The ride to the port was uneventful. Cleric Ahresdorf and Valindra were quiet while Draalsar slept, or seemed to be sleeping as far as you could tell. The scenery was quite a sight to behold.
Lush green hills roll off into the countryside as individual trees dot the landscape. The carriage raced down the pavement, the clattering of hooves being the prevalent sound you heard. That is until the town comes into view. The cacophony of the citizens is unlike the one you experienced earlier. It was full of life as traders haggle with customers over the prices of goods and services.
The carriage slowly rolls to a stop and you are the first to get out. You fix your weapons back into their respective places and look around. The buildings are well-spaced and there is a large fountain a few feet away from where you stand. This must be the center of the town. A few of the inhabitants give you a curious look but none come close.
" How is the view? " You hear Draalsar's voice in your head. You take another glance at the sight before you once more and simply nod.
The port stands proud at the edge of the town, connecting the sea with the land. Seafaring vessels of contrasting sizes are anchored at the harbor. But that wasn't what caught your attention. High above and nestled within slow-moving clouds stood numerous crafts held afloat by monolithic alien structures. The structures possess a myriad of smaller edifices with most of them being at the anterior end of the alien structures holding the vessels afloat in the sky above you. Lines run down from them and embedded themselves into the ground, clearly preventing them from flying off.
" Exceptional is it not? " Valindra questions as she stands by you. " Those are aerokeels. They are a product of the joint expedition of the five kingdoms." Valindra tells you, pride evident as she does so.
"A mellifluous work of ingenuity and the arcane." Cleric Ahresdorf declares from behind. Two humanoid entities flank her on both sides. They are at least a foot taller than her and have a medley of weaponry affixed to them. You feel unnerved by their presence, perhaps that is how others felt around you.
" They are of no threat to us," Ahresdorf looks at you as she enunciates that. " They are our posse. "
Ahresdorf takes the lead and you along with the others follow. She walks away from the docked ships and towards the aerokeels. They cast impressive shadows as the rays of
sunlight strikes them from an angle.
Passing through a large hallway, you overhear rumors of growing raids conducted by insurrection powers. You find that both strange and disconcerting.
Ahresdorf moves toward the main desk and converses with the young orc on the other side. They point in a distinct direction and she thanks them and motions for everyone to follow.
Clambering up a flight of stairs she tells you that you will be going aboard an Imperial Thunderstrike, the zenith of aerokeel development. It sits atop the building you were currently in. Hence the stairs.
Upon reaching the roof, you understand why they gave this particular aerokeel that moniker. It is connected to the building by long, sturdy lines which sway in the breeze. Its size is practically implausible but here it stands or rather floats. It has a coat of many colors that somehow work and complement one another. As you get close you see that the ship-like part of the structure is outfitted with an arsenal that intrigues you. A group of artillery don both the port and starboard sides with strange slender and smaller cannons going around the hull.
" Let us be on our way, " Ahresdorf walks up a ramp and enters. Valindra quickly joins her, leaving you and Draalsar.
Before you climb the ramp you hear a flurry of footsteps making their way toward you. You turn to look and see a group consisting of three humans and an orc making their way toward you.
" Wait!" One human yells, making you stop.
They introduce themselves to be the extra crew needed in case of an emergency. You find this revelation to be suspicious but you ultimately decide to let them pass before boarding yourself.
" Be cautious," Draalsar warns as you board.
The interior radiates opulence and authority. The floor is made of some form of metal that is foreign to you. It glistens as the rays created by the dull light encased in shaded chandeliers strike it. There is a low humming sound that reverberates throughout the structure.
Staff members move with impressive efficiency as the structure is prepared for take-off. You hear multiple call signs coming from all directions, it is quite the experience. They wear navy blue outfits with the same color coats which had three columns of buttons that were gold in color.
" Excuse me, " a soft yet firm voice calls out from behind. You turn to see where it came from only to see a young maiden who seems to be a cross between an elf and a human. Her eyes were that of the ocean, deep blue, enchanting yet impenetrable. Her burgundy hair consists of waves and curls, giving it a youthful look.
" If you would kindly follow me please, " she walks off but at a slow pace, you can easily catch up to her but you walk at a leisurely pace. You lose sight of her but you are in no hurry to seek her out.
You see a member of the group from earlier. They avoid eye contact and quickly scurry away. It reminds you of a rat attempting to hide after it has been discovered in a pantry. You watch them disappear around a bend.
You can track the maiden and find her waiting patiently by a door. The two humanoid entities from earlier stand guard. The feeling of uneasiness returns but you push it aside, for now at least.
" May I know your name? " She asks.
For the second time today, you have had no answer. You look to Draalsar who merely watches you.
" We shall soon address this particular issue, " his voice resonates within your head.
You find it strange that Draalsar has not made contact with anyone else other than you. Or perhaps it has and hasn't told you. You ponder if you should continue to refer to Draalsar as an 'it'. It knows your thoughts and yet has not made any attempt to change that.
" I am what you deem me to be, " Draalsar replied telepathically. " Nothing more, nothing less."
You mulled over this new source of knowledge. Draalsar was whatever you deemed.
You look at your companion once more. You will no longer refer to Draalsar as 'it' but rather 'he'. Draalsar nods.
A polite cough breaks through your thoughts. The maiden still stands there, patiently waiting for it seems. You shake your head, again indicating that you had no name.
" You do not have one? " She questions. " How about your friend? Does he have a name? "
You nod and take out the paper from earlier and hand it over to her. She gives it a once-over before handing it back to you.
" That is an interesting name," she says. " It is nice to meet you Draalsar." She performs a slight bow. Draalsar nods, acknowledging her greeting.
" I must get going," she announces.
You nod and knock on the portico and wait for a few seconds before being told to enter. Cleric Ahresdorf sits in an intricate velvet puffy settee. Valindra sat across from her on her own. It appears they were in the middle of discussing something.
" I take it you went exploring for a bit? " Ahresdorf questions.
You nod. You find a seat near a window and watch the land below you. You find it both intriguing and concerning that this level of craftsmanship is possible. The possibilities are only limited by the imagination of whoever has adequate resources.
" It is only a matter of time before destruction on an unprecedented level occurs, " Draalsar comments.
You agree. It was only a matter of time before someone would seek to use this to govern everything and everyone, and would go to great lengths to achieve that.
Suddenly there is a muffled boom and the room begins to tilt to the left, sending everything in that direction, which also included you and the others. The tilt halts, but the damage has been done and you all rise to your feet.
You look out the window and catch a glimpse of a trail of thick black smoke pouring out of the side of the alien structure keeping the entire vessel afloat.
Before any of you can react, someone barges into the room, covered in blood and brandishing a blade. They barrel toward Valindra, letting out an inhuman screech. Draalsar is the first to react and clamps down on the individual's leg, holding them in place.
They answer by trying to kick him. Ahresdorf hurls the cup she clasped at the attacker's head. It shatters and releases its content onto their face, forcing them to abandon their weapon and cover their face as they howl in pain.
Using the chair as a launch pad, you hurl toward the intruder and crash right into their chest, sending them flying. There is a sickening crack and the telltale signs of fabric being torn is heard as Draalsar still had his grip on their leg when you crashed into them.
You deliver a strike to their skull, incapacitating them as you do so. You look over to Valindra who quickly gathers herself and nods.
" What the bloody hell was that all about?!" Ahresdorf roars as she rises and her battle staff materializes in her outstretched hand.