Nexus is a labyrinth of a city. It is loosely governed by a half-elected corrupt government. Policed by corporation security, and corporate sponsored police. Some districts have different laws than others, such as the Pirate District in which airships can be legally shot down. Once the Portal Creation boom occurred a few years ago, access to even more new and wonderful worlds opened all over the place.

There are taverns, magic emporiums, libraries, observatories, drug houses, airship yards, Portal yards and anything else the eager mind could seek.

Uziel walks openly through the Press of sapients Along the Rim of Nexus, the endless exchange of credits and goods, of no interest to him today. Today he's hunting rumors.

Rumors are best sought in the ports, and So he's been here for weeks. Acting the part of a vacationing officer, but truly listening for the hints of the "Twilight" a ghost ship with a particular story.

"Twilight" was a Blockade runner of small fame several hundred years ago.  The Ship was Just as Uziel was joining the High Elf fleet. The Picket ships that chased the Twilight down said she was lost after having apparently tried to Hide within a portal while the Fleet ships left the area. The Ship was lost with all hands. And yet Uziel has heard rumors of the Ship, appearing to those lost between the worlds. A sleek specter of danger.

Whatever happened to the Twilight might help explain what happened to Uziel.
taking a firm grip on his Blade and went to talk to the newest crop of traders. and smugglers. Ducking into A Tavern on the nicer side of disreputable, The Black Tree Inn caters to the more refined edge of the shadow economy.

Whatever his contact had to say, it had been important enough to send a messenger Bird, and none of His old friends would use such a clandestine measure for what is a fools quest.

Uziel's contact was sitting alone at a privacy booth. He gestured for Uziel to sit, and ordered drinks.

Uziel's contact was the Soldier named Soddit. Soldiers are a race of humans known for their skill in combat. At 8'6", Soddit was short for a Soldier. He had made a name for himself as a Carrier of Secrets. A special kind of courier.

"Gettin's Uziel. May your blade be ever true. I've been hired by the Anima 'orporation to 'ather a team for essploration. Estella mentioned you by name. She had heard about your military service as well as your time in the Void, and thought you'd be a valuable asset. Therefore you're the first one I've approached.

"I haven't been told much information - they're really holding' their ton'ues on this one - but I no it has somethin' to do with a planet that had been lost. They found it."
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:46, Fri 23 Sept 2016.

"May the stars guide you brightly. I'm interested in exploration, but details perhaps? Not that I have any problem with secrecy. But what are we discussing? off universe? off world? and duration?"

Uziel takes his drink and sips it casually.

Not too long after Uziel sat down, the Nurelian poked his head through the door before drifting in. He looked around for a moment, fore-tentacles crossed slightly until he noticed the man who had invited him here. To be honest, he didn't know much as to why he was contacted, but right now, opportunities were something he needed. He floated over to the seats, looking at them for a moment. Fitting in one would be a little award... So instead of making a pitiful display, he elected to float there.

"I showed up, like you said." his voice spoke up briefly, his lower throat flashing dimly with each syllable. He had a hint of an unsure look on his face; again, he wasn't too sure why he was brought here. He looked at the drinks when they came, and took one in a tentacle, sniffing it for a moment before drinking. He didn't really know what it was, but he didn't want to seem rude. He wasn't paying, after all.

"ah,. please feel welcome neighbor."

The elf nods respectfully. But his eyes stay focused on the courier.

Soddit nodded at Kuruno, "Greetin's 'uruno. May your fan's ((fangs)) never dull... If you have fan's. I just finished mentionin' to Uziel here the need for se'recy. The Anima Corporation has a job for you if you're willin'.

"It all started many hundreds of years past. In those days, Magem was virtually un-nown. There were mages of a different sort, much like Uziel here, and 'lo'wor' machines that didn't use 'lo'wor' at all. ((I place OOC info in these double parentheses. I'm sure you all get the idea that he can't pronounce "G"s, "K"s or "ng" sounds, so I'm going to write normally now. Too much autocorrect mischief.)) These clockworkless clockworks used something called "electricity". If you are familliar with the world known as Cenotaph, then you get the idea. One of these worlds, known as Gamma, had long ago been the center of a great interstellar Empire. After the Empire fell it was abandoned for 25,000 years, when it was rediscovered. The city-planet was renovated and restored even beyond its former glory. It remaimed a center of culture and glory for 53,000 years. Then, about 12,000 years ago it vanished without a trace.

"Although people searched for it, it was soon forgotten when all "electronics" suddenly and unexpectedly stopped working 1000 years later. Society had a difficult time recovering from that event.

"But it has been found. Outside of our Oner ((universe)).

"They haven't told me where it was found. Only that they want a group to explore the planet.

"If you agree to take up this mission, you will be given c60, which as you know is 2 Month's regular salary, and an expense account to purchase supplies. Some supplies will be provided at the launch point. The mission is expected to take 30 days. Your compensation will be 100kg of whatever you find and decide to keep. 1000kg if any combat occurs.

"What say you?"

" double guild rates for exploration only? with the freedom to claim what we find? i must assume we are not the first team so sent? that said I will take up the search. the lost mastery of lightnings would be a worthy riddle to untangle. "

Uziel looks at the hovering creature and back to the Soddit.

"Of course as this is a secret mission off the books as they say. I assume the compensation will be tendered in advance?"
This message was last edited by the player at 21:58, Fri 23 Sept 2016.

Kuruno sipped away at his drink while keeping all eyes on Soddit as he spoke. He heard about the use of electricity all those times ago, as well as various Nurelian scientists attempting to theorize why it suddenly failed to work. He seemed to roll his eyes a little when Soddit said it "vanished", but he held back his urge to explain the law of conservation of energy. Some Nurelians had a bad habit of pressing their "smarts" on others time to time. However, what got his attention was the chance to explore a lost world and anything on it; and the pay was intriguing too, even if it just made him wonder what he could do with that money to improve his own machine.

He blinked, having lost track of the conversation until now, when Soddit finished talking and Uziel began. He didn't care much for pressing the cash details, but when Uziel finished, he then started talking again, not taking his mouth off the cup. They didn't need oral movement to speak anyways.

"A chance to explore the unknown and uncover lost technology? This all has my attention already. I feel like i can help with the heavy lifting, too... Not to mention that every job that relates to this kind of stuff needs a brain. N-not to undermine the intelligence of you all, that's not what i mean. I mean... Y-you get it!"

He almost stumbled off topic in his attempt to avoid suggesting that the others might be dumb. He wasn't trying to imply that at all; but he knew by now that sometimes people took things wrong. What he didn't know was how to not let them know it could be taken wrong before they do.

" no trouble neighbor."

The elf makes a  low nod to Kuruno. His eyebrow and lip working up slightly. He turns his smile back to the Soffit

"But I've had some experience looking for lost secrets, and I'm sure your employer is not the only interested party "

Uziel leans across the space. Speaking low and keeping his face turned into the privacy field.

"you and i have both been to war. and you know thw costs of holding back intelligence from your field teams. we will take your coin, and seek your lost art. but we will not do so blinded by Corporate need to know. why freelancers? and who else is looking?"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:40, Sat 24 Sept 2016.

Soddit the Soldier laughed heartily at Kuruno's comment. "Indeed, no trouble. I am merely a humble messenger, and will not be accompanying you."

After Uziel posed his questions, Soddit responded, "I'm afraid I don't have the answers to those questions. But I can send you on to one who does. I am permitted to tell you how to approach her since you have - at least tentatively - accepted the mission."

Soddit then goes on to explain that the two of them should buy tickets to visit Stellaland - the private Oner ((Oner means universe)) owned and operated by the Anima Corporation as tourists. There is an amusement park in that place, so it will not seem too out of place. Once there, they will be brought to the proper meeting place where all of their questions will be answered. They are reminded that Stellaland is one of those Oners that doesn't quite exist. Food there is empty of nutrition - like eating a hologram. Anything built out of matter from that Oner can never leave that Oner. Star Lady - the tree-woman - was created there, and now operates the Oner in the absence of its original creator.

((As an aside, it is basically a holodeck. This particular one is programmed to be incapable of allowing harm to be inflicted on anyone. It is accessible via a Portal.))


"You know... I think I really should tell you all I can.

"As for the pay, that one is easy. You are being paid double wages because the CEO of Anima is a sucker for 'social progress'. She wants the 'standard of living' to be increased. She raves on about something like 'post-scarcity-economics' and other drivel. All I know, is I get paid better when I take a job with Anima than with most others.

"I know that the world you are to explore is no longer sought after because everyone assumes it was destroyed. No one else is looking, and no one else has access to the place. The planet was rediscovered when Anima's exploration division opened a Portal and - by chance - there it was. Apparently, someone on the crew was an ancient history nerd and recognized it from old holocube images.

"I'm afraid, that really is all I know though. Star Lady will answer any more questions."

Soddit hands them both c60 in cash, and charge vouchers for supplies with the Anima logo written on top.
This message was last updated by the GM at 05:27, Sat 24 Sept 2016.

(*wonders if she should be poking her head in or not?* I have a good idea of the way things are going to fill in hehe)

"Thank you. that sounds reasonable. I look forward meeting my.... our employer."

Uziel scoops up the voucher with a quick move while offering his hands to the Soddit.he leaves two contact cards in the space the voucher had been sitting.nodding to Kuruno s he exits the booth.

"this is my local information, so we may coordinate our transportation. I'd like to make for the briefing sooner than later if you don't mind."

He stared at the money and things provided to them off-the-bat for a moment, a little surprised that they were getting something out of this already. Taking it and pushing the things that can fit into his pocket, he put the now empty cup down, watching Uziel get up from the booth and preparing to follow. "Getting to the briefing soon would be nice. I'm curious and a little eager to start, really. Hey, i might be able to learn more about how electricity worked and what happened in one job than what it took my professor years to theorize!"

That being said he smiled widely. While knowledge like this was valuable, it might as well be platinum for a Nurelian; because they lack in physical strength, one's intelligence determines the worth of one amongst Nurelians. If that statement were true, then he was about to boost his value and status amongst his fellows.

OOC:
Pertinent background information

A little over 1 year ago, the Portal to Auraluna opened and Auraluna began to accrue citizenry. Auraluna is the gateway to Oner Comowe. The Comowe (a humanoid species) is an advanced space-faring civilization. Prior to the Auraluna Portal, there had never been any magic in that universe. The Comowe have an Internet, TVs, holographic projection, sentient AI, cybernetics - anything you'd expect of a Star Trek level civilization. But Magem disrupts their technology, so they've segregated their technology and civilization from anyone who has come in contact with Magem. No one is allowed to visit their technologically advanced worlds. However, they have begun colonizing worlds without using their technology. They have people who are studying Magem and working on becoming Magemsmiths etc in their own right.

All the math indicates that electricity should work... it just doesn't. Anywhere there is Magem, electricity is not.

Elfs are one of the most ancient and continuous civilizations of humans. Normal Elfs live over 1000, but High Elfs like Uziel live over 20000 years.

About 2 years ago "Communicators" began to hit the market. They are not cheap, but they allow voluntary telepathic communication between parties. Upgraded versions even include transmission of visual information. A Communicator has to be in contact with the user to work and cannot be "hacked". There is even now a Cable TV of sorts. You can pay a certain company to have access to news shows and such that use the Communicators. Anyone with a Communicator can talk with anyone else who has one. However, there are also special features which allow people to prevent and avoid spam.



IC:
Uziel knows that his best chance of finding more information about Gamma lies in the Great Library of Arbaelf. He also knows that there is a Portal in every Elf-built library that can take him there. Now... where would the nearest rich person's custom-built library be?



Well... there was always the Public Library. Just an hour's walk. Or a 10 minute c0.1 Beedle ride.

And so they left the Soldier named Soddit behind in the tavern.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:51, Sat 24 Sept 2016.

Uziel has only had practical experience within a magical society so he may go a bit overboard preparing for a trip to gamma. Mostly by picking up wholely mundane survival gear and (( whatever else he doesn't have but may need poking around a dead city))

But within a day or two at most he will be contacting the travel agency to make his transit to the briefing point.

OOC: I'm not certain if Uziel is going to the Great Library to research Gamma or not. Or if he will be taking Kuruno.

The other option is to skip right to the debriefing, so I'm going to go on the assumption everyone may be going to the library.

IC:

The Public Library of Nexus was a marvel in and of itself. It had been recently constructed by a group of Earth Mages and Fire Mages. The structure resembled a black glass castle that extended 5 floors up and 20 floors down with a tower in the center and a beacon / restaurant at the top. The beacon was constructed using secret Grolm technologies and was larger around than the castle itself. Uziel always felt a strange fascination and attraction to 3 monoliths which were placed on over-large plinths equidistant around the library.

Although the general public was permitted access to the library, they were not permitted beyond the public stacks. Most of the library consisted of private collections, housed in the library because the private donors had helped to pay for the facility in the first place.

Uziel chose the Elfen wing. The doorman on duty didn't recognize him, but a quick flash of his winning smile... and a Communicator call to identify him, and Uziel was permitted to pass. Kuruno would only be permitted if Uziel signified that he was to be permitted.

Inside the Elfen wing, the stacks were all constructed of living wood. Lifetree bark trained to grow into specific shapes. Approaching one stack, Uziel waved his hands in the arcane pattern which would cause the Portal to open. The books parted, and a spherical distortion of space appeared in the midst of the shelf - a Portal.

OCC: sorry, I don't know enough about the setting to comfortably ad-lib. Give me a few exchanges to get acclimated to hyper fantasy.

IC: there are perks to bring a distant relative of the most high. And access to the great library is not insignificant among those perks. Uziel however is not always happy to rely upon those bonds. In this case it is necessary.

Wearing his civilian finery, a long black coat, and boots highlighted with the deep purple and silver of his houseand bearing his blade with the crest displayed he has no trouble gaining access. But after several hours of research he has to admit, "technology" is far more complex than his teachers had explained. Clockwork, spell and honest iron he knows and knows well but this? May as well be dwarves love poems.

However Kuru, or whomever the sapient was from earlier, he knew the secrets of this other universal power. After that realization Uziel makes for a private corner and seeks for his new co-worker among the communication net. His message is simple.

"Neighbor, i have need of your insight. seek me at the great library, for our success may depend upon what you can tell me of that place. -Uziel."

Kuruno didn't follow Uziel to the library initially; he went back home to ensure he had the things necessary for the trip and to ensure his "best friend" of a machine was prepared for travel. When Uziel did end up contacting him, it didn't take long for him to respond.

"The place Soddit was talking about? I'll see what i can scrap together. I've been busy preparing some information to bring along the trip anyways. I'll see if i can find anything about that world around here."

Right after sending that, he stuffed a few blueprints, notes, and things of the such in a bag before hefting it along and leaving, trying to find a ride to the Library. When he got there, he floated through the door, looking for the High Elf.