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I am sorry for not moving my token. I thought the sled were going in the opposite way.

That's fine, it's just the practice round. As long as the sled follows the tracks, they can go in any direction. Once the practice round is over, we'll do a reset. I finally got he real map for this over the weekend, so setting it up so I can test better.

So wiht 2 players out for most of the holidays and 2 votes to pause until everyone is back. I'll pause the game until the 1st of January.

Your carts fill the track, so you can't go around. IT looks like you could ◆Slide to bump CTU out of the way, then ◆Kick it!, and then ◆Kick it! to start heading down the track ot the left.

So looks like we will have 3 players out 24th-25th and two out until the 29th. With one out or busy until January 2nd

After this practice round, we could either.

1: Push on botting people, or
2: Pause the game until everyone is back, or
3: I could come up with some side quests to give us something to do until everyone is back.

Let's do one more round of practice. Looks like everyone did
◆ Kick it!, ◆ Slide, ◆ Kick it! last round.
So this round should play differently. I think there is a possibility of doing triple slides if you go off the map and come back on another section of the track, or ◆ Slide, ◆ Kick it! ◆ Slide to be able to bump twice.

Practice round 3

Everyone is up

Étoile marcheuse starts moving the sled, but doesn't move.

[Dice=Acrobatics]1d20+4

- Kick in
- Slide
- Kick in

So with a roll of 8 you would still move, but if you hit someone, you would fail to move them.

I moved your token to hit The Doctor, but you failed to move him with the 8.

I think if you had a crit success, you would have bumped The Doctor into CTU, and Cut would have bumped into Blake, bumping Blake 5 feet. So looks like this could is going to get really crazy.

I moved CTU's token after rolling. I basically did a pool shot, me being the pool stick, CTU being the white ball, and Doctor being whatever numbered ball would be on the table. I was 20 ft away from Doctor, CTU was halfway between us.

Ok, cue ball physics works too. I moved you back to where I think you were, and kept the bump on the Doctor.

Newton's Cradle rule: If B is touching C. When A bumps B, A moves C instead.

Cue ball rule: If B and C start not touching, and A bumps B into C and B still has movment left, move C that distance instead.

We're playing a game within a game, and it's even a practice game, so I'm game for using any theory why you think of why your sled show move a certain way.

So what happens now? I bump into CTU, CTU moves max of 15 ft towards Leopold, hitting Leopold with 5 ft of movement left.

Good question, I moved your token to CTU and Leopold's token 5 feet. It seemed like the fun thing to do :)

New rule: if B is touching C. When A bumps B, A moves C instead.

Hearing Big Red say "I'm practically a truck!" causes Daskar's ears to stand up, Daskar makes some notes on his datapad before saying.
"The enginerees should have considered that, but that's why we're here testing just in case."
Daskar checks his datapad's tactical screen with his paws and seems concerned.

Then hearing Ledpold say "What if we fall?" Daskar replies
"Don't worry, I got you covered."

With that, Daskar says
"Ready? Let the test begin!" and waves his arms signaling to start.

_______________________

Practice round 2

Everyone is up, no initiative, take your turn as you get time to post. This is a standard round with three actions, using the rules outlined on slide 5.

The scenario says to take a practice round or 2 as needed. This is both in-character PC and OOC player practice to learn the new rules.

All right, thank you. The slides document is view only. Please ping the discussion when you edit privileges. Thank you!

I fixed the slide

The PCs may start anywhere on the bumper sled tracks (the elevated yellow-lined portions of the map) and have all their regular equipment with them. The sleds scale to the size of each individual PC. Allow the PCs part of a round to familiarize themselves with how the sleds work

Your token is your cart. For Big Red, we'll just have to say his cart centers on the track. The track is the path outlined in yellow on the slide 6 map. At the center of the track and 3 of the sides, there are objects covering the track, treat those as achways you can pass through.

The rules don't say what to do if you go off the map on the tracks, so I'm going to say that if you go off the map on a track, you come back at the next track on either side (your choice) of the one you left on.

For practice:
Round 1: Place your tokens anywhere on the track in any order (whoever posts first ). This is your only action in round 1.
Round 2: Try to bump each other in any order (whoever posts first). You get your normal 3 actions.
Round 3 or 4: Same as round 2 if needed before the actual game starts.

Once everyone has had a turn in a round, you can move on to the next round if I'm not around to post it.

Practice Round 1
Everyone is up.

It's bumper carts, as on slide 5, there will be things to bump into later in the game. So the goal is to bump things, not win a race.

The scenario says

The PCs may start anywhere on the bumper sled tracks (the elevated yellow-lined portions of the map) and have all their regular equipment with them. The sleds scale to the size of each individual PC. Allow the PCs part of a round to familiarize themselves with how the sleds work

Your token is your cart. For Big Red, we'll just have to say his cart centers on the track. The track is the path outlined in yellow on the slide 6 map. At the center of the track and 3 of the sides, there are objects covering the track, treat those as achways you can pass through.

The rules don't say what to do if you go off the map on the tracks, so I'm going to say that if you go off the map on a track, you come back at the next track on either side (your choice) of the one you left on.

For practice:
Round 1: Place your tokens anywhere on the track in any order (whoever posts first ). This is your only action in round 1.
Round 2: Try to bump each other in any order (whoever posts first). You get your normal 3 actions.
Round 3 or 4: Same as round 2 if needed before the actual game starts.

Once everyone has had a turn in a round, you can move on to the next round if I'm not around to post it.

When we get to the actual bumper cart game, other things happen on the track

As Blake directs traffic for CTU, Lepold, and Big Red, delivering supplies, Thommo puts the supplies to use assembling the makeshift buildings for the festival. While all of this is going on, Étoile has some time to reflect on the day's lessons and ponder the possibility of telepathic signatures drifting in time like scents on the wind.

The party has enough success to impress Daskar Kopalake and the towns people.

"You have worked very hard today, make sure to get a good dinner and a good night's sleep, there is more to do tomorrow. Better yet, come, I will buy all of you a well deserved meal, assuming you don't mind listening to me talking more about food..."

____________________________

The second day is much like the first. After a large dinner on the second day, the festival participants finish up their Kindling projects and get ready for the loud parade to chase the shadows. Drummers tap out a pulsing beat, and conga lines move joyously through the streets. Once everyone has made a circuit of the inner circle of downtown, it’s time to open the night games.

Before the games are opened to the public, Daskar makes a request.
“I’m hoping that you give the ride a thorough testing before we let children on it. Starfinders know how to check for danger!”

The bumper sled rules are on slide 5, and the map is on slide 6
I've placed your tokens on the map on a platform that is at the end of the sled track

The ramps of the bumper sled ride stand 30 feet off the ground above a brilliantly lit holographic display called “the Scattering.” This display represents some of the worlds that welcomed the vlakas that fled Lajok. Directly below you is a hologram of a massive dragon representing the world of Triaxus.

Daskar explains the ride to the team.
"The ride mimics the sliding actions of some of Lajok’s native birds. Those native birds are also being celebrated in an elemental display that will project plasma penguins across the sky like fireworks. This display of flaming birds is powered by an ancient relic known as Sota’s heart—a 5-foot-tall solarian crystal that will later serve as the symbolic centerpiece for the Zenith celebration."

A lot is going on here, so I wanted to post this so you have time to get caught up and ask questions before we start. I got a live game tomorrow, so I likely won't be able to post until tomorrow night. Feel free to ask any in- or out-of-character questions, and role-play any of the downtime if you like.

Leopold starts moving supplies around using drones, knowing you're a Doctor, Daskar assigns you to help move first aid supplies. You get some insights from the experience. Although you can help patients as a Doctor, logistics seem to be key to helping the many in case of a widespread medical emergency.

Blake struggles at first to communicate with the blind, death, and blind/death Vlaka, but not all Vlaka are this way. Blake makes friends with a Vlaka named Kalzari Metavo, who helps Blake direct traffic, which has become a necessity due to the speed and efficiency with which CTU, Leopold, and Big Red are able to move supplies.

Daskar Kopalake checks in on you once in a while and seems really pleased with your progress. One time, Blake and Kalzari stop Daskar from stepping into the street as CTU pulls up, driving a hoverskiff for Lepold and Big Red to load up.
"Thank you, you saved my life. I thought I was inviting Starfinders to Lajok. I wasn't expecting an experienced moving company. What surprises life brings, yes?"

You can use the same skill twice if you like, or roll a different one.

Leopold has 1 roll left
Thommo has 2 rolls

Reminder, you each get to make 2 checks

Étoile tries her best to help build some of the structures, but the alien materials behave differently than expected. Composing the issue, much of the building material is marked with sent or tactile identifiers or instructions.

Changing pace, Étoile tries to help with the cultural planning. It at first seems like her telepathy would be a big help with communicating with the deafblind Vlaka. Étoile is able to establish communication, but despite the telepathy and knowing the same language (common), something is lost conceptually when dealing with the deafblind Vlaka, who rely on their strong sense of smell.

Daskar Kopalake, seeing Étoile struggling, offers some kind words.
"I see you have been trying hard all day and didn't give up. We appreciate your efforts. Let me see if I can help understand our ways better. Use your telepathy to feel what I'm sensing."

Daskar uses his nose to sense the surroundings, then uses his hands to read some of the tactile writing the Vlaka use.
"It's our heightened sense of smell that others have a hard time comprehending; it's not only detecting what's here and now in front and around us, but also sensing things traveling on the wind before eyes could see them, or things that have passed through hours or days ago, making it a 4-dimensional sense."

Daskar stops sniffing the air.
"I hope this helps you understand our ways."

CTU discovers that CTU not only stands for Combat Training Unit, but that he also has the programming as a Commercial Trucking Unit. Perhaps this is because logistics wins wars.

She ponders on the Occultism part of the ritual, if there are any signification.

Étoile doesn't at this point dosen't learn anything about the festival related to Occultism, but I will allow you to use Occultism in place of Religion, or Society to help plan cultural events if you can find a way to connect Occultism to them.

Kindling activities begin early the next morning, with an opening breakfast. Participants gather in circles, with many translating spoken and signed instructions into rapid tactile instructions that pass from hand to hand for the benefit of the deafblind attendees.

Daskar Kopalake speaks to the crowd that has gathered to help.
“Today my friends, we build our community and our festival grounds. There are jobs for everyone, so give us your hands and your hearts!”

The participants gather to create a festival city from nothing, building temporary lodgings, entertainment venues, gathering spaces, and medical facilities. Each of you can attempt two DC 15 skill checks to participate. If you use an appropriate Lore skill, lower the DC by 2. Be creative with your skills, so long as you can justify how your efforts will help the Rekindling Festival. For example, you can help with the construction of festival buildings and installations with Athletics and Crafting, test out festival games with Acrobatics and Computers, entertain workers with Performance, organize workers with Diplomacy, or transport supplies with Piloting. You can also help plan cultural events with Religion, Society, History Lore, Vlaka Lore, or any Lore related to suns, Lajok, or Sota.

As the crowd begins to disperse, getting to work on various tasks, Daskar comes over to the Starfinders.
"My friends, I hope you slept well? What a glorious start to the day, sensing the presence of all of these people here to help set up for the festival!"
The blind Daskar sniffs around, gesturing with an outstretched arm.
"I hear Starfinders have many talents. How would you like to help today?"

I just wanted to check in and see what everyone's holiday schedule is like. I don't have any plans, so I can play straight through, but I'll accommodate everyone's schedule, taking breaks as needed.

Daskar Kopalake listens to Blake's story
"Woavinojo, you say, it's been so long since I have had any woavinojo. Many years ago, I spent some time in the Ikal Expanse on Castorvel. I must warn you that if you go there, the Esowath Conservancy is very picky about how visitors treat the forest and the creatures living there, tread lightly."
Daskar picks up his menu again and starts reading it as he talks.
"Not good enough to get you a free lunch, but you're making me hungry."

Étoile's question gets Daskar's attention away from the menu.
"Good question. Life in Lajok was precarious before Sota rekindled,”
Daskar says with a soft voice.
“Native species were rapidly heading toward extinction, and we believed many of them had already died off. But this miracle that brought back our sun also unearthed some of those species, preserved by the ice, like those lovely flowers I smell.”
He gestures to the sunburst garlands you were given at the landing.

Daskar Kopalake listens to Thommo's story
"Another traveler I see, doing difficult work that often sees the best and worst side of civilizations. If one survives this line of work, it can lead to wisdom. I hope to travel safely wherever you find yourself.
Daskar Kopalake looks back at his menu again
" During the Drift Crisis, I ended up stranded on a passenger ship stuck in the Drift for weeks. There was a Kalo that served up some fusion from what little supplies we had left. Some refused to eat it, leaving more of the rest of us. I think I actually gained a few pounds from it. I'm afraid you'll have to be more clever to get a free lunch today."

Daskar Kopalake orders more food and talks your ears off about the food he's had from around the galaxy. You struggle to stay awake as the food stories seem to never end.

Big Red and Étoile start to nod off. Big red makes a loud snoring sound only a dragonkin could make. If there is such a thing as telepathic snoring, Étoile seems to be doing that right now.

Daskar Kopalake stops speaking for once and looks around
"I'm sorry, I can get carried away when talking about food sometimes. Looks like you have had a long trip, let me show you to your lodging I have rented for you."

Daskar escorts the PCs to the lodgings he rented for them as well as himself. Though modern, the rooms are engineered around the hot springs that Sour Spring is known for, and are designed to look like natural caves except with a transparent skylight to let in Sota’s sunshine or show the moon Ember shining in the night sky. The rooms have rocky alcoves, each with a comfortable bed, and a central gathering place under the skylight where a circle could celebrate or sleep communally.

"If you need anything, I'm staying in the room right next your rooms, and before I let you get some rest Venture Captain Arvin had said you would be willing to help out where needed. We’ll be spending a couple of days preparing Sour Spring to host this festival, starting tomorrow. Don’t worry, we’ll keep you busy!"
Daskar smiles at the PCs and says,
“You might have questions about the Rekindling. The festival is our homage to the rebirth of our sun, Sota. We drew some festival activities from old holiday traditions. However, the bulk of our festival derives from the persistent story that our elders performed a ‘secret ritual’ to rekindle the sun. Do we know what this ritual involved? No. Do we know if it even happened? Still, no. And yet, our festival is a symbolic recreation of this alleged event.”
Daskar gives you the information I added to Slide 4

I'll give everyone a chance to read that and let you ask questions if you have any before moving on.

CTU and Blake can get dice rolls; you can use any skill or lore you can come up with. This determines if Daskar Kopalake has tried the food you talk about. Succeeding helps get Daskar Kopalake back on topic.

You can also ask questions directly. Doing so with a successful diplomacy or society gets you the answer without a side dish of food questions. 3 successes for the party of any type gets Daskar Kopalake's mind off of food. "

Daskar Kopalake listens to the Doctor's food description.
"While I do like surprises, not that kind of surprise, I'm glad you have spared me the risk of getting the wrong Gummy Worm Surprise. For that, I'll buy you lunch, and I suppose why I invited you here,"
Daskar Kopalake lowers his menu for the first time before continuing to speak.
"When our sun was dying, my people spread far and wide. The greater galaxy welcomed us with open arms. Now that so many of us have come home again, I want to repay the hospitality that we received.”

Turning to Big Red, Daskar says
"I was young once myself, and even back then, raw egg protein shakes were a thing, you'll have to do better than that if you want a free lunch. What foods have you had?"

Daskar Kopalake listens to CTU's story
"There's nothing wrong with moving on from where you're from to wander the stars, there is much to be said about following the endless horizon.

Turning to The Doctor
"A Doctor who has just started traveling, I think you will find your skills useful throughout the galaxy.

Looking at both CTU and the Doctor
"First contact with a sentient species, one of my favorite joys of wandering the stars."
Daskar pauses for a moment
"Assuming they are not hostel. These lu-venons of Luvoth, I hope they are new friends to welcome to the galaxy?"

Turning to Balke
"A huller of cargo, working and travling, travling and working, indeed a good way to wander the stars.

" And of course I remember you, and for Tux, I had the idea of inviting you to the rekendling Festival, but it was Tux who suggested I contact Ventur Captain Arvin to do so. Luckily, after you left, I heard Tux tapping my ship's hull with a wrench. Tux said your ship must have been having some communication equipment problems, and I missed the message that you had sent him over to help on my journey home. I haven't seen him in a few days. He's likely running around, keeping out of trouble while exploring Sour Spring. If I see him, I'll let him know you're here."

Turning to Big Red
"A complated place, another complicated place, and more complicated places I see... As a wonder of the endless horizon, I can say from experience that the path between complicated places is often the best part of the journey. I hope you follow many good paths."

Daskar listens to Étoile's story.
"You seem to have the heart of a wanderer of the endless horizon. I hope our paths cross as we wander the stars."

_______________

Forgetting why you are here, Daskar Kopalake picks up a menu and almost gets as excited as a shirren at the choices.
I'm very fortunate to have a developed palate and nose that can handle almost all the alien foods I've encountered wandering the stars. Tell you what, I'll buy you lunch if you can name a food I haven't tried."

You can ask a question at any time to try to get Daskar Kopalake back to talking about why you are here without a skill or lore check. But doing so with a Diplomacy or Society check can get Daskar to answer the question without getting distracted with talking about food.

You can make up any crazy food that your character has tried. Roll any skill or lore check you can think of related to that food. It could be military lore for a rare field rations, or Life science for something you grew in a lab and ate.

You can roll a Decption check to make up a food that doesn't exist at all.

The guide addresses the group's questions.
"Yes indeed, Daskar Kopalake is waiting for you at Aurora's landing, a nearby cafe, you can find it here."
The guide gives you a heavily scented brochure with both visual and tactile information about how to navigate Sour Spring, pointing out he location of Aurora's landing. Then the guide explains.
"I'd like to point out the textured pavement, scent markers, and signage in the grooved vlakan writing that is both visual and tactile, to help navigate your way through the town."

________

After you work your way to the cafe, where you find Daskar sitting on the outside patio in the sunshine, face raised to the warmth of the sun, enjoying the bustle of the crowds that pass.

“Welcome! I am pleased you could make time to join us. I hope it was not too far out of your way?”
Daskar Kopalake gestures for you to have a seat.
"You are Starfinders, yes, I imagine you have traveled much, and come from many places. As I'm a humble, courious follower of the Endless Horizon, please tell me about where you have traveled, or what circles you are from?"

Blake succeeds in transferring his spa reservation to Val Kilmer. The receptionist almost doesn't do it, but then gets excited at the chance to get Val's autograph.

Étoile at the spa is treated to a steam room featuring defused saps of a rare leaf that is a favorite of shirren larve, bringing back fond memories of a different stage of life.

The spa leaves the Doctor so relaxed, he is unable to detect any aches or pains in his body, leaving his mind to concentrate on higher pursuits.

Thommo leaves the spa looking like a new person. If Thommo wasn't wearing the same clothing he when in, you might have needed a perception check to recognize him.

Those who don't go get a reminder text. CTU's message says "Reminder for future visits, we do offer oil baths." Big Red gets a message saying "Don't forget about our wing waxing and scale polishing services."

__________

Big Red takes over the manual piloting controls, making the trip much smoother and saving some time getting to Lajok.

__________

When you arrive in orbit, the view from the ports of the Loreseeker is of a verdant world with sparkling oceans and retreating ice caps. It looks nothing like the dark and ice-locked world depicted in the legion of data files and videos that have been produced of Lajok. But for those who know Lajok well, there are familiar landmarks that can be viewed from space: ancient ruins, circular cities, and the soaring Duskhowl mountains.

Soon, Sour Spring comes into view, a coastal town with streets built around concentric circles. On one side of the town’s outskirts is a long
beach coast, and on the other lies fields and newly erected solar farms. Despite its modest size, the spaceport is busy. The hot springs that
underlay the city provided life-giving warmth to families preparing for their final exodus from the world when it was thought doomed. Now, the
settlement is welcoming people back in the most riotous way possible. Flowers and newly painted pictures of smiling suns cover every building.

In addition to your ship arriving, hundreds of vlaka families are arriving at the busy spaceport, many with tears in their eyes to be back home after so long. Guides greet the newcomers, pinning orange and yellow sunburst garlands to the clothing of everyone they meet. The flowers’ scent is complex and spicy, with notes of cinnamon and smoke. One of the guides comes up to your group. "Welcome to Sour Spring" and offers each of you a sunburst garland.

The guide then asks "Are you the Starfinder?"

Here's the direct link if anyone needs it.

chronicle for 1-02: Mystery of the Frozen Moon

Before answering the question about the spa, was that ticket issued to our names, or would that have been transferable?

Venture-Captain Arvin made reservations in your names, and just for that day. You could try to get someone else in, reschedule, or refund your reservation with a deception, diplomacy, or intimidation check, or other creative method to convince the receptionist, or a computer, or thievery check to hack in to change, refund, or upgrade the reservation.

Who helps take out the trash?
_____

After relaxing and warming up at he spa, you have time to do any shopping you need to do.
_____

The next day at 6 am, you arrive at the Loreseeker, one of Venture-Captain Arvin’s favorite ships. Despite its age, this storied vessel is still one of the most reliable ships in the Starfinder fleet.

As you board, the ship's computer says.
"Welcome aboard the Loreseeker, Venture-Captain Arvin told me to ask you how the spa was?"

_____

The ship has an autopilot. If you leave the flying to the autopilot, the ride through the drift gets rocky. The ship's computer warns you to hold on as new obstacles appear, and the ship takes evasive actions.

Venture-Captain Arvin sends the team a report on Lajok
______
Lajok
Gravity normal;
Atmosphere normal
Day 26 hours;
ear 505 days
Lajok is the sole planet in the Sota system, alongside several rings of debris and numerous small planetoids. Lajok has a single moon named Ember.

For most of recorded history, frozen Lajok has distantly orbited the dying star Sota. Life there was barely sustainable, and its population grew up keenly aware that their world’s sun would only be able to support them for a few more centuries. Many brave vlakas left Lajok to seek help for their fading sun by wandering the stars, while steadfast vlaka survivalists remained behind to witness the death of Sota.
_______

"Hard to know what the temperature will be when you get there, because the rekindling star is warming the planet up for the first time in recorded history, so be prepared for cold, but I suspect it will be warmer than your last mission.

Venture-Captain Arvin brings up a list on his data pad

Let me review the mission objectives.

First and most important: Attend the event as representatives of the Starfinder Society, help out where needed, and provide security if the situation calls for it.

Second objective: learn what you can about the rekindling. As I said, this is more of a diplomatic mission, not sure you'll have time for actual scientific efforts looking into the cause of the rekindling, but anything you can learn about it would be of interest.

Last and least: Bring our janitor home. If he wants to keep his job, he will find you, so I wouldn't worry too much about that.

"If you don't have any other questions, you have the rest of the day off to warm up at the Starlight Sanctuary spa. Tomorrow you leave for Lajok at 6 am. One last thing, on your way out, can one of you take out the trash?"
Venture-Captain Arvin points to several trash bags in the corner as he leaves the room.

"Daskar Kopalake appears to be Vlaka priest of Weydan you encountered on your last mission, so you know more than I do. What I could find on public records shows that he is a respected member of society on Lajok. As for Lajok it's been a friendly trading partner with the Pact Worlds. Until I had received the invention from Daskar Kopalake, all of our records show Lajok as being a frozen planet doomed by its dying star, but apparently that has changed, and no one knows why or how their star Sota has rekindled."
Venture-Captain Arvin pauses for a second.
Except for our janitor, Tux Manifold, and his conspiracy theories. Now, mind you, Tux thinks there's a hidden lost civilization in all stars. Although that turned out to be true for the Pact World's Sun, there is no evidence that it's a common occurrence. You have been invited to attend an event, so I'm not sure how much time you will have to do any hard science to determine what is going on with the Lajok's star Sota, but see what information you can gather from the locals. Any other Questions?"

Venture-Captain Arvin replies to CTU
"You'll be a guest at the festival, but you may get asked to help set up, and even as a guest, I expect you to provide security if the need arises."

Venture-Captain Arvin takes notes
"Hundreds, you said, and they just poofed. Big mist cat beast. I'll pass that information on to the diplomatic corps. Now about Lajok."
Venture-Captain Arvin pases back and forth a bit before goign on.

" As it turns out, our missing janitor is on Lajok. Normally, I wouldn't dispatch a Starfinder team to recover a janitor who forgot to file a vacation request until after they were already on another planet, but...
Venture-Captain Arvin holds up his data pad as he sends you all the file.
But, then I got this message.
Hand out on slide 3

"So, although I don't believe Tux Manifold's conclusions that the rekindling is caused by an ancient civilization hiding within Lajok's sun, the rekindling is definitely an event worth investigating. Since you have already met Daskar Kopalake, I'm sending you to represent the Starfinder Society at Mr Daskar Kopalake's event, and if you run into Tux Manifold, tell him that if he wishes to keep his job, I need the coffee pot in the meeting room cleaned and refilled ASAP! Any Questions?"

As Blake says, "Daskar Kopalake," and CTU says "Vlaka homeworld," Venture-Captain Arvin checks something written on his data pad, then continues listening.

The scenario didn't include a ship name; you are able to share IFF data from the scan.

I fixed the permission to share the map and slides; you should be able to get to them now.

Your reports get Venture-Captain Arvin's complete attention.
"So your routine survey mission turned into a successful first contact mission from the sound of it, well done Starfinders!"

Venture-Captain Arvin accepts the bands from The Doctor
"These will help out when I send a diplomatic envoy team to VAM723, I mean, Luvoth, to establish formal relations with the Lu-venon."

Arvin pauses for a moment as he ponders your report
"Psychic rabbits, with a technology astral projection device for space travel, as you said Doctor, Remarkable. Again, well done, Starfinder. For this I'm giving you the rest of the day off and a free pass to Starlight Sanctuary at a local spa famous for its artificial hot springs and soothing soundscapes to help you thaw out, before I send you to Lajok."

Venture-Captain Arvin looks around the mess in the meeting room and clears his throat.
" To pick up our adventurous janitor, Tux Manifold... You wouldn't happen to have anything to add to your report involving a certain janitor?"

Thanks for playing, everyone. This was a fun group to GM for, hope to see you all in the next scenario! I still have some prep to do, but get the mission debriefing/briefing set up to start us off.

I got the new game thread set up for SFS2 1-10 Rites of Rekindling

Thanks for playing, everyone. This was a fun group to GM for, hope to see you all in the next scenario! I still have some prep to do, but get the mission debriefing/briefing set up to start us off.

I got the new game thread set up for SFS2 1-10 Rites of Rekindling

Shortly after you arrive at Absalom Station, you are asked to report to Venture-Captain Arvin, but first, you have time to check into your rooms at the Lore Spire and clean up.

When you get to the meeting room, although you have cleaned up, you notice the meeting room hasn't. As you enter, Venture-Captain Arvin greets you.

"Sorry about the mess, we're a bit short-handed on the cleaning staff lately."
VC Arvin gives you a funny look before continuing.
"We'll talk about that later, but first I'd like to hear how your mission to Vast-723-Arctic-Moon went?"

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with the +2 bonus, Thrommo succeeds

The Lu-venons are fascinated by the flashlight, drawing the attention of all the Lu-venons. Uloa talks to the other Lu-venon before addressing the Starfidnder team.

"We would like to thank you for saving our people. We will have a celebration to remember this."
At the celebration, Uloa gives each of you a delicate silver necklace with a polished stone charm carved in the image of a baby lu-venon.

"We were afraid of what might be out there." Uloa points to the sky. "Knowing we are not alone, we lu-venon feel it would be good to have friends like the Starfinder, we look forward to establishing a more formal relationship with your people."

As the Starfinder ship takes off, the Lu-venon gaterh to watch. One of lu-venon, who had talked to CTU about piloting, says. "The metal one said he wasn't the best teacher, but he's got a cool ship!" As he does, the little lu-venon shines the flashlight up at the departing starship.

That leaves us with just needing Thommo's last skill checks and any role-playing. Thommo gets +1 to the roll, +2 if you make yourself look less threatening, and still has a hero point. I'll respond to Balkes and Thommo's post at the same time.

Once Thommo has gone, that concludes the adventure, other than the mission debriefing, which I'm going to combine with the next mission briefing. I got a live game to GM tomorrow, so I'll get the missing briefing post Sunday night or Monday.

Meanwhile, I have your chronicles ready. I'll get the game reported later today.
chronicles.

Uloa sees Étoile offer the band to Blake, realising Blake has not lowered his weapon yet, as one of the smallest Lu-venon walks up and stands on their hind legs and stares up at Blake. Uloa runs over to intervene. The little one speaks to Uloa, and Uloa starts to laugh.

Blake walks up, but keeps his crossbow at the ready. "What's happening here? Can someone elaborate? Why are the snow-raccoons talking now and what are they saying?"

GM's response to Blake's post

Replying to make this visible again since there has been a flood of posts, Blake is waiting for a response before posting.

it was worth a try
The Lu-venons, although fascinated with CTU's story, the Lu-venons are disappointed with not getting piloting lessons. Although this doesn't improve the situation, it also doesn't make it worse, and the Lu-venons are still willing to sue CTU as a cover if needed.

Big Red (success)
CTU (It was a good try)
Étoile (success)
Leopold (success)
Thommo
Blake

Bold needs a skill check to make a good impression.
You get +1 to the roll, +2 if you make yourself look less threatening.
Balke and Thommo still have hero points.
As long as you don't crit fail, the team succeeds.
Optional: Anyone can still answer or ask questions and role-play.

The Lu-venons listen to CTU's story. When hearing that some planets are scary, some are not, one of the Lu-venons does the math.
"That's a 50% chance of a planet being scary or not, maybe it's safer out there than we thought!

As CTU continues, another Lu-venon gets excited at the word "civilizations" and can be heard whispering to another Lu-venon.
"Did you hear what he said? He said 'our civilizations' with an "s" and not just ' our civilization' without an "s", you know what that means? There has to be more than one other civilization, and look, three of them look the same." The Lu-venon points out, Leopold, and Thommo.
" and the other three all look different, and I don't think he's counting our civilization as one of their civilizations, so that means from my calculation that there are 5 civilizations in the galaxy! Who knew?"

When CTU starts talking about the ship and being a pilot, several of the Lu-venons raise their hands, one of the Lu-venons pushes another's hand down, trying to be the first to ask "Can you teach us to be pilots too?" The other one shouts back "Hay, I was first!"

One of the Lu-venons calculates that CTU only needs to roll an 11 or better on a d20. +7 piloting with +1 for the team previously making friends with Uloa, and another +1 for putting your weapon away to appear less threatening, for a total of +9. Up to you, you can spend your hero point reroll with piloting for role-playing that gives the GM an excuse for letting you do so. You are correct; everyone else is doing well, unless someone critically fails.

A lot of action going on here! The past couple of days have been very hectic. I'll try to post later tonight.

Most complicated combat I've ever run. Followed by a very interesting ending to uncover.

No rush, the combat went quicker than expected, and I still have to prep the next scenario, and have another live game for saturday I have to prep for. Other than the last skill roll, it's mostly role-playing to give you a chance to learn more about the story.

Étoile works with the lu-venons, examining the remnants of the world mirror. Étoile notes that some of the lu-venons mention the Signal.

The signal is a well-known event in Starfinder History. You all know the following information about. Also the current year is 325 AG The Signal

It looks like the Lu-venons were trying to convert Drift travel instructions from the signal into a form of psychic space travel. It took them about 3 years to build the world mirror. You can't determine the exact problem that caused the world mirror to fail or how it worked, but you think the world mirror was trying to act as both a psychic Drift engine and a psychic Drift beacon. These are two components that are separate in normal Drift travel. You theorise that combining them caused a feed-back loop when the world mirror failed to reach the Drift plane because it used magic (the Drift plane can only be reached by non-magical means), trapping the minds of the Lu-venons, leaving them in an animalistic state until you freed them by defeating the Terrors. The Terrors were the collective psychic imprints of all the Lu-venons trapped in a state of fear until you released them. You make a good impression on the Lu-venons when they realise your role in helping free them, and your understanding of what might have gone wrong with the world mirror.

The Lu-venons ask several questions; anyone can choose to answer one or more of them if you like. You can each have your own answer as well.
"Did you get the signal too?
Where are you from?
Are you from the stars?
Are other planets scary?
How long were we trapped in the world mirror?
How did you get here?"

_______________

Big Red (success)
CTU (Hero point to reoll?)
Étoile (success)
Leopold (success)
Thommo
Blake

Bold need skill check to make a good impression.
Optional Anyone can still answer or ask questions and role-play.

The snow-raccoons seem nervous about Blake's crossbow at the ready; several take cover behind Big Red and CTU.

Others are curious what Uloa is saying to The Doctor and Étoile.

Some are looking at Thommo, not sure what to think yet.

Most of the rest of the lu-venons seem to be celebrating, although a few are examining the remnants of the world mirror. Perhaps Étoile's Occultism roll could be useful here.

Those hiding behind CTU listen to his story being translated. One of them asks.
"Are Vesk scary? Would they hurt us, or protect us?
Another ask.
Flesh and blood, like us? Do Vesk have fur too?"
CTU, you have a hero point for a reroll, and you also get +2 on the roll.

Those of you with successes feel free to keep role-playing if you like.

Unable to understand what is going on, CTU will replace the battery pack in their laser rifle, then put it away.

The lu-venons seem to feel safer with the big stick that shoots fire beams is but away. Courious, they approach CTU several circles CTU before one gets brave and scratches at CTU's leg, then taps it, before running to Uloa.

Uloa then ask CTU
"They want to know what you're made of?"