SFS 1-02 Mystery of the Frozen Moon (Inactive)

Game Master Saashaa

Put a post in with any text, "submit" it, and then delete it for your first time posting in this (the gameplay) thread. Before you submit post, take note near the bottom a section that says "How to format your text""Show" for the simple coding on these forums. If you have any out-of-character or out-of-game questions please post them in the discussion thread. LET'S DO THIS! WOO!

The eponymous central tower of the Lorespire Complex stands tall and bright at the heart of the Ring, the highest point in a crown of clustered steeples that make up Starfinder Society headquarters. At its base, hydroponic gardens give way to two huge automatic doors, which smoothly open to visitors and approaching Starfinders alike. First they open onto the central foyer, then the many corridors and elevators leading to archives, dormitories, labs, meeting rooms, and the countless other chambers needed to keep the busy organization running.

You, unsurprisingly, have been sent a message to meet in one of the meeting rooms for a briefing.

Congratulations Starfinder on your recent completion of training! I need you for a mission. I'll tell you more about the mission in the briefing. Meet me in 3 days in the Lorespire room M476.

I'm excited to work with you! See you then!

Please feel free to rp anything from the message receival to arrival in the room.

Risiria receives the note and takes the time afforded in the three days to tackle some errands and ensure their kit is ship shape before the next adventure. On the day of the meeting Risiria wakes up early to stop by a cafe to savor one last craft made beverage before diving into whatever shenanigans the Starfinders have for them this time.

They arrive early and anyone observing would notice a reserved Shirren in subdued tempweave settle into a chair. Their chitinous gray-green skin softly reflects light back towards the florescent fixtures in the meeting room and their antenas flicker tasting the air for changes. With their three toed claw hand they pull out the bout one last time to confirm the time, as they look at the note, their large compound eyes hold early still taking advantage of their wide field of view.

Power-3 receives the message in their internal comm unit and immediately adds it to their calendar database.

Showing up exactly 5 minutes early, they walk in and take a forward chair. Though they have light-colored synthetic skin and dark hair, the glowing eyes and pulsing circuits make their android ancestry obvious. They are wearing a close fitting body suit covered by a large black faux-leather coat with visible armor reinforcements.

Under their coat you can see what looks like a bandolier worn diagonally. It seems to contain a series of faceted gems with internal circuitry instead of the typical grenades or ammunition though.

Power-3 sits silent and still, waiting for further instruction.

Khass spends their few days updating their social profile and making sure some of the action shots from their previous mission look right.

A tall slender Lashunta in microcord armor, that looks more style than substance, enters just a few minutes before the scheduled meeting. They are carrying a few large guns and a curved knife known as a talon.

Khass speaks with a boisterous enthusiasm, "Power-3 and Risiria!"

Khass waves in greeting to the two Starfinders. "Its a pleasure to see you both again. While Akiton has its charm, I do like the amenities that are available here on Absalom Station. Any idea what kind of mission we are going on this time?"

I am treating Risiria, as if they were the same individual on the previous adventure we played together, but let me know if I should instead treat them as someone new after their rebuild

Upon receiving a summons to Lorespire Room M476 via his internal comm unit, AX-10 spends the next 71 hours, 16 minutes, and 38 seconds sequestered inside his own personal "living cubicle" doing what most organics might call "preparation" but to him is just an ongoing diagnostic loop while he disassembles, cleans, and reassembles his gear three times, running personal full power-cycle diagnostics between each iteration. This leaves him just enough time to set his cubicle status to "Away" and walk to the briefing room.

AX-10 arrives at the meeting exactly on time; neither early nor late. He pauses in the doorway, orange optical sensors sweeping across the chamber at the other individuals present.

Standing at 1.9 meters tall, AX-10's chrome-plated alloy frame is mostly concealed beneath a set of loose-fitting tactical garments in muted grays and browns. The material hangs just slightly off his angular form, functional rather than fashionable with various tool kits and pouches carefully attached, and a large rifle is slung tightly over one shoulder.

Where his alloy is exposed, it bears countless scuffs and is traced with faintly glowing blue circuitry in place of the Synthskin-TM that would normally cover other androids. His “face” is expressionless but built with precise proportions that give him an oddly serene presence. Each motion is deliberate, efficient, and perfectly balanced, each step calculated as he enters the room and stops.

Standing motionless, his voice projects from somewhere unseen Good day. I am AX-10-M. Systems online and calibrated. I assume you all have received a summons, as I did?

Khass stands up to greet the newcomer.

They extend a hand, Hello AX-10-M! It looks like we'll be working together. This is only my second assignment, and I am guessing we are all pretty new to this.

They turn and address the group, How do you all feel about recordings?

"Khass. It is also good to see you again." Power-3 says to the Lashunta in response. To both of them they say, "We have indeed been summoned. Like seems to be the usual method of operation with the Starfinders, we are not told yet what is expected of us for this mission. I can only assume it will be related to the downed First Ones ship. There was much residual magic, tech, and magical tech to be studied there"

Power-3 turns back to Khass, "For these recordings, are you streaming them live to an audience, or are you compiling and making them public later?"

Khass responds to Power-3, "While we didn't have any lasting injuries from our first mission, I did invest in some medical supplies with my earnings.

I'd happily adjust things as needed, and let any of you have a viewing/suggestions before upload"

Risiria responds to Khass in simultaneous telepathy and an attempt at spoken words within the limitations of their insectile anatomy. "yeSSS! ReCKording would have diSSTINKT advanTTadgeSS for review and analySSISS! CCould I geT an un-ediTTed verSSion for my arCChive?

To AX-10-M, "WelCome! SSeveral of uSS juSST goTT baCK from a STarfinder miSSion on AKiTon TogTHer. If THe paST iS any indiiCaTor we will have an advenTure ahead of uS!

A description of the meeting room..

The meeting room occupies a quiet corner of the Lorespire Complex, its curved walls of polished white polyceramic reflecting soft teal lighting. A translucent holo-table dominates the center—an elegant disc of refractive glass that hums to life whenever someone approaches, automatically projecting star charts in shimmering violet light.

Around the table sit ergonomic grav-chairs, their bases floating a few centimeters above the floor, adjusting their height and angle to each occupant. Despite their advanced design, they’re surprisingly comfortable, wrapped in smooth synth-leather bearing the subtle insignia of the Starfinder Society.

One entire wall is a massive panorama display, currently showing a serene view of the Pact Worlds. Thin seams in the floor outline where reinforced blast shutters can deploy if the room goes into lockdown, a reminder of the Society’s brushes with danger.

Small alcoves along the rear wall host data uplink stations, each with a palm-print reader and a Silicate-blue interface. A faint scent of sterilized air and ionized circuitry lingers—clean, efficient, and unmistakably Starfinder.

Despite the advanced technology, there’s a warmth to the room: potted luminescent moss, a few framed holo-photos of past First Seekers, and a subtle background hum that seems almost meditative.

A few minutes pass as the three Starfinders get acquainted with each other. Then, slowly, the door to the meeting room opens again. A tall, four-armed figure steps into the teal light of the room, ducking their hairless, elongated head slightly to do so. They glance at the telecommunicator held in one hand, then out into the room where the others have gathered.

"Greetings. I am called 'Zan.' I seek room M-4-7-6. I trust I have come to the right place?"

Zan calmly walks further into the room, looking over each of its occupants. Eyes meet, though through round, dark-tinted goggles, themselves nearly obscured by a large linen-like scarf covering the lower part of Zan's blue-grey face. With each step, the tails of their leather coat trail behind, glints of teal catching the thin metal plates sewn throughout it.

Stopping in front of Khass, Zan tilts their head slightly downward to look at them. At first, Zan begins to move their upper-right arm toward Khass, but quickly instead takes their lower-right arm out of the coat pocket it had been resting in and holds it out, inviting a handshake.

"I feel you may know why we are asked here. Is this right, friend?"

to Khass, while accepting his handshake (albeit a bit mechanically)

"Recordings are a useful tool in collecting data for long term storage and perusal. I do not object. I look forward to seeing what I can learn from this first assignment."

AX-10 pulls a grav chair over to an alcove and plugs into one of the data-uplink stations to maintain optimal charge while waiting. He sits and releases a practiced SIGH; a habit picked up as a trait biologics tend to show when relaxing.

When the door opens, and in response to Zan:
"Greetings. You are indeed in the correct location. Please join us for...whatever this is we are all waiting for. We have not been informed yet, despite being past the time given on our summons."

AX-10 proceeds to split processors, keeping some on the chatter in the room in order to maintain politeness, and the rest on scanning through local channels via data port, scrolling through available past mission summaries of Khass, Power-3, Risiria, and Zan "the astral wanderer" in an attempt to learn from a 3rd party perspective who it is he will be working with.

Khass moves to accept the handshake of the Kasatha. They greet the newcomer warmly.

"Hello Zan, my name is Khass. I only know that we have been summoned for a field mission. We'll learn the particulars when Venture Captain Arvin arrives for our briefing.

A few of us worked together recently on Akiton helping set up the new base there, but I think that was the only field mission any of us have been on so far."

Zan nods to Khass as the two shake hands, "I see. In my time, I have travelled far, but I have done no such missions. Perhaps we are to work together then. Fortune shines on us."

Turning to acknowledge AX-10-M, Zan remarks, "Such is the way of things. Not all comes in the time we expect." Zan crosses one set of arms and shrugs the other. "Yes, let us wait then for Arvin."

Zan moves to a chair at the table in the center of the room, pulls it out, and sits down, crossing one leg over the other. They place one set of hands at their lap, fingers woven together in patient waiting. The other two hands sit, one at the edge of each of the chair's arms. A burst of soft thumps can be heard occasionally, as the long, dark nails of one of Zan's hands rhythmically strikes the synth-leather of the armchair.

please post the most interesting bit of info, story moment, or event from anything on a past adventure that would be available to a general search. Just curious on what "defining thing" AX-10 would find about your character in his search.

A few minutes later the door hisses open once more and a damaya lashunta man walks in as he presses on the holoscreen projected from his forearm. He is dressed in a basic, informal starfinder outfit. He looks up as he walks across the room, “Hey agents, go ahead and grab a seat. This shouldn’t take long.” He clicks a remote control, first dimming the lights, then projecting a hologram up from the table. The hologram depicts a small moon orbiting a large green gas giant, with starship coordinates indicating a location in the Vast.

“This is VAM-723—short for Vast-723 Arctic-Moon. Remote exploration drones flagged it about thirty years ago as a candidate for exploration. Initial scans indicate a thin but breathable atmosphere, standard gravity, and a verdant biosphere supporting an arctic climate, but no signs of sapient life—except, potentially, for some abandoned artificial structures half-dug into the surface.”

Arvin taps the remote control against his chin. “Intriguing, no? More practically, VAM-723 seems like our best bet for planting a foothold in the system. Barring any unpleasant surprises, we’d like to establish a base camp for exploration of the surrounding planets and other local stellar bodies.”

“Today’s mission is to survey VAM-723 and assess its potential. I’ve also provided coordinates for a particular artificial structure that stood out during the initial observations. There’s no good landing zones nearby, so I’d suggest you set down in the general area and work your way over. Any questions?”

Using generalizations to avoid spoilers. Khass's previous mission involved installing perimeter beacons. Khass can be seen coordinating and motivating the group. Their expertise seems to be in motivation and support.

Khass stands up and addresses Venture Captain Arvin. They take down some notes as they speak.

"Head to the area, survey, look at the indicated structure, try to establish a good base camp site. Seems relatively straight forward.

Do you think the thin atmosphere or arctic climate will provide challenges for use to be ready for?"

They then turn to the others.

"Any of you have expertise in natural settings? I have a bit of training with primal magics and the natural world, but not with survival skills."

Arvin nods approvingly to Khass's questions, "Reasonable questions. Firstly, the process of 'scans' is from a bit of a distance, so we don't know much about specific flora and fauna. My usual response is, there are no immediate threats on the horizon that I’m aware of, but I wouldn’t leave your weapons behind. You never know what you might encounter out there. The moon is unexplored, after all. As for the temps, emphasis on arctic." he shrugs before continuing, "Let’s just say you’ll want to make sure your environmental protections are in working order before you leave. You could probably survive without them, but not for long and it wouldn’t be pleasant.”

AX-10 notes that Khass is a highly motivated and motivational member of their team and stores the information in his databanks.

Then he spools his processors back down to bring the room back into primary focus. To Arvin:

A question. Will we be required to secure our own transport, or will such transport be provided to us? In either case, I have piloted various craft before and would volunteer to do so again should there be a need for such skill. A further question. What details does the drone footage provide about the artificial structures on the surface of VAM-723?

Looking for details about age, style, purpose, etc. If I would need to make some sort of roll to determine this, please let me know

To Khass:
While I have no working knowledge on wilderness survival, I can perhaps offer some insight into who left these structures if I can get some data on their culture from either drone footage or a closer inspection.

Arvin again nods, this time at AX-10-M, "A pegasus class vessel will be waiting for you in the K docks 633. You can decide among yourselves who does what on the trip. The trip should be preloaded into the navigation. As for the drone footage, there's not much to say. They didn't get a whole lot of info, just that there appeared to be a structure that is very unlikely natural. Sorry there's not much to work with, that is the nature of some missions."

Not enough details to roll with

The defining moments of Power-3's previous adventures would mostly be displaying arcane and computers knowledge.

"It sounds like we'll be learning as we go on this one. A typical Starfinder experience." Power-3 jokes dryly.

To Khass: "I don't have any specific arctic survival training. With our ship nearby, we shouldn't have too much need for that I hope."

Arvin looks around the room, "Any other questions?"

"No more questions here. Thank you, Arvin!"

"I have no further questions, Arvin. Thank you."

Zan's primary motivator for becoming a Starfinder in the first place is less "uncover the mysteries of the Gap," and more "go appreciate what's out there, whatever it is." You might get the impression that Zan is compassionate, but in a way that lets them enjoy a cup of tea with the person whose stolen bag they retrieve, versus getting them a medal after something like saving a cargo ship's crew from space pirates. The journey is the destination, and life's big mysteries can stay mysteries for all they care. A quick scan would surely get you that much.

To Khass:
"To travel freely as I do, I have learned to survive. I can share what I know. But, I have not yet visited an arctic planet such as this. This will be new to me."

Turning to the group:
"In exchange, I hope one of you can pilot this craft. I travel most by my own feet. Or I make a bargain to go with a ship on its way."

To Arvin:
"Now, again we speak of survival. Can we take shelter among the structures? Or might our camp be exposed to the elements? Both ways, I must prepare warmer clothing."

Zan, it is comforting to know you have survival knowledge. It seems like AX-10-M has piloting skill, and I can back them up if needed.

Turning towards Arvin.

I have no further questions and it sounds like we are as ready as possible.

"The particular artificial structure we are sending you to does appear to allow shelter. However, everything is not known. I would very much prefer that you are prepared," Arvin replies. "As such, there are two camping kits in the ship."

"If that is all," he gestures toward the door, "safe travels. I look forward to hearing about what you've found. "

Khass gets their camera out and set up.

"Alright, looks like it is time to head to the ship. Please let me know if you don't want recordings. As previously mentioned this isn't for a live stream. Anyone want to talk about how they are feeling about our mission?"

Khass begins to head toward the ship, while panning the camera across their companions. Lingering with the camera on anyone who speaks up.

"On that note," Avin says as be begins leaving the meeting room, "I'll be on my way. If you have any questions before you leave, feel free to contact me." With that, the door hisses open, Arvin walks out, and the door hisses closed.

The crew of Starfinders makes their way out of the Lorespire complex and to the K docks in the Arms near the Lorespire Complex.

The K docks, like many places on Absalom Station, are a bustling microcosm of the Pact Worlds. The air is thick with the scent of ozone, alien spices, and recycled air, all beneath a cacophony of noise. The thrum of massive power conduits, the clatter of automated cargo lifters, the roar of maneuvering thrusters, and a hundred different alien languages all seeming to compete for attention. The vast docking bays feature worn, industrial deck plates illuminated by a mix of harsh utility lighting and the flashing, colorful glow of holographic advertisements. Starships of every imaginable size and design are constantly maneuvering, while the area teems with diverse life: brash human pilots haggle with imposing Vesk mercenaries, scurrying Ysoki mechanics zip around on hover-platforms, and enigmatic Kasatha mystics brush shoulders with weary asteroid miners and eager colonists. It is a constantly moving, vibrant nexus of trade, culture, and opportunity.

You make it to dock 633 and see your ship for this mission. Its highly aerodynamic hull is painted in the Starfinder Society's signature colors: a primary hull of brilliant white accented with bold streaks of blue and fine lines of gold trim. A prominent, stylized crest of a winged horse—the ship's namesake—is mounted on the bow, serving as an iconic symbol of exploration and swiftness. The exterior reveals its purpose through an array of medium-range sensor dishes, antennae, and communication arrays that subtly break the smooth hull line, essential for mapping new systems and gathering intelligence. The ship's main body features slightly recessed, modular panels indicating its versatile expansion bays, and its two parallel engine nacelles in the aft section are built for agility rather than raw power. The overall impression is that of a fast, functional scientific research vessel, built to handle atmospheric entry with grace and evade threats through maneuverability rather than heavy armor.

AX-10 follows with the rest of the crew to dock 633 to the waiting Pegasus I assume that is the ship's name, as I don't think it was actually stated.

After cycling through the airlock, he chooses a supply locker nearest the bridge to stow his gear before sitting down in the pilot's station to begin running ship diagnostics, looking to see what capabilities the ship has; shields, weapons, fuel capacity, engine class, etc, and what other stations might need to be manned or monitored in order to fly the ship.

He also places a small, hand-carved wooden token, roughly the size of a credit chit, onto the housing of the ships controls and locks it in place by drawing a geometric rune that quickly fades.

The token is worn around the edges and has a set of carved, intersecting triangles encircling a small dot.

To everyone: If no one objects, I will begin running pre-flight checks. I also suggest that we synchronize our comms channels now before take off so as to facilitate more efficient communication before it is needed. I am uncertain how long these checks may take, so if you need to acquire anything before launch, or claim a bunk, you should have time to do so.

The name of the Pegasus is SFP-827.

The computer in the ship has slightly more information on the destination. Vast-723-Arctic-Moon, one of four small moons orbiting an unexplored gas giant in the Vast. VAM-723 features an arctic climate (-60°F during the nights and -20° during the days), verdant biosphere, thin atmosphere, and standard gravity. Initial scans indicate no sentient life.

On the planet, the destination is a square tunnel of stone and metal that juts from the foot of a small mountain. The destination should be an easy 5 hour walk from the suggested landing spot.

"Thank you for piloting AX-10-M" Power-3 says to the other android. "I am here to second if we run into any trouble. In the meantime, I can do a physical check of our craft."

Power-3 then finds a bunk and stows their gear. They walk through the various spaces on the ship, checking that everything is in order. While they walk they are also working through the computer system, making connections and generally familiarizing themselves with the digital/magical aspects of the ship's operations.

Khass keeps their camera fliming as the group moves through the station. Taking in the sights of the busy K docks.

As they board the craft and AX-10-M moves to preform preflight checks and take the piloting position, and Power-3 starts their physical examinations, "Certainly no objections from me, I can also help pilot if needed, but prefer helping everyone stay focused. Great call on syncing up our comms. For now I'll check out the sensors and other computer systems."

Khass tries to make sure to get shots, with their camera, of everyone performing their duties on the ship, while somewhat over emphasizing the attention on themselves, and talking directly to the camera at times when it isn't obvious from view alone what is happening.

Khass pulls up the ships schematics on VAM-723, "Yup, it sure looks like it will be a cold one, and roughly 5 hours to get to structure from the planned landing spot. We'll certainly want to bring along the camping gear. If you want me to help haul that, I might have to leave one of my guns behind. These two weigh me down pretty severely."

Khass is best with social skills, decent with most dex skills and training in a scattering of int skills, but only a +1 int mod

As a team, the four starfinders prepare the ship and take off. The plotted course, charted by a collaboration of Khass and AX-10-M, looks like it will take 14 days to arrive in the system that contains VAM-723.

The journey after leaving the nearby space of Absalom Station begins not with a countdown, but with silence. The Pegasus powers down its sublight engines and hangs suspended in normal space. The Drift engine is engaged, a process that takes a tense minute of humming energy. The ship doesn't leap; reality simply warps. The familiar starscape outside the viewports twists like oil on water, replaced instantly by the kaleidoscopic chaos of the Drift. The colors resolve into scattered fragments of other planes floating amid an infinity of swirling purple and pink energy. The chunks of other dimensions that range from serene icebergs to fiery outcroppings of Hell itself pass by the viewscreen and windows.

AX-10-M pilots his way into the necessary drift lane. Drift lanes are essentially stable, predictable, intergalactic highways that emerged in the aftermath of the universe-altering event known as the Drift Crisis. Before the Crisis, Drift travel was a random process in terms of time and encounters; now, these "scars" on the Drift's reality provide reliable, speedy travel between specific, fixed points in the galaxy. Once in the drift lane, it is the longest leg, 10 days.

The vestibule door connecting the dormitory quarters to the main common room open with a soft electrical hum as Zan returns from dropping their pack.

"The trust the Society puts in its new recruits..." Zan remarks, looking around the craft's interior. "To grant them use of such a ship... I prefer this to the cargo bay."

Zan takes a seat by a window to watch as the Drift engine begins to activate. As the colors outside begin to shift and dance, Zan reaches up to their goggles and flicks a small switch. The darkness of the lenses swirls and fades away to transparency. Zan looks out the window for a while through eyes of dark grey-brown sclera and amber iris, each with a deep black, vertical slit in the center formed of numerous conjoined, pupil-like openings.

After a while, Zan produces a peculiar woodwind-like instrument from a pouch under their jacket, tucks the mouthpiece under their covering scarf, and blows a droning melody. They carry on with this for around 10 minutes before putting the instrument away again.

Then, getting up, Zan begins to move about the room, intent on conversing with the other crewmates.

To each one, in their own time, Zan says something similar to the following:

"Please forgive I have not asked a proper introduction. I do this now." Zan then folds their hands into a pair of two-fingered steeple grips, one pointed upward and the other downward, and gives a modest bow. "I am Zan. I come from planet Kasath, far away from this system. Perhaps you know it... Though I too journey far from my kin's home world, my reasons are different from theirs. My demeanor is unpleasant to some, but you should not fear me. I have no will to conquer, as those on the Idari once did. I aim merely to see what I can in my time."

"Now, if you please, I wish you to tell me something which has meaning to you, and to ask of me a question. This way we may become better companions."

Khass perks up when Zan comes to talk to them. They extend a hand in greeting. "Hello Zan, I am Khass. I come from Absalom Station. I know of Kasath, but not much else about it."

They ponder Zan's question for a bit.

"My upbringing really reliant upon myself, tricking folks into believing me a spell caster, was very lonely. After joining the society, making true friendships holds some true meaning for me. On a more superficial level," They indicate the camera, "building my following helps me connect to a large number of people. Speaking of which, do you mind recordings of yourself? I don't live stream; I edit and curate before my posts, so you'd have the opportunity to see anything that includes you before I make it live. I do provided unedited recording for the Society for record keeping though.

Also while that is a question, that is a general one that I try to check with everyone. For you Zan, Tell me more of that instrument you were playing. Is a traditional Kasatha instrument? Is it something you do as a hobby, or is there more to it for you?"

Risiria ponders Zan's question tapping their mandible in thought. They wait for Zan to respond to Khass before interjecting in their blend of vocalizations and telepathy.

I SSSenSSe meaNing eVerywhere aNd iN eVery THIng, howeVer I perSSSoNally purSSue the meaNing wiTHIN learNing aNd freedom. ONe CCould go SSo far aSSS To SSay THaT THe ulTImaTe freedom iSS To be able To follow aNy CCurioSSSITy To ITS SSaTISSfaCKTIoN. THISS appealSS To me parTICularly aSSS THe memory of THe CoNSTraiNTSS of the hiVe linger.

While conversing with Khass:

"True friends, you say... Yes, I can see how this could bring you meaning. I have few, perhaps none. Most come into my life for a short time and are gone again. Such is the way I have lived."

After shaking Khass's hand, Zan scratches their head at Khass's initial question. "I do not think I am familiar with this 'post' that you speak of. I might be... how to say... 'out of touch' on this matter. But, you may record me if you wish."

Smiling slightly through the scarf covering their mouth, Zan reaches into their pouch and produces the instrument they were playing just before, holding it up by the lobed gourd that makes up its body. "Ah, this you mean. Yes, it is an instrument from Kasath. We call it 'Tuha'." Zan gestures to the two lengths of bone coming out of the gourd, stacked on top of each other, each with a set of holes running down it. "Here you see the sound can come out both flutes at once, if you choose. With our arms, we can play two flutes with the same breath." Zan then points to the quill-like resin tube that connects the gourd body to a reed at the top. "And here you give breath. The neck is long so it can be played with mouth covered. I enjoy to play, but I am not the best. Many on Kasath have more skill. I play to pass the time, and to remind me of my home."

~~~

While conversing with Risiria:

"What you say speaks to me. I too consider freedom precious. As well, I follow where my curiosity takes me. Many surprises come this way. I enjoy this. Perhaps we have this in common."

Placing a hand on their shrouded chin, Zan considers a further question. "I have no hate for my home. It just became too small for me. Is this the same for you? Forgive I know little of your kind."

At some point when Zan comes into the bridge, they find AX-10-M staring into the the vivid colors of the drift while making minute course corrections as he flies.

Without visibly acknowledging Zan, AX-10 answers: "I see no reason why your demeanor would register as unpleasant. My social-interpretation subroutines detect no anomalies."

He pauses a moment, head tilting a few degrees as if listening to an internal processor before answering Zan's question.

During our transit, I have been refining a personal research project; attempting to map the quantum resonance differentials along the drift disc's boundary-layer fields. I am testing whether the perceived mysticism of drift travel and other "magical" phenomena can be mathematically modeled through harmonic tensor convergence rather than metaphysical causes. If my calculations hold, then what most organics interpret as magic is simply the nonlinear folding of probability amplitudes across a multidimensional manifold."

He pauses for a moment.

"I anticipate that fourteen days immersed in drift-space visuals will supply more than enough runtime for initial analysis on this."

His optical sensor brightens faintly as he finally turns to regard Zan.

"You were playing some sort of wind instrument earlier. Complex melodic structures with irregular interval spacing. Query: do you consider those patterns you created to be magical in nature? I have heard other biologics call music "magic" but I fail to identify any quantifiable correlation between your musical output and recognized magical vectors. The data sets simply do not overlap. The frequencies you played registered as aesthetically ordered, but magically inert. Could you provide additional context on that connection for my further analysis?"

AX-10-M proceeds to stare at Zan, while still course correcting the ship, his processors almost humming in anticipation of new data.

To AX-10:

"I will not hide that I do not know many of the words you speak. But, I believe that you do. For me, this is enough." Zan looks out the window of the bridge again for a moment, adding, "I have hope that your research will be fruitful."

Zan ponders AX-10's question, placing a hand onto their chin over their scarf. "Is my music magic? This... is an interesting question. I have not considered this before." Zan pauses, thinking another moment before speaking again. "The answer to the question you have asked me is, 'no.' I believe my magic comes from elsewhere."

Zan holds out another hand, palm upward. Over the course of a few seconds, a small sphere of glowing energy begins to form and grow. As it gets larger, a noticeable heat begins to pour out from it, and it quickly becomes brilliantly bright. Then, suddenly and with a flex of Zan's hand, the once bright orb collapses into an eerily-dark orb that seems to have a faint pull. The light it once shone is gone, as is the heat, replaced by only a faint coldness. Then, Zan closes their hand, and the orb disappears.

"You see? This is one of your... 'vectors.' My magic is a gift from the Stars, the givers and takers of all things. However, perhaps my music is magic in another way. It helps me to feel many emotions. And others may do the same when I play. This is magic too, is it not?"

Interrupting the conversation between Zan and AX is a notification at the approach of a vessel in front of you. Based on the readings, they are traveling in the same direction than you at the moment, you have just been going faster than them, and thus caught up.

Not long after the ship-wide tone, you receive a notification that the smaller vessel is hailing you.

Khass will move to communications and answers the hailing.

"Hello, This is the SFP-827, of the Starfinder Society."

"Hey there!" A voice calls back cheerily. The voice sounds like it is most likely a vlaka. "I'm Daskar Kopalak, just a humble follower of the Endless Horizon. I saw you all on my sensors and just wanted to chat with fellow travelers."

AX-10's optical sensor rapidly blinks as he stores Zan's answer about music's relation to magic under Inconclusive before responding:

"I do not have enough data points on the subject yet to answer, but appreciate your input about--" before being cut off by the proximity warning notification. He cautiously monitors the other ship's flight vector as Khass picks up the com.

Khass will motion to the others to feel free to add in to the conversation if they wish.

"Hello Daskar, my name is Khass. The Endless Horizon? That sounds familiar, but I can't place it. Feel free to tell me more. Also where are you headed on your travels if you don't mind my asking?"

"I've been out traveling here and there. But I recently heard some surprising news that has me traveling back home. Apparently Lajok's sun, which has been slowly dying for many years, has supposedly rekindled!"

Vlaka are originally from the home world of Lajok. It is true that the sun of Lajok has been in decline. I'll let you decide whether or not your character knows this.