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.
Venture-Captain Arvin waits in one such meeting room, gesturing toward some chairs as the door opens. “Grab a seat. This shouldn’t take long.” He clicks a remote control, first dimming the lights, then activating a hologram that hangs in the air. 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?”
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A relatively young dwarf sits at the table, wearing purple and silver armor, a massive technological backpack (in matching colors) sitting on the floor next to him. He glances around at everyone, and says, "Pleasure to meet you. I'm Myron Laserforge, chief weapons engineer of Laserforge Clan Holdings." He turns his attention to Arvin. "Sounds pretty straightforward ... no major red flags for us to know about, aside from this artificial structure?"
A young Pahtra with particular long whiskers and very soft fluffy fur raises her hand to wave in a greeting manner.
"Greetings fellow Starfinders! I am Cera Artemis, call me Cera or Artemis whatever sounds easier, please do not shorten my name to Art or so. I am very excited that my very first mission will be" she squints at the coordinates presented "in the Vast."
A sturdy backpack meant for the active lifestyle like that of a Starfinder agent lies near her feet. Already done her armor because of the exciting first mission. On her lap rests a Comm Unit her other hand now takes up for notetaking.
"How will we reach that moon? Looks to be very cold, i am glad to see a familiar climate like in my childhood but there is cold and really cold! So do we need extra protection because of the enviroment?"
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An extremely fluffy white-furred vlaka stands stiffly by the door, one arm behind his back, the other parallel to the floor with an expensive monogrammed AbadarCorp towel draped over it. His clothing is a perfectly tailored and pressed high-class servant's outfit, the barest outline of a pistol on the side the only hint that he is here for the mission and not to serve refreshments. The perceptive may also notice that both white gloves conceal weaponry. A suitcase, seemingly patent leather, rests on the floor by his feet.
"Lamarr, Borf Lamarr, at your service," he says to the assembled Starfinders with a deep bow.
A brief hint of panic passes over his face, as if he has seen something terrible that no one else has. After a moment, his features settle back into a carefully neutral expression, and he listens intently to Arvin's briefing.
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"I can get us there well enough, assuming you need a pilot. I go by the name Yjun Nae Dae Jek, and I am one of the best there is." A kasatha in freebooter armor replies. "Any idea what this artificial structure may have been used for? Also, since we assume the planet is uninhabited, I assume we are welcome to whatever treasures we may find?"
"Sounds pretty straightforward ... no major red flags for us to know about, aside from this artificial structure?"
Arvin says, “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.”
"How will we reach that moon? Looks to be very cold, i am glad to see a familiar climate like in my childhood but there is cold and really cold! So do we need extra protection because of the enviroment?"
Arvin says, "You'll be utilizing one of our Starfinder starships to get there. As for the cold, 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.”
"Any idea what this artificial structure may have been used for? Also, since we assume the planet is uninhabited, I assume we are welcome to whatever treasures we may find?"
Arvin paces the room as he talks. "We're not sure at the moment what the structure was used for. As for what you find, feel free to use anything on your mission that's useful, but any finds should be turned in and recorded once the mission is complete."
"Artificial structures but no sapient life? They might have abandoned the moon." she muses.
"Yes," Arvin nods along, "That was our conclusion as well, but best not to let your guard down."
Cera Artemis turns her head towards the kasatha "Oh, we can take turns and see who is the better pilot on the way there, Yjun Nae Dae Jek. I consider myself also a skilled pilot. My name is Cera Artemis, pleased to meet you." Her long whiskers and her ears twitch in excitement of a future friedly display of skills.
Towards Arvin, still sitting in her chair, while making some notes in her Comm Unit "So in the very unlikely case that we encounter sapient life there, what is the stance of the Society? I mean deep hidden bunkers to survive harsh conditions are not something new. But i agree we might only find fauna there which might be too eager to have more protein on the menu."
Pointing in the general direction of where Starfinders get their stuff. "My rifle is ready to be picked up on our way out of the HQ." to let her fellow agents know a slight detour will be needed.
Scanning her notes she adds towards Arvin again "So about the uncharted state of that moon we will get some toys to help to create future maps?"
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"Maybe they're all dead," comments a man who looks like he knows a thing or two about the subject. Lean and encased in all black temp weave, his raven black hair hangs lank but thick down to his shoulders. His skin has a deathly pale pallor and his eyes are ball black, including a tear like streak under each.
He lounges low in a chair, almost laying in it, his fingers steepled together in front of his face.
"Eric Draven," he identifies himself.
The pistol on one hip and coiled lash on the other suggest he is not simply hear to provide macabre commentary.
Towards Arvin, still sitting in her chair, while making some notes in her Comm Unit "So in the very unlikely case that we encounter sapient life there, what is the stance of the Society? I mean deep hidden bunkers to survive harsh conditions are not something new. But i agree we might only find fauna there which might be too eager to have more protein on the menu."
Pointing in the general direction of where Starfinders get their stuff. "My rifle is ready to be picked up on our way out of the HQ." to let her fellow agents know a slight detour will be needed.
Scanning her notes she adds towards Arvin again "So about the uncharted state of that moon we will get some toys to help to create future maps?"
Arvin folds his hands behind his back. "It's a possibility, though a remote one. If you do make contact with any undiscovered species, be careful and record anything about them you can."
Myron scrolls through the screen of the custom rig strapped to his arm. He nods to Cera. "I'll need to pick up a couple of things, as well." To Arvin, he says, "Any supplies being provided, aside from the starship of course?"
Arvin thinks on this.
"Maybe they're all dead," comments a man who looks like he knows a thing or two about the subject.
"That," Arvin says, "Is what we think as well. Let me know if there are any other questions, and then you may make your way to dock 2L-17 for your assigned starship."
Scanning her notes she adds towards Arvin again "So about the uncharted state of that moon we will get some toys to help to create future maps?"
"So if there is no special equipment we will rely on our own senses and intial first scans from our ship for mapping that uncharted moon. Got it!" Cera Artemis looks down on her comm unit in her hands making some more notes.
Turning towards all of her fellow Starfinder Agents including Borf Lamarr at the door for which she turns around in her chair
"I am ready to pick up my stuff and start my very first mission." Her tone is cheerful and excited.
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Arvin thinks on this.
Myron gets up, tapping on his custom rig screen. "I'll have this AdabarCorp order delivered directly to the hangar dock to save us time, since it'll beat us there." He frowns as he looks at his funds, remembering why he signed up for this mission. "Oh, yes ... well, one extra grenade it is, then ..."
He glances around the room. "Someone has a medkit, right? I have some medical training, but haven't stocked up on a full supply kit yet."
As he hefts his massive backpack on, it's clear that his budgeted resources have largely gone to ... whatever that technological monstrosity is. Pointing up in the back of the backpack is a barrel the size of Myron's leg, suggesting it's some sort of broken down components for a weapon.
"I have no knowledge about medicine. And also i am not able to cast any spells which might heal. So i never thought about buying a medkit just in case for someone else to use." admits Cera Artemis
On the way out she collects her backpack and goes to pick up a Commercial Autotarget Rifle in the Starfinder Society HQ.
With nearly her last Credits she finally buys a shiny new Tailknife for now not attached to her tail, but secured at her hip.
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Myron nods appreciatively to Borf. "Excellent. Just hold onto that in case we need it."
Once to the ship, Myron heads down to claim a bunk near the engine room. He connect his custom rig to the ship's computer for ease of accessing diagnostic information. With two hotshot pilots on this mission, he wants to be sure they don't burn out a thruster or something.
With the briefing concluded, the Starfinders board the designated starship and begin their journey to the coordinates they were provided. The journey takes 21 days through the Drift, most of the uneventful. On the 17th day, however, the team finds themselves briefly traveling alongside another, smaller vessel, whose pilot and lone crew member hails the Starfinders over comms.
The comms on the Starfinder's ship crackle to life in an audio-only message. "Hello there, I am Daskar Kopalak, humble follower of the Endless Horizon. I find it so rare to come upon those in the Drift while traveling, where are your horizons taking you, eh? I myself am on my way back to Lajok, as I've heard of the miracle of its rekindling and wish to experience the golden rays of new life myself!"
Cera wears her cream- and grey-coloured Estex Suit and quickly adapted to have the newly aquired tailknife attached and not causing any damage to herself, others, any equipment or the ship.
When the Starfinders are greeted by the other vessel Cera Artemis usess the intercom to let her crewmates know about the other ship, her long whiskers gentle touch a control panel but are just too light and soft of a touch to cause anything to happen. "If anyone of you is familiar with an individual named Daskar Kopalak or followers of the Endless Horizon we have encountered a so far friedly fellow traveller. Please joins us on the bridge."
Having alerted the crew she voices her opinion "I would love to have a friedly chat and if you can explain to me about Endless Horizon and so on i will unlikely talk us into trouble. Although i am trained in talking my way out of trouble." Her hand hovers near a control to answer the hail of Daskar Kopalak.
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Thinking back on his recent pirating days, Yjun pauses and asks aloud, 'Are we sure that this hail isn't part of some trap?"
"No," Erik answers Yjun Nae Da Jek's question with a brevity that suggests he believes that's exactly what it is.
"I would advise telling them as little as possible while continuing to stall them," he continues.
Anaeja greets and introduces herself to the traveller. "I wish you safe travel to your destination! New life experience is an exciting thing to happen. I hope everything goes well." she tells Daskar.
"We are on our way to investigated a uninhabited moon... what was the designated name of it?"
"Wonderful! Exploration is the heart of our being! May Weydan smile on your good work, and I wish you well in your journey."
Myron glances around at the end of the team. "What's the Endless Horizon? Never heard of Lajok, either."
Daskar says, "The Endless Horizon is another name for Weydan, the god of exploration! Lajok is the home planet of the Vlaka, orbiting a dying sun, but there are rumors of a rekindling!"
Cera Artemis is a bit taken aback by Anaeja's initiave to just talk to Daskar without answering any questions or taking concerns of the team in consideration.
When the mic is closed "Please not just act, we were all confused about the markings on the ship, what Endless Horizon means and that this might be a set up for an ambush. We just wanted to exchange our knowledge and then act. Now we only can react to your actions. We will work together but for the future we should be on the same page."
Cera Artemis tries her best to assure Anaeja she is just surprised. "You might not have read the room and how we even seriously consider this a potential ambush by pirates." Her hand gestures to Yjun and Erik.
Laying her hand on her chest "In my opinion a traveller just wanting a chat, but the markings on that ship are unknown to me and what is a follower of the Endless Horizion? I know nothing about Religion and a death cult follower could smile into my face and tell me what they are and i happily nod along and feel at ease which is not a very bright idea."
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Borf pointedly ignores Cera's ramblings and greets Daskar - well, 'warmly' may be overstating it, but with a slightly less stiff demeanor. "It is my desire to one day return to Lajok to experience the rekindling myself, should my duties permit such an excursion. May the light of the reborn sun wash over you with a bounty and mercy."
At Borf's reply, Daskar begins to transmit his image. He's a large Vlaka with graying hair around the eyes, which are also cloudy. Blind. He makes a hand gesture known to Vlaka to signify a graceful parting. "And you as well brother! May Weydan light your way in investigating this Moon of yours!"
Soon enough, Daskar's ship pulls away in the Drift and disappears, on its way to Lajok.
The Starfinders arrive on VAM-723 after another few days and land their ship where Arvin designated, a clearing in the middle of a dense taiga. The environment lives up to its name, as spindly conifers and several inches of snow stretch as far as the Starfinders can see while landing. In the near distance looms a short (in both height and length) mountain range; the nearest of its foothills is the location of the artificial structure the Starfinders have been asked to investigate.
Onboard sensors confirm the moon has a breathable atmosphere, and that the local temperature ranges from severe to extreme cold. The overland route to the structure is a simple affair, but this gives the Starfinder team ample opportunity to survey the moon and take any samples they deem necessary. What few ruins the Starfinders pass jut out from the ground or have collapsed into piles of rubble.
Prepared for a day in the cold Cera surveys for anything to get a better view over the beautiful snowy area.
"Natural cold air is wondeful!" Cera smiles and steps towards the trees.
Swiftly she climbs up one of the conifers and a bit of snow falls down.
Peering into the distance after a few moment she radios her team. "I cannot see anything that points to altered terrain. So no visible signs of intelligent life having carved their enviroment. Only the weather and trees."
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Myron glances around at the end of the team. "What's the Endless Horizon? Never heard of Lajok, either."Daskar says, "The Endless Horizon is another name for Weydan, the god of exploration! Lajok is the home planet of the Vlaka, orbiting a dying sun, but there are rumors of a rekindling!"
Myron frowns at the panel, tapping it. He makes a mental note to fix the light indicating that the comm is transmitting once the conversation is over. Fortunately, his question wasn't too embarrassing over the open comms.
Upon arriving at the moon, Myron begins his investigation focusing on the ruins.
"I can't make heads our tails out of what these ruins were intended for ..." He sounds frustrated by the situation.
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The overland route to the structure is a simple affair, but this gives the Starfinder team ample opportunity to survey the moon and take any samples they deem necessary.
Yjun double checks the environmental protections on his armor and ventures out. Not a scientist by training, the pirate does have some experience in taking things. He goes for some samples.
Having no luck, he then decides to scale one of the trees.
He confirms Cera's conclusions.
From there, he tries to make sense of the ruins.
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Anaeja blinks twice and looks around, realizing she might not have quite read the room. Still, someone hailing from another ship and introducing themselves didn’t seem hostile to her.
"They seem welcoming to me." she says with an innocent shrug.
After a moment, she considers what Cera had been trying to tell her.
"I will be more careful next time," she adds to her.
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Anaeja collects and analyzes samples of flora, finding some poisonous berries among her collection.
She looks for higher ground and surveys the surrounding. She finds that no sign of the moon’s environment is being altered by intelligent life.
w Dubious Knowledge
She inspects the ruins and estimates these ruins as being several centuries old, placing the civilization’s collapse as sometime during or shortly after the Gap.
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Erik puts up the hood on his armor and activates the environmental seals, though no amount of physical cold will ever match the icy hands of death.
Though his all black armor is a sharp contrast to the stark whiteness around them, he still manages to move in a way that causes the eye to skate over him.
As the others quickly gather all the available information, he simply processes and comments.
"More and more evidence that whatever made these ruins is gone. And more evidence that it was an outpost rather than a settlement."
A thought occurs to him then, one quite close to his own existence. "Though just because something is dead, doesn't mean it can't move. Or be dangerous."
Forming a tiny snowman out of three little snowballs and adding two little sticks as arms is her activity after Cera climbed down again. One arm is longer and points to the ship.
Approaching Anaeja and having a closer look at the 'bad berries' Cera is visible tempted to also sniff them. But the cold makes her stop.
"Good to know what we should not eat here. But usally i follow the general advice of unknown planet could mean unsafe food. Thanks Anaeja! We should point that out in the report. Should we build a base here then it is part of the briefing material."
Cera spreads her arms to gesture around. "So either no intelligent life lived here, it was an area under protection or remote and/or untouched. Some structures were once here build and erosion or whatever erased all hints. One theory!"
Nodding towards Erik. "Also a good thought. And you mentioned a potential outpost. If that was true i wonder what kind of outpost. A place for travellers to find some much needed rest or military? But we could talk in circles. If we don't find more near the ship we will find more answers at one of the structures the drones found."
As the Starfinders survey the landscape and begin to try and piece together the puzzle of this moon, Yjun feels something crawling up his suit's pant leg. Erik spots a small mammalian creature attempting to climb up Yjun's leg, performing a survey of their own. The creature seems curious almost to a fault.
Soon enough you spot more of these creatures at the perimeter of your group. These others seem far more skittish.
What do you do?
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Cera Artemis tries to make them feel more at ease and find out what they want that way.
Just because they look like animals does not mean they have to be treated like animals.
The tone of her voice and more important her body language is meant for a favourable first impression even if you do not share a language. "Who are you? What do you want? Why are you here? Where are you going? Do you have anything worth living for?"
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Erik does not like being surrounded like this. He's seen far too many holovids that start out with a group of small, cute things suddenly sprouting claws and fangs and bloodlust.
But, there has been no aggression yet, and they say music soothes the savage beast so he pulls out his compact electric guitar and begins to play a haunting, quiet melody.
The small creature climbing Yjun's pantleg hops down when Cera begins her questions, and seeing the friendly displays by the Starfinders, goes to a nearby rock and pulls out a headband made of soft, silvery metal, matching the one the creature is currently wearing. It offers the headband to Cera, due to her befriending the creature.
Borf immediately recognizes that the headband is magical.
The starfinders begin traveling again and notice the pack of feline creatures follows behind them. About halfway into the journey to the structure, the feline creatures begin to shriek loudly, drop to the ground and immediately vanish. Borf realizes that the creatures have used a reflexive spell like adaptive camouflage to hide.
The Starfinders find themselves surrounded by larger, predatory feline creatures with thick fur and quills! Eric's keen senses picks the creatures out of the brush just before they pounce.
Initiative Tracker
Bold may act.
Active party buffs:
Battle Map: Slides
Environmental effects:
Round 1
Eric Draven
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Kaylixes
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Anaeja
Myron
Borf
Cera
Yjun