do people still use type C? I mean its fine for charging your coms, bit the data bandwidth is crap on them. Let me help you with that friend TikTik.
Bepo will walk towards it. I am fine with giving a sample for science. Bepo will hold out his hand.
Tiktik unceremoniously slices his scalpel across Bepo's palm and lets it drip into the machine's reservoir. "Mkay, you're all set, bigguy! Now if you ever get seriously hurt we can come back here and patch you up. I'm gonna leave the other two race inputs empty for now in case one of us gets hurt. In the meantime, the Kish can safely use the machine again! That should make 'em nice and happy."
"But you guys gotta be bored by now, watching me tinker away with this thing. Let's see if there is more to this hostile museum!"
L continues talking to himself and recording the Kish language as best as he can.
Tiktik sighs a little at the anticlimactic last room, then trots back and examines the triangular data crystal.
|
Much of the data crystal is corrupted, but single audio file can be recovered.
The voice in the message is deep and gravelly. “Greetings. This is…” There is a loud burst of static. “…head of security at the Foundry. We recently had a few pieces of classified…” There is another burst of static. “…and we are investigating the possible compromise of all methods of entry and exit in our facility. As far as I can tell, the series XLT-88 digital lock on our security entrance hasn’t been tampered with, but the manual I have here states that the lock can be placed in standby mode and accessed with an admin keycode. Of course…“ Static again. “…but the director and I would like to know how many of your employees have access to this keycode. We are not accusing you of any misdoings, but we do need to leave no stone unturned. Please respond at your earliest convenience.”
By comparing the metadata from this message and the other one, you believe you can pinpoint the server through which this message was sent. The original server was likely in a building to the northwest. Unfortunately, that area largely crumbled away, and only sparse, floating islands today remain of that section of the city. However, it is possible that the building containing the server in question still exists on one of those floating islands.
Can we ask the Kish about "The Temple Found" to see if they know where it is or anything more about it?
Rags ponders the evidence so far.
"The faith of the Kish has splintered over the Cult breaking into their 'holy' site. The faction inside the foundry has turned extremely xenophobic because of this transgression. We would likely compound this problem if we were to gain access from a back door. We should ask Tzayl if she thinks, now that we have 'communed' with the ancestors and shown respect for their lives and traditions, if we may petition for entry with the group in control. A bit of diplomacy could go a long way here."
Also maybe since we 'communed' in the way of the people the other Kish will be more accepting of us also we did treat their sights with respect. Let's go talk to Tzayl first.
"Cool! I'm all for talking to Tzayl again. Let's go!" Tiktik says as the party heads back to the rec center.
|
|
The return trip takes longer than expected--the rubble and vegetation choked streets are in places impassable, requiring doubling back. However, eventually the group arrives at the community center.
Tzayl and a group of the other exiles look excitedly at the Starfinders.
<Well? Were you able to hear the voices of our ancestors?>
"Oh yeah, big time! And we introduced them to one of our ancestors. I think you'll like him. His name's Boney. He's super helpful. He helped us understand your ancestors a bit better. Hopefully he'll help you guys understand us better! We also fixed the problem with the angry ancestor. He won't hurt anybody anymore."
"Then we went to your Chamber of Renewal. We were able to fix the machine there, so you don't have to worry about it turning people into monsters when the machine thinking people are "unworthy." It's... umm... more... forgiving now." he grins broadly.
"So now with your ancestor's help we have a clue to where we can find an old building that can help us enter the temple. What can you tell us about the area to the northwest? Where those floating islands are? Do you guys ever explore that way?"
"Or, now that we have spoken with your ancestors and spared the lives of fellow Kish on two occasions, is it possible we could petition for entry through the front door. I fear that obtaining access without the permission of those inside will only erode the good will we have generated here."
To Rags, "Indeed. Getting them to open the doors and welcome us in would be ideal. But I believe our hosts here had mentioned that they are outcasts from that group as well? We may have to make other inroads with them at the Temple, but I have faith that we can accomplish this."
To Tzayl, "Is there anything we should know about them before we approach? Any specific customs or traditions that would let them know that we mean no harm?"
|
|
"Huntmaster Xavra and his men will almost certainly attack you on sight--they are determined to protect the temple from everyone--Kish and outlander alike.
"There is no love lost between the other group and us. They attack us on the streets--as you have seen. My word in backing you may make Xavra even more hostile to you."
"As to the broken lands, I have little advice. Few of us travel there--mostly the young, looking for bragging rights. The ruins there are rarely disturbed. Daeln's, Sharpwings, and Eohis run wild there, with no fear of Kish--or of you, I'd wager."
"What can you tell us about Daelns, Sharpwings and Eohis? They sound like dangerous animals."
Rags' ears droop as Tzayl's words are translated. "It appears we have no choice but to make matters worse in pursuit of our goals. I'm not happy about it, but I respect your council."
Rags straightens his back and draws back his shoulders, resigning himself to commit transgressions against the Kish for the greater good of the galaxy.
I really hate the idea of having to fight that group. It really is aweful they won't listen but the Cult is more dangerous so I will do what I must to protect everyone. That's what my dad would tell me to do. Bepo stands up straight and has determination on his face.
|
|
"Daeln's are odd creatures--like a bag full of air. They float up from the Great-Red-One below. They do not often attack us, but have been known to do so when cornered or frightened.
"Sharpwings are flying beasts, covered in eyes. They, too, seem to live in the clouds of the Great-Red-One. They feed on Daeln's--and us, too, when they can.
"Eohi's are wild animals--brutish, with brown fur and sharp claws and teeth." She gestures to one of the murals on the walls here, indicating a bear-like creature.
"Interesting. Thanks for the tips! We'll be careful. Does anyone need to rest, or should we head out now?"
|
|
After a rest, the Starfinders wake up refreshed and ready to head to this mysterious facility.
Istamak's orbit around the gas giant seems to take quite a bit longer than a Pact Standard day, and it is just getting towards evening when the group awakens and departs from Tzayl's settlement. Before they depart, Tzayl provides them with an artifact from her ancestors. Wrapped in some sort of animal hide, its a bulky box of some lightweight metal. After a little experimentation, you are able to identify it as a grappler, with 50 feet of titanium cable.
The islet you are looking for appears to be fairly close to the mainland. There are two smaller islands between it and the mainland, and with the grappler you are able to zip across to it in fairly short order, although the feeling of being pulled through space over the atmosphere of a gas giant planet is one of some of you might not relish.
The building here takes up most of the space on this islet. A smooth path runs past an overgrown lawn to the entrance of this drab building. The knee-high blue-and-green grass smells sweet, like honey warming in the sun. The structure’s walls are shot through with barely perceptible white filaments webbing across the entire surface.
Passing some of the higher, dense vegetation near the rim of the islet, a pair of creatures emerge: large, floating sacks, bouncing gently in the air, made of some sort of green flesh. As you come into view, they emit a loud trumpeting noise.
Rags steps away from the group to get a clear shot and focuses on the same target as B-bop. "Well then let us ignite these gas bags, B-bop."
Bepo will use a swift action to call his weapon to his hand and move towards the creatures and attack.
|
|
Round one
Active Effects:
Bepo
Talek
Tiktik
Rags
B-Bop
??? (Normal)
Jax
L
Every one of the group hits, killing one of the creatures outright.
Tiktik is pretty sure these are the Daelns that Tzayl mentioned. They seem to have some morphological and biological similarities to the Barathu of the pact worlds, although they don't seem to have the ability to rewrite their genetic code on the fly.
Approaching the door.
"Hello there fine people of" Slightly muffled. "Kishlvania. "We come looking for answers and seeking truths. We heard you were recently visited by some very angry undead folks... and well, it's pretty important that we know where they went. They're up to something very bad for things that, you know, want to be alive. So.... here's the plan. Don't be a roadblock, help us out so we can hunt them down and stop their evil plans. Deal?"
Tiktik waves cheerfully at the Daeln as it flies off to safety. Then he swaps out his battery for a full one, and places his half full battery in the backup generator to begin recharging.
Then he and his drone approach the building and examine the filaments more closely.
Bepo will look at the filaments to try to identify what they are.
|
|
"Well then. Shall we head on in?"
L will attempt to open the door and look inside if possible.
Bepo will follow closely behind L and he will put away his weapon.
|
|
The door doesn't open, at first--but is'nt locked. After a solid effort, the door's snap open with a wet, wrenching sound. Several filaments had crept into the space between the double doors, apparently, and have torn free now that the door is open.
Except for the carpet of pale white mold covering everything, this room appears to have been untouched for millennia. Five heavily padded chairs sit against the western and southern walls. A bed of mushrooms grows on a large, four-foot high, L-shaped desk across form the main entrance, next to a small cabinet. Double doors lead outside to the south, and another door leads north.
Tiktik checks for hazards amongst the overgrown wildlife, then moves on to examining the ancient technology.
Rags moves in behind Tiktik and reaches out with his senses.
Talek moves into the room and begins looking around the room