Version-12 was found in an alley yesterday. Upon arriving at the morgue, you're admitted access to a spartan, chrome colored, frigid room where the body lies on a table covered with a cloth. Upon inspection, it's clear the body severe suffered energy damage of some kind.
Some of the damage is electrical burns and the rest is acidic erosion.
You identify evidence of blunt-force trauma and constriction, as well as signs the body was dragged across a rough surface.
In order to gain access to the boards, you'll need either to hack in or convince somebody in the neighborhood to give you access. .
Once you gain access, you find a number of threads with users stating they saw a cloaked shape roughly the size of a human that floated instead of walked roughly around the time of the murders. One person claims to have seen the creature vanish into thin air.
Based on the description, this creature can fly, turn invisible through magical means, and is some form of outsider.
You find the anacite Ex-Maintenance-22 at their usual corner maintaining a food stand. As you begin to ask questions about the murder, Ex-Maintenance-22 insists you try one of their newest creations first, as they spoon out bowls of a noodle dish with a murky broth that smells reminiscent of an electrical fire. After you try their food, they'll happily tell you all they know!
or become sickened for the next hour.
Ex-Maintenance-22 says they heard a sound like metal scraping on metal, then a dragging noise. They investigated and discovered Version-12’s body near a service maintenance tunnel. When they initially arrived on the scene, they also noticed the door to an out-of-service maintenance tunnel slam shut, though they didn’t see any other creatures in the area.
Ex-Maintenance-22 adds that the tunnels aren’t used anymore because dangerous fumes and other runoff from Resurgent Technologies’ activities occasionally leak into the space.
Ex-Maintenance-22 is upset and refuses to help. You can still poke around the area, however.
Examining the area where the body was found, you notice a blood trail that leads to a maintenance tunnel door. The door seems locked.
The door opens. Beyond, the tunnel smells of stale air mixed with something acrid. The walls and low ceiling are shot through with rusted pipes littered with corrosive holes. Small patches of a plant with pale blue glowing fronds dot the way, growing straight from the
exposures in the metal.
|
Having experienced the dangers hidden in marketplaces on several occasions, Chk'tarlsh tags along with Gulkyn to keep a watchful eye out for trouble.
Little did he know that the biggest threat would come from the wares on offer by their witness!
In an effort to build trust, Chk'tarlsh accepts the offered noodle dish and, holding his breath, tucks in.
The shirren manages to keep the concoction down, but wheezes as he offers his critique. "Not bad... Could... usse... ssome more... sspicesh."
He thanks the anacite for the information he provides.
|
Gulkyn is a great fan of unique food, and eagerly samples the offered dish.
"Interesting. Is this recipe based in part on traditional anacite flavors?"
After the finish speaking, he turns to Chk'tarlsh. "It sounds like we need to take a trip into the tunnels. Let's get the other and see what they've learned."
|
|
Chk'tarlsh nods and fishes out his comm unit. Texting the rendezvous location to the rest of the crew, he replies audibly to Gulkyn, "I'll let them know to meet ush here. We can sscope out the maintenance tunnel door while we wait."
Having sent the message, he is struck by an idea and he scoops up his comm again to attach an addendum.
P.S. bring environmental protections.
|
|
Infosphere surfing
Second-1 starts poking around various sites, looking for questionable security practices.
and finds an open back door on a rather curious site about, of all things, door technology.
"Hmm...some kind of cloaked figure...floating..." the android thinks to himself
He immediately jumps on comms, having come to a conclusion, and informs the rest of the party of his findings "Alright, I think I got something. There are a few reports of some kind of floating, cloaked creature leaving the scene. Human shaped, one of the reports said it just...disappeared. Best guess, some kind of outsider. I'll need a closer look or better description to get us anything else though.
Heading to rendezvous coordinates now."
Ex-Maintenance-22 explains that they are trying to specialize in recreating dishes and flavors favored by Pact Worlds biologics. Being an anacite and having no ability to taste or eat had made cooking a challenge, but they are excited you enjoyed their dish!
After going over the evidence and gaining some insight into the creature, the party meets at the maintenance tunnel and enters, looking for the mysterious creature.
The tunnel smells of stale air mixed with something acrid. The walls and low ceiling are shot through with rusted pipes littered with corrosive holes. Small patches of a plant with pale blue glowing fronds dot the way, growing straight from the exposures in the metal.
The layout of the tunnels is confusing to navigate as the party attempts to leave no stone unturned while looking for the creature.
And, while navigating the tunnels:
You notice a subtle hissing sound that sounds like air beginning to seep through the area!
While exploring the tunnels, suddenly a rush of hot steam flies through the vents around everyone in the party!
|
After the event takes place, Oddman casts Pyre Wreath, just in case something similar happens again.
|
|
"The witnessh mentioned the tunnelsh were no lonhker ussed due to dangeroush fumesh and runoff," Chk'tarlsh explains to the group once they have all assembled.
Activating the environmental protections of his armour, Chk'tarlsh enters the winding maintenance tunnels.
Disoriented and distracted, the shirren misses the warning signs and is unable to avoid the event.
After trekking through cramped tunnels for nearly an hour, the tunnels suddenly open into a what looks to have been a shuttle station at some point long ago before it was buried by newer construction. The remains of eviscerated rats and other pests lay scattered about the floor, staining it a dark and rusty crimson.
A raspy voice resonates from within your mind, saying, “Finally. It’s been too long since I’ve snuffed out the life of a living, breathing creature. These machines just aren’t the same.”
Rogers de Stieren
Chk'tarlsh
Oddman
Second-1
Gulkyn
Ozelle
ENEMY
Second-1
Rogers
Chk'tarlsh
Oddman
Ozelle
Gulkyn
ENEMY
R2 start
|
|
After a brief breather following the steam vent incident , Chk'tarlsh was ready to continue traversing the maze-like tunnels.
Hot on the trail of a killer, he was ready for action at every step; his long sword in one hand, his pistol in the other. Relishing the deliberation, he had selected the best tools at his disposal for working up-close-and-personal, given the confines of the current environment.
Antennae twitching, the shirren came to a halt and looked around as the voice rasped inside his mind.
Who are you? he sent telepathically in reply. You may find we're not as easy a meal as those others.
Stepping forward to watch Rogers' back, Chk'tarlsh's multifaceted eyes scan the surrounding area for signs of their foe.
Chk'tarlsh will attack at range, unless within 5 ft of opponent.
|
|
Oddman calls his trident as a swift action, moves closer to the edge of the area that seems to be lower than where they are and tries to Search for the invisible creature as his second move action.
You all hear the voice in your mind again. "Not as easy? Good... I like a challenge. And you'll see me soon enough..."
Second-1
Rogers
Chk'tarlsh
Oddman
Ozelle
Gulkyn
ENEMY
R3 start
As Oddman walks forward, suddenly a previously invisible tentacle lashes out and hits the kasatha! Suddenly, standing next to Oddman is a terrible creature with tenticles for hands and a grim smile filled with sharp teeth.
Rogers, walking in the same area, swings his greataxe at the creature! The blow finds its mark, and the creature lets out a loud yell of pain!
Second-1
Chk'tarlsh
Oddman
Ozelle
Gulkyn
ENEMY
R3 start
Rogers
|
|
Seeing the tentacled monstrosity appear seemingly out of nowhere to attack Oddman, Chk'tarlsh dashes over to help his companions. Skirting wide of the creature in effort to avoid the reach of its tentacles, the shirren tries to slip in behind and take advantage of the distraction of Rogers' attack as he launches a strike of his own.
Though Second-1 doesn't have any idea what this creature is, it sure seems affected by swords, axes, and bullets! Gulkyn's laser didn't seem to do much, though.
Howling in pain and anger, the creature turns and reaches out with a magically electrified tentacle!
After the attack, the creature takes a guarded step out of the flank.
Rogers
Second-1
Chk'tarlsh
Oddman
Ozelle
Gulkyn
ENEMY
R4 start
Oddman looks at the creature, and realizes this is a feral venedaemon, an evil daemon extraplanar outsider! He knows it has cold, fire, and electricity resistance (5) and no damage reduction to physical forms of attack.
This last piece of information is particularly evident as his trident and Second-1's bullet kill the creature. It lets out a last cry of hatred before falling to the ground.
Back at Resurgent Technologies, Eshazi is grateful you successfully dealt with the creature before anybody else lost their lives. After remarking the clean up operation went very smoothly given the circumstances, she authorizes payment to the Society.
After checking back in with Venture-Captain Naiaj (who commends you from defeating such a dangerous foe, despite Resurgent Technologies' refusal to inform you what you were up against), the party heads back to Absalom Station to receive their next assignment.
The next day, you all receive another message from Venture-Captain Naiaj.
“Starfinder Agents,
"For your next assignment, you'll be traveling to the Lucent Shipyards in the Burning Archipelago to meet with Sanjaval Spaceflight Systems, one of our oldest and most important corporate associates. They provide us with a number of services ranging from starship construction to analysis of the combat data The financial arrangements we have with them are considerable. Part of our deal with Sanjaval is providing personnel to test experimental equipment. They have designed a new starship model, and I would like for you to put it through its paces. I’d like to hear your thoughts on its performance before we decide whether to put in an order.
“Again, this is one of our more important business partners. We want them to continue to work with us. Make a good impression.”
—Venture-Captain Naiaj
The approach to the Burning Archipelago is one to remember. As your shuttle approaches the sun and is cleared by security at Sunrise Station, it flies toward a dark metalic ring. Suddenly, a shimmering vortex appears in the ring of dark metal. It stretches down like a funnel into the stellar atmosphere. At the other end, a ring of dark metal similar to the entrance opens on a view of the Burning Archipelago. The shuttle procedes to Dawnshore, which houses the main spaceport in the Burning Archipelago and the Lucent Shipyards, and lands.
As you exit the shuttle and enter the spaceport, a vibrantly colored dragonkin dressed in a smart, business casual suit greets you.
“Hello, Starfinders! Welcome to the Burning Archipelago! My name is Akrodo. I manage your organization’s account here at Sanjaval. We’re all very excited about the ship you’ll be flying today! Our analysis of the combat data the Society sent us has been interesting, and we think you will be quite pleased with what we have designed. Now, if you’ll follow me, please.”
Akrodo takes you to the Sanjaval portion of the Lucent Shipyards. On the way, he transmits a copy of ship statistics for the Remorhaz. He then takes you into a large hanger bay where you see the ship in-person!
"“Our analysis of many of the Starfinder Society’s armed conflicts suggested a very clear pattern: most starships try to get behind the enemy as most are more lightly armed in the aft. We have designed the Remorhaz to appear to share armament design and layout with most other vessels, but most of the forward facing equipment are dummies. Not all mind you, there are some live weapons fore. However, the ship’s heaviest armament is in the rear. So you WANT the enemy to try to get behind you!
"Now, if you'll follow me inside, we can take a closer look at the ship you'll be testing out today!"
Akrodo leads the group into the ship's engineering spaces.
"This is main engineering. Access to the engines and the power core is here. From these consoles you will be able to divert power between systems and affect any necessary repairs. This specification manual covers all of the power needs and regulations. I understand that Society engineers have a propensity for overclocking power to various systems. Please keep in mind that doing so voids the warranty.”
He then leads the group onto the bridge, walking to each console and discussing it in turn.
“This is the science station. From this computer bank your science officer has full access to the ship’s computer and sensor suite. Running scans; detecting, studying, and navigating hazards; and analyzing other ships and creatures can all be done from here. Shield adjustments are also done here.
“This is the gunnery station. This console controls all of the ship’s weaponry. All weapons can be controlled from this single console, or dispersed out among any combination of these consoles. So one person can control them if necessary, but there remains easy access for multiple gunners.
“Here is the ship’s helm. The ship’s computer system can aid in several tasks when needed, and as such we have designed the helm to allow for some computer assistance but also to allow a pilot to spread their wings, as it were. Your combat data suggests that Society pilots enjoy a more… aggressive piloting stance.
“And this is the big chair! It’s positioned centrally so the captain has quick and unimpeded line of sight and access to all the other stations. Intercom, tactical readouts, everything a captain needs to make the split second decisions they’ll be making is all right here in the arm rests.
"Now, do you have any questions before we begin the test flight?"
Akrodo pauses to answer any questions about the ship.
Akrodo clears his throat before replying.
"Correct! We're going to put the ship through its paces in a mock combat against a drone. You'll take the ship out, engage the drone, and see what you like about it! Remember, the concept for this ship is to pretend to run and then catch the enemy off-guard with the aft weaponry when they try to pursue! But, of course, you'll have the freedom to test out the ship any way that feels right to you. After we get enough information and you've gotten a good feel for the ship, we'll wrap things up!"
|
|
"All is as it will ever be. But run your tests, we are here to assist."
Once inside the ship, Oddman takes a corner of the bridge, turns off or covers up all lights nearby and places some dark stones in a circle around him, as he sits down. A screen close by displays images of the outside of the ship. "All shall be revealed. I am ready."
Akrodo gives Second-1 an exaspirated look. "For the purposes of this test, try to keep everything within industry performance standards. It's a drone firing fake rounds, so there won't be any actual danger for you to need those sort of 'tweaks' to avoid."
Turning to Ozelle, he smiles. "Ah, yes, and thank you for participating! The Starfinders are one of our most important clients, and we aim to please!"
After Akrodo departs the ship and everyone gets to their positions , the Remorhaz humms to life and flies to a pre-arranged set of coordinates outside of the Burning Archipelago.
Akrodo's voice sounds over the ship's speakers. "Here's the part of the range we've closed off for the test today. We're dispatching the drone now. Please, as you go through the test, give all the feedback you can about how the ship feels, what you like, what you dislike. Everything is being recorded, and the more information we get from you the more we can make the Remorhaz even better!"
A drone ship appears at the edge of the edge of the designated area of space, flying at the Remorhaz.
|
|
Chk'tarlsh pauses and gives a low whistle, antennae twitching, as the group is led onto the bridge. Making his way over to the gunnery station, he runs a hand over the console, inspecting the controls and displays. His head bobbing in approval, he turns to hear the final instructions from their host.
Targeting the distant drone, Chk'tarlsh awaits the order to fire and launches a torpedo from the ship's turret.