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In the upper levels of Downlow, a transitionally disreputable neighborhood of Absalom Station, there is a warehouse. It was secured by a team of Starfinders on behalf of the Exo-guardians shortly after the first, failed, Scoured Stars expedition.
You've been summoned there by Zivigix, the shirren leader of the Exo-guardian faction.
A smell of ozone wafts through the conditioned air of the warehouse. Makeshift offices full of equipment and furniture are in the process of having more permanent walls erected around them.
A heavily augmented host shirren is conversing with a vesk when they glance over and notice the new arrivals. The shirren wears a pair of shoulder speakers playing upbeat music that fades in volume as the shirren telepathically greets the new group.
“Welcome! I am Zigvigix. Thank you for answering my request and coming to our headquarters, such as they are. This old warehouse is turning quite nicely into a functional place. I dislike being so brief but an important figure to the Starfinder Society is missing. Hurondo, a shobhad who left us after his rescue from the Scoured Stars, started a center in the Lorespire Complex called the Respite and has disappeared since. The Respite provides treatment and services to other survivors of
the Scoured Stars and any who have suffered trauma.”
The volume of the music pumping from the shirren’s shoulder speakers further lowers to a barely audible level and the shirren’s telepathic voice takes on a wistful tone, “I have also been to the center, and joining such a close-knit community can be essential to the healing process. Please go to the Respite and talk to Hurondo’s partner in operations, Jiwalla Zarvim.
She’s a ysoki who has many connections and a keen mind. She may have clues as to Hurondo’s latest wherabouts.”
Zigvigix produces a datapad with the picture of a tall ysoki female in one corner and a map marked with the route from the warehouse to the Respite’s location in the Lorespire Complex.
“I thank you for this!” Zigvigix projects telepathically, just as the shoulder speakers begin to blast sugar-pop music again.
Kyzin looks from the datapad to Zigvigix and back again, then he turns to the group.
“Well, I guess that’s our briefing.” He shrugs. ”I had shorter ones before. Guess we go find our ysoki, eh?”
A small medical drone steps forward, its internal systems blinking and calculating. Though no mechanic seems to be nearby to guide it, the robot says in a hollow voice, ”Uninjured Shirren Designation Zivigix, greetings from Sentient Robot Designation 8-10-U8. Mission to locate Shobhad Designation Hurondo accepted.”
Disconcertingly swiveling its upper torso and head without moving its lower body at all, the SRO orients on Kzin and adds, ”Uninjured Shobhad Designation Kzin Gaz. Team member accepted. Query—additional team members present?” as it swivels around further, looking for additional allies.
A stocky ifrit girl with a long mane of curly red hair steps up, chewing gum. She puts hands on her hips and swings back and forth, having too much energy to stand still. A tiny bird made of light and fire flits around her. "Hey hey. I got a friend, mentor really, who went to that place after they got out of the Scoured Stars. Said it was real good. Patient people. Good snacks." She blows a bubble. "You think Mister Hurondo going missing is something bad? He didn't take a vacation without telling anyone, did he? How 'bout we give him a call."
Mercy's curious. She's done a few missions by this point, and it's always been something exciting. Going to alien worlds, making deals and taking names, and learning something new all the while. Checking in on a co-worker sounds like run of the mill stuff, not something you pull together a team of Starfinders for.
She gives a thumbs up to Attenuate when she notices the SRO scanning about.
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"I am certain he did not take a vacation. He and I had regular meetings at the center. He is a great friend, and while I myself was unable to go on that cursed first mission to the Scoured Stars, I was wracked with guilt for what befell those Starfinders. Hurondo, some of the other regulars, and I would meet at least monthly to talk, eat, and play games. Often, we would speak of what bothers us and how we’ve handled times when ill thoughts and feelings surfaced. Hurondo has not responded to several of my attempts to communicate with him about our upcoming scheduled meeting. He would not behave so unless he was unable.”
The SRO’s lights briefly flicker again as it orients on Mercy. ”Uninjured Ifrit Designation Moria Rose. Teammate accepted. Query—Informal designation ‘Mercy’ preferred?” continues 8-10-U8 in its hollow voice. It continues before waiting for an answer, ”Roster includes three additional teammates—Designations Reynar, Oda, and Bele.”
"Huh, so Mister Hurondo's got in some kinda trouble... Do you know where he lives? I'm gonna check there first before we try the center. If he's got friends there they've probably already scoured the center for hints of where he went." Mercy cracks her knuckles as she thinks - it helps get the old brain juices moving is what she usually says.
Looking at Attenuate she responds "Mercy's just fine. As for those people, we can start without 'em. I'd guess this isn't going to be too dangerous until we start sniffing around more."
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Zigvigix's antennae wave rapidly side to side. "Oda and Bele? I'm only expecting one more for your team, and that would be Reynar."
...
"I am sorry, I don't know where Hurondo is living. We meet at the Respite or one of the Lorespire Complex canteens. I am sure Jiwalla at the Respite can give you an address."
"Anything else we should know? Any enemies that Hurondo might've had that you know about?" Mercy asks, fully expecting that if Zigvigix doesn't know where his friend lives, he won't know much else.
Unless there's something interesting in the answer, she's ready to continue to the Respite.
A young pahtra male enters the one time warehouse, checking and rechecking the meeting details on his comms.
"I'm Reyn. I got a message to meet here for a briefing?" he asks the pop-music-pumpoing shirren uncertainly.
He is lean and tall, towering sbove Mercy's compact stature.
The newcomer wears plain clothing of a comfortable fit and cut beneath an unfastened
standard issue Veskarium brigadine. His fur is warm tan and cream, dappled with spots and
eye markings of smokey grey-black, and he appears to be in early adulthood.
He carries a scabbarded sword in one hand, his thumb hooked through the shoulder strap of a
backpack swinging from one shoulder. The head of a stringed instrument protrudes above the
other shoulder.
Reyn settles in to listen as Zigvigix begins the briefing.
"I bumped into droves of those returning from the Scoured Stars when I was out running supply and transportation," he says softly. "The Respite sounds like the kind of place they need."
He gives a small wave to the whirring medical drone. "Nice to meet you," he says, an inflection at the end giving the sound of a query. He nods and waves to each of the other assembled agents.
"It sounds urgent, let's see what we can find at the center."
"Roster corrected," says 8-10-U8 in a businesslike tone in response to Zigvigix's update.
When Reyn shows up, it orients on him and adds, "Uninjured Phatra Designation Reynar--correction, Reyn--Teammate accepted. Roster complete. Begin mission."
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"Anything else we should know? Any enemies that Hurondo might've had that you know about?" Mercy asks, fully expecting that if Zigvigix doesn't know where his friend lives, he won't know much else.
....
“No enemies that I know of here on Absalom Station. After years of service with the society who knows whether he's angered anyone in the Vast.
But it might be nothing. Before he stopped responding to my communications, he had mentioned that some of the Respite’s regulars have suddenly stopped visiting the center.”A young pahtra male enters the one time warehouse, checking and rechecking the meeting details on his comms.
"I'm Reyn. I got a message to meet here for a briefing?" he asks the pop-music-pumpoing shirren uncertainly.
...
"Ah Reynar, excellent. "
"Roster corrected," says 8-10-U8 in a businesslike tone in response to Zigvigix's update.
When Reyn shows up, it orients on him and adds, "Uninjured Phatra Designation Reynar--correction, Reyn--Teammate accepted. Roster complete. Begin mission."
"Complete indeed! I have the utmost confidence that you all can successfully find my friend. "
"Could be any number of reasons why people weren't coming to the Respite. We'll ask though." Mercy shrugs, not thinking too much further. "But if he's got enemies we'll dig them up."
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DC 15+:
provide mental health services for free or at a reduced cost to
fellow Starfinders. Jiwalla is the operational expert in the center,
her shrewdness and connections have allowed the Respite to
stretch its resources far and provide most of its services, such as
counseling and temporary residence vouchers, at no or low cost
to any who come to the center looking for help.
DC 20+:
desperate need. These accommodations are located in the area
of Absalom Station known as the Spike. Societal pressure means
many of the creatures that receive support from the center feel
embarrassed for seeking help, which might make them reluctant
to admit they are receiving help to their friends or feel like they
should remain in isolation entirely.
An ad that asks the user if they have been feeling anxious
or stressed, sleeping too much or too little, eating abnormally large
or little amounts, and experiencing feelings of hopelessness directs
them to visit the Respite in the Lorespire Complex.
DC 15+:
financial and living aid they can give. Two former Starfinders
named Hurondo and Jiwalla operate the center together.
DC 20+:
financial support to the Respite, it is still underfunded and only
manages to stay open and offer services due to Jiwalla’s shrewdness
and Hurondo’s negotiation skills. Recent rumors indicate that a
new establishment providing services more successful at helping
people recover from trauma than those found at the Respite can
be found somewhere in the Spike, though the specific details about
the organization remain unclear and are available only to people
only people who are “in the know.”
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It only takes a short time to reach the Lorespire Complex via Absalom Station's tram system. The Respite center lies beyond the campus’s main entrance in an area known as the Healing Arches.
Two magnificent arches span the hallway where many creatures of varying species have gathered. Most of the creatures here are humanoid beings that lean against walls or slump in the worn, but comfortable office chairs and reception sofas immediately preceding the arches. Some of these creatures talk to each other, and while others have gathered around a pair of vesk who are talking loudly. One vesk speaks with a tinge of hysteria in their voice while the other tries to sound calming.
A group of visitors, including two female humans and a male ryphorian, leans against a wall near the arches. They eye the party for a few moments, then turn their backs to resume their conversation.
A male ysoki slumps in a worn-but-comfortable-looking office reception sofa. He is staring at his paws in a non-focused manner and mumbling softly.
Two vesk, a male and a female, converse loudly in front of the arches here while a group of creatures gather around them expressing their worry about the situation. The male vesk sounds as if he is experiencing some sort of internal crisis, loudly suggesting that every creature is staring at him and proclaiming that he hasn’t slept in days. The female vesk, gingerly tries to convince the male to seek help at the Respite.
A group composed of two androids, a half-elf, and a strix converse with each other while standing farther out from the other groups waiting in the Healing Arches.
From their clothing, gear, and presence inside the Lorespire Complex, it's clear that most, if not all of these people are, or were, Starfinders. For the most part they look a little rundown.
"I'd look for Jiwalla when we get there. Little ysoki that runs the place with Hurondo." Mercy offers as the group heads off to the Respite.
Once there, she takes in the scattered parties talking with one another and puts a hand on her hip "What do you think, general anxiety or worry about what's happened to Hurondo? Because none of these people look too happy. Let's go chat them up and see what's happening." She figures the ysoki is going nowhere for now, so she heads first to the ones seemingly most likely to leave first - the androids and the strix at the edges. She doesn't hesitate to approach them directly.
"It's more than just Hurondo? I didn't realize. Pretty worrying, huh?" She slides right into their conversation. "It's lucky the Respite still has Jiwalla, but if Hurondo's not the only one missing then we've got real problems on our hands."
On the way over, 8-10-U8 asks, ”Enhanced functionality for healing available if I attune my micro lab to your respective physiologies. Please state your preference affirmatively.”
Reyn nods in agreement with Mercy as they walk, an inky orb trailing just behind him. Swiping through his comms' Infosphere interface, he adds, "Turns out the Respite offers more than just counseling — it also provides free and low-cost housing and food. The temporary shelters are in the Spike."
Glancing up every so often to avoid a collision with passers-by, the pahtra continues browsing the 'Sphere as they walk. "Sadly, many people feel ashamed to seek help and end up isolating themselves instead of reaching out."
"If it will help the mission," Reyn consents to Attenuate's query.
"Everyone seems more on edge than I'd have expected for this," Reynar murmurs as they approach the Healing Arches. "Feels like there could be trouble brewing soon."
Following on Mercy's heels, he catches the same snippets of conversation. "That is worrying. And no sign of any of them since?"
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...
"It's more than just Hurondo? I didn't realize. Pretty worrying, huh?" She slides right into their conversation. "It's lucky the Respite still has Jiwalla, but if Hurondo's not the only one missing then we've got real problems on our hands."
...
The group stares at Moira with expressions that say "Private conversation, kid."
...
Following on Mercy's heels, he catches the same snippets of conversation. "That is worrying. And no sign of any of them since?"...
But something in Reynar's demeanor softens the mood. One of the androids says to the group, "They're harmless. They just haven't been scoured like we have." The comment draws a dark chuckle from the strix.
The half-elf responds to your overtures, "Who can be sure whether someone's missing or just gone fly-about? I haven't seen Hurondo for more'n a week, and that's damn strange. Completely unlike him.
Wings, has a point about Jiwalla effectuating most of the programs and administering the day to day operations. She the XO and that's more'n her job to her. She'll keep the place shipshape.
Hurondo's the CO and heart and the center of the Respite. He draws 'em in and holds 'em in orbit. Without him the Respite goes spinning off into all the vectors of the Vast. "
Elsewhere under the Arches, other conversations continue. "They're all staring at me! Too many eyes!" The vesks are getting louder, and anguish tinges the male's voice. They're drawing a crowd that's forming into a loose circle around them.
Noticing the Vesk’s rising paranoia, 8-10-U8 assesses the possible therapeutic remedies for just such a situation.
He starts to approach the patient, attempting to engage in an inoffensive and helpful way, but realizes drawing more attention to the situation is unlikely to be a good idea.
Instead, he turns to Mercy and says, ”Designation Mercy, please provide a distraction to capture attention so that the agitated Vesk may be observed by fewer eyes.”
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Reynar steps forward, slipping his kitar from his shoulder. Adjusting the tension on the strings he strums a few chords as he moves a few steps toward the centre of the space.
He plucks out a folkish tune, familiar from ballads system-wide - the words may change by locale, but the notes remain the same. After several bars, the pahtra begins to sing.
'Twas the crew from Dragonfly, that joined the defrex craze;
They sailed away from Skitterhaven, through the Vast for many days;
They dressed thenselves in 'venturing clothes, resplendent to be seen;
Rounding up a herd on their shiny new machines;
And as they wheeled across the land, hopeful and energised,
Local coppers pulled 'em up and asked, "Excuse me, are you authorised?"...
Kyzin walks along with the group, his head almost constantly in motion as he scans for trouble.
“I’ve been in cities before, but this feels strange. Too much metal. Not enough plants.”
He agrees to be scanned by the team’s biohacker.
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The male vesk bares his teeth at everyone gathered around. "You're all keeping me up! I see you staring when my eyes are closed. I can't sleep. "
The female waves the crowd back. She tries to calm the male, but vesk voices are made for shouting and intimidation. "Razda, calmdown. Just come inside. They can help you inside."
Razda's not buying anything she's selling.
Your five new friends look on from their original position. A few, like the ysoki on the couch, either don't notice or affect indifference. Some apparently are agitated by Radza's agitation and move away. And others drift closer to see what it's all about.
On the far side of the arches, the entrance to the Repite lies open ....
Soothing is called for.
"Music helps. Please use soothing words if so skilled," adds Attenuate softly to his companions, "I have no sedatives powerful enough, but the Respite will. Lead him inside."
Realizing that the group of rude people at the edge of the plaza don't seem to know anything more than gossip, Mercy waves her thanks and heads to join the rest of the party as they approach the vesk. The way the fellow seems to be raving, sedatives would do him good, but she tries some words first. "Alright Razda, no one's starting at you. Or at least, no one you haven't invited to stare by being out here and causing a ruckus. Now there's a place you can get a lot more privacy and breathing room - it's right in the Respite. And a cool drink too, I'm sure."
Hearing the vesk mention his insomnia, Reynar continues several more bars on his kitar, slowing tempo until he is strumming a gentle rhythm to transition into a different song.
Emphasising the lyrics, he slowly strolls toward the vesk, singing.
When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep.
Stuck in reverse.
And the tears come streaming down your face
When you do something you can't retrace
When you see something that can't be erased
Could it be worse?
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And the Respite can help heal you
And high up above or down below
When you're too on edge and can't let it go
But if you never try you'll never know
Just what you're worth
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And the Respite can help heal you.
As he plays, he slowly crosses the space toward the vesk. Circling around the pair, he gestures toward the Respite's open doors in time with his words of the help within.
Finishing his playing he speaks encouragingly in vesk, in as gentle a tone as the language will allow.
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A little music, a little help from Mercy, and Reynar is able to soothe
over (like smooth over, like milk, silk, a bedspread or a quilt, icing on a cake, or a serene translucent lake) Razda. The vesk allows himself to be led toward the Respite by the pahtran bard.
The female vesk introduces herself and the male to the party at large. "I'm Svata and this is Razda." She continnues more quietly, " He's been getting worse. This morning we were down by the Spike looking for a clinic that's supposed to be really good. They say they've got a 100% success rate in treating trauma victims. We couldn't find it, and he was getting worse so I tried to bring him back here."
She pushes a stone sword into Kyzin's hands. "This is his magma blade. I took it away this morning because I was afraid he'd hhurt someone or himself..." The sword get blocky in the area of the ricasso above the grip so that it can accommodate a battery and small switch.
[spoiler= Magma Blade, Rhyolite
Source Starfinder Armory pg. 38
Level 4; Price 2,300
Hands 1; Proficiency Advanced Melee
Damage 1d8 F & s; Critical wound
Bulk 1; Special powered (capacity 20; usage 1)[/spoiler]
The half-elf from the previous conversation grabs Moira's elbow. "You seem okay. If you meet Jiwalla, remember she's old school military. Joined the Starfinders after a long stint with the Stewards. A little protocol goes a long way with her. "
"Charmed." Mercy inclines her head toward Svata as she takes the magma blade "The name's Moira, though you can call me Mercy. Maybe it's for the best you didn't find a clinic claiming 100% of success rate. Sounds like a bit of a scam to me. The Respite should do some good for him."
She turns and finds the half-elf from before "Oh, sure. Thanks for the hint. Though considering we're trying to help her friend, I'd expect she'd be glad to see us." She shrugs and starts heading in toward the ysoki in the chair.
"You doing okay there? Want to go inside?" She asks the ysoki on the way in, a little concerned about the mumbling.
Kyzin accepts the blade and carefully stows it in his pack, then listens to the rest of the conversation.
Protocol… ma’ams and a straight spine with Jiwalla. Good to know.
After leaving this area, Kyzin looks to his team.
“Can anyone use the vesk’s sword? Or should I stow it with the Respite folks?”
"I can use it, but I don't need it. Still, Svata just needed someone to hold onto it for a while and we can bring it back to the Respite after."
Kyzin nods at Mercy's explanation.
“Oh, that makes sense. I didn’t understand why she handed it to me. I haven’t been around Absalom Station much. I thought maybe it was a cultural thing.”
He stows the sword in his pack for now.
"I"m Reyn," the pahtra says with a small wave of his hand to the vesk. "You did well, getting him here. From what I've heard, this is the best place to for him to be."
He thimks for a moment. "This clinic near the Spike... do you think these missing patients might have heard about it too and gone there?"
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Immediately to the left inside the Respite’s entrance is a workout room. A female ysoki spars a male kasatha. As you glance inside the ysoki howls a squeaky victory cry and performs a combat maneuver to twist two of the kasatha’s arms behind his back. The kasatha taps out and the ysoki notices you.
Panting from the exertion, she comes over to you, back ramrod straight. "I'm Jiwalla Zarvim, and you're new around here. Wait here and we'll talk after I settle Razda here."
Razda won't let go of Reynar's elbow, so ysoki, vesks, and pahtra walk down the hall to group counselling session where the long-headed elebrian leader coaxes Razda, led by Svata, to sit in the circle with other participants.
Returning to the entrance Jiwalla says to you all, " Thank you for helping get Razda here. You don't look like the usual veteran who needs our help. What can I do for you?"
"Ziggy sent us over here to look into where Hurondo disappeared to. Seems like he's a real key piece of the Respite based on what we were hearing outside. And we're thinking something bad might've happened to him." She chews her gum as she looks Jiwalla up and down "Good thing you're keeping things together over here."
Guiding Razda through the doorway, Reynar helps ease the vesk into the chair. He says encouragingly in Vesk, "I know this is hard. What you're doing is very brave."
The pahtra accompanies Jiwalla back to the entrance, the inky orb trailing behind him. Nodding in agreement with Mercy, he adds, "We're here to help. I'm Reyn."
"Uninjured Ysoki designation Jiwalla Zarvim," says 8-10-U8, "Our function is to assist in locating Hurondo. Please share relevant information."
Speaking with Jiwalla, Mercy shrugs "Uh, no? We're here to get some leads, work out who last saw him, things like that. Plans'll come after we sort that all out. Are you as in-the-dark as Ziggy was, or is there something you suspect?"
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Reynar nods in agreement with Mercy. "Ziggy didn't have a lot for us to go on. We're here to dig up some leads to hopefully pick up Hurondo's trail. Uh, ma'am," he adds belatedly, remembering the android's advice.
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"Hurondo's trail might be hard to trace. Before he left, he was worried about a number of our -- members who've gone absent. He was going to visit them in person at their quarters down in the Spike.
Here. Let's see if you've got what it takes. Do any of you want to try some of the Respite's exercises? Physical activity is necessary for mental health. It's a key part of our services here. Not only does the activity relieve stress, it provides a small challenge every day. Incremental improvement and all that. Just to make it interesting, you can compete against me."
"The Spike?" Reyn asks. "Svata was just telling us about some new clinic there before we came in with Razda. Ma'am."
"Do you have records of their addresses? Maybe it will help us find some clues about Hurondo's whereabouts."
"Sure. Uh, affirmative. What exercises do you have on mind? Ma'am."
Kyzin smiles at the prospect of doing some physical work after so much talking.
"Yes ma'am, we appreciate your help. These exercises sound like a great tool to help your people relieve stress. I'm happy to take part.
His eyebrows go up at the suggestion of a competition, but his face morphs into a broad smile and he nods.
"A friendly competition? Absolutely, ma'am. Let's begin at your signal!"
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Jiwalla nods approval. "Exercise first, records later. Get the blood flowing so you're thinking at top efficiency." She considers briefly. "Three challenges to test your metal. First, a feat of strength. Second a feat of endurance? Finally a test of speed and agility."
She leads the way into the workout room to a machine with pulleys and cables ending in loops and handles. "Who can dead lift the most weight?"
compete with her, as she believes physical activity is a necessary
part of the mental health services the Respite offers, and she like
to push herself to excel. If the PCs agree then they may compete
against Jiwalla during three different activities; weight-lifting,
endurance rowing, and a sprinting race. The PCs are not allowed
to aid another during the competition. The result of the weightlifting
competition can be determined with an opposed Strength
check between Jiwalla and the PCs; the character with the highest
Strength check result (including modifiers) wins.
The rowing competition consists of Jiwalla and the PCs
attempting a series of three DC 12 Athletics checks each
while operating stationary rowing machines set to a high
resistance. Each time a character fails one of
these checks, they take a cumulative –3 penalty
on subsequent Athletics checks to row. Add
up each competitor’s three checks, and the
highest sum wins.
The sprinting race takes place in
the hallway and is resolved by each
participating character attempting
separate Acrobatics and Athletics
checks and then adding the
results together. The character
with the highest sum wins the
race.
For the purposes of the
competitions, Jiwalla receives a
+2 bonus to Strength checks, a
+6 bonus to Acrobatics checks
(+8 in Subtier 3–4), and a +4
bonus to Athletics checks (+6 in Subtier 3–4).
Having no blood to pump, 8-10U8 responds, ”All fluids circulating within nominal flow rates. Standing by to render medical aid if required.”
Reynar follows Jiwalla through the training room. "Strength?" he asks with trepidation. "I'll give it my best shot," he says with a small shrug as he grabs a cable.
"You want to... do exercise? Something could be happening to Hurondo right now, you know right?" Mercy eyes the ysoki incredulously "Well, if you insist, let's do it quickly." She seizes the handles on the weight machine.