They made their way towards the city, some more reluctantly than others. The trek through the jungle was mostly uneventful, save for frequent stops by Valai insisting on inspecting local flora. After almost an hour of travel, they stood before Qabarat. The white building from earlier turned out to be large white walls, covered in mosaics made from crusted shells. To the west of the city were large cliffs reach down into a deep sea. Its blue-green waters lapped the cliffs gently.
They proceeded through one of the gates they found and entered a city unlike anything on Golarion. The city was a place of domes and cupolas, ornate columns and centuries-old statues. However, other than the companionship of the occasional statue, they were completely alone. It seemed they had walked into a ghost town.
Collecting the various herbs for study almost seemed to mellow the Elfmaid out a little, but a familiar frown appears on her face as the lack of citizens impresses itself on the group.
"I like this not," Valai says as she turns a full circle, looking every which way. "Something has befallen the populace, or they all went into hiding when they saw us approach. Neither possibility bodes well for us."
The Elf makes a brief gesture and mutters a Word of Power.
William, who had enjoyed Celia's offering - not to mention all the other edible plants he encountered during the walk to the city - edges closer to Valai, his nostrils flaring with alarm.
For all that he has become considerably rounder during the trip, the goat is clearly ready to beat feet. All four of them.
The locals do not seem to be very welcoming, or they are in fact very shy! Hellooooo!!! The android then proceeds to repeat an equivalent in several different tongues
He stands in the middle of the thoroughfares with his hands cupped for quite some time
Celia shimmies up the nearest statue, staring owlishly into the distance. Her left ear twitches in reaction to the android's shouting, but the gnome doesn't join in, her curiosity tempered with caution. Even the presence of statues gets her a little pensive, so she had to use the things to her advantage.
Zellyser looks around at the silent city. He says "I like this not," and draws his sword over his shoulder.
He looks alarmed at the sword You think that will bring the shy natives out! I wouldn't want to be greeted by strangers that way! Good sir please be respectful!
They stood around for a moment, more worried than anything else. After a straining of the ears, they could hear some voices. It sounded like the cries of fighting coming from a few streets over. They moved towards the sounds and found their owners- a squad of elves, lashunta, and a splash of other races preparing themselves for combat. Behind them stood a magnificent magical portal, obviously active, ready to be traversed.
LK-X85 strolls up towards the group announcing in elvish Here you folks are! Getting ready for some sporting event!? We've been looking everywhere for you! Greetings and hello, I am LK-X85 and these are my masters! He then turns with a small bow and begins trying to introduce folks
"Ahaa~! LK, dunnae get so close until we know what is goin' on!"
Celia announces, running up behind the creature in question.
"They seem busy, an' wha' is that thing?!" she wonders loudly, pointing at the portal.
In Elvish And this impetuous little thing is Celia he proceeds to continue to introduce folks oblivious to the potential danger, introductions are the first step to human interactions he was told!
"Elkay, are you asking them them what they are preparing to fight? What is about to come through that portal? Or are they about to step through it themselves?"
Zellyser grips his sword tightly, unsure what is going on.
He turns to Zellyser When I finish with the introductions I will ask them that, good manners are important in interstellar relations!
An elven man who appears to be some kind of higher ranking official breaks off from the crowd to meet with LK. Although better dressed than the others, he is still wearing what appears to be a hastily made outfit, obviously nothing that was officially issued. If this is an official militia, they have had no support for some time.
"By the Wasp, we have been blessed by reinforcements. You must be a machine sent by Calistria herself to aid in our battle. I am Lieutenant Variel, leader of the 15th batallion, green division. These are what remain of my men. As for that thing," he points at the portal, "that is the home of the monstrosities that threaten our home. You've arrived just in time to defend. Grab some air crystals or a helm, for we cross in ten minutes."
"Excuse me," Valai says, her voice slightly raised. "We are no one's reinforcements. We are travelers in search of aid. Just what 'monstrosities' are you being troubled by, and what is this about 'air crystals'?"
"I'm referring to the damned Shobhads, soldier. Now you and I both know the air is too thin on Akiton so that's we have the air crystals. So, grab a pouch and fall in line." He gives a sigh. "Damned nobles," he mutters.
looks confused by it all but starts summoning his "battle" suit
Nanites swirl and rays of light play out schematics that he thumbs through and ultimately a shell begins to build from his ankles up, soon he is transformed into a stalwart golden protector
Celia's eyes go buggy at the sight of the transformed LK.
A "Bwuh?" seems to be all she can manage.
"We are not soldiers," Valai protests. "Nor are we nobles. I have told you, we are travelers."
in elvish I think we should help them, it should help our relationship with them and they are the natives here. I have uploaded battle parameters into my system, and am ready for combat as directed.
"I am opposed to heading off to yet another world whilst leaving the Mechanic behind," Valai says in a flat tone of voice. "He was kind enough to help us. Abandoning him would be... wrong."
"Well, regardless. You should aspire to be more like your godling friend here. We have eight minutes."
"We came to this city to barter," Valai says, "not to be dragged into someone else's war. You can take two minutes to explain this situation a little better."
Valai gives a quick recap for the others in Common.
"If it means that you'll keep quiet when we go through, I guess I can. The Shobhads of Akiton decided that they would start to make everything within sight their own. Soon, that extended to things that were beyond the portals. They enacted a suprise attack on EL and Qabarat. El was lost to the fiends, but we drove them away from Qabarat. We've taken to bringing the fight into their home as we work on reclaiming out capital. Now, get ready to go." He thrusts a pair of small pouches into Valai's hands. "We have some four-armed bastards to take down."
"Well, I only understand a little of what's going on, but I have generally known elves to be decent folk - if a bit full of themselves. And I haven't gotten to fight anyone in over 2000 years."
Zellyser turns to LK-X85A, and says "I'm guessing you're not going to need any of these air crystal things Valai described, but if I'm going to fight whatever's through that portal, I'd better grab some."
Holding his sword in one hand and laying the great blade on his shoulder, he extends his other hand to Variel and says in Common, "Give me some of your crystals, and I'll join your fight. Though I have to say I'm used to better pay than just being allowed to keep breathing. Then again, some days that's all you can hope or wish for."
Celia salutes Variel (incorrectly, by any naval standard) over the language barrier, also speaking in common.
"If they started it, we'll help you end it, best we can, li'-but we weren't sent 'ere by your people so much as by the god of fortune 'imself!"
She grins and tries to get a hold of an air crystal.
"Ah! Or, even better... Keth! Can you be a dear an' get my helmet?"
In elvish while assuming a rigid stance Ready for action, please allow us a chance for diplomatic discourse when this is completed"
"Right away, Lady Celia."
In an instant, Keth is gone. A few moments pass and Keth reappears with a bag attached to him. Inside the bag is one of the runic suits, helmet and all.
"The Mechanic mentioned to peer within the pockets."
After rummaging for a bit, they find within the pockets of the suit, another suit. They continued until they finally reached an empty pocket and had one complete suit for each of them.
"The Mechanic seemed quite amusued as he prepared the suits. He wished me to inform you of this."
Grumbling quietly, Valai struggles into her outfit.
"Amused, was he. He is not the one drafted into a surprise war..."
Zellyser hands his sword to Keth to hold for a moment. He climbs into his suit and closes the seals. Accepting the sword back from Kethans, Zellyser experiments a moment with placing it in the strangely large pocket, before turning to the elf leader and saying calmly "I am ready."
"Thank ya, Keth!" Celia chimes, smiling at the nesting-suits.
"Think that was his joke, then?"
It doesn't take much for Celia to finish suiting up. She stands behind Zellyser.
Variel returns to find them all in their suits.
"Is this what is considered combat fatigues where you hail from? No matter, we leave in two minutes. Any last questions?"
Zellyser looks at the elven leader and says "These zuits work for us like your air crystals - somehow. And yez, I do have a question. How will we know the enemy? How do we tell them apart from you, our newfound allies? Are they all 'four-armed bastards,' as you said? That will help us tell them apart, but it doesn't sound like it'll make them easier to fight."
Turning and seeing Celia standing behind him, he adds quietly, "I do hate not knowing a thing about my enemy. Who wasn't my enemy a moment ago. Ah well, you just stay behind me and keep an eye out and we'll get through just fine."
"I find things tend ta' work best when you don't waste time noodlin' it out, li'. Our lives are bles'd an' absurd."
Celia responds in a sagely whisper, oddly at ease as she watches Valai silently fume.
"Legends start li' this. End like this too, but I figure it's an immunity-or-death kinda thing, yah?"
She pats Zellyser's lower back and grins.
"Jus' mind you the story 'bout the Stingy nuns and the barstool-" she advises without a single thought into the fact the tiefling likely didn't hear said joke in his time. "-n' we'll come out on top."
"Master Zell, if you are interested, I will present you with some information on Shobhads."
Keth's eye is replaced with an image of a horrific, four-armed beast. It stands as tall as two men and weilds a sword and a strange firearm.
"The fabled four-armed giants of Akiton are renowned across several worlds for their ferocity in battle. Most Shobhads are born and come of age in one of the fierce tribal clans known collectively as the Shobhad-neh. Whether with flashing swords and lances or the mysterious longrifles capable of picking off targets on faraway horizons, the clans of the Shobhad-neh vie constantly for resources in the hard deserts and mountains where they live. Typical shobhad warriors stand 12 feet tall and weigh 500 pounds."
"Well thanks, Keth. I think."
Turning back to Variel, he asks "Any particular weaknesses we should know about? Susceptibility to strong drink, or a paralyzing fear of goats?"
"Barghests' bowels," Valai curses softly when she sees the image. "No wonder these people need to conscript travelers..."
Celia gets a look of ridiculous bravado on her face.
"So it's ta be giants, then. Giants, I can handle. Giants, we know, li'-well, not personally, bu' not gettin' hit by them can be a trife easy if you watch them big, meaty fists!"
"No weaknesses, but they are somewhat resistant to cold. Now, if you haven't any other questions, I will begin mobilizing the batallion."
"Celia," Valai says in a grim tone of voice. "Your god is not my god, but you are the only priestess we have handy, so I expect you to request his blessing for our group now that we are going into battle.
In addition, if we all die, I am going to make it my personal mission to kick your and Zellyser's rumps the whole distance to Pharasma's dreary demesne. Lornica magi, me vela."
With her brief incantation finished, Valai starts muttering prayers to Nethys and Sivanah under her breath.
Zellyser's face undergoes a strange contortion, his red, patchy scales rippling as his mouth widens, and a peculiar noise, half-strangling and half-clucking, comes from his mouth. Though it is hard to see warmth in his snake-like eyes, his companions soon realize that he is laughing, for the first time since he emerged from the stasis pod.
He turns to Valai and, looking down upon the top of her head and continuing to chuckle, says "Miz eluf, you tempt me so. I would greatly like to see you kick my rump even half so far. But I have no wish to die today, after sleeping for centuries."
Beginning to turn away, Zellyser pauses, as if a thought has just occurred to him, and adds, "Speaking of centuries, it has just crossed my mind, I am a good deal older than you, am I not, eluf? Your kind live for hundreds of years, but I have been alive some 2600 years! Worry not, youngling, I will keep you safe."
Turning serious once again and addressing all of his companions, he then says "One thing, before we pass through the portal. I have not fought these Shobhads before, but I have always made my living finding the weaknesses of foes and providing that information to those who fight by my side. Stay close as we first encounter them, and I will tell you what I can see that we can use against them."
"Glad ta' know I will suffice as a last resort, Valai, and that my spectral keester is af' an' covered if I need a guide ta the underworld an' such." Celia snorts, or at least attempts to snort as Zellyser laughs (which grants him a head-cocking on Celia's part). "-but that's a given, yeah. I don't want any of us to end up as what my dear father called a Scrunchling."
Celia nods at the tiefling's advice.
"Then les' get this thing goin. But first, a prayer,"
She looks to the nearby elves.
"You can be a part of this too, li'. The Drunken Champion doesnae judge."
The gnome kneels down and practically curls into a ball, holding out a flagon symbolically.
"Care ta' give us a little help then, big guy? I hope so, cuz iffen' ya don't, we'll likely die! CHEERS!" she emphasizes, thrusting the empty mug up to the sky only to bring it back down and look inside it longingly. Unsatisfied, she clips it onto her suit.
"I prefer ta' do this with a full cup, ya' know... Shame. I'll do it right next time."
A jumble of noises come from Keth for a moment.
"Incoming message."
The noises clear up to the voice of the Mechanic.
"I hope the suits arrived to you. I'm not sure whay you need them, but I'm sure they will be of good use. Before you run off, I wanted to make sure you were aware of some upgrades that the nanites have been working on. The suits are now reinforced with Kethan technologies. In essence, they will now be able to withstand tough blows. Also, the nanites now emit their own transmission fields. Basically, this allows you to communicate with each other so long as you remain within one hundred or so feet from each other.
"Anyway, I must return to work, so I hope to see you return soon."
"This is a hope I share," Valai says. "Very strongly."
"Well, everyone," yells out Variel, "let's move."
His batallion draws their weapons and proceed to march towards the portal. For a team of mostly green-looking recruits, their march is impeccable, silent and in sync. Variel crosses through the portal with an almost, enthusiastic look on his face.
The group moves forward, some with great hesitation. LK is first through the portal, without any real problem. As Zell and Celia pass through, they begin to feel as if though the magical energies are tearing at their insides. Celia feels herself stretched as long as a noodle and then instantly rebound to be as small as a dog. Zell's face is seemingly stretched as if grabbed by ten pairs of hands pulling in every direction. The effect immediately stops once they arrive on Akiton. Last through are Valai and William. While passing through, Valai feels no ill effects but her head is filled with William's obvious pain and fear. The emotions are so strong, she feels as if she may collapse.
A moment later, they are all through, standing in a sea of blood-red sand.
"Is that everyone?" asks Variel.
A troop nods in confirmation.
"Very well then," he smiles.
Variel turns to the gate. With a few motions, the magic of the gate collapses with a loud rumble, the likes of which the groups feels as a heavy weight on their chest.
"Well, then. Let's start this war."
"I knew it," Valai says, throwing up her hands in a fatalistic gesture. "I just knew we were going to regret this. Stuck on yet another world, and this time without a ship!"
The cold-faced Elfmaid utters a reasonably vile swearword in her native tongue... and then kneels down to comfort William as best she can, patting the little animal through his suit.