Zeran notices Britta's blush and movement when he starts to explain his scanning. Is she concerned that he's violated her privacy? He hopes not, but....
"Well, I'm sure that you are right. It is your equipment. All I was using was a cantrip, the weakest of magics. It only shows the auras of magic and I have to examine them for details to give me an idea of what it does. The auras that I mentioned that are under your clothing, all I see is the aura as it penetrates your clothing. Kind of like a light covered by thin cloth. As for my interpretation.... I normally deal with empowered magical devices, like mine. Let me think." He smiles and removes his cloak. Holding it out he grins. "Try this on. Just for a simple test. I'm sorry that the colors will clash terribly...."
Once she has it on he moves one of his rolls to a spot on the table by itself. "Now, the command word is in Draconic. Just say 'qogh' and imagine reaching out and picking the roll up with the magic of my cloak." Once she is able to use it Zeran grins. "I can cast that cantrip myself, but can only prepare a few available at any one time. That lets me use it when it isn't prepared."
He considers her request about getting poison from Greenie.... "You can extract the poison without hurting her? I don't think she'd mind since I protect her, and feed her. As a familiar she's a little bit intelligent. Not enough to understand speech yet, but she does understand me, sometimes. It's weak poison though. Doesn't do much more than sting a little, unless the person is allergic." If Britta is interested Zeran will try.
When the book is brought over and set on the table he rescues his roll and spreads some more jam on it. "I've seen bigger, but not by much. Kind of hard to carry when they get that big!"
"Windchime, keep an eye on the book, and make sure there's no shenanigans from the redheaded godling. He doesn't seem too right in the head." He addresses the Warforged server, in his normal accent.
"Oh, I am certain he was only trying to follow your advice, Master Mitchifer!" the warforged chimes. She looks around, her eyes forming deep dark blue pools as she picks up the various conversations, and claps her hands together with a delicate clatter. "Oh, the different patterns of magic across worlds truly are a beautiful quilt, aren't they?"
She doesn't seem to suspect Josten of his deeper thoughts.
"Giant. Is that some sort of alien? I recognize the word as large, but not as a language."
When Zeran explains how his magic works and what exactly it sees, she feels less exposed. A body scan by a machine is one thing, but having someone "see" under your clothes filled her with discomfort. Now, she relaxes a little. He seems to be telling the truth as well.
He offers her his cloak. Britta wears a cape currently, and with the press of a button on her chestplate, it seemingly slides up into her armor and is gone in an instant. What is underneath on the backside of her armor are two ports. Those who are technologically cunning will recognize this as a built-in jetpack system. It is not bulky at all and lies almost flat on her back. While the intake of her cape might seem magical to others, it indeed is mechanically done.
She will take the cloak and put it on, but nothing happens. "Qogh" There are no magical benefits shared from it that his sight can see. Then, something strange starts happening. It is like an infection. As if her body understands what the cloak is meant to do and is bending the very magical construction of it. He watches as she begins to take over the magical item's enchantment. Like a conversion program, the force begins to make the cloak give her these powers, rather than the cloak having the powers itself. The effect is the same, but he would see that it is completely backward from what it should be. It is as if the woman before him made the enchantment more beautiful and symbiotic.
"It wasn't working, so I made it work," she comments. "Thank you for this gift." She states, serious it seems in wishing to keep the cloak. However, a moment later she smiles with a wink and returns it to him.
Regarding the poison, she nods.
"This is hardly the place, but of course. Many animals actually feel better after having their venom milked. Weak poison is good for many things. It can also be mixed or added to a more volatile mixture."
Elistra laughs out loud at Eldlen's silent question. "A slave?!? Me?!? Here?!? There are no slaves within the World Serpent Inn. Well, except for those of Marrake al-Sidan al Hariq ben Lazan, but he brought them here from the City of Brass." She replies in a musical voice similar to Morriana's, though her voice has a bit of a childlike quality to it that her sister's lacks. She also doesn't have the same accent as Morriana.
She reaches into her small belt pouch and pulls out a deck of cards, which she hands to the half-drow. "I think these are yours, you dropped them on your way out of the Garden."
Seeing the drow distracted by Eldlen, Kagiero decides to just remove her self from the situation out of caution, and to avoid any more discomfort for Windchime. "Thank you, excuse me..." she says to Silvertail, and she's suddenly back over by the table she sat at, and moves from there over toward the lady in the odd armor. She waits not wishing to interrupt her current conversation, then after a bit...
"Hello, may I sit?"
"Absolutely," she replies to Kagiero. "I noticed you had a datapad over there. You must be from a more technologically advanced universe than some of these here." She nod in greeting and will introduce herself. "I'm Officer Britta Karan."
"Absolutely," she replies to Kagiero. "I noticed you had a datapad over there. You must be from a more technologically advanced universe than some of these here." She nod in greeting and will introduce herself. "I'm Officer Britta Karan."
She nods to the others present as she takes a seat, placing her pack on the floor near her, and her sword on the table. "I'm Kagiero la Montez, thank you. Ah! That explains the look of your armor! There are some places on my world that still haven't embraced the technology, but yes, for the most part the...universe I come from is technologically advanced, but, it's just the world we live in. I haven't been outside my universe until today, apparently. Which is fine, as much more of it is unpleasant than not." As she speaks, many emotions are displayed, excitement, pride then sadness and fear, as she quickly glances over where was standing a moment ago. "Where are you from?"
Zeran does seem slightly concerned when Britta jokes about his "gift", but happily takes the cloak back. "Many mages consider a cloak like this to be silly and unnecessary. It gives me more variety with my cantrip so I feel that it's still worth wearing." He considers her comment about his familiar and nods. "I'm willing to let you try and.... 'milk' it. If she doesn't like it I'll know instantly. Her emotions are fully developed. Right now she's feeling curious, I assume about what i want from her. That's one of the problems with just emotional communication. We share feelings, not complete thoughts. Soon though."
He glances again at the book. "You're not familiar with Giants? I'm sure some people on Golarian think that they're just stories. But ogres, ettins, and real giants are very real and very dangerous. Possibly as dangerous as dragons, and they're real too. I've seen a few, from a distance. We didn't have the fire power to fight them so we avoided them...."
As he reads a little more he hears Britta mention a 'data pad' and the other human.... looking woman answer, apparently understanding the words. "Pardon my intrusion to your conversation. But what is a data pad? I'm Zeran Vigga, a wizard from Golarian, one of those not-technologically advanced worlds if I'm understanding you. Although I would say that most of Golarian is pleasant.... at least by my standards."
Silvertail takes advantage of focus being taken from her to slip away again. She wants to just go find a quiet corner to get her instincts under control again, but her hunger urges her to not let those two out of her sight, so she goes more or less in a circle around the group as far as she dares with the mist, searching for the area with the most unoccupied tables she can wait and watch from.
As Silvertail searches for a quiet spot to chill out, Morriana's musical voice whispers next to her. "If ya need a spot to settle yerself a bit, yer welcome to visit the Grand Gardenland. Normally, outsiders are no allowed, but we can make an exception for you."
You know this is a message spell, and can reply in kind
"Your sister was speaking with Aleksandros earlier. Anyway, at your earliest convenience, could you remind me which of these doorways returns to the 'grand gardenland.'" He knocks the ashes from his cigarillo, looking her in the eye. "I've a powerful desire to be able to return from whence I came."
The young elf sighs a little sorrowfully. "I'm sorry, but I can't. You seem really nice, and I don't think you're a danger, but the Grand Gardenland is more or less off limits to outsiders. There's some sort of *powerful* fae contract between the Serpent Servers and The Owner that grants them a sanctuary and a safe haven." She says apologetically. "Sadly, even I wanted to, I'm not allowed. Only Morriana has the ability to invite guests inside, and that's only cuz she's why we can stay there in the first place." By the way she says 'The Owner' and the emphasis and inflection she places upon the words, you get the feeling she isn't talking about Mitchifer.
As Elistra explains to Eldlen that he's not allowed into the Grand Gardenland, the third and final Starwind sister enters the common room. Thalyssra is a fair amount taller than her little sister, and she's more toned and athletic looking than Eli. Her long, shimmering white hair frames her pretty face, which has a slight smile upon it. She has pale blue eyes, and equally pale skin. She's wearing a simple silvery white robe, functional traveler boots, and a plain, silver belt. Around her neck hangs her silver holy symbol to Elune, on a mithral chain. Her whole appearance invokes thoughts and images of moonlight.
"Good morning Eli, has Morri made it down here yet?" She says in soft, quiet voice. As they stand near each other, it is quite apparent the two are biologically related. In fact, despite them being obviously different types of elves, and their differences in height and body type, they seem to be twins. Comparing the two of them to Morriana, it seems like the three of them are actually triplets, though Morriana is yet another different type of elf.
[dice=Perception (whisper)]1d20 + 11
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As he reads a little more he hears Britta mention a 'data pad' and the other human.... looking woman answer, apparently understanding the words. "Pardon my intrusion to your conversation. But what is a data pad? I'm Zeran Vigga, a wizard from Golarian, one of those not-technologically advanced worlds if I'm understanding you. Although I would say that most of Golarian is pleasant.... at least by my standards."
"No apologies necessary. If anything, I intruded on your conversation." She retrieves her datapad from her bag, and pulls up an information database, and shows it to Zerran. "This is a datapad. Think of it as a small portable library that you can store information in, and retrieve it later, and it can also run programs, which are like specific tasks, to aid in different things. One of the programs on it holds my spell book, even. It's pretty handy." She hands him the datapad, secure in the fact any sensitive info is behind password protection. "I'm Kagiero by the way."
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"Cantrip? Do I even bother asking?" "Well, if it makes you feel more secure, then it is worth it to use. The cloak seems like fairly alright materials, despite being so, umm...original to animal and plant production. No synthetic materials at all..." She was trying to be nice without saying his cloak felt like crap. Her clothing is high quality and engineered to be comfortable and hardy in many weathers/situations.
"If your intelligent familiar is up for it. So you form an emotive bond? Interesting. There are aliens who communicate like that where I'm from."
Upon hearing about Giants, she hears him speak of Ettin, which she considers might be similar to Etti, who are a species of near humans in the core worlds. She recognizes ogres as it translates well.
"Oh...hmm...I think...yes. I think I know what you mean by giant and ogre now. We have ogres. That is what they were called when the Empire experienced them on the Forest Moon of Endor. We killed them. If you are saying a Giant is a large humanoid man, we have those too. There are numerous large species that would fit. Exeedingly large, maybe only those found on Mandallia would qualify. They are about three times the size of me. Vicious fighters. They were used in many older wars."
-----
When Kagiero comes over and takes a seat, Britta notices the woman's sword. She also nods to the woman's introduction.
"Her people must be on a backwater planet to have not accepted technology yet."
"I am from what some call the Skyriver galaxy, or as most just call it, The Galaxy. I myself haven't been outside my universe...," she chuckles, as the idea is silly to her, "...not even my own galaxy. Death surrounds us to the point that not many dare to press the boundary of what is known." She then explains. "Ours is an observable galaxy, meaning we can see our stars and the stars outside of our galaxy," she explains for Zeran and Josten if he is listening while looking at the book. "We have some estimated 400 billion stars and some 3 billion habitable systems. Four galactic arms at a diameter of about 120,000 plus light-years. It has a deep core that is mostly uninhabitable, core worlds, colonies, an inner rim territory, an expansion territory, and then mid-rim territories that we traverse between using faster-than-light travel in spaceships. On the outer disk ring are the outer rim territories, with the Unknown Regions on the galactic west of the galaxy, and Wild Space surrounding the rest of the disk."
Having thoroughly explained her home in general, she clearly didn't answer what planet, country, or district she was from. She now looks to the woman before her and asks just as silly a question, sure that she would not give a known answer.
"Where are you from?"
As the datapad is pulled out, Britta will pull out one as well. Like two girls expressing interest in fashion products they saw that were similar, Britta begins to "geek out" on the differences between their datapads, as well as the similarities.
Hers is a MicroData Technologies datapad, capable of interfacing with technology of all kinds, be it by hard linking to computer systems or wirelessly. It has a touch-sensitive screen and voice activation ability, a holoprojector, recorder, and even handgrips. She could very well gain access to a locked door with this just as readily as she could use it as a pocket secretary.
"Just consider it a handy tool in a realm of technology. It helps keeps information close at hand. For example, I can show you a map of our galaxy right now, because the information is on my datapad. It's like a tome like this..." she gestures to the 4-foot thick book, "...but infinitely thicker in content. All jammed into this little device."
If desired, she will pull up a map of her galaxy, starting at a known planet like Coruscant and then zooming out to show a solar system, then more and more until the galaxy is revealed to them. She will then activate the sectors so they can see what territories she was talking about. They will also see there are two nearby sister-galaxies that are part of "The Galaxy".
While studying the book, Josten comments, "Giant is the language used by all giant races. Much like Celestial is used by all higher plane inhabitants, such as angels, archons, and azatal; while Infernal and Abyssal is used by all manner of devils and demons respectively."
"Where are you from?"
"Well, the galaxy is called Serpent's Eye, I'm not sure how many habitable worlds there are, but there are a lot. The only part that no one knows about is the Dark Zone. It's in the Outlands outside the Dragon Empire, and no one that has gone there to explore has come back.
The world I come from is on the edge of the Empire. As to the technology, it's mixed with magic to an extent. We have things like hovercars, spaceships, things like that, but to corss great distances you need a caster...it's a magical device that teleports vast distances in an instant. Then there's the Dark Road, which is a series of large portals that allow starships without casters to get from the inner throne worlds to the Outlands. These are magitech as well. Of course everything is heavily regulated and enforced by the various dragon houses and the Emporer's forces, so the travel isn't really allowed freely...unless you're AristoCorp, involved in commerce or licensed transport...or you have a caster."
Synthetic? Zeran pauses a moment wondering. Even breaking the word down to individual syllables.... ?? But he decides to leave that enigma alone. Obviously they have background language issues.
"Exactly right. Two to three times as large as a big man, and some forms are easily as smart and skilled as any other race. That's why they can be such formidable enemies. Big and strong aren't enough if that were the whole of it."
As Britta explains about her home galaxy there are again a number of words that are difficult, but he can understand the general meaning. When she starts comparing her.... data pad with the other he is totally clueless. But when she compares it to the book, mentioning that it holds so much more than the 4' thick book? "Wow! Now that'd I would love to learn more about. That's even better than my spellbook."
"What sort of 'caster' would you need? I can't teleport the vast distances like you say, between worlds. But I am a wizard."
"What sort of 'caster' would you need? I can't teleport the vast distances like you say, between worlds. But I am a wizard."
She looks confused for a second than says "Oh, no, not 'caster' as in a person who casts spells, but a 'caster' as in Telecaster, the device the ships use to teleport.
Zeran frowns, then clears his frown as he works out the meaning. "Tele.... caster. So 'tele' meaning distance, like in teleportation or telepathy. And 'caster' as in moving, like throwing dice or casting something away. I've never heard of such a device, other than legends of ships called 'Spelljammers'? Interesting. I'd like to see such a thing."
"Not sure if it's the same thing that's on a 'spelljammer' or whatever, but it's been described to me as a large metallic sphere that sits in part of the engine room. I've never seen one. I usually use the portals on my world to get to the others 'safe' to visit, not by ship."
"Josten...you have a way of explaining things so a girl can understand..." she smirks with a playful wink, basically telling him he sucks at explaining the mystical for her technological mind. She has no idea what any of those things are, except angels, which she would assume are Diathim in theory, as that is their nickname.
Britta will patiently listen as Kagiero explains her own galaxy. The similarities were striking.
"Are you a part of Aristocorp, a Dragon House, or a part of the Emperor's forces?"
It is clear from Zeran's face that she blew his mind. It was on purpose given the terms he's used on her today. She will patiently explain though now that she has her datapad out. Zeran will see the image of her galaxy, will see displayed how she retrieves just about any information she desires at the drop of a hat, and how it can perform intense calculations.
"Let me explain, Zeran," she holds up her datapad showing a video of a First Order Resurgent-class Star Destroyer. The image displays as a hologram on the table.
"This ship can traverse through the galaxy. Think of it like a boat on the water. When dealing with technology of this magnitude and size, it takes millions of devices to make a machine work." She will put it to scale, showing the design next to a human, and then scaling out to show how truly massive their ships are. "It usually does not take just one piece of technology. Space travel is very dangerous and our bodies are just not made for being there. So where a primitive device like a boat on water may take a person rowing, an oar, and an oar hook for rowing to move, this will take much more."
She will zoom in on the design to a "parts" view. Here she begins showing how the gravitational device makes it so they function like on a planet in movement and what it looks like in a video when it doesn't work. Then she will show how an engine core keeps power to the ship, how the life support system works in general, and how in videos life will end if they aren't working. They all tie in together to make one ship. Her explanation is brief, but with visuals, it's easy to explain. She will then explain how the one device of Kagieros is similar in how it enables the ship to enter a teleport to another location but is just one device or piece of technology amid probably thousands working in unison.
"I can't show you how a ship would look when it teleports. Maybe she can. I know the technology exists where I'm from, but it is less used." She then looks to Kagiero. "Every world develops different technology in different ways. Strange how my isolated galaxy came up with the same ideas as yours but chose to focus on a different path as its most popularized travel method. Let me show you mine at least while I have this out."
She will then show hyperspace and how a ship enters it, and in brief, how it works so that Kagiero can see how they don't use portals. In a similar way, they use a sort of preestablished webbing throughout the galaxy to increase travel speeds. The video she shows Zeran of a ship going into hyperspace might blow his mind as it is beautiful, swirling blues, and unlike anything probably seen by him on Golarion.
Aleksandros listened as the others chattered on about their different worlds and magic using all sorts of strange made-up words. He crossed his arms, slightly emphasizing his muscles as he leaned back with a smirk.
He kept an eye on the Starwinds too and Sir Posh with all his varied slaves. This corner of the inn had gotten quite busy recently so keeping track of everyone was a challenge.
A different miracle from every world and each professing the superiority of their way. Gods do not need miraculous sky boats or iron books or enchanted cloaks.
Britta will patiently listen as Kagiero explains her own galaxy. The similarities were striking."Are you a part of Aristocorp, a Dragon House, or a part of the Emperor's forces?"
"None of those things. The Empire doesn't have as strong of a grip on the Outlands anymore. There are a few worlds who are free. I grew up on one of those. I'm not really affiliated with any group, but I certainly would not work with the Dragons nor their Imperial forces." She has an odd look that you can easily take to mean that if you weren't a stranger with no knowledge of how the Empire was, she'd be offended at the suggestion she would work with such groups. Switching to the topic of ships she says "Oh, I'm not an engineer, so I don't know how all of it works, but yes the ships are full of other moving parts and tech than just the 'caster, for sure."
Zeran listens, and watches, stunned to silence..... almost. "Wow. So much...."
She can see the discomfort in Kagiero's looks but ignores it. It's not like Britta is part of this Dragon group or Kagiero's Empire. Plus, here there is no reason Kagiero can't complain, and some people really enjoy a good chance to vent their frustrations. Britta seems open to this by relating her own job and connection to her Empire:
"Our galaxy has been subjugated to wars for millennia as chaotic factions have tried to vie for power and have caused untold genocides. The First Order that I belong to seeks to end that and wishes to unify most all planets it can under one banner. In the words of some of our leaders, it is to end intergalactic wars forever."
"There are many systems who want freedom in my galaxy, which the First Order doesn't mind allowing--within reason. This is usually fine until they go and side with terrorists or do terrorist acts themselves. Then we have to kind of debate whether to subjugate a whole planet based on that act. It's kind of hard to let them just continue terrorizing and doing so without an imperial presence at that point, and we prefer a strong arm in dealing with rising conflicts. I suppose that is one of our faults. My job is to be that wedge. The key piece to find these terrorists and see if it is just a sole individual, or the leadership of the planet involved. That is why I am not generally in the service as an officer myself. I work behind the scenes. Anyway, it sounds like you don't like this Dragon group of your galaxy. If the terrorists from my world were in power and called themselves an empire, I'd not like serving under them either. What are these Dragon followers like?"
She looks to Aleksandros, Josten, and Zeran and asks, "What about your umm...planets..planes...things..? What are they like? Peaceful? At war?"
"What are these Dragon followers like?"
"This is a long story, but I'll try to be brief. Millennia ago the dragons took to the stars and warred amongst themselves over territory as two factions: Metallic dragons, who's scales look like gold, silver, etc., and the Chromatic dragons, named so because their scales more associated by color, red, black, blue, etc. The Metallics were at one point good, and the Chromatics, evil. Well, they fought, then at some point came to an accord where they would join together and rule the galaxy, ruler ship passing between a chosen Emperor from each dragon type every one thousand years. They take a somewhat active role in leadership, but for the most part they decide who has political power by their connection to dragon-kind. Dragons are the top of the political ladder, while half-dragons and sorcerers who trace their ancestry to a dragon somewhere in their past have the next most. Others may have some depending on how useful they are to the Empire. The current Emperor is Mezzenbone, a red dragon, and we're only 70 years or so into his thousand year tenure. His measures are more draconian, no pun intended, than his predecessor. He has militarized and deputized the Drow into a secret police, that infiltrate and subjugate new worlds as they are discovered, and root out rebellion. They already had a bad reputation, but now it's so much worse...the AristoCorps are just going along with the flow to make sure there is no damage to what political power they may have so commerce can still flow. The Drow security forces commit all kinds of atrocities in the name of security, and some lone dragons torture and experiment on the citizens of their territories, with no consequence, aside from rebellion. For the average citizen in the throne worlds, in general, life is not so bad, as long as they toe the line. But, they have no voice, and no real freedom. Worlds are dragged into the Empire, kicking and screaming if need be, for their own good in the name of unity and security."
"My world is one of many, founded by the Gem dragons, who's as you can probably guess scales look like precious stones, who argued against forced subjugation, and were then almost hunted to extinction by the other dragons. They persevered, however, and eventually rose up and drove the Empire out of their parts of the galaxy near the Outlands. The conflict continues somewhat, but has settled into more of a cold war. The Gem's philosophy is that all sentient life has value, draconic or otherwise, and deserves to live free."
She then quips "I'm sure from their point of view, the Dragon Empire believes our worlds to be terrorist states. However, freedom fighters are often called such when the status quo is threatened."
Josyten took a moment to look away from the Book of Jobs when asked the question. The tall red-haired man puffed, deep on thought, then answered.
"Well, as an adventurer, I don't really keep a residence. But I do tend to commune between my father's Domain in Elysium and my mother's aerie in Nirvana. I have great friends on both planes. Although both planes have some inherent dangers, for the most part both planes are safe."
Zeran has trouble tearing his attention away from the 'datapad', but eventually does with Britta's question. "War? Sadly yeah. There are beings with God-like power, and some actual Gods. That usually leads to religious leaders trying to stamp out other religions. And of course there are the demons. Some really stupid casters, arcane or divine that summon them and try to control them. Note the word 'try'. It's the important part of THAT sentence. And others are just politically motivated, control resources...." He closes his eyes and turns his head away. "I hate war."
He glances at Kagiero as she explains the Dragon followers. "Absolute power...."
With a grin to the puff deep in thought Josten exibits, Britta seems impressed his realms are relatively safe. She's never even heard anything in her known history that seems peaceful. "Must be nice..." "So...does that mean you think it's safe based on your adventurous mind, or based on an average farmer's mentality?"
As she asks this question, the third and final sister comes down into her sight. It is at that time there is a look on Eldlen from afar as he seems pleading in his behavior and then is shut down. She may not know why but purses her lips at the drow-looking elf for a moment and then back to Eldlen as he goes about asking others in the inn some form of question before he disappears into the mist. Something tells her she'll see him again, but she's not sure why.
Her eyes look now to this newest addition to the table. A moon elf. Something about her seems glowy. Perhaps it's her skin or her outfit, but Britta is reminded of numerous moons that come to mind. In any case, she is having a conversation, so she focuses back on Kagiera who answers her.
When she looks at the girl's slides of the security forces and others, she notices the drow, then looks over to those who looked like Eldlen and the sister, then back to Kagiero. As she continues on, Britta feels like there are some similarities to her Empire and the Gem Dragons.
"I feel like...ruling a galaxy based off of bloodlines is the stupidest thing I've ever heard of. No wonder they rebelled. A people. A country. A planet maybe...but not a galaxy...I'm sorry. I mean...it's just stupid. You put people in a position of power in that instance based on strength, an ability to lead, and the ability to inspire. Family should have little to do with it at all. I'm not saying there aren't families in power among the First Order, but it's mostly because they showed the intelligence and raw strength to deal with our challenges to be in that position. Our Emperor was an elderly man, weak in appearance, scarred by villains in that age who vied for his political power, but he threw the assassins down and hunted them to extinction throughout the galaxy. That is skill. That is a leader."
"Now we have another leader, Supreme Leader Snoke. He likewise was injured, having his skull split in half and his face melted, but he overcame these villains. He assembled the broken remnants of the Emperor's noble quest and ratified the First Order. We've grown in power again, and most recently he has wiped the planets of these villains from existence. He was put in that position because of his strength. He is a philosopher some say. A seeker of knowledge and hidden information. Some say he even has strange powers that influence the mind...which I thought were just rumor...until recently..." she trails off in thought as she considers her own force powers. "In any case, the Emperor gave him that position upon his death and he has ruled well. We are so close to wiping out the terrorists for good." She shakes her head in disappointment.
"Entire planets? That seems a bit extreme. You admire this person?"
With a grin to the puff deep in thought Josten exibits, Britta seems impressed his realms are relatively safe. She's never even heard anything in her known history that seems peaceful. "Must be nice..." "So...does that mean you think it's safe based on your adventurous mind, or based on an average farmer's mentality?"
Focusing back on the Book, Josten answers. "Um, well, both Elsyium and Nirvana are higher planes: planes populated by good outsiders like angels, azatas, and archons AND The Gods of Good. These are often afterlives for mortals who led mostly good lives. By their very nature, these places are benevolent, because they are populated by benevolent ideals, concepts, and Gods."
"Beyond that, ask a philosopher. Or planar researcher. I'm not at that point in my existence where I question it."
"Oh...so this place you are talking about is a place people go when they die?" Now her mind is blown, cracked, toasty. "So wait...like when people from your mortal realms die? Or like...me?"
Her eyes weaken as Kaigero hits the nail on the head. Britta bites her lower lip in thought.
"I do...I mean...I did. My whole life really." She shakes her head. "I wasn't aware of their efforts to build the Starkiller base. I was secluded. However, I was sent to my homeworld of Hosnian Prime shortly before its destruction. I learned that not only was it to be the seat of the enemy's ruling power in the galaxy, but they were rebuilding a fleet that would send the galaxy into chaos for the next few millennia. I did my job. I explained how the people were in unison, of one mind on these planets. They hated the Empire and wanted to murder us. Every person I spoke to, from the highest leader, to the lowest civilian. It was my birth planet. My family lived there..." She swallows hard. "I told them what I found, as I was supposed to. Did I think they would blow up the planets? Did I think they could? No. I admire Snoke's ability and power, and he sees more of the position and problems of the galaxy than I do. He felt it necessary to destroy them. I am sure from my past experiences with Snoke's methods and the Empire's before him, they would not wish to destroy planets. He must have HAD to." She seems sad and takes a sip of her ale. "That's part of the reason why I'm not going back. I can't stand what I am there anymore. I don't think it's wrong to hope for peace throughout the galaxy, but something just didn't sit right with me after that. It was too brutal. I would have rather had war last my lifetime, even if they were all against us."
"Oh...so this place you are talking about is a place people go when they die?" Now her mind is blown, cracked, toasty. "So wait...like when people from your mortal realms die? Or like...me?"
Josten looks up and give the officer a winning smile and wink to the positive.
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As Silvertail searches for a quiet spot to chill out, Morriana's musical voice whispers next to her. "If ya need a spot to settle yerself a bit, yer welcome to visit the Grand Gardenland. Normally, outsiders are no allowed, but we can make an exception for you."
"That would be *greatly* appreciated. Though, might I ask to be informed when they finally pick out a job? I do need some more money," Silvertail replies.
"Aye, of course. This spell can reach ya any place in the tavern." The witch replies to the fox.
A similar whisper reaches out to Windchime "Windchime love, be a dear, and take our foxy friend to the Garden. She's in need of a spot o R&R."
The following are the quests currently available Josten finds while going through the Book of Jobs:
A frantic dwarf named Halli seeks a company of adventurers to escort the axe Ghoulgrinder safely to the village of Latun.
A priest named Arion seeks a company of adventurers to clear his name against charges of heresy.
A cryptic elf named Curma seeks a company of adventurers to hunt down and capture the remorseless killer known as Hermiro the Ghastly.
A shady wizard named Exiton seeks a company of adventurers to rescue the elven city of Llethy from the Demon of the Emerald Forest.
An angry paladin named Etemos seeks a company of adventurers to discover who is murdering his peers, and why.
A wary druid named Monesistr seeks a company of adventurers to recover and destroy an evil artifact from the Dark Caverns of Horror.
A guarded gnome named Genu seeks a company of adventurers to recover a valued family heirloom from the trolls of the Brimstone Hills.
A sage named Hosisil seeks a company of adventurers to escort a group of pilgrims safely to the dwarven city of Gundushur.
A witch named Euryris seeks a company of adventurers to recover and destroy an evil artifact from the ruins of Barad Mergo.
"That's part of the reason why I'm not going back. I can't stand what I am there anymore. I don't think it's wrong to hope for peace throughout the galaxy, but something just didn't sit right with me after that. It was too brutal. I would have rather had war last my lifetime, even if they were all against us."
Kagiero looks at Britta with some sympathy."Well, I'm glad destroying planets doesn't sit right with you. I can't imagine that sitting right with anyone." She offers her an empathetic smile.
Windchime's eyes have sunk to a deep, dark blue as she listens to the stories of Kagiero and Britta.
"True peace comes only from knowing the beating heart of the other," she recites at a lull in the conversation. Her eyes shift in hue to a golden dawn orange. "That was what my creators said. But I would never understand any of this talk of planets and war, of course!"
She looks to Morriana, and her eyes sparkle green. "Oh, yes, certainly! Please follow me, Mistress. I am sure you will like it there very much."
The warforged sets out from the common room, leaving the conversation behind her.
"Alright!" Josten says to the table, eyes firmly on the tome. "Here's what I see so far..."
The godling goes on to list the jobs in the Quests tab.
Zeran finally throws off his 'funk' as Britta and Kagiero are discussing that destroying planets is not good. He mentally reviews the conversation that he 'heard' while he hadn't really been listening. He was glad to have developed that talent while in College.... "I think that's one of the hardest things about war. Even when you are on the 'side or right', innocent people get hurt." He turns to Josten and asks, "So what happens when war comes to the higher planes? Surely the evil planar powers don't just leave it alone?"
"Thank you, Windchime," Silvertail says as she follows the construct, sweeping her tails behind her in an elegant arc.
To tell the truth, she is disturbed by what Josten implies with his wink. Humbled even. There is an afterlife? She chews on her lip and thinks to what Zeran and Kagiero say. Even Windchime "chimes" in which causes Britta to smirk.
In the end, Britta decides to focus on the job.
"All of this talk of doom and gloom has me in the mood for a job. I vote for that last one, the one with a witch. That's the only one I kind of understand. Recover, destroy, get paid. I don't know how an artifact is evil, but whatever. Some people are stupid."
She will look down at the flashing lights on her armor and will nod.
"Windchime. Do you have access ports? Can you gain entry into locked doors?"
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Windchime pauses as she's leading Silvertail off. "Oh, well, in answer to the second question, yes, historically, Mistress! But I do need to find a key, just the same as anyone." Her eyes flicker orange. "I am unfortunately not certain what you mean by 'access ports'. If this is a proposition, I am very flattered, but I am certain Master Mitchifer would not appreciate my getting distracted while at work."
She curtsies, then turns back to the fox. With Silvertail in tow, the warforged sets off into the blue mist.
Aleksandros agrees with Britta on the selection of job their newfound group should take though that might be simply because he couldn't remember any of the other jobs after Josten had recited them.
"Ruins can be caused by war. Perhaps this artifact is to blame. This could be very dangerous. Take time to prepare yourselves appropriately. I am ready this moment to depart." He appears cheerful at the prospect of danger to test himself against.
"A job? Do you want assistance?" she asks Britta and the others.