You have all arrived at the Lorespire Complex on Absalom Station, where you await the arrival of your contact, a woman named
Luwazi Elsebo. The room is a lavish meeting space, with several couches and a central table.
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A short hiss precedes the opening of an adjacent door. A woman with a determined look steps through the opening, holding a datapad in one hand as she sits down at the nearby table, takes a calm breath, and begins to speak, “Ah good, you made it. All of you come highly recommended. You have skills, and the Starfinder Society has credits.”
She pauses, looks over the group she has assembled, and continues, “How rude of me—introductions. I am Luwazi Elsebo, the elected First Seeker of the Starfinder Society, and I have an exceptionally fair sum of credits available in return for your specialized services. For this mission, each of you will represent the Starfinder Society, but hold no official title within our organization. As you can probably tell by the empty halls around us, I need to use mercenaries to act as temporary agents. If you agree to the terms, I would like to offer you all a job."
“The Starfinder Society endured a staggering setback several months ago when our previous First Seeker led a mission into a region of space known as the Scoured Stars. We lost almost all our experienced field agents and assets in that endeavor. What the Starfinder Society really needs right now is something to entice outside interest and investment. In short, we need to make a major discovery."
“Prior to the Scoured Stars incident, the Society acquired exclusive rights to explore a rather unique moon. The inhabitants of the nearby planet call it Salvation’s End and see it as a ‘false moon’ due to its visible metal components and underlying superstructure. There’s the potential that it’s nothing more than a mangled hunk of stellar debris on the remains of a moon, but there’s also the chance that the entire object could be one inconceivably large structure.”
Luwazi lets loose a devilish smile. “This is where you come in. I want you to go to Salvation’s End and explore the surface. First, you’ll need to make a quick trip to the moon of Varos, which orbits the nearby gas giant, Bretheda. There’s a highlevel security complex on Varos that has a survivor from a rogue prospecting mission to Salvation’s End. I want you to question the prisoner, find out what you can about the so-called ‘false moon,’ and then make way to Salvation’s End. Once there, you will need to see if the moon is worthless, or something valuable enough for the Society to announce. Understood?”
Obozaya is occupying a couch at the center of the room. “Companions, I believe we should introduce ourselves, since we shall be working together. Allow me to start: I am Obozaya of the Veskarium Empire, but you may call me “Obo”. After serving the army of our proud empire I decided to become a mercenary to pursue glory through battle - that’s what I do best, so you can count on me when the fighting begins! Ha!”
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After the briefing.
“Excuse me, first seeker - do you expect this moon to be a dangerous place? I am not much of an explorer, since there’s little glory in such escapades. Do you know of any hostile creatures inhabiting the place?”
You see an Android that seems to have been developed ages ago with a pistol, knife and baton at his side.
With a methodical and emotionless voice it starts talking.
"I will introduce myself: Born on Aballon, I have spent a lifetime running from mysterious forces that want me dead. I once was destined to become a black ops agent. This did not work out. I hired on with freelance adventuring crews as a pilot specializing in dangerous transport or exploratory missions. If those jobs required infiltration or a well-placed bullet from the shadows that costed extra."
He looks at Obozaya and again starts talking in a neutral tone. "Quick trip to the moon of Varos. Question a prisoner from a rogue prospecting mission to Salvation’s End. Then fly to Salvation’s End. Find something valuable enough for the Society to announce."
He pauses for a moment as if he is calculating.
"Easy."
Barsala walks in several minutes before the First Seeker "Hey, must be the rest of the crew for this? I'm Barsala, not really a warrior...but I am excited hopefully this will be more of a scientific thing."
Post briefing
"Oooh, sounds like I might get my wish! Are there any readings or information from this moon already available? I wouldn't mind going over it on the way there for any clues!"
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A long lean female damaya lashunta sticks her head in the door which is opened barely enough to fit said head. { Good, I feared I was late. } She slips in and glides toward an empty couch.
{ Greetings, fellow agents and sentients. I am Raia Danviri, technical specialist in sciences and the arcane. }
She places her pack on the floor reclines, effectively taking up the entire couch.
{ May our association be instructive, and our mission successful. }
{ It seems clear enough, ma'am. Your summons mentioned something about a fee? }
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The athletic human female finally speaks, counting off the first three points on her fingers.
"Inconceivably large structure. Highlevel security complex. Exceptionally fair sum of credits. Fantastic."
She gestures to those assembled.
"And with this crew? Yes. I'm feeling it. I'm feeling it in my bones. I'm feeling it in my shooting hand. And I'm feeling it in my bank account, and I love feelings it there." She nods to the Lashunta like "You know what I am saying."
"Captain Bruneau Havlock." She gives a cocky little salute. "Happy to be part of this operation. We _will _ bring you back something valuable."
Addressing Obozaya, Luwazi says "The moon has no atmosphere, but we really don't know what you might find there. In part, that is why I need you to visit Varos, there you will seek out a pilot named Livewire, who is interred at the ‘Sauna’—a prison colony there."
"Contact this prisoner, as she is the only survivor of an expedition that trespassed on Salvation’s End. Once you establish contact, it’s a matter of gathering intelligence. We doubt this information is cheap, so we authorized a spending account for you to encourage Livewire to talk. We need to know why her team’s illegal salvage on the moon failed. Once you get this information, we need you to travel to the false moon. Touch down, scout for hostiles, and look for any indications that it’s more than a moon with crashed starships piled atop it.”
"As for compensation, I’m able to provide a spending account of 2,500 credits for mission expenditures; this does not include expenses for personal use, but instead for dealing with Livewire and the other occupants at the Sauna to help in your mission. Upon completion of your greater mission to Salvation’s End, you will each receive 3,000 credits. In addition, you have use of a brand-new Pegasus-class starship for the mission. If we end on agreeable terms, you can count on the Starfinder Society for more work in the near future. Trust me when I say an ongoing partnership would be quite… lucrative, for both parties.”
A shirren with grey skin and vibrant yellow eyes enters the meeting room, looking around with curiosity. Grey robes circling his hips show the wear of heavy use, and he wears various implements and objects around his torso and his waist, arranged in a seemingly orderly manner: the furry tail of a creature, legs probably taking from giant spiders or the like, multiple well-worn belts, weapons, and a fortified cradle-jar containing the larva of some creature.
The newcomer leans on a tall staff, speaking telepathically to the party: Nice to meet you all! I am Keskodai." The shirren listens attentively to the briefing. Sole survivor? Pharasma has claimed the souls of her companions, then? he adds in a curious, almost jovial tone.
"I take it that the prison colony, this "Sauna", is already aware and waiting for our arrival? Is Livewire under arrest due to her failed mission?"
Iseph nods with an emotionless expression.
“Livewire was sentenced to the Sauna by the local authorities for trespassing on Salvation’s End. A sentencing we supported, I should add, to discourage any other would be claim jumpers.”
Here Luwazi pauses before continuing, “Unfortunately, this is also a problem for us. The warden of the Sauna has denied our requests to meet with Livewire. They indicated that our presence would rub salt in a fresh wound. So, whatever you do, do not let the warden or Livewire know that you are working for the Starfinder Society. I have set up a front to explain your meeting with Livewire: you are all investigators hired by an unnamed corporation looking to remain anonymous. You’re researching a rash of disappeared spacecraft that have gone missing when their flight path took them too close to Salvation’s End.”
"Ok, question the pilot, bribe them if we need, then onto the the actual moon. Do you need a report once we get the info or just proceed straight onto the moon itself?"
Iseph processes the new information.
"Investigators hired by an unnamed corporation looking to remain anonymous. We are researching a rash of disappeared spacecraft that have gone missing when their flight path took them too close to Salvation’s End.” he says calmly.
"Easy."
Iseph shrugs.
”Might be. What about you?“
"Is any of that cover story true, Seeker? And that seems like a very understanding warden! I am amazed how much concern he shows for a criminal."
Iseph nods.
“Good. If I die then you can fly. That rhymed. Hmm .. strange!“
"No, it's just a story. Fortunately the warden won't know that."
"If there are no further questions, we should get going." Luwazi leads you to a private hanger bay in the Lorespire Complex. When you arrive at the vast entry door, She opens it with a slight flourish, and then crosses the threshold into a hub of activity.
"I am so excited to conduct business with you.” With a renewed energy, Luwazi steps further into a large hangar bay containing a pristine ship with a stylized symbol of the Starfinder Society along its hull. Several engineers, laborers, and mechanics buzz about the hangar running diagnostics, polishing the vessel’s unspoiled hull, and finishing the last touches for a maiden launch. Luwazi looks up to the ship with beaming pride, reaches into the folds of her clothing, and pulls out an expensive vintage of champagne, and extends the bottle outward as she exclaims with a wide grin, “The ship is yours for the mission, it is only right you christen it! Tonight, we celebrate; tomorrow you sail off into the stars.”
"I suggest Glory, so that it may guide us towards glory!" Obo is not very creative.
She purchases 3 Mk 1 Healing Serum with her credits, leaving her with 19 credits to spare.
"Good point, but you can take a shuttle to Varos from a nearby Bretheda station."
"Sounds like that's handled then. We'll just have to keep the ship away from the Sauna." Barsala nods "Thank you for the opportunity to work with you, First Seeker."
Tuning to Obo, she adds A fine name, though perhaps a little overkill for a scientific mission. Perhaps Onward or Progress would also be appropriate choices?"
Keskodai looks at the vessel excitedly. He turns to the cradle jar at his side and speaks telepathically in a soft voice:
See that, Chk Chk? We get to go on an assignment for the Starfinder Society on this starship!
He approaches the vessel and runs a clawed hand along the hull with apparent admiration. How about "Onward to Glory", then? or "Glory in Progress"? he thinks amusedly.
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I don't think Navasi has enough credits for those - she's only got 103 available. We can rename the pregens and play with their backgrounds, but we are stuck with the stats and equipment.
Luwazi muses, "Onward to Glory, I like the sound of that."
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The next morning you depart Absalom Station for Bretheda. The trip is uneventful, and the distance between Absalom Station and Bretheda requires only a few days of standard space travel. From there you hop a shuttle over to Varos.
Varos is the second largest moon of Bretheda and is known to be a volcanic inferno of a place. Fire elementals and the occasional red dragon travel the volcanic landscape while elementalist fireworkers tap into the raw power of the planet’s tidally driven geotectonic activity, and desperate miners seek out rare gemstones found only in the planet’s fiery mantle.
Upon approach you are directed to a landing pad and instructed to leave any armaments and contraband (such as food, toiletries, or anything else to tempt prisoners with) on your ship. The instructions go on to specifically note that credsticks are allowed into the complex, as the facility always accepts “donations.”
Once you land, an organic bridge connects the pad to the structure itself. As you disembark from the ship, extremely hot air blasts you. While your armor protects you from the heat during this short walk, it is evident that any prolonged exposure outside the prison is foolhardy.
The Sauna is a bizarre organic complex floating above the moon's surface. The extreme temperatures radiate upwards, heating the structure despite its distance and advanced organic coolant systems. From this clammy complex, indentured prisoners descend upon the moon’s blistered surface as conditions permit.
A flotilla of four barathus—floating, iridescent masses of flesh with draping tentacle appendages—wordlessly greet you and escort you to the nearby Warden’s office.
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Keskodai's chitinous skin seems to shrivel a bit a he disembarks from the ship. He tries to lean on his staff out of habit, but his claws only grasp the air in front of him since the weapons had to be left on board.
I think I understand why it is called the Sauna. Keskodai glances at the barathus and tries to initiate conversation. Pray tell me, how is it that you manage to hold the prison up in the air? Surely the energy bill must be horrendous?
Before disembarking: "So, who does the talking?"
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Casual conversation, as they enter the prison. "We have some warm worlds back the in Veskarium, but nothing quite like this - it reminds me of the Cindertalon in Vesk-4, but I've only seen holovids. This moon must be very profitable, to make it worth colonizing.", she speaks loudly, over the comm units.
Before leaving the ship: "I'd rather not handle negotiations if I have the option...that kind of thing makes me nervous."
Entering the prison "Fascinating world, there must be so many untapped possibilities here! To think, its only used as a prison!" Barsala is fully engrossed in examining the surroundings as they approach
Pray tell me, how is it that you manage to hold the prison up in the air? Surely the energy bill must be horrendous?
The team of barathus, floating effortless beside you, find this a very odd question but say nothing.
The halls and rooms of the Sauna are entirely organic, comprised mostly of fleshy blue walls replete with pulsating green veins. Tunnels take odd angles, sometimes sloping up or down, which is a nuisance to humanoid creatures but not an impediment to the barathus.
Iseph is silent and observant.
”I just hope that this is no trap!“ he says at some point with a low voice.
When the you arrive at the Warden’s office, several hard, plastic chairs await arranged in a semicircle around a matching table. Opposite the table floats the Warden, an almost comical creature that looks like a dozen of the barathu guards mashed together into a floating mass of iridescent flesh and tentacles.
The Warden telepathically welcomes you and offers several trays of a gray mush and glasses of an opaque, milky substance as “refreshments.” While these refreshments look welcoming, especially the drink to help cool off, the ever-present stench makes the idea of eating difficult.
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Seeing the warden, Raia telepathically alerts the others, It's a combined barathu, a gestalt of several who have merged together. This is an honor, and quite intriguing. You can feel overtones of excitement and curiosity bleeding through the message.
Quite forgetting that Bruneau was going to lead negotiations, Raia 'speaks' first. Sir, this is a tremendous honor. I hope I am not rude or too forward, I've never met a greater barathu before, although I have corresponded with Jax of N'chak on a number of scientific matters.
Raia subsides into the background, and accepts a glass of the milky fluid.
Hearing Raia and checking her microlab quickly Barsala can't help but think a little louder than she means to "Oh...wow."
Then outloud she adds "Oh, thank you, Warden. Most appreciated." Barsala takes glass as well, producing a straw so that she can drink discretely beneath her mouth covering and hoping it excuses her from leading the proceedings.
Obo sits on a chair in the middle of the semicircle and starts eating. "Thank you, warden, this is great hospitality! Is this barathu cuisine? I don't think I've ever had any!"
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Bruneau takes the refreshment, drinks some, and tries to pull off that she liked it.
Thank you so much for the warm welcome, Warden. It is an honor.
And thank you for receiving us. We're investigators, for an organization that would like to remain anonymous, researching the rash of disappeared spacecraft that have gone missing near Salvation’s End.
plus Expertise roll 1d6 = 2 = 28
Keskodai looks at the mush with interest. He lifts it at eye level and examines it under different angles.
Interesting. Seems... Peculiar.
Now, I didn't leave Verces to turn down new things, did I?
The shirren tries nibbling at the mush, trying to fight the ever-present stench.
Iseph is more concerned about dehydration than taste and immediately drinks.
He remains silent and observes.
The Warden is noticeably pleased that you accepted the offered foor, and Bruneau even manages to convince him that she enjoyed it.
After a few minutes of introductions and pleasantries, the Warden says You know, one of my constituent barathus had a career as an investigator, and they are always excited to meet with like minded personalities.
Tell me, what are some of your proudest moments as investigators?
“Warden, I’m not much of an investigator myself, but I certainly have done the more “rougher” work for them! There was this one time, before joining with these guys, I was helping my friend Quig investigate a theft that took place in a lesser drow house in Nightarch - it was a lot of walking around, asking, threatening, the usual, but when we finally found a trail, leading to some warehouse, we went there and discovered the culprit was someone from an allied house! We called our employer to explain, and he joined us with his men - we stormed the place, shooting everything up! I don’t even remember what was stolen, but it sure got destroyed during the firefight! We collected our payment, mostly in goods from the other house, and took off Apostae in that very day, never to go back! But I do recommend a visit, although it’s mostly a hive of criminals, there’s plenty of job opportunities all around.” she recounts.