28 Travel to the island was surprisingly swift given the boat’s condition and crew When they got close enough, the group noticed several of the metal ships the halfling described before Constructs of all shapes and sizes were loading the vessels, directed by strange, blue-skinned humanoids With the halfling’s previous experience to guide them, everybody decided to sail away from the docks and land further west The halfling offered to scout ahead once the boat was tied off, and upon doing so discovered a building at the edge of what now appeared to be a vast city with strange architecture, glass-like sand, and roads paved in a way he’d never seen Surrounding the metropolis was a large walkway that looked like a fast way to get to any of the districts at the city’s edge Drawing closer, the halfling could see a building, whose sign was unreadable at first, but after a moment or two flickered to read, “Welcome visitors.” Satisfied with his observation, the halfling flew back and reported his findings It was decided that the party would give the welcome center a chance, and they walked there, cautious of the constructs and what appeared to be their operators While a few looked back at them with a mix of worry and trepidation, they quickly lost interest as the party stepped into the building welcoming them to the island Inside the establishment were three tables; one with rubber-soled boots, another with maps of the city drawn on strange, glossy parchment, and the last with fruity confections flavored with citrus A member of the blue race from outside greeted the party The man explained that the party was on the Isle of Manos, which had been teleported onto their world by an ancient force found in the center of the city They had nothing to fear from the inhabitants of the island as long as they weren’t hostile (the halfling’s flying in the day before was viewed as hostile because of his weapons) The boats that were being loaded with food and ore were for trade, and they were being given weapons in case they must defend themselves Since the party was there anyway, the man said they were welcome to walk around the city and enjoy its sights He didn’t know how long it might be here, but he did know they should be fine for a few hours, anyway If they were up to earn some rewards, they could even help quell a bit of trouble going on in the central portion of the city It seemed some of the constructs had absorbed a consciousness they weren’t familiar with and were going berserk If they had to be put down, the man’s race would understand Better safe than sorry, afterall Before the group could decide their course of action, Gideon stepped up and asked if there were any portals here that could lead him back to his homeworld The greeter hesitated, but finally confessed that there was a portal in the city’s center, built on the ley line that carried the whole island through realities The race used this portal sometimes to retrieve their people who may have been left back on another world during the shift It wasn’t a guaranteed transport, but if the young man could attune it to his world, he would have a chance The downside was, he’d have to fight his way down there through the malfunctioning constructs The group agreed this was fine and left to get the lay of the city