|
"Actually, now that you mention it, this is not the first time the Starfinder Society got right in the middle of a religious dispute and things worked out pretty well. It does feel like Datch might be trying to make some kind of point though. I suppose we should talk to them one at a time. What do you think, circles or triangles?"
You are able to discuss your next steps as you re-seal the supply cache and begin bringing it back to the Drake once that's secured, it isn't too hard for the six of you to pick up on the pair of trails left by each faction of the retreating fey. With Eslear's suggestion, you set out after the group that clad themselves in green.
It is not too long before you hear the sounds of branches cracking or being brushed aside as something appraoches you from the direction you're heading in. Stopping, you see another of these moth-like creatures flying towards you from the jungle. This figure is dressed in green-hued robes and has green paint on its forehead, but does not carry any weapons of Starfinder gear on it.
It stops and hovers fifteen feet from you with one limb extended out. In your heads you hear that same strange language, though Eselar and Bugface understand the gist of it to be a question to let it touch and cast something.
Taivi shakes with delight as Eselar accepts the casting, and accepts the kasatha's spell in return.
Greetings! it says, though it continues to think telepathically rather than speak verbally. You are not kiirinta, yet you bear the God's holy symbol. Are you emissaries sent because Nerii's blasphemies have incurred Its anger? Vixis warned that insulting Their gifts would bring ruin down!
We kiiinta have lived here for some time! Taivi replies, her thoughts coming at a rapid pace into your heads. Ever since we went through the gap in the first world to here. We live and grow and trade with tribes as the Builders hunt and us Reflectors plan and tap into our magic. But you six are all so different, and all but them so unalike she says, pointing towards Data and Lucky with two limbs. Did you come through a gap too? Or did the war God send you to us because the Builders have angered Them?
|
|
Great, they think we're gods. It's tempting to just go with it, but they're just going to be angrier when they do finally figure it out.
"Taivi, we need to be honest with you. That symbol does not belong to a god, but is a symbol of our tribe. We are known as the Starfinder Society and we are dedicated to learning about the universe and spreading knowledge. We are a very powerful tribe, with an understanding of magic, medicine and weaponry. A trouble maker stole some of our weapons and gave them to your people as a way to sow discord among you and to harm our reputation among the other tribes that live nearby."
Moxie will attempt to explain the Starfinder Society, space travel, the Pact Worlds, and Datch's plan to the kiinta leader as best as she can and in as much detail as required.
"We would be willing to show you some of technological secrets, but we do need to secure the weapons that Datch irresponsible gave you. We are willing to share our technology, including weapons technology but it should be done in a way that is responsible and doesn't make any ongoing conflicts worse."
After giving this some time to sink in, Moxie will ask, "Can you please tell us who Vixis is?"
|
"The real question is how long are those weapons even going to be good for? I'm assuming there isn't a generator to recharge 'em?"
Brock shrugs at Lucky. Softly, he replies, "Fair point. I didn't do an inventory of that crate, but it wouldn't do much to throw in some solar rechargers. There are upgrades that can go into armor and recharge batteries when you're walking - or flying - around. Even without rechargers, though, they could have enough batteries for them to cause plenty of trouble in a tribal war with each other ..."
He smirks faintly at the mention of "the war God" but listens quietly as Moxie interacts with them, offering the occasional helpful suggestion to aid along her explanation.
Taivi hovers and listens to Moxie and the others as you speak. It's face is hard to read, but from the jittery flaps of its wings as it vibrates in the air you can tell the fey seems a bit confused.
Yes, our tribe has also adopted the War God along our nature spirits. We bear Its symbol as well. The kiirinta reaches into the folds of its clothing and produces a crudely-carved wooden circled that has been whittled into the shape of a Starfinder insignia. And it has given us great power too! Though not all agree how to use Its power. The tribes have fractured more than in memory, but Vixis's wisdom will see us through.
Oh! Vixis! Taivi exclaims abruptly, as though realizing she had not forgotten to explain something simple until just now. Vixis is our leader. He is one of the most learned amongst all the Reflectors of our old tribe and all the others! He will want to see you: if you say you have come from above to stop the Builders from fighting us then you and him can consult and find the way!
The fey excitedly begins flying backwards into the jungle, turning around to see if you follow her.
Taivi leads you quite a ways through the jungle before eventually slowing as you near a small encampment. The minature settlement is filled with intricate huts made out of knotted vines and leaves, form which dozens of kiirinta emerge at your approach. Taivi mostly ignores them as she leads you directly through the settlement, but the other kiiritna gather around your party and stare at you as you walk, their antennae twitching as they seem to be busily thinking to one another.
From among the throng, a kiirinta with vibrant deep blue 'fur' steps forward and gestures to Taivi. Your guide stops abruptly and lands as the new fey approaches you. You, you are a peculiar sort aren't you. Not kiirinta, his thoughts echo in your head as he approaches you, the creature sidles up close to Brock and looks the dwarf over curiously, his own body just a few inches shorter than the corporate agent's though certainly interesting specimens...
I am Vixis. he thinks breaking eye contact with Brock. My apologies for Chiiri's shot at you: he did not understand you were new gifts from the War God. We should feast to your arrival! What do you consume?
|
|
"I believe we are all carbon based life forms, except for the androids of course. Any local vegetables or grains that you have should be safe. We're all pretty used to eating a variety of foods though and I would love to learn more about your local delicacies."
Moxie engages in some small talk, attempting to suss out what Vixis's motives may be.
|
|
In their own language, but not telepathically, Eselar addresses Vixis.
Greetings noble Vixis. Apologies accepted as we apologize for the harm we could have done to your brethren. If you allow me, I would like to share the gift of tongues so we all can understand what you are saying. Unfortunately not all of us share your language.
Eselar offers to cast Share Languages with Vixis.
It will be our honor to share a meal with you. As Moxie said, any local vegetables or grain will be more than sufficient.
He also tries to read the intentions of this Vixis.
Excellent! Vixis says as he graciously accepts the spell. The kiirnita turns to several of the nearby fey. Gather churok nuts and as many kari vines as you can. And take move all of the cows out of the village - our friend cannot stand their fluids!
Vixis turns back to you and gestures for you all to move to some nearby benches and sit. It will be a wonderful meal. We can fete your arrival: the gifts from the War God that will allow us to finally put a stop to Nerii's Builder's heresies so that the War God will not turn Their power down on us. You bear the God's gifts on you too: have your people known It for long? The God has only recently blessed our world with these powerful tools.
|
|
"Thank for the meal. We are very interested in your people and food is always a good way to get to know each other. Can you tell us a bit more about the nature of your conflict with the Builders? And how long have you been getting these tools?"
Moxie will also answer Vixis's uestions, explaining that the Starfinders are a powerful tribe from beyond the stars and that the "tools" were stolen from them by a malicious trickster named Datch, in order to cause chaos and to harm their reputation.
Vixis listens to Moxie as she talks while in the background you see kiirinta making preparations for a celebratory meal. The leader is intently focused on you, but appears puzzled by your 'basic' and 'obvious' questions about the current situation.
Our kiirinta tribe, and the others, have lived here on this world for generations since our ancestors came here through the gap. Our caste of 'Builders' focused on the physical pursuits of the people: hunting, battling, labor. While we Reflector caste focused on the purer mental pursuits, using strategy, science, and magic. All kiirinta choose their path as they grow into their fullness. Vixis' explanations continue that these two castes are considered equals in status, and tribal leaders can come from either caste, though his tone indicates he clearly is biased in towards the 'Reflectors.'
Our tribes fought from time to time, but those skirmishes were expected. But then the new God came and blessed us with Their gifts! Our nature spirits had never showered us with such amazing tools! But such weapons...it is clear this new God is a War God. To have such a Being turn Its gaze on us is a tremendous thing. But reckless Nerii convinced her Builder friends that the War God's gifts should be taken apart! The fool thinks that she can study and 'improve' on the gifts. But to tamper with them would be to spurn the War God's intentions! It gave us what it gave us, and if Nerii's foolish group is not stopped and have their new gifts taken from them they will draw the God's anger and retribution down on all of us! And we have already suffered just from our efforts to stop them.
Vixis gets increasingly agitated as he gets further into his speech until by the end he has lept off the bench and taken to the air. As the fey shakes with emotion and slowly descends back down, you can look around and see that there are several badly injured kiirinta around, as well as what seem like empty places at the tables being set up. This tribe has taken recent losses from the fighting at a level they don't appear used to.
Somewhat calmed down, Vixis then cocks his head as Moxie states that the 'tools' were stolen from your own 'tribe'. Datch? Is that the War God's name then? We have been debating whether the God is nameless or we are merely ignorant of its title.
|
|
He shakes his head. "No, Datch is no god. Datch is a deceiver, a trickster that relishes the suffering caused by war ... You say you've suffered ... what if we could arrange a peace? If we could convince you that the Builders will not incur the wrath of a war god, would you be willing to end the war, to end the suffering?"
|
|
"the guns aren't made by any God. They're actually made by other powerful tribes. Tribes whose main strength is their ability to amass a lot of wealth through manufacture and trade. These are not sacred gifts, but machines and we do take the apart and modify them all the time. The Builders don't know how these things work though, so they may be putting themselves at danger with their tinkering.".
While you continue to talk, Lucky casually glances and strolls around the settlement. Most of the weaponry is powered, and the android notes that Datch did not seem to have included any visible powering stations within the caches. The bad news is that not all of the gear involve ammo: in addition to armor she spies several piles of singing disks and pikes set aside. Worse, you catch glimpse of a pair of kiirinta attempting to use magic on an expended laser rifle. Thy seem to be trying to mystically renew its charge - though from their agitated movements it at least appears that spell still eludes them for now.
Vixis hears your description of Datch and your own tribe in silence. Eventually, he replies. That is certainly quite the tale. If true. But what you are talking about: is it the truth, or a test? The fey wriggles his antennae, then exclaims. We shall see, our ways. If you are who you claim to be, then a ritual testing will show it. Yes?
Nothing dangerous! Vixis raises four of its limbs up in a display to set you at ease. But what you say and claim is quite a lot to comprehend. We Reflectors have chosen our path to learn and understand: to see the truth in what you say, we should debate before all of our people.
Excellent! Vixis says, hovering up as Eselar speaks. He speaks mentally towards a few nearby kiirinta, who quickly get to work clearing a space in the village's central square and setting up a makeshift stage. Most of the settlement's fey begin to approach out of curiosity and chatter excitedly amongst themselves. You even see various stones and tools be handed off back and forth between a few of them: some seem to be betting on your expected performance.
As this is happening, one of Vixis' assistants comes towards all of you with several cups filled with a reddish liquid. Vixis picks one up and exclaims. But first, we must begin with a toast of akiist! He downs his cup, then looks expectantly at you to follow.
Lucky and Eselar cough as the liquid beigns to burn their throats, but steeling themselves to force it down reveals the aftertaste to be quite pleasant. Brock and Data feel more under the weather though - this stuff is strong even for dwarves and partial-organics.
Moxie's declination of the drink causes a minor stir amongst the kiirinta. Vixis is confused, but accepts the polite refusal and does not push the matter. You do see behind you several of the collected and watching fey passing tokens to a single delighted kiirinta at this turn of events.
Bugface downs the liqueur with a single swig. Frankly they aren't sure what all the fuss is about, or why so many of their party is making those odd faces. Around you, the assembled kiirinta give a cheer of acknowledgement (though some seem to be chittering at Brock and Data's woozy expressions).
Vixis sets his cup down and motions for you to do the same. He flies back to where a platform has finally been finished being assembled, and motions for you all to join him. So, you say that you are not gods, nor the one who sent these gifts, but merely another tribe from another world. But is that not a description one could give to Gods?
|
|
With his skin colored a slight shade of green against its normal dark hues, Brock isn't entirely up to speed for a lively debate, but attempts his best nonetheless. "Perhaps, but that's not sufficient to call one a god. I certainly do not question that the gods exist, though this Datch - who I have met, in fact, in person - is not such a being. She is flesh and blood. Just as you, too, come from another place, generations ago, but you are not gods ... though you have powers of flight and speaking in minds that I do not have."
"There may be beings from other worlds that are not unlike gods, but no matter how powerful they are, you are not under an obligation to obey them, until you understand and agree with their intentions. You say that these weapons that have been left here for you, they have caused suffering among your people. Does a being whose gifts cause such suffering deserve your worship? If a god would lead you into torment, then look for better gods, my friend."