Start of Gameplay
All of you are summoned to a meeting room in the lorespire complex to be briefed by Guidance.
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Sitting hunched over on the ground is a long-limbed young man with pale gray skin and large black eyes. He is intently tuning a guitar the same black color as the void of space. He unfolds his gangly limbs as he stands up, rising to a full 14 feet in height. Over his dark colored second skin armor is a pair of ripped jeans and a black AbyssHead shirt with the sleeves chopped off. Running one large hand over his tattooed hairless head he looks down at the other people in the room before speaking in a slow, deep voice.
"You can just call me the Darkness. That's what my old bandmates used to call me. Before they kicked me out of the band. For being too hardcore."
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Zint stands up, looks straight ahead at The Darkness's knee and then looks WAY up towards his face.
"Zint! Nice ta meet you! Can I help you get back to your band mates?"
Zint is a dark purple furred Skittermander in heavy armor with an array of weaponry on him. He seems to be practically bouncing with energy.
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A dwarf dressed in archaic robes enters the room, clearly uncomfortable. He seems pleased to recognize the item handled by Sarcesian as a guitar, but the heavily armored skittermander gives him pause.
"So, yer all hear t'be briefed by the Box 'o Bolts too, eh?" Speaking in a heavy accent, the dwarf nearly spits as he refers to Guidance. "I did'na think that I'd have t'deal with such indignations when I first signed up for Society, I didn't."
"I overheard that you are Darkness and that the four-armed tech-lover there is Zint," he continues with a sneer. "Well, m'names Durlock, Durlock Stonegrinder."
He reaches for a well-made, but somewhat crudely-fashioned hammer, which he then brandishes in his hands. "But most folks call me 'The Circuit Breaker'--cause that's wut I doez best."
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You may be surprised to see a high-backed chair in the corner of the room spin around to reveal a tall kasatha with a leaner than average build. He is dressed in formal robes over blue, skin-tight armor. His upper left hand lossely holds a short staff whose head is carved with kasathan sigils. His other hands are clasped together in front of his torso.
His demeanor is tranquil. The eyes over the top of his cloth mask are mild. He stands and bows slightly.
"Greetings, fellow Starfinders. Well met, Zint, the Darkness, and Durlock Stonegrinder." His voice is warm and unctuous. "I am Kadef Hins Socriat of Clan Parsem, House Zebulan. I work with the diplomatic consul's department."
Given his expression and vocal tone, it seems likely that he had not been trying to hide in the chair, but merely had the social invisibility commonly granted to high-class servants by virtue of their station.
As the small group of Starfinders find seats in the meeting room of the Lorespire Complex, 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.”
Anyone who wishes can make a culture check or diplomacy to gather informaiton to see if they've heard anything interesting around the station lately.
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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.
They present themselves to the others after the briefing, noding to everyone, and a bit more insistently toward the dwarf. “I am ʀːi˧i˩ro, glad to meet you all. I’ve been a member of T&T Mining Company for some time, working as the demolition expert and touching other mechanic problems. I joined the Starfinder Society recently.”
You travel to the Nyori Palisades, an upscale neighborhood in Absalom Station’s central dome. A well-dressed pair of vesks with intimidating presence but no visible weapons check your credentials and wave you into
the building.
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.”
You travel to the Nyori Palisades, an upscale neighborhood in Absalom Station’s central dome. A well-dressed pair of vesks with intimidating presence but no visible weapons check your credentials and wave you into
the building.
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.”
The quorlu nods at the vesk “That seems like a simple PR mission. Any subject we should avoid or be aware of? I haven’t been with the Society for that long.”
“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.”
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The lean kasathan eyes the dwarf and his very analog equipment. A tech reactionist! Odd in a Starfinder. How must he feel to be living in a technological construct of uncertain provenance.
He keeps his face composed and comments. "Twenty pounds or not, I am sure that you will project the very essence of rock, a solid foundation on which to build."
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"Right. So you want us to lie is what you're saying?" The Darkness says with a deadpan voice. After a long pause he follows up, "I'm kidding. I know we never use violence unless we've got a good reason and all that."
The Darkness looks at his long, spiderly arms. "I hope the camera adds twenty pounds. I'd look swoll if I weighed that much."
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"No doubt the viewers will be enchanted with you, Zint."
Zint looks up at the Kasathan and appropriates the 'cute skittermander look' His fur puffs out a bit, his eyes grow wider and the smile he puts on his face would make small human children go "Aw mom, can we keep him"
"You really think so? Zint is not what his fellow skitters would call a natural beauty!"
With no additional questions for Radazam you are able to arrange the interview.
The vidstream interviewers 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 PC 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. The two hosts of the show are Veefa (NG female ysoki) and Valtara (LG female human). Veefa, who is a large ysoki with brown fur, is excitable. Valtara has a perpetual grin.
After some pre-show chatting with the PCs, they start up the vidstream.
“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 and what sort of adventures they've been on”
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Zint, who has become very excited at the prospect of this interview overnight raises his mug of coffee, smiles his best smile and says . "Hello! My name is Zint! I join society because we hear they help all who need help! We Skittermanders like to help! Zint even helped himself to some coffee!
On his way in he snagged a cup when no one was looking..
And apparently no one noticed til just now...
Zint made sure to wash and shampoo and even do some mild curling of the fur as well as cleaning all his gear to a shine.
After he speaks he smiles at the camera for about 3 seconds and takes a demure sip of his coffee...
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During the pre-show, the quorlu seems quite nervous, and it does not go better once the show is live.
Once Zint has finished, they starts talking “My name’s ʀːi˧i˩ro, I am a quorlu. I’ve been working with a mining company for some time. I’ve had contacts for some time but I joined the Starfinder Society recently. I have a mix of reasons for joining, a desire to do something new and find new challenges for my mechanical aptitude, a yearning for discoveries, and also a nice paycheck with sometime less danger than mining. There’s also all the wonderful people you can meet, a very diverse organization. I’m going to let one of them present themselves.”
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"The Darkness" approaches the camera crew, towering over them at his impressive 14 feet of height. Since the briefing, he appears to have found time to put on thick black eyeliner that makes his face look even more skull like.
"I am the one that they call "the Darkness." Because my soul is like the cold, unlit corners of the universe where only demons and eldritch horrors reside. Because I'm as black and heavy as the center of a dying star." The solarion then pulls his bass guitar around and plays some fast, discordant sounding notes before launching into a cover of Abysshead's song "Blood Bath".
"I joined the Starfinders because I wanted to show the galaxy what hardcore is and I know they go up against so called "monsters" and stuff like that. And I needed to save up money for a new amp."
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Kadef has dressed in his most formal robes. They are bulky and allow many places to hide small pieces of gear. His lower arms are tucked across his belly in long hanging sleeves. His upper right hand holds the staff and he gestures with his left. His tone is measured and reassuring,
"My companions represent many facets of the Society. I, Kadef Hins Socriat of Clan Parsem, House Zebulan, work with the diplomatic arm of the society. We work to bring newly discovered civilizations into a peaceful relationship with the Pact Worlds. It's challenging work to enter a dialogue with beings about whose culture, history, and morality you know nothing. Sentients whose experience and perspective may be utterly different from your own...."
There follows a short self-deprecating amusing story about Kadef's near humiliation in hosting an immature offspring of a visiting dignitary on Absalom Station. The intersection of an energetic adolescent and an overly serious adult. The story ends, "fortunately the other members of my team were able to establish a rapport with the girl and our mission was ultimately successful. Oiled by the goodwill we created, the negotiations were concluded with advantage to all."
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"I believe that I have been working with the Starfinders longer than my fellows here. I was working at the Gala the night our First Seeker, Luwazi Elsebo was nearly assassinated, and at which she made her announcement that we would return to the Scoured Stars to rescue our comrades who had been trapped there. Everything that followed was born of two principles that are essential to the Starfinder ethos, the quest for knowledge, and the determination to leave no one behind."
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"I wuz engaged in the Quest for the Sky, 'fore the Society came along. That's when I learned that I'd been trapped on a planet called, Salvation's End, I had. Wasn't quite sure what to do after that. The Pact Worlds didn't seem to have much use for an archaic dwarf like me." Durlock explains.
"After that, I went searchin' for work that would suit me. That led me to a mining job out in the Diaspora. The work wuz tough, but it was work. Then, one day, it wuzn't and I found that my mining position had been placed by some automated drill!"
"That sent me back to the old ways of my people. Learned sum magic, I did, so I wouldn't have to rely on all the bells and whistles that y'all seem to need for livin'. Freed myself from such tech, I did."
"'Turns out, however, that there are few in the Pact Worlds that had work for a dwarven mystic either," Durlock laments. "That brought me back to the Society, who seem to have use for a 'Circuit Breaker', like meself."
"On my first mission with the Society, I wuz sent to explore a cave," he explains. "It was glorious."
Based on the reactions for the hosts and the production staff as well as the incoming audience questions from the live stream, the audience is loving the various responses to the interviews.
Veffa and Valtara begin asking you more about the various assignments you've gone on and what kind of skills you think are important for a perspective starfinder, the follow up by asking for a demonstration of some of those skills.
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"Now, I'm here t'spread the news 'bout the dangers o'relyin' upon what the masses're callin' 'modern technology'. Machines'll kill ya, they will. Best t'live simply. Forgo them chem'cal concocshins they call 'food' nowadays and them fancy gadgets 'n processors they need t'prepare 'em. Find a good cave to live in and enjoy the comf'rts of a fine crop o'mushrooms and roots. Now, that's true livin'."
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When the camera turns back on him Zint frowns, "Mushrooms. Yuck. Only good in gravy over beef! Zint not only funny, but also nimble! A skill helpful on a mission, I am told. This is my first one!"
He then does a hand stand and a few spins and flips, ending with a bow, three right arms up outstretched, three left ones to his chest.
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The giant sarcesian tries to slip away and sneak up on the camera crew, but its pretty easy to notice that a 14 foot tall creature has suddenly disappeared. He silently appears behind the camera man and taps on his shoulder, but instead of get the big jump scare he was hoping for he merely gets a slight startle.
Durlocks strong stance against technology doesn't go over well, but Zint manages to lighten things up with a little ac robatic display. ʀːi˧i˩ro's work on the microphone actually brings the issue to the attention of the shows audio engineers and they are able to stop the humming. Apparently it was humming at a frequency not easily percieved by some species, but glaringly obvious to others. Kadiffs yarn-spinning keeps the interviewers in the palm of his hand, but "The Daraknesses"'s attempt t humerous antics falls flat.
The livestream is an overwhelming success. There are many enthusiastic comments from viewers. After the interview, the hosts ask the you to wait around while they review the footage with the producer, as they might need the PCs to re-record small portions if the sound failed.
Zint and Kadif notice some hanging around and looking at the expensive recording equipment lying around the interview area.
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Zint will raise one set of eyebrows and sit near said expensive looking equipment as well. He's obvious about it...
If any of the vid crew asks he will say "Oh, some watching were extremely interested in your equipment. Zint help by watching it as well, make sure it doesn't walk away." He then smiles his biggest smile.
These three tough guys don't seem discourages by The Darkness, they each grab something expensive looking and start to run.
Bad Life Choices Round 1
Durlock/Kadif
The Darkness
Red
Blue
Purple
Ree eero
Zint
Bold PCs may act.
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These three tough guys don't seem discourages by The Darkness, they each grab something expensive looking and start to run.
"Hey, put those down!" Durlock cries out to the toughs, "You don't want anything to do with that junk. You're better off leaving it behind!"
The dwarf draws his assault hammer and gives chase.