Take a tour of Near Space on the trail of Envar Tamm, star of the extreme travel v-log series “Envar’s Expeditions.” Ordered to “save” Envar and bring him home to his mother, the Starfinders track Envar’s digital data tags to exciting, over-the-top travel destinations to find and assist the thrill-seeking influencer. Survive a colossi-safari on Daimalko, outrace a storm on Gaskar III, mingle with the local brenneri on picturesque Varturan, and more! This is one “vacation” you’ll never forget!
|
Stella's last foray for the Starfinders had been on Akiton where that Planar Seed had landed and, as a consequence, her lashunta antenna had started to spout leaves.
Now out of hospital after several weeks of gene therapy, she was back to normal, except that she kept thinking the base of her antennae were itching as if more leaves were sprouting. The doctors had kept telling her that was 'all in her head' (Ha ha .... very funny Doc) and to try not to scratch too much.
Now she is piloting a Pegasus around the Pact Words in order to keep her pilot hours up as well as taking measurements of the local Drift to study the aftermath of the Drift Crisis.
She is a lashuntan female and Star Shaman Mystic with a dip into Solarion for the armour option. Her mote looks like a red dwarf star.
She's also wearing a replica of a gold minidress from the classic version of her favourite Star Trekking vid show.
|
Hi, guys! therealthom here. Good to see you all again.
Kludde, I've not played this scenario. Am willing to change tables if necessary.
mystic, operative, pregog. Hmmm.
Are we going high or low tier?
I've got a 5th level technomancer, a 3rd level operative, and a third level soldier that could play.
Well, it's been a really pleasant mission so far. After all the action and traumatic experiences of the past months, we find a group of Starfinders aboard the Preference, a brand new Azata vessel that somehow never gets picked for missions. The mission itself is also really benign, just cuise around Liavara looking for space whale pups. Such an easy life.
Of course. the Starfinder never, ever do anything nice and easy, so it's only a matter of time before a 'From:@dealmaker' shows up.
A ping sounds from the ship’s comm unit and its screen blinks on, displaying Radaszam ('the Dealmaker') sitting at a desk. “Hello, Starfinders,” the vesk says.
“According to our data, your ship is currently in Near Space, so you’re well-placed to take on the request I’ve just received. Some of you may recall we’ve worked with Ilia Tamm, CEO of the Arch Energy Consortium, in the past. Her son Envar hasn’t been responding to her communications, and she wants him found. A team previously managed to track him to an unexplored planet, but he was gone by the time they arrived. Now, Ilia’s got new information: a set of data tags tied to some v-log show of his, marking where he’s been.” Radaszam shifts in his chair. “Tracking down an errant influencer might not be the most earth-shaking of missions, which is why we've selected you. We’d like to keep on Ilia’s good side—and she’s paying well. I’m forwarding you the data tag coordinates. Investigate them in whatever order you like; they aren’t time- stamped, so we don’t know when Envar’s been where. Find him and bring him back for a family reunion if possible, or at least verify his safety.
Ilia wants those tags collected too, to track what he’s been up to. Should be straightforward, though I understand his travel destinations can be... eclectic. Good luck. Radaszam out.”
---
|
"I was told this was just going to be a sightseeing mission. I'm not trained for a real field mission. I normally work in the accounting department at the Lorespire Complex. I specialize in actuarial cases and I help Starfiders with their taxes!"
Trober's anxiety is palatable. He's a very jumpy looking dromada; a species not normally seen in the Pact Worlds.
|
|
Stella looks over from the pilot station where she is flying the Azata.
Do you? Cool. I've got a friend I help out who always seems to have trouble with her taxes. I can do all the maths okay but, it's interpreting all the tax laws that's the problem. I get it mostly right but, I'm sure there are deductions and other loopholes somewhere I've missed.
Stella is a lashuntan female and Star Shaman Mystic with a dip into Solarion for the armour option. Her mote looks like a red dwarf star. She's also wearing a replica of a gold minidress from the classic version of her favourite Star Trekking vid show.
Envar Tamm ... yeah that was a while ago. I was on a mission to Brilliance Station when we met him. Had to pose as a gladiatorial team. Stella, Warrior Princess I was. Still got the costume. I guess we're gonna find out what's on his travel vlog before he publishes it.
She thinks for a bit.
Would you mind taking the controls for a bit Trober? I'm gonna run a statistical analysis of his vlog entries - see if I can figure out where he's going using mathematics and the latest modal of the Drift.
Stella has been following Envar's vlog, so she crosses to the science station, loads in all the dates and destinations he has been to into the ship's computer then starts running algorithms over them to figure out his most probable destination i.e. his latest stop.
((Just for S&G))
Finally she selects one ((which will be the first destination))
Let's go there
Both Stella and Trober have heard quite a lot about Envar Tamm. He's a famous social media influencer, with his own travel blog. Not just any travel blog, mind you, but and 'extreme travel v-log'. The show is popular as much for his boisterous, irreverent antics as for the destinations showcased.
Envar himself has been out of contact with his mother for over a year, and she previously engaged a team of Starfinders to find him. While they tracked Envar to the planet of Tio Major and resolved the problems he carelessly caused with the locals, he was gone by the time they arrived.
Trober also knows that the first encounter between the Society and Envar Tamm was in a completely different context: years ago, Starfinder agents used Envar to infiltrate the Arch Energy Consortium’s headquarters to obtain confidential data. The Starfinders have kept this hushed up, although Ilia suspects (but couldn’t prove) they were the culprits. Since then, she’s seemed willing to let bygones be bygones, particularly given their proffered assistance in finding Envar.
Stella's algorithm tells her the Tamm scion is most likely to be located on the planet of Daimalko. The data tag's coordinates lead to the rocky world, which looks like a mossy pebble from outer space.
A quick scan reveals that the data tag is location in the vicinity of the only building of note in the area. The building is some kind of compound, with a landing pad next to it. The Preference touches down gently in the mild weather.
A blocky complex juts from the earth, encircled by a military- grade fence. Outside it, the withered landscape bears the scars of a great battle—blasted tree stumps, debris, and churned earth. Several trucks are parked on the grounds, emblazoned with insignia of a doshko striking against an enormous claw. A chattering group of eager tourists dressed in safari gear heads for one of the trucks, led by a grizzled vesk. A holographic display posted outside the main building’s entrance shows ticket prices for guided safari tours: Spot the Colossus! With Wertnabe!.
Already outside of the compound, greeters tout tours of the nearby wasteland, including a twice-daily safari. Inside the building, there's visitor's center with schedules, brochures of the tours on offer, and a gallery of impressive-looking pictures of tourists posing with the downright massive colossus creatures that roam the land. Not your regular petting zoo!
Get your tickets here! Isn't this your lucky day! The next tour is led by Wertnabe himself! the cheerful, outdoorsy-looking worlanisi behind the counter exclaims, pointing to a picture of a male Vesk, labelled 'First Hunter Wertnabe', Guaranteed sighting of a colossus on every trip! Get your tickets here!
|
A small, hairless, grey-skinned humanoid with over-sized black eyes, clad in a form-fitting jumpsuit, nods.
Keeping track of one's randomly-generated biological experiments is a good idea; I wonder whether she has considered tagging him with a locator chip?
Loki then turns to the others, and bows.
I am Loki, and when I am not being sent on dangerous missions by the Society, I work as a Lawyer on Absalom Station. If our target has run into any legal trouble, I will do my best to obfuscate matters long enough to repatriate him to a friendlier jurisdiction.
|
|
Burn is a stocky man made thicker by the heavy armor he wears. Arc pistol sidearm, light reaction cannon, and a longsword are the most prominent of the weapons strapped around his body. Under the helmet Burn has broad features and dark hair.
"I'm Burn Kenyon. Looking forward to working with you." He greets everyone with an offered hand shake.
During down-time on the trip out, Burn wants to talk about gear, and spends a lot of time breaking down and cleaning his. Otherwise he's mildly friendly, of few words, and a quiet listener.
On Daimalko, Burn looks over the safari operation. "We think Envar's out here? Looks like this milk run just got interesting. We should all stick together."
|
|
Well, 70 percent probability according to latest computer modelling on the Drift, but that's assuming he's travelling a least distance path that is. But this is Envar we're talking about. He could have decided to visit a nebula or a pulsar or some other phenomena on the way.
I'll just go in and get the tickets.
Group package? the worlanisi asks. The four of your would be 100 credits. You get a flyer and a free Colossus keychain. Special tour with Wertnabe, don't miss it!
There's a lot of photos of Safari visitors on the back wall, with one selfie of a certain cheerful-looking celebrity lashunta with gruff hunter Wertnabe.
Ah, I'm sorry, I'm not allowed to provide you with past guest lists. Data protection laws, you know.
Oh, our tours are always a little different, it all depends on where the Colossi are at the moment. We'll be touring the same area though.
Oh, we ensure guaranteed sightings! the Worlanisi says to Trober, and you'll be traveling with Wertnabe himself, our most experienced hunter! Nothing can go wrong. Behind the Worlanisi is a very comforting sign that says '29 days since last deadly accident' and a sticker that reads 'keep up the good work'.
Luce pays for the tickets, and the group is rounded up together with some other tourists as Wertnabe, recognizable from his outfit and gruff demeanour enters the scene Welcome everybody, and welcome to this... he start to speak, when he is interrupted by a comm unit blaring elcome to.., and a mousy-looking human self-consciously lowering the volume.
Ahem Wertnabe says, resuming his speech apparantly used to this kind of distraction Ah, look at you, hey. Ready for a bit of adventure? We'll be driving off into the wilderness, and I've been tipped off we got some mighty creature sighting ready for us. We all want a piece of that spectacle, huh? Wertnabe adjusts his hat to make him look even more experienced as a wildlife guide.
I'm really sorry... the human confides in the group, then turns away to his comm unit screen, typing some comments (username @Reldrian) on what looks tobe an Envar's Expeditions episode.
Wertnabe is still explaining: Now, before we start, a few safety precuations. Our vehicle is safe, you won't need to have any fear is any of the colossi approach you. Now should one approach us... and this is very important... DON'T LOOK EM IN THE EYE. That makes em mad, and you don't want em mad. Also, keep you hands indoors, you don't want any of them of them to be chomped or, or I'm gonna have to call you stompy. Water's in the vehicle, and if the weak-bladdered of you please want to make sure full emptying before we leave, we can all hop on board!
|
|
Burn grins when Stella presents his ticket. "Thanks, Stella. I hope you're putting those on expenses."
The other shoe drops. "Oh, that Envar Tamm! I've seen a couple of his 'casts. Beautiful scenery, and they make you feel good about yourself."
That's all he says before making a circuit of the vehicle, eyeing it for safety defects while the weak-bladdered void themselves.
Yeaeah... Reldrian says with a soft-spoken, slightly shy voice I really like it when he replies to my comments. I caught rumours that he is filming here. His voice, already soft, goes down to a whisper I think he is out in the wild here somewhere, so I'm hoping to go meet him.
@WarriorPrincess? You're a fellow Envie? I think we need to get away from this group, do you want to come along?
|
|
Well, I'm not sure I'd call myself an Envie as such. Stella admits. But I will concede he does go to some really interesting places.
She sends a telepathic message to her team. Maybe I'd better keep this guy distracted while you get the datatag.
But where to? You said that it was only a rumour. she replies softly.
From the shaking and jostling safari vehicle, it's possible to get a slight bearing on the data tag. Though the vehicle inches closer, it's not really truly going across it's location.
There's a stop at a Waystation where Wertnabe gives a brief overview of the local plants, and then just stops for a brief break.
The quiet Reldrian can be seen sneaking off.
To meet Envar... Reldrian responds meekly, and returns to the group.
I have a tracker on his data tag! Don't you?
Shall we go meet him then? Reldrian says, looking a bit relieved that Luce isn't mad.
|
|
Alright ... but stick close .. no no .. not that close she grins. Seriously though, we dunno he's still here. We know he's been here but that was a few weeks ago. And we better make this quick before we're missed. Fortunately it's not far. I suspect Envar did his filming while he was on this same tour and slipped out to get a closeup.
The group slinks off and follows the signal of the data tag into an open plain. The area is quiet, not even the sound of birds can be hear. Suddenly, though the silence is disrupted by a thunderous sound. The ground quakes as a crevasse splits open across the plain.
A massive serpentine creature, competing in size with that of a starship, bursts from the crack in the earth, undulating wildly. Amid its coils, the faint glow of a hologram is visible on the ground.
Oh wow. So that's a colossus?
The colossus doesn't even seem to register the Starfinders, let alone have any intent of looking them in the eye, but it is restless and thrashing about. Retrieving that data tag from under it, is no doubt going to be quite hazardous.
---
Luce
Loki
Trober
Burn
---
Colossus
---
Yep, that's a colossus. Loki and Luce are quick to realize its eyes are 'up there', and even if you would make eye contact, its probably too myopic to even be able to see you. It does have a very dangerous-looking tail that it is trashing around, and subsists on a diet on Daimalkan chillis, which can cause severe heartburn and flammable burps.
Loki is running right up to it, while Luce... isn't.
---
Luce
Loki
Trober
Burnham
---
Colossus
---
The colossus trashes around, shaking the ground, and sweep its tail in the direction of Loki, fortunately sweeping over him.
The quaking tremors are enough to throw people on the ground - except for Trober, who is already lying down.
---
Luce
Loki
Trober
Burnham
---
Colossus
---