The Leodora Exploration Society

The Leodora Exploration Society is a non-profit organization that aims to promote the scientific and cultural exploration of the Great Leodora desert on the continent of Xen.
The society was founded in 4977 by a group of former Rook Archeology Survey Team (RAST) members, that wanted to continue their research and discovery of the ancient civilizations and technology that once thrived on Xen, but did not agree with Rooktek's...aggressive method of archeology and so operates independently from RookTek Enterprises.
The society has its own headquarters, vehicles, equipment, and personnel, With three dedicated Delve Teams, as well as a network of contacts and allies within Rookland and across the sea.
The Leodora Exploration Society, colloquially known as The Larks offers various services and opportunities for those with an accidemic interested in Xen. They organizes expeditions, and research projects for scientists, and archaeologists.

They also publishes journals, books, and documentaries about Xen and its history, and cultures, as well as supports and sponsors other groups and individuals who share its vision and mission.

The Leodora Exploration Society’s motto is "yesterday shapes tomorrow”. They believes that despite it’s many dangers, the Leodora desert is a treasure trove of knowledge and wisdom that can benefit humanity and the planet, not just Rookland or the rich.
funded by donations of individuals and goverments with a vested intrest in depraving Rooktek of it's techological monopoly, The Larks respect the ancient relics and artifacts that they uncover and follow a code of ethics to never exploit their finds for individual material gain. The Larks are always looking for new members, volunteers, and donors who want to join its cause and activities, and welcomes anyone who has a passion and curiosity for Xen and its mysteries.

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Noteable Members

Unlike the multitude other independent delver organizations that seek to plunder the ruins of Xen, many of which border the lines of grave robbers and outright bandits, the Larks strive for legitimate archeology, taking extra care to preserve the relics and artifacts they discover, in lieu of the archeotech prioritizing smash and grab tactics of the RAST. In such a dangerous environment as Xen, between the oppressive heat in the day, and frigged cold of the night, rival delvers, aggressive creatures, and still active constructs roaming the underground interiors of the ruins, the threat of getting buried alive, and of course the ever present danger of Deadlight attacks on the surface, holding such a standard is easier said then done, but the Larks are uniquely up to the task.

Bannon Lark, one of the founding members and defacto leader of the Leodora Exploration Society, A renowned scientist and explorer. He is a leading expert on the Deadlights and their behavior, and has developed various methods and devices to combat them. He is a respected authority and a popular speaker in the field of Xen archology, and a strong advocate on the preservation of cultural artifacts.

Shanoa Lark, Founding member, ex-RAST Delver, and wife of Bannon Lark. Shanoa grew tired of putting her, and her people’s necks on the line in one of the most hazardous jobs imaginable only for Rooktek to cloister and exploit their finds. She left RAST when Bannon proposed they create their own independent archaeological organization, and has never looked back. She currently takes a more facilitative roll in the society’s endeavors but is still very much capable of entering the field when needed.

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Fu Delan, Despite his advanced age, Delan continues to be an asset on Delve expeditions. As an accomplished Kineticist, his abilities to conjure protective and offensive magikinetics is seconds only to the value of the wisdom he has accumulated from over 50 years in the field. He may look like a stuffy little old man, but very few have survived as many excursions into the desert as he has.

Naomi Rennotte,“No one gets left behind” is her motto, as a Dune Runner it’s her job to make sure of that. Naomi is a survivor, one of the very few to get mauled by an A class Deadlight and live to tell about it. (minus a few limbs), She has learned the lay of the desert well, and if there is a danger headed for her team, she is the first to know about it. Though she does not directly participate in delves, as lookout, communications, driver, and mechanic she has plenty to keep her occupied while her team is under ground.

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Jonas Liao, Always ready to be the first to charge into an adventure, he would appear reckless if he was not so good at what he does. Out in the open desert a melee specialist would seemingly be a liability, but down in the often claustrophobic depths of a delve, Jonas’ ever expanding collection of blades, and hand full of magikinetic tricks have proven to be a highly potent deterrent for the crawling things that live below the dunes.

Cassey Nine, What appears to be just a modified old model Rooktek security unit actually houses the Larks biggest secret. KC9-100300490M42, or just Cassey as she has come to be called, is a highly advanced Origin A.I, Bannon and Shanoa have been keeping secret for years. Though Cassey has lost much of her memory from millennia of fragmentation, and shows signs of Stray behavior, the information on ancient Acheron she has access to is priceless, and more so despite her sometimes odd behavior has become a friend and valued teammate. The Larks refuses to allow Rooktek to rip her apart to reverse engineer and replicate her technology.

Yesterday shapes tomorrow

Founding Date

4977CR

Type

Expedition, Scientific

Alternative Names

Lark's Flock, RATS (derogatory term by rival RAST)

Demonym

Larks

Location

Rookland, the Bastion City

Notable Members

• Naomi Rennotte