Venture-Captain Naiaj stands sternly next to a small sentient robot—an SRO—bearing the holy symbol of Triune. “Greetings. I have called you in for a pressing matter related to a piece of the Society’s past. In 160 ag, former First Seeker Lanrah decided to make it the Society’s priority to research the Gap, using much of the Society’s resources in the pursuit of this quest. One vessel the Society deployed at that time was called the Amber Reconnoiter. That vessel disappeared under mysterious circumstances on a mission in the Drift. While it has been lost since then, the Amber Reconnoiter has become of interest to the Society yet again. MP-8 here can explain the details.”
The SRO wheels forward on treads, its single, focused lens looking around the room, and performs some semblance of a bow. “I am MP-8, a priest of Triune and native of Aballon. It is an honor to meet you all. A few weeks ago, I received a vision from Triune itself regarding a precise location in the Drift. From this vision I deciphered a set of coordinates: a beacon code. Triune provides these beacon codes only in instances of the utmost importance, so we in the church knew we had to take action right away. I formed an expedition to travel to the beacon code’s coordinates, whereupon we found the wreckage of a starship from centuries ago. The ship still bore insignia of the Starfinder Society.”
MP-8 rolls over to the Starscape unit in the center of the room and attaches an adapter cable to its datajack. The lights in the room dim, and the unit projects a holographic image of a ruined starship floating in front of the colorful backdrop of the Drift. “Naturally, we assumed there must be something of great consequence on that starship, so we approached. However, much to our surprise, the ship opened fire.”
The Amber Reconnoiter’s hologram begins silently firing its weapons, projectiles exploding harmlessly and then fizzling out. “While we could have retaliated, we did not want to risk damaging what Triune considered so important. Seeing that the ship used to belong to the Starfinder Society, I have reached out to Venture-Captain Naiaj
for aid.”
MP-8 disconnects from the projection unit, and the image of the Amber Reconnoiter flickers and then disappears. “Whatever is on that ship is of the utmost importance to Triune, so you must recover it for us.”
Naiaj nods to MP-8. “We will help in any way we can, as this find doesn’t just interest Triune’s church but also the entire Pact Worlds.” Naiaj turns from the SRO. “I believe we have records of the Amber Reconnoiter along with the corresponding access codes that should allow us to disable the ship’s defense systems, allowing for safe exploration.” Naiaj pauses. “This vessel is also of interest in our matters. This ship was one of ours, from over two centuries ago, that disappeared during a mission in the Drift. The Society has been unable to ascertain what happened to the ship and its crew, and we would certainly like to find out. If you could, investigate the ship to see if there are any clues or records as to what happened to the crew. Look through our records in the Communion Vaults and the Halls of Discovery, here in the Lorespire complex.”
|
The small for a Vesk in crisp armor and a slight buzz around him takes a look at the information. He looks to the assembled companions. "I am Professor Spa'ark elHas, though it seems that the human tongue can not get the accents right so you can call me Sparkles. "
Turning to Naiaj and MP-8
"What do we know of that type of ship? Anything that may provide additional hazards that we should prepare for? Are these Beacon codes always this dangerous?"
|
"I am Professor Spa'ark elHas, though it seems that the human tongue can not get the accents right so you can call me Sparkles. "
"The pleasure is mine, Sparkles.." replies a white-furred ysoki adorned in a newly-fitted suit of ash dendron armor. Despite its organic, tree-like composition, the suit has been decorated with a sun-themed motif. At his side is slung a rune-etched dueling blade that gives off a slight hum. The ysoki gives a slight, yet respectful bow.
"My name is Rozzicheep Bernnshaw, servant of Sarenrae and devotee of the Dawnflower. My call to bring the goddess' radiance to the ends of the galaxy, has prompted my friends to refer to me as 'Lightfoot' and I pray that, soon, I will be able to count each of you among them."
"As for this task that you have imparted upon us to complete," the ysoki declares to the Venture-Captain and mechanical life form alike, "I pledge both sacred blade and sacred honor to seeing its completion be made reality."
|
|
A barathu, somehow wearing tempweave, floats above one the chairs, and introduces themselves telepathically. Greetings friends. I am called Buscador, a dream prophet of Liavara. It is my pleasure to meet you all.
Buscador perks up at the mention of a vision from Triune. They follow up Tchisk's question, Yes, what do Triune's beacon codes usually lead to?
|
|
"It is my pleasure to meet you all as well." Sunny responds. Some of you may have noticed she had to resist grinning as Professor 'Sparkles' introduced himself. "My name is Solis Caelitum - that's in the Castrovalien language - but these days I usually go by 'Sunny'. I'm a Solar Disciple Solarian and I work as a stellar physicist, basically seeing how stars work and anything that lives inside them.. She looks over to Lightfoot. Maybe you can tell me more about Sarenrae sometime.
Sunny is a human female with orange and red striped hair - some people have called her 'Bacon haired'and currently clad in formfitting second skin armour. An azimuth laser pistol is holstered at her belt, and a backpack sits on the floor near her feet. A mote, the same colour and spectral class as the Pact World's sun floats above her head.
|
|
No problem She looks over to Delea I was raised mostly on Castroval, by lashunta parents after I was orphaned. It's the reason I've got a lashunta name. Unfortunately I can only receive not project, so forgive me if that makes you uncomfortable She frowns a bit Used to get picked on a bit cause I couldn't speak mentally when I was a kid *sighs*
|
|
"It is no small honour to each and every one of you." says Lightfoot with a bow of respect. "Allow me to express my good pleasure in meeting in deed and word.”
As well as thought! ponders the ysoki, hoping that Delea can hear him, having relatively little experience in telepathic communication.
"As for your invitation to impart my knowledge and experience with The Healing Flame, the pleasure would be mine at any time you should wish, good Solis. For, as it is written:
’How radiant are the feet of those that bring the light of The Dawnflower,
And those that proclaim the glory of her redemptive glow’.” recites the ysoki.
"The Amber Reconnoiter was a medium explorer designed for a long term survey of the Drift," Naiaj answers the first part.
MP-8 finishes the questions. "As long as you disable the ship’s defense systems, we do not anticipate any issues when you arrive. Every Beacon Code is different and each purpose unique. Great are the mysteries of Triune. Do you have other questions?"
|
|
Soooo .. Communion Vaults and the Hall of Discovery wasn't it? Sounds easy enough
She then turns to Lightfoot. I suspect we're going to be cooped up in a ship for a while, so I guess that'll help to pass the time. Glory of her redemptive glow huh? She then points at her mote I wonder if that counts. Still ... I study the sun, makes sense to study the sun goddess as well I suppose
"You will use one of your Starfinder vessels," MP-8 answers Buscador. "“We will provide you with a device that will interface with your starship’s Drift engine directly. This device will take you straight to the Amber Reconnoiter."
|
|
At tiny series of high-pitched squeaks emanate from Lightfoot when he spies Solis' suggested signal. "The signal that you propose, good Sunny, most certainly will not be mistaken for another." the ysoki squeaks out a few more laughs, but then takes on the more serious tone of a veteran soldier. "But, may I humbly suggest that we will be far better served by one that is more subtle should we have the unfortunate, though likely, circumstance of our having to engage in combat or otherwise communicate within the presence of an opposing force."
Glancing at the physical characteristics of his allies, he notes aloud, "In my experience, coming up with such a signal would be a far simpler endeavor if you each bore whiskers or, at a minimum, a tail." He stops and ponders for a few moments before slyly bringing a finger to his furry chin, then quickly following up with a curt nod. "This ? Perhaps?."
"May Triune grant you sound data!" MP-8 wishes you as you head out to find the pieces of information. Naiaj simply raises a hand in parting.
You make your way to the Communion Vaults where relics and strange creatures from across the multiverse are stored.
In this stark chamber sleeps the Whisperer of Solar Winds, a jellyfish-like being whose glowing body slightly pulsates as it floats in midair. Beside it stands a nervous-looking halfling with shocking purple-and-pink hair, wearing a Starfinder insignia and a Starfinder backpack. “Uh, hello there! I am Kaeri, the, ah, current trainee interpreter for the Whisperer of Solar Winds. It is nice to meet you all.” Kaeri then winces slightly and resumes speaking in a softer tone. “I’m still not exactly sure what wakes the Whisperer, so I try to stay quiet. I hope I’m doing this right...”
Kaeri pulls out a datapad from her backpack. “The Whisperer presented a vision to me that it wanted me to communicate to you. I believe it wants to welcome you to its home and to show you how to find your own vision.”
Suddenly, the Whisperer of Solar Winds snaps awake, shifting its body to direct its attention towards you.
A moment later the Whisperer's body relaxes as it drifts back to sleep.
"Well, ah, um," stammers the halfling.
Kaeri reads her notes on her vision from the datapad, describing a relic that can recall visions from time immemorial and channel them through the Dreamer. "I have checked out the relic and had it brought here," she says.
The agent removes a drape covering an object on a rolling cart, revealing a strange, glassy white, 3-foot cute engraved with light-red lines that divide differently shaped panels.
With their companion's help, Buscador is able to arrange the panels in the correct orientation while concentrating on the desired information.
This time, everyone in the room experiences a vision: You each feel as if you are standing on a starship, observing through your own eyes. You instinctively know this to be the vessel named the Amber Reconnoiter. The crew sits in the mess hall playing an analog version of imperial conquest, a simple yet strategic board game. Outside the windows, the Drift passes by. The shifting colors are strangely serene.
The skittermander pilot, Jarzi--somehow you know their names--turns on the autopilot and enters the defense code into a datapad before joining the others in the mess.
Kandra, a winged humanoid, says to Berkal, a pale-furred alien with a wolf-like face, "The diversity of creatures found in the ruins is very interesting."
"You're not joking. That thing in the last ruins had so many teeth, I'm not sure how it fit anything into its mouth," Berkal jokes.
Zantik, an early-stage barathu, and Dayn, a huge cockroach-like being, stay focused on the board. Zantik finally makes his move. "Berkal, your turn," Dayn reminds the vlaka.
The vision fades, and you are back in the Communion Vaults.
"Um. I hope that was helpful?" Kaeri says.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
You head on to the Halls of Discovery. It's many meeting rooms, theaters, and auditoriums closed and locked when not in use or reserved. Many of the Starfinder leadership also keep their offices here. You find Venture-Captain Arvin in his modest, tidy office.
Venture-Captain Arvin looks up from his notes, clearly having had his head down for a long time. “Good to see you all. Thanks for stopping by—it’s a bit of a busy time right now, so I haven’t been able to get out of the office much.” He turns off his holographic note projectors and stands.
“I’ve heard from Naiaj that you are seeking information on the Amber Reconnoiter. Thank you for looking into the matter.” He pulls out a datapad from his pocket and thumbs through it a bit. “The records on the vessel are pretty old, so we don’t keep them accessible in our normal information banks. However, it seems that some record keepers here in the Halls of Discovery might be able to access the information you’re looking for. They specialize in maintaining historical records, so they might be able to help you out.”
He glances at Rozzicheep and says, "But for good Starfinders such as you, I could come help you, if you like. The record keepers can be a bit stuffy."
|
|
"You humble me, fine Venture-Captain, by calling me 'good'. While I certainly endeavor always to do my best to accomplish those tasks assigned to me, but I readily recognize that I am not without my shortcomings. Likewise, I would never be so bold as to say that my skill and accomplishments are better than those of any of my fellow agents." Lightfoot responds. "As for your invitation to join us, I would not dare attempt to speak the mind of my fellow agents, but on behalf of myself, the request is quite welcome. For, after all, is not cooperation one of the very bedrocks of our noted Society??"
Venture-Captain Arvin stands and leads you to an elevator. Once inside he presses the button for 'SB.' "We're heading to one of the basement offices."
This room in the basement levels is dimly lit, aside from the brightly illuminated window counter. Inside, a robot with a thin body and six arms leans on the counter, while a dwarf wearing glasses and a large set of earphones sits hunched over a computer terminal at a desk facing toward the counter, typing furiously. The robot spreads its arms wide and speaks in a grating and annoyingly chipper voice. “Welcome to the Bureau of Historical Records from Antiquity. I am Recordbot-128. How may I assist you today?”
"I am happy to assist you!" the Recordbot says. "Have you filed your requisition forms?"
|
|
"Requisition forms? No one said anything about requisition forms." Sunny exclaimed. Her mote brightened up a bit as if it was about to create a flare. However, Sunny brought her fiery temper under control and grumbled. "Fine .... Hand 'em over"
Inwardly she wondered if she was going to have to use her Solarian weapon to cut through all the bureaucracy.
"You can find the forms on the Starfinder Records infosphere page. Complete and submit them and you will receive a response from the bureau in one week," Recordbot-128 says, pointing at a sign in the room that reads, “ALL REQUESTS PROCESSED IN ONE WEEK. NO EXCEPTIONS."
You can hear the Abysshead music blasting from the dwarf's headphones where he sits at his desk behind the receiving counter, pouring over documents.
"That is correct: one week," Recordbot-128 answers.
Venture-Captain Arvin glances at Solis' move toward her solarian weapon and clears his throat. He steps forward and calmly calls the dwarf's name, "Excuse me, Bruzak?"
That is clearly not loud enough to get the dwarf's attention through Abysshead music blasting through his headphones.
|
|
""Your pardon, good dwarf, sir. I am certain that the musical selection that you are currently enjoying is most delightful and difficult from which to divert one's attention," Lightfoot states politely, "Nevertheless, my companions and I are in need of some prompt assistance as we are here on a matter of some import as well as urgency.."
"We do not anticipate requiring much more than a mere moment of time and I trust that your device has a pause feature and/or a rewind feature so you would need not miss any of the musical cues or complexities of the composition of which you are presently partaking as the result of our interruption. Thus, we humbly request your brief assistance if you are so inclined and able to offer it."
|
|
Arvin's throat clearing is enough for Solis to realise what she is about to do and stops, flushing in embarrisement. She mumbles an apology then hears the Abysshead music.
"Ooooooh .. Abysshead.... Cool ... hey .. I wonder if that's the latest album". She then looks around for something harmless to throw at the dwarf in order to get his attention.