"Oh, she's maybe probably in that building!" Illia- flits by, answering his question and pointing at her office.
"Cordial Reply: Thank you, citizen." the creature says, changing course and heading to the building indicated.
"You're welcome!" Illia- continues on her way, as she considers asking Anaxian for some divination.
Aw, that brightened my day, it's nice to see politeness. :)
~~
"Hey, Anaxian, I wanted to find some Harpies up in Mwangi. Do you have any divination-ee thingies you wouldn't mind sparing that could help?"
"Yes, after a fashion. Divination is unreliable and difficult without a known location, object or person. However, I can learn what is needed through other means. It will take significant time. Come back in aproximately six weeks."
Six weeks to the day later Anaxian was an expert on the Harpys of the Mwangi. He created a map for Illia marking the locations of suitable Harpy flocks. It was there waiting for her in a skrimshaw scrollcase when she arrived to check on his results. With it were two small marbles of swirling, smoky glass and a sizable bag of gold.
The spheres are scrying foci. Wherever you put them, I will be able to see. The scroll case contains maps of the Mwangi, as well as detailed notes on the Harpy flocks I discovered. In return for my aid in this matter, I require the corpses of any Harpys who fall in your endeavors. Also, I have a number of rare reagents I require. The list of what I need and where they can be fond is also in the scroll case. The money in the bag should cover the cost."
Meridian spends some time finding a suitable location for her future compound. Someplace defensible and yet expansive to qualify as a future site for her noble house.
As the Crimson Stranger is still recovering, it is Jiator and Sir John whom Inubrix encounters. The two liches, puzzled, scan the composite android with a variety of divination magics, and deciding that he represents no immediate threat or treachery, answer his questions.
The month proceeds along uneventfully. Anaxian researches the harpies of Mwangi, Illia- works on researching new martial styles, and Drisquar farms soul gems. Meredian, meanwhile, begins teleporting around the Darklands, promoting her new city and noble house among the smaller and less violent Drow settlements.
In the third week of working, one of the zombards reports to Drisquar that there is a problem with the new quarry being constructed; while the music continues, apparently none of the skeleton or zombie miners sent in have returned. The bard himself journeyed in briefly, and reports seeing something large and gleaming thrashing around in the depths before fleeing. It seems unlikely that the quarry can become operational unless something is done about this creature.
Jiator and Sir John scan the newcomer from hiding considering how to deal with the situation. While doing so the apparent automaton queries a drow woman carting a load of laundry. Though the drow peasant cowers before Inubrix and says nothing. However, after a moment of cowering she picks up the gist of the question and points down the street. Following the direction of her outstretched hand Inubrix sees what she is pointing out. A few blocks down an otherwise deserted street floats an immaculately dressed Drow noble. Apparently looking around and making some sketches over a dilapidated and deserted part of the city.
As Inubrix leaves the drow washer woman she scurries out of sight.
Meredian teleports around the dark lands promising initiates a chance at power and prestige. She cares not for where they come from, but only for their ability. Anyone who wishes has opportunity to achieve high status if their will is strong and sword/mind (depending on audience) is sharp.
Diplomacy for followers:
"EEEEE! SOMETHING TO DO, I CAN TRY OUT REAPY!" Illia- is positively ecstatic at the news and immediately begins rapid teleporting towards the quarry.
Unless, of course, Drisquar didn't inform the General.
Inubrix walks over to the immaculately dressed drow noble, greeting it with a mechanical bow of the head.
"Greeting: Hello. Query: I was invited here by the Red Lady, are you one of her designated representatives? You match one of the descriptions I was given."
Inubrix walks over to the immaculately dressed drow noble, greeting it with a mechanical bow of the head.
"Greeting: Hello. Query: I was invited here by the Red Lady, are you one of her designated representatives? You match one of the descriptions I was given."
Without actually moving her body the drow pivots in the air to see who has addressed her, quill and parchment in hand. Without breaking eye contact she places the quill and parchment in the air where it stays. Then she flies down closer to the creature to inspect. The pen and quill stay in the same relative position. She circles the creature and inspects it closely.
"Well. Well Well. Aren't you interesting?" she asks rhetorically.
"I am one of the ruling council, Lady Adriatanic. However, I get the feeling we'll be on a first name basis soon." she smiles wickedly.
"But I digress. Who are you and why should I show you to the council? "
"Formal Reply: Lady Adriatanic, I am called Inubrix. I am here at the behest of the Red Lady. To direct me accordingly to my destination is to facilitate her affairs. I was informed that it would be possible to have constructed, in this settlement, facilities necessitated by my research in exchange for my aid in certain matters requiring force."
"Formal Reply: Lady Adriatanic, I am called Inubrix. I am here at the behest of the Red Lady. To direct me accordingly to my destination is to facilitate her affairs. I was informed that it would be possible to have constructed, in this settlement, facilities necessitated by my research in exchange for my aid in certain matters requiring force."
"Uh hu. Right then. This way. "
Pointing to the first mundane she sees, "You. I need a runner and if you can carry some messages I'll give you a gold coin"
If they agree she sends them with a few notes to the council and notates a meeting place.
Meredian leads Inubrix to the town hall and sends a runner with messages to the other members.
When the others arrive only the larger Anaxian is present, though there is a cat on the table.
When Meridian and Inubrix enter the town hall, Sir John is standing over a table with a map of what the town used to be, and a hastily-drawn map of what it currently is. Wooden blocks sit where current projects are to be erected, and shapes carved of bone sit where medium-term projects are planned. A single metal object sits on the map - the town hall.
"Hmm? What's this?"
When Meridian and Inubrix enter the town hall, Sir John is standing over a table with a map of what the town used to be, and a hastily-drawn map of what it currently is. Wooden blocks sit where current projects are to be erected, and shapes carved of bone sit where medium-term projects are planned. A single metal object sits on the map - the town hall.
"Hmm? What's this?"
"Excelent question. "
Regarding the construct, Sir John's face flashes briefly with realization.
"Oh, That must be the 'perfect instrument of death' that our Red Queen referenced in her latest address to us, of former Technic League fame. I had not expected your arrival so quickly, Numerian."
The dragon and the cat both gave the construct an inscrutably judgmental once over.
"Clarification: I am not Numerian. I am Androffan, by way of Numeria. Of former Technic League fame, would be true. Change of Topic: I was invited by the Red Lady to dwell in this settlement. Information: I was told I could petition to have a lab built wherein I may perform my research, free of the prying eyes and saboteur's hands of the Technic League."
"Clarification: I am not Numerian. I am Androffan, by way of Numeria. Of former Technic League fame, would be true. Change of Topic: I was invited by the Red Lady to dwell in this settlement. Information: I was told I could petition to have a lab built wherein I may perform my research, free of the prying eyes and saboteur's hands of the Technic League."
"Quereey: Define 'Research'l Meredian mimics the creature
"Androffan? I haven't heard of Androff... Androffa? Wherever you're from. Something to do with the Rain of Stars the Lady mentioned? If you want a lab, you'll have to wait until we have a meeting to determine precedence of structures. As you can see, we have only just begun rebuilding this place. I know not how the others will prioritize a lab for constructs, but we can see about it. Master Jiator is the one primarily overseeing new construction." he says, looking once more to his maps.
"Well, if the Red Lady invited you here under the auspice of you being a 'perfect instrument of death', I am sure something will come up that requires your skills. Check back later regarding your lab. I don't have a place for you to stay, necessarily, though my experiences with your kind tell me that you don't require a place simply to survive."
"Definition: the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions." Inubrix says, unfazed, in response to Meridian's prodding.
Turning back to Sir John, Inubrix replies, "Query: You have met others of my kind?"
"Well, no Androffans, but metal creatures. Such are usually mage's pets, in my experience. If there is nothing else, well, make yourself available for the next time something comes up, I suppose. Things are rather quiet now."
Illia- pops into existence to one corner of the room, before finding a cushion to kneel on. Chairs, when one had wings, were kinda problematic.
"We're totally to open to you doing what you want. But building's kinda at a premium right now. We've got lots of things we want to build, what with the city just being rebuilt and all. So, what kinda things ya offering to bump your ticket up the queue-ueueue.. that word is fun. Queueueue. Gazeeebo." Illia- completely distracts herself by the end of her question.
"Informative Response: Given the scale of my requirements and this settlement's very recent inception, I anticipated a longer timetable for completion of my needs. Bargaining: Once my requirements are met, I can manufacture items to be of use, particularly ones that you likely do not already have, given the Technic League's stifling stance on sharing knowledge. The items I can manufacture can operate independently of, or in concert with, items of magical nature. Reluctant Admission: The items I use use materials that are, at times, prohibitively expensive, and the facilities their production requires are likewise difficult to facilitate. Optimistic Summary: The first thing needed is a generator, to produce power. The simplest of which, especially given this settlement's location, would be a geothermal reactor. Rising heat can produce motion, which can generate power, stored in batteries that are used to power devices. The next lab in priority would largely be decided by what area your council would first like me to focus on. Production labs for utility goods, military labs for weapons systems or defense systems, or cybernetics labs for augmenting one's personal capabilities. There are other, more narrowly focused labs, that are not of such broad utility and could be constructed at a later date."
"Your "reactor" turns motion into power, which you can store?" the armored dragon's eyes narrowed. He turned to the cat.
"Get Anaxian."
The cat's black, inky eyes cleared. A few moments later they became a glowing, vibrant purple.
Tell us more. a telepathic voice issues from the strange cat.
"Elaboration: Yes, that is the summary of it."
Inubrix pulls out a a roll of parchment, unrolls it and turns it around for the cat to see.
"Continued Elaboration: It generates electrical energy to store in devices, much like staves, but smaller. Then those devices are used in other things which convert that energy into other energy. For instance, kinetic energy in a mechanical arm for a creature, electrical pulses stimulating certain parts of the brain, graviton energy to repel enemy fire, sonic energy to tear flesh, heat energy to sear flesh, the list goes on. Many things duplicate functions of magic, while they work in fields that disrupt magic, likewise there are fields that disrupt technology. Nothing is without weakness, but there are means by which to mitigate vulnerabilities."
"Huh. If you all consider yourself equal parts of one person, how do you know that Anaxian refers to the original? Is it just habit?" Illia- derails herself onto a different derailment.
"We just know." the dragon rumbles.
"Analogy: I am a created being, having created my current form from parts of my old form and perpetually incorporating new devices to keep this form functional as an expression of growth in skill. In similar vein to the mage who transplants their consciousness into a more permanent form, I ensure my existence in perpetuity. Likewise, I behave much as the very same mage, were they to create magical items to assist them in their ventures. The only difference is that my power stems not from the blood of ancient beings or the writings on a page, but from the power of the mind and mastery over rare metals."
"You and I are going to talk further..." the cat intoned mentally.
"Anaxian, helping this construct built the preparations for it's generator is your priority."
The cat returned it's attention to the construct. "We can shape a thermal vent to the specifications of your generator designs. Pick a location. Anywhere you like. We will bring a lava flow to you."
The larger dragon looked at the parchment. It remembered a time when such a thing would have made perfect sense to him, but the process of fragmenting a spirit was not perfect. When they were not joined he did not have access to those parts of his mind. Right now it was merely lines on paper.
"I was getting bored anyway. "
"Enthusiastic Response: That is wonderful to hear, Great Wyrm. I mean to be no bother, anywhere is fine as long as it is not in the path of the common man. Innovation is best pursued without interruption, unless that interruption can be turned into profit. Jovial Interjection: Normally, I would say underground, but we are already underground. Conclusion: Any location that is not on the edges of the settlement, and will be free both above and below to allow for proper thermal venting. Additionally, future labs will need to be in close proximity, necessitating either vertical planning that would result in undue overheating concerns, or horizontal planning, requiring zoning considerations to allow for proper, yet minimal expansion. Lava flow notwithstanding, a source of cold water will also need to be seen to in order to maximize steam production."
"Behind this building, below ground, adjacent to our Lair. There is currently nothing above or below that space."
"Draw up a full architectural plan of what we will begin construction on now. Draw up a second set which details your long term goals for satellite labs and other infrastructure. We will designate those areas off limits for civic planning. Now is an ideal time for this project as few buildings are under construction yet."
"In Agreement: That appears to be most logical. I will be available at all times to assist and direct as necessary to ensure efficiency. Though I am unfamiliar with the location of lava flows and water sources in this area, I am capable of burrowing, swimming, and flying as necessary to locate them."
"Where they are now is irrelevant. He will find them and I will move them."
Turning from cat to dragon and back to cat during their conversation, Inubrix replies.
"Idle Commentary: Adjacency to a lab of magical creation is most ideal. An excellent suggestion. If you have sufficient parchment and writing materials on hand, I can duplicate this schematic and the most ideal arrangement of future laboratories given the circumstances. Some will require more skymetals than I have access to, but the Red Lady mentioned that this settlement may one day establish trade routes to the surface, which would be useful in obtaining the more obscure of the needed materials."
"I will put another of us on researching the tectonic stability of the area and the thermal flows. For now, begin construction. We will move the thermal vent to it's proper place once we know how to avoid flooding Escarra with lava."
"We will have a geothermal map of the region completed in approximately four days."
The purple in the cat's eyes vanished. The inky black replaced it a few moments later.
"You know, I'm surprised there isn't a spell of some sort that can transmute like, gold or diamond dust into an equal worth of rare materials."