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You follow the strange aliens 30 minutes in the opposite direction of the city to a large bluff. A tribe of husk ghibranis lives within a network of caves adjacent to the bluffs.
Dozens of beetle-like aliens crawl in and out of the many caves that dot the face of this otherwise drab cliff. Most of them are dressed in simple leather frocks, while the few with crude weapons are covered with sturdier armor. A small garden filled with sickly plants is visible off to one side, next to what looks like the opening to a well. A handful of children sits in front of a pair of older aliens, who are both wearing brightly colored necklaces. They appear to be either telling the young ones a story or teaching them a lesson.
As the strange ghibrani and her hunters approach, the enclave lets out a friendly cheer, which dies off as the other ghibranis notice the Starfinders. The female ghibrani quickly strides up to a pair of others and begins an animated conversation involving various clacking mandibles. The two settlement leaders’ mandibles clatter and they gesture for you to come close.
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"Not that I'd ever complain" speaks up Da'at, seemingly a little winded "But if we could take ten, and Someone could get me a husk-bug beer, I'd be your bestie" he finishes, trudging along before finally settling down right by the well-wall. "If someone could ask them why they aren't taking advantage of that city's defenses, that would be nice."
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Domaya knows very little of the species as there has been little text or anything found on the infosphere concerning their race besides skeptics and theorists.
The pair of leaders offer no resistance as Conrad shares the spell between the pair. The pair's mandibles begin to clatter together and the Starfinders seem to understand. "Welcome to the Husk Enclave friends. I am Koseemo and this is my sister Alomir. We offer you the blessings of Mother Touloo."
Koseemo gestures to the female Gibrahni that led you here. "Before we can speak more in depth, our tribe must perform a special rite known as the Welcoming to officially receive Dystane's returning hunting party; We would be overjoyed if you would join in."
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The interior of the husk’s cave is spacious, with plenty of natural handholds leading up to other tunnels into the cliff. A large bonfire burns in the center of a cleared-out space, providing light but making the cave quite stuffy. As you step inside, it seems as though the entire tribe is converging here. You can see that many of the ghibranis are carrying drums and assorted instruments made from stone. A few moments later, they begin playing a stately tune and the remaining ghibranis face each other in a couple of straight lines. The husks proceed to start a formalized processional dance.
Each of you is approached by one of the husk ghibranis, who performs a clearly welcoming gesture.
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Domaya is unable to figure it out. She takes a deep breath and tries to join in.
But she's a mess in trying to follow along. She tries to laugh it off and defuse the situation so the ghibrans don't get angered or embarassed on her behalf.
I am terrible even in the Lashunta dances of my own culture! she explains through the translator.
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Argon-42 gets up and begins mimicking the movements of the Ghibranis. Though she lacks style, she copies the Ghibrani next to her with precision, watching only the Ghibrani's feet and arms, and not paying much attention to the room around her.
"We don't have as many limbs, but the left and right pairs mostly do the same thing."
"Is this meant to be a test of manual coordination?"
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Though Argon-42 doesn't quite know the steps the android seems to flow pretty well with the beat.
Da'at on the other hand just seems to do his own thing as he drops and does the worm.
Seeing the embarrassing Kasatha, Kai takes a moment to study the dance and joins Argon's movements.
Lucky Seven studies it just enough to be successful, though barely as nearly half the steps are on the Husk Clan's feet. Conrad steps in to help Lucky get on sync.
Domaya tries but comes off just as bad as Da'at, flopping around on the ground.
The ghibranis rejoice and warmly embrace you as unofficial members of the tribe. A few of the smaller children ghibranis clatter and giggle at the strange and funny Kasathan soldier. One even tries to mimic his dance techniques.
Shortly after the welcoming ceremony, another ghibrani steps into the firelight. She is thinner than the others and dressed in shimmering fabrics, though it is clear she has a few bandaged wounds. Most strikingly, she sports a pair of membranous wings, unlike any of the other ghibranis!
The husk ghibranis treat her with respect, though not reverence, as she enters, and allow her to walk right up to the Starfinders. She looks over each of you for a moment and then gestures to her throat and mouth. Her hand lights up with energy, and she uses it to point to Conrad's throat and mouth. Then to each other in the group.
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Slowly, painfully standing back up under the innocent laughter of the alien children, Da'at looks on upon the winged ghibrani, shrugs and step up to her and gets back down to his knees to help her reach the kasathan's throat.
You know, they say that in ancient history they had magical wands with all sorts of spells on them. Why don't we have anything like that in this day and age?
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"Hello, Klarima. I am Argon-42. We are simply explorers, and came to see what was on this world. We came from a place called Absalom Station, which is in a system with several inhabited worlds. A machine in space guarded this planet and would not listen to us, so we had to disable it. Was it yours? We can repair it if necessary."
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"Indeed, I know it must sound crazy, but my friend speaks truly. We're from another world. Fixing things is also a skill of ours, so if that's true, we'll get it done."
Conrad tries to adopt (as best as his physiology will allow) body language similar to Klarima's. "We are friends who want to learn about new civilizations and life forms. We seek knowledge. What do you seek?"
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"I'm Da'at. I can't dance, I can't talk; the only thing about me is the way that I walk. Which is funny, because the Genesis of that is that weird animal that put it's horns... Or spikes... Through me. You guys sleep horizontally? On something soft? Cause I could use a ten minute rest" adds in Da'at without the finesse his companions seem to demonstrate.
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“Oh my, what a strange question! Surely, everyone knows of the great war between the nation-states. The invisible fire they rained down upon one another killed most living things across the globe. It was only thanks to the foresight of our ancestors that any of us survived to see today. The machine must be some sort of remnant left over from a time long lost.”
She reaches out and studies the Starfinder Insignia with rapt curiosity.
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Argon-42 nods sagely.
"A great war long ago. Interesting. How long ago was that? And what precautions did your ancestors take that saved you?"
"The place where we landed was near what looked like a large city, inside some kind of bubble. Can you tell us anything about that? Did your ancestors build it?"
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How long ago was that? And what precautions did your ancestors take that saved you?
"That was well before my time."
"The place where we landed was near what looked like a large city, inside some kind of bubble. Can you tell us anything about that? Did your ancestors build it?"
“That is Arkeost, a shining beacon of civilization! One of the few left on this world, I’ve been told. It is also my home. I can take you there if you agree to escort me across the wastes.”
“Those in my city rarely leave it; our ancestors made sure we would be provided with everything we would need. However, I have been afflicted with a case of wanderlust. A near terminal case, it would seem, as my explorations outside the city found me stumbling into a tangle of soarnettles. They scratched me quite a bit and thanks to the pain, I lost my way. Luckily for me, I crossed paths with these kind husks, who bandaged my wounds and gave me a place to spend the night.”
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Then I think we are ready to escort you back to your city.
Domaya says
If you are truly afflicted by wanderlust, then you should know that all of us in our group are too, in one way or the other. We come from the stars and are part of an organization named the Starfinder Society whose mission is to explore and push back the boundaries of knowledge. Perhaps you would be interested in joining us?
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Klarima's smile widens further as a glimmer of excitement flits across her eyes. "That does sound exciting!"
Before leaving the Husk Enclave Alomir and Koseemo present you with a ritual weapon as a gift. The weapon is a huchket, a rifle used by husk hunters. The Enclave also hands you three vials of dark liquid that tastes like black licorice.
The huchket is a generational weapon of the husk ghibranis. It includes some technological elements from the ghibrani’s past, but is otherwise appears like an archaic projectile longarm.
Klarima leads you through the badlands toward the shining metropolis in the distance. The journey takes only a few hours. Elytrio’s sun is beginning to set as they approach the edge of a visible force field half a mile outside of the city.
Klarima retrieves a clunky and ancient-looking datapad from her pack and presses a few buttons on it. There is a brief pause when nothing happens and, a little frustrated, she touches the same sequence of buttons on the device. This time, a circular portion of the force field opens like a door. Klarima steps through and gestures for you to follow. When all have passed through, Klarima presses another button on her datapad and the force field closes again.
By the time you reach Arkeost, its lights have come on. This strange metropolis sparkles like a jewel in the gloom of dusk. In stark contrast to the desolation surrounding it, the city is a bustling center of activity, with dozens of winged insectoid aliens going about their business, flitting from one high doorway to another. The streets below seem almost like an afterthought, used only occasionally by small automated machines. Several overgrown flower beds and shaggy trees fill the spaces between the roads and hug the sides of the tall buildings. Though the structures still look sturdy, obvious patches of rust and other disrepair indicate that they haven’t been very well taken care of.
Most of the ghibrani citizens stop what they are doing and stare at the Starfinders as they walk with Klarima. In short order, a contingent of ghibranis wearing formal armor and carrying weapons that look like taclashes flutters down to confront the group.
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Klarima holds her hand up as the guards approach. She steps forward to defuse any potential conflict, explaining to the guards that the Starfinders are her guests.
After a few moments spent conferring with the guards, Klarima turns to you and says, “Good news! You are going to be allowed to speak to the Most Elevated!”
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Klarima shakes her head vigorously. "Oh yes! The Most Elevated are the city’s council of rulers, the wisest and most learned membrane ghibranis who work in harmony to ensure the safety and comfort of the city’s residents."
She gestures outside of the energy shield. "The Most Elevated, and in fact most membrane ghibranis, have little to do with the husk ghibranis that you met outside of the city." She begins to walk off as she follows the patrol. "This way. This way." She waves.
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With your newly acquired honor guard, Klarima leads you to the tallest, fanciest building in the center of the city. The guards flit their wings and fly toward an opening in the structure 40 feet off the ground. Klarima appears to be about to do the same, when she suddenly realizes that you probably don’t have the ability to fly. Using her datapad, she summons forth a table-sized hovering drone for each of the Starfinders.
These drones are clearly meant to only haul cargo and have no real safety measures for carrying living creatures. As Da'at steps onto her means of conveyance, its hoverjets momentarily give out and it nearly crashes to the ground, but it powers back on just in time. In the end, though, the robots slowly but surely raise you up to the height of the entrance way, where you can step inside.
The guards continue to usher you along, leading you to a large central chamber with vaulted ceilings. A large table occupies one end of the room, behind which sit five membrane ghibranis dressed in elaborate robes. They stand, bow to each one of the visitors, and beckon you to approach. "This is the Most Elevated Council. They can bestow the blessings of our language if you wish." They calmly point to a chair to have a seat.
Assuming you take the gift of their language they look at you with fascination and keen interest for what you have to share.
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Domaya clears her throat Greetings Most Honourable Elevated Council! We come in peace from beyond the stars. We here Domaya indicates the whole group Are members of the Starfinder Society which is an organization dedicated to traveling among the stars exploring and documenting worlds as well as making peaceful contact with all sentients.
Domaya points above and continues One of our earlier expeditions discovered your planet and was attacked in space when they attempted to scout. So we were dispatched to investigate. Above you, beyond your sky there was an ancient machine constructed to attack any approaching vessel. We disabled it and landed among your husk ghibranis.
Domaya pauses to make a short head nod like the ones they've been making towards Klarima and the Council before continuing
It was our good fortune that Klarima was there as well and escorted us to meet your august personages. We wish to establish peaceable relations between yourselves and all the peoples of the Pact Worlds which is an alliance of peace and prosperity between many different planets. Your technology is known to us and we could teach you how to use it more effectively as well as share our own. We are honoured and grateful for your kind and respectful reception of us and hope that such good relations can continue between us!