Day 134: Wealday the 30th, Abadius, 4708
I woke up to Veronica sending me a thought that Faunra had stopped by and dropped off her armor to be modified. I thanked her and asked her to get the group together and working on it, and that I would be over post haste to finish up on the details and everything else. I got a mental chorus of affirmatives from the other three in addition to Veronica's. I got up and got out of bed, and then I walked around the house for a minute, pretty aimlessly. After a tour around the dark house, I decided on hitting the restroom. I did my business and then went back into the bedroom to find Savah just waking up. I smiled and asked if she wanted to get dressed quickly, too since I was planning on actually getting dressed now. Savah confirmed that she indeed did, so I used my trick to summon our clothes onto the both of us. I gladly helped her up from bed, and we both walked to the school to check in on the others.
When we got there, the young lady from last night was eating in the main hall with everyone else. I was amused by this, and Savah and I both sat down at our customary seats in where Jonathan's blessed food was waiting for us. Faunra spoke up from her meal and told us how this nice young woman had taken up residence in one of the four lodge rooms and was telling them how she was going to be studying here. I nodded and said that I had some vague memories of this young lady talking us late last night, and making her request of such known. Virina stammered a bit as she apologized for being a bit fervent last night. She explained that she had travelled a great distance to get here, once she had heard the tales of someone making things such as I had, and had just gotten so excited to meet me when she saw me.
This intrigued most of us, from what I could tell from the non-verbal communication that was passed around the group, and Savah asked what things she had heard of that I had made. Virina told her, and the rest of us, that she had heard about the vehicles that were tremendously rapid, yet did not have a beast of burden and did not detect as magical. Virina explained that there had been a merchant who had been in Magnimar, having been sent there by an errant teleport form an adventuring party, and when they had gotten back to Absalom, were spreading the tale to whomever would listen. Apparently, Virina had expended all of her savings to get to Magnimar after heading about this rumor, and was stuck there for a few weeks, until she happened upon a caravan who was travelling back here from Magnimar along the Lost Coast road, discovering that this was being upgraded by Stone Giants of all beings! I asked her how the trip was along the road, and she told me that the ride was exceptionally smooth once they got to the section where it was finished. I nodded, noting that I had felt that the giants were doing a good job, and that I was glad that Savah had subcontracted them to do the job.
Dame Rebekah, thinking quickly, asked whom else travelled with her from Magnimar, and she told us that she had actually been travelling with the troupe of actors who had been hired to perform that play at the theater. The actors had only passing knowledge about the play when they had apparently been hired, and were only going to be given the full script when they all arrived in Sandpoint. Virina added that the play looked absolutely dreadful, that she had been invited to watch a few of the practices since she had saved one of the performers from a goblin on the trip. The first night she had seen it, Virina said that she could barely keep herself from laughing, and that she didn't go back any further nights. She noted that she recognized us from the play after the fact when she was wandering around Sandpoint. Apparently, she had not thought to ask anyone about us after watching that show, because all of those who saw it seemed annoyed or sore. Savah laughed, and said that this was what she figured would be the reception of the play, but she then noted that it did do some good, in that it help Virina identify me. Virina agreed that it had indeed helped her identify us to her, as the only description that Virina had gotten was of me was that I was a maniac with two wheeled vehicle with burning tires and had a decently thick set of armor.
We thanked her for her explanation of how she had heard of us, and I asked what she planned on doing today. Virina said that she'd like to shadow me, if at all possible, to see if she could even begin to learn what we do here. I looked to Savah and Savah shrugged, saying that it was totally up to me. I recognized a bit of that trap, and told Virina that I'd be working in a workshop with four dedicated wrights, for the next eight hours, and this was during a delicate part of the operation, so I couldn't be disturbed. I offered up that after I was done with this procedure, I would be much more available to discuss the background principles, and that she could ask me whatever questions that she felt that she needed answered. Virina readily agreed and said that she could accept that condition, and added that she knew how important it could be to continue when you are in a crucial part of a project. With that all decided, I decided to check in with everyone else around the table to see what they all had planned.
Jonathan had spoken up first, indicating that he would be heading back to his restaurant to get more of his staff more aligned with his future concepts. Apparently his restaurant was getting so popular with Magnimarians that he was seriously considering having to open up a branch there and finding some qualified chef to apprentice underneath him to head it up. Shayliss said that she had some things that she was going to have to run down around Sandpoint, but that if we needed we could page her on her radio. I caught Virina mouthing the word radio out of the corner of my eye, and offered up that she might do better getting a primer on everything from Savah. Savah smiled at my suggestion, clearly understanding that the primer would be exactly what SHE determined it should be, and cheerfully added that she would be more than happy to talk with Virina for a bit while she was getting her store situated.
Dame Rebekah and Chelger next announced that they would both be heading back to their "Hostel" with the Ectoplasmic and Widen metamagic rods to work on making a larger chapel for her "inherited" property. I nodded and Virina was looking even more confused. Faunra said that her and her assistants would be continuing to work on transferring all the magical properties between the required items and patching up what she needed to do. Shalelu offered up that she was planning on taking whatever base batches of armor that had been finished up to Crying Leaf to the Elves up there, and that she'd be back in a few days.
Niddler, without any warning, flew in and nestled down on his perch, next to my chair, and sent me a feeling of contentment and a thought that his farm would be ready in time for the opening of the school, but that it would take a fair amount of work to keep it up. I thought back to him that the crafters would be there working the farm for the next fourteen days or until the jobs are done. Niddler thanked me and I told him that I'd refresh them before I left. Niddler flew off without any fanfare or decrees and telepathically sent to me that he was going to go check on his animals. Virina looked a bit more perplexed, as I had basically been staring at a winged ferret for a minute that had flown in, before it took off again. I told her that there is a whole system here, and that we'll definitely be able to find a place here if she seeks it after her initial training. Virina nodded, a bit of apprehension showing on her face, possibly because she was feeling slightly overwhelmed.
Our little group broke up the communal breakfast and I grabbed up the second Widen and Ectoplasmic Rods, and went about reinforcing the walls of the school before heading to my work shop to meet up with the Quads. When I got to my shop, I thanked Veronica, Igor, Tank, and Gemini for all of their hard work and dedication. We got Faunra's armor all set up and individual components isolated. When we were all said and done, it all worked really well, and we were done with Faunra's armor in about four hours. Knowing that I would have a bit of time to work with, and not wanting to get to bothering other people any sooner than I needed to, I decided that I needed to get my new sword manufactured. With much greater materials than I would have ever been able to work with, I worked with the Quads for the remaining four hours of my work block and we finished off my new sword. Well, it was technically a sword, kind of a sword, okay, it is a chainsaw and sword hybrid that ran off of electricity, rather than gasoline.
With all of the time that I had, and the assistance of my four friends, it was a glory of a weapon to behold. Adamantine teeth, Living Steel chain, a Druxite blade cover, Elysian Bronze Chasing, and a Giant Electric Eel skin handle wrap. It was everything I could have hoped for and more. I brought it to where Faunra had my weapons, and placed it into my rack, along with all of the others. I had two extra weapons now, my (will be) gantry mounted grenade launcher and now my new chain-sword. My rifle was stuck in its enchantment configuration and my new "pistol" was on a rack to be enchanted tomorrow. I still needed two more weapons. I first went to the chemistry lab and summoned up a batch of Unseen Craftsmen. I put them to work generating the chemical components needed for the batteries. Fifteen workers pumping out chemicals as quickly as they could.
After that was set up, I went to the mechanical room and got the set there working on building the cases for the batteries. Fifteen Unseen Craftsmen working together to make all of the components needed to physical contain the batteries. Then I went to the electrical workshop and conjured up the next batch of Unseen Craftsmen. I set them to work building the electronic components for these batteries and assembling them. With each stage supplying the next one, I figured that we could keep them going for as long as the chemical and mechanical workers could supply their pieces on to the next batch. Maybe we might get so lucky as to have a battery or two finished a day?
When I was finished with what I was working on, and what I needed to set up, I decided that I couldn't really put everything off any longer. I took my walk away from the workshops and I went back to the store where Savah was instructing Virina on the finer points of her rifle and the pistol that she now owned. I still had not approached my wife and my new student when Erika had walked up to me. Savah's assistant shopkeeper and the potential paramour of Vaeren asked me quietly if she was being replaced. I smiled while I told her that it was no such thing, that Virina was here to learn from me in my science skills and that I had needed to work for the the day undisturbed to finish up on Faunra's armor upgrade. Erica nodded and noted that she was considering learning some of Faunra's techniques herself, if Faunra will train her. I noted that Vaeren was already trying to get tutelage under her and Erika said that she had heard as much, and hoped that Vaeren would succeed.
After a minute, Savah noticed that I was there and sent Virina over to me with a smile. Savah announced loudly that Virina certainly shouldn't blow her own head off now with any of the weapons that I had made. I smiled and said aloud that this was a good thing and told Savah that I'd be taking Virina on a tour of the workshops to meet the Quads. While we walked back, she asked me little bits about the energy supply that I had focused on utilizing for the steam-cycles, and the reasons behind my design choices. I told her what I could tell her without diagrams or models as we made our way to the workshops. I introduced her to the quartet and showed her how they were working on different projects. Then I took her to the specific workshops where the unseen crafters were working away and explained what each faction individually was doing, and how it fed into the whole. Virina asked why I had so much magic around me if I was so good at creating technological wonders. I asked her how long it would take to make the things that I might make if I didn't utilize every force at my disposal.
Before she could answer, I told her that science was the study of all forces, and that magic was just another force here. Virina nodded slowly, and I told her that I wanted her to study under a teacher in the town's school for a few days, that he had access to the books that she would be required to learn from, and that once I got back, I would help train her in earnest. Virina asked if she was going to have to move out and I told her no, that she was welcome to stay in the lodges in the school until her training was fully completed. I added that I just needed him to teach her the basics like he was teaching the school children there, to ensure that the time spent would be most efficient, especially since i was going to have to head away for certain tasks in the upcoming weeks, and I wouldn't want her training to stagnate.
Virina seemed a bit reluctant still, and I told her that it should only be another two weeks, and I reiterated to her that she could definitely live and eat at the school. I added that she can use whatever off time she had to work in one of the three labs here excepting of course the kinetic Lab, as long as she didn't bring anyone else here to work in them or see the insides of them. I reiterated that the kinetics lab was completely off limits until I got back, with the exception of the Quads. Virina asked if she could still ask the Quads questions while I was gone. I told her that she could, as we walked to check on the farm setup for Niddler.
Virina asked if I was eventually planning on opening this whole complex up as a school. I told her that yes, I was, and that I might even consider her for a teaching position if she is interested and everything works out. Virina asked how she could teach others when she was trying to learn. I told her that she'd be responsible for teaching four classes a weekday, for one hour each day. The extra time could be spent learning from me or other teachers, pursuing her own devices, or other activities. I added that a lot of people find that the best way that they learn is actually by teaching other people. I hastily added that that I'd get her more information after I got back. Virina asked why I had to leave and I told her that there were important issues that needed to be corrected before the school could open, issues that dealt with Varisia as a whole.
Virina asked if I was planning on getting other teachers soon. I told her that I was, and that when I was done, there would be at least eight daily classes going on, but that each individual teacher would only be required to teach four classes a day. Virina asked if I had other teachers in mind already, and I shook my head, noting that while this was progressing extremely fast, but schools were not completed in months. Virina sputtered, months? I noted that I only got to Sandpoint last year at the Swallowtail Festival. Virina seemed to blanch a little at the mention of the Swallowtail Festival.
I asked Virina what was wrong when I noticed that she had some trepidation. Virina offered up that that she wasn't a follower of Desna. I smiled and told her that I wasn't either, but festivals were festivals, and it was when I had arrived in Sandpoint. Virina asked if I had the bike with me when I got here. I shook my head, and noted that I had built everything once I got here. Virina said that this was a very confusing thing, as she couldn't get things made as quickly. I told her that I'd tutor her after I got back and see if I couldn't get her to catch on to some of the shortcuts that I might have that she didn't.
Virina said that she could appreciate that, and thanked me. I told her to keep an eye out for any people who might make good teachers, and were willing to learn what needed to be learned to be one of the new teachers. Virina said that she would, but that she didn't know anyone in this town. I thought about it and told her that I'd leave the recommendation with Ilsoari for her, the person that she was supposed to learn from, before I left, and that he might be able to put her into contact with Chask or someone similar. Virina thanked me and we parted ways, with me heading back to the house, and her heading to the lodge rooms that she had chosen. When I got back to the house, Savah was waiting for me. She asked if I'd like to spend some time at the Rusty Dragon tonight, as it'd be good for them to get one more good story out of me before the little group left on the final trip. I agreed and we got ready to head out.
We walked over to the Rusty Dragon, no need to ride the steam-cycles when the walk was part of the reason of going, and made our way into the tavern. Ameiko was there and gladly welcomed us in. When we got to our normal booth, she dropped by herself and asked if I'd be doing a performance. Savah told her that I would and asked what she thought that the crowd would like to hear tonight. Ameiko thought for a minute and said that they would likely want to hear a story about some local heroes. I sighed and asked how far into our dealings I should go. Savah smiled and said that I should probably keep the spherical room details to ourselves. I sighed and told her of course. I offered up to Ameiko that I'd go through until we got Fort Rannick. Ameiko nodded and said that she'd get the screens set up.
We got our dinner ordered and delivered to our booth and I tucked in with Savah. It was another one of Ameiko's experiments, and she had most of the details good, but the whole left a little to be perfect. It was citrus that was needed for the spicy chicken, but it all went well enough together. We finished our meals and I went over to the performing area that had been set up for me. A couple of the locals had recognized the set up and had made their way to good locations. There were a few people from out of town who were in the audience as well.
I started off asking if anyone had heard the stories of what had befallen Varisia in the past few months. A couple of the locals murmured but no one spoke up. I started up the tale with the Sandpoint Swallowtail Festival. I continued on to the events of the Goblin raid, and went on to continue to Thistletop and how Faunra had been so effective in that. After Thistletop, I told them about how the dangerous ghasts and ghouls of the area had attacked the fair people of Sandpoint, and how Dame Rebekah had fought to end that menace. I finished off talking to the crowd about how the group had later been tasked with finding out what had happened to Fort Rannick and the ogres who had assaulted them, and how Jonathan was absolutely vicious with his attacks.
I finished off the story with the group heading back to Magnimar with the job complete. There was round of applause from the crowd and there was a rush for drinks and such from the tavern after I had suggested it. I refused any pay for my story, as it was the story of Sandpoint, and it would be a bit crass to ask for them to pay for their own history. This got some positive comments and reviews from the crowd and I went back to my booth with Savah.
When I got there, there was another woman there. Savah introduced her as Fareine Oubroulay, and that she apparently one of the Pathfinders who had been assigned to the school. I nodded thoughtfully, and noted that Sheila had certainly gotten someone here quickly. Fareine said that she had been sent personally by the council, especially since she had some experience with the types of weapons and gear that I used. I was a bit taken aback by that and asked where she had gotten such experience. She told me that she had been talking about this with Savah, and that she was from an area called Nex, a country that was constantly at war with an Undead country to the south of it named Geb. She continued with saying that a long time ago, there was a back and forth of extremely potent magic and it caused a wide swath of land to be either dead to magic or have wandering areas of primal magic. In that area, there was a city where the people focused on the fabrication of Firearms.
I nodded while I listened to the story, taking in every word that I could. Fareine asked if she'd be allowed to check one or two of the firearms to check to see if she was that familiar with them, as she didn't believe what she had heard. Savah shrugged and noted that tonight was not the best night. I agreed and said that we could talk further tomorrow afternoon, after I was done working on Shalelu's armor upgrade. Savah nodded and agreed, saying that Fareine could drop by her shop tomorrow during the day, and she could show her the collection that she had built up, or she could way to see somethings that I had made since getting here.
Fareine agreed and said that she'd be staying here at the Rusty Dragon for the time being. Savah noted that if she was going to be attached to the school, she could take up residence in one of the lodges at the school. I agreed and asked if she knew if the Pathfinders would be sending anyone else. Fareine said that she didn't know, it was just luck that she had been fresh out of the Academy when the call went out for those who might be interested in a little further research and training. She did add that she thought that she had heard that there were two others who had relevant experience with fields similar to mine, and that they were going to be asked, but didn't' get their names.
I nodded and said that it might one day be my goal to add another branch to the Pathfinder's training tracks, maybe it'll be called Sciences. Fareine said that it at least tracked with the naming scheme. Savah thanked her for letting us know, and that if she was available tomorrow afternoon, she could move in to the dormitory with Virina, another prospective student/teacher. Fareine said that she would consider that and she went off to talk to some of the other patrons. Savah and I left to go home after a long day. On our way back, Savah chided me that it seemed like it would only be women teachers at the school. I shrugged and said that I didn't care who it was who was teaching, as long as they were capable.
We made our way up River Street and back to the house. I wondered to myself if Savah would be interested in continuing the school if the worst happened, but at the very least I'd get her set up as best I could. I'll get all of the books and materials I can off of the tablet. Maybe Faunra can get something made up quick to allow the printing in books without me having to be busy all day long. Or maybe I can convince Jonathan or Dame Rebekah to help me recover from the long nights that I would have to do to get these made. I'll check with them tomorrow.