The spear-bearing copaxi charges, it even crashes into the fence in its frenzy to reach you. Halted by the fence, it spins awkwardly through a gap in the fence, resumes its forward rush and puts all its momentum into a thrust at the most obvious target, Thundergun. The spear lances into the izaalguun's foreleg.
Xikko skips around Kuozar, trying to get behind the bleached copaxi. The solarian's energy axe cuts neatly through its coral-like shell and dust erupts from the rupture. It falls lifeless to the ground.
Thundergun summons energy to overcharge Kuozar's rifle.
Somehow, maybe drawn by the izaalguun's magic, the two rifle-bearers focus their fire on Thundergun. The big technomancer is struck twice by bullets that sting and bruise, even through his armor.
... P)
... P)
... P)
Stell has no clear shots at the distant undead, so she dashes between the monuments and through gaps in the fences to get closer.
Stell-Z dashes forward to flank the remaining bleached copaxi.
As the fury grows in his eyes, I quickly turn from the fallen copaxi and charge the remaining 2.
Xikko succeeds in making himself the most obvious target for these silent bleached copaxi gunmen.
Idir encourages his allies and fires. His shot is on target this time, but the copaxi seemingly ignores it.
Behind you all, Therseis rambles. "Undead? Magic-fueled monstrosities! We must slay them all."
'We' obviously means 'you.' Therseis is unarmed.
Kuozar's normally coherent laser beam diverges on its way to the copaxi, but it still strikes with incredible power. The coral-like creature disintegrates leaving behind only lower legs, forearms, and the tips of its antlers.
The last bleached copaxi starts to swing its gun toward Xikko.
Nic Nack's shooting stars puncture copaxi, then Xikko's energy axe cleaves through its breast. It shatters in a dusty cloud that flares breifly when it's ignited by the axe. It crumbles to the ground.
Behind Therseis yowls, [b]"Save us from evil magic. Is it truly dead?!"
A reassured Therseis steps closer to the bodies. He looks down at the ex-spear-bearer, runs his hand over its bleached coral shell without touching it. "This has been dead a long time. Without life, the colors of our, the copaxis, outer layers slowly fade. Although unclean magic kept them moving, it did not truly bring them life."
He moves on and looks at the antler and forelimb remnants of the one Thundergun and Kuozar blasted. "Such power in handheld weapons is thought impossible by our scientists. The energy density is incredible. How did you manage it Kuozar?"
Finally he looks at the last undead, riddled with missile holes by Nic nack and cleaved by Xikko. "Your weapons were also very effective, but I did not observe originating devices. Are they miniaturized, or was this magic also?"
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As the Copaxi shatters into dust from the slice of Scar, Xikko brushes his foot through the dust left behind.
"They appear to be dead ... again."
"This appears to have been the remnants of a battlefield. Not quite the divine intervention it was assumed to be."
Turning to Therseis, I point to the small red orb circling my forearm.
"I was trained from an early age to manipulate the energy of the stars." Xikko spreads his arms to the sky.
"When I am threatened, I have the ability to summon forth Scar from this tiny mote and infuse myself with the power of the cosmos. Given the power that this entails, however, I can only summon it forth at times I am threatened. One persons magic is another persons technology, Therseis. I suppose some would say that summoning Scar is magic. I however, just see it as simply manipulating the forces that are all around us and forming them as I need."
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Stell keeps her gun out but flips the safety on as she moves to join the others inspecting the copaxi. She pulls out her camera and documents the undead remains.
She then looks around for clues as to where the copaxi came from and why they were moving about with such destructive weapons.
(looking for tracks)
Stell is able to back track the copaxi a few dozen yards, but then the path overruns another set of tracks, and those intersect another. All the sets of tracks are similar; some, older than others. It's difficult to distinguish anything other than that the cemetery sees a lot of traffic. Here and there throughout the cemetery, she notices small patches of tiny, multicolored flowers growing among the weeds infesting the cemetery.
The graves are unmarked, but an inscription rings the low wall of the dry fountain. Heavy black graffiti is written over it.
...
"This appears to have been the remnants of a battlefield. Not quite the divine intervention it was assumed to be."
Turning to Therseis, I point to the small red orb circling my forearm.
"I was trained from an early age to manipulate the energy of the stars." Xikko spreads his arms to the sky.
"When I am threatened, I have the ability to summon forth Scar from this tiny mote and infuse myself with the power of the cosmos. Given the power that this entails, however, I can only summon it forth at times I am threatened. One persons magic is another persons technology, Therseis. I suppose some would say that summoning Scar is magic. I however, just see it as simply manipulating the forces that are all around us and forming them as I need."
"I see." Therseis stays quiet and ponders, the situation, the undead, the cool Starfinder technology? He watches you all closely.
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He moves on and looks at the antler and forelimb remnants of the one Thundergun and Kuozar blasted. "Such power in handheld weapons is thought impossible by our scientists. The energy density is incredible. How did you manage it Kuozar?
Nuar begins to answer with an important look. Firstly, it is a unique development. This is an adaptation of the ship's lasers of space fighters for manual use! It will take months if not years to finalize, but in the final it will be a great weapon. Which will make me famous and rich, ahaha! The best corporations will argue for the right to produce it. Heh. Okay. And secondly, it's magic. My friend Thundergun increased the power of this weapon many times, which gave such a blow. The combination of magic and engineering is very effective! Kuozar instructively raises his finger up.
After inspecting the battlefield, Kuozar will ask questions directly to Therseis. Who fought with whom here? Why? Did you have warring clans or something like in my native Aposte?
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Stell videos the tracks and the flowers.
Referring to the tracks, she says, "Seems like a lot of activity up here. I hope all these tracks are not more undead. But it fits with stories common to many worlds, that horrific deaths often lead to malevolent energies powering those who should die but cannot."
"Therseis? Can you read either these inscriptions or the graffito covering them?"
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A reassured Therseis steps closer to the bodies. He looks down at the ex-spear-bearer, runs his hand over its bleached coral shell without touching it. "This has been dead a long time. Without life, the colors of our, the copaxis, outer layers slowly fade. Although unclean magic kept them moving, it did not truly bring them life."
He moves on and looks at the antler and forelimb remnants of the one Thundergun and Kuozar blasted. "Such power in handheld weapons is thought impossible by our scientists. The energy density is incredible. How did you manage it Kuozar?"
Finally he looks at the last undead, riddled with missile holes by Nic nack and cleaved by Xikko. "Your weapons were also very effective, but I did not observe originating devices. Are they miniaturized, or was this magic also?"
Idir listens to the discussions Therseis has with the others, taking notes.
The bias against magic in mainstream copaxi society seemed to be very strong...in a galaxy as steeped in magic as theirs, that was significant. It was probably the reason why The Signal had been their first introduction to wider galactic society. Interstellar travel had been possible prior to Triune's gift to the universe, but primarily relied on magic, and thus a society like the copaxis', which seemed to actively reject magic solely in favor of technological solutions, would have been limited to their homeworld and nearby bodies like moons.
There was one other thing that came to Idir's mind: active rejection of something like magic wasn't an ideology that most societies in the galaxy came to lightly. It seemed likely, especially given Therseis' description of divine punishment reducing the civilization they now walked through to ruin, that there had been some sort of magic-related crisis in the copaxis' past that had traumatized their society so greatly they actively restructured their culture away from it...it was an interesting hypothesis at least, but he'd need further observations to confirm or reject it...
Xikko and Stell-Z explore the area. The flowers are very pleasant to look upon and have a faint medicinal odor when held to near one's nose.
To the left of the cemetery, the soldiers’ equipment and vehicles seem based on technology that, though inferior to that of the Pact Worlds, is more advanced than what you've seen in the city so far. Melted metal headstone ornaments or gear and scorch marks are prevalent here.
To the right, some chariot-like vehicles have no apparent means of motive power, or even points to hitch a harness. The warriors on this side were armed with archaic looking bladed weapons or finger-thick shafts of various materials. Ballistic rounds caused most of the damage to this side.
Bleached and crumbling copaxi shells lace the entire area. Both sides took heavy casualties. A line of very decomposed copaxi bodies lies at the foot of a faintly stained wall that is heavily pocked with holes from ballistic rounds. There are no alien remains.
Meanwhile the conversation with Therseis continues.
"It is a form of magic. Do your people not use magic? What is the Copaxi feelings about magic?"
"No. We don't use magic. The gods destroyed the magic-using tyrants, and heeding their sign, we, the copaxi, depend on technology for all our needs."
Nuar begins to answer with an important look. Firstly, it is a unique development. This is an adaptation of the ship's lasers of space fighters for manual use! It will take months if not years to finalize, but in the final it will be a great weapon. Which will make me famous and rich, ahaha! The best corporations will argue for the right to produce it. Heh. Okay. And secondly, it's magic. My friend Thundergun increased the power of this weapon many times, which gave such a blow. The combination of magic and engineering is very effective!
- Magic and technology. You easliy may lose a difference. , - nods Thundergun, not really interfering with dialog, but drinking water.
"You have all given me much to consider regarding magic and its employment."
Referring to the tracks, she says, "Seems like a lot of activity up here. I hope all these tracks are not more undead. But it fits with stories common to many worlds, that horrific deaths often lead to malevolent energies powering those who should die but cannot."
Therseis shudders. "Bad enough that such monsters could be raised through deliberate use of magic. To think they might be created incidentally is horrible to contemplate."
After inspecting the battlefield, Kuozar will ask questions directly to Therseis. Who fought with whom here? Why? Did you have warring clans or something like in my native Aposte?
The copaxi seems a little lost for an answer. Finally he offers, "I don't know. Our written history begins with the end of magic, after we left the flying cities."
"Therseis? Can you read either these inscriptions or the graffito covering them?"
Therseis bends stiffly to read the inscription. "The stone is damaged and the smell-cues are faded. It's difficult to read, but the inscription states in part, “...those who died of the Message of Madnessare forever a part of this great city, their contributions forever a part of our memories.” He pauses. "The graffiti... hmmm. NO! I can't read that." He straightens up. "I shall return to the camp. You have done well today. Will you return and rest?"
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Thundergun obviously, but carefully and politely take a look at Idir's notes as far as converstaion continues. Triune... here again
As the team and Theresis moves, Thundergun travers reality with augumented reality thanks to his helmet. He surely inspects what's happening in here.
-Abbandonning flying cities in some way similar with our culture's past decision... which we able to remember or reconstruct. - the izalguun comments. He puts the staff from one hande at another looking a bit worried.
...
Kuozar looks suspiciously at copaxi. Message of Madness? What is it? What is it about?
Therseis cocks his head. His antlers swing toward the nuar. "According to -- legend -- it's the beginning of the divine judgement on the deviant copaxi.
...
Stell will collect the weapons used by the undead and carry them.
If you head back to camp quickly, you'll be in time for 'elevenses' and ' a little something'.
Thundergun obviously, but carefully and politely take a look at Idir's notes as far as converstaion continues. Triune... here again
As the team and Theresis moves, Thundergun travers reality with augumented reality thanks to his helmet. He surely inspects what's happening in here.
...
-Abandonning flying cities in some way similar with our culture's past decision... which we able to remember or reconstruct. - the izalguun comments. He puts the staff from one hande at another looking a bit worried.
The weaponry, vehicles, etc all seem to be about 300 years old.
"Would it be preferred if we restrain using our magic and only use technology?"...
"Is there anyone left in the floating cities? If a Copaxi does have a talent or shows signs of using magic, what's happens to them?"
After hearing the answer.
"The gods excised the magical strain from our, the copaxi's , genetic makeup. Even if somehow a magic user were born, they would surely conceal their shame."
"Would it be preferred if we restrain using our magic and only use technology?"
"No. You, the Pact Worlders, are our guests and therefore are outside the strictures on magic. While we can not use it, you may at your will. " Therseis pauses. "However, magic directed at a copaxi might cause offense. "
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Idir nods at Stell's words and approaches to speak with her a bit more quietly.
"They may not be being 100% honest with us, but it's because they're unsettled, not because they're trying to mislead us. I'm starting to suspect there are elements of copaxi history they're embarrassed about and trying to direct our attention away from," he whispers.
Back to camp and a hearty lunch. Therseis makes himself scarce while you eat, but returns as you finish. He inquires, "Will you rest further, or venture forward to explore this afternoon?"
Therseis moves to the map and points at each location in turn while he describes it.
1. Tabantria Market: The copaxis have already expl
2. Tabantria Academy Main Campus: You remember this location from your flyby earlier. Overgrown vegetation covers a sprawling campus of lecture amphitheaters, study halls, and dormitories.
3. Inter-City Transport Station: This location is right on the edge of a missing chunk of the city on the south side. It was once a port of sorts.The copaxis have already explored sites 1-3, but recommend you visit because they hold cultural or historical interest. The remaining sites have not been thoroughly explored.
4. Gardens: And cemetery. Something is moving in there.
The next three you remember from your flyby.
5. A large hole : In a residential neighborhood. Obviously not part of the city's original design. It offers access to tunnels beneath the surface. Something large is down there.
6. Observation tower: Again mystery movement. You might be getting the idea the copaxis are a little timid.
7. Arena : The copaxis experience intense headaches when they approach the arena and have not explored it.