Day 71: Wealday the 28th, Neth, 4707
I woke up today to the radio chirping with Faunra's voice, saying that she was on her way to the house. I quickly got out of bed and got dressed. I started making breakfast and coffee for everyone. I was working with both the enchanted oven surfaces and my prestidigitation powers to make the food quicker. When I was done, I quickly went into the bedroom and woke Savah up. She was slow at first, but then I noted that Faunra was on her way here, so she got up and got dressed quickly. Veronica sent to me that she would be starting on the next stun baton today, and that this would put us as having a total of four done.
I thanked her and sent to her that she should be getting a buddy here soon. As I went back into the common room, Oren and Arika were up and noting that they had another day of Farmland detail, and that this time they would be with a paladin by the name of Marcus. I told them that he seemed okay, and that he had been here yesterday. I also told them that Faunra was on her way here. They both got up and went back to their room to get armored up and ready for their day.
It was then that I heard Bailey whining, so I took them to go out to their outside house. As soon as I got Bailey to their house, I heard an odd voice in my head noting that they were coming and that they were almost here. It was a somewhat masculine voice, much more reminiscent of my own voice than Faunra's as was the case with Veronica. I asked him if he had a name yet, and he claimed that he had not, but that he would be glad to get one when we met. I went over to the garage and opened it up to allow for Faunra to find a parking spot easily.
It was just in time, as Oren and Arika were on their bikes and ready to head out. I wished them well for the day and noted that I hoped that the Farmland was a bit safer today than it was last time. Oren thanked me for our efforts, especially with the dragon and the ogre, and that he was sure that it would be safer. I nodded, knowing what had happened yesterday but not saying anything. Oren and Arika took off and Faunra pulled up almost immediately. On the back of her bike was the source of the mental voice that had reached out to me. It was obvious that this was another of the armors from the movies I had brought with me. I instantly knew which one it was as well.
I told Faunra that I had made breakfast and that I wanted to thank her for bringing Igor to me. Igor mentally beamed to me and thanked me for the fitting name. Faunra noted that she would be glad to share a meal with me and my fiancée. I picked up Igor and noted that he was a good solid boy. Faunra smiled and said that it seemed like he came together very easily, but that he seemed really focused on strength.
Faunra and I entered into the workshop where I introduced Igor to Veronica. They passed some messages back and forth that I didn't catch, and looked like they were going to fight for a second before I reminded them that they were both my favorites for different reasons. I asked Veronica to help Igor get acclimated, and she presented a set of tools for him that she had made overnight. Igor and Veronica got started together, working on the Stun Baton.
I took Faunra up to the common room and Savah was there in her robe. She welcomed Faunra in and asked what brought her here today. Faunra looked at me and I told her that I had forgotten to prepare Savah with any information. Savah looked a bit perturbed. Faunra went on to tell Savah that Shalelu would be heading to Magnimar with us, but that she would be heading on to a town called Turtleback Ferry to visit her step-father, when we were coming back to Sandpoint, and that she had asked me if it would be okay for her to visit from time to time. Faunra added that I had told her that Vaeren would be coming to work in the workshop and in the store, but that she was more than welcome to come and visit, and that Faunra had said that the both of us were more than welcome to come visit her.
Savah sighed like a great weight was lifted off of her and told Faunra that she was more than welcome to come visit whenever she wanted. Faunra added that she was here to drop off the new Homunculus, Igor, looking at me, for helping in the shop. Savah tilted her head a little and looked at me and I told her that since the Mayor was needing the progress done on their equipment, that I would need the additional help. Savah nodded thoughtfully and noted that it could give me more time out of the shop.
Faunra smiled at the minor chaos she had caused, and sat down to eat at the table. Savah sat down as well and I sat down next to her. We all enjoyed a good breakfast and some light conversation with a little laughing as Faunra told Savah of the various challenges that Valendron Oparal had issued to her before I had showed up and convinced him to leave, before he jumped me on my way back home. I smiled and noted that I guess that I had to add one more to my count for downed spellcasters. Faunra laughed with Savah and we all relaxed a bit. Savah noted that she had to head back to the bedroom to get changed, and I noted to Faunra that I would go help her.
I got into the bedroom and helped Savah get dressed after some back and forth. Faunra had moved into the library and was looking over one of the books that I had transferred from my tablet to bound form. Faunra asked if this kind of information was available everywhere back where I was from. I told her that where I was from, there were libraries where the number of books were in the thousands, and one that I knew of had over ten million books. I specified that this was all different books, not the same books. I explained how many that was and Faunra was absolutely astounded. Savah was also dumbfounded by this.
Savah recovered and noted that she had to get the store opened up. Faunra told me that she wanted to drop by Jonathan's later, and Savah told her that we could all drop by there for lunch. Faunra agreed and asked Savah if it would be okay if she hung around the workshop to see Igor and Veronica in action. Savah agreed and we all went downstairs. I helped Savah open up her store and then Faunra and I went into the shop so that we could check in on Igor and Veronica.
When we got in there both Veronica and Igor were working on the stun baton, getting work done fairly quickly. Faunra asked me what all it took to make these stun batons, and I told her how I needed the time, materials, and a large amount of power, which I was currently getting from the batteries that I had made and had gotten from that trader in Magnimar. Faunra asked if I had any means of getting the power on a more permanent basis than the batteries. I told her that I recharged the batteries for two days when I used them for one, but that I was looking into creating a generator that could help make this easier.
Faunra mulled over that and asked if I had thought about a magical way to keep the batteries charged. I told her that I could be open to it, but that I wasn't certain what kind of side effects it would cause. I told her that I had worked on power generation systems for years back where I was from, and that I would be likely making something similar to what I was familiar with, but knowing if there was a way to recharge equipment in the field would be extremely valuable. Faunra said that she could look into it that if it would be helpful. She then asked if there was anything else that I would be looking to make that she could help with. I shrugged and noted that I would definitely be looking into making a larger firearm to deal with the larger and stronger monsters that we were possibly going to have to deal with in the future.
Faunra asked if that was all I was working on. I shrugged and noted that it was kind of a long shot, but that I eventually would be looking at magically/technologically enhancing the armor beyond what I currently have to act like the armor in the movies that I had shown them. Faunra told me that it would likely take a lot of magic to bring that level of gear to the world. I told her that I understood that, and that I would likely be pursuing knowledge of some magic to be able to blend everything together. Faunra said that she would help as much as she can, but that she would need help from me as well. I told her that I would help however I could, and she noted that she could us a lot of the improvements that I was making on her gear as well.
I told Faunra that I wasn't looking to keep the things I was going to make to myself, and that once I made something better, I would be passing it along to everyone else in the group that wanted it, and maybe even further if I could find economical ways to do this. Faunra said that she could accept that rational and that she was glad that I was happy to spread the advancements to help others. I added that I would be using Igor and Veronica to make some communication equipment for our houses that runs off of a personal generator system to keep them up and operational at all times, so that the radios can be spread out better. I added that I would be adding a radio system to each of the bikes as well, and eventually patching in the radios to the armor systems that I made. Faunra asked if it would require someone to wear a helmet. I noted that it would take more work, but I could make some kind of ear piece.
Faunra asked if it would be cheaper to have the radios just go to the bikes and have an enchantment just go to an "earpiece". I told her that I didn't know, but that it would definitely be lighter to have a magical earpiece that one that required a technological power supply. Faunra said that she would look into it, that she might be able to enhance an already existing magic item with the effect, like the Laurel that I wore or the circlets or headbands that other members of the party wore. I told Faunra that this was a fantastic idea, and that if we worked together, we could have it so that the magic just transmitted back and forth from a specific radio, or that it could all link to any radios. Faunra said that it would be good to work on that.
We worked together on putting some ideas together for a few items that melded magic and science to a somewhat frightening degree. Faunra also told me that she felt bad about what had happened with the dragon, where everything she had set up wasn't effective in any way. I told her that everyone makes mistakes and we survived with minimal effort. I told her that I froze when the spider encounter happened and that I could have gotten the party hurt or worse from not moving. Faunra noted that she had noticed that I didn't make any actions during that encounter and told me that she hoped that I could work past that issue. I told her that I would be working on it.
We got the calculations to everything and what we worked out was that I would update the bikes with technology while Faunra would update the group's head gear to act as intermediaries. Other things we needed more access to the stuff we could get in Magnimar to get better estimates for. Faunra did note that she could make the armor upgrades, but that it would cost a fair amount. I told her that I would be looking into it after I managed to upgrade my other equipment. Faunra said that this makes a lot of sense, and asked if having Igor would help get to the Crying Leaf's requests. I told her that I would not be pushing back any of the current requests that I have on the docket, but that I would be putting some of the extra labor into things that the group need. Faunra accepted that, and Savah came in to check in on us, since it was lunch time.
I thanked Savah and checked back in on Veronica and Igor. From what I can see, they were almost done, and would likely only need another hour or so. I commended them on their progress, and said that we would be back. Veronica and Igor both saluted us and went back to work. Savah looked a bit amused as she watched the two of them work together. Faunra, Savah, and I all headed out to get to the bikes to head to Jonathan. Bailey watched us a bit disinterestedly as we left the garage and headed to the Barghest.
We made our way across the Tanner Bridge and past Risa's Place. When we got to Jonathan's place there was a bit of a scene, as there was a large crowd around the front of the building. Apparently the crowd was there because visitor from Magnimar here, a noble who we had met before. Luma Derexhi was here and wanted to try this new tavern. Faunra, Savah, and I all joined her and we were welcomed in to the Barghest. When we were sat down, our server asked us what we would like to have. We placed our orders and Luma ordered a cherry coke, having claimed that one of the mercenaries that worked for her family had told her about it.
We all enjoyed our meals and at the end, Luma claimed that she had never quite had a meal like this before, not that it was bad. I asked Luma if she was looking to come back to Sandpoint at any time in the future? Luma noted that she didn't have any plans to do so as such, but could possibly consider it if the town was hospitable enough. Savah noted that the town was making changes to the better since a couple of months ago, and that a lot of these changes were for the better for the environment. Luma asked what kinds of changes, and Savah talked about how the town was working to reutilize the materials that they would have previously just thrown out. Savah added that they were starting to require natural impact assessments before new buildings.
Luma seemed to be a little interested, and I added that the town could certainly use her expertise, and the resources of her family in the town. Faunra mentioned that the areas around the town could certainly utilize the services of a druid of her talents in the area, and that we would be glad to have another noble scion from Magnimar in the town to offset the influence of the Scarnettis. Luma sheepishly said that she didn't think that she would get a lot of support from her family. I told her that I would ensure that it didn't matter here, that we would be here to support her as well.
Luma said that she would consider it, and I asked her for one further thing, if she would be willing to consider being a teacher at the school that the Lord-Mayor had ordered that I build here. This took Luma a bit by surprise. Luma asked me why, and I told her that back where I was from, when you had someone who was a subject matter expert, you sought to learn from them, rather than a person who was not, and that she was clearly a subject matter expert in the realm of natural life. Luma looked around and saw that Faunra, Savah, and I had encouraging looks on our faces.
Luma said that she'd consider it, and I told her that we were hopeful of her coming here, but that we would not try to pressure her any further. Luma thanked us and noted that she wasn't really feeling welcomed in Magnimar, so she would consider it. I told her that I would keep the position at the school that I was building open until I heard back from her. We finished off our meal with some more light conversation about the area and how we were working on removing negative aspects to the local environment, including the Black Dragon and the Ogre that we had just slain.
Luma was intrigued by the changes that we were making, and how it could help her causes in the local area. I thanked her for her time and for eating with us. Luma said that she'd be in town for another day, and would be heading back out on the twenty-ninth. Savah noted that we were actually heading to Magnimar on the twenty-ninth as well, so if she wanted she could travel with all of us. Luma brightened up at that and said that she would be glad to, as it would give her a chance to talk to us about the school and what we would be asking for her to teach.
Luma excused herself as having to go talk to Madame Mvashti, and we wished her good news and good luck. Jonathan came out as Luma was heading out and she thanked him for an excellent meal before leaving. Jonathan came over to sit at the table with us and we briefly discussed the trip tomorrow. Jonathan noted that Shayliss was more than ready to run the Barghest in his absence, and that he would be ready first thing. I told him that Vaeren would be running the workshop while we were gone. Faunra noted that her tower would be safely locked up with a pair of guardians as well.
We finished up with talking about some of the details. I told Jonathan that I will have to talk to Sir Jasper a bit more about the other details, but that it might require Jonathan to ride in a wagon for a bit. Jonathan bristled at this but said that he could accept this. I noted that we probably couldn't be riding our bikes either, but that they could be on a wagon, or something like that. Jonathan accepted that and said that he had to get back to work. Savah, Faunra, and I thanked him for the meal and told him that we were heading to Jasper's right now.
Savah headed back to the store to open it up and Faunra went with her to work on something. I headed over to Sir Jasper's to talk to him about the event tomorrow. Sir Jasper was at his Mercantile, but told me that he had yet to eat, and asked if we could head to the Rusty Dragon to talk about what we wanted to ship tomorrow. I was confused but I followed him as he locked up and we headed across the street to the tavern. I followed him and Ameiko welcomed us both, me a little curtly. She led us to the same booth that I frequently used to prevent people from listening in.
Once we were both in the booth, Ameiko shut the door behind us and Sir Jasper asked me what we needed to talk about. I told him that my allies would like to retain their vehicles, and as such needed to know how we could manage it with us being hidden in the caravan. Sir Jasper had to think for a while, but then he brought up that since he was wanting us to try to capture all of the brigands having some extra wagons that are enclosed could work for both. I agreed and noted that it would be good to have something reminiscent of an animal enclosure to hold Dame Rebekah's steed. Sir Jasper said that this would be a great idea, and that it would make it even more tempting to the robbers.
Ameiko knocked on the door and brought in food for Sir Jasper. He made a show of thanking her and she shut the door again. Sir Jasper offered me some, but I had already eaten so I thanked him and politely refused. Sir Jasper ate his meal quickly while we finalized details. After that, I asked him how his armor was treating him. Sir Jasper told me that this armor was so much lighter than his old armor and thanked us for it. I told him that it was Cyrdak that had requested the gift, so he should thank him.
We waited for Sir Jasper to finish off his lunch before heading out. As soon as the door opened, Sir Jasper changed the conversation to be about the rare foreign Pegasus that we were shipping to the Lord-Mayor tomorrow. I apologized for the last minute addition of that and the cargo of magical weapons and armor, but the Lord-Mayor demanded it immediately and demanded that I not stop the work on his personal guard's new weapons. Sir Jasper told me that I was more than right to put my trust in his company and that as long as they were loaded up tomorrow morning, everything would be fine. I walked him back to his shop and thanked him again for his diligence and his discretion, as I was certain that the Lord-Mayor would be impressed with his diligence.
I rode my bike home and headed back to the garage. Bailey was there working away on a thigh bone of some animal, and seemed happy as can be. I pulled my bike into the stall and headed to the workshop. Faunra was there observing the pair of Homunculus for some reason. Igor and Veronica were working on finishing up the stun baton. As they were finishing up, they connected a battery and charged it up. It was ready for use, just like the other three. I gently grabbed it, made a show of looking it over, and told them that it was a good job. Veronica and Igor both saluted and Veronica showed Igor where the list was for what should be worked on next. It was general components for sale in Savah's shop. Honestly, one of the surprising things that has been a good product was actual sandpaper made from the cast-offs of the armor process. Sandpaper is a useful thing, and the grit of the boron carbide should be enough to be used on any material.
Faunra came over to me and asked me how I had gotten around the whole homunculus go insane if you are too far away from them. I was taken aback by this and told her that I didn't know anything about that, and that I had just given them a list of things that rotates based on the day, and what needs to be worked on. Faunra thought for only a second before proclaiming that I had made it so that they were never completed with their jobs, because there would always be another job for them to work on. I shrugged and noted that it just seemed prudent, because I would want them to be able to provide for Savah as long as possible if I was to pass on suddenly. Faunra said that she could understand that.
Faunra changed the topic by noting that neither my shield nor my gauntlet blade were magic. I shrugged and asked her if she thought that it was vital that they were. Faunra noted that we had a large amount of magical items that we could not utilize, but that could be converted over into actually useful items for the group. I noted that it was something that we could all discuss when we were in Magnimar. Faunra agreed and said that she could look more into other options that the rest of the group might desire. I told Faunra about the plans with the animal wagon and the other wagons for the bikes.
Faunra stayed in the shop for a little while longer before excusing herself to head home to be ready for an assault against a group of bandits. Savah and I decided to have a light dinner and retire for the night. It will be busy day tomorrow and we both wanted to be ready.