One of the jinsul opens the door, then puts its scheme into motion.
This is the signal for the others to advance.
Two of the jinsul warriors rush the door, bringing their leg blades to bear against the Starfinder nearest to the center of the door, Burham.
COMBAT ROUND TWO Cont'd
Rilynn Rae
Meme Nom Mimsosil Homus Jul
Lexicor
Jinsul warrior (yellow) -14 HP
insul (red)
Jinsul (green)
Gava Son of Emer
Jinsul warrior (blue) -10 HP
Rhubarbie
Burham Kenyon -10 SP
Gava intervenes, delivering a powerful electrical charge to one of the jinsul warriors .
Prepared for the possibility of a Starfinder strike, the jinsul warrior at the door console, triggers the door mechanism and the door slams shut.
COMBAT ROUND TWO Cont'd/ROUND THREE Begins
Rhubarbie
Burham Kenyon -10 SP
Rilynn Rae
Meme Nom Mimsosil Homus Jul
Lexicor
Jinsul warrior (yellow) -14 HP
insul (red)
Jinsul (green) -8 HP
Gava Son of Emer
Jinsul warrior (blue) -10 HP
Rhubarbie
Burham Kenyon -10 SP
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Prepared for the possibility of a Starfinder strike, the jinsul warrior at the door console, triggers the door mechanism and the door slams shut.
"We are not going to play this game," observes Rilynn. Dropping her pistol, she produces her engineering tool kit instead and quickly pops the panel of the door console, then sets to work circumventing the serial power pathway so that the door can only be opened or closed from her side.
Rilynn then opens the door.
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"They've got to have a camera or something on us. Find it. See if we can blind them. Half of us can set a perimeter away from the door and blast them if they open it again. The other half can try one of the other doors and try to flank them. Does anyone have grenades? "
The big man lays his cannon on the big thing behind him and draws his sword. Then he speaks softly to Rilynn, "Have you got control of that door yet?"
Burn glances down at the thin trickle of blood seeping down his glittering green greaves. This is going to hurt.
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Lexicor studies the situation and tries to calculate the most tactically superior actions.
No grenades from me. Although I can breath electricity into a short area, but I would need to get closer when the door opens.
For now, Lexicor readies a standard magic missile salvo for when the door opens.
I may not always succeed, but I hope, at least, to keep it fun.
Dropping her pistol, she produces her engineering tool kit instead and quickly pops the panel of the door console, then sets to work circumventing the serial power pathway so that the door can only be opened or closed from her side.
Rhubarbie
Burham Kenyon -10 SP
Meme Nom Mimsosil Homus Jul
Lexicor
The Starfinders prepare. The door opens, prompted from the other side. The Starfinders act!
Rhubarb-e of Apostae tosses a frag grenade into the mass of jinsuls.
The explosion catches three of the jinsul within its blast.
The blast drops the jinsul by the door and injures another .
Burnham swings at another jinsul with his blade and Meme hurls his disc at it, but each bounces off the creature's hardened exoskeleton.
Lexicor's magical bolts, however, drop the jinsul warrior instantly.
One of the two remaining jinsul emits a curse in its native language, then moves into a position to fire his tactical arc emitter.
A bit of a jolt surges through Burnham and Rhubarb-e.
The remaining jinsul takes up a similar position and sends more electricity toward the Starfinders in the door.
Rilynn finds cover behind the door frame, but the blast catches Rhubarb-e.
COMBAT ROUND THREE Cont'd/ROUND FOUR BEGINS
Rhubarbie
Burham Kenyon -12 SP
Rilynn Rae
Meme Nom Mimsosil Homus Jul
Lexicor
Jinsul warrior (yellow) -15 HP
Jinsul (red)
Jinsul (green) -18 HP
Jinsul warrior (blue) -10 HP
Gava Son of Emer
Rhubarbie -6
Burham Kenyon -12 SP
Meme rushes through the open door striking his singing disk against the nearest jinsul .
COMBAT ROUND THREE Cont'd/ROUND FOUR BEGINS
PCS in bold may act
Gava Son of Emer
Rhubarbie
Burham Kenyon -12 SP
Rilynn Rae
Meme Nom Mimsosil Homus Jul
Lexicor
Jinsul (red) -4 HP
Jinsul warrior (blue) -10 HP
Gava Son of Emer
Rhubarbie -6
Burham Kenyon -12 SP
A jinsul dodges the half-orc's hatchet, but the ysoki fools it and gives it a slight zap.
The human cuts into another with his blade.
The two jinsul fight on, hoping to down at least one of the hated Starfinders!
Only one of their flurry of slashes manages to draw blood.
COMBAT ROUND FOUR Cont'd/ROUND FIVE BEGINS
Gava Son of Emer
Rhubarbie -6 SP
Burham Kenyon -18 SP | -2 HP
Rilynn Rae
Meme Nom Mimsosil Homus Jul
Lexicor
Jinsul (red) -10 HP
Jinsul warrior (blue) -12 HP
Gava Son of Emer
Rhubarbie -6
Burham Kenyon -18 SP | -2 HP
Various Starfinders attack the jinsul, but only one manages to injure one of the enemy; it is Gava, but the ysoki's strike is enough to bring the evil creature down.
Only one of the jinsul remains, but it is defiant!
COMBAT ROUND FOUR Cont'd/ROUND FIVE BEGINS
Burham Kenyon -18 SP | -2 HP
Rilynn Rae
Meme Nom Mimsosil Homus Jul
Lexicor
Jinsul (red) -10 HP
[s]Jinsul warrior (blue) -20 HP[/b]
Gava Son of Emer
Rhubarbie -6
Burham Kenyon -18 SP | -2 HP
With Meme providing a strategic flank, Burnham is able to get the jump on the remaining jinsul, striking it down--but only after the two media drones sent by Tara Nova take up positions to get shots of the removal of the jinsul menace from multiple angles.
As you have defeated the jinsuls within the remains of the starship, you are free to return to Absalom Station without further incident. Arriving at the station's docks, the two drones immediately depart, carting the footage that they captured during the course of the battle.
You arrive at Tara Nova’s vidcasting area in The Forever Times to meet with the candidate only to find that it was to here that the drones had sped, their videographic cargo already in the process of being downloaded and edited ahead of your arrival.
Tara Nova oversees the entire operation of processing the footage retrieved from the starship wreck. As you approach the woman, portions of audio from the battle are repeated over and over.
"They're hurt from the battle for the ship. Keep them at range if you can - the arc emitters are not as bad as their legblades and bite!"
Tara listens carefully, then shakes her head. The footage is partially rewound and replayed.
"Keep them at range if you can - the arc emitters are not as bad as their legblades and bite!"
"Better." she declares. "More heroic." She fast-forwards to the end of the footage.
I would calculate the chances are nearly 99% this straggler will not survive another 5 seconds. Any chance they will talk once subdued?
"TMI." Tara remarks. She replays the footage.
I would calculate the chances are nearly 99% this straggler will not survive another 5 seconds.
She then pauses the feed abruptly. "Now, there's a useable sound byte." The image zeroes in on the time-stamp. Then, through the miracle of editing, the footage jumps to the clip of Burnham slicing through the final jinsul, before again zeroing in the time-stamp showing a lapse of less than five seconds.
"Good job neutralizing those scum." Tara Nova says, turning towards the party. "Although, of the approximately thirty seconds of actual combat footage, about half of that seems to be looking at a closed door. You handled it effectively enough, but the next time you face such a situation, consider just blowing the door open. It may not be as effective as what you did, but the cinematics are much better."
"Still," she says, rewinding through her edits of your battle, "The action shots you've given me should generate sufficient vid-traffic and those other 'issues' aren't anything that I can't clear up in 'postproduction'."
"Yes, quite impressive." she concludes, admiring your action shots in final edit. "I commend you for removing this jinsul threat. As First Seeker, I vow that no outside power should oppose the Society and I pledge to make sure that forces like the jinsuls can’t rebuild to harm the Society in the future."
Tara Nova hands you a cred stick holding 180 credits. "You deserve to celebrate your victory. I hope to see you around."
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As Burnham strikes down the last jinsul, Meme can't but feel like he was instrumental in defeating these things.
Back at The Forever Times, Meme watches with wonder at the skill and speed at which Tara Nova is able to produce a finished, clean product, taking into account audio, visuals and drama. A true master at her craft, he can't help but take out his own camera to capture an artist at work, taking care not to film any of the actual footage himself (no need to get into legal trouble over simple fanboy antics).
As the (hopefully) future first seeker departs, Meme turns to the others, "Not sure about you guys, but I found that fascinating and think she is incredible. Not sure there is really any reason to keep going, but, since we must, how about we check out Calder Soren? If for no other reason than to see why he might want to expand the Starfinders so much."
By recalling earlier viewed data feeds or by asking around, the Starfinders may find they have some information regarding the candidate Calder Soren.
Calder Soren is a morlamaw from the planet of Arniselle. Morlamaws are large, walrus-like people with vivid skin coloration who joined the Starfinder Society in droves after the Society sent a mission to their home world to reclaim an abandoned lodge.
Calder Soren has been outspoken about his desire to restore the Society back to its glory days, promising to reopen old lodges and build new ones throughout Near Space and the Vast. He sees the reclaiming of the Arniselle lodge as the first in many steps for the Society to stretch out beyond the Pact Worlds.
So far, Calder Soren has had a tough time getting agents willing to go out into Near Space to an abandoned lodge he’d like to see reclaimed. With the Forum split between ongoing events, it’s been difficult to prioritize a mission to reclaim previously abandoned outposts.
You are readily able to find the election headquarters of Calder Soren, which are located within a trio of adjoining meeting rooms within the Lorespire Complex that have been temporarily converted into Calder’s election headquarters. The quarters are filled with mock-ups of signs and numerous potential campaign slogans.
Upon your entry into the headquarters, you notice a set of guideposts intended to accommodate a line of hundreds of people. The line is empty.
On the far side of the headquarters, you see a morlamaw onboard a circular hoverplatform engaged in an animated conversation with one of the few staffers present in the headquarters.
Picture of Calder Soren now available on Slides
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Meme thinks back and recalls, "All I can remember is that he is a morlamaw that wants to reclaim the glory days of Starfinder expansion. He's really after the lodge that was abandoned on his planet, Arniselle. From there, who really knows. Dude sounds interesting for sure."
Once they get to the headquarters, Meme is quick to add, "I have a few followers who are morlamaws. Great people, really. But they've told me, and I've noticed at a few meetups, that they are really picky about standing in and following lines. Might be cool of us to do the same here." He points to the guideposts and starts towards the drawn out path.
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"What do you guys think? Tara made us look pretty good on the vid, but is she really going to look out for Starfinders, or for The Starfinders? Is she going to get us into needless fights? "
"They like standing in lines? Then maybe we should do that? What do you think? Would he prefer it if we put on a little spit and polish too?"
Burn rests the butt of his reaction cannon on the ground and smooths his hair. He brushes some non-existent lint off the armor he spent half the return trip from Izal 4 tending.
As Burnham strikes down the last jinsul, Meme can't but feel like he was instrumental in defeating these things.
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As the team cuts through the remaining Jinsuls, Rilynn raises her arc pistol into the air and shouts, "Starfinders!" before she can catch herself. That earlier episode with Zo! on Eox hasn't worked it's way totally out of her system yet. Not one to be embarrassed (except, rarely, in the presence of unparalleled beauty), she holster's her weapon and checks her skin-tight armor for any bug-splatter. Satisfied that she escaped unscathed, she completes a routine sweep of the rest of the ship before the team departs.
Before reaching the Station, the Damaya lets her hair down in preparation for the meeting with Tara Nova, and applies a full-face makeup - cheeks bronzed, lips glossed, eyes smoldering. She struts into the studio shoulder to shoulder with Meme and Burnham, her long, sleek frame a striking contrast to their muscular builds. She greets Tara and watches her work, fascinated by the alacrity of her production skills, pulling all the perfect moments for public consumption. She purses her lips at the comment about the door. It was a tactically sound move, but that the bugs had taken control of the action away from the team was a "teachable moment."
Later, Rilynn replies to Burnham: "Her role is critical. How we are portrayed is at least as important as what we do. Starfinders are under siege at the moment from competing media narratives sponsored by bad actors. But I get your meaning; we don't know enough about her leadership style yet. Hopefully we'll get another chance with her up close and personal." Rilynn would like that very much.
She continues the conversation as the team approaches Calder Soren's headquarters. "I have a feeling I know what we'll be tasked with next," she says after reviewing her data file on the morlamaw. "He's been consistently outspoken about expanding the Society's footprint into Near Space and the Vast, returning us to the 'Glory days.' His approach has met resistance - resources are spread thin as it is, and reclaiming abandoned lodges is not Luwazi's priority, but that's exactly why so many morlamaws are with us now."
Rilynn does not like standing in lines, but has no intention of being disrespectful to a candidate for Seeker. "We've all performed hall monitor duty. Standing in line for a few minutes is not so terrible."
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Lexicor considers all being discussed and the use of video to adjust and bias the truth of the battle.
An interesting perspective to be sure. Where it leads and how the end game plays, is the ultimate result.
The android follows the others, not able to provide much in understanding cultural norms of biological societies.
After the party progresses through the cordoned area the morlamaw candidate, Calder Soren, flies in onboard a circular hoverplatform.
"Welcome, Starfinders!" Calder greets you excitedly. "To what fortune do I owe your presence?"
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Having circumnavigated the lengthy interchange of guideposts through the endlessly empty line, Rilynn is a little on edge when Calder Soren finally greets them, and the fact that he was not informed of their imminent arrival makes her wonder at the communication breakdown in HQ.
Rilynn determines the appropriate protocol for morlamaw greetings and performs the respectful actions.
"A pleasure to meet you. My name is Rilynn Rae..." Rilynn completes introductions. "This team is here to conduct a short interview to better inform the electorate body as to your qualifications for the position of Seeker. I apologize that you were not alerted to our arrival. With respect to your schedule, may we have a few minutes of your time?"
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Gava raises an eyebrow at Rilynn. "Actually, we're here to offer assistance to any task you might have, candidate. It's a courtesy from the Seeker. So, what you need?"
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Gava raises an eyebrow at Rilynn. "Actually, we're here to offer assistance to any task you might have, candidate. It's a courtesy from the Seeker. So, what you need?"
"Assistance? Brilliant!" declares Calder. "Well, you see, I’ve heard about this abandoned Starfinderlodge on Kalcijet 5, a habitable world in Near Space. Some prospectors from Ulrikka Clanholdings got in touch with me and said that the lodge’s lights were on, which is strange, since we haven’t sent a team there in decades. If you can go clear out any squatters, I think it would go a long way in showing people how getting us back out into Near Space, and eventually the Vast, is important to keep us relevant. I’ll even arrange the transport, as long as you listen to my latest guitar solo!"
True to his word, Calder flies his hoverplatform over to the press stage set up in the back of his election office. From there, he produces an electric guitar.
"Any questions?" he asks, bringing with him as he returns to listen to your inquiries.
Calder lifts a flipper-like appendage, indicating that explanations will be forthcoming, then performs a brutal bass melody. Once the instrumental solo concludes, the morlamaw sets about addressing your questions.
"I shall arrange transport. It should take no more than several days in the Drift. As for the selection of provisions and equipment, I shall leave that up to you capable agents. Kalcijet 5 has standard gravity and atmospheric composition." Calder notes. "The lodge was abandoned when the Society decided to scale back some of its more distant holdings. It is located within a forested biome. Some dangerous flora or fauna, I suppose. The Kalcijet 5 lodge, however, stands atop a steep hill that overlooks the forest, so I wouldn't expect you to encounter too many of the local lifeforms. None are thought to be intelligent enough to turn on the lights at any rate."
Calder Soren arranges travel onboard the Society freighter Peregrination into Night. The journey through the Drift is uneventful, though you are treated to the cooking of the ship’s exuberant captain, a female shirren who is introduced as Captain Zhast.
Once the ship arrives in system, a small shuttle is dispatched to carry the party down to Kalcijet 5’s surface. The Kalcijet 5 lodge stands atop a steep hill that overlooks a forest of rosy-leafed trees. Flickering lights within suggest that the building is not abandoned.
The complex contains a primary entrance that leads into an internal set of substructures, each reinforced with steel walls. The ceilings in this space are 20 feet high.
Map of the interior of the lodge is now revealed on Slides.
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To say the place does not suit her eye is an understatement. Gray on brown - what were they thinking!
She draws her pistol but holds it low, supporting Burn while he sweeps the rooms off the entryway. She will fire only if fired upon; squatters may be reasonably removed through more diplomatic methods. Or so she believes.
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"Dudes! How awesome is this? I mean, this lodge may be a little plain, but how cool would it be to get it back runnin'? Like Burn said, lets be careful though. No real idea of where these squatters could be, I suppose." Meme pulls out his favored disks and looks around, drawing forth his camera to document their progress (taking a note from Tara Nova's book). He tries to recall where squatters might most likely congregate, knowing the general layout of a Starfinder lodge,