While you were still discussing the enemy ship and contacting the surface, there was a flare on the sensors. Fixit leaped back into his chair to see the telltale signs of an explosion where the enemy ship was. Apparently no one was going to be able to investigate the hulk for clues after all.
Within moments you had Dr. Monsylkis on the coms. She invited you to land at her base, promising ship repairs and information. This was a remarkable turn of attitude, though having watched the combat with the alien ship might have been a factor.
The churning gray clouds of Icefront’s outer atmosphere eventually give way to a wooded area blanketed with snow. Much of the planet’s surface appears untouched by civilization, save for a small complex of artificial structures: a landing pad, greenhouses, satellite towers, rows of irrigated crop fields, temporary humanoid shelters, external generators, and biodomes outfitted with all manner of measuring devices. A tall scaffold tower sprouts from a walled enclosure far from the other buildings, its length regularly pulsing with blue light.
A team of winterborn ryphorian technicians run towards your ship as you manage to set down. In space, the damage to your ship had looked bad. Under the effects of gravity, it was a wonder Janilla had been able to set you down in one piece. Waiting for you when the ramp was opened was Dr. Monsylkis, along with another ryphorian - introduced as Spinjack, the lead technician and head of facilities - and a dragonkin named Farvenzi - head of Security.
Dr. Monsylkis spoke first. "I would like to both apologize for my earlier coldness and thank you for dealing with that alien ship. We winterborns can often overlook social niceties in our single-minded pursuit of goals. Something has been preying on our supply ships and other traffic in the area. We thought it was simple pirates, but nothing ever came close enough to our satellites to get a good look. But, we got plenty of data during your combat."
"Let us thank you in return for this data by repairing your ship. With your permission, I will have Spinjack and his team repair your hull and make the systems spaceworthy again. I doubt we have the resources to make the Drake as good as new, but we can at least keep you from having to wear your combat suits all the way back on your return trip."
"Why don't we tour the complex and talk about your reasons for investigating here while they got to work?"
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"Well now that's mighty kind of ya," Chikasa says nodding his head appreciatively. "And I'm glad we could give ya a good look at that there ship. I'm sure we're all interested in the information ya'll got on her. Don't wanna be caught at unawares like that more 'n once, I can tell ya that!"
The ysoki hobbles forward, wrapping his cloak tightly around himself, "Now, a tour around your facility here does sound nice. Be good to have some fresh air and stretch the old joints after a long journey through the Drift."
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Right after they land, and before they meet with Dr. Monsylkis, Janilla pulls up her dataslate and activates K.S.'s audio record function. She figures that trying to get video data might be more tricky, but a audio recorder might not be noticed. She puts K.S. back into its holder on her side and finishes up the last of the landing/docking procedures.
Meeting D.r Monsylkis, Janilla nods to Spinjack. "Thank you in advance Spinjack. If you have any questions about the ship, here is my personal comm unit code. Use it to contact myself, Chikasa, or Fidorius Nyxit."
Still looking a little wan--though the obvious green/grey color has left, Janilla looks to Dr. Monsylkis. "A tour and maybe something light to eat and drink? I think that might help my stomach a little. High speed maneuvers always makes my stomach go aflutter."
Dr. Monsylkis leads you on a tour of the research station, all while explaining the research she and her team are doing for a nonprofit organization called Winterharvest. Farvenzi accompanied you on this tour, as did Spinjack once the technicians were started on your ship repairs. The security chief was apparently the distrusting sort - a good quality for chief of security for any operation - and kept a close eye on you throughout the tour.
You may remember (before a month-long starship combat) that your goal is to find out any information about the Scoured Stars relic, and the people that the relic seemed to have chased out of that area. With that in mind, here are some areas you might consider investigating.
PEOPLE:
FACILITY AREAS:
ICEFRONT:
If there is a specific area or topic you want to focus on, ask away and I'll steer you that direction. Also, when investigating please REMEMBER TO ROLL AN APPROPRIATE SKILL CHECK!
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If she can get a minute alone--maybe after they eat a little and drink something Janilla excuses herself to the restroom, still feeling a little 'green'. With that she will use one 2nd level spell (augry), and see if she can get an inkling on if going to the Scaffold Tower would be a good or bad thing for them to do to further their mission. This requires her to spend 1 RP and have the GM roll in secret, 75% chance of Weal, Woe, Weal and Woe, or nothing can be the answer.
After that--regardless of the aurgry--if they don't mind us looking a little, Janilla wouldn't mind seeing what their Greenhouses look like. Also, she is an okay to decent medic, and can help with any injuries (and can use spells if necessary). The Scaffold Tower might be something she brings up to the group depending on the augry result.
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"Dr. Monsylkis, I for one would love to see your laboratories! Perhaps a short tour can be arranged?"
Dr. Morvius attempts to chat up Dr. Monsylkis as a fellow doctor and comrade.
If Dr. Morvius can get in the lab, he'll ascertain what type of work is being done there.
Of course Dr. Morvius will keep the ultimate mission in mind. What about this so-called relic?
Finally, Dr. Morvius is concerned about staying in touch with his fellow Starfinders. "Keep those comms open everyone,"he whispers.
At Janilla's request, you moved from the landing area to the greenhouses, where Dr. Monsylkis explained that they were trying to isolate desired plant phenotypes in a controlled environment. With the limited offworld presence on Iccefront, this makes some sense.
From the greenhouses, the tour turns to the laboratories. These are split into rooms housing the variety of plant and animal life that are serving as test subjects, and clinical lab environments for chemical mixing, test equipment, and racks of computers. Several plant samples, likely from the greenhouses, sit in trays at various points in the lab. Dr. Morvius notes that the plant material is apparently being converted to some sort of pill and hypospray form. This is likely what the animals are being tested on.
The entire time you are walking, Saryn has been playing with the security chief, Faravenzi. It is obvious what he is doing, and it is just as obvious it is working. The dragonkin growls loudly at each of Saryn's antics, and at one point she took Dr. Monsylkis aside to whisper in her ear. The lab director shook her head, but it was clear that she too was disturbed, though Creed's continued medical discussions are keeping her mollified.
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Senesdar doesn't have any of the technical training to be of help in the greenhouses, just admiring the different types of botanical life there.
Once they go to the laboratories, he does his best to keep his eye out for anything of interest to the group.
After that, he is willing to let the others take the lead on where they head next.
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Chikasa does his best to keep up with the long-legged researchers and his Starfinder comrades.
When the group makes their way into the greenhouse, he pauses occasionally to take a sniff of some of the more attractive flora.
His interest is piqued to an even higher extent, though, as they head into the labs. The animal test subjects puts him out a bit, but he keeps it to himself, understanding that scientific ethics are still a matter of some debate, and also not being entirely surprised, given who this research team is probably actually working for.
As the tour group emerges back out into the chilly air of Icefront again, Chikasa pauses and looks up at the scaffold tower.
"Now I hope ya don't mind me askin', but I just can't relax when I see a big tower pulsatin' with light. Whatcha got goin' out there?"
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Janilla has learned how to keep up with the tall folk....just move her legs 3 times faster. With that the exercise seems to have helped her stomach.
Walking into the greenhouse, Janilla is amazed with the flora growing. She listened raptly to Dr. Monsylkis.
She might be listening a bit too rapt and doesn't likely notice much in the greenhouse, except what the Doctor was saying.
Heading to the laboratory, Janilla doesn't seem as wanting to listen to the Dr. in her rapt information, as she attempts to notice anything that might help with the mission...hints on the device or what happened to it.
"Dr. Monsylkis, I realize a lot of you might be showing us is proprietary, for which I am for one very grateful that you are, and I will also say that it is well above most of our heads. I doubt that unlike a university you can publish your works, but I do hope that what you are doing will be rewarding to yourself and your company."
No one really noticed much of interest in the greenhouse, other than that some of the plants were quite pretty. The laboratory, however, was another issue. Creed, Chikasa, and Janilla all noticed that the caged animals seem to be pawing at the air, trying to reach the samples of the plant material. This suggests that the substance might be very addictive.
Dr. Creed continued to talk science with Dr. Monsylkis, and Janilla threw in her own words, stroking the tour guide's ego. It seemed to do some good, as the research lead shrugged off yet another attempt by Farvenzi to make you leave. The good doctor spoke about the humanitarian efforts they were undertaking here at the Winterharvest facility, trying to optimize seasonal agriculture for diverse-climate worlds.
It was about this point that Janilla mentioned her queasiness and her need to use the lav. Farvenzi escorted her to the nearest fresher, and after making sure that there were no employees inside, ushered Janilla to the nearest stall, indicating that she would be standing right there on the other side of the stall door until Janilla was ready to go.
While Janilla was in the fresher, Dr. Monsylkis responded to Chikasa's question. "The scaffold tower holds a climate manipulation device. It allows us to have some small level of control over the weather here at the station, so that we can keep the scientific conditions as controlled as possible. after all, if we left it to nature, we'd have all kinds of random weather here, and randomness means non-repeatability, which kind of defeats the purpose of science! Would you like to go there next?"
She led you out of the lab area and over to the scaffold, with Janilla and Farvenzi hurrying to catch up. The tower is indeed a large, intricate structure holding scientific equipment. Before Dr. Monsylkis can bring you closer than 50' or so, Spinjack reaches out and puts a hand on her arm. "I must insist that we get no closer. You know how sensitive the equipment up there is. I'd hate to have to pull the work crews off of our visitors' ship to come out and recalibrate the system again."
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Dr. Morvius keeps a sharp eye on this tower, looking for anything unusual. He also continues his witty repartee with Dr. Monsylkis, joking about space travel, how our jobs are both similar and different, and jokes about the weather!
"Of course I wouldn't dream of getting any closer to your tower. You see, I'm quite afraid of heights! Heheh."
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Janilla will excuse herself from her group, and with Farvenzi ushering her into a restroom, close the stall door. Turning on her music so that Farvenzi won't hear all the dry heaving sounds , Janilla proceeds get down on her knees after opening the toilet...and then proceeds to heave (first one is probably a true one..maybe a little dry heaving) most of what little water or tea was left in her system after the ship combat.
After the first one, still making a few weak "ugh" noises, she attempts to quietly and subtly cast Augry. She starts the spell.
Janilla will do her best to finish the spell off, and do one last dry heave...take a few pieces of toilet paper and wipe her mouth a few times, then flush the toilet and leave.
Janilla felt the familiar feelings of euphoria and gut-wrenching fear from her spell that signaled both weal and woe. Something about the tower would be both good for the team, and would lead to trouble.
Farvenzi was there waiting for her when Janilla opened the door. Growling, she reached for Janilla's arm and practically dragged her out into the hallway. He marched her to where the others were heading towards the tower, calling out for everyone to stop.
"Dr. Monsylkis, this one separated herself from the group and was casting spells in the restroom. I cannot allow this tour to continue. You may be right in thinking this is an innocent adventure, but my job is head of Security and years of training and experience tell me that this lot is up to no good. By the parameters set forth in the Winterharvest charter and Section 4.9 of this research facility's Authorized Contract, I demand that these "visitors" be removed. When their ship is repaired, we can allow them back to leave, but at no pont should they be allowed to continue this tour, or any other "business" they may have here."
Dr. Monsylkis turned a little gray at the dragonkin's words and looked at Janilla. "Well? Is what Farvenzi says true?"
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Getting pulled up to the height of a Dragonkin almost feels like Janilla's arm gets pulled from it socket. Through the pain she attempts to explain that she was trying to help her stomach with a simple spell. Seeing that Farvenzi is not even listening she just gives up.
Once brought before Dr. Monsylkis, Janilla nods honestly. "I have been having stomach issues since piloting the ship in combat against that enemy vessel. I am a decent slow speed pilot, but never had the stomach for the dog fighting like others in my family. Anytime any high speed maneuvers, my stomach rolls. I got violently ill in the combat...Dr. Morvius and everybody was on the bridge and knows I was having problems keeping focused. Even when done, I still felt wan--I usually do for a few hours or so, unless I can get some medical or magical help. So I went into the restroom to see if more heaving would help, but it didn't help much, so I cast a spell to help remove the condition--it can sometime help. Getting the spell cast was harder than normal because of the nausea, but I finally was able to settle my stomach." Janilla gives a pleading but slightly hurt look at Farvenzi. "Then when I finally feeling better I left the stall, then I grabbed by your security. I tried to explain to them why and what I was doing, but instead I get my arm almost pulled out of it socket to come tell you exactly what I was trying to tell them."
Dr. Monsylkis seemed sympathetic to Janilla's story, but when Farvenzi brought up the Charter and Contract again, the verthani's ears seemed to droop.
"Farvenzi is right. In this situation, she does have the authority to request your removal and receive it. I am sorry, but I am going to have to ask that you move on to the next phase of your mission here. You will not be allowed to enter the facility again, except to retrieve your ship. I guess, since it is parked outside the main fences, that means you can come and go to it any time you like, though the repair crews are likely to be working on it for several days."
"About 6," interjected Spinjack, who nodded to himself. "6 days to get the Drake spaceworthy again."
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Janilla's head looks down to the ground for a moment then looks back to Dr. Monsylkis. "I take responsibility for what I did. Your security officer feels that way about me, that is fine. Since I was the one who apparently 'broke' their precious rule, let me go out to the ship and stay there, or wander the surrounding area near our ship. Allow the rest of the group to at least stay for a bit longer, as they were not the ones who did anything wrong based on this charter."
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Saryn squares off with Farvenzi, "Big dragon-kin likes to rough handle sick little priestesses, does he? Try that with me sometime."
He turns his back on Farvenzi and addresses the doctor. "Six days? You wouldn't happen to have some maps of the area that we could peruse before we leave. Our plan was to scout from the air, but our ship....."
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"Dr. Monsylkis, I must appeal to your sense of reason in this matter! Obviously my fellow Starfinder was ill from the sheer physical terror of our space battle as we arrived in orbit. If she did indeed cast a spell, I'm sure it was only to help her illness. Now I'm certain your chief of security is correct going by the letter of your contracts and agreements, but I think common sense says that this was a harmless act by a group of fellow scientists and explorers who are here on a peaceful mission. Please be assured that I harbor no ill will toward Mr. Farvenzi, as he is clearly doing his job, and I'm he is at all times more than excellent at his job. Perhaps this is an opportunity for some leniency."
"No, I am afraid that Farvenzi is likely correct. I am going to have to have you leave..."
Dr. Mosylkis broke off as Saryn got into the dragonkin security chief's face and started blustering. Within moments, several members of the lab's security team came into view, heavily armed and ready to fire.
Farvensi had a sneer on her face as she gently, but firmly pushed Saryn backwards. "Time for you to go, little man. Go find your answers elsewhere, but stay away from this facility. This is your only warning."
Farvensi motioned, and the security team moved to escort you off the premises, but not before Fixit had a good chance to see the tower. He noted immediately the high-pitched whine that indicated the climate control machine was being overworked, trying to maintain a wintery atmosphere while the natural inclination of this part of the world is tending towards spring. Also, he realizes that it is fairly isolated from the rest of the facility, and near the most logical exit from the facility to the surrounding forest.
As you were being escorted out, Dr. Monsylkis was still trying to be conciliatory, though in the face of the security team's obvious hostility, it was falling a bit flat.
"Good luck with the local izgaluuns! They are really a lovely people, and their closest camp is only a few hours' walk in...that direction."
With those last words, the gate to the facility was shut behind you.
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Once all of the group is....'politely'....escorted out, Janilla gives a small harrumph. "Really uppity there....I never knew a dragonkin to be THAT annoying. I do wonder who their life-bonded partner is...they must be a real piece of work."
Then remembering something....""Oh, yeah....I have a good and bad feeling about that tower. It is very important to our mission, but there is likely some major danger there too."
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"Yeah, I'm guessin' me an' Fixit here could tell ya that the tower's trouble," Chikasa confirms, nodding to Janilla. "Dern things workin' so hard I wouldn't be too surprised if it broke down completely...and maybe catastrophically. Too bad we couldn't get us a closer look. But hey, maybe later on we'll find us a way to sneak back in through the forest. Anyhoo, let's go on and meet the locals. I got a feelin' they're not particularly enjoyin' playin' host to these folks, and I'd like to know what's all been goin' on."
initiatives:
chikasa
creed
fixit
janilla
saryn
sensdar
izalguuns
megafauna
You had been hiking through the forest for about at hour, heading towards the izalguun village, when you heard a terrible roar and shouts from unfamiliar voices. You came around a corner to see two large four-legged creatures, the izalguun, holding off two of what looked to be gigantic sloths with giraffe-like necks and long, equine snouts. The izalguuns seems to have no modern weapons, instead using bow and spears. On the rocks behind the two izgaluuns lay a third, unmoving.
R1: janilla, senesdar, saryn, fixit, izalguuns, megafauna, chikasa, creed
Janilla watched the giant creatures, wracking her brain to try and recall what they might be. Unfortunately, they must be native to this planet, with no analogs on other worlds, because she can't recall ever hearing of them before. Fixit, on the other hand, actually read the mission briefing packet, and wondered what the creatures listed as megzoloths were. Not normally aggressive, these megafauna are plant-eaters. Their long fore-claws are prefect for slicing into the hard shells of the fruit of the baganet trees, and well-suited for defense. It was odd that they were acting so aggressively.
Saryn didn't wait for the info to be relayed before he whipped out his pistol and fired. The hasty shot caromed from the nearest creature's tough hide without harming it.
The izalguun hunters both fired arrows at the charging creatures, then dropped their bows and grabbed up spears. The megzoloths didn't slow, but ran through the trees and underbrush, crushing the smaller plants and knocking the larger ones aside in their frenzy.
in bold may act
R1: janilla, senesdar, saryn, fixit, izalguuns, megafauna, chikasa, creed
R2: janilla, senesdar, saryn, fixit, izalguuns, megafauna, chikasa, creed
current status:
chikasa 20/20 SP | 22/22 HP
creed 18/18 SP | 22/22 HP
fixit 24/24 SP | 26/26 HP
janilla 30/30 SP | 32/32 HP
saryn 30/30 SP | 25/25 HP
senesdar 32/32 SP | 32/32 HP
izalguun (yellow) -0
izalguun (white) -0
megzoloth (blue) -0
megzoloth (red) -0
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Chikasa watches as his allies rush in to help the izalguun and shrugs, "A'right. Guess we're goin' in hot then." He reaches down and grabs the control switch at his hip, which activates his jump jets and sends the ysoki rocketing up onto the rocky mound that had been between himself and the local creatures.
As he lands, he grabs his long, knobbly wooden staff and brings its head up to rest at his shoulder. As he points the foot of the staff at the further of the creature Morvius had indicated, the glammer around the staff drops and reveals that it is actually a sniper rifle!
Chikasa pulls back the lever to chamber a round and fires.
*Chk-chk...BOOM!*
aoo
trip
trip
In a flurry of (mostly ineffective) activity, your group spreads out and fires at the incoming monsters to no avail. In fact, Senesdar managed to get hit trying to close into melee range. Janilla was able to get to the downed izalguun with no trouble, and she saw that the creature was badly hurt and unconscious. One of the izalguuns managed to drive its spear deeply into the megzoloth it was fighting, eliciting a trumpeting roar that was nearly deafening. In response, the giant creature raked it with those long claws, catching the izalguun under the front legs and knocking it to the ground. The other beast also caught its izalguun foe with the claws, but did not manage to knock it to the ground.
Senesdar takes an aoo for 13 damage
in bold may act
R2: janilla, senesdar, saryn, fixit, izalguuns, megafauna, chikasa, creed
R3: janilla, senesdar, saryn, fixit, izalguuns, megafauna, chikasa, creed
current status:
chikasa 20/20 SP | 22/22 HP
creed 18/18 SP | 22/22 HP
fixit 24/24 SP | 26/26 HP
janilla 30/30 SP | 32/32 HP
saryn 30/30 SP | 25/25 HP
senesdar 19/32 SP | 32/32 HP
izalguun (yellow) -16
izalguun (white) -14 (prone)
megzoloth (blue) -0
megzoloth (red) -12
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"Welp! Time's of the essence, so I guess it's time to bring out the big guns." Rocco lowers his rifle and waves a hand over the life-alert pendant etched with arcane sigils hanging at his chest. The sigils flare a deep orange, and a holographic UI shaped like a flat round disc appears in midair before the ysoki. He presses three fingers through various points on the disc, then twists it to the right, as if turning up the volume on a dial. Three glowing orange sniper rounds materialize around his head, and as Chikasa pulls his hand out of the UI, then thrusts his fingers toward his target, the bullets fly straight into the megzoloth standing over the prone izalguun.