End of Season 6 Speculation (SPOILERS for basically all Scenarios to date)

[Kishmo]

The end of Season 6 is just on the horizon, and we have a pretty clear idea of what plots are, and what plots aren't, going to get some screentime. So, I thought I'd put down some thoughts about what's still up and 'unresolved,' for the (presumptive) final year of 1st Edition Starfinder Society.

Do note that there's other unresolved threads hanging around, but I'm not including things that are more "Setting" mysteries that aren't specific to Society - things like the ongoing Gideron/Marixah cold war, or exploring Drift Lanes (although I do think it would be mean to dangle Conrasu and the Nebula Union in front of us in 6-02 and then not let us play a weird cosmic plant/construct thingy :D)

SPOILERS for basically all Society scenarios, past and present!

FORMAL STORYLINES
I'm calling these "formal," in that they're clearly identified storylines that have been hanging around for multiple seasons, and are still unresolved. It would be surprising if these aren't addressed, one way or another, at some point.

Salvation's End:

Last we heard, the Vault Lord was still ripping open the vaults of Salvation's End, and sucking up whatever delicious juices they found inside. The Guiding Intelligence remains mysterious.
Plus, as the setting that literally kick-started Starfinder Society, it would just be fitting if this was resolved in 1st Edition.

Pulonis:

The winds of revolution blow on Pulonis! It's anyone's guess how much will happen On Screen or not, or in Society scenarios or not. It's not clear even if we'll see things happen in 1st Edition, or as part of an off screen "narrative update" between editions, or fully in 2E?
I almost didn't include this, since it's, like The Gap or The Swarm, more of an ongoing Starfinder-wide issue, and not necessarily something Society specific. But, some kind of giant conflict on Pulonis feels like the kind of thing that would be perfect as an Interactive Special, and we've been involved in Society scenarios already, so overall this felt safe to include.

Rasheen:

As of the back half of season 4, Radaszam has encrypted data pointing towards the next beacon in the trail that Rasheen left. Presumably, once decrypted, it will lead us one step closer to Jelev Rasheen's fabled "treasure fleet"?

INFORMAL RECURRENCES
The following are less obvious in their need for a resolution. I think of these more as story seeds that may or may not be picked up again. Unlike the Formal Storylines above, I don't think it would be surprising if any of these plotlines are left untouched.

Datch:

This one may yet get resolved in season 6, but the rat everyone loves to hate is still flapping in the breeze, as of season 5's breakout (and maybe kinda sorta helping the Society against the Order of Dawning Fate??)

Third Herald:

Kadrical may be slowly waking up in the Scoured Stars with Ailuros and Jadnura helping out, and Dhurus is, well, dead - but that Third Herald is still, as far as we know, hanging out on Aballon? Hm, coincidentally, Aballon is facing increased unrest, struggling to deal with the fallout of the Drift Crisis, with new factions popping up...

Historias-2, -3, -5, and -6:

We know how Historia-1 ended up, and Historia-4 has been saved, hinting that -2, -3, -5, and -6 may still be trapped somewhere. Celita has vowed to find them, making this one more likely than not to come back again.

The Mechanizers:

The terrifying secret that Guidance and the Hellknight Order of the Pyre fought to reclaim in season 3, this was set up as a shocking revelation that would rock the Pact Worlds to its core. While that shocking reveal didn't seem to amount to much, the Mechanizers were mentioned in a recent Bounty in connection with the unrest on Aballon, so - maybe it'll come up in future Aballon / First Ones / Sarmak shenanigans?

It's Ya Boi, Envar Tamm:

The Society finally caught up to Envar in season 5, so I'm guessing this one is 'resolved.' But, we don't know how, yet. It's possible we haven't seen the last of Envar - don't forget to ring that bell!

Where's Luwazi?:

Okay this one I'm just putting in for funsies, but - fan favourite Luwazi Elsebo hasn't been seen since winking at the camera in 2-24 and saying "don't worry, I'm doing something different, once Ehu Hadif is in the saddle!" I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who would lose their shit if we got a dramatically-timed Elsebo reveal, with badass new "time has passed" wardrobe and style :D

I'm sure there's more that I've missed; feel free to add on! Or, share which ones you'd be excited to see more of!

[John Mangrum]

I'll touch on some of these when I update my Narrative Arcs thread, but:

The Other Scoured Societies:

The Year of Scoured Stars metaplot/adventure path only encountered two of Kadrical's heralds (see above) and only four of the eight civilizations that fled the Scoured Stars so long ago. During the metaplot, there are hints that the Jinsul Hierocracy may have been prepping to attack (or even actively waging war) against a totally-unseen-by-the-PCs underwater enemy. The jinsuls were scattered, but not eliminated, and we've recently heard that the jinsul menace will return, under new management, in 2E. Will we meet the rest of the Scoured Stars species?

Icefront:

Just a few years ago, the Starfinder Society earned the respect of the izalguuns of Icefront/Izalraan by preserving their secret: that they were not actually iron-age hunter-gatherers. But by 324 AG, the Pact Worlds know that izalguuns were once highly technolgically advanced, and that, indeed, the new leader of the Starfinder Society is one of these entirely-modern izalguuns. Will this draw unwanted attention to the "traditionalist" izalguuns still living on Icefront?

The Hitchhiker:

Back in Year Two, an infernal imp hitched a ride on a Starfinder ship to Absalom Station, where he flew off to get up to some devilry. A boon promised that PCs might encounter that imp again; will it ever happen? (I'll hold myself to just this one "Will this NPC boon ever pay off" entry.)

The Wildlife Trafficker:

In 320 AG, Starfinders got to choose whether a smuggler who accidentally unleashed Swarm components into the guts of Absalom Station faced the law or was spared (in expectation of big favors in return). What choice did the Society make?

Competing Realities:

The Starfinder Society has (unpredictable) access to alternate timelines, which agents got to check out once in Year Four. Meanwhile, we know that the Veskarium (in multiple realities if we include Drift Crashers) has conducted military experiments in accessing alternate realities -- including the seemingly abandoned Prime Timeline experiment that seemingly introduced those adorable Alien Specimens to our galaxy. Will the Starfinder Society ever cross paths with competing timelines again?

Faithful Allies:

Toward the end of the Year of the Data Scourge, the Starfinder Society may have made allies of any of several religious leaders and dignitaries. Will the Society -- oh, look, let's jump to the point. Are we going to see Shadebringer Nevis again or what?

A Giant Problem:

Every time the Starfinder Society has delved into Pholskar's history, they've emerged with closets full of skeletons. Naiaj seems certain that this is primed to explode in the Society's face if the Society isn't increasingly careful. Is she right?

[Jessica Norveg]

"What kind of closet did you have that could fit THOSE skeletons? "

[CorvusMask]

Blog post mentioned Sarmak being a hunter, so dunno if that counts as "entirely" modern xD

(I still like one of hints about true nature of izalguun in original scenario being that their tools are "though archaic in appearance, is laced with polycarbons and other advanced synthetics to improve durability and weight distribution."

Like "wait a sec, that wooden spear with stone tip was made in factory!". Analog weapons still exists in space after all x'D)

[John Mangrum]

John Mangrum wrote:

I'll touch on some of these when I update my Narrative Arcs thread, but:

** The Other Scoured Societies **

Dipping back in to footnote myself. Having taken a closer look through the Scoured Stars AP now, I reckon there's a good chance...

Spoiler:

..., based on how the book presents the Kreiholm Freehold, that the underwater weaponry the jinsuls were developing could have been intended to target the undersea syngnathrix cities on Saaruq 5.

[spacecat11]

I know it's a very minor character, but I think it would be awesome to see the ship from Precious Cargo return for a little update in Year 7. :)

[Noven]

I have a question since I really haven't done society stuff since Season 1.... what ever happened to the AbyssHead download that was in 1-06?

[John Mangrum]

Noven wrote:

I have a question since I really haven't done society stuff since Season 1.... what ever happened to the AbyssHead download that was in 1-06?

That boon triggers a few times later on in Year 1, if the stars are right, but that's it.

[BigNorseWolf]

spacecat11 wrote:

I know it's a very minor character, but I think it would be awesome to see the ship from Precious Cargo return for a little update in Year 7. :)

As long as they don't want to listen to the whale songs we're good...

[John Mangrum]

Thought of another one, related to the Historias:

Spoiler:

Why was all identifying info about Historia-3, both digital and analog, wiped? There's obviously something in the works here.

[John Mangrum]

Got another for the pile:

The Bleaching:

For as long as PCs have known her, Venture-Captain Naiaj has been a dour bleachling gnome. But a generation ago, in the aftermath of the Swarm War, when the Pact Worlds and Veskarium were actively engaged in forging bonds between their nations (and when Naiaj was still an active brutaris player), she was a feychild. Wha' happen?

[Hilary Moon Murphy]

You have no idea how much it excites me to see people clamoring for the Historia -2, -3. -5 and -6 subplot! I am clamoring for it too!