Tarika points toward the wrecked luxury liner. “Believe it or not, that unfortunate wreck is our next meal ticket. The Harlequin’s Prayer was a Vercite starliner. Got popped by pirates. Hull burst. Killed almost everyone on board. Sad, but how does that keep us in credits? Well, I found a buyer on Vesk-2 looking for fifty tons of black hearts. Those are necrografts—strips of dead flesh you can get attached to your insides to, you know, ignore stuff that kills us living people, like vacuum and radiation. And where do we get enough corpsicles for all those necrografts? You guessed it!” She gestures dramatically to the wrecked luxury liner. “There’s a broker named Rishae who handles stuff like this. She’s at the Revenant Urge, a club here on the station."
“Wha’dya say? Should I tell her yer comin’?”
"And hey, Sinjin shirked the deal! So y’all are the proud new owners of a cargo hold big enough for a stuffed nyssholora!"
"We really did try and deliver the ship. I mean, I thought there was honor among thieves. I'm not sure why they double crossed us, but at least we made it out of that scrape alive. So, about being new owners. I'm not looking for any trouble with the EJ, so do you think we should try and disguise the ship so it won't be recognized? I'm wondering how safe you think it will be for us to galavant about the system with it?"
"“There’s a broker named Rishae who handles stuff like this. She’s at the Revenant Urge, a club here on the station."
“Wha’dya say? Should I tell her yer comin’?”
"Well, if you think it's safe to be using the Oliphaunt, then yes. Let her know we are coming."
"Well, to be honest, I'd likely rename it if I were you..."
"Yeah, that probably is a give away isn't it. We should probably repaint it as well."
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While making the sale in the Veskarium, Aldo pulls the trigger on paying for upgrades to the Oliphaunt. The new Drift engine should cut travel in half, and the new armor upgrade is pretty inexpensive.
With the upgrades complete, the party sends a message back to Absalom Station. It doesn't take long to get a reply.
Kaz did put up an argument about how they needed bigger/better/more powerful weapons instead of engines and armor. It included a very poorly designed slide show presentation on massive guns blowing the crap out of other ships.
When he finally realized he was outvoted, he relented. He only pouted on the inside.
Tarika points toward the wrecked luxury liner. “Believe it or not, that unfortunate wreck is our next meal ticket. The Harlequin’s Prayer was a Vercite starliner. Got popped by pirates. Hull burst. Killed almost everyone on board. Sad, but how does that keep us in credits? Well, I found a buyer on Vesk-2 looking for fifty tons of black hearts. Those are necrografts—strips of dead flesh you can get attached to your insides to, you know, ignore stuff that kills us living people, like vacuum and radiation. And where do we get enough corpsicles for all those necrografts? You guessed it!” She gestures dramatically to the wrecked luxury liner. “There’s a broker named Rishae who handles stuff like this. She’s at the Revenant Urge, a club here on the station."
“Wha’dya say? Should I tell her yer comin’?”
The vesk find necrografts a little distasteful, but ultimately he doesn't really care. He gives his nod of approval
"Yeah, weirds me out too Kaz... and they ain’t interested in telling us who they are until we arrive, goods in hand,” Tarika warns. “And they’ve advertised this job across the Pact Worlds. Whichever crew tracks down the cargo and delivers fastest gets the prize.”
"Head down to the Revenant Urge, a club dedicated to Urgathoa and located in Absalom Station’s Downlow district, where one Rishae Tulvauran meets with potential clients. Rishae may have what we need already on hand and, if not, she’ll know how to get them. Sorry I can’t be of more help but, y’know... corpse trading is kind of a niche market.”
<--ha!
Chip glances at the damaged ship and tilts his head for a beat and a half.
That is an Opulos Drift Cruiser
"Well, to be honest, I'd likely rename it if I were you..."
Again, he tilts his head, and quirks up one side of his mouth in a half-smile.
How about the Folly Aunt?
upon hearing about the next possible job, he nods. I say we go for it. While I understand that some individuals find that kind of thing distasteful, I lack the real context to fully appreciate *why.* So, if any of our crew is unwilling to handle corpses, feel free to pass that duty on to me, as I am not bothered by it.
Angel does her best to use the ship's computers to scan the wreck for anything unusual, such as life signs (is that a thing in Starfinder?)
She will tell Rhonda to stay on board to alert her to any approaching trouble.
[dice=culture]d20-1 <--ha!
Chip glances at the damaged ship and tilts his head for a beat and a half.
That is an Opulos Drift Cruiser
The vesk warrior knows his business in fighting, battle, security, armor, and weapons. He knows enough that there are other things and those things are important. For example, he is impressed with Aldo's merchant savvy to find jobs and Angel's ability w/ computers.
And now this bit of information from Chip. Is it important? He turns to the android. I don't have enough information or understanding. Does that matter in our mission?
"Hey now, we aren’t the first people to try to make some creds out of this tragedy. A bunch’a goblins already came by and made off with the Drift engine from that wreck! I don’t know what they think they’re gonna do with it, but the Harlequin’s Prayer had a Signal Booster—a big step up from the basic Drift engine in most starships, including your fancy new ship.... though it looks like you already upgraded! See, freelancing is paying off!”
"How about the Folly Aunt?"
"That's clever, but I don't think it will be enough to fool anyone. I was hoping for a name that was sleek and fast like a dragon fly. Not something big and fat that doesn't move so well."
Kaz did put up an argument about how they needed bigger/better/more powerful weapons instead of engines and armor. It included a very poorly designed slide show presentation on massive guns blowing the crap out of other ships.
"I appreciate your effort at making a slide show, my friend, and I promise you that better weapons are coming! Until then, we are going to try and stay out of trouble."
On his way to make contact, Aldo gathers what information he can regarding the Revenant Urge and Rishae Tulvauran.
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On his way to make contact, Aldo gathers what information he can regarding the Revenant Urge and Rishae Tulvauran.
1d20+12 + 1d6 =14
Chip does what he can to help...
...which is literally nothing
Angel sees if she can succeed where others have failed.
Nope
The party picks up some rumors on the way, but not much. Dock workers remember three goblins who took the Signal Booster to the Heap, a junkyard in Botscrap. The engine was broken, so the goblins got it for cheap.
The Revenant Urge’s aesthetic combines the haunting and traditional with the ultra-modern and chic. The building resembles a macabre cathedral decorated with a towering spire at each corner and flying buttresses, pointed arches, and ornate columns of onyx and black marble. The entrance is an oversized door of coppery metal framed by pillars of bone and adamantine and the rib bones of a giant undead beast. Above the door, a circular rose window made of holographic crystal projects the silhouette of the goddess Urgathoa—depicted as a woman with a skeletal lower half dancing with a scythe. The acrid odor of burning plastic and chemical solvents lingers in the air, and the pulse of muffled bass throbs behind the door.
The double door opens to a vaulted hall; seven floors with open balconies overlook a crowded dance floor, along with one more floor at the building’s summit. Gigantic speakers blare hypertronic sludge house. Floating above the crowds of dancers, undead dancers whirl about in hovercages while brandishing bladed weapons or caressing dangerous animals. The patrons themselves—mostly undead—writhe and contort to the music, illuminated by flashing strobes. A few clubbers jump from bungee cords tethered to the upper floors, their silhouettes bouncing in and out of view. Each of the four spires that anchor the building contains a lavish elevator with walls made of holographic crystal.
Perception
”I think we found the place.”
Kaz notices a strange creature at the end of the bar. It looks like a robot designed to be half fox and half squirrel
It locks eyes with Kaz and beckons him. The party, curiosity piqued, follows. The cute little robot leads you to a dragonkin sitting at the end of the bar. Wordlessly, the patron offers everyone to take a seat. It's the only place in the area with empty seats, and there are exactly enough.
The robot immediately sits and snuggles on Angel's lap.
The dragonkin gives a warm and toothy smile, "Call me Dizzy. This is Digit.” The dragonkin looks around at the gothic ambiance of the club and raises a drink to their muzzle. “First time in this place. All seems a little much, you know? Like, they’re trying too hard. I hear on the weekends people bungee down from the seventh floor while laser turrets open fire on them. That sounds… fun?”
”They are definitely trying too hard.” Aldo agrees with the dragonkin as he glances around the room for the laser turrets. ”Its nice to meet you, Dizzy. I’m Aldo. Aldo Cygnaurius. And this here is my crew.”
Kaz does his best to be quietly polite. He nods his head toward Dizzy and gives a hissing toothy smile at his jest.
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Looking about at the strange sights and sounds of revelry, Chip just observes for a few beats. Then, he says, in a bit of a raspy whisper, So this is paradise! (1:08)
It looks like a robot designed to be half fox and half squirrel Life Science
I hear on the weekends people bungee down from the seventh floor while laser turrets open fire on them. That sounds… fun?”
Actually, I think that sounds terrifying, and would not personally classify that activity as "fun." Having experienced being fired upon by lasers and other munitions while simply standing on hard ground, not adding in the seven-story bungee jump, I believe my empirical experience gives me some authority. But "fun" IS a subjective term... he trails off as it's clear he's not being engaged or particularly listened to.
Chip knows this is a robotic version of a squox, a creature native to the planet Castrovel.
Dizzy lets you play with Digit and happily buys drinks, swaps news about cybergrunge music and culture, and discuss the latest trends in robotics and computers. The conversation is pleasant. Finally Dizzy spills. So I genuinely like you guys, but I'm guessing you're here to meet with Rizhae. Well, I'm part of the crew of the Wintermourn, a transport ship captained by Niva Rovo, a former miner. Niva’s upstairs right now, haggling with Rishae, like I suspect you all intend to do. I’m sorry we got here first, but, you know, speed is everything in this business. No hard feelings.”
Chip knows this is a robotic version of a squox, a creature native to the planet Castrovel.
Ah, you are quite clever, Dizzy. The most pleasant conversation was to buy time for your captain's negotiation! Yes, I think I like you as well--and thank you for teaching me something today.
He turns to his own crew Upstairs, then?
"I dunno. The captain doesn’t usually fancy interruptions. I mean, you can knock, but don’t be surprised if my pal Nemelith sticks a big gun in your face. That’s just how she says hello to strangers.”
"I dunno. The captain doesn’t usually fancy interruptions. I mean, you can knock, but don’t be surprised if my pal Nemelith sticks a big gun in your face. That’s just how she says hello to strangers.”
The vesk looks to Aldo. Lets go make a better deal Captain.
"Suit yourselves. Top floor. Last confessional on the right. Good luck!" You get the feeling that the dragonkin means it...
"This feels like a set-up, but hey, we need the money."
The top floor of Revenant’s Urge is a long, marble-floored hall filled with seven ornate doors that lead into elaborately decorated, room-sized confessional booths, each elaborately decorated. The booths are actually holographic amusement chambers (HACs). Worshippers of Urgathoa confess their transgressions to her clergy here—instances where they exemplified temperance or demonstrated self-restraint. To help these heretics atone for their blunders, members of the church use the HACs to simulate the subject’s wildest fantasies, hoping to rehabilitate them of their moderation. Inside the last booth on the right, a yoski and an Akitonian human woman aggressively wrap up negotiating a deal to buy 50 tons of mk 1 black heart necrografts from your contact, Rishae.
“Always a pleasure,” she says to the ysoki as Niva walks away. “You cunning little rat.”
At this comment, Niva turns around and makes a pained gesture. “I’m hurt, Rishae. Hurt. How could you call me that, after all the times we’ve ripped each other off?”
Dizzy, who has followed from the bar, meets Niva and Nemelith and gestures to you. “Captain, it is my pleasure to introduce the crew of the yet-to-be-renamed Oliphaunt.”
The what?”
“It’s an ancient monstrosity that once ravaged Golarion,” Nemelith says, eyeing you with one hand resting on the hilt of her hand cannon. “It devoured entire armies. You really ought to read a book, Niva, darling.”
Niva grunts...
“It’s an ancient monstrosity that once ravaged Golarion,” Nemelith says, eyeing you with one hand resting on the hilt of her hand cannon. “It devoured entire armies. You really ought to read a book, Niva, darling.”
Niva grunts...
I have found the medium known as a "movie" to also be quite informative, as well as highly entertaining.
"Well met, Niva, and Nemelith. It is nice to meet a fellow competitor. Aldo Cygnaurius at your service.". The aasimar declares with a graceful bow. "Dizzy tells me that you captain the Wintermourn. It is such a pleasure to meet you. Dizzy here was saying that you are here with my cargo. That was most kind of you to pick it up for us."
"Movie? You mean a vid? Jeez...." she chortles.
Nivahe turns to Dizzy and says, “Tell Jinx to pick us up. We’re leaving.” Dizzy responds in signed Common, making their left hand into a fist at about shoulder height and bobbing it back and forth to communicate “Aye, aye.”
"Next!"
Rishae beckons you in. She's from a species known as "lucandrian." Glowing red eyes reflect off of her face piercings. It's a bit unsettling.
She’s obviously in a foul mood and starts off indifferent to you. “I’m not sure I can help you. I’ve already sold the necrografts to Rovo, and I don’t have another 50 tons of spare black hearts just lying around. Even if I did, you heard her; they’re already on their way to your mystery client.”
"You must be Rishae. I'm Aldo Cygnaurius, captain of the vessel formerly known as the Oliphant, and currently undecided, but leaning towards the antelope. Anyways, I'm Aldo. It is nice to meet you Rishae."
Aldo regains his composure but makes a plea to get some business out of her.
"Rishae, I recognize that you don't have a lot of time, but you need to know that we are one of the fastest, most reliable smugglers in the business. This would be a big wasted opportunity for you if you were not able to put me and my crew to work while you have us here. Clearly someone as resourceful as you has some cargo for us!"
She stares at Aldo with those... eyes. "Look it would take several days to get the necrografts—and it’ll cost you 10 . I like your gumption, so I'll do it for 8. I'll give you a further discount if you sign a corpse lease, a contract in which clients preemptively sign over their corpses to ME for me to resell after your deaths. Necrocrafters always need raw material,” she explains. “And zombies and skeletons make great workers. You won’t need your body after you’re dead. You won’t even miss it.” She’s willing to reduce the cost of the cargo by 2 BP for every corpse lease each you sign. "You'll need a fast ship to beat them. Wouldn't hurt to have a fancy pants computer either."
"Sign me up! By the time my little project to reconstruct this meat suit is complete, I'll be the coolest damned zombie you have ever seen. Hook us up with a discount on that fancy pants computer too and we have a deal."
I had no post-mortem plans. I'd sign that contract. Also... Chip looks down at its body If I were to don some less casual pants, would I qualify?
Just sign here!"
"It'll be a day. I know that gives them a head start. Even with your fancy engine, a day is a lot. I'd consider beefing up anything you've got."
With business concluded, she professionally, but clearly, dismisses you from her office... Nothing to do but look into more upgrades or hit the bar...
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Computer upgrades!
Computer upgrades!
Second, motion carries
Just as the party is about to leave the building to secure an upgrade Rishae's door slams open.
“That two-timing, double-dealing, swindling… ice-miner! She’s ripped me off! That whole time she and her witchwarper sidekick had me chatting upstairs, their pilot was stealing the black hearts from my own storage yard! And you. You!” She pokes the Aldo with her index finger. “You are going to help me get even. I don’t have your necrografts, but I know where you can get them. Rygan Vuul runs a necroforge in the Sparks with all the equipment to make what you need. His cult worships him as a living god or something. I stay away from him, but maybe you can persuade him to cut you a deal."
She tears up your contracts in front of you, “Keep your corpses! Just beat that rat to the punch, and we're even. I'll refund your money.”
Chip glances from Rishae to the group, then back. He thinks quickly, and does the rarity of making a substantive statement without conferring with the group.
Rishae, I'm sure we'd love to help you get That Dirty Rat--and I'll bet we can, especially if we can get our ship upgraded AND get Vuul's cargo. Can you loan us a suitable ship to reach Vuul then return, while our ship is being worked on? I'll even sign a new contract if you require some form of payment.
"That two-timing, double-dealing, swindling… ice-miner! She’s ripped me off! That whole time she and her witchwarper sidekick had me chatting upstairs, their pilot was stealing the black hearts from my own storage yard! And you. You!” She pokes the Aldo with her index finger. “You are going to help me get even."
"Are you talking about that ysoki, Niva? Yes. She looks like she. would do anything to get ahead. Where is the honor among thieves I always ask."
"Rygan Vuul runs a necroforge in the Sparks with all the equipment to make what you need. His cult worships him as a living god or something. I stay away from him, but maybe you can persuade him to cut you a deal."
"Yes, we can do that. But before we go, do you have anyone who can quickly install a new computer system in our ship? We're hoping it will give us the speed we are looking for?"
"DO I LOOK LIKE I HAVE A SHIP? If I had a ship I wouldn't higher you!"
She turns to Aldo, "YES HER! Yeah. I got a lead on that. The goblins that made off with the drift engine also took the NavComputer. Head to Docking bay 87 if you want to tackle that first."
Kaz thinks we should worry about upgrades after this opportunity. Lets go. He nods his snout toward the exit.