When both digital databases and Guidance fail to identify a traitorous Starfinder from the Society's past, Royo dispatches agents to delve into the Starfinder Society's long-neglected archival records for answers. Research the past, uncover clues, and explore a hidden chamber located within the Lorespire Complex itself!
We find our adventurers in the vestibule of the Lorespire Complex Archives, a compound on the Lorespire campus. The Archives are a document and artifact repository that contain a massive collection of texts and historical artifacts gathered from across the galaxy and studied in communal labs. The heart of the Archives is the Cortex, a computerized matrix containing digital records of the Starfinder Society’s most prominent discoveries.
“Ah, you must be my newest research team. Welcome! For those of you I have yet to meet, let me introduce myself. I’m Royo, and I was once a field agent, like you. Of more relevance, I’m a lifetime scholar and longtime patron of several archives, including this one. I have a very important assignment for you.
“Recent events have undermined trust and confidence in our Society, both within and without. In addition, the fragility of digital records has been amply illustrated. Your task is to use your sleuthing skills and cognitive abilities to uncover everything you can about a former agent named Iroiveth. Although Iroiveth is dead, we’re hoping to discover their connections and trace them to ensure they’re no longer active—or to take appropriate action if any are.”
Royo neatens his papers before sliding them into a well-worn document pouch. “Come with me. I’ll show you the area where you’ll be working. We can continue this conversation on the way. I’m sure you have questions, and I’ve learned it’s best to first address what is uppermost in the mind.”
|
A small orb of flaming plasma floats into the room. Although it looks for all purposes like a tiny star, it is merely warm in its vicinity. It floats to the head of the table, where dark spots in the shape of eyes and a mouth appear
"We are Kapteyn, to whom all will be revealed, and we have been called to provide our aid to you." When this pronouncement is met with blank stares, the sphere continues, "Our pansophistry is not yet complete, so we will hear this briefing with you."
"It was wise for you to select Us for this mission," Kapteyn intones. "None may remain hidden from Us. To avoid any duplicated efforts, tell Us what you already know of this Iroveth."
“Iroiveth helped Datch in her campaign to discredit the Starfinder Society by providing information about the Society and our procedures. Datch indicated Iroiveth represented a larger, more powerful organization. During the extraction of Datch from her private hideout near Verces, Iroiveth attacked with lethal force. Unfortunately, they were killed during that skirmish. When we investigated their body, we found the elf had several unique and high-tech hybrid cybernetic augmentations. More disturbingly, we discovered an old model of our subdermal implant, marking them as a Starfinder agent from about 100 years ago.”
“Recent events have left many with reduced confidence in the Starfinder Society. Suspicions are still running high, even within our own ranks. If we can uncover Iroiveth’s past and any allies they had, we can provide reassurance that any remaining allies are long gone, or track them down if they’re not.
|
A woman with curly blue hair wears a flight jacket that says "Angelic Defense Squad" with a logo. None of you have ever heard of this organization.
"Yes, of course, she seems well worth looking into."
She sees Royo shuffling papers and quietly whispers to Mega, "It's a little unusual in this reality to use physical paper, right?"
Verissa (vaguely) remembers Iroiveth from her previous encounter with Datch:
Iroiveth was a tall, androgynous elf with inky eyes and bluish-purple hair who wore jet-black armor. They were enhanced with hybrid cybernetics more advanced than anything previously found in the Pact Worlds or Veskarium.
Iroiveth represented a powerful organization which Datch was not a member of. When the Starfinders cornered Datch, Iroiveth refused to allow either the Starfinders or Datch to leave alive. Datch was surprised by this.
A subdermal graft was found in Iroiveth’s right hand. The graft was a century-old variant of the modern Starfinder Society graft used to identify Starfinder agents.
Royo starts walking past the bustling Cortex, then past numerous temperature-controlled labs with bright lights and glass walls, most filled with sleek white storage drawers, towering shelves of neatly aligned tomes, or racks of clearly labeled archival boxes. Several rooms are closed and secured behind security locks. While on the go, he explains Guidance did not yield any information, which is most troubling.
“It is evident from their implant that at one time Iroiveth was a Starfinder. Extensive searching of our digital files, however, has found no records of them. We suspect these omissions result from deliberate tampering, but I think it is highly improbable that they would have been able to remove all physical evidence as well. That is where our interests and skills come into play. It’s not only our duty to find answers, but this also provides an excellent opportunity to illustrate the importance of maintaining hard copy archives as a backup to our digital records. Both mediums are integral to the sustainability of the Society.”
Eventually, the groups descend in an elevator and emerge in a neglected portion of the archives, with dim lights, aged décor, and a dusty scent. This vast series of rooms is used to store physical copies of official Starfinder Society documents, from enrollment forms and permits to agent evaluations and mission reports. Due to the convenience and prevalence of digital records, this physical documentation has been maintained and utilized irregularly over the Society’s history. You can tell, because it is in quite the disarray.
“This is the area where you’ll be working,” Royo remarks. “You’re relieving two of our finest Cognates. They’re around here somewhere… ah! There they are.” Royo gestures at a willowy ghoran bent over a filing cabinet.
“Wonderful! Fresh eyes and more hands,” says the ghoran in a melodious tone. “Welcome! I’m Morning Song. Come inside and let us show you what we’ve achieved so far.” Morning Song leads the way into a chaotic mess. Piles of boxes, files, loose papers, and books are stacked everywhere. Some are sorted, but most of the room is a jumble and covered in dust. A small mound of bright reflective tape in assorted colors is heaped near the entrance with ribbons of the tape adhering to various items in the room.
One of the taller stacks trembles as a shiny SRO emerges to join the group, their digits tangled in the colorful tape. “It’s about time. We’ve been sorting paperwork for hours.” The SRO’s metal eyebrows settle into a grouchy frown as they fiddle with the tape.
“Please don’t take offense,” pipes in Morning Song, “Lulo’s been grouchy since the Data Scourge. Not without reason, mind you. It’s taken a toll on most.”
Lulo waves at the accumulation of records around them. “Yes, well, thanks for taking over. Do you have any questions before we leave?”
Morning Song replies, “We’ve been using this tape to mark where we’ve searched and what’s been cleared. It tears easily and is a breeze to work with. I started using different colors to designate different types of records but ended up just grabbing the nearest roll most of the time, so there’s no longer any pattern to it. Anything marked with tape has already been cleared by Lulo or myself.”
So binary, I suppose.
I have marked some passages that I didn't quite understand, maybe someone with more knowledge will find them useful, but other than that we found the texts to be unrelated.
The Starfinder's talents really shine in what would otherwise be a quite stuffy investigation. Verissa and Volitare manage to detect some spell ward intended to obfuscate texts, Dr. A-prof climbs some hard to reach shelves, though his comments on the link between protean diets and orbital fluctuation only set back the investigation. Fortunately, Mega Gelub manages to retrieve more hard-to-reach tomes, and Kapteyn keeps everybody on the ball.
When the investigation is done and findings categorised, the group concludes they've uncovered a slew of information.
One of the hard to reach boxes contains enlistment records from around the correct period for Iroiveth. Careful searching finds two sequential files that reveal Iroiveth and their sister, Evethriel, applied to join the Starfinder Society together. Both were accepted. The attached images show two elves with a striking familial likeness.
A cache of correspondence that contains personal evaluations by various ranking Starfinders includes an evaluation by Venture-Captain Koerah. This report mentions a strong bond developing between a small group of Starfinders who work well together. It further comments that Iroiveth has shown natural leadership within the group.
In a box of records marked “filing” is an unofficial report to Venture-Captain Koerah from someone named Almina. “As requested, I followed Iroiveth and confirmed they frequently meet with the others in Rec Room 247 in the Starfinder Quarters. After I observed them entering, I waited 20 minutes before moving in for a closer look. They were no longer there! I swear they couldn’t have slipped by without me seeing them.”
In a collection of personal effects is a box labeled “VC Koerah,” containing a personal diary with some pages missing. One of the few entries prior to the remnants of pages removed is of interest. “I’m pleased to note that my youngest daughter’s pregnancy is progressing well, and the infant seems healthy. I wonder if they’ll follow in our footsteps and join the Starfinder Society. On a less cheerful note, Iroiveth and Evethriel have again been reported as bullying newer recruits and trying to sway them to conduct unbecoming of a Starfinder.”
Following the obvious gap (the bulk of the journal) are several blank pages and an easy to miss final entry scrawled in the back: “This mission is unexpected. I’m sure that team is behind this somehow, but none of them are going, so it must be to get me out of the way. I’ll have someone keep an eye on them in my absence. Perhaps Almina’s available.”
A misfiled incident report discusses missing supplies and the suspicion that Iroiveth was involved, as they had a duty shift a little before the alleged theft was noted. Adding to the suspicions, several of Iroiveth’s cronies were seen in the area. Unfortunately, insufficient evidence was found to file a formal accusation. It’s unclear if this report was ever seen by those it was intended for.
Found among filed physical copies of mission reports is one where Iroiveth led a team, including Evethriel. The mission was a success, but an appended unofficial complaint states that several of the Starfinders, including the leader, were offensive in their dealings with the locals and condescending to officials.
Among some medical records is a request for an augmentation upgrade submitted by Evethriel but denied. The denial indicates the requested augmentation is considered experimental and is not approved for use yet.
There's a report from Absalom Station Security regarding the murder of a Starfinder. There was strong evidence against a local thief, but the thief was killed in an execution-style hit before they could be apprehended. Gang violence was suspected. Someone else has written “Iroiveth?” at the bottom of the report. Volitare recognises that the murdered Starfinder is the same Starfinder who reported the missing supplies.
There's a “Missing In Action” report for Venture Captain Koerah. Filed with the MIA report is a copy of a “Failure To Report For Duty” form for Starfinder Almina. The latter is updated as “Confirmed Missing” with a description of a female gnome technomancer and the annotation, “Isn’t this the one who suggested foul play in Koerah’s disappearance?”
Refreshments! after several hours of hard work, Lulo and Morning Song return Akivaz, Poshkettle tea, water, hydrogen, what do you want?
"I'm certain there must be something," Morning Song notes with a smile as she hands out the refreshments. "How has the search gone? Anything stand out to you?"
Lulo has a glance at the discoveries of the group. Ah, the arrogance! the SRO exclaims upon seeing the enlistment record, many had thought Iroiveth was a false identity, but they’re still using their registered name!
There's one thing that pops out to me, investigating this Rec Room 247 sounds promising. I think I actually have something on that that may help. Just relax here, enjoy the refreshments you've deserved, and I'll be right back.
After a few moment, Morning Song returns. Holding out a glowing, pulsing purple ball of light, she addresses the team. “This is a prototype I’ve been working on with our archaeological department. Your investigation seems like an ideal opportunity for a field test. Once you’re in the room that Iroiveth disappeared from, decide which area is the most likely to provide clues. Throw this at the area. If it impacts a solid object, like a table or wall, it should activate and highlight any surface irregularities—things like faded carvings, architectural details, and hidden doors. Currently, we’ve been achieving a coverage of about a ten-foot burst, so make sure none of you are in the target area when you throw it. If there’s a secret door or hidden exit in the room, it may help you find it. The glow will only last about five minutes. We’re working on that.” She hands the device over carefully.
|
The last member of the team, who probably received a second briefing from Royo, joins you. This is a representative of the kish race - tall three-eyed humanoids. If you have encountered other kish, then this one is somewhat unique. He does not have the wildness and ignorance of technology that characterizes their wild tribe. Instead, there is something ancient and wise about this creature. As if he has seen miracles with his own eyes that significantly exceed the technological capabilities of modern races. His black light armor-suit is reinforced with embedded bones, but even this does not give the impression of savagery, but rather some kind of technological approach towards necromancy. As a final touch, there is a bone cannon on his shoulder
Greetings to you. I'm Loxx. He's skimming through the documents you found. Then he examines the object that the Morning Star gave.
Rec Room 247... The place where Venture Captain Koerah lost track... That's a good idea. Thanks.
You have no trouble finding Rec Room 247 amid the Starfinder Quarters. It is among a wing that looks fairly outdated and seen little modern use. The furnishings here are limited and minimal as the the Society has slowly regrown over the years. This room is filled with a single long table with eight seats of varying sizes as well as a few more chairs against the wall.
If there is a secret door or connected room to this one, it is likely a going to be along the long wall opposite the entrance. There is limited space for an exit along the other sides.
|
|
Verissa responds to Volitaire. "Yes, it's my organization. We were working with the Starfinders to fend off a demonic invasion in the Pact Worlds, when a device they were using ripped a hole in reality. I ended up falling through in the fight, and now I'm in this reality where the Angelic Defense Squad doesn't even exist! I figured joining the Starfinder Society was my best chance to find home again."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Yes, that definitely seems like the right place for a hidden door!" Verissa agrees loudly.
Loxx patiently waits for the group to get ready, then activates the device. Immediately, it produces a moderate purple glow, illuminating a multitude of scuffs, dings, and dents. It also shows a faint outline the size of a door, before the glow fades again.
There's a worn-down portion of the wall just beside this door.
Volitare inspect the worn-out portion of the wall, and finds it hides a pressure panel that activates a secret door! The door shudders and slides into the wall revealing a darkened room. The utilitarian floors and walls formed from undecorated and patched metal. There are a pair of workstations on the walls to the left and right, all coated with dust and no signs of power.
A panel in the room suddenly springs to life Warning! Authentication required. Biological extermination protocal activated. There's a whooping sound that seems to identify a countdown in only a few moments. Meanwhile a palm scanner and keypad is flashing...
|
As the Collective flits out of the way, a frazzled-looking brennari appears in the hall.
"Dr. A-Prof. This is where you disappeared to? Mr. Royo said that I catch up with you & the team - just in time too, from the sound of those alarms... Lemme see what I can do."
The otter-analog slips into the room & does what she can to deal with the claxon.
"Sorry - this is really old code. Pretty advanced too."