom Station, Brob files a detailed report, including records of all the songs, particularly Baby Besmaran and the Smile Song. He collapses happily, if rather exhausted, thinking to himself "I might not have been the Captain this venture, but this was a mission I was BORN for!"
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Joaquín finally manages to relegate his now-normal confusion regarding this place to another corner of his mind. With that out of the way, he lives it up with the strange but very fun creatures. "This is a nice place. I'll try to be back, time allowing - and hopefully with some of these stellar motes for you all!" The half-orc makes a note of procuring some similar-looking toys, considering he doesn't know where his came from (and is a bit leery about giving the ponies blinged-out battle ghosts).
On the way back, he socializes with anyone willing, asking about other planets and whether they are so strange. His report to Guidance is reasonably descriptive, if written poorly.
Joaquín finally manages to relegate his now-normal confusion regarding this place to another corner of his mind. With that out of the way, he lives it up with the strange but very fun creatures. "This is a nice place. I'll try to be back, time allowing - and hopefully with some of these stellar motes for you all!" The half-orc makes a note of procuring some similar-looking toys, considering he doesn't know where his came from (and is a bit leery about giving the ponies blinged-out battle ghosts).
The pony family thanks and forgives Saeron BTW, and asks if she can come back and teach their son if she ever figures it out herself. Elsewhere, ponies are so impressed with Brob’s singing that they give him a cloak studded with quartz crystals worth exactly whatever it is he rolled for his Day Job. Ponies are happy that Mnamae came out of his shell and hope that he will continue singing in the future, and the two tall ponies continue discussing ‘economics’ (cons) with Keyrock. JoJo shows off his ‘ghost warrior’ to the amazement of many, while Blasto’s arial acrobatics keep the foals entertained to no end.
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On the return journey, Saeron pots, feeds and hydrates the botantical samples she acquired from the Desnan structure. She uploads the pictures she took during their time on Planet Pony to her tiny sector of the Infosphere and records a vidlog for her modestly sized fanbase.
Positioning herself infront of the newly acquired plant samples, arm extended and comm unit in hand, Saeron begins recording. "Hello again, my friends. Welcome to the latest installment of An Hour of Flower with Saeron. I'm sorry for the infrequent nature of my recent updates. Rest assured, I remain in good health and relatively free from danger in my role with my new benefactor."
"It is due to the nature of my work in this role that I am unable to update you qith the frequency we are accustomed, but I do believe this inconvenience will prove minor when compared to the opportunities my new role presents."
"View behind me, a long-forgotten species of edible wild lettuce. The sample I harvested was being grown in a hydroponics laboratory within a long-abandoned stronghold on a seemingly forgotten planet - I can't reveal too many details, lest my pursuers catch wind of my location."
"I know many of you out there also share my passion for the wonders technology present to our scientific endeavours, and I had the great fortune of encountering - and recording - still operational models at least several centuries old. I will also post my footage of some antique artworks produced at the hand of what we believe to be Desnan scholars."
"Once again, fare well, my friends. Know that your words of support and encourage are appreciated." She ends the recording.
On the remaining voyage, Saeron happily engages in conversation with her companions and avoiding Keyrock's advances (with the aid of further pychokinetically assisted rubble if necessary). She tells Joaquín of the beauty of her homeworld Castrovel and of her current effective-exile due to uncovering - and revealing on her vidlog - evidence pointing to a significant player in the pharmaceutical game engaging in unethical and exploitative practices.