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.