Aboard the Opal Star

With the chaos of Paragon Industries behind them, Vae seeks out Spectra to discuss a few possibilities relating to who could be behind the bounty. This leads to a more personal conversation where Spectra shares her search to find the truth about what happened to her missing friend. 

She also gets some unexpected news from her mentor. It seems the Hallahs have disappeared, and it doesn't look like the Federation is aware.

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The story of the Opal Star provides a wonderful escape for the crew of the Shirley, a ratty ship with an absolute tightwad of a captain. They have 6 months left of their 2-year contract, so the end is in sight. 

But they may need to find alternative employment soon as it seems Captain Ka'Ryn has her own plans for how this job will end. They're not nice plans either.

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At Pseudonym Social, we believe that Trans Rights are Human Rights.

Join us for a game of Dragons and Owls and Bears, Oh My by Night Owl Oddessy as we seek to raise money for the TTRPGs for Trans Rights in Texas Bundle on Itch.io.

The TTRPGs for Trans Rights in Texas Bundle (https://itch.io/b/1308/ttrpgs-for-trans-rights-in-texas) is live now on itch! For as low as $5, you can get 493 games by over 300 designers, as well as games from our community partners: Hit-Point Press, Solarian Games, and Monte Cook Games. All proceeds benefit Organizacion Latina de Trans en Texas and Transgender Education Network of Texas, two trans-led, trans-centered organizations working to fight disinformation and support trans people in Texas.

You can find this D&D one-shot plus so much more (SO MUCH MORE) in the bundle. It's well worth the $5 and that money goes to a great cause.

The bundle: https://itch.io/b/1308/ttrpgs-for-trans-rights-in-texas

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The crew finds themselves temporarily trapped in Paragon Labs when a group of hackers starts attacking their firewalls. Normally, this would not be a problem but seeing as the lab is currently housing a volatile (and possibly sentient) material, this is problematic indeed. 

Vae and Spectra work on helping to secure the station while Faridah and Anima make sure that nothing gets out of the bio lab. It isn't until the situation is resolved that they are able to finish the paperwork and leave the station. 

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The Opal Star arrives safely at Paragon Labs, where they are greeted by the site manager who helps them unload the engine. While waiting in the docking area, the party notices an odd-looking Promethean man who appears to have four arms. 

They quickly learn that this individual is in fact Lex, the Opal Stars chief engineer, who, after a brief conversation with Spectra, immediately boards the ship. 

On a brief tour of the lab as they help secure the engine, Faridah notices a bio lab with a variety of hazard signs surrounding it. Inside is an odd experiment, created by another company, slated for destruction.

After the deal is struck but before they can finish the paperwork, an alarm starts going off.

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Vae continues her conversation with her mentor, moving past their current situation to a concern that had been plaguing her for some time. She explains to him how the Ashenforged are made in the Alliance, then mentions her worry about some people she lost long ago and what the Federation may have done with them. 

He quickly cuts her off and redirects her to the problem at hand, asking what was going on around when the bounty was placed. 

That night, Anima dreams of her past, Faridah dreams of a possibility, and Vae is haunted by a memory and a single question.

Who do you trust?

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While working on her helmet, Faridah does some research into the music label and discovers the name of her agent, among other things. She shares this information with Vae, who then researches things further. 

Faridah has a high-profile agent who is very particular about whom he works with. This agent also almost ended up in a fair amount of trouble before a used shuttle salesman helped prove he did not do what he was being accused of. His name was cleared and now he is even more reclusive online. 

Armed with that information, Vae does more research. Then she settles in for a long conversation with her mentor about what she should do with this bounty situation.

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After getting the ancient engine secured, the party goes to check in with Meria to see what might have changed while they were gone. They learn that the bounty has been updated and the crew is taking every precaution. 

Tali gets to work finding a buyer for the engine. 

The party gathers in the mess hall to learn more about their situation and drink some tea. Spectra briefly calls Anima by another name, and Vae and Faridah get the feeling the name belongs to someone she lost long ago. Someone important to her. 

The Federation coverage of the Jaeger explosion continues to be very suspect. Vae gets the distinct impression that they are setting her up for something sinister.

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After successfully completing the first two challenges, the party has reached the final part of the vault. It is a puzzle that they cannot solve alone, and it hints at how even good things can be dangerous if not handled correctly. They have half of the pieces, while Spectra has the other half. 

The reward for completing this section ends up being more than the party expected. More than Spectra expected. And hopefully enough to help buy them some breathing room. 

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The party delves into the mystery of the Belare vault, Spectra taking one route while our trio takes the other.

First, they pass through a twisting maze whose walls are lined with a history wholely unfamiliar and old. It appears to be a tale of the origin of the universe.

Then the three are compelled to split up to face a more personal trial. The guardian of the vault challenges them, asking them why they are there and what it is they fight for. Then each person is left with a choice between helping themselves and helping another.

Passing that, they find themselves before the door of the third and final trial.

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