The expression that follows the question Zemfira poses is something that would likely be followed by a shrug. "A guess cannot even be made right now. The ship is in limbo out there in the Quarantine Zone, and until we can get a response, or access to the logs to determine specifics, there is a dispute on ownership, and it probably won't move until that gets resolved."
Indicating the conclusion of the call, Otal nods and somberly replies. "Thank you for informing me of the tragedy. Durevor was a well-regarded individual in the area of workers' rights."
Outside the apartment, the neighborhood settled into the rhythm of early evening on Absalom Station, a mix of industrious activity and the soft murmur of daily life winding down. The corridors beyond the door pulsed faintly with the amber glow of overhead lights, their warmth diffused by patches of flickering holographic advertisements clinging to the walls like neon ivy. Residents moved with purposeful ease, a mix of species whose footsteps echoed unevenly against the durasteel flooring. The scent of spiced noodles and fried meat lingered in the air, carried from food stalls stationed strategically along the main thoroughfare. Occasionally, the muffled hum of a passing utility drone would cut through the relative quiet, its sleek body gliding toward unseen destinations with unwavering efficiency.
From the apartment’s window, angled to reveal a slice of the station’s outer plating, the view was more abstract—a patchwork of distant lights, casting fractured reflections across the reinforced glass. Beyond the faint glow, a hint of the cosmos peeked through, black and infinite, dotted with stars and the muted flash of starship thrusters. The faint, rhythmic thrum of the station’s life support systems blended with the distant sounds of conversation, laughter, and the occasional clatter of goods being loaded or unloaded in the nearby docking bays. Despite its industrial veneer, the neighborhood had its own kind of charm: a lived-in resilience, a balance between the chaos of constant motion and the brief moments of calm stolen between shifts.
...even if a lot of the campaign related techie jargon goes over my head...
To be fair, I am making up a lot of the techie jargon as we go. I'm trying to stay true to the naming convention in the system, while being very clear about the function of the things that got names.
The internet(of stuff and things) became the "InfoSphere", so trying to consider the whole of the internet for Absalom Station in specific would be the "Absalom Station (Info)Sphere", with subdivisions occuring as needed, in much like a Venn diagram of relations, but on a 3D Plane. As such I would think that the local worlds in a system would have their own 'Sphere, with the linked Spheres becoming the "(system)Constellation" or somesuch.
Feel free to make stuff up as we go, background color and flavor is fine, as long as it is cohesive. There just is not that much officially fleshed out regarding technological advancements and proper names, which would compound with the number of species and their names for things... So have a ball with it.
Plausible Name Generations:
Personal Navigation & Interaction GuidePath: An enhanced version of the GuideLine, offering real-time augmented reality (AR) overlays for precise, step-by-step navigation tailored to an individual’s preferences, like avoiding crowds or finding scenic routes.
BeaconPoints: Small, localized signal emitters providing detailed directions or real-time updates in specific areas, such as stations, cities, or ships.
TrackSphere: A personal tracking network within the InfoSphere, allowing users to monitor movements of friends, couriers, or even autonomous drones in real-time.
Data Access and Interaction InfoHub: Centralized digital access points in physical spaces, acting as kiosks for interacting with the InfoSphere for local data, maps, and public records.
DataClouds: Dynamic clusters of publicly accessible data hovering over areas of interest, visible through AR or a digital interface.
InfoTag: Digital markers attached to real-world or virtual objects that store detailed descriptions, history, or metadata retrievable through a glance or tap in AR.
Communication and Social Networks ChatSphere: The futuristic evolution of social networks and messaging platforms, integrating holograms, neural interaction, and shared AR spaces.
PulseStream: A live feed system that broadcasts real-time updates, events, or alerts within the InfoSphere, akin to a social media timeline for communities or individuals.
LinkNodes: Secure, localized network points allowing individuals or groups to set up temporary private connections for sharing data or coordinating actions.
Security and Oversight SafeZone: Areas monitored and enhanced by the InfoSphere to provide alerts and guidance for public safety, emergencies, or restricted access.
EchoScans: Real-time environmental scans layered over the InfoSphere, offering situational awareness for users, such as detecting hazards or unseen activity.
ShieldGrid: A digital barrier that secures sensitive information or networks within the InfoSphere, protecting against cyber-intrusions.
Entertainment and Leisure SpherePlay: Fully immersive entertainment experiences, including AR games, interactive media, and virtual gatherings hosted in the InfoSphere.
HoloZone: Dedicated virtual reality spaces within the InfoSphere, designed for simulated training, entertainment, or relaxation.
DreamStream: A service offering curated experiences, such as custom simulations or interactive stories, delivered directly through neural interfaces or AR displays.
Commerce and Transactions TradeLink: A streamlined, InfoSphere-integrated platform for commerce, allowing instant transactions, delivery tracking, and vendor verification.
MarketSphere: A global marketplace layer within the InfoSphere, showcasing goods and services from across star systems in a seamless AR or VR interface.
CreditWeb: The secure financial backbone of the InfoSphere, ensuring instantaneous, encrypted monetary exchanges between users, businesses, and banks.
Education and Knowledge LearnSphere: A dedicated network within the InfoSphere offering interactive educational content, including live expert seminars, virtual classrooms, and simulations.
InfoVault: A vast repository of historical, scientific, and cultural knowledge maintained within the InfoSphere, accessible with advanced search algorithms and AR overlays.
SkillLink: An adaptive system connecting users with personalized skill development plans, incorporating real-world practice with InfoSphere-guided feedback.
A bit of detail to shed on the Sponsorships that have been offered to you, since the first round have gone out. The others will come eventually, with occurrences in the AP giving an incentive to those companies that have interviewed to be represented.
In exchange for representation– The Academy is prestigious— there are some benefits that will be available to those contracted. First off, they will be issued an armor and weapon of their choice within current equipment limitations, that will be very much for display and use. Additionally, much like the interview in the HAC, a "social session" will be needed, taking half a day or so as they set you up as Models/Personalities.
If you'd like to know the Behind the Screen reasoning, message me. I don't want to reveal more than necessary.
There is no shortage of options for Zephyr to find something suitable that delivered to the current location of the group. Nothing especially extravagant was in the neighborhood, but several highly rated shops were lauded for their selection of grab-and-go options– hearty filling meals, soups, and sandwiches that could fill a stomach without emptying a pocket. Much of the fare is more focused on substance than appearance, but considering the number of positive hits, the taste more than makes up for it.
Zemfira can help Dirk locate OsmosTech in the InfoSphere, getting a summary of its frontpage and a few mentions of the company here and there, most notably the loudest opinions on the company and its practices. In regards to the Acreon, whether intentionally or not, the most that can be found is the promotional information for the ship, and a touch more detail in an aficionado forum.
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OsmosTech:
OsmosTech Mining stands at the forefront of asteroid resource extraction with its cutting-edge osmotic mining technology, a process that revolutionizes deep-space operations. Utilizing specialized nanite swarms and adaptive, pressure-sensitive extraction fields, OsmosTech’s method infiltrates asteroid structures, drawing valuable minerals and gases through controlled osmotic channels without the need for conventional drilling. This technique reduces structural damage to asteroids and allows for the efficient harvesting of rare and fragile materials that would otherwise be lost to more aggressive mining practices.
As a proud subsidiary of Astral Extractions, OsmosTech upholds the conglomerate's reputation for ambitious expansion and high profitability, though not without controversy. Critics argue that its rapid-growth mindset pushes ethical boundaries, with allegations of overworking contracted mining crews and cutting corners on safety protocols in favor of increased yields. Nonetheless, the company maintains its place as a key player in the star-spanning race for resources, propelling the industry into the future while leaving miners to navigate the thin line between opportunity and exploitation.
Acreon:
The Acreon is a storied medium-class mining vessel renowned within the Hardscrabble Collective for its daring deep-space expeditions. With reinforced hull plating and state-of-the-art cargo holds optimized for mineral storage, the Acreon was built to brave the harshest conditions of the Diaspora and beyond. Manned by a crew of seasoned prospectors, the ship represented both grit and hope, a symbol of the Collective’s unyielding spirit in the face of corporate dominance.
Prior to the infamous Drift Rock incident, the Acreon had a reputation for finding valuable but treacherous mining sites. Its captain, Loskial Tirth, was a Verthani known for his meticulous approach and sharp intuition. Tirth was respected for balancing bold risk-taking with cautious leadership, fostering a close-knit crew who valued their independence from larger corporate interests. His leadership style was said to inspire loyalty, making the Acreon a sought-after assignment for those willing to endure long stints in the void.
Rumors and logs from the Acreon tell tales of hazardous missions to asteroid clusters riddled with rogue drones and natural space hazards. Its success attracted both admiration and envy, especially from rivals like OsmosTech Mining, who saw the Acreon’s exploits as a thorn in their competitive side. Even before the enigmatic Drift Rock was found tethered to it, whispers of ambitious ventures and dangerous discoveries often surrounded the ship, leaving a legacy marked by fortunes won and lives lost in the cold reaches of space.
Now, the Acreon floats in quarantine above Absalom Station, its hull battered and eerily silent. For the past three days, the ship has been unresponsive to all hails, fueling speculation and fear throughout the station. The sudden lack of communication and the unknown nature of the Drift Rock have only deepened the mystery, prompting officials to impose strict containment protocols as the Hardscrabble Collective and its contractor search for answers.
The hotel normally runs around 250c a night before added-on amenities. Considering all the amenities you have access to, this is part of some package or fall within a range, depending on what you access.
Heartened by the show of confidence from all of you, Chiskisk takes a breath and sets the . "It is appreciated. Please do keep me informed, and I will do what I can from this end if it is needed."
With no further questions, all of you are free to leave, a bit of interacting with your system has the WayLine leading you out of the complex and back into the light of Absalom Station.
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There is a moment of consideration as Chiskisk receives the delivery that Zemfira put forth, and there is a bobble of his antenna that precedes his response that denotes chagrin. "Apologies Zemfira. Durevor was inclined to try to recruit you into the Society. Given your reception, it was my fault to presume that not all of you would have been inclined to assist. Should all of you wish membership in the Society, I am prepared to grant that including a signing bonus plus expenses. Would two hundred credits to each of you for necessities, and my comm code so that you can contact me directly if needed suffice?
Turning to address Zephyr, the Shirren nods politely. "That seems reasonable to assume that my friend may have caused offense, whether knowingly or not. I can have the last six months condensed and sent to you. A gesture of a hand indicated Sparks interest.
"I fear that any notes that Durevor may have kept were private to him. Access may be difficult. We were good friends, but not so close as to share access codes. I can provide you with his home location, but that is the best I can do."
Again, their hands fold on the desk, awaiting any other inquiries.
To their credit, the receptionist takes Sparks rundown of the situation and nods solemnly, their attention leaving Zemfira after maybe a moment longer than would be expected. Each of you receives a look as if comparing you to something before they stand and give a very professional gesture to the hallway. "Ah yes, you are expected." As they finish that statement, a WayLine the color of hammered silver appears for those of you that have your comm unit settings set to the level of an everyday assistance tool.
"Please follow the WayLine to your destination, Director Chiskisk has been notified of your arrival and is waiting."
A passing glance at the building directory shows that rather than by rank, the floors of the Lorespire are arranged by division, with the more "hands-on" divisions residing closer to the ground level. Your destination seems to be near the top of the first third of the levels closest to the ground floor.
The ride to the Lorespire Complex truly let the breadth of the station be seen as the business district from your position around the Eye raises just enough to allow sight from one end almost to the other. Designed beautifully, the central dome of the area contained structures that seemed to share aspects of numerous construction techniques, blended into a synergistic whole, intermingled and interspersed with greenery around, and even on some of the buildings, their numerous stories reaching towards the top of the dome.
Like plants around a tall tree, smaller buildings surround the larger ones, the InfOverlay™ providing names, short details, and InfoDots on the locations of prominence. Your destination is marked, your destination located on the Ring as your transit carries you away from the Eye, and the associated campus for the Starfinder Society is delineated as you approach. It is not only the Headquarters for the organization, but also a campus where members new and old spend time between tasks, assignments, and pursuits. The Lorespire is aptly named, a spire raising a remarkable distance over the campus itself, housing likely much of the administrative end of things.
Your Rebu arrives at the foot of the complex, where a small rise of stairs and automatic doors mark the entrance to a wide lobby.
The lobby is a refuge from the station outside. from the ambience of the foyer, designed to be modernly welcoming, with the slight tint to the windows, emphasizing the separation from the bustle of the world outside, to the positioning of the building itself– just close enough that the foot traffic can be seen without being a part of it. Appointed along that same theme, the little touches make this a welcome launch pad either into the hotel proper and the luxurious comfort therein, or a spot to brace oneself before heading out into the press of society out there beyond the tinted glass. Nevertheless, you will have to leave this comfort, at least temporarily.
Dirk Gently's Three Blue eyes turn big as an epiphany hits him like all that buttery goodness will later this afternoon!
I should be using my Espionage Specialist skills to gain knowledge of the general type of people that are staying at the hotel, a sense of their tax bracket, perhaps, as well as the subtle touches that denote their particular place in their socio-economic stratus sphere!
(Deadpan look at the camera before failing to hold the expression and bursting out laughing)
The meals that get served that evening are very nearly exquisite. Whether this is the standard of this establishment or something in particular for you is difficult to say. Each order you place through the system offers complementary pairings as well as a tidbit of the history of the dish or the most notable instance of the item. Your dishes are brought by servers, dressed immaculately in a uniform that compliments the room, allowing to be present and working without being intrusive on the ambience. You also discover that each table— at least in your section, of which there are remarkably few tables– has various levels of privacy settings that allowed for both visual and auditory isolation, if needed.
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News Headlines:
"Corporate Eyes on the Acreon: Claims on Salvage Rights Stir Controversy"
• Starfinder Society and Astral Extractions Clash Over Ship’s Fate
"Drift Crisis Averted: Stellar Flare Dispersed After Joint Pact World Operation"
• Emergency Response Team Prevents Catastrophic Energy Discharge in System
"Gravitonball Finals: Crowd Erupts as Underdog Team Claims Victory"
• Championship Match Ends in Nail-Biting Finish
"Adventurous Souls Beware: Increase in Reports of Cult Activity in the Spike"
• Security Forces Issue Warnings Amid Rise in Occult-Related Incidents
BOT
From their position, Zephyr focuses, a streak too fast to be seen giving cover to allies as they retreat back across the middle of the docking bay.{Cover to Sparks}
A shot goes wide of Zemfira as Sparks keeps an eye out from his position, a single shot throwing off the aim of the individual behind the crate so that what would have been a hit, missed. As Pertinax and Zemfira hustle Durevor back towards allies, the dwarf unresponsive and limp in their hands as the cloud starts to clear, the extinguishing cloud dispersing. Shots continue to fly back and forth as one of the members of the group on the right goes to cover as they put the fire out from the well aimed laser shot from across the room. Dirk can see them taking cover and in critical condition
The aide that had contacted station security takes her chance and rushes for the exit, leaving the bay behind.
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Sparks has taken 8 damage from a shot last round (before any mitigation) and is on fire. Reflex Save DC11 to put it out.
Party up!
Considering that combat tends to drag when it comes to people and timing (because life, right?), I was wondering if it would break the feel or flow for you if just throwing a line of intent into Discussion about what your character would be doing in the combat if getting the time to post in gameplay would be a little difficult at the moment.
In combats, I'm likely going to keep things moving after 48hours and bot those that had not posted, as time gets away from us here and there and being bogged down in a combat is not a good feeling.
(BOT)
Zephyr, crouched for cover behind the barrels, had let his mote remain unmanifested as the lasers flew, but one thing was evident. The intent that had seemed to greviously injure their contact was not the same intent behind the shots that fired at partially visible targets across the docking bay. Convenient then, that said fight just happens to occur now. Without reaching, the mote that seemed to drink in the nearby light settled into his hand as his fingers closed around it. Everyone had rushed fowards, but they may have overlooked him. It was easy to seem nonthreatening when there were bigger threats around.
{Fully Graviton Attuned}
(BOT)
Pertinax, for all of his movement, seemed somewhat unconcerned about the lasers than some, perhaps trusting in his heavier armor to mitigate any hits, or truly not overly concerned about the skill of those possessing firearms. There is an aura that he seems to exude in this situation, and maybe it makes those firing think twice before pointing a weapon at the figure in black. The gangs are identified after a moment, though the Ace and King motif from a deck of cards as well as the purple and green colors. Twenty-One. The Downside Kings are far from their stomping grounds today...
(BOT)
Loud and distracting, Dirk continues his advance, the cloud of suppressant lingering in the air in his wake, thwarting any shots that try to pass through it. Quite an unorthodox use for a fairly common object, but the efficacy is undeniable. Nearly half of the sightlines are fouled by the cloud, with only the bottom of the bay even able to trace from one side to the other. A little trick learned from a minor engineering mishap, but when a focus(Ha!) of one assignment happens to be optical developments, the resulting benefits to the knowledge is anything but opaque(Double Ha!).
As shots continue to streak across the bay, more fail to cross the intervening space thanks to the cloud that Dirk is spewing in and around his wake. Perhaps it is frustration that made the Downside King near the huge box of equipment decide to orient on the Brenneri(-8 +Burn!) that had tried to take cover, but the shot was true. Critically striking, the bolt ignites fur and clothing, making the term "firefight" a bit more nuanced in the moment. Another shot slips past and nearly knocks one of the more commonly dressed ganger by the forklift over with the damage of the hit.
Prone, the dwarf does not move, while his companion starts to relay the situation to station security
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Round3! Party Up!
(The brightly lit docks of Absalom Station are abuzz with activity as travelers bustle by, preparing to board or disembark from starships bound to or from any of dozens of worlds. Brash and swaggering starpilots, scurrying ysoki mechanics, and expectant colonists mingle with enigmatic kasatha mystics, hard-faced asteroid miners, imposing vesk mercenaries, and more, creating a microcosm of the abundance and variety of life in the Pact Worlds. New arrivals meet friends, loved ones, or business contacts, and are whisked away into the humming activity of daily life on the vast space station. Beyond them, ground crews tend to the docked ships, and dockworkers in mechanized cargo lifters load and unload freight and baggage. A sharp tang of ozone hangs in the air—a byproduct of electrical discharges from the docked ships—but underneath, the station’s atmosphere has a slightly used aroma. The docking bay’s deck plates thrum beneath your feet, though whether it’s from the passage of innumerable feet or the vibrations of the station’s power conduits and air recycling systems is impossible to say.)
______________________________________
The countdown to the jump into the Drift is almost out, and for those that have completed the orientation courses, a notification alerts you that access to virtual consoles is enabled. Walking through the virtual setup of the Drift preparations, Zemfira plots a course that gets highlighted, checked, and then incorporated as the new jump path for their trip! A note is added that a commendation will be appended to her license.
Dirk settles into the Engineering room, walking through the pre-jump routines with ease. The time spent on the trip studying the layout immediately pays off as a couple of settings that were slightly out of range were identified and corrected.
Sparks, in the position of XO under the silent eye of Captain Albach sees the displays as he would, reading the status of the stations as they indicate their readiness and readout of the ship status. Attending to morale is just as important as any system and spirits are high as the final digits fall off of the counter.
For Zephyr, the transition of the ship into Drift space is felt through the station of the magic officer, the slight currents of magic parting around the hull as the pulse of the engine wraps them in a bubble and pulls them between. The station itself is set in the middle of a thin ring of a metal that incorporates the console, indentations lined with magically conductive materials that boost awareness from the individual into the whole. When engaged, the feel dramatically changes from a sedate ripple in normal space into being thrust into the forefront of a current and riding a vast wake, the calculated jump points serving as beacons that are felt or heard more than seen, with the blazing star that is undoubtedly Absalom station.
Taeron is indeed around the ship, as one could not remain in their quarters so much that they might not be seen at meals at the very least. They are available to talk to if needed, but are often performing in more of a professional capacity than anything else. He does give your your space, and rarely intrudes— to be fair, the amenities on the ship are not lacking for anything between the access to the HAC, and the quality system connections in your rooms, remaining in your quarters would not be any true effort at all. For all of you, there is a fixed meeting with a Starfinder representative on the day of your arrival to the station, but unless there are follow-up interviews or other professional callings, your schedule remains free.
Thus far on the ship it has been a leisurely week, your self-chosen study taking up as much (or little) of your time as you feel comfortable with. Some of the habits that you held while studying at the Academy are not needed with your graduation, and you find yourself with time that you may not have had before, but the goal is to let you relax, put some of your prior stresses down and realize that you are free to choose your own way with the blessing of some of the top minds of the Dhacian Rota.
There is a timer, counting down to the initiation of the drift engine. It is prominent on the system of the ship, and if allowed, has synced to your comm unit so the transition is not distressing or jarring for those that are sensitive. For those certified in system operations, the time is approaching to see if you have what it takes to operate as a secondary (or even primary) position on a ship.
_______________________________________
The latter. They are simulations meant for practice, and if you utilize them you'll get a point (above and beyond your norm) in Diplomacy. However, the Holographic Amusement Chamber can be utilized for other things, so if the time meant for interviews is irrelevant, it can be configured to train other skills. However, it can only be used to grant one skill point, and only for a skill that you do not have a point in, if it is not Diplomacy.
Sometime later, depending on if you are up or not, everyone gets a ping from a V.I. connected to Taeron named "Silver". Attached is a tentative itinerary that anyone can confirm if they are interested. The relevant programs have been loaded into the HAC, and they consist of adaptive programs that can instruct in etiquette and interview skills. Another loaded program was a fashion suite with options that allowed designs from the demure to the dramatic.
Dirk does find that his accomplishments allow for access to the Science Officer and Engineering consoles. The system orientation would take twice as long as Zemfira to familiarize due to the dual positions. Fortunately, those could be completed at your leisure, if wished. However, until completion, the system would disallow access to their roles. The flurry of activity that began with their departure calmed not long after, once the path was set and locked into the system. The rest was more checklists, verifications, secondary checks and then some relaxation.
For those arriving at the spaceport and expecting to get in line, there was a short correction once the check-in process rebooted from having a comet impact the planet representing the airport system. A lot of the things that occurred in the Augmented Reality (and Virtual Reality for those that could multitask that well) had a parallel to what was going on, if one knew how to interpret it. However, it is thankfully not too long of a wait before the star that was indicated on your ticket animated and shot off, leaving a trail for you to follow from your respective positions. Depending on the permissions and settings of your comm unit, that was anything from literal to metaphorical as your navigation notified you of a route to your destination.
Upon your arrival, an Atlas VI greeted you at the door of the ship, the silver softball-sized orb presenting a cheery face and voice, greeting you in the default language of your commlink, or default language of your species. When in mixed company, it defaulted to the common language. It hovered near eye-level with its miniaturized pads, and bobbled somewhat along with its projected mood.
"Hello! I'm Bahz, and welcome to the Excelsior! We've been looking forward to your arrival, and hope you have been looking forward to travel with us! Please come in, and you will find your accommodations indicated on your HUD, or comm unit, or I can direct you!
Your quarters are Luxurious, in a word. No expense was spared as the regard or reputation that you had earned was reflected in them. Your room was modeled to your tastes as best as it could with the information you had shared or had allowed it to access. Many of the systems were interlinked, and while the access was greyed out, it did appear that with proper permissions, the ships functions could also be utilized at need.
"We are still waiting for everyone to arrive, so please settle in, and on behalf of The Attelan Star Academy— as well as the crew of the Excelsior– Congratulations!
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Computers(10):
Usurping the software was somewhat of a acknowledged game between the schools that taught InfoSphere design and security, much like a technological game of tag.
Computers(15):
Those in the know recognized who had scored what by the color of tail of the comet, with the understanding that once a "hit" was scored by you for your school, the method that was used would be patched by the infiltrator or infiltrators, and the game would continue.
Computers(20):
While it was somewhat unorthodox, not a single individual that took a look at the system would speak poorly about the security gestalt that it had.
Pretty much. Everyone has completed either schooling or training at the academy or one closely associated with it. All of you are set to travel on the same ship that has been chartered expressly for this trip. If there is skills overlap, I'd have no doubt that you would have encountered each other in that capacity.
Also, to offer a little bit more customization, I'm willing to let everyone flex some of your starting proficiencies into feats. For example, Solarians get basic and advanced melee weapons. If you like, you could trade Advanced Melee Weapons for a feat and use that as normal, with prerequisites still required.
A Dirindi, Brenneri, and Half-elf walk into a bar...
Not bad, and I love the flavor and twists that everyone is putting on their characters. One or two more and we're good to look into stat generation.
MishyMish, if you're wanting to make the "control" Solarian, so to speak, that would not be out of place, as the Weapon and Shield manifestations are all that remains.
No worries about countering received deficiencies within the class, as that is a bit more meta than you need to get out of character. So far, Solar Armor and Solar Flare ideas have been presented, and if you're uncertain about how much to include for your idea, Zephyr nailed it neatly.
Who is your concept? What did they study? Why did they accept the trip to Absalom Station from the distant Telan Cluster? What is their Manifestation? Do they have an Archetype? An Alternate Class Feature?
The Academy is an invention for the point of origin. Think of it as a center of learning in a series of stars that sees an above-average number of significant stellar occurrences. Whether that may be the paths of celestial bodies coming close enough to study in remarkable detail difficult to manage elsewhere, or there being enough strength in the several nearby stellar Ley Lines that lets there be enough consistency in them to allow for regular study. In your case, the unique arrangement of planets and nearby stellar phenomena also attracted some Solarian Masters into the vicinity— enough that over time, academic and metaphysical institutions and practices of learning decided to formalize their close association into the Dhacian Rota.
As time passed and prestige grew, they became recognized farther and farther afield for (one of) the place(s) to go to study anything associated with Stellar influences on a large and small scale. That recognition in no small part came from some of their teachers and students leaving (or joining) the institutions and going on to (or settling down from) roles that have affected whole systems. So the schools have an (in)formal trip to Absalom Station for select graduates, under the premise that anything and everywhere is possible from the center of the known universe.
As one might imagine, there are also organizations happy to offer potential membership to these graduates with fewer hoops to jump through by simply by virtue of association.
I am remarkably dismayed to check and see that Jairdan has no tool proficiencies. (overly dramatic fall onto the nearest comfortable surface) His life is a lie!
Half-Elf Warlock 1 HP 7/7, PB + 2, AC 13, Init: - 1, Perception: + 2, HD pool: ?
Noticing the shift in Boram's attention, Jairdan glanced up and seemed to be surprised that they were the focus, blinking wide, light brown eyes once before checking on everyone else at the table and realizing what was being implied. "Um, we just grew up there and I scribe books for th'church..." At some point their eyes had found a spot on the table and they had shrunk somewhat trying to blend in, glancing up to see if Boram was still paying attention. Finding that he was, they looked momentarily panicked as they searched for something to say, straightening a bit. "...I do that a lot..." A smile was tried and fell off as they seemed more uncertain than anything. One hand brushed a slightly pointed ear in the same spot as the ink stain and another nervous glance away and back, and gave the ghost of a shrug, their slight frame trying to find a point of something to reply.
Half-Elf Warlock 1 HP 7/7, PB + 2, AC 13, Init: - 1, Perception: + 2, HD pool: ?
The doors to the Welcome Wench were pushed open with a bit of effort, the newcomer slipping in through the small space that they had managed, their robe belted around their frame almost twice, a cap of tight curls tied under a homespun kerchief to keep it out of their face, and as usual— a book of one kind or another in a free hand. Small ink stains were at the lobe of their ear and fingertips, as bright brown eyes quickly flicked over the room, discarding the places the usuals would sit and landing on Herala. She was hard to miss in this room full of regulars, the grin that shone in that recognition lit up the whole room with a touch on something that polarized opinions of the scribe in this village.
"Gossamer" was a pretty adjective to use for Jairdan, though the steps that brought them across the room did not float, but they were quick and that was indeed a bit of a slide as they stopped almost too late, bouncing in happiness before they hugged her. Their grin was even wider at the tangible confirmation of the arrival of a friend long gone, now returned. Granted, their positions were swapped in a reflection of the hug that she had just received from Terion, as it was more likely that Herala could hold them at arm's length. There was also a spot of ink on the underside of the tip of their nose.
They did not say anything, only let go and gave them a once over while happily bouncing, their eyes alighting on the state of her glasses and giving her a stern look as best they could hold for nearly a second before it broke and the grin was back, albeit more moderate now that they realized they had interrupted.
"Oh... M'sorry, Terion.", giving a nod to their other friend, and an apologetic nod to Kardin with an expression that attempted to convey as much, holding the simply bound book to their chest. The other individual with Kardin was someone that they did not recognize. "Um.. Sorry, hi. I'm Jairdan." Their voice was soft, almost at the level where it would blend in with the tavern noise, and only seemed to trail lower.
Ambitious human cook(Monk), that became a Wanted Witness for refusing to "make do" with poorly supplied facilities at a meeting they didn't realize was more important than they thought. The challenge of cooking here meant that without any magic tricks, the food has got to be good on its own. They've run into a bit of a roadblock in that no legitimate place will take them on, they've got to duck the law, and things might get downright hostile if they become too visible.
In a desperate position, Laijiri attempts to get free of the gator and substitute the club chump for its attentions.
____________________________________
Attempting to throw Errick to the Gator
⯁ Escape?:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
⯁ Grapple@Errick:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
⯁ Grapple?:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
No, sorry. Surprise rounds don't really exist in PF2. You could get the drop on someone if stealthy and they didn't perceive you, but not when you are standing right in front.
Ah. Well. I did want to learn this system, all good.
The anger was a thing that was always present, close enough that it was something that was nearly at the edge, but he loved the focus that it brought. Wary looks were ignored, the anger fueling his strides towards the address. Like now, his stride was direct, purposeful, and it kept annoying distractions out of his path, like some of the more scared ones going as far as across the road.
Like they mattered.
The sun was about to set as he stalked up to the address, checking the card once more before comparing it to the rest of the buildings on the street. It looked like someone was at the same door that he was headed towards, and that was fine. If they wanted to interrupt this person that had word about Lamm, that was going to be a bit of a problem.
I was thinking that if everyone clicked the link and generated their own events, there'd maybe be some in common, along with a number of levels, which would let us know how long since the common incident that the characters joined up, when it occurred, and what it was.
Though that summary is pretty fantastic on its own...
She knew this drill. Stay quiet in the back, look reasonably attentive and bored as a situational staff member, and only really pay any distinct attention when called. Not too difficult to do, and it played the expectation of the individuals that they met. Perhaps they were on the right track going this way, but she was far out of her depth here at the College.
A lot of these areas were areas that she did not wander into. After all, there was not much of a reason to travel into districts like these. Most of the work that Desi had done was internal or from reference notes and journals. Not to mention that the individuals that she could find were not really the regimented type. Much like her, in fact.
Still, she did observe the barest of courtesies when her mentor showed. For the non(or barely, the difference was negligible)-mental types like her, that consisted of staying back and showing the proper deference to someone who could undoubtedly do a fair amount of harm to you with their mind.
Honestly, that was just prudent.
It was novel to see the "energetic" Ellais dim themselves to something more constrained, though.
Also congrats on starting Nursing School! Prepare to have no life, as the free time you once had will be spent studying. It'll be rewarding in the end, but... Yeah.
Winded from the climb up, Desidera had remained with the stabilized individuals until they could be recovered by the healers. She had been giving them the details of their injuries, but when she sees the others heading off, she moves to join them.
