"I certainly do not want the authorities to destroy this little guy. And I would be happy to meet the robot you found. You probably want to try to keep him hidden from the other researchers, though."
That's our point exactly. Let's keep him safe, he looks to be the last of his kind. You wouldn't want to be responsible for an extinction.
So we don't forget it later, I need a bluff, profession(smuggler), or stealth check to smuggle the robot you found onto your ship.
After that, we have two more sites to explore, unfortunately. I think they will go faster than the second one did, though. I hope we can finish up in about two more weeks if we keep pushing.
Please place your tokens on the map I just revealed, also. I will explain where you are and start things up at the same time.
George, Drek, and Tables are all unable to aid Navasi.
As you try to smuggle the robot onto your ship, the three other researchers all notice it. When they notice the robot is intelligent, they want to take it to a lab to do research on it.
You try to bluff the researchers into letting you take the robot.
They nod understandingly, letting you get the robot onto your ship.
Next, you investigate the war-torn gardens.
Weeds and ugly vines extend along these silent stone pathways. Crumbling statuary and collapsed walls, riddled with bullet holes and scorch marks, stand testament to a great conflict long ago. Dented helmets and battered, rusted vehicles stand in stark contrast to their stone surroundings. Hundreds of grave markers and monuments dot the landscape, each covered in old inscriptions that the years have worn to the point of illegibility.
You see something moving near the fountain. Two crubling, partly burned copaxi exoskeletons move towards you threateningly.
(The low wall surrounding the fountain is only 2 feet tall, is suitable for sitting, and provides partial cover to Medium creatures. A creature can cross it by leaping or by treating the next square as difficult terrain. The fence surrounding the grave markers is 5 feet tall and comprised of vertical iron bars about 6 inches apart. The fence provides cover and can be scaled with a successful DC 15 Athletics check. Creatures can easily move through the several breaks in the fence.)
George and Tables may act.
partial cover and flat-footed balance, so George's shot barely hits.
The reddish undead creature moves into melee with George.
Drek is up now.
Drek's shot hits.
The yellow undead creature moves out for a clear shot and then shoots at George.
Nope.
Navasi, Tables, and George may act.
status: pacman -11 HP, at about half HP
Navasi tries to catch the closest creature off-guard
Navasi's shot misses. Bobby's attack brings down the closer undead.
George and Drek are up.
George is unable to hit the sniper.
Drek?
The ranged undead is still uninjured. He fires back at Drek.
The party is up.
Navasi takes aim at the skeletal creature, and tries to hit a rib.
Navasi hits the undead creature, as does Bobby Tables's second shot.
Drek and George may go.
The last undead falls. Therseus again contacts you for an update as to your progress.
Hi Therseus. I think you guys might want to have a brush-up on your burial rituals. Either you've had an Eoxian invasion, or somebody hasn't done their job right. We felt so free as to recify the situation, hope that's ok with you... Navasi reports to Therseus.
You discover a few tiny, multicolored flowers growing among the weeds near the cemetery. These plants are unique to the atmospheric
and meteorological conditions in the floating city and are likely extinct elsewhere.
The graves are unmarked, but an inscription covers the remains
of a nearby monument. It reads (in Copaxi): “…those who died of the Message of Madness are forever a part of this great city, their contributions forever a part of our memories.” Graffiti left by the soldiers mars the monument. It reads, “Your lies cannot silence the Signal! Long live the First to Listen!” You know that this is a reference to the revelation of Drift technology in 3 AG—though the copaxi government claims to have translated the Signal only in the last few years.
the technology, though inferior to that of the Pact
Worlds, is far beyond that found in the surrounding areas. An
examination of the battlefield shows that one force had this
technology, while the opposing force fought with devastating magical attacks. All these objects are about 300 years old. Both sides took
heavy casualties. The last standing wall of a nearby building is
riddled with bullet holes and faint stains, as if the wall was used as a backdrop for executions.
Therseus admits that the modern copaxi government’s portrayal of the sky cities’ downfall is inconsistent with your findings. The premise that divine intervention destroyed the sky cities clashes with the signs of urban warfare and unrest. Therseis notes that stories of the “Message of
Madness” are not widely known. When the message arrived, copaxis lacked the technological framework to understand it. Those who heard it suffered psychological trauma and ultimately took their lives. Only recently did these records resurface and inspire the copaxis’ recent ventures into space.
Not everything is at it seems, from the look of it. I think this place may hold a few more secrets still. Navasi says, I think we still have one area to explore, shall we move on?
You find yourselves in a large open-air arena, clearly meant for a game of some sort. A faded mural at the entrance to the stands depicts a dozen copaxis flying among black spheres; some of the copaxis carry short rods, and others pass fist-sized cubes to one another. Detritus litters the outer stands, but all the litter closer to the center has been pulled into the field by ten floating black spheres, each five feet in diameter. The spheres float in erratic patterns, crisscrossing the arena in a series of ellipses. As they float and spin, debris orbits the spheres, lazily flowing from one to the next. Several intact objects float amid the debris, including a few books, weapons, and other items.
Therseus has explained to you that none of the copaxi are able to explore here because they experience terrible headaches when they approach.
You know that to explore the area, you need to enter the arena.
Navasi mostly tries to evade the spheres, while Bobby seems to be more at ease.
On the first round of playing, Navasi fails, but George, Drek and Bobby succeed. You maneuver to the center and are able to collect the stuff there and safely leave the arena.
By successfully navigating the parabolas playing field, you discover that the black spheres are made of highly concentrated and graviton-enhanced copi. You recover several items of interest to the investigation and to the research team. One is a rules manual and playbook for parabolas; you learn copaxis played parabolas to hone their gravitational influence. You also discover the basics of how the game was played—though coming to a full understanding of the rules would take several hours.
As you leave, Therseus contacts you again. When you discuss your success, Therseus explains that the copaxis have known how to manipulate the gravitational properties of copi for millennia. In fact, their starships’ hulls and engines are made of a highly processed form of copi, a sort that is mostly inert but durable, malleable, and space-worthy. What most copaxis do not realize is that all copaxis—not just those who lived in the cities— could once harness their connection to copi and produce magic.
Having thoroughly investigated the city, you return to Therseus and the rest of the research team. When you first arrive, Therseus requests a private meeting with you. He talks through everything you have discovered.
Therseis has come to question the sparse official story provided by the planetary government. They help the Starfinders piece together the history of the sky cities’ magical aristocracy, the exploitation of robot laborers, the silencing of those who heard the Signal, and the bloody coups that followed. While Therseis finds this cover-up distasteful, they find solace in the knowledge that you have an accurate
view of copaxi history. Furthermore, the agent notes that these actions occurred several lifetimes ago; this does not excuse the government for perpetuating these myths, but none of them are directly responsible for committing these atrocious behaviors.
Therseis makes one last request: to return with the Starfinders to act as an ambassador and, perhaps one day, to become a Starfinder themselves. He also rejoices in the fact this will let his little buddy be free from risk.
majority decision.
|
Therseus, I wouldn't think of stopping you from returning with us. But I have to ask, where does your heart lay? Wait, does that expression work? Do you have multi-chambered organs that pump a viscous life fluid through narrow channels in your bod... nevermind. You are heavily invested in this planet. Can you promote the truth better from within or by joining us?
The Stewards accept your reports, and promise to read them and carefully consider them in making their decision. They thank you for your hard work.
Therseus accompanies you, and seems to be settling in and building a new life well.