And Argiss' scientific skills are the last piece of the puzzle, allowing you to bring the ship down in one piece.
As you are helping the stunned but grateful crew off the ship, one of them pauses and forces a roll of ion tape, a zipstick and a fire extinguisher into your hands as a sign of gratitude.
As you troop back into camp alongside many of the starfinders you saved, you are each handed an extra battery and your choice of a mk 1 serum of healing or a mk1 nanite patch.
"Thank you so much, yes, yes," Keskodai says to those who gives him an extra battery and an mk 1 serum of healing.
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Expedition leader Bennock Gunstrel gathers the whole Starfinder contingent to the clearing in the center of camp. “Well friends,” he says, stepping onto crate that serves as a makeshift dais, “here we are, even if we may not know where here is. We’ve weathered the first storm, and we should all be proud of that.
“We haven’t been able to make any contact with the Society, or with anyone else for that matter, so we’re probably stuck here for a while. This camp is our home for now, so let’s make the most of it. Each of you has been assigned to a team, and we’ve spent the last few days triaging and prioritizing tasks. The initial list of tasks is ready,” he says, pointing to a makeshift bulletin board on which a hand-scrawled list is posted. A pen hangs from a string nailed to the top of the board. “Please, gather with your team and decide which task you want to start with. Be sure to mark it off the list so we don’t duplicate efforts. Whenever you’re done, come back and grab another. If you notice anything that needs doing and isn’t on the list, send it my way and we’ll include it in the next round of prioritization.
“I won’t say this will be easy, Starfinders, but it could be a lot worse. Working together, I’m confident we can make this camp a home to be proud of, for however long we’re here. With that, I wish you good luck, Starfinders. May the Accidental God smile upon us all!”
The new list of missions has been added to slide one. First two votes goes.
These missions represent your efforts over the course of several months, and you have several weeks between each mission to rest and recover.
The Starfinders have salvaged enough supplies from the wrecked starships by this point to create some basic facilities. You can recharge batteries, and purchase ammunition, batteries, and healing supplies from the quartermaster between missions.
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Bonkers goes down the list considering options and his strengths and weaknesses. After hearing from Dorm and Irres he thinks for another minute and says, "While diplomacy is not my forte and repair work is much more enjoyable, I say we allow Dorm to stretch his diplomatic legs. We can repair afterwards."
Bennock asks to join you as you eat dinner in the mess tent one evening.
“How are you holding up? I know it’s not what we planned, but I’m proud of the work we’ve all done to get set up here, and I appreciate all of your help. Now that we’re at a stable point,” Bennock says between bites, “I’d like your help in following up on a loose end. As you may remember, a ship that wasn’t one of ours crashed the same time we did. We found some evidence that it belonged to a group of Weydanite clergy on some sort of pilgrimage, but we haven’t had a chance to contact them yet. I think you folks are the perfect group to go say hello.
“Their tracks indicate they headed east from their ship after they crashed. I’d like you to find their camp and establish contact. Try to convince them we’re all best off if we stay in contact, share information, and help each other out. I hope that wouldn’t take too much convincing, but with some of the Society’s image problems in recent years, who knows?
“I don’t know how long it will take you to find them, so I’ve asked the quartermaster to pack you supplies for three weeks. With any luck, you’ll find them in a day or two, and can give them your extra supplies as a gesture of goodwill. Either way, it’s a good chance to check out more of the area around us. Happy trails, Starfinders!”
You set out the next morning, traveling north to the crash site before turning east in search of the Weydanites. Finding the Weydanite’s campsite quickly requires diligent searching and skillful tracking.
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"Diplomatic errands! I have the perfect remedy." Argiss says proudly nudging Dorm forward as he is already volunteering.
Do be sure to suggest I look after any of these Weydenites we come across. Explorers have the most interesting antibodies. And I didn't get to bring that wildlife back...agh.
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[i]I thought you would never ask! The pheromones' from the vine creature on our last...extended stay works wonders. If we spot any Weydenites I will give ya a quick jab.[/i
"And if we are lucky you will grow your own vine lashes!" Argiss says out loud, his excitement pulling him out of his telepathy.
Keskodai keeps his eyes peeled in helping to look for the campsite they are searching. It seems he is doing it too much.
After doing an excellent job of spotting tracks and trails (particularly Irres), it takes the group only 3 days to find the Weydenite camp, leaving them with several weeks of left-over rations.
The Weydanite camp is in a wide cave below a hill, providing shelter from the elements. A makeshift barricade at the entrance of the cave prevents wildlife from wandering into camp.
An augmented shirren woman wearing armor embossed with the holy symbol of Weydan keeps watch at the entrance when you arrive, and nearly a dozen figures move about within the cave.
"We thought we were alone here! Come in, come in, the others have to see you," she says.
"I'm Djeyd," she says as she waves another pilgrim to take her place and leads you to a fire pit in a nearby alcove, "I'm a priest of Weydan. Actually, we're all priests of Weydan we were stranded here on our way home from a pilgrimage of exploration into the Vast."
When you reach the alcove, Djeyd introduces you to the expedition leader, Denskaro, a Vesk man with dusty green scales wearing a patched and worn duster coat.
"Starfinders, eh? Welcome to our camp. This is Wander-Fourth, our quartermaster," he says, gesturing to an android, whose gunmetal-grey skin is highlighted by bright-orange circuitry. They only nod in silent acknowledgement.
"Please, introduce yourselves and tell me a little of your experience since the crash."
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Argiss looks to Dorm and then introduces himself, leaving the forms for another time.
"I am Dr. Argiss Calinox. We have had many experiences since our own crash. The most fascinating thus far was the wildlife I was able to examine quite closely...then we released it. Quite tough, possibly diverse." Argiss shares.
"I am Keskodai. Well, uhmm..." the shirren introduces himself. "I am not sure if our stay here since our 'crash' compares to yours. We helped in rescuing a ship that was falling from the atmosphere. Everyone was safe, anyway. I wonder how long we will be staying here. How long have you been here?" he asks.
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*Ahem* I'm Dorm Argun. As we travel the Pact Worlds, Near Space, and beyond I keep my fellow Starfinders out of diplomatic trouble. Yes, as Keskodai mentioned, we did not arrive on this world quite how we intended to. So, our leadership thought it might be beneficial if we form a relationship, trade resources, information, and the like!
"I suspect the same problems with the Drift that brought you to this planet are the ones that brought us here," Denskaro says.
“I’ll be honest with you,” Denskaro continues, inviting you to take a seat around the fire. “I’m glad to learn we aren’t alone on this planet. Still... you must know that your Society is known for uncovering many dangers, intentionally or not. There are many, including some among our contingent, who think you bring more trouble than good, and trouble is definitely something we could all do without right now. So, tell me, Starfinders, why should we work together?”
Bonkers gets a good read on Wander-Fourth.
Argiss can't figure out anything about any of them.
"Is that so?" Keskodai says when he learns that they are also affected by the recent problem with the Drift. "It is better for us to join forces, or work together to get out of this unknown planet. We do not know what lurks here and there. I am just hoping we are not gonna face some huge monsters before we can be able to get out of here." he tells the priest.
Dorm is able to size up Denskaro -
Keskodai and Hagitha's arguments fall flat though Irres is surprisingly convincing.
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"It is true. With so many agents the Starfinder Society unearths trouble from time to time but that is also why many of us specialize in fields that come in useful in such a situation. If anyone is injured or fatigued after the crash we can see to them." Argiss says, not denying their beliefs but also offering his services.
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"Greetings. I am called Bonkers. Yes, Ysoki families tend to be creative when naming large broods. I am a scientist and I see that our two groups can absolutely assist each other if we would like to leave this planet."
The first thing we can help each other is to make sure we know where we are..It seems we are here.." He points to a spot on a star chart.
We can also make sure everyone is well..
"And of course, we need to make sure the ships are spaceworthy"
Argiss makes an excellent point before Bonkers proves himself to be a masterful orator.
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I know of our organizations reputation for finding trouble, but let's look at the facts. We're both crashed on this place do to the same anomaly. We have only to survive here, together. Trouble has found both of us, equally. We will share supplies, and we will work together. All of us survive, or none of us survive.
Perhaps we can salvage parts of our crashed ships to devise some means of making our supplies last longer. Perhaps we can build an advanced greenhouse from the parts.
At the very least, we can use software to track resources and minimize waste.
"As I was saying, I can help us detect the presence of magical creatures that could be here as we travel. Well, at least to give us an idea of what is ahead of us. Or maybe we can find magical items that can help with our mission here. What do you think? Isn't it a nice idea?" Keskodai tells them, convincing them that he is useful and they can be part of the team.
"We come in peace, if you may. If we can just get out of here, I will. But since we are trapped now, we can't just be idling and wait for a miracle or something. We are tasked to look for what can be found on this planet. Perhaps something useful. But we have no intent to unleash beasts or what, if possible." he adds, assuring them that they accidentally come in peace and not destruction.
Despite having some insight into the mindset of the priests, Dorm only lands a single successful argument.
Keskodai and Irres both make good points that land on sympathetic ears.