DM Blayde MacRonan's Of Aeons and Giants: The Continuing Adventures of Team Ruby (Private Campaign, Closed Recruitment)

Game Master Blayde MacRonan

”Is it not a threat? I do not know. My feeling is that empowering this being is ... is right. Safe? Perhaps not. I believe that Nyym understands my thoughts. But he and I are family forged in blood, and I trust him. My emotions sometimes cloud my judgement. Sometimes I cannot trust myself - Kytynna and Nyym, they provide balance and guidance. If he chooses not to do this thing, I will not argue, but.... to do this thing feels right and I do not know why.”

The samurai listens to Liesel-Marie, and she feels the warrior's internal conflict. She is a warrior fueled by the fire of her passion. But there seems to be something else at play here, something that is causing her considerable doubt.

When the Erutaki is finished, Aiko says, If you are asking me, I do not know whether it is or not. It could very well be. And then again, it could not. You say you feel that empowering it is the right thing to do in one breath, then worry that it is not the safe thing to do with another. The right thing is not always the "safe" thing to do. There is always an element of risk we take when doing what is right. But if it truly is right, then it will prove itself to be so, in time.

It is good that you trust Nyym and Kytynna, and it is good that you understand that you cannot always rely on your judgment. It tells me that you know that you are not infallible. But, this also applies to them as well. They too can be wrong, and if you are not willing to confront that possibility, if you are not willing to give voice to your feelings, then the cycle of trust, the strength of your family bonds becomes lessened.

Liesel-Marie looks at Kytynna. ”Well, sister, you’ve heard my thoughts. The half-orc and the winged one and I thought to empower the metal creature while ropes bound its arms and legs to nullify its threat. Nyym wishes to avoid the possibility altogether. What are your thoughts?”

I find it apropos to give the drow her gem embedded in the chest of one who is likely its true owner.

The wisdom check was for some kind of memory of the Symbol. Either by direct contact or though word of mouth. Nyyms not sure if he has seen or heard of it so I was rolling to see if he had.

Memory is often represented with an Intelligence check.

The wisdom check was for some kind of memory of the Symbol. Either by direct contact or though word of mouth. Nyyms not sure if he has seen or heard of it so I was rolling to see if he had.

In this instance, you will need either a Religion check to recall knowledge, or, if you do not have that skill, an Intelligence check. The DC to recall knowledge for Religion is a DC 20, while the DC for the straight Intelligence check to do the same is a 25.

I will allow Nyym to make a re-roll based on this and we'll go from there. Aid another checks are allowed in order to assist Nyym with the re-roll.

Liesel-Marie looks at Kytynna. ”Well, sister, you’ve heard my thoughts. The half-orc and the winged one and I thought to empower the metal creature while ropes bound its arms and legs to nullify its threat. Nyym wishes to avoid the possibility altogether. What are your thoughts?”

I find it apropos to give the drow her gem embedded in the chest of one who is likely its true owner.

Kyt looks at Liesel-Marie with a somewhat sheepish expression. I think Nyym's response might be my fault. I teased him a bit about his recklessness before you called for him. And then there was what happened when I had to assert control of my ki. I think that may have genuinely frightened him.

The elf relives the look the half-drow had before shaking her head and continuing, I think that you should follow your heart. And if it turns out to be a mistake, then we will face it together.

Liesel-Marie nods firmly. "Then we bind the creature until we can see how it responds to its awakening, but we allow it to awaken. That's what I feel is right. And if it proves to be a threat, I will pound into scrap to be shaped into a weapon at Clangor's forges."

She strides purposefully out of where the women had been visiting to tell Nyym that he's been overruled. ;-)

intelligence: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

well that could have been alot better..

intelligence: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

well that could have been alot better..

Ooof... you're right, that could have gone better.

Try as Nyym might, he cannot seem to figure out what the anvil symbol on the construct's brow means.

As he struggles to gain insight and understanding, the half-drow hears a set of footfalls making their way down the stairs.

If Nyym turns to find out the source, he sees that it is Liesel-Marie.

”You look lost, my brother. What troubles you? Kytynna said you saw something you didn’t like...”

She moves over to the metal figure and tests its weight. Does she believe she can carry it? Fireman’s carry across her shoulders?

Nyym turns to the sound of Liesel-Maries voice.

I've seen alot of things I haven't liked.

Nyym realized as soon as he spoke he sounded like he was being a smart ass. But at the same time. He was being very truthful. He had as well as everyone else here seen alot of things they didn't like. Especially when the normally wreckless Nyym was keeping his usually adventurous and curious self in check. This was not like him at all and this was bugging him. But bugging him just as much was the symbol he could not place..

I wish Aiko was back. If she were here we might could identify the symbol on this things head..

"She's back. We're taking this sleeping fellow upstairs and we're going to tie his arms and legs so he cannot attack and you're going to wake him up. Come on." Her tone and body language do not invite comment or argument.

Nyym breathed a sigh of relief at hearing that Aiko had returned. But at the mention that Liesel-Marie was gonna move the construct. He could not help but give one of those "Are you sure that's a good idea?" looks.
But after a quick look to Tsodoc and Rocnork and then back to Liesel-Marie. Nyym knew he had been outvoted.. shrugging his shoulders and raising his hands to the sides in defeat. Without a word in arguement, Nyym followed her as she climbed the stairs.

I have a Baaaad feeling about this..

She explains, ”The creature can be bound just like a man, at elbows and wrists, knees and ankles. With the right placement, only the strongest creature can even put pressure on the bindings, let alone break them. Then we can see whether it is still crazy, but in my heart, I think there’s something we must learn here and it starts with this creature.”

After ascending the stairs with the inert construct in tow, Liesel-Marie crosses the catwalk and enters the upper loading dock.

After setting the humanoid machine down on the floor, the process of binding it begins.

The DC to escape hemp rope bonds is equal to 20 + the CMB of the creature that tied the bonds. Ropes do not need to make a check every round to maintain the pin. If the DC to escape is higher than 20 + the tying creatures CMB, the tied up creature cannot escape from the bonds, even with a natural 20 on the check. So we need to determine who it will be that binds the construct.

Liesel-Marie binds the metal man.

Liesel-Marie binds the metal man.

Now we just need a DC 19 Finesse check from Nyym. He receives a +2 bonus due to his basic electrokinesis.

Nyym closes his eyes and slows his breathing. Focusing on what he is about to do. Nyym clears his mind of all else. Reaching into his pack. Nyym pulls out the device he had retreaved from the Monitor. It was a device such this that was missing from the opening. Letting out the breath slow and easy, Nyym sets to work..

Here goes..

finesse: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 15 + 2 = 22

Nyym closes his his and slows his breathing. Focusing on what he is about to do. Nyym clears his mind of all else. Reaching into his pack. Nyym pulls out the device he had retrieved from the Monitor. It was a device such this that was missing from the opening. Letting out the breath slow and easy, Nyym sets to work..

Here goes..

It only takes the half-drow a couple of minutes to do what needed to be done. After making sure that the connections were lined up properly, Nyym slides the holo-chronicle into place and is greeted with a loud click sound.

Moments later, the construct sat upright, its head swiveling first to the left then the right before coming face to face with Nyym.

Hello. I see you are suspicious of me. Is that why I am restrained, engram-bearer?

For the time being yes. We were not sure as to what to expect when we reactivated you.

Nyym keeps his voice even and non threatening. He also remains in his current position so as not to make any moves that could be seen as threatening.

For the time being yes. We were not sure as to what to expect when we reacted you.

Nyym keeps his voice even and non threatening. He also remains in his current position so as not to make any moves that could be seen as threatening.

Reactivated? The group can actually feel the confusion present in its hollow metallic voice. I believe you are mistaken, engram-bearer. A level 5 systems diagnostic check should reveal that I have never been activated before you did so just now.

With that seemingly settled, the construct then says, How may I serve you, engram-bearer?

Now was Nyyms turn to be confused. Looking towards Liesel-Marie and the others and then back to the construct..

So I understand correctly. This is the first time you have been activated?

Now was Nyyms turn to be confused. Looking towards Liesel-Marie and the others and then back to the construct..

So I understand correctly. This is the first time you have been activated?

You understand correctly, engram-bearer. This is the first time this automated personnel unit has been activated. The chromodynamic power module residing within the holo-chronicle that was used to activate me, however, is running low on energy. Therefore, if I am to serve you properly, I will require a new replacement module.

Nyym thinks for a moment. Then remembers the constructs that Liesel-Marie had made short work of.

I will return in a few moments.

Nyym stands and runs his hand over his close cut spikey white hair as he turns and heads back down to where the central processor lay crushed.

Liesel-Marie is never gonna let me live this one down.

No, she’s not!

Nyym thinks for a moment. Then remembers the constructs that Liesel-Marie had made short work of.

I will return in a few moments.

Nyym stands and runs his hand over his close cut spikey white hair as he turns and heads back down to where the central processor lay crushed.

Liesel-Marie is never gonna let me live this one down.

It doesn't take long for Nyym to get back to the manufactory floor, where he begins his search for a chromodynamic power module adequate for use on APU (Automated Personnel Unit).

I'm going to need a DC 20 Lore (engineering) check from Nyym to see if he can salvage a working module from the other constructs.

Should he find one, I will also need a DC 25 Finesse check to recover the chromodynamic power module in question. He will once again receive a +2 bonus on this check due to his basic electrokinesis.

Aid another checks can be made to help with the Lore check, but not with the second one. Nyym may also take 10 with each one, but cannot not take 20.

Is this something a person can attempt untrained and successfully provide aid?

Liesel-Marie watches Nyym’s interactions with the metal man avidly, trying to understand what’s going on. When Nyym jumps up, she’s torn between standing guard over what appears to be a very compliant prisoner and following her friend. ”Nyym? What now? Do you need help?”

She crouches down before the ... thing. Still holding Agrimmosh at the ready, she puts on her best glare and asks gruffly, ”Do you have a name, creature? What should we call you? How can you help us?”

She is not trying to intimidate so much as set a tone until she knows this thing better.

Is this something a person can attempt untrained and successfully provide aid?

If you are referring to the Lore (engineering) check, in this instance, yes, as it would be more akin to Nyym describing what he is looking for and those in the group willing to do so attempting to help find it.

Liesel-Marie watches Nyym’s interactions with the metal man avidly, trying to understand what’s going on. When Nyym jumps up, she’s torn between standing guard over what appears to be a very compliant prisoner and following her friend. ”Nyym? What now? Do you need help?”

She crouches down before the ... thing. Still holding Agrimmosh at the ready, she puts on her best glare and asks gruffly, ”Do you have a name, creature? What should we call you? How can you help us?”

She is not trying to intimidate so much as set a tone until she knows this thing better.

The construct levels its gaze at Liesel-Marie, gving it an ominous mein. However, its words sound downright cheery in comparison. Another engram-bearer. My activation has been very eventful this cycle.

It then says, I have no designation beyond simply being an automated personnel unit. Would giving me one alleviate your current state of mistrust?

The APU continues: My core function is in the area of combat. Would that prove useful to you, engram-bearer?

She tilts her head to the side. "You have no designation... You have no name?"

"You are a warrior? What sort of combat do you do? What sort of weapon is your ... function?"

Nyym begins his search starting with the 1st construct..

Help is always welcome. We are looking for a device like what I showed Lin back at Boscos sanctuary.

Servant construct 1
lore engineering: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Liesel-Marie did a real number on this one. Nothing salvageable unfortunately.

Servant construct 2
lore engineering: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

Finding what he was looking for in this construct. Nyym set to work retrieving it.

Ah ha, found one. Now let's get this bad boy out.. Now come to daddy.

finesse: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 15 + 2 = 37

She tilts her head to the side. "You have no designation... You have no name?"

I do not. Would you like to give me a designation... a name, engram-bearer?

"You are a warrior? What sort of combat do you do? What sort of weapon is your ... function?"

I am not a warrior, at least not in the sense that you are thinking. Combat is not my sole function, though I am well-versed in tactical defense training. The rest of my core programming functions, however, are in the fields of metallurgy, electricity, physics, and stonemasonry. Would any of those functions be of use to you, engram-bearer?

While the Erutaki continues her conversation with APU, the half-drow scrounges for the necessary component down on the manufactory floor.

Nyym begins his search starting with the 1st construct...

A couple of minutes after he begins rummaging through the parts, one thing becomes very clear to him:

Liesel-Marie did a real number on this one. Nothing salvageable unfortunately.

With that search turning up nothing usable, Nyym moves on to the other construct servant, which proves to be more intact than the previous one. Four minutes later, his scavenging turns up just what he needs.

Finding what he was looking for in this construct. Nyym set to work retrieving it.

Ah ha, found one. Now let's get this bad boy out.. Now come to daddy.

The process of removing the chromodynamic power module is a delicate one, but Nyym navigates it with a surgeon's precision. Ten minutes later, the part is successfully extracted from the cybernetic servant.

For successfully completing the skill challenge, everyone receives 800 XP, for a total of 35,805. This will put you 4,195 xp away from Tier 1 of 7th level.

Tsadok has been remaining quiet throughout the whole exchange with this new machine. For his master once told him, "To learn answers to question that no one is will to answer, it is better not to ask but to listen". So he has been listening and not asking, till the right time.

Since it has no name Tsadok just asks the question, You refer to them as Engram Bearer, what is an Engram Bearer? Perhaps that will fill in some holes that he has about the others. And who else in an Engram Bearer?

Since it has no name Tsadok just asks the question, You refer to them as Engram Bearer, what is an Engram Bearer?

At this, APU shifts to regard Tsadok, as if noticing him for the first time. After an uneasy moment of silence it speaks, An engram-bearer is one who has been submersed into the Rune Sea and comes away with an engram. This appears on the bearer as a vibrant tattoo or sigil that measures no more than one pahlm on a side.

And who else is an Engram Bearer?

The only other engram-bearer in this room is the female elf, answers the construct as it swivels its head in the direction of Kytynna.

As APU answers Tsadok's questions, the the primary hands of, Liesel-Marie, Nyym and Kyt emit a soft glow as each displays their sigil. A DC 5 Perception check will allow anyone looking (including those marked) to notice this phenomena taking place.

Kyt Perception check: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27

Kyt stares back at APU, her brow crinkled with concern. Then she catches a glimpse of Liesel-Marie's hand and the mark there that burns dimly like a dying ember. This causes the elf to look down at her own hand where she sees the ebbing blue light present there.

Alus'ansr, she says breathlessly while staring at the mark, the engram, with a childlike sense of wonder. Translation: Water Rune

perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17

Nyym started back up the stairs when he noticed mark highlighted and glowed white on his right hand again. Stopping to look it over. He was careful in his movements as this was the hand that held the retrieved device.

Uh oh. Who triggered it this time.

With that in mind. Nyym resumed his path back up the stairs and into the room where the others waited. Showing the device to APU...

I was able to find another hopefully more functional device. Hope this one suits u better.

Looking around, Nyym noticed that Liesel-Marie and Kyt had a hand glowing as his was. But although Nyym knew Tsodoc and Rocnork could manipulate elements as well. Thier hand was not emitting a glow at all.

They can manipulate an element as we can. Yet thier hand does not show a sigil on it. Could this be that they did not gain thier abilities as we did.

The thought puzzled him as he had thought that they were all the same. But now it has been proven false. Then remembering the mark on the constructs head.

The Sigil on ur head. I can not place it. If I may ask. What is it the mark of?

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Liesel-Marie continues to mentally chew over the information provided by the metal man. She notices the glow emanating from her hand, but doesn't pay much attention as she looks at the creature.

Nyym started back up the stairs when he noticed mark highlighted and glowed white on his right hand again. Stopping to look it over. He was careful in his movements as this was the hand that held the retrieved device.

Uh oh. Who triggered it this time.

With that in mind. Nyym resumed his path back up the stairs and into the room where the others waited. Showing the device to APU...

I was able to find another hopefully more functional device. Hope this one suits u better.

I am sure that you did your best engram-bearer. I will enter stand down mode whenever you are ready.

Looking around, Nyym noticed that Liesel-Marie and Kyt had a hand glowing as his was. But although Nyym knew Tsodok and Rocnork could manipulate elements as well. Their hand was not emitting a glow at all.

They can manipulate an element as we can. Yet their hand does not show a sigil on it. Could this be that they did not gain their abilities as we did.

The thought puzzled him as he had thought that they were all the same. But now it has been proven false. Then remembering the mark on the constructs head.

The Sigil on ur head. I can not place it. If I may ask. What is it the mark of?

It is the sign of The Smith, a divinity that is the master of technological knowledge and practical magic. He is considered to be one of the greatest and most respected deities of the Great Pantheon. The words are spoken by the APU with great reverence.

Liesel-Marie notes the respect for The Smith in the otherwise hollow voice.

"Who do you serve, nameless one? What motivates you?"

Liesel-Marie notes the respect for The Smith in the otherwise hollow voice.

"Who do you serve, nameless one? What motivates you?"

The APU looks back to the Erutaki and says, I currently serve no one, engram-bearer. I am both defender and maker. That is my purpose.

So ur job is basically to create and then defend what you create.

Nyym thinks to himself..

Halgra would love this guy.

So if I am guessing correctly. Units like you created this place? Are there others like you waiting to be activated or are you the only one. If there are others, where might we find them?

The Erutaki nods at Nyym’s unspoken thought, thinking the same thing. ”We know people that need both maker and defender. You would be much appreciated.”

Do we believe the stone powering the APU is what the drow want us to bring back? Anyone have a concern with giving them a depleted one? I didn’t think so...

The device used to power APU is a memory core. Nyym still has the crystal.

So ur job is basically to create and then defend what you create.

Nyym thinks to himself..

Halgra would love this guy.

So if I am guessing correctly. Units like you created this place? Are there others like you waiting to be activated or are you the only one. If there are others, where might we find them?

Your guess is incorrect, engram-bearer. I am singular. Unique. There has been no other like me. I am alone. The cybernetic processor did not fulfill its function because it was either unable or unwilling to do so.

The APU's voice carries a hint of sadness to it as it speaks.

The Erutaki nods at Nyym’s unspoken thought, thinking the same thing. ”We know people that need both maker and defender. You would be much appreciated.”

Then it says, Leaving here may prove more difficult than you realize, engram-bearer. Now that this automated personnel unit has been activated, leaving the ark would result in my inevitable destruction as my circuitry and mechanisms begin to decay. Within 24 hours, a fail-safe within my programming will activate, releasing a metamorphic virus that will disrupt my functions, potentially making myself a danger to anyone around me. Within a period of 12 days, the virus will rebuild itself. When it is done, the virus will then seek out and systematically infect as many of my executable files as possible. This will inevitably result in this unit simply stopping to function, with my mechanical parts corroding into uselessness.

The APU's tone is frighteningly calm and matter of fact, as though it is discussing anything other than its own potential demise.

So now that we have awakened you. You for all tense and purposes trapped here.

Nyym took note of the things sadness. Nyym could relate. He was after all the only one of his kind until recently. While Team Ruby was his family. There was always that loneliness that comes with being the last of ur kind. A loneliness he would feel yet again should they not be able to farther the agreement with Clan Nikumu to a more lasting peaceful outcome.

You called this place an Ark. What exactly is this place? We had never encountered such a place and beings till now.

”What was the cybernetic processor? What was its task? Is that now your purpose, to finish the job?”

So now that we have awakened you. You for all tense and purposes trapped here.

Nyym took note of the things sadness. Nyym could relate. He was after all the only one of his kind until recently. While Team Ruby was his family. There was always that loneliness that comes with being the last of ur kind. A loneliness he would feel yet again should they not be able to farther the agreement with Clan Nikumu to a more lasting peaceful outcome.

You called this place an Ark. What exactly is this place? We had never encountered such a place and beings till now.

To put it simply, engram-bearer, an ark is a vessel that affords protection and safety. This particular one is an engram ark, containing the memories of the Kyoorayan race. Each engram is the runelike physical representation of the essence of a single Kyoorayan, the embodiment of that individual’s abilities, skills, and memories. An engram can only be obtained through submersion into the Rune Sea, the mass of engrams that rests in the center of the engram ark. Any sentient and sapient creature can attempt to do so. By submerging itself, a creature is effectively baptized with the minds of the Kyoorayan society. When it emerges from the Rune Sea after even as little time as 6 seconds of submersion, rivulets of unadhered engrams will roll off the being’s body and back into the greater body of engrams (it is impossible to physically catch or separate an unadhered engram). Upon examining their body, they will discover that they have received one perfect engram. Such a creature is hereafter referred to as an engram bearer.

”What was the cybernetic processor? What was its task? Is that now your purpose, to finish the job?”

Before it was corrupted by the unnameable dark entity, who, in its malice, touched the fleeing ark with a tendril of its putrid dream, the processor was once an architect, a builder, a guardian. But though only a residue of that foul being slumbered within the memekeeper, the processor became fully altered by it, and was given a new imperative: to convert organic life into mechanical life.

As for my purpose, I have my primary imperative: safeguard the Rune Sea from those who would misuse its engrams. To do that, I will remake and rebuild the servants here, but only after purging them of any lingering presence of the unnameable one. This will take many cycles to accomplish.

To put it simply, engram-bearer, an ark is a vessel that affords protection and safety. This particular one is an engram ark, containing the memories of the Kyoorayan race. Each engram is the runelike physical representation of the essence of a single Kyoorayan, the embodiment of that individual’s abilities, skills, and memories. An engram can only be obtained through submersion into the Rune Sea, the mass of engrams that rests in the center of the engram ark. Any sentient and sapient creature can attempt to do so. By submerging itself, a creature is effectively baptized with the minds of the Kyoorayan society. When it emerges from the Rune Sea after even as little time as 6 seconds of submersion, rivulets of unadhered engrams will roll off the being’s body and back into the greater body of engrams (it is impossible to physically catch or separate an unadhered engram). Upon examining their body, they will discover that they have received one perfect engram. Such a creature is hereafter referred to as an engram bearer.

Liesel-Marie Frostvale wrote:

”What was the cybernetic processor? What was its task? Is that now your purpose, to finish the job?”

Liesel-Marie points at the mass of metal in the room below. "Is that the cybernetic processor? After it stopped attacking, this appeared on my hand. I didn't swim in any sea. But I had a dream, then, while I was awake. I was standing in a flowing tide of runes and a voice said I was an agent of the Dark but I could not hurt its people anymore. I said I didn't come to hurt its people, its people were hidden from the world and no one cared about them and they were safe. The voice sounded very tired and said that it had done its job and could now sleep. But another voice was there, very loud, and monstrous tentacles were reaching out to me from the tide of runes, and that voice shouted that I must dive into the tide! I refused. When the first voice said it could rest now, everything disappeared and I found myself standing on the floor where the dream had started. Does that make sense to you? If I have an ... engram ... that is part of a dead person from your culture? Like carrying a grandfather's totem on a hunt? Is there a ceremony to show the engram-person respect?"

The more she talks, the more apparent it is that she is starting to feel like she's carrying a great burden that she didn't sign up for.

”What was the cybernetic processor? What was its task? Is that now your purpose, to finish the job?”

Liesel-Marie points at the mass of metal in the room below. "Is that the cybernetic processor? After it stopped attacking, this appeared on my hand. I didn't swim in any sea. But I had a dream, then, while I was awake. I was standing in a flowing tide of runes and a voice said I was an agent of the Dark but I could not hurt its people anymore. I said I didn't come to hurt its people, its people were hidden from the world and no one cared about them and they were safe. The voice sounded very tired and said that it had done its job and could now sleep. But another voice was there, very loud, and monstrous tentacles were reaching out to me from the tide of runes, and that voice shouted that I must dive into the tide! I refused. When the first voice said it could rest now, disappeared and I found myself standing on the floor where the dream had started. Does that make sense to you?"

The APU is strangely silent, as though it is considering what the Erutaki has said. After a long moment, the construct says, The voice you heard was, in all probability, the remnant of the unnameable one attempting to exert some sort of influence on you. Had you submersed yourself within the Rune Sea of this ark, it is very likely that the engram you currently bear would have merely been lost and replaced by a new one. However, there is another more sinister possibility to consider as well: that had you done as was asked of you, discorporation could have resulted, with you becoming an engram yourself.

If I have an ... engram ... that is part of a dead person from your culture? Like carrying a grandfather's totem on a hunt? Is there a ceremony to show the engram-person respect?"

Your possessing the engram and making use of the the gifts bestowed upon you by it is respect enough, engram-bearer. For it allows the Kyoorayan whose essence it represents to live on through you. After an engram adheres, it requires 24 hours to attune itself to the bearer and make its abilities accessible to them. An engram never adheres to one that has no use for it. When an engram has finally integrated with the bearer, knowledge of its power floods into the bearer’s mind, resulting in them gaining its granted power.

What I find extremely fascinating is that all of your engrams correlate with one of the ancient classical elements: air, earth, fire and water, or some sort of variation of them.

Liesel-Marie considers the symbol on her hand. "It has been said that fire literally burns in my veins. Is that what my engram is about?"

Nyym looks at his still glowing hand.

So an Engram is the essence of another being from a far off place. Much like each of us are from another time.

This thought kinda set Nyyms mind at easy. But all the same worried him as he already knew others that wished access to this place.

While I.. correction.. we have no memory of ever being submerged in the sea of runes. It seems as though the runes that we bare chose us as thier hosts. With this I feel an honor at being worthy enough to be chosen. While we have no memory past when we arrived in this area. We have each swore an oath to protect the local town and its inhabitants. Having had no knowledge of this place. I am curious if this was part of our purpose. While we wish no harm to the rune see. I fear others might not be so respectful of this place or its contents. Or even use the rune sea for evil purposes.

Nyym was even more worried now. They may have to face Clan Nikumu sooner then later after all. Nyym held no illusions as to what would happen if they moved in.

Can you construct a new uncurrupted central processor?

Liesel-Marie considers the symbol on her hand. "It has been said that fire literally burns in my veins. Is that what my engram is about?"

The APU's eyes flare brightly as it stares at Liesel-Marie's engram. After a moment, the light dims and it says, I have attempted to access your engram, to stir its partially frozen memories. But it has resisted my effort. Such a thing should not be possible. This has confirmed a suspicion that I have had: that your individual engrams are of a nature beyond a typical engram.

It continues, There are five general engram types: blue, green, red, white, and black; Each color is associated with a general capability.

Blue engrams are engrams of those Kyoorayan minds that once commanded arcane magic. A blue engram is more fragmented than a white engram, and more focused on a single aspect of spellcasting.

Green engrams are engrams of the Kyoorayan minds that once commanded divine magic. Like the blue engram, a green one is more fragmented than a white engram, and more focused on a single aspect of spellcasting.

Red engrams are engrams of those Kyoorayan minds that once commanded psychic powers. As with the previous types, a red engram is more fragmented than a white engram, and more focused on a single aspect of manifesting.

White engrams are engrams of the Kyoorayan minds that once possessed special knowledge, superior skills, and various martial proficiencies. In some ways, a white engram is among the most powerful of engrams, and represents an engram that is less fragmented than the other types.

Black engrams are a special case. Black engrams are malformed engrams that sometimes bring fortune, other times misfortune, to their bearers. A black engram may be the result of residual contamination from the unnameable one, a botched attempt by the memekeeper at reconstituting an engram, or simply the cast-off neurosis of a Kyoorayan that was not properly purged from the Rune Sea.

When the APU speaks next, its sounds very thoughtful, as though it is speculating. If I had to put forth a hypothesis, I would say that the memekeeper responsible for guarding the particular Rune Sea from which you acquired your engrams found a way to synergize multiple engrams and attach them to you on your dive to allow for the unlocking of great power than would be possible through the use of a single engram. Further, I would also say the elemental nature of your engrams are the direct result of the synergised engrams.

Can you construct a new uncorrupted central processor?

It would take many cycles and much aid, but it is theoretically possible.

Nyym looks at his hand at the mention of the different colors as APU speaks about them....