"Ah, I see I am not the only impromptu recruit to this company," Brennus says, bobbing his head slightly at Ratchet. "I am Brennus, a scholar and spellcaster who also happens to be a raven."
"Now, as to the name, that does seem somewhat more inclusive of a broader range of work. I do feel as if I am not particularly entitled to a strong opinion on the name."
With a fair bit of humor in his straight face, Gauntlet claps Frank on the back lightly.
”Looks like ‘Franky’s Fixers’ it is. Sorry.”
"It's fine, thanks." Frank replies.
"Jusht like old times." Broulnindre says, also giving Franky a pat on the back; but lower (within her reach).
First Day of Vult in the Year 998 YK –
Mickey raises a glass, "To new names and new beginnings with new friends then.
I don't have employees Brennus, I have Partners. We all get an equal share of the proceeds. On account of my bad leg, well bad everything after the Last War really, I don't go out in the field any longer..."
Mickey is interrupted by the door opening and another arrival, Sergeant Dolom.
The solemn dwarf nods to the collective and then approaches Mickey and shakes his hand, sitting down next to him by pulling a folding chair from against the wall. He pours a mug, and looks around the room, "A motley crew as always Mick. You back in business then?"
His eyes narrow and nods his head at Pierce, "Inviting the competition in eh Mick". The room feels tense for a moment as the Warforged does not reply.
Mickey changes the subject, "What do you need a flywheel for anyway Ratchet?"
Ratchet did a double take as the bird started talking to him, and his mouth turned into a little O of happy surprise. "Uh, hi! You're a spellcaster? Not a familiar? Wow! That's so interesting! Were you polymorphed or reincarnated? Or Awakened? I have so many questions."
Mickey changes the subject, "What do you need a flywheel for anyway Ratchet?"
Then his attention was pulled in another direction. His excitement didn't leave, and apparently completely overrode his earlier awkwardness. "Well I hybridized a clockwork construct chassis with an electrical field based sensory array and a central power system based on ioun stones, and now I'm having an issue with power distribution because of how much energy i lose translating magical energy into mechanical and electrical, and I thought localized energy storage might be a better solution than transferring energy from a central bank like I'm going now. Like irrigation, you know? Multiple smaller sources fed from a primary source, rather than trying to pull everything from the primary source directly. Flywheels already do a good job of storing power and releasing it incrementally, so I'm going to try integrating them into Proto's actuator systems as a smaller scale, localized power source for finer, less strenuous movements that wouldn't need to draw from the central bank. I think that will make the whole power system more efficient overall."
Ratchet shut his mouth abruptly as he realized most of the room was staring at him. "I mean, uh, it's for a weapon. Normal mercenary stuff. Just... a weapon."
”I actually understood about…44% of that. Fascinating.”
"Fly wheels are for storing mechanical energy, but I think the rest of that went over my head."
"Hy'm veapon too!" Broulnindre adds.
Frank shoots her a look which causes her to stop bouncing excitedly.
She pulls her hood back up and starts picking her nails claws.
"Hy be careful. Vin fight." she protests.
"I'm not entirely sure what you just said, but it sounds exiting." The harbinger says in response to the flood of words from Ratchet.
Ratchet did a double take as the bird started talking to him, and his mouth turned into a little O of happy surprise. "Uh, hi! You're a spellcaster? Not a familiar? Wow! That's so interesting! Were you polymorphed or reincarnated? Or Awakened? I have so many questions."
"I have been a familiar for two different periods of time, but now my intellect and power do not depend upon another, and I much prefer it that way," Brennus replies, seemingly unperturbed by the flood of questions. "I did, indeed, hatch a raven. As for my current state... Awakening is likely the closest analogue, though mine was not accomplished by a spell."
Then his attention was pulled in another direction. His excitement didn't leave, and apparently completely overrode his earlier awkwardness. "Well I hybridized a clockwork construct chassis with an electrical field based sensory array and a central power system based on ioun stones, and now I'm having an issue with power distribution because of how much energy i lose translating magical energy into mechanical and electrical, and I thought localized energy storage might be a better solution than transferring energy from a central bank like I'm going now. Like irrigation, you know? Multiple smaller sources fed from a primary source, rather than trying to pull everything from the primary source directly. Flywheels already do a good job of storing power and releasing it incrementally, so I'm going to try integrating them into Proto's actuator systems as a smaller scale, localized power source for finer, less strenuous movements that wouldn't need to draw from the central bank. I think that will make the whole power system more efficient overall."
The raven takes off from Pierce's shoulder and finds a perch on a chair back next to Ratchet.
He then tilts his head to one side slightly. "Is the loss from transforming magical energy to mechanical so great that you couldn't wait to transform it until it was in the actuator that needed to move? Do you have one very highly-efficient enchantment that can't be scaled down sufficiently? Otherwise you could have some smaller magical reservoirs near the actuators and transfer the energy between them as needed--that should be more efficient than mechanical energy transfer--and transform it at the site."
He turns his attention back to the assembled group. "Now, if we've finished the name discussion, perhaps it might be wise to discuss a strategy for seeking employment? Or do you already have a job you were assembling to discuss? My impression was that you're just restarting the business, so I'd assumed you hadn't yet found a job, but I recognize I could easily be wrong about that."
Gauntlet waves a hand.
"This is Sharn! Work will appear as soon as we advertise our abilities: An 'old' friend of Mickey's will contact us for some odd reason or need; Or a surprise message will appear on our doorstep; Or some some enemy we have made in the past will come after us from an angle we least expect...Either way, work will be had!"
Frank chuckles "It's getting a break that's the hard part." he explains.
"Well, work must be easier to find for those who are largely acknowledged as people by the world at large than it is for those who are not, for I haven't had such an easy experience in getting employment," Brennus remarks with just a trace of bitterness. "Though perhaps that's because I'm a bit too wary about the chances of being vivisected by someone with more curiosity than morality."
First Day of Vult in the Year 998 YK –
Mickey blinks and shakes his head as Ratchet prattles on, "Glad some of you got that I didn't. Innovations have a funny way of ending up in the wrong hands you had better be careful Ratchet...".
He turns to Brennus, "I spent my entire life in the 655th BSTU (Brelish Special Tactics Unit) - “The Fire-Talons”. My former commander, before I took over the unit told me that you can approach command one of two ways; treat everyone as if they're already dead and don't bother to get to know them until the War ends and you're reasonably certain they'll be alive to be known or treat everyone as if they're your family from the second they join, their survival is your survival and vice versa. I went with the latter suggestion, caused a lot of heartache over time, but I've got all these fine folks sitting here around me today to show for it.
Much like a new recruit thrown into the front lines, you're one of us now. Don't matter yer a f+$&in' talking bird, yer our talking bird, anyone wants to vivisect you, they're gonna have ta cut me open first!"
Pierce addresses Dolom ignoring Mickey P's attempt to prevent further discussion between the two, "I didn't steal any of Mickey's work Dolom, and if I assist you in solving a case, it's nothing personal, I'm trying to help make Sharn a better place, just like you".
Dolom scowls, Mickey places a hand on Dolom's forearm, "He's not lying Sarge, he was helping me out. Pierce is a good friend". Dolom snorts.
Dev chimes in, "I'll see if any of my customers have any jobs Mick. I am just too busy running the shop and crafting these days to handle any retrieval stuff myself or to step in on any of your capers either my friends.
Though we had some wild times, that's for sure.
Any of you hear from Mistress Kaelys Tola? The Colrac Hall job? She offered me some big coin to find the final piece of that statue we ended up retrieving for her. I mean serious coin, 5,000 platinum!"
EE speaks, "Franky's Fixers. This unit shall remember that name if our agency acquires tasks too large for two Warforged alone to resolve".
Mickey nods to EE, "What about it Erix? You game to join back up?
Looks like Gauntlet, Frank & B are in. Ratchet and Brennus are our new blood...
I really am tired but if you all insist I stay on, I'll do it, but we could certainly use a friend in a Marked House, ya know?"
"Of course I'll be joinin back up Mick. As you just said, we're family, and that's what family does, we stick together." The young man says sincerely.
First Day of Vult in the Year 998 YK –
Mickey blinks and shakes his head as Ratchet prattles on, "Glad some of you got that I didn't. Innovations have a funny way of ending up in the wrong hands you had better be careful Ratchet...".
He turns to Brennus, "I spent my entire life in the 655th BSTU (Brelish Special Tactics Unit) - “The Fire-Talons”. My former commander, before I took over the unit told me that you can approach command one of two ways; treat everyone as if they're already dead and don't bother to get to know them until the War ends and you're reasonably certain they'll be alive to be known or treat everyone as if they're your family from the second they join, their survival is your survival and vice versa. I went with the latter suggestion, caused a lot of heartache over time, but I've got all these fine folks sitting here around me today to show for it.
Much like a new recruit thrown into the front lines, you're one of us now. Don't matter yer a f~&&in' talking bird, yer our talking bird, anyone wants to vivisect you, they're gonna have ta cut me open first!"
For once Brennus seems to be at a loss for words. He keeps opening his beak, just hanging there for a second, then closing it with a soft clack.
Ratchet was in a similar state of speechlessnes. He hadn't even asked to join yet. He kept glancing around the room trying to figure out if he was dreaming.
He was used to being the unluckiest halfling alive, so the sudden rush of good fortune took him completely off guard. He took a step nearer to Dev and took a firm hand on the man's sleeve for a moment. "Thank you," he said with an intensity that seemed a bit much for the situation. "I owe you a big favor. Whatever you need. Really."
Mickey blinks and shakes his head as Ratchet prattles on, "Glad some of you got that I didn't. Innovations have a funny way of ending up in the wrong hands you had better be careful Ratchet...".
Ratchet shook his head at Mickey's warning. "I doubt anyone else could keep my prototypes running. The stuff that's more permanent, well, it's still mostly unusable by anyone who isn't trained, and the batteries are custom, so when they stop working they're just junk for anyone else. Honestly, the only reason I care about security is for other people's safety, not because I'm worried about theft. Anyone who manages to make it into my workshop deserves what they end up with."
"Well, work must be easier to find for those who are largely acknowledged as people by the world at large than it is for those who are not, for I haven't had such an easy experience in getting employment," Brennus remarks with just a trace of bitterness. "Though perhaps that's because I'm a bit too wary about the chances of being vivisected by someone with more curiosity than morality."
Looking at the Raven pointedly Gauntlet nods.
”You and I may have more in common than you could ever realize.”
First Day of Vult in the Year 998 YK –
Mickey grins at Erix, he turns to Gauntlet, "I'd bet if you asked, Pink-Eye would also be game. That's six, a good sized group to be sure".
EE looks at you as you speak Ratchet, "Fascinating, this unit would be interested in a demonstration of these creations".
Dev shakes his head at Ratchet, "Hey, if you can find a place among this group of my friends and help them when I no longer can, it's me that owes you!"
EE looks at you as you speak Ratchet, "Fascinating, this unit would be interested in a demonstration of these creations".
When the Warforged addressed him directly Ratchet's grin was equal parts hero worship and maniacal glee.
"Sure! A lot of my designs are based on Warforged physiology, actually! Your people are just amazing! I can't wait to introduce you to Proto and Zero! They had to stay outside the city because of permits."" The word dripped with derision and venom, like the entire idea offended him.
"For what I can show you here though, uh, let's see..." He picked up an apple off the tray of snacks and tossed it in a slow arc towards a clear spot on the floor. With a snap of his hand something small deployed from inside his sleeve and snapped into his grip before firing a bolt of blue energy at the floor beneath where the apple fell. Before the first bolt had struck he fired a second orange bolt into the ceiling.
The floor and ceiling warped and yawned. The apple fell into the blue-ringed hole that had just appeared, and fell out of the orange one above.
It kept falling, picking up speed between the two gaps in space. "I based this one on the Dimension Door spell. My version lasts longer and is a lot more stable."
"And this is based on Magic Missile" A short volley of needle-like projectiles shot from the device in Rachet's hand, hung in space for a brief moment, then lanced forward and incredible speed. The needles struck the falling apple one after another, targeting perfectly in spite of how fast it was falling.
Then he gestured towards the wall and shot another orange pulse towards it. The portal in the ceiling closed and another one opened where he pointed. The apple shot out at terminal velocity, only to be caught by a mechanical hand that now protruded from Rachet's wrist. It's five evenly-spaced articulated fingers closed, slicing the apple neatly. The spikes that pierced it held it together until a second mechanical hand appeared from Ratchet's other sleeve and started pulling the sections apart.
The pair of portals closed with a crackle of dissipating energy, and each of Rachet's four hands, two biological, and two mechanical, offered his new friends slices of apple on small metal sticks.
"Who's hungry?"
Nodding at the display, Gauntlet would smile if his face were capable.
”Agreed. Pink-Eye would be a valuable addition.”
First Day of Vult in the Year 998 YK –
Mickey P's eyebrows raise at the display.
EE makes a low screeching sound, excitement perhaps? "Pierce. Our Agency must work with Frank's Fixers to observe field testing as soon as practicable".
Pierce nods, "Noted".
Sergeant Dolom looks wary, "I can see why the City would want permits on your, inventions, is that your term Mr. Ratchet is it?
Those look like advancements that are more technical in nature than magical in nature".
Those look like advancements that are more technical in nature than magical in nature".[/b]
"Yeah," Rachet confirmed. "I tried to be a wizard, but I'm really bad at actually casting spells, so I started trying to figure out other ways to replicate magical effects. Pretty much everything I build is like pre-casting a spell, and then using some kind of technology to capture it, maintain it, or release it with better precision."
Ratchet's display breaks Brennus out of his state of shock. He tilts his head slightly to one side, peering at the devices Ratchet displays... and then the lump in his chest splits open, skin folding left and right like an eyelid.
Oh. That's because it's an eye. Probably. A sapphire-colored orb sits in Brennus's chest, with a pale circle like an iris that flicks between focusing on each device in turn.
"Fascinating," Brennus murmurs. "You struggle with spellcasting, you say? We'll have to have a discussion, maybe I'll do an examination... that might fit in with some of my hypotheses..."
He doesn't seem at all interested in the slice of fruit, too caught up instead in examining the device itself. He hops from his perch, landing on the table after a single wing-flap so he can look from a different angle.
After another couple moments he shakes himself slightly and turns his head toward Gauntlet... though the eye in his chest keeps looking at Ratchet. "That's actually a reason I tend to feel a bit more comfortable approaching warforged than any other species. They, at least, have a recent history of having to fight, both figuratively and literally, for their personhood to be recognized."
Nodding, Gauntlet replies.
"Some more than others."
Obviously, he's a warforged of few words...
Frank takes a slice and nods approvingly, his eyebrows finally settling.
"Very nice weapons."
"Hy can cot apple too." Broulnindre says, looking for one to demonstrate on.
Frank clears his throat loudly.
"And so it looks like we're getting two more people, including 4 new hands and 5 new eyes for future missions."
He says, trying to change the subject.
First Day of Vult in the Year 998 YK –
The Party begins to wind down EE and Pierce break off from the group. Dolom assists the very drunk Mickey to his bed. Dev turns to you all, "Well, it's getting late, but I know a place that's still open if anyone is interested in a bite to eat.
Now before you say you don't eat Gauntlet, its less about food and more about good company!"
Looking over at the unconscious Mickey, Gauntlet stares for a few moments before he answers.
”I will, but I can not stay out too late. I will need to return in case Micky wakes up sick…or worse.”
His voice has a quality or undertone of dedication and thankfulness mixed with a hint of fear and inevitability.
"Far be it from a scavenging bird to refuse an offer of food," Brennus jokes, the big eye in his chest going from Ratchet to Guantlet.
"Oh right! Food! I always forget." Ratchet added. He looked at the apple slices in his hands and ate two before his mechanical arms slithered back up his sleeves.
"Let's." Frank agrees, getting up.
Broulnindre pulls her hood down, staying close by Frank as his 3' tall bodyguard.
"Far be it from a scavenging bird to refuse an offer of food," Brennus jokes, the big eye in his chest going from Ratchet to Guantlet.
Like most warforged, Gauntlet looks like a large man made from rock, various metals, and wood. However, since he was designed for front-line fighting, his bulk is slightly higher and his metal compositions have a darker coloration from all the adamantine added to it.
His head is slightly bulkier as well with what appears to be a helmet-like fixture over a skull-like face, and with his unique symbol glowing prominently on his forehead. Strangely enough his particular symbol resembles a stylized four-fingered hand held upright, which is very unusual for a warforged symbol, and is where Gauntlet gets his name from.
In the end, the most unique characteristic of Gauntlet is his disquieting aura of "wrongness." This effect is not visual, but can cause normal animals to react badly to his presence, and anyone with the ability to see magic or detect auras finds Gauntlets to be very odd and almost disturbing to look at. Even normal people can sometimes get the "HeeBee-GeeBees" around him. Certain supernatural creatures and aberrations occasionally find Gauntlet fascinating, but only because his unusual "nature" seem to draw them like flies to rotting meat.
(Character Note: Think of a cross between Frankenstein's monster, Data from Star Trek, and 'Thing' from the Addams Family and you kinda get the get the idea of what Gauntlet is really like.)
Broulnindre pulls her hood down, staying close by Frank as his 3' tall bodyguard.
Unlike most people, Ratchet's reaction to Gauntlet didn't seem unnerved. At all. Being unnerved might have been better.
The little inventor was terrible at hiding his expressions. He might as well have been wearing a sign with his emotions listed on it. Currently the sign said OBSESSED.
Ratchet watched the two Warforged like they were the most amazing things he'd ever seen, to the point of nearly tripping more than once as they headed in the direction of food.
In spite of his clear interest, he was doing his best not to be the unnerving one himself, and to that end he was concentrating on the nearly impossible task of keeping his mouth shut.
"Ooh, yes, dinner would be lovely. I haven't eaten since lunch around midday, and I'm starved." Erix replies to the offer of getting something to eat.
Brennus's blue eye keeps looking between Ratchet and Gauntlet as he speaks. "Well, it sounds as if we are agreed. Lead on, then," he says to Dev. "Perhaps sometime in the near future myself, Ratchet, and Gauntlet can have a more... magitechnical discussion than the rest of you may be interested in."
Gauntlet stiffens visibly, then slowly keeps moving. His voice appears hesitant.
”Maybe…if I can find the time. Business comes first. I don’t know much about magic really anyway.”
"...And maybe I can join? Any chance of outer planar discussions?" Frank asks with a lot of hope and a little hesitation.
First Day of Vult in the Year 998 YK –
Dev brings you to the Oakbridge District headed towards a restaurant named the Bluebird Inn, he exclaims, "And it specializes in Bluebird Pie! Don't worry, Brennus, that's just the name, there aren't any birds in the recipe just bluberries".
Brennus notes the area, keeping any thoughts he might have about the choice of district to himself. He does close the eye in his chest when the group gets out onto the street.
"You know, I've never heard of, say, humans or elves complaining about eating cow meat because they're also mammals," Brennus says, then pauses. "Well, there was that one crazy druid, but that's beside the point. Eating other species of birds is no more strange to me than eating pigs is for you. Though perhaps eating a crow would feel a little strange, for all that they really aren't as similar to us ravens as most of you seem to think..."
"Oh, do you eat eyeballs?" Ratchet asked with clueless excitement on his face and all the tact of a hammer.
"I did when I was a wild raven, certainly," Brennus responds without shame. "They're tasty, nutritious, and easy to get to. Since joining 'civilization' I've refrained as I've learned most people are unreasonably squeamish about it."
At least, he has while anybody's been watching, but no need to bring that up.