Langgan

The jade worlds of immortals, Langgan (/lɑŋ³⁵ kän⁵⁵/)--also known as lánggān, Long gon, or Lòhng gōn--is a inhabited planet in the 0408/Kuafu system in Sector West. Tahora Whai are the active custodians of this world and are exploring an Bleed related oddity in it's oribt.

Ruin Revealed
“Can it be, a Mamitu Academy facility?” Alhaji the historian double-checks their notes and the data. “Their last known charter was off in the Cacho System where they trained Lenses in focusing their powers. Their techniques and lessons remain lost to time…” they dift off chewing on a pen.

Overhearing Alhaji, Beamish asks, “So this magic school, it just vanished off the map?” They offer a cup of tea to the historian.

Half startled, “Why, yes and with them troves of knowledge and secrets too. But--and I thought that it was just a theory--I believe that their facility is in this system, perhaps on the planet below. A ripple in the fabric of space is causing some of our sensors to give unclear readings. I feel the bleed is around us, as if an echo of a spell has ruptured reality. There is a strong bleed resonance in this system, it’s almost palpable. Perhaps hidden somewhere in these fluctuations an entrance to the facility can be found-”

“I knew the ship was malfunctioning, no use to go a wild goose chase if we end up crashing into an asteroid with faulty sensors," Beamish worriedly interrupts. "Let’s go before something awful happens.”

“What remains locked inside that hidden facility… it would be quite valuable you know.” The historian adds hoping to intrigue.

“IF that facility even exists. We can’t trust the sensors right now, we’ve got to get away from these ‘fluctuations’ and fix them.” Beamish moves to leave for the bridge.

“Screw the sensors, I can feel it! The facility must be around here!”

Beamish stops in their tracks before they reach the door. They turn back towards Alhaji, “I’m not willing to risk this crew on your blind guess.”

“It’s not blind, let me show you.” Alhaji lets out exasperated. They offer their hand and beckon Beamish back. “Come over here.”

Beamish returns to the chair next to Alhaji. The two lock eyes and nod at each other. Grasping the sides of each other’s head, they press their foreheads together.

As soon as their heads touch waves of emotion wash over the two Whai. Doubt and concern are met with confidence and certainty as a burst of empathy unites the two. Memories and tales of ships being lost in maelstroms of the void and Alhaji’s resonance with this new star system are shared in mere moments as time feels to slow around them. And with a deep breath, just as quickly as they linked together, the two close their eyes and separate. Beamish parts wordlessly as they had already told Alhaji their plans mere seconds prior. The crew are informed and consulted; the search for the Mamitu Academy begins.

Attempt 1
While searching for the lost facility, the exploratory ship found itself trapped in a gravity field. Improbably, the field appeared to follow the ship despite attempts to navigate around it. A highly-qualified gravity lens was eventually able to chart a safe path through the gravity field; however, the encounter with the field resulted in minimal progress in the search for the facility. Ship's records show a measured distance traveled, yet the ship remains where it was prior to traversing the field. There is as yet no explanation for this phenomena

Attempt 2
After the crew of the ship managed to avoid the trap of falling back into the twisted gravity field a callout is made to Beamish, the helmsman: “Object Identified in a wide orbit around Langgan.”

Under the guidance of Zakk Neuberg, the master Lens taken on to observe the gravitational anomaly, traversal to the orbital object is slow but measured. As the object comes into view, the crew crowd the port-side windows. The station, as it is now clear, appears to have seen better days with only emergency exterior lighting active on large portions. Once the Whai ship approaches, a surge of power flows through the station, flood-lights and shielding activate below. On the bridge a klaxon and warning lights activate, We’re being targeted by automated defenses,” the engineer calls out “Engage Defensive Maneuvres!”

Ships of the Tahora Whai are accustomed to ambushes, but would rather be on the other side of the engagement. As the station's guns level upon them, the crew jump to their stations. Beamish pulls the vessel sharply starboard and enters into a retreating corkscrew pattern to evade the point-defense system. Once back at a safe distance, the ship enters a controlled orbit and searching for weaknesses in the mystery station below.

Attempt 3
Beamish and crew held their ship back undertaking a robust course of scans of the station ahead of them. The hedgehog-like station appeared innocent, but on whatever approach the crew took, the fortress awoke more viscious than the last. Each time a new engagement range and new hidden weaponry; rockets, chaff, radio blasts, kinetic shot, and more, all fired upon the Whai exploratory vessel. The station bristled with defences.

After several dozen unsuccessful attempts the crew re-set their safe orbit and deliberated their options and alternatives.

Rigid Culture
The local culture is extremely rigid. Certain forms of behavior and belief are absolutely mandated, and any deviation from these principles is punished, or else society may be strongly stratified by birth with limited prospects for change. Anything which threatens the existing social order is feared and shunned. Enemies: Friends: '''Complications: Things: Places:
 * Rigid reactionary
 * Wary ruler
 * Regime ideologue
 * Offended potentate
 * Revolutionary agitator
 * Ambitious peasant
 * Frustrated merchant
 * The cultural patterns are enforced by technological aids
 * The culture is run by a secret cabal of manipulators
 * The culture has explicit religious sanction
 * The culture evolved due to important necessities that have since been forgotten
 * Precious traditional regalia
 * Peasant tribute
 * Opulent treasures of the ruling class
 * Time-worn palace
 * Low-caste slums
 * Bandit den
 * Reformist temple

Immortals
Natives of this world are effectively immortal. They may have been gengineered for tremendous lifespans, or have found some local anagathic, or be cyborg life forms, or be so totally convinced of reincarnation that death is a cultural irrelevance. Any immortality technique is likely applicable only to them, or else it’s apt to be a massive draw to outside imperialists. Enemies: Friends: Complications: Things: Places:
 * Outsider determined to steal immortality
 * Smug local convinced of their immortal wisdom to rule all
 * Offworlder seeking the world’s ruin before it becomes a threat to all
 * Curious longevity researcher
 * Thrill-seeking local
 * Immortality requires doing something that outsiders can’t or won’t willingly do
 * The immortality ends if they leave the world
 * Death is the punishment for even minor crimes
 * Immortals must die or go offworld after a certain span
 * Immortality has brutal side-effects
 * Immortality drug
 * Masterwork of an ageless artisan
 * Toxin that only affects immortals
 * Community with no visible children
 * Unchanging structure of obvious ancient age
 * Cultural performance relying on a century of in-jokes