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Kharrum salutes in standard Dwarven fashion.
"Nice to meetcha as well Tem∏ænaut. A Minor Image? Pretty good." Kharrum, as polite as he's trying to be, is still clearly not very good at social interaction, "Anyways, naw, as far as I've had an opportunity to research in the Silver Mount, which was a bit, given, there was nothing like that, either creature-wise or in the case of the symbols upon his flesh."
Kharrum scratches his chin in thought, and then speaks again, "I suppose you must be extraterrestrial in origin yourself? Intriguing, as you quite clearly resemble a human of Golarion. Opens some questions about the evolution of humanoid creatures elsewhere. Nevertheless, I am certain that the, you call them Vercites, Vercites have nothing to do with the Silver Mount, though, if you also arrived, or traveled in an Æthership, I wouldn't mind comparing it to what I know of the Silver Mount."
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Kharrum turns to properly address Yoshimi,
"Yeah, but that was, what, 70 years ago? Yeah, t'was the summer of '45 I managed to earn my keep with them. Before they had the ear of the Black Sovereign, that's for certain. Mainly because he hadn't been born yet. I can say Numeria was different back then, and the Technic League weren't quite as secretive as they are now. As for Inns in Starfall, I truly don't recall, but I'd have to say that I probably didn't stay at a Starbird Inn, though I may be mistaken. Hundred and twenty years of memories can often get lost or jumbled, even for one as well organized as myself." Kharrum replies, resting his chin in his hand, "As for how long I was there, I'd say it was...roughly 20 years. By the end of my time there, they had gotten more defensive and secretive about the place, hiring assassins to locate and kill possessors of the Thread of Silver, hunt down others who ran off with relics, regardless of how small. Lucky for me, I had had a chance of reading that damned survey, and because I took nothing but the knowledge in my mind, they had little reason for hunting me down. Though I dare say trying to get into the Five Kings Mountains to hunt me down and kill me would certainly be a bad idea on their part. I doubt anyone there even remembers me, if anyone I met is still alive, which is unlikely given that almost all of them were humans."
He looks up to meet Yoshimi's gaze, and asks, "But yer folks are from Starfall? Odd to see someone of Tien descent having originated from there. Were they immigrants?"
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"My father never talked much about his past, and I think I'm beginning to figure out why. He was originally from Minkai, and he made the dangerous trek across the crown of the world following Shizuru, who I have a sneaking suspicion was NOT an old lover, to Mendev and the Worldwound. He taught me everything I know about my sword, and everything but the blade was originally his. I had the blade made from the adamantine I scavenged from the robot that killed him. My mom was a pathfinder and originally from Numeria, but she kept her affiliation pretty hush-hush. She spent a lot of time researching at the lodges in Nerosyan, and met my father there. They settled down in Starfall and opened the Starbird Inn, which was a nice layover for a lot of "foreign travelers" until the League got suspicious."
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I am human by bloodline, but Vercites by upbringing.
The æthership wreckage ceased to exist the moment I stepped out if its hatch. But here's what I can tell you.
The Zeitgeist was a prototype vessel similiar in complement and atmospheric performance to Golarian airships. Lifting gas cells and ballonets are slung above the habitable compartments. They allow for buoyancy and trim control. Instead of wood, its hull will be made of composite materials and metal alloys.
The distinguishing design feature of the Zeitgeist is a light flexible cage and pods equally dispersed about the periphery of the entire vessel. I was not informed as to whether they will be tech or divine in origin. The whole operation seems very hush hush.
And here is the layout. This is the bridge, crew compartments, propulsion, biocycling, and astrogation.
Because I am substantially smaller than the typical Vercites male, I needed a booster seat in the captains chair.
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Kharrum nods as he replies to Yoshimi,
"Yep, that'd be after I left, at least by a decade or two, but that at least confirms my assumption. Still, rather risky of them to operate an inn under the noses of the Black Sovereign and the Technic League. And, you have my sincerest condolences about your father's passing. Thank you Miss Yoshimi."
Kharrum then returns his attention to Temπ, watching the Minor Image displaying the ship's design and layout.
"No, even if this was a prototype that was smaller than the average vessel of your place of origin, the Silver Mount was significantly different. The layout, the design, even the physical accommodations are all different. I suppose that should be rather relieving in a way for you, as that means the technology and relics being horded and used by the Technic League are not of your place of origin." Kharrum pulls out a wooden frame with a canvas stretched across it, and unfolds it to become a chair, seating himself on it carefully, a strained creak quite clear as the heavy dwarf settles himself in the chair. "Still, its impressive your recollection of the vessel's layout and scale. As well as your handling of the minor image spell. I must say, the technology involved in this vessel must be...at least a few centuries ahead of that of Alkenstar, and even further off of the rest of Golarion. Shame, it must be amazing to travel beyond the confines of ones celestial body and get a closer look at the stars."
Kharrum seems somewhat lost in idealistic thoughts, and has his chin planted firmly in his hands.
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That's very kind of you. Just don't ask me to fool anybody with the things I draw. It all looks like sketches on a long scroll from other angles. What I get in detail I lose in believable, if that is at all possible.
As for the topic of time, I really couldn't say how far apart now and then...
...are since I can't get a good reference marker. The error in my stellar calculations could mean that I won't even be born for another 30 years. And who knows what events will transpire. Now, I may never be.
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Carol winces and looks away, covering her face with her hands as Tempi causes another one of the creatures to appear. But after a few seconds, she moves a couple fingers and peeks through her hands. The creature looks to have many rune tattoos on it. Seeing it shrink and not becoming a horror, she calms down again and uncovers her face, paying attention to the next image or a vessel appear next to the now shrunken creature. Carol notes the great control Tempi has over the spell. Wow, it is like watching a book come to life, I guess.
Finally noticing the dwarf in the room, she greets him. "Phew. I am glad he didn't show the other one... Um, greetings Mr Dwarf, my name is Carol Silverstar. By the way you put it Mr Dwarf, you sound like you have been through a lot."
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Kharrum looks over to Carol, looks her up and down and shrugs slightly,
"Name's Kharrum Steelblood, pleased to meetcha. That would be a bit of an understatement, having been to Numeria and studied the Silver Mount for twenty years, having gone to Varisia and attempted to delve into one of those Runelords' fortresses, though that largely ended up being fruitless, save for me discoverin' my psychic connection to this here armor," He pats his belly a couple of times, indicating what he means, "...so I suppose that wasn't a complete waste of a rough decade. And now I'm here, hundred twenty years old and finally joining up with you youngsters in Pathfinderin', should be rather fruitful, in some form, though I expect myself to return home to resume full-time armorsmithing in about twenty years. Bit of a pattern in my life at this point." Kharrum pointedly shrugs, clearly holding no issue with his life habits.
"So, Miss Silverstar, what d'you do? And how do your extra-planar attributes help you with what it is you do?" He asks, his chin once again resting in his palms.
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Carol tilts her head slighty, having a quizzical look on her face. "Psychic...? Hm, is that another form of Fortune Telling?"
When Kharrum asks her about what she does, she fidgets a bit before speaking. "Er.. I heal people. I feel it is my duty to do so... And honestly, I don't think what far off heritage can really affect what I do. I can channel like a good cleric, and I can cast curing spells in battle without being attacked. Though if my heritage caused me to speak in different tongues in battle, I don't care for it." Carol lets out a sigh
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"As far as I understand it, I believe your heritage makes you more charismatic, as well as wiser than the average human. I don't believe it has anything to do with your...tongues issue." Kharrum asserts, "That may be more along the lines of being an Oracle. I'm aware of those who are deaf, short-sighted, and even physically malformed or impeded. If you happen to speak a language other than common when in stressful situations, I believe you got lucky in that regard."
"Dabble? Yeah, I suppose that'd be the right word. Even other Occultists are more competent in the realm of casting spells than I, but what few I can make use of I put towards enhancing my abilities as a warrior, and one must admit that the sight of a Dwarf in full-plate with a famed Dwarven longaxe or hammer must be rather intimidating. Especially when said dwarf can make himself move faster than a barbarian for short periods." Kharrum replies, a sly grin appearing as he mentions his ability to move fast. "And by the way Miss Silverstar, by psychic, I mean I have something of a spiritual and emotional link with my armor, and my spells are generated from emotion and thought. And before you say it, I agree that it seems like an odd system, but that just so happoens to be the way it works. Also, as an Occcultist, if you take away my focus implement, in my case, my armor, then I am powerless in terms of spellcasting and other abilities, save for my own martial prowess."
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"Eh? Oh... Sorry." Carol coughs slightly before continuing. "I speak Celestial and Aklo when stressed. And that is the only two languages I can understand when stressed too. Though I have to admit, it isn't that bad, I guess. Other than during combat, I am alright." Carol smiles softly. "I guess the spell, Comprehend Language would help greatly in combat and other stressful situations."
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Or maybe you could share your language via a spell, with the person who really needs to know what your saying. It might even be worth purchasing a wand.
You can speak those languages outside of battle too, yes?
Hey, what does it take to change armor, as in say you find a better suit?
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"Share... Language?"
Carol listens to Tempi's description of the spell. Oh?.... Oh! That would help alot! Why didn't I think of that!? Carol smiles as she realizes how much it can help her. "Wow! That spell would help greatly. And yes, I am able to speak it normally outside of stressful situations." She is about to head out before she realizes how much such a wand would cost. "Wait... Wouldn't it cost quite an amount of gold to just buy it? I am not sure I have the funds right now." Carol starts to frown before she takes a deep breath and has a smile instead. "At least now I know what I would like to have in the future. In terms of wands that is."
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"Better suit? Quite unlikely my friend, this armor is top notch in terms of defense as a mundane suit of armor, and when I am able to amass sufficient funds, I will be able to enchant it, allowing it to posses even greater defense. I admit, if it were made of a skymetal, that would certainly be nice, but I am content with it as it will progress." Kharrum chuckles, "As for if I were to come across say...a suit of noqual full-plate, a prize for certain, I would certainly be disappointed, as I would not be able to make use of it as well as I could this one. This is due to the fact that I have my psychic, or panoply, bond with this suit. Unfortunately as a Battle Host Occultist, I can only ever have one bond, and as far as I'm aware, this is the only one I will ever have."
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"I, uh, I didn't make it. I found it." Kharrum replies, somewhat sheepishly, "It was in a ruin that had been a false lead a few decades ago. I'm amazed it fit me so well, but, whatever, it works for me."
"And yes, I do armorsmithing when I'm not doing society work. I find that it calms me, something oddly monotonous and rhythmic about it. But yes, you could commission me to craft some armor if you'd like. I do most of that work at the Lodge's Smithy, I think its the biggest Smithy I've seen outside of the Five Kings Mountains. Just leave a request on the noticeboard, and specifically request my services in it, there'd be no issue in that."
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Carol is oblivious to her surroundings due to figuring out how much a wand of Share Language would cost. ".... And carry that, final price is... 4500 Gold! Erm... I do want that wand." Carol sighs but resigns from that thought for the time being.
Turning to the dwarf. "Armor smithing? Hm, I was thinking about getting some armor for Thomas here. But I don't think I can get anything better than masterwork studded leather armor, since it looks like it won't slow it down." She pats Thomas the riding dog on the head before continuing. "I have been thinking about getting new armor for myself, so I can move a bit more faster. Maybe a breastplate or something. What do you think Mr. Steelblood?"
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"Oh, I forgot about Mithril. And those suggestions sound good. Thank you Mr Steelblood." Carol nods at the dwarf and smiles. "But... Since I have no missions as of yet, I should report in to the clinic to help out with healing and such. It was nice speaking with both of you, Tempi and you Mr Steelblood. Good day, and I hope I don't have to see either, or any of you in there. Be well!" With that, Carol heads out, with Thomas following her.
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With the talk of armor, Misaki jumps back into the conversation, as it's something she knows about.
"I just bought new armor. This full plate mail was expensive, especially since I bought it enchanted for extra magical protection. But I had enough money after my last Society mission, and I'll need it to keep me alive as the Society sends me on tougher missions, so I figure it's worth it."
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It was an honor to make your acquaintance, Carol. I too, hope to only to see you in the infirmary when both of us are healing others.
Waving, bowing, curtsying, shaking hands, kissing hands, kissing cheeks, hugs, salutes, prostrations. The planet is so confusing. On Verces, it's straight forward. Greeting an equal, touch foreheads. Is it a matter of rank? Then salute. Done. Gender? irrelevent.
How am I to know when to do which?
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"Cultural specifics are beyond me. I KNOW a lot of them, but I'm a terrible judge of when to apply them. But my dad taught me to bow to my elders and that's never really steered me wrong, so that's what I try to do. Past that...well, I can present a hell of a logical argument but pleasantries have always seemed pretty pointless."
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Yoshimi chuckles a bit, then glances around suspiciously as if something just grabbed her attention. The cap lifts up, tilts, and drains before a demonic-looking face appears in midair, drinking from the cap. It drops the cap and orbits around Yoshimi's head a few times before disappearing again.
"HAHAHAHA! YOUR FEEBLE OFFERING TO THE MIGHTY TANBARU IS ACCEPTED!"
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A woman with dark back hair, wearing dark clothing walks along from within the church itself into the room. She seems to be speaking a dialect of Tien Xia, maybe?
While walking, she speaks in a somewhat cheerful voice. "It is nice to see shrines to the gods of my home. It is so far away now, but it warms my heart to see that Miss Amara Li got those shrines added."
When she gets closer, it is clear she has clear skin, if just a bit tan, and strikingly violet colored eyes. And at the entryway, she introduces herself. "Greetings, my name is Satome Mika of..." Miss Satome sighs before continuing. "Of... No clan. I have received word that many people from Tien Xia are here. May I enter?"
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Miss Satome visibly lights up at someone speaking the same language as she does. She continues to stand at the entryway when she speaks with the Tien woman.
Satome continues. "And it is interesting to see what is different here than back home. Did you happen to see the shrines dedicated to the gods and goddesses back home? They are wonderful. I am glad Miss Li managed to get them here while she was officially still with the Society"
Satome leans against the entryway. "Anyway, pardon the intrusion." She takes a step into the room and bows her head. Looking back up at her. "I did not know there was a meeting room within the Temple of the Shining Star. It is quite nice."
She shifts slightly and you might have noticed something rattling.
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"I caught him skulking about an enemy encampment during an expedition into the Hao Jin Tapestry and after a bit of a tussle he volunteered his assistance. I saw a pitiful soul in need of protection and in DIRE need of guidance. So here we are. He does proove useful now and then, however. For instance...Tanbaru, show these nice people what a great mask you make.
The fiendish face appears over Yoshimi's like a fearsome samurai mask, but clearly alive. Her eyes shine through, and while she speaks with her own voice, its mouth forms the words. " Now I'm seeing through his eyes, which are better than my own. He's a great scout, too, with his invisibility. Alright Tanbaru, that's enough."
The oni promptly floats off her face and disappears again.
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Misaki eyes Toshimi's display wearily, but continues talking to Satomi.
"My name is Misaki..."
The bird on her shoulder chirps. Misaki gestures to him as she continues.
"... and this is Whistles. We came arrived in the Inner Sea from Minkai a few months ago, and were recruited into the Pathfinder Society after helping defeat the Master of the Fallen Fortress."
"I did notice some shrines that looked more like what I used to see in Minkai, but I don't know much about the gods, so I don't really know what they are."