By popular demand. Dot in here.
Today’s the day!
The streets and corridors outside of Lorespire Complex on Absalom Station bustle with activity, with many of the passersby being Starfinder Society agents leaving on or returning from missions. It’s a scene that can’t help but inspire excitement and anticipation.
Signs direct the way to the assigned meeting room, whose far wall is lined with a bank of gently-humming servers in matte black cases. The building’s temperature control system audibly struggles to keep the room only a degree or two warmer than the hallway outside. A holographic image of a featureless humanoid form projects from a lens in the server; after a moment, it comes into focus, resembling an avuncular old human man wearing a tan sweater-vest.
The hologram smiles gently. “Greetings. I am Guidance, and I will be administering and adjudicating your first mission. Please observe the following image.” The holograms shifts to show a slowly rotating world of various biomes while Guidance continues to speak. “Several weeks ago, the Starfinder Society received an unusual transmission intermingled with our regular communiques. After some examination, we traced it back to thisplanet in the Vast. The message was garbled and in an unknown language, but our xenolinguists determined it was an advisory warning meant for the world’s inhabitants. “We know little else. Your task is to travel to this planet, explore the source of the transmission, and learn all you can.”
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A quorlu is listening to Guidance briefing, thinking it’s a bit cold here. As other member of his race, he’s a quadruped, with 3 eyes, 3 arms and a crystalline lithic shell. He’s quite short, 4-1/2 feet tall, but weighs 350 pounds. This particular individual has a heavy armor, a melee and heavy weapon, and his clothing bears the name T&T Mining Company, two letters in dwarven are part of the company’s logo. They are listening with great attention the briefing.
Looking toward the hologram, they ask “Have you any information on the planet and it’s system?”
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A dashing middle aged human man sits comfortably in the briefing room, listing as the hologram speaks. He is dressed in a well fitted and clean pressed flight suit, with his greying hair neatly brushed back. As he regards Guidance, he can't help but marvel to himself. What a smart vest. I must have one.
His attention returns to the task at hand when the view shifts to the alien world. "Ah, delightful" he exclaims with a warm smile, and leans forward to examine the details of the planet while waiting patiently for the responses from Guidance.
The image of the man turns to Rree-eero.
“Our long-range scans of the planet haven’t revealed much, though it appears the surface is marred by several deep crevasses, likely the result of past seismic activity, more than would be expected for a world of this size. There appear to be a wide variety of biomes present. There will be no telling what kind of environmental conditions you will be dealing with until you pin point the exact planetary location of the singal."
Guidance then turns to address Eridanus,
"No agent Weatherbee, I am guidance. I am an interactive holographic projection with access to the scanned consciousness of numerous Starfinder. Combined with my access to our extensive databases and my heuristic algorithms, I serve as an advisor to the societies leadership. It is also one of my functions to provide test assignments for new recruits and junior agents."
A tall dark skinned man with massive wings quietly talks to himself "So this is the fabled Guidance." He listens intently to its words.
"Have the xenolinguists been able to learn anything else from the transmission?"
"Unfortunately no the message was too badly corrupted. The only thing they could discern was that it appeared to be a warning message of some kind for the planets inhabitant."
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“Seismic activity? Sounds like home!” says the quorlu with his melodic accent. They’re thinking looks like assignments are not accidental, nice. He then looks to the other wondering what skill they are bringing that could be needed on the mission.
Having no more questions, ʀːiiro is only waiting for the travel information.
"That is correct. I have arrange for you to take The Wanderstar. It is a Kevolari Venture model ship and should serve quite well for your assignment. While it is not one of the more widely used models, it is still part of the society fleet and we would like it back in one piece. I can send the location details for the space dock it is currently in to your personal comunications units, or provide a print out if needed.."
You can also roll CULTURE (RECALL KNOWLEDGE)
OR DIPLOMACY(to Gather information) to see what else you might have heard about this signal.
The transmission appeared mysteriously several weeks back, mingled with another, normal message from Society agents in the Vast. It was thought at first to be nothing more than interference until a curious data scientist extracted and repaired it. However, she still couldn’t understand it.
The transmission wasn’t considered a priority by the Society until recently, when a small team of xenolinguists examined it. From
the tone of the individual words, they determined the message to be a warning meant for local broadcast, much like the warning to mind the edge of the platform when trams arrive at Dockside.
The xenolinguists have yet to fully decipher the language, but they have discovered other information encoded into the message. This data suggests that however the warning was broadcast, it was accompanied by a non-auditory component, perhaps a form of sign language or the blinking of lights.
Some have suggested that the warning preceded an unknown catastrophe, perhaps a massive series of earthquakes that left the planet without sapient life. Others don’t believe the evidence at hand supports such theories.
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On the way out of the briefing, Skip spots various other starfinders and tech crew milling about in the lorespire complex. "Excuse me for a moment" He tells his crew and moves off.
As he approaches the first group, he smiles warmly and within moments is laughing and patting them on the back. He switches effortlessly from listening intently and carrying on with the group, to a more hushed conversation, before returning to his boisterous laughter and what looks like an exchange of contact information. Once he spots his current crew again, he waves and excuses himself to return to the group.
"Good lads, other Starfinders off to someplace called Salvation's End? Anyway, here's what I picked up from them...."
He shares everything, before finishing with "And that's all I could discover in a few minutes. You know what they say, 'telephone, tell a friend, tell a starfinder'.. no secrets here obviously! Ha! Ah but please, where are my manners, I am Skip Intro. Pleasure to meet you all!
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He shares everything, before finishing with "And that's all I could discover in a few minutes. You know what they say, 'telephone, tell a friend, tell a starfinder'.. no secrets here obviously! Ha! Ah but please, where are my manners, I am Skip Intro. Pleasure to meet you all!
A purple-hued ikeshti nods affirmatively to most of what Skip says, before the human loses him. After Skip's intro, the small statured creature steps foward.
"Believe me, the pleasure is all mine," says the reptilian creature, a dark tongue licking the scales around his mouth. "I'm called T'Krunch. Lived on Akiton until I struck out on my own a few years ago. I thought joining the Starfinder Society might give me a taste of what the Pact Worlds have to offer."
"Which reminds me, would you mind if I took a few samples from each of you?" T'Krunch inquires of the party, pulling out a small, handheld device, which includes an extendable wand tipped with a sampling nozzle. Attached to the device is a series of small, empty vials. "Don't need more than a pinch of each of you."
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"Interesting! Most of that matches what I've heard, though the catastrophe angle is new. Hopefully there will still be sapients there to greet us."
"Good to meet you both. I am Kiikarah. Fairly newly arrived from Verces."
"I've given so many samples to so many Starfinder medics over the last few weeks, I can't see how one more would be a problem", replies Kiikarah before extending out his hand to the Ikeshti.
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The quorlu also address the others “Nice to meet you all. I’m ʀːi˧i˩ro”. While pronouncing his name, he uses his native tongues.
“I’ve worked for a mining company for a couple of years. I followed a couple of dwarves that accompanied the Scoured Star expedition. She had a family member stuck there and we all felt we should be helping here. That’s basically how we joined the society. I’m curious to see more of their organization.”
At the request of T’Krunch, RRee-eero is surprised before realizing its to for medicinal purpose. Then they say “Oh yes, go ahead.”
While the team is advancing toward the ship, he mentions “I can’t pilot. Well I’ve done it once and crashed the ship in the hangar bay. I spent some time repairing it afterwards. That’s one thing I can do, repairing a ship.”
Between introductions and T'krunches sampling it seems like no time at all before you arrive at the designated bay in one Abasalam Stations many spacedocks. Unfortunately, your ship still seems to be undergoing repairs and hand numerous hull panels detached and lying on the floor and a web of cables dangle from the open sections of the ships exterior.
A female ysoki rubs her forehead and turns away from the computer pad in her hand. She sees you and approaches. An embroidered name tag sewn into her coveralls labels her as "cakes, head mechanic".
"Oh hey there, you must be the team we were prepping The Wanderstar for. Sorry for the delay, but our first job today blew a power converter while we were working on it and I had to send one of my mechanics to the hospital. It's left us a bit shorthanded and my team is trying to catch up. We should be done in 6-7 hours and they you can be on your way."
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"Which reminds me, would you mind if I took a few samples from each of you?"
"Of course! As long as you're not analysing my blood-Alcohol. Haha! Had a charming luncheon with a band of Ysoki merchants earlier today that I got on with after trying to negotiate for the most exquisite leather loafers. Not to worry! Here you go!" He offers his arm.
"Not to worry about piloting, R:ihilro, I have spent many years amongst the stars in small survey ships. In my previous profession I was a chartographer. I would locate planets in the vast, and conduct orbital scanning and map making for these uncharted worlds. So I am proficient in the operation of starships and their weaponry. Although admittedly I only fired at debris to clear the way. I could also captain the ship, if nessesary.
... It's left us a bit shorthanded and my team is trying to catch up. We should be done in 6-7 hours and they you can be on your way."
"What a fortunate turn of events! My new friend R:ihilro here was just telling us of their prowess in starship engineering. Perhaps we could be of service!"
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"Oh hey there, you must be the team we were prepping The Wanderstar for. Sorry for the delay, but our first job today blew a power converter while we were working on it and I had to send one of my mechanics to the hospital. It's left us a bit shorthanded and my team is trying to catch up. We should be done in 6-7 hours and they you can be on your way."
"What a tragedy!! I can't do much about machinery, but if you need some help mining, I'm one of the best of the best! I hope your mechanic comes out on top!"
"Well if you don't mind a little engine grease, I sure could use the help. Let me pick a few things from the maintenance schedule that might be in your skill sets. That will free me and my team up to hand the more difficult items. Here take a look." She shows you her tablet.
*Align Arcane Power Converters (Mysticism): The Wanderstar’s hybrid engine uses both magical and technological components. Cakes explains how the arcane power converters attached to the engine need to be re-aligned. With a few minutes’ work of retracing runes and chanting certain rites, a PC can get the converters working smoothly.
*Fetch UPBs (Athletics or Culture): Cakes explains that she needs some extra UPBs to finish repairing a section of the hull. Normally, she would have them delivered, but the supplier is experiencing a glut of orders and won’t be able to drop them off for hours. Cakes tells the PC where to pick up the UPBs and gives them the purchase order. That PC can rely on some shortcuts they know to get to the supplier quickly or simply run there and back again.
*Handle Angry Pilot (Bluff or Intimidate): Cakes tells the PCs
that Thaulm Kindo (N male human), another ship owner, has the
dock scheduled and has been pinging her comm unit non-stop to
berate her for taking so long. Thaulm isn’t interested in listening
to reason, but the PCs can fool or frighten him into giving Cakes
the time she needs to finish repairs on the Wanderstar.
*Install Computer Updates (Computers): The ship’s computer
system requires an update, which none of the mechanics have
been able to get to yet. A PC versed with technology can speed
up the download and installation process.
*Negotiate Launch Window (Diplomacy): Since the repairs are
taking longer than expected, Cakes needs one of the PCs to speak
with Absalom Station flight control to ensure that the Wanderstar
can take off when as soon as it is ready without interfering with
other launches. This requires a few minutes of pleasant chat with
one of the flight control operators, and perhaps the promise of a
future favor.
*Repair Landing Gear (Engineering): Cakes isn’t comfortable
with allowing a PC to handle the more sensitive repairs, but she
does note that diagnostics show the Wanderstar’s landing gear
requires some maintenance. She lends the volunteering PC a few
tools to do the job.
"I shall get your UPBs," says Kiikarah who takes off flying after getting the location and purchase order from Cakes.
[dice=Culture]1d20+5
Kiikarah is able to make use of some short cuts he remembers and takes full advantage of his flight to pick to UPBs in short order.
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"I've given so many samples to so many Starfinder medics over the last few weeks, I can't see how one more would be a problem", replies Kiikarah before extending out his hand to the Ikeshti.
"I would have preferred a thigh or wing," shrugs T'Krunch, "but a hand sample will do."
At the request of T’Krunch, RRee-eero is surprised before realizing its to for medicinal purpose. Then they say “Oh yes, go ahead.”
"Much appreciated. It is not often that one gets to sample a delicacy," replies T'Krunch.
"Of course! As long as you're not analysing my blood-Alcohol. Haha! Had a charming luncheon with a band of Ysoki merchants earlier today that I got on with after trying to negotiate for the most exquisite leather loafers. Not to worry! Here you go!" He offers his arm.
"Oh? Would you please describe the type of spirits have you been braising yourself with?" inquires the ikseshti.
"Sorry for the delay, but our first job today blew a power converter while we were working on it and I had to send one of my mechanics to the hospital. It's left us a bit shorthanded and my team is trying to catch up. We should be done in 6-7 hours and they you can be on your way."
Hearing about the cause of the delay, T'Krunch goes looking for leftovers. He then works on installing computer updates including a series of additional recipes that he concludes have shamelessly omitted from the ship's databanks.
Hearing about the cause of the delay, T'Krunch goes looking for leftovers. He then works on installing computer updates including a series of additional recipes that he concludes have shamelessly omitted from the ship's databanks.[dice=Computers]1d20+8
T'Krunch is able to speed up the process of downloading and installing the software updates, so much so that there is plenty of time for updating the cuinary database.
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"Oh? Would you please describe the type of spirits have you been braising yourself with?" inquires the ikseshti.
Skip eyes the Ikseshti with mock suspicion. "My good man, are you with the Stewards? You have to tell me if you're with the Stewards, haha! There were a few cocktails mixed with an Eoxian bone whiskey. Very peat-y. It's effervescence came from gasses harvested from Bretheda, hence the name, the Bretheda Breeze. Quite refreshing, only slightly corrosive.
Skip are clearly having a good time.
Skip makes his way to launch control, where he smiles his way into the control room. He leans comfortably at a desk and begins charming the operator there. After his usual small talk, he gets to the point. "Listen, I can imagine this whole Wanderstar business has probably thrown your whole operation off today. I can tell it's been stressful. We've got our best people on it... Starfinders, all of them. he adds with a warm smile. "It would be in both of our best interests to get this ship out of here as soon as possible, can we agree on that? Why don't I message you as soon as we've got our repairs complete, we can take the first available window and get your schedule back in order."
Skip makes his way to launch control, where he smiles his way into the control room. He leans comfortably at a desk and begins charming the operator there. After his usual small talk, he gets to the point. "Listen, I can imagine this whole Wanderstar business has probably thrown your whole operation off today. I can tell it's been stressful. We've got our best people on it... Starfinders, all of them. he adds with a warm smile. "It would be in both of our best interests to get this ship out of here as soon as possible, can we agree on that? Why don't I message you as soon as we've got our repairs complete, we can take the first available window and get your schedule back in order."
[Dice=Diplomacy]1d20+7
Skips easy demeanor and pleasant but insistent tone seems to have won the flight control operator over.
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The quorlu corrects “I did not fix the ship at the time, but the hangar bay I broke. I also had to fix a couple ships during mining operations.”
While hearing that Eridanus knows about mining, he starts talking shop in dwarven. He tells the ysoki he already has his tools and will try to fix the landing gear while talking to the dwarf who does not seem to have something else he can help with.
The quorlu corrects “I did not fix the ship at the time, but the hangar bay I broke. I also had to fix a couple ships during mining operations.”
While hearing that Eridanus knows about mining, he starts talking shop in dwarven. He tells the ysoki he already has his tools and will try to fix the landing gear while talking to the dwarf who does not seem to have something else he can help with.
[dice=Engineering]d20+8
Eridanus calls Thaulm Kindo and berates him about being rude, and how they are all brothers and sisters out in the space, on the same side, yada yada yada:
[dice=Intimidate]1d20-1
With the help of your team, Cakes is able to get your ship ready to go in a short while. "Thanks for all the help. Good luck on your assignment. Here take this you might find it useful"
She gives you an infrared sensors armor upgrade.
Once underway and away from Absalom station the WanderStar enters the drift. Even with its better than basic drift drive, it will take some time to arrive at your destination.
After 5 days of drift travel you are hailed by another nearby ship identifying itself as the All-Code Emissary.
It seems to be an all purpose vessel.
"Greetings Wanderstar. I am Captain Particulars-5. I was going to make a similar inquiry about yourselves. What brings you to this part of the drift?"
He makes some notes on a data pad.
"What do you plan to do once you find the source of the message?"
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Skip flashes Rree-eero one of his award winning smile and a thumbs up. At Skip's encouragement, Rree-eero feels more confident.
"We have reason to believe that it may be a warning message, so we are going to make sure no one is on danger. Hopefully there's some way we could help. Have you come across anything like this in your travels? What bring you out this far?"
"The captain makes a few more notes on his data pad. [b]"We s group devoted to triune. We check sections of the drift to make sure they are safe for travelers. I will make a note to have our organization contact the Starfinder Society in case the cause for this warning is relevant to our purpose. Would you be willing to provide the dirft coordinates for your destination?"
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"I'm afraid that's above our pay grade, as it were. I would be happy to put you in contact with our society on Absolom Station, you could apply for the relevant security clearance. I'm sure the our folks back home would be happy to work together with yours to keep the drift a safe place for travel."
The captain makes a few more notes on his data pad. "Thank you, have a safe voyage."
If there is nothing else you wish to ask they will end the transmission and in another 3 days you are in the star system where the distress signal originated.