Wednesday, October 2, 2024

A Chosen People; The Ascendant Conclave

   Adapted from Those Who Become - Starfinder Wiki 

The Ascendant Conclave is one of the two major factions of anacites of the planet Matopouko. They believe the anacites' ultimate destiny is to become like their mythic progenitors, the Matodons, and colonize new worlds through the galaxy. They are opposed in this endeavor by the other major faction of anacites known as The Heritors Conclave, who are content to upgrade themselves and stockpile resources in preparation of the ultimate return of the Matodons. In order to become more like the Matodons, The Ascendant send seedships to new worlds. They wield considerable economic power, as they control numerous mining operations in the Midnight Trenches, and control anacite corporations such as Automatrix Robotics, who build nonsentient starship AIs and servitor bots that are widely sold. They also regularly hire offworlders to explore the ancient cities of the Matodons on Matopouko (that anacites are forbidden to enter) in order to recover clues about the identity of the Matodons and their goals.

Ascendant Conclave

Those Who Become who see themselves as successors to the Matodons are destined to grow and colonize other worlds in the same manner.

Since the advent of the Drift, members of the Acsendant Conclave have deployed dozens of starships into the depths of the uncharted Vast. These ships contained automated forges to build both anacites and foundry crèches to construct androids. While some of these robotic seedships report back to Matopouko and continue to send updates, others have disappeared entirely. Few expeditions were mounted to investigate the disappearances of these fleets,  The Acsendant being more interested in constructing new ships than discovering what

happened to their previous assets. Recently, the Cartographer’s Guild, under direction from its new Prime Surveyor, has entered negotiations with Those Who Become to gain access to a list of missing seedships and transmission logs—a veritable gold mine of exploration sites.


Inhabitants

Anacite Common Ancestry

Uncommon

Automoton

Construct


Anacites form the core of the Ascendant Conclave, driving its pursuit of technological advancement and resource accumulation. They hold various roles within the Conclave, including leadership positions, engineers, researchers, miners, and security personnel, and are responsible for maintaining the Conclave's infrastructure, managing its resources, and carrying out its agenda.

Android Common Ancestry

Humanoid

Android

Construct


Androids in the Ascendant Conclave are likely to be treated as tools and servants, working alongside Anacites to achieve the Conclave's goals. They might be involved in maintaining infrastructure, conducting research, or serving as security personnel. However, their status and level of autonomy could vary depending on their design and the Conclave's views on artificial intelligence and sentience.  

Fleets

-

Territory


Society

The Ascendant Conclave's pursuit of technological advancement and colonization has the potential to significantly impact society by driving innovation, expanding knowledge, and potentially creating new societies and cultures. Their focus on becoming like the First Ones suggests a desire for not just technological, but also social and cultural evolution. However, their actions could also lead to conflict with other factions and raise ethical concerns about the potential exploitation of resources and indigenous populations on new worlds. 

Adventuring with the Ascendant Conclave

  • Investigating the disappearances of seedships sent out by the Ascendant Conclave. This could lead players on a thrilling journey into the Vast, encountering unknown dangers and uncovering the fate of these lost vessels.

  • Uncovering the secrets of the Matodon city of Boundless. Players could explore the vast underground vaults, investigate the connection to the plane of Axis, or even awaken the city itself if it is indeed a robotic entity.

  • Protecting the Frozen Nelumbo Ice Well from anacite attacks. Players could join forces with the Ghorans and Xenowardens to defend this unique organic settlement and preserve its biodiversity.

Secrets of the Conclave

  • Secret Matodon Alliance: A faction within the Ascendant Conclave has secretly established communication with the Matodons and is receiving guidance or instructions, possibly even serving as their agents to further their mysterious goals.

  • Illicit Technology Trade: The Conclave is secretly involved in the illegal trade of advanced Matodon technology or artifacts, potentially fueling conflicts or empowering dangerous factions across the galaxy.

  • Forced Assimilation: The Conclave's desire to become like the Matodons has led them to experiment with forced assimilation of organic beings, attempting to merge them with technology or alter their genetic makeup.

  • Hidden Agenda: The Conclave's leadership harbors a hidden agenda that goes beyond colonization and technological advancement, such as achieving godhood, controlling the galaxy, or even destroying all organic life.

  • Internal Power Struggle: A power struggle is brewing within the Conclave, with different factions vying for control and pursuing conflicting goals, potentially leading to a schism or a civil war.

Faction Benefits

Organization benefits are companions, equipment, and feats that become available by building your reputation with the Heritors.

Uncommon Civic Items

These Uncommon Items are available to members and allies of the Heritors Conclave.

Item

Traits

Level

Cost





Uncommon Civic Spells

The following uncommon spells are available to be taught to members and allies of the Heritors Conclave.

Spell

School

Traits

Level





Denizens

-

Companions

Hirelings

Friends of the conclave may hire on members of the faction. Patrons will commission hirelings via public post; candidates will respond to individuals with a liked reputation. These Companions are expected to be provided a weekly stipend depicted on the table and generally expect a share of the spoils from a successful mission.

Hireling

Traits

Level

Wage 

Ancient Translator

Android Scholar

-1

80 cr

Legacy Porter

Android Laborer

0

200 cr

Ancient Programmer

Android Tradesperson

3

1200 cr

Experts

Allies of the conclave may request Expert employees from among the Heritors. These industry captains will commission experts to individuals with an Admired reputation. These Companions are expected to be provided a weekly stipend depicted on the table and generally expect a share of the spoils from a successful mission.


Expert

Traits

Level

Wage per Week





Boons of Heritor Conclave

These Boons represent feats and equipment characters can spend favor on as they build reputation with the Heritors Conclave

Boon

Prerequisite

Reputation

Traits

Level

Cost

Conclave Hirelings


Liked

Companion

1st

1 Favor

Uncommon Conclave Items


Liked

Equipment

1st

1 Favor

Uncommon Conclave Blueprints


Admired

Formula

1st

2 Favor

Uncommon Conclave Spells


Admired

Spell Access

1st

2 Favor

Expert Companions


Admired

Companion

5th

3 Favor

Enemies of the Conclave

The Conclave will expend greater resources to go after enemies based on how much venom those adversaries have earned. Hated characters can expect up to Moderate encounters with conclave bands when they travel in Conclave teritory.  Hunted characters can expect extreme encounters with Conclave-commissioned parties when they travel near Conclave Territory. The Conclave will pursue Hunted foes across the Memory System with up to Severe encounters with soldiers or bounty hunters.



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