Whether you live on the station or are travelling in from your homes on other worlds, your journey begins on Absalom Station, where you receive a message requesting you join Luwazi Elsebo for a briefing within the Lorespire Complex. This private conference room is devoid of furnishings aside from a set of blue leather chairs surrounding a glass round table at the center of the room. Nominated First Seeker Luwazi Elsebo rises from her seat and smiles at her guests. A male vesk clad in military equipment sits to her right, while an android with silvery skin dressed impeccably in a suit occupies the place to her left.
“You’ve arrived just in time for the briefing. Please, join us,” Luwazi says, indicating the unoccupied chairs across from her. “I’m pleased you could make it on such short notice. With agents and resources diverted to other endeavors, I feared it would be difficult to get a team together. Still, it worked out that you were my first choices for this mission.” Luwazi gestures first to the vesk on her right. “This is Captain Yuluzak, of the Veskarium salvage vessel Honorbound.” She turns to indicate the android sitting to her left and continues, “I’m sure you remember Iteration-177. They’ve been indispensable to the Society, especially in helping with our return to the Scoured Stars. It’s time for us to return the favor.”
Luwazi taps the screen of her datapad, and a hologram of a demolished ship appears suspended above the center of the table. “Let’s get you up to speed. Recently, Captain Yuluzak stumbled upon some unusual flotsam in the Drift. Captain?”
“The unidentified vessel was completely destroyed,” Yuluzak begins, taking his lead from Luwazi. “But my crew found a strange object within the wreckage.” The holographic image at the center of the table morphs into an egg-shaped obsidian sculpture ringed by interlinked disks of various metals. “My contact, a local pawn broker named Julzakama, said it was a piece of alien art. He assured us his buyers would pay top dollar for the piece. We logged the location of the wreckage, sold what we could, and called it a day. But it wasn’t that simple. I think Iteration-177 can explain this part better.” Yuluzak waves a claw toward the android.
“Thank you, Yuluzak,” Iteration-177 begins. “When Julzakama reached out to me, I instantly recognized this piece of artwork as unique to the Kreiholm Freehold, a federation of several races that once occupied several worlds in the Scoured Stars system. There are no extant records of the freehold since their mass exodus from that system centuries ago. Discovering evidence of the Kreiholm Freehold is certainly cause for excitement, but the fact that Yuluzak found the piece on a destroyed vessel concerns me. Sadly, I can’t see to this urgent matter myself, so I contacted my friend Luwazi, and here we are.” Iteration-177 folds their hands on the table in front of them and smiles.
Luwazi nods. “Here we are, indeed. If Iteration-177 is correct, the Kreiholm Freehold could provide us with valuable information about the Scoured Stars, and perhaps the jinsuls. Of course, as Starfinders we always jump at the chance to explore a new system. You’ll leave Absalom Station as passengers on the Honorbound with Captain Yuluzak. He’ll retrace his steps back to the Drift wreckage and confirm the ship’s origins, then transport you to that system to investigate.” As Luwazi speaks, the holographic projection cycles through an image of a three-dimensional star chart. “We may be dealing with an unknown alien civilization, so please be diplomatic.
“To recap: travel to this system, establish contact with their leaders, and find out what intelligence they have to share about the Scoured Stars or jinsuls. Any questions, Starfinders?”
A stout korasha lashunta steeples his fingers while listening. "What information do we have on the Kreiholm Freehold?"
Iteration-177 and Luwazi exchange a look. “Precious little,” Iteration-177 explains. “I found no records of contact—military or otherwise—in several centuries of data. Their current location is unknown but is likely an uncharted system somewhere in the Vast. The freehold has no known allies or trade partners.”
Yuluzak lets out a hearty chuckle and interjects, “I think what they’re trying to say is, be ready for anything.”
Kultanien eyes up her fellow android with interest. "And how do you know about the freehold? " Then, letting a sensuous grin cross her golden features she adds "And are we expecting to meet anymore Hellknights?"
Iteration-177 returns Kultanien's smile, "No, to my knowledge you shouldn't have any dealings with the Hellknights this time around. I am sorry that particular journey turned out so...combustible."
The android’s normally genuine smile turns cold. “As to your other question, I’ve been reading up on the Scoured Stars in light of the Society’s recent activities and came across it in a footnote. It’s a long shot, but the Scoured Stars and the Kreiholm Freehold may in fact be related.”
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"Interesting...And will you be accompanying us Iteration-177?" she asks. "To further your studies? I'm thinking we may need some translation help on this mission as well"
She turns to her companions. "Have any of you skills in this area?
I speak fifteen languages myself, but I doubt the Freehold speaks any... although my jinsul may be helpful if there is a link."
"Unfortunately I have duties elsewhere that demand my attention, Kultanien," Iteration-177 says, returning to his usual calmly upbeat tone. "But I am glad to know that you will be in the capable claws of Captain Yuluzak here." The android gives a nod of recognition to Yuluzak, who gives a toothy grin in return.
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Gab nods. "I'm pretty good with languages myself, including a smattering of jinsul and izalguun, so hopefully that'll help out."
He turns his attention to Iteration-177, "So you don't know anything about what these species might be like ... but you were able to recognize their style of artwork? Based on a footnote?"
Gab nods. "I'm pretty good with languages myself, including a smattering of jinsul and izalguun, so hopefully that'll help out."
He turns his attention to Iteration-177, "So you don't know anything about what these species might be like ... but you were able to recognize their style of artwork? Based on a footnote?"
Iteration-177 shrugs, "More like I recognized their artwork separately, then put the pieces together that they may have some connection to the Scoured Stars based on that footnote. Call it hunch if you like, but my hunches tend to be correct."
Luwazi interjects at this point, "I can understand your desire to make sure our intelligence is good, Gab, but Iteration-177 hasn't let us down yet, so I'd say we can reliably follow up on this lead. Besides, this isn't the time to grill our guest.
"In any case, you have your mission: travel to this system, establish contact with their leaders, and find out what intelligence they have to share about the Scoured Stars or jinsuls. You can look at this as a meet-and-greet mission if that suits you better. It just has the added bonus of possibly giving us another lead on the Scoured Stars and the jinsuls. Any other questions, Starfinders?"
"Soon as you're ready. Just meet me at the ship when you're ready to head out," Yuluzak replies, "And just so we're all on the same page here, my contract specifies transport and protective services in space. If enemy ships threaten us, I have your back. Planetside, I’ll keep the engines running for you. But you have full use of my ship’s amenities for the journey. Treat my crew with respect, and they’ll do the same. On the Honorbound, we are family.”
Luwazi stands, her hands on the table in front of her, "Alright, that sounds like as good of a note to call this meeting on as any. Starfinders, if you have any last minute concerns you need to address before heading into the Vast, I'd recommend doing so now. And if you have questions for me before you leave the station, you have my comm address. Best of luck, Starfinders. Make us proud out there!"
and persistence.
resolve, including the custom of the honor duel. A few months back, Yuluzak challenged a group of Starfinders to such a duel. The results greatly shaped his impression of the Society. (PCs who have a Chronicle sheet from Starfinder Society Scenario #1–04: Cries from the Drift remember the result of this duel.)
operative zealots and has reason to believe that other jinsuls may be skilled in fighting mystics and technomancers.
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Kultanien nods thoughtfully as the briefing completes. Thinking quietly to herself, she ponders what she might already know.
"I look forward to flying on the Honorbound![/]b" she says with enthusiasm. "[b]Word of the steadfastness of captain Yuluzak has reached me. Though I hope you won't hold the result of your previous duel with the Starfinders against us."
Her face turns serious for a moment. "This is a diplomatic mission, so hopefully we won't run into the jinsul, but if we do, we should take care not to offend the locals - who knows they may be on friendly terms. So let us not jump to any conclusions - or battles."
Behind her, a pretty blonde woman in a lab coat leans forward to whisper something in the golden androids ear.
"Jopsie here was just reminding me about the jinsul. Six limbed, plus lots of pincers around their mouths. Apparently they are not adverse to augmentation, and many have swords grafted onto their forelimbs. That must make eating difficult!"
"On a serious note however, some seem to get specialised training, aiming at countering standard pact-word fighting tactics- especially the tricks of operatives, but possibly also our spellcasters as well." She shakes her head. "Odd they would do that type of training, given their leaders are often priests themselves."
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Gab seems reluctant, but nods to Luwazi's comment. As the group peels off, he mutters, "There's somethin' weird about Iteration-177. Always seems a couple of steps ahead, like he knows stuff he shouldn't know. Ah, well, I'm sure I'll figure out what's up with him one of these days ..."
Gab nods in response to Kultainen. "I've not run into Yuluzak myself before, but I've got some buddies who have said good things ..."
He sighs. "Yeah, I was on one of the missions where we made first contact with the jinsul, and have run into them a few times since then. Bunch of crazy religious zealots. I'll be happy not seeing them again on this mission."
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Magnus walks over to Captain Uluzak and extends his hand. "It is good to meet you in person. You may recall we meet not to long ago. I was on a mission sent by Zigvigix to track down and investigate the Struggles' Scholar that was found within the drift. I am glad to hear you and your crew are doing well."
"I'll be ready to leave in a few minutes. I just need to grab my pack with my gear."
"I have encountered the jinsul in the past as well."
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I am Selene Scintilla, Scoured Stars Survivour - part of the initial exploration with First Seeker Jadnura, Witchwarper and Dream Interpreter. I brought my own translator, just in case, but I will have to check to see if there are pre-programmed chips for the Kreiholm Freehold, otherwise we will just have to put up with the analysis delay. I too speak Jinsul if it is useful.
She raises an eyebrow at Kultainen's reaction to the possibility of meeting up with Hellknights. Reminds me of my sister when she meets up with a new aquatic race or a new cute girl
Yuluzak gives Magnus a hard look for a moment, then grins broadly as he takes the lashunta's hand and shakes it vigorously. "Of course I remember! That was quite an impressive display from your crew. We'll have to catch up on the journey so my crew can learn a thing or two from you!"
As it sounds like you all have a clear understanding of your mission, First Seeker Luwazi Elsebo calls the briefing to a close and dismisses you to your final preparations. A short while later, you all make your way to the Arm of Absalom Station where the Honorbound is docked and board the ship headed into the expanse of the Drift, then on to the Kreiholm Freehold. Yuluzak navigates the ship beyond the Armada surrounding the station and plots a course through the Drift to the location of the wrecked ship.
It takes fully three weeks for the Honorbound to reach its destination, but that time is not spent idly. The Honorbound--a medium Veskarium transport ship with three cargo holds, a medical bay, and a recreation suite housing a gym--is home to Yuluzak's small but closely bonded crew. They treat the Starfinders as guests, giving you a chance to get to know them and earn their trust.
Yuluzak (male vesk) is the captain of the ship. He is jovial an ready to speak with any of you, though the bear hug he gave Magnus when you all boarded the ship makes you think there is already the start of a relationship there.
Joyozalva (female vesk) is a proud, stoic soldier. She carries her pet kiziikii--a Diminutive animal native to the Veskarium that resembles a rainbow-colored moth--with her everywhere, including to the ship's gym, where she spends much of her free time.
Shaakar (male pahtra) is the ship's highly intelligent engineer and cook. When he's not running his daily diagnostics on the ship or preparing meals for the crew and guests, he is often in his quarters, and you can hear him whooping and laughing as if he is playing some sort of game.
Suwalnazka (female skittermander) is the ship’s unofficial chaplain and resident booze-hound. She reveres Damoritosh, as is common for members of the Veskarium, and seems to have a keen intellect and a thirst for good conversation.
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Selene is very interested in Joyozalva's pet kiziikii and makes enquiries on how to get one of her own. My sister has an octishark she says and I was thinking of getting a pet for my own company. She also spends a lot of time in the gym working on her gymnastics ((acrobatics)).
She will also discuss theology and mysticism with Suwalnazka
Gab...gabs with each of the crew members and learns what he thinks would really endear them to the Starfinders.
Captain Yuluzak is excited to hear about your adventures. If you regale Yuluzak with a story of an honorable battle, you are likely to win his friendship. When Magnus asks about the salvage operations, he leans back in his large chair on the bridge of the Honorbound. "Ahh, well the Veskarium is certainly no poorer for our efforts," he says with a smile, "I can't say I don't wish I could be on the front lines of the empire's glorious conquests, but there is honor in this work as well. Tell me, though, what about you, comrade? Tell me tales of the glorious victories you've earned since we last crossed blades!"
Watching and listening to Joyozalva, Gab also comes to realize that the vesk is secretly obsessed with her pet. When Selene approaches her and begins chatting about her sister's octishark, the soldier's rocky attitude softens somewhat. "An octishark does sound nice," she says, "but I doubt it's anywhere near as cute as Major Fluffers here. If you want a real pet, you'll have to come to the Veskarium and get yourself a kiziikii like him. Come on, I'll tell you all about it while we work out. We'll see if you can survive tail day."
Shaakar is pretty easy to figure out, it turns out, as the first thing out of the pahtra's mouth is a challenge. "Hey there, Gab! Alright, let's go! You, me, and a match of 'Farley's Crossing.' Think you can beat me? I doubt it, but I love to show off, so let's play anyway!"
Finally, Gab, Kultainen, and Selene speak with Suwalnazka. "Ah! Come to pay homage to the Conqueror," she asks as she sharpens the top two blades of her ceremonial doshko. "Or is there some chance you revere another deity? That's alright if you do, though I do wonder what you see in them..." Gab realizes that Suwalnazka enjoys philosophical debate and, while she reveres Damaritosh, will respectfully listen to you talk about your own religious beliefs.
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Gab lets Magnus and Yuluzak reminisce about their past meeting, while he proceeds through the various groups. He shrugs and is happy to play with Shaakar, but admits, "I'm not much of a gamer, to be honest. That's more my kids' thing ..."
After getting beaten in several rounds by Shaakar, he makes his way down to meet with Suwalnazka and enters into a spirited debate with her, explaining that though the gods may have many powers, it makes no sense to subjugate your will to that of another.
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My sister has gill implants and actually works as a professional performing mermaid, as well as being an activist for marine conservation on Castroval. She got the octishark while on a mission against the Jinsuls. So her octishark is basically her dance partner
I'm more of a .... outdoorsy type person .. and yeah .. I might just look at getting a kiiziikii - yours is so cute. Reminds me of the Desnian butterfly actually. So ... what is tail day?
Being a Dream Prophet, Selene respects both Aspects of Desna, being the Starlight of Desna herself and the Dark of the Black Butterfly. Her Holy Symbol, which she wears openly, has both Aspects on each side. She also enjoys trading knowledge about mysticism and various deities and offers to help others with their dreams.
(not including +4 for library chip)
Yuluzak laughs as Magnus shares his tales, "Hellknights, eh? Yeah, we've had a run-in or two with their lot. Gotta say I like some of them better than others. They seem like they have a good grasp on the idea of following rules, but they don't seem particularly interested in doing things honorably.
"That whelp, on the other hand...HA HA! That sounds like quite an encounter! The Drake is a fine ship, a FINE ship! I'm not surprised you were able to win the day in one."
Selene barely manages to make it through Joyozalva's workout routine. It turns out that not having a tail makes the tail day exercises quite difficult. Still, the vesk appreciates that Selene is willing to talk to her about Major Fluffers, so she tells her to come back in a couple days after she's had some rest to try the workout again.
Gab sits down with Shaakar to try out 'Farley's Crossing' and discovers that the game is a bit more complicated than he anticipated. Shaakar turns Gab's ship into space dust within a few minutes and laughs. "That's alright! Maybe we can play again tomorrow, or you can bring one of your friends to try their luck!"
Gab, Selene, and Kultainen all sit down with Suwalnazka in his makeshift chapel aboard the Honorbound, each of them engaging the skittermander in debates on the merits of following various deities or of following deities at all! She stands at one point and wanders behind her altar and pulls out a large bottle and several short glasses, which he sets out on a table. She pours a shot of gol (a grain-based liquor distilled on Vesk Prime) for everyone, including herself the conversation carries on.
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Over the weeks, Kultanien spends a bit of time with each of the crew, getting to know them. While no athelete, she even tries the gym course ... once.
She does surprisingly well, after a slow start, which is to say, not totally badly. She ends up hot and very sweaty, retiring to her cabin for a de-stress shower.
The next day, arms aching she offers to take on Shaakar at Farley's Crossing.
"Wooo! That was fun. Want to play again?"
After hearing Selene talk about her harrowing experience with tail day, the rest of the Starfinders decide to step up and take on Joyozalva's challenge. Kultainen and Gab prove themselves to be up to the challenge, at least for part of the workout. And though she struggles with the workout this time as well, Selene manages to get through without throwing up. Magnus, on the other hand, struggles throughout the workout. Their host smiles nonetheless, glad to see that the Starfinders are willing to take on a challenge they might fail at.
When Kultainen hobbles into Shaakar's room, still sore from the previous day's workout, the pahtra gladly accepts the challenge and plays for keeps. Kultainen shows that the Society has its own talented pilots though, and handily beats Shaakar at 'Farley's Crossing.' "Nice one," he says, congratulating Kultainen for her win, "Tell you what, how about I make a meal, special for you and your friends. I got some rare ingredients when we were on the Station. I think you'll really like what I can work up."
Shaakar gladly welcomes Gab into the kitchen, trading stories of meals prepared, secret herb and spice recipes, and samples of the meal as they cook together. When the meal is finally prepared and you all sit down to eat, you find the table laid with an astonishing treat. The food not only fills you up, it makes you feel more vigorous and healthy than before, and it seems like even just the memory of the meal will make the effect stick with you for weeks to come!
The next couple weeks pass with a comfortable camaraderie between the crew of the Honorbound and the Starfinders. Early in the second week of your travel through the Drift, Yuluzak remembers that he actually stick has some of the scrap they recovered from the wrecked ship you are going to investigate. "If you all want to look it over, please feel free. You can find it in the lower cargo hold."
Gab easily recognizes the tell-tale effects of jinsul weaponry on the pieces of salvage. It seems that whatever hopes the party had of avoiding contact with the jinsuls on this mission are quickly fading...
Following its long journey through the Drift, the Honorbound approaches the scattered wreckage of a ship of unidentified origins. Yuluzak confirms that this is the ship he and his crew recently salvaged, though they left the main hull behind, and only secured major pieces of technological relevance. He explains the next stage of their mission to the Starfinders as Joyozalva brings the Honorbound in toward the derelict ship. "We'll pull up right alongside her, cross over to the wreck in our d-suits, and find our way to the computer systems on the bridge. Iteration-177 was able to provide us some decryption codes that should allow us to extract the ship's logs--don't ask me, I have no idea where they got codes for a ship supposedly from the Kreiholm Freehold. We're hoping the logs will give us the ship's port of origin and maybe some details on what they were doing out here when they were attacked. Assuming we get that much information, we should be able to get some coordinates to find our way to the Kreiholm Freehold's home star system. Any questions?"
"Well, actually, we were thinking we would handle the job, but if any of you want to come across to help, it would probably help cut down the time it takes to get it done!"
Together, the crew of the Honorbound and the Starfinders go for a space walk across the void into the wrecked starship. Even working together, it takes around 6 hours to penetrate the wreckage field and extract coordinates from the ship’s damaged computer—an impossible task without Iteration-177's decryption codes. The recovered files reveal that the ship, named the Ardent Seeker, was a military scouting vessel returning from a routine patrol of the nearby region. The ship’s destination coordinates point to the nearby system in the Vast called the Saaruq-Ruaan system. With a heading secured, Captain Yuluzak plots a course and sends the Honorbound back into the Drift.
Two days later, the Honorbound exits the swirl of colors and half-formed images that is the Drift and emerges into open space above a blue-green planet. Numerous ships with designs completely unknown in the Pact Worlds form a protective grid around the world below. Around them, hundreds of sleek fighters wheel in tight formations. Three massive rhomboid battleships position their guns to lock on to their targets while smaller black-and-purple ships with triangular frames dart among them, firing mercilessly at their foes.
It’s initially difficult to tell which side has the upper hand, or even how many sides exist, in the chaotic battle. A Drift portal opens near Honorbound’s starboard side, and dozens more of the dark, triangular ships pour through, ignoring Honorbound in favor of other targets closer to the surface. These ships appear to be outnumbered but not outgunned as a flash of light signals a crippling explosion in the side of one of the battleships.
Captain Yuluzak’s attempts to hail nearby combatants meet with radio silence until a loud burst of static signals an incoming transmission. On the bridge, Captain Yuluzak flips a switch and a frantic message filters through the ship’s intercom. The brief message repeats twice in an unfamiliar language, before playing a third time in perfect Vesk:
“Starfinders!” Yuluzak barks, addressing his passengers. “I don’t know what this battle is about, but you want to meet this system’s inhabitants, yes? Someone down there speaks our language, and they need help. If the Veskarium has allies here, it’s our duty to intervene. Honor demands it.
"I have no desire to rush headlong into a war I know nothing about, but this distress signal is a problem we can help resolve." He flips on the internal comms system to send orders to his crew, "Honorbound, prepare to land on the planet below. If we can help, we're going to do it!"
Turning off the comms, he turns to the Starfinders, "And how about you, Starfinders? Will you aid these people?"
True to Gab's speculation, the triangular ships flying across the stellar battlefield can easily be identified as jinsul craft. It seems you have arrived at the Saaruq-Ruaan system in the middle of a full scale jinsul invasion!
With the planetary defense force distracted by jinsul ships, the Honorbound enters Saaruq 5’s atmosphere uncontested. Shaakar locks onto the message’s exact origin: a hospital on the outskirts of a large city that appears to have endured a recent bombing. A few jinsul dropships patrol the skies above the area but do not engage the Honorbound. Captain Yuluzak directs his ship to safely land west of the ruined hospital. "This is where we part ways for the moment, Starfinders," Yuluzak says, turning to your team. "You all head out to investigate the hospital while we the ship ready in case the jinsuls get any ideas and attack the ship." The ship has landed only a 5-minute walk away from the hospital, giving you a short jaunt to strategize and look for a good entryway as you approach the scene.