You see debris from the Endless Threnody get ejected into space as the shell from your coil gun
strikes the hull. You imagine the screams of the crew as the vacuum of space pours into the new breach. Then you realize that the internals of the ship are exposed to the vacuum of space by design and no one is screaming in pain and fear because they're already dead. You're torn between a sense of relief and the creepiness of being in a space battle with zombies.
The Endless Threnody slowly makes its way toward you. There seems to be something strange about its flight path as it positions itself to fire on your port side.
The Endless Threnody is a massive vessel made of bone and steel. The front of the ship is a single enormous red lens, appearing as a sullen, bloody eye. The ship bristles with bone protrusions, as though it were some horned, skeletal beast. Some of the bones are charred and broken, indicating past battle damage. Laser cannons protrude from the front and sides of the freighter; but its rear weapon mounts are a twisted wreck. Gaps between the bones show the ship’s interior, but this is not from battle damage—this ship was never intended to accommodate living creatures.
Round 1
The Eoxian freighter completes its turn and starts to move toward you. It stops well outside of your weapon range and your com starts to announce an incoming hail.
Hail answered:
"So good of you to deliver the skulls we need for our repairs. The only thing I like better than take away is delivery…”
As you cruise around the drift your sensor consoles suddenly light up! You've detected the Endless Threnody at the very edge of your sensors. They don't appear to have detected you just yet.
"As the Endless Threnody is part of the Corpse Fleet to which even our contacts aren't really on good terms with. There is no way to know what type of armament it may have. We only know that its Drift engine is damaged, so it’s unable to leave the Drift. The fact that its agent was prevented from acquiring replacement parts means its Drift engine is probably still offline. But you should assume that its armaments and other systems are operational. As a freighter, it’s unlikely to be bristling with weapons, but be careful.”
* Starship Roles *
Captain: Bob
Pilot: Randal
Gunners: Zipper & San
Engineers: Rook
Science Officer: Nebula
You enter the drift and start to proceed to the coordinates that Exegara gave you. As you near the location it is quite obvious that there is no ship there. It would be wise to scan the area just in case.
Nebula, please roll a Computer check remembering to include a +2 for the Loreseeker ship bonus in addition to any bonuses you may have yourself.
After agreeing to further investigate the disappearance of the Unbounded Wayfarer you head to various sections of the station to resupply with instructions from Venture-Captain Arvin that you'll meet him at the hangar docks in 4 hours.
You make your way to the designated dock where you see the Venture-Captain standing next to the entry ramp of a sleek-looking starship.
“This is the Loreseeker, a Pegasus-class ship that’s one of the fastest and lightest in the Society’s fleet. Thanks to your efforts we now know that the Unbounded Wayfarer, was discovered by undead creatures from a starship called the Endless Threnody. We’ve pulled some strings with our more reputable Eoxian contacts to get more information, but they’ve disavowed knowledge of the Endless Threnody entirely; this likely confirms our suspicions that the Endless Threnody is connected with the Corpse Fleet, a group of Eoxian separatists who refuse to work alongside the living.
We have the location of the Endless Threnody in the Drift, courtesy of that ghoul you tracked down. Its Drift engine is incapacitated, so it’s unable to escape the Drift. Take the Loreseeker into the Drift, cripple the Eoxian ship—as a Corpse Fleet vessel, they won’t be open to negotiations—and recover the location of the lost Starfinder vessel.
"I yield! I yield!!!!", you hear Exegara yell out from behind the mechanism in the center. A blaster goes flying out into the brush. "I'll come out slowly… Don't shoot!"
Exegara comes out from behind the mechanism and slowly makes her way toward the group with her hands held above her head. She kneels out in the open and with minimal prodding she starts to fill the group in on events that led up to this point.
"I'm a recent recruit of the Corpse Fleet so I can't really tell you much about what they've, I mean we've, been up to. The ship I'm assigned to is called the Endless Threnody. The ship was scanning for salvage when we intercepted the distress call for your comrades. We found the ship crashed on a desert planet and scavenged what we could. Before we could make our way back into the Drift we were ambushed by the Lawblight, a pirate ship. We managed to make it into the Drift, but by then we had sustained heavy damage and were unable to leave. I was voluntold to go and acquire repair materials. You can check my datapad for the current location of the Endless Threnody. That's all I know, honest! The computers on the Endless Threnody probably have any other information that you're looking for."
You return to Venture-Captain Arvin. With the new leads on your fallen comrades. He seems pleased with the potential you have shown and you think that for a brief moment you see him smile.
"You've done well. I think you'll make fine Starfinders indeed! I'd like to ask you to continue on and track down the Endless Threnody. Please keep the insignias for now as they'll be useful for maintaining communications."
Zipper fires his blaster at the injured Merc [G-5] who almost falls over, but manages to steady himself.
San fires his blaster at the Merc [G-5] that seems to barely be keeping things together and he falls over.
From the center of the vat a laser beam streaks through the foliage towards Randal.
20% miss chance:1d100 ⇒ 82
Azimuth Laser Pistol: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
DMG: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
The shot strikes Randal in the leg.
Rook's magic missiles go streaking toward the Merc [I-6] closest to him, striking him squarely in the chest! He staggers backwards, visibly in pain. He shoots a quick glance at his fallen comrades and seems to be contemplating if this "easy" job he was promised might in fact be his last…
Randal's shot at the remaining Merc [I-6] misses.
"S@&&! I'm the last one standing… I'm not getting paid enough to die!" The Merc [I-6] runs away from the group into the brush and disappears from sight. You can hear him tripping and stumbling away as he doesn't appear to be making any effort to conceal his presence by slowing down.
When Thomagar's hand makes contact with the mercenary he screams out in pain. Although visibly shaken, his years of combat experience have given him a higher pain tolerance than most so he doesn't fall to the ground.
Randle's shot hits the mercenary next to Thomagar and he crumples to the ground.
Rook's magic projectiles, heeding the wishes of their creator go streaking through the air to strike another mercenary that was intently staring at him from the other side of the path.
From the center of the vat a laser beam streaks through the foliage towards Randal.
20% miss chance:1d100 ⇒ 3 1d20 ⇒ 2
The shot strikes the dirt far in front of Randal.
A mercenary rushes towards Thomagar and swings at him with a hammer.1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25 The mercenary makes solid contact 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9.
Another mercenary rushes towards Randal with a hammer.1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24 With a satisfying smile the hammer hits home. 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Zipper seems to almost shrink in size as you see him run down the stairs to the left and into the foliage. San moves along the upper level to the right. Blaster in hand and remaining a comfortable distance from the edge while keeping an eye out for inhabitants. Thomagar seems very focused. Right as he's about to take a step forward he freezes.
Thomagar:
In the distance you detect two sentient beings.
As Randle rushes to the side of Thomagar his footsteps seem unreasonably loud given the situation. In the distance you hear, "Damn Ysoki!"
Thomagar:
A third presence has joined the first two and they're moving towards you now.
A human comes strolling around a outcropping of foliage ahead holding an assault hammer. "S~$*! You're not the Ysoki!" As he rushes towards you he yells out "Intruders!!!"
1 = attack directed at Thomagar, 2 = attack directed at Randle Target: 1d2 ⇒ 1
The mercenary swings at Thomagar with his hammer.
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 91d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Due to the density of the foliage you find it extremely difficult to see anything in the vat other than portions of the path leading between the bottom of the staircase and the strange spire in the middle. To do any further investigation you'll need to descend into the vat...
Everyone can act currently. You're at top of the vat so you can't see or be seen at this point. ;)
Since all residents of the Downlow are familiar with it, even the most directionally challenged of your group would have no trouble locating The Vat Garden. You arrive in a timely manner with no real issues.
Culture/Diplomacy DC12:
The Vat Garden is run by a family of Ysoki.
Culture/Diplomacy DC17+:
The family of Ysoki secretly accept corpses to help grow their plants in the garden, which they then sell around the station. Although not technically illegal, the Ysoki have developed good "relationships" with local law enforcement to avoid issues.
As you near the end of the passage leading to The Vat Garden you see it open up into an enormous sunken pool that is mostly filled with chaotic jumble of various types of plants. There is a narrow walkway surrounding the vat that will allow passage to other parts of the Downlow. In the center you see a spire of some kind of machinery. This area of the Downlow is supposed to be very busy, but for seem reason it is deathly quiet. A steep stone staircase (H4) and two ladders (E11,H19) descend into the foliage and the vat below.
The group is positioned in front of the staircase. You can choose to head down from there or re-position yourselves prior to heading down.
Map for The Vat Garden can be found at https://1drv.ms/p/s!Aq7Y7ZCTZZATqo0L3gO3LmVxlYilBw. Please have a look and let me know where you want your starting positions to be using the grid system. The link allows editing so you should be able to drag and drop your minis if as well. Movement after initial placement will be through coordinates. If you want to move in a certain path please separate your movements with commas (i.e. A1 to D4 becomes A1, B1, C1, C3, D3, D4)
Julzakama looks down at Thomagar for a moment before speaking… "You've got guts little lash-ling, I'll give you that. As ridiculous as you look with your antennae waving around like that I don't think you'd go down too easily if things came to blows. I'd rather not cause a mess in my shop that I'll be left to clean up later. Not to mention your overly eager friend by the door."
Julzakama pauses for a moment. You can't tell if he's considering his odds of escape or just taking his time to recall the information you've requested.
"The seller was an Eoxian named Exegara, and she wasn’t a local as far as I could tell. She was still in her flight suit when she came in to sell me those trinkets. We completed the transaction and she asked about where to purchase clean skeletons. I don’t carry goods like that, so I sent her to The Vat Garden. Although I know of Eoxians, I don't think I've ever come across one in person. Looked like a man-ling, but didn’t breathe or blink or anything. Then there was the smell… I was happy to send her on her way."
Will Save:1d20 ⇒ 19
You see a perplexed look cross the Vesk's face like he's about to say something.
Thomagar:
You need more practice before you're able to break through Julzakama's mental defenses. At least you hope the answer is that simple. Much left to learn you do…
Julzakama pushes a small box across the table at the group. "I believe these are what you're referring to. Consider the transaction completed."
Julzakama attempts to feign disinterest while stealing a look at Rook's credstick. He then focuses his full attention towards Randal. "It would seem to me lash-ling that you are interested in starting a new transaction. Although I deal primarily in various odds and ends that make their way into my shop. I've learned over the years that information can be an equally valuable commodity."
“I've provided everything that we currently have. It isn't difficult to locate the shop. Given the urgency of the mission there is no need to report back in person. Please send your status updates by encrypted message using the Unbounded Wayfarer insignias. This will allow us to know that you have been able to acquire the insignias and are proceeding with the mission."
As the team stands to leave Venture-Captain Arvin calls Randal and Thomagar over to him. You hear the Venture-Captain whisper something to the Lanshuntas…
Castrovelian Language:
"Please keep an eye on this bunch. There seem to be some loose cannons and the current reputation of the Starfinder Society isn't what it once was. We need to tread gently during this rebuilding period."
You exit the office and make your way towards the Downlow. Following the instructions copied over to your data pads you easily find Julzakama's Loans. It helps that as you enter the alleyway you see the wide, red neon electric sign with the name of the shop on it. The alleyway is deserted as far as you can tell.
Perception DC15:
As you make your way down the alley you notice a hidden camera with a good angle for watching the approach of the door. +2 to Sense Motive
As you enter the shop Julzakama looks up from an old computer that he is "working" on (i.e. Unskillfully tearing it apart for any valuable parts that might be inside.). "Ah, customers! You are customers right? I don't have time for window shoppers…
You have been hastily summoned to the Lorespire Complex. Being new to the society it takes some of you a bit of time to actually navigate the various hallways and find the right door. At least you hope it's the right door since it says Venture-Captain Arvin on it, and that's who summoned you to his office…
Order of Arrival
Randal - Lashunta bonus
Rook - Profession Bonus
Thomagar - Lashunta bonus
Bob
Zipper
San
As Bob, Zipper, and San enter the room they see a tall and confident Lashunta man gesture to the three remaining chairs arranged in a semi-circle in front of what you can only assume is his desk. "Now that we're all here, let's begin. On the data pad you found on your chair are the details of the mission I've selected you for as well as the bios for your teammates that some of you may not have had time to socialize with." You notice during that last part his gaze lingers on Bob, Zipper, and San before continuing.
"I'll make this brief for two reasons.
Time is of the essence in undertaking this mission.
As stated earlier, the specifics are on the data pads. Please transfer the information to your personal data pads before leaving and stack the pads on my desk."
It is assumed that each character has a personal data pad or other means of storing data for later review.
“Several months ago, a crew of Starfinders took a ship called the Unbounded Wayfarer into the Vast to explore a series of uncharted planets. They never returned. A vesk pawnbroker named Julzakama contacted us, offering to sell us several Starfinder insignias. It's apparent that he doesn’t realize the true value of the insignias based on his asking price. We negotiated the purchase of the insignias and information about the seller. We need to know where the insignias came from as the pictures we were shown match those of the lost Unbounded Wayfarer crew. We’ve transferred the credits to Julzakama and informed him we would send agents over to pick them up. In addition to collecting the insignias you need to gather all the information you can from the vesk regarding seller, and then track them down. I’m worried that the seller might not be on the station for long, so act quickly. Otherwise the Unbounded Wayfarer and its crew could remain lost for all time. I know you all understand the importance of making sure our people make it back home.”
Info:
Julzakama runs a pawnshop called Julzakama’s Loans and is an unusually arrogant vesk. I don’t know him, but I get the impression that I wouldn’t like him much if I did.” Venture-Captain Arvin also provides directions to
Julzakama’s shop.
The crew of the Unbounded Wayfarer received the insignias long ago for exemplary service to the Society. Although this isn’t common knowledge outside the Starfinder Society, these insignias are no mere trinkets; they can be used to encrypt or decrypt information that the Starfinders want to keep hidden.
Culture DC12 or Diplomacy (Gather Info) DC15:
You recall / find out that Julzakama is a domineering brute and that only the truly desperate deal with him. Further, he responds better to bluster than to honeyed words.
When a mysterious visitor comes to Absalom Station selling items belonging to a lost Starfinder, the Starfinder Society takes note. The PCs are dispatched to discover out how the recent arrival found these items, leading them on a series of quests beyond the Pact Worlds and into the stars.
The ghoul Exegara Long-tongue came to Absalom Station with a clear goal: she needed to acquire the parts to repair the Endless Threnody’s Drift engine. However, mere mechanical parts would not suffice. The Endless Threnody’s unique Drift engine is powered as much by magic as by technology, so Exegara also needs rare and morbid ritualistic components, including several clean humanoid skulls.
Exegara pawned the gear plundered from the downed Starfinder vessel to finance her search, and she also paid for a few mercenaries to act as bodyguards and guides. In addition to selling other lessidentifiable pieces throughout the Downlow neighborhood of Absalom Station, Exegara sold several Starfinder insignias to a disreputable vesk pawnbroker named Julzakama. From the vesk, Exegara learned about a mortuary called the Vat Garden that seemed likely to contain the skulls she needs.
Unfortunately, Exegara’s funds are nearly expended, so she is unable to simply purchase the skulls from the Vat Garden (and she is not certain the owners would sell off remains to an Eoxian, at any rate). Instead, Exegara plans to scare off the owners and simply take the skulls, relying upon her mercenaries to deal with interlopers and bystanders.
Meanwhile, Julzakama offered to sell the Starfinder insignias back to the Starfinder Society at a steep premium. Venture-Captain Arvin agreed to the vesk’s price, but only so long as the vesk provided detailed information about the seller. With the deal made, the Society sends a group of agents to interrogate the vesk pawn broker and find what they can about the acquisition of the missing Starfinders’ insignias.
