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The starship in space has 'Brass Clutch' written across its bow in big, intimidating lettering. The inside of the ship is quite a luxurious setting, with a spa deck, vesk fitness studio (you can't unsee it), holographic cinema and a zero-gravity foosball table. First seeker Ehu hadif is clearly a bit at unease with all this luxury, and spends most of his time gazing at the stars and meditating. Captain and owner Radaszam, the faction leader of the Acquisitives is clerly more at ease, and makes sure to challenge the five (six?) Starfinders he's personally selected at the occasional game, or sparring session in the fitness studio. The ship floats, in a leisurely pace, towards the jungle planet of Castrovel.
'The dealmaker', as is Radaszams nickname, has already informed the group that they’re here to help set up a museum display at the Grand Museum of Qabarat, and to enjoy its gala opening. The full briefing is scheduled for later in the flight...
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A male drow in Zeizerer diffractor armour, so dark it almost absorbs the light around it, wanders through the opulence with the slight arrogance of a person that firmly belongs there. A spider-drone follows behind him, an imposing plasma weapon incorporated into its frame.
"By 'set up the display' they mean I provide some artistic direction whilst enjoying the wine and they have some hired help to do the actual 'set up the display' part, right?" he looks slightly aghast at the idea that he might be looked to for some of this 'lifting business'.
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A dwarf, chewing on the butt of a cigar like it's beef jerky nods before laughing. It's astonishing that the cigar doesn't fall as he speaks, "Ha! Nothing wrong with some heavy lifting. Name's Dominar. Dominar Thunderstriker. And I am at your service, for lifting and otherwise."
A visual rundown tells an observer a lot about the dwarf. His lashunta weave is a bit ill-fitting, but in immaculate condition. His riot control shield is polished anew, but that doesn't hide the scratches and dings in it. Dominar cares about function over form, and aside from a pistol that looks unused, he's otherwise unarmed.
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"Seldszar Erelhi-Cinlu, equally at your service and happy to leave that lifting to the professionals. I admit it is an admirable ability, and I intend to admire it from afar" he quips flatly, but the wry curl in the corner of his lip subtly gives away the good natured jest "This isn't Apostae" he waves around at the decor.
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You can run away from home, male, but home will never escape from your soul. If you are ordered to lift, you will lift. Like at home. The voice belongs to a female drow in armor made to look like a business suit... in the way the dark elves and demon worshippers understand it, of course. The voice sounds like ice, the look literally kills. This is the way and the only way drow women from a noble house should communicate with drow men from... any house. However, it was the other drow she spoke to first... which is still also a sign for another drow. A sign of kinship - at least as long as the male remembers the hierarchy.
Beautiful and dangerous, like any representative of her race, she suddenly changes her tone and politely nods to everyone gathered. Greetings. Shari Misraria of House Misraria. Producer within our media holding. If you feel a talent for aesthetic murder or passionate public coitus - let me know, I will organize auditions. Several agents of the Society have already become my clients and receive good windfalls from the sale of their video, audio and various subscription services.
Each of the Starfinders present simultaneously receives a signal about receiving a message on a personal comunit. Here is my business card. We'll be in touch.
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"Can't be afraid of a little hard work. Though, setting up some fancy display isn't exactly work, in my book," a second dwarf, this one a woman says.
She is also currently without any weapons though her Defrex Hide armor is well fitted and well cared for.
It also prominently displays the smoking forge that is the holy symbol of Angradd.
"Darakwinn Ironhead. At Angradd's service but here to help on this mission, for now."
As the big, round, green shape of Castrovel comes into view, it's time for the mission briefing.
Ehu swivels his chair to face the group. “I always love seeing Qabarat come into view. You see that glare on the walls there?” he gestures his head toward the windows. “Layers of shells. Decades of them, built up over the years and brought into the foundation of the walls.”
“These aren’t kids on a field trip,” Radaszam calls from the cockpit. “Save the tour for when the cameras can see them, eh? Knowing your history is all well and good, but we’re here to make an impression, not just look at pretty shells.”
“I’m sure they’ll have time for both,” Ehu calls back before turning to the group. “The museum’s gala is tomorrow, but we’ve arrived early to help finalize the exhibition. There will be a robo-taxi waiting for you once we land. Please, head over to the museum and meet with Zovi, the curator. Most importantly, take your time. Explore the museum, learn the history of this place and the people who live in it.”
“Most importantly,” Radaszam adds. “Don’t break anything. You’d be surprised how expensive those little rocks can be. We’re here to make a good impression, not rack up an enormous bill.”
The Brass Clutch makes its final descent into the spaceport with a soft thud. Ehu and Radaszam make their preparations to leave, pausing a moment to answer any questions.
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"You have to admire the discipline it takes to gather and install that many shells," Darakwinn says.
She falls more on Radaszam's side when it comes to things like this, though. What is the purpose of knowing such facts?
But, it is important to get as much intel as possible so touring the museum, at least to determine security risks is a good idea.
She'll just have to be careful with her pike. It can get a little awkward maneuvering with a weapon more than twice your height, sometimes.
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Life Science
"Fascinating, shells? Certainly adds uniqueness. We will meet with Zovi, we will certainly make an impression"
"Surely this isn't just a goodwill visit and an opportunity for a few Starfinders to enjoy champagne and finger foods - what are we actually wanting out of these people? What is the current display - something interesting? What fringe lunatics might have some grudge against anything going on there this week?"
Seldszar and Shari have quite a bit of information on the scoured stars between them:
The Scoured Stars is a trinary star system located in the Vast. Years ago, First Seeker Jadnura led an expedition into the Scoured Stars which resulted in many agents of the Starfinder Society becoming trapped in the system behind a magical, impenetrable barrier. Jadnura’s successor, First Seeker Luwazi Elsebo, worked tirelessly to lower this barrier and rescue the agents. Unfortunately, their rescue mission brought them into conflict with the jinsuls and their dangerous leader, Dhurus. The ensuing battles were hard won.
The Scoured Stars consists of three star systems: Agillae, Bastiar, and Callion, which revolve around a common barycenter. Agillae is an orange dwarf star with five planets, all of which are terrestrial planets in the star’s habitable zone. Bastiar is the largest, brightest, and most massive of the three stars.
It’s a yellow dwarf star with eight planets—five terrestrial planets, a gas giant with more than three dozen moons, and two ice giants. Callion is the smallest of the three stars. It’s a red dwarf star with two small, tidally locked planets whose orbits are synchronized so that they are always on the opposite sides of the star. The protective (some would say possessive) god Kadrical resides within the Scoured Stars.
So far, the Starfinder Society has identified eight major species that lived within the Scoured Stars. One, the mentrasi, are extinct. The others include izalguuns, jinsuls, matohs, nelentus, syngnathrix, tekians, and thyrs. Many of these peoples left the Scoured Stars and emigrated to different planets ages ago, notably to the planets of Rax and Izalraan (known to much of the universe as Icefront) and to the planets of the Saaruq-Ruaan system, forming the multiplanetary federation known as the Kreiholm Freehold.
The settlement of Izadamar was recently founded on Agillae-4, upon the ruins of an ancient and mysterious megacity.
This site is fast becoming a home base and trading hub for visitors to the Scoured Stars system. Under the guidance of retired First Seeker Jadnura and newly promoted Venture-Captain Dezarin, a Starfinder lodge is being opened there, amid the remains of a jinsul military bunker.
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Radaszam cuts in in reply to Seldszar, “Just assume the people you meet are important and try to make a good impression on them. Allies are worth their weight in credits. You never know when their help may be necessary.”
Ehu adds a bit more detail: “The majority of the guests will likely be staff and students from the Qabarat University of Xenoarchaeology and Xenoanthropology. Half the museum staff trained there, after all, and they like to #6–01 keep those connections strong. I hear the Aspis Consortium will be sending a representative to showcase their latest expeditions. There will likely be some religious leaders in attendance as well. Talavet is a god of storytelling and legends, and some of her followers believe that museums are just another form in which she can be embodied.”
Ehu looks ot be eager to discuss the exhibition itself, and even gets somewhat excited on th esubject “The Exhibition is on the Archaeology of the Vast. Pottery, tools, relics, and who knows what else collected from all sorts of far-flung ancient cultures.” [b]
[b]“We are contributing material from the Scoured Stars, primarily. We’ve discovered information and belongings from numerous ancient and long- destroyed civilizations across the many worlds of the Scoured Stars systems, and we’ve received permission to display some of it here. Nothing related to the izalguuns, of course. Their descendants preferred we keep their history quiet to protect their current lifestyle. But there’s plenty on the mentrasi and a few ancient jinsul civilizations.
Some of the other cultures of the Scoured Stars are represented to a lesser extent, as our research on their home worlds is only in its beginning stages. There are belongings from an ancient syngnathrix waystation, a tekian industrial site, a matoh bathing pod, a nelentu farm, and a thyr religious site.”
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After landing, a robo-taxi is already waiting. The robo-taxi emerges from the starport into the bright light of Qabarat. The sunlight bounces off the layers of iridescent shells layered inside the city walls, casting a spotlight towards the city center.
The full extent of Qabarat’s architecture rushes past the windows. Ancient universities stand side-by-side with cutting-edge cultural centers. Rows of academic buildings give way to the Grand Museum of Qabarat, a large, ovoid sandstone building that takes up the center of the district, rising out of the ground with a low dome to its right side.
Its exterior resembles the same species of seashell that covers the city walls. The robo-taxi halts and pulls to the side of the entrance, kneeling to the side to allow its passengers to disembark. Sitting outside the entrance is a less-than-patient nelentu, who practically hops in excitement.
Hi! Hi! the nelentu says, perking up my name is Minqalli, I'm also a starfinder, I just joined. I am here, because I was born in the Kreiholm Freehold, and my ancestors are from the Scoured Stars, so my personal connection with the belongings you'll be displaying will be very useful, don't you think? Minqalli adds with excitement as they almost drag the group into the museum, rushing past the entrance security checks to just barge into the galleries.
Minqalli rushes off through the galleries, clambering up the stairs into a cordoned off exhibition space marked by a sign that indicates a new display will soon be opening in this area. “You’ve gotta see this!” they call back. “Come on, come on, come on!” The nelentu scrambles into a large room filled with arrowheads, pottery shards, and other archaeological finds. The far side of the wall is taken up by a floor-to-ceiling diorama of archaeological strata, depicting the various eras on display in the hall. Minqalli climbs up the diorama, eagerly pointing out various pieces of pottery built into the display. “You see this mark here? My ancestor made this one. Oh, and that one, and this one over here!” Their showcase of their ancestors’ belongings is cut short by the stomping footsteps of an incoming vesk, hand on her radio and an angry sneer on her face.
The Vesk approaches breathless, eyes wide as she sees Minqalli hanging from the display. “Get down from there!” she barks at Minqalli, then turns her scrutinizing eyes upon the group....
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When the group begins to board the robo-taxi they finally realize that there is another member of the team along for the mission. Rarely seen in the Pact Worlds and especially in the Starfinder Society, a dromada with a nervous look on his face squeezes his way into the passenger area of the vehicle.
He looks at the two pairs of drow and dwarves and suddenly begins to talk in an uncomfortably fast cadence. As he does so he refuses to make eye contact with anyone.
"I don't understand why I have to go on field missions. My name is Trober Drof and I work in the accounting department at the Lorespire Complex. It's the perfect job for me because I can't stand talking to strangers. I like working with numbers and I have a talent for predicting financial futures, but social events like this are a nightmare for me. Nothing gives me more anxiety than large crowds. Oh the humanity!"
The dromada says nothing more and just stares out the window of the robo-taxi.
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Darakwinn doesn't like the idea of going into another god's temple and that sets her on edge. She finds Minqalli to be a bit much as well, not to mention the Dromada addition to their group whose social anxiety feels contagious.
So, she hardly notices any of the displays and she's in no mood when the Vesk guard arrives (though she does agree with her about Minqalli's behavior.)
"We're the Starfinders assigned to this detail. This is our display.
We're supposed to be here." she says flatly and with a steady glare.
"Yes, we're supposed to be here, however, we appreciate your diligence and care for the displays - if you want something secured and protected, call the vesk" The drow offers with an air of sincerity.
Also, if you want people to enter through regular security checks and provide the right paperwork, you call the Vesk. The Vesk says, pointing a very sharp clawed thumb into a direction behind her, which leads back to the entrance. Just come with me...
Actually, it could have been worse. All the Vesk really is asking for is a simple check-in, with namebadges already lying ready. Nothing to fuss about. Each armed with a nametag stating the Starfinde's name in common and, where applicable, native language, as well as a dangerously sharp safety pin, the group can pass.
One of the advantages of being checked in is that the local representative is also alerted. Not long after, a blue-tinted Lashunta woman arrives.
“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?”
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Darakwinn doesn't appreciate that her attempt to warn the Vesk away didn't work, but she does appreciate proper procedure. Security and organization are important in war, after all. Though she scowls through the process she doesn't grumble or give any other signs of protest.
She stands a bit straighter when the curator arrives.
"Darakwinn Ironhead. Angradd's servant and Starfinder. I look forward to helping with this display and compliment Amyik on her diligence."
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Shari, who has just finished talking on the phone about organizing another club concert for one of her proteges (and for this reason she missed the whole conflict with the guard), greets Zovi. Shari Misraria, producer. Consider that in this team I am engaged in public relations. She smiles and holds out her hand. It was as if the former arrogance had never been in her behavior. This drow clearly knows how to win people over.
Wonderful! Let me give you a short tour, before we move to our exhibit.
Welcome, everyone, to this fascinating exhibit hall. As a curator here at the Grand Museum of Qabarat, it's my pleasure to guide you through this collection. Please keep in mind that the artifacts we're about to see hold great historical and cultural significance.
“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. Please feel free to ask questions or share your observations as we explore this remarkable exhibition. Let's proceed to the next gallery, where more wonders await us.
As the group enters, they are greeted by a multitude of displays showcasing an array of belongings ranging from everyday items to weaponry. Each object is accompanied by a small button, inviting visitors to interact with the exhibit. When pressed, these buttons project holograms depicting individuals from the respective cultures, showcasing how they used the items on display.
Welcome, everyone, to the captivating "Life Within the Gap" gallery. Here, we delve into the rich cultures that flourished during the enigmatic Gap era. Our museum's experts have meticulously pieced together their best conjectures to offer glimpses into the daily lives and practices of these remarkable civilizations.
As we explore this gallery, take a moment to engage with the exhibits. Press the buttons beside each artifact to witness holographic projections of people from those cultures, vividly demonstrating how these objects were utilized in their daily routines.
This gallery serves as a bridge connecting us to the past, shedding light on the diverse societies that navigated the mysteries of the Gap. Let us embark on this journey together, unraveling the secrets and embracing the unique stories of those who lived during this intriguing era.
Zovi's voice resonates with enthusiasm and reverence as she guides the Starfinders through the gallery.
We used to have full-scale dioramas, but with our ever-increasing knowledge of the Gap cultures, and our rapidly evolving knowledge, these holograms allows us to swiftly apply new findings.
Feel free to investigate the galleries if you want...
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.
This is the temporary exhibition. You'll soon have your artifacts here, and our conservation staff will assist you will all handling and and physical movement of artifacts. Thank you very much for your interest in our galleries. Zovi says, as she bids the group farewell.
There are two researchers aready in the room, carefully unpacking artifacts assisted by the conservators. There's a male damaya lashunta, and a male half-elf. Two unattended displays have already been completed and are ready for exhibition. One contains beautiful statuettes and the other impressive jewelry.
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Darakwinn looks sharply toward Dominar when he starts to mutter about angles and cleavage but then chuckles to herself and shakes her head as he finishes his thought.
"Anyone else feel like Zovi may have given this tour a few too many times? Seemed hard for her to break from the script every now and then."
She's not really a jewelry person so she heads to the statuettes to examine them.
The group take their time looking at the display cases, which are marked as being part of the Grand Museum of Qabarat’s collection. Shari notices that the cases have been elaborately set up to appeal to the eye, and together with their placement close to the entrance, these two cases have been set up mostly to draw visitors in.
The lashunta and the half-elf keep on working on their displays...
Hi to meet you. My name is Wheloss, and I'm a a postdoctoral student at the Qabarat University of Xenoarchaeology and Xenoanthropology. The lashunta introduces himself.
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.
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Well met the half-elf of somewhat advanced age says to Seldszar my name is Jeletal, and I'm a disciple of Talavet. You are with the Starfinder group?
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.
You see, each of these objects has a story. If, say, an outside organisation without connection to the original culture were to take these without context, the story told would be meaningless. Jeletal explains with an obvious passive-aggressive stab at the Starfinder group.
Each object in this display was donated by members and clergy of my temple, and holds strong connections to the vast. These items embody the story and history of the donor, and each has a deeply emotional connection to their past. Over here, you see items associated with happy memories, Jeletal explains, connecting with the cheerful past of the objects, then continuing with a frown on the other side, items that brought their owners pain. The story of each item is as much a part of its history as its intended original use.
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"This is fascinating Wheloss, these artifacts are clearly very significant - though I do admit my knowledge of Oatia is limited"
Perception
"Jeletal that sort of philosophy is somewhat beyond my normal remit...such things are normally left to the females of my species - better equipped for such things" he side-eyes to Shari.
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Darakwinn frowns as Jeletal identifies herself as a disciple of another deity. She's open minded about religion, as you must be, but that doesn't mean that she isn't irritated when she meets someone who is a dedicated devotee of someone other than Angradd.
"People tell stories. Objects are just objects," she says.
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Shari gives Seldszar a look that seems to say, "of course I'll save you from this delicate situation, kid," even if he put a completely different meaning in his phrase.
Your arguments are very reasonable, but I would also like to remind you that it has not been 400 years since history began to be written anew. Many stories of the past have ceased to exist in the sense of written or oral transmission of tradition. Items, even if seized without someone's explanation, are now more valuable than ever. Sometimes by studying them without suggestions about their meaning, we can learn more about the real history of the past than when we are subject to the illusions of storytellers who are trying to come up with something that has been forgotten because of the Gap.
Parrying Jeletal's words, at the same time she smiles so charmingly, looks at him with such interest (of course feigned) and looks so stunning (especially for a half-elf, a representative of a similar species) that it is far from a fact that he understands every word she says at all.
Seldszar notices that in addition to sharing knowledge of the past, Whaloss' display is intended to increase the prestige of the university’s archaeological findings and aid Whaloss in securing funding for future fieldwork.
Jeletal nods at Shari with approval Yes, you are right, not all story are told in the right way, and some things may be lost in transaltion. You have a keen mind that you are sensitive to this. I may have judged you too early.
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Shari looks approvingly at Trober. You are very smart and careful, you will go far. This is not the answer to his question, but it seems that she did not set herself the goal of answering it.
Shari evaluates the exhibition. I think we should choose a visually prominent location, but not on the traffic itself.
Then she turns to a half-elf she already knows. Jeletal, dear, how would you arrange the exhibits? You have a lot of experience in this as I see.
Jeletal nods at Shari with a degree of respect and responds The story of each items is best brought forward if you arrange these items by use and purpose. Minqalli seems to have a different opinion Nonono, she whispers that's boring. It makes more sense to order everything by the material it is made of, much more interesting that way.
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"Yes Mistress Shari, I'll take care of it right away."
He timidly approaches Wheloss. "Mr. Wheloss could you perhaps assist us in the placement of the display?"
After speaking to Wheloss, he quickly begins to assist Shari in arranging the belongings to be aesthetically pleasing.
When Shari mentions torture he visibly flinches.
The group, under the management leadership of Shari, creates an aesthetically pleasing display in a tactically placed location.
When the display is finished, Ehu comes in to check on the Starfinder. Ah, I see you're finished. Can you tell me about why you have chosen this particular way of displaying items? He says, without seeming to imply any kind of judgement It's very interesting, right? Look at how this particular item catches the light... marvellous
Well, you've worked very hard, and you deserve an evening off. I have booked accommodation in Qabarat, and on Radaszam's recommendation, I have have found something that meets his standard.
The accommodation is indeed high-class luxury, and allows the group ample time to relax, indulge and explore Qabarat.
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The next evening is gala evening. The grand opening of the exhibition draws many guests in elaborate outfits, and it's already possible to catch a glimpse of Jeletal, in elaborate priestly robe, some soldier in dress uniform, academics dressed up (and looking somewhat uncomfortable, it seems) in fine robes.
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.
“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.”