Beyond the door, panels of electronics wrap around this thirty-foot-wide circular room. The steady hum of energized computers gently drones, while lights rhythmically flash on and off. Monitor screens display live images of various rooms throughout the outpost. Most of the displays largely show empty rooms in various states of disorder. Two of the screens, however, display more interesting subjects. There are a number of terminals in the room. Their controls are an older form of hybrid technology and magical defenses; the hybridization was intended to allow easier access to the chamber for colonists that were proficient in one or the other.
Doors exit to the west and north.
Vega sits down at the console.
Wow, Those little things are pretty.
She attempts to find a map of the complex.
Vega is able to bring a map up onto one of the screens.
Accessing the controls, she learns that the terminals in this chamber have the command authorization to program the magically summoned security forces within portions of the outpost. She concludes that she can return at least some of the summoned forces to their home plane if she spends additional time.
Gold-Flecked Black heads through the door that the party didn't enter by.
Find the door unlocked, Gold-Flecked Black opens the door. A bright, glowing orb appears holographically directly overhead and to the north of the Starfinder. The corridor beyond the threshold is marked with tiny lights spaced out and arranged in a variety of patterns. Doors stand at either end of the corridor as well as one on each side.
Corridor now revealed on Map.
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"As any of you might have guessed, the glowing orb resembles the star, Cynosure, Desna's sidereal home. Such representations commonly appear aboard starships and shrines devoted to the goddess and are designed to move with visiting pilgrims to lead them to a chapel or a dream chamber where the pilgrim can pray, meditate, and worship."
I should pay my respects then Vega replies as she starts the procedures to return that which had been summoned.
Vega identifies the creatures as azrras, a form of minor azata which are celestials native to the plane of Elyisium and generally considered to be benevolent. Azatas of all type are known to champion freedom and goodness, but the azrras are particularly known for their advocacy for personal freedoms, opposition to conformity, and protectivness of individual choice.
The azrras on the screen in the mess hall vanish as Vega returns them to their native plane unharmed.
As Gold-flecked black proceeds down the hallway, the glowing orb proceeds him, but stops when it reaches the entry to the dream chamber.
Opening the doors to the medical center across the way, the Starfinder discovers a rather comfy medical bed standing in the center of the room. A plastic shelving unit that curves around the southern wall of the circular chamber contains an assortment of vials and random tools. The only exit is a door to the southwest.
I have moved Gold-Flecked Black's token on map accordingly.
According to the briefing, the outpost is some 200+ years old.
With no way to help with the lock, Kalhoun follows the group into the dream chamber.
The dream chamber is a room without any internal lights, save for the small lights on the ceiling which mimic a clear night sky. It is barren of most other features, save for some bunk-bed units and remnants of personal items. This also served as the sleeping quarters of the former colonists and was designed to minimize distractions and to offer them and any pilgrims slumber in Desna's embrace.
The sole, unopenned door within this corridor is labeled,"Control Center".
on the map where you wish your PC to be when the door opens.
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*click*
Inside the unlocked cabinet, you find an advanced medkit, two spell gems of remove affliction and a spell gem of lesser restoration.
Kalhon draws his pistol and stations himself near the command center door.
By the position of the tokens on the map, it appears the other PCs have the same idea...
When the door opens into the command center, the lights are dimmed and there is a sound being played over the speakers in a soft tune akin to the fall of a light rain.
"Blessed is the long road, the destination,
the homeward path, and all who make the journey.
Let each dream be a bright star in the night
sky of your mind, and let it light your path in the day.
Do not be troubled if your dream falters, for there
are countless stars in the sky and countless
dreams to experience—pick a new one and change your course."
This immense circular room is mostly bare, except for several computer screens and databanks that line the inner walls. Chairs jut out from some of these computerized desks, two of which are being attended by a pair of small, winged azrras. Behind a third chair stands one of the trollkin natives, though his ear is an odd shape for their kind.
Upon hearing the door open, the trollkin appears immediately startled. He quickly darts for cover behind the chair, then draws a pistol and points it at the newly-opened southeast doorway.
Additional doors, presently closed, exit to the northeast and the southwest.
ENCOUNTER WITH THE EXILE! - Round One Begins!
Vega
Trollkin (purple)
Rover Yi
Kalhoun
Hesori
Azzra (blue)
Gold
Azzra (yellow)
Bryn
Vega knows this one. Her parents sometimes used it as a lullaby. In the hope of soothing the trollkin, she steps to one side and sings the words.
As soon as Vega enters the room, the trollkin instinctively pulls the trigger on his pistol.
The trollkin cries out as his shot scorches the undine. He tries to sound threatening, but he is taken aback for a minute as his ears begin to register the woman's song.
His pinhole eyes of the trollkin grow somewhat wider, if suspicious.
"Who are you? Why are you singing? Where did you learn that song?" The trollkin inquires. He raises his pistol again towards with woman.
ENCOUNTER WITH THE EXILE! - Round One Cont'd!
Vega -2 SP
Trollkin (purple)
Rover Yi
Kalhoun
Hesori
Azzra (blue)
Gold
Azzra (yellow)
Bryn
Single move to get to blue and use tactical baton
Rover Yi strikes the creature effectively.
"Stand down, Yi!" Kalhoun shouts as the soldier moves in. "These are benevolent creatures. There should be no need for violence here."
Kalhoun does not know the song, but he lowers his pistol and tries to help Vega defuse the situation.
"You--you know my name? Benevolent?" The trollkin reels from the attack, even as he tries to make sense of the unexpected words uttered by the intruders.
Hesori will turn and look behind them. As she guards the rear. Others have made attempts to pacify the situation so she pulls her Needler and stands ready to shoot at anythinf threatening coming down the hall.
As the lashunt readies for trouble from the hallway behind, there is a flash within the control room. Having observed their ward under attack, one of the azzras rushed to protect the trollkin. Taking cover behind a chair, they fire a projectile from their celestial bow.
ENCOUNTER WITH THE EXILE! - Round One Cont'd!
Vega -2 SP
Trollkin (purple) - 5 HP
Rover Yi
Kalhoun
Hesori
Azzra (blue)
Gold
Azzra (yellow)
Bryn
"You--you knowmythat name? Benevolent?" The trollkin reels from the attack, even as he tries to make sense of the unexpected words uttered by the intruders.
but that of a villager who set out to find the Exile.
We have no specific quarrel with you; we mostly just wanted to explore the site. Why don't you tell us your side of the story?
"No quarrel?" repeats the trollkin as he contemplates the Starfinder's words.
One of the winged creatures shouts, then points their bow at Rover Yi and releases a projectile.
"We were told that the villagers would send some to take him back! Fight on! Our charge must remain free!"
Even as the Starfinder's furry flesh is pierced, the azzra begins reaching for another arrow.
ENCOUNTER WITH THE EXILE! - Round One Cont'd/Round Two Begins!
Bryn
Vega -2 SP
Trollkin (purple) - 5 HP
Rover Yi -3 SP
Kalhoun
Hesori
Azzra (blue)
Gold
Azzra (yellow)
Bryn
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Bryn waits to see what is going to happen.
Vega implores the trollkin. Still feeling threatened, the trollkin falls back.
Glaring at Rover Yi, he commands the Starfinder, "FLEE!"
NCOUNTER WITH THE EXILE! - Round Two Cont'd!
Vega -2 SP
Trollkin (purple) - 5 HP
Rover Yi -3 SP
Kalhoun
Hesori
Azzra (blue)
Gold
Azzra (yellow)
Bryn
ENCOUNTER WITH THE EXILE! - Round Two Cont'd!
Vega -2 SP
Trollkin (purple) - 5 HP
Rover Yi -3 SP
Kalhoun
Hesori
Azzra (blue)
Gold
Azzra (yellow)
Bryn
" Apologies" she bows and then stays in that position." We come looking for those who came before us. My compatriot was brash and shot first as you have. I offer truce. A temporary peace to discuss our selves. We seek not bloodshed here,just knowledge and enlightenment, My name is Hesori I hope we can strike an accord"
"We are sworn to protect our charge and it was he that drove off your 'compatriot'," one of the azzras shouts in reply, clearly unconvinced. The creature flies toward the center of the room, then releases an arrow through the open door toward Hesori. "He has faced enough oppression from others on this world. He is now free and will remain so!"
The arrow finds its mark!
ENCOUNTER WITH THE EXILE! - Round Two Cont'd!
Vega -2 SP
Trollkin (purple) - 5 HP
Rover Yi -3 SP
Kalhoun
Hesori -1 SP
Azzra (blue)
Gold
Azzra (yellow)
Bryn
As Gold withholds any action, the other azzra moves to support their ally.
Ok ok ok. Will someone PLEASE explain what's going on here? Why were you exiled and what are you trying to do with this facility? Maybe we can help you.
Vega pleads for answers and the exile begins to answer.
"I was exiled due to my beliefs! The elders are short-sighted and too far set in their ways." The trollkin replies. "As for why I here--the elders sought to prevent any of us villagers from coming, but.the goddess told me of this place in a dream. She showed me the death of the Starbeast. I came here to destroy it, to keep the monster from keeping our people from getting the stars. That was my destiny,"
"But, now, the beast is gone and you appear, seeming to trespass on this sacred space," says the trollkin. "And you demand answers from me? I believe I am entitled to answers from you."
ENCOUNTER WITH THE EXILE! - Round Three Cont'd!
Vega -2 SP
Trollkin (purple) - 5 HP
Rover Yi -3 SP
Kalhoun
Hesori -2 SP
Azzra (blue)
Gold
Azzra (yellow)
Bryn
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Celebryn had been about to cast missles at the Red Azzra, but thought better of it as he listened. He cast wardrobe change instead, changing his garb to that of penitent Desnan ...
"Long before the Gap, Desna was good to travelers, and she persists. In this moment, could we not follow her example and be good to each other? We do not wish to harm you, and hope that we can understand you. No one should be denied the stars."
"Long before the Gap, Desna was good to travelers, and she persists. In this moment, could we not follow her example and be good to each other? We do not wish to harm you, and hope that we can understand you. No one should be denied the stars."
Celebryn's words and wardrobe change give the azzra pause. They pull back their bowstring to firing position, but refrain from releasing it for the time being.
Hesori hesistates.
ENCOUNTER WITH THE EXILE! - Round Three Cont'd!
Vega -2 SP
Trollkin (purple) - 5 HP
Rover Yi -3 SP
Kalhoun
Hesori -2 SP
Azzra (red)
Gold
Azzra (yellow)
Bryn