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The Kasathan shrugs off the acid again, "You get used to it after a while, barely even stings."
He moves up to the creatures and offers final words (in Kasathan), "Your ancestors hunted mine and my ancestors hunted yours. The cycle continues for us all, but now you may rest."
As the others are discussing astronomical oddities, which Hef is sure will end up in their report, he searches the room before moving to the last set of doors, "If we find nothing further inside, we should check the nearby area. That was likely a pair of breeding crest eaters. If they had small hatchlings, they likely cannot fend for themselves. We should relocate them back to my home planet to be reintroduced into their proper ecosystem. But first, these doors appear to lead somewhere unchecked."
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Rilynn approaches Hef. "I've met other Kasatha in my travels, but you are at the top of the list when it comes to demonstrating honor."
While the others search the large chamber, Rilynn pulls out her survival knife and approaches the fallen crest eaters. Careful to avoid puncturing the venom sacks, she sets to work carving out the bony protrusions.
She presents the first crest eater bone shard to Hef. "Well-earned, Kasatha warrior."
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As Rilynn carves out pieces of the bony crests, Hef searches the room full of glass jars and debris. However, there is one jar on the floor that’s not broken: a jar labelled “Ahusata” that contains a brown feather similar in appearance to Koyonn’s.
He also finds a red star plasma pistol and an autoclaw. It’s clear these two final objects are left over from a crest-eater’s meal and do not belong within Shifting Nest.
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The room beyond the locked door is completely silent except for the faintest whistles of the distant desert wind. Constellations cover the walls and floor, except for the back wall which has pinpoints of light shining on it to form an elaborate star map. Hanging in the very center of this wall is an incredibly large, intricately designed feathered cloak.
The question becomes, do you take the cloak to the Windspeakers, do you leave it here, or do you take it for the Society’s (or your own) treasure vaults research?
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Rilynn fills a sack with bone, intent on giving most of it to the strix, and cleans her knife and hands on some scraps of cloth littering the room. She had gained a basic understand of anatomy over the recent years and a keen sense of how to best avoid the dangerous bits, learned mostly through fighting alien lifeforms.
Rilynn turns her attention to the final set of doors. Engineering kit in hand she sets about unlocking them.
She follows her companions inside, but has no deeper understanding of the nature of the cloak or the stars than has already been determined. She too touches the cloak, and is intoxicated by the sensations.
"This is certainly a sacred artifact. We must treat it with great care and reverence."
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Oraeus takes a look at the cloak, curious as to what I might be. He pulls out his comms and uses the library chip ostensibly for helping identify diseases, poisons and curses, but also helpful for times like these.
The chip sadly has no information on file for this.
He gives a shrug, "Personally, I'd be loath to move this without permission..."
He watches Buddy for a moment, noting he seems to be the same before reaching out and touching the cloth, gently, to make sure it doesn't get hurt.
He gives a shudder and then yanks his hand back, before questing out at it with his limited telepathy.
"That is... Not Verces nor Castrovel... I wonder where that could be?"
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The journey back to the Aerie of the Sun is without incident. Koyonn awaits your arrival at the edge of the Aerie’s grounds and whistles loudly once you are in clear sight before flying to meet you. They escort you back to the training grounds, where Zaira and Daiwin have set up a small gathering space with a few elders from the strix community. Upon seeing everyone, Zaira stands and gives a welcoming wave.
“Ah, Starfinders. I’m glad to see you’ve returned to us in as many pieces as you left.” Zaira eagerly waves at the cushions across from her and her wife. “Please, please—tell us everything. Shifting Nest has been lost to us for a long time.”
When you present the artifact known as Shimmering Plumage to the windspeakers, Daiwin and Zaira are both confused, but Daiwin accepts it, holding it tenderly as Zaira explains. ”I understand that you meant well, but this artifact is incredibly old and fragile, hailing from a time even before the strix came to their current home. I will admit that the strix of the Aerie have no idea how long we’ve had this artifact, nor do we know where the images it depicts are from. Have you any insight?”
Meanwhile, Daiwin takes Shimmering Plumage and immediately leaves to return the cloak to Shifting Nest, accompanied by two strix guards.
Zaira and Koyonn accompany you back to the ship, where Zaira remarks, “This is the first step down a long road that should’ve been walked long ago. Still, I am happy the journey has finally begun. Healing will take time. Trust will take time. I look forward to working toward both with you, Starfinders.” You feel certain that there is hope for reconciliation.
Just before leaving Qidel, Koyonn stops you and silently considers the Starfinders for a moment, then says, “Coming here took bravery and I recognize that. I appreciate what you’re trying to do. If possible, could you have Ahusata’s name cleared in your records. I would appreciate that.” Whatever the reply, Koyonn gives a firm nod before letting you leave.
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"I will admit that the strix of the Aerie have no idea how long we’ve had this artifact, nor do we know where the images it depicts are from. Have you any insight?"
<<Well, I can't say for certain since I didn't touch the artifact. But the constellations we saw on the walls also didn't match what would be expected here on Verces. We agreed that they more closely resembled what would be seen from near Absalom Station.>>
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<<Well, we did the best we could wit the information we had. The Strix seem to have accepted our efforts here in a positive way. All's well that ends well.>>
Rilynn acknowledges the strix and nods to affirm the commitment of the hell knight. As a parting gift she gives most of the bone shards gathered from the crest-eaters to the strix for them to do with as they wish.
When the group finally boards she is relieved to be departing this planet for the second time. Hopefully she will not need to return to it anytime soon.
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As the speakers take the item back Hef apologizes, "Our apologies. We deemed it wiser to collect the artifact due to the risk of damage if it were left there unguarded. We encountered and defeated two fully grown crest eaters whose acid is known to cause quite a bit of harm. Regardless, the item is now no longer lost and we are happy it will return to your culture's possession."
As they head out he is finally alone with Koyonn. He pulls out the jar and hands it over, "We discovered this at the site as well. I believe it to be Ahusata's, based upon the labeling. It would be best in your care, I think. We also promise to clear her name and return any other remains or personal effects, if they are ever located."
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Zaira looks at the Hellknight and nods. ”I have no doubt that you will do the right thing. Thank you,” she says in complete earnestness and with a slight bow.
Rising from her bow, she turns to listen to Krzysztofli’s assessment. ”Fascinating. We don’t travel from the Aerie or Verces much, so we had not considered that possibility. Near Absalom Station, you say. Perhaps los…” She falters as her eyes widen in disbelief. ”No, that couldn’t be.” she whispers to herself. She shakes her head and focuses back on Krzysztofli. ”Surely someone here used a star map from Absalom Station, but made a few mistakes. Thank you for enlightening us.”
When Hef presents Koyonn with the jar, they stare at it for a moment before very slowly accepting it and cradling the jar to their chest. They take a moment to compose themself and slip the jar into their hip bag before giving the kasatha a strix salute. Something that you note neither they nor any of the others ever honored you with.
Back at the Lorespire Complex, Jack promptly ushers you into your debriefing with the Venture Captains without any opportunity to raid the cookie jar. Celita and Fitch go over a couple questions they have from your reports and then thank you for your efforts, admitting that this couldn’t have been an easy mission to undertake.