for the Factions!
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You are all new Starfinders! You may have been on a few missions, but that’s pretty typical for agents in training. Now, however, you have graduated. There was a very nice ceremony, and you got to invite your friends and family.
You’ve heard from your peers that Guidance, the AI advisor to the Society, is meeting with everyone from your graduating class in small groups, and today is your turn. You have all been invited to a conference at the Lorespire Complex, the headquarters of the Starfinder Society.
"Greetings, I am Sobok." A Vesk looks at each of those who enters with interest. Sobok wears heavy armor and has a yellow gem floating around his head, but does not seem to be carrying any other weapons.
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A purple-hued, reptilian ikeshti adorned in freebooter armor and an apron approaches. He gives the gnome and human a look over as a dark tongue licking the scales around his mouth. "The name's T'Krunch. I lived on Akiton before striking 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."
"That 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."
"That seems a wiser thing to do then giving random samples to people you just meet." Sobok says as he watches the reptilian creature and his strange device.
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"I generally prefer to keep my pound of flesh inside me," Navasi responds with surprise. "Would you mind telling me what you intend to do with your samples?"
"No need for a pound," replies T'Krunch with a serpentine smile, "unless you are offering."
"The samples are mostly for attunement of my customary microlab," he explains. "Just need a slight dash or pinch, really, which I then pair with other ingredients to create the perfect infusion."
"You may decline, if you wish, but know that many of my fellow Starfinders that have taken my delectable infusions in the past have turned out to be well-seasoned agents and proved well-done under pressure," he adds. "If I am to be a brood-minder some day, then I ought to be prepared, don't you think?"
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"Oh! This is goin to be so excitin! Pleasure to met ye all," says a young dwarf brightly.
"I am GalDCCII, but you can call me DiCiCi or just CiCi," She comes from a long line of dwarves and is in fact the 702nd to bear the name.
Her armor says a lot about her, painted in hot pink. It is not little girl bubble-gum pink, but not a mature mauve either. It still bears stickers like 'Hello Kasatha,' 'My Little Ysoki' but also has the Gangreen Gang done as skeletons. It is old armor, but it is well on its way to being restored by the enthusiastic and skilled hands of GalDCCII and some might say is nearly hot rod ready.
DiCiCi is an optimistic dwarf and is always looking forward. The dwarfs outlived their birthplace after all, there must be a future for them somewhere, and she is going to find it.
"Would a bit a hair work instead?" she says of T'Krunch's. request. "I know it's likely on an assignment, but I just assume keep myself from bleedin as long as possible."
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"Would a bit a hair work instead?" she says of T'Krunch's. request. "I know it's likely on an assignment, but I just assume keep myself from bleedin as long as possible."
"Meh, I'll take what I can get," T'Krunch shrugs in response. Then, he points to one of his eyes and adds, "As for bleedin', it can come in handy."
Squirt Blood (1/day) (Ex) Once per day as a move action, an ikeshti brood-minder can squirt blood from one of his eyes at a foe within 30 feet, making a ranged attack (+6 for most ikeshti brood-minders) against the target’s KAC. A successful hit grants the next ally who hits that foe the benefit of harrying fire against it (Starfinder Core Rulebook 247).
Tixylix sits passively as T'Krunch takes a sample. He does not even seem to register that the sample has even been taken.
In a flat monotone he says Take what you want.
T'Krunch opts for his largest syringe and eagerly draws the sample. In a show of restraint, he manages to stop himself once the syringe is full. Looking at the consistency of the sample, he wonders whether he actually tapped a vein or mistakenly removed fluid from some hydraulic system.
"You can keep the rest."
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Navasi pulls out her survival knife and hacks off a lock of her hair. "Can you work with that?"
The ikeshti takes the lock and holds it up to his mouth, allowing his vomeronasal organ to take in the scent.
"That should do," he concludes as he then grinds it, adds it to a centrifuge, then runs it through his chemanalyzer.
Sobok finds this all very weird, but since everyone else seems generally ok with the request he allows T'Krunch to take a small sample of his blood.
Once you’ve made yourselves comfortable, a projection of an androgynous android appears. “Welcome, Starfinders, and congratulations on your recent graduation. I am Guidance, and I work in an advisory role to the Society. We have onboarded many new members recently, and I am aware that this accelerated agent training program was no easy feat, but you have all succeeded with aplomb. The First Seeker is currently off station on an important mission but congratulates you on a job well done.
“We have a small tradition for new agents as you decide which of the Society’s factions to join. I know some of you may have been on a few missions already, but I would ask your indulgence anyway. Each faction has their own specific goals, all of which further the aims of the Starfinder Society as a whole. Please visit each of the four major faction leaders and ask them for an assignment. This should give you a feel for how each faction operates as well as provide some real mission experience. Each mission might take only a few hours or up to several weeks, so you have plenty of time to complete these. It is advisable to begin with Radaszam, as I understand his assignment for you is somewhat time-sensitive. Do you have any questions?”
You head out to the upscale neighborhood of the Nyori Palisades to see Radaszam, where he conducts his Starfinder business out of the headquarters for his private mercenary company, the Obsidian Spiders.
Along the way, you think about what you know regarding the Starfinder Society and current events on Absalom Station.
Sobok tries to ask some questions of the interesting aliens he is passing.
Sadly, no one seems interested in talking to him.
"Have any of you met him before?" Sobok asks his new companions.
Most of you know that the Starfinder Society was formerly well-liked on Absalom Station, but deliberate efforts to destroy the Society’s public image have taken a toll. The Society is trying to improve its image with the residents of Absalom Station.
Ziamat has been listening to the most popular morning show on the local infosphere, Station Buzz.
You reach the building, where two well-dressed vesk with no visible weapons but a threatening presence check your identification and then wave you in.
Radaszam sits behind a sleek black desk in a black office, giving the unnerving impression that he’s sitting in the middle of a void. The only visual breaks in the sea of darkness are a pair of aquariums built into the walls. One holds a green amphibian, currently bathing itself in artificial light, and the other holds a white salamander, who promptly hides beneath a large rock when the door opens.
“Starfinders, I am pleased to see you. Our ranks have grown substantially of late, and I am quite satisfied with the quality of our new agents, yourselves included. My assignment for you shouldn’t take up too much of your time. The Society is still suffering some public relations…well, let’s say ‘challenges,’after a vicious smear campaign. A popular vidstream, Station Buzz, contacted me to set up an interview with some of our agents. I think that you’ll represent us well—you are all highly skilled and have impressive backgrounds, after all. During your interview, I’d like you to introduce yourselves and talk about why you recently joined the Society. Improving our relationship with the media is the best way to get our public image under control. I’ll send you their contact information to arrange the time and place for the interview. Do let me know once you’ve got it arranged; I’ll be sure to tune in. It’s going to be broadcast live. Do you have any questions?”
"Death Rally? No, no, Station Buzz is a popular morning vidstream. It has hundreds of thousands of viewers on Absalom Station, though it’s a bit obscure elsewhere. The hosts talk about current events on the Station, review restaurants, explore neighborhoods, that
kind of thing. They are currently doing a series of interviews with representatives of different organizations around the Station, and they want to include us."
To Navasi, he answers, "It sounds like this will be a fairly light interview. I expect that they’ll ask about why you joined the Society and what kinds of missions you’ve been on. They might ask you to demonstrate interesting skills. Please just be yourselves but, well, make us look good. Talk about how we help people and uncover ancient knowledge, that kind of thing. I’m assigning you to this interview because I trust your judgment. Don’t say anything that won’t play well with the viewers. If you talk about your fighting skills, make it clear that we avoid being aggressors and only fight with those who aim to harm."
CiCi goes home and watches a few episodes. The hosts are Veefa, and excitable ysoki with brown fur, and Valtara, a human woman with a big smile. Each episode focuses on something different in Absalom Station, like a location or an organization.
You message the team to set up the interview, and they ask to meet early the next morning in Jatembe Park, a lush public greenspace just beneath Absalom Station’s massive central dome known as the Eye. The hosts explain that they will first broadcast the interview live, then edit and release it for download later. The livestreaming audience can ask questions through a chat function on the stream. Two technicians set up the cameras, check lighting, and fit each of you with a microphone as the hosts make friendly small talk. A producer is also present to watch the show, prompt specific questions, keep an eye on viewer comments, and stop the broadcast if something happens, like an unauthorized person entering the set and becoming disruptive.
Soon, the broadcast begins!
“Hey, Station Buzzers! It’s me, Veefa, here with Valtara, to join you for coffee, breakfast, and the latest Station Buzz!
We are here in Jatembe Park to meet with members of the Starfinder Society! Valtara, did you ever think about joining?”
“Well, Veefa, after many members of the Starfinder Society got trapped in the Scoured Stars system several years ago, I think we all heard about their recruiting drive! The Society went on a rescue mission to get those agents back, and they’ve been responsible for lots of exciting projects around the Station, the Pact Worlds, and the galaxy,” the human declares, beaming at the camera.
“That’s right, Valtara!” Veefa exclaims. “And we have several new agents with the Starfinder Society here to tell us about why they joined up.”
The hosts ask you about why they joined the Society, and what missions you’ve completed so far. They also ask if you can demonstrate any cool skills for their viewers.
Sobok begins, "There is a wide range of life in the galaxy. Each organism provides something that can help all and the Starfinder's seek to learn and help everyone with the knowledge we gain!" He goes on to talk about some of the amazing species in the galaxy.
He then demonstrates some of his physical skills and endurance on the equipment in the park.
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"'Tis a great big univerrse," CiCi says rolling her Rs, 'N we are but a pip on it's cosmological ear. The best way t' see as much o' it as I can, was t' join the Starrfinders." "Mind, I have not been wit them long, but already I have been able t' help a couple tomato growers make their rent in Drifter's End, visit a starrship in the Arrmada, and .... her excited story drops off as she holds up a finger.
She hums for a second then bends her knee, sqiurms her foot around a little then stomps with small clank. A moment later a piece of the armor splits apart from her hip opening a holster next to hoop with a dangling hammer. She pulls something else from the compartment.
"n for helping out, I got this!" she is holding an original copy of the hot single 'Star Sugar HeartLove!!! by Strawberry Machine Cake!
"What, this old thing? she says gesturing at the pocket. "I made this m'self. The actuator is connected with fiber cables to gears hidden into... she continues describing the bright pink armor bought off her auntie for 100 credits. "I've bought better, since the confirmation, but this is m' baby. M' aunties gone now, except I have this. Oh! This is a modi she made.... CiCi describes some of the restorations and modifications made to the suit.
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"It takes all kinds to be Starfinders," Navasi says cheerfully. "Sure, you've probably seen vids of us making first contact with previously unknown alien races or heard about us keeping tabs on sinister megacorps, but really, we're just here to lend a helping hand wherever and however we can. I can't go toe-to-toe with a Jinsul, but you can call on me to find your lost baby or get your squox out of a maintenance tube."
She then does a tumbling pass through the studio, including handsprings, somersaults and a twist. After it is over, she hands Veefa back her lapel mic, saying, "I think this belongs to you."
Sobok shines on camera, and the viewers have a ton of questions about both science and his workout routine.
Ziamat struggles to show off mercenary skills, but his piloting description is enthralling.
CiCi can't quite seem to connect with the audience.
Navasi does a great job entertaining the viewers with her antics. Veefa cheers as her mic is returned.
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"Why did I join the Society?" T'Krunch says, repeating the question he was asked, "I'll tell you. The future doesn't hold many great options for a young ikeshti, like myself. If all goes well as it can, I'll end up as a brood-minder, responsible for feeding and caring--though, mostly feeding, really--of a vast brood of hungry, growing, and hungry little mouths."
"Left to their own devices, that voracious little brood will try to ingest whatever organic matter they can get their claws and teeth around. Some broods of my kind have been known to operate as garbage disposals for large settlements," he explains. "But, I always figured that if I--and later, my brood--are going to eat, then why not eat the best the galaxy has to offer."
"That is where the Society comes in, offering opportunities to explore new worlds, new cultures, new species, and--naturally, new tastes!" The ikeshti gives a toothy grin. "So, I have set out to sample whatever I can find for my own nutritional and education value, but also for the future of the ikeshti population as whole!"
"During my brief time with the Society, I have already learned quite a bit of useful knowledge about other races. For instance, did you happen to know, Valtara, that the reason human blood is red is because human blood cells containhemoglobin, which carries oxygen from the lungs to tissues. It consists of four polypeptide subunits, each of which is bound to an iron-containing heme molecule. This is what gives the blood its reddish color. Iron, of course, is an important part of the dietary of many races." As he speaks, a drop of blood oozes from the ikeshti's eye.
"And you, Veefa, might be interested in knowing that rat meat, while taboo in some cultures, is considered to be a dietary staple in others!" T'Krunch shrugs. "Who knew? Not me. At least, not until I joined the Starfinder Society."
"That information is just a taste of what my time among the Starfinders has provided." he concludes.
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Tixylix looks flatly at the camera. I joined with my companion Ziamat.
He slides from the back of his drone and takes a moment to remove a few plates from his mount. He tweaks a few things inside hoping to demonstrate a feat of engineering brilliance.
He then climbs back up onto his drone before tapping away at his datapad.
People are fascinated by T'Krunch's descriptions and start asking when he's going to guest star on Dr. Barsala's show!
Tixylix can't quite get his engineering demonstration to work, but his SFS graphic looks really cool, distracting the audience.
The interview goes for about an hour at which point the hosts wrap up.
Valtara grins at the camera. "Well, folks, we'll drop a link here to the Starfinder Society's social media accounts if you want to learn more! What fascinating individuals! Meanwhile, we'll see you next time for some Station Buzz!"
Veefa thanks you afterward for the interview. "Hey, you all did a great job! T'Krunch, maybe you need to let me know where to avoid traveling, ha ha. We're going to listen to the show again and make sure all the sound came through. If you don't mind hanging around for a while, we might need you to re-record something. There are snacks available while you wait."