/dot in - The adventure begins shortly!
The inside of the White Sands Lodge’s crystal dome is balmy compared to the frigid Triaxian winter outside. The copper dragon Zafeldrin sits on a platform surrounded by flickering holoscreens. Several other Starfinder agents wait nearby, conversing with one another or fiddling with comm units and datapads.
After a moment, the dragon diverts his attention from the screens to the Starfinders gathered before him, offering a toothy, excited grin. “Ah. The last to arrive. Welcome, agents, to the White Sands Lodge!” The tip of Zafeldrin’s tail twitches with barely contained anticipation.
“Now that everyone is assembled, let’s get right to it. Have you ever heard of Cadascon?” The dragon waves a claw and the aerial image of a partially buried, ruined city built into the side of a mountain appears on a holoscreen.
“Cadascon is a city in the Drakelands that dates back ages before the Gap. As far as we can tell, there are few existing records of who resided there, or why they don’t reside there anymore. When the Society finally managed to acquire the necessary permits and permissions to investigate the area, I put out a call for the sharpest minds we have. This initial foray won’t be going into the city proper. I identified four locations through aerial surveillance. I know this doesn’t sound like the most exciting of missions, but I’d be prepared for the worst regardless. If you determine the area is safe enough, we can begin establishing a base of operations nearby and prepare to bring in scientists and archeologists to examine the site more thoroughly"
“It’s my hope that a new archeological discovery will get the Pact Worlds thinking about the good things the Society has had a hand in. But still, I know things have been stressful for many of our agents, which is why I’ve decided to throw a little soiree for you all before we depart tomorrow. In fact, I was hoping you could assist me in finishing the preparations for dinner while I finish checking the equipment for the mission.
“Lastly, I hope you’ll all use this joint mission as an opportunity to get to know your fellow agents. The Society’s strength comes from the bonds between us and our ability to work together to accomplish things we never could alone. While investigating the city, I expect you to look out for one another. Now, does anyone have any questions?
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What sort or soiree do you have in mind? asks a shortlist hashunta woman wearing as gaudy magician's outfit complete with a starry hat and cape. [b]And if you require entertainment, then I, the Great and Powerful Trrrrricse can perform feats of legerdemain that will astound and dazzle you with wonder and amazement
This speech is accompanied by a burst of illusionry fireworks.
"Ahhh fireworks, lovely! We're going to have a dinner party, I hope you brought your fancy clothes!" the dragon jests...
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A stoic izalguun stands among the agents, a six-limbed drone strapped to his back like a shield. His armor and equipment appear archaic in fashion, but closer examination belies detailed construction artistically integrated into the highly advanced technology. He listens and nods silently to the dragon's briefing.
After a long pause, he asks quietly, "What hazards do you anticipate will be in the city?"
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"We'll worry about the hazards we will face when we get there right now its time to paaaaarty!"
Mr. Bison's voice rings in everyone's minds as he project his thoughts telepathically.
"Gotdreal, I've got a vintage bottle of Akitonian ale stashed with the rest of my gear. That will get tonight's party off to the right start!"
A well dressed dwarf standing next to him simply nods in acknowledgement.
The barathu from Bretheda is no stranger to anyone who has seen the vidcasts of the gladitorial matches from the fighting pits of Akiton. Bison and his hulking drone Zangief are the reigning mounted combat intercontinental champions in the most lucrative promotion on the red planet.
Gotdreal stands at attention next to Zangief. Over his shoulder is slung the intercontinental championship belt.
"What hazards do you anticipate will be in the city?"
“Aside from seismic activity or mundane Triaxian predators, it pains me to admit that I don’t know. Most of the city appears to be underground, and the drones we’ve sent to scout the area lose their connection to us if they venture too close. The interference doesn’t appear to be intentional tampering. I believe it might be perpetuated by certain elements in the ground.”
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A korasha lashunta wearing shiny new armor the same golden bronze color as the mote hovering between his antennae lounges near a window, looking out at the snow.
"I can recite a bit of poetry as well. My last work 'Return to the Scoured Stars' is still climbing the charts and I'm happy to share it," he says after giving Tricsie's trick a bit of applause.
"Your last bout was great, though I'm a bit ashamed to say I lost a few credits on it. I really expected the other guy's guile to bring him through."
"I'm Azara Thenason, by the by, in case anyone doesn't recognize me," he seems to think the introduction unnecessary.
"This is my companion, Dougar," he says, gesturing to a figure standing nearby.
Not unlike Mr. Bison, Azara also has a dwarf attending him. Unlike Mr. Bison's attendant, Dougar is gray skinned and white haired, though the top of his head is completely bald. He wears an well worn jumpsuit that was likely once dark blue. It has faded with time and use except for one spot on his left breast that is triangular shaped and much closer to its original color.
He glares at Gotdreal with obvious distaste.
"We come from the land of snow."
"Behind us hot springs."
"Like the hammers of the gods."
"Hm...still needs work."
Triaxian culture is largely defined by the long conflict between the dragons of the Drakelands and the humanoids of the Allied Territories. Between them is the Skyfire Mandate, home to the famous mercenary company, the Skyfire Legion. The trade port of Cumo sits on a river delta on the southern shore of the Mandate on the Sephorian Sea.
True dragons first appeared on Triaxus ages before the Gap in the center of the continent now known as the Drakelands, many immediately setting about to enslave all “lesser creatures.” Long ago, the Drakelands was divided into a chaotic mess of independent city states and nations constantly warring with one another for dominance. Nowadays, the wars occur not on battlefields, but in closed door meetings and with corporate espionage between dragoncorps in bids for economic dominance.
Cadascon, also known as the City of Brimstone, is an ancient city that had its heyday long before the Gap. It was ruled by a tyrannical dragon named Brior the Unblinking, who forced ryphorian slaves to work crystal mines that were zealously guarded from outsiders. Due to the hazardous terrain surrounding the city, it has lain empty and mostly undisturbed for centuries, save for scavengers and reckless, would-be treasure hunters.
Some legends claim that the crystals Brior the Unblinking hoarded had some kind of devastating magical power, and that before the Gap, she planned to use them to dominate the surrounding dragon-ruled nations, and perhaps even the Skyfire Mandate and the humanoid nations beyond it.
***
"What dangers?"
“Aside from seismic activity or mundane Triaxian predators, it pains me to admit that I don’t know. Most of the city appears to be underground, and the drones we’ve sent to scout the area lose their connection to us if they venture too close. The interference doesn’t appear to be intentional tampering. I believe it might be perpetuated by certain elements in the ground.”
"No, its existence is known more widely, but as there is scant detail to be found about it we can only presume if someone has already been there they have no catalogued their findings anywhere"
"Who?"
"It sounds as if you already know something of the place - then perhaps you are indeed the right people for the job, please share what you know with your fellow Starfinders!"
"Amazing! How quickly Starfinders uncover information!"
"Anyhow, prepare for dinner, but I will have a few tasks for you"
You look around the room and at the other Starfinders. They appear to be in two teams.
Team B:
female summerborn ryphorian
female borai
male izalguun
Team C:
male kasatha
female ysoki
male nuar
The teams listen in, and then speak amongst themselves.
Zafeldrin pipes up "I have two tasks I need completed today, I need volunteers to go to Cumo to pick up the ingredients for dinner, and I need some set-up done in the garden, feel free to help with either task, or both - tick tock though" the dragon smiles.
Shopping excursion:
Daata, Tricsie, Mr Bison,Conrad, Azara.
You pile into a people-mover and find yourselves heading into the nearby city. Team B is in the vehicle with you, and the summerborn Ryphorian turns around to talk ”Hello! I’m Navaret, and this is Swift” she lets a small squox out of her travel bag. ”This is Cailis” she indicates to the corpse-like borai who just glances in your direction with a wan smile, ”and this is Iko” she indicates to the Izalguun.
”You are Tric the stage magician, Daata - your actions in New Grakka gained the respect of Commander Najiri, a senior member of the Suskillon Defense Force. Mr Bison - skilled mechanic, and Azara - attuned to the stars! I’m such a fan!”
***
Frolicing in the garden.
Tchisk
Team C has headed to the garden. The male kasatha, female ysoki, and male nuar are already working when you arrive and are busily setting up tables and chairs in a beautifully manicured garden. ”Hey can you give us a hand setting up?” the Kasatha enquires as he moves a stack of chairs.
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When Azara gets to the people mover, he does a quick headcount. "Wait. Who's going to help Tchisk?" he asks himself as much as anyone else.
"You guys go on ahead. I'll help with the set up. Surely, it can't take 8 Starfinders to fill a shopping list."
"Don't you have plenty?" Azara says with a grin as he trots up to grab another stack of chairs.
"Sorry...that joke was lame, I know."
Frolicing in the garden.
Tchisk & Azara.
"Yes there is a sort of layout" the kasatha produces a hastily drawn diagram "I didn't realise just how much space a dragon takes up, and how much free space it takes to wheel out the food trolley for its meal"
The brown furred nuar is shifting tables and half jokingly grumbles to the wiry ysoki "I was a professor you know, and now I'm setting up a dinner party - not how I foresaw my foray into Starfinding"
The kasatha turns back to you "Got much experience at this sort of thing?"
Shopping excursion:
Daata, Tricsie, Mr Bison,Conrad.
Navaret responds - "I'm pretty new. I thought this sounded like a great mission, but it's horrible wandering around out there with winter setting in, I hate the cold - I'm used to Castrovel! Joined up to get out and see the galaxy, and so far I have seen a cold rock"
"Yes this squox is so cute! Swift is such an affectionate dear - so good to have a companion with me and not have to leave them at home when I travel"
Iko leans over to Daata - "Hey the shopping list is ready..." and true enough it is displayed on a screen along with a pile of directions to the various stores. Daata is pretty sure that the directions look wrong, and this is confirmed when he transporter pulls up out front of a store you realise the first address is not for a supermarket, but actually an enercycle dealership.
Navaret looks at the shopfront "Huh? What is this?"
***
Frolicing in the garden.
Tchisk, Azara.
"I'm Kalet" the smiling Kasatha responds, and that is Ritska our ysoki friend, and Kran the nuar"[/b] - they all join in laying down tables and chairs, and following the diagrams for how the place should be laid out.
"You might have joined to get away from whatever it was, but did you ever pick your mission looking like this?"
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"Let's have a look at that" Tricsie asks. When she gets the list, she scans it into her datapad then calls up a city directory from the local infosphere.
She them checks the addresses for the ingredients against the city directory to see if there are any other anomalies. As she does this, her free hand absently pets the squox.
Shopping excursion:
Daata, Tricsie, Mr Bison,Conrad.
Tricsie realizes the directions Zafeldrin sent to their comm units make no sense as written; they are in fact a carefully worded puzzle relating to Cumo’s buildings and distinct landmarks.
Navaret takes the news badly "This is stupid - I'm really not vibing with this at all, shopping is one thing, a silly treasure hunt is another, let's just ask some locals for the answers"
Cailis and Iko don't seem to agree "We've got some smart people, we should solve it by ourselves"
***
Frolicing in the garden.
Tchisk, Azara.
A flight of drones flies in from your host, providing music and lighting for the party, but you notice three of them appear to be malfunctioning significantly. Luckily, Talet manages to catch a drone and he and Kran begin working on debugging it, but Ritska seems annoyed by the two bugged ones - "Hang on, I'm just going to shoot them, this is stupid". Talet interjects "You can't just shoot them!"
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"I was a cater waiter for one season in college," Azara says. "But I gave it up because it was interfering with my art."
"One of my early missions for the Starfinder Society was attending a high class party with important people. Zo! was even there," he says, then flushes.
"You're a shoot first kind of person, huh?" he says to Ritska.
Then, he makes a leap to try to catch one of the malfunctioning drones.
And if he gets a second chance...
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Mr. Bison floats languidly in the air with his tactical great axe resting on his shoulder while the hulking form of Zangief stands behind him. He's completely content to let his more skilled teammates take the lead on this task. Telepathically he says to Gotdreal, "Check the infosphere and see if there are any markets in this area. We are going to need more than one bottle of Akitonian ale for the party tonight." The dwarf immediately takes out his datapad and gets to work.
Shopping excursion:
Daata, Tricsie, Mr Bison,Conrad.
Tricsie doesn't crack the code, it seems particularly cryptic.
On the other hand, Conrad is smooth as glass as he works with a couple of local passers by who get super enthustic about helping. Between the group you manage to work out that the clues pinpoint a location in town, and sure enough when you get there there is a hovertruck full of supplies belonging to a delivery company, and a driver waiting there for directions to a party....
Navaret seems happy - "Good to see you took the smart and expedient way, rather than hang around in the cold for hours trying to puzzle out a stupid game"
The other two Starfinders look a bit disappointed.
***
Frolicing in the garden.
Tchisk, Azara.
Rocket grabs a drone and pulls it down, it still appears to be acting oddly, but it's down.
Azara finds it hard to grab.