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Compucast coughs, caught between amusement at the expensive of the yoski, and horror and Maverick's ignoring orders. After a moment he decides that it is post battle enthusiasm and keeps his stern silence.
Once aboard the Perfect Silence, Compucast considers the various delegates.
Compucast is dressed in formal vesk armor, polished to within an inch of its life. Naturally he speaks once more with Speaks Forgotten Words.
"I am pleased that we may once again be of service to the Thyr!" he rumbles. "It has been some time since we last met, I hope the restoration work is proceeding well?"
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After the enemy starships are defeated, Spanner merely lowers his hands and regrets having to damage the enemy craft.
Sense Motive Speaks Forgotten Words:
Sense Motive Kahuri:
Sense Motive Lieron:
Sense Motive Livakian:
Sense Motive Xirillis:
Like Compucast, Spanner takes the time to say a few words to Speaks Forgotten Words. "Yes. I hope the repair and rebuilding is going well and that your peoples are growing in their wisdom and knowledge."
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Chivix was almost late to the meeting with the representatives, as he was helping Spanner repair the minor damage to the Drake's hull and components. He wasn't sure why they wanted a mechanic in high-level talks, but he loved it. After all, that meant learning more about peoples' culture, and seeing what kind of music they liked.
After he cleaned up and was rushing to the briefing room, he made sure to put on his Captain Carmine holoskin for the occasion. Nothing quite like a pop of color when you were meeting someone for the first time!
Speaks Forgotten Words nods to Spanner and Compucast, pleased by their responses.
Maverick has an especially good sense of people. With Naylor's help, he manages to deduce much about the personalities and motivations of the five council members. All five are isolationist, concerned about dragging the Kreiholm Freehold into a protracted war with the Jinsul. But each has different ideologies and concerns that if addressed, could tip the balance.
Agenda: Kahuri is not convinced that the Kreiholm Freehold and the Starfinder Society's combined resources and technology are enough to defeat the jinsuls.
Persuasion Skills: Average Computers, Hard Diplomacy, or Average Engineering.
Agenda: Lieron wants to ensure the financial stability of the Kreiholm Freehold.
Persuasion Skills: Hard Bluff or Average Profession (accountant, con artist, corporate professional, manager, merchant, or politician).
Agenda: Livakian wants to make sure that her people will never be subjugated by a religion again.
Persuasion Skills: Hard Culture, Hard Diplomacy, or Average Mysticism.
Agenda: Speaks Forgotten Words is concerned about the well-being of the people and the preservation of tradition.
Persuasion Check: Easy Culture or Average Diplomacy.
Agenda: Xirillis does not believe his peaceful civilization is ready for war.
Persuade: Average Culture, Average Intimidate, or Average Profession (mercenary).
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Spanner continues to try and convince Speaks Forgotten Words to support the cause. "When the jinsul come, many of your people will die and the ones that are left won't be allowed to keep your ways or remember your past. The only way to keep your society working smoothly is for us to join together with singular purpose. The jinsul come only to break and to destroy, we hope to help build and create."
Culture
As Spanner approaches, Speaks Forgotten Words greets them warmly once again. The thyr's gaseous form swirls inside their encounter suit as they send a telepathic message: Thank you for coming to our aid. Your leaders speak of a coming war, in which the Kreiholm Freehold would play an important role. While you are right that we should take the fight to the resurgent jinsuls, this one must also think of those whom we represent. War is not our way. We have remained distant from galactic affairs on purpose, yet now you ask us to go to war. What shall this one tell our people who only desire peace?
Spanner continues to try and convince Speaks Forgotten Words to support the cause. "When the jinsul come, many of your people will die and the ones that are left won't be allowed to keep your ways or remember your past. The only way to keep your society working smoothly is for us to join together with singular purpose. The jinsul come only to break and to destroy, we hope to help build and create."
Speaks Forgotten Words seems struck to the heart by Spanner's arguments. Old Friend, you are right. The jinsul are relentless. Perhaps the only way to preserve our peaceful way of life is to join forces with you. Let us build and create together!
This council member resembles an anthropomorphic bat with fungal growths emerging from her head. In a whispering voice, she speaks: “We are Kahuri, representing the nelentus. You fought the new jinsul ships today, yes? Their fleet is impressive, their ships numerous and all built for war. Hmm, yes, they are. That is not to say ours aren't exceptional—they are—but they were built for defending our homes. You, your Society, you are explorers. Your fleet—no offense—is no real war fleet, either. They can outbuild, outgun, and outfight us. Today, you managed to catch the jinsuls by surprise. I do not mean to belittle your courage and skill, but can you imagine what happens next time if you aren't so lucky?”
When this pale worm speaks, its mouth opens like a blooming flower, each flapping petal lined with needlelike teeth. The claws on its tiny appendages twitch in anticipation as it speaks a greeting in its gurgling voice: “I'm Lieron of the matohs. I know who you are, your leaders told me so much about you. But enough of the niceties. I've understood that your Society wants a war with the jinsuls. Wars are costly. We lost many ships today, and so did you. Many more will be lost by the end of the day and the days to come. Do you even have any idea how much they cost? Of course not, you only fly them. And who is going to pay for it all?” The worm chuckles and snorts, then continues: “Are you going to make the jinsuls pay for the war?”
Silvery and smooth, this three-eyed biped looks like its body is composed of mercury. Crystalline spirals on the creature's neck oscillate as it speaks: “I am Livakian. I have not met your kind before. I am one of the tekian, and we are an ancient race from the Scoured Stars. It is there where Kadrical found us when we were still young. He is a jealous and oppressive god, and when we saw our opportunity to leave, we undertook our exodus, joining with the thyrs and nelentus and never looking back. We promised ourselves never to return. If Kadrical finds us again, he will never let us go. This is why we can't join your crusade.”
This bipedal creature resembles a human-sized cross between a chameleon and seahorse, with coral-like growths sprouting from his head. He wears jewelry of coral and glittering metal and carries a coral-tipped baton in his prehensile tail. “I am Xirillis, and I represent the syngnathrixes of the Kreiholm Freehold. I know you selflessly put yourselves in harm's way to help our people. Nonetheless, I believe this attack on our planet would never have happened, had your Society stayed out of the Scoured Stars. Here in Saaruq, we haven't known war since the Kreiholm Freehold arrived centuries ago and we joined them. The jinsuls have been born and raised as killers. They know nothing else—no fear, no remorse. We are no warriors. What chance do we have against them?”
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When this pale worm speaks, its mouth opens like a blooming flower, each flapping petal lined with needlelike teeth. The claws on its tiny appendages twitch in anticipation as it speaks a greeting in its gurgling voice: “I'm Lieron of the matohs. I know who you are, your leaders told me so much about you. But enough of the niceties. I've understood that your Society wants a war with the jinsuls. Wars are costly. We lost many ships today, and so did you. Many more will be lost by the end of the day and the days to come. Do you even have any idea how much they cost? Of course not, you only fly them. And who is going to pay for it all?” The worm chuckles and snorts, then continues: “Are you going to make the jinsuls pay for the war?”
"It would be wrong to say we want a war with them. We feel it is necessary to fight the followers of Dhurus in order to preserve our way of life. I have visited Rax, where the Jinsul were living. It is a blasted and lawless world. The only form of trade I saw was barter, but most were more interested in theft. That is no way to run a society."
"As for the cost of the spaceships, "
"I am glad that you are concerned about the cost of war, but to do a full accounting you need to also look at the cost of not fighting. Make no mistake, the Jinsul led by Dhurus are only interested in conquest. They do not care what infrastructure they destroy or how many lives they take. They fight to destroy the other races."
"Banding together will allow us to share the cost of defending against the Jinsul. It makes us all stronger and spreads the costs out so as to prevent it from overburdening the finances of a single group."
Lieron's flapping petals clamp shut in surprise as Zeyram show how much they understand the cost of ships. "OH! So you do understand! Do you know how rare that is? But then again, your group of Stewards are responsible for maintaining order in the chaos. Such a thankless task! Hmmmph... as costly as war is, I do appreciate that shared costs can make this more bearable. Perhaps you are right, and we will have to spend to preserve the infrastructure we have."
"Yes... I can also see that this might bring new alliances and sources of profit. So much to consider. You have my support." The worm upends an entire glass of Bluescale ice wine into its mouth as he drinks, thoughtfully. "And after the war, maybe could set up trade for this delicious... what is this called again? Can you pour me some more?"
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"Representative Kahuri? This one is Chivix. Chivix and Gravy have spent a lot of time about starships - commercial, mercenary, Starfinder, Steward, and even jinsul - mostly in the areas of engineering. Truly, jinsul ships are made for war. But then, ours are flexible. Representative Kahuri saw today how inflexible jinsul ships and minds are."
"The Representative says the jinsul were caught by surprise today, and Chivix says yes. And they were caught by surprise at the Scoured Stars, too. And when we met them outside their new homeworld. You see, the flexible capabilities of the joint fleet can outmatch those of the jinsuls every time, with leadership and a good technical crew. Even today, in a nearly stock Drake frame, the battle was easily won against a ship type that had never been seen before. And what damage the enemy did manage to inflict was repaired quickly by trained persons Chivix and Spanner."
"And then Chivix speaks to the technical capabilities. Chivix has not had the honor of being aboard your Home Defense ships, but Pact World ship builders are turning out new materials and weapons systems on a regular basis. Has the Representative seen the Paradym Systems e-shield generator that was released a few months ago? 10% more shielding with 1/3 of the PCU requirements. And then there's..."
Chivix happily buzzes about tech specs and new hull configurations until someone cuts him off.
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Livakian
Compucast approaches the tekian with a curious look.
"Greeting representative Livakian. I am Compucast of the veskarium. I can understand not wanting to put yourself under the thumb once more of Kadrical. But he has already found you. The jinsul, they are the arm of this god who reaches out from the stars. If you are to remain a free people, then your only option is to cut off that arm."
Sensing he is losing the worm, the vesk redoubles his efforts.
He sighs. "Kadrical is a god, and his prime servants move the jinsul. By defeating them, you defeat the god and protect yourself. They are in him and he is in them..." he starts, willing to go into quite some metaphysical and mystical depths in the conversation as required.
"In short, you cannot hide. Kadrical is a god who reaches out from the depths of space and time. Hiding has now worked. At best you could run and hide again, but he is a god, and will find out once more. If you are to be free, you must take direct action against him, which means against his servants. The jinsul."
"Representative Kahuri? This one is Chivix. Chivix and Gravy have spent a lot of time about starships - commercial, mercenary, Starfinder, Steward, and even jinsul - mostly in the areas of engineering. Truly, jinsul ships are made for war. But then, ours are flexible. Representative Kahuri saw today how inflexible jinsul ships and minds are."
"The Representative says the jinsul were caught by surprise today, and Chivix says yes. And they were caught by surprise at the Scoured Stars, too. And when we met them outside their new homeworld. You see, the flexible capabilities of the joint fleet can outmatch those of the jinsuls every time, with leadership and a good technical crew. Even today, in a nearly stock Drake frame, the battle was easily won against a ship type that had never been seen before. And what damage the enemy did manage to inflict was repaired quickly by trained persons Chivix and Spanner."
"And then Chivix speaks to the technical capabilities. Chivix has not had the honor of being aboard your Home Defense ships, but Pact World ship builders are turning out new materials and weapons systems on a regular basis. Has the Representative seen the Paradym Systems e-shield generator that was released a few months ago? 10% more shielding with 1/3 of the PCU requirements. And then there's..."
Chivix happily buzzes about tech specs and new hull configurations until someone cuts him off.
Kahuri responds very well to Chivix's technical talk, and spends a delightful time talking to Chivix about hulls and engines. "Your comment about our flexibility and diversity is something that I haven't considered before. You're right, Jinsuls are not flexible in their thinking, but both the Freehold and the Pact Worlds are. And we could learn so much from each other!"
Compucast approaches the tekian with a curious look.
"Greeting representative Livakian. I am Compucast of the veskarium. I can understand not wanting to put yourself under the thumb once more of Kadrical. But he has already found you. The jinsul, they are the arm of this god who reaches out from the stars. If you are to remain a free people, then your only option is to cut off that arm."
Sensing he is losing the worm, the vesk redoubles his efforts.
He sighs. "Kadrical is a god, and his prime servants move the jinsul. By defeating them, you defeat the god and protect yourself. They are in him and he is in them..." he starts, willing to go into quite some metaphysical and mystical depths in the conversation as required.
"In short, you cannot hide. Kadrical is a god who reaches out from the depths of space and time. Hiding has not now worked. At best you could run and hide again, but he is a god, and will find out once more. If you are to be free, you must take direct action against him, which means against his servants. The jinsul."
Livakien takes a moment to consider this, reaching for Jadnura's appetizers with long and delicate fingers. "You are correct, they did find us here, and if anything... Dhurus seems to be harsher than Kadrical ever was. Maybe it is time for us to take arms together against this deific menace, to ensure the future freedom of my people."
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Maverick arrives at the party dressed in this best Starfinder space navy uniform. He's a little late since he had to spend 10 minutes straight getting yelled at by Jadnura for buzzing the flagship. Something about being reassigned to flying a freighter full of rubber dog s@!# out of Absalom Station if he ever pulled a stunt like that again.
After hearing Xirillis's speech he approaches him.
"Representative Xirillis, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Lieutenant Jerris Sakai. You gave quite an impassioned speech just a few moments ago. I have to be honest with you though. There is no way I can agree with your view on the Jinsul. You are correct that they are merciless killers, but how can you think that by not fighting them they will not still come for you. You can run to farthest reaches of the Drift and they will continue to pursue you. Everyone in the Kreiholm Freehold lives will be destroyed if you don't resist the Jinsul. The only way to stop them is with force. I know your people are not fighters, but if you want your children to grow up free of the Jinsul menace you'll make your stand now."
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Naylor, feeling an obligation to participate despite their misgivings, quietly adds from beside Maverick, "I can not help but admire your presentation. Your jewellery would indicate an appreciation of nature as well as beauty. Are these not worth fighting for? Not all fighting needs to be on the front lines, each people who join the team will bring their own strengths and motivations. Just as on a starship we each have our own role, a coalition is stronger for all those who join because of, rather than despite those differences. I am sad to report that my observation is the jinsul, at least under their current leadership, do not respect those differences and will attempt to obliterate them, where ever they are. I do not believe that holding off from engagement now will do more than slow the eventual outcome for your people, whereas joining us could prevent those dire consequences and lead to a more peaceful existence for all." Naylor stops, almost abruptly as they realise how much they have rambled on.
Xirillis, though a bit shaken with the Starfinder vehemence, nods. 'You're right! It's our differences that make us stronger! We can fight for who we are!"
The Kreiholm Freehold votes unanimously to offer their support of the Starfinders. Luwazi gives you all a thumbs up and mouths, Good work!
Both First Seekers offer their thanks and farewells to the Kreiholm Freehold contingent, though Lieron requires an extra bottle of Bluescale before departing. "I must share this with others!"
★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★
With the meeting concluded, the members of the Kreiholm Freehold contingent depart, bound for their ships to relay instructions. Jadnura clasps his lower set of hands together and looks around at those still in the room. “We've no time to waste. We must plan the next phase of our mission—forcing the jinsul invasion out of the Kreiholm Freehold's star system.”
Luwazi Elsebo nods and speaks: “We've analyzed reports from countless Starfinder missions over the past several months and concluded that an influential religious figure known as Hierarch Kraaton leads the fleet from a massive jinsul command carrier. As far as we know, this hierarch is one of Dhurus's most trusted commanders. The jinsuls probably expected an easy victory here, but our presence forced an unexpected stalemate. If we can defeat the hierarch, the leaderless jinsul fleet has no choice but to retreat to the Scoured Stars.”
Jadnura cracks his knuckles on each of his four hands. “Your mission is one of utmost importance: fly your ship into the command carrier, fight your way to the command chamber, and defeat the hierarch. Although you will be alone aboard that ship, we will be providing you cover and clearing a path so that you can reach the command carrier before the jinsuls even realize what's happening. Let's get to work.”
★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★
You return to your starship, which still bears the damage and scars from their previous starship battle. You have only two hours to prepare for the coming battle. Once the time elapses, you can launch from the Perfect Silence and begin the operation.
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Zeyram frowns, concerned about this plan. "What do we know about the command ship? Do we know anything about the capabilities of the leader and his command staff?"
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After the meeting has concluded, Zeyram visits the quartermaster to buy some more equipment -- a six-pack of Mk I Serums of Healing.
Then he heads back to his bunk. Setting his communicator to give him a reminder 50 minutes before launch, he spends the intervening time reviewing the intel they have on the hierarch and the command vessel. While doing this, he also does an equipment check.
When the reminder goes off, he quickly hits the gym and goes through a quick warm up routine. Make sure his body is ready to act when he needs it to. A very quick shower and he arrives at the launch bay with seven minutes to spare.
Nodding to the others, he mentions "Some of you already know this, but thought I should warn the rest of you."
"As anyone who has fought them knows, the Jinsul leg blades are designed to cause wounds to bleed. What only some of you know is that anyone with a bleed wound within 15 feet of me will find the wound bleeds more readily. The details aren't that important, I just want you to be aware of it."
I will let Naylor speak for themselves on this.
"Now I carry a dermal stapler, but you will probably want someone else to stop your bleeding if possible."
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Naylor checks all their equipment to make sure it is in order then rests up to make sure they are ready. They enter toward the end of Zeyram's explanation and feel compelled to add, "I have a similar effect. If any of you deal bleed damage, let me know and I will attempt to close, otherwise, I prefer to keep some distance from the jinsul."
Naylor then turns to Maverick, "This is likely to involve some fancy flying. You have already proven yourself well able to handle it but know that I stand ready to assist if there is need."
To the team as a whole, they ask, "Have any of you had a chance to study the jinsul language? It would be useful if we could tap their communication." Naylor then adds, "Also, I have a set of tools that can be useful if we come across any traps. They don't seem the trusting type, so I'd expect we should be vigilant as well as fast."
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After hearing the briefing Maverick quickly changes back into his combat gear. He checks all his weapons to make sure they are ready for immediate action. Draping his diffraction cloak over his shoulders and tucking his Mask of the Mantis in the crook of his right arm, he then covers his eyes with his aviator sunglasses and heads back to the hangar bay.
Once there he supervisors the hangar bay mechanics in repairing and rearming the Drake.
After hearing Zeyram's comments he says, "Thanks for the warning. I like to keep my blood on the inside not the outside."
Turning to Naylor he smiles and says, "I knew I could count on you Naylor. Let's show the Jinsul all the best starship pilots in the galaxy are in the Starfinder Navy."
He also adds, "I speak Jinsul, but I only know derogatory phrases."
"If you try to say it in common it just doesn't sound right."
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"Chivix knows jinsul speak, and has no interest in getting engaged closely enough for them to wound him. Chivix and Gravy are best suited to support with long ranged fire."
"Also, friend Maverick, you should add this one to your arsenal. It makes the jinsul go mad with fury."
Chivix rattled off a chittering set of syllables that ended in a kind of shriek.
"Roughly translated, it means, 'may the mites of a thousand skreviches infest your genitals!'"
Chivix continued the banter all the way to the ship, but once there, he focused on prepping for the incursion. His rifle and spare battery pack were fully charged, and his grenade fuses all read green. Thinking for a moment, he dialed his holoskin back to a mottled blue-gray pattern similar to what he remembered of the interior of the jinsul ships he had been on, to better blend with his surroundings.
Defensively positioned between two vast clusters of asteroids, the jinsul fleet looms in the distance. Near the blue-green world of Saaruq-5, the Starfinder fleet assumes an attack formation, and on Jadnura's command, the starships begin darting toward the enemy formation as a unified front. When the allied ships reach just outside the enemy's firing distance, Jadnura sends a message to every ship across the fleet: “There is no retreat. No surrender. Today we fight and make the jinsuls pay for their heinous actions! Make the jinsuls regret they ever stepped their chitinous feet in this star system! Starfinder fleet, attack at speed! Hold the line! Support our valiant agents in their mission!”
Immediately after Jadnura's speech, Luwazi Elsebo sends a message to you: “Now! We've got your backs!”
★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★
The Starfinder fleet mobilizes quickly, and your starship must quickly reach an advantageous position near the enemy formation.
Skills:
Piloting (max 1): Quickly maneuver the ship to a tactically advantageous position!
Engineering: Gun the engines!
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Sitting in the pilot's seat of the Drake, Maverick does a few final checks on its instruments. Nodding at Naylor who is sitting in the copilot's seat he then looks to his left at the Perfect Silence's catapult officer. As the officer goes to one knee and gives Maverick the signal for launch he gives her a thumbs up signal and then a crisp salute before the Drake's engines rocket them out into space.
Maverick checks the navigational information provided by Naylor on the Drake's instruments before beginning to maneuver the starship into position.
"Command-1, Maverick supersonic we'll be in position in 30 seconds."
Step 1 -- Success!
The team flies easily to the outer limits of the jinsul defenses!
You must quickly plot an optimal route through the enemy jinsuls' formation.
Skills:
Computers: You calculate an optimal route to avoid enemy contact.
Sense Motive: You anticipate the enemy ships' moves as they prepare for a fight!
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Naylor continues to watch the data and try to anticipate the enemy ships putting all their training into action.
Don't know if you would allow a bonus from Uncanny Pilot for this Ace Pilot.
"When you attack while you’re driving a vehicle, you halve the vehicle’s penalty to your attack roll (to a minimum of no penalty if the vehicle normally imposes a -1 penalty). When you’re in a chase, you gain a +2 bonus to skill checks you attempt when taking the evade or trick pilot actions."
Step 1: Success!
Step 2: Success!
The team assesses the jinsul tactics and finds an excellent route!
In order to slip past the enemy's front line, the PCs must take a dangerous route through a cluster of asteroids.
Skills:
Piloting (max 1): The PCs evade the largest asteroids. It is possible to use Computers to perform aid another checks, calculating asteroid trajectories.
Gunnery: The PCs destroy incoming asteroids, clearing a route for the ship.
Engineering: The PCs divert more power to the shields, deflecting small asteroids.
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Maverick accelerates the Drake to maximum speed as he flies straight into the asteroid field. A red light flickers on Maverick's control panel. It's the ship's navigational computer telling him the chance of successfully navigating an asteroid field is approximately 3,720 to 1. Maverick just grins and says, "Never tell me the odds!"
Step 1: Success!
Step 2: Success!
Step 3: Success!
You dodge the asteroids!
While approaching the carrier, an enemy craft challenges your ship to a dogfight, but there's no time for such monkey business.
Bluff (max 1): You fool the enemy into thinking they're going to fight the jinsul starship.
Piloting (max 1): You perform a well-timed barrel roll or other maneuver, deftly slipping past the enemy.
Gunnery: With a few solid hits, you make the enemy ship think twice about pursuing them.
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Zeyram takes the captain's console for a moment.
In Jinsul, he sends a message to the other ship.
“Jinsul craft Blades of Agony, you are in luck! We are going to end your agony by melting that hull until there is not enough scrap left to make a knife.”
The dice hate me. :( I probably mispronounced the ship name. :)