Day 28: Toilday the 16th Lamashan, 4707
We woke up much like we had previous days, wrapped up in the blankets and sheets. I woke up first today, and got some coffee made for her and some light foods for the both of us. I came back in and Savah was awake and lying on the bed, smiling at me and beckoning me to come to her. I shut the door and set down the food.
We both got out of bed after a few minutes and I did the morning routine of prestidigitating us both ready for the day. If only there was a way to make the armors hop on us instantly, it would be so much quicker. We left the room to see Oren there, continuing to read the book we had lent him. He looked up and asked who this Miyamoto Musashi fellow was. I told him that he was a swordsman who was famous for never losing any duels. I added that there are rumors that he did lose one battle, that was against an opponent that he had let live the first time, and that the opponent was using a staff the second time. Oren nodded and continued reading. Savah sent me to go get the ovens warmed up while she got her shop opened.
I went to the workshop and got things started. Oren came in shortly after Savah and myself had left the breakroom and helped load up the coal into the ovens. I got the canvas bag set up for a trial and waited for the first few guard members to show up while Oren went to go get his assignment for the day. The first two to show up were Silver Enda, the guard member who had taken down my report, and Olhart Zemca, a guard member that apparently was attacked by animals growing up and now hated them. They both dropped off their cotton tunics for treatment and alteration.
Silver thought to ask me if the individual had shown up again, and I told her no, that they had not. She said that the word had been passed around by Sheriff Hemlock to keep an eye out for any suspicious persons lurking around, but so far there wasn't anyone matching the description of what I had provided. I thanked her for her update and told the both of them to come back after five hours. Olhart and Silver nodded and headed out. I had barely gotten the tanks into the ovens when the second group came in. It was Sheriff Belor Hemlock and the jailer Vachedi.
I welcomed the Sheriff by name, and he introduced me to the jailer and they both presented their new tunic. Vachedi seemed a bit less convinced about the material, so I went and got the roll of it from the bedroom. I invited him to try to cut it. He noted that he usually used an earth-breaker, which is apparently a very large type of war-hammer, so the good Sheriff offered up his longsword for the attempt to cut. Vachedi bellowed forth a scream that sounded like it belonged at a death metal concert and hacked down with the blade. The roll that the material had a very deep dent. The fabric made its way into the crease, but did not cut. Vachedi said that he was impressed.
I used a mending effect while the Sheriff was explaining how we were doing this for the good of the town. Vachedi asked if it would be drawn out of his pay. The Sheriff told him that it would not, that he could continue with his plans. I looked up from where I was layering on the paste and asked if they didn't mind me knowing, what plans. Vachedi's shoulders slumped and he said that his sons were slaves in Kaer Maga, and that he was saving up to purchase their freedom. I told Vachedi that this was terrible that his sons were slaves. I apologized that I had no plans to go to that city currently, but that if my travels were to require that I head there, I would tell him so that he could take a sabbatical from his job to go get them with us. Vachedi thanked me and said that he would hold me to that promise.
I got their armors in the tank and got the tank into the oven. Sheriff Hemlock told me that the guards from yesterday afternoon would be dropping by shortly to pick up their armors. I thanked him and followed him out to the hallway. The Sheriff and the Jailer both went on towards Savah's shop, and I went into the break room to get the armors out of the bedroom. When I got back to the warehouse, Quera and Rhian were there waiting. I removed the regular threads that I had used to bind the pieces together and put a regular B4C thread in their place. They both tried them on, with the padding underneath and I made some slight adjustments. They both said that they appreciated the upgrade and tried some cuts on each other's armor. I smiled as I went back to check on the ovens.
No sooner had Quera and Rhian left did Jaren and Ileana show up. Again, with their padded undercoats already on. I got their armor set up and Jaren asked if we would consider making suits for anyone who wanted. I told him to check with Savah for a friends of the guard discount for any other suits he might want made, or to get the upgrade pieces. Ileana asked if the symbol on them would be the same as mine. I told her that if a person was paying for it, I would do my best to get it to be what they wanted. If it was the town that was paying for it, then I would try to make it be whatever the town requested. Ileana said that this made sense. Their armors were both good and done and they left out of the workshop to head back to Savah's Armory.
This was a LOT more efficient than yesterday. I would guess that I got the whole thing done in less than an hour, and the tanks were just getting up to temperature. After a few minutes I got to planning. I needed to get a vehicle done up that would get me from here to there a lot faster than the cart or even a horse. I remembered the Sylvester Roper Steam velocipede motorcycle, which could get going at thirty miles an hour on an easy clip. Its maximum speed was over forty miles an hour and since this world had the means of generating infinite water and infinite heat, it would be a hell of a lot less polluting than trying to refine gasoline.
From my time working with boiler systems, I drew up a quick schematic, and wrote up what I might need. The main issue that I would be dealing with would be the prevention of rust. I don't have the means to have a rust prohibitive compound here. Maybe there is an alchemical or magical way to do it. I'll ask Savah if she knows of anything. I wrote down a note to ask her later, and closed out my file on this project. One of many, sure, but I had not even been here a month and I was already getting things done. If I got a working car by the end of the year, I would be stoked.
I did a check on the ovens and found that they were holding temperature well today, so I decided to get a math book copied across. I had some lower level math books on a thumb drive, so other than being careful, it was just a matter of loading them up. I also had a few coloring books and a few children's reading books available so I filled up another hundred-page tome with those. This puts me to right now, with the first tank ready to come out of the oven. I'm glad I got this up to date before the next batch starts.
The pair of Silver and Olhart came in not too long after I got the first tank out. They seemed excited while I used my prestidigitation power to cool down the tank and the material down to handleable temperatures. I drained out the Argon, and collected it for processing and re-use. The two of them watched as I performed the steps that I needed to do to make sure that everything was set. They didn't ask anything while I was swiftly working my way through the process.
I got the pieces out and stitched them together with more B4C thread before having them try the suits on. They each put them on and gave them some practice slices. I cautioned them that it wouldn't do much by itself against bludgeoning weapons, or the impact that might come from heavier blows. Olhart noted that it seemed much like a regular chain shirt in that regard. I did note that this fabric managed to stop the teeth of a Barghest from penetrating when it bit Dame Rebekah. Silver seemed impressed with that and asked if that was why I had the scar on my face. I told her that a goblin did that before I added my filter hood. They both accepted the new armor and went off.
Oren came in as they were both leaving. Behind him trailed Arika, kind of sheepishly in her new guard attire. They were both carrying the cotton tunics that Rynshinn was doubtlessly wondering why so many of the guard were being issued these. I took the tunics from both of them and undid the seams. I prepped both sets of fabric and asked them if they had any questions. Arika nervously rose her hand, and I just looked at her with a slightly bemused look on my face. I told her that she shouldn't feel bashful about having questions and that she should "speak her speech" while putting the coated materials in the first tank.
She looked confused, and I told her to feel free to ask her question. Arika asked why we were doing all of this. I told her that we were trying to make the guard as protected as possible. She nodded and I continued my work. I added while I was preparing her armor that there were things that I knew that could help the town, and me doing this could only make the town safer. Oren told her that he had seen this armor in action and that it does what I say it does. I thanked him for the vote of confidence while purging the air in the first tank, and I told Arika that if she didn't feel safe wearing this after, I was sure that Sheriff Hemlock would listen to her concerns. I also told her that she should be congratulated on her decision to join the guard. Arika said that her mother wasn't too happy, but that Alma said that she understood.
I nodded as I realized that we really would need to bump up the safety levels of the guard. I didn't want Alma's daughter to be in danger. As if on cue, the second tank's timer was up. Oren helped me get the tank out of the oven and I cooled it down using my prestidigitation powers and we collected the Argon into the reserve tank. I swear that it being heavier than regular air is a blessing. I got the clothing cooled to touchable levels. Arika asked if this was what the cotton would turn into. Oren told her that it was and offered her his dagger to try it out. She tried cutting it to no avail. I used a B4C thread to stitch up the tunics and set them off to the side. Oren helped me get that first tank into the first oven so that it can get started reacting.
Another pair of guards showed up, Lance Hurn and Hazgan Drelvar. They both had their tunics at the ready. I undid the seams and set them out flat to coat them in the paste. I worked quickly, and got them in the tank while they both watched. I looked up to them, and asked if they had any questions or concerns. Hazgan asked if I had seen this material in action. I told him that I had seen a horse sized Barghest bite down on Dame Rebekah's arm where it was covered and the teeth didn't penetrate the material. Hazgan kind of scoffed and I offered for him to try out the roll of the material over on the wall.
Hazgan walked right over and tried a very hard slash with his sword. I didn't even turn to watch him doing it. He pulled out his sword from where it had struck and inspected the material. He tried a second time in a slightly different area and inspected it again. He called Lance over and I cautioned him that I wasn't familiar with what the effect would be if they pulled it tight and it ripped itself out of their hands. I told them that the material was used as an abrasive back where I was from. I got the material into the tank as I heard a yell of pain. I whipped out a potion of cure light wounds and brought it over to Lance. I uncorked it and poured it into his mouth.
I asked Hazgan to help me get the tank into the oven. He came over while Lance was healing. Hazgan asked if I knew that the wound was going to happen. I told him that I suspected it would but didn't know for certain. I told him that the clothing that I wore under the material needed to be mended fairly frequently. I had figured that since my stuff was likely thinner than the regular clothing, it might have worn quicker, but even then, the material was a known abrasive. I told him that if some kind of monster tried to grab him, it might get hurt, who knows?
Hazgan nodded and went over to check on Lance. After I made sure that everything was set and ready, I went over as well. His palms were all healed up. He thanked me for the healing potion, and I told him not to mention it. He had gotten hurt because I didn't fully test out a material, so I was just glad that we could solve it quickly. Hazgan and Lance started to head out while the Sheriff and the Jailer were arriving. Hazgan greeted the two of them and Lance did as well, his hands still smarting.
Sheriff Hemlock and Vachedi both walked over and asked if their armor was ready. I told them that it was and showed them the two tunics. They both tried them on and I cautioned them that it had been determined that the material was very abrasive and would tear up skin if someone used a lot of fast strength. The Sheriff asked how we figured that out. I told him that Lance's hands were the unfortunate subject of that experiment. He asked how it happened and I repeated the story to him. He stifled a laugh a little, and he said that he would pass on the warning to the people who were wearing the armor. I told him that as long as the wearers were not naked under the armor, it shouldn't be an issue.
Sheriff Hemlock and Vachedi laughed with that, and the Sheriff said that he hoped that this wouldn't be an issue. I agreed and went to check the ovens to make sure that they were all up to temperature and processing correctly. Vachedi said that he had to head back to the jail and the Sheriff came over to talk to me. Sheriff Belor asked if Oren had told me that about his plan. I looked around and saw that there was no one in the workshop besides us. I told him that Oren had told me that he was to train the guard to be better warriors and that they were looking at setting up a special response team.
Sheriff told me that after talking to me, he had begun to realize that having a group of people who could handle unique jobs would be very useful. I agreed with him that everyone should be well equipped with tools and skills to handle all of the jobs that might be needed. I added that I had made the suggestion that they might want to get look into getting users of both divine and arcane magic to round out a response team, as it had seemed to work well for my group. He said that he would take that into consideration. I said that it might be a good thing to get the teams working together quickly to set the teamwork going right before it is needed.
The Sheriff said that he would take my advice into consideration and that naturally, this conversation never happened. I told him that keeping whatever he was keeping close to the vest would be fine, but that if the subject came up under a truth telling spell, then I wouldn't be able to lie about it. The Sheriff nodded but said that he knew I would be able to pick what I talked about, and that I showed an ability to obfuscate exactly what I was talking about to those who didn't listen closely. I told him that I hoped that was given as a compliment, and that I would make sure that I kept it in mind.
The Sheriff left as Savah came in. She asked if I'd like to get something to eat. I told her that I was sorry that I was putting this burden on her, but that I would really love to get something to eat. Savah smiled and said that she would go get something good for the both of us. I asked her what she was thinking of and she said that she would surprise me. I decided to update my journal before starting to make household copies of the books I had made this morning, making one copy of each.
I was half way through the first book when Savah came back. She had another canvas bag, with a pair of ciders. She sat next to me as she pulled out a jar with chowder from the Hagfish. I thanked her and went to get bowls for the soup. When I got back, Savah was putting a little more coal in the ovens. I thanked her for doing that and cleaned her hands.
We had some ciders and bread with the chowder. She smiled as we ate and talked about the future. I asked if she had made any other deals for us to whip through some more sets of armor quick like this. She said that she had not, and asked who I thought might want to make a deal. I told her that Father Zantus was definitely interested in it.
We finished our meal and I used prestidigitation to clean up everything. Savah smiled and said that she would never have to do any dishes again. I told her that with this power, magically washing dishes should never take more than a minute or two and she smiled. Hell, if I can get the housework done quickly, that means that she should be happier with life, and that means I will be happier.
She left with the cleaned jar and bowls and left me to my work. I wished her good luck with her shop and she said that she had no worries about that right now. I got back to the first book and finished it up. After finishing the math book, I decided to start studying the Tome of Epics to get myself set up for the performance tonight. I had one more night after this, and I needed to make sure that everything was ready for tonight and that it was the best night tomorrow night.
I had just finished studying the book for an hour when the first oven was done. I got the tank out of the oven and let it cool off naturally. While I waited for it to cool off naturally, I finished off the copying of the math book. I would be able to drop off the Academy's copy on our way to The Rusty Dragon. By the time I was finished, the first tank was cooled off and the second tank was ready. I got it out of the oven and set to cool off naturally while I went to the first tank and got Oren and Arika's tunics out. I used some of the B4C thread to stitch them both up and set them off to the side.
Savah came in and checked out the progress. She smiled and said that she had thought about what I said, and decided to go approach Father Zantus to make a deal. She told me that we would need to make another four sets tomorrow. I told her that I would work them in after the guard are done. Savah told me that there should only be one more group of four for the guards. I said that if they were willing to filter people through, tomorrow, then we can get them all done in the afternoon, and have a day off on Thursday. She was a bit confused and I corrected it to Oathday. I apologized and told her that I still think in my former world's weekday format out of habit.
Savah asked if I would be willing to tell her what the week was like back there. I told her that I would be glad to once I had a few minutes and a free blackboard. She said that it was no rush, that I should finish up with my notes while we waited for the tank to cool off fully. Savah told me that she was going to lock up everything while we were waiting. I decided to whip out my tablet and update everything while I waited for the tank to cool.
I had gotten the material out and reassembled Hazgan and Lance's tunics. They looked sufficiently put together, and I put all four of the tunics in the bedroom. Savah was in there when I came in and we ended up getting out of the Armory a little later than we would have liked. Oren and Arika were waiting outside the Armory for us to all head to The Rusty Dragon. Oren asked if we had any stops to hit before we got to the Dragon. Savah said that we didn't before I could say anything, and we headed straight there.
Ameiko was there, tapping her foot, saying that we were late. Savah apologized for us, saying that I needed to help her with something. I saw a slight smile cross Ameiko's lips as she motioned for us to get inside. We went into the tavern and saw that it was absolutely packed. Everyone was enjoying some drinks and the kids were all talking amongst themselves. I saw Ilsoari and Chask talking in a corner, and they both walked up to us. I pulled out the math book and handed it to Ilsoari. Chask grabbed it from him before Ilsoari could even take a look at it. He flipped through it and asked if I learned this back in my home country. I told him that this was lower level mathematics. We went into algebra, geometry, and statistics later in my schooling. Chask was a bit surprised by that and I told him that we can talk more later.
Savah, Oren, and Arika made their way to some seats and pulled Chask and Ilsoari over to their seats. I made my way to the stool that was flanked by the four screens. I used my prestidigitation ability to make one of the screens be a map of Greece and the Aegean and Ionian Seas. I highlighted Troy, Sparta, and Ithaca. I got everyone of the major players back up on one of the screens and put some new names up on another screen. One of the kids asked who the people were, and I told them that I would explain as the story went on.
Before I started up, I made sure to tell everyone that there was going to be an action packed conclusion to this story, so they should all get their food and drink sorted out. Ameiko looked a little upset and over a dozen people asked for orders of this or that. I used the time to put up more information about the area, and Odysseus' family. Savah got some drinks and food for the three of them and smiled at me from the crowd. When everyone was apparently ready, I asked to make sure. The crowd all agreed, and I started.
I told them that twenty years had passed since the start of the Trojan war when Odysseus had left with his ships and his men to support King Menelaus. I told them of how is family had a new born son, and his wife had stayed true to him. I told them that the Trojan war had lasted a full decade before the fall of Troy. I continued with how the after the fall of Troy, a decade had passed and Odysseus was declared dead. I told the crowd of the pack of "Suitors" who were harassing the wife of Odysseus to try to get her to remarry while destroying the finances of Odysseus's family.
I told how Odysseus' son, Telemachus, was goaded on to find out where his father might be by the patron of his father, the goddess of wisdom Athena, in another person's form. I told the crowd how this son went out seeking people who knew his father and learned of his exploits in the war. I told them of how Telemachus went to the halls of Menelaus and Helen, and was received with honor. Menelaus told the group that Odysseus did not die in the war, and that he was last seen sailing for home. I told the assembled group how Telemachus went on to search everywhere for word of his father until he found a swineherd who happened to be hosting a disguised Odysseus.
I told the crowd that I needed to take a break to drink and that they should all take a breather to refill their drinks and take whatever bathroom breaks they needed. Ameiko was rushed with requests for ciders and food. Her, Bethana, and Victor worked hard to get everyone what they ordered. Savah, Oren, and Arika all came up and were telling me that I was doing a decent job. I thanked them and told them that I was going to try to leave everyone on a cliffhanger so that tomorrow would be the finale. Savah noted that it would be a good plan to get everyone worked up for tomorrow. I asked her if she would ask Ameiko if we could leave the sheets up with everything on them so that people could study them after tonight to be ready for tomorrow. Savah noted that she would and handed me the drink that she had gotten for me.
I drank the cider and got back to my stool while people were streaming back. I waited for everyone to get settled back in, and asked them if they were ready for the next part of the Odyssey. All of the children yelled that they were. I cleared my throat and told them of what had happened to Odysseus. Everyone asked why I had stopped talking about Telemachus. I told them that I was telling the other half of the story before they merge. I told them that this part started right after the Trojan war, while Odysseus was leaving with his ships and decided to try a raid on an island. The raid failed and his men all got blown off course by an errant storm.
I updated the map with the location of the ship periodically, as I told them how all of the ships ended up making landfall after the storm at a new location. I told them how the people who went on shore never came back. I continued with the description of how Odysseus went forth and found his men. They were eating the narcotic lotus flowers and forgetting their desires and goals. I told them how Odysseus needed to physically drag all of the men back to the ships before disembarking.
I continued with telling the group how the ships were running out of food when they came on a lush island. When they landed, they found a cave filled with meats and cheese. The men gorged themselves on the bounty they had found and a large boulder was rolled in front of the cave entrance. A giant arm reached in and two of Odysseus' men were grabbed. I told the crowd how Odysseus could hear his men being eaten alive.
I continued with how the boulder was rolled away at the end of the day and a giant cyclops herded his sheep in. His voice boomed as he told them if they hurt his sheep he would torture them and eat them. To emphasize his point, he grabbed another two sailors and ate them. The cyclops Polyphemus rolled the boulder in front of the cave and everyone went to sleep.
Some of the children asked why Odysseus didn't slay the Polyphemus in his sleep. I told them that the men were tired and worried from their trip. They were recuperating and planning just that, but the cyclops seemed to stir whenever they got close. They had no arms or armor, and so were unarmed against the monster. In the morning, Polyphemus let his sheep out of the cave and ate another two of Odysseus' men. Odysseus formed a plan while his men ate and made a giant wooden spear and hardened the point in the fire while Polyphemus was out and they were stuck in the cave. When Polyphemus came back, it ate another pair of Odysseus' men. Odysseus gave Polyphemus wine that he had received from the lotus-eaters that cause the cyclops to fall into a deep sleep. Before Polyphemus went to sleep, he asked Odysseus his name, and Odysseus told the cyclops that it was "Nobody". Polyphemus noted that he would eat this nobody last as a gift to him for the wine.
I continued with telling them that Odysseus and his men took the giant spear and rammed it Polyphemus' single eye. The cyclops roared drunkenly flailed about uselessly. He yelled to the other cyclopes on the island for help. The other cyclopes asked Polyphemus who was hurting him, and Polyphemus told them 'Nobody". Those other cyclopes thought that the gods were afflicting Polyphemus and told him that he should pray for forgiveness from the gods. Odysseus's men all escaped its' wrathful flailings. Polyphemus said that they would never get away, because he would check for them when he let his sheep out and would eat them all. Odysseus plotted with his remaining men, and whispered to them that they should cling to the bottom of the sheep when the Cyclops lets the sheep out in the morning. All but two of the men agreed and they waited. In the morning, the cyclops stirred and crawled over to the boulder slowly and pushed it to the side.
Polyphemus checked each of the sheep and made sure that he would catch the people trying to escape. The cyclops caught the two sailors that refused to do Odysseus' plan and Odysseus got away. Odysseus and his men fled back to the ship. I told them how Odysseus yelled back to the Cyclops that he had escaped. Polyphemus launched a boulder at Odysseus' ship, but it missed. I told them how Odysseus was boastful and told Polyphemus his real name and how he had fooled him. Polyphemus responded by praying to his father, Poseidon to curse this man.
I told them how Odysseus and his men made it to an island where they were hosted for a month by King Aeolus how was sympathetic to their travails. I told the group that Odysseus was secretly given a special gift by the King, an ox hide bag containing all of the winds except the west wind, the direction that he would need to get home. This would provide him and his men clear sailing to get home quickly. The bag was bulging and heavy with the weight. King Aeolus cautioned Odysseus that he should only open the bag when he got home. Odysseus thanked him for this gift, and for his hospitality.
I continued with how the ships all left, and were mere hours away from Ithaca, Odysseus' home, when Odysseus felt the pressing need to sleep. I told them how Odysseus told his sailors that he would show them what was in the bag once they landed. Unfortunately, his crew had grown too curious and opened the bag that they believe was full of riches and the winds all escaped. The ship was blown back to the island of King Aeolus. King Aeolus refused to help them a second time, since it was obvious to him that the mission was cursed. I told the group that the crew made ready to sail again. I stood up and yawned and thanked everyone for their time and that I would finish the saga tomorrow.
Everyone wanted me to finish, but I noted that I had taken up enough of Ameiko's time, when she could have other, more talented storytellers to ply their trade and bring more business to her establishment. I added that I would be back tomorrow, and seeing that Savah was nodding to me, but that I would leave all of the information up so that people could refresh their knowledge of the past parts of the story before I get back. People rushed to get food and drinks from Bethana and Ameiko and Victor was rushing to keep up. Ameiko made an effort to come talk to me and pass me my half of the take, a whopping sixteen gold. I asked if she was sure, and she told me that it was at least this much business that was brought in today.
Chask and Ilsoari were waiting for me and my crew outside the feeding frenzy that had become The Rusty Dragon. Chask asked me what I had meant about the math that I was taught being harder. As we all walked back towards Academy, I told him that we started with basic addition and subtraction, like the book. I told him that we continued to learn the multiplication tables, and used prestidigitation to put a copy up on the side of the Sandpoint Meat Market in a one-foot square. Chask looked it over and I could tell that he was doing math in his head to check to see if it worked. Ilsoari cast a spell that seemed to act a lot like what I could do, and copied it to a blank sheet of paper that he just happened to be carrying with him. It took a minute but made a good copy.
I told them that from there we learned division, and showed them how that worked. I told them that we had worked out "PEMDAS" and determined the operation of mathematics. I told them that where I was from, there were people who were paid to study the higher levels of mathematics like wizards were paid to research spells here. Chask asked if I would be willing to teach people what I knew of math. I told them that I would be glad to, but if I need to provide lots of different classes, I might need to get permission from the boss, angling my head towards Savah. She smiled at that. Chask and Ilsoari both acknowledged that and thanked us for our time. Ilsoari went into the Academy and waited for the kids to get back. Chask made his way back to The Curious Goblin.
We headed across the street to Alma's Bakery, and Arika said her goodbyes. She seemed very much enamored with Oren and I hoped that this would not cause problems with us and the town. The last three of us all made our way back to the Armory and made our way in. Oren asked if me if I had a copy of the book I had given to Ilsoari. Savah took him over to our slowly increasing library. He started to look at the math book, but then noticed the First Aid book. He asked if he was allowed to read this. Savah answered for me when she said that he was allowed to read any book that he wanted while he lived here. Savah and I retired to our bedroom to end our day and make ready to welcome the next one.