Zzvkgrogk stands, his head turned slightly upward his arms outstretched addressing the air.
His eyes dart back and forth frenetically and he gasps.
What!? Shutup!"
He looks down at his pistol.
Turning it around won't work, my thumb isn't gonna reach...
He tries to pistol whip himself.
"OW!" His nose starts to bleed.
6 first, 5 Second, 4 Third, 2 Fourth
(1st)
(1st) True Strike
(1st)
(1st) Longshot
(1st) Longshot
(1st) Adhesive Spittle
(2nd)
(2nd) Lesser Restoration
(2nd) Resist Energy
(2nd) See Invisibility
(2nd) Owls Wisdom
(3rd) Animal Aspect. Greater
(3rd) Heroism
(3rd) Haste
(3rd) Fly
{4th) Air Walk
(4th)
Can use craft (alchemy) to identify potions as if using Detect Magic
Inspirational Pool: (Feat Amateur Investigator): 4
Hits: 47/53
AC Current: 25n/17/19
AC: 19 / 15 / 15 (Normal/Touch/Flatfooted)
Wand of Cure Light Wounds: 21/50
Radiation Detector (3/10 charges)
Laser Pistol (Charges): 2/10
Arc Pistol (Charges}: 7/10
Batteries Charged): 7/20
Empty Battieries: 13/20
Zzvkgrogk Special (Alchemical Ordinance): 12/13
Hero: 2/3
Rūha's certainly worried about the Hyrsek and Zzvkgrogk are babbling and behaving erratically, but she doesn't have any means to stop it, so she rushes eastward after the retreating sphere of darkness. If Paagjat gets away, Rūha suspects the creature will be back to exact vengeance sooner or later.
”Yambul! That could have waited!” Rhoreen groans as Yambul destroys her beautiful ice sculpture. ”We should be chasing the darkness.”
As she can presumably see Paagjat(with Darkvision), she will cast a Maximized Scorching Ray at the foe.
touch to hit;
fire damage
touch to hit;
fire damage
touch to hit;
fire damage
AC = 18
HP = 70/70
Weapon Equipped = Einior
Condition(s) = Longstrider, Sickened 8r, Quarry on Maukui
Panic explodes behind Khalia's eyes, as first she watches Maukui become encased in ice, then disappears from sight. Granted, everything disappears from sight, but losing sight of her quarry instantly engages her hunter's frustration.
The Hive entrance next to her and to the west, the android sets off east, albeit slowly for loss of sight.
Khalia fires at Rūha, startled to find someone so close nearby, and so obviously un-shadowed.
Things break into chaos, Yambul breaks the intellect devourer's ice statue with his saw, while Rūha pursues the shadows.
Rhoreen touches the kyton with fire, burning it badly though a display hard to see for most.
Hyrsek finds temporarily his wits and changes again from rapier to bow "It is still there, in the shadows!"
The shadows finally disperse, leaving the nude kyton as a target, the creature keeps running to the east looking to flee away from you.
He reaches 100' away from Rūha and 240' from everyone else.
Weapon Equipped = Chainsaw (60m)
Conditions = Barkskin (+4, 100m), Heroism (+2, 220m), Life Bubble (120m+), Sickened (7r)
Chainsaw: Att: 11/6/1 BAB +6 Str +1 magic (-3 PA) Dam: +9 Str +1 magic (+9 PA) Crit: 15-20x2 DR: adamantine, magic Charges: 3/10
Falchion: Att: 11/6/1 BAB +6 Str +1 MW (-3 PA) Dam: +9 Str (+9 PA) Crit: 18-20x2 DR: adamantine
Long bow: Att: 11/6/1 BAB +2 Dex +1 Magic Dam: +6 Str +1 Magic Crit: 20x3 DR: cold iron/silver
Chef’s knife: Att: 11/6/1 BAB +1 magic +6 Str / +2 Dex (-3 PA) Dam: +6 Str (+6 PA) +1 magic Crit: 19-20x2 DR: magic Rng: 10’
Studied: (Hyrsek, Paajgat, Maukui) (mv|sw|im; +3 att, dam, bluff, disguise, intimidate, knowledge, perception, sense motive, stealth, survival)
Improved Iron Will (1/1d, reroll will save)
Spells: (1/1d, Magic Missile, cl 3) (1/1d, Prestidigitation, cl1) (1/1d, Shield, cl10)
Veggies: Apple (+4 radiation 24h) x2, Carrot (+4 perception 24h), Mushroom (+4 stealth 1h), Peppers (+2 init/reflex open alien doors 1h) x2
- - -
Yambul drops his chainsaw now that the brain is dead. He draws his bow and fires a single arcing shot at range!
(hero, studied, sickened, range)
(studied)
AC = 18
HP = 70/70
Weapon Equipped = Einior
Condition(s) = Longstrider, Sickened 7r
"Apologies, Roo! That was not what I intended." With the confusion dissipating from her mind, Khalia applies her martial skill to plaguing the kyton from a distance. A great distance.
edit:
The very last arrow feels desperate. A kyton loose in the Scar of the Spider? No, no, no...
Finally snapping out of his confused stupor, Zzvkgrogk quaffs an extract of Fly (fuchsia flavored) and flies to catch up with Rhoreen leaving behind a trail of blood from his nose.
”I don’t suppose you have a Dimension Door, Calliope – to get us closer?” he waves his laser pistol purposefully in the air.
6 first, 5 Second, 4 Third, 2 Fourth
(1st)
(1st) True Strike
(1st)
(1st) Longshot
(1st) Longshot
(1st) Adhesive Spittle
(2nd)
(2nd) Lesser Restoration
(2nd) Resist Energy
(2nd) See Invisibility
(2nd) Owls Wisdom
(3rd) Animal Aspect. Greater
(3rd) Heroism
(3rd) Haste
(3rd)
{4th) Air Walk
(4th)
Can use craft (alchemy) to identify potions as if using Detect Magic
Inspirational Pool: (Feat Amateur Investigator): 4
Hits: 47/53
AC Current: 25n/17/19
AC: 19 / 15 / 15 (Normal/Touch/Flatfooted)
Wand of Cure Light Wounds: 21/50
Radiation Detector (3/10 charges)
Laser Pistol (Charges): 2/10
Arc Pistol (Charges}: 7/10
Batteries Charged): 7/20
Empty Battieries: 13/20
Zzvkgrogk Special (Alchemical Ordinance): 12/13
Hero: 2/3
Ruha focuses for a moment to draw upon her connection to the future, then springs after Paagjat with a surge of speed. She aims her remaining free hand at the kyton as she runs, closing one eye. Once she's exactly close enough she fires off three fiery beams from a memory of a laser pistol.
If it still lives, Rhoreen will double move flying (running, if possible) after the fleeing creature. She is faster than it is, while flying, and should overtake it soon enough for more fiery magics.
Without the protection of the shadows, the group makes a pincushion out of the kyton. It collapses to the ground on its run.
The corpse chains are magical, and make for a chainmail and an unholy +1 spiked chain.
The corpse of the dragon has no items.
Rūha jogs to a stop. "With that I hope the Dominion will think again before sending more." She turns back to the others and sees that most people are out of their confusion and barely injured "All alright? If so we should get back to getting those bodies out of here, before some enterprising creature of the Scar comes by to investigate."
Khalia returns to the bodies of her brother and herself, doing her best to help carry them from the Hive. "We're leaving the Scar, but for what destination? We shouldn't immediately head towards Silver Mount, and I would seek a means of keeping these bodies from decaying."
"I thought we were burying them here? No need to keep them from decaying, and certainly the Silver Mount can wait some little while yet. There is a bit of valley to search, and we should resupply before charging off." From his face, he's rather hopeful of the last bit, there being some purchases he'd make if the party could see their way to stopping in civilization for a time.
Still, he gets to work burying the bodies, if that's still the plan.
"I'm not versed in the magical arts of returning people from the dead. If our decaying corpses are enough, I would see Revion restored to life, and myself returned to my original body."
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"We shouldn't be dragging them around quite that far... at the least not the kasatha." She looks up to the northern ridge of the Scar "A burial along that ridge would allow their spirits to sense the touch of the sunset. At least, that's the way the old stories went."
"As for Revion and Khalia, we will need someone with powerful magic for that. Would Dinvaya maybe know how?"
"Oh sure, I'd be glad to help you get back into your own body. Not sure how that would work exactly, but you went one way, you should be able to go back."
"I'm no spell chucker though, so I dunno how we keep 'em fresh."
"Let's get these other folk buried, and get you going just as quick as we can."
Rhoreen is dizzied about the talk about burying the dead, and will do her part to make the excavations a success by keeping a good and thorough watch on the proceedings from high above so that none might assault the work.
”Hyrsek? Weren’t you hunting Therace? I don’t recall that we have found them, and I feel that we should discuss if we can aid you further. You have helped us, we should help you,” Rhoreen asks when she has a chance. ”What are your plans?”
Know (Arcana)
Know (Religion)
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Zzvkgrogk checks the Kyton's remains carefully for intellect devourer entrance and exit wounds.
"I could have sworn they were dating..."
”As for Revion and Khalia, we will need someone with powerful magic for that. Would Dinvaya maybe know how?"
”Oh, no. Sadly I do not think ClockMother Dinvaya has that kind of power … yet. One must be worthy in Brigh’s eyes.” I am not. He lowers his head for some reason. He then looks up brightly. "Surely though she will get there some day."
He does his best to help the others carry and bury. ”Do we need a refresh, or shall we head out to find this Therace and on then to Silver Mount?” A thought occurs to him.
”Heey, Hyrsek, have you ever told us why there is a bounty on this Therace’s head? Promise not to judge, just wondering what might motivate him to head in any given direction. Can you tell us who in Starfall is interested in finding him?”
Rhoreen examines the bodies and reaches the conclusion the bodies are under some type of stasis magic that prevents them from decaying. She concludes Paajgat was able to cast gentle repose and that's the way she preserved the bodies for so long.
She is just so smart that she notices that was a valuable power for Maukui, for it gave him the ability to preserve the powerful body of the dragon for as long as he wanted. That explains why the Intellect Devourer did request for the group to kill everyone but the kyton.
She determines the bodies will be well preserved for a week before they need another gentle repose.
Hyrsek smirks "Well, Rhoreen, I'm glad my relentless heroics have finally caught your eye" he says with a wry tone "Once we find Therrace, I plan to head back to Starfall. If you want to buy something, Yambul, it's the place to be. Anything you desire, you'll find it there" his gaze flickers briefly to Khalia, softening just slightly "Besides, good company always makes the road shorter"
The ridge pointed by Rūha is nearby, and though a non trivial climb, you can certainly be there before the sunset.
Rhoreen finishes her absolutely genius explanation, and solution, for the bodies but doesn’t wait for any applause from her adoring fans. She moves to respond to Hyrsek.
”Yes, but how can we help you with that? Seems like we’ve been all over these lands. Did you wish to search further? What are your plans?”
"Oh, yes, there are some cliffs still to explore to the north of the valley. I was planning to do that after you bury your four-armed friends" offers Hyrsek leaving Zzvkgrogk's questions hanging in the air.
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"OK, burial first then, tomorrow, Rhoreen, why don't you and Khalia head to the largest city you can teleport to. See what can be done to put her back where she belongs. I could come with if you like to carry stuff. We'll need to sell some things to make it happen I'm sure."
"Then we'll come back here, and fulfill our commitment to Hyrsek here. I must admit, he's been a help. And it's only fair we help back." he nods to the man.
"Then we can head to Starfall. Resupply whatever we didn't already get while helping Khalia. It's pretty near Silver Mount. On our way really."
"What do you all say, will that work?"
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...offers Hyrsek leaving Zzvkgrogk's questions hanging in the air.
Zzvkgrogk folds his arms and dons a contemplative aspect. Oh? Feigning deafness? … Pretty sure he heard me… Zzvkgrogk snorts at the non-response, and a blood clot flies out of his nose. It’s gonna be a long trip.
”I must admit, he's been a help. And it's only fair we help back.”
It has been a symbiotic relationship so far, at best. He would not have gotten past where we met him were it not for us. Zzvkgrogk grunts in accord with Yambul’s travelling plan. He waits for others to weigh-in.
"Oh yes, of course. Burial first." Khalia gives Hyrsek a considering glance. "If you still want us to support your search for Therace, I won't object. I thought we only had one objective, entering the Scar, and we emerged with one complete, and two newly discovered."
"You make it sound very actionable, Yambul. We're becoming more powerful about our ability to move great distances, I only worry that our elven bodies are more burden than boon."
Rūha agrees with Yambul's plan "We've certainly collected some bits and pieces that would be good to sell off. And we do owe Hyrsek at this point. Sounds like a plan." She begins the climb up the ridge, made more difficult by trying to bring a body along.
The group ascends the ridge, the climb slow and somber as the Kasatha bodies takes its weight on every step. The sun dips low, casting the valley below in hues of gold and crimson. A gentle breeze carries the dry, dusty air of the Scar, mingling with the faint scent of ancient stone.
Rūha leads the effort of clearing a resting place for her fallen kin. She works with quiet respect, her gaze lingering on the horizon as the light fades off.
By when the group finishes to bury the bodies, the sun kisses the edge of the world, painting the sky in streaks of fiery orange and soft lavender. The graves, marked by simple stones, stand as silent sentinels against the encroaching twilight. The solemn moment is crowned by the last rays of the day, leaving the ridge bathed in a gentle, silvery glow.
The stars begin to shimmer above, distant and eternal like coming to pay respects to the people of far away.
Once again you have the feeling someone is observing you. This time you are quick enough to turn and find a high figure looking at you from behind the nearby rocks.
Khalia's attention passes gently between the resting bodies of Lassi Súrinen and noble Rūha. "Numeria has demonstrated time and again that your people are alive and well. Well... well enough, I suppose. It's hard to be well in such harsh territories. I grieve for them, what they suffered."
"600 years is considered a full life for us. To leave the world healthier in its nature, that is enough. I would imagine it's little different for your kasathan brethren. Would you speak over their graves, share your thoughts?"
Zzvkgrogk looks up and inhales deeply, touched by the presence of nature and her glorious displays upon their humble graveyard.
”Would it be weird to rest here?”
Rūha nods and recites ancient well wishes for their spirits, blessings she'd only read about in an infosphere article and never heard herself in real life. As a result, her words and pronunciation are both uncertain, but she hopes that the meaning will still make its way across. Back in common, she just says "They were kidnapped from their home, kept by the Androffans, and then slain by the Dominion and their bodies not even given the dignity of rest. They had lifetimes of misery thrust upon them. But hopefully the afterlife will be kinder."
Feeling watched, Rūha turns and spots the figure among the rocks nearby. With the group's most dangerous enemies in the Scar recently slain, she feels emboldened to beckon to the figure, encouraging them to come into the open.
"OK, burial first then, tomorrow, Rhoreen, why don't you and Khalia head to the largest city you can teleport to. See what can be done to put her back where she belongs. I could come with if you like to carry stuff. We'll need to sell some things to make it happen I'm sure."
"What do you all say, will that work?"
Rhoreen nods, happy to do this. "I cannot do this today, but tomorrow, I can make one trip to and one trip back. There might be complications with getting to Starfall, but the return trip won't be a problem. In any case, I do make plans to do so tomorrow. Who is coming with me?"
* * *
Rhoreen flies upward, trying to keep watch while others are climbing and carrying burdens.
Perception
Yambul is tired from the hauling and digging. Still, he stands respectfully when Rüha says a few words.
He agrees with Zzvkgrogk, "Yeah, this is a fine place to rest for the night." However, when Rüha beckons to an unseen foe, he rolls to the balls of his feet - ready for action.
ZZvkgrogk shrugs, waiting to see what Rūha spotted.
"No, head for Hajoth Hakados -- we know we can get what we need there. Let's not make an appearance in Starfall untill we have nabbed Therace and we're all together."
Khalia takes post for the rest of the evening, once she powers down for a little, allowing both nature and nanite to regain her magical weaves. She watches over the others for their window of sleep, counting through her ammunition, and wondering what other resources are needed once they return to civilization. Something as simple as an extradimensional space for them to store all of their bounties and bodies, that alone makes it worth it to the android to strike out and discover new markets.
She's snapped out of her ruminations once the kasatha beckons to something unseen.
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When Rūha approaches the figure, this time does not run away. A four-armed masked humanoid steps forward out of cover. Her expression is a mixture of surprise and respect and she speaks at you in Androffan "I ought to thank you for what you have done for the liberation of my companions"
"My apologies for having stalked you all this time, but seeing all your advanced weaponry I was unsure if you were some allies of the Dominion or Binox" with an awkward gesture of her two lower arms you try to understand as respect, she adds, looking straight at Rūha's eyes "My name is Isuma, and I am from a distant world. This land is strange to me, as I must be strange to the people that prowls it, but it looks like I might not be as strange to you. Looks good that we can talk. I need allies. I need companions..."
Rūha looks the kasatha up and down for a moment. A flicker of sadness passes across her face before she smiles with her eyes. She responds similarly in Androffan "A fair assumption, all things considered. Glad to meet you Isuma. This land is hostile in many places, but not everywhere and among all people. If you oppose the Dominion then you're among friends here." She gestures for Isuma to take a seat "I'm glad to see one of my distant kin still alive and well. Those we buried were victims of the Dominion, and even before that I saw skeletons of kasatha buried in faked desert sands in one of the habitat modules. I'd started to think this whole trip was going to be full of sad reminders."
"We are about to have dinner. While they eat, would you be willing to tell us your story?"
Rhoreen moves to support Ruha, should there be any trouble, and is willing to accept her friends welcome as one of her own. She has deep respect for the 4-armed humanoids, and trusts Ruha in this matter.
”Yes, you are welcome here. Please tell us more.”
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After some short presentations, you gather around the campfire which Isuma is happy to join. Her expression is somber yet composed "I once was a traveler among the stars, a guest aboard the great vessel called Divinity. I come from Kasatha, a world far from this one, where my people lived as nomads in harmony with the winds and sands of our home. When they arrived to our planed, we believed Divinity offered an opportunity for enlightenment, a bridge between our world and that of the Androffans. I volunteered with others to join their journey as an ambassador, to learn their technology and bring that knowledge back to my people. It was meant to be a grand alliance"
Her voice falters for a moment, and she clenches her hands tightly before continuing "But Divinity was assaulted by forces beyond our comprehension. The Dominion of the Black. They tore through the ship, leaving devastation in their wake. I saw my kin die or worse, taken for unthinkable experiments. Even aboard Divinity, I learned of other kasathas, abducted from their tribes and treated as specimens for study. When the ship fell from the skies, I and my surviving allies sought refuge in escape pods. We hoped they would carry us home, but instead... they brought us here, where we slept for untold ages"
She pauses, her eyes distant "When I awoke, it was not to my home or freedom, but to the same Dominion that destroyed Divinity. They sought to use me as they had used my kin. But I fought back. I escaped their hive, though I carry the scars of what they did to me, both within and without. The others... they did not escape. Their bodies served the Dominion, desecrated and controlled by their intellect devourers. I thank you for the peace you have brought to their souls"
Her gaze hardens, and she gestures toward the surrounding landscape "This land of yours is dangerous, but I know some of its perils. The caves nearby are overrun with machines. Guardians of an ancient army, perhaps. The Dominion hive, a place of living flesh and nightmare logic. To the lake over there, the ruins of their organic ship still smolder with their corruption. There is also a cave of strange, winged creatures who may have weapons we could use, though they are hostile to all who approach"
Finally, her eyes meet yours, her voice tinged with both hope and determination "If you truly stand against the Dominion, I will fight beside you. Help me avenge my kin and destroy the Dominion's hold on this place. Together, we can ensure no one else suffers as we have"
Yambul shrugs and glances at Hyrsek. "We seem to be the helpful folk in this part of the world. I have nothing against your joining us," he looks to the others, "...if everyone agrees."
"Either way, I am sorry to hear your story. That's a rough life that is. We're going to resupply for a day or two, and help Hyrsek here with a little project. Then we can check out your leads."
He looks to the group for agreement.
Rūha listens with sadness to the tale "I'd concluded as much from what we saw. The crew of the Divinity were no selfless angels, and the Dominion was and is even worse. If you managed to escape, there may be others." She pauses "Though we share an ancestry, I did not arrive here via the Divinity, but by means just as strange, if not stranger. I hope in time you'll share some stories of Kasath as you knew it. It was..." She reconsiders her words "I never saw it myself, and the tales I heard were not first hand accounts."
"As for your assistance, we'd be glad to have it. We already cleared out much of the Dominion from the Scar. Both their hive and the ruins of their ship should now be safe - or safer at least. But as Yambul says, we have some other obligations, and maybe we will find other kasathan survivors in the process."
She agrees with Yambul's suggestion.
Isuma's eyes widen in surprise "The Hive... destroyed? And the vessel as well? That is unexpected news... though I cannot help but feel relieved. If what you say is true, you have struck a mighty blow against the Dominion's grip here"
She pauses, then nods in acknowledgment of Yambul's words "I understand. With my companions buried and the Dominion defeated, it is then time for me to move on. Maybe try to find a way back to my planet or... make a life of this one out of this dangerous valley. Whatever path you choose, I will follow. You have already accomplished much more than I could have hoped"
As the group sets up camp, Isuma maintains a reserved demeanor, though her gaze occasionally lingers on Rūha, as if gauging her. After a time, as the fire crackles and conversations ebb and flow, she finally speaks up "So, Rūha, is it true you didn't grow up beneath the twin moons of Kasath?"
She continues, sharing a glimpse of her own world "Kasath is... unlike this place. Imagine endless deserts stretching as far as the eye can see, their sands shimmering in hues of silver and gold. We wandered with the winds, following the flow of the sands. What about you, Rūha? Does your people not sandboard down the dunes in your planet?"
Rhoreen listens, letting Ruha do the vetting while she enjoys being smart and brilliant. "That is quite the tale, Isuma. It's a wonder you've survived. But maybe like Ruha, you are strong and a survivor."
When the tales are done and the decisions mostly made, Rhoreen will confirm what she thinks is happening.
"I think tomorrow I'm taking Yambul and the equipment to town to sell, and we'll be back as soon as we can, probably after a day," Rhoreen says. "We still have room for one more if one of you wants to come. And do tell us if you need any particular equipment. And then when we're back, we aid Hyrsek, and maybe explore some of the areas Isuma mentioned. Does that sound keen?"
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Rūha looks a little uncomfortable "I'm not sure you'll have much chance of getting back to Kasath. From what we've learned, the ship you traveled in crossed vast distances in space, and here on Golarion such things are still little more than a dream. That doesn't mean it's impossible, but it'll rely on finding some Androffan technology that is still functional enough."
She is silent for a while after Isuma asks her question, evaluating the best way to answer. She finally says "As for me... I grew up very far from both here and Kasath. A world of sorts known as the Idari, which had it's own beautiful sands and oases and forests and cities. Not a place I can easily return to either. Nor to other places I called home." Her eyes distant, she leaves her comments there and chooses not to further elaborate.
Later when Rhor brings up the upcoming plans she says "I'm fine staying here Rhor. We'll keep an eye on the valley in case there are any surprises now that the Dominion has been dealt a blow."
Khalia is more than happy for a second kasatha to join the resistance against the Dominion of the Black. She only enjoys Isuma's tale for the knowledge it provides. That there is yet another victim of the Dominion, here in the Scar, the android recommits herself to her Hunt.
"I'm good either way, Rhoreen. If we only need to secure magics to preserve our bodies, it might be better that we're not dragging them around market places in the search."
Khalia hears something interesting in Rūha's response to Isuma, and does her best to mark it for a later discussion. She's never heard of the Idari, and wonders what it must be like.
When it's resolved that they're ready to tackle more Scar to support Hyrsek, Khalia follows towards the northern cliffs. Should it also take them past the caves of the winged creatures, so much the better.
"I suppose none of us can truly return to what we were" Isuma murmurs softly, her voice carrying a trace of wistfulness "Still, the Idari sounds like a place of beauty. It is strange... even in the vastness of the stars, we all seem to be searching for something, don't we?" she smiles faintly, though her eyes remain distant for a moment.
The next day you wake up particularly refreshed. At the edge of the valley, Longdreamer has veiled for your night sleep, her large figure looming over you as you stand up at the morning.
There are some preparations done, some people do magical travel and nothing out of the ordinary happens at Hajoth Hakados.
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Zzvkgrogk serves apple and warm spice tea, happy to be resting near the burial site.
He listens attentively while the Kasatha share their stories. ... Getting on board a starship… traveling on it through the stars… sounds like Rūha might have fallen through The Rift… sandboarding!!! It’s good to be out and about.
"I think tomorrow I'm taking Yambul and the equipment to town to sell, and we'll be back as soon as we can, probably after a day," Rhoreen says. "We still have room for one more if one of you wants to come. And do tell us if you need any particular equipment. And then when we're back, we aid Hyrsek, and maybe explore some of the areas Isuma mentioned. Does that sound keen?"
Zzvkgrogk pulls out his list, the list that started out as a couple of items in tiny and cramped but very neat handwriting. It unravels into a four page document. After Kahlia and Rūha declare their positions on travel, Zzvkgrogk rolls up his list and tucks it back into his pocket. ”Oy, then. I best go with you, Calliope and Yambul.”
The next morning.
~~~~
Zzvkgrogk gently sits up from his bedroll and stretches. ”Oh, hi Longdreamer! Thank you for your vigilance and rejuvenating powers!!”
He dons this armors and other equipment then proposes,”So, it sounds like we’re off to explore the Northern Cliffs – but first – as Isuma was saying – the nearby caves of robot soldiers -- of which we already obliterated. It’s where I found this –” he holds up the forearm clad in the tungsten valve. ” And I remember a portal in the hive that definitely made my head hurt, so we covered the hive too. The organic ship – we also took care of, so that leaves the caves of strange, winged creatures – if it is on the way. Who couldn't use more weapons?”
Rūha waves appreciatively to Longdreamer and settles in for a day on watch as Zzvkgrogk, Rhor and Yambul head to a place where they can make some purchases and sales. The following day she considers the group's remaining targets in the Scar and says "Yes, the cliffs to the northern end of the valley seem our last destination. Strange winged creatures suggests we'll need ways to attack from a distance, though based on how quickly we took down Maukui, that doesn't seem to be a problem."
Rhoreen enjoys her visit to Hajoth Hakados, even if Yambul is the only one with her. She will help sell the items that can be sold, and purchase from the lists provided by others. And then, after a full and complete supper, she will return the party in the morning. No need to avoid sleeping in a nice bed when only rocks await her in the future.
* * *
”I assume things went well with Isuma over the night?” Rhoreen asks as she returns in the morning, well rested, well fed, and feeling even more brilliantly smug than ever. ”You say we’re heading for the Northern Cliffs? Let’s do that.”
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Longdreamer! Wow!
Yambul makes a silent prayer of thanks, then hears Zzvkgrogk’s vocal one and smiles.
Yambul hoists and hefts and carries. In town he goes around and sells with Zzvkgrogk, hooking up with Rhoreen later (assuming she’s researching what we need to raise a body and transfer a body - no?).
Yambul, while in town, picks up whatever folks requested as well as a few things for himself.
Circlet of Persuasion (4,500gp)
Belt of Incredible Dexterity +2 (4k)
Potion of lesser restoration (300gp) x2
He also pays back Rhoreen the 2,000gp he borrowed earlier.
Then he looks for someone to install the skill slot in his head. Strange as that sounds… ”Hey Zzvkgrogk, is this where Rüha had it done? Do you remember where?”
Cythurl, the Skymetal Alchemist ally of Lady Altouna you met a while back installs the skill slot on Yambul's head during his stay in Hajoth Hakados. It is a simple operation done in an hour. Yambul feels it weird at first but soon he is able to get a knack on his new skill.
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You say farewells to Longdreamer who promises to come back next night to veil for your dreams. The group walks towards the northern cliffs until you find the cave you have been pointed out as having seen some alien activity.
The rocky wall of the valley rises abruptly, swaths of green mold clinging to the broken surfaces. A few mold-encrusted trees and tangles of brambly undergrowth decorate the region—one particularly large patch nearly obscures a single cave entrance at the cliff base.
You examine the vegetation and determine it is not mere plants, but these brambly undergrowth by the cave entrance are in fact a few shambling mounds!