Welcome to the Gameplay thread!
A normal day on Absalom Station is interrupted by a notification marked "urgent" appearing on each of your comm units. The communication is from First Seeker Ehu Hadif, requesting your attendance at a meeting in a Starfinder Society's Lorespire Complex conference room in a few hours time. The subject is simply "Upcoming Mission."
As you arrive at the conference room, the room is already occupied by First Seeker Ehu Hadif, Dataphiles faction head Celita, and Wayfinders faction head Fitch. As he notices you enter, Ehu Hadif stands and offers a wave before indicating empty seats at a large conference table.
Standing in one of the chairs and leaning against the table to Ehu Hadif’s side stands Fitch, who seems to have been speaking to the kasatha cordially. As you take your seats she smiles, sits, and spins the chair a few times while boosting it in height so it is the same size as the others.
On Ehu Hadif's other side is Celita. She appears engrossed in some digital project using augmented reality glasses and gloves. She listens attentively, though she continues multitasking.
Celita chimes in, “And that’s data I’d be excited to review, which is why I’ll be coming with you.”
Fitch nonchalantly flicks a document on her datapad toward Celita, where it displays on the android’s glasses. Celita reads for a moment before tearing off her glasses and glowered at the ysoki, who reclines confidently in her chair.
Directing a pair of mollifying hands toward Celita, Ehu Hadif interjects. “After more than a year spent repairing the Master of Stars, Fitch accumulated quite a bit of time off, and I’ve already approved her request. Anyway, Celita, I need your expertise here for now."
He clears his throat and turns his attention back to the party. "Let’s review this mission: travel with Fitch to Wehemothal, help resolve their communications problems, drop off the station’s supplies, perform some studies of the planet while you’re there, make a good impression with the research team, and bring back Doctor Tsi Tsorsk. Any questions?”
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Sounds like fun Rani replies. She too had to spin her chair to get to the right height, being a halfling. Female with brightly coloured rainbow hair and currently dressed in shorts and a T Shirt labelled "I can get out of anything .... except chores" above a picture of a mop and bucket. Soooooo ... what do we know about this planet .... Wehemothal. What sort of conditions are we likely to face? And how are we getting there? Do I get to pilot?
Wrikreechees are mollusk-like humanoids that evolved on the planet Akchios. They are relatively new to the galactic stage, with explorers making first contact about 50 years ago. Despite their basic technology, wrikreechees have exceptional scientific aptitude that’s helped them thrive in Pact Worlds society.
Akchios has an eccentric orbit, and when its oceans freeze over, wrikreechees retreat into underwater caves and shed their shells to conserve energy. During warmer periods, wrikreechees grow sturdy shells that allow them to move freely. Most wrikreechees wear suits to regulate their temperature and take hormones (such as Sywrikinate) that maintain their shells perpetually.
Wrikreechees struggle to project their voices in air, and they typically wear technology that helps them vocalize. They’re gregarious, instinctively preferring crowds and tight quarters.
Positively ancient, Resurgent Technologies is an Aballon-based corporation that apparently predates the Gap. It focuses on technologies that blend magic and technology.
Much as with many Aballonian operations, Resurgent Technologies primarily employs technological beings. These range from the wholly robotic anacites native to the planet and SROs (sentient robotic organisms) to a large population of androids.
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Rani ponders whether or not the Doctor is a wrikreechee and whether or not she should take the watertank she uses for her underwater escapes with her in order to make Doctor Tsorsk more comfortable.
She also wonders maybe she should get that implant to be able to stay underwater for twenty minutes instead of six.
She's a bit embarrised to say these thoughts out loud so she sends a text to the First Seeker.
And being in the Dataphiles, she also texts Celita promising to bring back as much data as she can.
To Rani's question about Wehemothal, Celita chimes in again. “Wehemothal is a unique gas giant in the Vast. Its normal parameters aren't too special for a gast giant: diameter 10x lost Golarian, Mass 135x, Gravity 1.5x at the 'surface' but it should feel relatively normal where you'll be in the upper atmosphere. The planet also home to numerous, fairly harmless life-forms like cloud rays.
"What makes Wehemothal special is that it has an extraordinarily diverse gas composition that creates powerful magical and cosmic fields—fields that physicists have created on a small scale in labs, but Wehemothal is a huge version of those phenomena. The research is still largely theoretical, but it could be a step toward completely new hybrid technologies. That research team’s only published a few findings, which suggests they’re sitting on far more data that they’re holding back. And as for your own safety, the station and your environmental protections should shield you from anything harmful so long as you don’t fall into the core.”
Ehu Hadif continues, "The station you'll be visiting is called Indigo Deep. It was founded a few years after Wehemothal was discovered in 291 AG. You'll be looking for Dr. Tsi Tsorsk, a prolific wrikreechee physicist who’s published extensively in the fields of astrogation and force field generation."
Ehu Hadif projects a series of scientific journal articles on the wall.
"Her education and early career work were both on Aballon, and she’s been leading her own research teams funded by Resurgent Technologies for the past four years. It’s her work that paved the way for the new propulsion system we’re using. Beyond that, I’m told she’s a fan of non-violent sports, kelp snacks, and speculative fiction.”
Fitch pipes up, too. "And I'll be doing the piloting! It'll just be you all, me, and some of my grandkids that will be coming along for the trip. I'll be sure to stay out of your way once we get there."
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Fitch piloting? You sure you're up to the task if we are intercepted on the way? I'd just want to make sure the young ones aren't placed in any undue danger. Deckard nods to Celita. Good to see you again.
Do we need to worry about operating underwater? I don't need to breathe myself, but some of the organics could have issues if their armor is not up to the task. Movement can also often be problematic.
She takes a quick moment to check her datapad, typing and scrolling rapidly.
Not too much here on Resurgent. Magitech manufacturer. Very old. New leadership recently, Last One or some such. Seems a bit pretentious, but obviously if they can produce results, no concern of mine.
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Sefel taps his fingers together excitedly, as enthusiasm not unlike Celita's wells up inside of him.
Data from an uncanny planet in the vast. Fascinating! Worry not, Celita! We will represent the Dataphiles well and obtain what we can!
Sefel was fresh out of a career in software when the Starfinder Society came calling. Engaging with these scientists and technologists sounded right up his alley. Maybe he could even get a good career lead out of this.
Time to freshen up the CV! he muses, as he begins to fantasize about a return to his old life.
Sefel, recognizing Rani from the Dataphiles faction directory, approaches her to compare notes about the wrikreechees. She seems to aleady be as informed as he.
We'll have to brief the group on this species on the trip out!
Sefel addresses Ehu Hadif, echoing R's question. Yes, will we need to be prepared to engage Dr. Tsi Tsorsk underwater for any extended period, or is this not the time in their planet's year that her species retreat to underwater caves?
As Ehu Hadif answers Rani regarding the planet's environment, he becomes excited at the potential of phenomena that may exhibit both magical properties and technological possibilities.
So, given Dr. Tsi Tsorsk has published so prolifically, we'll have ample reading to do on the journey there! To others this likely sounds like homework but Sefel is more than happy to do it on their behalf.
The Lashunta's expression turns dramatically after Fitch chimes in.
Grandkids....!?
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Rani is quite happy to share what she knows about wrikreechees with Sefel. It's hard not to recognise Rani anyway as her rainbow hair stands out. Plus she performs in Cirque d'Absalom and is making a name for herself as a daredevil underwater escape artist - hence the t-shirt one of her friends had got her for her last birthday.
Speaking of operating underwater, I got no qualms about being underwater without my armour thanks she says to Deckhard In fact, I prefer it that way. If the Good Doctor knows sign language, I'd be more happy to hold my breath and converse that way. Although the only thing I'm really interested is how fast he can make that ship go. Maybe I'll bring my water tank for the trip anyway.
As for Fitch piloting, I got no problem with that either. I'll just be in the co-pilot's spot ready to help. I got several thousand hours under my belt already.
She then shrugs. I'm no scientist, but that doesn't mean I'm not interested. As long as someone can explain the hard stuff.
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Conrad, a man of good looks and a confident comportment looks at the gathered talent. He's quick with his smile, and acknowledges any who look his way.
He's slight of build, though the contours of his graphite suite show off a toned physique. While his azimuth pistol is pretty standard, his dueling sword looks more like fashion than function. "This sounds like my kind of mission. I can talk a vesk into a tea party."
"Yeah what Rani and Deckard have said jives with my own knowledge. Let's do this! If I have any questions along the way I'll ask.... or guess."
Ehu clarifies, "Indigo Deep isn't a water-filled station. To my knowledge, Dr. Tsi Tsorsk is the only wrikreechee on board. She will almost certainly be taking hormones and in an environmentally protective suit, so I don't think preparations for underwater meetings will be necessary. Still, in our line of work, it doesn't hurt to be ready for anything."
Ehu indicates a dispenser on a table at the edge of the room. "Tea is the first one on the left. Do enjoy."
Fitch lets the party know she'll meet you at the ship. "We'll be taking a Pegasus. Just got to grab the other passengers. They're so excited to get to go!"
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Azara gets there just in time for tea. You might have caught images of him on holo advertisements in the more affordable places within the station. He is a budding poetry star, after all.
He's wearing golden armor that shines almost as brightly as the stellar mote that hovers between his antennae.
"Sorry I'm late. Holo signing went over," he says apologetically.
"What passengers is Fitch talking about?"
"Ooh...great...can't wait," he says when someone explains. Fitch's grandkids have a habit of being equal parts helpful and troublesome though rarely at the same time.
He waits to pick up what he missed from the briefing until they're on the ship and making way.
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Rani pulls out some sunglasses and puts them on before looking towards Azara before helpfully catching him up on the things he missed while enjoying that cup of tea.
Later on, she is seen pushing a transparent aluminum tank, a bit taller than she is and twice as long, up the boarding rank. Fortunately it's on wheels. The tank also contains her belongings, put there for convenience sake.
After finishing final preparations and last-minute purchases, the party meets Fitch on board a modified Pegasus-class starship specifically selected for the journey. Fitch is on the bridge performing pre-flight checks while reflexively minding three of her grandchildren that are accompanying her for the trip.
"Starfinders, I'd like you to meet three of my grandkids," Fitch begins the introductions as three ysoki children gather with her on the bridge. "This is Kiha, her younger sister Reepu, and their cousin Zivv," Fitch says, indicating a ysoki girl roughly equivalent in maturity to a human teenager, an elementary school-aged girl, and an elementary school-aged boy, respectively. "Now kids, remember to behave and stay out of the nice Starfinders' way when they're doing their work. You can talk to them on the way to Wehemothal, but once we're there they have an imporant job to do while we look for sky rays. Doesn't that sound exciting!"
Reepu and Zivv smile broadly, while Kiha maintains a serious appearance.
Fitch continues, "Alright kids, let gramma Fitch talk with the team here for a bit. Kiha, can you make sure they finish unpacking?"
As Kiha herds Reepu and Zivv down the hallway, Fitch turns to the group and says, in a more quiet voice, "Don't let Kihu's posturing fool you; she's only that serious around the younger ones. She's the happiest to be here out of all of them. Since we're going to be together for a week on the way out, even with the faster Drift engine, I told the kids if they behaved you all might take some time to talk or play to them, maybe pass on a few things that you know. It'd mean a lot to me."
Fitch tells the party about each of her grandchildren's interests. Kiha is a budding mechanic and scientist, with a hobby for proramming and lots of homework to catch up on during the trip. Reepu loves anything that sparkles, whirls, or explodes. She loves flying on the starship and playing games like dress-up and hide-and-seek, and food prepared just the way she likes it. Zivv is a boundless font of energy, bouncing off the walls pretending to be a starfighter plane. He also loves stories about adventure.
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While not the best pilot, Conrad knows his way around, he's also had more than his share of jockeys in the bar. He will eventually find some time for Zivv.
"Hey buddy," he says with a genuine smile as he pulls up a couple of vids, "Heard you like flying. Tell me, who are your favorite pilots? You must know a few...."
Conrad loads up some highlight reels of the pilots Zivv likes. He gladly sits down with the lad and watches a few of them, giving commentary on the maneuvers and telling some slightly exaggerated tales of their exploits.
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"Happy to help," Azara says to Fitch.
During the day, he plays with the younger kids, using both his normal athletic abilities and his solarian abilities to change and control gravity to make games like tag and hide and go seek more interesting.
But at bedtime, he tells both Zivv and Reepu stories in the form of his own Castrovellian Epic poetry, always focusing on adventure.
"Once, not very long ago"
"Two skittermanders"
"Had lots of fun adventures."
"Although they were both Younglings"
"They were fast and strong"
"And were born to be pilots."
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Rani is actually a bit stymied. Sure she's a circus performer but some of the stuff she does could be classed as 'scary to impressionable minds'. The other thing, do ysoki swim as a matter of choice? Most of the ones she knew didn't because it messes with their fur. She did ask Fitch that question though.
She finally settled on showing the children some of her less dangerous stunts - while wearing some of her sparkly performing outfits , and telling them stories of her past adventures of a Starfinder - and since she had been featured on Zo! Media all three times, she could also show them clips as well as what clips she could find from Starfinder records.
When she wasn't with the children, or asleep, she was practising her skills in the water tank or on the bridge helping Fitch. ((unless this ship comes with a swimming pool and/or gymnasium))
Zivv has a blast with the party! He thinks Conrad's flying tales and skills are awesome, loves Azara's poetry, and loves watching Rani tumble.
Kiha really appreciates the party's help with her homework - when she's more on her own, her mood quickly turns to an enthusiastic curiousity. She gets the most help from Sefel, but appreciate's Yith helping out, too.
Reepu is fascinated by Deckard's whirling images. She giggles and runs in circles, trying to keep up!
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A week into the journey, Fitch calls the party to the bridge. Even though she's technically here on a vacation, the faction leader still coordinates a plan of action that feels almost--but not quite--like giving orders.
"Hey again, team! We're about to come out of the Drift over Wehemothal. While I navigate toward Indigo Deep, you all can take to lead on figuring out what we're getting into.
"We need the scan the planet to begin to collect scientific data for Celita, and to figure out if there's anything dangerously wonky about the planet's fields.
"We also can secure communications data from a Resurgent Technologies satellite that's in orbit around the planet. We'll be able to analyze communication logs, and hopefully find a clue about why Resurgent Technologies hasn't heard from the station lately.
"And, of course, we should reach out to Indigo Deep directly."
The purple-pink background of the Drift fades away as the Pegasus plane shifts into the material plane. Ahead, filling the ship's viewscreens, is a beautiful gas giant with swirls of orange, cerulean, and purple clouds. Fitch checks the navigation readings and begins moving the ship toward the station's coordinates.
As advertised, Wehemothal projects numerous powerful energies, including electromagnetic and magical fields. The latter are intangible magical pulses that trigger bursts of static but don’t seem to represent any overt threat, though a spellcaster could draw upon that energy. The scanners can sense five different technological probes in the planet’s middle and lower atmosphere, three of which are still online and sending meteorological data. Logs suggest that Indigo Deep has experienced fairly typical weather for the past month, though the lower atmosphere experienced severe turbulence about 20 days ago.
Wehemothal special feature: Wehemothal projects background magical energy that empowers spellcasting. When casting a spell, a creature can spend 1 Resolve Point and attempt a Mysticism check (DC = 15 + twice the spell’s level). If they succeed, the creature can choose one of the following when casting the spell: increase the spell’s duration by 50%, increase the damage dealt by 1 point per die, increase the initial save DC by 2, or gains a +2 bonus to the spell’s attack rolls.
The communications satellite in orbit is in good working order. Using passcodes provided by Resurgent Technologies to analyze the logs, you find that Indigo Deep attempts to send updates to the home offices about once a week, though thanks to planetary interference, about half of these reach the satellite in a corrupted format. The station’s shuttle periodically travels to the satellite to try rebroadcasting the messages. The satellite successfully received the request for Dr. Tsorsk’s return, though the data logs notes the message failed to reach the station. The last update was 20 days ago, and the last outgoing message was a short, corrupted broadcast 18 days ago. That last message was flagged as a distress call.
There is no verbal response from Indigo Deep, though the station does provide an automated series of diagnostics that the PC can supplement with information from the starship’s scanners. The data shows Indigo Deep has sustained considerable exterior damage, most notably its communications antenna, its landing pad (which is shorn off, with no sign of the station’s shuttle), and several large dents to the hull. Life-support systems are running at minimal capacity, half of the anti-debris lasers are offline, the space platform (a thruster-propelled platform for moving larger loads) is damaged, and the station has 19 discrete life signatures.
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Rani, not being a scientific person, attempts to contact the station.
Erm ... Fitch .... I think we may have a problem. I'm not getting any verbal response from Indigo Deep, although I am getting it's telemetry. It seems that Indigo Deep has sustained considerable exterior damage, most notably its communications antenna, its landing pad is shorn off, there's no sign of the station’s shuttle, and there are several large dents to the hull. Life-support systems are running at minimal capacity, half of the anti-debris lasers are offline, the space platform is damaged, and I'm only picking up 19 discrete life signatures.
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Data! The essential part.
Sefel speeds to his console on the bridge and gets to work.
So... checking out the planet itself. There are a lot of powerful energies, including electromagnetic and magical fields. The latter are intangible magical pulses that trigger bursts of static but don’t seem to represent any overt threat, though a practitioner of magic (such as myself) could draw upon that energy. There are five different technological probes in the planet’s middle and lower atmosphere, three of which are still online and sending meteorological data. Logs suggest that Indigo Deep has experienced fairly typical weather for the past month, though the lower atmosphere experienced severe turbulence about 20 days ago. So... we'll have to be careful when we get to that level. How's your flying, Fitch?
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"Well, we were going in, anyway. Just seems like under more difficult circumstances than we were hoping. 19 doesn't seem like a large number. Something serious must have happened," Azara chimes in.
He's looking down at a screen as he speaks, leaning against the bulkhead overhead on one forearm.
He quickly moves to a seat and straps himself in. "Are we going to have trouble docking? Or landing? Or whatever it is we're going to do to get in there?"
A look of concern briefly crosses Fitch's face.
"Rani, would you mind taking the piloting controls for a moment. I need to get something."
Fitch hops down from the pilot's station and begins walking toward the storage lockers on the bridge.
"Indigo Deep’s in bad shape, no doubt, and landing is going to be an issue. Even if the landing pad were there, the Pegasus is too large to dock with the station, and just drawing too close could disrupt the station’s orbit. We need a team on the ground—not just to figure out what’s going on and reestablish communications, but also to assist any survivors. I’ll mind the starship and use this time to reconfigure our own sensors to help provide you as much intelligence as I can. As for you, well, you kids ever gone skydiving?"
Fitch swings open the storage lockers to reveal six jetpack armor upgrades. If you don't already possess one, each requires an armor upgrade slot and does not work in powered armor.
Fitch then moves over to a computer station and pulls up scans of the station.
On the screen, you see Indigo Deep is a roughly half-dome shape with several additional projections and instrumentation. Using the images provided by the starship’s sensors, Fitch points out that there are two main target areas where you should be able to enter: the main airlock near where the landing pad once projected, and an auxiliary airlock about 90 degrees clockwise from there. As best she can speculate, the main airlock should be an easier target to reach while diving, but the area sustained more damage and might require some brute force to open. The auxiliary airlock seems undamaged, though it’s a smaller landing area and might be locked. She leaves the choice up to you as to which target to aim for, though she recommends not splitting the group. It’s necessary to dive, using the jetpacks sparingly so as to preserve their charge for the return ascent.
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"Sounds entertaining," Azara says as he takes the jet pack upgrade and swaps it for the force field upgrade in his suit.
He looks around at the gathered Starfinders. It doesn't take much to determine that the group has more brains than brawn.
"Auxiliary sounds good to me. Someone should be able to crack the code on it. A better chance than forcing the big door open," he says.