Albrik's spell fails to disorient the thug, but does provide enough distraction for Norbert to sneakily get two shots in on the injured thug. Zarzucket and Pinkiee lay down cover fire for Tocti to take down the second thug.
Seeing their second comrade fall is enough for the remaining two enemies to decide they're outclasses, and they leg it.
The group of lashunta is looking rather shell-shocked. What has this place come to! one complains, attacking us here like that. It's fortunate that good people still exist! Thanks you so much for helping us!
The attack has drawn quite the commotion, and the lashuntas are quick to point out to everyone that their situation would have been dire if it hadn't been for their rescuers.
It takes a while for the lashuntas to calm down, () before one of them asks so what exactly are you doing down here?
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Not having fought really, Albrik doesn't need the break and instead tries to talk to the lashunta individually and calm their nerves. To Chips explanations he adds: "The society assumed that you are probably not aware, that this part of the station is not safe and wanted us to find you in time...seems to have just worked"
In general Albrik tries to have a soothing effect on the group:
Refugee community? That would be Fullbridge. We were just headed that way, so let us guide you there. It's the least we can do in return for your help.
The trek to Fullbridge takes about twenty minutes under the Lashuntas' guidance. The group passes through access corridors and past bulkheas, with only the rythmic hum of machinery emerging from the surroundings. Finally, the group arrives in a large open space.
The ground is coated in dark green insulated rubber with numerous cutaways to the steel bulkheads underneath, which contain silver inlays arranged in obscure, elongated patterns. The area is populated with numerous towering metal cylinders arranged in orderly rows. Together, this chamber resembles a giant circuit board. In the center of this space stands a massive tower made of insulated electrical wire coils, rivaling a racetrack in size, each winding wire as thick around as a vesk’s torso.
At ground level, there are four breaks in these coils, big enough for a large creature to comfortably walk through. Bolts of lightning zap across two of the four openings at any given time.
There are, of course, some warnings signs that elaborate on the danger of electricity, and which provide the correct procedure for passing through: discharge all static electricity on one of the metal rods, then walk briskly through the opening 3 to 10 second after a discharge
The cut-off words “full bridge rec–” are scrawled in silver marker next to the opening.
These are spark gaps that help regulate the flow of energy across electrodes. The instructions on how to correctly pass seem accurate enough.
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Watch for stray electrical discharge. These are spark gaps that help regulate the flow of energy across electrodes. The instructions on how to correctly pass seem accurate enough.
Norbert will discharge his static on one of the metal rods and pass through one of the gaps right after it has discharged, when the other pair should be discharging.
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This seems both elaborrate and dangerrous Tocti says. She looks quite disheveled - all of the static in the air is causing her fur to stand up on end in the most irritating way.
Is therre someone in charrge? she asks one of the lashunta traveling with them. We have some supplies but I am not surre of the best way or people to distrribute them too.
Norbert figures out the technical details of the full bridge rec quickly, and passes through the gate without trouble. So does everyone else, including Tocti who looks cutely fuzzy.
Beyond the obstacle the view of the open space becomes clearer. This is a hollow tower, in which a well-organized town of several hundred people is being built up, slowly but surely. Concentric circles of large tents surround the space, with some sturdier structures made of plastic or wood
closer to the center of the community. The sounds of manual labor and the occasional power tool echo in the distance.
The Lashunta group is greeted warmly as they arrive. These folks here were so kind to help us when some thugs tried to mug us, one of them introduces the starfinders. The Lashuntas part, but one of them agrees to guide the group to the center of the town.
The town center’s appearance belies how recently it was built. A water pipe set into the ground leads to a fountain wrought of hand-made glass. Though not currently flowing, it is in the shape of an ijtikri with its numerous arms and tentacles spread out in such a way to provide water that can be collected for use in the community. Glass and metal cabochons have been implanted into the ground surrounding this central fixture to give it the appearance and feel of cobblestones.
Someone in a big suit of powered armor with multiple backup generator upgrades is currently circling the fountain, clearly feigning distress while being chased by half a dozen children. Rounding the circle and seeing new arrivals, the powered armor occupant opens the faceplate, revealing a bronze dragonkin with a kindly demeanor. “You don’t look like our typical new residents. Playtime’s over for now, kids. I’ll see you later!” The children protest as the dragonkin shoos them away and emerges from her armored shell.
Lourvictrix, the dragonkin says, you don't look like refugees. What brings you to this place?
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Indeed Tocti agrees. The rrepurrrposing of this place is quite inspirred. A cleverr way to maximize the space available to you. Does yourr community herre have a name?
She continues to speak as she continues to crane her neck to look around at all of the structures and homes set up about the tower. We may also be able to prrovide help in anotherr way as well. This section of the station these 'Ghost Levels' arre somewhat rrestrricted because they arre unexplorred. You must have hearrd of our guild: we arre well-known and experrienced explorrerrs. If we can surrvey the surrrounding arrea, not only could we alerrt you of any nearrby dangerrs, but could perrrhaps use ourr findings to convince the Station leaderrs that this rregion is safe forr lodgings. Rred burreaucrratic tape I know, but it could make it easierr forr yourr people herre to get morre supporrt and grrow.
The dragonkin seems to warm up when Albrik mentions supplies and Tocti mentions the group's willingness to help. Please, call me Vic, she says, “The first refugees started setting up tents a few weeks after the Drift Crash happened. My partner and I have been here about two months. Now that we’ve got the layout organized, who knows how many people we can support once everything’s up and running!” She point to her partner, who she introduces as Elymilra.
Let me distribute those supplies, Elymilra says, I'll make sure to return this container as soon as we're done.
When Elymilra goes off, Vic returns to answering Tocti's question: [b]This community is called 'Fullbridge'. “Even though we’re surrounded by electricity, there was only one electrician here when I arrived, a red skittermander named Pip. He’d work “allsix” trying to make this a safe living space until he passed out, then would wake up and go back to it. He kept saying we needed “full bridge rectifiers” to make the power safe. He’d keep talking about them over and over, and wrote it down every place he thought we needed one. Then one day he got a little too sleepy working near the entrances and zap! He’s been at the hospital topside ever since. We decided to name the place after the word he said the most.”
Excellent Vic says, in the meantime, we could really use your help with some tasks around town.
The following tasks need accomplishing in Fullbridge. Relevant skill tasks for each task are noted. Applicable Profession checks can be substituted in place of a listed skill with GM permission.
• Electrician: Computers, Engineering, Perception, Physical Science
• Guard: Acrobatics, Intimidate, Perception, Stealth
• Logistics: Athletics, Physical Science, Piloting, Survival
• Medic: Bluff, Life Science, Medicine, Mysticism
• Teacher: Culture, Diplomacy, any Profession, Sense Motive
• Welders/Fabricators: Acrobatics, Bluff, Intimidate, Sleight of Hand
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Albrik is introduced to Sam Silverwood, a male half-elf with an eyepatch. You're probably wondering how I got this, huh? he says as he tours Albrik around a makeshift classroom. I was already a retired serviceman when the Stewards gave me a tour of one of the Liavaran moons. Unfortunately, that was in 291 AG...
He pauses for dramatic effect.
...right when the Swarm attacked the Pact Worlds. I manned the surface air battery, and we just managed to fight them off. Gave me a little souvenir of the effort too. He says, tapping the eye patch. And now I'm here, helping out this decrepit bunch. I'm the school teacher around here, and I can use a helping hand.
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Norbert is escorted to 'Hotz Spotz', which seems to be a cafeteria run by... Wow. Space Goblins. There's four of them here, and them refer to each other as Babz, Rabz, Yabz an Zabz, though which one is which is a bit hard to figure out, because they keep shifting positions. More alarmingly, they each have a welding torch in hand (and a couple of spare ones in the back of the shack), which they use to cook food.
We be cooks! Zabz says, We be also welders! Yabz says We make stuff Babz adds and Rabz says and we break stuff, though that part was pretty apparent.
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We have no van to be guarded,[b] Vic says with a confuse look, [b]but if you could be a man guard, we could use some help training out people to defend themselves against these evil bruisers that rob our people.
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Chip is sent to find an uplifted bear called Mehzidig. Sure enough, a rather fluffy bear wearing a classy purple bowtie can be found tinkering away with copper wire. I am Mehzidig. I used to work remotely as tech support for a holographic interface company in the Marixah Republic before the Drift Crash severed all communication. I had an apartment near Bluerise tower, but suddenly I was unable to pay rent, so I moved here. Do you know how a full bridge rectifier works?
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Norbert is escorted to 'Hotz Spotz', which seems to be a cafeteria run by... Wow. Space Goblins. There's four of them here, and them refer to each other as Babz, Rabz, Yabz an Zabz, though which one is which is a bit hard to figure out, because they keep shifting positions. More alarmingly, they each have a welding torch in hand (and a couple of spare ones in the back of the shack), which they use to cook food.We be cooks! Zabz says, We be also welders! Yabz says We make stuff Babz adds and Rabz says and we break stuff, though that part was pretty apparent.
Yes. True Rrenaissiance figurrres Tocti says as she tries to carefully avoid getting her numerous furs spots singed. Nanites flow out and sheathe the phatra as she moves, both to protect herself and to help her slip around in the chaotic environment. It may be betterr to have the food laid out aparrt from the machinerry. Though I can imagine space is at a prremium.
As she flits about, the pahtra asks. What exactly arre you making Babz? Perrrhaps I can help you with some of the morre finicky parrts.
Hold on. This must set firrrst. Let Zabz handle the food forr now.
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I'm glad that you did survive this experience...I hope you don't mind me asking: is there a reason, you didn't have your eye restored by magic? Or replace it with cyberware?
When they reach the school, Albrik proposes:
Maybe I can just watch one of your lessons first and have an eye on your students to see if any of them need help...then later I can think about a few things, I can teach them myself.
If Sam agrees, Albrik introduces himself to the students, joins them during the next lesson and tries to figure out, if there is a motivational issue or something else, he can help with from "ground level":
If nothing interrupts the proceedings, he then starts his own lesson about the different cultures of the pactworlds he has either experienced himself during his travels or read about.
To anyone interested (he stresses that noone has to attend), he also offers a lesson on the history of Sarenrae and caps it off with a small ceremony in her honor.
Pinkiee has a hard time instructing the local aspiring guards, but does point out some tips to improve observation skills. Chip gets to work with the copper wire, and manages to discharge the bear a bit, making him ever so slightly less fluffy.
Norbert and Tocti deal with the goblins, and boy, are they a handful. They both manage to get some useful efforts out of the goblins, and even the food tastes halfway passable.
Albrik converses with the veteran, who just responds Restoration or cyberware... that's well beyond my means. and the stoically adds I still have an eye left, so I can see.
Albrik serves up a very inspiring class on the history of Sarenrae, adding some humanities to the list of practical courses the school has on offer.
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When the group has finishes helping out with the various tasks, word is passed around that Vic urgently wants to see the group. Upon reconvening, Vic has bad news Elymilra, my bonded partner, is missing! she says with some alarm.
Elymylra is also a retired Knight of Golarion and she is a hydraulics engineer. In Fullbridge, she’d most recently been working to tap into an unused water reclamation system discovered nearby to provide the settlement with fresh water and also connect it to Absalom Station’s Spike districts to improve the water quality for thousands of others. I expected her back hours ago. Damn these corridors, they prevent comm units from broadcastig anything further than line of sight.
Under other circumstances, I would go out myself, but at my age I need my powered armor to stay mobile and some of the passages might be too small for me to maneuver through. Would you try and find her?
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Albrik has really enjoyed some time out of his hardsuit. Especially the interest with which the students met his teachings did a lot to brighten his mood. But when Vic tells them the bad news, he becomes serious again.
Of course! That is exactly why we are here: to help you against the perils of this place. If everyone is ready, let's depart immediately!
Vic reacts very favourably to the offer for help You have already done so much! Vic says, but your continued help is greatly appreciated.
Vic returns the null space chamber, I have added some items that may help you while out there. I wouldn't want to put you in undue danger.
The chamber contains a serum of earthen stature, a serum of fiery vengeance and a serum of infinite air.
She also hands the group a coil of titanium wire (100ft) with a grappler. You may also need this she says as she hands the group her own backup rifle: a tactical arc emitter, take good care of it, please.
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The group is directed to paths that go deeper into the Ghost Levels. Though there are many different passages that could be taken, the missing engineer used a reflective pink permanent marker to indicate the paths she traveled, which makes finding the right path a lot easier. After a wide, the scenery changes.
The thrum of machinery suddenly ceases after traveling around a sharp corner. Gone are the bulkheads and ubiquitous wires, now replaced by iridescent and interlocking hexagonal panels making up the ceilings, walls, and floors of the tunnels ahead.
The panels shimmer even where there is no light shining upon them, and they contract and expand in ripples that run the length of each hall in a pattern that could be described as… breathing.
Pinkiee looks at the walls with fascination. As the large Morlamaw comes close to the wall, the wall in turns seems to shudder, and the minds of the group are filled with a rush of overlapping telepathic imagery, including countdown timers, coolant rushing through pipes, engines flaring, an ominous encroaching darkness, and seismic cataclysms.
These visions could be clues to Absalom Station’s past, present, or future, or just strange energy fields sparking sympathetic feelings in sapient minds.
As the group walks through the hallway, the walls flicker in and out of visibility. Outside, the space outside Absalom Station, with the armada parked nearby.
The armada looks to the same size as it is today, so that appear normal, but the large, barren planet sharing the orbit with Absalom station definitely is not there today.
The group marks the area with the cartographer's boots.
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A few minutes after leaving the blinking halls, the group comes upon a green, furry creature () that is sucking on an exposed power cable that juts out from the station bulkheads.
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Tocti has been continually looking about with a combination of awe and anxiety as the station section they're traveling through starts to looks...well a lot less like a space station.
This, is this something that is supposed to be in a structure like this? she asks tentatively, turning towards Albrik and chip in particular. The pahtra is especially unnerved when the walls around them seem to stop being walls for a moment and appear to show nothing between them and the void of space outside. Tocti hurries through that section very quickly.
When they turn the corner to see a strange fauna, the catflok pauses before kneeling down slightly, one arm up while the other outstretched slowly with the palm up. Hello. And who might you be? Can you underrstand us?
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"Absalom Station appeared during the Gap," Chip breathes in the Breathing Room, "It's clearly constructed, but there's no memory or record of how or why or when. So this... mimics a living thing? Dunno what it's for, but hardly the first time that's happened. Some of thus might be more, uh, magical then I expected. It's possible.
"Oh, uh, hello. Um. Look up at us in a confused way if you understand language but not this one."
Tocti interacts with the green creature, which Zarzucket recognises as a hexoglin, creatures that consume high-voltage electricity, dissipating it into lower-voltage energy that surrounds their tails and a magnetic field they can use to protect themselves. This once, Pinkiee recognises, is actually pregnant.