Archaeology Research Logs

Archaeology is a thriving profession in the Starmourn Sector. All across the wildernesses of the Sector, spacers can uncover archaeological finds which have the capacity to reveal the prehistoric ecologies and material cultures of the Sector's diverse celestial bodies.

Findings come in two main categories: fossils and fragments. Fossils contain records of prehistoric ecologies, whereas fragments are bits and pieces of material culture. In museums, the former can be reconstructed into a DNA sequence, and the latter can be restored into full-fledged antiquities more than the sum of their parts.

In this system, players work with NPC teams to excavate digsites in search of antiquities and fossils, then conduct free-form RP research sessions in museum back rooms to unlock discoveries about these items. Their logs are documented below, and are available in game for voting.

A digsite team continues to excavate their findings from a desert environment, aided by massive holotechnology.

Access Archives

The research sessions below have been submitted for public review by the players who completed them. These boards are also available in game for review and voting along with ALL completed research via the MUSEUM RESEARCH BOARDS syntax.

Session 01 - Tabby Outpost Fossil Research

Researchers: Picram and Meera

Museum Research Board 1

Picram fetches a tray from a nearby rack and retrieves the fossil from a nearby crate, then places it on the central table in the room, careful not to jostle the precious disc of petrified wood. "Alright, is this recording? This is the first recorded research session on a fossil found in a dig site at Tabby Outpost. Present in the laboratory: Lord Commander Picram, and Curator in training Meera", adding, "congratulations on that recent promotion, by the way."

Meera gives her tail a gentle lash, careful not to hit any of the nearby tables or devices. "Thank you, Lord Commander!" She leans in closer to the petrified disc of wood. "Such a simple remnant of the past, yet it can tell us so much. I am so excited to begin."

Picram leans over the table, looking at the object on the table, "the fossil in question appears to be a disc of petrified wood, very well preserved, and of about thirty centimeters in diameter. On the exterior, a different texture is visible, possibly the bark of a long-extinct tree."

Picram says to Meera, "Do we know anything else about it?"

Meera says, "Its similarity to other similar fragments suggests that this species was probably quite prevalent in the region in the past. While this is by far the most impressive sample collected, there are others bearing similar banding patterns and textures."

Meera carefully adjusts her goggles, the glass in them shifting hue slightly. "No additional detailing that I can detect outside of the visible spectrum at this time."

Picram carefully runs its tendrils across the fossil, feeling the structure of the growth-rings. Reaching into its toolkit, Picram retrieves a laser measuring device and begins to measure each of the rings. "Look at that... they all seem fairly even, but some are just a bit more on the slim side. I suppose that means whatever climate the planet saw at the time mostly worked well for this species."

Meera gives her fingers a brief flick, and a tiny cloud of nanites breaks free from the cloud behind her. They hover towards the barklike exterior of the fossil, projecting a magnified version above it. "The even banding pattern you identified suggests a steady growth and plentiful resources. Yet the ridges on the bark are irregular. It probably branched early, and often, exhibiting low apical dominance."

Picram nods and says, "Makes you wonder just how old this is. And if successors of this tree still grew when the surface of Song got devastated. Didn't someone label the species recently?"

Meera nods, brow wrinkled in thought. "Once we have more abundant genetic material, it would be quite informative to cross reference its genetic markers with those of known samples of modern flora in Planet Song."

Picram walks to the small box that held the fossil and fishes out a little slip of paper, reading it out aloud. "You will find what you...", then crumples it up and discards it. "That was the slip from a fortune cookie one of the dig site team requested. There's another here..."

Meera lifts her hand to her mouth and does her best to hide the grin now spreading across her lips.

Picram pulls a similarly sized paper slip from the box, reading aloud "Kicew tree."

Meera says, "Interns can be a remarkably supersitious bunch."

Picram says, "Do we know anything about kicew trees?"

Meera ponders the name, her eyes flicking sideways as they access the commsphere. "The word does sound familiar, but I am finding no such records. It might be that whatever we are able to deduce from these samples will be a helpful rediscovery of the planet's past."

Meera says, "There was, amusingly, a chewing gum brand of the same name. But this is likely coincidental, and the reviews on it were terrible anyhow."

Picram says, "If the chewing gum was as old as that fossil, I can certainly see why."

Picram says, "The museum records on that species are... apparently rather sparse, but I found they reached up to ten to twenty meters. Given the diameter of this disc of roughly 30 centimeters... do you think this was a fully grown specimen?"

Meera pulls out a handheld datapad from her pocket, quickly scribbling 'finely aged chewing gum?' on it under a list of similarly dreadful ideas, then puts the datapad away. She returns to the matter at hand. "I'd be inclined to think, given those proportions, that we were looking at a cross section of a smaller branch. However there appear to be traces of far too many nodes on the bark for that to be the case." She idly brings a claw to her chin, running it gently across her scales as she ponders the situation.

Picram nods slowly, "so you're suggesting this was a piece of the main trunk, and thus likely not a fully grown specimen?"

Meera says, "I believe so, yes. It will be helpful to compare this one to other samples to estimate the girth of a fully mature organism."

Picram says, "We may also try cross-referencing it with existing trees on other planets with similar gravity."

Meera nods slowly.

Picram looks at the crumpled paper on the ground, adding, "I think I know an intern who just won a tree-measuring trip across the sector."

Picram says, "But... considering my own diameter exceeds 30 centimeters at a mere three meters in height, I think it's safe to assume the fully grown 20 meter tree would be wider. I've been to plenty of worlds without collapsing, so that width to height ratio certainly works, at least for Decheerans."

Meera nods, adding, "A good point. Thankfully, we'll have plenty of data points to compare it to soon enough." She grins at the crumpled up fortune in the ground.

Picram says, "Alright... let's close this for now. Summary: the fossil was identified as a piece of a kicew tree, possibly a younger specimen, and growing in a rather abundant time for kicew trees. Cross-referencing with existing tree species is going to be used to verify that. Further fossils are in store to await examination. This examination was conducted by Curator in training Meera and Lord Commander Picram."

Picram carefully returns the fossil and the label to its box, then shuts off all recording devices.

Session 11 - A Fossilized Claw or Fang

Researchers: Shulamit Moonchild and Sutherin Ironbound

Museum Research Board 11

Shulamit says, "Hoo! So we have decided to do a bit of research on...this!"

Shulamit holds up a fossil: Pressed into sedimentary stone, the curling and hooked shape of a claw or fang of some kind has been immortalized in veins of shimmering milky opal and preserved chitin. Though its color is pale and its fire is muted, it nevertheless strikes a rather eye-catching contrast to the dull stone around the specimen.

Shulamit says, "This is the serrated sakirtana. We think, hoo."

Shulamit nods its head slowly, looking very wise.

Shulamit says, "What we know of it so far is...it was waterbound, and looked a bit like such."

Shulamit brings up a visualization of the sakirtana, what is currently on display in the museum: Armored plates bristling with protective spikes, this elongated crustacean crawls along the sea floor on four powerful pairs of segmented legs, or swims with surprising agility using a fat.

Shulamit says, "Using a fat...tail? Leggies?"

Sutherin says, "I would say it was probably lower on the food chain with many natural predators, given the spikes."

Shulamit says to Sutherin, "Sutherin is here! Yes yes!"

Shulamit nods at Sutherin.

Shulamit says to Sutherin, "A good observation. It is a very spikey being, isn't it?"

Shulamit looks closely at the wire-frame visualization of the sakirtana. "Plates and spikes. If it does trundle along the sea floor, perhaps it could also hide in the silt!"

Shulamit says to Sutherin, "Do you think it would work in a seafood fry?"

Sutherin says, "It could be, other sea creatures with protective shells seem to taste very good."

Shulamit nods solemnly at Sutherin . "This is very true. Perhaps when we have enough DNA we can convince the nice Atarsids to create a new one."

Sutherin says, "Hmm, the hiding in the silt actually makes me think another way about the spikes, perhaps it could hide in the silt and await prey they may not notice and land on the spikes."

Sutherin says, "So perhaps not prey at all."

Shulamit says to Sutherin, "This creature also brings up a question...when the heck was there an entire ocean on Golpur? It is all desert now, I believe!"

Shulamit says to Sutherin, "Ooh hoo, true! It mike spike prey!"

Shulamit purses its lips together thoughtfully.

Shulamit says, "Might spike."

Shulamit nods its head slowly, looking very wise.

Shulamit says, "It seems agile, perhaps it waits and then...hoo!"

Shulamit tries to spring up, as though scary and big and large. Which it already is. But it is not very fast at pretending to spike fish.

Sutherin says, "Since it's elongated I think it definitely was agile, would make it easier to move through the water."

Shulamit coughs and settles down. "The fossil itself is very pretty. Look at that opalization too."

Shulamit says, "Oh hoo, yes!"

Shulamit says, "I suspect it was a long being, with a very thick tail that it could use to propel itself through the water."

Shulamit says, "Lots of water beings will have a strong propulsion system. And while we don't know exactly yet how it...did that, it stands to reason for now."

Sutherin says, "With the amount of weight the spikes and outer protection put on, I agree it had to have some type of strengthened movement system."

Shulamit taps on the fossil case with a tendril very gently. The fossils do not move. It holds up the singular specimen outside the case, nodding at Sutherin. "Very strong and agile. I wonder if they went onto land when the water went away? Or just died out."

Sutherin ponders the situation.

Shulamit carefully arranges and rearranges the various museum research tools, thoughtfully pondering the fossil and Sutherin.

Shulamit says, "I think they likely died out. I know I would have, with the lack of water."

Shulamit acknowledges the point with a grave nod of its head.

Sutherin says, "I'm not sure it would have worked out for them, I can't imagine them having much speed on land."

Acknowledging Sutherin's point to be true, Shulamit nods its head gravely at him.

Shulamit says, "While land based crustaceans must exist...somewhere in the galaxy, hoo hoo, I don't think they did too well in the Golpur desert."

Sutherin says, "The weight of the spikes and armored exterior would definitely have a different effect on their mobility without the water to help."

Shulamit says to Sutherin, "Excellent point! The buoyancy of water helps many creatures make interesting choices in regards to their safety."

Sutherin says, "I suspect though they would be fairly protected from predators in or out of the water though."

Acknowledging Sutherin's point to be true, Shulamit nods its head gravely at him.

Shulamit says to Sutherin, "Perhaps they existed for a time out of water. Perhaps they shrunk down, and are now hiding in the desert sands!"

Shulamit seems unconvinced by that idea.

Shulamit says, "Perhaps...not."

Shulamit acknowledges the point with a grave nod of its head.

Shulamit says to Sutherin, "Perhaps we should wrap up our research for today. Next time perhaps we can chat about where the water went."

Sutherin nods.

Shulamit places the fossil gently back into the fossil case. "Thank you muchly, friend Sutherin! More research yields more info, hoo yes! It was a delight to look at this fossil with you!"

Session 13 - Shulamit Rambles about Serrated Sakirtanas

Researchers: Shulamit Moonchild

Museum Research Board 13

Shulamit plods around the room, setting up various cameras. One camera must already be on, likely a drone as the sound of its hovering fills the air. Finally Shulamit takes out a tray of fossils, and carefully picks up one from the small box.

Shulamit says, "What do we know about this fossil? It's the serrated sakirtana! Again! What have we learned? Nothing!"

Shulamit looks grumpy over this before it soothes itself, its ruffled leaves laying smoother once more.

Shulamit says, "Well. We know it has a biiiiig tail. Very flat. Very useful in lots of water! But we discussed water last time. Drone, place information about that recording somewhere."

The drone buzzes around, making a confused chirping sound. Shulamit does not seem to have noticed the drone has done absolutely nothing of note and instead the drone zooms in on the fossil.

The fossil appears as such to the drone, Pressed into sedimentary stone, the curling and hooked shape of a claw or fang of some kind has been immortalized in veins of shimmering milky opal and preserved chitin. Though its color is pale and its fire is muted, it nevertheless strikes a rather eye-catching contrast to the dull stone around the specimen. Shulamit picks up the fossil, nodding at it as it does so. A good strong fossil! it says. The fossil crumbles a bit in its tendrils. A fossil! it says.

Shulamit says, "It smells of old old dirt, dirt that is deep underground. You know, the good stuff. Delicious dirt."

Shulamit nods to itself, crumbling a bit more of the fossil as it inhales the scent. "The first aromas are, of course, desert. After all, a desert is like...over top all these fossils, hoo hoo." It continues to nod as though this is a deep insight.

Shulamit says, "However, deeper down, are the minerals! Hoooo the minerals. Old minerals! Oceanic minerals? Well, sometimes. Phosphorus, copper, zinc. You know, those ones! Not much gold here though."

Shulamit leans into the fossil, obscuring the drone's view before it repositions itself. The fossil looks worse for wear, the opal now very scuffed and showing tiny cracks.

Shulamit says, "So what causes the opalization? Water! Well. Hoo. Water going down through things, and picking up delicious silica! I use to snack on silica wafers as a sapling, the nice lady gardener would give them to me. She liked watching me just munch on them as she munched those sliced vegetable chips, what were-"

Shulamit stops as the drone bonks into Shulamit's canopy, telling it to stop rambling about more recent ancient history than the thing they are looking at.

Shulamit says, "Hoo, right, yes. Opalization happens because nature is very cool."

The drone seems unsure this is the answer, but Shulamit ignores it.

Shulamit says, "We also think the fossil had...wigglers. Yes, hoo, w...wigglers."

The drone beeps, bringing up a half formed DNA reconstruction - "Armored plates bristling with protective spikes, this elongated crustacean crawls along the sea floor on four powerful pairs of segmented legs, or swims with surprising agility using a fat, fan-tipped tail to scoot backwards through the water. It has a dozen or so tiny-" and the reconstruction gets very fuzzy. Shulamit nods. "See? Tiny wigglers! Very...wiggly, those dozen of..." it trails off, clearly unsure what the dozens of things are, as the reconstruction keeps trying to figure it out as well, but can't.

Shulamit says, "Well. Well. We keep getting more fossils, so eventually we'll figure it out, right? Hoo? Now where is the fossil, I need to put it back."

Shulamit looks down at the fossil, now considerably worse for wear. "Well, hoo, it is still here. I'll just...have a taste of the dust. I'm sure it'll be fine." it says, as it places the now much more cracked fossil into the case.

Shulamit reaches up to the drone, ending the recording abruptly.

Session 16 - A steel dagger with marlinspike

Researchers: Shulamit, Zarrach, and Poet

Museum Research Board 16

Shulamit ponders the situation.

Shulamit says to Zarrach, "Hoo, yes. Oh, let's see, the artifact!"

Shulamit says, "Today we will be researching a steel dagger with marlinspike, parts found by Poet in her digging at..."

Shulamit says, "Hoo, the Prugita Breeding Colony."

Poet says, "I was going to say, I hope it's Prugita."

Zarrach says, "Why? Got another dig going already?"

Shulamit wiggles its finger tendrils into some acid free gloves, and picks up the dagger. A drone nearby starts flying around, capturing the image. "This sailor's dagger bears the sharp edge a steel dagger should have as well as a marlinspike coming out of the pommel. Both marlinspike and dagger are sharp, making taking the dagger from its heavy duty scabbard a dangerous affair for all but the most accomplished marlinspike seamen. Decorating the leather scabbard are crude blue waves, painted on by a steady if not very artistic hand. The part of the pommel that is neither dagger nor marlinspike is thin rope lashings, giving the user a good firm grip when they manage to get past the pointy ends."

Poet says, "I'm never sure what the other Poet's might be up to."

Shulamit stares at Poet, tilts its head quizzically, rubs its chin thoughtfully, raises its eyebrow and says, "I see..."

Shulamit carefully places the dagger back down onto the table, careful to not damage it.

Zarrach says, "Huh. Kinda looks like something you'd see in an alley somewheres. In the hands of someone trying very hard to look uniquely dangerous."

Shulamit says, "It was very difficult to put together. I do not think Decheeran were the ones using this...weapon? Item?"

Zarrach says, "Tool."

Poet says, "So. My people did in fact dig this thing up on the beach on Prugita. It seems like an odd design to me. Wouldn't two separate tools be more effective? Not to mention easier to manipulate?"

Shulamit stares at Zarrach, tilts its head quizzically, rubs its chin thoughtfully, raises its eyebrow and says, "I see..."

Shulamit says to Poet, "I think so. Perhaps it was a space saving measure?"

Poet ponders the situation.

Zarrach says, "Or the uses were close together."

Poet says, "Possibly, or perhaps materials were scarce."

Shulamit says, "At the least, I think we can say...this is likely not the earliest items we could find on Prugita, as it uses steel. And steel means steel...working. Generally."

Shulamit ponders the situation.

Acknowledging Poet's point to be true, Shulamit nods its head gravely at her.

Acknowledging Zarrach's point to be true, Shulamit nods its head gravely at him.

Zarrach ponders the situation.

Zarrach stares off into the middle distance, looking up something somewhere on the commsphere.

Shulamit says, "I also don't think anyone currently on Prugita could use it. The pommel seems all wrong for hoo...Xariel hands."

Shulamit says, "They came later, didn't they? Their captors took them there."

Poet looks baffled. "Did they?" She coughs. "I'm a terrible researcher apparently. I don't know that part of their history."

Shulamit says to Zarrach, "Hoo, found anything interesting?"

Shulamit says to Poet, "Yes, I think so. Brought there because surrounded by water."

Zarrach leans forward slightly, looking at the marlinspike end of the artifact. "Not really, just noting that this end looks a lot like a needle. Given the waves and ... dual use of the item, where it was found and what not, made me wonder if it had something to do with old ocean ships."

Shulamit says, "Given how uniquely bad they are at swimming, if Prugita was their original homeworld it would be concerning."

Shulamit says to Zarrach, "Hoo hoo! I think perhaps it was old enough to be from the planets time of ship sailing. Hoo, er. Tiny ship sailing."

Shulamit tries to create a boat shaped item out of its tendrils. It does a passable job of creating a tiny canoe like object. "But with a sail!"

Zarrach nods.

Shulamit says, "So hoo, made of steel, with worked rope. A surprise the rope survived the moistness of the planet."

Shulamit acknowledges the point with a grave nod of its head.

Zarrach gets eye level with the marlinspike, studying it closely for a long moment. "Hard to say with the weathering and damage, but the end of it doesn't look like it came to a spiked point. More flat. Kinda like a pry bar??"

Shulamit ponders the situation.

Shulamit says to Zarrach, "Hoo. Because the dagger portion is all pointy, perhaps they felt the marlinspike could be less pointy? Or perhaps pry bar is more useful on a sailing vessel?"

Zarrach says, "A pry bar is pretty useful anywhere, speaking from experience."

Shulamit ponders this for a moment before shrugging. "I can't say I've been on a sailing ship. Most ships make me sick, watery ships probably do as well."

Acknowledging Zarrach's point to be true, Shulamit nods its head gravely at him.

Shulamit says, "And you wouldn't want to pry with a dagger, that might break the tip, hoo?"

Zarrach says, "Not necessarily, but yes."

Shulamit says, "Perhaps more likely to break the tip, then."

Shulamit says to Poet, "Do you know where the dig was exactly? I haven't tried digging on Prugita yet myself."

Poet says, "The site is uh, on the beach south westish of where the village is."

Shulamit rubs its chin thoughtfully, raises its eyebrow and says, "I see..."

Zarrach mutters to himself as he stares into the middle distance again, "Where the void is that... file again. Could've sworn it was in there."

Shulamit says, "So near the water? Excellent."

Poet nods at Shulamit.

Zarrach says, "Probably dropped it overboard one day and it took ages for it to come to shore. Sad day for someone to lose something like that."

Poet says, "I mean. Nothing there is terribly far from the water, but with half a kilometer."

Poet says, "Er, within half a kilometer."

Shulamit says to Zarrach, "But found now, and on display! Well, after today."

Shulamit says, "Since we can't look at it and display it at the same time, hee hoo."

Shulamit says to Poet, "True true. I'm sure there's bigger islands out there, but the hoo...Nabians won't let anyone in further?"

Poet says, "Yeah. There is no passage elsewhere on the planet that I'm aware of."

"Hmm," Zarrach says.

Shulamit nods solemnly at Poet.

Shulamit tilts its head and listens intently to Zarrach.

Poet says, "So the purpose of the spikey bit is something to do with ropework?"

Zarrach says, "Something I remember reading about one time, yeah."

Zarrach says, "Though I can't find the file anymore. It's like it never existed or something. Something about it breaking stuck knots??"

Zarrach says, "If that's the case the dagger end is more of a rope cutting blade than a person cutting blade."

The drone flies around Shulamit before zooming in real close to the artifact.

Shulamit says to Zarrach, "Hoo, that's good. A...relief? Not sure why I find that relieving."

Shulamit ponders the situation.

Shulamit acknowledges the point with a grave nod of its head.

Zarrach says, "Well... if it can cut rope it can cut a person."

Poet says, "Steel implies some level of technological prowess. And it must be decent quality to have lasted this long."

Zarrach says, "Paint too."

Poet says, "Honesty the paint is even more surprising to me."

Shulamit acknowledges the point with a grave nod of its head.

Shulamit says, "Perhaps the original denizens of the planet left soon after this. I wonder if there are wooden sailing ships. But hoo. In space."

Shulamit ponders the situation.

Poet says, "Does the handle shape imply anything to you about the sort of hand that might have held it?"

Shulamit says, "Would make a good painting."

Poet leans in to look more closely at the artifact.

Shulamit says to Poet, "Well, not Decheeran."

Shulamit acknowledges the point with a grave nod of its head.

Shulamit says, "Probably dexterous."

Zarrach chuckles long and heartily.

Zarrach says, "I think i can see how it got lost."

"Oh?" Shulamit exclaims quizzically.

Comprehension flashes across Shulamit's face.

Shulamit says to Zarrach, "Hoo. Perhaps needed so much dexterity, that much did not exist. Slip slip, away it gooooes."

Shulamit pantomimes the dagger being fumbled before sailing off a ship. It watches as the dagger sinks in the water mournfully. The drone captures the pantomime placidly before turning back to the dagger.

Zarrach says, "Ocean environments are notoriously wet. Obviously. Whoever owned this dagger back in the day was probably out working on the deck, maybe it was raining, maybe the wave action was strong. Who knows. They had a pretty stubborn knot or rope to cut and it just-- yeah. Slipped out of their hands while in use. Cue immediate string of curses at the misfortune."

"Heh heh heh," Shulamit chuckles.

Acknowledging Zarrach's point to be true, Shulamit nods its head gravely at him.

Poet says, "Well huh."

Poet says, "You'd think they'd have thought of that. There any kind of attachment point for a keeper strap?"

Shulamit says to Poet, "Not that I can see, hoo."

Zarrach says, "Might've rusted off by now. Something like that'd be pretty weak."

Shulamit says, "That too. Another point of failure."

Zarrach says, "Or... it just wasn't used."

Shulamit says, "Oh, hoo? Decorative?"

Shulamit ponders the situation.

Zarrach says, "No, more like arrogance."

Shulamit says, "Always a possibility with anything found. Oh?"

Poet says, "Decorative makes me wonder if it wasn't something given as a momento of achieving some sort of status."

Zarrach says, "I've lost tools in the engine of my ship a few times cause i was in a hurry or just didn't think it'd happen. Sockets, mostly. Now I make a point of sticking them to a magnet so they don't make a five minute job into a two hour job of me hunting for one tiny part."

"Oooooooooh!" Shulamit says to Zarrach, eyes wide with wonder.

Zarrach says, "Momento or something to distinguish one tool from another."

Shulamit says to Zarrach, "A good idea. I need to remember to do that to some of my cooking utensils."

Shulamit nods its head slowly, looking very wise.

Shulamit ponders the situation.

Zarrach says, "Doesn't look professional. Looks like amateur work, but done well enough to satisfy."

Shulamit says to Poet, "Perhaps achieving a rank on a ship, hoo? "Here, have a scary items.""

Shulamit says to Zarrach, "That's true though. If it were an award, perhaps the artwork would be more...nice."

Poet nods at Shulamit.

Shulamit frowns at the dagger, tracing the artwork with one tendril, careful to not touch it directly. "It's adequate. If it's an award, perhaps one having to be made out to see, and so, less fancy."

Zarrach inspects the blue artwork, rubbing his chin. "Oh... I think I know what this paint is for."

"Oh?" Shulamit exclaims quizzically at Zarrach.

Zarrach says, "I used to do the same damn thing years back. I'd doodle stuff on my kit while on watches. Part something to pass the time, part art session."

Comprehension flashes across Shulamit's face.

Zarrach says, "Sometimes there's nothing to do."

Shulamit says, "Beings do like to make an art."

Shulamit acknowledges the point with a grave nod of its head.

Poet says, "That bit did seem like it might be a personal addition."

Shulamit nods slowly.

Zarrach says, "Honestly the state of it just tells more about the state of Prugita's ocean, in my mind."

"Oh?" Shulamit exclaims quizzically.

Shulamit says, "Had a thriving watery ship time, perhaps?"

Zarrach says, "At one point, yeah. But also other things. Composition of the soil, where the shorelines are now aren't where they've always been... So on."

Shulamit rubs its chin thoughtfully, raises its eyebrow and says, "I see..."

Poet says, "I'm still curious about the manufacturing process. Whatever it's for, that level of metal work implies mining, a working smelter with enough draw to achieve the proper temperature, forging. Use on a water craft means.. well I dunno. I know nothing about water craft. What are they typically made of?"

Shulamit says, "Wood, hoo hoo. Well, the ones that require ropes."

Zarrach says, "Depends on where in the "tech tree" a civilization is."

Shulamit nods slowly at Zarrach.

Zarrach says, "Could be wooden ships, could be metal-bottomed wood boats. Flat, not flat. Sails, not sails."

Zarrach shrugs helplessly.

"Oh?" Shulamit exclaims quizzically.

Shulamit says, "Can't say I know much about them either, like Poet. I know less about starships as well though!"

Zarrach says, "Still need ropes even if you don't have sails. Mostly to tie off when docked."

Shulamit ponders this before shaking its head. "Well, I know how to make ship go faster in space."

"Oh?" Shulamit exclaims quizzically.

Shulamit stares at Zarrach, tilts its head quizzically, rubs its chin thoughtfully, raises its eyebrow and says, "I see..."

Poet says, "I'll have to poke around on Prugita, see if there is any sign of any of the old infrastructure."

Zarrach says, "Found that one out the hard way playing around with paper boats as a kid. needed some string to keep it from slowly drifting away."

Shulamit says, "So a possibly very long time period it could have existed in."

Shulamit says, "And also some time ago, as it doesn't seem like the Nabians or Xariel made it, also. We know they weren't from Prugita."

Shulamit says, "Although, we don't know exactly where the Xariel themselves are from."

Shulamit says, "Just...not Prugita."

Shulamit nods its head slowly, looking very wise.

Zarrach says, "So an older civilization that either left, died out or was uh... "forcibly relocated" by the Nabians."

Zarrach sucks thoughtfully on his teeth.

Shulamit ponders the situation.

Acknowledging Zarrach's point to be true, Shulamit nods its head gravely at him.

Shulamit says, "Good point, they could have been relocated or er...exterminated as well."

Zarrach says, "Resources like that sitting under the ground somewhere and the Nabians are using the planet - or what we can access of it anyway - to do mass fishing."

Shulamit says, "Perhaps they were less easily forced into servitude like the Xariel."

Shulamit says, "Maybe the smeltables were taken, or the easy ones were? So the harder to get to is there, but the Nabians don't want to try to get the deeper stuff."

Shulamit says, "But fish? Are everywhere."

Shulamit nods its head slowly, looking very wise.

Poet says, "Hrm. Well. I'll be interested to see what other artifacts we can acquire. Perhaps give us a bit more context."

Acknowledging Poet's point to be true, Shulamit nods its head gravely at her.

Zarrach nods.

Shulamit says, "I don't think we have any others from Prugita completed at this point. Shall I put the dagger away for now?"

Poet nods.

Shulamit tilts its head and listens intently.

Zarrach says, "Sounds like a plan to me, right now all we got is a lot of speculation and maybes."

Shulamit acknowledges the point with a grave nod of its head.

Shulamit carefully bundles away the steel dagger with marlinspike, preparing it to be displayed out in the museum proper.

Session 39- Tabby Outpost Fish Fossil

Researchers: Picram and Oipo

Museum Research Board 39

Picram starts up the recording drone, "This is Lord Commander Picram hosting a research session. I am joined today by curator Oipo, and we intend to take another look at one of those songfish fossils from Tabby Outpost. The fossil itself can be described as a harp-shaped pattern of fossilized scales embedded in a pressurised substrate. Despite our efforts to dig up more, all we know so far is that the fish was large, most likely predatory, with a toothy snout and a distinctive dorsal fin, although our research assistants did not exactly give any details as to what made it so distinctive."

As it finishes the introduction for the session, Picram retrieves the described fossil from a nearby storage box and places it on the table.

Oipo waves at the recording drone, nodding ruefully at the as yet incomplete description of the fish is shared.

Picram picks up the rock holding the fossilised scales, turning it in its tendrils. "I wonder if this is actually the inner or the outer side of the scales we're looking at. Do you think we can break off the substrate and get a look at the other side?"

Oipo leans forward and pokes curiously at the fossil, "Ah good point, I didn't consider that! I think that sounds like a solid plan." Idly twirling a tentacle he adds, "Similarly, I'm not sure that we've done any chemical analysis of the fossil and its substrate yet. I think that might be useful in dating the fossil and uncovering the process that led to its preservation."

Picram nods, "I think the samples we took last time are still being analysed, but we might see the results very soon." Fetching a few bottles from a nearby shelf, Picram mixes up a batch of resin, applying it on the exposed scales, explaining, "Better fix the scales on this side before we end up breaking anything and the delicate structures are scattered all over the place. Back when I learned how to cook fish, I had to clean some of them and can tell you those scales easily get everywhere if you aren't careful."

Oipo listens carefully, saying, "That makes sense."

Oipo tilts his head for a moment, before rummaging in one of his pockets, "So how are we doing this? A transect? Or should we chip away from part of it?" As he speaks he brandishes the relevant tools in illustration. Picram lightly taps the resin with a tool, ensuring it has cured enough to keep the scales in place, then produces a hammer and small chisel from its toolkit and places them on the table, "I was thinking we start simple in one corner and see how it goes." It then takes the fossil back into its tendrils, attempting to break off bits of the rock with its bare branch-ends without much success. After placing the fossil back on the table, scale side down this time, it picks up hammer and the surprisingly delicate looking chisel and starts breaking away small chunks of the substrate.

Oipo nods, considering.

Oipo peers closely at the fossil as it is worked on, attempting to beckon the recording drone closer to capture the progress.

Picram chisels away at the fossil, occasionally pausing to look at the fossil from the side, estimating how much material still needs to be removed, and to brush away small debris. Eventually, a small section of scales comes into view, small bits of substrate still clinging to it, which Picram scrapes and pries off with the chisel before putting down the tools and letting both Oipo and the drone have a look.

Oipo smiles and retrieves a soft bristled brush from a pocket, "I'll just get that dust off." After a brief brush over the newly exposed side of scales, he rolls over a bright light and peers at the fossil, "I'm not as knowledgeable about fish, what side of the fish do you think either side of this fossil belonged to, Lord Commander?"

Picram removes a bit more of the substrate to reveal more of the pattern, then leans in to take a closer look, "Judging from the way the scales overlap, I'd say this used to be the outer side. See how the outer parts of the scale, where we saw the growth rings most clear last time, overlap nicely here? So I guess the bit we just removed was the old river or sea bed the fish fell onto when it died."

Oipo nods at Picram.

Picram seems to quite enjoy chipping away at the substrate, but eventually stops as a good portion of the fossilized scales is exposed. "We might need to actually protect this side too, but we'll stop here and see how it holds up over time. Should decay set in, our technicians will move the fossil to a climatized storage chamber."

Looking at Oipo, Picram asks, "Any finishing thoughts before we wrap up for today?"

Oipo ponders the fossil for a moment then grins and shakes his head, "I think we've given the lab technicians and scientists a lot to do!"

Picram nods and addresses the drone, "Let's finish for today then. Thank you for assisting today, Oipo, and let's see what we can reveal next time." The video feed fades to black as the drone shuts down.

Session 41 - Tabby Outpost fossilized tree slab

Researchers: Oipo

Museum Research Board 41

Oipo claps his hands together merrily.

Oipo moves his face away from the recording drone's camera with an apologetic chuckle. "Sorry about that, some technical difficulties there!" He seems to gather himself, nodding down at the fossil laid out on the sturdy research station and addressing the recording drone, "So its just me today, so I'll be speaking out loud as I go about studying today's fossil. This fossil is from a site at Tabby Station, and despite the poor quality of this particular specimen, has been catalogued as a fossilized wood disk from a hollowed kicew tree."

Oipo continues as he sets out a tray of miscellaneous tools, "Because this specimen is so damaged and we have plenty of better fossils for this species, I will be breaking it into pieces and isolating samples for individual testing."

As if realizing something, Oipo pauses and gestures towards the attentively hovering drone, which hums two tones "dee do" in recognition and flies low to project an incomplete visualization of the fossil: Standing some ten to twenty meters tall depending on the present state of the transitory hardlight projection, this tree is firmly rooted in muddy ground. Its branches are pock-marked with the vestiges of its predators as its heavy, ovular leaves droop its tendrils down to the ground.

"Sorry! Forgot to share the visualization we have managed to assemble of what this species might have looked like." Satisfied, Oipo rummages through his tools while muttering distractedly to himself.

Oipo says, "Ah! Here it is!"

Oipo brandishes a delicate diamond-tipped pick. The drone flies so that it is now filming over his shoulder as he begins to pick away at a section of the pocked outer contour of the fossilized wood. As bits of what was probably bark chip away, a few deeper divots remain just under the damaged bark of this kicew tree's remains.

Oipo hums thoughtfully as he works, remarking, "It seems like this species was a favoured prey-species - though it is hard to determine which parts of the damage to this specimen are from pre-fossilization and which are from geological factors and the damage that Song was dealt however many millennia later."

The atmosphere turns somber for a bit and Oipo works in silence until he breaks through the preserved xylem next and has to stop, having reached the hollow interior of the disk. "I am still so curious what roll the hollow centre of this species played, and I can't help but wonder if that is tied to the kicew's apparent appeal to predators."

An alarm buzzes somewhere on Oipo's person and he fumbles about before finally locating it and switching it off. "Oop, looks like I should wrap this up."

Sweeping the chips of fossilized wood into a jar that is promptly labeled, Oipo tugs nervously at a chintacle, "So, my current hypothesis is that there was an extremely sweet, desirable sap in this tree that lured insects to it that then burrowed and caused the tree to weep sap that then attracted larger creatures that perhaps benefited the tree through manure or further pest control. Honestly there are so many possibilities here, but I'm going to send the rest of this fossil off to our labs for radiocarbon dating, and chemical analysis."

Oipo is packing away the damaged fossil fragment as he speaks, attaching colour-coded stickers to the two larger pieces. He then slides a tray out of its place in the wall and places the larger fossil pieces there. "This is where I put the fossils and fragments of archaeological interest that need specialized lab testing and analysis that we can't carry out here. The scientists should be picking them up later this sync - hopefully results will follow soon after."

Oipo says, "Thank you for watching this little research session - and keep donating your finds to the museum!"

With an informal salute, Oipo beckons to the faithfully recording drone and it flies closer on its scrap-wings, allowing him to click a button on the underside of the drone, which gives a single "beep" in confirmation as recording stops.

in purple and orange hues, a starmourn digsite begins to take shape in the desert somewhere. excavated portions of an ancient civilizations have been revealed between mighty, stonelike mountains

What will YOU discover in the Starmourn Sector?

Play Now