Zzvkgrogk grunts in acknowledgement and wanders carefully in the air over the canister.
If he thinks it is safe he will open it.
As Zzvkgrogk carefully manipulates the dark metal cylinder, the seals disengage with a faint hiss. A sudden rush of stale, artificial air spills out, carrying with it the sterile, metallic scent of preservation fluids long since drained away.
Then, the chamber is filled with an ear-piercing, metallic scream. A wretched, distorted wail that reverberates through the stone walls and sends an involuntary shudder through your bodies. The sound is raw and grating, like steel being torn apart, and it lasts for agonizing seconds; then it chokes into a ragged gasp before finally subsiding.
A voice crackles to life from within the canister. Hoarse, mechanical, and edged with barely contained madness "Where... where am I? This isn't... Starfall. No, no... It's the caves. The mi-go's nest. I remember... experiments, questions. They-" The voice halts, as if struggling to grasp its own fragmented consciousness. Then, with a slow realization, it mutters, "But... you are not one of them... who are you damn?"
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"Therace, I presume?" Khalia enjoys the space between her and the disembodied voice.
"You may hear my voice, through the vocal chords of an android, but try and remember me, your elven companion Khalia. We've also retrieved my brother Revion. At least his body. We appear too late to save you from the mi-go. You are no longer intact. You have lost your body, but have you lost your mind, as well?"
Zzvkgrogk first wrinkles his nose at the escaping air, then flattens his ears to dampen the grating wail.
”Oh, whoever this is – I think they are well aware of their current situation.”
He looks about at his companions. ”On a hunch I am thinking – now that this canister is open it’s contents are not long for this world.”
He addresses the canister. ”Er, do you remember who you are? How did you come to this? Why did you come to this cave? Were you looking for something or someone in particular?”
Khalia and Zzvkgrogk's questions are the same as her own, so Ruha stays quiet to let the disembodied voice speak. Though it seems likely from the mention of Starfall that this might be the Technic League member Hyrsek was looking for, she can't help but feel the agonizing tragedy of his situation. Tortured, experimented on, and now left in this state... it was too much for anyone to bear.
"I am sorry we were not here earlier."
Rhoreen keeps quiet at Khalia tries to communicate with the screamer. She waits to see if a connection can be made.
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Yambul isn't sure what to make of all this. He wonders how consciousness can be captured in a cylinder. "This is so strange... do you feel pain? What do you feel?" he can't help but ask.
With a slow realization, the voice mutters, "They took my body... Damn them. Those... things" the voice steadies, though an undercurrent of desperation lingers "You. Whoever you are. I am Therace Holiyard, lieutenant of the Technic League. And if you get me out of here, I can make you rich beyond your wildest dreams"
His words are fast, eager, as if clinging to some remnant of control. But behind the bravado, you sense it, he's barely holding on to his sanity. That said, you believe his promise comes sincere, though you are not sure to what extend he can make it true or might be willing to do it once he is free of this situation.
Therace's voice echoes again, imbued with an urgent tone "Khalia... hum approach, so I may see your face" the voice waits then adds "I remember you well from Starfall. You said you were on the hunt for those accursed aliens. I guided you at the Spider of the Scar. You were chosen not by mere chance but by fate, to extract one of the hive minds for my own personal study and to recover advanced technology essential to my lead into power on the League's ranks."
Then, he repeats "Free me from this torment, and I promise wealth beyond your wildest dreams; together, with the Dominion's knowledge, we can become more powerful than anyone else in this planet"
The man’s remaining gear has been gathered into a sticky netting of fungus and lies in a compact heap behind the pillar on which the brain canister sits. This gear consists of a ring of protection +2, a +2 laser pistol, a wand of f ly (13 charges), a wand of technomancyTG (40 charges), a red access card, and his spellbooks (these books contain spells up to 4th level).
Sense Motive
Perception
Rhoreen crosses her arms, wanting to kill this Technic jerk...or, better yet, leave him here for all eternity sealed inside and screaming.
Khalia reluctantly steps forward, a mixture of dread and curiosity. A brain... without eyes? And yet he sees...
As close as she is, the android reaches below the cylinder, and pulls from its hiding place the items belonging to Therace. She looks the items over, most of them magical, and hands them directly to Rhoreen. Only then does she turn to Hyrsek.
"Well. We've found Therace. And the items he was carrying at the time, I surmise. What now?"
Ruha looks to Hyrsek as well. She doesn't want to immediately refuse the Technic-Leaguer's request in case that leads to a rapid degradation of what little sanity he has left. Still, she has no interest in the desperate promises of this fellow either. He was clearly no saint in life based on his choice of association and his openly-admitted goal regarding the Scar of the Spider. But his current state is a horror that no one deserves...
Her brow furrows as she considers.
"Where is Hyrsek? Shouldn't he decide what we do here?" Rhoreen looks around for the preening peacock. Such smugness is so unbecoming. So glad I'm so much better than to do that.
While she waits, she will cast Detect Magic] and identify the magics.
(heroism)
”Well, we’re not allies of the Technic League, but we don’t abide suffering and torture either. For the sake of argument, how would we release you?”
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Therace lets out a dry, static-laced chuckle, the sound warped by the unnatural medium that holds his consciousness "Wealth beyond your wildest dreams, I said. Is that not enough?"
Hyrsek approaches the discussion, he folds his arms, tilting his head slightly as if considering "Too vague," he states, his voice carrying an almost casual sharpness "And vague promises don't fill purses. You want our help? Then let's talk specifics: twenty thousand gold for bringing you to Starfall, and whatever gear is lying around here" he gestures subtly toward the items Khalia uncovered, his eyes gleaming with calculated amusement "I assume these were yours, but let's be honest, you're in no condition to make use of them anymore"
For a moment, silence. Then, another crackling laugh from the brain in the cylinder "Hah. Clever. You remind me of myself... before all this" a pause "Fine. You will have your payment, though it is no small sum. But wealth is meaningless without a body to enjoy it. If this is the price of getting out of this damped place, so be it"
Hyrsek flashes a satisfied smirk before turning away, walking past Khalia just close enough to whisper as he winks, "A nice little sum for our efforts, wouldn't you say? The bounty, the gear, and the glory, mine, as we agreed, of course. But twenty thousand? Not bad for a little detour you made" he straightens, voice returning to its usual easy charm "Now, of course, there's just the small matter of collecting our reward in Starfall. But that's a journey worth taking, wouldn't you agree?"
The game is set. Now all that remains is whether the party is willing to play.
Whatever the decision, the mi-go caves are clear, and the mission at the Scar of the Spider valley completed. Perfectly able to leave the place, you feel your dire experience saving Golarion from the unknown alien menace has strengthened you beyond your expectations when your little adventure begun back in Torch.
Ruha definitely doesn't like where this is leading - or rather where Hyrsek led it. However she resolves to discuss with the party after they're free of the bounty hunter. In the mean time she leads the way out of the caverns, keeping an eye out for any stragglers that might be lying in wait to ambush the group.
Rhoreen looks at Hyrsek.
"What? That's it? That's what you think her life is worth? All the pain and suffering she's offered? That's not nearly enough. I, for one, do not agree. That's ridiculously low when we could kill her right now for the fun of it," Rhoreen replies.
Khalia can't exactly compute her feelings towards Hyrsek, as he whispers nearby. He's almost lost his life fighting along side us, but his motives are truly his own.
"Hyrsek, I would like to ask you a question, but you are not obligated to answer it. To whom are you bringing Therace back to claim your bounty?"
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Hyrsek turns to Rhoreen with a slow, amused smirk, as if savoring the drama "Oh, Rhoreen, my dear. You wound me" he places a hand over his chest in mock injury "I don't deal in suffering for its own sake. This is business. A brain in a jar has no leverage, and yet, I have secured us a fine sum for a task we were already likely to take. If you think you could have squeezed more, well, next time, be my guest"
Then Hyrsek glances to Khalia's way, his smirk softening into something unreadable "Ah, Khalia. Ever the inquisitive one" the tiefling exhales, as if contemplating the weight of his answer, then shrugs "Let's just say our dear Lieutenant Holiyard left some angry boss back in Starfall when he took it into his own on this secret mission of his taking away advanced tech and men alike"
He tilts his head, watching Khalia carefully "But what truly matters, my dear Chaance," he adds in a whisper only she can catch, using the name she no longer wears, "is that we have a reason to see Starfall together. And I wouldn't mind the company"
Then, louder, to the rest: "Well, I suppose we should be off. After all, there's the matter of collecting payment. Unless, of course, you would all rather stay and listen to our host reminisce about his glory days?"
Rūha leads the way out of the caverns without opposition and back to the fresh air. The sun is shinning and it is only midday.
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"To whom are you bringing Therace back to claim your bounty?"
When Khalia speaks, Zzvkgrogk shrugs internally, having posed this question before only to note that Hyrsek evaded answering it.
He folds his arms and fixes his piercing beady-eyed gaze upon Hyrsek.
"Is it a Technique Leaguer? Because they keep trying to take our weapons away from us and that never ends well for them."
... and as Hyrsek evades the answer again he shrugs externally.
"We were already on our way to Starfall anyway. Isuma, are you also headed that way?"
Zzvkgrogk pops the top back onto Therace's brain tome. "Here, Hyrsek you should probably carry this." He pushes the canister and its loot towards the Tiefling unconcerned about whether or not it will slow him down.
He heads out into the sunlight and fresh air with the others.
Yambul, lost in thought and focused on the good thing to do, misses much of what transpires. But he’s in agreement with the group. It seems the obvious thing to do to honor their deal with Hyrsek. He too is curious who Hyrsek works for though - and what he does say still makes him uneasy. He is worried they’re going to set loose a technique leaguer to a technique leaguer. He hopes Hyrsek answers Zzvkgrogk honestly.
(heroism)
When they get outside, he too is glad to breathe the fresh air! He consults with Khalia as to the best way to go to get out of the accursed valley, sheathes his chainsaw, and starts off to get some distance before nightfall.
(heroism)
Khalia registers very little in the inflections Hyrsek uses to answer her, only gauging that the tiefling speaks truth about an angry Leaguer waiting for word about Therace and his waywardness. Her nanites raise her skin in perfect spacing, bumps of goose skin, though nothing pilatory, as her skin is perfectly smooth. She nods to Hyrsek, a smile almost reaching her eyes as Zzvkgrogk indicates clearly that the bounty is also burden to the one claiming it.
She welcomes Yambul's strategizing for departing the Scar.
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Rūha turns to Isuma "While we would be glad to have you, I expect you will not find a lot of open minded souls in Starfall Isuma, but rather many who will want to leverage your presence for their own ends. If you want some respite instead, I would suggest you head for Hajoth Hakados, far to the east of here. There's a few interesting people there, and by interesting I mean non-natives, like ourselves. More importantly, they're both understanding and knowledgeable, and they could help get you in contact with any other kasatha that survived the long journey, and the Dominion."
Rūha doesn't need to sense motive to deduce that Hyrsek is bringing Therace's remaining intelligence back to the Technic League. She's fairly sure that isn't a good idea - either for the team OR for Therace.
Rhoreen will try to cast Dominate Person on the captive, not sure it will work or not, but...maybe it will?
She waits to see what, if anything, comes of Ruha's efforts.
Hyrsek lets out a knowing chuckle at Zzvkgrogk's pointed question. He deftly catches the canister containing Therace's brain, weighing it in his hands before giving the ratfolk a grin "Well, as a bounty hunter, it is difficult to ignore that no one in Numeria has a larger purse than the Technic League" he says smoothly, his tail flicking idly behind him.
As the group emerges from the caverns into the midday sun, Isuma remains quiet for a moment, shielding her eyes from the bright light. She turns to Rūha, tilting her head thoughtfully "Hajoth Hakados" she says, tasting the name "I had not imagined there would be others like me. That... is something I would like to see for myself" she exhales, folding her four arms across her chest "But I had also imagined we would have more time to travel together. To speak, to learn" her black eyes linger on Rūha with quiet curiosity.
Meanwhile, Rhoreen watches Therace's containment unit carefully, murmuring her incantation. The arcane energy flows outward, but as she weaves the spell around the brain's mind, she feels it slip through her grasp. No resistance, simply nothing to seize hold of. Her target is no longer truly humanoid.
Still, as she withdraws, she feels a different possibility arise. The mind within may not bend to her will through magic, but words... the right words might yet pry open its secrets.
Yambul, already focused on guiding the group away from the Scar before nightfall, glances back at the others. He estimates Starfall is about 120 miles from the valley, by way of Witchlight Vale.
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Ruha answers Isuma "I can't speak for everyone, but you're welcome to continue with us as far as I'm concerned. That said, we're likely only going into even more danger from here on. More danger and little benefit beyond maybe making Numeria a little safer." After saying so however, Ruha gets a thoughtful expression. Making Numeria a little safer wasn't wrong, but it didn't seem quite right either. What they were doing was building up to something quite a bit more meaningful. Assuming things went the way she imagined...
vs DC 18
"We're about 120 miles from the valley by way of the Witchlight Vale. Nice name. Might not need my ioun torch in there." he chuckles.
He's not sure what to do about Hyrsek. On the one hand, money in his hands is better than money in the hands of the League. But this guy back in the League's rolls... well, they'll likely need to take him out again sometime in the future. He shakes his head and decides not to worry about it until then.
Know (Geography)
"Witchlight Vale? Hmmmm...it's on the tip of my tongue. I know something of that...I think..." Rhoreen hopes someone can jog her memory.
She, of course, will not speak with the brain as she lacks the tack and patience for that...and wouldn't anyway because the brain is a Technic jerk.
"Well...hmmmm...."
Khalia relates the general bits of information that Witchlight Vale she can recall, nothing to deepen the color, but enough to educate the Zzvkith before they arrive.
"An ancient crater, its lands host to mutated wildlife, including a mysterious unseen creature which eludes detection of invisible things. It's supposed to be rather large."
"It's also the source of much of Numeria's superstition about technology, given the explosion which killed a kellid chieftain on expedition..."
Khalia thinks somewhat kindly on Iadenveigh, while wondering what frustrations lie ahead, as Yambul marches forward with his chainsaw, and Zzvkgrogk sports the pistol. She completely overlooks the two kasatha now traveling with them.
Isuma flexes her four arms, each hand tightening briefly into a fist "Then perhaps you will need four more hands," she says with quiet resolve "That place, Starfall... I do not know it, but from what you have said, Divinity fell there, isn't it. And if that is true..." she hesitates, her deep eyes scanning the others "...then I may be of some use. I walked Divinity once. It was long ago, but... to me, it was not long at all. I do not know what remains of it now, but what I remember, its halls, its paths, the way it breathed with light, perhaps it may help you."
Hyrsek, still carrying Therace’s brain canister, remains quiet for the moment, though his ears twitch slightly at the mention of the Vale's dangers and the conversation going around.
"...then I may be of some use. I walked Divinity once. It was long ago, but... to me, it was not long at all. I do not know what remains of it now, but what I remember, its halls, its paths, the way it breathed with light, perhaps it may help you."
Rhoreen looks at Isuma, then at Ruha, and then back to Isuma.
"Yes, that would be good, I think. You have been helpful," Rhoreen responds, hoping the group agrees. "I don't think we're close to being done and there is more happening that I can figure out. Let's continue on."
"A guide, however limited, would be wonderful Isuma. Speaking of, maybe Casandalee also knows those halls quite well? And a touch more recently." She thinks ahead to the Witchlight Vale people are mentioning and adds "If it gained a reputation like that, it would be easier traveling if we gave it a wide berth, no? Unless we want to add an unseen mutant creature to our roster of things we survived."
”’Are you kidding?! A mysterious unseen creature which eludes detection of invisible things’?!” Zzvkgrogk asks excitedly with wide eyes. ”How could we pass that up?! Some new stealth technology surely! Obviously we have to investigate. We can’t have something like that fall into the wrong hands!”
He thinks for a moment.
”Or more likely it’s the radiation leading to some natural mutation in some mutated creature. Still… best to be sure.”
He thinks for another moment.
”But, if it is unseen, how does anyone know how big it is supposed to be?” He glances at Khalia. Where does she get this information? Could she have misremembered it? Observing Hyrsek’s ear twitch he asks, ”What are you thinking, Hyrsek?”
Turning to the subject of Isuma’s accompaniment to Starfall he adds, ”Sure! Fine by me if you come. The more the merrier. But … Castandalee is no more. It is now just Castandacore, and she may not be in much better shape than Therace.”
He walks on.
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"An ancient crater, its lands host to mutated wildlife, including a mysterious unseen creature which eludes detection of invisible things. It's supposed to be rather large."
Yambul fixates not on the large invisible beasty, but rather on the mutations. ”I’m not gonna come out of there with an extra eye or something am I? I don’t want any extra parts, you know?”
When Zzvkgrogk mentions radiation, he checks his apple supply. He has two, but he's not sure if they'll keep until they reach the valley... "Yeah, is there a good way 'round? Or are we stuck going through?" he asks Khalia.
Isuma flexes her four arms, each hand tightening briefly into a fist "Then perhaps you will need four more hands," she says with quiet resolve.
”You are welcome!” Yambul shakes at least one of the hands. After all, being a stranger here must be rough. The least he can do is to be friendly.
"But, if it is unseen, how does anyone know how big it is supposed to be?”
"The same way you judge the size of the animal, based on the prints it leaves behind. Rabbit, deer, moose, bison, elephant... Size of the print, and its depth. It should appeal to your calculating mind, should you ever set eyes on its tracks..."
"Yeah, is there a good way 'round? Or are we stuck going through?"
"We can certainly go around. It might even be advisable." Khalia considers. "It's the most direct way to Starfall, and as long as we keep moving, perhaps the radiation won't find purchase in our bodies. We would need to remain vigilant about the wildlife, of course, but I almost welcome them ahead for what we leave behind in the Scar."
The android turns to kasatha #2. "I won't object to your company, Isuma. It would be good to learn from each other."
"I'm far from an expert Yambul, but as we saw in Iadenveigh, these kinds of mutations tend to be something generational, rather than acute. Then again, if we're unlucky there's be some kind of ancient Androffan mutating gas just filling the whole crater." She shrugs. "Zzvkgrogk wants to go through, but maybe we should skirt around the edge and see what we can find inside while limiting exposure ourselves to a minimum?"
She nods with Khalia's comments "Then again, after the Scar, I'm not sure what else Numeria might be hiding..."
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A bemused chuckle escapes Hyrsek upon Zzvkgrogk's question "Ah, my dear ratfolk, just remembered a happy tune I will intone once the bounty is on purse!" the tiefling starts to whistling in good mood.
Forcing a bit your pace, you start to trace back your way through the valley. The lake with the alien spaceship rotting on the waters. The river downstream leaving caves and caves behind. The Matt Paetyr orchards. Just until you reach the remains of the annihilator robot. They signal the limit of the valley and the end of your adventure here.
Isuma offers a proud smile at the sight of the robot remains. Discussing your next steps under the fading light, you leave the scarred valley behind you, now bathed in the golden hues of a setting sun. You follow the direct path that leads toward Starfall, its distant promise of adventure as the gravitational center of Numeria's politics, and unknowingly to most of Golarion, refuge of the most advanced alien technology the planet has seen, glimmering on your horizon as night slowly claims the sky.
Rhoreen doesn't participate in the orienteering discussion. She'll let those who want to lead the way lead.
She could, of course, use her very powerful and special magics to teleport the party hither and yon, but that would require breaking the party up, waiting some days for return, and even a small chance that Rhoreen's destination magic might go awry.
"Let's get to Starfall. Things should be interesting there."
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"Well, Khalia and Zzvkgrogk seem keen on at least trying the valley, and it is the most direct route, so let's see how bad the air is at least. We can always back out and go around." he suggests to Rüha.
That evening he stretches out a bit. There seems to be a fetid air that has finally drifted away on the breeze. That valley - ugh! he thinks to himself as he prepares dinner.
Over supper he asks Hyrsek to pull out the brain-tube. "So, Therace, what are you gonna do when, you know, you get your body back? What's next for Therace, you know?"
Rūha gives the Scar of the Spider a long look before the group proceeds. "Well, I hope we can say we left it in a better shape than we found it, but I'm glad to be leaving just as well." She turns to shrug at Yambul "Alright, lets give it a try then."
She listens in to Therace's response, morbidly curious as to the next steps of this foul disembodied fellow. She tries to judge if there are any falsehoods in his response.
”Ah, my dear ratfolk, just remembered a happy tune I will intone once the bounty is on purse!" the tiefling starts to whistling in good mood.
Ah, so he mocks… don’t trust him.
Zzvkgrogk keeps a watchful beady on on Hyrsek as they travel.
Therace's voice crackles to life from the metallic tube "What indeed? Perhaps I will compose poetry about my time as a disembodied mind. Or perhaps I will take this second chance to forge something grander than a mere return to flesh. I have been given knowledge beyond most, and, well..." he pauses "I would not waste it. Of course, first things first, I will make an expedition back to the Valley to claim all those aliens technology. It is so advanced I will use it to climb my way up to the Captain rank. Who knows, maybe I even get to finish off that pusillanimous Zernebeth and become Commander of the League myself"
"You are outdated Therrace. Ozmyn Zaidow claimed the leadership of the League and he is Commander now" intervenes Hyrsek while tasting appreciatively Yambul's meal.
"Interesting. And how that beggar got there? He barely made it to Captain because the 'accident' with his parents... and I thought himself lost for good" Therrace interrogates.
"Guess what, he was the only one of his expedition to come back from Silver Mount. But he came back... enhanced. Enhanced, and with an army of gearsmen. Zernebeth conceded control to him, but he could have seized the League anyway with all those advanced robots" the tiefling elaborates.
Rhoreen listens to the gossip, filing away notes for the future. She has little to offer as she still knows very little, and recognizes only parts. But if there is one thing Rhoreen is good at, it's learning...and totally being humble. Yes, those two things.
"What made you join the Technic jer-- League? Dreams of having a bigger jar for your head? Or was it something more?" Rhoreen asks Therace.
Ruha raises an eyebrow as she listens in, waiting to see what else the two of them might share.
"So you want to continue to work for the League? The League that did this to you?" Yambul shakes his head. "I don't think I'd want to support the folks who took my body away in what must have been a very painful experience. No, I don't think I'd want to help them at all."
He turns to Hyrsek too, "Which robots were those? Any like what we fought here?"
Zzvkgrogk grows increasingly more uncomfortable every time Ozmyn Zaidow’s name is spoken.
Yes, yes. We know he killed his parents for power…
"Guess what, he was the only one of his expedition to come back from Silver Mount.”
”Four men ride out and only three ride back”... Zzvkgrogk stumbles upon a memory. Of course he was. Not hard to understand what happened there… His eyes grow wide as Zzvkgrogk stumbles upon possible truth.
...That tiefling better not be planning on turning us over to Zaidow! After all Zaidow has been after Castandacore for some time – ‘obsessed’ if I recall… Such greed.
He chews slowly on his turnip-jerky stew and continues to listen.
Ruha adds "You're pretty well informed about the political situation in Starfall, aren't you Hyrsek?" She looks over at Therace before adding "Who else is pushing the pieces around over there?"
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"Yambul, Therace was fully intact before he arrived at the Scar. The mi-go separated him from his body. Now, he is only the intelligence he was able to collect up until his... transformation. Hyrsek points out that Therace is already unaware of newer dynamics within the Technic League."
Khalia turns towards Hyrsek. "I know you're transactional with the League, but are you loyal to it, as well? You understand that we are not supporters of all things Technic. How do you feel about our stance towards your benefactors?"
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Therrace's voice crackles again, dismissing Rhoreen with a mechanical scoff "Vile tongue, that one. But you, elven beauty, you have some sense. Listen to her, Yambul"
He continues, his tone pragmatic, almost resigned "No one joins the Technic League because they like them. That's a child's fantasy. You join because it's the easiest way to power and wealth. In Numeria, it's the only way"
Hyrsek takes his time before responding to Khalia, and when he does, he does so slowly "That depends on what you mean by 'loyalty'. I take jobs for them, sure, it's the safest way to keep a good life here. But I'm no pawn. I like my freedom" his gaze lingers on Khalia for a heartbeat before he turns to the rest of the group.
"As for all this tech you hauled out of the Valley, there is something you need to understand. Only Technic League agents are allowed to carry and trade this kind of stuff. Well, them, and anyone with a badge. If you want to turn this into real coin, you need a way to get it past the city gates unnoticed. Smuggling it to the Night Market is one way, there are buyers there who know how to move things. Or you can stash it outside and work on getting a badge. Maybe bring a buyer out to where you control the sale. But if you start drawing too much attention in Starfall, the League will notice. And trust me, that is a kind of trouble you do not want"
He leans back, considering Ruha's question "The Technic League is the big fish, sure, but they are not the only power here. Kevoth-Kul, the Black Sovereign, still rules in name. But these days, he cares more about parties and Numerian Fluids than governing. He barely leaves the Palace of Fallen Stars anymore. That is where the real mystery lies, the Black Seers"
His voice drops slightly as if he feared being heard by an invisible presence "They were here before the League. Before Kevoth-Kul. Supposedly, they are the palace's true guardians, watching everything from the shadows. No one knows much about them, but accidents tend to happen when they are around. The kind of accidents that make people disappear"
Hyrsek folds his arms, watching the group carefully "So, tell me, what is your plan?"
Rhoreen scoffs back at the very rude head, which confirms her correct opinion that all Technic Leaguers are jerks. She just proves my point.
With nothing to be gained from engaging in such a willful and deluded brain in a jar, she just listens to what else others might be able to get her to talk about.
Android studies tiefling, weighs all of his words. She starts with his first words first. "We all value our freedom, Hyrsek." Khalia meets Hyrsek's gaze, and holds it. "I only wonder. If the Technic League threatened your freedom, would you threaten ours?"
"Your knowledge and Therace's, it's certainly valuable to those of us who haven't visited Starfall. I thank you for it. I also thank you for your strength in battle while we searched the Scar. Would you continue to fight with us? We are headed into conflict with something like a god. " The android looks towards Isuma, curiously. "We could use all the help we can muster."