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For once, this adventure doesn't start in the Lorespire Complex. Instead, it starts in a bar, the Seeker's Respite, a favourite haunt of Starfinders returning from missions. Located in the Arms section of Absalom Station, this cantina is known for catering to off-duty Starfinders, especially those seeking to get a bit of distance from the Lorespire Complex.
The bartender is Dalteno. A grizzled witchwyrd of indeterminate age, Dalteno retired from the Starfinder Society over 10 years ago after losing an arm during a mission. Known by their trademark white bowler hat, Dalteno uses their four hands (one cybernetic replacement) to dexterously mix drinks all night for thirsty Starfinders.
On this night, as you enter, you observe the following:
Various Starfinders sit around tables or at the bar, including a group of new recruits celebrating their graduation as Starfinders.
A mechanical re-creation of a reptilian hypercarnivore from Castrovel known as a renkroda rests in a corner of the cantina. The renkroda is positioned so that passersby can enjoy watching patrons attempting to ride it. A small placard at the base of the renkroda indicates that it was a gift from the Esowath Conservancy. Currently a rainbow haired halfling woman is wowing the crowd by doing circus tricks to stay on the bucking machine trying to toss her off.
In a back corner of the bar sit a few old-fashioned vidgame consoles. Prominent human vidstreamer Tara Nova and a few Dataphiles lab techs take turns playing the games.
A much-used karaoke machine sits in the corner, and a dashing and colorful strix named Psatsin is currently belting out one of the band Abysshead’s newest hits. Nearby a kiirinta with a small cello on his back, is manipulating a DJ kit, dropping the bass in time with the music.
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The streetwise looking Ysoki simply takes it all in, clearly reading the room and taking mental notes. He scans the faces in the room and it is evident they are being indexed against some sort of database - he looks disappointed at the outcome.
"Dalteno right? Roquefort. Nice hat. I'll have what the kids are having" he nods towards the fresh-meat Starfinders "What's the word on the street tonight?" he asks casually whilst continuing to casually cast his eyes around the establishment.
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Ombonth is a large blueish Dragonkin with strange dark purplish glowing scars on his face. He wears a battered heavy armor and don't seems to have any weapon on him.
Like an elephant in a porcelain's shop Ombonth's wing, tail or arm regularly hit a patron, a table or anything on his path.
Following him, is a smiling Ryphorian who apologies for his friend's behavior.
As the both reach the bar, the Ryphorian asks. Two beers for my friend and I.
Ombonth grunts.
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As Dalteno fetches the beers he answers Roquefort's question. Oh ... those are called skittershots. He indicates the phosphorescent glowing drinks that the new recruits are drinking. Each one glows a different colour. The colour indicates the fruity flavour they have and the glow is caused by a phosphoresent compound that actually comes from the skitter's home world, hence the name, which can add an extra kick. They're quite popular - in fact I got a lashunta customer who drinks nothing else.
There's now a game called Drink the Rainbow. You start with Infra-Red and work your way up the spectrum. Of course the higher the frequency, the stronger the drink gets, so, if you can make it to Ultra-Violet without falling over, you're considered a winner. He ponders for a bit. Might have to create X-Ray and Gamma Ray for some patrons though.
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"Drink the rainbow? Sounds like a great idea but it all comes back up green if you get it wrong - I'll pass on the full experience for now chief, flick me a red and we'll go from there. Send a few of those downrange to the new kids - they'll need them for things they will soon be seeing in their careers. If it isn't the walking dead animated by their chop-shop cybernetics it is some strange flower-men down a cave trying to turn you into fertiliser." he pays for the round of drinks and hands over a business card. Roquefort Camembert - Psychic Detective "Always a few credits in a hot tip"
The ysoki takes his drink and gets back to people watching.
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The Ryphorian smiles at Darqen and says with a joyful grin.
Yes we are! I'm Alsayf, a new trainee under the supervision of this good fellow, Ombonth.
The large Dragonkin turns his head to Darqen and says in a barytone's voice Grumph. Yes. I'm Ombonth and a Starfinder. then returns to his beer.
Alsayf continues My friend here is not very talkative, that's why they have assigned me to him. I suppose you're one too, right?
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A lanky Vesk wearing spandex swimwear enters through the front door. Judging by his slender limbs and independently moving eyes, he must be Driftborn. The elongated scales on the top of his head have been dyed blue and exposed to so much product that they swish from side to side like hair.
When he spots the group chatting, his eyes focus together, and he shouts, "DUDES! Haha! How tha heck are ya? Righteous to meetcha here!"
He then shouts over to the bartender, "Hey! Dee! Can I get a Red-Blue-Green?"
Approaching the group, he asks, "Anyone else? Literally just got back from this ice planet mission and haven't spent my credits yet. Drinks are on me!"
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Sounds like some of the stuff I've seen before I took an arrow to the knee Dalteno replies. I guess some things never change
He mixes up a red skittershot for Roquefort. One traffic light coming up he calls over to Sauros.
Meanwhile the circus performing halfling has vacated the mechanical renkroda and is being hugged by an brenerri girl, before both take up seats at the bar. Someone else is climbing on to have a go.
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"Is this where the ranked Starfinders are meeting?"
"TOTALLY! Hehe. Easy place to remember. I'm either hanging out here, or the other Respite! Name's Sauros."
One eye shifts over to look at the mechanical dinosaur.
"Saaay... Anyone up for a friendly competition? Ride the wave, right?!"
He winks with his other eye.
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As Ombonth continues to drink his beer in silence, his companion chats happily with Darqen
What to say about Triaxus! So much to tell! First, both winters and summers are brutal, with thousands of miles of glaciers and endlessly howling blizzards in the former and sweltering heat and frequent fires and droughts in the latter. Each rotation takes 317 Pact Standard years, resulting in whole generations living their whole lives in a single centuries-long season and indigenous lifeforms forming two nearly separate ecologies, each going dormant in spring or autumn, which last only long enough for them to do so. Currently, Triaxus is in the midst of winter.
Long before the Gap, Triaxus was dominated by conflict between the ryphorians, my species, of the Allied Territories and the dragons of the Drakelands, with dragonkin fighting on both sides. As space travel developed and territorial disputes became less important, particularly after the Gap ended and the Absalom Pact was signed, the dragons of the Drakelands saw the advantages of membership and trade, and hostilities ceased.
As for me, nothing much to say. I've been born in the last days of summer and I've just joined the Starfinders, enlisting from their new lodge in Triaxus. The last time this fellow was there he smiles at Ombonth It seems the the Venture Captain of the Lodge was more than happy to give him some help in social situation. So I'm here! and happy to be out of Winter!
The dragonkin turns to Alsayf and says Don't need a chaperone. before returning to his beer.
Alsayf smiles and says See.
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Darqen nods and listens intently.
”Thank you very much for your first hand information! Maybe one day we will have a mission together which might even get us to your home planet! I wish you and your Dragon companion all the best! I do not want to disturb you further and wish you a pleasant evening!“ Darqen says a little too formal.
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A tall Vesk who wear an elaborious religious garb of white and gold enters the bar. Her body literely shine as if there she was part sun. But knowing it could, indispose some patrons in the bar, she reduced the intensity to a soft glow.
Around her belt, there a lot of weapons of different type as she is ready for any type of foes.
But her most powerful weapon is of course her smile.
"Greeting follows Starfinders, I am the Marguerite Bourgeois, Archbishop of the Unknown lands of the Church of Sarenrae. But, you can call me Sister Maguerite if you prefer. May the Sun shines upon you."
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Both Domak and Sauros are able to stay on the Renkronda for the period, much to the delight of the crowd.
Meanwhile a grumpy looking tiefling girl, wearing clearweave armour, and nothing much underneath it, has entered the bar but she cheers up a bit when the kareoki machine becomes free. She selects a track and sings along to an Abyssal Deathmetal tune. She also takes a swat at the Kiirinta, who decides to take his wubs elsewhere.
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Sister Marguerite orders Kumis. She listens to the Karaoke's song even if she grudge internly at the lyric of the song.
I remember the time where we were discussing the possibility of banning or at least warning our followers about the danger of this type of music for the corruption of youth.
I was able to actually convince the clergy to invite actual specialists of the subject. It was very interesting. What convinced us to not act in this direction was while it true there an association with violent song and delinquent behavior. It is just that an association. As we knows that delinquent behavior are created by social factors..."
"Hey",she shouts at the tiefling girl. Great voice, you have! It looked like you have done this a few times."
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The tiefling looked rather surprised to be complimented on her singing and, after handing off the mike to someone else, she sought out Marguerite to thank her. Marguerite would notice she moved with the grace of a dancer.
Never been complimented for my singing before the tiefling said. But yeah, sometimes I feel like belting out a few tunes. Besides, it's not like I'm singing classical opera or something like that.
As she speaks, Marguerite can detect there is suppressed anger in her voice.
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A shirren clad in grey carrying a glowing staff enters the bar. He quickly scans the crowd, seeing a number of familiar Starfinders among the crowd, but his eyes gravitate towards the ysoki with an unfamiliar drink. He sits nearby and asks about it and, after hearing the explanation, responds, "That sounds like fun... though I hope none of it is apple flavored. I'm a little off apples since my last mission." As he awaits his drink, he turns to the ysoki with the red beverage and introduces himself. "Name's Kesokdai. Is this your first time trying the challenge?"
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Nothing in particular the tiefling growls Although I did just come off a mission where we had to test some dodgy weapons. Fortunately for that vesk, if I hadn't been blinded, I would have shoved those weapons up ...... she paused, obviously deciding not to continue that sentence out of respect for Sarenrae. She then paused for a bit before continuing. Blindness was temporary thank Besmara, so I thought I'd come in, get a drink and belt out a few tunes before heading home. But yeah, before you ask, I do get anger management counselling, not that it's much help - sometimes I just feel like hitting stuff
Voice acting for video games huh? I could always use extra creds. I mean exotic dancing and modelling pays reasonably well ... but .. WHAT THE PRONK WAS THAT ..... she exclaims as the large window facing the street, next to the mechanical renkroda suddenly shatters into the bar, just as a loud WUB emanates from the kiirinta's DJ equipment.
That WAS'NT ME the DJ squeaks.
Echos of shouting and laser fire can be heard coming from outside the cantina
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"Guess we'll have to finish this some other time," Kesodai says as he rises from his chair. "Too bad. This looked fun."
Grasping his staff, Keskodai glanced at the table of new Starfinders and yelled, "You folks keep doing what you're doing. We'll take care of this in time to buy you another round of drinks." He then headed out the door to see what all the commotion was about.
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There's a mad scramble for weapons etc and several Starfinders try to exit the bar at the same time in order to get a piece of whatever the action is going on out there.
Right outside of the Seeker’s Respite, three Vesk have pinned down a ysoki behind some cargo and are closing in to finish the engagement. Dalteno and the other Starfinders from the bar busy themselves with fighting fires or picking off other Vesk, keeping them out of the battle.
Just then, over the comms system, VC Naiaj, radios all available nearby Starfinders to investigate the situation, informing you all that a group of vesk has attacked a nearby docked Starfinder vessel and is attempting to flee with items stolen from the Society. You (i.e, the PCs) are instructed to rendezvous with the ysoki, named Pickle, and keep at least one of the Vesk alive for questioning.
Vesk (left to right)
PCs
Round 1
Marguerite
Vesk-R (Red)
Kneepuncher
Vesk-M (Orange)
Omboath
Darquen
Domack
Vesk-L (Yellow)
Sauros
Roquefort
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As she Gears up and moves, Marguerite looks at Sauros and says. "Thanks you for the mail. I have just looked into it. You have sent me this to help me creating a link with this young tiefling right?"
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Marguerite double moves toward the vesks. Shouting in Vesk. "Thieves! You are not real Vesks for using such Method!"
That what i heard normal ones were after all.
Darkness surround her as little objects slides toward her.
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Yes. Pickle is hiding behind what looks like a makeshift barricade, a sandwich with a bite out of it discarded beside her. Looks like she took a minor hit while nibbling on the sandwich and responded by diving behind the nearest cover, dropping the sandwich and drawing her weapon at the same time. Currently the Vesk are pinning her down but, as soon as Margurite shouts and moves, the Vesk on the right (Red), fires three magic missiles at her.
Round 1
Marguerite
Vesk-R (Red)
Kneepuncher
Vesk-M (Orange)
Omboath
Darquen
Domack
Vesk-L (Yellow)
Sauros
Roquefort