GM Cellion's Devastation Ark

Game Master Cellion

... slowly waking up ...

Jedarat fills the viewscreen of the cramped shuttle you were supplied to make the journey planet-side. Up ahead, your destination swirls with blue, white and splotches of green and brown. Permanent swaths of ice and snow still cling to large portions of the southern reaches of the planet, while the low lying areas close to the coast on the north almost seem temperate. Even from high above, you can see not all is well with the world. Tremendous swaths of dense clouds crowd the surface, visibly moving even to the naked eye. Formations split and crash through one another in defiance of ordinary meteorological science. It doesn't take a trained professional to know that the weather at the surface must be catastrophic wherever those clashes occur.

Tearing your eyes away from the disaster ahead, you look through the rear view panel and see the Whitegaunt hovering in your wake like the skeletal ribcage of a titanic god. The Eoxian destroyer had been the fastest Drift-capable craft available at Absalom Station, and your respective contacts and agencies had paid a tidy sum to get its eccentric shirren captain to abandon his previous plans in order to bring you all out into the Vast. Thanks to the ship's advanced Drift drive, the journey had taken only four days, though the sparse accommodations for "breathers" and the cold and detached nature of its crew kept it from being comfortable.

The shuttle is little better as far as comfort is concerned, but at least it's cozier. And after being surrounded by silent undead for the last several days, the present company is much more... lively. Even the borai. In fact, you recognize several of the faces. Given the timing and urgency of the journey, they're most likely here for a similar reason to yourself. (You're the only ones on this automated shuttle from the Whitegaunt! Feel free to describe yourselves and make your introductions.)

Additionally, here's some background:

And some specific lead ins...

At the Lorespire Complex

Arcalinte rises from the meditative position he's seated in and listens to Chiskisk's excitable telepathy. He didn't admonish Chiskisk for the formality, since Venture Captain was only one of his titles, along with Doctor of Xenoarchaeology and Sola of the Order of the Empty Orbit, so just sticking with Venture Captain was actually tame.

He thinks on the world mentioned, Jedarat and Abadarcorp's interest in it...

Culture (Jedarat): 1d20 + 18 + 1d6 ⇒ (10) + 18 + (4) = 32
Culture (New Horizons Luxury Resort): 1d20 + 18 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 18 + (3) = 23

"I remember hearing about it, yes...Isu's imagination went wild when we last discussed the news...still, a fellow Starfinder may be in danger, and given my...unique insights into the specifics, I may be best equipped to deal with whatever's been buried there. Given how the Drift Rock set us on a trail to the Stellar Degenerator, if another such trail starts on Jedarat, we have a chance to stop another crisis before it starts. When can I leave, Chiskisk? Immediately."

Aboard the shuttle

Seated aboard the shuttle, Arcalinte appears the picture of calm. A tall, coppery-skinned half-elf with flowing black hair bound in a braid and a short, well-trimmed goatee, with tattoos of what appear to be constellations on his face, and extending presumably to under his clothes. His eyes are clearly artificial, but there's a subtle shine to them beyond the normal LEDs common on such, matching the glowing golden mote orbiting his head. He's dressed in an armored robe in the kasathan style, rose-gold metal inlaid with glittering, glassy scales, and white carbon-fiber-cloth, and on his chest a golden emblem of a curling sun symbol surrounded by a series of eleven rings representing the orbits of the Pact Worlds with a noticeable gap between the second and third ring.

"Not the first time I've flown aboard an Eoxian vessel. Though this was much more comfortable than the Empire of Bones," he says with a small smirk.

A large creature with pale, thick undead scales for skin peers through a port window with narrowed eyes. His extremities are blackened with what appears to be frostbite, and he points toward the planet below with a finger with a missing end digit and claw.

"I'm back, you frozen hellhole--and your wretched mysteries will not remain hidden this time," he tells Jedarat as a matter of fact.

Nearly seven feet tall, he is well-muscled and robust. He has several permanent traumatic injuries visible, including a gaping hole in his upper chest and a partially caved-in rear skull. His travel mates have learned little about Achlyss Sadow thus far on the trip, but recognize that he was once a Vesk and now a Borai. Achlyss was either subject to a botched resurrection attempt, or was simply too stubborn to fully die when his time came.

"Eoxians--a strange lot," he says to Arcalinte, perhaps not recognizing the irony of his statement.

Back on Castrovel.

Shoccaar flexes her body beneath the large heat lamp as she listens to Keille's message. The heat lamp is the central focal point of her luxury apartment, but is the only item of value within. The professor smiles grimly at the news. "Missing, that's terrible. Of course New Horizons would blame us, typical big company BS. And ecoterrorism? How dare they?" She stands up and begins to gather her gear. I mean, it's not terrorism when the only people who get hurt are those who value credits over ethics and knowledge... right? The ikeshti picks up the custom microlab from its place on her worktable and looks it over. Built like an extended ring, almost a bracer, it packs the equivalent of a hospital-grade medical lab into a wearable device. Forty-two patents packed into this baby, which the University refuses to commercialize. I suppose one does not enter into academia for the money. As Shoccar slips the device onto her tail, where it fits snugly, she snaps back to the moment. "Yes, absolutely. I'll find those Xenowardens, if they're still alive, and discover what's going on. I'll leave tonight."

---

Aboard the shuttle, the ikeshti woman squirms in her seat to try and get a better view out the window. "A new world, ours to explore. Is anything more exciting?" Just a few feet high, the small reptile's red scales cover a wiry form. She runs her hand over her head fin in a nervous tick. In a foreign tongue, known only to a handful of Pact Worlds citizens she addresses the half-elf. "Good to see you again, Arcalinte. My Vulgar Kishaleen isn't what it was, though I've been practicing with one of my favorite post-doctoral scholars." Her eyes drift to the window again and she switches back to Common. "This planet better have fewer drops to infinity. Heights don't bother me much, but Nejeor VI was something else."

Culture (New Horizons Luxury Retreats): 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (1) + 20 = 21
Physical Science (Jedarat): 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (5) + 24 = 29

She shakes her head. "Typical Abadarcorp. Find a new place and immediately try and change it. Commerce is nice and all, but show some restraint." She coughs, cutting herself off. She flashes a membership card with the holographic symbol of the Xenowardens emblazoned in bright colors. "Sorry, typical hippy, I know. As a card carrying member, when Lady Keille calls I answer. So, how'd they rope y'all into this little venture?"

Ajithu-Ko listens to Keille's missive intently, remarking snidely internally at the various slights of the Xenowardens by New Horizons.

New Horizons is planning on blaming our survey team for the problems. Ecoterrorism, is what I'm hearing. I think it's more likely haywire terraforming equipment, but you know exactly how these corporate types are.

Hmph... no good deed goes un-punished.

I need the two of you to find those missing Xenowardens, and to clear our name before New Horizons gets themselves in real trouble.

Yes, of course. By all means this is to save New Horizons, lest they lose the ability to flog us in thanks for trying to keep them honest...

In reality, he knows he'll help to figure out what happened to the missing crew and somehow keep New Horizons and AbadarCorp from callously expending more Xenowardens.

-------------
On the shuttle...

Ajithu-Ko looks like a fishy head-in-a-jar atop his protective armor. However, in addition to his thin, almost stick-figure frame (at 5’6”), he has thin bluish membranes between his arms and legs that most humans would liken to bat-wings. The membrane and his skin are a green-tinted deep-blue that you imagine nearly disappears in ocean waters (not that there is an ocean near Absalom Station). His helmet is filled to the top with freshwater, and while that causes his skin to nearly disappear in dim lighting, his bright-white bulbous eyes always glow through.

Culture DC20 Recalling information about Jedarat: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (20) + 22 = 42 oh my

It would seem there are theorists who have many ideas about the ancient civilizations that left their remnants on this planet. Perhaps that their technologies far outstripped what we know today in the pact worlds. Perhaps even that they created the life that proliferated the worlds; that they conquered many systems in the Vast before thinning out and becoming lost to time...

Ajithu-Ko perks up at Arc's tales. They sound very similar to Lenny's stories, that he would share back at his gym on Absalom Station. Surely they weren't part of the same team... what are the odds? He notes it but leaves it for now.

"A new world, ours to explore. Is anything more exciting?"

Finally at Shoccaar's remarks he speaks up.

"Ours?" That sounds suspiciously like New Horizons or AbadarCorp. Rather, I trust we'll explore it with the respect the Pact Worlds have come to understand of the Xenowardens. Keille mentioned we would be working together so I know you work with respect for natural ecosystems. It seems the corporations have blundered and we get to clean up their mess.

Achlyss listens to his companions chatter. When the talk turns to AbadarCorp, he smirks, which seems awkward on his undead face.

"AbadarCorp is paying the bills for my trip--so like them or not, as far as I'm concerned the customer is always right. At least until payday."

Achlyss eyes the planet carefully, trying to remember which hemisphere he had been in or perhaps identify a landmark he could recall.

"It's cold down there--I know. I hope you packed your fluffy slippers."

While you recall the events that led to this trip to Jedarat and greet each other, the shuttle descends down into the planet's upper atmosphere. The hull begins to rattle and an unobtrusive blinking light suggests that you take your seats for re-entry. As the shuttle dives, the rattling transitions to a wild shaking. You enter into a glide for final approach to Hardpack Valley with zero visibility and the shuttle lurching hard enough to stir even the firmest stomach. The experienced pilots among you can tell that the ship's autopilot doing an amazing job of handling the deadly approach - it must be a particularly premium model.

It's hard to tell the moment you erupt from the bottom of the massive stormcloud - the view underneath seems almost as dark and just as icy. Only the shuttle's sensors tell you that up ahead is a land mass rather than more turgid sky.

Several indicators suddenly light up and the shuttle's nav screen blinks briefly with an error message before clearing. In Eoxian, you just manage to read "Digital interference detected. System critical fai-" before it disappears. For a few more moments, everything seems perfectly normal... until abruptly it isn't.

The shuttle's nose starts to dip. With all systems normal - you're now aimed toward the ground!

Achlyss offers some choice, profane words as the ship heads sharply toward the surface.

"Now might be a good time to get up there if you can fly this thing!" he bellows, completely at a loss himself.

"I mean--I could almost for sure figure this out, but this ship won't land itself!"

aid piloting: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

As Shocka is about to elaborate on the careful balance she feels between excitement to explore the unknown possibilities of the planet and the need to keep it safe from intrusive entities, the ship begins to go down! She dives towards the controls, her eyes wide at the fast approaching ground. "Achlyss, A-Corp only hires the best I hear. Let's hope that applies to your flying!"

Piloting: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (14) + 19 = 33

As the vesk reaches for the wrong lever, she coughs and flips the correct one. Desperately trying to retake control, she remarks, "So... when you came last time you weren't flying yourself, I take it?"

Achlyss sits in the pilot seat next to Shoccaar, then pushes another button with a blackened finger.

"Well the one I pulled engaged the stabilizers!" he exclaims. "But no, I wasn't flying last time--but I could have!"

Shocka kicks the shuttle into manual control despite the mild protestations of the computer. With a deft adjustment of levers and the main joystick, she pulls the nose of the shuttle up, and with a audible creaking against the rushing wind, you manage to stabilize! The snowstorm tugs continuously at your craft, but with Shocka's deft hand on the controls, the shuttle stays mostly steady as it glides down to the landing pad that's hopefully still intact below.

It takes half an hour more of careful, gradual navigation through the whiteout conditions before Shocka is able to settle the shuttle down. By the time you're ready to leave the ship, the storm has thankfully somewhat abated, replaced by a steady snow with irregular gales of wind.

Rugged mountain peaks covered in scraggly brambles rise from Jedarat’s frozen surface. Up ahead, a sprawling construction site is nestled in a narrow valley, the heavy equipment and incomplete structures nearly indistinguishable beneath mounting snow drifts. Glimpses of a luxurious log-and-stone building perched on the edge of a steep valley appear through the torrential snowfall.

Ajithu-Ko watches calmly as one passenger tries, and then another succeeds in stabilizing the flight path of the shuttle.

Very well. Shoccaar Nemmac will be our pilot. My first decision as captain.

The kalo then turns to Achlyss, remembering to encourage other crew members.

Perhaps you have good aim? Might you be a gunner?

Arcalinte doesn't even seem phased as the shuttle falters and the others get it back on course.

"Were we the only ones aware of where we were going?" he wonders aloud. "It seems someone doesn't want us investigating Jedarat all that closely, and remote hacking a shuttle isn't easy. So either Grix needs to vet his crew a bit more closely because a spy somehow got onboard the Whitegaunt, or we should prepare for the possibility of combat at our destination sooner than we perhaps expected. Either way, stellar flying, Shocka!"

Once they've landed, he takes hold of his mote with his hand and seems to clap it onto his head like a helmet. Immediately the golden light shimmers across his body, forming glittering golden plates that seem to hover just above his armor, while a pair of circular, winglike appendages extend from his back to form a semicircle framing his head from behind. Then he picks up the long-handled devastation blade by his side and steps out into the cold, looking about to see if anything is there to greet them.

Perception: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (19) + 21 = 40

Shocca chuckles as she leaves the pilot chair. "Astute as always, Ajithu. Aye, I can handle a set of controls." She wanders out of the shuttle, sticking to the back of the group. Her eyes go up and down Arcalinte's intimidating form. "Glad you're on our side. That blade is bigger than I am!" She hops up and down, just an inch off the ground, to make her point. "Anywho, if Abadarcorp knew about it, I imagine the whole universe knows about it. Not exactly a secretive organization, those fellows." She looks over at Achlyss and smirks, "no offense."

The ikeshti's armor almost makes her look like a mercenary, though it has seen regularly cleanings. She reaches around her back, getting the forcepack and her two longarms situated. The small lizard walks up to the other three as they leave the shuttle. "So, ummm... I'm not just a doctor of science, I'm also a medical doctor!" She beams, feeling proud of herself. "Comes in handy if you step on a wooden stake on a newly discovered world. Or if a new species of tiger gives you a scratchy. Or if you take a whiff of a mushroom that just wanted to be left alone. Or... Well, You get the idea." Her tail whips around, the ringed technological device whirring to life at an unseen flex of her muscles. "If you let me scan your genetic profile, I'll be able to treat you better in case such a dire situation arises today." She pulls out a datapad and offers it. "Just sign on the dotted line. Don't worry, I'll protect your data. I took an oath!" She taps her heels together, trying to look official. If you read the contract closely, you notice one unique line with a checked box next to it. The signee acknowledges that their data may be used for anonymous scholastic study, which may be published in an academic journal.

While Arc keeps a vigilant lookout, you gather together (and perhaps submit to Shocca's dubious contract) and head down toward what should be civilization. Snow squalls and sudden gusts occasionally threaten to separate you, momentary whiteout conditions hiding individual members until you learn to stay close together. After that, it's just a matter of moving slowly and carefully.

Before you know it, you're trudging through knee-high snow (higher for some of you) between mostly finished wooden buildings. Arches overhead have been carefully and artistically carved in the likeness of a wreath of interwoven pinecones and antlers, while posts to either side of the main path through the resort village curl with artistic filigree draped in tiny electric lanterns. All off and laden heavily down with snow. You approach a half completed chalet - the only structure lit from within and showing signs of life and activity. The chalet radiates warmth from its glass picture windows, and sword-like icicles hang from its eaves. You stride up, crack the door, and head on in.

A small vestibule functions as a basic airlock of sorts, admitting you into the chalet after the outer door is closed. Once inside, the contrast with the icy cold and wilderness couldn't be starker. This building's polished log interior is lit by crackling stone fireplaces placed artistically all throughout the rooms. Evergreen wreaths hang off the walls and rich, plush rugs cover the rustic wooden floors. However, amid this idyllic setting, dozens of workers - engineers and laborers in more casual dress and besuited corporate types - crowd the space. A low hubbub fills the room and the anxious faces all over show plain as day that tensions are right.

A raised voice cuts through the noise. "Mr. Sadow! And the brave volunteers." You look up to the second floor balcony overlooking the vast common room and spot a tall, elderly human woman with umber skin and a cybernetic optical implant in her left eye. She wears a slate-gray suit with AbadarCorp's logo on the lapel. Achlyss recognizes her immediately as Eisyfina Nott. (See Handouts)

She waves down at you all. "Take off those coats, warm yourselves up, get some hot drinks in you, then come on up to the loft. We have a lot to do, but I wouldn't want you all getting sick before we even get started." She points to a staircase and then heads back and out of sight.

(Brief pause here before we jump into the meeting with Eisyfina)

Achlyss waves in acknowledgment at Eisyfina, the AbadarCorp liaison.

Before moving toward her, he gives some information to his companions.

"I should fill you in on a little background. I was working this planet before--for AbadarCorp--as a mercenary captain. Only before, I was alive like all of you. I don't know what happened to me. It's like my memory of that has been wiped or the trauma of death erased it. But I came to in a little construction project--a mountain resort village or something. Then I was like this. I am not sure I can be killed. Maybe I'm immortal," he says without irony.

He looks back toward Eisyfina. "I made my way--here I guess. Eisyfina I had worked with in the past. She's solid, and she got me back off this rock. I'm back with a score to settle, but you can count on her."

An echoing laugh emits from the vocal speakers on the outside of Ajithu-Ko's watery helmet.

I will sign no such thing Shocca, but feel free to sample DNA from the membranes that I use for water gliding, if it helps you to concoct useful serums in the future.

------------------
Okay, so from that description, and vaguely knowing the kind of exploration to come soon in the future, this is Alpine Christmas Hoth? :P

Ajithu-Ko only glances at the elderly woman at first, turning to listen to Achlyss' impromptu "briefing." His frown deepens as the explanation proceeds.

How can you be sure that AbadarCorp, or even she did not do this to you? Have they offered proper explanation for how your hard work should have led you to this condition?

He finally turns upward to the elderly Eisyfina.

Hot drinks? Certainly not for me. A nice swim in a sizable ice-water tank where I can stretch out will do for me.

He continues in a stern, booming voice. Our descent was... not without trouble. The shuttle was hacked remotely and we almost ended up in bits in the side of a snowy mountain. What enemies have you made out here, beyond the disturbed ecosystems of this planet?

I will sign no such thing Shocca, but feel free to sample DNA from the membranes that I use for water gliding, if it helps you to concoct useful serums in the future.

Shocca purses her lips. "hmmm... sounds like verbal consent to me!" She whips her tail around in a circular motion, then the custom microlab emits a quiet beep.

---

Shocca pulls out her datapad and sends a quick message to Arcalinte. They've got hot choccies down here. Might want to lock up and head over to the cabin. Don't get lost. :) Then she turns to Achlyss and listens carefully. "Yepp, that sounds perfectly above board and not sketchy at all. To be fair, I imagine dying is quite traumatic." She looks sideways at Ajithu and nods slowly, knowingly. The ikeshtu double fists some warm beverages and heads up to the loft. "So, miss Nott. Committed any environmental atrocities lately? Was it always this stormy before A-Corp began 'improving' this planet?" She speaks matter-of-factly, without the venomous tone that her words imply.

Arcalinte follows the others, once it's clear there's no immediate danger, taking a close look at her Schocca's contract before signing it.

"Always happy to support the advancement of the sciences, Dr. Nemmac," he comments with a wink.

As they approach the chalet, he can't help but smirk.

"It's like they took a Reunion Day card and superimposed it onto reality."

In the SFS module "A Festive Operation," Reunion is described as an Akitonian holiday in Kuthona (Starfinder's December equivalent)!

When invited to partake of hot drinks, he nods.

"I'm more of a tea person, myself. Helps to calm and focus the mind."

He takes a cup of green tea and approaches the loft, grimacing a bit at Shocca's frank introduction.

"I see we're establishing friendly terms right off..."

To Ajuthu, Achlyss waves a dismissive hand comment that AbadarCorp or Eisyfina could be behind what happened to him.

"Nonsense--AbadarCorp has hired me multiple times and I've worked with Eisyfina on a few occasions. AbadarCorp is in it for the credits, but they have a reputation for being more than fair with those they hire. If word got out they were double-crossing Mercs they would never hire one again."

Achlyss takes the lead up the stairs to the loft.

"Let's go--she'll earn your trust soon enough."

After some of you pick up hot cocoa and tea, freely offered by nervous first-aid workers in the chalet's kitchens, you make your way up the stairs and into the loft. Eisyfina has converted the half finished space into a sort of emergency office. While the table looks to be part of the permanent furnishings, folding camp chairs are all that's available to sit on, and plastic packing containers serve for additional storage. A fireplace warms and illuminates the room, while a purposefully old-fashioned cork board sits on one wall, a physical printout of a local geographic map pinned up across it. Neat red lettering and small circles mark a number of locations across them map - the captions mentions 'sightings'.

Eisyfina sits behind the desk, sipping spiced cider from a novelty mug.

Our descent was... not without trouble. The shuttle was hacked remotely and we almost ended up in bits in the side of a snowy mountain. What enemies have you made out here, beyond the disturbed ecosystems of this planet?

Eisyfina squares her jaw, but seems largely unsurprised, both by the mention of hacking and the 'frankness'. "I'd like to know the same. Some of my coworkers, especially those in New Horizons, are saying those enemies are you-" She eyes Ajithu-Ko and Shocca pointedly "-and your associates. But I find that hard to believe. We have worked together here on friendly terms up until now, after all."

"So, miss Nott. Committed any environmental atrocities lately? Was it always this stormy before A-Corp began 'improving' this planet?"

"Not any more than you and your organization already knows about. We have been quite above board on this one. There's no profit in screwing over long-term business partners. Especially not ones that like sometimes 'unimproving' things."

She offers a wry smile, then takes another sip, sighing in satisfaction "Believe it or not, we are all on the same side here. Now, allow me to explain the situation."

Nursing the mug, she gets up (wincing as she does) and walks over to the fireplace. "You have likely heard about the ruins. The planet is truly lousy with them. When resort construction started, we agreed between the investment parties that the right thing to do was to build around them, perhaps even incorporate them into the view from each village." She laughs ruefully. "Of course, we did our due diligence and sent teams in to explore. The teams found nothing of interest, and we still have no idea what the ruins were, or who— or what—built them."

"Ten days ago now, an excavation team working on a village here in Hardpack Valley was laying down underground pipe when they hit something. Another ruin— this one buried under the frozen earth. The whole exterior structure was different. A walkway surrounding a passage that led deeper into the earth." She turns to look at the map. "After consultation between the investors, we agreed it needed to be investigated before work could proceed. A xenowardens team volunteered to handle it. Nothing too unusual yet."

"However, the last communication we got from the team was... lets say, disturbing. I'll send it to you." Ms. Nott pauses and taps her datapad. Simultaneous chimes from your own devices signal the file's delivery.

(This video is the first page of the Player's Guide, so rather than transcribe it, you can check it out there at your leisure)

Ajithu taps a few commands on his datapad, and the video begins playing on the inside of the front of his watery dome. At each vague, unexplained reference his frown deepens. As the video concludes he speaks out loud to Eisyfina.

Woke... it up? Do you have additional journal data from this team that might give some better context clues for the vague references in this video? Anything at all on file for this team would be helpful.

Arcalinte sips his tea as he watches the footage. He winces at the shrieking metal noise before it cuts out.

"I'm reminded of the Drift Rock," he comments. "That's not a good sign for our predecessors' fate, but hopefully we are able to save at least some of them...The Dawn Brings New Light."

"Especially not ones that like sometimes 'unimproving' things." ...

She's a fan of my work, I see. The ikeshtu smiles softly. "Yes, I think we can all work together for the betterment of this planet and those stranded here." After watching the video, Shocca shivers and checks the thermal capacitor on her armor. "They mentioned the cold. Has the global temperature significantly changed since this event?" She watches the video again, on mute. "Where were these new ruins located?"

Eisyfina nods to Ajithu-Ko "We have a little more. Talla, the team leader, sent over an initial impression of the site the same day as this message was recorded. She mentioned ancient but intact machinery, though all unpowered. Her analysis was that the machinery was not functional, but appeared to be quite advanced. She was aiming to either bring back a sample or take some pictures, but neither of those happened."

After Shocca's question, she heads over to the map and traces a finger through the valley. "This is Hardpack Valley. We're currently here, while the site of the newly unearthed ruins is here." The path she traces cuts through another resort village, then stops just a little outside it. (This whole route looks to be about 4 miles by foot) "As for the global temperature, that has not dramatically changed, but..."

She furrows her brow and finishes the rest of her cider. "Not long after Talla's team went missing, by our estimation, both the unnatural snowstorms and widespread technological difficulties began to plague all of our resort villages, outposts, and automated equipment. It's not clear if the cause is the storms - if they have some obscure electromagnetic effect - or if its the glitches and misbehavior in the terraforming and atmospheric control units that are driving the storms. We've lost contact with most of the automated equipment and many of the construction sites." She sets her mug down and folds her hands. "Connections are being re-established as we speak, but Talla's team can't wait for us to get everything in order here."

"For that, we need you. I expect whatever is happening within the new ruin is linked to the planet-wide disturbance. At the same time, we hope to still rescue Talla and her team. They're skilled, and they had enough supplies to hold out somewhere if needed, but they're researchers, not trained combatants or survivalists. If they're still alive, they may be in danger as we speak."

Thoughts of what might have been awakened by the expedition concern Achylss.

"Who knows if that same thing happened to me?" he wonders. "As well as my team. Whatever it is, we need to follow up. Perhaps even some of my crew is still alive."

Achlyss surveys the map, but something seems wrong with it and he can't figure out which direction they would need to go to get to Hardpack Valley. He rotates it a few times more but then gives up.

"What else can you tell us of Talla?" he asks.

Shocca nods, seriously. "Yes, we should leave right away. Who knows what native flora and fauna assail them?" She thinks back on the field researchers she's known and frowns. Not exactly outdoorsy survival types. The ikeshti gulps down the remainder of her still-hot beverages. "Is there anything else you think we should know before we head out?"

Eisyfina nods to Achlyss "Maybe. As for Talla, she's a quorlu and a specialist in cold-climate plants. Maybe a bit reckless, but very honest and trustworthy. That was the impression I got of her, and in my old age I've gotten quite confident at gauging people. Her team included Ariad-N5, an android who has been working on survey teams since they arrived, and Nifri Zamas Gidren Sye, a kasatha xenoarchaeologist whose specialty is alien cultural artifacts."

After Shocca's question, she comments "So you know, I'll provide you my comms details, but based on past experience any connection you have to the camps and construction sites will be cut off the moment you lose line of sight. You'll be on your own." She extends an arm to wave in the general direction of downstairs"Also, I've pulled together some supplies for you to supplement whatever you were able to bring down on the shuttle. They're waiting for you in the first aid room."

(These supplies include a grab bag of survival gear - essentially you each can pick any non-magical technological gear that costs 100 credits or less. Additionally, for the group as a whole, you get four white nanite hypopens, two green nanite hypopens, four Mk3 serums of healing, and one spell ampoule of haste. You also get a week's worth of R2E rations each.)

She presses her lips together, and for a moment she looks almost as nervous as the people downstairs. It only lasts a moment before her professional facade snaps back into place "I hope for all our sakes, you can sort this out."

All researchers? Not even one good with weapons? Ajithu asks.

He thinks some more and continues questions.

It's not unreasonable to imagine their situation is linked to the planet-wide "disturbances," or the planet's rejections of our presence here. Did Talla's team report any anomalous activity or data before this incident that may have hinted at what was to come?

After he gets this answer he asks Can we get full profiles for the research team downloaded to our datapads? Are there any other supplies you suggest we stock up on before we head out?

Otherwise, ready to go, I believe.

Eisyfina nods to Achlyss "Maybe. As for Talla, she's a quorlu and a specialist in cold-climate plants. Maybe a bit reckless, but very honest and trustworthy. That was the impression I got of her, and in my old age I've gotten quite confident at gauging people. Her team included Ariad-N5, an android who has been working on survey teams since they arrived, and Nifri Zamas Gidren Sye, a kasatha xenoarchaeologist whose specialty is alien cultural artifacts."

"Nifri is part of the reason I'm here as well; she came here as part of the Xenowardens, but that's not her only loyalty. She's a Starfinder too, and we don't leave our own to face danger alone," Arcalinte comments.

Ajithu-Ko nods, concurring with this point.

Yes, most of all there is that. I would see the Xenowardens treated well and respected for their efforts here.

Achlyss nods at the new information about the missing team and scratches his cold, clammy scaled head.

"With me on the team, we are certain to succeed," the borai says. "I've been holed up on that ship so long, I would just as soon leave now. If any of you breathers need a bathroom break, get on it."

Anyone want any particular items of gear?

"Hypopens! I knew I forgot something in my go bag!" Shocca slaps her own forehead in exasperation. "I can whip up several concoctions to help you defeat diseases and push through debilitating conditions. But I don't have anything like these!" She reaches into her armor's many pockets, scrambling for a piece of paper. Writing furiously, she looks up mid-thought. "You, uh, don't happen to have any more of those pens for sale... would ya?" Doh! I really need to get more familiar with Armor. I'd love to grab a Gray Hypopen and two Black Hypopens if they're available... She pauses, expectantly. "That is what A-Core does, right? Sell stuff?" She laughs, finding herself quite humorous. "In my experience, wherever there's trouble there's a starfinder!" She winks at Arcalinte. "They usually fix the trouble though. Very dependable, those lot."

She adjusts the rifles on her back and turns to Ajithu. "Thankfully not all researchers are helpless in a fight. Were any of the lost team members New Horizons employees? Or were they all volunteering for the Xenowardens or Starfinder Society?"

Once in the first aid room, Shocca picks up a Camouflage Membrane and a Radiation Badge from the table.

All researchers? Not even one good with weapons? Ajithu asks.

Did Talla's team report any anomalous activity or data before this incident that may have hinted at what was to come?

Can we get full profiles for the research team downloaded to our datapads? Are there any other supplies you suggest we stock up on before we head out?

Eisyfina answers each question in turn "All with basic training with weapons only. They did report that they had come across some non-functional machinery, as I mentioned before, but they did not report anything unusual beyond that. Not until this video."

"You're welcome to their profiles if it helps you find them. If you don't have cold weather gear or another way to protect yourself, you might find that prudent. We do not have too many other supplies to spare in this current situation, so I hope you have otherwise prepared yourselves for a wide range of eventualities." Indeed, other than the mentioned grab bag of inexpensive utility items, there's no purchasing possible right now on Jedarat.

As Arc's comments about a Starfinder, she narrows her eyes "An undisclosed Starfinder? Hmm." She keeps her thoughts to herself, but her expression is calculating.

She answers Shocca's questions after a long pause "AbadarCorp certainly has mercantile wings, but you will not find them on Jedarat. As for the lost team members, all Xenowardens. New Horizons did not bring them on as direct employees, at their own request."

-----------
Eisyfina turns back to the map and furrows her brow as you leave. Downstairs, you pick up your gear and supplies, and soon enough you're back at the front door and getting ready to leave.

By this point, the condition outside has worsened once more. The raging blizzard threatens to make any travel quite challenging. Subzero temperatures, deep snowdrifts and powerful winds will turn what should be a fairly modest hike into a dangerous expedition.

Lets talk what preparations you're taking for this 4 mile hike. If you have a general approach beyond just hiking on foot, now's the time.

I mean, while Kalos like it wetter, they definitely appreciate the cold. With resist cold 5 would Ajithu-Ko need more than his environmental protections?

I think we need to stick close together while trudging through the snow out there. Perhaps we should all hold onto a length of cord so that no-one gets separated in a snow drift. Obviously some of you need ways to stay warm as well.

As Arc's comments about a Starfinder, she narrows her eyes "An undisclosed Starfinder? Hmm." She keeps her thoughts to herself, but her expression is calculating.

Arcalinte raises an eyebrow and smirks a bit.

"Don't tell me you didn't suspect! When people say 'No Starfinders!' or 'The Society creates trouble when investigating places,' it's a surefire way to draw our curiosity!" he says with a chuckle.

He goes to look at the gear AbadarCorp has arranged for them, thinking briefly on his friend Isu's well-loved AbadarCorp catalogue.

Don't think there's any 100 creds or less gear I really NEED at the moment.

Shocca seems quite unbothered that there aren't any supplies for sale. Just another fault in the A-Corp dam. She nods in pride at the mention of Xenowardens avoiding employment with the corporation. "Non-functional machinery? Maybe I'll be able to help with that when we get there." She tucks a few tool kits into her pack, checking in on the thermal capacitors built into her armor. I can exist comfortably in conditions between –50° and 170°F without needing to attempt Fortitude saves. In addition, the armor grants cold resistance and fire resistance 10. She looks over at Arcalinte before heading out the door. "Ready to cause some trouble then, Starfinder?" Then she looks over at Ajithu. "Cord could make sense. Worked with the youngins."

Yep, any amount of Cold Resistance over 5 completely covers the cold risks, and environmental protections from armor will lower the exposure level. So Ajithu-Ko and Shocca are completely covered. The other two shouldn't need to worry either unless something goes wrong with their environmental protections...

You emerge from the chalet into the darkness of the snowstorm. Visibility is dreadfully poor, and neither lights nor infrared sensors do much to pierce the wall of snow falling around you. Still, you're able to orient yourselves roughly in the direction Eisyfina indicated and start hiking.

By an hour into the trek, you start to wonder if you picked the right direction - surely you should have reached that unfinished village by now! All around, everything is just grey-white, leaving you without any easy landmarks to reference.

To navigate successfully to your destination, you'll need a Survival check, which anyone can attempt while others aid. Additionally, if you're not aiding, you can look out for dangers with Perception. Neither GPS devices nor compasses function in the storm.

I've got Cold Resist 13, so I should be perfectly preserved, as well.

Achlyss takes the lead in his powered armor, with the cord for the others to hold anchored between his shoulders. Still, he frequently veers off course, with the others having to correct his course multiple times as he steers in circles.

"Heh--you can't keep me dead--I'll discover your secrets--you'll see!" the others can hear him saying, or some variation thereof, on occasion.

survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

She looks over at Arcalinte before heading out the door. "Ready to cause some trouble then, Starfinder?" Then she looks over at Ajithu. "Cord could make sense. Worked with the youngins."

"Always!" Arcalinte replies with a laugh. His environmental protections keep him warm as they journey through the snow, and his solar armor glows like a beacon. While Achlyss and the others take the lead with determining their course, he keeps an eye out for threats.

Perception: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (15) + 21 = 36

Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Shocca briefly screams into the team mic channel before muting herself. Eventually she gathers her emotions, after her feet had been safely returned to the ground. "I was a little red kite for a minute there! Good call on the cable, I might not have found my way back to you in this storm." She tightens her grip on the cable and keeps marching onwards.

Perception: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (2) + 22 = 24

Not one for things not found in books, Shocca keeps an eye out on her surroundings. Whether she's looking for dangers or the topics of future grant proposals, is hard to say.

Ajithu-Ko grips the cord tightly when Shocca goes flying into the snow.

That turned out more useful than even I thought. He shudders at thinking of any of his teammates being lost in the snow forever.

A little later he shuffles up the line to join Achlyss.

We're not all already dead. It's the others I'm worried about. We should be more direct.

Survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

He compares orienteering notes with the borai, but ultimately only to a slight improvement of their course.

With Ajithu and Achlyss leading, you push on through the snowstorm. Abruptly, Arc stops your team - he's spotted a crevasse up ahead that you were about to walk right in to. You come up closer and peer down into a jagged icy gap that must be at least 100 feet deep and ten feet wide. Thankfully, now that you know about it, it's easy to avoid.

However, Ajithu and Achlyss must have gotten somewhat turned around, because your wandering continues without any sign of the village in construction. You wander into a deep snow bank and lose several minutes digging yourselves out, backing up, and going back around.

(Alright, you're no closer to your destination, so give me another set of rolls! You're going to need QUITE the high survival result, so if you have any novel solutions that might help in this situation, now's the time to bring them out.)

Achlyss sneers at the swirling snowstorm, but his dirty look isn't enough to find their way. With few ideas other than pressing forward, he pulls his high-power flashlight from gear.

"Maybe someone will see a signal," he muses, then flashes out a distress code in light, rotating directions and hoping he might see something through the snow.

perception: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (10) + 21 = 31
survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Shocca looks around nervously. "Uh... I wasn't made for this environment." She walks up the cable to Ajithu. "Here, have a lollipop. It's good for the soul." While Ajithu is distracted by the sweet, perhaps confused by how to consume such a delicacy while inside a fishbowl, she flexes her glove. A needle pops out of the knuckle, working through a weak point in his armor, and injects directly into his bloodstream. The medicine, specifically designed for the kalo's genetics, helps him to better weather the storm. Spending a biohack to give Ajithu a +2 enhancement bonus to skill checks for 13 rounds. Seeing that Achlyss is busy keeping the team moving forward, she points out some natural phenomena to the kalo.

Survival, Aid: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

Ajithu-Ko whispers to Achlyss. Um, it isn't going well. Do you think they noticed?

The kalo first attempts to focus on getting the lay of the land better.

Look out for dangers (Perception): 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (7) + 21 = 28
Survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

My confidence is not high, but I think I'm starting to get a better sense of direction.

Ajithu's Survival roll gets another +2 from Shocca's biohack and a second +2 from her Aid.

Don't forget you're picking Perception or Survival, not both. I'll go with Achlyss' perception and Ajithu's survival. Even with the aid though...

As you continue your wandering through the snowstorm, Shocca's biochemical enhancement seems to make Ajithu a little sharper. This extra edge doesn't prove to be a silver bullet however, as your hiking brings you no closer to your destination. In fact, as one point, Ajithu's instructions almost send you into the path of a sluff avalanche, where a river of loose snow crashes down the rocky slopes near you. Luckily, Achlyss spots it before you can get yourselves in trouble.

Once again, no closer to getting out, but you can try again. Thankfully, no deadly consequences... yet.