|
At last, the Starfinder Society nears its goal of recovering the final data fragment containing one of the organization’s greatest secrets. Guidance, the Society’s guiding intelligence, dispatches a group of veteran agents to the mysterious planet Aucturn at the edge of Pact Worlds space. The PCs must survive the eldritch denizens and hazards of the Citadel of the Black while racing against a group of Hellknights who also seek the fragment.
|
Suddenly all the assigned starfinders recieve a transition
Checking. Bread is in aether. Hope this s@&+ going to work - you can see only Joe's face and some images mirrored from his second helmet are dusturbing. The vanguard is sitting inside something like powered armor.
I am ending current mission. Withdraw at Crypt Warden acording to plan. If drift enging won't work we'll have to reach Sunrise Maiden. This destroyer is too slow. Anyway ... - the image starting to shake and Joe's face muscules show some anger,- Send me the coordinates anyway, I will be there. End of message.
|
|
“Greetings, Starfinders,” the voice of Guidance intones as a holographic silhouette is projected into the room. “Each of you has risen far since your induction into the Starfinder Society, and I have watched your progress with interest. You have proven yourself against untold threats time and again. Now I need your power, your skills, and—most importantly—your judgment. The task I give you today is of utmost importance and secrecy.”
The silhouette suddenly morphs into the image of a host shirren, then continues speaking in the same voice, “Nearly two centuries ago, Starfinders under command of First Seeker Brezzist, whose form you see now, uncovered data with potentially dire ramifications. At the time, Brezzist made the difficult choice to conceal this data, hiding only a single copy on the library world of Athaeum. However, a lone Starfinder disagreed with Brezzist’s decision and, unbeknownst to the First Seeker, made another copy of the data, which they split into three data shards. The Starfinder told only me of the existence of these shards. Until now, I chose to respect their decision and keep the shards secret.”
The holographic image morphs again, this time materializing to depict an intimidating vesk encased within infernal powered armor. Guidance continues, “Two years ago, Hellknights under the command of a vesk fanatic named Paralictor Kelria encountered our own agents on Athaeum. It seems that the Hellknight Order of the Pyre somehow learned of the sensitive data Brezzist hid there and sought to destroy it. Although our agents stopped the Hellknights before too much was damaged, the Athaeum copy of the data was purged, meaning the three data shards are now the only copies of the data in existence. Worse still, Paralictor Kelria must have learned of the data shards while on Athaeum. Several weeks ago, Hellknights of the Order of the Pyre attacked a data storage facility on Verces, attempting to find the first data shard hidden near there.”
“Although this data is still potentially dangerous to the Pact Worlds, I deem that the time to retrieve it is nigh. To do otherwise would risk losing the data forever to the Order of the Pyre. I have chosen you for the most perilous task: recovering the data shard hidden on the planet Aucturn within the Citadel of the Black. You must infiltrate the citadel and locate a library within called the Repository of Restoration. The group of antiquarians to whom the data shard was entrusted reside within the library; they can help you retrieve it."
|
A trio of individuals enters the briefing room. In the lead is a host shirren in what looks like the garb you would wear to a KaWyrd concert and holding somewhat possessively a strangely designed rifle that looks like it has never been fired. "Oh, right," they mumble as they tap the screen of a datapad, and the clothing changes to something quasi-military.
"Good to see you all again," they say cheerfully as they greet the others in the room. "And in better condition than when I last saw you. " They then walk over to Joe and extend a hand. "You must be the one whose seat I took on that run to Eox. Name's Kait'lax. Tech guy, polyglot, and wrangler of useful allies."
|
|
"Aucturn, huh?" Kait'lax says after listening to Guidance's briefing. "Not on my list of prime vacation spots, especially after a trip to Eox. Well, a bug's gotta do what a bug's gotta do. Do we expect the librarians to be helpful once we find them? Anything specific we need to look out for, or is this an 'assume everything is out to kill you' mission?"
|
|
Guidance answers questions in order.
First the hologram turns to Tolar. "“The Repository is managed by a group of orocoran scholars. Though fearsome to behold, these orocorans are less hostile than many of their peers. They imbibe ichor from the planet Aucturn and collect lore based on the visions that the ichor induces. Occasionally, they venture forth from Aucturn to collect eccentric artifacts or data, but apart from that, little else is known about their culture. In short, we don't know how to get a library card, and I am worried that the Hellknights will burn down the library before we learn how.”
Guidance then slowly spins to address Kihgtsa, with a sly wink. " As you are likely aware, Aucturn lies on the very edge of Pact World space, far from Starfinder influence.
Though Aucturn itself is highly toxic, the Citadel of the Black has atmospheric controls in place to allow for humanoid life. Still, the fortress is vast beyond reckoning; it can take weeks to travel from one end to the other. Navigational methods within the citadel are unreliable, and magic often wavers under the eldritch influences of the planet. Finally, gravity on Aucturn is double that of Absalom Station, which presents difficulties as well. It would be wise to plan for survival and an arduous journey. It could take days or weeks to locate the Repository of Restoration. Few Starfinders have traveled to the Citadel of the Black and returned alive.”
They pause before adding "And none are available for consultation."
|
|
Kait'Lax found out they greets not Joe himself, but holo-projection of the vanguard.
The projection remains mostly motionless, but soon you see as projectio's helmet opens and seems like at anoter end half ork starts chewing, probably eating something.
After breifing with obvious delay you hear Joe's voice:
Coordinates recieved. I will appear at the Aucturn orbit and activate emergency beacon so we find each other. We will gather some intellegence about Black Citadel if possible. Question: is there more info about these 3 spheres. End of message. , - Joe's projections becomes motionless after short fading.
|
|
"The shards are not necessarily spheres" says Guidance. "Their form could vary - especially as they are just data repositories." starts Guidance.
"Given the sensitive nature of the data, I cannot tell you what is on the shards yet. If you were captured, the information could potentially fall into the wrong hands before the time is right. Once all three data shards have been returned to the Starfinder Society’s care, you will be able to see the information yourself and provide your counsel on the matter."
|
|
Guidance nods, seemingly quite aware of Kaitlax's actions.
"From your recent report, it is evident that you had trouble with high gravity - and that was for only an hour. You must assume you will be in a high gravity area for possibly weeks. "
The hologram spins slowly to face Kait'lax "I'm sure your resources are more than adequate for the task. I'm also hesitant to issue you starfinder equipment. That might give a clue to your destination, and we know there are others in search of this information..."
|
|
A quick reminder about high gravity:
* Characters can move only at half speed, jump half as high or far, and lift or carry half as much.
* Thrown weapons have their ranges cut in half.
* Characters who remain in a high-gravity environment for more than a day become fatigued and remain so until they leave the planet or become accustomed to the gravity.
Possible precautions:
Wearing an xtreme gravity environmental outfit
You find a pawn shop that has access to multiple earthbound anklets
They are willing to loan them out if you pawn an item (leave it behind) that is at least level 10.
|
|
And with the briefing done the team spends a hectic 24 hours buying gear and saying farewells. For reasons of their own, Guidance only issued you a shuttle for the trip to Acturn, and preprogrammed the route for you.
After the standard few weeks of in-flight training and briefings, board-games, video games, recreational reading and other hijinks the shuttle breaks out of the drift.
After dropping out of Drift travel, the ominous planet Aucturn looms into view. A cluster of shattered ship hulls floats around the planet. The starship, navigated by Guidance’s flight programming, deftly picks a path through the debris and into the noxious yellow clouds of the planet’s atmosphere. Beyond the fumes, a loathsome expanse of undulating sea seems to slither across the surface of the planet like a slug. On the shore of this vast ocean stands a massive complex of melded black stone and hideous flesh, nearly a mile tall. The starship lands on a bridge near the base of the tower, coming to rest before a yawning archway. As the ship engines whir to a stop, all is silent in this foul but placid landscape. The Citadel of the Black awaits.
To get from the landing point to the Citadel often takes weeks of negotiating the seemingly ever-changing labyrinthine halls. The winding hallways seem to occasionally defy physical laws, navigational instruments run awry, and magical divinations often produce unsettling and unhelpful advice.
|
|
When team went out of drift, soon they could find and Pick up Joe personally.
Glad I made it. And I hope you've got some real food here... no? THats a shame our target at Aucturn. I was recommended to avoid local streetfood. - officer Breead jokes around from inside his Stag-Step powered armor with antlers.
I thought you are smaller. Nice to find you in one piece living flesh. - Joe comments Kait'Lax when finally meet him'em personally.
After Joe abroad came someone between drow and andoriod .
Team, thats Fabula. Lets say she has a probation period. She is not law abiding kind of person - so she may aid us in exchange of further recommendation.
---
Joe towering nearby and ready to help ID to navigate here. Seems like he left jokes abroad.
|
|
Id takes a long look at the putrid surface of the planet, followed by a slow breath of the still-breathable ship atmo. Kadrical shield us from whatever malice awaits us in this godless place.
He reaches out to the team using his long-range telepathic bond. Keep your wits about you, and stay in touch. We'll find few friends here.
With that, he scans for the best line of approach.
|
|
The start of your journey is through what you learn is known as the "lower halls". These cavernous entry halls within the lower levels of the massive citidel slowly wind their way upward.
After the first day of travel, Id finds a room that has a view to the sky...such that it is. In the distance what appears to be a massive storm, presumably of some odd eldritch energy.. is forming and heading in your direction.
Joe mentions he noticed a room maybe ten minutes back that had a high concentration of metal in the wall that might be a good shield from such an event.
Quickly bunking down in it, you ride out the storm with no *significant* problems. Aside from a hollow echo in your hearing, pounding head aches and weird double-vision. And did Id really turn into a fish briefly?
Five days later you find an old forgotten stairway that seems to lead up almost directly.... and you quickly find yourself in the Upper Towers.
|
|
Joe changes few batteries in the powered armor over the course of journey to make sure he is protected.
He is focused because of this unfriendly allien territory, but ocasianlly grumbles about lack of proper rest and meal.
Fabula seems completely cold misantproe with a scorn in a gaze, she refuses to communicate with others most of the time.
|
|
Id leads the group through the upper towers of the citadel. The towers are connected by a maze of bridges and walkways, seemingly always climbing to new heights as an odd wind howls around them.
Two days in, hidden speakers start to relay out what appears to be some type of sermon, in praise of Nyarlathotep. The words echo back and forwards, creating weird resonances which seem to build up over time. How long can the man/thing preach for? Who knows. Luckily Tolar remembers a stairwell that was shielded from the howling of the wind, and you take refuge in that for a few hours until the sermon eventually peters out.
The next day, Joe feels the hairs on the back of his neck stand up and the feeling of being hunted. Taking advantage of a network of bridges that looped back on itself, he circles back and discovers enormous footprints that seem to be trailing the group... but no sign of what made them. Taking the quick way back to the group, you are forewarned that something is out there - and possibly following you.
The next day, the forth in the towers, you reach a series of obsidian stone spires that hang over the lower realms. These are connected by bridges of fibrous membranes and fleshy growths.
You have been going for ten days now, and the heavy gravity environment is stating to really take its toll on you. Still, there is more to go, hopefully though you are nearing your destination.
Obsidian Spirees: bold still to find their way
Kait'lax
Jackojare :
Tolar:
Id: survival base
Joe:
|
|
As you all cross one of the sticky fibrous bridges, a cheerful voice calls out to you. "Hello, Starfinders. How's everyone doing?"
The extremely handsome lashunta in a perfectly tailored and fitted Steward's Officer uniform under his environmentally appropriate gear approaches.
"Jaqweh Navar, Constabulary Officer, seconded to the Starfinders at the last minute for this. I was here on Aucturn on Stweard's business, and they told me to meet up with you. What can I do to help?"
After hearing your version of the mission brief, he sets about keeping an eye on Id-Sinitis to make sure the shirren is doing okay.
He communicates telepathically with Id, guiding him and helping him overcome his concern about using up his magic in order to let him focus on finding the way.
Helpful Telepath: (feat) When you use aid another, covering fire, or harrying fire and succeed at your attack roll or skill check, you can forgo granting your ally the usual benefit of that action to instead grant the following benefits, determined by the action you used. Any effect that increases the bonuses provided by these actions doesn’t apply when using this feat. You can provide these benefits only to allies with whom you can communicate using telepathy or limited telepathy.
Once you’ve used this feat, you can’t do so again until you’ve taken a 10-minute rest to regain Stamina.
Aid Another: Instead of gaining a bonus to a skill check, your ally can roll the check twice and use the higher result.