Each one of you gets a message to a briefing with Venture-Captain Arvin at Lorespire Complex. When you arrive at his office, the room is closed and a spherical robot is hovering in front of his doors displaying using one of his projectors.
"Please wait, Venture-Captain Arvin is busy at the moment."
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A large grey-brown bear wanders into the room . Walking on two legs, she wears some natural looking clothing with lots of green and brown. On her back she wears a backpack, and in one hand is a shovel, though she seems to hold it more like a weapon than a digging implement.
Out loud she says, . Though it sounds more line "Nnnammmes Slmthn.".
In your heads you hear a much higher (almost soprano) feminine voice, "Though I prefer you call me Smoky."
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A courtier shirren wearing a dark blue suit of regimental dress armor 'speaks up', but can only be heard in the listener's mind. A pistol and survival knife are in a belt on his waist.
"Oh, how exciting! Hello, Smoky, and greetings, everyone. My name is Kaixik (ka-ICKS-ick), but you can call me "K" if that is easier for you to say, if you prefer to verbalize sounds through your mouth parts. It is a pleasure to meet you all, and I look forward to cooperating on this soon-to-be-revealed task with all of you!"
Soon the spherical robot turns on and begins speaking
"Welcome K, Welcome Smoky. Would like to take part in this short interview. Please specify what was the last mission that you took part in and what was the most unusual thing that you ate in your life?" says in a nice female voice.
"If you prefer, you may send the response to the provided address." after that the robot project a 3d sign containing an address.
The robot keeps blinking for few moments but when not interacted with goes into standby mode.
After a minute, to the waiting room barges in Radaszam. He looks at Smoky and K and nods to them heading straight to the doors. You can see that he is clearly upset.
The Vesk approaches the doors and bangs at them with his fist. Then using his key he overrides the lock settings and opens the doors.
"Arvin! Who dared to postpone my mission? One of my men was killed on Idari and no, the investigation cannot wait!" Yells at Venture-Captain Arvin and leaves not letting the lashunta say anything.
Soon after the doors close again.
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A rarity among the Pact Worlds, much less the Starfinder Society, one of your companions is a living-and-breathing elebrian - a native of Eox who isn't an undead. Despite the fact that he wraps his body in black and dark brown leather strips, even moreso wrapping his enlarged cranium up as if wearing a turban, he isn't fully able to hide his cultural heritage.
He quietly slips into the back of the briefing room, then seeming to sigh as if bored. He keeps as much of his skin covered at all times - usually just leaving the area around his eyes open when his armor's environmental seals aren't active. He doesn't appear to have much weaponry on him except for a snub-nosed sonic pistol with a bayonet bracket on it...or else the rest must be carefully concealed among all those layers of wrapped cloth.
When people are offering greetings, he just sighs a bit and shrugs, offering two meager words: "Name's Oz."
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A squat, almost square shaped bald male who looks like he would be a 6 ft body builder if he wouldn't be compressed due to living in a heavy gravity environment arrives panting after running for a while to arrive to the meeting on time, but failing.
Resting bend over with his hands on his knees he pants
"Name's Charrrlie. I was told to meet herrre forr brrriefing."
before wheezing some more as he tries to catch his breath.
The game is on!
The doors to Venture-Captain Arvin’s private office slide quickly. The lashunta man jots down some quick notes on his datapad, and then he glances up and motions to sit down. Arvin seems tired, his clothing is crumpled and on his desk stands a pot of coffee that he uses to refil his cup.
"Welcome. I am sorry that you had to see that discussion between Radaszam and I. We have some operational challenges." He nods to each and every one of you
"It is good to see you, Naiaj ensured me that she will send me the best and brightest that she can spare." Arvin again looks at you and continues
"We have just finished compiling some intriguing news. The Society’s magical archive for divining potential new finds, the Communion Vaults, houses a perpetually sleeping Liavaran Dreamer named Whisperer of Solar Winds. The Dreamer rarely rouses from its torpor, but when it does, it spins interwoven dream stories that point us to promising finds. It awoke earlier this week and has given us an elegant story about a fractured sandstone tablet that could point the Society to a great treasure." As he speaks Lashunta offers a cup of coffee to anyone who expresses interest. The smell of coffee fills the room as Arvin says
"Unfortunately, the three fragments of the tablet appear to be in very different locales based on the tales we’ve recorded. Luckily, each of these locations appears to be within the Pact Worlds. It’s your job to track each piece down and report back here so we can get everything pieced together and figure this dream out. Your first destination is the machine-driven world of Aballon. Based on the details of the first dreamspun tale, you’re likely to be looking for an android in a less-than-reputable city. We’re sending you via shuttle to Towershadow, where you’ll have to figure out for yourselves what awaits. Time is of the essence, as things can change quite quickly. Any questions before you depart?"
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Kaixik extends greetings to Oz and Charlie. He begins to hold up a hand as Radaszam enters the room, but he lowers it as the vesk storms back out.
"Oh dear. No need to apologize, Venture-Captain Arvin. Everyone has rough days at work sometimes."
Kaixik listens intently to Arvin as he speaks, though he is slightly disappointed Arvin isn't using his natural lashunta telepathy. He gladly accepts a coffee when offered.
After the Venture-Captain concludes, Kaixik reviews the dreamspun tale. "Oh, I do love poetry!" he comments.
After reading the message, he says, "So we're looking for an android in Towershadow, in the Megaplex of Striving, on Aballon, in possession of a fragment of a standstone tablet whose experiencing legal trouble, right? Is there anything else, like a physical description perhaps, that the dreamer communicated? I'd imagine there are literally thousands of anacites or androids in legal trouble of some form or another in the Megaplex, and asking each one if they have a piece of sandstone might not cut it if time is of the essence."
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"A full Starfinder team for...a mystical...scavenger hunt? ...Great!" (/sarcasm) (sigh)
Arvin nodded to K and begun to look for additional information about the android when he heard Oz sarcastic remark.
He lifted his head and responded to Elebrian
"Oh, please accept my apologies, Master Blackstone. After all, Starfinder Societies' main goal is keeping their agents entertained. I am sorry that this mission is not up to your standards. I will try to do better next time."
After that, he begins shipping through information and images on his datapad.
"No, I am afraid not. We have no description, no name, or anything. Take a look yourself."
With one swift move of his hand, the information from Arvin datapad are projected in the air. Showing you three separate images, with three 'poems'. You can see odd images with certain parts being very detailed while the other parts completely blurred.
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"I am being pulled off of Nakondis to do a...as the living elebrian said....scavenger hunt. Very well, though I do hope that the Xenowardens will be notified of my reassignment to this."
"I have yet to meet the dreamer....their words are very poetic....makes me wonder if that is what the dreamer sends to their keeper, or if the keeper does the poetry to do their best to portray the vision...."
Smoky shrugs, knowing that it is likely a moot point, and gets to her feet. " To Aballon then....though it pains my heart to see a planet so technologically built up with so little natural environment."
Arvin takes a sip of his coffee and responds telepathically
"Yes, Agent Smoky. We did inform Xenowardens of your change in assignments."
"When it comes to dreamers, they are extraordinary. An individual blessed by telepathy can participate in their dreams. But this is an experience that is hard to explain. Dreams touch all of the senses, sometimes are best described with poetry, and sometimes with music. We developed advanced postprocessing software to catch the significant details and filter them out from... well 'noise'."
"If you ever have an opportunity, schedule yourself a visit there."
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Hearing his new team mates comment about the job at hand Charlie is confidant that they (at least seem to be) good at their jobs.
Charlie just sits there during the briefing nodding like he knows what's going on.
While he thinks to himself
"...dreaming...sounds kind of out there....I hope one of the otherrs knows more about it..all I can add to that part of the missions is some snorrrring...at least the part about collection things is sort of clearr. Collection things I can do..."
After the briefing, you all head towards the docks, where at platform 63 waits a shuttle to Aballon. The shuttle is operated by sentient robots which try to make the journey pleasant.
After a few days, the shuttle reaches a blasted wasteland of a planet that—despite its dark and barren appearance—quickly shows itself to be covered in glittering metal cities under the full brightness of the Pact World’s sun. The shuttle goes through a set of blast doors into a city built inside and around what was clearly once a massive silver tower.
After finding yourself accommodation you meet in a recommended bar for newcomers to Aballon to begin your search for the android.
The bar is fully automated with an AI taking orders and drinks being delivered to the tables using a similar overhead crane.
Smoky decides to leave the bar and track the android the good old way. But the environmental difference causes Smoky to get lost and accomplish nothing.
He does however have the opportunity to wander around the mostly automated and inhabited by SRO city.
Both Oz and Charlie-X head out to track the android. But all three of the trackers at first follow a lot of false leads. You all meet a few robots and androids that do have legal troubles but none of them had a tablet.
It all takes you a couple of hours during which you experience a very quick sunset and sunrise. You might get amazed by the huge temperature difference between the day and the night times on Aballon. The lack of any atmosphere and minimal protections from the city keep your environmental seals busy whenever you are outside.
The next on your list of targets is an Android called Lerecti. The android recently fled to the area following charges of murder on Verces. You find the androgynous android, who garbs themselves in workers’ clothes, spending their time near a convenience store.
The Android sees you approaching and looks uneasy
"Are you Bogdin's thugs? I am protected by Aballon law until the trial takes place."
I knew it! You looked! Bad! Bad! Bad!
Lerecti eyes Smoky with a bit of suspicion as he mauls something over.
"You mean the tablet. It’s somewhere safe, although I can’t really get it right now while I wait for my trial."
"I took the tablet hoping that it will be worth something if I needed money. You mentioned being Starfinders, I can give you the table if you help me get some of the evidence that I gathered for my trial. I was framed for murder on my homeworld, Verces, for finding out some scumbag of a club owner was engaging in android trafficking. Had to come here to get a proper trial from the anacites."
He moves a bit closer
"I gathered evidence for my trial to prove my innocence, but it was stolen by some thugs. The evidence is on a datapad with a red sticker that some verthani thug took to the slums. I was able to locate them..." he says in a hushed voice waiting for your response.
Even that K stays silent you can see his anthenas moving constantly, possibly trying to convince Lerecti to something or calm him down.
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Smoky nods slowly, "Normally I would say you should just grin and bear it and deal with the judicial system...but I unfortunately have had some...dealings....with Verces sense of law and justic. And I can agree that if you were framed by somebody who has clout and influence on that planet, you would have had ZERO chances of even presenting that evidence. Now....getting a datapad back shouldn't be hard...though we might have to find a way to deal with the local laws if we get into a scrap with these thugs."
Lerecti turns towards Smoky with a glimpse of hope on his face. Blueish circuits begin to glow brighter as he looks at the uplifted bear
"Generation of my forebears lived on Verces, and you are correct it was neither easy nor just, even by twisted local standards."
"Are you speaking for the whole group?"
Lerecti sends a geolocation to Smoky.
"I will be waiting in a coffee shop 5 minutes away from that point. Bring my datapad and I will give you the tablet."
Lerecti’s information leads the PCs to a grungy section of Towershadow’s interior slums. The ground here is a grimy mix of soot and dirt, created from the runoff of various industries on Aballon and entirely unnatural to the normally sterile planet. The buildings in this particular area are abandoned, with doors hanging open and interiors ransacked by gangsters and vagrants.
The ikeshti and her two verthani partners have been waiting in this area, biding their time and lying low.
THe ikeshti smiles widely, her long tongue sticking out of her mouth
"So, you must be Lerecti friends. Such a funny-looking bunch. You've made a great mistake..."
As she reaches for her weapon...
Turn tracker (those in bold may go)
Charlie
K
Oz
Smoky
Merthinett
Verthani Orange
Verthani Blue
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Oz refrains from taking part in the talking and making "friends" portion of the mission, but once people are drawing weapons on fellow Starfinders, he leaps into action! Drawing his pistol as he slips forward, he tries to mask his movements from the ikeshti and shoot her in a vital spot!
or below is flat-footed
vs. EAC
*sigh*
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Smoky growls at the verthani's. She realizes that there is zero change to get them to back down and give up.
She strides forward, her one of her hands on her shovel, with the other dipping into one of the folds of her loose clothing....coming out with a dull piece of metal with a small rune on it. Barely taking any time, she tosses it at the verthani to the left, trying to use the environment to her best advantage.
Right after the shuriken hits it target...or misses...it starts its return trip back to Smoky's hand.
The verthani that gets hit seems to be flat footed.
Merthinett smiled when Charlie and Oz made their attempts
"You will pay for those warning shot..."
K looks at the enemies and reaches for his static arc pistol. He closes his eyes and his antennas begin to twitch. K makes a telepathic scream that echos in the mind of thugs
Smoky moves forwards and throws his shuriken, completely surprising one of the thugs. The flying star digs deep into enemy armor and as the weapon returns to Smoky's hand a solid blood trail is drawn on the floor.
The ikesthi said nothing more, but with trembling hands, she reached for a grenade that she thrown between Oz, Charlie and Smoky
The blast of an electric explosion fills the space in between Starfinders.
The Verthani moves forwards and attacks Smoky
Both Verthanis miss Smoky, who despite his big stature seems rather agile.
Turn tracker (those in bold may go) - Round 2
Charlie 10 E damage, reflex save DC13
K
Oz 10 E damage, reflex save DC13
Smoky 10 E damage, reflex save DC13
Merthinett sickened, shaken for 2 more rounds
Verthani Orange -9 damage, sickened, shaken for 3 more rounds
Verthani Blue sickened, shaken for 3 more rounds
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Seeing the grenade fly towards him Charlie turns into the blast and manages to avoid the brunt of it.
Screaming in rage or from the pain of the grenades impact ..or both ...Charlie move is stubby little but powerful legs forward at increasing speed using his forward mass and momentum for added impact
...but on the way there he trips over a small edged piece of metal and he ends up hopping the last few steps which throws of his balance, not to mention his aim.
Charlie rushes forwards, and even that he trips and his punch is thrown blindly it does hit the Verthani into the torso. The punch is strong enough to send the enemy into the ground.
He smacks on the ground with an odd sound that might indicate broken bones. The most important is that this one does not move anymore.
Turn tracker (those in bold may go) - Round 2
Charlie -5 (SP 19/24)
K
Oz 10 E damage, reflex save DC13
Smoky 10 E damage, reflex save DC13
Merthinett sickened, shaken for 2 more rounds
Verthani Orange -9 damage, sickened, shaken for 3 more rounds dead
Verthani Blue sickened, shaken for 3 more rounds
K moves forwards next to Oz and lifts his pistol, he pulls the trigger as the electric bolt launches forwards...
And miss Merthinett!
Turn tracker (those in bold may go) - Round 2
Charlie -5 (SP 19/24)
K
Oz 10 E damage, reflex save DC13
Smoky 10 E damage, reflex save DC13
Merthinett sickened, shaken for 2 more rounds
Verthani Orange -9 damage, sickened, shaken for 3 more rounds dead
Verthani Blue sickened, shaken for 3 more rounds
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Medium sized creature built stairs seems to trip up Smoky....the electricity seems to arc into her and down through the metal stairs. The smell of slightly singed fur...and oregano and basil?....seems to permeate the air.
Shaking her head, Smokey puts the shuriken between two of her fingers on one paw and swipes out with the sharp edge of the shuriken as a melee weapon at the other verthani.
But because of the railing of the stairs seems to have problems getting a good angle to hit her opponent.
The other Verthani is not fooled by the electrocuted bear. It could be the damage or lack of focus but the thug is missed by the attack.
Charlie -5 (SP 19/24)
K
Oz 10 E damage, reflex save DC13
Smoky -10 (SP 18/28)
Merthinett sickened, shaken for 2 more rounds
Verthani Orange -9 damage, sickened, shaken for 3 more roundsdead
Verthani Blue sickened, shaken for 3 more rounds
Oz, keeps on running keeping close to the rubble. As soon as he has a clear shot he attempts to surprise Verthani with a shot
or below is flat-footed
vs. EAC
*sigh*
The other Verthani is not fooled by the electrocuted bear. It could be the damage or lack of focus but the thug is missed by the attack.
Between Smoky powerful punch and Oz's trick shot the thug falls to the ground with limbs twisted at an unnatural angle.
Merthinett looks with dismay at how his two henchmen were treated and in few quick steps she moves forwards taking out her swoop hammer.
Despite her small stature, ikeshti takes a powerful swing at Smoky
Hitting her in the belly.
Turn tracker (those in bold may go) - Round 3
Charlie -4 (SP 20/24)
K
Oz
Smoky -22 (SP 6/28)
Merthinett sickened, shaken for 1 more rounds
Verthani Orange -9 damage, sickened, shaken for 3 more rounds dead
Verthani Blue sickened, shaken for 3 more rounds dead
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Kaixik's quickly moves to a higher vantage point from which he can look down at Merthinett.
his telepathic voice booms as he gestures threateningly with his static arc pistol. "It is your only hope of survival!"
Ikeshti almost jumps hearing the voice in her head. Maybe that was why she did not miss the bear paw. Her head being smacked by this massive blow.
Turn tracker (those in bold may go) - Round 3
Charlie -4 (SP 20/24)
K
Oz
Smoky -22 (SP 6/28)
Merthinett -9 | sickened, shaken for 2 more rounds
Verthani Orange -9 damage, sickened, shaken for 3 more rounds dead
Verthani Blue sickened, shaken for 3 more rounds dead
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Backing up a few steps Charlie pumps his legs to get a short running start moving forward before leaping into the air at the last moment and using the added momentum to deliver a bigger impact landing with a double handed blow to his opponent.
Seeing his companion trying to keep our opponent alive Charlie turns his hit into a glancing blow at the last moment trying to keep someone around to ask question later.
"Timberrrrr!!!!"
Charlie's punch connects with Merthinett which yells in pain, fortunately for her Oz attack was less accurate.
Furius Ikeshti keeps on swinging her hammer at the bear
But both of her swings miss.
Turn tracker (those in bold may go) - Round 4
Charlie -4 (SP 20/24)
K
Oz
Smoky -22 (SP 6/28)
Merthinett -26 | sickened, shaken for 1 more rounds
Verthani Orange -9 damage, sickened, shaken for 3 more rounds dead
Verthani Blue sickened, shaken for 3 more rounds dead
Between the two powerful hits from Smoky and Charlie, Merthinett falls unconscious to the ground.
The alley is silent, despite all the shooting and fighting happening no one is looking or even getting nearby. That could give you some insight into what kind of area is it.
When you search the thugs, you find some weapons and an envelope with few belongings, one of which is a datapad with a recording file. The file shows a video from a camera showing Lerecti working in a warehouse for what seems to be the whole day.
After few minutes Merthinett wakes up and says
"This is why you came here? For that datapad? What a waste of your time, that android is done! Bogdin has plenty of friends on Verces, a really dangerous one. If, not this trial he might simply send thugs after him!"