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As novice Starfinders, you readily answered the call when your comm unit buzzed informing you of a mission briefing that required your presence at the Lorespire Complex, aboard Absalom Station. Making your way there, you find that you had arrived a minute or two before the Venture Captain who was to brief you - enough time to introduce yourself to your fellow Starfinder Society teammates!
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A shirrin with brown colouring clacks her mandibles in excitement. She wears well worn, practical clothes and armour, and carries a big knife, and a semi-automatic pistol holstered on her hip. A few healing serums poke out from her pockets, but the backpack over her shoulder looks practically empty. Curiously, she has long brown hair growing atop her head. Whether it is a genetic anomaly or a wig is unclear.
"A mission?" She enquires. Her massive, blue, compound eyes glitter. Exciting!" she exclaims. Her antennae twitch and quiver in anticipation. "Curious!"
As her fellow Starfinders arrive she claps her hands in glee. "I am Zez'ka. I am very excited for this mission! But my last two missions were terribly difficult! Sad! Suspenseful! SAD!" Her antenna droop in mourning. "I hope this one involves less death and tears. Hopeful!" Her antennae perk right back up. "Who are all of you? I desire to befriend you! Curious! Hopeful!"
She claps her hands as her antennae twitch and quiver towards each of you.
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Kima will walk into the meeting room. She is a fairly tall Damaya-Lashunta with silvery hair that has not been pulled back beyond what her antennae hold back on it's own. The light blue markings on her face almost blend in with her pale skin.
It appears unlike last few times she's come already changed into Lorespire Complex, and the long sliver coat is over top of many belts, holding various types of equipment, vials, and a single forlorn looking pistol. The hints of a second skin and the professional seams of a deep blue and gold suit can be seen underneath all the 'adventuring' gear.
Kima will look around at those attending an her antenna twitch at the sight of the over excited Shirren, and the tip of her nose will crinkle for just a moment.
"It would be an odd request given history for 'befriending', perhaps yet again co-existing is not the worst outcome yet again." Kima will reply, her voice is not cold but it's not overly emotional either.
"I am Kima Taglios, of Abadar."
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Following Kima into the room comes another female damaya lashunta. She has her deep purple hair in a long braid down her back as well as white and purple swirls on her cheeks and across her forehead. She is dressed well, but simply, in tones of silver, purple, and teal. The woman has a pistol at her hip as well as a basic knife, and a rather bulky backpack.
Upon seeing Kima and Zez'ka, she smiles and raises a hand in greeting. "I am glad to hear that you both have been on adventures before...I am new to the society and not entirely sure what to expect."
She turns, looking at everyone else before continuing. "My name is Shiohn and it is a pleasure to meet you. There is much I hope to learn, and it is good to have you all as allies by my side." Her voice is warm and steady, and she speaks rather slowly.
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"Confused!" Zez'ka responds to Kima. "I am unsure if that is an acceptance of my friendship..." Her antennae droop sadly.
A moment later they perk right back up as Shiohn raises a hand to her -- a hand! -- in greeting. "JOY!" she exclaims. "Welcome Shiohn! I will happily be your friend and mentor! Come in, come in!" Zez'ka beckons the lashunta into the room and pulls out a chair for her. "Sit! We have some time to wait, and I would dearly love to hear more about the both of you. Curious!"
"What is it you desire from your time among the Starfinders? Interested!"
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Narrowly dodging out of the way of Salamander as he enters the room, Shiohn moves towards the chair next to Zez'ka and sits down. "I am grateful for the warm welcome! The main reason I have joined the Starfinders is to learn more about the many worlds outside of my home. To be limited to only speaking with my own kind for all of eternity would be a sad life indeed!"
With a brief nod towards the vesk, she adds "And to bring home some glorious tales and a few extra credits would not be so bad, either."
Shiohn glances around the room at Salamander, Kima, and Zez'ka and then continues. "This group is already far more diverse than what I am used to...oh how I wish we had the time to sit and share stories so that I could learn more about you all. Maybe there will be time for that someday. For now though, what about you, Zez'ka? What brought you to the Starfinder Society?"
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"It is the start of one perhaps Zez'ka, it was not too long ago that our races did not fully get along. Not all scars are forgotten just because of innovation and progress make it mutually beneficial for now." Kima responds, it's not a harsh tone, but very neutral.
Kima steps out of the way of the newcomers especially one with such an imposing presence. She notes the chairs and picks one with some space between it and the door for more newcomers.
"You'll definitely find more and unique individuals out here then you would back on Castrovel. Even some of our own have been changed by the experience." Kima replies with a snicker. "If we are traveling off Absalom Station, there will be time for plenty of stories. It depends on what tasks that we are going to be assigned. There is plenty right here, and there are many places around that need help as well."
"All types it seems can find use in the Society it seems, I've seen many types of skills uses in just the few missions that I've been on. Not everything, but some of it does involve the glory of combat." Kima replies with a smirk towards the Vesk, and a shaking of her head. "Other times... well lets just not kill everything first. It can lead to not so happy sources of information that makes it harder."
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The tall and confident lashunta man, known to you as Venture Captain Arvin, gestures to several functional chairs, inviting you to sit. “Thank you for arriving so quickly. As I mentioned in my comm message, we have an urgent opportunity to recover some critical information.
“Several months ago, a crew of Starfinders took a ship called the Unbounded Wayfarer into the Vast to explore a series of uncharted planets. They never returned. Earlier today, a vesk pawnbroker in the Downlow neighborhood contacted us, offering to sell us several Starfinder insignias. These insignias belonged to the lost crew of the Unbounded Wayfarer, and that immediately caught the Society’s attention. The pawnbroker — named Julzakama — doesn’t realize the true value of the insignias. We negotiated a purchase price in exchange for the insignias and information about the seller. We hope this seller can lead us to the Unbounded Wayfarer and its crew.
“We’ve remotely transferred the requested credits to Julzakama. Now, we need you to collect the insignias and all the information you can from the vesk regarding whoever sold him the insignias, and then track down that seller. Learn where to find the Unbounded Wayfarer and its crew. I’m worried that the seller might not be on the station for long, so act quickly. If you have any questions, please make them fast.”
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An unusual sight comes in from a side room, a formian in armor. Besides normal adventuring gear, it has a simple laser pistol on its side, but no other weapons. A small glowing blue-white orb floats to the right of its head.
Telepathically you hear, "Sorry one didn't come in earlier. One was listening from the other room, as one was a bit worried that one's unusual appearance would cause issues. One's name is", sounds like a hiss"Kitkulellessluk"hiss. "But you can call One Kitkul, or Kay if you want to shorten it more."
"Venture Captain Arvin, one hopes that with yourself and the other lashuntas that one's race won't cause you issues. One has broken from one's hive because one was too....independent to really stay there. Apparently one's mother gave one too much identity as one was forming, and one chafed at the lack of individualism that one was supposed to have."
Looking towards Zez'ka, "One would like to explore more what this friendship is with others of not my kind, as one.....err...I, sorry, understanding that myself is not one anymore but an independent persona is hard. I would like to explore this friendship with you Zez'ka."
Turning toward Kima, "One...I would hope your words speak true, as I am hoping that the Starfinder Society will become my family and will find a use for one. And that your words on not killing everything first holds true for me."
With that, she will find a spot near the back and squat, as normal chairs are not really suited for a four legged being.
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Zez'ka chitters with glee and takes Salamander's hand in a vigorous handshake. While they shake her antennae reach up and feels his face. "Oh, it is a pleasure! JOY!"
She lets go of Salamander and turns to Shiohn. "I joined the Starfinders to make many new friends! And to protect the people of the Pact Worlds and beyond!" Her antennae quiver in excitement.
At the sight of Venture-Captain Arvin, Zez'ka hurries to her seat, sits up nice and tall and claps her hands in glee. "A pleasure to see you again, sir! I hope that this mission has much less death and tears than the previous one you assigned me! Anticipation!"
She suddenly falls silent and gives the lashunta man her rapt attention. She gasps out loud at the news that another Starfinder ship has become lost in the Vast. Her antennae droop. A moment later they perk right back up at the name of the pawnbroker, Julzakama. Her mandibles chitter and clack excitedly. When his speech is done, Zez'ka speaks.
"Oh, those poor people! I have tracked lost ships in the Vast before... I only hope this does not turn out as terrifying and heart-breaking as that last time... How large is the crew of the Unbounded Wayfarer? Have all of their insignia been accounted for? Curious!"
She claps her hands in glee. "I am VERY happy to visit my dear friend Julzakama! He was of great help on my last mission. Excitement!"
At the words of the newcomer, Zez'ka literally squeals in glee and leaps up from her chair. She gives the formian a big hug. "Oh, greetings new friend, Kitkul! I am most pleased to meet you! JOY!" As she speaks her antennae stroke the formian's face. After a moment she suddenly lets Kitkul go, and returns to her chair.
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It is likely hard to read the emotions on a creature like a formian, but everybody probably gets a feeling that Kitkul has no idea how to react as Zez'ka hugs it. "Pleased to meet you Zez'ka", it telepathically responds.
And while not having antennae itself, it allows the shirren to identify it with their antennae, as it realizes this is likely how Zez'ka is getting additional information about itself.
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Shiohn watches the exchanges between the other agents, shaking her head a bit with a smile at Zez'ka's exuberance in greeting the vesk and formian. When the venture captain enters, she listens intently and her eyes widen at the news that some Starfinders have gone missing.
Following the briefing, Shiohn looks over at Zez'ka. "So, you know the way to the shop of Julzakama? I will admit I do not confidently know the layout of much of Absalom Station yet. It will be good to have a reliable guide." She continues, but looks back toward Venture Captain Arvin and includes him in this next question. "Is there anything that we should know about Julzakama or the area of the station he is located in? Is it likely that he will freely provide us with the information we ask for?"
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Salamander stands in rapt attention during the mission briefing. At the conclusion he steps up in a quick motion. "Venture Captain Sir, what should we do if the target is less than forthcoming with the information? Our friend here says they have a rapport with this Vesk, but not all of us do. What are the terms of engagement? It looks like we have quite a diverse group, but some of us are warriors. He says, eyeing the armored insectoid that entered the room. Not all of us may have the charm to win over this Julzakama."
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In response to Zez'ka, "The crew numbered six agents. Julzakama indicated that he had six insignias, so that does account for all of them as far as we are aware. The crew of the Unbounded Wayfarer received the insignias long ago for exemplary service to the Society. Although this isn’t common knowledge outside the Starfinder Society, these insignias are no mere trinkets; they can be used to encrypt or decrypt information that the Starfinders wanted to keep hidden.”
He turns next to Shiohn, “Julzakama runs a pawnshop called Julzakama’s Loans and is an unusually arrogant vesk. I don’t know him, but I get the impression that I wouldn’t like him much if I did.” Venture-Captain Arvin also provides directions to Julzakama’s shop as a quick broadcast to your comm units.
And then to Salamander. "I'm afraid I can't really give you any insight on that matter. If your companions know how best to get through to him, so much the better. Otherwise, consider it just one of the many kinds of challenges you'll be facing as Starfinder Society field agents."
Arvin flips a switch on his wrist computer, and a tiny recording drone comes over as he glances to the clock. "As an aside, make sure your last team-mate for this mission - Vodra - sees the holo-record of the briefing, should you encounter them after you depart. Good hunting, Starfinders. You are dismissed."
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The briefing and questions complete, you can leave the Lorespire Complex and begin making your way to Downlow.
Along the way, you can make one of the following -
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Boon Slots:
- Personal Boons that grant access to playable races
- Faction Champion Boons that allow you to earn fame with a faction
- Promotional Boons
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Zez'ka nods her head. "Of course, Venture Captain! I cannot wait to meet our final companion! Excited!"
Zez'ka leads the group to Julzakama's pawn shop.
"My dear friend Julzakama is quite forceful and domineering! He is not well liked at all! How strange and sad for him! He doesn't seem to mind. I suppose that is his choice. A decision I do not understand!" she laughs and clacks her mandibles. "He responds best to aggressive people, and does not appreciate fancy words and diplomacy. So be MEAN! He'll like that. Maybe not on the outside, but inside -- in his heart -- he will value you."
"Hmmm... Oh! And he is very greedy! He will probably try to make us pay him over what was agreed." she laughs again, as if this is funny. "All will work out in the end!"
"He has the habit of calling people pet names. Insulting ones! Or, I suppose he thinks they are insulting. He adds -ling to peoples race to make you seem small. And he does not bother to call people by their names. Perhaps he is forgetful? Curious!"
"Ah, look! We are getting close now! Excited!"
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Shiohn departs the Lorespire Complex with the party and listens raptly to Zez'ka as she explains what she knows about Julzakama. Shiohn has a sour look on her face by the end, and she lets out a small sigh. "Being aggressive or mean is really not something that comes naturally to me, to say the least. I will do my best if it comes down to it. To be honest I am not entirely looking forward to speaking with someone who insults others for fun. Let us hope that our dealing with Julzakama today is both brief and informative.
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Kitkul follows quietly behind most of the rest of the group, as it is still learning its way around the station. As soon as Zez'ka mentioned that this factor Julzakama responds better to force and aggression than fancy words. it pipes up, " One...I am decent at demanding...my...way around people. As a warrior of my people, I often was required to make sure the workers did their duties correctly." Her mandibles twitch in such a way as you might think it was attempting to smile."...My ability to deal with the speech of correct possessive nouns is still hard, but I should be able to get my thought across to Julzakama that attempting to disregard his contractual agreement should not happen. Or that it might not be in his best interest if he attempts to wheedle more credits from the Society."
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Although some areas of Downlow are clean and trendy, this narrow alley of concrete and metal buildings drips with oil and sparking wires. A wide, red neon electric sign reads “Julzakama’s Loans” on a building sandwiched between a Kuthite sensation house and a derelict building covered with graffiti. The shop’s solid metal door contains a single, small window too grimy to peer through.
The interior of the shop is crammed with shelves containing all manner of near-valueless items, from small appliances to VR game consoles and jars of colored powders. The shop has the acrid smell of a reptile house that has not been cleaned in months. A massive vesk in a muscle shirt stands at the rear of the shop, behind a low desk and a series of heavy metal bars anchored into the ceiling.
He only glances up for a moment when you enter, calling out, "Let me know if you see something you like, little ones!" before taking a long drink from a can of orange soda, then going back to carelessly disassembling an old computer.
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Zez'ka enters the shop and squeals in delight. She wanders the aisles, poking and prodding at the cluttered shelves and debating over what bit of junk she will look at first. Apparently the jars of coloured powder catch her eye. She debates over colours with an exclamation of "Decisions! Joy!" Before finally settling on purple and red.
Eventually she wanders over to the counter.
"Hello, my dear friend, Julzakama! Joyous day! How are you? Curious!"
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Kitkul carefully maneuvers it's body between the haphazardly overflowing shelves as it follows behind Zez'ka. It's head isn't even looking at the motley collection of items the shelves, as it figures it is mostly junk, and only good for reclamation...if that.
It's face perks up as it looks at the vesk in the muscle shirt, mainly because of the can of orange soda.
" Julzakama, greetings. On...I am Kitkul a friend of Zez'ka's. I have heard you have lots of items of interest, which I figure all of us will talk about in a while. As an aside, do you have another of those orange sugar drinks that I might purchase?"
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Julzakama puts the device he was working on aside with a sigh, muttering "damned 'puters," as he looks through the bars at you. "Hello there little ren-ling, if you're here to buy, it's a very good day, otherwise I'm not sure why you'd be here!"
To Kitkul, whom he looks up and down, "Hm, a slightly different ren-ling? No, I don't have a food-license, so these ones are mine. But what would you like to buy other than that?"
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Zez'ka laughs. "Oh, my friend, you are so silly. Look with your heart and you will remember me! Confident!"
She puts her jars on the counter. "I am here to buy these delightful coloured powders! Beautiful! Also, I am here on behalf of the Starfinder Society. Preparing!"
Zez'ka clears her throat and tries really hard to make a scary face. When she speaks her voice is a horrible impersonation of an angry vesk she once met who as terribly terrifying and altogether amazing...
"GRRRR! WE'RE HERE FOR THE INSIGNIAS! HAND THEM OVER OR I WILL DO SOMETHING SCARY AND VIOLENT, VESKLING! A-HAH! A-HAH! SOMETHING ABOUT BONES!"
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Eyeing the orange soda with longing, Kitkul nods, "On...I understand. Guess you lost a sale there, though."
Kitkul steps next to Zez'ka and puts its hand on Zez'ka's shoulder. "As my friend suggests...HAND OVER THE INSIGNIAS NOW! You have already been paid for these by the Society, so Do NOT attempt to dishonor the dead that those insignias represent by trying to be dishonest."
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After warily following the party into Julzakama's shop, Shiohn spends a few moments browsing the shop. She picks up a few random items and examines them, turning some of them upside-down and occasionally mumbling to herself.
When she hears a commotion at the front of the shop, she quickly sets down an interesting glass bottle and approaches the source of the raised voices. Shiohn catches the end of the demand for the insignias, and places herself behind Zez'ka and Kitkul. She squints her eyes and crosses her arms in what she hopes is a menacing way.
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Julzakama grins at the outburst and bluster, not too unlike a proud parent. He reaches under the counter and retrieves a metal box, which he slides through a gap in the bars. The box contains six insignias bearing the compass-like logo of the Starfinder Society.
Leaning back a bit, the vesk scratches the scaly skin between his bony beardspikes with a clawed hand and says, “Seems I’m now fully paid for those trinkets there. I remember Arvin said something about wanting information, too, and I can do that. But information costs extra.”
He holds his hands in the air, not unlike a surrendering criminal. “All right, all right; the seller was named Exegara, and she wasn’t from around here. Wore a red flight suit, like she had come off a long trip. Once she had her money, she asked about where to purchase clean skeletons. I don’t carry goods like that, so I sent her to the Vat Garden.”
Then he holds up a single finger. "Almost forgot! She was definitely an Eoxian. She looked like a man-ling, but didn’t breathe or blink or anything - she also mentioned something about hiring some local muscle 'just in case.' " that last bit punctuated with air quotes. "That's everything, honest."
He also gives you directions to the Vat Garden, a 10-minute walk from his shop.
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As you travel towards the Vat Garden, you might remember hearing something about it with a Culture check
You are also aware that the ysoki surreptitiously accept corpses to help grow their plants. This side business is not technically illegal, and the ysoki cultivate good relations with local district law enforcement for protection.
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Zez'ka takes the insignias, inspects them, and puts them in her backpack. Then she lets out an insectile laugh. Her mandibles clack excitedly, and her antennae quiver. She claps her hands in glee. "Thank you, my dear friend! You have been most helpful! I hope to do business with you many more times in the future! Pleasure! Happy!"
She points at the colourful powder. "How much do I owe you for these delightful jars of rainbow dust? I am willing to pay you... ten credits!"
Zez'ka waves goodbye to the vesk. "Farewell until next time! Longing!"
Once they are outside, Zez'ka thinks...
"Oh! I know! The Vat Garden is a ysoki-operated hydroponics garden in the Downlow district! I have never been there, but it sounds delightful! Curious! Excited!" After a moment she taps her finger against her mandibles in contemplation. "Why would a garden be a good place to obtain skeletons? CURIOUS! INTRIGUED!"
As she walks she exclaims in a rather chipper voice, "I hope the Vat Garden is not a place of mournful, terrifying death and dismemberment! I have had enough of that for at least a week. Perhaps even two! Worried! Disturbed!"
"I desire happier thoughts. Contemplation!" She taps a finger on her mandibles while she thinks. "I wonder what I will do with my rainbow dust! There are so many choices!" she squeals in delight. " I could..."
Zez'ka proceeds to brainstorm a wide variety of uses for brightly coloured powder. Turns out the excitable shirren is quite creative. Unfortunately, the topic of conversation is not nearly as exciting for those around her as it is for herself...
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Kitkul looks at the insignias as Zez'ka inspects them, making sure they look authentic. Nodding it says, "Dear Julzakama thank you for honoring your agreement to the Society on returning the insignias, and giving us the information on where you procured them. While your attitude seems abrasive, you seem to truly be an honorable individual."
"I hope to have dealings with you in the near future. And maybe we can share one of those orange sugar drinks." As it longingly looks at the can of sugar water.
Telepathically to the rest of the group, "Friends, you might want to call Arvin on this via comm. On...I would normally do it, but my non-telepathic voice is hard to understand on a comm unit."
It carefully maneuvers its body out of the scrap heap of a store, thinking on what it has learned, and what it might know of things in future for its group.
"Dear Zez'ka, from what On...I understand the Vat Gardens are what should happen to all creatures, be honored enough to be taken, honored, and have their bodies be what is used to help grow living things to sustain the living with oxygen and food. 'From the soil we have come, to the soil we shall go and from the soil we want to live.'"
"Eoxians....undead creatures. While the Eoxians signed the Pact World agreement, and are part of the pact world....they are not of the living, and should have been reclaimed by the land, at least in what I believe. If this one wants skeletons, it makes me feel that it can be up to no good."
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Fumbling in the corner of the shop, you notice a young shirren male, head slightly bent and quietly chattering to himself "What to do now, what to do?" Rifling through junk on the shelves looking for antiques and knickknacks "This could have been my chance to impress the society."
Slowly, he begins to roll away from the corner and notices the five of you as prominent figures resembling an adventuring party. Hurriedly skittering closer to all of you, he says "Excuse, me are you Starfinders?"
As you see the antennas atop his head immediately stand up with excitement. "Oh oh oh, where are you going, what are you doing, do you know Venture Captain Arvin?"
"My name is Vodra Zist, I am a Mystic Priest of Eloritu in training from Castrovel..I need to get in contact with Venture Captain Arvin as I was supposed to assist in an urgent matter regarding the a lost crew. I lost my way to the intial meeting when I stumbled upon this shop looking to add to my wide collection of intricate antiques."
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After meeting up with Vodra and making your way further towards the Vat Garden, you can see ahead of you that the station passageways open into an enormous sunken pool filled with a riotous growth of plants. A narrow walkway leading to other parts of Downlow encircles the overgrown vat, and a spire of some kind of machinery stands in its center. For such a busy section of Downlow, the area is surprisingly quiet. Two ladders and a steep staircase pierce the foliage and lead down into the vat.
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Kitkul looks towards the other shirren who asked the question. "Yes we are from the Starfinder Society. Are you the missing team member whom Venture Captain Arvin said might show up after we left the Lorespire Complex? If so, there is a holovid of the meeting that Arvin wanted you to watch, though On....I was not the one who picked it up. Another of our party must have though."
As they draw nearer to the Vat Garden, Kitkul keeps its eyes moving around keeping a watch as they close. One of its hand isn't far from its pistol, and the normally blue-white mote that is near its shoulder is unusually slowly strobing through a darker blue to almost white, though not very brightly.
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Nice to meet you Vodra!. We just came from Venture Captin Arvin, like Kitkul said, the Venture Captain had mentioned potentially meeting you on the way. Currently we are on our way towards the Vat Gardens if you'd like to join us. Otherwise the Captain is that way. Salamander points in clearly the wrong direction, but the look on his face is genuine, and it may just be that he is lost.
Getting closer to the Vat Garden, Salamander is getting more on edge, but doesn't take any direct action yet to quell his unease.
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After nodding at Julzakama respectfully as the party leaves the shop, Shiohn listens intently as Zez'ka and Kitkul relay the information they know about the Vat Garden and will contribute to the conversation . Following that, she introduces herself to and warmly welcomes Vodra to the group. She'll make small talk with him about where she is from on Castrovel and the interesting things she has seen so far since arriving at Absalom Station as they walk to the Vat Gardens.
"I would be very interested to hear the stories of what you have seen and learned since arriving here, but again I fear we do not have much time for talk. Perhaps after we find and apprehend this Exegara...I am quite worried about why she is looking for skeletons and what it may mean for the Starfinders we are looking for."
As they approach, Shiohn will begin looking around for anyone that looks out of place in the immediate area. She is expecting there may be a guard or sentry nearby.
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"Dear Zez'ka, from what On...I understand the Vat Gardens are what should happen to all creatures, be honored enough to be taken, honored, and have their bodies be what is used to help grow living things to sustain the living with oxygen and food. 'From the soil we have come, to the soil we shall go and from the soil we want to live.'"
Zez'ka thinks on Kitkul's words. "Hmmm... That does make sense! Curious!"
"My name is Vodra Zist, I am a Mystic Priest of Eloritu in training from Castrovel..I need to get in contact with Venture Captain Arvin as I was supposed to assist in an urgent matter regarding the a lost crew. I lost my way to the intial meeting when I stumbled upon this shop looking to add to my wide collection of intricate antiques."
"Greetings, Vodra! I am thrilled to meet another new companion!" She takes Vodra's hand and gives it an enthusiastic shake. Her antennae twitch and reach toward Vodra, caressing his face. "I, too, am a Starfinder on the hunt for the Unbounded Wayfarer! Welcome to our team! I hope to be your friend! Happy! Excited!"
When she releases Vodra her mandibles clack in excitement. "Come! Join us!"
"[...] Perhaps after we find and apprehend this Exegara...I am quite worried about why she is looking for skeletons and what it may mean for the Starfinders we are looking for."
After Shiohn voices her concerns, Zez'ka nods. "Oh, yes! Worried is right! That is why I am conversing about rainbow dust! Worried!"
After meeting up with Vodra and making your way further towards the Vat Garden, you can see ahead of you that the station passageways open into an enormous sunken pool filled with a riotous growth of plants. A narrow walkway leading to other parts of Downlow encircles the overgrown vat, and a spire of some kind of machinery stands in its center. For such a busy section of Downlow, the area is surprisingly quiet. Two ladders and a steep staircase pierce the foliage and lead down into the vat.
At the sight of the Vat Garden Zez'ka's antennae perk right up, her mandibles quiver, and she claps her hands in glee. "Oh, how beautiful! Even if there is much death and horror to come, this is by far my most wonderful mission yet! Such greenery!"
Suddenly she clamps a hand over her mouth and her antennae droop. She lowers her hand and whispers, "I apologize! This could be quite dangerous. Sorry! Let us find this Exegara... Cautious! Curious!"
She surveys the area...
...then points at the multiple entrances. "Perhaps we should split up into pairs and each cover an exit. This would prevent Exegara from fleeing. Anticipation!"
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Zez'ka gets the lay of the land (as it were) rather quickly, and you do have a moment to split up if you'd like, but in the process of doing so, Exegara and her three hired mercs notice your movements and raise their weapons!
Terrain Notes: The floor of the Vat Garden is 15 feet lower than the walkway surrounding it, and the foliage is so thick that creatures inside the vat have total concealment (50% miss chance) from creatures up on the walkway. Within the vat, the orderly rows of plants provide normal concealment (20% miss chance) to opponents more than 10 feet away; enemies closer than this do not benefit from concealment.
The two ladders (South by "A" and East) and a single steep staircase (West by "B") leading down into the vat are easy to navigate but count as difficult terrain. Alternatively, you can climb down the plants with a DC 15 Athletics check.
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"It would make sense since the bone is the last bits to decompose ages after the rest, and where the mineral components are useful, too much of such would be an over flow. The Vat would theoretically thrive on the soft tissues. The bones could indeed be excess and not reclaimable by the land even the advance sciences of the Vat, reasonably." Kima mentions.
"Like was mentioned they are indeed pact world members, and if they are after only what will not be reclaimed by the land, it may not be the most horrible of things either. Would we consider those of our fellows made by metal and wire any less? Is not perhaps the same of Eoxians? We send the mindless robots into areas too dangerous for us, perhaps they use skeletons the same way."
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Seeing you enter, all of the enemies react very quickly! The two with blue and yellow markings on their armor raise their laser pistols to shoot at the closest of your team - Blue shoots at Salamander while Yellow shoots at Kitkul!
GM Note:
vs. EAC
vs. EAC
The Blue merc's shot hits some plant matter and is deflected away, while the Yellow merc's shot misses outright!
ROUND 1
Salamander
Exegara
Green Merc
Kitkul
Vodra
Zez'ka
Kima
Shiohn
ROUND 2
Yellow Merc
Blue Merc
Salamander is up!
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Salamander sees the laser aimed towards him and instinctively flinches away from the incoming pain, but as the laser sizzles the plants near him he smiles because he is open to make his advance.
Salamander rushes forward down the steps taking care along the way. He doesn't have the space to charge but he is plenty fast enough to get in his opponent's face. (Sal moves to base blue) Drawing his longsword as he goes he brings down the sharpened edge towards the shoulder of his assailant.
But as he swings down, the tip of the blade catches on a loose vine and halts the downward trajectory. The result is a spectacular miss.
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The lady in the red flight suit quickly shovels a pile of white skulls that look freshly dug-up into a canvas duffel bag, then draws a pistol as she moves deeper behind the plants for cover.
Seeing the sword attack on his buddy, the Green merc drops his laser pistol and draws an assault hammer as he advances on Salamander, swinging hard!
vs. KAC
The swing looks like it might have hurt a lot, but the vesk side-steps it!
ROUND 1
Kitkul
Vodra
Zez'ka
Kima
Shiohn
ROUND 2
Yellow Merc
Blue Merc
Salamander
Exegara
Green Merc
Kitkul, Vodra, Zez'ka, Kima, and Shiohn are all up!
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"Oh, dear! This is unfortunately unfriendly! Sad!" Zez'ka exclaims. She hurries over to the ladder, slides down it and moves into the Vat Garden. She draws her semi automatic pistol and takes aim at the nearby mercenary.
"We are here to speak with Exegara! Eager! There is no need for violence! If you are not her, please put down your arms and leave immediately! I would prefer not to kill you today! If you are her, surrender anyway! I desire information, not your lifespark! Honest! Hopeful!"
"This is your last warning! Serious!"
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Kitkul thinks it best to attempt to make sure the Eoxian doesn't flee...so hurries over to the side, pulling it's laser pistol and taking a shot when it feels it has the best chance of hitting it.
] to hit EAC
Kitkul watches it's laser beam hit a tree limb that it thought wasn't in the way.
"Well, at least one hit that offending tree....." mutters Kitkul under its breath.