Your followers are happy to tell you all what they know of the Collegium.

While originally it was a place to trade game and mountain goods with the nomads of the area, it's also developed into a city to service the magical college, and contains a number of hangers-ons who want to be students as well. As a result, it has a "core" that's essentially a city unto itself to support the college, on top of a (very) small mountain.

Further north is the collegium itself, built at the bottom of several small valleys. The collegium itself is fairly small, with smaller labs to teach each discipline spread out through the valley. Del Schiavone guards patrol regularly, checking the individual labs to ensure nothing too unsafe is taking place, and to make sure some very stupid rogue nomads don't to decide to make a raid.

There are guard posts on the top of the hill, regularly shining magical lights here and there.

It's officially a neutral institution of learning and takes all sorts of students, but all the instructors are attached to Del Schiavo. Other families may hire powerful mages as high ranking and valued retainers, but Del Schiavo carries the potential to join the family, and are open about funding magical research, so gather a huge portion of up and coming mages in their ranks.

* * *

You have all gathered outside the city for the journey to the place. However, how are you getting there?

Gathered together, the Pantheon is a fearful gathering of power. As you prepare yourselves, the question arises, how will you approach this situation?

You may wish to attract a lot of attention.. or take paints to avoid that, depending on how you want to handle this. The college might let prospective students tour the main facility, and Goatherd is a public city, but the Collegium is probably not going to let you just poke around a crime scene without an excuse.

The way you play this is up to you.

How are you approaching the area?

Vasati was a creature of many competing and often opposing natures, a conflicting dichotomy of instincts and drives.  As tempting as it was to make an entrance, the time had not yet come in his story to do so.  Still, no reason to pretend to be a pauper.  He had more than enough wealth to not need to arrive on foot, and so he spread a little around to make his first appearance at the Collegium a little less pedestrian.


The first to arrive, he stepped out of the doors of his carriage and tipped the driver well, looking around expectantly for those he was there to meet.  They wouldn't recognize his face, but no matter, names and reputations were what was really important.

  "Just keep him from wandering anywhere," said Gaja, pulling a drab muslin cloak out of her saddlebag.  She threw it over her shoulders and tied the cord at the neck while she continued with her instructions.  "You're mostly just here to reassure people he's not a wild beast wandering free.  I shouldn't be more than an hour."

  She pulled the hood up and started south.  It was an inconvenience, but she did want to get a sense of the route the thieves had taken, and she didn't want to draw attention to herself around the Collegium just yet.  In theory, she wouldn't need to come back to finish the task she'd taken on, but better not to bring the magic mutant around to make herself memorable in advance.  Just in case.  She'd left him with Sarnai about a mile away, but the towers of the Collegium itself made for a much better rendezvous.  So it was that she came near enough to see the carriage depart, and to see the body language of the posh stranger left behind.  It didn't take graced senses to tell he was waiting for someone, but the pace said a group.  Worth checking out.  She turned to approach him directly and slowed her pace.

  "Hmm, are you looking for me, maybe?" she asked when she came near enough, pulling her loose hood down.  The tone and the accompanying smile were friendly enough to generally make the answer yes, even if it hadn't been before the question.  She had that effect: it made her cover stories a lot easier when she just played along.  "Because I'm looking for someone who finds what he's looking for."

Vasati raised both his hands, the sigil flashing in light blue magelight in each palm.

"Ah, Signora Gaja, you are perfection herself."

His voice was almost the same, resonate and melodious, but there was a twinge to it that was altered as a result of his new face.  The smile was all too familiar though, even if the features which bore it were not.

"Is it to be just the two of us then, or have you found us more to add to the tale?"
This message was last edited by the player at 05:34, Tue 29 Jan 2019.

Claire arrived a few moments behind Gaja. She'd run the entire way there, taking advantage of her ability to sprint the length of a marathon, but she slowed to a jog as she came in sight of the group. As Gaja hadn't wanted her to draw attention, Claire was wearing a Patrian-style tunic (common enough in Vissio) and plainer boots over her idol suit and under the Unitary cross pendant she'd adopted, along with a high-peaked scholar's cap that disguised her very famous ears, and had combed her bangs over her forehead to hide her flaming record brand. It wouldn't survive close scrutiny, but it was good enough not to draw too much attention, and she'd left her signature gloves and boots back in Gaja's room.

"Good morning, Gaja. Who's your friend?" she asked, quietly and calmly sizing up Vasati.

Increase arrived after Claire. He was wearing his normal minimalist clothing, having opted to maintain Lommish clothing over the more common Vissian ware. It was simply what he was most comfortable in and didn't feel as though his inconspicuous clothing would draw attention to them. All the same he left behind his stave, concerned what its heretical inscriptions and symbols might invoke in the minds of common people.

"And so we gather."

Plaga didn't take much longer to arrive, joining the rest of the group at the meeting. The stranger that had joined them had something familiar about him, but Plaga couldn't quite tell where she had seen him before.

"Greetings everyone. Are we all ready?"

Vasati was in a brilliant azure jacket with silver embroidery at the hems, thrown over simple homespun tunic and trousers in browns and grays.  His rough hair was pulled out of his eyes by another brilliant band of blue, and a cigarillo burned merrily between his teeth.

"Ah, faces both old and new!"

He said with some delight, his deep basso voice rolling out contentedly.  As he spoke, he made a large and flourishing bow that Plaga instantly recognized.  This time though, he splayed his hands out wide, and a rune of blue magelight flared briefly in each palm.  The symbol was intricate and unique, twisting circles and lines forming a detailed sigil.

"Signora Doctor, I was too hasty with my introductions last time, my apologies.  I was still too fresh faced from my long retirement, and forgot my manners.  It is fixed now, eh?  Names can be such tricky things, but they have their uses.  For the others, I will go first then.  I am Vasati, a humble chronicler of stories and secrets, and your guide for much of what comes next."

He threw a wink towards Claire.

"The mighty Claire Durand needs no introduction after that spectacular show with the icebergs.  Fantastic work, by the way.  Are you to be our Mage or our Warrior?"

His piercing eyes, blue this time, finally fell on Increase Scholar.

"You my little whispers have not heard much about, and I would very much like to correct that.  Would you be so kind as to introduce yourself?"
This message was last edited by the player at 20:38, Tue 29 Jan 2019.

"Greetings Vasati. For you and the rest I am Plaga. You may call me that. After all, this isn't strictly related to bussiness. Not in a direct way, at least. My instinct was right it seems, since you have find our way into our group without any introductions. You are as resourceful as you claimed it seems."

Increase gave a slight inclination of his head to Vasati.

"I am known as Increase Scholar. It is my name and desire."

  Gaja matches Vasati's bow flourish for flourish.

  "I did say I had friends to collect," she replies with a broad grin.  With each introduction, she skips lightly up to the person in question.  Claire gets some particularly creative miming of flight and arm-cannons.  "Mister Increase, the Scholar," she wraps up.  "He knows so much, some of it is not even true yet!  The impossible boats are his creation.  I know You've heard about those."

  She turns to Plaga then, at the end.  "He was very impressed with Szkarik.  Who, by the way, is waiting for me on the road north of here.  We should walk as we clap shoulders and welcome each other."

"Ah, my whispers had indeed.  I am pleased to meet the man behind the man behind the legend then.  I imagine we will have ever so many stories to tell one another upon our journey.  I know of a few local curiosities that might pique your interest as well.  Well then, Doctor, Mage, which means you must be the Warrior."

He said finally to Claire, fingering a chain about his neck.  It disappeared into his tunic, making it impossible to see what was held on the other end.

"Excellent, are we ready to depart?"
This message was last edited by the player at 06:33, Wed 30 Jan 2019.

[OOC - Scholar already has a bit of a reputation for building a boat in a week and being a Captain on that job, but he wouldn't be nearly as recognizable on sight as Claire.]

Increase looks briefly to Plaga and wonders with of the two of them was the doctor and which was the mage. Deciding that it was neither here nor there he nodded his agreement.

"Yes let us be off."

By carriage, it's a relatively fast and pleasant journey.

The exterior city gives way to several hours of winding through the long spread of plantations and estates that help feed the city. They extend substantially further than most, as the soil is not good and the land quite warm and dry. Marching slaves, travelers, poor merchants and the occasional guard give your carriage an eye as you travel: it's not exactly a common way to travel.

Eventually, you veer away from the estates. The ground becomes a little greener, the air a bit cooler, and the states give way to grassland.  The farmers and city folk are gone.

After a few nights of travel, the grassland gives way to hills, and you start to see the occasional roaming herd of wild goats and llama. There are far less slaves and more herder in leathers.

The city is located right at the end of the road - where the hills start to become mountains. A number of small terrace farms have been set up outside the city, with a number of watchtowers that give the city ample vision. After the little farms, the city remains behind pallisade gates. Clustered around the enterence to the city is a farmers (well really, herders) market, and the smell and noise from the goats themselves and hawkers selling make quite a distracting cacophony. A few stalls



[Will you be stopping here or continuing on to the collegium/cave?]
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:45, Fri 01 Feb 2019.

Claire and Increase Scholar arrive at the Goatherd very quickly, leading to an obvious question: how are they going to play this?

The Collegium isn't exactly closed to all visitors, but there are a number of ways that they might try and parlay a way to get inside, anything from flying straight in to pretending to be a professor to literally bribing some people.

If Increase Scholar was looking for info on the bits too, that might be a sensitive area.

Claire looked at Increase. "Is this a secret mission?" She hefted the large sackful of juicy metal parts she was carrying. "If not, I suggest we just walk in."
This message was last edited by the player at 08:54, Tue 02 June 2020.

Increase considered the matter for a brief moment.

"It is not that it is a secret mission but prudence would be wise. We do not know of the importance of the bits or who covets them."

He searched his mind for any knowledge that might guide him in this decision.

Pulling on Omniscient Scholar to see if I can locate any lead that might be helpful.

OOC - So, a lot of idea's are beyond the scope of the gift, which is total understanding of nearly ever academic field that isn't magic related.

There are basically two problems here.

1) How do you get into the university and wander the grounds.

Some solutions come to you.

This university is both a centre of learning and a means to power, money and influence for it's staff, city and Del Schavone.

A) You could simply stop by, say you need to do some lab work, and drop off a pile of money or offer to do some service for them. They do this fairly regularly for people willing to drop enough coin who they are convinced won't harm the city. You already have a pretty good reputation.

B) You could ask to speak about becoming an honorary adjunct professor with full access to the publci parts of teh campus. Wow them enough and that may be a possibility. You'd probably still have to bribe them a lot for this and/or really charm them, but you'd never have to worry about getting on campus again.

C) Claire of course is offering to sell her stuff there, and you could say you are there as an appraiser to ensure the fair price. You might get escorted though and yo would probably not get near the access you needed.. but you could just sneak off when you are in. Of course, you won't be able to review the library or labs with this level of access.

2)  How do you investigate the bits once you are there?

A) You could talk to the remainnig professors who are likely to have understanding of the project. A genius like you can figure it out by reviewing the published studies. You can look at the studies on the relevant subjects and work out who are the professors. You should be able to figure out the professors most likely to be associated with the subject manner.

It's not something the university is supposd to talk about, but you might convince a fellow scholar that telling you would be best. Or Claire can threaten to shoot them if they dont: you are godbound, after all.

B) If you convinced the Del Schavone or the Dean to let you invsetigate. You'd have to be SUPER impressive to do this. Del Schavone don't want this info very public and the Dean even less, and you are already known to work for (though not be an agent of) the Lorenzi.

C) Once you are on campus, approach the lab at night. If you get in trouble, have Claire fly you out of there. Sometimes the direct approach is the simplest.

D) Ask professors and students and look for rumors. Schmooze. Ask students about missing professors. It might not be the quickest approach, but you don't have to work very hard to set this up.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:35, Wed 03 June 2020.

On the subject:

Claire doesn't want to pick a fight because she has reasons of her own to want to establish a positive relationship with the professors (she wants to be able to draw on Collegium techs and manpower for her next project), so let's err away from the more violent (and preferably from the sneaky) options if we can.

However, if we're going for a social approach? Claire is exceptionally charismatic and intelligent, can automatically make friendly contact (Passion Word), and if I'm not mistaken, will be a minor celebrity with the people she's come to deal with (professors interested in automation and theotechnology) by virtue of being one impressive piece of technology.

And these are the kind of people who like to talk shop, which both Claire and Increase can do like a bawse.

Interested in schmoozing a bit and maybe making a few lectures on esoteric subjects, Increase?
This message was last edited by the player at 17:00, Wed 03 June 2020.

OOC: Sure let's go press the flesh.

Increase gathered with information he could and then looked back to Claire.

"I believe it best if we simply approach from the front, make our presences known, and endeavor to endear ourselves to the members of the Collegium. From there we might leverage our station or status to investigating the Bits without earning too much undo suspicion or hostile counter efforts."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:54, Wed 03 June 2020.

Claire nodded, and stepped into the lead. "My thoughts exactly," she said, getting ready to make a pop diva of herself.

You pass by Goatherd and approach the Collegium. While most cities in Vissio are walled, the Collegium makes due with a single on covering the main pass, and of course the house guards who protect the univsersity itself. The mountains behind protected the campus from most threats from other avenues.

After all, it may be a place of learning, but that doesn't stop it from being the potential targets of theives and intruders, after all.

To keep the "riff raff" out, Goatheard was separated from the university by a large gated wall. There were two gates in, one for prospective students and staff, and the other for traders offering services and goods to the university itself. The wall was nothing compared to the one back at the city, but it certainly would deter casual brigandry.

Several bored guards were there to ensure that only people with actual business entered the university, and clerk remained at each gate, marked with an arm band showing that they were part of Collegium's clerical staff. The one by the 'trading' gate was just seeing off a cart carrying numerous skeins of goatsmilk. The clerk at the student gate seemed quite bored.

The appearance of Claire and Scholar raised his interest, and he put on what was clearly his best customer service face. Perhaps he recognized Increase Scholar's professorly demeanor?  Or perhaps he was trying to be charming for Claire's sake?

Claire gave the clerk one of her bright smiles. "Hello. We wanted to meet with some of your professors of automation and theotechnology. We have some things they might want to purchase, and would also be interested in spending some time here and offering a couple of technical lectures for those interested - if the Collegium accepts visiting lecturers, of course."

He was a little dazzled by her smile. "Huh, I'll pass that long. What are your names? again? Wait.. are you?"

In a few minutes, both Claire and Increase found themselves on the other side of the gate, being offered tea by a three more senior member of the faculty.

The inside of the collegium was huge. Vast. Far larger than it needed to be, in fact. Two streams from the nearby mountains fed into a lake system at the bottom of the valley, and you could see small buildings peppered in the distance. The largest one near the front of the gate seemed to be some sort of admissions office.

(OOC- Sorry, going to be a bit scarce today)

Claire bowed to the senior faculty and smiled, taking a polite sip of tea and chatting about generalities for a few minutes before speaking.

"I was wondering a couple of things, friends. One, does the Collegium have an interest in buying mechanical parts? And second, are you interested in admitting a couple of guest lecturers?" She looked at the most senior-looking of the three. "I might want to hire some skilled theotechnicians to aid in a personal project, as well. I have an interest in automating labor."

As she lifted and set down her teacup, Claire made sure to be as fluid and flexible in her motions as she could, showing off the Republican skill in her design. Impressing the locals was important.

Increase was...compliant given that he was never one disposed to pleasantry. He found Claire's charisma more than enough to grease the wheels of the Collegium and did his best to not work counter to her efforts. Of course he could not help but marvel at the Collegium and what it presented. A place of learned men and women, of knowledge and advancement. Far removed from the peasant masses and their supersitions this was a bastion of True Reason, pure True Reason untainted by angelic manipulations and Lommitic stagnation.

The oldest of the professors looked quite facinated. He showed his own arm, which was mechanical in nature as well. The individual clockwork and gears appeared incredibly primitive, yet his arm had an incredible range of motion that would have put the prosthetics of 21st century Earth to shame.

"Remarkable! What an amazing case of engineering! Were you recovered in an old ruin? You move far more fluidly than any modern shielded prostetic I've seen from the republic. I'm afraid I don't recognize your factory mark."

It was true. Republic cybernetics were amazing, but were still subject to limitations due to the "shielding" they required taking up so much of their constructs. There were other robotic units, mostly experimental, in the republic, but few could move with the effortless grace Claire was capable of. There WERE shielded robots capable of autonomous function, but these tended to be large robots and mech suits. The combination of human appearance, fluidity and shielding was unheard of.

After a small amount of shop talk. "You know, our school doesn't have a lot of Bright Republic technology. Their analytical machines are tremendously helpful in our research, but it's not really our focus, for obvious reasons.

It's hard to get passionate about items and physical theories that don't really apply to your reality.

However, I spent a few summers there growing up. Fascinating place, though I haven't been back for years. We would be very happy to have you speak to our students-"

"Are you sure the students will have time for that? Professor? Most have their semester finals in their disciplines to take care of? The technology is facinating, but it is not replicable by our means."

There was an uncomfortable silence.

"...yes. You make a good point, curator." Said the professor, unconvincingly. "I have always been fascinated by republican technical theories, but there are few students in this field, for obvious reasons. Most of my students are enrolled in other disciplines. A lecture is unlikely to be helpful to them, but I'd be happy to discuss things with you both, either theory or recent news from the republic."

He was clearly disappointed, but he tried not to let it show. He was not very good at this.

The middle aged woman coughed. "Of course, if you wish to speak of subjects OTHER than republican technology, or at another time, that would be another thing entirely."

After an uncomfortable silence, the younger one spoke again.

"I should mention, I am a Curator Porziano, of the Universities Treasury and Acquisitions department. If you have valuable equipment to sell, I would be happy to appraise and give you a fair price. I should also be able to arrange a quote for any services you need. If the request is esoteric, I may require a day or two to prepare it."

Claire briefly admired the arm's workmanship. "Exquisite," she said. She stood up and showed a brief series of motions before sitting down and continuing.

"I was made in the Republic, but I understand that some of the underlying technology that allowed for my creation was discovered in a Mandala Din site. Please don't repeat that anywhere a Howler can hear you," she added with a wink. She tapped her forehead. "My mark is from the Bright Records Company in Pinnacle. They were the ones who commissioned my design, partly as a test of the new miniaturized etherics."

She smiled. "Actually, I believe that Vissian and Republican technology are compatible at far more points than previously believed, which is the reasoning behind my third purpose for being here." She glanced at the exquisite theotechnical arm the eldest professor wore, then smiled at the Curator and opened her bag to show her loot sack. "This will provide some of the startup capital for my venture. You see..."

She gave a very satisfied smile.

"My project is a limited production run of automata. It's sort of a proof of concept. I believe that it's possible to create etheromechanical robots that will function effectively in unrectified environments and can be used as a strong, durable laborer. I want to use a computer brain and small, limited etheric motors as control systems for an otherwise Vissian mechanical armature. I need to hire brassworkers and maestros who can build the armatura for me, along with the physical shells for the motors - I know how to empower and harden the etherics myself."

It was an insane concept. In principle there was no reason why etheric motors couldn't serve as control points for gears, if properly programmed. And the parts she wanted produced by the Vissians would be relatively cheap compared to working up the control systems through clockwork. But etheric motors didn't work in unrectified areas, and the spellcraft needed to harden a project of this magnitude would be beyond any mortal's skill. But Claire seemed confident she could make it work.

"When I have time, I would be happy to give a couple of lectures on music, music theory, mathematics or chess to those who are interested." Important, valuable topics. "I would not presume to speak for Increase, but he is widely-learned on many subjects - if it's not music, etherics or robotics, he probably knows more than I do - and his desire to teach and learn is a mark of admirable character."

That was Increase's opening.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:05, Sat 06 June 2020.

Increase listened to Claire's desires and nodded approving at the grandeur of the idea. In reality he could likely have fashioned most of the components for her if her only objective was the creation of the automatons. She was likely aware of this reality as well given that she witnessed his construction of the Ark. That meant that she wanted to form deeper relationships with the Collegium and had even extended him an opening to do the same.

He would remember this.

"Greetings Curator Porziano. My name is Increase Scholar but you may refer to me as Aumentare Studioso if that is more comfortable for you. I am a wandering learned man with a disciplinary background in a broad host of subjects. If you were to tell me what subject matters might best be covered I can see to preparing a lecture or two."

After a few discussions with them, Scholar's knowledge of well.... EVERYTHING impresses the professors. Even the curator looks impressed a few times.

Eventually, even he is willing to acquiesce to the idea that you should probably be lecturing.

You quickly come to the understanding that the curator seems to say little, but has the most clout of anyone here. The older professor is interested in republican tech and is very happy to talk about it, though he has some understanding of clockwork mechanics. The woman is an "non-native cultures specialist", which basically means archeology/anthropology.

You are offered the full value of the items in exchange for services/supplies to the University, or whatever the normal wealth value is -1 in cash, however, they will have to spend a day verifying the items and figuring out where you can lecture.

You are welcome to tour the grounds. A groundskeeper will show you around. They request you do not disturb the small labs unannounced, as some of them have dangerous thamathurgical experiments.

You will be given free accommodation at a cabin they keep for visitors.

Leaving the sale of the items to Claire given his limited desire for physical wealth he rendezvoused with her at the end of the day within one of their rooms, it made no difference which.

"I will not mince words with your Claire. I have intentions for the people of the Collegium. Their intellect and amassed knowledge would serve me quite well in my future endeavors. That is why I believe that we should come to an understanding about what it is that we desire from them now that the items are sold."

Claire nodded, unsurprised. "I don't mind at all. You know what I want from them in the immediate future. Some hands to help get my workbot project started. I'd like to have computer science and engineering apprentices,  both here and at Northpoint, but that'll have to wait at least a couple of months. Right now I don't have enough balls in the air to keep them employed." She waved a hand. "The lectures were an excuse for you to get in here and do your research on the Bits, but if you have a longer-term goal, I don't mind a bit. Need a hand with anything?"

Increase smiled slightly although it was short lived.

"I am glad that we are in agreement. My chief concern in securing a research lab capable of properly investigating the Bits. I believe that they might be based in the technological rather than arcane but I will need to study them more intently to be sure. Beyond that I would like to induct as many of the Collegium as I can into an ideological following I have begun. At current our numbers are small, mostly a group of shipwrights and a ruffian sailing crew, but I hope to gain entrants from the noble class and these scholars soon."

"If it is in your power to assist me in that effort I will personally dedicate time and resources to the completion of your vision."

OOC: As an Artifice God making things is trivial for me, especially with Ten Thousand Tools and Transmuter. People, however, are harder to deal with but Claire doesn't seem to have an issue with that.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:02, Mon 08 June 2020.

Claire smiled. "Thank you for your assistance," she said. "I might recruit a couple of the locals to my own service, but I think there's enough here for both of us." She had already felt the urge to call people to her growing within - though it was likely that she'd first find recruits among the slaves she'd freed.

"Thank you for the offer. I could use a little help with the silicon chips and constructing later units in the series, but I want the locals to handle the brass and clockwork for the first run. You'll see why when it's accomplished." She smiled a little mysteriously.

(OOC - So it's cool to cut to next day when you show up at the University again?)

Yeah that's fine with me.

"Excellent. Tomorrow I will make an effort to locate a suitable research facility and begin investigating the Bits directly. I may require assistance from some of the locals but I will bribe their silence with gold or other trinkets if I cannot simply convert them to my cause."

"Hopefully the investigations will prove fruitful and we can advance our causes."

OOC: I'll use Transmuter and Ten-Thousand Tools as necessary to secure a lab space and keep an collaborators silent.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:04, Wed 10 June 2020.

No objection.

Claire nodded. "Good hunting."

As you both approach the gate in the morning, it seems quiet. The bored desk clerk motions you through the gate "Good to see you again."

Claire looked at Increase. "Either they're doing some really heavy experiments in there, or else something's wrong. It's an energy circus in there."

Claires sensors quietly scanned the area.

"Hell."

Claire looked at Increase and lowered her voice so only he could hear. "We need to be on our guard. Either my sensors are malfunctioning, or someone's managed to cook up a small-scale etheric node. If it's controlled by the Collegium, I want to study it. If it's controlled by someone up to no good, I want to capture it."

Scanning continues.

Claire let out a "hmm." "I found the node's location. Also found that someone else is looking in on your target. I don't think they're actually hostile to us, so I think we should offer to try to save the node before it collapses."

Increase wasn't totally aware of what was going on or how Claire was able to sense these things. He simply accepted that it likely have to do with her design or the powers she had been imbued with. When she mentioned a powerful etheric node and then its imminent collapse he simply nodded, his face set into a resolved expression.

"Led the way. We must do all that we can to prevent the nodes collapse. Besides if they are seeking the Bits then they may know more about their true nature. We should endeavor to capture them before they can escape."

Increase would follow Claire wherever she led him to the fast of his abilities. He just hoped she didn't start flying since it would be embarrassing to have others see a robed man hustling after a flying woman.

Claire didn't fly, but she did stride swiftly and purposefully in the direction of the node, with the demeanor of a woman on a mission who was not to be disturbed by anything like campus rules. Increase still had to hustle a bit to keep up, since she moved without any concern for fatigue.

Once you step through the portcullis, the doors immediately snap shut, behind you.

There are a number of the armed guards that protect the university, two small squads. Various markings on their armor and arms mark them as former students and students of various magical paths, and they are carrying wands and implements rather than traditional weapons.

The guards and the senior staff are both clearly anxious, but do not begin their attack.

[OOC- That's right, two SQUADS of low level mages.]

In addition, there are no less then five senior mages wearing the robes of archmages, in ceremonial garb and armor.


In addition, there's some weird partially melted sculpture of bronze glowing with purple energy. The clean lines of the device, clearly Bright Republic tech, have been bastardized with gears and wires set to crystals.

Claire can identify this as an Etheric Node as she's seen them before. Scholar can identify this as an Etheric Node... because he's Increase Scholar.

A man stands infront of them with a weird mechanical suit, carrying something that looks like a bright republic gun, only it's made of a transparent material. Cords and wires lead to the man's backpack, which is a bizarre congruence of gears and machinery. Two additional arms stick out of the suit's shoulders. The object, (presumedly a weapon?) is not pointed at you, yet.





The only person you recognize from yesterday is Curator Porziano, who stands infront of everyone else, his arms at his side. His arms are wide and making a signal to parlay, but you can taste the anger he's holding back.

"Increase Scholar.. Ms. Durand. We need to talk.

You attempted to sell us our university's own stolen property.

In addition, this stolen property was lost in raid that involved the disappearance and murder of several students and staff."

He spent a moment on a wide grin. It was hard to tell if he was biting back righteous anger or attempting to intimidate through confidence.

"You'll forgive the large reception, but my understanding is that you are quite well armed, and if you were the perpetrators, VERY dangerous. So, can we talk?

Oh, I should mention, my full name is Curator Porziano Del Schiavone."

You'd seen that name on the majority of the buildings, of course.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:53, Thu 11 June 2020.

Increase arrived at the area slightly winded but not too worse for wear. When the portcullis dropped behind him he knew that something was amiss and the presence of not one but two squadrons of mages helped solidify the possibility. To further complicate matters there were five senior archmages and the Curator himself. This was not a good situation to find themselves in, especially given the weapon that they had.

Gesturing for Claire to keep her peace Increase spoke first.

"A disjunction gun powered by an unstable etheric node. That's quiet the impressive feat you've managed. I assume that's a precautionary measure against my associate."

The statement wasn't a question so much as informing Claire of what he knew about the weaponry they wielded.

"As for the sale of these items am I to believe that we stand accused of theses disappearances and murders?"

Increase made no claims of innocence, even though he had not killed anyone personally. Still he distantly remembered a great deal of people dying during their raid on the Bits cavern.

"Yes, and not the only one."
He said. The grin did not fade.

"But as to your question about suspicion, the answer is, no.

"Were an outsider armed with magical weapons to try to sell a noble family back their own stolen property, seized from their slain employees with magical weapons,  well, I think the guards would try and take the thumbscrews to you."

However, I am not a drooling thuggish moron with a love for torture. I consider myself a man of logic and learning.

People of your intelligence would not have returned to the scene of the crime and tried to sell stolen property to associates of the person he'd murdered.

Ergo, I logically conclude you are probably not responsible.

However, I really must insist on knowing as to how you acquired those items.
You will be compensated for their return and time."

Claire looked at Increase. "We should be open with our friends here."

Back at the Curator. "Where we were is classified, as we say in the Republic. What we found was an abomination. We found mages who were using automaton guards - they're the source of much of this scrap - and who were holding hostages, eating their souls, and using them as traps. One of their captives was, I believe, a journeyman by the name of Matiel Arcinis, according to a partly-uncorrupted file I have. I'm sending your people - the ones you tried to cyberattack me with - his diary now."

She gave the Curator a slightly pointed smile, then sent the diary file she'd found in the recycle bin to the attackers' computer setup.

"We think they were also after the Bits," she finished, turning to Increase to allow him to add anything he wanted.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:26, Thu 11 June 2020.

"It's been transferred as she said. I'm looking over it now to verify."  Came a familiar voice from behind a garden shed. Both Claire and Scholar recognized it as belonging to the Bright Republic Technology Professor.


One of the archmages sighed "I can't read it's mind. It doesn't have one."
Increase Scholar easily picked out the "guild of thought" markings again.

From behind the the shed came a call "SHE has a mind, it's just not made from meat, Xu. Maybe provoking the reason we have this assembled security force is a bad idea?"

Another mage spoke up "Wait, what do you mean by eating their souls and using them as traps? That's ridiculous!"

Another still: "Not entirely. Some cases have been made for utilizing souls. Mostly reports from eldritch level sorcery, and then there's the-"

They were interrupted by the Curator. "Enough. Let us hear the rest of this."

Increase help back a wince when one of the mages called Claire an 'it'. He didn't know how she would respond to such an insult but he had seen men of their caliber laid down from her casual exertions. Hopefully things did not escalate but he readied himself all the same.

"Returning to the subject at hand." he said pointedly.

"We are not responsible for the deaths or disappearance of your students and staff. The items were endeavored to sell were to recoup our efforts in investigating their captors. If it is truly Collegium property then I imagine you are prepared to offer a suitable reward for their return."

Claire smiled sweetly at the archmage in question. "Oh no. It's because I am a woman, and so you will never understand my mind, however much you try." She wasn't going to kill anyone over the "it," but she also wasn't going to be intimidated or insulted without comment.

"I don't know how the soulworkers did their thing. When I found the hostages and tried to release them from the spell they were under, their souls weren't there. And then their physical deaths fueled an attack on my soul - yes, I have one - that I had to block. That's all I know."

She then glanced around the courtyard. "Curator del Schiavone, I think we've established that we're not enemies, and that I'm not going to blow out and murder your wizard just because he's an idiot. So I don't think you need to keep all this hardware pointed at me, and your half-rebuilt etheric node could break down any minute - and frankly it's giving me a headache. Can you please disarm and open the campus back up?" She smiled. "And if you have more questions, or you want to apprise us of just what is going on - I'm curious as to just what the hell these Bits are that everyone's getting killed over - we could sit down in your office, and Increase could probably use some coffee."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:57, Thu 11 June 2020.

"That's a kind proposition Claire but a cup of warm water will suffice."

He never took his eyes off the Curator, curious as to what the man would do when presented with the choice to stand down or aggress against them.

One of the archmages chuckled at Clarie's rebuke.

Xu looked angry, but did not respond to Claire. "The scholar tells the truth. His mind is open. Though it is giving me a headache just reading his mind. Do not ask me to deep scan him.

After a few moments, the curator nodded.

"Yes. I would rather have this discussion over a nice cup of tea, hotwater, or a fine brandy.

As I said, the imminent threat of violence was not my desire, as much as I want to avenge myself on the perpetrators of this crime.

It is imperative that we recover these objects quickly.
Stand down the node, please, and get Arcinus out of that damned Vitruvian suit.

I'll need Profesors Xu, Paulo and... Elisabetta"

(OOC - I'll post stuff later that explains the Collegium's point of view on the thefts)

(EDIT-OOC The node is promptly shut down, and weapons are no longer being brandished)
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:11, Thu 11 June 2020.

Increase looked to Xu and nodded.

"Of course. I have little to hide. Still I would caution you all not to look too deeply into my mind. I have seen matters which have reduced less fortunate men to mere animals. I would scarcely wish that upon anyone else."

If Xu or any other archmage of the same path looked they could tell the truth in his words. Just prior to his ascension to the powers of a Zenith he had gazed into the Pyre and seen the naked truth of True Reason laid before him. He still struggled to hold his mind together on occasion but he doubted all but the strongest minds could see what he had seen and remain whole.

"Of course Curator. We understand that you were just doing your job. Although I would not activate that node again. It is likely far too unstable for its purpose."

"Please let us discuss matters further in a more...hospitable setting."

"Of course"

The node is shut down, and the guards stand down. Quickly, tea (and some warm water) is served. There is a short comical scene of them removing a poor guard from the "Vetruvian Suit".

Most of the Professor/Archmages join you, eager to hear what the two have to say. The Bright Republic professor looks particularly apologetic.

The curator doesn't continue "shop talk" until the food is served and everyone has has had a bite to eat.

"Shall we resume our conversation?"

Claire gave her professor friend a quick smile. "Indeed, we should. The sooner we're all on the same page, the sooner we can get on with finding our prey, and with other business as usual."

She smiled at the Curator. "So anyway, I really don't have much more to..."

Something almost audibly clicked in her mind.

"Increase. Doesn't the Lomite religion...antireligion, whatever you call it, have some kind of fire rites?" She didn't know any of the details, just that the Lomites had red antipriests that were associated with Pyre something something. She should probably look up the details later.

00:46, Today: Claire Durand rolled 22 using 1d20+19.  Int check.

She turned to the others. "I remember that the mages who we fought were spouting Lomite doctrine at its most unhinged...no offense, Increase. And the diary file mentions that the mages' boss had eyes that were dead, and burned like coals. Does that sound like anything you've heard?"
This message was last edited by the player at 08:49, Fri 12 June 2020.

"True Reason. The doctrine's name is True Reason and yes the Antipriests undergo a series of special rites which culminate at the Pyre. Within they obtain true enlightenment or are broken and become but useful tools for the Atheocracy."

He thought for a moment.

"It could be a few things but there is a possibility that they were a Lommite. The easiest way of telling would be to know their name. Our naming conventions are quite particular."

"If you can find of the true name of the perpetrator, we may have other avenues we can discuss.

The Collegium could have contacted the redactors, of course, but we have little to lead them on. They cannot strike some invisible force when we have no name or face to tie it to.

The force who broke inside opened a night road directly into our campus. We have a response squad and a few etheric dampers around key buildings, but that lab was designed to be disposable and somewhat isolated in case the worst happened, so it took some time to organize.

Our first guards that arrived were utterly annihilated by whatever was there. When we appeared in force, they had already departed, and there were.. no survivors.It took the physicians college over a week to fully remove the bodies."

The curator's grin remained. Perhaps the man used it to hide his emotion?

One of the professors, Elisabetta, you beleived, spoke up. "The tools you returned were from our collection of howler religous implaments, recovered from their lands. We had thought them purely ceremonial objects, but they may have had a hidden arcanic component. Paulo?"

Paulo spoke, slightly defensively. He appeared to be a skilled Theotechnician from his markings (and was the professor who disabled the node) "We never realized it because of the markings of normal Theotechnician Schools, and Howlers are not known for possessing any Theotechnology at all."

Elisabetta resumed. You noticed that she was not wearing any of the markings that indicated mastery of magic, though she did have the markings of a professor. "And my specialty is arceology and anthropology, not magic, of any kind.

Professor Alvano was a specialist of both, and surmised that the items had something to do with the manipulation of the soul, and would be useful inhis analyisis of the bits-"

The curator spoke up. "Of course, this is the other reason why we didn't recognise it. There's only one common type of magic that deals with soul manipulation: necromancy.

The study of which as an strictly controlled, and the active practice of which is banned. That's one of the reasons we want this recovered so badly. We do not need church inquisitors or the council pouring over our studies and projects. It would be a great loss if every project had to be submitted through council or church approval."

Those with a political mind might realize that it it would also reduce his family's influence, but where the concern of 'justice' 'power' and 'academic freedom' came was unclear.

The theotech professor spoke up "There's another thing. When I was analyzing the destructive potential of the primary artifact, it was based on the existing energy contained in the item.

On it's own, it's a bit unstable, but you'd have to mess with it to cause it to detonate, and it doesn't have the power to be a great concern on it's own. But with a sufficient etheric power source, it could do more damage.

The curator nodded. "That's why we approved its study only in an isolated lab with constructs and golems. The professor only brought in a few senior students who were completely made aware of the risks."

Increase listened to the various scholars speak on the subject an drank slowly from his cup. The water was clean with subtle hints of dissolved minerals but lacking in the harshness of calcium. The velvet sensation on his tongue told him that the water was chemically neutral, absence of strongly acidic or alkaline compounds. It was perhaps too perfect in its way, likely not from a natural source but rather filtered in some means.

Of course his fixation with the water was largely to obscure the mania that gripped him. The sheer power of the Bits he had witnessed in his vision played in his mind and the new revelations gave them an even further depth. There was no telling what manner of destruction someone could unleash if they desired it. How awe-inspiring. How truly terrifying.

"So then the culprit is likely one tied to Necromancy and is capable of opening and closing Night Roads at will. How very unsettling. It conjures images of the theurges, or High Mages as we prefer in Lom, although that raises more questions in of itself."

He took another sip, ignoring the possibility that the culprit may well be a Zenith like himself and Claire.

"Was there any evidence that suggested how many individuals stole the Bits and associated research equipment?"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 17:07, Sun 14 June 2020.

"It is difficult to say. The place was... This was not a theft so much as a slaughter. I'd say a large number, but when you are dealing with unknown magic from a being likely capable of theurgy, I can't discount the idea that it was a single being."

He does not say person.

"You said you've fought them, and our professor of thought verifies that you tell the truth. Well, one of you, due to unique circumstances."

Thought magic had it's limitations, of course.

"If you wished to investigate the lab, I would not be adverse. We have a very substantial reward for the return of the items, our students or the professors, and I have an interest in finding out exactly what happened and would reward people for their assistance.

I'd like to hear anything you can tell me about the beings you fought, as well."

"The automata were pretty conventional clockwork brass guards," began Claire. "The mages controlling them, on the other hand, were pretty hardcore. They weren't theurges, but they were skilled at battle magic. Probably archmages in one or two fields, by my calculations." She rubbed her chin. "So it looks like archmages as operators, working for a theurge, and it's coming out of Lom in some way."

She smiled. "I imagine we'll have to find anything else out the old-fashioned way."

Increase listened and nodded along with the facts although he did have a counterpoint.

"Its unlikely that the archmages themselves are from Lom. More likely they are mercenaries from neighboring regions which have been brought in by the task. While the Church has no standing prohibition against magic it is not something that is actively engaged with. If anything the Antipriests are antithetical to magic of all forms."

It was true in the end. The Antipriests were all possessed of the ability to simply nullify magical effects within a certain range of themselves. He doubted it worked for theurgy but he had never seen it tested so it was hard to say one way or the other.

Still her last comment gave him pause.

"And by the old-fashioned way you mean what exactly?"

"Investigate the lab, of course. If there's a trail from there, you're the one who can find it, Increase."

Increase nodded and looked to the Curator.

"If there is nothing else I would like to investigate the labs and any materials that were removed from the area."

He considered asking that the remains of the dead be exhumed but decided that was a likely a bridge too far. People were attached to their dead, even the pieces of them.

"Of course. We also have a report from the physicians guild on how the damage was inflicted. I remember them being very confused about the methods used, so perhaps the odd necromancy would explain this."

Later, you are escorted to the Lab, which has a hasty cordon around it and a tapestry placed over the front enterance, as the door has been blasted to splinters, so badly that the frame is bent. Though the bodies have been removed, marking have been placed. Not the familiar white chalkline, but a number of chalk marks.

"The marks indicate where... bits of human remains were collected. Autopsies were run by our physicians, but the bodies were mostly literally blown apart, other than the guard who came in the front door. They were relatively intact."

Both of you are able to surmise from your previous experience in the cave that it's possible that bodies were left as traps, like the ones back there. The chance of a group of humans surviving a close range detonation are quite slim.

Like the cave, the place is completely covered in a thin layer of ash, though there has been footprints in it that are more recent.


The place has been ransacked. All the golems have been taken, of course, and there's blood everywhere. A number of alchemical and thamaturgical experiments lie out with various amounts of damage from a series of explosions that occurred.

Not everything was taken. There are a few book shelves here and there, and it looks like only key books were removed. There was a significant amount of equiptment removed, some of it VERY bulky and heavy. If this was moved, it was likely with the assistance of golems, someone very strong.

"We have a list of resources that the professor was using from the university library, so we have some idea of what was taken. Some of the books here are from his private collection, and we have no idea what was removed. I can provide a list of what we know was taken."

There was also the remains of a ton of experiments, most with components missing from damage, intentional sabotage, something heavy walking into it, or blasted with some kind of beam of coherent energy. Scary stuff.

In addition, both of your eyes are drawn to two desks with inkwells. There are two large, expensive looking cloth that have been ripped off the walls so fast that the corners were torn off. Only the tiny sections of the corner are still there, but you can tell they are a map from the barely visible compass on one piece, and the geographical and Atlas related books and tools in the area.

The books all around have some commonalities. There is a great many works on thamaturgy (including some truly esoteric ones), history, geography of deserts, howler culture, and what little is known about pre-howler culture. Interestingly, there's also a few books on Bright Republic technology, though these are far more basic in nature.

"The night road was opened in this large communial room that also served as a kitchen. The professor and his students essentially lived here."

The wreckage of this place is hard to overstate. Chairs flung about, stuff smashed, that sort of thing. Both Scholar and Clare feel a light wrongness about this area in particular, as though the area around the hole in the universe that had been opened was still tender.

There was a desk established with a primitive charging mechanism for a bright republic personal computer, but the computer had been taken. The models that the univserity use are similar to the ones you found in the cave, but the university didn't register this as stolen.

Increase surveyed the area closely, burning each detail of the area into his mind. It was clear that the area was ransacked and that any items of great value were taken from the area along with the survivors of the initial breach. He had recovered some of the tools and other materials from the cave but it was clear that many items were still missing. That meant that it was highly unlikely that they had successfully dealt with the group who had perpetrated the crime. How bothersome.

"Please secure the information on the condition of the dead as well as a list of the materials that were present in this laboratory. At least to the limit of your abilities."

"Everyone else if you would stand aside please."

Once they had cleared the way Increase would focus on his zenith energies, calling on the power he felt innately within himself and manifesting it in the space. He sought to set right what had been broken and see if any patterns emerged.

Commit Effort for Day to replicate Faultless Repair.

Claire simply looked over the area and scanned. Among other things, she scanned (in a computing sense) many of the books for later study. The Mandala Din were a peripheral interest of hers, after all.

Then she went over to the back wall, behind the desk, and turned her arm into a drill, then shortly thereafter opened up a hole in it. "False wall," she opined as she reached in to grab whatever it was that was hidden behind it.

A few things happened in a flurry.

The room reassembled itself. Well, not totally. Anything that was completely missing, was gone for good, like the books and stolen tools and missing computer.

"What in the name of God..." asked the Curator as the room seemed to repair itself.

The maps were the obvious target, and both of them assembled themselves to pristine condition. This was not PERFECT, of course. Any marks on the map with a pin were no longer visible. But perhaps a few key notes could be gleaned from study of the maps and desk.

The maps themselves were maps of Howler territory. The first was an old classical Atlas style map, no doubt made painstakingly after centuries of observations from traders. These maps were not perfect, by any means, but they did give a good idea as to the topography of the Howling Wastes. Numerous areas were marked with circuits showing the most popular areas tribes traveled, and which areas possessed the most warlike tribes and which were good for trading. A number of sections were simply marked Mortis Sic Semper - thus always death, indicating that venturing to these areas were known to be suicidal. A depressing amount of the map had these areas. It looked like the focus was on helpful informaton for trading and raiding. Interestingly, there are clearly marked ruins on this map. in the "Mortis Sic Semper" zones.

"Ah yes. One of our family's few joint ventures with the Falchetto. They send a lot of raids into the waste. We scried some ruins areas based on descriptions, but every group we've ever sent to investigate has died. We have a standard reward for investigation of those ruins, but no one EVER returns from them." The Curator added.

The other map was made from a material that was far more stretchy and durable. Whatever had ripped it off the wall had done so with tremendous strength or used a cutting force on the corners. The printing and design indicated advanced manufacture, and there was a copyright for the "Cirrus Atlas and Excavation Company".

This was another howler territory map. The areas around the water were far more detailed, with well defined coastlines. Several areas were marked "ruins" and certain areas were marked "UNVIEWABLE/DANGER!" There were basic notes on the desert and survival, and numerous areas could be picked out completely. Topographical information included sudden drops, raises, and the positions of watering holes.

"Obviously, not ours. The professor probably bought it off the embassy with grant expenses. It's terrifying to think how much money is spent on Republic export products."


Claire's own explorations revealed what the item was. It wasn't so much a false wall as a cleverly concealed camera, so small that no one could notice it. It looked like it was designed to hook into the computer, which also had a power supply cord that ran outside to an external charging unit. The camera was only noticable to Claire because of her unique sense for eletronics. It was wildly beyond the gear that the Bright republic exported. You could still buy cameras this good in the republic, but as a civilian, it would have been very expensive.

Increase looked at the Curator with a taste of disgust evident on his face, as if he had swallowed something unpleasant.

"Do not invoke such false icons in my presence Curator. It chafes me. This is the work of man, not God."

He then dismissed the man and instead turned his attention to the map. So information was simply lost, which was the nature of these things, but they did reveal a great deal of information which he did not preciously possess. At mention of the ruins and standing offer he simply hummed his acknowledgement. The Howlers were not a place you wandered without repercussions. Death seemed perhaps the tamest of them although he never considered the peoples of that area to quite so violent as to wipe out entire research teams repeatedly. There was likely another force at play.

"There is reason to believe that the culprit might have interest in one or more of these ruins. Although with the information we have available to us it would be close to impossible to ascertain which ones. Curator, is there anything else you can tell me about these maps and the ruins that are here? Perhaps which ones had teams go to them but ultimately failed? Also the location of any similar ruins which were successfully investigated."

That damned grin was back. "You need to grow a thicker skin, Lomite.

I'm not particularly religious, but most on this university are believers, and will invoke God as they like.

I don't care what you believe, but you will tolerate prayer from others while you are on university property, or you will be asked to leave."

The curator took another deep breath and returned to his placid condition. His eyes looked down at the dust and chalk marks. Students had literally been torn apart here.

"As to your question, there WERE ruins excavated fairly recently. Occasionally, a team of adventurers manage to sneak into one or the Falchetto acquire some when they capture a tribe. I'll look up what we know on the most recent ones.

We have a few books on the subject, everything from inflated biographies of treasure hunters to accounting and burial records. Visso stopped sending archeological teams to Howler territory before the Collegium was even built, but I think we have some early records. I will have an archivist and librarian prepare the relevant materials for you."

Increase inclined his head once.

"Of course Curator."

Increase would be sure to kill the Curator at some point in the future. He wasn't one that took being chastised well and had little desire to endure such things given his elevated status. Perhaps he might yet earn his life but for the interim his days were effectively numbered by Increase's good graces; of which he had few.

"Excellent. I will review the information and see if I cannot determine some manner of pattern."

He then turned his attention to his companion who had removed some device from a hidden space within the wall.

"Claire. What is that?"

Claire looked at Increase. "You should know that I also follow the Creator, Increase," she said mildly.

"I don't mind exploring the ruins at some other time, particularly if there's a hint that our...friend is in there."

Increase nodded to Claire as well, unsure as to why she would believe in such an outdated concept. He had seen what she had done, what she could do again. When had God done the same? When was the last time God had done anything for mortal man? No he had seen the machinations of God's supposed creations in his own homeland. They had corrupted the Church and tainted the Atheocracy with the false teachings. He would cleanse this world of such things and set it upon the true path, the right path.

"Of course. You will have my assistance. Should the need arrive."

(OOC - Sorry, got busy with stuff today, will post more after a few hours sleep, but Claire got some info)

Later, when you review the information..

It turns out, there was a number of artifacts seized from Howlers found wandering the desert, carrying a number of odd artifacts, including the "bits". The howlers were sold into slavery and the items catalogued in the university. This included a number of rather familiar looking robes, as well.

There have also been a number of bright republic teams that have been selling new artifacts to the university. That's kind of odd, since the Republic normally has good relations with the howlers (unlike every other nation that live next to them). Are the Howlers trading their artifacts now? That would be weird.

(OOC - More info to follow, I need some sleep)
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:26, Thu 18 June 2020.

"I think we need to talk this over with Gaja," said Claire. "She may have more information." She paused. "I have a possible contact in the Republic if it turns out that we are dealing with Republican sharp operators as well as Lomites."

"I remember the last time we had Bright Republic 'hunters' sell some items to us. I believed that they had dinner with our professor of Republican studies, and a few other students." Said the curator.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:11, Sun 21 June 2020.

"I see. I'd like the names of the students, and to know if any of them are still around for me to chat with, if possible."

"Of course. There are always a few students who are fascinated by the bright republic.

I believe one of them is still here. I will instruct them to co-operate.

I would request that you do not use or imply violence in your investigation. If they are uncooperative, let me handle that instead." The curator intoned.

(OOC - If you want to do something else here, just let me know)

At a later time, you make a brief detour with the curator to the administrative building, and a competent clerk helps you find the relevant student, Micheal Descenzo, and bring him back.

The student is in his early 20's, and wears the standard robes of the senior students of the collegium. The administration office helpfully tells you that he has completed the undergraduate program for Bright Republic Technology, and is continuing his studies in Engineering, and will likely go on to study theotehnology or clockwork automatons. He's from a minor family, far inland, so he's probably a bit quaint compared to some students.

The curator walks you over. "Senior Student Micheal Descenzo?"


The curator continues sternly, "Please treat these individuals with the utmost courtesy. They are patrons of the collegium. Is that clear?"

Student Michael Decenzo: "Yes, Curator."

Increase found the pattern interesting and map a note of the locations that he saw. Beyond that he saw little else to be gained from the sight of the attack and would need to see if there was any more information that could be gained from the formal reports of the dead, although he didn't imagine that there would be. Still the lead on the students was interesting although not expressly within Increase's areas of strength. So he left that to Claire who was by fair the more charismatic of the pair.

Apologies for the lackluster post but I'm not sure what to do with myself. Just sort of spinning my wheels here.

Autopsy reports are a literal mess, largely because most of the bodies were blown up with that weird soul magic. A few were killed with some kind of unusual etheric weapon: the corpses were a bit more "intact".

OOC: At least you now have some additional places to check out in the waste, though you will probably piss off Gaja if you break into old Howler ruins.

Claire smiled at Michael and sat across from him. "Hello, Michael," she said, taking a moment to admire his cyber and his laptop. "Very impressive tech and hardening, and the physical concealment's top notch. I just wanted to ask you some questions."

She visibly relaxed a bit with a twirl of her wrist. "I recall you, the Professor, and some other students had a discussion with some Republican tech hunters," she said. "I'm curious to know what they're about." Her body appeared relaxed, but her eyes were subtly focused on the boy, trying to see if he was worried or hiding something.

The curator frowned "What.. are you talking about?" He said to Claire.

The curator looked confused, and the young student looked both scared and confused for a few moments. Normality returned swiftly to his face after a moment: he recovered swiftly.

"I have some republican items on me I got from the traders. I'm sorry but.. You are.. Claire Durand, right?? That's crazy? What the heck are you doing here?!

Eventually, he realized he'd been asked a question. A sheepish look came on his face.

"I'm kind of fascinated with republican technology and culture. It's hard not to when you get access to even the basic stuff they package on the university computers. When a republican comes here, I like to talk to them and trade. Sometimes those that are heading home will trade us shielded items like music players."

"I can't believe you are here! We should talk later about the republic and your music.  Most of us were sure you were an expert system, not a true AI.

Is this about unlicenced music? Sorry, the export copy licence on copyright is REALLY expensive and hard to find. I kind of figured it might be wrong, but had no idea it merited a response like this. It's so crazy you are here though."

He turned to the curator, his speech becoming more formal as he addressed the Vissian.

"I apologize for any shame or disgrace our group caused the university for sharing files. No insult was intended to the university or your family. I will not do so in the future and will let the others know that this behaviour is unacceptable."

The curator looked sternly at the man as though considering an appropriate punishment. He was under the impression that he'd done something wrong, but he had absolutely no idea what the hell he was talking about. He'd let the outsiders handle this one.

(Ugh, this message was deleted to the GM hitting the wrong button. Sorry Claire!
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:59, Tue 23 June 2020.

"I am.... glad. It's not easy to get recorded music out here. I'm hoping to bring some of the church chorals to the Republic some day and perhaps have them recorded for posterity.

I didn't buy anything. We did do some trading - shielded electronics are very popular here, and we had some clockwork bits and small artworks we traded for odds and ends.

You think the traders were involved in students deaths? Had I have known any connection, I would have volenteered such information immediately."

The Curator raised an eye brow "How do you know about they are dead?"

A genuinely sad look came over his face. "Curator, the students are studying Theotechnology, my field, a year ahead of me. They have not shown since, and were assigned to the adjunct lab that has been closed off. I had, of course, been hoping that they were merely in the infirmary, but it's been so long..."

A short uncomfortable silence ensued.

"I've picked up a number of little trinkets from the republic over the years. Perhaps we can go over them privately? I am guessing that you are both very familiar with republican technology and theotechnicial principles? Even though I have a degree, the universities access to republican tech is limited, for obvious reasons."

If Claire were a cat, the mention of "clockwork bits" would have her ears standing straight up.

"Alright. Please lead us to your items, I'm most interested in them." She smiled at the Curator. "We thank you for your time, but we don't want to be an imposition. Increase and I can talk with Michael and geek all out about our friend's tech."

The curator paused a few seconds, looked very carefully at all three of them, and then sighed.

"Very well. I hope this discussion bears fruit. No doubt you'll want to talk about your upcoming project as well."

Very quickly, Michael goes to gather a few things from his dorm and then offers a nice "walk" on the spacious campus grounds with Claire and Scholar. Once he is far enough away that he is sure he is not being overheard, he turns to claire.

"Ok. So. Claire, I don't suppose you know the song, "Patron Fidelis Maximus? No? Ok then."


After a few moments, he sighs, and hands over a small leather case with multiple compartments. There are numerous gears, tiny crystals, and howler items.

"Right. Here are all the little things I picked up from the traders. It's mostly shielded tech, but I do have a few tiny pieces of howler artifacts. I'll answer any questions you have the best I can about the traders."

Increase moves closer to the leather case and examines each of the items in turn, inspecting them and trying to understand their construction and operation. When he was done with one he placed it back into the leather case and continued his inspection.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:44, Sat 27 June 2020.

(Ugh, I really need to stop hitting "edit" instead of quote).

Each of the items are relatively simplistic, but you are able to glean a bit about these artifacts. They very clearly use thamaturgical principles largely unfamiliar to you, so are clearly Pre-howler. Some, from their feel, you can tell are additional parts of the great work, though much smaller in scale and less powerful and dangerous then the bits. You are able to identify batteries, and small shards of crystals, slightly different, that you believe may have once been a data storage device: using your gifts, you are able to determine people speaking and reocording things into them.

"There are a bunch of them with different motivations. Obviously, the ones I dealt with were from the Republic. There were some really serious guys. I'm not sure but they seemed like the really competent ones. A few others weren't much older than me. They seemed more like freshmen from noble families: having an adventure, do a little impromptu trading for some extra cash.

Most of the guys I was dealing with were the not so serious ones, but there were a few of the really serious guys I could trade with.

There's actually a real market for that stuff. I know that the best stuff the howlers get is all sold to the republic, but the republican teams aren't the only ones who go out there: there's also generic treasure hunters. The families also have a pretty good selection.

I do know that a lot of the people who come in have been talking about getting lots of more stuff from "weird robe wearing howler cultists." I normally don't think I'd have been able to buy this stuff on my own, otherwise."

"Howler cultists selling Mandala tech. Now that is useful," said Claire. "A couple more questions. First, did your really serious people have connections to my creators, Bright Record? Second, do you know a Celias Triante? And third, do you know how they make contact with the cultists, and any timeline in which I could expect to meet these cultists?"

Claire grinned. "And fourth, I think you've earned an internship on my team, if you want in."

Increase burned the designs of these items into his mind but made no special considerations about them. When he finished examining each he returned the leather case to the table and turned his attention towards Michael once again.

"I have no further questions for you Michael. Thank you for your assistance."

He then listened to the exchange between Claire and Michael, mostly interested in what this internship was that she was proposing.

"Bright Record? They... produce... your music, right? They weren't exactly advertising who they were working for. I'm just a student in Vissio, right? The serious ones weren't super forthcoming about who they were working for. Maybe they are looking for old recordings?

I don't know that much about the republic's politics, but I understand they are a lot like Vissio, in that they got a lot of competing interests. It's hard to tell if they are working for their national military, one of the companies, or some government agency.

I've not heard of that name, though it sounds kind of familiar. Obviously a bright republic name, right?"

"As for meeting up with the cultists, nah, I'm afraid I don't know how to get ahold of them. If the collegium knew they might try and cut out the middle man. I got the idea from the non-serious people that it was a bit accidental though, a lucky find. I'd heard that tribes near the sea and further away from the borders are more open to trading. I don't know much about the cultists themselves. I know we have a professor who specializes in anthropology here.

Now.... what I've heard is that there are howler tribes by the sea have some way of signalling republican traders that they are ready to trade, and that they come to the shore."

I do know that howlers who live close to the sea tend to be way more hospitable and open to dealing with the Republic, with a few exceptions. My country and the Howler tribes are basically constantly raiding each other. But Howlers know that's not going to go well if they try it on the republic. Besides, the republic's big on art and music from the Howlers.

As for this internship.. this does sound interesting. I'll have to work it out with my current program head though. My family paid a lot of money for me to learn specific skills, and if I didn't I'd be disappointing them. But this does sound pretty amazing. I can get you a few students, at least, who'd be sympathetic, to help. I'll try and square it with my professors though."

Claire nodded. "Thank you for your time, Michael. And yes, as many students and professors in the appropriate disciplines as are interested would be welcome."

She looked at Increase. "I hope you've found something useful to your investigation here," she said. "For me, this has been a very productive outing, despite the guns pointed at me."

Increase made a non-verbal utterance.

"It has been a mixed situation. The Collegium is an institution worth preserving, worth capitalizing on, but I find the adherence to dogma among its constituents to be distressing, as you have seen. It runs counter to my Lommitic teachings which admittedly are biased. Still it draws me to question the Collegium's ultimate goals if they limit themselves with idols and arbitrary codes of morality."

He shook his head, waving a hand to dismiss his own ramblings.

"Still that is not important. If you've concluded your investigations I believe I've learned as much as I can about the culprit. Any more information likely lies in the Howlers, among these ruins, and with these cultists that are selling off fragments associated with the Bits."

"I trust you don't question my ultimate goals," replied Claire a bit tartly. "I choose to hope that the Creator will come back and fix things Himself, but I'm not sitting on my pretty ass waiting. But you know what I'm all about. I want to make the world a better, happier, more beautiful place, and Unitary or not, the Collegium can do a lot of good towards that. Especially if they're working with us."

She nodded to Increase. "We'll ask Gaja what she's learned when she returns to alla Sabbia. This is starting to fit together in places but we're missing some...bits...of the puzzle."

Increase smirked at Claire's words.

"I question everything. Think nothing special of it. We are allies and I believe in you if nothing else. As for making the world a better place we are in agreement on that. A better world is something we can all desire. At the very least I shall endeavor to improve the lives of my fellow Lommites. We've labored under the heel of the Atheocracy for long enough."

He then nodded.

"Yes that seems the most prudent course. Shall we return then?"