Session Zero: My Tempering

Vhell
Vhell
Sep 6, 2018 · 6 min read
(Vhell’s character journal/blog for a Starfinder campaign. See Introduction.)

Author’s notes: Session Zero starts one week before our Starfinder campaign begins as a prologue to Vhell’s adventure, introducing characters and creating some backstory. Any words and phrases italicized AND bolded can be found in the Glossary at the bottom of the page for further explanation/definitions. (Some terms have already been defined in the previous “Introduction” blog entry.) Additionally, everything written between [brackets] dictates imagery, temporarily breaking away from the spoken narrative of the blog.

Idari Station interior art from Starfinder Core Rulebook.

Seventh Day, Arodus 26th, 317 AG | Aboard The Chariot, Hub Station 3, Idari

“And it looks like we are recording! The little red light is blinking and the 360 camera-feed is recording. Audio is a check, the Atmosphere Simulator is synced, and I’m live.

Thank you, Triune.

So, welcome to my VR video-log currently coming to you from my cabin onboard The Chariot! My name is Vhellus Esar Qura’Loro of Clan Xensu, House Ramaut. Informally, and personally, Vhell.

I apologize for all the noise, we’re still docked at Hub Station 3 on Idari and getting ready to depart in the next hour, so all that beeping and buzzing is coming from…well…just about everywhere.

Art by Katya Gudkina.

As you can see, my sleeping quarter isn’t much, but I’m more than satisfied. As is I’m not sharing a bunk, there’s a port-side window, there’s adequate lighting to record these videos, no critters are scurrying around the cabin, and best of all my travel expenses were 100% covered by my parents. All-in-all, the Universe is in balance.

I do have to say, saying “goodbye” was easier than expected. Not that I won’t miss my friends and family while I am away from Idari for the next year, but I’ve waited for this day my whole life. Tempering, here I come!

Oh, quick note: for anyone watching not familiar with Kasathan traditions — of which there are many — a Tempering is the year-long pilgrimage that all Kasathas must undergo at the end of our adolescence, seeking out new cultures, planets, experiences and more. All to create our own personal traditions and customs in addition to those already honored from our heritage. To us Kasathas, customs are everything.

So here we are. The day of my birth, the start of my twenty-fourth year, and the moment I am no longer a child. Hence this VR video-log; this is my way of documenting my Tempering over the next year.

And just as importantly — I’ve had my first two Stellar Revelations as a Solarian! Which means I can officially call myself a Solarian instead of a Solarian-in-training. Obviously, I can’t show you them right now. Entering the metaphysical state necessary to become attuned with either the gravitons or photons requires a serious risk to my life to be at stake to maintain the balance of the Cycle. (Psst, meaning cosmic creation and destruction, light and dark, the stars and black holes that make up all.)

But, I can show you this. Make sure your Atmosphere Simulator is activated.”

[A mote of light appears above Vhell’s head, no larger than the size of a fist. It hovers for a moment as Vhell inhales slowly, his eyes closed, before the mote floats down to his lower left arm, materializing into the shape of a sword. Vhell grabs the sword that appears to be made of light and flame and smiles at the camera.]

A Kasathas Solarian from the original Starfinder art.

“Fascinating, right?

This my stellar weapon; my sword. You can actually feel the heat of the light. It probably feels warm to you, tingly, calm. It does to me, at least. Otherwise, this thing burns like fire. I don’t know the extent of which all newer models of Atmosphere Simulators function, but I wouldn’t actually touch it even here in stimulated VR; I managed to cut straight through steel with this yesterday.

Also, it looks like the glow is yellow in this lighting for some reason, but it’s not. I have no idea what weird physics anomaly or visual rendering issue is going on with that, but I assure you the light burns violet, like potassium-sulfate.

Can you imagine the sight of a violet star? That would be breath-taking.

[The sword disappears as Vhell glances out of his window and he sits in silence for a few seconds. Just outside of Vhell’s cabin the sound of air-pressure door-releases can be heard along with an indistinctive chatter from the crew. Vhell claps all four of his hands together as he stands away from his desk.]

“A few last things before I log off.

Thank you again to my mother and father, Esara and Altronus, for connecting me with Ambassador Tofiq Ambawye of Castrovel and getting me a lift aboard his ship to the planet Lavaria.

I simply cannot wait to discover new life-forms on that vastly unexplored world. Who knows what mysteries await!

Also, I cannot thank you enough, Tofiq, for accepting my parent’s request to have my join aboard. I know you were only stopping at Idari to gather fuel, so waiting an extra day for me to prepare for departure will not be forgotten. I’m excited to join you on this scientific-research excursion and I hope my Kasathas wisdom of the Cycle and cosmos can be of great aid to you.

Lastly, to everyone watching: keep tuned.

In balance with the Cycle of all light and dark,
Vhell”


Next Up — Session 1: Prisoners of the Cult of the Devourer and Our Escape (Coming approximately next Thursday, September 12th)

Vhell’s Instagram | Tofiq’s Instagram | GM Jason’s Instagram | Katya Gudkina Instagram

IRL

First, shoutout to Katya Gukina for letting me use her art!

Second, anyone interested in playing Starfinder should look into their Character Folio. It’s fantastic. Like all Starfinder products, the art is just beautiful, and overall the folio is just fun to fill out and design. Here’s mine below :)

(Now that this Session Zero is completed, I can’t wait to write up and post our ACTUAL session we just played. It’s as insane and bizarre as any tabletop session goes, and I had so much fun playing. Cheers to the crew!)

Glossary:

Vhell

Written by

Vhell

A twenty-four year old Kasathas from Idari documenting my year-long Tempering journey through the Pact Worlds System. (Starfinder sessions journal/blog)

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade