You only get a short distance north before you hear heavy footfalls echoing from the south. You turn, and at the end of the corridor you see two massive giants heading out from the south-east doorway. They rumble to each other deeply in Terran, which Shocca can understand.
"Evaded the Sages? Destroyed them?"
"They did not submit themselves. Dangerous, they must be."
"Xiello will wish to have them. They will earn him much favor if delivered to Vheiransch."
"Much glory. Enough for us all. Let us be careful."
The giant in the lead raises its hands in a common gesture of peace, then beckons you to come closer.
Well, this is about as far from the earth as we can go... Shocca speaks softly in Celestial. "Their leader will want to deliver us to Vheiransch. We should fight this out; they're going to draw us to more backup." She loads a tranquilizer dart into her rifle and responds in Terran, repeating her own words in Standard. "Hello there. Seems like there was some confusion with the Sages. Can you take a look at them?" She holds her ground and beckons the giants in our own direction.
The giant in the lead swears roughly in Terran as Shocca responds in the same language. He shouts "They know. Quick, get them before they escape!" to his buddy.
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Arc
Shocca
Ajithu
Yellow Moon Giant
Purple Moon Giant
"oh... I never was good at bluffing. My B." She takes a moment to analyze the giants before firing an opening shot.
So much for diplomacy...
He takes a couple of steps forward, and tests their mental vulnerability...
Shocca's needle strikes the lead giant, and a moment later Ajithu follows with a shot of his own. Though the shots are nothing to sneeze at, they barely slow the giant at all. It charges toward your group, swinging an enormous fist at Ajithu. He throws himself to the side and the fist crashes into the ground where he was. The culprit rumbles "Quick, aren't you..." Meanwhile the other giant approaches more slowly. He tears a chunk of machinery from the wall near him and hurls the mass over the other giant's shoulder. The chunk smashes into Ajithu and shatters into a mound of debris The giant in the rear suddenly becomes surrounded in a pale white-blue area that also bathes the yellow giant.
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Arc x2
Shocca
Ajithu (62 dmg)
Yellow Moon Giant (74 dmg)
Purple Moon Giant
Ajithu flinches reflexively as machinery crashes around him. Seeing that he's now in a pile of junk, he sighs and refocuses on his foe.
Okay, perhaps a stronger punch is in order...
Shocca calls out, "Watch out, their aura will put you to sleep! And they're going to be resistant to your fiery blast, Arc! Plus any cold we've got." She pulls up her jaw from the incredible force of her allies' strikes and adds her own far more dainty needles to the fray.
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Shocca switches targets, but finds both her needles snagged in the remaining giant's voluminous robes. The purple giant focuses for a moment and the aura around them inverts, glowing white light replaced by a calm blue dark.
Luckily all of you resist it's waning lunar aura. Frustrated, it rips another chunk of electronics out and hurls it at Arc. The mass deflects off Arc's solar armor and shatters into a rain of components that adds the the mess already surrounding Ajithu.
While this is going on, you notice down the hall that the pile of containers blocking off the doorway to the southwest is starting to shift. One container shifts aside enough that you catch a brief glimpse of a massive arm doing the work... seems like another giant trying to open the way.
|||| INIT ||||
Arc
Shocca
Ajithu (62 dmg)
Purple Moon Giant
How much backup might arrive for this giant? Perhaps at some point we should cut our losses and flee.
Even as he says it he lashes out at the last (visible, apparent) giant with his mind.
Shocca whoops as Arc and Ajithu lay into the giant. "Giants aren't known for their subtlety.. can't be that many... right?"
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What the purple giant isn't ready for is when the other giant to the south pushes the barricade aside, squeezes out, and hurls her own projectile at the purple giant's back. It slams into him, sending him stumbling forward.
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Arc x2
Shocca
Ajithu (62 dmg)
Purple Moon Giant (107 dmg)
Okay... it's time for the shooting.
He grimaces as the stream of piercing cold flies nearby past Arc.
"Uhmmm did he just backstab his friend? On... purpose?" Shocca fires another pair of needles at the central giant and calls out in Terran. "Oye... big one! Uh... do you hate Xiello? Or Vheiransch? Cause that guy seems to love 'em."
Arc rushes down the hall and tears through a second giant with deadly swings of Skyndi. Ajithu follows with a icicle straight into the giant's head and brings the creature down in rather messy fashion. Shocca is left with nothing except the last giant to shoot at, but instead shoots some words her way.
Combat Over
The new giant nods to Shocca and answers in Terran "Xiello is one of our oppressors. One of many. Please... you have clearly seen the truths in the vision machines but kept your own minds. As have I. My name is Kezmir, and we could be allies. If you are willing to trust me, join me back in our home. It is not safe out here where the Tentacled Ones walk." She turns and gestures toward the barricaded entrance she just emerged from, then starts heading back in herself, not waiting to hear your response.
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Being unexpectedly aided gives Arcalinte pause, and he listens warily as Shocca communicates with this new giant.
Once Shocca translates and he realizes Kezmir seeks an ally, his mind is cast back to another time, another massive vessel, where an unexpected acquaintance was a secret ally.
"Just Kezmir, no title is necessary, though it would be ma'am if we insist on pronouns," he mutters to himself as he reminisces, comparing that time to now.
Then he sheathes Skyndi and bows to Kezmir.
"We need all the allies we can get in the enemy's heart. I am Arcalinte Soter, Venture-Captain of the Starfinder Society and Sola of the Order of the Empty Orbit, at your service," he says, letting Shocca translate for him. "Lead the way."
Mental note, learn the Terran language, he thinks to himself.
Ajithu looks back and forth between the giant and Shocca as they speek in Terran. He trusts her judgement, so that when it beckons them to follow into his domain, he follows. Anything to get out of the open hallway.
Kezmir hauls storage crates aside to widen the way back into the room she came from. She ducks in and you all walk in after her.
Astronomical symbols and grooves representing celestial paths have been carved into the walls, floor, and ceiling of this large room. An alcove to one side contains several enormous hammocks strung atop each other from floor to ceiling. Three additional moon giants are sitting or standing around the room when Kezmir leads you in. They watch you with stoic sadness etched on their craggy faces. As soon as you're in, Kezmir replaces the crates back in their previous positions to seal the room off from outside observation.
Kezmir speaks slowly and carefully in Terran "Welcome to the home of the Crescent Diviners. What is left of us. Years ago, my clan of wanderers and seers found this starship and made the tragic decision to explore it. We were captured and underwent the horrible visions of the ship’s creators. The experience split our clan in two — those who obey the Tentacled Ones and those who do not. We still follow our sacred ways as best we can. Our two sides have been fighting ever since, although both sides have fortified their camps so much that skirmishes are now rare." She gestures back in the direction you came with her hand "You were unlucky to have them fall upon you so soon. Perhaps Xiello, their leader, anticipated your arrival and your recovery from the visions."
One of the other moon giants speaks up "You may thirst and hunger after your visions? We have some sustenance, though it is little more than basic nutrition." They offer a large tub of clear water and a pile of pellets that are dispensed from some strange Sivvan device. A second giant rumbles "It has been so long since we have seen the stars in person. We have been captive here, trapped within this place... for far too long."
Shocca, thankful that she didn't rely on the translation software when studying the ignan cave worms a few years back, continues to translate back and forth. "Great hideout! Crescent Diviners.. what was your clan's goal when wandering the stars?" She takes in the whole room, impressed. "This Xiello, does he obey the Tentacles from afar or do they work closely together?"
Shocca, trusting the group, happily accepts the food. "Trapped... physically, without a ship? Or through the bondage of the Tentacled Ones?"
Ajithu looks to Shocca to translate.
Did it split the clan in two equally, or is the other faction... bigger?
The giants seem open and authentic to Shocca. Kezmir answers your questions "We traveled the cosmos to see astronomical events of interest up close, the births of stars, their deaths, their many little dramatic twists and turns of life. There is so much beauty out there, beyond these metal walls..." The other Diviners bow their heads in agreement, quiet, contemplative, and deeply sorrowful.
This remembrance lasts several minutes before Kezmir continues to answer Shocca's other queries. "Xiello obeys when they speak to him. The Tentacled Ones have means of making their will known. But he and those who follow him do not dare to stand side by side with them. The visions taught them servitude, and now they serve." She gazes into the distance before answering "Physically, yes. We cannot leave the way we arrived. Those of us who were not turned by the Visions retain our unbroken wills and hide rather than serve." She follows by answering Ajithu "Most of our clan was changed by the Visions. Friends, family. But they are treated callously by the Tentacled Ones and many have died. Their numbers exceed ours, but not by many any longer..."
After a long period of somber consideration, Kezmir asks "What are your own stories? How do you come to have been captured?"
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Arcalinte graciously accepts the offered food and water, such as it is and listens to the translated description of the situation and of Kezmir's group, When they finish, he stands and bows respectfully to them.
"We are of a similar will, Kezmir. I walk the path of the solarian, a scholar of the Cycle. And by Sarenrae I will see that you and the Crescent Diviners free to walk the stars once more."
When asked for their story, he frowns.
"You will think us mad, but we entered this vessel willingly: it is invading our home, the Pact Worlds, and seeking to conquer it. The Tentacled Ones are an ancient species of pre-Gap tyrants called the Sivv, and they have been in cryostasis here for millenia after their empire's greatest weapon, a machine that could kill stars, was stolen by one of their enemies."
"I became involved much more recently. As a member of the Starfinder Society, it is our duty to explore, report and cooperate throughout the galaxy, and my particular explorations led me and my fellow Starfinders to discover the location of that weapon, the Stellar Degenerator, so we raced with mad cultists and undead warlords to reach it first and we managed to destroy it."
"Then, a few years afterwards, I was asked to join Shocca and Ajithu-Ko in investigating a ruin on a distant world with seeming links to my studies. Though we came for different reasons, me to learn if there was more lingering dangers from the Sivv Dominion needing to be investigated and contained and them to protect the environment of the world we'd found it on, we quickly became united in purpose when we realized the place was an artificial world built by the Sivv, and we'd accidentally sent a signal to its counterpart in the Pact Worlds, the moon Hibb."
"We investigated Hibb further and then...it woke this vessel up. And it came gunning for the Pact Worlds almost immediately. We gathered what defenses we could and have fought as hard as we can, but there's no way our meager forces can best this thing. So we made a desperate gamble, much like I had done with the Stellar Degenerator years ago, to try and infiltrate it and find a way to destroy or disable it from within."
"With our fleets hammering the Ark's defenses we were able to slip by in a small vessel, and break through into the vessel, where we were ambushed by what I presume was the Tentacled Ones defenses, and then we were brought and subjected to the visions. It is only by cunning, strength of will and the grace of the gods that we managed to avoid succumbing."
Yes, that is a good summary of how we came to be here. I am something of a warden for natural environments, though my tactics lie in preemptively incapacitating those who would damage it. There are other details of the journey here. There is an artifact at the center of our space station, called the Starstone reactor. The Sivv were able to disable it temporarily and we endeavored to restore its operation. Allies from the station assault this vessel even now, which gave us the opportunity to slip in. Many sacrifices are being made.
Shocca answers between bites. "I am Dr. Shoccaar Nemmac. Like my friend, I am also a scholar. But of the writings of man, not of the universe. Like the stars call to you, so the interior makeup of living creatures calls to me. My people... are stuck in a prison of their own. But enough about me." She listens and nods along as Arc explains the group's story. Wow, we sound a bit crazy when you put it that way... With a soft smile she interjects with short details here and there. "We lost a friend on that frozen world. It's been a hard road but we're going to see it to the end." She sighs. "So, you survived the visions as well? They were... so real."
"A story far more dramatic and dire than our own. You fight desperately for those you have yet to save. Though we both escaped the visions with our minds intact, your strength of purpose burns so strongly! We hope only to one day escape and resume our wanderings..." Kezmir spends some time pondering this before asking "As you seek the end of the Tentacled Ones and their ship, perhaps we can aid each other."
"The four of us have been working our astronomical charts from memory, and we know a cosmological conjuction will soon arrive at this time. One that would potentially allow us to escape from this place by means of magic. However our divinations are crude without the proper implements. Xiello took the star charts our clan cultivated across the millennia, and we lack the strength to take them back from him. If you can recover the charts for us, we may be able to achieve the escape we have dreamed of. Whether you do this or not, we are willing to tell you what we know of this ship and its occupants, for I see your purpose clear in my mind, and know we have a common foe. However I hope you would be willing to do this for us before we impart our knowledge."
"Will you consider it?"
Ajithu nods. I think we had already resolved to see you escaped from this place. Recovering hard-earned knowledge to rightful owners along the way seems quite reasonable.
"Yes, a boon for a boon. Besides, Big V sounds pretty scary and the more we prepare the way the better..." Shocca pulls her rifle back out. "So, what do you know of Xiello's tribe's numbers and location?"
"Your willingness to put yourselves at risk is worrying and admirable." Kezmir murmurs, then says "I will tell you what lies in this region of the ship, and you can decide your approach, though none will be easy. Our divinations have shown us much, though few in number as we are, they did not allow us to contest the other beings inhabiting this place."
"To the east of us lies the territory of Xiello's followers. First is a medical bay that serves as a neutral ground. Beyond lies what was once some gathering hall for the Tentacled Ones. This chamber saw great fighting in the early days of our captivity, as clanmates fought one another to draw who remained to their side. Now, Xiello has placed a dark magical trap upon the chamber to ensure we will not approach his domain."
"Beyond the meeting hall are two chambers, one with acidic vats that was once used to dispose of any who resisted the Visions. Within this chamber lies a dangerous stellar being that succumbed to the Visions and that Xiello has charmed into service. The other chamber is the living quarters of Xiello's followers, and the space within which they meditate when he has no orders for them. No more than four of them rest there at any one time. Xiello himself has claimed the chamber beyond that and secured not only the door, but also the space from our divination. We cannot see it."
"To the north-east, a charred passage leads to a series of chambers with their own dangers. An alien arboreal collective known as a Frujai colony has claimed this space. Like us, it has escaped the influence of the Visions. However we share no common language and it is unwaveringly hostile to all. Beware its power over gravity. If you can reason with or defeat it, another way into Xiello's chambers will be available to you, and one he would not expect."
"To the north of us lies a gallery of the Tentacled Ones' victories. Through this gallery come the metal Tentacled Ones, and very rarely living Tentacled Ones as well. It is well watched."
"Beware its power over gravity"... I wonder if the Frujai are solarians. Perhaps Arc could identify this if we encounter them.
Moving on from this, he's unsure of which way to approach Xiello's domain.
Maybe we should see how dangerous they are in case it offers a way into the domain that would be unexpected to Xiello.
He turns back to Kezmir. We have become accustom to risk.
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"Fascinating," Arcalinte comments. "'Arboreal' suggests it's a plant-based lifeform...while I've heard of solarians among such peoples like the khizars and ghorans, they tend more towards photonic manifestations, rather than an embrace of the Cycle as a whole. Isn't plant-life more the Xenowardens' area of expertise?"
He nods at Ajithu-Ko's final statement.
"I've been willing to put my life on the line for others since I was a teenager...and if I die in battle, it will not have been the first time."
Kezmir stoically answers "Indeed you have. But do not allow your familiarity with risks result in not respecting them." and adds "Long ago we attempted an approach through the Frujai colony's domain and lost one of our number swiftly. I suspect it will not hesitate to attack, though it is intelligent and not without reason."
"Mystical traps are not always our strong suit. Plant life though... that we can work with. Xenowardens and biologists and all. At least that direction we might be able to end the menace without slaughtering the other half of the tribe." She shrugs. "Kezmir, this trap that has kept you away. Do you know anything more about it's workings? This dark magic... sounds frightening."
"It appears as if a black hole, drawing everything in to its center, and it fills an entire room with its awful reach. I saw one of our own drawn into it. They did not escape. It lasted some time, but when it finally vanished we did not dare to enter again." Kezmir answers.
I think it's worth a careful, investigative look. I could try to use my farsight abilities to keep us at a distance.
"Good idea, Ajithu. This is your area of expertise. Please, investigate. I'll watch... from a distance." Shocca smiles, but you can see the fear in her eyes. I still have this feeling... we are not meant to leave this place alive...
Ajithu casts his arcane eye outward, sending it floating through the corridors. First it retraces the path back into the wide corridor where you fought the giants. It continues to the far end and then turns right through an open doorway. The room it enters is charred dramatically, enough that it's hard to determine what it's previous purpose was. The far exit from the room is also wide open, revealing a verdant jungle beyond. The eye continues floating, weaving between vines and bulbous blue fungal pods the size of a person. In the second chamber, it turns to the south where the jungle seems to be growing over a pair of quadrupedal robots. Standing motionless nearby are two humanoid shapes made of plant matter, small and compact, basking in the dim blue light emitting from the ceiling.
Beyond the overgrown robot room is another overgrown chamber, much much larger than the previous. Sheets of thick, ropy fungus and vines cover every surface. The fungi grow in whorls and circular patterns that seem unnatural. Metal shipping containers float lazily through large circles above the whirling patterns in the fungus. In the center of this jungle is an enormous mound of plant matter.
This massive chamber has two more exits but they both sport closed doors that the arcane eye can't get past.
"Fire trap, venus fly trap, frujai colony... seems like we could take them. Just be cautious. Perhaps try diplomacy with the plantfolk, though I have my doubts on it's success." Shocca, feeling confident, is still happy with either path but prefers the explored northern route.
You link your mind to that of a touched creature to swiftly communicate a large amount of complex information in an instant. You decide what the target learns, limited to any amount of information that otherwise could be communicated in 10 minutes. This information comes in a series of visual images and emotional sensations, and it isn’t language dependent.
Shocca closes her eyes as the mind link connects them. "Ahhh..."
Shocca recognizes the two humanoid plant creatures as frujai soldiers, effectively the protective drones of a frujai colony. While they have some of the colony's power over gravity, that's mostly limited to moving other creatures around at a distance and keeping themselves stable. They're dangerous warriors in close combat and go into a frenzy if their colony is attacked. A frujai soldier's simple mind is it's weak point (poor will), and while it isn't mindless it has the other typical resistances of plants (poison, sleep, stun, etc).
The massive mound in the center of the larger room Shocca realizes is the frujai colony itself. These colossal plant aliens have supreme control over gravity and can sprout (as a full action) frujai soldiers to defend themselves. They are highly intelligent and not inherently evil, but tend to see most fleshy creatures as either dangerous threats or potential fertilizer, and often both.
Shocca gulps. "Dang, those colonies are frightening." She thinks further...
"We should be able to take the colony. But swarms can be quite surprising..." She shrugs. "Should be fine."
I wonder if they could be contacted telepathically, somewhat remotely. We could perhaps broker peace with them for passage through.
Shocca knows that frujai colonies and their soldiers natively communicate via telepathy, but typically only understand and "talk" in their specific frujai language. To communicate with them you'll need some way to understand and be understood .
Shocca knows that a frujai colony's gravitic control allows it to: freely hover, create a zone of altered gravity equivalent to the control gravity spell, deliver a deadly gravitic crush at a distance, and create a massive conal gravitic wave that injures and pushes things away from it.
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Arcalinte's eyes widen at the size of the frujai colony.
"Haven't seen plants this big since the journey to the Temple of the Twelve," he mutters.
He turns to the others.
"I'll admit, tackling something this big feels less like an individual battle and more like trying to fight a landscape...we may need to see if the environment can offer us any advantages."
He looks around the room to see if anything like that exists in this space.