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A burly Vesk enters next and greets the other members of the team. "Shaan, Shaan Poloo's the name. Simple name fer a simple fella. Least that's what mama always said... Not too sure what she meant by that anyhow..." He shakes his head quizzically before turning his attention to the mission at hand.
Shaan carries little besides a battered and well-used doshko and a cannon that looks like is may still be in its shrink wrap.
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A kasatha standing by the door raises an eyebrow, but doesn't say anything right away. One arm is held out in front of them to project a holoscreen displaying what looks like an email manager program. Two more arms flick through the messages, sending most to the right and straight to the Deleted folder while only a few are opened, read, and moved to another folder. The fourth arm rests comfortably in a pocket.
"Charming." Their voice is dry and precise, with a subtle edge that leaves the speaker wondering if they've just been insulted, been threatened, or been imagining things. "Vyecmuraf. I could use a break from writing about brainless attempts at 'modern art', so I am here. But let's try to make this quick - I do have other engagements."
The sun shines brightly over the ice fields of Akiton, the snow sparkling in the light. On the outskirts of a complex of ruined buildings ahead are numerous portable shelters emblazoned with the Starfinder Society’s symbol. Starfinders hurry in and out, ferrying supplies and calling instructions to one another.
A loud chime sounds from the largest shelter, positioned at the center of a cluster of others, and First Seeker Ehu Hadif emerges. As he holds up his hand for attention, the hubbub around dies down, and everyone pauses their activities to look at him.
“Good morning, Starfinders, and thank you all for joining me on this expedition. It’s my hope that today, we will not only investigate this site, but uncover the truth behind the rumors of hauntings here. We have some final preparations to make before we begin our mission, and I ask that no one advance into the ruins until I give the all-clear. Never fear, you’ll get your chance to explore—but first we need to ensure we’re ready. If you’d all please check in at your assigned location, we can direct you to tasks where we still need assistance.”
Radaszam, leader of the Acquisitives, seeks volunteers to clear away rubble and debris blocking access to portions of the site. "Be careful when you're moving things around," Radaszam says gruffly. "Don't want to destroy anything valuable in the process. That goes double for those of you using vehicles—choose your targets carefully."
Celita, leader of the Dataphiles, looks up from her datapad and nods to you as you approach. "Good morning," she says. "We've identified some weaknesses in our mobile communication infrastructure, given the remoteness and temperature of our location. Your help in patching these vulnerabilities will ensure all agents can stay in contact during the mission."
Fitch, leader of the Wayfinders, asks you to aid in a preliminary survey mapping the site. "The more research we do now," she says with a wide grin, "the more we'll be able to orient ourselves once we go down into the depths. Oh—if you'd all pose there for a second?" She holds up her datapad to show you her camera app. "I promised the kiddos I'd send them pictures!"
You find Ixthia, leader of the Exo-Guardians, issuing orders to some Starfinder teams. "Hello!" Ixthia nods to you as you approach. "Looking for a way to help? There are a few settlements to the south that might know more about these ruins. Most of the locals don't venture up this way... but the rumors come from somewhere."
As you approach, Venture-Captain Arvin is giving a pep talk to a cluster of nervous-looking Starfinders. "Ah!" he says, as he spots you. "Perhaps hearing from your peers would be helpful." He steps aside, gesturing for you to follow, and murmurs, "It's their first mission, and they're a bit skittish. I have some things I need to attend to, so would you mind giving them some advice?"
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"Careful, yes sir. Will do."
"Yes, Ma'am. Patch vulnerabilities. How does Damorisovitch do that?
"Yes, that is something Damorisovitch can do!"
"Damorisovitch can help!"
Rather than using Vesk diplomacy, he keeps his ears open.
"So, new Starfinders. You are going on first mission? Very good! Damorisovitch remember his first mission.
"Remember, struggle and conquest are woven into the fabric of reality. One can choose to embrace this truth and secure a place in history with one’s triumphs, or one can deny it and die a coward’s death, scorned and forgotten.
"Damorisovitch plans to be remembered, and you can be remembered with Damosovitch!"
Damorisovitch is eager to help, working assiduously to aid each of the VIPs.
His eagerness is enough to carry him through clearing some of the rubble.
Unfortunately, that zeal gets in the way as he completely flubs helping Celita.
He makes up for it with Fitch. With a clear mental (and photographic) image, the team should do quite well.
Ixthia's task is reasonably straight forward. Damorisovitch hears several tales of people going into the ruins and not returning or of people returning after months or even years had passed thinking they’d only been gone a few moments. Ghosts and spirits in peculiar clothing are also said to inhabit the ruins.
Some of the locals take an interest in the Damorisovitch's investigations and gift each of you a brown nanite hypopen.
It takes a moment for the recruits to understand that Damorisovitch is referring to himself in the third person, but once they sort that out, they become duly inspired!
Venture-Captain Naiaj, looking harried, is coordinating with workers outside the supply tents. “If you’re here to assist,” she tells you, “You can help organize these supply lines. We don’t know what we’ll find down there, so we want all our teams well-equipped with rations and medicinal supplies. Can’t have anyone getting trapped without adequate equipment.”
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Vyecmuraf watches Damorisovitch pilot a hovertruck, then shrugs and opens the cockpit of another. “Yes, the beeping sound means the truck is moving in reverse, not that something’s wrong with the engine. Out of the way please.”
Well, it can’t get any worse than that. Shaking their head, the kasatha taps on their wrist computer and sends a request to Celita for login credentials.
Vyecmuraf leaves Damorisovitch to deal with Fitch while they investigate rumors. “Yes, yes, I’m sure the local backwater customs are very intriguing…”
“…and I have no time to deal with incompetent colleagues. Which I’m certain you are not.” The kasatha’s tone is crisp and businesslike, though the younger agents still shift uneasily in their seats once they’ve finished.
“No, don’t put that there - we don’t want to put the food and medicines in the same crate unless you want to get a transfusion of sparkling water rather than antitoxin.”
Vyecmuraf is similarly eager to get this show started.
For one, his piloting is spot on! In no time everything is taken care of.
His luck holds as he manages to gain some good insight whilst tinkering for Celita.
While he doesn't find anything new, he does confirm everything Damorisovitch gleaned.
Vyecmuraf blows it helping VC Naiaj. He accidentally mixes the laxatives' with the adrenaline shots!
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A bleachling gnome scurries into the area, glancing at the timepiece on his comm unit. He wears a multi-colored suit, made of smooth modern material, but with suede patches on the shoulders, the traditional mark of one who makes their career in academia. "Sorry for running late. Had some students in office hours that were running late. I'm Professor Thadeus Glimgletch, an instructor in advanced artificial intelligence and robotic design at Absalom Technical University. But most folks just call me Gletch."
He then runs around trying to help everybody, starting with trying to figure out the best way to move the debris without damaging the equipment, to help Radaszam.
He nods pleasantly to Celita. "Hey there, boss ..." He creates a quick little smart program AI to begin probing the infrastructure for weaknesses.
Gletch tries to make sense of Fitch's survey maps.
He does what he can to look into what can be figured out about the ruins.
Gletch pulls together some of the more magically-oriented of the new recruits and begins giving them some tips on how to most effectively use their spellcasting abilities in tense situations. "And don't forget to recharge any expended spell chips before you leave! It's a very easy rookie mistake ... happened to me!"
He then helps Naiaj organize the rations and medical equipment.
Despite running late, Gletch's skillset is on full display.
Radaszam is all set now, with everything perfectly cleared and ready to rock!
Celita is duly impressed with the diagnostics. It looks like the entire structure is scanned! It dovetails well with Fitch's work too.
Gletch finally hits a roadbloack with the ruins proper, and doesn't seem to inject any additional enthusiasm amongst the new recruits though.
He does manage to get a bit done with VC Naiaj. The supply teams are grateful for the assistance and grant you each a vial of magically-infused broth that heals the body and steels the mind.
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Moments before the briefing comes in a tall, slender android comes into the room with a sly grin painted on his face, a very casual attitude despite his late arrival. A crest of auburn hair falls lazily upon his shoulders, surrounding a pale blue face strewn with pulsating circuitry. The android nods curtly to the assembled Starfinders.
"Sup y'all." he begins. "Name's Helios-4. Haven't been assigned to a mission in a hot minute, so I'm kinda hoping we'll get to see some good action." He shrugs. "Was hoping I wouldn't get assigned to this Thriune-forsaken piece of red rock, but 'tis still better than nothing I s'ppose."
As the first seeker comes into the room, Helios greets him with a wave of the hand, reaching into the pockets of his stained cargo pants and producing a packet of gum. He chews vigorously while the first seeker speaks.
"Gotcha boss. I'll see where I can be useful." The android seems in a good mood as he runs around, trying to help out.
Helios approaches the Copaxi, hands still tucked in his pockets.
"Gimme a sec. I still have some contacts on the planet from back when I worked here. Lemme see what I can find." He pulls a datapad out of his pack and searches for intel about the ruins.
"Hey, lemme help." The android walks up to a few crates of medicine and examines them. "That'd be better off over there," he says while pointing at a crate. "Those boosters work a lot better on Shirren that they do on Humans. Trust me."
"Y'all don't worry." Helios begins while adressing the nervous Starfinders. "The Society has a wealth of knowledge of all things magic-y. Whatever we find out, there, we can handle it." he tries to prove his point by projecting a few files on the personal research he made while traveling to Akiton.
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Helios doesn't really get anything new from Copaxi, simply confirming the previously gleaned information. Additionally, the new recruits aren't jazzed any more than before.
The help with Naiaj is a big deal though. "Great idea! I'll tell you what, we uncovered these. Let me trade you out. You'll need these more than everyone else!"
“Attention, Starfinders!” First Seeker Ehu calls from in front of his shelter. The remaining hubbub quiets, and the Starfinders gather in lines for the briefing. “Our preparations are complete, so we can begin our exploration momentarily. Our first step is investigating the aboveground portions of the ruins and those accessible just below the surface.” He nods to Fitch, who’s tapping on the edge of her datapad. “Fitch, the surveys?”
Fitch quickly tucks her datapad away and hops into position next to him. “Right! Our preliminary surveys indicate there are five main sites that might provide access to the lower levels. To better organize the expedition, we ask that each team choose a site to investigate. Once you decide, the leader in charge of that site can provide you the details we know... though in most cases, that isn’t much. After you’ve secured a site and verified whether it leads further down, report back here and we’ll determine our next moves.”
Fitch steps aside, and Ehu takes her place, glancing over the assembled crowd.
“Some of you have been with us for years,” he says, “while others are new recruits. Whatever your level of experience, I have every confidence that your skills will be invaluable to our efforts here. Exploration and discovering forgotten secrets are what we Starfinders do best, after all. I expect all of you to work hard to achieve our goal, take care of each other, and report anything you find. Now, without further ado, let’s begin!”
★ ---- ★ ---- ★ ---- ★
The efforts of Pathfinder Society agents in the distant past were successful!
In tinkering with time, Pathfinder agents have spun off a temporal anomaly that may help you in dangerous situations.
Pathfinders were careful to rescue their agents from peril whenever they could.
The party looks over the field, and the choices are varied
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Gletch's right leg, which you notice is a cybernetic prosthesis, taps rapidly, causing the gnome to bounce a bit as he clearly is trying to stand still. Some kind of nervous twitch, perhaps?
"My skills, I am afraid, are not so much in the diplomatic domain as the intellectual. Still, it might be best to get the diplomatic mission out of the way, perhaps, if Mr. Damorisovitch is an expert in such matters. Perhaps we will make allies who can provide us useful information or support in our other endeavors."
“This way,” Ixthia says, welcoming your team into a tent marked with the Exo-Guardians’ symbol. “I have an important mission for you.” As you settle in, the copaxi takes a seat in a chair in the corner.
“We’ve found a set of stairs along the northern side of the ruins, leading down. It seems mostly intact, unlike many of the stairways we located elsewhere in our survey. According to the interviews we’ve conducted with locals, a few explorers have made their way into this passage previously and reported finding a strange creature patrolling within. It seems to be some sort of guardian.”
Ixthia solemnly looks to each agent before continuing. “Its presence might prove dangerous to other teams exploring the site, but we shouldn’t jump to conclusions and rush head-on into a fight. I know that you’re all capable warriors, but it’s possible that this being can be bypassed in some other way, or even reasoned with.”
"Supply yourselves well." "I am intrigued by the existence of this guardian and urges you to share anything you learn about this entity.."
Following Ixthia’s directions, you find the stairs with no issue. As you descend, you emerge into a small antechamber with a door at the other side.
The star-shaped chamber of worked stone lies beyond the door from the passageway, a spiraling pattern engraved on its floor. The room is illuminated by a faint glow from the walls, with no discernible source.
In the center of the room is the aforementioned guardian.
"Greetings." It says in a tritone voice, "I am the Emissary, guardian of what lies beyond. I warn you that only my command can open the route further in."
"It has been some time since anyone ventured into this room. State your business."
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Vyecmuraf clears their throat and steps forward, hands spread wide in a universal sign of peace. "Greetings, Honored Emissary. We stand before you as representatives of the Starfinder Society." They pause for a moment to gauge if the creature appears to recognize the name before continuing. "The Society is a philanthropic collection of capable and accomplished individuals seeking to explore the known - and unknown - universe, record and publicize new discoveries, and cooperate with local communities to the highest degree possible."
"As for why we are here specifically, the Society is investigating the historical and cultural impact of these structures as well as the rumors of supernatural hauntings. We would be delighted to welcome your cooperation and insights into these topics."
Satisfied, the kasatha folds their hands and inclines their head towards the guardian in an invitation to reply.
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Helios whistles in awe as the guardian begins to speak, staring at him up and down. He raises his hand to cast a magic detection spell, but ultimately decides against it, unsure if that would be considered a faux-pas. Judging the Kasatha to be a much better diplomat than him, the android remains arms crossed, waiting for a reply.
The Emissary nods subtly. "Interesting indeed. Your description of your organization is.... interesting. Interesting indeed. I can tell that you take your work seriously. This much is clear. What of the rest of you? Let me hear of your methods of exploration."
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Prompted by the guardian, Helios sighs ever so slightly. He advances, hands in his pockets, and begins:
"Y'see, the Society regroups people from all over the Pact Worlds and beyond. Everyone has a part to play during a mission. My friends over here..." he says, gesturing at Damorisovitch and Vyecmuraf "...Are skilled with 'diplomatic liaisons', let's say. For my part, I specialize in magic and technology." As he finishes his sentence, he picks a small clockwork device out of his pocket and floats it telekinetically in the air, spinning the gears around as if to show his magical abilities to the guardian.
Helios grins widely as the device returns to his pocket. "And piloting starships. Boy am I good at it."
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Gletch nodes to the Emissary in response. "Yes, well, my explorations are more academic in nature, to be sure. Analyzing and cataloging different physical phenomena and technology. My area of emphasis is specifically on seeking to understand sentient technological conscious constructs, presumably such as yourself, but I have a wealth of other scientific and technomagic areas of focus ..." He begins somewhat blindly stammering on incoherently, his cybernetic leg now twitching uncontrollably.
"Indeed. Indeed, while I wonder about some of you, I think on the whole your methods are good. BUT, worthiness is more than such things. I want to know why, truly why do you do these things..."
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"Damorisovitch seeks honor over all things. Damoritosch teaches that struggle is the way of things, and that there is honor in victory. But victory comes in many ways, it may be a victory in finding an ancient lost artifact of the God of War, or it might be letting your enemies live once you have defeated them.
"Even that... even the helpers." Damorisovitch sighs mightily.
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Shaan doesn't know much about much but he asks his trusty assistant to help out where he can.
Shaan listens to the discussion with the Emissary with interest but not much understanding. Perhaps his trusty assistant can once again help him make sense of what such a creature might be? He whispers to the assistant, "Try usin' some o' that egghead stuff yer always talkin'"
The assistant steps forward a half-step, or perhaps a bit less, and rather nervously tries to explain the Starfinder Society's interest in advancing the purest lines of scientific inquiry.
Whether it makes much of an impression on the Emissary, it is clear that Shaan himself hasn't the least interest in hypotheses and data analysis. "Egghead." he mutters to himself.
Vyecmuraf gets the impression that the Emissary is looking for an appreciation for what can be found within.
Attempts:
Damorisovitch: Mysticism
Gletch: Go
Helios-4: Go
Shaan Poloo: Natural Science
Vyecmuraf: Go
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“As stated previously, the Starfinder Society seeks to preserve and understand the past,” Vyecmuraf continues after a brief pause. “The Society also strives to work with local communities to understand the cultural significance and context of their discoveries. When no such resources are available, the Society seeks to treat every site and the artifacts found within with the utmost care and appreciation.”
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Using his token spell, psychokinetic hand, and energy ray, Gletch demonstrates a brief display of his magical prowess. As he casts spells, the circuitry on his cybernetic leg glows, and the twitching slows. It is almost like the magical energy is being drawn, at least in part, from power that resides within the leg.
"Interesting, very interesting. Now, sate my curiosity explorers, I would hear from each of you the details of your proudest moment as explorers..."
Attempts:
Damorisovitch: Go
Gletch: Go
Helios-4: Go
Shaan Poloo: Go
Vyecmuraf: Go
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Unable to get a good read on the guardian, Vyecmuraf instead opts for the diplomatic approach. “I was recently part of an expedition to a simulated environment where three groups of creatures were being kept against their will and experimented upon. With my assistance, the Starfinders were able to both shut down the experiment and rescue the imprisoned individuals. Many of them are even working with the Society to this day.”
Agents sent to investigate the pillars to the northeast have opened the passageway further in.