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A 13-ish foot tall, spindly humanoid stands at attention seemingly waiting for something, or someone. It wears padded armor with pockets all around (probably very SWAT looking). On it's back are two large weapons and a large knife beneath the weapons. One of the weapons looks to be a sniper rifle, of Diasporan make, and the other is a large machine gun. It also has a belt with a grenade and other assortment of combat gear.
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The date is Thursday, January 24, 319 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
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.
So, as I said, the date is Thursday, January 24, 319 AG, and you are on Absalom Station in the Lorespire Complex, where you have all been summoned via a comm' message by none other than Guidance itself.
Guidance is that third pillar of the Society’s leadership, an amalgamated network of uploaded personalities of exemplary Starfinders' consciousnesses, and she is a common first contact for new(er) field agents such as yourselves.
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In the meeting room you just entered, a cluster of sleek black computers rests against the far wall .
The Starfinder Society emblem at the center of the server cluster shines and begins projecting a stream of holographic light.
The light takes the form of humanoid figure bereft of any definition, standing at the end of the meeting table closest to the servers.
A neutral voice resonates: “Greetings, I am Guidance. I have a new assignment for you. Please observe.”
The projection gestures a flicking hand to its side, and a stream of data detailing an outpost made of interconnected circular chambers scrolls beside it.“
"One of the Pact Worlds’ most feared and prestigious organizations recently discovered a dataset detailing the location of an outpost abandoned over two hundred years ago. The organization has requested that the Starfinder Society dispatch a team of agents to secure the site, along with any remaining equipment or data. Your team will travel to this outpost and retrieve as much information about it as possible. You should also salvage any relevant equipment, which the Society will take as part of its payment. If you have questions, now is the time to present them.”
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The 13 foot tall humanoid with bulbous eyes and spindly, elongated legs and crossed arms speaks in a low voice, "Do we know what dangers there may be?". Upon closer or more intense inspection, one can notice a strange symbol, a golden pair of butterfly-like wing behind a green and blue world, on its left bicep as a patch. It regards the hologram with skepticism, but not overly so.
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Laniakea ducks through the doorway and strides over to the table on gangling legs. His carbon skin armor covers most of his blue, finely scaled skin. He smiles at the others gathered, although his large, completely black eyes and lack of nose give the expression an unintended creepiness.
"A sarcesian?" he says. "I have not yet had the pleasure to meet the diplomatic envoys from the Diaspora. Did you come to Absalom with them?"
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Once Guidance manifests, the woioko pays close attention. "The Hellknights?" he ventures a guess to the answer to his teammates' question.
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A tall, lean Ysoki enters the room. He's well dressed and carries himself with a clear sense of purpose. "Greetings Guidance, and everyone, I am Smek Skytower," he introduces himself with a slight bow.
After listening to Guidance explaniation of the task, and the questions the others asked Smek adds, "What do we know about the planet? Atmosphere, gravity and other conditions? Native lifeforms, level of intelligent life or technology? What was the purpose of the outpost: research, diplomacy, military?" Smek holds for a moment and starts taking detailed notes when Guidance responds.
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As you all arrive, meet, and start asking questions, you are suddenly surprised by a strange voice, that sounds like something broadcast by a loud speaker.
"Correct, Steward. Hellknights. Quite astute!"
Turning around, you see a pitch black suspensor chair, that floated up behind Laniakea on its anti-grave pad.
The "voice" comes from speakers on the front of the floating iron chair.
"Of the Order of the Nail to be precise. As you all know, though I hope it is not first hand, you all being law abiding citizens, the Order of the Nail is a militant order that enforces law and regulations on civilized planets."
Guidance answers Elwin: "Well, Starfinder Elwin, you have met a representative of the organization we received this information from"
The "voice" from the suspensor chair answers Chetna Wavari: " We cover more systems than any government. We are filled with more faith and morality than any megacorp. A hunting lodge we are. But not for rich. Weirdos... I imagine I am the weirdo in many people's eyes."
Guidance pursues: "Kel'jon, beyond the environment of the planet, it is unknown what threats may exist at the outpost. You should prepare for many possibilities, such as pirates, large predators, hostile native cultures, or supernatural events.”
The "chair" suddenly makes a series of rough coughing like static noises.
You then understand it is... laughing.
"Kel'jon, passing doors without banging your head will be the greatest danger!"
Guidance resumes: "Starfinder Smek Skytower, please copy the following information: the planet is known as 304.M41"--
The "chair": "We Hellknights call it Gideon."
Guidance just keeps on going: --"Gravity and atmosphere are standard, day is 1 day, year is 1 year"--
The "chair": "We choose our locations well."
Guidance does not interrupt: --"Native lifeforms we have limited data about, not much known about the planet’s inhabitants."
The "chair": "They never dared oppose us, so we never were interested in them."
Guidance sighs: "As always, endeavor for a peaceful first contact, and keep the reputation of the Starfinder Society and the Pact Worlds in mind.”
The "chair": "The planet has a diameter ×2/3 and a mass ×2/3. It was simply chosen to be where we built our outpost, the purpose of which was to be a monitoring station for the other colonies in the area.”
The suspensor chair swivels around, facing you one by by one, inviting more questions.
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Smek watches the "chair" with suspicion... More faith and morality... Hunting lodge... Dared not oppose us... I'll take the open greed of a Megacorp over a fanatic any day.
"Elwin! Truly good to see you, and Poof. My friends call me Poof." Smek grins seeing his old companion.
Smek then confirms the information, "Breathable, normal gravity, watch out for non-sentient native life, first contact protocol for sentient. Sounds exhilarating." Smek smiles, whiskers twitching with excitement. He turns to the chair as his excitement subsides, "For a final clarification, as we are Starfinders, any information or data we find we report to you Guidance correct? Same for tech or equipment?" He doesn't try to hide the subtext - if something secret is found it won't be secret for long.
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The speakers on the floating chair are heard once more: "We have authorized the Society to take any items or copies of data found at the abandoned staging area in exchange for providing the Order with any data they, you, uncover. So, yes deal with Guidance. I do not have much time for minor matters anyhow.
We uncovered records about this staging outpost that we seem to have abandoned centuries ago in Near Space.
This outpost is as a low-priority endeavor, having no impact on the Order's modern enterprises.
But we like to keep things in order. Law and order are the cornerstones of society.
Thus this expedition."
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A tall, humanoid android with bright spiky pink hair, glowing purple eyes, a frilly pink dress adorned with the Star Sugar Heartlove name and with an an odd purple bear dangling from her belt wander into the room, her head buried in her datapad. She is muttering to herself and her fingers flick across the screen with inhuman speed. She pays no attention to the chair or Guidance, Hah, got you, you'll hve to get better than that Trotsky if you want to compete in next cycles tournament
She stops as she bumps into the chair and looks up. Oh, hello, who are you?
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Chetna peers at the voice and says, "Of course, I am a law abiding citizen."
She does some quick math about the planet, "Wait, x2/3 diameter and x2/3 mass? That's a lot of heavy metals at its core in order to keep its mass and gravity that close to standard. Its mass should be about x1/4 standard. I'm surprised one of the mining consortiums never brokered a deal."
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Elwin shrugs. " I cannot think of any further questions. A lot of unknowns. I am ready to go when everyone else is." [b]
He steps over to Smek [b]"So, how have you been? Done anything interesting lately? All I have done is learn not to step in front of assassins!" The last part delivered with a big grin.
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The "chair" answers Chetna: "Fear of the Law is the first step towards order."
Guidance does not answer Numina 6.
You barely see the hologram flicker for a brief instant.
Then, to Laniakea: "“For this top priority assignment, and only because you are dealing with such an important contractor, you have are receiving a very special boon: you are authorized the use of your choice of... a Drake or a Pegasus starship!
Both starship frames can complete this assignment. Please consider the following advantages when making your decision: Drake frames have greater firepower, whereas Pegasus starships are equipped with advanced science labs and sensors. As always, to optimize the chances of completing the assignment, it is recommended that each Starfinder team choose a ship that covers any area of weakness. However, the final decision is based on your personal preference. Safe travels.”
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Smek makes a point of avoiding the "chair", with some small consideration to politeness.
Smek responds with a grin to Elwin while reviewing the ship schematics, "I have been well, avoiding excitement and explosives."
After looking over the ships, "I think I'd vote for the Pegasus. Access to labs and sensors would make surveying the planet and analyzing recovered tech easier. Though, admittedly, I've little experience with starship combat." Smek looks to the newly assembled team for any other input.
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Numina once again seems to have become absorbed in her datapad. As the talk turns she ships she looks up, If there are pirates about we might want the heavy weapons of the Drake?
Or, you know, I could take the Sunrise Maiden out for a spin.
SUNRISE MAIDEN (MEDIUM EXPLORER) TIER 3
Speed 10; Maneuverability good (turn 1); Drift 1; AC 13; TL 13; HP 55; DT —; CT 11
Shields Light 60; forward 15, port 15, starboard 15, aft 15
Attack (Forward) gyrolaser (1d8); Attack (Port) light laser cannon (2d4); Attack (Starboard) light laser cannon (2d4); Attack (Aft) flak thrower (3d4); Attack (Turret) light particle beam (3d6)
Power Core Pulse Green (150 PCU); Drift Engine Signal Basic; Systems basic mid-range sensors, crew quarters (good), extra light weapon mount (aft), mk 3 armor, mk 3 defenses, mk 1 duonode computer (tier 1, artificial personality upgrade); Expansion Bays cargo holds (2), escape pods, recreation suite (HAC/gym)
Modifiers +1 to any 2 checks per round, +2 Computers, +1 Piloting; Complement 1–6
One free reroll in tier 3-4
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You exit the office and the Lorespire, asking any last questions before departing.
Then, using a Starfinder Shuttle driven by a one armed Skittermander: --and I'd be a Venture Captain by now if it hadn't been for those grenades having shorter fuses then I thought. I mean, whoever thought it would be in secondes and not minutes--"
You eventually make your way down to Docking Bay 27.
A skeleton crew is working on the various Starfinder vessels - no, not a reduced crew, a true crew of skeletons, courtesy of our Eoxian ties.
You look up and see the beautiful sturdy silver-grey Drake, and over there the sleek and blood-red Pegasusp.
Hmm... which to choose?
Oh, and wait, over there... isnt' that the Sunrise Maiden? That was on AbsolomNews, something to do with asteroids? That is a cool ship?
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Elwin looks at the three ships, a slight look of awe in his eyes.
"Well, I am a novice engineer and scientists and know little of heavy weapons and piloting so in my scientific opinion..." He gives a little smile and points at the Sunrise Maiden, "...we should take the pretty one!"
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Having chosen your ship you all board after having checked your gear and loaded food and water.
"What's that for? Oh, right, eating and drinking...", the skeleton worker sighs, either saddened by your weakness, or else remembering a time when...
Your pilot goes through the check list, and you all take your positions.
After 3 minutes the thrusters are warmed up, and on.
Your pilot then exchanges messages - and pleasantries - with Absalom Traffic Control (ATC), and moves your vessel into departure orbit.
hours later you reach the coordinates ATC fed you, and your pilot deactivates the thrusters, a mandatory manoeuver before using the Drift engine.
He then remains stationary for the obligatory minute... and engages the Drift engine, homing in on the Drift Beacon coordinates given by Arvin and transmitted to ATC.
You see that it is in Near Space.
Then, praise be to Triune, as your sleek white and red vessel slips from the Material Plane into the Drift, this mysterious space that seems to link all the various Planes of existence.
And then you're off, moving through this pinking kaleidoscope.
It takes of travel time, and since your engine is a simple one, a Drift 1, you take the full 9 days to reach the Beacon's coordinates.
The journey is--
--uneventful.
As you know, every time you enter of exit the Drift, a part of some Plane somewhere is ripped apart... a side effect of Triune's gift, or some deliberate plan? But no encounters this time.
Anyhow, other than the bland food for a bit over a week, you will make it safely to your exit point.
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The skeleton grins, showing all its teeth. Well, actually, it is always grinning: "Some Starfinders brought it back, it was in great condition. Just had been stowed away for a long time. So we spent a full month going over all the wiring and computer systems. I mean, better take one's time and be sure. The boss was in a hurry, but that's no skin of my back."
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"Any interesting ship choice... Snazzy too." Smek takes up position at an engineer station, he familiarizes himself with the controls and sets up some auxiliary gunnery controls for easy access. Just in case. "Let's see how she handles."
As the ship exits the Drift, "Smooth ride. Now that we're here, let's see what we can find."
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Your pilot successfully uses the Drift Engine to have you pierce the veil and move back into the good old Material Plane.
The Sunset Maiden slips out of the pink kaleidoscope and returns to vast darkness of outer space.
The science officer confirms you are at the correct coordinates: "This is the right beacon.
The starship’s main viewscreen shows your destination planet.
A little text banner appears: 304.M41 a.k.a. Gideon.
Your captain is about to speak--
--when the alarms suddenly blare.
A slender form emerges from the distant void, slithering from out of the planet’s shadow.
It moves directly toward the Sunrise Maiden, as if drawn to it.
The grumpy ones amongst you think: I knew it. We should never have taken an attractive looking ship...
The science officer types away on the computer, scanning the rapidly incoming form.
You recall a spacer legend that talked of Besmaran whelps.
Can it truly be?
A Besmaran whelp is a catchall title for a wildly diverse group of immense space-dwelling aliens, which scientists are still researching if they are one species or several.
This one has long wormlike body, two clawed-appendages, and a narrowed tail.
It is like a... space shark!
You all cringe as you on the viewscreen see that this is some space-monster!
You then all hear, coming out of nowhere--
--COMBAT MUSIC
________
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• Pilot
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Elwin looks at the scanners, at the screen and back at the scanners. "Well, It's something alive. The scanners aren't giving us anything on it... That's something you don't see every day. I hope it apprecaites the ship's beauty..."
Elwin then returns to his console. "Let's see here..."
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"It looks like a gargantuan space shark," Laniakea supplies helpfully. "Our best course of action is probably to scare it away from our ship before it tests our edibility. Kei'jon: try to strike it in a vulnerable, ah, looking spot. An eye maybe? Take your time to aim."
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Numina 6 moves the Sunrise Maiden taking successful evasive measures, to make it harder to be attacked.
The space shark emits some kind of sonar waves, that wash over you.
The ship's sensors put out their counter measures: you are being scanned!
Then the space shark flies forward, wagging its tail to propel it through space.
It is bobbing around, and harder to target.
And it seems to be concentrating somehow.
It comes torwards you, and then arcs around to fly parallel to you, facing the same direction, ending up on your starboard flank.
Where it... claws at you!
The attack is however unable to pass your shield.
A bit frightened by this massive living space predator flying alongside you, captain Laniakea encourages Kel'jon, who swivels the turret and sends a particle beam right into the creatures port side.
It does not seem to have shields, and the beam rips chunks of space shark meat apart.
The blobs float away into space.