Space Oddity (A Honkai: Star Rail Quest)

We're going to the Underworld. Sorry about asking so early in the morning for some of you— I'm over on the East Coast rn, so I'm operating on a three hour time difference. I'll tell you when I get back.

Get your planning brains ready for the UW, you'll have to make a good team for it as well.

[X] Entrance to The Underworld
[X] A Reprieve Of Consequences

Neverwinter Workshop, Belobog
8:00 System Time, The Next Day

The Neverwinter Workshop has become like a second home to you. You, the Crew, and Serval all comfortably sit back on a couch as a TV broadcasts Cocolia's speech explaining what happened to the public.

Now, you could just take a five minute walk outside to see her, considering the Everwinter Monument where Cocolia is located is located just outside, but Serval warned against it.

"As much as I wanted to take you guys there, it's too dangerous. We'd probably get jumped by someone Sampo paid."

The small room in the back of the workshop stays silent, as everyone watches the news broadcast in silence. Cocolia is in the same Supreme Guardian outfit, speaking from a raised podium.

"As such, I would like to restate that the Astral Express are not criminals, but honored guests from beyond the stars who helped us out with our Fragmentum problem. Any attempt to attack or defraud them will be treated as an attack against one of our own citizens."

A reporter in the back raises her hand. "Madam Cocolia! What was the cause of the jet of fire that was seen flying out of Qilpoth Fort?"

Cocolia opens her mouth, before silently closing it. She pinches the bridge of her nose.

"I'm sorry, please give me a second, dear citizens. I've got a headache."

Cocolia's Roll:
63>10. Pass. Stellaron resisted.

After a second of breathlessness, Cocolia replies. "It ended up being a special variety of Fragmentum that causes heat induced hallucinations. The Astral Express was able to catch it due to them being used to higher levels of heat."

Most of the crowd seems to just nod and go along with it. You can tell they're too tired to care after thinking their Supreme Guardian straight up died.

[Heat In Belobog (Overworld) lowered to (0/100)]

[Reputation Level in Belobog has gone from -3 (YOU!!!) to 2 (Respected (?) Outsiders)]

Over in the corner of your eye, you see a pair of Silvermane Guards on video shaking their heads. Even through their faceless helmets, you can tell they don't buy


You did WHAT.

Well, terrifying things that Fran does while you're asleep aside, Cocolia seems like she's going into a new topic.

Right behind you, you hear the sound of a slap. You look behind yourself, and it's Serval, who just facepalmed. She seems extremely tired. "Why is Cocolia still such a bad liar?"

March and Stelle pat Serval on the shoulder. "Don't worry, we'll still be fine," Stelle says, "and you can teach her how to lie better!"

Stelle gets some strange looks for that.

"What? That's what Stella says Kafka used to teach me as an educational opportunity."


You should go find some aspirin. At this rate, both you and Serval are going to be getting headaches.

Especially considering the next thing Cocolia is going to announce.

---

Qilpoth Fort
The Day Before

This was after the fight with Cocolia, but before the speech.

"Serval, Shelley, I'm— hah, fine."

Both you and Serval have been talking with Cocolia about the Stellaron, and she seems extremely tired. You haven't had some time for private talk, so you're all just talking about future plans and an extremely abbreviated version of Cocolia's past.

Cocolia seems to be currently regarding this experience as the worst day of her life.

Reflecting on the fact that you've essentially been manipulated by a miniature eldritch god for most of your life will do that to you.

Cocolia leans on the desk, her head in her hands. "Oh Qilpoth, what have I done?"

Serval pats her on the head. "Hey, look, Cocolia, don't worry. It wasn't your fault that you were tempted by the Stellaron. If I was being manipulated by those voices since childhood, I would probably make one or two bad choices."

Cocolia looks up, with a glimmer of hope in her sad, exhausted eyes. "Does that mean you forgive me?"

"No. I'm still angry that you pretty much kicked me out of your life and said I was a loser." Serval responds, "Even though I know the reason, that kind of thing still hurts, you know."

The second Cocolia hears that, she faceplants back into the desk. You hear her mumble weakly into the desk: "fuck..."

You lift Cocolia up a bit, and pass her a water bottle and some tissues. You then clear your throat to try and clear the awkwardness.


"So, Cocolia, we've got to figure out a quick solution before the Stellaron tries to possess you again."

"Mhm."

"And, as I've told you, I know that Stellarons and their influence can only reach so far."

"Yes."

"So we should go to the farthest place away from the Snow Plains with living people: The Underworld."

Cocolia seems to shoot back up at the mention of The Underworld. "Absolutely not!"

Serval slams her fist down into the table. "Cocolia, it's the best idea we have. If you want to fix your mistakes and get away from the Stellaron, you have to be in charge of opening the barrier. You're the only one who can do it."

You're concerned as well. "Cocolia, if there's a reason why you can't go, just tell us."

The poor woman rubs her forehead in defeat. "Ok, I'll tell you. Promise me you'll get me a drink that's either expensive or strong after we're done with all this."

She takes a deep breath. "The truth is, I'm actually a Underworld born native."

Both you and Serval gasp.

"I was the great-great, twice removed or something, granddaughter of Alicia Rand, who in case you didn't know Shelley, was the first Supreme Guardian. That qualified me to become a Supreme Guardian. From about seven on, I've lived on the surface, and Serval can tell you about the rest later."

"What I'm concerned about is if there's anybody who will still remember me from when I was a kid, and all the people who definitely remember the closing order I gave."

"Aside from that, there's also the manner of my daughter, who—"

Suddenly, a gray haired young girl barges into the room. Wait, but wasn't it locked?

"Mother, we need— oh, hello Serval."


"Oh Bronya, could you please shut the door? I'll be finished shortly."

As Bronya does exactly that, Cocolia leans in and whispers. "Well, I'm worried about her. She's always been fiercely stubborn, and I don't know what she'll do without me. For all I know, she'd follow us to the Underworld."

"So you're telling me that she inherited all of your traits?"

"Serval…"

After some hashing out, you all decide to take a small group of elite Pathstriders to find allies and refuge in the Underworld.

---

Back to the Present
A Few Seconds After The Pardon.

And that's what Cocolia's announcing now. "Now, with some encouragement from the Astral Express, I've decided to do something else."

The crowd listening to her seems to collectively hold their breath. Your room seems to be doing the same.

"I have decided that separating the Underworld has not helped out the current physical and fiscal state of Belobog. As such, I will be taking measures to connect the Underworld and Overworld again soon."

The crowd gets so quiet, you could hear a pin drop.

And then, they start screaming. Screams of longing, of joy, of disbelief.

You take a deep breath and run your fingers through your hair. May Xipe (or Qilpoth, you're not picky) save you all.

---

PLANNING PHASE

Once you get to the Underworld, Cocolia's rate of Stellaron Corrosion will slow down dramatically. She will have a pretty much impossible chance of being repossessed by the Stellaron (anything higher than 5 on the d100 works.) for the very next update. This will then increase fairly slowly, but don't just take your time.

Cocolia has trusted you as her right hand for this expedition to the Underworld. The group that will be taken will consist of six people, and you, Serval, and Cocolia make up the first half. It's your job to figure out the second.

Conditions:

• The goals of this expedition are to find info on the Stellaron, get Cocolia away from the Stellaron, (or find some way to mitigate its effects) and to get reliable allies from the Underworld.
• Cocolia has maintained that at least one person from Belobog's Overworld should go.
• Himeko has recommended that at least one Astral Express member goes with you.
• Since the news broadcast has not reached the Underworld, Cocolia has also entrusted you to decide whether you will be announcing your identity as Supreme Guardian and Emanator, or keeping it secret.

Approach:

[ ] Go Incognito
Every single Belobogian will be in disguise, and you will try to be subtle. That means not declaring you're with the Supreme Guardian. That means no saying that you're the Supreme Guardian. That means no Emanator Release unless everything's gone to hell.

Got it?

Pros:

-Heat will start at 0, and won't increase unless you make it so.
-Wildfire and Underworld residents will be very amiable.

Cons:

-Goes bust if you get discovered via doing something notable.
-Less manpower, and much more pressure. Doing things like Emanator Release will cause your Heat to go up quick.

[ ] Be Noticeable
The second you guys get down there, you will be saying exactly who you are and why you're there. This will earn you your fair share of allies and enemies pretty much immediately, but you will be able to go all out all the time.

Pros:
-Gain 1 extra character to take down to the Underworld, and 1 platoon of Silvermane Guards. (Narratively, they're expendable firepower and grunts.)
-Be able to solve a lot of problems by saying you're with the Supreme Guardian.

Cons:
-Underworld Heat will increase slowly, and it will start at 40.
-Wildfire will be extremely reluctant to talk with you. If you even find them.

Pick THREE (FOUR if Be Public was picked) characters from either list below. Please vote in plan format.

Example plan format:
[ ] Cool plan name!
-[ ] Approach
-[ ] Character A
-[ ] Character B
-[ ] Character C
-[ ] Character D (Only if Be Public was picked)

PLEASE NOTE: The name of the plan will be used as the name of this 6-person team.

For example, a plan called Plan Preservation Alliance will have the team be called The Preservation Alliance.

Names subject to change from QM. If you can't figure out a name, use a placeholder and specify in your comment. I'll make one myself.

Overworld Belobogians:
(1 Member Required.)

[ ] Gepard Landau
Yeah, it's Gepard. We've already gone through all the reasons why Cocolia and you trust him, it's really more of a question of if there's enough room.

Pros:
-Morally upright and capable.
-A strong Captain of the Guard.
-Fair all rounder with everything except for Technical.

Cons:
-Bit awkward that he's going on a road trip with his sister and his sister's ex/his boss.
-The Silvermane Guards will be without their best commander for some time.

[ ] Lynx Landau
Gepard and Serval's younger sister, and the last of the Landau siblings. She's been recommended for this because she's already had good experience exploring unknowns as a Snow Plains explorer.

Pros:
-Very good with [Explore] actions.
-Able to provide first aid and knowledge of what to do in an emergency, which the Underworld is pretty much always in.

Cons:
-Bad Social. Like, really bad around everyone who isn't Pela.
-She's good, (kinda,) with healing, but hitting people with ice picks makes her not a good pick in combat.

[ ] Pelageya Sergeyevna (Pela)
The Intelligence Officer of the Silvermane Guards. A trusted prodigy that has the credentials to back it up. Also, she used to play in Serval's band, so that's cool!

Pros:
-High Mental (it's in the title) for investigating.
-Good all rounder with all other stats. Special technology makes up for a mediocre Physical.
-Good at keeping secrets and tallying intel. Great if you want to Go Incognito.

Cons:
-Belobog will be without it's Intelligence Officer for some time.
-A bit shy, but not as bad as Lynx.

[ ] Bronya Rand
Cocolia's beloved adoptive daughter, and next in line for the title of Supreme Guardian. She has demonstrated interest in going to the Underworld, but you're the one who has to make the call.

Pros:
-EXTREMELY competent leader. Cocolia has admitted that she's already considering abdicating the Supreme Guardian title.
-High Mental stats, and good with a gun.
-May get to meet ??? down in the Underworld.

Cons:
-Bad Social due to spending her teenage years fighting Fragmentum monsters. Cocolia will try and fix this while she's down there, but Cocolia isn't exactly the most qualified person for that.
-She will need a very heavy debriefing about everything that's been going on with the Stellaron, the emotional baggage of which will leave her stats somewhat debuffed for the first 3 chapters.
-Without her, Belobog's Overworld will have nobody to look to as Supreme Guardian.

[ ] Eula Lawrence
While you were having a talk with Cocolia, you happened to come across the subject of Belobog's one and only Emanator. While she came from a disgraced noble family, her status of being recognized by Qilpoth managed to turn that around.

Pros:
-Extremely strong. It comes with being an Emanator.
-Has her own Emanator Release, and is fully charged to do it.

Cons:
-Bad Social due to her noble upbringing. Yes, I know, you're probably starting to see a pattern.
-Belobog will be without its Emanator for some time.
-Might not be the most compatible with the Go Incognito approach due to her pride.

[ ] If Sampo just so happened to be in prison, he would be here, but no dice.

---

Astral Express:
(1 Member Recommended.)

[ ] Stelle
Everybody's favorite Star Child, Stelle (and Stella, she's still there) are interested in going down with you to see the Underworld.

Pros:
-May get to learn about the Path Of Preservation from Cocolia.
-Stella apparently has a few things to say about Stellarons.
-Decent, all rounded stats.
-Natural trailblazer, good at exploring.

Cons:
-Naive. A trash raccoon.
-Might be able to help out above ground with planning for the assault on the Stellaron.

[ ] March 7th
The photographer of the Astral Express, and an excitable Trailblazer. Being a Trailblazer means that she's biting at the bit to go on this trip.

Pros:
-High Social, for once in this team.
-The pictures she takes can be used as evidence or examined for intel you missed.
-Resistant to cold.

Cons:
-Not exactly the most subtle person on earth.
-Yeah, she's not good for Go Incognito.

[ ] Dan Heng
The Archivist of the Astral Express, who seems interested in collecting info on the differences between the Over and Underworld.

Pros:
-High Mental stats, and great combat skills.
-Extremely good for Go Incognito. (He has a history of needing to be stealthy, after all.)
-His mysterious past??? (This will 99.9% not come up until the next planet.)

Cons:
-Socially capable, but still a bit aloof.
-Won't be able to do any recon back Overground.

Himeko, Welt, and whoever is left up top from the AE will be acting as Mission Control for this arc. They do not count as members of the team, so don't include them in your plans.

And also:

1 more update from Fran's POV until [Flagrant Disregard] upgrades to 2 rerolls.

Note that doing this will trigger [Stellaron Mode Lock], and Shelley will be a non-entity for the next update.

[ ] Pass control to Fran.

(This is a separate vote from the plan.)

---

ARC 2: STELLAR SNOWSTORM - END

"In the midst of winter, I found within me, an invincible summer."

"And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there's something stronger – something better, angrier, more passionate, pushing right back."

---

Author's Note:

We're going into the next arc, exactly in 3.0 baby! Woo!

(I'm gonna be honest, I didn't plan this out. I was honestly ready to go to 2.11.)

I'll be posting a retrospective of this arc once we get to the end of Belobog, but so far I'm fairly ok with this arc. I would change up the pacing if this was a traditional fanfic, but considering I wrote two chapters while on a plane/bus and on my mobile phone, I'm fine with it.

Alright, have fun voting. Aeonspeed!