The adventure begins at the Lorespire Complex on Absalom Station, the Starfinder Society’s primary base of operations, where the team has been called to a mission briefing hosted by Venture-Captain Arvin.
Wearing a hat on the top of his face smoking a cigar the human being seems to have moved around several times from the time he left Eox where he has grown up. He spent enough time there to learn about the decadent culture. He greets his companions with a "Hello". they will learn soon that he's called Zebir.
A lithe Castrovelian elf struts into the briefing room, dressed in a tight black bodysuit under her white armor that has labels and holograms marking her as a combat medic, a sonic rifle slung over her shoulder. Her long raven-black hair spills down her back as her bright blue eyes take in the room.
She gives everyone inside a gentle (and yet still wry) smile.
"Hi there. I'm Anettalia, and I'll be your field medic and cheerleader today. You can call me Anetta if we're in a pinch."
As other Starfinders arrive, a man can be seen leaning back in his chair, his legs stretched, feet resting atop the briefing table, hood pulled up to hide most of his face…light snoring can be heard…a Shirren eye rifle rests by him leaning upon the table…
He jumps up alertly upon hearing a ‘Hello’…he nods to the human…then sits back down…only to see an Ysoki quietly entered the chapel the room and say nothing…he nods to her as well…and then a most audacious appearance…he arches an eyebrow as he notes she’s a felliw Elf…though different ancestry…
Upon her introduction, he rises to his feet, pulling back his hood to reveal a face with sharp Azrinaran Elf features. ”Faldir, at your service, m’Lady…impressive gun you have there…”
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Anettalia tilts her head, giving the Azrinaran a deeper smile from one corner of her mouth as she takes a seat. "Just a run-of-the-mill sonic rifle. Nothing as... grand as yours, it seems."
“Welcome, Starfinders,” says Venture-Captain Arvin with a smile. “Today I’m sending you to Luvoth, a verdant arctic moon in the Vast we thought was uninhabited by sapient species until a recent Starfinder mission proved the situation far more complicated. Luvoth is home to lu-venons, a people who were psychically cast adrift after a botched magical ritual. Their minds were wandering the cosmos for the past 300 years, while their bodies cruised on autopilot on Luvoth, living as animals.”
“As you can imagine, things at home on Luvoth suffered during the centuries their intellects were in stellar exile. Families are scattered, settlements and infrastructure have crumbled to ruin, governments and other societal systems are non-existent, once-tamed animals have reverted to being wild, and many of the defenses lu-venons relied upon for their collective safety no longer exist. In short: they could really use our help.”
“They’ve invited a team of Starfinders to visit Luvoth, landing at their space port in Dallithun. Your contact is an ambassador named Uloa Su-Tae. They want you to scout out an anomaly they’ve detected—a spike in psychic activity in the nearby tundra. Uloa Su-Tae will accompany you throughout this investigation. Keep them safe, be respectful, and try to
make a good impression.”
Arvin leans forward, placing his elbows on his desk and looking very serious. “First and foremost, remember this is a diplomatic mission. We’re working to establish a foundation of trust that a friendship can be built upon. Luvoth needs allies, and I want to ensure we’re counted among them.”
“Any questions?”
I'll try to stay diplomat during the investigation of the psychic activity. Can you tell us more about it before we leave? replies Zebir.
Diplomacy isn't his best skill but he'll try to improve it for the occasion.
Faldir nods. ”Seems suited for me…I can scout as needed. As for questions…what known dangers might await us in this tundra?”
Anettalia nods after the Venture Captain finishes. "I was part of the team that went to Luvoth. We found the lu-venons before we got their minds restored. They are *adorable* for the record, and even in their animal-like state they had unique magical abilities. Their technology had a lot of psychic energy, and we had to drive off the planet's natural predators as well as a psychic energy being when fixing the magitech that kept their conscious minds out of their bodies."
The elf thinks while Zebir speaks up. "I'm pretty good with people, if we need. Plus I've helped lu-venons before so maybe they'll like me better?"
To Arvin she asks, "Did the lu-venons give us any more specific information about this anomaly so we can study it during the spaceflight?"
“Luvoth is very cold, so dress warm, and the atmosphere is thin, so activate your environmental protections. The previous team encountered predatory animals, dangerous magic, and a variety of occult and psychic effects. Equip yourselves for a hostile mission and be ready for anything.”
Arvin gives each agent their choice of either a tactical thermal capacitor or three environmental endurance (2nd-rank) spell amps to protect them from Luvoth’s freezing temperatures.
"They were unable to tell us anything helpful about the anomaly. That's why you're going to help them."
So I think we'll stay safe from the environmental issues with these items. Good. We'll have to take care from the other ones.
Anettalia nods to the Venture Captain and opts to take one of the thermal capacitors for her armor. "No more questions here. Thanks!"
Faldir also accepts a tactical thermal capacitor. ”Much obliged, Cap’n,” he says while tipping his hood…
The PCs pilot a Starfinder starship called Brilliant Discovery to Luvoth, which takes days through the Drift. Upon approach, Dallithun appears to be a few landing platforms and a signal tower nestled amid the tall, spindly conifers of the surrounding taiga. The PCs are hailed over the comms in a language they don’t understand, but flashing lights make it clear where they’re to land.
After the Starfinders disembark, a pair of lu-venons wearing reflective vests direct to enter a squat gray building, little bigger than a shipping container and covered in a thick layer of snow. The entry door is 4 feet high, and the ceilings inside the building are 6 feet high.
The cramped ramp opens into a large natural cavern, nearly 40 feet high and well over 200 feet long, magically illuminated by colorful spheres that bob and dance through the air like fireflies. The ground level of this cavern is a well-traveled street, lined with grand buildings built in miniature, with the tallest a two-story structure rising barely 15 feet high. To the east and west, two tiers of wide balconies form broad platforms for additional buildings of much smaller and simpler construction. Throughout the cavern, tiny lu-venons go about their day.
Passing lu-venons pause and stare at the Starfinders, shoot them sideways glances, and mutter in the same unrecognizable language.
Computer:
Zebir explains what he learnt from the atmosphere and the landscape of the planet.
Then he observes the comportemental routine of the locals.
Society:
Faldir looks around at the surrounding area, warily observing the locals…
During the flight, Anettalia makes sure to spend some time with each member of the Starfinder team to establish her Mystic Bond , assuming everyone is willing.
She'll listen carefully to Zebir's explanation rather than trying to plug away at the sensors herself. "Thank you for telling us, Zebir. That's good to know."
After landing, she will engage in conversation with the lu-venons.
"Hello there! Happy to be back. I hope you're all doing well?"
Soon, the Starfinders are approached by a lu-venon wearing a cream-colored sweater, pink jacket, and a variety of jewelry, including a slender silver headband.
“Welcome to Luvoth, Starfinders. I’m Uloa Su-Tae and I welcome you with deep gratitude to this, Dallithun, first reestablished city of my people. I suspect you have many questions, as we do for you, but answers will have to wait. The Divergence was long, and both our people and our homes have suffered. We have made great progress since the Return, and the Resurgence is well under way, but your assistance is of paramount importance. If you’ll follow me.”
Uloa leads the team down the main thoroughfare, along a side passage, and into an abandoned cavern that’s not yet under construction. She also makes a point of welcoming back two familiar Starfinders, giving Indori a breathe fire (1st-rank) spell gem and Anettalia a magical glass sphere that contains crackling sparks and functions as a tactical incendiary grenade.
Uloa gestures to some rubble, the long-ruined remains of buildings which have been dusted off and topped with a few tiny cushions. “Apologies for the neglected surroundings, but few of our buildings will hold you.”
They pause, waiting for everyone to be seated, then nod their head respectfully. “I extend my thanks to your Society for bringing an end to the Divergence and triggering the Return. Our psychic exodus was long, and the world of Luvoth is no longer as we remember it. We live now in the Resurgence, a time of resettling, rebuilding, and reimagining, but also a time of great exploration. We explore our home world, so long lost to us, and soon we must we explore the galaxy beyond. It is my hope that you, the Starfinder Society, will be helpful on both fronts.
“A powerful buildup of psychic energy was detected east of here, yet scrying has revealed nothing notable on the surface. We believe the source of this psychic energy is underground. This could be signs of another lu-venon settlement, or it could be something far more dangerous. Perhaps broken technology, degraded magic, powerful monsters, or even an alien threat. We lu-venons have an… aversion to danger. And we are too few, now, to risk changing our habits. Thus, we accepted your Venture-Captain’s offer of assistance. You will accompany me to the site of this psychic disturbance to ascertain the source. You will ensure my safety and confront any dangers we encounter. Do you accept these terms?”
Perception:
The Eoxian nods in return.
Anettalia smiles warmly, recognizing Uloa. "Hi there! It's good to see you again!"
She accepts the gift graciously, tucking it into one of the belts around her bodysuit hugging her waist.
She takes her seat with the others, listening to Uloa's information.
"I can only speak for myself, but yes, I do. We kept you safe the last time we were here, and we can certainly do it again."
"Excellent! Do you have any questions for me before we depart? I would like you to provide us transportation to the site of the disturbance aboard your starship."
“Neither memories recalled nor records uncovered provide us any clues to what was once in the area we are to explore. On the surface, it is unremarkable tundra.”
So I think it's time for the departure, isn't it?
Uloa provides the Starfinders with coordinates and boards their starship, looking very serious. The trip to the site of the sychic disturbance takes 20 minutes. On the trip, Uloa asks the agents about themselves, inquiring who they are, what their happiest memory is, and what kind of missions they’ve been assigned by the Starfinder Society.
Nothing to tell about me for long. I’m coming from Eox this decadent planet. Went away to stay in mental healrh. Then it’s my first mission for the society. So not much to tell yet.
Diplomacy:
Anettalia catches up with Uloa since the last time she was here, but when the talk turns to memories, she gets a little quieter, focusing on the recent past and her time re-certifying as a field medic and joining the Starfinder Society after spending long periods of time on Akiton in the distant past (without elaborating on that).
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Well I'm an adopted orphan who was fond in the Drift adopted by a halfling escape artist and her Brenneri partner, who's an accountant and vidgamer. I do daredevil acrobatics and I love being underwater ... especially with my best friend. As for assignments, apart from coming here, I've been investigating this new deity called the Newborn and trying to find out what happened to the Butterfly Goddess.
If you're ever in Absalom, come to the Starlight Club.
Uloa seems to soften as the Starfinders share their experiences. They direct the Starfinders to land a mile from their destination, so they can approach cautiously on foot.
The blinding light comes from all angles, shining down from the sun and reflecting up from the snow. The wind blasts hard enough to knock breath from lungs, and the air is cold, cutting like a knife. The surrounding tundra is an expanse of shifting white. Snow billows across the frigid ground, clouds scud across the milky sky, and the featureless horizon provides no landmarks.
The walk from the starship to the site of the disturbance takes 25 minutes due to the snow. Uloa provides directions and is clearly comfortable in their surroundings.
A line of dark gray juts out from the ubiquitous white of the landscape: a rocky bluff which is both cave entrance and wind break. Nearby, a snow drift shudders, revealing an expanse of white fur matted with blood—an injured creature, half buried in the snow.
Zebir will use the given way to protect himself.
Faldir activates his tactical thermal capacitor as he leaves the ship…
Upon spying the wounded creature, he’ll draw his laser pistol and warily approach but stop well short of it…trying to get a better picture of what he’s looking at…
Some sort of feline lies under the snow, on the verge of death. Having caught scent of the Starfinders, she shifts and bares her teeth, but she only barely has strength to do this.
Nature:
Medicine:
The Eoxian explains his observations to his companions. Then he looks around for the young one.
Anettalia turns on her environmental protections and thermal capacitor once the team gets out in the cold.
Once the feline is pointed out, the elf keeps her rifle held close to her chest as she narrows her eyes, examining the feline and also the surrounding area.
(+1 if Tactical Medkit helps)
Anettalia confirms Zebir's medical analysis and points out impressions in the snow pointing to a nearby cave while dropping the forward hand from the gun to her medkit, thumbing its latch.
"It's hurt...but I can help it. Will you all cover me while I tend to its wounds?"