Starfield:Starsap Tours

	Take a tour of New Homestead.
Given by:	Bill Starsap
Location(s):	Starsap Tours (Place) New Homestead Museum New Homestead Farms New Homestead Spaceport Ice Mines Brown Horse Tavern
ID:	FFNewHomesteadZ01
Rewards
XP:	200
Credits ?:	0
Additional:	None
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Starsap Tours

Official Summary

"The player takes a tour of New Homestead with Bill Stasap of Starsap Tours. He will tell them facts about the settlement along the way, and stop at each point of interest to allow the player to ask questions."

Detailed Walkthrough

Main Concourse

"All right! So, this is New Homestead's main concourse. This underground area didn't exist when the original outpost, Titan Astrobase, was finished in 2130."

"Follow me. We'll come back here by the end of the tour and talk about the museum collection."

"But first, let's go see where people live!"

Domicile

"Now, remember, these people aren't actors. They actually live here, so try to be respectful of that."

"While the original inhabitants of Titan Astrobase lived in pods like you saw up above, they transitioned down here when this section of the base was finished in 2144."

"Space was extremely limited, so you'll notice some overflow here. But more residences also exist on lower levels, which are inaccessible to tours."

"I'll stop at each of our destinations if you want to look around, or if you have any questions for me."

--

"Have any questions so far?"

...	Player	Response
	I think I'm ready for whatever's next.	Alrighty! We'll be taking the residential elevator to the farms area on the surface level. This way, please!
X	I'd like to check this out in more detail.	Oh, sure. I'll be here waiting. The locals love to talk with tourists, but they'll let you know if they're busy, so please respect them.
🗣︎	The overflow area looks cramped. What's with that?	Sadly, it's difficult to get additional construction done inside these underground caverns. So for now, additional populations are housed in these stacks of old shipping crates. As you might expect, this is where some of the less wealthy can afford to live. It's not glamorous, but they are functional and cozy.
🗣︎	Can you tell me more about how people lived before this was all built?	The original Titan Astrobase had more habitation pods on the surface, connected to some of the old structures you may have seen in the back. As the colony grew, the base was expanded underground, and those hab units were recycled into materials used down here.
🗣︎	How many people live here?	I'm not sure the exact count, but New Homestead is a fairly small colony. What you see is what you get for the most part, except for some other people who live in the private lower levels. Some, particularly security and yours truly, even commute from other worlds.

The Farms

"Let's leave these good people alone for now, and go check out the farms! Follow me up the elevator."

--

"New Homestead's farms are the beating heart of the colony. Without them, the original outpost would have shriveled and died."

"These pods are sealed and climate controlled: the perfect environment for growing the hydroponic vegetation needed for survival in the early days of the colony."

--

"Any questions about the farms?"

...	Player	Response
	I'm ready to move on.	Onward it is! We'll be stopping by the Brown Horse Tavern later in the tour, which uses many of these locally sourced ingredients in their cooking. But for now, it's just a short way to our next stop. Follow me!
X	I'd like to look around a little more.	By all means, go right ahead. Feel free to talk to the farmers, but I ask you respect their privacy and don't bother them too much. After all, they are on the job. Come back and let me know when you're ready to move on.
🗣︎	Are the farms still operational?	They are indeed! Colonists still cultivate plant-based food for their own consumption here in New Homestead. It's less vital to their survival these days, as they also import supplemental food from other colonies, including meats, dairy, and synthetics. However, most citizens here take pride in a New Homestead-grown sustainable diet.
🗣︎	What do they grow here?	These days, it's a mix of what you find elsewhere in the galaxy. But in the olden days, it was all brought over from Earth. It was a lot of hardy root vegetables, like potatoes, carrots, beets, and such. Supplemented with corn, peas, green beans, soy, etc., which didn't always grow as well.
🗣︎	How is this different than anywhere else in the galaxy?	Good question. It's largely the same, because this was the colony that pioneered the techniques you see elsewhere. But you'll notice that the farms here are smaller, and staffed by humans, not robots. Things here are a little more old-fashioned compared to some of the large factory farms you'll find elsewhere in the Settled Systems.

Bio-Labs

"So, the old Bio-labs are just on the other side of the building, believe it or not. We'll step on through the hallway there."

--

"They're not in use any more, but the colony has faithfully recreated them as a historical exhibit, true to the original purpose of the Titan Astrobase."

"Sadly, they're undergoing some light renovations. Otherwise, there'd be interactive activities for kids to learn about how they used to search for microbial life here."

--

"Pardon the dust, but I can still answer some questions about the old Titan Astrobase Bio-labs."

...	Player	Response
	It's okay, we can keep moving.	You got it! On to our next stop.
X	I'm going to take a closer look.	Sure thing. Keep in mind the bio-labs exhibit is closed for visitors, but I'll be waiting if you need a minute anyway.
🗣︎	What kind of life did they find here?	Funny you should ask! Sadly, none. See, NASA funded the Titan Astrobase project because conditions seemed ripe for primordial life to form in Titan's methane pools. They tested many different sites, performed deep core ice drilling, and more, yet nothing turned up. [QE360]

Power

"Next, we'll be heading outside, so make sure to check those seals on your suit, because it's a bit chilly out there. Heh."

"We're going out into the frozen wastes of Titan to see what powers this planet."

"Watch your step, by the way. The ice can be slippery if you're not careful. The goal is to keep people out of Dr. Lakota's infirmary."

--

"Anyway, where were we? Oh, yes! Powering New Homestead!"

"As you might imagine, generating energy was a real challenge back in the day, because the technology was much more crude then."

"But crude or not, it was the technology that sustained the old Astrobase. And, it might surprise you to learn that the same technology is still working today!"

--

"The interesting thing about this old colony is that it's mostly powered by clean, renewable energy. You'll see one of the methods used on the horizon up ahead."

"That's right. New Homestead's famous wind farms! This spot was chosen for the colony, in part, because of its constant winds."

--

"These turbines have been integral to the colony's function since its establishment as a cheap, mostly reliable source of electricity."

--

"So let's talk about wind power, shall we?"

...	Player	Response
	Actually, I think I'd like to move on.	You're the boss! Let's go!
X	I want to take a closer look.	Absolutely! Careful though, I wouldn't stand too close to the turbines, if I were you.
🗣︎	Do these turbines really power the entire colony?	Mostly. I'm sure you've noticed the occasional brownouts? I guess these old machines have a habit of freezing up, what with all the ice out here. There's some methane on reserve for critical life-support systems, but everything else here is otherwise powered by the units you see here.
🗣︎	What's so interesting about wind power? Why is it part of the tour?	You're looking at a piece of history! Sure, wind power is used throughout the galaxy, but these people were able to make do with it for hundreds of years. It's impressive that was all they had back then, and still make it work to this day.
🗣︎	I didn't think Titan was all that windy?	You're right. Most surface wind on Titan isn't too terribly strong, but here, the altitude and other conditions are perfect for sustained wind power. Like many worlds with atmosphere, the higher you go, the windier it gets.

Bill's Ex-Wife

"Moving right along, we're going to learn about Titan's great natural resources."

"Titan is rich with hydrocarbons like methane and ethane. Surely you saw huge pools of the stuff on your descent into New Homestead."

"I like to think they add to the natural beauty of this world. Of course, stay away from them, because like anything beautiful, they can be dangerous."

--

"Just like my last ex-wife's pet. She had this gorgeous... I don't know what you'd call it... creature. The guy that sold it to her couldn't tell her what it was or where it was from."

"I don't think it was even legal to sell, to be honest. Thing was very easy on the eyes. Feathers all the colors of the rainbow. Nasty bite, though."

"Wound up in the hospital and almost lost my hand. Still not enough for her to get rid of the dang thing. Anyway, there's a reason she's my ex-wife."

Methane

"But enough about me. We were talking about Methane and other resources, right?"

"Hey, can you believe it? Back in the 20th century on Earth, they used to fight wars over natural resources like this and petroleum."

"They had this whole moon here, basically made of hydrocarbons, in their own backyard. They just couldn't get to it! Incredible how far we've come."

"New Homestead is home to one of the oldest and largest methane processing plants in the Settled Systems."

"Every year, UC engineers go through a painstaking month-long maintenance process. It's how this place has remained operational as long as it has."

"I'm not going to take you too close to the machinery... liability and all. But, I can still answer questions."

--

"Questions? Fire away!"

...	Player	Response
	No more questions right now.	Okie dokie artichokie. There will be time for more later, anyway.
X	I'd like to take a moment here.	Take your time! Ah... but not too much time. Don't want to keep other customers waiting, you know.
🗣︎	What do they do with all this methane?	Exports, mostly. Since this world is so methane-rich and has the infrastructure for it, a lot of the UC's methane comes from Titan. Of course, New Homesteaders use it themselves for everything from generating heat to turning it into breathable oxygen via modern science!
🗣︎	[Q+560?] & [-Chemistry?] Wait, how do they turn methane into oxygen? [Q+560?] & [+Chemistry?] Which method do they use to turn methane into oxygen?	Oh, uh...? No one's ever asked me that before. I uh... something to do with methane-eating microbes, I believe? I honestly don't know. Sorry.
🗣︎	How can they shut the plant down for maintenance if people rely on it to live?	Ah, it's not as if they shut down for a month. It's not shut down at all, actually. See, this place is built with redundant systems so they can shut it down piece by piece and suffer only a reduction in throughput. During that time, the UC gets more of its resources from other places, allowing New Homestead to maintain what it needs.

Ymir's Horn

"So this next stop is a bit of an interesting one. I only recently made it part of the tour."

"Fun fact, it's also the only natural landmark on the tour!"

"What we're about to see is a glacial spire we affectionately call "Ymir's Horn"."

"This collis used to be named after a character in a popular fantasy novel, but it was changed a couple hundred years ago to avoid any potential litigation."

"Now, "what's a collis" you might say? "Collis" derives from the latin word for "hill", and scientists only have names to groups of hills on a planet's surface."

"So in reality, the term you hear more often is the plural, "colles" with an "e"."

"You probably don't hear it very open where you're from, because it was usually a term reserved for unexplored planets, back when they didn't have the technology to describe what they were seeing first hand."

"Because of that, the term is much more common in the Sol system. But you may still hear it occasionally in reference to uncharted worlds."

"This planet's full of them, though, and they like to preserve that history here."

--

"So, here it is, Ymir's Horn! You're free to take a closer look if you'd like."

...	Player	Response
	I think I'm done here.	Excellent. On to the next stop, then!
X	I'll be right back.	Just be careful. It can get slippery out that way. I'll wait here.
🗣︎	[-Geology?] How did this Collis form?	I've heard this particular formation was caused by an ancient volcano. Something about steam and wind, then worn down over time. But, I'm not a hundred percent sure.
🗣︎	[+Geology?] Colles are more like hills. Are you sure this isn't an ancient fumarolic ice tower?	How about that, you really know your stuff! Maybe you should be the one giving the tour? Heh. I kid! I'm not sure. I heard someone say that before. Something about the worn-down remains of an ancient volcano producing ice via steam? I don't know. It sounds like you understand this stuff better than I do.
🗣︎	Ymir? Who's that?	According to ancient Norse mythology, Ymir was the first jötunn, a frost giant. In the legend, they were both male and female, and gave birth to the progenitors of all giants from their armpits. Ymir even predated the Norse gods, who as it turns out, killed Ymir to fashion the Earth and all of humanity from the corpse. It's a fascinating story, and the Horn here is a fitting tribute to it.

Last Names

"So, we're going to head back inside, through the methane processing plant. Try not to touch anything on your way."

"We want to make sure to respect Doctor Lakota's wishes to be safer around here."

--

"That brings me to another point. You'll notice the people around here have last names related to where their families originated from on Earth, as a way to remember the past."

"The museum curator, Maurice Lyon, has more information about that if you're interested. You can find him inside the main concourse. Loves talking about it."

"You'll find more locals here are very friendly to tourists like yourself."

"Tourism is a major draw to this colony these days, and they respect that."

"Most of 'em are happy to talk at length about what they do here. Their rugged lifestyle is a point of pride for a lot of these folks."

Methane Processing Plant

"This area we're walking through is the nerve center of the plant, where technicians keep an eye on the operation."

"Since methane production is such an important part of the colony's livelihood, it's important that the techs notice any issues and react to them quickly."

"Anyway, we're headed into the Ice Mines. It's a natural spring where water bubbles up from deep below, but due to the cold, it keeps freezing as it reaches the surface."

--

"You're welcome to keep your suit on if you'd like. As you might expect from a place called the Ice Mines, it can get a little chilly."

"It takes miners, working daily, to clear the ice, melt it down, and keep the water flowing."

--

"What else can I tell you about the Ice Mines?"

...	Player	Response
	I don't need to know anymore about the Ice Mines. I'm ready to go.	Sounds good! Let's keep going then.
X	I want to go look around some more.	Of course. Watch your step, it can get slick around here. I'll stay behind.
🗣︎	Is this where all New Homestead's water comes from?	Not all. Some water is created as a byproduct of methane processing, but that's usually saved in the emergency reserves.
🗣︎	Why not heat this area like the rest of the colony?	Good question. I believe it has something to do with not wanting to contaminate the water with methane and other chemicals. The ice helps prevent impurities in the water. At least, this is what I've been told.
🗣︎	I'm thirsty. Can I drink straight from the source?	I wouldn't recommend it. First, it's an active work site. Second, it still needs to be filtered and checked for contaminants. But don't worry, we'll stop somewhere for refreshments before the tour is over.

Brown Horse Tavern

"We have just one more stop before we're done with the tour, and it just happens to be my favorite!"

"This colony is home to the longest-running establishment still in existence, the Brown Horse Tavern."

"The Brown Horse Tavern started as a simple mess hall for the scientists and workers when the underground was built, but it's been operated by the same family ever since."

""Now, what's a horse," you might say? They were a large four-legged animal on Earth, often used for transportation or manual labor.

"Long before space travel was even a dream for the folks of Earth, even before antique machines like automobiles were possible, horses could be found everywhere."

"You might have seen 'em in old movies or read about them somewhere. If not, I highly recommend looking into them sometime. They're beautiful animals."

"The tavern's original owner was infatuated with them, from what I understand, and named the place in their honor."

"The moniker "Brown Horse Tavern" is also a throwback to names of similar Earth restaurants hundreds of years before it was established."

--

"That delicious smell is making me hungry! Can I answer anything about the Brown Horse?"

...	Player	Response
	I think I'm good to go here.	Okay then!
X	I'm not ready to move on yet.	Oh yeah. By all means, stop in for a moment.
🗣︎	How could this possibly be the oldest restaurant in the Settled Systems?	Easy! All the other ones fell to ruin when we abandoned Earth. There were technically older ones on Mars, but those have long since shuttered or been replaced.
🗣︎	Any menu recommendations?	Ooh, that's a tough one. I honestly love everything Anja serves here. I'd be doing her a disservice to recommend one dish over another. You want the real answer? Order one of everything! *hearty chuckle*
🗣︎	What can you tell me about the owner?	Anja Seattle is the current owner of the Brown Horse. It's been in the Seattle family for generations. But Anja will be able to tell you more herself. Feel free to ask her. It doesn't feel right coming from me when she's standing right over there.

Museum

"All right. We're headed to the last stop; right back where we began!"

"Feel free to check out the museum exhibit in the main concourse here."

"These displays are full of rare Earth trinkets salvaged from before humanity left, and Maurice is happy to talk about the collection."

"The museum's curator, Maurice, will be happy to talk to you if you want to know more."

--

"Well, that's that! I hope you enjoyed Starsap Tours as much as I enjoy giving 'em."

...	Player	Response
	It was very educational. Thank you.	You're welcome! And, thank you for coming along! Remember to tell your friends all about it!
▲	[Pay <Global=FFNewHomesteadZ01_TourTip> Credits] I loved it! Here's a little something extra for you.	[<= Credits?] [QB999] Oh, wow, I really appreciate it! You know, I rely on tips from good people like you, so thank you from the bottom of my heart! Enjoy the rest of your stay in New Homestead! [-Credits?] Ooh, appreciate the sentiment all the same, I really do. But, it doesn't look like you've actually got what you say you've got there. It's okay, I can wait here if you need to run and grab some more credits!
	It was all right.	Just all right? Well, I always strive to do better, so thank you for your feedback. Thanks for coming along, and hope to see you again!
	That was super boring. I feel like you should've been the one be paying me.	Sorry to hear. I tried to make it educational, at least. You can't please everyone, I guess. Thanks anyway, and see you around.

...	Companion	Reaction
	Andreja	Perhaps in the future we could skip the extra steps, and just set your credstick on fire directly?
	Barrett	You know what? I'll match that. Fascinating bits on the hydrocarbon maria, the colles, the fumarolic ice towers, the processing plants... just loved it all. And you were so patient explaining everything probably for the millionth time. Now, if you'll excuse us... we're going to the gift shop right?
	Sam Coe	The old guy deserves it. This New Homestead's a hoot.
	Sarah Morgan	Wow, very generous. As long as you're throwing around money, maybe you wouldn't mind tossing some my way?

"Take care!"

[EQS1000]

Companion Affinity

There is one affinity event that can happen during this mission.

Affinity	Stage	Andreja	Barrett	Sam Coe	Sarah Morgan
⏫︎ Loves (+50 Affinity) ▲ Likes (+25 Affinity) ▼ Dislikes (-15 Affinity) ⏬︎ Hates (-35 Affinity)
If you give a 100 tip.		--	▲	▲	▲

Mission Stages

Starsap Tours (FFNewHomesteadZ01)
Stage	Finishes Mission	Mission Entry
100		(Follow Bill. Tour01 - Domocile) I decided to take a tour of New Homestead with Bill Starsap, so I can learn more about its history.
110		(Bill starts walking)
150		(Talk to Bill. Tour01 - Domocile)
200		(Follow Bill. Tour02 - Farms)
250		(Talk to Bill. Tour02 - Farms)
300		(Follow Bill. Tour03 - Biolab)
350		(Talk to Bill. Tour03 - Biolab)
360		(Bill explained that scientists found no signs of life here)
400		(Follow Bill. Tour04 - Wind Farm)
450		(Talk to Bill. Tour04 - Wind Farm)
500		(Follow Bill. Tour05 - Methane)
550		(Talk to Bill. Tour05 - Methane)
560		(Bill mentions oxygen production)
600		(Follow Bill. Tour06 - Ymir's Horn)
650		(Talk to Bill. Tour06 - Ymir's Horn)
700		(Follow Bill. Tour07 - Ice Mines)
750		(Talk to Bill. Tour07 - Ice Mines)
800		(Follow Bill. Tour08 - Brown Horse Tavern)
850		(Talk to Bill. Tour08 - Brown Horse Tavern)
900		(Follow Bill. Tour09 - Museum/End)
950		(Talk to Bill. Tour09 - Museum/End)
999		(Player tipped Bill some extra credits)
1000	Finishes quest	(Quest End) I took a tour of New Homestead with Bill Starsap, where he taught me about the colony's history.

Notes

• Any text displayed in angle brackets (e.g., <Alias=LocationHold>) is dynamically set by the Radiant Mission system, and will be filled in with the appropriate word(s) when seen in game.
• Not all entries may appear in your log; which entries appear and which entries do not depends on the manner in which the mission is done.
• Stages are not always in order of progress. This is usually the case with missions that have multiple possible outcomes or missions where certain tasks may be done in any order. Some stages may therefore repeat objectives seen in other stages.
• If an entry is marked as "Finishes Mission" it means the mission disappears from the Active Mission list, but you may still receive new entries for that mission.
• On the PC, it is possible to use the console to advance through the mission by entering setstage FFNewHomesteadZ01 stage, where stage is the number of the stage you wish to complete. It is not possible to un-complete (i.e. go back) mission stages, but it is possible to clear all stages of the mission using resetquest FFNewHomesteadZ01.

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