While taking a transport to Salvation's End to meet Venture-Captain Kunoris Vex you've got some time to introduces yourselves.
|
A young man fidgets with a camera fidgets nervously and addresses the elven woman Relle he begins before grimacing. The elven woman is dressed in a faux red leather armour costume with numerous knife handles protruding as well as hand axe and slim carved stick approximately a foot long. She pointedly ignores the name Relle instead pulling out one of her survival knives and examining it
Merisiel. It’s time to your introduction for your next Merisiel DSG pod cast
She smiles back puts the knife away and then addresses the camera
Hi I am Merisiel the pathfinder after being dragged to this world after being thrust through some mad wizards portal, I have joined the Starfinder Society and I am currently heading towards Salvations end a mysterious moon to see what we can uncover. I am hoping this exploration will help me on my quest to return to Golarion. Joining me is a select team who will introduce themselves. she pauses briefly before adding. make sure you get their permission to record them before aetting that accuser devil thing on them
Zo! Produced a short lived show about a small group of pathfinders who got sucked into the real world after a fight with a mad wizard. However the actor playing Merisiel has tried to eke out a living with a podcast of her adventure desperately seeking Golarion abbbreviated to Merisiel DSG. She also never answers to her old name and tends to imply magical explanations to any technology
|
A skittermander in a cheap looking tuxedo runs onto the transport carrying a silver platter bearing a small array of cocktail and shot glasses, each equipped with a magnet capable of holding them down despite his excited rush. A white napkin is folded over his second right arm concealing his third right arm. He waves with all 3 left hands, then presses a button on his cocktail tray, ejecting a few jiggers, a strainer, and a spoon. "Hi Merisielthepathfinder! Can I get you a drink?"
|
|
Stepping into the shuttle’s compartment set aside for the Starfinders is a tall thin grey skinned Damai man in a long Red coat that has clearly seen it’s fair share of troubles over their similarly battered armour. Embroidered on the coats left breast is a Skull and Crossbones in ivory thread and they have shock red hair to match the coat. The Damai seems unfocused as they enter the room as if watching many scenes at once before finalyl focusing in on this one.
”Oh, this is reality Prime, good to be re-setlled-“ they cut off abruptly as they stare at the oddly dressed elf. ”Oh my god THE Merisiel? I’m a big fan of your work, can I get an autograph?”
Realising they haven’t mentioned who they are or are indeed anything more than a deranged fan they clarify by pulling up their left sleeve and revealing a Starfinder Tattoo. ”I’m Venari Of the Hitoru clan of Free Captains. I see into other realities and can pull them into this one for a while. Glad to meet’cha”
Prelude
In a small apartment on Absalom Station sits a figure. The long grey head is looking into a mirror watching it tattoo of a spider covering his neck. His face looks tired as he went out with his colleagues and today in the morning needs to board a ship to some small moon.
One of his hands reaches for his disguise kit. "Catsial will have no use of this." speaks with a calm voice as he begins to cover his tattoo. Things around him are position in order fashion and his movements are precise and limited to what is necessary.
After being happy with the outcome Catsial takes his cane, he does not really need it but it matches his clothing, dark red tunic with few purple elements. He turns his cane and removes a sword from within in, he inspects the blade and hides it back. He opens his hand and a pistol materializes in it, he makes sure it is loaded and the weapon is in good shape. Then he hides it behind his belt and covers it with a piece of clothing.
Then he grabs his sniper rifle and concentrates on its image. It transforms into a cylindrical bag that is hanging through his back.
After inspecting all of his weapons Catsial grabs his bags and heads towards the shuttle that is supposed to take them to their destination.
On the ship
Catsial walks in just when Venari was introducing himself. He waits a moment for a break in the conversation and enters into the room.
"It is nice to meet you Venari Of the Hitoru clan of Free Captains. My name is Catsial Drun working for House Khadil." He extends his hand while the other right is put on his chest. He looks at the skull and crossbones for a second and then turns towards skittermander extending his both right arms
"It does not happen often, but it seems I am short a pair of hands today. It is a pleasure."
And finally, he turns towards Merisiel and her camera operator.
"Nice to meet you."
Finally he turns towards the halfling
"I would like to read one of your stories Shokil, do you have any of it here? I could use this journey to go through it."
|
|
Venari takes the proffered hand with a smile and shakes it vigorously as expected. "Good to meet you Castial Drun, House Khadil is a mighty fine representation of the order. I'm sure we'll get on like a Kyokor and a swathe of destruction."
Smiling at the Halfling they also speak up, "Not heard your work i'm afraid to say but always willing to read. Seems like we'll have time on this voyage so I wouldn' mind Twice dead, Three times the charm if you have a copy and the honoured Castian doesn't want it first."
"'Sgt. Smith bites a bullet' sounds like an amazing read for me." Bowing his head slightly
The pleasant conversation makes the trip seem fairly short. Upon arrive you disembark and are given an opportunity to stretch your legs before being ushered to the meeting room.
The hallway outside the meeting room is dimly lit and crowded with crates. A well-dressed drow waits in front of the door, greeting the new arrivals. “Starfinders! I’m so glad you’ve arrived. I am Venture- Captain Kunoris Vex,” he says, approaching. The drow offers an outstretched hand, but is forced to jump back quickly as a pair of rapidly chattering ysoki dash in front of him, waving their arms excitedly and pointing at readings on their holographic displays as they run down the hall. Vex smiles. “As you can see, there’s a lot going on here, and I want you to get right down to work.”
Vex gestures to a nearby doorway, leading into a conference room with insta-plastic tables and chairs arranged haphazardly about. The holographic display unit’s core sits atop the table, ready for a technician to install it. “Sorry for the mess. I’m sure you understand we’re right in the middle of setting everything up.” The drow politely pulls out the chairs for others to sit. Once everyone is seated, he pulls out a pocket computer and projects an image onto a nearby wall. The readout shows a series of images of a long, massive hallway lined with gigantic doors spaced far apart.
“As you can see, this moon contains a large number of vaults. We recently gained access to one of them,” Vex begins. “The monitor outside of this vault doorway currently displays the words ‘Duskmire Accord.’ We’ve found no records in our research here or from the databases on Absalom Station about the term ‘Duskmire,’ but we assume it is the name of a place. Our scans from the hallway reveal a powerful energy source somewhere within the vault, although its construction or some manner of shielding prevents any meaningful readings. It appears that if we want to learn anything more, we need to send in a team.” He cocks his head, raises an eyebrow, and looks meaningfully toward the group.
The drow turns off the projector and smiles broadly as he leans forward. “I’d like you to go into this vault and see what you can find. Identify the source of these energy readings, and learn anything else you can about the interior of the vault. There may be inhabitants, but we don’t know whether they’re likely to be peaceful. As always, be ready for anything! Any questions?”
|
|
Stepping off the shuttle, making sure to mark their page on the riveting read before stowing it inside their long coat. "Gripping start my friend, can't wait to see what happens to the Lady." Venari mentions to Shokil as the step onto the moon. Smiling at the Venture Captain, they wait patiently for the Venture Captain to finish.
"Sorry Cap'n but I've seen a few realities - like in Reality 3 Beta this is nothing more than a Firestorm - but I haven't seen the like of this place before. Where are we?"
"Ah! You've never been to Salvation's End? I'm sorry, my bad." With a practice that reminds you more of an oft recited poem, the Venture-Captain explains, "Salvation's End is an immense, long-dormant spacecraft orbiting a backwater planet in Near Space just beyond the Pact Worlds system. Also known as a false moon, Salvation's End orbits a world whose people recently turned it into a means of launching their culture into the stars. The leadership of a nearby planet offered exploration rights to the first group that would grant them the ability to navigate the Drift, which was answered by the Starfinder Society in exchange for undisputed exploration rights."
Finally taking a breath he adds, "It's full of sealed rooms, vaults, and hallways. We're constantly finding new things inside, and none of them seem to follow rhyme or reason."*
Catsial is glad to leave the shuttle, he was never super fond with long travels. He joins Venari at complementing Shokil as an author and listens to the introduction made by the Ventre-Captain Kunoris Vex.
"So, go in and investigate. Do you often have inhabitants of the vaults? Is it our goal to establish some peaceful relationship with them?"
V-C Vex sighs, “At least some of them are inhabited. The first vault we opened was occupied by a group of dwarves who believed they were deep underground on Golarion, of all places, and that they were undergoing some kind of task for the vanished god Torag. They seemed to have had their memories altered somehow. Whether that was a fluke or a pattern remains to be seen. Peace is always our first option, as it's harder (though not impossible) to learn from the corpse of an enemy.”
|
A bald man in blue robes wearing spectacles enters the room. "Well met, Pathfinders. Ohmarc Lightwalker at your service." He bows politely to the Venture Captain and then in succession to each of the Pathfinders "I apologize most profusely for my tardiness. I'm afraid that I was in a deep meditation that was rejuvenating my spirits and when I finally returned to this realm, I found that I was not packed for this mission. Without going into further detail, let me just stat by saying that I am most sorry to be late. It will not happen again." Looking up at the projection on the screen, Ohmarc asks "Can I presume that we are headed into the vaults?"
|
|
Garcon beams with a huge grin at actually having getting 2/3 of the way to a full skittermander handshake. "You wanna drink?" Seeing V-C Vex come in he quickly scampers back to a corner of the room, holding the tray and listening. Finally after a bit he nervously walks forward. "Drink sir VentureCaptainVex?"
After the appropriate awkward pause, he continues. "Didn't they do something about Salvation's End on the Holovids? I think on that episode there were Dwarves in it! They have the best ale and firewater! I wonder who we'll find here... and what they drink? You know... sometimes a man'll tell his bartender things he'll never tell his doctor! Just gotta make sure you've got what they like AND what they need."
|
|
Earlier
"Autograph? Is that a cultured name for one of those selfie things" Merisiel pats the seat next to her for Venari to sit next to her.
Forgive me but I mutch prefer a physical book Sgt Smith bites a bullet She holds out a hand for a book
more recently
She stops cold when she sees a drow and her hand reaches for her illuminating dagger I came equipped to fight drow not be briefed by one She nervously eyes her companions suprised by their insousicance and asks them in whisper "They allow drow in the starfinder society?"
She remians standing through the rest of the briefing trying to watch just about everything but the screens. Clearly still very tense
"Indeed they do Merisiel. In fact, the Society prides itself on it diversity. I do know that many of my bretheren desrve their reputation for being arms dealers. I also know that our music is an .... acquired taste. Rest assured, my personal reputation is spotless."
To Shokil he adds, “ We've managed to conclude that the gravity, pressure, and atmospehere are all 'normal.' I’ll have a vehicle deliver you to the access tunnel. Since no one else has gone in yet, I really don’t have much more advice for you than to travel down and see where it leads. It’s sure to be an intriguing experience, and I have to say I’m rather jealous. ‘Don’t get promoted,’ is what my friends always said. Now I see why!”
|
|
Before on the ship
”An Autograph? No it’s not a ‘selfie’ it’s a signature, i’ve got a holo-vid box set of your adventures and would like you to sign it. Back at the Spire once we’re done here.” they respond to the strange Elf, before taking a seat next to them.
Back to the Present
Wincing at Merisiel’s reaction to the Venture Captain, Venari steps forwards, motioning for her to keep her weapons sheathed. ”Aye, the Society is open to any who would serve their goals and not bring them disrepute. He is a Venture Captain - same as your own Pathfinder Society and in charge.” they explain hoping to placate Merisiel before turning to Vex ”Method Actors.” they whisper as way of explanation.
”I got no more questions, ready when you are Cap’n”
|
|
Garcon beams with a huge grin at actually having getting 2/3 of the way to a full skittermander handshake. "You wanna drink?"
"Well, I would love some refreshment. Do you have anything . . . you know . . . healthy? I need to keep my body pure you know."
"My dear Venture Captain, do we have any time limit for this mission, or may we take our time? I do like to keep a balanced life and it helps if we don't have to adventure all day."
"No time limits, but every bit of good news out of here increases the fame of the Society and your own prestige!"
-----
You are taken via ground transport to the main hallway of Salvation’s End and dropped off at the now-accessible door to the Duskmire simulation. You proceed down a passageway until you enter an airlock. After a brief blast from a decontamination laser grid, you pass into the vault. Once inside, the doors close behind you but remain unlocked.
A holographic projection of a horizontal blue line appears in the air above a circular disk in the ground. The line begins moving in a waveform pattern like that of an oscilloscope.
“Greetings, ERROR: NULL RECORD,” a polite, cool voice speaks, in Common. “Welcome to Duskmire! You are understandably confused by your sudden arrival, but rest assured that there is all you need here to survive should you choose to do so. You can enter the temple and be released when you have achieved dominance over the other two resident powers within the Duskmire area. Please accept this simple map as a gift to guide your way. Happy conquest!”
A map printed on a simple plastic sheet materializes on the projector as the voice goes silent.
The voice doesn't come back to answer Shokil... but
You hear good natured and raucous laughter coming from the north.
|
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Garcon nods excitedly to Ohmarc's query. "Yup! That's why it's called EXPRESS-o! Also available in convenient injections and sup-"
"Oh... yeah... I do hear that. I wonder if they want a drink?"
He adjusts his tie and draws his pistol with his lower left hand, keeping it carefully concealed under the napkin draped over his middle left hand. He moves forward gracefully and quietly.
|
|
Stepping through into 'Duskmire' Venari hears the announcement and takes up the printed map, taking a moment to examine it.
"Yeah, not ominous at all - So I'm thinking two powers at war?" they stop as they hear the laughter too. "Or not. sure let's go check it out."
Following a ways behind the little waiter, Venari keeps their pistols holstered and strolls towards the laughter with a calm veneer. Their hands move slightly, pulling at the strings of reality to effect the world around them making it seem much more charming.
Catsial follows the others inside the vault. His long hairless head turns to the sides as the voice speaks
"Was it some sort of simulation? Training ground? Establish dominance? What kind of exercise is it? " He wonders for a moment, how real is this place.
He walks slowly behind the others wishing to know what is this place.
|
|
”Before we progress, please permit me to cast this spell. It will allow you to communicate with me telepathically. This may prove helpful if our first meeting with the raucous folk does not go well.
Ohmarc moves his hands in sweeping gestures similar to some ancient art form as he incants some mysterious words to cast the cantrip Telepathic Message on each of his new companions before moving forward.
Ohmarc tries to move quietly in the middle of the party, but he is clearly not very mindful of his approach as his thoughts turn to anticipation of what’s to come.
He purposely chooses to keep his weapons stored away in the hopes of being able to resolve things peacefully. However, he keeps a vigilant eye ahead as he anticipates what’s to come.
The light here is dim at best, making for an easier time to travel stealthily, though Ohmarc is rather awful at it nonetheless. The ground beneath your feet feels like normal soil, and the plants and fungi here seem normal
Indeed the plants and fungi are real, but they've clearly been genetically modified.
The party makes their way towards the sound. Before long each can see smoke rising up from the area. It's not the black smoke of war, but more like a campfire. Eventually you spot something directly, some sort of village!
The ground in this village is covered in mud splatters, half-eaten food, and other garbage. The buildings here are relatively squat and list to the sides, formed from stacked bricks of peat. Some of the buildings have fallen over, while others have been bashed into misshapen lumps. A thick, lavender smoke hangs heavy a few inches above the ground. You can see five large, white-furred creatures. They're all relaxed, extremely relaxed. The laughter comes from them, but there isn't much conversation. Despite the less than surreptitious approach, they don't seem to notice you yet.
|
|
Ohmarc sends his companions a telepathic message:
"Okay, my friends, I am going to go in and try to make first contact. If this goes poorly, we will know it shortly. For now, let's try not to provoke them."
Ohmarc approaches the group with his empty hands raised as he reveals himself, "Well met, friends, and may peace be with all of you. I am Ohmarc and these are my companions. We are delighted to make your acquaintance. I was noticing your lovely plants here. Are you gardeners by any chance?"
These creatures seem out of sorts, like they don't belong here (though could anything really belong here?
Ohmarc steps into view. Immediately the large white-furred creatures jump to readiness, unsure of the Starfinders.
|
|
Telepatichically, Ohmarc sends a message to his friends. "I have no idea what these things are. Do any of you recognize them?"
Ohmarc has no idea what these things are, but being the optimistic he is, he tries to make a good impression.
With hands open in a peaceful gesture, the mystic continues, "No need to be frightened, my friends. We are Starfinders, explorers who are very interested in other cultures. We like to be helpful when we can. Do you speak our language? Do you understand what I am saying? We want to help you if we may."
|
|
Seeing the portly man try to go in alone, Venari follows into give them support, their weapons still holstered and inside their coat. Keeping their hands in plain sight, the Witchwarper joins their ally.
"Aye it's as he says. We're new here and are just exploring - we want nothing more than to join you and find out more about you and this place." they slowly pull out a bottle of Diasporan Rum, their moves slow and exagerated to show they aren't reaching for a weapon. They hold out the rum to the creatures. "Though we wouldn't say no to friendship!"
"AH!!!! Newcommers." One speaks in Common, but he seems... drunk?
"Newcommers." the others respond.
"You must meet Inix. Leader. Tribe. You must!"
"INIX!"
....A 6th creature joins. This one is far more coherent than the others. He comes from a hut a short ways off.
"ARH! MORE here? What is going on here?"
When Ohmarc repeats himself the hulking creature looks... nonplussed.
Upon seeing the rum, despite not knowing what it is, the five begin to chant in both Common and Aklo: "Join. The. Tribe." and "One. Of. Us."
The one known as Inix silences them, "You are better than others here. You understand yeti superiority. This means you must join our tribe. PREPARE THE RITUAL!"
He doesn't seem to ask your desires.
Catsial stand with Venari, Garçon, and Ohmarc but says nothing.
A diplomatic representation should consist from the ones that speak and the ones that look. thinks to himself. Apparently this is his time to stand and look pretty. However, he wonders how those furry yetis consider aliens without any hair whatsoever.
"Yeti superiority, superiority over whom?" asks silently.
"I don't know anything about yeti rituals, but are we sure that we want to go with it? " asks worried kasatha.
|
|
"I don't know anything about yeti rituals, but are we sure that we want to go with it? " asks worried kasatha.
"I share your concerns, my friend. I feel very different than a yeti, but I think if we want to build good relations with them, we should make the effort. They do look awfully strong and I would rather have them as friends."
In a sincere effort to make peaceful relations with the yeti, Ohmarc decides to let this play out. However, he does hope that he doesn't need to fight any of these creatures to become part of their tribe.
Sending thoughts to Garcon, Ohmarc projects, "Let them drink your expresso. I think it will be healthier for them than the rum."
|
|
”Ermm Trials? Sure i’ve never met a trial I couldn’t over come or out drink!” Venari replies with enthusiasm, glad the Large creatures haven’t tried to divest him of his limbs in an unfriendly manner.
Hmm, this could prove interesting- but i guess this is the only way to find out what’s going on here. Venari sends their thoughts to Omarch to be shared with the group.