And in the blink of an eye, it's all over! Poor Kiv, normally the quickest of the bunch, watches as her team expertly and efficiently dispatches the beast in a flurry of melee and artillery, all ending with a perfectly timed cinematic !
THE CROWD GOES WILD!!
As you each showcase for the stadium the double doors open up again, but this time the aforementioned lashunta with pink hair is the one to enter. He casually walks over the remains of the defeated crest-eater, stepping over the carcass with a skip. He lowers his sunglasses to reveal dilated pupils and flashes a toothy grin.
“St-Stellar,” the man slurs. He then glances at the floor and his smile abruptly changes to a look of disgust. He takes an exaggerated step over the bare ground as though trying to avoid some invisible object and trips, falling face-first into one of the metal pillars. He just as quickly springs back up and dusts himself off. “Whoa! You killed TWO of those things? That’s amazing!” He holds out a hand in greeting. “I’m En—Envar. Tamm. You’ve probably heard of me. I know, I know, I’m way more handsome in person. It’s," his vacant eyes do their best to focus in Kiv's direction, "a pleasure to meet me! Now, tell me all about you; I want to know all about my new best friends!”
He beckons for you to walk and talk as crews begin their task of hauling away the defeated creature.
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Feigning being flattered and interested in her mark, the operative walks over and hugs the Evnar's arm as they walk off the arena floor. "I'm not sure about you, but after a fight like that I am so...revved up! It really gets my juices flowing, ya know? Trying to keep everyone in contact on a battlefield just gives me such a rush. Not much else like it. I mean, you get it. You must be masterful at something like that. I could feel how powerful you are through the crowd. That's very impressive." Then, with seductive grin, "Pray tell, do you do everything that well?"
Envar almost sways at every word you say.
"You are rockin'! Hey, I'm Envar! What's your name?"
The cleanup crew almost collectively rolls their eyes.
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Blitz wipes his pike off on the carcass of the beast. Acidic blood even? That's going to take forever to clean off. When Envar approaches the party, he flourishes his weapon and sets it point down into the ground. "Envar, eh? Well, the name is 'Solarflare'. That was a good set up," he points casually to the corpse "but hardly a challenge. I hope you have something more exciting in store for us?"
Well, the name is 'Solarflare'.
"Du-uude! That's like, the raddest name EVER! Did you know we're, like, orbiting the sun right now? What a co-coincidence!"
Envar interrupts your conversation with a selfie of himself, followed by group pics at different angles. With an obviously short attention span, he responds to anything detailed with a quick grin and the occasional "Groovy" or "Stellar!"
My name is Juan Sanchez Villa-Lobos Ramirez, my friends call me Ramirez.
"LaMar, I like you the MOST! Hey! I have an idea!" he says as he leans close, but doesn't actually say anything quieter, "While you’re here, do you wanna check the place out? My personal tour covers all the hot spots." He laughs loud at his own pun. "If you want the VIP treatment, come with me!"
He begins leading the group out of the auditorium and down a hallway towards an elevator.
(+1) Thrien
(+0) Charz, Uploki
Blitz, Joven and Kiv all vy and jostle for Envar's attention, and he hands it out evenly between you three and himself (Thrien manages to get caught up in a group pic as well).
The Lashunta cleanup crew are perfectly fine with Charz doing some of the work for them. They even give you sterile gloves and plastic zip bags!
You all eventually reach an elevator, and a holo-projection of Ilia Tamm pops up in front of you:
"Security is important to Arch Energy. Remember to reset your computer passwords once a week. Use a 16-character password that does not contain any recognizable words or patterns to increase its security."
Envar rolls his antennae, “I already told you, Mother, I can’t remember all those letters and numbers! That’s why it’s still—" the projection disappears as the doors open. "Wait, where’d she go!?” He pauses and sways a bit before crowding you into the elevator (maximum capacity 6; comfortably). Envar pulls out a keycard and lowers his glasses just long enough for a retina scan before pushing the button that reads, "LOUNGE". He then winks and explains that, “We don’t let just anyone into the VIP areas.”
After a fairly brief ascent the elevator floats to a stop and the doors open:
A large open room furnished with hovering black marble tables and dark-orange leather booths awaits before you. A semicircular bar occupies most of the north wall, its multiple tiers backlit in blue and purple neon where glowing, flaming, and frothing drinks are served. A small holoscreen above the host stand in the foyer broadcasts an image of a scowling shirren in a white chef’s hat accompanied by the text “Chef Ghornak personally endorses Eclipse with a five-nova review!”
A male android clad in a white suit and orange tie greets you from behind the podium and offers to check your coats, weapons and any bags of viscera you may be carrying. Envar boasts, "My friend Chef Ghornak Ryz-something featured this Lounge on his reality cast! These are his own downloadable hospitality interfaces," he says as he points to the androids. Behind the glass doors, an all-android waitstaff and a kasatha bartender cater to customers.
In the far corner sits a twitchy Ysoki and his two Vesk bodyguards, all of whom train their gaze on Envar as you mingle about the lounge.
Envar leans on you as a physical support. "Oh yeah!", he laughs, points and waves at the Ysoki, which only seems to aggravate the trio. "That's Razor! He's so fwuffy! Razor really helps me relax! Chillest rat in the Pact," he giggles very long at his own joke.
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Uploki, rather embarrassed by his lack of contribution to the downfall of the Crest Eater, but he doesn't let it effect him for long. He tags along, making fire flare from his feet as walks from the arena. "I get called when they need the reserves" Uploki says mornfully to Envar, but it seems that this does not even register with him, and his comments don't make Envar any happier with Uploki.
He follows behind everyone, wondering if his talents are really suited to wandering a building, when outside the universe stares down at him.
He sees a fellow Ysoki, looking rather intimidating, but it's one of his kind, so he tries to make out his reaction to him and his fellow travellers. He wonders whether to approach the tough looking Ysoki or just watch him closely.
But you also think that your distance from the celebrity might work in your favor. Razor doesn't seem to notice or think you and Envar know each other. Yet, at least.
The Vesks aren't armed, but you know that Vesks don't need to be to be dangerous.
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Uploki moves away from Envar towards the other three in the room, not acknowledging his companions. He speaks normally to the other Ysoki, but not so loud that it is obvious for the fellow starfinders to hear .
Uploki cautiously approaches the Ysoki, bows his head and starts, "What a jerk!" he says as his eyes and body point to Envar, "Oh, sorry. He might be your employer, I don't mean to cause offence. My name's StarReader. That guy is..." Yoshi's face pulls a face of annoyance, as his voice diminishes to nothing. With a quick smile he asks, "Fancy a drink whilst Envar shows off his new friends?"
One of the Vesk utters a gutteral "Hey, kid, scram!" before Razor flitters an ear in her direction.
"It's al-riiight, Zam. Anyone annoyed with Envar is welcome at thisss table." Razor grinds his teeth together - a sign of anticipation. "Lemme guesss, Envar shorted you a payment, too? That stupid arena upgrade apparently broke him. I'm here to collect. Gotta feed these gals one way or another," he chuckles as he gestures to the two Vesk.
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Uploki, annoyed at being ignored by Envar, keeps up the charade. He shakes his head and with some pvenom says, "I bring in the best gladiators seen this side of Akitor, for many moons and he sweet talks the fools into a tour of this place. No sign of the credits yet. What does he owe you for, some other entertainment?" Uploki enquires to see if he can elicit any useful information from Razor.
Razor leans back and pulls out a dimebag of green and white sand. He tosses it on the table in front of Uploki.
"Good thing. I thought you might be his new dealer, and maybe that was why he stopped paying me. Here, first one's always free. Give it to one of your fighters, or something. It'll dull their senses and keep 'em going."
Type drug (ingested or inhaled);
Save Fortitude DC 20;
Addiction DC 20 (physical);
Track Dexterity and Wisdom;
Effect +2 morale bonus to saves against fear for 1 hour and gain 2 Stamina Points per level.
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Charz fails to check any of his items despite the call-out about the viscera. Also, Charz thinks he's failing at getting the Lashunta's attention, so he turns his own attention to the androids serving food to see if he can get an advantage. "Butcher wants to know if Butcher would be allowed to cook and serve his meats for talky man, yes? Fresh Butchered! haha, Butcher makes great joke!" He holds up his new bag of Crest Eater parts "Butcher will make great fun times with androids, learn what talky man's favoritest meats are, yes?"
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Uploki takes the bag, pulling it slowly across the table. His eyes narrow "Thanks, if it becomes neccessary I'm sure it will make a difference to our strength. Is there anything else we can do for you, you never know what of value we might find, as he shows my gladiators the place. If that's the case, where can we send the credits. Save you from hanging around waiting for that loaf to find some cedits to feed your companions. Let us know how much and we might persuade the fool, if we get the opportunity."
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Thrien stays back and watches for the most part, though he steps up beside "the Butcher" to support his ally. "Yes, absolutely," he says. "The Butcher is one of the best cooks I have ever met." His clicking mandibles pronounce words very well, but it is still pretty weird. "You would be well-served to allow him to cook for you."
Tolara, the kasatha bartender, mixes and serves drinks to patrons with the help of
two additional cybernetic arms. "Care for a cocktail? Or perhaps service at our premium gas bar? We carry oxygen, nitrogen, nitrous oxide—one of Envar's favorites–as well as a selection of dozens of fragrant vapors.”
She seems to genuinely enjoy her job and efficiently mixes up your order–on Envar's tab–but doesn't have much time for small talk. "The Ysoki and Vesk? They're here at least weekly. Cherry vapor is what he orders, usually. Want me to send some over to him?"
When Charz begins waving around the bag of meat, the dutifully appeasing Androids don't seem to be able to resist the request! "Of course, sir, right this way," to which several patrons raise an eyebrow and quickly request *not* to order whatever just went back there.
Meanwhile, Razor seems to be sizing up the claims that Uploki is making .
Razor grinds his teeth in anticipation. "So you're sayin' payment's on its way? Good. But I ain't givin' him anymore this week. Once he feels that crash, he'll pay twice as much for makin' me wait."
The Ysoki snaps his fingers and he and the Vesk begin to leave. When an Android attempts to hand Razor a cherry scented vape pen the Ysoki tips them with a small bag of green and white sand before departing.
This time Envar actually *notices* Uploki! He dances over to the table and plops down. "Hey, that was really really stellar of you! Razor's super chill, but his friends are mean. I don't know why he hangs out with them! By the way, my name's Envar! You want to hang with me and my new friends? This place is a bit loud right now. Get yourself something to drink and I'll show you guys somewhere we can really relax."
Back in the kitchen, Charz sees all manner of cutlery, solar toasters, gaseous seasonings and other exotic tools for meal preparation. The Androids immediately acquiesce to any requests for assistance and give you space to work with.
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Watching Razor leave, Joven raises his glass towards Uploki.
Joven think to himself, (Hmm there doesn't appear to be any access to computer hardware here, we need to get him to move on and take us elsewhere.)
"Well done, my furry friend. Envar this place a little dull, how about we continue the tour? I'm sure there is so much more to see here."
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"Butcher" carries right into his comfort zone, the butchered Crest eater laid out on the center table; time to make Crest eater 5 ways. He yells for as much help as he can get, constantly criticizing the techniques and mannerisms of the androids.
"What is this place? Butcher thought you earned Chef Gornek's approval, yes? Or was that something else entirely? You can't even fillet a bone-steak!... Hasn't even one of you been on "Who's kitchen is it, anyways?"... That's not the liver, that's the poison gland, what do you think you're doing with it, yes?!... You'll put an eye out with that bone spur! Yes I see that you've already had your eye replaced, good for you. What did you lose it in a kitchen accident?" There's some great equipment, and Charz makes the most of it, but he also uses dashes from his own kits and plenty of experience.
As Charz puts the finishing touches on his masterpiece a Quality Control bot scans the dish. "Recommended serving size... three ounces... Contains 360% Daily Value Calcium, 84% Daily Value Iron, 44% Daily Value Protein. pH level.... 2.1" The Android staff commends the review, and they quickly dish it out.
Outside, Envar scarfs up practically any food that is presented to him with gusto. He replies to Joven while his mouth is still full, "Yah, I know the perfect place! You guys will love it. Oh, and by the way, this is my new best friend. I'm sure you guys will love him, too," Envar says as he practically noogies Uploki.
Envar grabs some helpings to go on his way out and doesn't wait long for you all to crowd into the elevator once again. He sways a little as his fingers point to the control pad before pushing the button that reads, "OBSERVATORY". After a brief ascent...
The elevator doors slide open to reveal a chamber with golden hued metal floor and walls. Plasma screens on the south wall stretch from floor to ceiling and display crisp, breathtaking images of space. A fluorescent mural on the floor depicts the stages of a solar eclipse. Two silver doors to the east and west lead farther into the observatory.
As you begin to exit, Envar stares intently at the screens on the south wall. “I can see, like, the whole universe from here.”
(+1) Thrien, Charz, Uploki
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On the way up in the lift, Uploki casually mentions to Envar that the nice Mr Razor and his two friends were here to collect some credits due for services rendered from Envar. Uploki wonders if Envar knows about it? And can Uploki and his friends help?
Uploki is taken with the view in front of him, and the idea that there are more parts of the observatory to see. "Envar, this is truly amazing." the little Ysoki almost jumping up and down with delight. He looks around at the mural and the the rest of the place, his eyes full of wonder. Uploki follows the path of the eclipse back to the sun, as points to the door closest. He speaks quickly, the words almost tumbling over each other in the excitement, "What's through there, is there more to this wonderful place?"
You are obsessed with distant worlds, and you always mentally catalog everything you learn about new and strange places so you can recall it when you need it most. Additionally, you use your knowledge of biology and topology to inure yourself to alien hazards. Reduce the DC of Physical Science checks to recall knowledge about strange new worlds or features of space by 5. Physical Science is a class skill for you, though if it is a class skill from the class you take at 1st level, you instead gain a +1 bonus to Physical Science checks.
Envar enthusiastically gushes about the magnificent view of the sun, "I'm glad you like it! Usually the scientists that work here are a real drag. I'm not allowed here when they're working. Stupid! But now, we have the place to ourselves! Here, come with me!"
Envar proceeds to the silver doors and opens them with a swipe of his key card and another retinal scan. It looks like the same procedure would be required to open any of the doors on this level, save for the elevator.
The sun blazes above the transparent, domed ceiling of this gold metal room. An enormous gray-and-silver telescope is mounted near the western wall and points up toward the ceiling. A half circle desk and associated chairs rest near the northwestern wall. A dark-silver control station in front of the northern wall houses twin computer terminals. A set of silver shelves juts out from the northeastern wall, displaying various scientific instruments and tools.
The enormous telescope mounted to the floor in the southwestern corner is positioned to view the sun through the lab’s protective shielding. To the northwest of the telescope, a holoscreen hangs above a round metal table surrounded by hovering chairs. The computers in the northern control panel control the various layers of shields surrounding the observatory, including a dimensional shield and airlock.
Envar gleefully approaches the telescope, when another hologram of his mother appears before him. "Guest safety is important to Arch Energy. Only authorized personnel may enter this restricted area.” Envar turns and instead saunters over to the control panel and lounges in one of the hovering chairs within the console area, spinning it and giggling. “Mother,” he addresses the projection of Ilia, “you never let me play this game when I was a kid. Finally, I’ll get my high score! Check this out!” Envar begins mashing the buttons on the control panel to the tune of some imaginary game.
Kiv attempts to "play" the game, but notices just in time what Envar pressed: a big orange button that reads "RETRACT SHIELD".
As Charz screams Envar shrinks into his chair. "He-hey! When did you get so... Big!"
And then the physical shield above you begins to open! Almost immediately two beings made of warm light materialize in front of you.
ROUND 1
BOLD MAY ACT!
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Blitz
Uploki
Charz
What are those??!
Kiv
Joven
Thrien
The creature closest to Charz hisses and sputters like a live electrical wire being sprayed with water.
ROUND 1
BOLD MAY ACT!
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Blitz
Uploki
Charz
What is that??!
And that?!?
Kiv
Joven
Thrien
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Uploki watches with interest as the creatures enter the observertory. "How exiciting, Solar Elementals if I'm not mistaken. They are elemental creatures from the plane of fire. Probably feral creations made of heat and radioactivity that live but a fleeting existence. How did they get here, must be some sort of solar flare brought them into our plane. Best protect yourselves people."
With that Uploki spends his time bringing starlight and solar power into his hands, incanting strange sounds as the balls of power grow in his hands. Then with sudden movement he throws the balls of starlight at the nearest solar elemental.
Elementals are immune to the following effects, unless the effect specifies that it works against elemental creatures:
Bleed, critical hits, paralysis, poison, sleep effects, and stunning.
Flanking—elementals are unflankable.
Envar runs and cowers further away.
As Blitz... Blitzes... His skin begins to peel from the close exposure to the elemental .
The green elemental is spoiled for choice!
Meanwhile the yellow elemental flickers towards Joven!
ROUND 1-2
BOLD MAY ACT!
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Blitz
Uploki
Charz
Green
Yellow
Kiv
Joven
Thrien