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Naarma leads the party to a hilly clearing, the ground peppered with both temporary shelters and permanent ones resembling earthen ziggurats. Along the way she explains that her people are izalguuns and the planet is called Izalraan.
Numerous izalguuns populate the camp, wielding primitive-looking tools and wearing animal furs to resist the cold.
The layout of the shelters is subtly sophisticated, optimizing visibility, accessibility, and defensibility.
The izalguuns’ gear, though archaic in appearance, is laced with polycarbons and other advanced synthetics to improve durability and weight distribution.
Naarma ushers the PCs into an underground chamber beneath one of the ziggurats, which is inexplicably heated and illuminated using electricity, and well stocked with various tools and medicines.
The shelter bears the same layout as a starship medical bay.
Naarma approaches a sweaty, unconscious izalguun bound to a stone slab with rope. While she begins a physical examination of the bound izalguun, she states that the research station’s experiments are having adverse affects on the ecosystem: the climate control device is extending and harshening the winter weather while muffling the natural plant growth, and the normally docile fauna become aggressive with cravings for the engineered plants. Even izalguuns that eat the plants exhibit withdrawal symptoms once they stop. She thinks she has identified the addictive protein and can devise a long-term treatment for it, but she doesn’t have the resources to keep pace with the station’s output of genetically modified organisms.
"We were out gathering specimens when Doorma and Fallma were attacked.. As a sign of our thanks please take these." Another izalguun brings in a rolled blanket and lays it on the floor. She unrolls it to reveal 2 survival knives and 3 devices that on closer examination are mk 1 thermal capacitor armor upgrades.
Then Naarma continues, "You were coming down the trail from the offworlders station.. What is your relationship to them?"
Lorne doesn't comment about the hidden use of tech, though he wonders about the term "natives."
Zephyr takes one of the thermal capacitors and replaces the descent thrusters in his powered armor, at least for the moment. As long as they are on the arctic planet, it will likely be the more necessary add-on.
”We landed at their facility, but we actually know little about them. I know they are scientists running experiments, but they didn’t mention any environmental side effects,” says Zephyr as he works.
"From what they showed us, looks like they're trying to engineer plants into growing some modern antibiotics 'r sumthin'. Makin' 'em addictive would be real underhanded, but very corp. Claim the entire op is dependent on that weather control tower, but didn't wanna let us get a look at it. They're REALLY well funded, though, so I'm bettin' their security team is pretty heavily armed 'n' fortified. Less you've got a lot more hidden around here than I think, an assualt ain't gonna go well fer ya." He stops and looks at everybody else.
"What? Didn't it sound ta ya like they wanna stop this experimentin'? Gotta point out when the obvious ain't a good idea. Right?"
"What? Didn't it sound ta ya like they wanna stop this experimentin'? Gotta point out when the obvious ain't a good idea. Right?"
"You do indeed," Jaeric nods, "Well reasoned, Lorne." He opens his hands towards Naarma in a gesture of appeasement before continuing. "We knew very little about Izalraan before coming here. In fact, our records among the Pact Worlds considered this planet to be uninhabited, but when we investigated further, we turned up a registered claim by Winterharvest, a subsidiary of Frozen Trove, a megacorporation owned and run by an ice dragon. I realize that sounds far-fetched, but I assure you, it's the truth. And, as you can imagine, the resources of its enterprise are far-reaching and considerable. So, the research station is probably quite well-defended. Even our brief time among them showed that to be true. You see, we had to land there after our ship came under attack when we orbited the planet. An alien craft tried to shoot us down, but we repelled it. Even so, our ship was damaged and the research station was the only friendly landing zone we could identify. And, in truth, it afforded us the opportunity to gauge what kind of operation these scientists are engaged in...and now, you've educated us more on that than they did. So, we don't entirely trust them ourselves."
"It's unfortunate their climate control and botany experiments are having such adverse effects here. Perhaps they didn't realize it? And maybe we could speak with them on your behalf to broker a different arrangement?"
"But, before we do...I wish to discuss our reasons for coming here. You see, we're on something of a rescue mission. Many of our colleagues came into possession of an alien artifact they didn't fully understand, and they took it with them to an unexplored star system we call the Scoured Stars. But, upon venturing there, it triggered some kind of trap and we've lost all contact with them. In fact, we're unable to reach them or even determine what happened there. Our organization, the Starfinder Society, has been attempting to recover and rebuild ever since. All of us here are relatively new agents. However, one of our most recent missions took us to the Athaeum...a special place that has gathered unique knowledge and lore across the ages in order to preserve it. We went there in hopes of gaining further insight into this artifact...essentially, to try and determine what our lost comrades might have missed about it...and hopefully identify a way to free them. The knowledge we found there was more of a memory or a recording, and if you'll allow me...?"
Jaeric hesitantly and questioningly reaches out a hand towards Naarma.
"...I'd like to share my memory of that experience with you so you can better understand what we saw and why it led us here. Perhaps your people have myths or legends of that same event. If so, we would greatly appreciate you sharing with us what you might know of it."
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[Dice=Perception]1d20+11
Never takes it all in, mumbles a thanks for the medical attention, and picks up on the advanced tech and fortifications. There's something familiar about the chambers, the layout and whatnot.
"Are you people for real?" she wonders aloud.
Never does Never, roaming freely about the shelter and poking into alcoves and cabinets. She cannot believe these centaurs usd such archaic weapons when they clearly have better tech available.
Perhaps Naarma doesn't hear. Perhaps she thinks the question is rhetorical. In any case she makes no effort to hinder Never's investigations.
With Naarma leaving them, Jaeric sits back and regards his companions. "I hope I did the right thing. The fastest way to explain ourselves was to share that memory. And they seem more friendly and open than the Winterharvest team. My intuition is telling me they're more trustworthy, but I guess we'll have to see..."
"Do any of you have any observations or ideas? It's likely they'll ask us to aid their cause by speaking with the scientists about the environmental damage those experiments are causing. And, in exchange, maybe they'll tell us more about that artifact or the recorded memory from the Athaeum. That's my hope at least..."
Zephyr shrugs and says, ”The shelter here is laid out like a starship medical bay. I’d venture a guess that our hosts arrived in a ship and cannibalized it for colonization.”
"'N their gear LOOKS primitive, but it's made o' 'vanced materials. They ain't all aboveboard neither. Could just be hidin' they ain't primitive natives. Don't know, yet."
"If they're descendants of the exodus we saw in that mind maze memory on Athaeum, it's possible their people came here within a starship, and presumably would possess technology as advanced...or more advanced...than our own. After all, the artifacts we're dealing with...are powerful enough to shield entire planets from something...and now our colleagues are trapped behind one."
"But thank you both...for pointing that out. We'll definitely want to keep that in mind as we deal with the izalguun. They don't seem to mind us wandering about and examining anything, though. That's unlike the Winterharvest security team. So, between the two...I think I'm still more inclined to trust Naarma and her people until they give us a reason not to. I'm eager to hear her thoughts on the memory I shared..."
Jaeric then examines the survival knives and thermal capacitors. He looks towards Zephyr since the android has already incorporated one of the latter into his armor. "You think these are safe? Given the environmental conditions...particularly if we have to deal with Winterharvest's climate control tower...they could come in handy. And I've got available slots in my new armor. Could either of you assist me with the installation?"
"Piece o' cake. Now, turn 'round sos Ah cin get to the socket . . .."
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After a short while, Naarma returns. "What you've shown me is from our past.. I am sure that we have information that can help you, but there is a condition.. Convince the offworlders at the research station to cease their operations and leave Izalraan.. Then we will tell you what we know."
She refuses any other offers, only wanting to see the Frozen Trove outpost removed from her world before she’ll part with the information the Starfinder Society seeks.
"Well, that's excellent news," Jaeric replies to Naarma, "But what you ask in return...well, it'll be a tough sell. Winterharvest...or Frozen Trove...came here for reason. And that reason was decided upon by an undoubtedly greedy corporate dragon. I can't imagine its people will easily part ways with any directive given to them. But, we can certainly try. The information you have...whatever it might be...could prove vital in helping us save our friends and colleagues. So, we can do as you ask."
"However, as Never alludes, convincing them will be problematic," Jaeric continues, "I don't get the sense Farvenzi or Spinjack will be all that amenable to any proposition to cease operations and leave the planet. They'll toe the corporate line set by their master. Doctor Monsylkis, though...she might be more open to hearing the concerns of the izalguuns. Naarma? Is there any irrefutable proof you can provide us which we could show to their lead researcher? If we can scientifically demonstrate the adverse impact they're having here, we might stand a chance of convincing the researchers to abandon the operation."
He looks back to Never, Zephyr, and Lorne. "Of course, getting to Monsylkis to show her that proof will be the challenge. And, even then, if she chooses loyalty to Frozen Trove over doing the right thing, it might be a dead-end and we'll need a Plan B on how to convince them anyway. Sparky? As soon as we get back to the research station, let's park the snow dragons and check on the Pegasus. It's possible we'll need its firepower to even the odds and take out that climate control tower. So, you be ready if we have to call you in. The rest of us can work on getting another audience with Monsylkis."
FYI...I'm not purposefully trying to sideline or exclude Sparky. We just haven't seen a post from him in about 2 months now, so this might be the easiest way to keep him involved in a story sense.
"If the scientists, when presented with proof of the negative effect their experiments are having on the local ecosystem, are willing and able to modify their process to stop causing harm, insisting on them leaving is both illogical and unreasonable," contributes Zephyr.
"Of course, if they are not amenable, that is a different matter. I will, however, not take part in attacking the scientists if they choose the honorable path," he adds, looking directly at Naarma with his unblinking stare.
"If the scientists choose the honorable path, it'll be interesting to see how that's accepted...or not accepted...by the security team. I'm still wondering who exactly is in charge at the research station. Monsylkis was the first to contact us before landing. So, hopefully, she calls the shots. If not, or if the security team takes orders from higher up, we may still face resistance. In that event, as long Monsylkis and her researchers are trying to do the honorable thing, I'd say we support them in that endeavor. The Starfinder leadership may have to deal with the fallout, but I'm confident we'll be undertaking the greater good if faced with that scenario."
"Never?" he looks to their security expert, trusting the vanguard's opinion on the tactics of the matter, "From what you saw of the station layout, do you think you can develop a plan for the rest of us on how best to counter their security if things turn hostile? It's imperative we reach Monsylkis so we can secure her cooperation. And we need to avoid or neutralize anything that might impede us. What do you think we should do?" He looks to Naarma. "And if we could stay the night here at your encampment, we can better prepare ourselves."
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Never blinks, wondering how Jaeric missed her sarcasm.
"Short of getting to the Pegasus and blasting the station from atmosphere, no," she replies bluntly. "I don't like this. Naarma here hasn't even explained how she knows about our space battle. She's holding out on us. Meanwhile, the station fixed our ship for nothing and have been really pretty nice to us."
Then she looks sideways at Naarma.
"If you want us to get rid of the corporate goons poisoning your planet you need to put skin in the game. We need everyone who can shoot along for the assault. Otherwise a lot of people are gonna get killed for nothing better than your word. If it's us alone we're up against a dragonkin and a suit of power armor and who knows what else. I don't like our odds. I might be more reasonable if I knew you had our backs."
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..."However, as Never alludes, convincing them will be problematic," Jaeric continues, "I don't get the sense Farvenzi or Spinjack will be all that amenable to any proposition to cease operations and leave the planet. They'll toe the corporate line set by their master. Doctor Monsylkis, though...she might be more open to hearing the concerns of the izalguuns. Naarma? Is there any irrefutable proof you can provide us which we could show to their lead researcher? If we can scientifically demonstrate the adverse impact they're having here, we might stand a chance of convincing the researchers to abandon the operation."
Naarma folds her hands across her stomach. "If they watched what's happening where their plants have escaped into the greater environment,, they could see for themselves.. Tell your doctor Monsylkis to look at the unique alkaloids the plants form and model their effect on dopamine receptor analogues.. If that doesn't convince her,, she can come talk to me. "
He looks back to Never, Zephyr, and Lorne. "... Sparky? As soon as we get back to the research station, let's park the snow dragons and check on the Pegasus. ...."
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They ysoki nods, "Aye, aye, captain."
"If the scientists, when presented with proof of the negative effect their experiments are having on the local ecosystem, are willing and able to modify their process to stop causing harm, insisting on them leaving is both illogical and unreasonable," contributes Zephyr.
"Of course, if they are not amenable, that is a different matter. I will, however, not take part in attacking the scientists if they choose the honorable path," he adds, looking directly at Naarma with his unblinking stare.
"Except of course, it is our planet.. Would any of your worlds have behaved with our restraint if an off-world species landed and began poisoning their environs?? And especially now that we learn how dubious their motives are,, can we trust them if they stay??"
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... "Short of getting to the Pegasus and blasting the station from atmosphere, no," she replies bluntly. "I don't like this. Naarma here hasn't even explained how she knows about our space battle. She's holding out on us. Meanwhile, the station fixed our ship for nothing and have been really pretty nice to us."
Then she looks sideways at Naarma."If you want us to get rid of the corporate goons poisoning your planet you need to put skin in the game. We need everyone who can shoot along for the assault. Otherwise a lot of people are gonna get killed for nothing better than your word. If it's us alone we're up against a dragonkin and a suit of power armor and who knows what else. I don't like our odds. I might be more reasonable if I knew you had our backs."
Naarma sidles backward three steps from the vanguard and rears unto her hind legs, her head brushing the ceiling. Her hand holds a knife somehow scooped from the little pile of gifts in an upper hand. Her lower hand holds the sheath, ready to draw. "You threaten me!? You accuse me of holding out?? Have you asked since we came here to talk?? Why do you and the synthetic one assume that violence must be your first course of action??"
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Never is astonished. "What did I say exactly that you took to be a threat?"
Never looks back to her team. "Hey guys, how many times in the past five minutes have I asked how Naarmz knows about our space battle? Twice, right? Notice she's still not answering. And now you're pulling a knife on me because I tell you we're undermanned against their security? Get real.
"If you don't think this will go bad, why haven't you walked over there yourselves and ask them nicely to stop with the experiments? If you know the problem, go tell them about it. What do you need us for?"
Zephyr says, ”If they admit to their advanced technology and its extra-planetary origin, Never, it weakens their claim as natives to this planet. That is why your questions go unanswered. Yet if we are to be allies, we must trust each other enough to relate the truth, so that we can make a reasoned decision based on facts.”
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Naarma lets go of the sheath so that she can drop down unto four legs. She places the still sheathed knife back on the table and looks directly at Never.
"Off-worlder,, I read your manner as one of threat.. Everything that comes out of that station is a threat.. They unbalance the world we live in with their corrupt plants.. They harry us as if we were game or vermin..
"You may not be lying corpo types,, but you assume that an embassy on our behalf will end in violence,, and you seek to draw us directly into it.. As a people we renounce violence,, and unbalancing technologies.. We use even benevolent technology sparingly, prefering to live in balance with Izalraan."
She turns to Zephyr. "And whether the technology we use is advanced,, or extra-planetary in origin,, has no effect on our claim to this planet.. Eons have grown old while we've dwelt here.. Shall I show you the burial pyre of our ancestors??
"You are an opportunity to remove the station without compromising our beliefs. If you are successful, we will pay you with a piece of our history."
"Ya know, the whole Ah can't trust ya 'til after ya trust me circle's uh way ta never trust nobody. That have anythin' ta do wi' yer name?"
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Naarma clucks to herself. "I may have misjudged your intention.. You are small,, but your weapons are easy to hand,, and,, you stand on two feet like you wish to impress your dominance on me... "
She bends her neck to twist her head down and to the side so that the slit of her mouth is parallel to the ground. Her face is nearly level with Never's as a result. "In truth,, you,, Never,, have asked me no questions since we arrived at the village. From your speech,, before my unnecessarily protective reaction,, I conclude that how we knew of the space battle is the bone over which we fight..
"Long ago,, we escaped another star system where the gods were cruel,, and we landed here.. We learned the rhythms of Izalraan,, and how to live in harmony with the planet.. Over time we shed daily dependence on much technology..
"But we are not so foolish as to dispense with such useful tools altogether.. We still learn the technological arts.. We still maintain our ancient equipment.. Out of necessity caused by the establishment of the research station,, we monitor our solar system.. We have intensified our studies on the life sciences..
"Does that satisfy you?"
"Cooler heads should prevail in this..." Jaeric speaks up. "Not simply this conversation, but I mean with Doctor Monsylkis. Naarma? We'll take your insights and pass it along to her when we return to the research station. I'll speak with her personally to explain the situation. She seemed reasonable and helpful when we landed. Her security team? Not so much. So, the real trick will be pitting one against the other. Hopefully, that keeps it to a diplomatic resolution rather than a violent one."
"Never? I scan what you're saying. It reads true. I don't disagree with you wanting the answers you sought. It makes good tactical sense. I also think Naarma's given us enough for now. And, as Starfinders, I think it's important that we build some amount of trust here with the izalguuns first, if for no other reason than to undo some of the damage Winterharvest and Frozen Trove may have caused them. That doesn't mean any of this is going to be less dangerous when we go back. And I think we'll need you to help us handle that. There's no one I'd want backing us up more than you. If things go south, you lead us out of it, and the rest of us will follow."
"Really don't like the smell o' this. Cin we sneak over 'n' try ta cut the power to tha tower first? Or is that an open act ya want to avoid if we can?"
"I think that might undercut our sincerity with Monsylkis if we don't talk to her first," Jaeric replies. "Right now, we've shown no signs of aggression towards them, but sabotaging their operation will definitely tip our hand earlier than I'd like." He pauses for a moment as he seems to reconsider Lorne's question and an additional thought comes to mind. "Still, it might worth you and Sparky assessing how to cut the power if it come to that. Just be quiet about it. Odds are their security will be keeping a sharp eye on us."
Having listened for a time, Zephyr asks the question that has been bothering him, ”As a people, Naarma, you renounce violence and unbalancing technologies. Yet if the scientists and their guards prove intractable, we would be left with using both on your behalf to remove them from your world.”
Zephyr points to the ‘unbalancing technology’ powered armor and artillery laser he has, asking, ”Would you accomplish your goals, whatever the means, if it meant compromising your beliefs?”
"I get the sense they've rationalized a compromise," Jaeric offers aloud. "They'd rather we use violence and technology to accomplish the task...if necessary...so they don't have to. And, in so doing, by proxy, they accomplish their goals through us...and they don't have to get their hands dirty. In that regard, they feel they'll preserve their beliefs...insofar as they didn't carry out the violence directly. But, before all that, they're hoping we can resolve it diplomatically first...which we're far better positioned to accomplish than them."
"Is that a fair assessment, Naarma?"
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Never wonders why the other members of the team keep feeling the need to speak for Naarma.
"If that's the case, I think we need to ask ourselves what this information is worth. If the station security objects, are we really gonna just murder them? Are we that big'a dicks? I mean, after what we did to the Hell Knights I think the answer is Yes, but I don't have to like it."
"Its a bizniss, right? Don't have ta kill any, jest have to make it too expensive ta stay."
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"I get the sense they've rationalized a compromise," Jaeric offers aloud. "They'd rather we use violence and technology to accomplish the task...if necessary...so they don't have to. And, in so doing, by proxy, they accomplish their goals through us...and they don't have to get their hands dirty. In that regard, they feel they'll preserve their beliefs...insofar as they didn't carry out the violence directly. But, before all that, they're hoping we can resolve it diplomatically first...which we're far better positioned to accomplish than them."
"Is that a fair assessment, Naarma?"
"Fair and concise.. In addition,, if you can get them to leave peacefully,, it will demonstrate that you off-worlders may be reasoned with,, value land-rights,, and a mutually respectful relationship may be attainable in the future.. "
"I can assure you that our organization...the Starfinder Society...would like nothing more than that." Jaeric wraps up the conversation and nods to the rest of the team. "Let's get our things prepared for returning to the research station," he announces, "If there are any more armor mods or repairs we think might be necessary for the snow dragons, let's get that taken care of, grab a little rest, and maybe work on some strategies for how to approach Monsylkis with Naarma's data."
”Before we leave, perhaps some additional leverage would be in order. Naarma, can you put together a second information packet containing the proof of the effect the experiments are having on the environment and your people? I would suggest we take one packet to the scientists to try and convince them, then have another on standby for Naarma’s people to send to whatever agency at Absalom Station enforces environmental law,” suggests Zephyr.
Looking to Jaeric, Zephyr asks, ”I am not familiar enough with Absalom to help here; do you know the right contact? We could ask Naarma to send the packet if we don’t make contact in a certain amount of time or they overtly start hostilities.”
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"Kind of like a 'poison pill' that activates in the event of our untimely demise? Well, I'm not sure Icefront...or Izalraan, as Naarma's people call it...falls within the jurisdiction of the Pact Worlds. We're pretty far beyond the reach of the Stewards, but they operate out of Absalom Station and I've read about them getting involved in off-world environmental restrictions that concerned Castrovel's leaders before. From what my father told me about them, I believe they also police neutral space lanes, so perhaps that extends beyond the Pact World borders? It wouldn't hurt to file a complaint with them. And maybe the Starfinders, too, just so the First Speaker can follow up on any other legal recourses available to us."
”A good plan. Let’s do it—it gives us a bit more leverage anyway,” replies Zephyr, getting ready to head outside into the cold.
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Naarma agrees and prepares the information packages while you work on the damaged Snow Dragons.
Outside, working on the machines, you can observe the izalguuns, who are quiet but friendly, in their own daily tasks. Many izalguuns attend to chores geared toward survival— boiling frozen vegetables, fletching arrows, stitching tents, tanning animal hides, and the like—but others sprint through the campground while throwing an aerodynamic wooden discus to each other and flinging snowballs.
eventually striking the opposing team’s tree with it, with specific players unable to touch the discus but able to knock it from the sky by throwing snowballs.
While Lorne, Sparky, and Zephyr presumably handle most of the repair work on the damaged snow dragon, Jaeric watches the izalguun encampment, paying particular attention to those playing with the aerodynamic disc. After getting a sense of the game they're playing, he quietly approaches and jogs along with them to observe what he can only assume is an athletic competition, curious to see who might win and ready celebrate each successful score.