For millennia, a virtually impenetrable energy shield has surrounded the planet known as Birnam’s Bubble. Explorers have glimpsed pristine settlements and verdant flora through the barrier, though they’ve seen no fauna or sapient life of any kind and haven’t discovered any explanation for the abandoned cities, powerful energy shield, or automated satellite defenses. The church of Weydan, god of discovery and exploration, routinely monitors the planet, but surveyors have been unable to penetrate the barrier or investigate the missing civilization.
As in many other parts of the galaxy, the Drift Crisis changed everything for Birnam’s Bubble. Now, the energy barrier cracks like shattering glass, and shards of this solidified energy fall to the planet’s surface, causing significant destruction. In response, the church of Weydan has spared no cost in rapidly deploying survey teams to gather what data and artifacts they can before all knowledge of the planet’s missing civilization is lost.
Our story begins as one such team, aboard the Stylus of Destiny (one of several Weydanite temple-starships now in orbit around Birnam’s Bubble) approaches their designated survey site in a verdant jungle a few miles from an empty settlement. A transmission from Captain Expedite-8
But before we get to that, why don't you introduce yourselves?
[ooc]Or dot in to get started.
A jaded looking woman with a machine gun and lugging around an inordinate amount of ammo is inspecting a flight helmet that looks properly worn, with barely legible letters 'Hope'. She nods to the other team members Hello, together. I'm Essy, callsign Hope.
She takes a chug from a hip flask, with lasered inscription To Hope. Courage.
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A spotted Pahtra enters, He's wearing some flashy hardlight armor, looking kind of chill. "Hello Essy, callsign Hope, that sign have a story to it? I'm Zeema Kai, some just call me Zee Looks like we are fashionably early to the party. Survey site in a verdant jungle sounds like I should be right at home, eaZee work.
It's the callsign I took over from my last gig. The only one remaining of my crew. Brevity, sanity, fortune, courage, resilience, great folks all. Especially courage she says, as she takes another chug of the flak I miss that guy.
Optimism, huh? We can use some of that, Zee. Here's to needing not more than bug spray.
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"Optimism,,, maybe, I just like to stay cool, you know roll with the punches, take things eaZeeeee.
If you listen closely you can hear a static crackle of static energy discharge from Zee's hardlight armor.
"No need to buy bug spray, this hardlight armor doubles as a bug zapper, a bit noiZeee but looks cool, compromisesss."
Zee stretches back in his chair, paws folded behind his head as he stares at the ceiling.
"Sorry about your friends. Hard times. Somethin you need to talk about, or should I just chill and leave that alone?"
A dark haired, dark eyed man glides in on feet as silent as a crow's wings. His skin is incredibly, unnaturally pale, so much so that, in places, you can see the veins beneath. But it is not the pale blue of blood flowing that you can see, rather something black. Most prominently his lips which are all black and a pair of streaks like tear stains running from his eyes down his cheeks.
He quietly nods to the pair as they speak, not interjecting himself into their conversation but rather taking a seat, resting his elbows on the arm of the chair and intertwining his fingers together in front of him.
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After the quiet stranger sits and remains quiet for a whole Zee turns to Hope
"Think we got a quiet one."
Zee keeps lounging back still staring at the ceiling, then starts talking to the stranger.
"Names Zee, It's cool, I get it, lot's on your mind? Feeding on some vibes? Deep thought? Plotting? Never mind us it's all chill. I'm sure there's a story behind those eyes when the time is right."
"You can call me Draven. And yes, 'feeding on some vibes' is probably the best description of what I am," he says with a wry smile.
It is fleeting, however and his face returns to its steady state of flat emotion.
"And you are?" he asks the other person in the room.
Useful. And festive. Hope says of the bug-zapping armor.
Hope Hope says to Daven, then gives him plenty of vibes to feed on It was an ambush. We were deep in the jungle, trying to return to base to get some antibiotics for the persistent cough on resilience. Brevity was going on and on about how he would have some decent stew for the first time in weeks, when fortune stepped on a land mine. Sanity tries to save him, but when the enemy swooped down he lost it, and just curled up in a ball. We were just overwhelmed. Courage took a blast in the back... she says, taking another swig .. and I had no other option but to make a fighting retreat.
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Spes ultima moritur, sed primum propagines
(Hope dies last, but shoots first)
---Azlanti saying
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Zee tilts his head towards Hope while still staring at the ceiling and his mote and says to Hope.
"Respect."
Vee waites a minute before telling some of his story.
"Good chance you've already seen me before, but you wouldn't know it. You think those fancy actors do all their own stunts? For the dangerous ones they call Zeeeee. On one knows who I am, I don't need their fame, easier to chill that way, Behind the scenes I know who's cool or not."
Zee pauses for a while before continuing.
"I got a little singing gig on the side, backroom bars, and tiny dives... Intimate... always in disguise."
"But it hasn't always been all song and dance, Pulonis... Revolution..."
Next Zee tilts his head towards Draven and ask
"Draven, I don't want to pry, so... hypothetical... Three Trox smash their way into the room, you get the vibe they're not the friendly type. I'm betting Hope shoots first, what do you do?"
"It seems that the best of us die first," Draven replies to Hope's story. "While those left must suffer through existence without them."
He leans forward at Zee's question. "I teach them the error of their ways," he replies to Zee's question, leaning forward and pulling out a shooting starknife with one hand and a mean looking revolver with the other.
Zee tilts his head towards Hope while still staring at the ceiling and his mote and says to Hope.
"Respect."
Respect wasn't on the mission, she was in the brig for spitting an officer in the face.
"I got a little singing gig on the side, backroom bars, and tiny dives... Intimate... always in disguise."
Brevity had a good voice as well, you would've gotten along. If you could stand the talking, that is.
Next Zee tilts his head towards Draven and ask
"Draven, I don't want to pry, so... hypothetical... Three Trox smash their way into the room, you get the vibe they're not the friendly type. I'm betting Hope shoots first, what do you do?"
Hope nods, and adds with a dry grin I suppose I'd count to three first
"It seems that the best of us die first," Draven replies to Hope's story. "While those left must suffer through existence without them."
Yup, those cheeky ones get the easy way out. she heaves the flask to the lost!
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"What a dour bunch." notes the purplish-furred skittermander lurking nearby. "Looks like this room could use a few laughs."
With one of his many hands, the skittermander retrieves a microphone shaped comm unit as he adjusts his hard light armor with another, which provides a spotlight effect on his face.
"Nufriends and Gentlebeings!" His voice echoes through the comm unit, before being cut off by unplanned feedback. He adjusts the settings and continues. "I don't mean to burst your bubble--but it seems something did just that to the planet Birnam! Am I right?"
"Just a litter reminder, the name's Squawzo--heavy on the 'awwwww' and lighter on the 'zo"--got to be careful, after all, lest some undead mogul goes off and sues me," declares Squawzo. "Now, I believe that we have a certain survey mission to do. How many of you are dentists? I'll take a show of hands."
Crickets.
That's the sound Hope's handheld device makes when it goes off. Oh, sorry. Sani set it that way, that was one of his habits. With sigh, she resets the comm unit.
Dentists? I don't get it... tough she still holds out a fist for squawzo to punch, with a fist of choice.
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Zee raises a paw
"I played one on the infosphere, just one scene, the patient gets mad when their insurance gets denied and throws me out the window 20 stories high, adrenaline rush... no CGI... Eazeeee credits.
Zee stops staring at the ceiling and sits up
"Squawwwwzo you saying this planet's got some teeth?"
Draven does not reply, nor raise his hand. Instead, he leans back in his chair once more, lacing his fingers together, again.
There does, however, seem to be a faint hint of a smile on his black lips, however.
Dentists? I don't get it... tough she still holds out a fist for squawzo to punch, with a fist of choice.
Squawzo eagerly returns a fist. "BUMP!" cries the skittermander.
"As for 'dentists'," he continues, his innate instincts to be helpful kicking in, "we were told this is a 'survey' mission, so I was conducting a survey--in this case, to determine how many of those present were dentists. According to a lot of ads that I have seen, dentists are frequently surveyed about questions and products, although there usually is one who does not agree with the others."
He turns to Hope with a smile, "Was this explanation helpful to you?"
Listening to Zeema, then replies, "You played a dentist? What are you playing now?"
He smiles, then says, "I don't know if this planet's got teeth, but a big mouth for chewing may explain why there is a big bubble around it."
Squawzo pauses for a moment, then turns to Hope. "Shall I explain that joke for you, too?" he asks, again trying to be helpful. "It involves bubble gum!"
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Zee replies to Squawzo.
"Yah, was on one of Zo! twisted reality shows, I figured I could survive that, I might as well put it all on the line, so I joined the Starfinders, time to roll some real dice and play with fate, see if my skills add up to play the role, see if I can keep my cool and play it with classsss. The travel benefits also a boon, more reputation for my resume... Experience..."
I think I got it Hope says, making a popping sound with her lips. She honestly seems to enjoy the banter, and just casually cleans her machine gun while listening. She even breaks a little smile when she shows the tube of toothpaste she carries around for polishing pieces.
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Seeing Hope polishing her gun with toothpaste says
"Dentist approved!"
Zee gets up and does some cat stretches.
"Time for a mission recap. Dental check-up on a planet surrounded by bubble gum, at least one of us has toothpaste, what could go wrong? Question beeee, things go sideways we start feeling the pain, who's got the novocaine?..."
Zee digs around in his equipment and pulls out 2 medpatchs and shows them.
"That'll cover a scratch or two, anyone else packing some healing?"
Everyone receives a message on their comms.
Welcome to the Birnam’s Bubble survey team! We’ve had our eyes on this planet for many years. No one in recorded history has ever passed through the energy field surrounding the planet to learn why all its living people and animals are missing, or who built the ancient cities that dot the surface. In the wake of the Drift Crisis, the energy field has begun to shatter, falling piece by piece to the surface. While this enables us to explore the planet, the field’s collapse is causing great destruction, which we project will only get worse in time. On behalf of the Church of Weydan, he who is the Endless Horizon, I thank you for your help in exploring the planet before its secrets are lost forever.
You’ll be joining one of the hinterlands survey teams at the coordinates provided. They’re investigating interesting structures in the jungle near one of the planet’s cities. We believe these structures are linked to the magitech satellites that generate the planet’s energy field. If we can find out how to activate the structures, we might be able to stabilize the field’s collapse and preserve the planet. Coordinate with the team to survey the area, and above all else, remember that our mission is one of peace.
—Captain Expedite-8 of the Stylus of Destiny
The route from the energy shield entry point to the landing site takes the ship past a pristine but empty city of glistening buildings. A small clearing in the verdant jungle is just large enough for a second ship to land next to the Weydanite advance survey team’s shuttle. The sensor readouts indicate “ambient energy of indeterminate danger” in the atmosphere, but for now, all is calm.
Too calm. Despite the lush jungle surroundings, the only audible sound is a light wind gently rustling the leaves of the planet’s strange flora. There are no buzzing insects, no chirping birds, nor any other sight or sound of life.
When the party departs their ship, they find the Weydanite advance survey team a short distance to the east along a wide path through the jungle. A voice calls out from the survey site, hailing the group.
Draven looks around slowly as they enter the jungle, his eyes even more haunted than usual. His jaw works as though he is trying to pop his ears as he adjusts to the disconcerting, near absolute silence.
He pays no mind to the enormous bubble over them which could burst and rain down inescapable destruction at any moment. After all, what's one more death?
With relief he moves towards the Weydanites, ready to do their task.
Well, at least it's not ambient energy of indeterminate severe danger. Hope says. Zeema, are you ready to take point? Let's protect Squawzo and allow Draven to do his job. Anything springs at us, I give them the Dirindi eye socket.
Fortunately, no eye sockets are provided, and Hope returns to ease when the weydanites appear.
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"On it, one Zeeeee to lead the way."
As the team makes their way to the Weydanites Zee surveys the jungle
"You hear that? Just wind and leaves. Too quiet for me. either the plants are so deadly that everything else is dead, or all the fauna here has a level of stealth out of the stratosphere."
Without looking Zee points up
"Which is cracked, this place is mega sus."
"It seems we are being hailed," notes Squawzo. "A Nufriend?"
The skittermander heads in the direction of the voice.
A small team of Weydanites has established a survey site to investigate strange structures in the jungle. As the adventurers approach, the Weydanite survey team’s leader, Mehusel , hails them; he waves one pair of hands while taking notes on his datapad with the other.
“Hello there! I’m Mehusel, head of this little team. We’ve discovered a tower that we think will help stabilize the planet’s shattering energy field. We’re preparing to activate it, but before we do, we’ve got to survey the site. We’ve noted other points of interest, too. There’s the tower itself, some strange consoles to the south, odd rock formations to the north, and potentially dangerous flora to the east. Could you help out before we try to activate the tower?”
Mehusel greets the party on the path , where he’s been studying an odd rock formation. The other members of the survey team are Lovinetta , who’s currently examining the magitech consoles , and Jharna , who’s taking notes on the strange alien flora .
While every experienced adventurer knows to never split the party, the points of interest here are all within shouting distance so it's safe enough to spread out if people want to focus on different things. It seems extremely unlikely the research is going to be suddenly interrupted in any case! Yes, nobody could possibly expect that...
A1: Drained Rock Formation
A formation of purplish-black boulders juts from the jungle floor. A large patch of grass around it has taken on the same dark color, rather than its usual vibrant green.
Mehusel steps aside to let the party examine the odd boulder formation. “There’s another one just like it up on that ledge to the east, but that one’s glowing! What do you make of them?”
A2: Charged Rock Formation
A formation of glowing boulders stands atop a high ledge. These boulders resemble the darkened boulders to the southwest, but they emit soft light and a low hum.
A3: Magitech Tower
A column of wood and metal rises from a stone platform. At the top, a beam of intricately knotted wood rests perpendicular to the column. There are engravings in the metal at the base of the column, and the lichen growing on the tower glows with a soft blue light.
A4: Magitech Consoles
An alcove surrounded by rock walls contains short columns of stone, each about 3 feet high. The columns are studded with gems and metal panels, and ancient runes are carved into nearly every inch of their surfaces.
Lovinetta waves to the adventurers when they first approach the consoles. “Hi nufriends! Mind help-helping me? I think these are magical controls for the tower over there, but I’m not sure how they work or what they’re supposed to do. I made some fun sketches of them and sent them to the other survey teams on my datapad, and it turns out these weird consoles are found all over the planet! Neat, huh?”
A5: Threatening Flora
Two types of strange flora grow near the dirt path. Some plants resemble bulbous, spiky berries, each several feet in diameter , while others are fern-like succulents with large green and purple leaves and a bloom of bright orange flowers at the center .
Jharna is examining the odd flora from the safety of the path. She barely notices the party when they first approach. When they try to talk to her, or if they move toward any of the flora, she says, “Careful. Not sure what’ll make these things activate, but they seem dangerous. The ones with the orange flowers look angry.” Anyone who questions Jharna about how a plant can be angry receives only an exasperated sigh in response.
Hope moves to scan the area for anything dangerous, and the threatening flora are a likely candidate. Dangerous, noted. Let me handle it.
Draven is drawn to the humming crystal, his eyes somewhat vacant, his gait surprisingly clumsy given how fluidly he usually moves.
He tilts his head, listening to the humming before joining in.
Zee notices a slight drop in temperature near the boulders; nothing drastic, but the boulders are either drawing heat from their surroundings, or else chilling the area in some other way.
Hope determines that the “berries” are harmless, but the fern-like plants have bulbs concealed at the base of each orange flower that might open or react in response to an external stimulus.
Draven isn't able to learn anything in particular.
Perhaps, feeling a bit peckish, Squawzo investigates the berries .
Zee collects a small physical sample.
Squawzo doesn't find anything that Hope didn't already point out.
But then nothing happens and everyone is able to continue working on their surveying without incident.
Draven frowns as the humming of the crystals does not match what he's expecting and just leave him confused.
He starts to sing quietly.
"Time to take her home her dizzy head is conscience laden
Time to take a ride, it leaves today, no conversation
Time to take her home her dizzy head is conscience laden
Time to wait too long, wait too long, wait too long"
Unsuccessful with the berries, Squawzo turns his attention to the orange flowers .
Draven notices the low hum isn’t constant; rather, it subtly changes pitch in response to his life signs (such as his own pulse and breathing).
Squawzo moves around the plants gracefully, letting him get closer safely. He discovers that the proximity of these plants to the magitech tower is no coincidence. Tiny runes carved into stones scattered near the plants and tiny engravings of the plants at the base of the tower suggest the plants and tower are connected.
Hope attempt to interpret the engravings, seeing if her experience gets her somewhere
Hope finds engravings that depict starships in battle near a planet surrounded by a cloud of energy. There are beings on the planet who appear to be hiding beneath the cloud, out of sight of the starships. These lifeforms are stout people wearing robes; their bodies are shaped like chiseled stone, and they have multiple eyes.
Zee also finds the. When Hope points them out.
But then nothing continues to happen, and the team is able to continue surveying in peace.
[ooc]Survey Round 3: All PCs' turn.
Squawzo heads over to the magitech consoles and is pleased to be greeted as a nufriend! Listening to Lovinetta's explanation, he replies"I agree! Neat! Always happy to help!" He reaches out, trying various switches, buttons, and knobs with his various hands.
Y'know, they do kind of look like leaves? Not the leaves of the trees here, but maybe other leaves. If leaves were shaped more like starships.
Squawzo understands that the consoles were originally designed for the simple purpose of activating and monitoring the nearby tower. At a later time, they were updated with additional controls and code related to a sophisticated piece of technology that manipulates reality at the quantum level.
Hope feels like her talents are of limited use here, so she checks out the magitech consoles
Now that he knows at least a little about how the rock formations are supposed to work, he heads to the one that doesn't seem to be working.
He kneels down to examine it, leaning this way and that and singing the song again in hopes of getting it to wake back up.
"Oh, do be careful with that, please!" Lovinetta's tone is cheerful and friendly, but she does wince a little. Hope doesn't learn any new information.
Draven notices a slight drop in temperature near the boulders; nothing drastic, but the boulders are either drawing heat from their surroundings, or else chilling the area in some other way.
He also sees that these rocks look slightly shriveled, as if they’ve been drained of energy. He determine that these rocks once held some amount of life essence—they weren’t just made of matter—but something has drained them dry.
"Keep it up!" says Mehusel, "Some extra hands and fresh pairs of eyes are doing wonders. I think I'm close to putting this data together... We can take a lunch break and I'll go over our findings in about 20 minutes."
Hoping that he can continue to be helpful at the magitech console, Squawzo continues his work.
Draven continues to kneel beside the drained stone for a while, feeling a certain kinship with something that has become faded and shrunken by having the life removed from it.
When he finally looks around, he spots the strange flora in the distance and rises jerkily. He stumbles in fits and starts towards it like a marionette on tangled strings before collapsing to his knees again near them.
He says only one word - "Sara" before being lost in memories, pleasant ones based on his smile and reaching for them.