
John Mangrum |
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I originally posted this as a reply to a thread in the Pathfinder Society forum but thought it might hit more appropriate eyeballs here.
For a while I've been pondering writing up a list of SFS scenarios broken down into narrative arcs for the benefit of players looking to progress through stories and GMs running scenarios as a home game. Seems like now's a good time!
The Scoured Stars has already been covered, so I'll skip over that for some others. I'll tackle these arcs in a loose chronological order. There's a lot of overlap, too, which is nice; you can weave in and out of arcs pretty freely.
INTO THE UNKNOWN
Fresh Starfinder recruits are sent out to learn the fate of a missing Society starship. Once that's done, PCs have the opportunity to explore several worlds the missing ship scouted out on its final mission.
Quest: Into the Unknown (1st level)
Following missions branch out to follow two paths that don't intersect again, so you can bounce between them as you like.
First contact with the ghibrani:
#1-03: Yesteryear's Truth (levels 1-4)
#1-21: Yesteryear's Sorrow (levels 3-6)
First contact with the morlamaws:
#1-08: Sanctuary of Drowned Delights (levels 3-6)
#2-13: Storm of the End Times (levels 1-4)
#2-18: Forbidden Tides (levels 7-10)
(I ran #2-13 first for my players, but go with whatever works for you.)
THE CORTEX CONSPIRACY
The "B-plot" that ran alongside Scoured Stars through Year 1. Starfinders follow a trail of evidence supporting Historia-7's belief that unknown parties hacked the Lorespire Complex's data vaults to purposefully harm the Society.
Before I dig into spoilers, also note that this story arc is the major narrative thrust for two big NPCs, Zigvigix and Historia-7/Celita.
#1-01: The Commencement (levels 1-2)
#1-07: The Solar Sortie (Levels 1-4)
#1-14: Star Sugar Heartlove!!! (levels 3-6)
#1-33: Data Breach (levels 3-6)
This is where things get tricky. This story arc splits into two major storylines, ultimately leading into both Year 2's The Thousand Bites and Year 4's The Data Scourge, which continues to ripple throughout the currently ongoing Year 5's Redemption's Rise.
I'll cover each of those below in Choose Your Own Adventure format.
To reach a conclusion while teeing up the Data Scourge, follow #1-33 with #1-38: The Many Minds of Historia (levels 5-8). #1-38 concludes the Historia-7/Celia story, or at least is a major turning point that can play as a conclusion.
To shift to The Thousand Bites, well, that's tricky. Toward the end of TTB's story arc, it basically retcons and ignores the scenarios listed above. Basically, a narrative disconnect is introduced that I've never cared for, leading to choices further down the line that I have trouble with. But anyway, just know that arguably, in the entire arc above, you're stalking a mysterious "Board of Directors" and that, if you want, you can resolve this conspiracy with the Thousand Bites. But if you prefer the Thousand Bites' own take on the backstory, then this conspiracy hunt just kinda gets snipped off and floats away into space. Sorta. Maybe.
At the very least, #2-14: Data Purge (levels 9-12) is functionally the conclusion of the Cortex Conspiracy arc, taken in isolation.
In my own campaign, the Cortex Conspiracy does lead directly into the Thousand Bites and beyond. I can dig into details later if you want.
SALVATION'S END
The story arc that literally kicked off the entire SFS org play line is still going strong after all these years. Starfinders explore an artificial moon and discover an Intelligence running faulty simulations in massive subterranean vaults for unknown purposes. The storyline is still going but does have a stopping point.
#1-00: Claim to Salvation (level 4 pre-gens); consider it a prologue
#1-09: Live Exploration Extreme! (levels 1-4)
#1-20: Duskmire Accord 9 (levels 1-4)
#2-04: Future's Fall (levels 7-10); foreshadows The Data Scourge
#3-06: Rise of the Vault Lord (levels 7-10)
#3-17: Clone Batch Catastrophe (levels 1-4)
#5-10: Shadow of the Vault Lord (L9-12)
Other than needing some minor tweaks around the edges, there's no reason #3-17 can't be slipped in between #1-20 and #2-04. Do that and the entire arc can be played in order by a single group. The arc as a whole feels like it's building to a conclusion, but I, for now, will tap out with my particular party of PCs with #3-06.
While we're here, a prayer to the SFS gods: I would love to know literally anything about the populated, new-to-Drift travel world Salvation's End orbits. I'd gladly take just a name for the planet, anything.
THE ROAD TO RASHEEN
The Acquisitives send Starfinders out to track down a long-lost famous adventurer and her legendary hidden treasure, following the trail of clues she left behind one step at a time.
Note: Like the Salvation's End arc, this is a slow-drip story arc that's been going for years and, in this case, shows no signs of reaching a conclusion anytime soon.
#1-35: Rasheen's Riches (levels 5-8)
#2-22: Rasheen's Reception (levels 5-8)
#4-14: Rasheen's Remembrance (levels 7-10)
POKING THE DRAGON
The Starfinder Society ticks off a dragoncorp. A mini-arc.
#1-13: On the Trail of History (levels 3-6); part of the Scoured Stars arc
#1-19: To Conquer the Dragon (levels 5-8); not to be confused with To Defy the Dragon
#2-10: Corporate Interests (levels 3-6); less a continuation of the feud than a brief reminder that it exists. Could easily be slipped in between #1-33 and #1-19.
THE MARIXAH/GIDERON GAMBIT
The Starfinder Society plays both sides of the brewing Marixah Republic-Gideron Authority war for its own purposes. Less a true story arc than a few adventures on a common theme.
#1-24: Siege of Enlightenment (levels 1-4)
#1-37: Siege of Civility (levels 5-8); also loosely tied to the Scoured Stars arc
#5-09: Counterfeit History (levels 3-6); part of the Redemption’s Rise arc
THE THOUSAND BITES
The central metaplot of Year 2. There are two approaches to teeing it up during Year One:
If you're following the trail of clues from the beginning, then The Thousand Bites is a continuation of the Cortex Conspiracy above. If instead you go with the backstory TTB itself provides toward the end of its run, then note that #1-09: Live Exploration Extreme!!! is an important triggering event, whether or not you run it yourself.
Also, technically, the Thousand Bites story arc kicks off at the very, very end of #2-00: Fate of the Scoured God. Think of it as an MCU after-credits “NEXT TIME…” scene, there.
The main arc: A shadowy conspiracy bursts out from nowhere to wage a media war on the Starfinder Society.
#2-01: Pact World Warriors (levels 1-4)
#2-05: Meeting of Queens (levels 1-4)
#2-06: The Stumbling Society, Part 1: Sangoro’s Lament (levels 5-8)
#2-08: The Stumbling Society, Part 2: Sangoro’s Gifts (levels 5-8)
#2-09: Bluerise Breakout (levels 1-4)
#2-11: Descent into Verdant Shadow (levels 3-6)
#2-12: Colossus Heist (levels 7-10)
#2-14: Data Purge (levels 9-12)
#2-17: Cost of Living (levels 3-6)
#2-18: Forbidden Tides (levels 7-10); also ties into the Into the Unknown arc
#2-20: Shades of Spite (levels 7-10)
#2-24: Cornered Rat (L9-12); the likely grand finale for PCs who’ve been around since #1-01
#3-00: The Last Bite (levels 1-8); the “real” finale, focused on PCs who came in at #2-01
#3-00 includes a narrative bread crumb that eventually leads to Year 5’s arc, Redemption’s Rise.
The Thousand Bites has had a few postscripts since then, too:
#3-19: Rat’s Repentance (levels 1-4)
…plus the entire story arc of Year 5’s entire Redemption’s Rise.
MEET THE VESKARIUM
A loosely connected assortment of scenarios focused on the Starfinder Society finally making inroads into exploring the Veskarium.
#2-19: Truth Keepers (levels 3-6); includes extra fun for PCs who played #1-23: Return to Sender
#3-02: The Subterranean Safari (levels 3-6); this is also a sequel of sorts to Skitter Home, the 3rd skittermander adventure
#3-11: Into the Veskarium (levels 3-6)
#4-06: Combatant’s Concerto, Part 1: Prelude to Revolution (levels 3-6)
#5-03: Combatant’s Concerto, Part 2: Fugue of the Traitor (levels 7-10)
The Frozen Ambitions arc also ties into this general phase of Veskarium exploration. Also, despite having no direct ties, PCs who play through #1-14: Star Sugar Heartlove!!! can pick up a social connection there that may help them out during in this arc.
FROZEN AMBITIONS
Low-level Starfinder agents track a criminal scheme through the Veskarium and Near Space.
#3-03: Frozen Ambitions: The Shimmerstone Gateway (levels 1-4)
#3-09: Frozen Ambitions: Freeing the Herd (levels 1-4)
#3-15: Frozen Ambitions: The Preluria Connection (levels 1-4)
#3-21: Frozen Ambitions: Renewal’s Blight (levels 3-6); the finale
THE VAST EXPERIMENT
Mid-level agents help develop and test a new addition to the Starfinder Society’s fleet of starships.
#3-04: The Vast Experiment: Falling into Deliverance (levels 5-8)
#3-12: The Vast Experiment: First Flight (levels 5-8)
#3-16: The Vast Experiment: Fast Choices (level 5-8)
#3-22: The Vast Experiment: Dancing at the Edge (levels 7-10); the finale
Note: My hot take is that the “real” conclusion of The Vast Experiment is #3-16, and that #3-22 then snookers PCs into the Data Scourge story arc in a startling twist.
FLEETING TRUTH
The Society’s AI advisor, Guidance, sends high-level PCs to recover buried, encrypted knowledge before an old adversary gets their hands on it.
First off, the whole Fleeting Truth arc is a direct sequel to #1-11: In Pursuit of the Scoured Past (levels 3-6), part of the Scoured Stars arc. Also, PCs who played through #1-18: The Blackmoon Survey may get more from #3-14.
Then we enter this story proper:
#3-08: Fleeting Truth: The Darkside Depository (levels 9-12)
#3-14: Fleeting Truth: Hollow Lies (levels 9-12)
#3-20: Fleeting Truth: Everchanging Revelation (levels 11-14); recommended as the finale
The Forbidden Lore the PCs are tracking down isn’t particularly tied to anything else, as yet, so GMs should feel free to connect it to their own campaign somehow.
THE DATA SCOURGE
Year 4's main metaplot. The Starfinder Society seems to be the target of a networked AI attack that threatens to destroy the Pact Worlds’ entire communications network.
First off, the Data Scourge is a direct sequel to #1-38: The Many Minds of Historia (levels 5-8).
PCs will get some handy clues to what’s happening if they played #1-99: The Scoured Stars Invasion (part of Year 1’s Scoured Arcs arc, obviously)
These scenarios drop some light foreshadowing:
#2-04: Future’s Fall (levels 7-10); foreshadows the Data Scourge via an inaccurate future prediction
#2-15: The Infernal Gallery (levels 1-4); first mention of a growing dead zone in the Drift beacon network
And then the meat of the story:
First off, while not a “multi-table” event, the Data Scourge kicks off large with three scenarios that all take place more-or-less simultaneously:
#3-22: The Vast Experiment: Dancing at the Edge (level 7-10); despite being the “conclusion” to the Vast Experiment arc, the previous scenarios in this arc are only tenuously connected to this one.
#4-01: Intro: Year of the Data Scourge (levels 1-4)
#4-03: Battle for the Beacon (levels 5-8)
After that we settle into the usual groove:
#4-04: Adventure Not Found (level 3-6)
#4-07: A Haven for Scourged Machines (levels 7-10)
#4-10: The Way In (levels 5-8)
#4-11: A World’s Ambition (levels 7-10)
#4-13: Hard Reset (levels 1-4)
#4-15: Feuding Faiths (levels 5-8)
#4-16: Hope for the Future (level 5-8)
As a note, #4-04 introduces a significant recurring NPC who first appeared “on screen” in the Signal of Screams AP, and who has previously been a shadowy ally popping up now and then since #1-07: The Solar Sortie (dependent on actions PCs took in #1-02, technically).
The Data Scourge story has since flowed into Year 5’s Redemption’s Rise, with one specific follow-up (which may keep going):
#5-06: Tarnished Legacy: Historia’s Holdout
REDEMPTION'S RISE
After taking some serious hits to their reputation (some unfair, some well-earned), the current First Seeker decides it’s time to reform the Society. Not everyone agrees. A sequel to The Thousand Bites, The Data Scourge, and possibly The Cortex Conspiracy. Happens to coincide with the Drift Crisis, but those scenarios are off doing their own thing.
Note: Still incomplete at time of writing; the year’s final two scenarios, #5-15 and the presumed finale, #5-16, have not yet been revealed.
Intro (#5-01): Year of Redemption’s Rise (levels 1-4)
#5-02: Road to Reconciliation (levels 3-6)
#5-05: Boom-block Gambit (levels 5-8)
#5-09: Counterfeit History (levels 3-6)
#5-11: Archivist’s Inquiry (levels 1-4)
#5-13: Finding the Forgotten (levels 7-10); also follows up on Edu Hadif’s campaign promise back in #2-07: Four for the First
…and a finale yet to come!
THE DRIFT CRISIS
Four standalone scenarios that dip into various repercussions of the Drift Crisis.
#4-99: A Time of Crisis (levels 1-6, multi-table event); starts at the Drift Crash
#5-04: Fragment of the 4th (levels 9-12); takes place well into the Drift Crisis
#5-07: Planar Bloom (levels 5 to 8); takes place a month or so after the Drift Crash
#5-14: Ghost Level Delve (levels 1-4)
PARASOCIAL ADVENTURES
The Starfinder Society somehow gets pulled into the life of an infosphere influencer, hopefully for the better? In my opinion, elements of this arc suffer due to their ties to the Cortex Conspiracy narrative disconnect discussed above. But if that isn’t a bugbear for you:
#1-07: The Solar Sortie (levels 1-4); the PCs meet Envar Tamm; part of the Cortex Conspiracy arc
#4-02: Settling Accounts (levels 1-4); kind of mind-boggling if taken in context of #1-07, but fine on its own. PCs are sent looking for the now-missing Envar Tamm
#5-12: Envar’s Expeditions (levels 3-6); PCs still on Envar’s trail
In between #1-07 and #4-02, Envar also has a cameo in #3-00: The Last Bite (levels 1-8; multi-table)
SHORT TRIPS
Finally, a smattering of connected scenarios that aren’t so much full arcs as opportunities to revisit a previous NPC or location.
Meet Bargai Yormin
#1-30: Survivor’s Salvation (levels 1-4); part of the Scoured Stars arc
#5-08: Tarnished Legacy, Part 2: Star Sugar Superstar!!! (levels 1-4)
Meet Mr. Philt
#1-02: Fugitive on the Red Planet (levels 1-4)
#1-10: The Half-Alive Streets (levels 1-4)
#3-05: The Hivemarket Heist (levels 1-4)
Meet Abysshead and Strawberry Machine Cake
#1-01: The Commencement (levels 1-2); SMC
#1-06: A Night in Nightarch (levels 3-6); Abysshead
#1-14: Star Sugar Heartlove!!! (levels 3-6); SMC
#1-25: The Beacon Code Dilemma (levels 3-6); Abysshead
#5-08: Tarnished Legacy, Part 2: Star Sugar Superstar!!! (levels 1-4); both bands
Meet Ceobarn Zeizerer
#1-06: A Night in Nightarch (levels 3-6)
#1-37: Siege of Civility (levels 5-8)
Meet Zo!
#1-05: The First Mandate (levels 1-4); part of the Scoured Stars arc
#1-09: Live Exploration Extreme! (levels 1-4); part of the Salvation’s End arc
#2-01: Pact World Warriors (levels 1-4); part of the Thousand Bites arc
#2-07: Four for the First (levels 1-4)
#3-10: Live Adventure Extreme! (levels 5-8)
…and also Redshift Rally, which starts PCs at 7th level and spits them out at 10th)
Visit Arniselle
#1-04: Cries from the Drift (levels 1-4); meet the Manta Corps
#1-08: Sanctuary of Drowned Delight (levels 3-6)
#2-18: Forbidden Tides (levels 7-10)
#1-08 and #2-18 are also a branch of the Into the Unknown arc
Visit Elytrio
#1-03: Yesteryear’s Truth (levels 1-4)
#1-21: Yesteryear’s Sorrow (levels 3-6)
Both scenarios are also a branch of the Into the Unknown arc
Visit Tabrid Minor
#1-22: The Protectorate Petition (levels 1-4)
#3-07: Strike at Zone 78 (levels 3-6)

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What a fabulous list! This is amazing, John! I am so bookmarking this!
John Mangrum also made an excellent list elsewhere of the Scoured Stars scenarios which make a great overarching storyline, but you might want to wait for when they released together as an Adventure Path this summer.
★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★
However, I have one brief correction under "Meet Bargai Yormin."
The second scenario is #5-06 Tarnished Legacy Part 1: Historia's Holdout.

John Mangrum |
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Now that Season 5 has been released in full, I'm going to post a corrected/updated version of this soon.
For the moment, I'm still chewing on Season 5 as a whole.

![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Now that Season 5 has been released in full, I'm going to post a corrected/updated version of this soon.
For the moment, I'm still chewing on Season 5 as a whole.
** spoiler omitted **
I sure appreciate your hard work with this list!
We just attended GenCon 2023 and have the Starfinder bug to accomplish some before 1E goes away with 2E coming out. How do you feel about this list? Is it still valid for someone who just dabbled with SFS for the last 5 years and wants to get the essential plot figured out?

John Mangrum |
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There's a few additions and corrections I'd like to make, and I obviously have more to say about Years 5 and 6. I'd been waiting on Fortune's Fall to clarify a few matters regarding its connections earlier metaplots, but it's being coy so I'm gonna go ahead and update within the next few weeks.

John Mangrum |
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Update: I am working on this, but toward the goal of dotting my Is and crossing my Ts I've created an index of every named NPC and starship in every SFS scenario released to date. I've discovered quite a few connections I'd been oblivious to before!
Expanding that to other SF sources, and then I'll get to work writing up revisions. Though honestly at this point I'm on the fence about waiting for the end of Year 6, but we'll see.