NPC Chiskisk's page

At some point in the dead of night, the Moriko receives an interplanetary message from the Lorespire:

<Greetings, Starfinders. Professor Muhali has reached out to me for assistance in expediting your permits to visit the wilderness preserve of Ukulam. I understand that a kidnapping has taken place. I don't need to inform you that safely recovering a civilian is just as important (if not more so) than unraveling the mysteries of the Drift Rock. Rest assured that you have the full weight of the Society behind you. In partnership with the University, I have forwarded you a stipend of 2,500 credits so that you may properly outfit yourself for the expedition.

It is my understanding that you are in need of reinforcements. Luckily, we have many agents on-planet, and I have arranged for a promising young agent to meet you in Ukulam. I'm sure you will have plenty of time to bring him up to speed once you set out.>

Chiskisk has sent you 2,500 credits as a stipend for the journey ahead.

The Starfinders' comm units chirp, buzz, and/or telepathically pulse in unison as they receive an interplanetary missive, automatically forwarded through Sunny.

<I've been notified that you made it to Castrovel in one piece. Good! Glad to know that that old ship is still space-worthy.

Best of luck! Please keep me updated.>

"Perhaps you've done zis already," Miraj suggests politely, "but I'd contact zee people who have zis information und warn them to ratchet up their security und perhaps lock zee notes away. If your database turned zis up, it's possible other parties interested in getting their hands on zis information are already prepping for a trip to Castrovel as vell."

{"Oh, rest assured. Castrovellian universities have been wrestling with ne'er-do-wells seeking information on powerful artifacts for personal gain since the beginning of recorded time, more or less. You're lucky you have the Society behind your back, or you might never see it!"}

Looking over the group, Chiskisk continues, {"It seems that you have your next steps somewhat established. I wish you the best of luck, and please let me know if you have any questions!"}

"I guess we could visit there and find out what we can find out. We've got ... uh ... some things ... to do tonight, but we can leave first thing tomorrow morning."

Chiskisk waggles his antennae with bemusement. {"I appriciate your enthusiasm, but I strongly recommend taking a day or two of rest and relaxation. You've just been through a very stressful few days, and I'm sure more challenges lie ahead. Time is of the essence, yes, but it is equally important to tend to your bodies and minds. Your new ship isn't flying anywhere without you."}

The vidscreen chimes softly, and Chiskisk eagerly touches the panel near the base, bringing up some sort of report. {"Ah, good, we have something."} Expanding the figures on the screen, they continue, {"I asked Guidance, our in-house AI, to try and match the symbology within the Drift Rock to material in the Starfinder databases. It seems... oh."}

Chiskisk's antennae droop dejectedly as they continue, {"There is some good news. The Starfinder Society’s linguistic database recognized many of the symbols you found on the Drift Rock, because this is not the first time they’ve appeared post-Gap. The bad news is that the source is… highly unreliable,"} Chiskisk notes, as segments of their chitinous body scrape together in agitation. {"All that we have about these earlier texts comes from Halkueem Zan nearly three centuries ago, and it seems that no published studies of those texts have appeared since. According to these records, Zan’s original findings were donated to the Qabarat University of Xenoarchaeology and Xenoanthropology on Castrovel shortly after his — "} The shirren pauses while contemplating how best to phrase the sentence. {" — disruptive expeditions.

{"Fortunately, the Society has numerous alumni from that university, and I can readily secure you a contact there and forward my personal recommendation to a few faculty members. Perhaps they can show you Zan’s notes and even take you to the original site so that you can search for more clues about whatever this Drift Rock once was."}

When asked about Jehir, she frowns. "Ambassador Nor had more information regarding something personal for him and he stayed behind, I guess," Diedre offers with a shrug.

Chiskisk sighs audibly, absentmindedly cleaning one antenna with a gnarled hand. {"I was afraid of that. Nor alluded to someone putting pressure on Jehir - I don't believe this is a simple case of grey market necrografts. The Conclave, through Nor, have a tendency to see all undead persons as defacto Eoxian citizens, and any threats against them become a matter of state, more or less."}

Leaning back in their chair, Chiskisk massages around the base of one eye, clearly fatigued. {"If Jehir does have some trouble - be it loan shark, spurned lover, or some other sort of nemesis - he'll likely be on the next ship to Eox, where he can safely take the Eoxian solution to life's problems. Wait until your enemies are dead."}

Standing up, Chiskisk leans on their cane as they limp over to the vidscreen, changing the feed from the news to an analysis of the alien language of the Drift Rock. {"I lose more promising agents that way... Anyhow. We must focus on the now, and right now, this is what interests me. What do you make of it?"}

The Starfinders very quickly find themselves herded into a familiar office occupied by a familiar shirren.

{"I would ask how it went, but..."} Chiskisk gestures to a nearby vidscreen showing a newsreel peppered with B-footage of Diedre manically chasing a goblin through the corridors of the Acreon. {"...I'm sure you're tired of retelling the same story. More interestingly, I've been cross-referencing some of the footage with the Society's anthropological database, and... wait, where is Jehir?"} Chiskisk twitches their antennae quizzically.

Chiskisk grins as they walk back to their desk. {"After the last 24 hours, I believe you do deserve a little rest and relaxation. Go enjoy yourselves, but not too much - I will likely have an assignment for you within the week. Until then, your time is your own."}

The shirren sits down with a heavy omph, setting their cane aside. {"I'm still curious about this ship and the cargo Astral is keen to keep us away from. Keep your eyes, ears, and antennae open. You never know what you might stumble across."}

As the group turns to depart, Chiskisk leaves them with a parting thought. {"Oh, one more thing. It appears that you have formed a rather functional team here - with any luck, we'll get you assigned to some long-term field work. Many long-standing field teams develop a team monkier or call sign, often for ease of long-range communication and cohesiveness. I would start ruminating on one, if I were you."}

With a twinkle in their eye, the senior starfinder dismisses the Society's neweset members. {"Now go! Celebrate. Let this old bug get back to their work. We'll be putting you back through the meat grinder soon enough, I'm sure."}

Chiskisk listens attentively as the group outlines their investigative findings and the subsequent dust-up at the Fusion Queen, asking occasional questions for clarification. After the story has wound down, they study Miraj's compiled notes for a moment before speaking, their telepathic voice measured and thoughtful.

{"This is some very thorough work. You are all to be commended. I will be packaging this information in a presentable format and sharing it with Station Security, as well as some of our diplomatic contacts who may find it relevant."}

They pause for a moment, antennae darting back and forth in thought. {"It is especially fortunate for the Society that you managed to capture that Nadaz woman alive. As an organization, we have always suffered from a reputation as, ah, "overzealous scavengers", and the restraint you exercised here will be good for optics."} Chiskisk's mandibles scrap together in a sign of irritation. {"...Although you will forgive me if I'm not perfectly enthused with the thought of Ferani Nadaz relaxing in a cell for however long this mess takes to head to trial."}

Chiskisk stands slowly, retrieving a small box from a drawer, and walks around their desk towards the group, leaning on their cane for support. Opening the box, the senior Starfinder reveals five metallic brooches in the shape of the Starfinders' emblem.

"It ish my honor," Chiskisk states, speaking aloud for the first time, "to offer easch of you formal memberschip in the ranks of the Schtarfinder Schoschiety."

Returning to a more comfortable telepathic tone, they continue, {"I am very much looking forward to the discoveries you will make and the knowledge you will share with the Society in the future."}

"It sounds like we will have to get a look at his life. Does he have an office here? Looking at his correspondence would be a good start."

{"Duravor never took an office here at the Lorespire. I offered one to him several times, but he said it would 'trap him on the Station'. He preferred to be on the move, meeting potential recruits where they lived. As for his life, I'm afraid I don't know much. Despite all the conversations I had with him, he never mentioned a permanent home or any family."}

"At this stage, no idea is a bad idea...

{"It sounds like you've already started down potential avenues of investigation. I encourage you to hit the streets and see what you can find. As much as it pains me, I cannot afford to dedicate much more time to this cause. I can, however, give you this."}

Chiskisk taps their communicator a few times, and everyone feels or sees a notification on their device - Chiskisk's contact information.

{"I wish you the best of luck. Please let me know if you find anything of substance."}

{"They could have been targeting the Society specifically. Could Starfinder-or Kreel-have something they want? Or... are afraid of?"}

The shirren's antennae cross and droop, not unlike a furrowed brow. {"It's no secret the Society has... adversaries. Still, our 'professional disagreements' are typically limited to narrow lines of inquiry. I can't think of any Society projects that would warrant this kind of response, however; to be frank, Duravor was a part-time recruiter! I can't imagine why anyone would want to hurt him!"}

"Are you able to determine from this footage which side dealt the killing shot to Duravor?"

Chiskisk sighs. {"Insightful thought, but no. The security footage only shows him standing one moment and... and down the next. It doesn't have the fidelity to catch the origin of a laser blast. I was hoping you might be able to tell me more, as witnesses, but I suppose that's too much to ask of you."}

"All right, so first, was Kreel involved in any recent fights or actions by zee society zat might have affected zee gangs and their source of income? Could be zey had a grudge against him. Second, was anyone or anything else expected to arrive at that dock that they might have been hoping to hijack? And third, how about saving us some time by giving us a data dump on everything you've got in your files about either gang?"

{"Like I mentioned, Duravor has been acting as a system-wide recruiter for some time now. He was a field agent in the past,"} Chiskisk rubs his leg, {"but that was decades ago. As for information on street gangs and shipping manifests, I'm afraid I can't help you. The Society doesn't track such information. There's only so much we can keep tabs on."}

"I see. So the station has designated zones of engagement? Then this recent skirmish is a violation of the rules... which would demand severe circumstances to initiate combat. A logical assessment. If one finds an advancing party, expect the main battalion to be close behind."

Chiskisk waggles their antennae in an affectionate manner. {"You won't happen to be new to the system, would you? If so, allow me to welcome you with a word of advice — physical confrontation is never sanctioned on this Station; at least not officially. Those who choose to resolve their differences with violence do so outside of the law, and thus endanger those around them."} Chisksik mentally sighs before continuing. {"Although that does not mean that we see no violence. On the contrary, it seems that every day we hear of another fatal engagement within the gang territories."}

"Are there any significant events that have disrupted normal station affairs lately?"

{"Hmm, yes. New to the Station, indeed."} Chiskisk absentmindedly cleans an antenna with one hand as they respond. {"Here on Absalom, the abnormal is normal. Within the last week, headlines have included a young dragon masquerading as a shipment of Castrovellian fish in an attempt to elude Trixian authorities, a mining ship popping out of the Drift with no crew to speak of and some sort of asteroid in tow, and an experimental psychic art show that no one can describe but everyone somehow finds offensive. Would you believe me if I said it was a slow news cycle?"}

The door opens, and a host shirren enters. Around middle age, they are wearing understated business attire and lean on a cane for support, clearly favoring one leg.

Looking up to find find all eyes on them, the shirren speaks telepathically, filling the prospective starfinders' minds with a calm, authoritative voice tinged with sorrow.

{"Good evening, all of you. I thank you for your bravery and willingness to protect the denizens of Absalom Station. My name is Chiskisk."}

Chiskisk walks slowly to the center of the room, their antennae drooping with a sigh.

{"I... I am sorry that I cannot welcome you to Absalom Station under better circumstances. I assure you that attacks like the one you suffered today are not a daily occurrence, though I realize that is likely small comfort to you. I am pleased that none of you were seriously hurt, but... I grieve for Duravor’s death. He was a valued member of the Society. He was my friend. May the Lady of Graves be kind in her judgment of his soul."} The shirren bows their head momentarily, then looks up, their compound eyes glittering. When they speak again, the sorrow in their telepathic voice is replaced by focus.

{"What puzzles me is the reason behind the attack."} Chiskisk limps to the wall. As they place a hand on a recessed panel, the large vidscreen lights up, displaying text, still images, and short video clips.

{"According to the incident report just released by station security, two gangs were involved in the attack: the Downside Kings and the Level 21 Crew. Gang wars are not uncommon on the station, but they usually confine themselves to the more lawless sectors, like the Puddles. It is rare for street gangs to battle openly in public areas like the docks. I cannot help but wonder whether all is as it seems. There must be a reason why those two gangs were at Docking Bay 94 at that time — the time of your arrival, coincidentally. But was it coincidence? Were you and Duravor just innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire, or might you and he have been specifically targeted? And if so, why?"}

Chiskisk pauses to glance at the screen. In the corner, a small video loop shows Duravor in the docking bay. He glances at his datapad, looks up, and waves to something offscreen. The video loops, showing the dwarf's penultimate moments over and over.

Turning back to the group, the shirren flexes their antennae and leans forward on their cane, once again drawing all attention to them. {"My understanding is that you are interested in becoming Starfinders, and since you were witnesses to the attack, I would like to ask you to investigate the incident on behalf of the Society. Find out exactly what happened and why. It may simply be a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time — I have no doubt station security will rule it so — but if Duravor was murdered, I would like to find justice for my friend."}

Chiskisk walks towards the window, gazing out over the station as it slowly turns in the sunlight.

{"At the same time, this will give you the opportunity to demonstrate your own skills and abilities and show the Society that you are worthy of the title 'Starfinder.' I have arranged a small stipend for each of you, as well as lodgings — you will find you each have a room at the Moons of Sleep through the week. It's just a short walk from here, and the staff is... well accustomed to the atypical schedules of Starfinder agents."}

Chiskisk turns back to the group. {"I apologize for my brevity, but I am afraid I do not have much knowledge to share. If you have any questions, feel free to ask them. If not, I wish you the best of luck. Please keep me updated on your findings."}