Hmm's SFS #6-01: Year of Fortune's Fall (Inactive)

Game Master Hmm

Maybe I should teach you a few more useful Vesk phrases Soarin grins. Then you can talk about your sister behind her back and she won't have a clue what you're saying.

Ah, no, it's not like that, Momo reacts. Talking behind her sister's back is simply not in her dictionary. She sighs briefly and explains I'd never do something like that. We grew up together, and I spent too much time protecting her. For me, the universe is dangerous place, but for Zoey, everything is just a game, just a bit of theater. It think it's just her way of coping with things. It helps too, she has this way of getting people to underestimate her, but sometimes it just gets annoying when she's not taking things seriously...

She then turns to Amyik and very formally apologises I'm sorry miss Amyik if I offended you. I meant no disrespect. Do you need any help with the paperwork?

Valas faces the vesk with a relaxed posture indicating that they have always been friends.

"What can you tell us about these exhibis?

"No disrespect taken," Amyik says with a smile showing many sharp vesk teeth. "As for what's in these exhibits--" Amyik breaks off as she sees a familar face. "Ah, there's Zovi now. She'll explain everything."

Just then the museum's curator, Zovi, arrives and offers to escort them to where they'll be working. She's a blue-skinned lashunta woman with carefully coifed blond hair and artsy clothing and jewelry.

There are pictures of Zovi and Minqalli on Slide 1 of my Slideshow, which I am still putting together. If you would like to make a GM happy, please add your Avatars to Slide 2 of this same slideshow.

“Welcome to the Grand Museum of Qabarat! I hear you've already met with our head of security, Amyik, and received a comprehensive tour of our dig-site diorama by your little Starfinder friend. Minqalli is quite exuberant! My name is Zovi. I'm a curator here at the museum. And you are?”

Zovi is a confident woman, with a soft smile and a gentle tone. She's well versed in dealing with the public, and she speaks in a practiced, manufactured manner, as if she has previously rehearsed everything she says.

After you introduce yourselves, Zovi leads you toward the exhibit hall you'll be working in. Along the way, you pass two other galleries, which she explains as if leading a tour. The first gallery is filled with tall display cases that are completely blacked out. These cases contain clothes, tapestries, and other fine art, housed in state-of-the-art display cases to protect them from damage and excitable visitors. To see the contents, a visitor must press a button on a display, which lights up the interior for a limited time.

“This gallery is where we keep and display fragile materials. Things that are important to our people and history but cannot survive with too much light or jostling. As you'll notice, our museum has no corners. As an institution that must serve a multitude of cultures, we must be mindful of these cultural beliefs. The makers of this dance regalia, for example.” She presses a button beside her, momentarily lighting up a display case holding a dress with faded colors. “They believe that the things they make have an energy, and that energy can become trapped. Not too many sharp edges in nature, you see. While these belongings are in our care, they're free to glide around the space and flow through the curvatures of the building. And, as the tour guides are fond of saying, it keeps us well rounded.” She gestures for the group to follow her as she steps into the next gallery.

Zovi leads you into a large gallery titled “Life Within the Gap,” an exhibition focused on cultures that arose during the Gap and the museum's best guesses as to how various peoples lived at that time. This is one of the largest and most regularly visited galleries of the museum. The displays contain a multitude of belongings, from everyday items to weaponry. Beside every object is a button which, when pressed, projects a hologram of a person from that culture using the item in question. "We used to have full-scale dioramas in this room, but the knowledge of Gap cultures is imperfect and rapidly evolving. The holograms mean we can more readily update how they depict the cultures and their belongings."

I'll pause here, so that you can poke at the exhibits a bit.

Valas walks around the Life within the Gap exhibit, pressing the buttons and learning what he can about the history of this time.

As you poke around the room, you see holograms of people from various cultures: a lashunta weaving on a loom, a ysoki maintaining their gun, and a half-elf using a carved stick to remind them of details as they silently recount a story to a crowd.

Here, Zovi takes a moment to explain that a people and their culture aren't the same thing—even in our modern world, with countless planets linked in a galactic communication network by the Drift, people aren't a part of a single monolithic culture. “Why, this museum alone currently displays belongings from over fifty different lashunta-centric cultures that were located on Asana. It's a fraction of our history. A single tree in the jungle.”

Then Zovi pauses to consider. "But you probably all want to get started with your real work, yes?" Zovi leads you into the temporary exhibitions gallery where collections of belongings, museum conservators, and the representatives of other organizations are gathered.

The temporary gallery space is filled with a variety of display cases, platforms, and pedestals, all separated into distinct sections for the exhibitors to utilize. Most displays are empty, but a few already contain belongings and are ready for the public exhibition. Zovi explains, "This is for our traveling shows or other less permanent exhibits. Come, look around and get a feel for the space." She waves a dramatic arm. "The Starfinders' collection will be ready for them to go through shortly, and that conservation staff, who will assist with the physical movement and handling of all artifacts, are standing by to assist you!" With that, she thanks you for coming and bids you farewell.

"I'm sure your exhibit will be completely stunning!"

Two important guests are already in the gallery, each accompanied by a few members of the museum's conservation staff, who carefully unpack and place artifacts in the displays.

You can find pictures of these two guests on Slide 5 of the Slideshow.

Whaloss (male damaya lashunta) is a postdoctoral student at the Qabarat University of Xenoarchaeology and Xenoanthropology. "Hello, I'm Whaloss. I have a history of working with the Starfinder Society and am happy to offer my advice on display setup and talk history with any of you who might be interested."

Whaloss' display consists of ancient bone carvings, stone statuettes, and other artwork focused on stars and other celestial bodies. Signage indicates these belongings are from the ancient elven civilization of Oatia.

May I have Perception and/or Sense Motive checks as you talk with Whaloss and examine his exhibit?

★ ---- ★ ---- ★ ---- ★

Jeletal (male half-elf) is an aged disciple of Talavet. When he sees you, he sniffs. "Ah. The Starfinder Society. So many resources, but are they used correctly? Talavet -- and of course I as well -- value the communal nature of storytelling and connecting people with their past." Then he looks over the group of you and frowns. "Tell me. Did any of you collect these artifacts personally from the cultures from which they came? No? Alas, you have been sent to arrange items you yourselves did not collect from cultures you were not a part of... Do you not feel a bit too disconnected from the stories you're presenting to be the best people to tell them?"

Jeletal's display is eclectic, containing belongings from a multitude of cultures and eras. Most are well-worn household items, some showing obvious signs of replaced parts and amateur attempts at restoration. "This display," he's happy to explain, "is less about the objects in the display and more about the stories connected to them. Every belonging on display was donated by members and clergy from my temple whose families originate in the Vast. With each donation, I asked for the story of how the donor came to hold it and I have organized my display based on the emotion these stories embodied."

He excitedly gestures to different aspects of his display. "Belongings with happy memories associated with them are bundled together. Another section shows items that brought their donors pain. Whether they were found in the fields of farmers, salvaged from ancient battlegrounds, uncovered deep within a ruined city, or simply inherited by a grandparent," he pauses, holding up a bowl, "these stories are equally part of the history of the belonging as its original use."

May I have Diplomacy and Culture checks as you talk with Jeletal?

Kezzo nods her head slowly in agreement as Jeletal talks. "I love stories! And learning about new, well, old, but new to me, things. It is why I became an archaeologist."

"This is a rare time I'll be helping with items where I didn't personally work on the dig. But sometimes I need to go where my society asks me to."

Culture: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Having spent quite some time working on digs in the Veskarium, Kesso carefully looks to see if she recognizes anything special in Jeletal's collection.

Profession Archaeologist: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Perception check while talking with Whaloss: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Culture check while talking with Jeletal: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Whaloss, thank you for your offer. I am sure you will provide us useful advice.

Jeletal, we can't always accompany the things we find, but we can do our best to make sure the stories of others are maintained.

I like that pic of Soarin someone put up - I might steal it

Soarin watches Valais poke at the exhibits. He also looks at Whaloss's exhibits with interest. He even takes notes to look stuff up later.
sense motive: 1d20 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 6 + (4) = 16
perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 + 1d6 ⇒ (12) + 10 + (5) = 27
culture: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Kezzo's earnest discussion and interest in Jeletal's work, along with their actual training in Archaeology, makes a big impression on Jeletal, as does Soarin's honeyed enthusiasm for the exhibit.

Jeletal becomes less and less stiff as he talks with you. "Perhaps I judged you too harshly. Your training and discernment are evident... May I hear some of the stories of your work on other digs? I would be fascinated to hear about it."

Meanwhile, Phelps and Soarin both realize that in addition to sharing knowledge of the past, Whaloss's display is intended to increase the prestige of the university's archaeological findings and aid Whaloss in securing funding for future fieldwork.

Whaloss explains more about his work as you take interest. "The people of Oatia have their roots in their city of Loskialua, located on Castrovel's continent of Ukulam, but they later traveled to distant solar systems using magic. Oatian belongings have thus far been discovered on Astevint, Helfen-Thel, Preluria, the Tabori Cluster, and even the recently explored Weydana-4."*

He further explains that the Oatians were intensely interested in astronomy and distant worlds. "They developed supernatural and magical techniques for surveying the sky beyond their own galaxy, discovered countless new constellations and worlds, captured eons-old messages from distant galaxies, made contact with bizarre and powerful aliens, and communed with cosmic demigods!" He gestures enthusiastically as he points to different holograms of Oation ruins, relics and translations of their writing. "Eventually, alas, Loskialua was abandoned." Whaloss suspects that the Oatians used powerful magic to travel closer to the distant sites that they most desired to study, skipping across the universe in a never-ending quest for astronomical enlightenment.

____
* Your GM appreciates this call out to Horizons of the Vast, a project she got to write for. Yay for achaeological finds on Weydana-4, aka New Harmony!

Meanwhile, there are also two unattended displays have already been completed and are ready for exhibition. One contains beautiful statuettes and the other impressive jewelry. A glance at the signage indicates that these belongings are a part of the Grand Museum of Qabarat's collection, that they were displayed by Zovi, and that they come from a variety of cultures and locations in the Vast.

May I have your Perception and/or Art or Achaeology related Profession checks? Extra points for roleplay!

Soarin nods at Whaloss. I heard about ruins in Ukalam that led to the discovery of a circular arrangement of stars that both the Corpse Fleet and the Cult of the Devourer were interested in. And I have to admit, as a Sarcesian, the stars are important to us as well, not only visually but as an aid to navigation. I sometimes pause just to look when I'm doing outside work. Do you know what sort of technology the Oatians used to cross those vast distances?

He also looks over the other unattended displays with interest. Wow .. those are really pretty

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Phelps continues to look around, but he is as interested in the lighting setups for the various exhibits as anything else.

Not very tied into the story, but just to see what happens.

Profession(Electrician): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

Kezzo looks at Jeletal and starts speaking with such excitement it is almost hard to keep up.

"I once recovered a Golden Idol from a booby-trapped temple. Then a rival archaeologist cornered me and stole the idol; I escaped in a waiting ship. After returning to Absolom Station, two members of the Starfinder Society briefed me that enemy forces were excavating a dig site, and one of their messages mentioned my former mentor. I deduced that they sought a lost relic their leader believed would make them invincible. I was asked to recover it first. I searched for my old mentor’s daughter and learned he had died. The bad guys showed up to steal a medallion from her, but we escaped. After much traveling and staying one step ahead or behind our enemy, we finally recovered the relic. Top agents with the Society confiscated it on our return."

Name that movie. I blame this post on the fact I was watching this movie last night. lol

Culture: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Name that movie. I blame this post on the fact I was watching this movie last night. lol

Raiders of the Lost Ark!

Artaius looks at the other two exhibits, but sees nothing relevant or of import. He looses a literal growl of frustration. He knew nothing of any of this. He had nothing to offer, and he was beginning to doubt he had anything to gain. Art? Jewelry? Those were about living... not about life, at least not at the cellular level.

He started to intrude on the conversation by complaining into the thoughts of the others, but as his not-so-silent grumbling had already turned eyes towards him, he opted instead to sigh (more inwardly than outwardly) and continue to look around the exhibit.

Finally, he does speak to the half-elf. "Evocative organization by emotion experienced is subjective. It will be different for every viewer, so your arrangement seems haphazard at best, clumsy more like, and insulting at worst. Archaeology is a science, not an art. To truly understand these pieces, you need to first understand form and function. I would organize them thusly, then let the viewer form their own opinions as to what they feel."

It's clear with his emphasis on the word that the bear has a low opinion of feelings. He preferred the objective. "Oras teaches that existence is best experienced. This is viewing, not experiencing. At least show the experiences of the past so that their usage can be experienced vicariously, since their is no practical relationship to discern without that foundation."

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

"I was part of the expedition to rescue Starfinders from a system that was shielded from entry. During the rescue operation the team was repeatedly attacked by a then-unknown race called the jinsul. Despite our numerous attempts to negotiate with the jinsul, they had no interest in talking. I thought that if we understood the way the jinsul think, we might not have to be enemies. I gathered several artifacts before we left the system. Hopefully our archeological experts can learn about jinsul culture from studying these artifacts."

Perceptuon: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Soarin and Phelps determine that these paired displays are designed to be aesthetically pleasing and are placed near the entrance of the gallery in order to attract patrons. Phelps also studies light tricks that he thinks could be used to make your own display pop.

After viewing the displays and speaking to the other representatives, you should set up their own display. The material the Starfinders have brought to display belongs to various cultures found within the Scoured Stars system. Included in this collection are pottery, statuettes, tools, weaponry, technological devices, and magical relics. Most belong to the mentrasi and a variety of jinsul cultures, including the Myhmur theocracy and Cratune tyranny. There's also a smaller collection of relics representing other species of the Scoured Stars, including belongings from an syngnathrix waystation, a tekian industrial site, a matoh bathing pod, a nelentu farm, and a thyr religious site.

Culture or an applicable Profession check to look over your own items for the display.

You have a multitude of options in choosing which part of the gallery to set up your display in and how you organize the belongings within it. You can choose to set up your display in a visually prominent location, a central location that sees a lot of foot traffic, a secure but less visible location, or in between Whaloss' and Jeletal's displays.

Once a location is selected, you must choose how you'll display the belongings. Conservation staff is on standby to assist with the physical placement and handling of the items.

Properly identifying, sorting, and displaying these items requires you to succeed at a somewhat hard skill check. I am pretty open to what skill you want to use to aid other PCs, so long as you can give me some roleplay. You must select one method of display. Each of you can attempt the associated skill check or can instead attempt to aid another on this check. You can't retry this skill check. On a failure, you will suffer a –2 penalty on all skill checks to interact with the gala guests.

The methods of organization and their associated skill checks are noted below.

• Arrange the belongings to be aesthetically pleasing (Perception)
• Arrange the belongings by cultural origin (Culture)
• Arrange the belongings by environment (Life Science)
• Arrange the belongings by the materials they're created from (Physical Science)
• Arrange the belongings by use and purpose (Engineering)

There are also people here you can ask for advice, since you've made a good impression on all of them so far. Depending on whose advice you use, they can offer you a +1 on the appropriate check.

Whaloss. If you ask Whaloss for advice, he recommends you group their belongings based upon cultural origin.

Zovi. If they ask Zovi, she recommends you arrange your belongings to be aesthetically pleasing.

Minqalli. If the PCs ask Minqalli, they recommend grouping their belongings by materials.

Jeletal. Jeletal recommends you group your belongings by use and purpose.

Amyikesh. Amyikesh recommends you group your belongings by environment.

It's clear with his emphasis on the word that the bear has a low opinion of feelings. He preferred the objective. "Oras teaches that existence is best experienced. This is viewing, not experiencing. At least show the experiences of the past so that their usage can be experienced vicariously, since their is no practical relationship to discern without that foundation."

[dice=Culture]1d20+0

Mister Artaius, sometimes viewing is experiencing. when you go to a performance, you are there to watch, but the attendance itself is an experience. I think that is what we're trying to do here, tell the story in view the viewer can immerse himself. I think Valas is right as well, the artifacts we have not only tell the story of their owners, but also of what we have experienced. Think of the fear these crewmembers must have had when they fought the Jinsul For momo, feelings are important.

They are an integral part of the owner's past, but also of the Society's. But if you insist, Mister Artaius, we can try to make this display an experience, by telling the story in a way that pleases the eye. Does that make sense?

Momo would go for aethestically pleasing, to evoke emotion.

Soarin has no preference whatsoever. So he just stands around waiting for instructions.

Tell me what you want built and where you want it and I'll build it there

Kezzo begins to look over the items they have been given.
Profession Archaeologist: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

"I suggest we arrange them by cultural origin."

Culture: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

"Properly representing the world in which these items belong, seeing how they fit into their environs? That is most logical, as it gives context beyond what purpose they serve and explains why they serve that purpose? Cultural artifacts and even art might be subjective in experience," he begins, "but even those such items objectively come from necessity borne of the setting in which the people find themselves."

He turns to Amyikesh. "The Vesk are a prime example of this. The Prime cannot contend with the sustained population growth, so interplanetary expansion, often militaristic in aggression, is a natural means to reduce the swollen numbers. They did not venture to the stars because they were beautiful or made someone feel something, they did it because the natural order dictated it. I propose environment, as it is the principal impetus for change and evolution, both biologically and culturally."

Perception: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5

I copied the wrong skill. Didn't realize it until it was too late. Don't know if you want to use the roll result or just have me roll again, so it's either 9 or 18, your choice.

Life Science: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 7 + 1 = 18

"I suggest we arrange them by cultural origin."

You are the most experienced in the field, Miss Kezzo Momo admits, I'm just worried that I can't be too much help there...

Culture, aid: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (18) + 0 = 18

She's underestimating herself, though, and shows random capability by remembering the lyrics of Kawyrd's Where are you from?

♫ Is your head in a bubble?
Are you made or air?
Is your fur humongous
Or do you barely have any hair
Do you talk in backward
Or have to tell everything twice
Do you have three eyes,
Or are you cyclops in disguise? ♫

♫ It doesn't matter what you are
Or where you are from
The most important thing to keep in mind
Is to stay happy ♫

Culture it is!

Culture to aid: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

"For choice of location, I think we should go with the most secure location, even if it's in an out-of-the-way area. As we discussed earlier, trouble seems to follow wherever Starfinders tread. "

culture: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19 - aiding

I'll do my best to help

Culture to Aid: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Kezzo can tell that these Starfinder artifacts were largely collected by people who wanted to bring something flashy and impressive back to the Society rather than being collected purely for their academic value. On the other hand, a little flash never hurt an exhibit. She leads the way in organizing them by cultural origin, with Whaloss and over half the team assisting in the endeavor.

Ehu comes to check your progress. "Oh, you are arranging all of these by cultural origin, and I see that you've even added a holographic map of the Scoured Stars region. I love the markers that you've added for each, explaining the significance of each culture. Excellent work!" Ehu checks his comm unit. "Seeing as you've made such good progress, you're dismissed for the evening. Feel free to rest or explore or go shopping in Qabarat, and prepare for tomorrow's gala."

The Starfinder Society has booked rooms for all attending agents at the Queen's Rest, a nearby hotel with a Formian jungle theme that you may use to sleep, relax, or make other preparations. The hotel is high class and expensive, with a variety of amenities you can use free of charge, including a spa, pool, exercise room, restaurant, and bar.

Radaszam stops you and says, "Don't forget that the gala is tomorrow. Feel free to put together some fancy gala outfits -- so long as you don't forget your weapons. Remember, the right weapon accessorizes with everything." He grins, then walks off, whistling.

Feel free to describe what your characters do on your night off, as well as any outfits you might be preparing for the gala.

Artaius had to bite back the very visceral growl forming at the back of his throat. The Ysoki was the expert, it was true, so he didn't mind being outvoted. He minded very much, however, being ignored. No one even acknowledged his contribution or his ideas, and being summarily dismissed without so much as a "You're an idiot!" or "That's a stupid idea!" That was completely unacceptable. He wanted this mission to end to get as far away from these people as possible.

He said nothing as they made their way to the Queen's rest. "I'm going to the exercise room to blow off some steam... alone!" he emphasized pointedly. "Anything in front of me is getting mauled... anything!"

Artaius' outburst hits Momo hard. Not only does she understand the bear's frustration, she feels the bear's frustration personally and doesn't know whether to cry or maul something herself. She leaves Artaius some space, and lets him go to the exercise room, only to go there herself after a while and waits outside.

Mister Artaius? Mister Artaius? she asks, first with hesitation, then with a bit more resolve ♫ Mister Artaius? ♫

Mister Artaius, are you ok? Have you recovered a bit? she asks, genuinely concerned for the well-being of her team-mate.

I'm very sorry if I upset you. I know this mission is a bit complicated, with a lot of subjectivity and ambiguity. Sometimes I wonder if I'm just more comfortable when people try to kill me, because then at least I know what they want.

Can I help you with getting ready? Anything I can do. I'd want to do this on your terms, because we really need your expertise...

She's prepared to go a long way to helping the bear, even if the answer turns out to be 'getting drunk in the hotel bar'.

---

In terms of outfit, of course she prepared. Momo brought a fairly low-key but elegant purplish-black dress, with a torn tag dangling off it that reads Prope.. of Ab...

Soarin is not really a people person. He didn't get why Artius was so upset. He also prefers to be in a weak gravity field if he has to be in gravity at all. So he spends some time floating in a sarcesian sized tub of water as well as turning up the anti=gravity in his room as high as possible. One sixth g will have to do.

He also looks for dance videos on the infosphere, looking for examples of Momo's work, as well as the rest of the Strawberries. Examples of zero-g dance are also searched for.

After a number of minutes there is knock on the exercise room door. "I heard that you wish to maul something," Radaszam says to Artaius, cracking his knuckles. "I also heard there was some disagreement about how to organize the displays today? Perhaps the two of us can spar, and then help you pick out a gala outfit." Radaszam grins. "You're big, so let's make a big impression."

"For choice of location, I think we should go with the most secure location, even if it's in an out-of-the-way area. As we discussed earlier, trouble seems to follow wherever Starfinders tread. "

"I absolutely agree! It seems these days having an uneventful mission is very rare."

Momo's attempts at reconciliation, pacification, or placation were unwarranted and unwelcome. They had made abundantly clear that he was only here to offer muscle, like a common animal, so he would go back to that role. "There is no subjectivity or ambiguity. I received the memo loud and clear. I'm to be seen and hit things, not heard," he told her wordlessly in her thoughts. "Since my voice is unnecessary, that is a problem I can easily rectify. I will stop using it."

"Now, GET... OUT!" he emphasized in her mind.

When the knock came, he wasn't sure whether to admire the girl's temerity or rip her apart for it. Seeing Radaszam, he started to protest, once more, that he wished to be left alone, but he realized that the vesk wasn't responsible for his current distemper. He reluctantly stepped back and motioned for the Dealmaker to enter. Right now, the thought of not having to hold back appealed to him far more than anything else.

"No," he countered. "Disagreement implies dialogue... it implies discourse. There was neither. I'm apparently not here to offer my mind or my ideas, so I'll stick to my other talents. I cannot help but wonder, though, why on Castrovel was I selected for this mission? If you had anything to do with it, I will be sure to go easy on any attacks around your face, as you have obviously suffered too many blows to the head."

He snorted in amusement. "I'm a bear of thoughts and actions, not platitudes and pleasantries. The fact that trouble is expected is the only logical rationale offered by my presence."

Being rejected by Artaius was something Momo half expected, and not something she wasn't used to when dealing with the AbadarCorp Entertainment trainees. It was the telepathic shouting that did her in.

She slinks off in silence, and stares at the wall when Radaszam passes, barely controlling her breathing.

She spends her night lying awake, and when she finally dozes off, nightmarish visions of herself stuck on a spaceship haunt her, finding herself in the midst of a swarm attack, with the creatures cackling in her head 'Get out! Get out!', until she's finally ejected into an escape pod, amidst a sea of blinking lights...

"Yes, I did pick you. Deal with it. And yes, I expect trouble. Everytime I've been to a Starfinder party, something blows up. It keeps you on your toes!" Radaszam cheerfully notes as he extends his claws. Clearly, he's enjoying the prospect of an intense sparring match as much as Artaius. "We will avoid the face, so that we are both beautiful for Gala. Now, go!"

The fight goes on for a while, involving punching, kicking, tail whacks as well as claws. It's quite satisfying to Radaszam at least, who the next morning winces as he eases himself into his chair. "Gah. Still worth it."

Phelps contemplates the fact that they didn't feel like they contributed very much today.

Well, tomorrow is another day. Perhaps it will be better. as they prepare a simple Royal Blue suit for the Gala. They not only polish their weapons to a high sheen, but also do a complete maintenance overhaul to make sure they are in top working order for the Gala.

Valas hits the pool, the exercise room, the restaurant, the bar, and any other place he can find time to visit. He enjoys every minute of whatever activity he's at, and talks to whoever is there. He tells stories about starship battles against the jinsul, and the many Starfinders who were imprisoned there. He orders more drinks than he can enjoy himself, and passes them out to his new friends (which is anyone willing to listen to his stories).

For the gala, Valas dresses in the garb of a Castrovelian elven noble. Some may question why a drow would dress as a noble surface elf, but Valas attempts to pull this off without offending anyone.

Gala in the Galleries

The museum lobby is filled with guests. Catering staff weave between attendees, carrying drinks and small dishes, some local and some imported from the Vast. Zovi steps to the central podium and, with a practiced, steady voice, begins speaking. “I would like to welcome you all to the Grand Museum of Qabarat. I am honored to have the privilege of hosting this gala and of gathering some of the brightest minds in the galaxy under one roof. Truly, this event would not have been possible without all of your help. We have gathered here to shed light on the history of the Vast. We curators always feel a personal connection to any exhibition we organize, but there are those in attendance who are sharing the legacy of their ancestors. We thank you for your expertise and your trust in our institution to facilitate your history."

Zovi gestures to the different galleries. “Spread throughout the galleries of our museum, you will find displays dedicated to various aspects of ancient Vast cultures and people passionate about sharing their stories. Please explore, ask questions, immerse yourself in history. Thank you, and I hope you enjoy your evening.”

When Zovi's speech is over, the various attendees spread out through the museum halls to talk with one another and view the displays. Radaszam excuses himself to mingle with other guests. "I strongly suggest you do the same. Go. Make friends!"

This portion of the adventure is split into abstract rounds, with each round representing approximately 10–15 minutes of time. Each round, you should select which important guest you socialize with. The guests, their displays, and the skills required to impress them are described below. You can visit these guests in any order and can work together or separate as desired. If a guest has multiple skills that can be attempted to impress them, you must select one of these checks to attempt (each of you can attempt one skill check total per guest, not each skill check once).

Each time you fail a check to impress a guest, the DC to impress that guest increases by 1. These increases are cumulative.

There are seven prominent displays spread throughout this wing of the museum. Each of these displays is organized by an important guest. By visiting these displays and speaking with these important guests, you can make a good impression on the guests and learn useful information.

There are pictures of each of the guests on Slide 5.

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Captain Alis Sandel (female human soldier): Alis is a member of the Aspis Consortium who has worked with the Starfinders in the past. Alis's display showcases weaponry from a variety of different Vast cultures.

To impress Alis, the PCs must display knowledge of weaponry (Engineering) or combat (an applicable Profession check, such as gladiator, guard, mercenary, or soldier). If rolling to study the display and to impress Alis, please note which rolls are which.

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First Seeker Ehu Hadif: Ehu may be your First Seeker, but he's still trying to maintain a presence by himself alongside your display, sharing information about the Scoured Stars with visitors as appropriate. He could probably use some backup here. If you join Ehu, you too should field questions from the crowd of visitors and speak about your display.

To impress the crowds, you must succeed at any skill check of their choice, so long as you can justify how it's applicable to this situation.

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Jeletal (male half-elf): You've already conversed with our story-telling, Talavet-worshipping, elf with a display of common and well-worn household items. But now would be your chance to cement a stronger relationship with him.

To impress Jeletal, the PCs must display knowledge of social tact (Diplomacy) or Talavet's faith (Mysticism).

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Professor Muhali (female damaya lashunta): Muhali is head of linguistic anthropology at the Qabarat University of Xenoarchaeology and Xenoanthropology. Muhali's display showcases a variety of texts, from a carved stone stele to fragile scrolls, coupled with a holographic display showcasing linguistic similarities and differences over time and space.

To impress Muhali, the PCs must display knowledge of linguistics (Culture) or spot similarities within the showcased texts (Perception).

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Odesse Nis (female elf): Odesse is an archaeologist from the Tabori Cluster. Odesse's display contains material from over a dozen aquatic and semi-aquatic cultures, including Caravolos and Varretian, and two terrestrial cultures, including Erezitan and Ulumbian. Of particular note are several belongings carved from a delicate gray-green stone, which the placards identify as malachite.

To impress Odesse, you must assess her current health and mood (Medicine or Sense Motive) or help her answer some tricky questions about underwater archaeology posed by visitors (Physical Science).

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Whaloss (male damaya lashunta): You've already conversed with this Xenoarchaeology grad student from the Unviersity of Qabarat, and learned a bit about his work with Oation cultures. But now is your chance to build the foundations for a deeper alliance.

To impress Whaloss, you must display knowledge of astronomy (Physical Science) or commerce (an applicable Profession check, such as accountant, banker, investor, or merchant).

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Zovi (female damaya lashunta): You've already met the Museum's charismatic curator, and seen her very pretty displays of jewelry and statuettes, but here is your chance to really impress her.

To impress Zovi, you must display knowledge of history (Culture) or social influence (Diplomacy).

Soarin looks very uncomfortable in his 'monkey suit' he had to hire for this gathering. Social gatherings are really not his thing. He'd rather be in outer space fixing something with a sonic spanner and a microwelder.

Either that, being in a sniper's next keeping an eye on the gather. Darn it ... this fabric ITCHED. He absent mindedly and discretely scratched the offending spot while contemplating options.

So he goes over and has a closer look at the weaponry.
engineering: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (16) + 8 + (2) = 26

Isn't that a jinsul sniper rifle? he asks.

Will you also try to impress Alis, or are you going for another guest this round, Soarin?

"Well-spotted!" Alis laughs and remarks, “You Starfinders aren't the only ones with an interest in the Scoured Stars, you know.”

No ... I suppose not. And whatever we say about the jinsuls they are fine engineers. I've seen the specs on that little beauty but I've not handled a live one yet. I wasn't in the Society during that incident either. Just a trainee starship engineer then.

engineering to impress: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (9) + 8 + (2) = 19

"My, aren't you full of surprises?" Alis says with a raised eyebrow. "I like your spunk, and hope you someday get to handle one of the jinsul ships -- though you might find some of their equipment a tight fit."

"Maybe someday we'll get a chance to meet on the field -- hopefully as allies." Alis leans forward and admits with a lowered voice, "I've been promoted to a new position in the Vast, but don't try to make me elaborate on where... However, it's somewhere the Starfinders should be familiar with." She grins and gives Soarin a friendly poke in the arm. "See you around, Big Guy!"

Alis has been impressed, and does not need any more Starfinders convincing her that working with the Society is a great idea.

I would like that .. especially as allies ... and yeah .. agree with you about the tight fit .. why I work EVA. And see you too. ... erm ... ma'am.

Wow ... that was easier than I expected ....... ooookay .... where to next. I'd go talk astronomy again but ... I only really know the basics ... probably not good enough. Mind you, Ms Javi's display is pretty ... maybe I'll go there next.

He starts heading over there pausing at the buffet table to get a drink - after all, most everyone else seems to be carrying them around.

Despite the rough night she had, Momo shows up on time and impeccably dressed. Even her face doesn't look to bad (Akitonian Re-hydration Eye rejuvenizers are awesome) although she feels tired to the bone.

When she is re-united with the group to head to the museum, she flashes a bright yellow for a split second when she spots Artaius, only to get control of her nerves and calm back down.

Solarion - heh. Momo actively suppresses her (yellow) mote at all times.

Feeling slightly awkward, she just heads to the person she hopes reacts well to her manners, which she decides is Jeletal.

Hello mister, my name is Momo, a.. she swallows the second part of her introduction and make a deep bow instead, ...and I'm a entertainer by profession. I missed talking to you earlier, but my companions told me about the significance of the stories attached to these items. I can see how these individual stories tie together to form a grand narrative. Happiness and pain... how do these emotions connect to these objects? she asks.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

"Ah, Momo! Well-met!" Jeletal smiles. "An entertainer, you say? Perhaps one of these items might be of interest to you." Jeletal shares a story about a member of his congregation bringing him what he believes to be a dance stick. He holds the stick reverently, and then hands it to Momo. "This one is wood, and warm to the touch. Can you feel its balance? How it spins? How smooth it is?" He allows Momo to manipulate it a bit before taking it back and putting it back in the display. "When I hold this, I feel so many emotions. The skip of my heart as I anticipate approaching a stage. The pain of endless practicing, and the despair of wondering if I'll get the steps right. The determination to see the practice through, and keep going. Then the awakening, as suddenly my brain and my body become one, sliding through and understanding the steps, and lastly, joy. Just joy." Jeletal looks wistful for a moment. "I'm hoping that by poring through stories and securing my god's blessing, we can reawaken the dance associated with it."

And that is enough to secure Jeletal!