Dot in and delete or introduce your character. The game will begin soon.
Our journey begins on a yacht, sailing across a sea on Castrovel! Picture the salty breeze, the deck heaving as the wind tacks you to and fro.
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Hello nice to meet you all, the breeze doesn't bother me, as an Android, I'm programmed with a sense of smell, but I don't smell good or bad things, I just know what they are. Spanner, I'm surprised you aren't liking this, did the programs program your nerve endings way to high when they made you? Anyway, I just hope my body is 100% waterproof, can't have water getting into my circuits.
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Yith, a large female Vesk in heavy armor, spends some time conversing with whoever is piloting the boat, discussing its capabilities and trying to convince them to let her have a spin. She has various weapons about her person and a symbol of Desna on her chest.
Afterwards she looks to the group. "Nice to meet you all. Good to see you again, Data."
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"Greetings everyone! a cheery, 3 foot tall Ysoki bounds around the deck shaking hands and smiling.
"I can't wait to undertake another mission with the starfinders! You all look like a very impressive team."
He's wearing a striking Ysoki refractor suit, and has a variety of weapons holstered at his hip and slung over his back.
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Hello, fellow Starfinders. An 8'2" male verthani holding a datapad bends low to return the Ysoki's handshake.
It is nice to meet you. My name is Lykos. I don't believe I've ever been on a yacht before. Neither the unique planetary rotation of Verces, nor my interests, has led to much time on an ocean.
The verthani is wearing normal clothes and has an azimuth laser pistol at his side.
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Clad in matte dark grey heavy armour, Chk'tarlsh makes his way on board, seemingly unperturbed by the water's motion. An array of weapons is displayed at hip, chest and shoulder; his equipment well-maintained, however, showing sign of regular use.
Of average height for a shirren, his antennae oscillate slowly as he regards his fellow Starfinders. "Greetinhksh to you all," he announces somewhat formally and aloud, mandibles clacking and waving in a way some might find disconcerting.
"I'm Chk'tarlsh," he introduces himself. Although many prefer to call me Charles, he adds telepathically, a hint of amusement to the sending.
Shaking hands with anyone who seems willing, he extends a traditional greeting in Vercite to Lykos and comments on Tiktik's various weapons.
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Lykos smiles, returns the greeting, and begins speaking to Chk'tarlsh in Vercite.
The morning sea air whips past as Radaszam leans over the edge of the yacht’s top deck to stare into the water. “I hope you’re enjoying Castrovel. We should land on Ukulam soon, several miles south of main headquarters of the Esowath Conservancy on the continent. I wanted to thank you all personally for attending the gala with me.
“Charity events like this are important to preserving the beauty of the galaxy. ‘Save the Renkrodas’ has really caught on. Enormous carnosaurs like renkrodas tend to feature in gruesome tales, but they are majestic and inspiring animals. Unfortunately, some renkroda subspecies are quite near to extinction. The Esowath Conservancy usually hosts one or two of these upscale fundraisers every orbit to draw attention to endangered wildlife; I try to attend when I can.” The vesk pauses uncomfortably.
“Oh, I know; I’m usually all ‘guns and glory’ or ‘safety and security.’ Look, what’s the point of fighting if you’re not fighting for something? Glory and honor grant influence; influence can change the galaxy. Wealth gives you the comforts you’ve worked hard for, but it also allows you to help others who haven’t had the best luck. I try to funnel a generous portion of my income to charities like the Esowath Conservancy, which is trying to keep the natural beauty of their planet intact.”
Radaszam clears his throat. “So, your mission is simple: mingle, dance, enjoy the food, and talk up the Starfinder Society. We’re one of the sponsoring partners for this event, so it’s a chance to make a good impression on some of the socialites and corporate elites who attend these functions. See if you can make some new connections for the Society, perhaps even a few new allies.
“Oh, and the Conservancy pays well for security, so the only concern you need to worry about are corporate sharks, lawyers, and any aggressive wildlife we see on the safari tour this afternoon. I’ve negotiated special passes for you. You’re permitted to carry any gear you’d like, but I recommend checking your bulky pieces with a valet: heavy weapons, power armor, that sort of thing.
"This event will be broadcast live across Castrovel and then rebroadcast to other Pact Worlds, so be on your best behavior. Just relax and enjoy the gala. That said, when does everything ever go as planned?”
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Tiktik sighs at the mention of checking heavy weapons, as he has been cradling his new advanced plasma bolter lovingly.
"This sounds like just the rest I need after the last couple of missions, I do hope we can help preserve these majestic animals! I also love meeting new people, I can't wait!
To Radaszam he says. "Aggressive wildlife? Are we likely to have to defend ourselves on this tour? I suppose killing the local fauna would send the wrong message?"
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Lykos will have purchased formal attire before embarking on the yacht.
He looks down at Radaszam and remarks, "Do you know anyone attending the gala with an interest in robotics or cybernetic enhancements? That's more my forte than zoology and ecology, but I'll do my best to make a good impression for the Society."
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"Vercesh ish my homeworld. I wash raissed in Ssanctuary colony in Fullbright before... movinkh on. I did ssome work in Nabokon - there are alwaysh ssecurity jobsh to be found in the capital. I returned home briefly durinkh a recent invesstigation for the Ssociety. Thish ish my firsst time to Casstrovel. I have heard many talesh of the Wildsh and am lookinkh forward to sseeinkh them mysself. Have you been lonkh from home?"
Antennae twitching, Chk'tarlsh cocks his head to the side as Radaszam addresses the team. "Thank you for the invitation. I realisse the ssignificance. Toil without purposse ish fruitlesh," he quotes as the vesk reveals his passion for charity. "It ish a different asssignment than ussual, but it ish a welcome opportunity."
Radaszam makes a noncommittal gesture. "The guest list is confidential, so I don’t know who will be there. I expect that there could be some influential or wealthy patrons, due to the gala’s entry fee, and everyone there will be interested in the plight of the feathered renkroda. Don’t insult anyone or get into a fight; you should do fine.”
"Renkrodas? Renkrodas are bipedal reptiles with a pair of smaller forelimbs, long necks, elongated snouts, and long tails. They’re hypercarnivores who can chase down prey with deadly speed. Their feathers adorn some expensive clothing. Though they shed feathers naturally, poachers find that hunting the beasts gets them more feathers faster. High-visibility functions like this help to make wearing renkroda feathers taboo, but sadly there’s still a hefty market for them." Radaszam says as the yacht approaches a simple dock, where a uniformed human male awaits.
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"Renkrodas? Now that you mention it..."
Continuing the conversation with Chk'tarlsh in Vercite
Feathered renkrodas are larger than their far more common cousins, the whiskered renkrodas. Feathered renkrodas get their names from the multicolored feathers that cover their bodies, forming patterns unique to each renkroda. They use the feathers to help regulate body temperature and puff them out to scare off competing predators or strike their prey with paralyzing fear.
Though typically solitary creatures, feathered renkrodas choose mates every few years. Mated renkrodas protect their nest for a few months, then abandon each other and leave their young to fend for themselves.
The ship docks at a natural harbor near a secluded beach crisscrossed by flower-lined paths. Faintly shimmering energy fields surround the entire area in an enormous half-dome, while tents and other temporary structures provide a pleasant looking provisional settlement. The gala
site is in a clearing with a large animal pen and an even larger stage.
Radazam leads the way down a gangplank that is set up and nods to the human waiting there. The man smiles, and points toward a security desk. "Please check in there, sir." Radaszam nods and heads purposely toward the security desk.
A small kiosk with portable barriers acts as security control for the gala. Security guards wearing Esowath Conservancy uniforms check invitations of arriving guests and monitor several small vidscreens.
"Invitations, please. Excellent, looks in order. If you'd like to check larger arms, you may do so here." The security guard notes. He waits to see if you have any questions for him, but doesn't seem alarmed by your weapons.
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If on the other hand this is just a check-in sort of situation he'd have all his normal gear on
Tiktik bounds up to the guards. "Hello! I don't have anything I'd like to check thank you. I do hope this job isn't too boring for you, have you seen anything interesting or exciting guests arriving?"
He'll then wait for the others to get checked in an examine the gala area for other guests or activity
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Seeing the yacht approaching the dock, Chk'tarlsh collects his equipment and readies to disembark. On reaching the security checkpoint, he presents his invitation to the security guard. "Thanksh. Nothinkh large to check in," he says aloud, holding his arms out to the side and making a small turn for the guard to see. "What'sh the sstage for? he asks.
Then, like Tiktik, he waits for the others to check in, scanning the area for anything of interest.
To Data, the security guard says "“It’s a barrier to keep the native creatures of the Ikal Expanse away from the gala; it deters animals in some manner I don’t understand. But you’re safe on this side.”
comprise this large square pen, which is crested with an elaborate ivy trellis. Small grates in the polycarbon panels allow a view inside. An information kiosk stands nearby. A Renkroda paces inside the pen, looking alert and slightly agitated, his great tail smacking the pen walls. Several gala attendees stand here, leaping back when the tail shakes the pen and gasping in awe and appreciation. A sturdy looking Kasathan stands still and unmoved by the sudden jumps, though her eyes dart to you and seem to assess you before returning to the pen and the great animal inside.
top-shelf beverages hovers slightly off the ground behind a few low bushes. An Android bartender is mixing a particularly elaborate drink with rainbow-colored bioluminescent fish giving off black vapors. The bartender hands the drink to a gnome wearing a black leather jacket covered in prismatic nanocarbon studs. The gnome looks vaguely familiar and sips the drink appreciatively. "Excellent work my dear Enravik-1! Your hands are treasures!" He raises a toast to you as you approach and smiles. "Welcome dear patrons of the feathered beasts! Here's to your health and a lovely day out in a very dangerous location!"
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Yith will check the information kiosk and then turn to Lykos, "That gentleman looks very interesting. A keeper I assume. Shall we go talk to him?"
She then walks over near the Kasathan, "Good day sir. Are you the keeper of this great beast? I imagine that is a job that requires much skill and a certain amount of terror."
"Yes, of course. We're all interested in conservation. Why else would we be here?" He quips.