I understand, let's get this party started
"Excellent. Looks like we are entering the atmosphere now." Quomnal speaks. You look out the window and the beautiful world of Castrovel. The whole planet seems shrouded in lush green jungles and light mists, with few places bare of either. As the Aethership nears the planet, you see your drop-off point, the Lashunta city-state of Qabara. The city is ancient beyond imagining, it's gleaming spires of white stone and domed rotundas of marble comprising a symmetrical, circular cityscape forming a stark contrast to the wild, untamed green jungles surrounding it. As the ship docks in a massive white obelisk in the Skygate District, you see that the buildings grow with alien plantlife every color of the rainbow, delicate and beautiful. You look upon the streets and see the native Lashunta, the men short and squat like fur covered dwarves and the women tall and beautiful with graceful antennae, mingling with such a vast array of races as can only be found in a planetary capital. A pleasant female voice sounds over the intercom in Space Common, "We have arrived in Qabara, Planetary Capital of Castrovel. We at Aetherlux Starspanners wish you a pleasant stay.".
Rax gives Nebari a nudge with his elbow and says in a hushed voice,
You weren't kidding about the women
With a grin Nebari nods and replies with "Just don't make them mad they can kill you with their mind."
"Anyone have a lead on a place to stay, and maybe where to buy some classy weaponry? Ip-Thek suddenly pulls up short and pauses to gaze at the scenery. "Well will you look at that," he murmurs to no one in particular. It seems he's genuinely humbled at the beauty of the planet and its natives. He takes a deep breath, smiles, and nods to himself.
"Let's just hope that they are not racist against those of us with a more 'scaly' disposition" Valam Gos remarks after hearing Nebari's warning, adding "I would hate to have to result to violence simply because of my appearance." under his breath.
I'm sure these are a very reasonable people. No need to start worrying about such things so soon
As both groups near the docking door, Quomnal turns to the Regal Wyvaran"No worries, Mr.Gos, the Lashunta are well-acquainted with strange races. Just avoid joking about the male Lashunta's height and don't pinch a female Lahunta's rump and you should be good. Otherwise, your friend Nebari may have just told a self-fulfilling prophecy. Hate to have to get someone to mop up where you have been psionically torn into small fleshy bits after all." Quomnal says, chuckling at his last statement, though you can tell that he was likely only half-joking.
Upon hearing Ip-Thek's inquiry in regards to lodging and weapons, Ishari turns towards the fiery Ifrit, "What's wrong lover? Don't tell me I tired you out that much! And you men with your toys! You've got a big enough 'gun' already lover, but if you must shop for weapons, I'd recommend checking with either the Qabarat Emporium or with one of my friends in the Blackstar Syndicate. Depends on exactly how legit you want the goods to be.".
"You're a dear," says the fiery-haired Ifrit, pulling Ishari close once more. "I think a tour of the shops is in order, and can't think of anyone better to show me the sights."
With little pocket change Nebari decides to postpone a supply run until after the hopefully successful explorarion. "I don't need much maybe some camping gear and rations depending on however long this expedition lasts."
"Camping gear and rations might not be a bad idea." Valam Gos says agreeing. "Additionally, what are the local deities of this area, I may want to stop at their temples and pay my respects, as a foreigner in this land."
Ishari lets out a throaty chuckle, "For basic goods,like camping gear and rations, I would say the Qabarat Emporium. Their prices are good for their quality, especially sense most stores with similar goods are simply ghastly in their quality and would shame a sewer slitch. As far as weapons, I doubt you could afford any sold at the Emporium or that foppish Brethedan Jorsik Qun and only place you can get anything on credit in this city is the Blackstar Syndicate. The goods may be smuggled, but at least they are fair with their deals. I can introduce you to them, if you like!".
At Valam Gos' inquiry, the strange Kalo in the black breathing suit speaks, the first time you have heard his raspy voice since meeting the group, "The Lashunta have no gods of their own, but worship a pantheon of thousands of gods from across starspace. Their Temple of a Thousand Gods lies near the Domus Qabarat Politicas. Follow me, khanedan, and I will show you where. Is there any deity you prefer? I go to the shrine of Sharesha, Mistress of the Calm Waters, my people's goddess of the water, fate, and death, to pray for our expedition to succeed.".
Valam Gos nods to the black suited Kalo, "It sounds like this Sharesha is a good start at least." He scratches his head with a single talon at the name Sharesha, but shakes it off quickly motioning to the man. "I will follow you, but first I believe we should establish a time and place to meet back up."
"Introduce away!" smiles Quaj, motioning with his hand. "I can always use more friends. And contacts. And weapons and debt. Well, somewhat less those last two."
Sounds like we should split up to handle this more efficiently. Those who want to go to the temple can do that while the others go get some extra gear if they want. We can meet up at the board shop and head out.
Quomnal takes a small silver disc half the size of his palm out of the satchel hanging from his belt, "An astute point Mr.Gos. I propose that we all split up and go attend to whatever we feel needs attending to, such as supplies, prayer, a meal, or what have you.". He then presses a few buttons on the metal disc in his palm rapidly. The device brings up an orange holographic map roughly a foot tall over the device. Quomnal points to a glowing dot in the southwestern corner of the map, "We are here, at Qabara's Skygate. Since it is an hour or so before mid-day, I'll say we do what we need to do and meet back up night fall at the Elysian Luxury Hotel, which is located here." Quomnal says, pointing to another glowing dot just off center to the right on the map. "My expedition's patron has generously granted us the entire penthouse floor, which has 24 rooms, for us to stay in before we begin our journey. You are all welcome to join us there, of course, since we are partners in this. Understood? Excellent, let's get on it then.".
Khasel turns and looks at Valam Gos with his frosty eyes, "The Temple of a Thousand Gods that we will be traveling to is near the center of the city, only a few blocks away from our meeting point. If you are curious about a particular god or goddess, you need only ask and I will help do my best to enlighten you, khanedan. Come, let us go.".
Ishari turns to Quaj and runs her right index fingernail gently down his face, "With friends like these, sugar, you'll go far in life. Or at the very least, you'll have a good time!". She turns to the two groups, "Anyone else coming to make some new friends, have an orgy with space women, or buy something on credit? If so follow me. And try not to get too distracted, boys!". Arxos snarls at Ishari, "You had best keep these moondusters on a tight leash, Ishari, because allies or no, I am a prince and will not suffer any insolence from the likes of them!"[/b]. Ishari shoots him a piercing glare, "Need I remind you that you are an exiled prince and that you are not the only member on this expedition? As I recall, Quom was put on as expedition leader, not you. So I suggest you take your idiotic pride and shove it, before I show you where to shove that gravity hammer of yours. I can guarantee that your pride is far less painful.". She then turns to the two groups and smiles, recovering from her outburst fairly quickly, "Now, if there is nothing else, let's go to the Bubbly Brethedan, the Blackstar Syndicate's outpost here. It is slightly northeast of the center of the city in the Foreign District. Acquiring the equipment should not take long, but I plan on staying a while and having some drinks and perhaps an orgy or two. Dear Rosie owes me a few parties, so feel free to join the fun! I should warn you though, stay away from Xevira, she's too kinky even for my tastes! If you've got a thing for Brethedan tentacles, though, and like things a little slippery, she'll probably give you exactly what you want! Hurry up, let's go so we can PARTY baby! We can make small talk along the way.".
.
Trifectus Zero turns his saucer shaped head around, gazing with his glowing visor eyes, "So this is the rest of us then? Quomnal and I are going to the Emporium to retrieve the space boards, then we will be stopping by a few places before we head to the hotel. You are welcome to come with us and chat for a while. Unless you has something else in mind?".
Valam Gos watches as Quomnal unveils the plan on when and where to meet back up, though he doesn't particularly feel comfortable that they will be spending the night in such extravagance.
When Quomnal is done speaking, Valam Gos directs his attention to Khasel, "I'm afraid that the only gods which I know of are Apsu and the other draconic gods, namely Tiamat and the despicable Dahak, so I would welcome any information which you are willing to share. I do not know weather Apsu is one of these thousand gods or not, but I wish to pay my respects to these thousand gods." He responds as he follows Khasel.
"In these thousand gods, are there any gods or goddesses of expeditions or exploration, or perhaps luck, as we may find ourselves needing some." Valam Gos inquires as the thought happens upon him.
Hmmm, those all sound like tempting options. I think I'll go with Ishari and Arxos. For equipment of course, though I've never been one to say no to an orgy.
Rax follows the bickering aliens through town, half listening, half fiddling with the holo-map.
So Arxos, may I ask what you are a prince of?
"I'll head with Rax see what supplies I can acquire." ignoring the comments about space orgies.
"Guns, drink, and women," smiles Quaj. "What could possibly go wrong?" He pauses a moment to think about Brethedan tentacles. "What could go seriously wrong?"