"I'm sure Miiyu will find something for you to do once we get to End's Point, but while we're traveling, you may as well enjoy yourselves."
|
Okay, guys. Time to light up. One evening, Yarameh will give a small heavy metal concert on the deck of the ship (thanks to her musical drone, which can replace all her other musicians; it turns out that part of her equipment is configured to work as a color music, which also allows her to arrange a good show).
Yarameh deliberately selects songs about freedom and equality, of which there are many in the repertoire of the rebel who ran away from the Apostae (anf she does not perform songs about demon worship this time...).
Yarameh's music is very different from Miiyu's, but the half-drow does catch some of the passengers tapping their feet (or feet-analogues) as she plays.
Eventually, the captain announces your approach to End's Point.
Harsh waves batter the barge back and forth as a low thrum vibrates through the hull. The captain barks a quick order to the crew as the skies darken with clouds. A spear of lightning forks the sky. Miiyu hurries over, exclaiming, “Seems the weather’s taken a turn for the worse! It’s only two more hours to End’s…” Her words are broken off as another crack of lightning strikes, this time colliding with the prow! Other guests tumble onto the deck as the barge heaves.
As a dangerous storm overtakes the barge, the crew quickly ushers passengers below deck. As they do, lightning strikes one of the barge’s large masts, bringing part of the metal pillar crashing down. It tumbles across the deck before jamming in place, knocking four crewmembers aside and pinning another against the deck’s port side.
While Miiyu and her entourage are ushered below decks, Renvir rushes over to help the injured crewmembers.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Chk'tarlsh grabs on to the mast and starts lifting. It is far heavier than he expected, but Twitch gets into the rigging mad jury-rigs it to make it easier to hoist.
Meanwhile, Kultainen organizes the passengers into a semblance of an orderly queue and makes sure no one gets trampled while moving below decks.
|
|
Diplomacy is not what is needed in a critical situation, Yarameh thinks. No, in a moment of danger, discipline and submission are needed. Far from the fact that she applies these rules to herself, but that's another question... Well, let's not crowd! You, don't cut the line! Come in one at a time or I swear I'll throw you overboard without any storm!
Yarameh's barking orders doesn't go over as well with passengers who are unaccustomed to being given orders, but they all make it to safety.
Unfortunately, the Starfinders are not so lucky, as another fork of lightning strikes the deck at Twitch's location. The ysoki takes electricity damage (Reflex DC 18 half).
After the emergency is over, Renvir approaches your group, thanking you for the compassion you showed. He explains that he trained as a surgeon and, since joining the Liberators, has come to specialize in emergency field medicine. He studied on Akiton as part of the university’s exchange policy with the Veskarium, and is willing to discuss his background with you in private.
“My dads wanted me to be a surgeon. They paid for me to attend university on Akiton, I completed a medical degree there and graduated with honors. I’m was one of the youngest in my year group, if you can believe that! It’s like, I know I try to sound like I’ve seen a lot and been to many places, but I’m actually only seventeen.
“I joined the resistance while I was training. You see, during my studies we arranged a student exchange with the Veskarium. I stayed on Vesk-6 for half a year, and I saw one of the, um, pacifications. The Veskarium leveled an entire city block, all to find and take out one group of dissidents. Hundreds of people, killed, just like that. I couldn’t just sit back and do nothing, you know? I did what I could to help the injured, but for most of them it was just too late. It was a hundred times worse than anything I’d been taught in my studies… and all the more terrible because, as far as the Veskarium was concerned, it was justified.
“Do I trust the others in our group? Absolutely! I guess you must’ve gotten off to a rough start with Vokuvi, but he’s got his heart in the right place. He’s seen a lot, I think. I don’t know much about the ixtli, they’re new. I don’t think I’d be where I am today without Eshga. She’s always… she’s… well, she’s kind and I… I mean, um… Never mind…”
|
"Don't worry Twitch. It's only a bit of singed fur." smiles Kultanien
"Makes you look rugged and dangerous."
"Don't you worry about the people the liberation front hurt?" asks Kultanien of the surgeon in a quiet moment.
"I mean... it takes two to dance... unless it is one of those complex kasatha numbers..."
The barge pulls into the port of a rather rundown town. Old signs hang from diners and drinking establishments, and the streets feel dusty; it’s clear that the glory days of End’s Point are long gone. Miiyu stretches as she disembarks. “Well, this is the last familiar stop before we step into the great unknown. Time to meet and greet some fans.”
As the rest of Miiyu’s entourage disembarks, Miiyu motions for the Starfinders to join her in a discreet location and explains, “While I’m doing the tour promo, I’d like you to recover the coordinates of the bunker. Our contact owns one of the stores in town, so just meet up with her while everyone else is gathering supplies for the trip. Don’t worry, Alfey will go with you; they’ll keep everything on track.”
The town is quiet, with few people out and about and many stores shut for lunch. Vokuvi stays with Miiyu to act as bodyguard, Eshga hurries off to gather supplies for the trip into the Holy Lands, and Renvir makes an awkward excuse to go with Eshga. You are left with Alfey, who smiles warmly. “We’re off to meet the contact. Miiyu’s talked about her; she’s a store owner named Velduar. I’ve got a photo of her on my…” Alfey reaches for their datapad, then stops and chuckles. “Oh, right. Technology doesn’t work this far out. I guess we’re going to have to ask around.”
Athletics to gain the trust of show owners by moving heavy stock.
Bluff to convince people that you are couriers with an important delivery.
Culture to find and focus on Pahtra-owned shops.
Diplomacy to politely and discreetly look for sympathizers.
Disguise to blend in with the locals.
Intimidate to find out about suspected insurrectionists.
Mysticism to perform basic divinations.
Perception to note the shops with the most comings and goings.
Sense Motive to gauge the sympathies of shop owners.
|
Chk'tarlsh locates Korvir's quarters and, sitting on the floor opposite the door, settles in to wait for the surly pahtra.
While waiting, he tends to his gear, headphones on. Listening to the audio book narration of How to Make Friends and Influence Beings, he is working through Part 3: How to Win People to Your Way of Thinking.
Pausing in his maintenance of his equipment, Chk'tarlsh jots down some notes into his comms: Principle 8: Try honestly to see things from the other person’s point of view.
"I don’t blame you for feelinkh how you do. If I were you I'd feel jusst the ssame way. Trusst hash to be earned. I hope that our actionsh start to build that."
"I saw your work back at Square 3, bodyguardinkh for Miiyu. Everythinkh covered. Textbook. No one knowsh just how hard that ish unlessh they've done it. Puttinkh your life on the line for another'sh safety. Even when their own actionsh make your job harder. More dangeroush."
"Here, let me help you with that," he says, heping the shop owners move some stock.
|
|
Kultanien joins the others in helping out around the town.
While not built for combat, her android frame is more than capable of helping move heavy stock around a shop. As a bonus she gets a chance to talk with the storekeeper about the last trip that Miyu had into town..
"It was so lucky that we managed to get a lift on that boat. Us couriers have to take what transport we can, and up here... well.. high tech doesn't work so well. Some of the stories I could tell..."
"Speaking of which. I am looking for a particular Pahtra. I think they own a shop - any idea who that might be?"
The next shop on she spots a Pahtra and chats with them for a bit. "Gosh, this place is nice and quiet. Must help having so few vesk around..."
When Twitch starts to perform a divination, Jopsie watches with interest, helping to arrange the incense in alignments with the local ley lines.
Vokuvi looks up at Chk'tarlsh. "What's that? My implants have been shorting out since we got near End's Point, so I can barely hear anything."
After the shirren repeats himself, either louder or through telepathy, Vokuvi grumbles, "Your Society has been working with the vesk. One trip with Miiyu won't erase that. As long as you're with us, I'll keep you safe, though." He leave the double meaning lingering in the air.
|
|
Chk'tarlsh nods in reply. That is understandable, he sends telepathically, mindful of Vokuvi's difficulty with his implants. Politics can be delicate. I'm confident you'll have a clearer picture of our intentions following this mission.
Politics has more layers than an onion, he continues, a hint of wry humour to the sending. And often just as likely to bring tears to my eyes!
Kultainen schmoozes with the shopkeepers, finding a number of Pahtra-owned businesses that are sympathetic to the cause. Twitch helps by figuring out in advance how some of the visits are likely to go. The Starfinders are able to locate Velduar and recover the coordinates.
On the way to the rendezvous, Alfey speaks with you.
“My people, the ixtli, only recently came into the galactic space; thanks in no small part to your Society. I’m a priest of the Dark Hunter, you see. Our kind are a prey species, other creatures eat us, so our ancestors took to worshipping the act of outrunning and outthinking death itself. Oh, the dark hunter isn’t a god we worship; we revere the act of striving to best it. That’s rather what I saw with the pahtra, and it’s why I came here.
“While on a pilgrimage, I had a vision of the dark hunter. In the vision it took the form of a large reptile, clad in armor, biting down on a cat. But the cat didn’t go quietly; it scratched and clawed with all its might. So, when my people learned of the wider galaxy and I heard of the Veskarium and the pahtra, I knew what I was meant to do. I know I’m not typical for my people. Most wouldn’t want to get involved in such a thing. But I have faith in my purpose.
“You ask about my allies? Yes, I have faith in them as well. Miiyu is a strong leader and very wise. Vokuvi thinks the others are like children, needing strong guidance. He’s rather short-sighted. Renvir and Eshga, well, I doubt even the Veskarium itself could pull those two apart! You’ll excuse me for waxing poetic, but I sense love in the air between those two. Eshga seems to have much love for her family, as she’s often making personal calls to them on her private comm-link. Hm? Oh, yes, she has a private comm-link; I believe it has one of those tech patches, like your gear. Ah, did you think I wouldn’t notice your tech patches? Yes, little gets past my eyes…”
With the coordinates to the military bunker in hand, the Starfinders and the Liberators leave End’s Point behind and begin their overland journey to the Holy Lands. The journey takes weeks because the group must travel on foot: vehicles are volatile on Vesk-6, and Miiyu and her team have little interest in dealing with the unreliability of such “conveniences.” The weather is hot and humid under the shade of the towering jungle trees, and rain is frequent. Flora and fauna are plentiful, and birdsong punctuates most of the journey, as does Miiyu’s persistent singing. Every few days, the group reaches a town and stops as Miiyu visits with fans, performs, and promotes her upcoming album and tour.
|
|
]Well away from the party they are travelling with Kultanien asks the others. "What do you think about Eshga? Have you noticed her using her coms unit at all? She has certainly got a hold on Renvir as well..."
She shakes her head. "Or if Alfey is the traitor... fallen into the actual worship of the Dark Hunter rather than striving to best it... Maybe they are just laying a false lead.."
I hate not trusting people
|
|
I am impressed by your culture and this cult of avoiding the Dark Hunter. I understand what visions are and... respect that. Let me tell you how I grew up on the legends of Nocticula's rise from Demon Lord to Goddess and how it impressed me and made me seek freedom from drow society...
Can any of you remotely hack Eshga's comm-link?
Yarameh and Alfey have an interesting discussion about religion and redemption. They are willing to share more about their spiritual journey and how it led to joining the Liberators. Although the ixtli's statements don't tell you any more about who might be a traitor, you do note that they are extremely good at navigation.
Twich is not really the talky type, and gets little information about the interference in the area that he doesn't already know.
Miiyu checks the coordinates once more and grins. “Good news, Starfinders. We should reach the Shriek within two days. We’ll stop near the edge long enough for you to grab your readings, then circle around for another few days until we reach the bunker. Let’s all rest up for the evening.”
As the sky grows dark, Vokuvi, who sits prodding at a portable campfire, grumbles as his cybernetic arm shudders. He growls in frustration, remarking “It’s mostly magnetic, but the bits of tech in it still get messed up outside of big cities.” He gives the arm a few percussive whacks. The noise rouses Eshga, who hurries over with a small toolbox and offers to help him out. Vokuvi grunts approvingly and offers his arm to her, and she mumbles timid apologies as she works.
Alfey finishes setting up a few sleeping bags and pauses to watch fireflies dance playfully between the trees. “So beautiful,” the ixtli comments. They look over to Renvir and ask, “They’re not dangerous, are they?” At that moment, several branches part ways as a fiery ball of light crackles its way into the clearing. It lashes at the fireflies with thin tendrils, pulling each one into a serrated maw in its core.
Vokuvi sighs and picks up his gun. “No, but that bugger is. More coming in from behind!”
Round 1 - bolded may go
Yarameh
Twich
Blue
Red
Chk'tarlsh
Kultainen
|
|
A concert in nature. What could be better. The musical drone flies up, starting to glow and very loudly give out heavy black metal. Yarameh adjusts the microphone near her face and with her legs wide apart, emits a scream perfectly suited to a guitar solo. A sound wave that can literally be seen with the eyes as distorted air emanates from the speaker on her right shoulder. Moreover, a flash of light envelops her at this moment. Real madness and a real rock concert right during the fight. You understand that you would not like to be in the epicenter of a sound explosion there right now - even standing out of reach, it is very overwhelming and overloads your sensors...
There is an Pulonis-shattering kaboom as the creatures are blasted with light and sound. The creature in red manages to avoid the worst of the blast, but is rubbing its eyes (or eye-analogues). It doesn't seem frightened, though.
Twich makes up for the damage Red didn't get from Yarameh with some magic.
The blue-tinted foe approaches the Starfinders and tries to give Twich a headache.
The reddish foe moves to the north and adds some pyrotechnics to Yarameh's show.
Trying to maneuver its tendril around Chk'tarlsh, it manages only to hit a tree.
Miiyu and her cohorts engage another pair of creatures coming from the north.
Round 1-2 - bolded may go
Yarameh
Twich (-16/33 SP, Will save)
Blue (-22 HP)
Red (-22 HP)
Chk'tarlsh
Kultainen
Kultainen patches up Twich and encourages the party to attack the reddish creature.
Chk'tarlsh cuts deeply into the creature that appeared close to him.
This time, both enemies get an earful from Yarameh. This time, Red seems a bit frightened.
Twich puts some magic missiles into Red.
Red continues heading towards Yarameh carfully.
plus Grab
It is nowhere near its mark.
Blue goes after the shirren.
plus Grab
Chk'tarlsh is struck, but manages to avoid being wrapped up.
Round 2-3 - bolded may go
Yarameh
Twich (-10 SP)
Blue (-39 HP)
Red (-77 HP)
Chk'tarlsh (-11 SP)
Kultainen
|
|
Landing his strike on red, Chk'tarlsh spins back to a defensive pose. Anticipating a counter-attack from his quarry, he is a moment too slow in reacting when the creatures both change targets, and blue lashes out at him instead.
Turning to take the lash across his armour, he feels little of the impact.
"On it!" he calls in reply to Kultanien's directions.
Pressing his advantage against a now distracted red, the shirren slashes out with a rapid low-high combo.
Kultainen encourages the team to take out the reddish creature, and then demonstrates with a solid hit.
Chk'tarlsh then hacks at it with his sword, and it falls to the ground.
Yarameh quickly switches targets and lands a bolt of plasma on the bluish foe.
Twich puts a bunch of missiles into it.
The remaining enemy goes after Chk'tarlsh.
plus Grab
plus Grab
The shirren has no trouble staying clear of its clumsy attacks.
Round 3-4 - bolded may go
Yarameh
Twich (-10 SP)
Blue (-68 HP)
Red
Chk'tarlsh (-6 SP)
Kultainen
Kultainen checks on Miiyu and her allies, who are nearly finished with their battle. The distraction keeps her from striking the creature nearby.
Chk'tarlsh brings his blade down on the enemy, though it nimbly avoids the shirren's follow-up.
Round 4 - bolded may go
Yarameh
Twich (-10 SP)
Blue (-88 HP)
Red
Chk'tarlsh (-6 SP)
Kultainen
Yarameh takes down the remaining creature.
After the combat is over, the Starfinders find Vokuvi laying on the ground, his cybernetic leg having completely given out. Sparks shoot from a joint in the limb, and no one from Miiyu’s group are around. He grudgingly explains that they’re off dealing with the creatures. “One of the lights knocked the servo and—look, just get lost. None of us want you imperialist lapdogs getting in our way.”