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The date is Sunday, December 16, 318 AG, and you are on Absalom Station.
AG stands for After the Gap.
Some cultures collapsed in fire and famine, but most societies, faced with no other choice, simply gritted their teeth and carried on, either attempting to piece together their traditions from the unreliable shreds of the past, or else using their amnesia as a chance to reinvent themselves, unshackled from whatever they might have been before. Those races that reproduced faster had the advantage, as children born into a world without recent history accepted the fresh start as natural—new historical records and memories held firm, and that was all that mattered. Gradually, order reestablished itself.
Today, roughly 3 centuries after the obscured period now referred to as the Gap, most societies view the historical cataclysm with little interest, save for the cryptoarchaeologists, salvagers, and scientists who attempt to unearth and reverse engineer wondrous artifacts from the lost age. For everyone else, the focus is on creating new history, moving ever onward and upward.
No one has ever been able to say for certain what caused the Gap, as even the gods themselves remain steadfastly silent (or ignorant) regarding the matter. Nevertheless, theories abound, the most popular being that the Gap was a quantum ripple effect caused by the discovery and use of Drift technology, a hole torn in history and traveling backward in time, possibly entangling our timeline with those of alternate universes. Others argue that the Gap was caused by whatever magic whisked away the planet Golarion, a magical resonance that stretched forward and backward, its tremors gaining strength until they eventually shattered the fundamental structure of time.
What is known, however, is that while the Gap is universal— and a combination of carbon dating and astrochronology suggest it lasted several millennia—its edges are geotemporally inconsistent. Where one star system might have accurate records stretching back 300 years from the present, worlds in different parts of the galaxy might have 310 years of history, or only 275. Some scholars have even uncovered rare “caches” within the Gap—places where accounts seem suddenly consistent for a given period or topic. For an organization like the Starfinders, locating these scattered bread crumbs and syncing them up with ancient pre-Gap records may yet hold the key to unraveling the greatest mystery of the universe.
The ascension of Triune changed all that. While the solar system had always had gods dedicated to machines, even back to confirmed antiquity, they’d always remained relatively minor. Yet exactly 3 years after the end of the Gap in the Golarion System, a new deity revealed itself: a divine network integrating Epoch, the machine-built deity of Aballon; Casandalee, the god of androids; and Brigh, the clockwork goddess. Calling itself Triune, this new collective consciousness vaulted to prominence by providing mortals with access to a heretofore unknown hyperspace dimension called the Drift, reachable only via technology and granting easy travel to distant stars. For a relatively low price, ships could now acquire a Drift engine that let them slip quickly between star systems.
In the wake of this revelation, a land rush began. The adventurous and disenfranchised sought opportunity in new colonies. Corporations sought resources and freedom from regulation. Governments sought to expand their territories. Yet as quickly as it began, this exodus hit its first hurdles, for many “new” worlds were already inhabited or bore strange contagions inimical to life, and predatory civilizations both vast and incomprehensible lurked in the dark between the stars. New races flooded the Pact Worlds in turn, coming in peace and in war, forcing the worlds to come together for mutual protection and in shared appreciation for all they held in common. Today, space exploration remains rampant and lucrative for citizens of the Pact Worlds, but it’s still a romantic pursuit and fraught with danger.
For the next 250 years, the two systems would remain each other’s greatest threat, skirmishing over planets outside the direct authority of either autonomy, or else engaging in limited space battles along the cordons between their systems, too evenly matched for either to commit to a full-scale assault. This so-called Silent War finally came to an end in 291 AG, when a vast, world-devouring entity called the Swarm attacked both systems simultaneously. In danger of being completely overrun, the Veskarium—as the reptilians call their empire—and the Pact Worlds signed a formal alliance, together managing to force the Swarm out of their region of space. Yet while the alliance put an end to active hostilities and opened both systems up to trade with one another, citizens on both sides recognize that the alliance was one of convenience and could fall apart at any moment.
Fortunately for the Pact Worlds, not all extrasolar contact was so violent. The insectile shirrens arrived in 83 AG, bearing nothing but goodwill and quickly integrating into Pact Worlds society. Kasathas, who appeared in 240 AG on the massive worldship Idari, proved less willing to be assimilated wholesale, yet they quickly established themselves as valuable allies. Although other sentient creatures hailing from beyond the Golarion system occasionally arrive, brought back by Pact Worlds explorers or homing in on Absalom Station’s powerful Drift beacon, the already incredible diversity of life-forms in the system means that most such creatures can easily blend in and take up residence, provided they don’t stir up too much trouble.
More info' page 428 of the Core Rulebook
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Founded shortly after the Gap, the Starfinder Society was inspired by incomplete tales of a similar pre-Gap organization called the Pathfinder Society. The Starfinder Society originally aimed to map the temporal edges of the Gap and piece together the history of what transpired during that tumultuous event, ambitiously endeavoring to find lost Golarion. Since the Society’s inception, its mission has changed to focus less on the Gap and more on exploring a galaxy made accessible due to the spread of Drift beacons.
The heroes of the Starfinder Society travel the breadth of the galaxy—from verdant jungle worlds where even a fingernail-sized insect is deadly, to seemingly abandoned space stations filled with unspeakable horrors, to ruined temples of dead gods hidden amid the ruins of similarly dead worlds, and to the bustling streets of the metropolises of the Pact Worlds. Starfinders work in small but efficient groups to explore the known and unknown, recording their findings and bringing them back to the greater organization for dissemination.
Most Starfinders operate out of scattered regional headquarters called lodges, which dot the galaxy. Each lodge is home to a venture-captain and that officer’s staff, who provide direction and support for field agents and manage the day-to-day operations of the Society. The Lorespire Complex stands apart from other lodges. Located in Absalom Station, the Lorespire Complex is always accessible to even the farthest-flung Starfinder expeditions due to the unique ability for ships to quickly travel the Drift to reach Absalom Station. More than a single building, the Lorespire Complex is a campus of structures built around the eponymous spire. The Archives, the Hall of Discovery, and other edifices integral to the Society’s ongoing existence fill the grounds of the Lorespire Complex.
The First Seeker is a Starfinder elevated above her peers. This Starfinder is elected based on the merit of adventuring experience and personal field of focus. Each First Seeker uses her appointment to prioritize the Starfinder Society’s primary research focus, using the position to advance a personal scholarly pursuit of value. Once a First Seeker’s term has ended, that First Seeker can never again serve as a leader within the Starfinder Society. The thrust many of the Starfinder Society’s missions are the result of the First Seeker’s goals—luckily, those same agents who perform these missions are integral in deciding who receives the honor of ascending to the rank of First Seeker.
The Forum is an elected body of Starfinders who work to coordinate the Society’s many operations. Integral in drumming up the necessary support to elect a First Seeker, the Forum also assists the elected First Seeker in completing her personal mission. Any Starfinder can ascend to become a member of the Forum, and membership does not stop one from partaking in other activities. In fact, many faction leaders and venture-captains are active members of the Forum in addition to their other duties. Many other Forum members are experienced Starfinders who hold no title beyond their appointment to the Forum.
The third pillar of the Society’s leadership is Guidance, a network of uploaded personalities of exemplary Starfinders. Most First Seekers are invited to upload their consciousness into Guidance, and only those deemed unworthy or who perish in their mission fail to become part of the Starfinder Society’s spiritual anchor. Guidance functions in two major ways: it’s the first entity to formally induct new Starfinders into the organization, and every new Starfinder begins his or her careers by receiving a commencement address from Guidance. The uploaded bank of personalities also confirms the election of new First Seekers, and while historically Guidance agrees to the democratic decision of the Society, there have been a handful of cases where Guidance has not approved an elected First Seeker.
Every Starfinder contributes to the overall success of the Starfinder Society. Some do so through diligent research, rarely leaving the teeming Archives of the Lorespire Complex. Others prefer to explore the relative safety of the Pact Worlds or the appropriately titled Near Space, where civilization remains only a short jaunt into the Drift away. The bravest Starfinders travel to the other ends of the galaxy, using the Society’s starships to explore the endless expanse of space known as the Vast.
and keeping individual countries loyal to the alliance. With the creation of the Absalom Pact binding the worlds of their solar system together, the Stewards found an even higher calling and pledged themselves to this new mission, relocating their headquarters to Absalom Station.
More info' page 480 of the Core Rulebook
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So, as I said, the date is Sunday, December 16, 318 AG, and you are on Absalom Station in the Lorespire Complex.
Having received a summons from Guidance, you follow the directions, and end up outside a door marked Briefing Room 10.5.
Entering, you see a large table that glows with images depicting an unfamiliar planet and its tiny moon, all surrounded by data readouts.
Near the head of the table sits Venture-Captain Arvin beside what is obviously a female android, who stands, towering over the seated lashunta since she is nearly eight feet tall. She wears a blue military uniform with gold accents, that you recognize as being that of an officer of the Stewards.
Arvin stops speaking to the android upon seeing you, and gestures to the remaining seats: “Join us, Starfinders. This is Major Tower-9 of the Stewards, and we have much to discuss.”
The android, with bright red conduits tracing across her bald head, gives a stiff bow.
"“Hello,” she says in a deep voice. “The planet you see before you is Tabrid Minor, a Near Space world whose primary sentient inhabitants recently made contact with a Pact Worlds survey vessel. They call themselves copaxis. Having just developed Drift technology, they are only now learning about the galaxy and its many inhabitants and threats. Copaxi leaders have petitioned for protectorate status. It is up to the Stewards to decide if Tabrid Minor is an acceptable candidate. As the supervisor for Tabrid Minor’s petition process, I have asked your venture-captain to organize an independent review of the planet and its people.”
The android sits, and Arvin waves his hand across the table. The display zooms in on one of the planet’s largest continents.
“The copaxis are a terrestrial species numbering two billion, and their petition claims they have a unified government and a peaceful history. Massive floating cities drift over the planet’s largest continent, but they are apparently abandoned. The Major and I have determined that an independent review of one of these sites would provide the Stewards with valuable information for their final decision. Your destination is a city called Tabantria. It is your job to do what Starfinders do best: explore this area, cooperate with the copaxi research team, handle any dangers along the way, and report back to us. Any questions?”
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An ysoki lounges rather haphazardly across the chair in the briefing hall. Speck is covered with rather nondescript brown fur. In fact, it can be rather patchy at places, as if implants had been removed rather carelessly, but he makes no real attempt to hide the unbecoming patches. Exposed across his forehead and down his right eye is a cybernetic implant but what exactly it does is not immediately clear. Another newer one is exposed at the back of his head. Interesting, across his neck hangs a wood-carved holy symbol of Weydan. Occasionally, you notice him unconsciously touching the symbol, as if still getting used to it.
As he listens, his snout starts to twitch. "First, let's get that out of the way. Name's Speck, Speck Zezener if you need to know but no one calls me by my full name. So, don't start." Turning to android, he puts on a familiar cynical smirk, "So let me get this straight, so it is up to your organisation ALONE to decide whether a civilisation is accepted into the Pact Worlds? So why do you need us then? I am sure you have a robust and detailed set of criteria for admission."
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A 5'6" human holding a battlestaff and clad in counselor clothing clears his throat and says..."My name is Tolmu. To clarify, you want us to explore one of the abandoned cities, with a team of the Copaxi, to try and find out why they were abandoned? Is there a reason to doubt the Copaxi or are you just being thorough? How much are we allowed to share about our mission with their team, or is there some sort of cover story?
As Tolmu speaks, he strokes the steel Holy Symbol of Sarenrae, with a soothing gesture.
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The android bows to the Ysoki: "Well met, Speck Zezener. Correct and incorrect. It is up to the Stewards alone to decide if this civilisation is an acceptable candidate. We do not then decide if they are accepted or not. But, to be accepted, they have to be a candidate. As to why we need you, it is to help us see if they meet this detailed set of criteria you mention. A third party view is what we want. Unbiased."
The android glances at the wooden carving Speck carries: "Weydan says to treat all people well, and to voyage with an end goal in mind, this could be a perfect mission for you?"
Turning to the human: "Greetings Tolmu. To clarify: correct, we want you to explore, cooperate, and report. Report what you find: reasons for abandonment, information on the Copaxi... for, correct, we are being thorough, and, maybe correct: the Copaxi could be withholding information. Or incorrect: they are not. As for sharing: best to explore them rather than have them explore us. But no cover story, no."
Arvin smiles, and speaks up: "Speck! A full member of the Pact Worlds has voting rights in addition to citizenship, trade, and military benefits. A protectorate is very similar but lacks voting rights. It may be a collection of worlds or colonies, most often with smaller or only disjointed societies, such as is the case for Mataras and Aucturn. Rarely, the Pact Worlds also accept protectorates outside the system, though always with caution to avoid overextending our resources. So this is a special time, and thus getting the most information is important. Regarding the criteria..."
He checks a screen, and goes on: "The Stewards seek information about the Copaxis themselves: their attitudes towards other species, their tendencies towards peace or war, and anything in their history that can help determine if they would be a good protectorate of the Pact Worlds."
Turning to Tolmu: "I cannot advise you regarding the Copaxis. We have had few official interactions with them, and we actually hope you can add to our understanding of their society and history."
Pulling up an image of a blue creature with horns, Arvin continues: "A copaxi is a colonial network of specialized creatures living within a flexible exoskeleton, and each colony behaves and speaks as a single creature."
Major Tower-9 continues: "So far, they have been worthy diplomats and shown great interest in Pact Worlds’ cultures and technology. Some of their representatives have even learned our common language and used it to write their petition. You should have no trouble communicating with their research team and any delegates they send.”
Arvin finishes: “May I add that the Copaxis are also conducting archaeological research in the abandoned cities. Apparently, they have only recently developed the technology to safely reach these cities, which float miles above the planet’s surface. Their researchers seem eager to learn from your example, and we hope that you can form a good working relationship with them. Any other questions?”
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A gangling humanoid with overly long arms and legs enters the office. He has expressive, black eyes and lacks a nose. His pale blue skin looks as soft and damp as an eel's. He wears a Steward's officer uniform. Once the Venture-Captain introduces Tower-9, he nods his head, "Major."
"I am Laniakea, originating from Heicoron IV, on deployment with the Starfinders from the diplomatic corps," he says as an introduction. "I will not bias the other Starfinder's assessment."
After listening to Tower-9 expand upon the mission's parameters, he asks, "Do we know much of the copaxi technology? Are Pact equipment and batteries compatible with the energy sources on Tabrid Minor?"
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Tower-9 salutes Laniakea: "Officer!", before answering.
"Their technology is advanced. Equipment and batteries should be compatible. Though we have had some anomalous gravity readings, so that might interfere. Be sure to run a scan of the planet with your ship’s computers when you arrive... also, half the planet is covered by oceans, so if any sentients with aquatic backgrounds are part of the team, they might feel at home. Otherwise, the atmosphere is fairly standard."
Arvin interjects: "Just don't go for a swim right away. Though not expected, you might encounter threats on Tabrid Minor. The Stewards are interested in peaceful diplomacy, but that does not mean your team needs to put itself at risk. Handle any danger as best you can and use your discretion if the Copaxis themselves are belligerent."
Arvin types away and via your comm' units you all receive an:
Tabrid Minor (Near Space Planet) transitioned through the Gap relatively unscathed and currently boasts a population of just over two billion sentient souls—mostly Copaxis. Though its overall gravity is normal, certain regions—especially near the oceans and flying cities—contain gravitational anomalies.
• Rapidly Industrializing Copaxi Homeworld
• Diameter: ×1; Mass: ×1; Gravity: ×1
• Atmosphere: Normal; Day: 1 day; Year: 1/2 year
• Satellites: One small moon
• Surface: 50% land, 50% water
• Dominant Sentient Lifeform: Copaxis (singular Copaxi)
• Population: Approximately 2 billion Copaxis
• Notable Features: Flying landmasses; highly industrialized surface settlements; minimal natural resources; lower than average biodiversity.
WARNING: Readings indicate gravitational anomalies. Caution is advised.
MISSION SUMMARY:
• Contact the Copaxi research team and leave a positive impression of the Starfinder Society.
• Conduct an independent investigation of the ruined city.
• Collaborate with the Copaxi research team by reporting findings.
• Make independent recommendations to approve or reject the protectorate petition based on the team’s findings.
Arvin looks at you all, one by one: "Docking Bay 94 being currently at capacity, you can head to Docking Bay 22, where a Drift-capable starship awaits to take them you to Tabrid Minor. Make the Society proud, Starfinders!"
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The kasatha that enters has the traditional kideche cloth covering the lower part of his face and the blue-grey skin that was indicative of his tribe. His custom trenchcoat flared as he walked to reveal several pistols, an assault hammer, and several other items, inducing bio-manacles and a stohkli stun stick.
"I am sorry I am late, but there was a minor fracas a few levels away. Some youths decided to try and jack a Kamel-300 from an older lashunta woman. By the time I was able to get through the crowdd, she had them curled up in tiny balls crying for their mothers. Some form of mental enchantment, I imagine. Anyways, what did I miss?"
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An android, in the form of a youthful human female with bright pink hair and clothes and glowing runic tattoos across her face and arms lounges against one wall, her face buried in a data pad on which she is typing furiously.
Paying no attention to the briefing she slowly starts to grin as she hacks into the holographic projection and begins to play out the first Vesk Imperium invasion of the Pact Worlds as if it had taken place on Tabrid Minor. She, of course, takes the role of the Vesk, being the three time winner of the Absalom Station re-enactment of the Battle of Aledra.
As the last Vesk battleship sends one of the floating holographic sky cities crashing into the ocean she gives out a yell of before realising that people might be staring at her.
What, I was paying attention, visit the planet, meet the copaxi's, do some digging around and archaeology stuff to see what deep dark secrets they are hiding away. Simple enough isnt it...
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Sitting there quietly throughout the briefing, the other Kasatha simply pays close attention to the details and then picks up his pack as the group readies to leave. Dressed very simply in what appears to be station maintenance gear crafted for zero g maneuvering with a heavy sledge slung across his back make him appear more suited for manual labor than an exploration party.
Traditional face covering blocking any sight of his mouth he finally speaks, "there is nothing simple about this, the fate of billions lies upon our ability to discover the unbiased truth of the matter."
He turns to the VC, "we will find the information sought and I will offer a prayer as we travel to Sarenae that no targets present themselves to us."
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On the way to the docking bay the four armed humanoid introduces himself as "Hef" and advises that he should have no issues piloting their cruiser or handling a gunnery position.
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Speck is momentarily stunned into silence when the android addressed him about his god directly. The look of practiced cynism falls away from his face as he agains unconsciously caresses the medallion. Finally he sighs. "The Endless Horizon beckons all." His snout twitches animatedly, and his excitement starts to show once his mask has fallen off.
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Arvin's antennae twitch when Numina 6 yells her love of Damaritosh: "A less violent approach would have the Stewards' preference."
You rendez-vous in Docking Bay 22, but do not see a ship...
"Over here!"
You see female Ysoki waving at you. She's the captain of a salvage barge named Clutter Collector.
"The name's Winks. Just help me load all these coils, and we're off!"
Sighing, you only have to aid in moving a few tons of scrap metal into this old ship, and then spend days in the Drift on board a rundown old clunker that smells of cheese.
You finally pull out of your boring and uncomfortable journey: Tabrid Minor in view.
Finally something to do other than listen to Winks explain how she got a good price on a pile of rusted...
You push Winks aside and remotely scan the planet using the ship’s sensors.
These readings also show gravitational anomalies around several city-sized land masses floating a few miles above the planet’s surface.
Additionally, you discern that the planet’s weather systems are atypical for a planet of this size and atmosphere, likely because the anomalies interfere with ocean currents, tides, and storm systems.
then, you receive a transmission from the planet’s surface.
Four creatures appear on the starship’s video screen, a tag indicating that these are the members of the research team.
The faces of these humanoids are featureless masks of smooth coral, distinguished by elegant antler-like growths.
One of them has two antlers that form a swooping, symmetrical pattern before meeting nearly two feet above the creature’s head.
The other creatures' antlers are shorter, but no less elegant: one has three jagged antlers like lightning bolts, another has two antlers curled like ram horns, and the last has countless antlers that resemble spiked hair.
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You open the communications, and the four creatures stare at the screen for a few moments, muttering to one another, pointing excitedly, and coming in and out of view as they jostle for their comm unit.
One of them urges, in Common:
“Be quiet! Look! It is working! There they are!”
The speaker— the one with tall, symmetrical antlers—enters the center of the screen:
“Greetings, esteemed Starfinder Society representatives. I am Therseis, representative of the Yihil regional government, and these are the members of our research team. Thank you for accepting our transmission from our two-way planetary range personal communications device. I hope that your space journey was pleasant, and your Drift travel was of a minimal duration. Welcome to Tabrid Minor. We are using our computational device to share our latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates with your starship’s computational device. We have prepared a landing zone for you. We hope that it is large enough for your orbit-to-ground personnel shuttle.”
You receive a small data package with the coordinates to the landing zone.
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Numina6 spends most of the journey with her head buried in her data pad. As they come out of the drift she mutters Finally! Drift travel is soooooooo boring and shoves her way to the science station, flipping switches and typing furiously.
Finally we are here, lets take a look at this....wait a minute, this is weird. Looks like the plan is subject to some sort of gravitational anomaly created by these weird coral like entities out in their deep oceans. Seems like they affect the floating cities too. Dammit, now I have to reprogram the invasion simulator, that could take days!
Hmm, looks like this weird coral entity could be related to the copxi's as well. They probably have some weird social taboo on talking about it. We should totally ask them if they are related to giant gravitational corall monsters
On receiving the co-ordinates Numina downloads them to her data pad. Well then, what are we waiting for, lets go meet our weird hosts
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Winks is moving around, checking out the info' on the screen: "You can take my lifeboat down to the planet. Just ask them if they want me to haul some of those cities out of their hai... out of their whatever. I'd make a nice credit and they'd have free skies."
You find her lifeboat to be a kind of rusty metal sphere with four thrusters, only one of which seems to be fully functional.
You can easily navigate your shuttle using the Copaxis’ coordinates, to what you see is a floating city named Tabantria.
Tabantria is not the largest or most central of the planet’s floating cities, but it seems by far the most intact according to what you see while moving down through the clouds and out over the blue seas.
You are cleared to land, and, as you move, the pilot senses that the surrounding gravity shifts during your final approach. Suddenly, landing presents a challenge.
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When the information is shared, Hef nods his head, "interesting indeed. Are we looking at a living creature capable of gravity control? Is that creature being used by or related to our hosts or do they even know about it. All good questions."
He looks at Alzandre, eyebrows raised, "I've found the best policy with most races is to just be honest and then watch their reactions. I'll hold my tongue if someone wants to be diplomatic about it, but I won't be quiet about the information we have found. This could be a revolutionary scientific advance for their culture and the pact worlds... or it could be an unknown danger that must be dealt with."
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Headed to the pilot chair he is almost barreled over by the rude android. The muscular Kasatha almost speaks up, but then simply sits in the copilots chair and whispers a prayer for a safe landing.
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Rastar was fairly quiet on the trip out, studying what the Starfinders had in the archives of the copaxi and their societal structure. He listened as Numinia and Laniakea spoke of what they knew and learned. Meanwhile, he had all of his weapons arrayed on a small table in front of him, making sure all were in working order and ready to use, if necessary.
"Hey, pilot! Good work on that landing. Smooth as I've ever had."
He stood and stowed his gear on their special harnesses underneath his long overcoat. Rastar stretched all four arms, then in a blur each hand held a weapon. Just as quickly, the weapons had disappeared once more. Under his kideche cloth he smile. It was good to be back in action again.
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"Corals that create antigravity? What in Weydan's universe will the creator come up with next?" Speck goes through the computer scans himself, not that he doesn't trust the rest but simply to see it for himself.
Turning to Hef, he wrinkles his snout and retorts, "Of course we ask them? Not a good start as allies to be keeping things from each other, ey?"
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Hef Sadir is buffeted to the side as Numina 6 dashes for the pilot's seat.
But the android does not disappoint, and, after about 10 minutes of maneuvering and acclimating to the shifting gravity she flies the shuttle in without incident, and even lands it super smoothly in one try, without being hindered by the fact only one of the four thrusters works.
You all admire - grudgingly for some? - her skills.
Those who want suit up, or seal your armor, and prepare as you wish, and the shuttle's door clatters as it simply falls open, seemingly broken!
You step out onto a landing platform that occupies most of a small field about 100 feet from what is obviously a research base, with its array of antennae and sensors.
The encampment contains four small structures arrayed around a single larger structure, all temporary but fully enclosed.
Beyond the landing platform, the jagged edge of the floating landmass is completely open to the sky.
The view of the smog-shrouded cities below is staggering.
You spot the Copaxis you saw on the screen waiting outside the research structure.
Behind them, the dilapidated stone buildings of the city of Tabantria stand in eerie silence.
None of the Copaxis carry weapons or wear armor, they are dressed for a day of research and social interaction.
After a few seconds they approach you with their arms angled slightly out to the side, empty palms facing forward.
When they approach within about 30 feet of you, each of them spins in a slow circle.
Then they wait, looking at you.
The formerly talkative Copaxis are completely silent.
Laniakea thinks: " 'Hello. Nice to meet you"
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As they settle uneventfully, Hef gives a nod to the sentient machine, ”well flown.” Unfolding his large frame out of the seat he heads to the door, briefly debating carrying his sledge or not, he ends up on the side of give em a chance to be peaceful.
Hopping out the broken door of their craft he checks the area and then watches their hosts closely.
Replying to the shrug with one of his own he simply mirrors the hand guesture of the aliens and waits for one of his better at talking allies to speak first.
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As the hatchway falls off Numina silently stares at it for a moment. What a load of junk, just as well it held on to now...
Numina stares blankly at the weird display and then hisses to the group, they expect us to copy them, some weird local custom or something, not a great sign... after which she follows their lead and then skips across to them and sticks out one hand.
Hello, we are from the Starfinder Society, pleased to meet you! I'm Numina6.
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The four watch you all greet them as they greeted you, even seeming a little surprised by the four-armed spin.
The one that called themself Therseis steps forward and, in Common: "Thank you for responding in kind. We Copaxis are not familiar with the traditional greetings of Pact Worlds natives, so we apologize if we did not do as your culture dictates. Our own greeting is highly ingrained in our culture. Bowing is considered aggressive due to our antlers. Speaking before performing the spinning gesture is a taboo sign of malicious magic. And we must warn you that physical contact with any Copaxi is not recommended unless it has been specifically invited. But, now we invite you, so this specific contact is permitted, we invite you to touch our antlers, if you wish, to understand why physical contact is normally frowned upon."
He lowers his head and--
"We invite you to join us and the Copaxi team in the research office, for a brief meeting."
Entering the building, and the office, you see it was from where they were broadcasting, from a really big contraption of a broadcaster.
Therseis introduces their comrades: "Bryanisis, a biologist", who is the jagged-antlered Copaxi ; "Gnaucara, our team’s physicist and pilot", who has antlers curled like a ram’s horns ; "Panacula, an archaeologist and geologist", the spiky-antlered Copaxi.
Obviously already excited about the Pact Worlds, they have all reshaped part of their chest exoskeleton to display the Pact Worlds’ insignia.
They all start to ask questions at the same time: "Do you worl..." ; "How do y..." ; "When can we se...", and then all stop, a bit ashamed, and wait.
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Laniakea smiles and reaches out to touch the copaxi horns. "Thank you for the opportunity to touch your antlers in this specific invitation. I have not met a species such as yours before."
Once he has tested the antlers with his fingers, he says, "I see that your bodies are quite sharp."
After entering the office and the introduction of the other three copaxis, Laniakea extends his arms and hands as before and spins in repetition of the greeting ritual. "Greetings! We a pleased to meet you and to assist you in your investigation."
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Rastar opened his hands and held them palms up in another gesture of openness. "My culture is also steeped in tradition and ritual. I myself wear the customary kideche cloth, thrice dipped int eh blessed fountain of kolruthi, that shields my face from outsiders as a means to remind me that there is a difference between the public face all must see, and the personal face that only my intimate family and friends get to see.So, you see, we really do respect your culture and traditions. as for myself, I am a ... seeker of those that run from the Law."
Rastar does not hesitate to touch the coral antlers, having been invited to do so. It seems as if this is just part of the ritual, and rituals must, of course, be observed.
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All four Copaxis follow Laniakea's move, and perform their ritual greeting once more, all stating: "We are full of pleasure to meet you too!"
You hear them muttering amongst themselves: "So there are seven?" "No, we saw this one already." "So hard to tell them apart."
Panacula - the spiky-antlered one - turns to Rastar, full of curiosity: "And what culture is that? What planet are you from?"
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"I am Kasathan, and am from no planet at all, but the Idari, a world-ship that has spent many centuries traveling through space, fleeing our dying planet. In recent history it has taken up position in the Pact World system, and petitioned for and gained admittance, just as your planet is now doing."
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Hef moves up with the group and grasps an antler loosely, wondering why... ah that makes sense. He steps back and waits for introductions to be finished.
Curiosity arises though, when he hears one of their group is a pilot. He steps up to Gnaucara and opens with a single question, "what kind of crafts do you fly?"
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"A world ship?!", they are all amazed, and Panacula pursues: "We Copaxis only recently developed technology that would allow us to explore the gravitationally unstable cities, and Tabantria is the only one we have discovered that is intact and upright enough to visit. So we are far from having word-ships!"
Therseis adds: "We Copaxis believe the ancient magic that lifted the cities from the surface was the same magic that led to the downfall of the divergent Copaxis."
Panacula nods, his antlers shaking: "They were punished by divine intervention for
becoming over-reliant on magic."
Therseis: "But we are good now. We can be like the Kasathans. Petition and gain admittance."
Gnaucara - the one with antlers curled like a ram’s horns - is happy to answer Hef Sadir: "You flew in so well, and mastered the gravity eddies with perfection. And your machine is so advanced! We only fly anti-gravity barges. Are you from the world-ship too? Do you pilot it? How does it fly? How do you have enough oxygen on board?"
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Numina6 will eagerly rub the antlers of each of the copaxis. Wow, its so rough, this could probably tear through my synthetic skin. Are they used for anything in particular... and pauses as she starts to follow the thought through to its conclusion before surreptitiously wiping her hand on the back of Rastar's cloth.
So, these cities are powered by magic rather than technology, that must have taken a lot of effort. What's a diverget copaxi?
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Alzandre gently touches the antlers of Therseis. "We understand now why caution is needed, and we thank you for your warning and being gracious enough to allow us to touch you so we could see for ourselves. If it would ok with you, I would like to look over your equipment to see how far your people have progressed."
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As Numina 6 states that
"this could probably tear through my synthetic skin"
, The three researchers, not Therseis, react with hesitant curiosity.
They step up, wait a second, and then step even closer to the android.Gnaucara - ram’s horns antlers - looks at Bryanisis - jagged-antlered one - and says: "It seems intelligent."
Bryansis answers: "Or at the very least well programmed!"
Spiky-antlered Panacula looks at you all: "We have no such creatures on Tabrid Minor."
Therseis intervenes: "Our government strictly monitors such technology. Out of our reverence for life... we not try to play gods and create more life."
Meanwhile, Panacula answers Numina 6, speaking very s-l-o-w-l-y as if the android were a kid, or not super smart: "The divergent Copaxis were a branch of Copaxis that diverged. That made them divergent. They were too reliant on magic. Magic is what makes them divergent. They were wiped out by divine intervention when the divine intervened. That is why we now say that the divergent Copaxis were wiped out by divine intervention for having diverged."
Panacula smiles, hoping his learned explanation was understood.
Alzandre is warmly allowed to check out the equipment in the station - the Copaxis not really having anything on them.
Alzandre sees that the equipment is quite analog, as much as can be at least. That it is well made, but obviously of rather new design. It seems as though they are rapidly Industrializing and have discovered many things at once, and implemented them at the same time. Probably mainly over the last decade or so.
Finally all four look at Speck... and then start shaking.
"The gods are the gods. Of course!"
You realize they must be laughing, actually.
"The gods are the ones that rule in a god-like fashion, because they are gods, and that makes them gods. In other words they are divine. The divine gods with godlike divinity that gives them divine god powers and so they are our gods."
Therseis waves his hand: "The gods are the gods!"
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Hef nods knowingly at Therseis but does not respond.
He moves up behind Numina 6 and one of his four hands gestures towards her, "my ally here is one of the valued member races among the Pact Worlds. The strength of our alliance is from integrating all sorts of differences and ways to view life. One must have an open mind about such things or they will quickly become overwhelmed."
He points to his and Rastar's facial coverings, "while my fellow Kasathan and I have strong traditions and beliefs, we still manage to understand that other beings are to be respected as we are all equal under the graces of those that created us."
Easy here, keep it diplomatic and positive. Don't talk about all the evil out there in the galaxy, you might scare off some converts. Oooh, we haven't brought up the readings yet. Better not keep hiding them.
He waves down at the land below them, "were you aware of the cause of the gravity anomolies? Our sensors detected on approach that they come from coral that is found in both the seas and in high concentrations in these floating cities."