"Error-I-cannot-answer-questions-about-self-Self-is-servant-to-Straub-the-g lorious-maker-Self-is-unimportant."
After considering the creature's response, Harakhty gave one of his own. "Yes. We are those you've been looking for. What does your master want with us?"
"The-maker-wishes-to-invite-you-to-his-domain."
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Sādhanā studies the man for a moment wary of frightening the old fisherman. "Hello there. Well met. My name is Sādhanā"
Arista's eyes seem to pop out of her head as her mouth forms an "O" of surprise at the contraption before her. She pulls herself together and clears her throat before leaning toward Harakhty,"This is truly an oddity, never before have I seen such a thing as this. I guess this is the part where we enter it somehow and see where it takes us?"
She looks back at the strange talking thing, completely dumbfounded.
The automaton clicks and whirs. "Yes-please-enter."
It goes to the side of the carriage and opens the door. It waits impassively.
Sādhanā approaches the old man as she speaks, trying to be disarming. "I'm over here, sorry to be a bother, you're just the first person I've seen for a while.
'Sense anything dangerous about him or the house?'
Alethiro had be dumbfounded by the appearance of the metal man, but he decided to take the first step forward. "Well we best get a move on, if we're going to do this."
"No, he seems like a simple fisherman," Oblivion says after a moment.
Alethiro climbs into the carriage and is surprised by the elegance of the vehicle. Red velvet seats occupy both ends of the carriage and a brass tea set sits against the side opposite the door.
Cyna quickly finds her place in the carriage.
"Did she go with him voluntarily?" she asks with a touch of concern.
A Jinzhi man emerges from the fisherman's shack, a cup of tea in his hand. "Ah, excuse me, madam. I didn't think the old man was having company today. Tollit-san, the tea is ready. I have a cup here."
"Oh, thank you, Ryota," the old man says, cheerfully accepting the proferred cup.
"Hello there," Sādhanā greets the newcomer. "Are you from this area? I'm traveling to the Clockwork Kingdom. Do you have any suggestions on the best route to take?"
Arista climbs up into the carriage as well.
Arista takes the offered hand gladly and smiles up at the kind Paladin, while trying not to step on anyone's feet.
"I thank you for the assistance kind sir. I have never seen one of these before and find the footing a little tricky."
"I'd say so," the old man adds. "I'm hearing better than I have in years. Did you say an orc was with my daughter?"
"Ah, drink your tea, Tollit-san," Ryota says quickly.
"Sounds effective," she replies, realizing that Ryota obviously wished to avoid the topic of the old man's daughter and the orc. "Well I suppose I should be leaving, have a nice day."
The old fisherman nods courteously at you before resuming his vigil at the shore. You walk off, heading north as best as you can figure. Soon, you pass by the old chapel of the hospitallers. An uneasy quiet permeates the area and you continue on your way. Before long, you find the ruins of Ashford, most of it having been burned to the ground last night. Nothing stirs there except the memories of your unfortunate encounter with Reinhardt.
"I sense the celestial one that you freed last night," Oblivion says. "Not far from here now, break to your left and into that open field."
Your pace quickens and you catch sight of the group as they board a strange clockwork contraption. Most of the party has already boarded, save for Harakhty.
You catch sight of a strange tattooed woman from the carriage's window. She seems to be wielding a sword just like Aurelea's. Arista recognizes her as an Anizari, one of the indigenous people of Zahvroma.
"Who's that?" The Elf asked.
Arista looks out the window at the strange woman,"I'm not exactly sure whom she is, but she is of the Anizari. One of the original inhabitants of these lands. Should we perhaps hail her to find out where she is coming from and what she is doing here?"
Harakhty, like the others, found his place in the vehicle. He didn't sense any malice from their greeter, but he still didn't trust their host. To that end, while the group kept an eye on this woman, Harakhty kept his eyes and fingers on the carriage's interior, looking for anything amiss.
Arista looks puzzled at Gregario's question.
"I'm not sure...I'm not even sure what time I'm in right now. Things have been happening so quickly I've hardly had time to get my bearings."
She leans out of the window for a closer look at the woman as Gregario calls to her.
The Anazari woman approaches, a wary expression on her face.
This was sure to be a bizarre moment, meeting her friends, yet to them it would be as if it were the first time. She would need to be careful what she said, especially in the presence of strangers.
"Hail. You are the group I've been seeking, I'm glad that fortune favors us both."
Looking hesitantly at the metallic creature holding the door to the carriage passively the woman responds.
"My name is Sādhanā. I've been...sent to join you by a mutual friend who wants you to succeed in your mission. She said that the sword I carry would help you to believe that we are on the same side. she says indicating the longsword hanging at her hip.
Tall and well built with sleek feminine muscle, she is an attractive woman, at the same time possessing an aura of danger that is somewhat off putting. Her stark white hair works well with her skin, pale as though from extended periods outside of sunlight, adorned with elegant tattoos of ancient sigils along her neck, arms legs, and other visible expanses of her body. Sharp blue eyes seem to take in all aspects of her surroundings, and she wears an expression of attentiveness and focus.
Dressed in black studded leather armor of an ancient style, she carries a longsword in an elaborate scabbard covered in sigils similar to the ones on her body.
Harakhty sees nothing untoward in or around the carriage. The automaton approaches Sādhanā. "Are-you-a-companion-of-this-group?"
Feeling oddly at ease, the vanara relaxes, studying the alien vehicle with more curiosity than concern now while the servant asked its questions.
"Yes I am. Just meeting up with them." she replies guardedly.
The machine studies Sādhanā for a moment. "Please-enter-the-carriage."
As the Anizari finds her seat, the carriage turns around and begins making its way to the north. It moves surprisingly fast, giving you little chance to study your surroundings. As you travel, Arista catches a glimpse of an old sign written in older Common. It reads: "Greenwood". The forest gives way to plains and before long you can see a large city ahead. Walls of bright white surround the demesne of Lord Straub, the only entry visible is the great brass gates that appear to be clockworks themselves. Gears shift and turn and the gates open.
You travel along a large avenue, the carriage continuing toward the large building that dominates the city. On the tallest spire, a clock overlooks the mechanical citizenry that occupy this place. Looking around, you see only machines in the street. They all appear to be vaguely human, small differences marking them from each other.
The carriage quickly skirts a large stone you recognize to be a Shard, cordoned off by great golden rails. The vehicle comes to a stop moments later at the foot of the tall building. The driver opens the door for you, extending a hand towards the castle.
"The-master-awaits."
You ascend the steps to the great doors of the castle, also crafted of brass. A female automaton opens the door, her face a work of art. It speaks of unchanging sadness and beauty. Her voice is softer than that of the driver, but still retains that flat, quickened quality.
"Welcome-honored-guests. My-master-will-be-with-you-shortly."
The mechanical servant leads you through a grand hallway decorated with checkerboard marble. The first thing you notice is a lack of any decoration whatsoever. Your feet echo off of the hard floor as you enter a large sitting parlor. The furniture that occupies this room is more for function rather than form or comfort. The maid gestures to the wooden seating.
"Please-sit. It-will-only-be-a-moment."
You look around the parlor and see a plague doctor's mask sitting in a glass case on a marble stand. Moments later, a tall machine walks into the room. It wears a regal cloak and a silver crown upon its delicately-etched tresses.
"Greetings. I am Lord Straub. I hope my servants didn't frighten you too much. They are early works and tend to be a little off-putting. I am glad that you decided to accept my invitation and come to my castle. It has been quite a while since I have had company other than my creations."
"Grand walls and gates have that effect. Before we begin, Lord Straub, could you tell me about ... her? She is quite beautiful."
This place was a marvel to behold, certainly a treasure trove of research for Nethys' clergy. However, the vision from earlier reverberated within Harakhty. Is that the woman from the vision? Something haunted him about her face, living but eternally ... not.
Arista looks about the place before addressing Straub, "What manner of place is this? I have never seen things such as this before. What is it you want of us?"
Did any of the surrounding areas on the way here look familiar to Arista?
Were there any memories tied to the signs she saw on the way here?
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Alethiro had a hard time taking in the various sights, for he kept studying the Anizari. There is something, about her. Glancing at the sword, his thoughts continued. It certainly looks like Aurelea's sword, but it can't be. Hers shattered after her death. And what 'mutual friend' was she referring? The Elf looked away, his thoughts in deep contemplation.
Straub looks to Harakhty, then motions for the female automaton to come over. He places a brass hand on her shoulder. The long pause before he speaks seems to indicate a dissatisfaction with the maid.
"I am pleased you find her appealing," Straub says, a hint of modesty in his tone. "She is an early work, as I said. Not very good at all. Perhaps I may show you some of my advanced work later."
He then turns to Arista. "This is my kingdom, Utopia. I understand if that name sounds a bit pompous but that was my aim. To create a place where all can live in peace and where there is no suffering. These clockworks are a necessary part of that dream. I have brought you here so that I may share my vision with you and perhaps you can help me see it through. These shards that you have been destroying, they are a vital part of the conflict that engulfs this island. Once I was subject to its spell and I have done terrible things because of it. I want them destroyed, much like you. I can help you. The other kingdoms that deal in strife and death hinder me and they possess Shards as well. I know the other necromancers well and perhaps the information I give you can aid in your struggle."
"What is they're destruction to you?" Alethiro inquired.
"It means one less tool at the disposal of those who would use them for evil," Straub says.
"And your shard?" The Elf asked while crossing his arms over his chest.
"Something that must also be dealt with. Until you arrived, there has been no known way to destroy them. That has changed, has it not?"
Sādhanā could tell that her companions had a wealth of questions for her, but so far, the presence of a potential enemy, and the fascination of the bizarre setting had forestalled them.
The idea of assistance to destroy the other shards was appealing but it also confirmed the power granted by them. But helping them destroy the other shards would tip the power balance in his favor.
He might simply be probing for information.
Arista looks at their host, speculation in her eyes. She doesn't know whether to believe him or if his plans for them are more nefarious.
Arista realizes that Straub could be lying to the group, but that there is no way of discerning the truth, given his nature.