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A rather large, possummy looking ysoki is literally bouncing off the walls in excitement to get going. Their fur builds up and releases the occasional bit of static electricity , her fur standing on end to add to her already considerable fluff for a few seconds before degausing herself by running into and up the wall.
She's wearing organic armor under a very oversized Brutaris Jersey With a very Minor league "Arlian Khefkaks". If you're into Brutaris or niche internet videos, you may recognize her from some of "Akitons funniest sports injuries" as her home field is in a junkyard and the game doesn't stop for minor inconveniences like tetanus.
"Alright lets see if we can find some kinda magical doohicky that solves polution. Why they don't just print out some atmosphere scrubbers I have no idea. Oh Hi hi I'm cueball. "
Mechanically she's a bull rush specialist Vanguard/Solarion. She'll dart in boop enemies to disrupt their formation or smack them around a bit as needed.
Ice-cold wind whips over the landing platform on the wing of this odd ship, which has the silhouette of a mudskipper fish. Numerous winglets jut out from the sides and top of the craft, each one made from an alloy of starship-grade metals and processed copi—a material native to Tabrid Minor that has many different applications. Zigvigix and a blue copaxi await just inside the open hatch to the ship’s interior. “Welcome aboard the Nomad, Starfinders!” Zigvigix telepathically projects, once the doors close and the temperature begins to stabilize. “This is an experimental ship we’ve been helping the Coenocopi Foundation build so they can explore the floating cities and structures around their planet. For those of you coming to Tabrid Minor for the first time, let me introduce you Therseis, an old ally of the Society.”
Therseis approaches with their arms slightly out to the side, palms up, then spins slowly, performing a formal copaxi greeting. “On behalf of the foundation, thank you for coming. As our group is concerned with staving off ecological disaster here on Tabrid Minor, we’ve struck upon an idea inspired by our friendship with your Starfinder Society—looking to our ancient magical traditions. We think we’ve found an ancient site that’s worth investigating, but we’ll need the help of highly trained non-copaxi field agents such as yourselves to access it.
“In addition to conducting atmospheric flight tests, we’ll be using the Nomad to ferry you to our destination: Gadrathar Fortress. It’s one of our world’s floating structures and is aligned with the south pole. It used to house an order of mystics and solarians who boasted a spiritual connection with the copi that has been lost for centuries. We’ve learned that it is currently inhabited by a group of sentient robots—survivors of a dark time in copaxi history whom we doubt would welcome expeditions from our foundation or governmental agencies.”
Zigvigix leads the group toward a staging area inside the ship, where a red-hued copaxi boasting a beard-like mane of coral strands waits near several tables of gear. “That’s your primary mission, Starfinders. We need you to search the fortress for information about any ancient magical traditions involving the copi that you can find. We’ll get you close, but you’ll need to use the gear we’re providing to fly the rest of the way up to Gadrathar Fortress, then negotiate with the locals for the right to explore and uncover whatever lore you can. Any questions?”
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"These guys are awfully worried about us finding out about some robot genocide while we're trying to save their planet. They are aware EOX is a member of the pact worlds right? KABOOMED at least one entire planet to make the diaspora. Shouldn't be anyone alive anymore thats actually responsible for it. Less they're undead. Or they developed those vitamins you can take if you don't want to drop over at the ripe old age of 30. Eh. The past is like your tail. Its behind you don't worry about it. "
Her head and most of her upper body vanish into the bag holding the gear, leaving her tail and rump sticking out with one leg barely touching the floor.
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Delea nods, ready to do what she can. The stories she has heard of this planet's troubled past make her sad, and she wants to do what she can to make it better.
She is a tall, gentle looking lashunta woman, probably quite shy judging by how she carries herself. The other team members hear words in a gentle tone in their minds, like the voice is requesting permission to be there. Delea introduces herself, and explains that she prefers to speak to teammates telepathically, if it's alright with them. She also teaches her teammates a quick hand symbol they can use to sublty request her to begin a telepathic conversation with her if needed.
A well-dressed human woman wearing clean white armor, and a stylish half cape shows up at the meeting late and stands in the back listening.
"So let me get this straight, you want us to take an experimental ship, to go visit a fortress occupied by sentient robots that don't want to talk to you, and all we have to do is find out if some ancient magic there can save the planet from an environmental disaster, and convince possibly hostile sentient robots to help. Sounds like this is going to be an interesting paycheck. So can you tell us more about the dark time in Copaxi history? It would be good if we knew what may be motivating these sentient robots, I'm willing to bet they haven't forgotten, being robots and all."
Navasi looks over at her new teammates.
"Looks like we got a new team here, I'm Navasi, nice to meet you all."
Navasi taps her head and points to Delea and back to her own head then gives Delea thumps up.
Whispering to Miley "Cueball" Norveg.
"Don't worry I'll try not to step on your tail in the future too."
In 3 AG, Triune’s revelation of Drift travel via the Signal spurred a great revolution among the copaxis. A faction of copaxis realized that copi could be used to construct starship hulls and Drift engines. This led to a short insurrection by technological innovators against magical traditionalists. A magical aristocracy put down attempts to construct the technological engine and slew many of the recipients of the Signal, but only a decade later, a new revolution took root that turned the people against their reliance on magic. The ensuing conflict claimed many lives, but eventually, the revolution succeeded. The copaxis abandoned their flying cities and harvested the copi that powered them, settling in the fertile soil of Tabrid Minor.
Rather than employ the Signal to explore the stars, the copaxis used their technological theories to industrialize. Over the course of the following three centuries, they rapidly expanded their civilization across the planet’s surface, mining copi wherever they found it. As they destroyed the substance, they lost most of their mystical connection to the planet and many of their powers. In its absence, they developed robots to expedite the dangerous mining process and fill necessary roles in their burgeoning industrial society. But just as the efficient robot work force completed their tasks and became superfluous, the machines began to develop rudimentary sentience. The copaxi government found the moral implications of these creatures’ existence abhorrent and engaged in several short but effective campaigns to destroy the now-unnecessary robots. The creation and use of robots have since fallen out of favor, and only a few remain active in especially dangerous environments.
Navasi reads the infodump on her computer and then says out loud.
"Well that's a lovely story."
Navasi sends a copy of the infodump to the rest of the team to read but renames it in bold text Watch your step deep cultural dodo
I was thinking we might need a soldier as our 4th member but maybe an android or mechanic might be good to have, someone that angry sentient robots can relate to. Might be good to have someone that knows engineering too."
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"Obozaya, reporting to duty. If you need some muscle for the mission I'm available and willing as always, but I'll let you decide if I'm needed, I can always find a fight someplace else. If you do take me along I'm just going to hang back and wait for orders, unless there is a fight then I'm going to get in front and attacks while waiting for orders."
After the briefing, Zigvigix and Therseis introduce the Starfinders to the red copaxi Daragonte, a member of the Coenocopi Foundation who is present to help the Starfinders prepare for their mission.
Daragonte explains that because Gadrathar Fortress is in constant rotation with shifting gravity fields, the only safe way to travel to, from, and inside the structure is by flying. They have prepared several different aids to loan or sell to you.
Each agent may borrow one of the following items, free of charge: a jetpack armor upgrade or an elite hoverchair. In addition, Daragonte gives each character one mk 2 serum of healing as a gift.
Daragonte also has spell ampoules and spell gems of the flight spell (levels 3 and above) available for sale. They can also sell you a thruster heels cybernetic augmentation with a special interface that allows for instant implantation at no extra cost. Lastly, they have managed to obtain a few forcepack armor upgrades that they can sell at a discount—a flat 10,000 credits. Starfinders with animal or drone companions who cannot fly receive a special adamantine alloy cable tether with carabiners, allowing that character to “drag” their companion along at a range of up to 10 feet while flying without penalty.
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Cueball has a jetpack,, thruster heels, and a boomknuckle with a fusion that acts like thruster heels. She may lose her security deposit for drooling on the force pack, but doesn't have 10k on her at the moment. She wonders how big the needle that installs the thruster heels is and decides she doesn't want to know....
She loads the MK2 healing serum as the first shot in her Caustoject, stuffs the caustoject in her cheekpouch.
She uses the jetpack to fly up and give Obazaya a few friendly headbutts in greeting. "Ready. to BASH. "
She can assist anyone swapping out their armor upgrades if they're technically declined.
Navasi opts for the elite hoverchair and takes one of the MK2 healing serum
"Think I'll opt for the hoverchair, sounds like we might have some negotiation to do, and negotiations always go better when sitting down.
Navasi looks over to Cueball headbutting Obazaya
Cueball and Obazaya look ready for a fight. Hopefully, Delea and I can keep it from coming to that."
Obo has the upgrade slots available, so she will opt for a jetpack.
Once they’re prepared, the Starfinders can lift off from the wing of the ship and ascend 1,000 feet up toward the underside of Gadrathar Fortress. The way is fraught with peril, however, and requires them to overcome several obstacles to reach the structure’s only known entrance.
During the ascent, you are subject to somatogravic illusions, which occur when a person undergoes a change in angle or acceleration during flight while unable to see a point of reference to orient themselves. Each of you must attempt a DC 18 Fortitude or Will save (your choice).
1: Low Gravity (PCs receive a +1 circumstance bonus to skill checks)
2: Standard Gravity
3: High Gravity (PCs receive a –1 circumstance penalty to skill checks)
4: Extreme Gravity (PCs receive a –2 circumstance penalty to skill checks)
For each obstacle, each character must make their own check. Suggested rolls will be provided, though if you can justify a different check, you can use that with a higher DC.
Obstacle 1—Gravity Buffeting: The Starfinders must first overcome the unstable gravitational fields and icy winds as they launch from the Nomad and begin their ascend towards Gadrathar Fortress.
Bypass Mysticism or Piloting DC 18, Acrobatics or Athletics DC 23.
Failure Effect The character takes cold damage.
obstacle 1
damage 7 cold
"Oops way, hang on. If Obo thinks it fun that can't be good."
The Starfinders get past the first area of variable gravity, though some seem worse for the wear.
Obstacle 2—Base Jumping: Gadrathar is orbited by chunks of stone and fossilized copi that must be navigated to approach safely, requiring the characters to briefly touch down on some of them before jumping to the next.
Bypass Acrobatics, Athletics, or Sleight of Hand DC 18, Perception or Physical Science DC 23
Failure Effect The character sprains an ankle or other appendage, gaining the sickened condition for the next hazard.
"I'm starting to get the hang of it, this might be fun after all."
Delea pulls something as she bounces off the stones, but the other Starfinders seem to be getting the hang of this.
Obstacle 3—Flying Debris: The PCs must avoid flying debris, which can be extremely deadly at high velocity.
Bypass Perception or Survival DC 18, Acrobatics or Physical Science DC 23.
Failure Effect The character takes piercing damage
"Ouch, thanks for the warning, at least I saw what hit me."
Delea finally gets the hang of the gravity here. Navasi gets the pointy end of some rocks.
Obstacle 4—Thrust Vectoring: The Starfinderss must move themselves three-dimensionally to ascend while also dodging the towers they are rapidly approaching.
Bypass Computers or Piloting DC 18, Engineering or Perception DC 23.
Failure Effect The character takes bludgeoning damage from smacking against a tower.
"Almost there."
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"If they wanted it to survive my head hitting it they should have made it stronger. Luckily my head was up to the task, although might be a while before this headache goes away. I think I chipped a tooth too. Next time I take damage it better be something I can hit back."
Delea and Obozaya bang against towers. One of them has a vesk-shaped dent in it.
Obstacle 5—Match Rotation: As they approach the gate, the characters must manipulate their chosen method of flight so that they match its rotation perfectly, or else set off ancient magical defenses surrounding it.
Bypass Mysticism or Piloting DC 18; Acrobatics, Athletics, or Perception DC 23
Failure Effect The character takes fire damage.
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"Obozaya try to not use your head as a break this time."
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"Oboe, You just have to be neutral. Float. Let the gravity carry you Like a leaf in the..." bzzzz Crash WHOOOOSH scorch. The ysoki's eyes tear up as the scent of burned aligator boot creeps in through the environmental seals. "Less like a rock in the wind. "
Oh hell. I just remembered cueball technically is a solarion. (2 levels)
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"Might work for you but imitating dead vegetation is beneath my code of honor, I can fight with or I can fight against something but I'm not staying neutral so I chose to fight!"
Obozaya draws her Doshko and starts swinging in the wind trying to steer or clear a path.
After reaching the gate, the Starfinders discover a ledge where they can temporarily land, latch onto the fortress, and swap out batteries for their flight devices if needed. As they do, they can study the circular portal that gives access to Gadrathar Fortress.
The geometric designs on its surface symbolize spiritual balance. No handles, seams, or cracks mar the surface here. Rather, any character who takes a moment to mentally or emotionally center themselves realizes that they can simply walk through the gate as if it were incorporeal.
"Is everyone Ok? I think me and..."
Navasi pauses and whispers away from Obozya
Obozya could use rest."