Dot in!
First Seeker Ehu Hadif stands behind his chair across the table. Two of his hands grip the backrest tightly as the other two fidget, indicating some anxiety or excitement before he begins to speak.
“Thank you for joining me. It’s a pleasure to be here before you. Today, I have a special request directly from a High Despot of the Veskarium.” Ehu Hadif pauses, gauging the reactions of his audience.
He gestures to a projection that pops up of a heavily snow-capped planet. “Of the Veskarium system’s planets, Vesk‑8 is the furthest from their sun, and most would not consider it a glamorous outpost. Each of the Veskarium’s planets has an ultimate authority, called the High Despot. Jularaz the Frozen is the High Despot of Vesk-8 and is our client for this particular mission. It can’t be overstated what a unique opportunity this presents. Considering he has an entire planet under their control, we would not normally expect a High Despot to need resources such as the Society. But Jularaz seems keen on protecting the secrecy of the anomaly uncovered in his shimmerstone mines, and he doesn’t trust his own ranks to keep the information from the attention of outside Veskarium leadership".
“The High Despot has requested our assistance in investigating this anomaly. When we questioned him for specifics, Jularaz remained vague. I anticipate that this is partially to keep the information secure, but it also evidences exactly how little Jularaz currently understands about the anomaly. All we currently know is that it likely has something to do with the shimmerstone mined on Vesk-8. Such an unknown quantity requires a versatile group to investigate and research the phenomenon".
“We now have the opportunity to develop a relationship with Veskarium leadership using both the skills and discretion of our Starfinders. Although Jularaz may come across as ambitious and status-oriented, he is deeply engaged in the politics of Vesk Prime, and certainly not a meaningless ally to obtain"
“You will be meeting with the High Despot’s direct contact, Rahla.” The projection changes to the feline face of a pahtra. Black markings dot her beige fur, and a pink scar cuts diagonally over her amber eyes. “She is the High Despot’s eyes and ears in the mines, and she’ll lead you from the surface into the cavern where the anomaly has appeared. While you should always do your best as Starfinders, please be aware that you are all emissaries for the Society, and you will be responsible for establishing the nature of our relationship with the Veskarium.”
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A copaxi with antler-like coral growths peppering his shoulders and arms—most notably two stag-like extensions projecting from his head—runs his hands together with excitement, seemingly causing a yellow mote of stellar energy orbiting his head to increase in speed. ”Ooh, a new adventure in a new land! Agatio is most pleased! What is this shimmering stone they mine? And what do we know of this planet aside from its cold?”
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"Adventure, hell yeah! I can't wait to do something the Veskarium couldn't!" Says Erastil with a broad grin. The young man is short for a human, but his energy makes up for it as he's constantly moving, fidgeting with straps, cracking his knuckles.
"Has the anomaly affected the mines at all? Anything dangerous we should watch out for?" He seems pretty eager to cut his teeth with the Starfinder Society.
“With regards to Vesk‑8, it is a cold and barren planet. You won’t see much life aside from the miners and the Veskarium representatives. The planet is home to a species called kothamas, but they are more interested in gazing at the stars and contemplating cosmic philosophy than whatever business the Veskarium has for you. They are very peaceful creatures anyhow.”
“As to the mines and the anomaly, Shimmerstone is an extremely rare mineral found only on Vesk-8. It possesses some magical qualities, and the kothamas have used it to meditate much in the same way they contemplate the stars. The Vesk mine it particularly for military efforts, but the extent of its capabilities isn’t fully understood.”
“Who knows what the anomaly might be, but High Despot Jularaz’s complete consternation indicates it might be mystical in nature, as we also know that Vesk-8 isn’t particularly well-known for its technological innovations. We only know that it appeared on Vesk-8, and that the miners uncovered it in a shimmerstone mine after some extensive development of a new dig site. It must be exciting if it pulled Jularaz back from Vesk Prime.”
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The three eyes of a Quorlu watch the projections as he listens to the briefing. The mention of the natives of Vesk-8 causes him to shift his bulky shell and swivel his eye stalks back to Ehu. "Kothamas? I've not heard of these creatures. Can you tell us any more about them?" While a trip to the Veskarium is exciting enough, learning of about new creatures makes it that much better.
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A short man with frail-looking limbs walks into the room. He sports a greyish lab coat stained with multicolored patches of all sorts of liquids, and has beige work pants a size too long for his short legs. Over his body are strapped multiple vials and syringes filled with various chemicals. He constantly replaces his round glasses on his nose as he eyes the rest of the Starfinders assembled in the room with interest.
"Oooh, other Starfinders! Greetings, greetings!" he goes around shaking everyone's hand excitedly and asking names. "Oh! Where are my manners."
The scientist clears his throat. "I am Edward Ainsworth, though you may call me Ed." He unstraps a long rifle from his back and sets it on a wall.
Edward frantically takes notes on a small datapad as Ehu Hadif presents Vesk-8 to the team, nodding quickly and emitting short "Hmm"s. He scratches a scar running along his jaw and adds:
"What an amazing opportunity! To be able to explore this world! The fauna, the locales..." The scientist clears his throat and continues in a calmer manner: "Although I understand that the High Despot wishes us to get to the bottom of this, what is the Society's expectations? Any information or samples we should look to recover? Anything particular to look for when we are exploring Vesk-8?"
“Kothamas are large, peaceful, mammoth-like individuals. Their culture conflicts with the vesk occupants, as kothamas seek a more existentially enlightened path in life. They are the traditional users of shimmerstone, despite the Veskarium now regulating its trade.”
"Nothing particular we need from a Starfinder perspective, but if you find out anything more on shimmerstone, or something useful from the anomaly, that's going to be new information for us"
Culture (Recall knowledge) or Diplomacy (Gather information)
The current political state of Vesk-8, and the spiritual traditions of the local kothama.
Kothamas are a have shaggy fur and six stout limbs, and multiple pairs of glassy eyes turned toward the skies. Their culture is extremely peaceful, and they spend most of their time contemplating the cosmos.
The primary mining operation run by the vesk on Vesk-8 is called Penal Colony 8, and it’s a prison work camp that utilizes the labor of criminals committed for life. These sentences can be brutally short.
The kothamas of Vesk-7 and Vesk-8 convene a gathering called the Meet once every 36 years, using portals scattered across both planets to reach their shared moon, Traverse.
When the Meet takes place, the kothamas convene at Gathermount, a platform on top of the moon’s largest mountain that contains a magical shimmerstone gate.
Some kothamas are able to reach such a high state of ascension that they become star shamans. These kothamas have unique abilities and are respected spiritualists that value the connection to the cosmos above all else. They have a special kinship with followers of Ibra and other celestial religions.
***
Physical Science (Recall knowledge)
The properties of shimmerstone and the geography of Traverse and Vesk-8.
tallest mountain, Gathermount.
While shimmerstone is primarily known to release a calming effect, a few case studies have experimented with infusing other emotional properties into shimmerstone by using other substances. The result of these experiments has yielded darker, cloudier, and nearly red-colored shimmerstone that behaves far more erratically.
***
Boon finalisation
There are no specific boons called out for this scenario. It also lacks any Starship tag.
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Thidreks pulls out his comm and starts researching. "Boring? Goodness no!"
Talking as he reads, "Did you know they have portals to travel from Vesk-7 and Vesk-8 to their moon? They go there every 36 years when the planets are closest together. Too bad we are years away from that - it would be fascinating to see!"
Reading further, his eye stalks fall a bit. "Oh dear. It seems the mine is a prison work camp, for really bad sorts. Life sentences."
"Right, well sounds like I have the right people for the job"
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Edward agrees to Thridreks' description. "Yes, indeed, they are fascinating!" He pulls out a datapad and sends a few records of the planet to his teammates.
"The moon -- Traverse -- and Vesk-8 are currently at their furthest point, but when the phenomenon that Thidreks described occurs, the moon actually switches orbits between Vesk-7 and Vesk-8!" The scientist reads up some more, before adding: "Vesk-8 is extremely harsh, with cold weather, a sole water source and volcanic activity, especially when the moon switches orbits. Let me send you what I have found."
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"Now that is interesting!" Erastil says when Edward provides information on the harsh climate of the world they're headed to. He skims the info, mostly focused on images of the challenging terrain and his grin returns.
"This is going to be exciting. Yeah, lets get moving!"
He dances on the heels of his feet in anticipation.
You all board a small shuttle bound for Vesk‑8. The journey takes eleven days, during which occasional information broadcasts provide warnings about the severe chill of the planet, and advisements that the landing site is near a penal colony and to be alert.
***
Fighting against the blustering winds of Vesk-8, the ship touches down just outside Penal Colony 8. A feline woman with sharp amber eyes stands proudly at the edge of the landing pad. Her white fur whips wildly in the frozen winds of the arctic planet. As the landing doors open, she beckons with clawed fingers toward the disembarking passengers.
“Welcome to Vesk-8. I am Rahla. Please, follow me.” With a brisk turn on her heels, she leads the way down a long staircase and into the dank mineshaft. Prisoners, restrained at their ankles, loiter around the mouth of the cavern with wary eyes.
“Don’t mind them,” she assures. “We must reach the portal quickly. Watch your step.” She hops nimbly over a crack in the path and points it out behind her, offering a hand to help anyone less sure of foot to cross.
Jutting from the walls of the mineshaft is a deep blue stone that sparkles like crystallized fragments of the night sky. The luminescent blue shine of the shimmerstone becomes more prevalent in the deeper parts of the mine.
"First time seeing shimmerstone? It is pretty. This mine is one of the best run and incredibly productive" she keeps leading you onwards.
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Erastil follows closely behind Rahla, he hops over the crack easy enough and takes a cue from their guide, offering a hand to any of his companions as well.
"Definitely haven't seen anything like this before, but from what the First Seeker says, you've got something even more impressive."
He keeps close to Rahla, frequently having to slow his pace to not get too far ahead.
She seems pretty chuffed "We do indeed. Penal Colony 8 is as old as the Veskarium’s presence on Vesk-8. We mine shimmerstone, which is a mineral with mind-altering properties. Due to our substantial workforce, we can have more than a dozen active workings in each sector, and we utilize novel backfilling processes to expedite the progress of new, secure tunnels. I engage in auxiliary operations on Jularaz’s behalf.”
“Yes, Portal; although it isn’t the portal itself that has our attention. There are dozens or more like it all over Vesk-8. It’s something the kothamas use. We generally ignore them. The anomaly is its behavior. I’ll explain further when we arrive.” she returns to the fast-paced walk.
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Edward greets Rahla, looking around the frozen land with great interest as he buttons up his lab coat some more.
"Thank you for having us, this is a wonderful opportunity! Oh, what is this?" Edward stops a few times along the way, picking up various samples, including shimmerstone, and stowing them away in a small satchel.
"Anomaly?" the scientist echoes. "Ah, a shame I don't have my lab's equipment here with me."
Edward and Agation note that the shimmerstone sure is pretty! It has a sort of unearthly natural beauty and certainly has some sort of magical traits. Was that a tug on the edges of your emotions...?
"Glad you are here. It's just up ahead"
She rounds a corner "Here we are"
The miners have uncovered a circular room 20 feet in diameter. Blue, softly luminescent jagged shimmerstone adorns every inch of the walls. Elaborate designs of smooth, carved shimmerstone inlay the floor, originating from the base of the shimmerstone archway at the center. The nearby miners are resting along the outside of the room, forced to sit on the ground with their ankles bound. They whisper among themselves.
Rahla paces the edge of the room, eyeing the portal quizzically. “This is one of many portals which are meant to transport the kothamas during the twice-yearly pilgrimage to their Meet—Vesk‑8 years, that is. They are only ever active for this event, despite our best attempts. However, this one has been activating consistently since its discovery, and we are more than a quarter of this planet’s very long years away from the Meet"
“You must investigate the nature of this anomaly. Enter the portal when it next opens, and report what’s on the other side. With the shared moon being so far away at this time, we must know where it leads.”
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Edward marvels at the room and the portal.
"Why yes -- we simply must know where it leads!" The scientist hesitates for a moment, then pulls back a section of his armor on his arm, revealing a small compartment with various chemicals and tools. He takes out a scanner and begins toying with the settings while talking to the team:
"With your permissions, I would need to take a short scan of all of you. Nothing intrusive. That way I can help you if things go sour." He raises his eyes at the Copaxi. "Not that I expect they will, of course."
"What?! Just jump through?! Why not use a drone first?? We have no idea where that portal goes!"
"Excellent! What's the range of your drones? Ours are only short-range industrial drones supporting our mining operations that are unsuitable, but we can use yours"
***
"How long till it opens again? Did anyone else go in before me - er - us?" He looks at this prisoners and has a concerning thought. "Voluntarily or otherwise?"
"Very soon we expect" Rahla offers "No one has gone through yet" - you notice the prisoners go a little quieter during that part of the conversation...
The only 'guard' in here is Rahla, there are about a dozen prisoners.
Rahla checks her datapad "All prisoners are accounted for" she comments. The prisoners remain pretty quiet, a few more sideways glances happen.
You draw Rahlas attention to the prisoners. They stop talking altogether and instead start studying the floor and walls very intently.
"They don't seem to have much to say, they should probably get back to work"
Rahla is now paying close attention to the prisoners thanks to the Starfinders drawing her attention to them - Edward can work out that the prisoners probably did know something, but certainly aren't going to talk whilst Rahla is around.
"You suspect they know something? Never mind, I'll get the information out of them. Thank you for your loyalty and bringing your concerns to me"
The portal lights up with a soft glow "Aha!" Rahla exclaims "It is ready for you"
The gentle glow of light from the portal dimly illuminates a 5-foot radius around it. A faint trickle of dripping water echoes off the cavern walls, suggesting that the darkness hides a vast stretch of cave. Several delicate shimmerstone inlays originating from each side of the portal stretch out like sun rays along the cavern ground, generating another 10 feet of dim light. They pulse like a heartbeat while the active portal thrums with magic.
Shortly after you have all passed through the portal, it deactivates, throwing the room into darkness. The absence of its almost unnoticeable hum amplifies the ambient sounds of the cavern. Squelches overwhelm the dripping, and the scent of petroleum fills the air.
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As soon as the portal deactivates Erastil activates the flashlight on his armor and rocks on his heels for a second.
"Getting back home the hardway I guess!" He says in a low voice. "Let's see where we are."
He moves ahead of the group checking our more of the cavern, turning around every few feet to make sure he's not rushing off alone. As soon as Edward fades from view he halts and waits for everyone to catch up while taking a look around and listening to anything interesting.
Erastil moves up and can see that many branches lead off a darkened cavern. Small crystals on the wall of cavern reflect your light sources, but the area is otherwise devoid of any notable features.
You determine that the cavern is entirely natural, and there’s been no tracks or movement for the past several weeks at least
Nothing else stands out.
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Looking down both tunnels, Erastil takes out his tactical baton and throws is straight up to see which way it points when it lands.
"Makes sense, big open rooms seem like a good way to get jumped, let's try the smaller passage first." He says out loud before picking up his baton and giving it a gentle pat as if to say good job. Then he heads toward the northern chamber, staying within ear shot of his companions.
Erastil finds the hallway has simply eroded into an alcove, bit doesn't lead anywhere.