Dark Flowers

About the adventure

More than a hundred years ago, on the scorched, dusty plains of Dabaran there lived a mighty Emir in the city of Yehenna. The Emir was concerned for his land and his people. The crops were failing and food was scarce. While other cities worked on new technologies to fertilize the burning lands, the Emir of Yehenna turned to his library. He found a text by the famous scholar Suleiman that mentioned a blessed flower with the power of the Icons, said to bring prosperity to the most desolate of lands. The Emir set out to find this flower, and sent explorers all across the Dabarani system. But the Emir was a wise and cautious man. The old text mentioned dark flowers, specimens of the fabled plant tainted by the Dark between the stars. He built a space station on the far edges of the system where the explorers deposited their findings. The station was the core of the project to find the Flower of Heaven. Hundreds of Dabarani scientists toiled through the years in an effort to find the sought after prize. The station was led by the chief scientist Wahina, a passionate scholar and a professor from the University of Dadah. One day, an explorer returned with a strange story. He had found a beautiful and slender flower in the depths of the gas mines of Salamanx. The scientists knew that no known plant could possibly survive in such harsh conditions. Could this be it? Before they had their answer, disaster struck. These were the last days of the Portal Wars. The Dabarani people had been spared most of the violence, but they were not so lucky this time. A rogue fleet from the First Horizon engaged a flotilla of Dabarani vessels in the blackness of space. In the confusion of battle, a stray torpedo hit the research station, knocking out its stabilizers and life support. Most of the research staff died instantly. But Wahina and three of her assistants managed to survive. The station drifted off course, unable to contact anyone or bring it’s thrusters to bear. It was reported as lost with all hands and the Emir of Yehenna conceded defeat. The project was cancelled. He died shortly thereafter. But Wahina endured. And she continued her work. She soon found that the plant from the depths of Salamanx did indeed have special powers. It could sustain life in the most hostile of environments. While their supplies dwindled, she realized that salvation could only be found within the plant itself. She started to inject the plant’s biomatter into herself and her assistants. First, there was no effect. But just when they were about to lose all hope, they noticed something. They began to change.