CHISKISK-'s page

totally loving this banter already!

A few hours after you all arrive and meet Rover you all receive a transmission from Chiskisk.

"well I was just debriefed on your success by Muhali, I can't wait to hear your version!" the say excitedly through the transmission,"In light of your recent discovery of the Cult and the potential threat to the pact worlds, and possibly the galaxy, the Society has decided to allocate resources to upgrade your ship. If you can make quick stop at Absalom station we've arranged for a 24 hour overhaul to your specifications to better combat the threat. We look forward to seeing you soon!" they say as the transmission cuts out.

Chiskisk looks at you all oddly for a second, "You will not have time to seek higher education, of that I am sure. The admissions is extremely competitive anyways." they say dismissively,"As far as compensation, as the journey may include a jungle expedition, the Society will grant each of you a 1000 credit stipend to spend as you see fit, but if my hunch is correct you might just stumble on the archeological find of the century!" Chiskisk says delightedly.

"Normally we would need time to secure transportation for you but I've seen you have recently come into ownership of a starship so that should not be necessary. Whaloss will be expecting you within the week so please make the necessary preparations to leave as soon as possible." they add.

“The Qabarat University of Xenoarchaeology and Xenoanthropology is one of the foremost institutions of higher learning for explorers and galactic ethnographers in the Pact Worlds. In addition to training many great archaeologists, the university maintains a staggering archive of artifacts, recordings, and other findings from throughout the system.” Chiskisk comments, then taps a few keys. “There is a postdoctoral student named Whaloss who has worked with the Society in the past. I’ll ask him to greet you when you land in Qabarat. I trust you'll do your due diligent as in representing the Starfinder Society while you are on the university grounds?"

"The Qabarat University is very particular about how they disseminate their knowledge I'm afraid. Unauthorized copies rarely make it off world if ever." Chiskisk says while typing away,"what I do have is Zan's personal account of his explorations and "adventures" Chiskisk's antenna twitch to emphasize the word adventures,"I'll warn you now though, its no where near an academic document, more a tawdry travelogue that lauds the author’s bravery as much as it describes the culture that built the sites using ample nonacademic language such as “exotic,” “savages,” and “time immemorial.”Chiskisk once again uses their antenna to emphasize the words,"Zan really had very little idea what he was doing I think. He is however the only lead we have.

seconds later you receive a protected scroll file entitled, "Pyramid People of Ukulam by Halkueem Zan”

after a few hours you all meet at the lore spire tower and are escorted into Chiskisk's office.

"Thank you for meeting with me again Starfinders! I saw the vids embassador Nor posted and have had a team analyzing it ever since. So far they have come to some of the same conclusions you may have; The drift rock appears to be a small piece of a much larger construction and more and more of the analysis points to it be some sort of super weapon. Carbon dating is putting in the millions of years old. This may very be the find of the century you guys!" the shirren says excitedly, while typing away at their keyboard.

"The Starfinder Society’s linguistic database recognized many of the symbols you found on the Drift Rock, because this is not the first time they’ve appeared post-Gap. The bad news is that the source is... highly unreliable,” Chiskisk notes, as segments of their chitinous body scrape together in agitation. “All that we have about these earlier texts comes from Halkueem Zan nearly three centuries ago, and it seems that no published studies of those texts have appeared since. According to these records, Zan’s original findings were donated to the Qabarat University of Xenoarchaeology and Xenoanthropology on Castrovel shortly after his—“ The shirren pauses while contemplating how best to phrase the sentence. “—disruptive expeditions.
“Fortunately, the Society has numerous alumni from that university, and I can readily secure you a contact there and forward my personal recommendation to a few faculty members. Perhaps they can show you Zan’s notes and even take you to the original site so that you can search for more clues about whatever this Drift Rock once was.” They finish as the look up from their monitors,"Well, what do you say?"

"It's difficult to say how astral exstractions would react to these accusations, they are a very powerful corperation after all," Chiskisk remarks, "I would advise taking the next few days for some rest and recovery. You've certainly earned it I'd say. Give me a few days and I can float this all up the pipe and see what the best next step for you all would be." they finish as Egg realizes his snack bread is now snack toast.

Chiskisk responds after a few momemnts, slightly annoyed at the mispronouncement of their name "Well that was fast, the lot of you are shaping to be very effective starfinders. Go ahead and forward me all the pertinent information and files and I'll be sure to work up a report detailing your findings." They say as you hear the clicks of a keyboard being used on the other end."station security has been alerted that you will be bring Ferani in, as long as the files corroborate your story I doubt you'll need to wake her before she gets the station brig."

”please,” the shirren accepts the pretzel bite, ”you know they make these filled with a peanut based paste, absolutely divine.”

”Unfortunately, Kreel didn’t have much of a home adress, he spent most of his time on surveying and mining missions.” Chiskisk says, adding, “and the protein is plant based if you must know. I get, for lack of a better word, ‘bugged out’ eating the insect kind, and the mammal and fowl ones fluctuate in price too much.”

The shirren’s Antenna flit back and forth as each of you speak and then they respond, ”well I’m afraid I’m not exactly an expert on the current gang affairs of the station. You may want to do some old fashioned footwork and speak to some of the station citizens; they may be able to point you in a better direction.” the shirren then taps at her data pad for a few seconds and says, ”I’m transferring each of you 200 standard pact credits and the adress to the Moons of Sleep, it’s a nice little place that offers Starfinders a discount on rooms. Think of the creds as a signing bonus plus expenses for the investigation.” the shirren finishes as you all feel a buzz or hear a beep to your comm unit with a message indicating the funds had been transferred.

”Now, unless you have any other questions, you’d best get settled in and start your assignment.” they say as there antenna relax.

”ah yes I believe we got a memo from a ‘C4M’? I’ll inform Chiskisk of your arrival, they will be most pleased to hear your report.” the receptionist says as she types away for a moment. ”All right, your all cleared!” she says as she sends Cam the directions to Chiskisk’s office.

After several minutes you able to find the office; as you approach the doors slide open and inside you see the shirren seated behind a polished and unadorned plastic desk, Chiskisk wears understated business clothes and is nervously flexing their antennae from side to side—a shirren expression of perplexity. Chiskisk welcomes you, offers refreshments (filtered water and processed-protein wafers), and bids them sit down before introducing themself.

”please come in. Help yourself to some water or crackers if you need refreshment. Your memo indicated Kreel was gunned down? I am sorry that I cannot welcome you to Absalom Station under better circumstances. I assure you that such attacks are not a daily occurrence, though I realize that is likely small comfort to you. I am pleased that none of you were seriously hurt, but I grieve for Duravor’s death. He was a valued member of the Society, and a friend. May the Lady of Graves be kind in her judgment of his soul.” The shirren bows their head momentarily, then looks up, their compound eyes glittering.

“What puzzles me is the reason behind the attack.” Chiskisk taps a few commands into their computer. “According to the incident report just released by station security, two gangs were involved in the attack: the Downside Kings and the Level 21 Crew. Gang wars are not uncommon on the station, but they usually confine themselves to the more lawless sectors like the Puddles. It is rare for street gangs to battle openly in public areas like the docks. I cannot help but wonder whether all is as it seems. There must be a reason why those two gangs were at Docking Bay 94 at that time—the time of your arrival, coincidentally. But was it coincidence? Were you and Duravor just innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire, or might you and he have been specifically targeted? And if so, why?
“My understanding is that you are newly appointed Starfinders, and since you were witnesses to the attack, I would like to ask you to investigate the incident on behalf of the Society. Find out exactly what happened and why. It may simply be a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time—I have no doubt station security will rule it so—but if Duravor was murdered, I would like to find justice for my friend. At the same time, this will give you the opportunity to demonstrate your own skills and abilities and show the Society that you are worthy of the title ‘Starfinder.’ Good luck.”