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You are in a briefing with First Seeker Ehu Hadif and Venture Captain Naiaj
Welcome! Ehu Hadif exclaims. Come in! We have some very exciting news to share with you!
More like a politically charged and extremely dangerous situation, Naiaj remarks with a stern frown.
Ehu Hadif continues without missing a beat, seemingly unconcerned. Two years ago a team of senior Starfinder agents obtained permission from the Cloud Imperium on Pholskar to explore the ruins of the sunken sky city of Talgradur, where the agents discovered information of historical and political import for the planet. Because of this team’s exemplary performance, the Starfinder Society has been invited back to delve deeper into the ruins.
This is where you come in, Ehu continues. Talgradur was a flying city that crashed into the Ithillian Sea centuries ago. Most of the ruins are underwater, but previously we were only granted access to the fringes of Talgradur on the surface along the coast. Our Cloud Imperium contact, Elthel, has obtained additional access for us to the ruins, including sections underwater that have never been explored. You’ll need to meet with her in Pholskar’s capital city of Anduwar to iron out the details.
Naiaj crosses her arms, brows furrowed in concern. We’ll send an expedition surfboat with you for transport to the archaeological sites. Be prepared for underwater exploration this time. And stay sharp—not everyone was happy with the findings from the last Society expedition to the ruins. Pholskar is a political powder keg and what you find might be the spark that lights the fuse. Talgradur has lain submerged for centuries, and anything you manage to uncover has remained there for a reason—either it’s too dangerous to get to, or someone important doesn’t want it found. Be careful out there!
The figure sits at the table, his identity mostly obscured by either the dark armor he wears or the cowl and face mask. What can be seen are his eyes, a piercing violet, gleam with an unnatural intensity, that are accentuated more by the deep obsidian hue of skin surrounding.He wears a form-fitting armor set of matte black, with numerous straps. The suit is clearly designed for both protection and mobility.
Before the briefing began he removed the mask and lowered the cowl. His hair, silver-white and flowing like liquid metal, is tied back in intricate braids that trace a path down her back. His expression is serious.
He gives Naiaj a nod of acknowledgement.
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Anduwar is located on Pholskar, a planet in Near Space. The majority of Anduwar is perched atop Fandarra’s Palm, a vaguely oval-shaped plateau that towers roughly 400 feet over the surrounding steppe.
Anduwar is split between surface and aerial districts. The surface districts of Tronir, Vokesis, and Sicantro sit on the plateau, while Emproa, flying by its own power, circles in the skies above the Palm.
Emproa, Tronir and Vokesis date to the Gap or earlier, and are scaled to monumental proportions that serve the Large- and often Huge-sized inhabitants. Sicantro has more recent origins, catering instead to offworld travelers with Medium-sized streets, shops, doors, and more.
The construction in the Palm incorporates heavily reinforced stone and concrete, often engineered to flex, rather than break, with many foundations and facades showing cracks, corrosion, or both. By comparison, Emproa’s architecture boasts a fusion of ancient and modern themes, with sleek glass skyscrapers, white stone pillars, glittering domes, extravagant gardens, and plentiful statuary. Virtually nothing in Emproa caters to shorter creatures, and the soaring edifices seem designed to awe even 20-foot-tall viewers.
Members of the ruling Cloud Imperium’s convoluted bureaucracy, its support staff, and foreign delegates live in Emproa’s heights, while the city’s other inhabitants reside below, weathering the region’s plentiful seismic activity.
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Anduwar’s residents are primarily giants. Cloud giants comprise a clear majority in Emproa, but in the Palm, fire giants, slag giants, stone giants, and hill giants are most common. Other giant species like sun giants, moon giants, and shadow giants are rare, and most of Pholskar’s moon giants live on the planet’s three moons.
Storm giants rarely visit Anduwar, and Cloud Imperium agents usually intercept and escort these visitors to Emproa. While most citizens assume these storm giants are ambassadors representing Agrishall, a growing minority whisper these storm giants are “disappeared” and never heard from again. These rumors especially agitate hill giants, most of whom sided with storm giants during a recent civil war.
Pholskar was once ruled by a coalition of cloud and storm giants who lived in flying cities equipped with storm engines, mechanical devices capable of creating and controlling deadly storms. A schism arose between the storm and cloud giants after Talgradur fell, sparking war. Today, the Cloud Imperium rules and occupies every flying city save one: Agrishall. Agrishall is occupied by storm giants and is the only sky city with an operational storm engine.
The political environment has become exceptionally tense in the past two years since a team of Starfinders visited the Talgradur ruins and uncovered shocking information about the fallen sky city’s technology. Tensions have increased between factions both within and external to the Cloud Imperium, and many fear increased hostilities between cloud and storm giants.
30+: The Cloud Imperium is spread thin throughout Anduwar, and the Palm is creeping closer toward semi-independence. A few rebel groups have taken root, and one especially has been gaining traction. This group is inspired by Forgotten, a stone giant seer claiming to know damning secrets buried by the Cloud Imperium centuries ago, spreading this message through whispers and intimate underground meetings.
Pon looks flatly at Twich and asks, "If I supply you with spell gems, would you be willing to cast them on me?"
This provokes a grin from Pon, "Picky picky." He then shrugs, "Your terms are acceptable. As repayment, you may request a small favor from me in the future."
"Within," Pon corrects. "Political tension within a population etcetera etcetera," he waves a hand to accentuate his 'etcetera's. "Besides, political tension can lead to war. Which," he adds with a smile, "is great for business."
After a few moments, and likely varying degrees of disapproving looks, Pon adds carefully, "Which is not something I will influence toward."
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After an uneventful trip - no volcanic activity this time - you land your starship in Anduwar, at the Pholskar Spacedocks located within the Vokesis district. You are questioned thoroughly by agents of the Pholskar Interplanetary Travel and Trade Division (PITT), but all of your documentation is in order, and you pass through customs and questioning with minimal hassle.
After clearing customs, you are escorted to a nearby government building and then through a winding series of doors before finding themselves in a grand rotunda that is ornately decorated with white marble floors and expansive windows— surprisingly, this rotunda is located in the flying district of Emproa and overlooks Fandarra’s Palm (the rest of the city) from hundreds of feet in the air.
You are then brought to a large circular meeting room, with a dozen cushioned chairs arrayed around a massive octagonal table. The chairs are clearly sized for Huge creatures, each chair’s seat nearly 8 feet wide and standing 10 feet above the brightly lit marble floor. The table’s top itself is another 3 feet above the chair seats, composed of intricately carved stone inlaid with pale turquoise gems. A large silver tray containing a 4-foot-tall crystal pitcher and a dozen similarly sized crystal glasses has been carefully placed in the center of the table.
How do you wish to wait?
Before disembarking the ship, Pon taps a small patch on his left chest. The patch is black with a purple border. In response, his armor begins folding in on itself in little hexes. The hexes cascade from the edges farthest away back to the small patch . Underneath his armor, he wears a black turtleneck and form fitting black pants. He then reaches up to the collar of his turtleneck with one finger and pulls it slightly away from his neck. The threads, forking like lightning shift the entire outfit from the turtleneck and pants into a 3 piece suit. The jacket and vest are a matching black with purple pin stripes. The button up is purple and the tie is blood red. After the shift, the patch ends up looking just like a logo on the suit.
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Pon takes a calculating look around the room. He finally decides, takes action, and climbs to sit upon the back of one of the chairs.
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You don't have long to wait. A few minutes later, Elthel (female cloud giant) arrives. The aged cloud giant strides to the table, curtly nodding to any of you she has met before ((who previously completed Starfinder Society Scenario #4-09: Through Sea and Storm)) before sitting down.
Elthel’s bright eyes scrutinize the gathered Starfinders, her lips tilted down in a permanent look of distaste. It’s truly good to see the Starfinder Society here again. The previous agents dispatched by Mr. Hadif performed exceptionally, so, as promised, I’ve brought the Starfinder Society back for a follow-up expedition. Let me be frank. What your colleagues found at site 728G was shocking and did little to calm internal strife. Peace in Pholskar is tenuous, and I am working tirelessly to avert war. Yet, your colleagues’ discoveries warrant further investigation. Preferably by reliable and impartial agents: you.
Elthel sighs heavily and settles deeper into her enormous armchair. I’m doing my best to bring Pholskar back together, so that we can become a part of the greater galactic community. The Cloud Imperium is too segregated—we need representation from all of giant-kind. We need to be more open with offworlders to build relationships and increase trade and commerce. And most importantly, we need to make peace with Agrishall before it’s too late and the events that took Talgradur revisit us and rain down death once more.
Elthel leans in closer and lowers her voice, as if her booming whispers would be any less difficult to overhear. There are many that disagree with my ideas, especially Chancellor Sereveg and High Marshall Taviss. They have spies everywhere and would like nothing more than to discredit me. You and the Starfinder Society are receiving an honor no other offworlders have ever achieved—access into the depths of Talgradur’s submerged ruins. This restricted cultural site is where countless giants lost their lives, and it has remained virtually untouched as a memorial to them. Respect their sacrifices and do nothing to disgrace me or your Society. There is more at stake here than your reputation and what you find in the depths.
She straightens, then deliberately swipes her datapad to transfer the necessary documentation, which results in a corresponding chime.
You’re approved for an archaeological exploration of site 649D. All items and information acquired during your exploration remain property of the Cloud Imperium. Attempts to withhold information or objects uncovered at Talgradur will result in severe legal repercussions for all of you, Mr. Ehu Hadif, and the Starfinder Society. Furthermore, it will reflect poorly upon me, which I will not tolerate. You’ll find a copy of the documents you’ll require on your comm units. You’ll also receive a contract and waiver, which must be signed by each of you and returned before your departure. They’re not optional.
In exchange for what I have provided you, I ask two simple favors. Keep the specifics of these favors secret. First, there is a shop in Tronir called the Expedition Emporium run by a military veteran named Gyli Bakmor. Please resupply there and let the shop owner know that I would like to meet at her earliest convenience. If you can get her talking, she has some tall tales from her time patrolling the ruins. Second, deliver this letter to a performer at Felicitous Morsels in Sicantro. Make sure Chireet—and only Chireet—receives this letter. They’ll be easy to find even if they aren’t on stage.
Pon nods as the giant talks.
He gives a pleasant smile and asks, "Any idea what might be waiting for us at that location?"
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Site 649D I presume? No one has explored site 649D before, so it’s hard to tell. Most of the ruins are submerged, but I’m sure you have sufficient equipment to deal with that. There’s no telling what lies in the depths of Talgradur. Natural hazards, collapsing structures, and even aquatic predators are all possibilities. Be mindful of any seaquakes while you’re out there—the ruins continue to settle after all these years, and you could become trapped.
Pon nods appreciatively, "I see. Should we expect any violence while we are still in this city?"
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I certainly hope not but, there may be other parties out there with agendas of their own. The previous team explored the remains of a storm engine. However, they also uncovered evidence that someone was abducting—and conducting illegal experiments on—storm giants, perhaps with the knowledge of some government officials. This is, of course, a point of contention among the Cloud Imperium, who denies any potential wrongdoing. This denial has in turn incensed many citizens, notably those whose relatives supported the storm giants during the war. In short: it’s rocked the boat. That said, I don’t want the previous team’s experiences or discoveries to color your exploration of site 649D. Best to go in without bias. See what you uncover and report it honestly.
"Ah yes, I see it here, " Pon says as he reads the projected screen from his wrist comm unit. "While the Cloud Imperium retains ownership of the items and information retrieved, the Starfinder Society is granted permission copies for their records, under the stipulation that they may only distribute the information with the permission of the Cloud Imperium." Pon nods looking at no one in particular, "Makes sense. It is essentially acknowledging that the contractor, us, could easily make copies, so there is no point in trying to restrict that. Instead it sets up a legal route to silence the contractor should overly controversial be discovered."
He then smiles wickedly, "And it sets up a scapegoat in case the information gets stolen or leaked, because the Cloud Imperium wasn't the only one with the information. So if it gets out they can save face by blaming the Starfinder Society. Clever, clever...These kind of political games reminds me of home. "
With the same smile Pon adds, "No further questions. "
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While Elthel doubts any of her political opponents will move against you directly, she does suspect her opponents may try to trip you up publicly to embarrass or discredit you, and by extension, Elthel herself. As such, she expects you to be surveilled and perhaps followed. Shopping at Expedition Emporium and visiting Felicitous Morsels should provide good cover for the errands she requested if this is the case.
You are to land their starship on the coast closest to the ruins, but are not to fly over or near the ruins at any time. Only sea craft are allowed in the area. Vehicles are prohibited from being used to explore within the ruins to protect the integrity of the site.
Elthel briefly describes how you can use the Chute for easier travel between the districts, just as they unknowing did so when they came to meet with her in Emproa
Examining the contract sent to your comm unit easily determines the document is a fairly standard exploration contract, providing clearance for the sites you are approved to explore and the route they are cleared to take. It also requires you to agree not to intentionally damage the site, and explicitly states anything they find belongs to the Cloud Imperium. It also contains language stating that travel to the site constitutes acceptance of the terms and absolves the Cloud Imperium of fault in the case of your deaths while on Pholskar.
As you depart the meeting, Elthel provides you with two hydrojet armor upgrades (Starfinder Armory 83), and two trailblazer fusion seals (14th). You are then escorted to the chute, a room with a single entrance
Pon looks to the others and simply says, "To the Emporium, then?" Though presented as a question, he uses the chute to get the crew to The district where the emporium is.
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After stepping out of the Chute, you find yourselves in Tronir, a portion of Anduwar filled with giant-size streets and shops.
While you arre getting your bearings, you are approached by a giant person dressed in white linen robes that readily reveal a lean frame with sky-blue skin. They have billowing, cloud-like white hair and an easygoing manner, acting quite friendly with you.
Offworlders? Coming down from Emproa? Why, you must be Starfinders, am I right? My name is Kurvasyr, and it’s a pleasure to meet you. Come, won’t you speak with me for a bit? I’d appreciate the company. I can provide you guidance or counsel. The streets of Anduwar must seem strange to you. Did you need directions?
"We are headed to Expedition Emporium," Pon says simply with an added appreciative nod to the random giant. "We were under the impression that we would not receive a warm welcome. Why, if I may ask, would you be so kind?" He ends with a non-hostile, but an appraising look.
Pon pulls out his datapad and accesses the local infosphere. "We have access to the infosphere, so we can use that to get us there. You are welcome to join us as we go."