|
"Well! This one clearly their spiritual leader." Absolutely certain that her assessment is correct, Anock steps forward. With a slight bow of her head (to show respect but *not* inferiority), she addresses the newer Ghibrani. "Hello. I'm Anock. I'm sure you have a reason to point to my mouth and throat, but I have no idea what it is. We're already talking to you, so that can't be it."
The creature casts the spell on Anock.
"Hello Klarima. I am You are unlike any other people I have ever met. Possibly the same is true of you for me. We have much we can teach one another.”
What happened to this planet?.
question! Surely, everyone knows of the great war between
the nation-states. The invisible fire they rained down upon one
another killed most living things across the globe. It was only
thanks to the foresight of our ancestors that any of us survived
to see today.” .
What do you know about the city with the force field around
it?.
repeats this offer at the end of the conversation..
Why are you different from the others? .
ago, after the war, a faction of my people received protection from
a divine power named Mother Touloo. They struck out into the
wastelands at their deity’s behest. In doing so, they eventually
lost the use of their wings. These ‘husks,’ as we call them, are
those you see before you.” She gestures around the cavern.
“Those of us who retained the power of flight are known as
‘membranes’ by these people. We live within the city of Arkeost.”.
Why are you here/How were you wounded?.
rarely leave it; our ancestors made sure we would be provided
with everything we would need. However, I have been afflicted
with a case of wanderlust. A near terminal case, it would seem,
as my explorations outside the city found me stumbling into a
tangle of soarnettles. They scratched me quite a bit and thanks to
the pain, I lost my way. Luckily for me, I crossed paths with these
kind husks, who bandaged my wounds and gave me a place to
spend the night.”.
What are soarnettles?
razor-sharp weeds that can catch the winds. They aren’t hard too
avoid, unless of course, you’ve got your head in the clouds.” She
smiles at her own foolishness.
|
" As members of the Starfinder Society, our mandate is to explore report corporate. Pockets takes out his data pad. "A favor falls under our mandate to cooperate but does have some legal and safety requirements we must follow. We can consider their request once we know what this favor is, and I can check off a few boxes."
|
|
Anock does the Shirren equivalent of raising one eyebrow as the group bombards her with questions to ask Klarima. In a bossy tone she admonishes: "One at a time. Kuon's question first: How long ago did the invisible fire rain down? And how did you survive? After that, you're welcome to ask the favor and we'll see what we can do. --And yes, The House, apparently I can speak their word for 'discretionary' as long as that spell is active."
|
|
To the group, Anock translates: "She wants us to be her body guards as she returns to her city. Pity we can't just fly her over there in our ship."
Without even waiting for an answer, she replies for the group. "Well, you're in luck. We happen to be capable protectors, and we'd love to hear more about your people, your history, and this planet. About how long do you expect it to take? Are we talking hours, days, weeks?"
|
|
Kuon nods in response. "I don't see why we can't help you back to your city. What about these people? Do they live here or will they be coming as well?" the vesk says gesturing to the others.
"The journey should take a few hours. There are some of those creatures in the wastes" She answers House and points to the head. "These creatures won't be coming. There's more of my type in the city." She flaps her wings.
The rest of ghibrani click their mandibles and wave their arms in friendship at the parting. They bow and give the Starfinders the three vials of a dark liquid that tastes like black licorice and 4 huchket antique rifles as gifts.
---
The journey is uneventful as you approach the city you can see the doom and a shimmer about a mile out.
Klarima retrieves a clunky and ancient-looking datapad from her pack and presses a few buttons on it. There is a brief pause when nothing
happens and, a little frustrated, she touches the same sequence
of buttons on the device. This time, a circular portion of the
force field opens like a door. Klarima steps through and gestures
for you to follow.
Klarima then presses another button on her datapad and the force
field closes again
---
This strange metropolis sparkles like a jewel in the gloom of
dusk. In stark contrast to the desolation surrounding it, the
city is a bustling center of activity, with dozens of winged
insectoid aliens going about their business, flitting from one
high doorway to another. The streets below seem almost like
an afterthought, used only occasionally by small automated
machines. Several overgrown flower beds and shaggy trees
fill the spaces between the roads and hug the sides of the tall
buildings. Though the structures still look sturdy, obvious
patches of rust and other disrepair indicate that they haven’t
been very well taken care of.
|
|
Pockets is visibly nervous the whole trip keeping an extra sharp eye out for the large cats-like creatures. Drawing his pistol, Pockets yells, "Over there!" Looking in the direction where Pockets is pointing his pistol, you see a strange-looking tumbleweed in the distance. Pockets looks a little embarrassed and lowers his pistol but doesn't put it away. "You can never be too safe could have been a decoy." Pockets jumps several times during the trip but says nothing else.
Once inside, Pocekts takes a moment to let his heart rate return to normal "Glad that's over every member of my family that died was killed in an open field. So what's the name of this city?"
|
|
Rather proud of how she managed to accept the useless gifts from the Ghibrani with superior graceful gratitude, Anock preens for a good twenty minutes into their largely uneventful trek. Even Pocket's false alarm and general jumpiness don't manage to shake her good mood.
Klarima retrieves a clunky and ancient-looking datapad from her pack and presses a few buttons on it. There is a brief pause when nothing happens and, a little frustrated, she touches the same sequence of buttons on the device. This time, a circular portion of the force field opens like a door. ...
This strange metropolis sparkles like a jewel in the gloom of dusk. In stark contrast to the desolation surrounding it, the city is a bustling center of activity, with dozens of winged insectoid aliens going about their business, flitting from one high doorway to another. The streets below seem almost like an afterthought, used only occasionally by small automated machines. Several overgrown flower beds and shaggy trees
fill the spaces between the roads and hug the sides of the tall buildings. Though the structures still look sturdy, obvious patches of rust and other disrepair indicate that they haven’t been very well taken care of.
Mental note: Out-of-date technology is unreliable. Seems it was quite respectable long ago. These are not a meticulous people. They haven't maintained their structures to reasonable standards. The landscaping is overgrown, rust is evident on buildings. Really, for all they seem to be better off than the first group we met, they certainly don't live up to our standards. If asked, Anock would characterize her observations for the Starfinder Society report as 'keen and unbiased'. Whether others would agree is open for debate.
She sends a telepathic comment to Pockets: "I'm sure you have a few words to describe the state of this city, and I would love to hear them."
Out loud, she says: "Ah, Klarima. What a fascinating city this is. I note that flight seems to be the primary mode of transportation. Are your young capable of flight immediately, or does it take some time to develop that skill?"
|
|
"The overall structures look sturdy, but the state of maintenance has me worried. I might need more check boxes on my safety inspection forum if I did a full inspection. Lots of rust everywhere. Is everyone up to date with their tetanus shots? On the brighter side of things, if we encounter another large cat beast, there are plenty of places to hide."Pockets ready his datapad waiting to check off whoever has their tetanus shots.
|
"So what's the name of this city?"
So what is an excellent name for a city! The House exclaims, leaving enough pause for a single loud groan, should Anock want to make one. This city seems to be gravity-neutral, though I must myself admit to have a bias to the ground-side. Too much porridge when I was young, most like!
The House also has a cardio-vascular system with plenty of room for improvement, so he sincerely hopes the elevator has been invented already on this planet.
|
|
Kuon looks down at the road, then up at the buildings. "How are we going to get around here? I don't have any jetpacks."
Klarima calls some round and flat drones with her datapad.
"We can use use these!"
Some guards come over and Klarima talks to them.
"Good news! We've been summoned to a dinner in your honor with the
The Most Elevated! Come!"
Using the drones you fly up to a large hall.
A large table occupies one end of the room, behind which sit five membrane ghibranis dressed in elaborate robes. They stand, bow to the
you, and beckon you to approach. Klarima introduces the Most
Elevated council. "If you wish one of the council members can use magic on you to communicate! They are most eager to learn of your group!"
Everyone is offered a chair.
|
|
'The Most Elevated'? What, is that the one who can fly the highest? Anock snarks in her head to no one.
During the introductions, Anock is careful to mimic the actions of these Ghibrani with care. "Of course! Communicating with everyone simultaneously is so much less tedious than relying on one pair of translators." As much as she enjoyed being the one and only person who knew what was being said and controlling her end of the flow of information, it was a lot of work and repetition that she'd rather avoid.
|
|
The elevated is our council!"
One of the members casts share language
Before you can ask too many questions about
the city, a gentle tone rings throughout the room. Klarima visibly
perks up. “Dinner!” she explains. “It feels like ages since I’ve had a proper meal.” The guards, who had been standing at attention
near the door to this room, pull chairs up to the table and a
handful of hovering drones enter from previously hidden hatches
in the walls. The drones place ceramic plates and utensils in front
of each person; the utensil each person receives is a flat piece of
metal with a slight indent at one end—almost like a spoon. Each
person is then given a serving of a thick, light tan liquid in which
floats irregular chunks of protein. The food has a smoky, cheesy
odor. As the ghibranis begin scooping up their meals, Klarima
explains "This is a traditional dinner of “kahlgee,”"
While at dinner the all lights dim...and flicker
|
|
Before dinner is served Pockets ask a few questions about the city's condition and maintenance.
"How old is the city? I noticed a few issues with its maintenance is there a supply shortage here? Perhaps it's something the Starfinder Socity could help out with."
"I'm starving this smells good!"
Pockets doesn't hesitate at the sight of food and takes a full spoon/thing full of the meal in front of him. Pockets starts to reach for a second spoon full but drops the spoon instead. Pockets eyes go wide and his cheek pouches balloon out as he tried to hold the food in. Then vomits in an uncontrollable stream, gasping for air, before falling over backward to the floor.
|
|
Mental notes: First group: hunter gatherers. Second group: clinging to old technology that's failing. More details to come.
"Ah! Dinner! Sounds lovely. Tell me, if it isn't rude to ask, how is kahlgee made?" Hmm... Looks mostly edible. Now, let's see if it poisons me. Anock takes a small bite, rolling it around her mouth to get the full experience (and to give herself the chance to taste if it's likely to be truly poisonous).
Hmm. The Society could send some technicians to teach them how to fix those lights. And maybe some farmers to help the others with their crops.
|
|
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
"I'm starving this smells good!"
Pockets doesn't hesitate at the sight of food and takes a full spoon/thing full of the meal in front of him. Pockets starts to reach for a second spoon full but drops the spoon instead. Pockets eyes go wide and his cheek pouches balloon out as he tried to hold the food in. Then vomits in an uncontrollable stream, gasping for air, before falling over backward to the floor.
The House also takes a spoonful of kahlgee.
-----
In the first print of this report, I found it necessary to warn the reader against the content of chapter three, the one that starts with 'Pockets and House each took a spoonful of kahlgee...'. Beyond that single sentence, there is nothing in the description that is not utterly revolting, disturbing to the point of inhumanity. No, it was better that the reader skip the chapter altogether. Of course, this warning had quite the opposite effect - most readers would indeed ignore the first two chapters of my accurate transcription of Starfinder records, and head straight for the chapter that started with 'Pockets and House each took a spoonful of kahlgee...', only to be witness to its mind-bending grotesqueness. Therefore, in the current edition of this chronicle, I have decided to redact all sequences that can be considered as being disproportionally off-putting.
----Starfinder Chronicles Volume III, second print - Preface
------
Pockets and House each took a spoonful of kahlgee.
----Starfinder Chronicles Volume III, second print - Chapter 3 (unabridged)
|
|
The council looks askance at the Starfinders but continue.
As the power goes out.
The Most Elevated council members explain
that the Mainframe is the heart of the city, constructed by their
ancestors to provide continuous power and to house the many drones that cater to their whims.
They seem to ignore more questions about the main frame and insist that everything is OK.
This statement is punctuated by dinner chime ringing once again, followed
by drones placing perfectly clean plates on top of the dirty ones, dropping plates and inaccurately squirting kahlgee across the table. Just missing the House and Pockets.
|
|
Well, I guess it *is* rude to ask about their cultural dish. Huh. You'd think they'd want to brag. Anock muses as the drones enter again.
And then a bit of drone-activated chaos ensues.
"Oh my!" At first, all she can muster is surprise. But, of course, their hosts must be feeling embarrassed. *She* certainly would be, in their place. She tries to placate them. "Ah, technology. It's so wonderful when it functions as expected, isn't it? And the rest keeps us on our toes so we don't get complacent."
|
|
Well, I guess it *is* rude to ask about their cultural dish. Huh. You'd think they'd want to brag. Anock muses as the drones enter again.
And then a bit of drone-activated chaos ensues.
"Oh my!" At first, all she can muster is surprise. But, of course, their hosts must be feeling embarrassed. *She* certainly would be, in their place. She tries to placate them. "Ah, technology. It's so wonderful when it functions as expected, isn't it? And the rest keeps us on our toes so we don't get complacent."
[dice=Diplomacy]1d20 - 1
As the meeting wraps up, Klarima turns and says "Oh yes that is so true" She leans in and says "But our customs forbid entrance into the area. So I would never think of going to the mainframe area...oh well" She pauses. "You must be tried from the long journey. While you were eating, I requested some convert a few ground-level warehouses into sleep quarters for you. I can show you so you can rest for the night."
|
|
Pockets cleans up and tried to not look embarrassed from the dinner incident. "I've never been sick like that before. The kahlgee smelled wonderful, must be the gravity."
After the party gets to the warehouse and is alone. "I wonder if the mainframe is all so controlling the drones that attacked us? Looks like this mainframe running things needs some updated security protocol and a new maintenance schedule."
|
|
After the party gets to the warehouse and is alone. "I wonder if the mainframe is all so controlling the drones that attacked us? Looks like this mainframe running things needs some updated security protocol and a new maintenance schedule."
The party rests for the night and are refreshed. You have some different food in the morning. The guards let you pass in the morning and you're able to find the mainframe.
The hallway opens into a rectangular room of white plastic, a
stark contrast to the smoky, grease-stained garages that led
up to this place. Fans whir quietly overhead. Track lighting
along the floor illuminates much of the chamber. Several white
coveralls hang on the wall behind a bench to the north. A door
leads to the east.
|
Kuon is a bit leery at the presented dish and politely refuses.
"Looks good but my stomach's a bit sensitive to new dishes. I'll pass for now."
**Next Day**
Kuon yawns widely as he stretches his limbs. A few minutes of stretching later the soldier joins the others for breakfast, gear all ready and weapons loaded.
"After you." the vesk gestures to The House to go ahead. Kuon keeps his eyes on the surrounding, wary for any surprises.
|
|
Pockets take out his datapad to start a safety inspection, checking off boxes as he goes.
"Let's see how safe this place is. From what we have seen so far, maintenance seems to be an issue. that one a failure, check."
[dice=Engineering]1d20+9
Switch and Pockets notice the doors are closed and the overalls on the wall. They could be stretched to fit other humanoids.
|
|
"Pockets, don't you think we should don the provided uniforms? What if they function as safety gear for systems with which we're not familiar?" Anock is going for 'gentle reminder', but it comes across with a bit too much 'condescending nagging'. She begins taking her own advice, remarking as she does so: "I would assume the doors are locked. Does anyone know how to override that? It's not my area of specialty."
|
|
The House puts on the overall, stretching it in one direction and leaving it flopping in the other.
He cheerfully sings:
The gnome's pants are stretchy, strong and tough!
Made of tiger's leather,
they last for a thousand years
The gnome's pants are stinky, stinky!
Made of tiger's leather,
they haven't been washed for a thousand years
|
|
"Anock, That's a good idea. It looks like the overalls will stretch to fit us."
Pockets puts on one of the overalls. "It's a little loose for some one my size but close enough, I wish they had more pockets! Once everyone is ready, if the door is locked, I can try to open it."
|
|
Pockets goes to open the door and is violently thrown back by a sudden electrical arc. Pockets lays on the floor for a few moments without moving, then finally opens his eyes and says.
"Am I still alive? I feel like I just ate a gallon of kahlgee. Think I nee to aly here for at least 10 minutes"
Pockets doesn't get up from the ground.
|
|
"...Ow. <sigh> Pockets, are you dead?" She gives him a sharp look. "Next time use that gol-dinged safety checklist first! Surely it states: 'Check for traps' before 'attempt to unlock door'. Now, if you don't have a healing serum on your person, I have one left. And before you touch anything else, I want to rest for ten minutes so I can feel more like myself before going farther. Oh, and next time anyone touches that door, wait until the rest of us are well down the hall. Geez!"