Nate takes the gem and holds it up, as though studying it (which is exactly what he's doing). He frowns.

"Are you sure you want to give me one? We all just met, I'm not officially a part of your group. I'm not even sure where you are all headed from here."

“Asar, you are probably the only one who is even close to having a clear understanding of what we encountered.” Arthur said as he accepted one of the gems and placed it in his watch pocket. “But if you say we may need these items in the future, then I will easily take your word for it.”

”Haven’t you heard?”Art turned to ask Nathaniel jokingly. “We are going to Siberia. Dress warmly.” Letting go of the jest, Art added, “We are to investigate an anomaly there and our unique qualities could be of dire need. Yours as well.”
This message was last edited by the player at 14:59, Tue 17 Nov 2020.

 You take in much of the marvelous sites from certain concealment, but occasionally must rely on your hat and duster to hide your true nature. It was during once such moment that Angok could see a small group of four, perhaps two couples taking a stroll on the cobbled street, that was almost entirely clear of traffic at this hour. They seemed to be enjoying it and seemed playful with one another.

OOC: If you're interested in continuing to observe from a distance let me know in your private thread. ^_^
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:47, Thu 19 Nov 2020.

 Nicholas found some refreshment and stretching of his legs quite nice and cathartic after the ordeal he'd seen and been through onboard the Neustria. The scenery was good and the townfolk seemed pleasant enough. It was looking towards the future of their endeavor that seemed to give Nic some unease. Nevertheless, he felt some semblance of comfort in the fact that normal things were still happening in the world.

 As Nic leaves the wine bar, feeling sated for the moment, he sees a man clad in black with rather obtrusive top hat. The man seems to be be questioning people he comes across. He doesn't seem too forceful about it but he is questioning everyone, some wave him off but he seems insistent.

OOC: Depending on what you decide, you can hop into your private thread. ^_^
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:04, Wed 18 Nov 2020.

To the group that cares to stay through the explanation to Phoenix.

"Long ago, an amount of time I am not exactly sure of but lets say over 5000 years ago, there were a race of beings who are what you might call primordial gods. Tiamat, the glistening one, was the god of what you would call salt water and chaos. Abzû was the primordial god of fresh water. From them all things came into being, eventually even myself. As in all things, nothing stays the same. The youngest of the gods were, rambunctious and often obnoxious in some respects to the elder gods. Things came to a head and people joined with Tiamat on one side and the champion of the other side was Marduk, even though he was at the time one of the younger gods.

Battles waged on between the two mountains that were their bases and I lead forces for Marduk, one of the only of my generation who thought that order and safety were paramount concerns. However, I had been fooled by Marduk who had told of a method of stealing the power or powers of any god of whom he could slay. The weapon we found was forged for him by a god of the dead, who of course was profiting as it were from the war, to help Marduk do that slaying.

I found out to late and in my pride I tried to talk Marduk down, but he was to drunk on his new found powers and used the life of my brother against me. In the end I survived the short fight, but was trapped in the Earth as I tried to free my brother. A little less than 2 years ago something happened or didn't happen any longer and I was released from my Earthen prison much diminished. I found some archeologists from Briton on an expedition, help them translate some odd clay tablets, learned their language and went back with them to Briton as an expert in Antiquities.

Nathaniel, I think it would be a very good idea for you and anybody else that has exhibited supernatural powers to continue with us. There is more than we have been told that is going on in Siberia and I think we are the only ones that will have a chance at dealing with it and maybe even save the world."

Asar describes their mission for those that don't know it.

Phoenix looks thoughtful for a few moments.  Okay, so, there's three things I'm gettin' here from ya story.  One, Tiamat, Apsu, Enlil, Marduk, an' all them other gods was real.  Two, Marduk did not use Tiamat's spilt-in-half body ta create the Earth and the Heavens.
His Bronx accent is coming out fairly heavy as he speaks.  An' last, but far from least, Three.  You been around since before ancient Sumeria, and you ran around wit' these people.  His arms move in a gesture like he is inviting, tryin to draw out the information from Asar.  Next, ya gonna tell us that King Gilgamesh an' Enkidu were real, too?  Whad aboud Ahura Mazda an' Ahriman?

Asar raises an eyebrow at Phoenix, "I was encapsulated before even Tiamat was defeated. I am somewhat familiar with some of the legends, having read much, but the god-like beings that you have named were most likely a different culture's names for the surviving god-like beings of my time. Gilgamesh was after even that and is almost everything that has survived for modern people to unearth. Even the Enūma Eliš uncovered a half century ago is only about 3000 years old and thus more than 2000 years removed from the events it describes. The language it was written in is similar to my native language, enough that I could clear up some passages. Please remember I am remembering things from over 5000 years ago. At the best of times memory is a fickle thing, let alone over multiple millennia ago.

As for Marduk, almost everything I have read and learned about in the modern age is fabrication or embellishment. He was not a primordial like Tiamet or even a greater god. He may have stolen enough powers to do amazing and nearly incomprehensible things, but his was not the ability create or even shape entire worlds....not when I knew him."

"Where did you acquire these gems?" Sam asked as he held up the sapphire handed to him. "They are not natural sapphires. Their molecular composition suggests artificial construction but I am unaware of any technology capable of this level of complex manufacture. Are you certain they are safe to possess and carry around in public spaces? There is an energy signature within the molecular bonds that seems designed to emit a field of some form of energy that I cannot identify."

He paused his inquiry to listen to Asar's response to James' questions. The answers oddly made think of his own past. His own origin. There was no direct parallel but he had enough data to extrapolate and project comparisons. To perhaps lend some credibility to the possibility that Asar's account might be an accurate recording of events. Minus the reference to individuals as gods. Likely just lifeforms of different and more capable stock.

"I would not dismiss his account of history so readily," Sam interjected to James regarding Asar's tales. "I have exactly sixty-three years, four months, and thirteen days of memory and in that time I have suffered zero depreciation to my mental and physical capabilities. Additionally, while there is damage to my memory center effecting accurate calculation, the size allotted to it compared to identifiable used and available space allows me to extrapolate that I may be capable of holding ten thousand years of memories. So, it would not surprise me that someone could exist for such a period of time."

Sam's tone was perfectly frank and matter-of-fact. As if there was nothing strange or out of the ordinary with what he'd said. Of course, it was not a conversation he would have with civilians. Not civilians he had not developed a comfortable relationship with, by their standards. These were not civilians, though.

^{Moved from the Neustria thread:}

Sorry, he says, his Bronx accent fading away to be almost imperceptible.  I grew up in the Bronx.  Italian and Irish.  Spent a lot of time in libraries and museums to avoid getting into trouble.  I'm no expert, and I'm more familiar with ancient Greco-Roman, and ancient Greek mythology.  I really don't know much about Sumerian, there wasn't much to be found.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:25, Fri 20 Nov 2020.

While Hiram had stayed to listen to Asar and gladly taken one of the gems for safe keeping, he'd quickly found himself going glassy Eyed at their continued discussion. Marduk and Tiamat? gods? 5000 years? It was All a lot to take in, much less believe. And while Hiram was not uneducated, a lax hebrew though he may be,  his studies had focused on the torah and the dead sea scrolls.
So while he tried to follow the conversation, world up ending as it was, he found his focus landing on the food he'd gottenn from the ship restaurant. The cheese and steak wa the only thing he hadn't tried yet, and while he didn't have much Hope perhaps this would be different.
Of course, it wasn't. It was just as bland and tasteless as anything Else, he observed with a sigh.
He glanced out at the city, with a vague Hope. He'd heard that was known for it's food. Perhaps here he could find something worth eating.

 Ms.Sanderson was almost completely motionless for the entire explanation. Then at the end, she turns with a bit of a wild eyed expression, "and why shouldn't we believe that he's the real deal? A cosmic being, did none of you see the fishman?"

 "Well I did. Though it goes against my grain, I will take him at his word. He's not lied to us yet, I'd be able to hear it if he did. Though he still hasn't told us what just happened with the, did he mention Atlantis?"

As everyone is getting ready to head out into Paris, Nathanial brings up a scrap of paper with some writing on it.

"Say now, everyone, a moment please?" He held out the papers he found. "I wound up on this little jaunt because I was tracing the movement and sale of an occult relic. A statue. The statue, if you get me. And I think that I have the address where it was going to be delivered upon arrival."

He looked around at the group.

"The person hired to move it was a pretty rough customer. A mercenary and a soldier. So I don't know what's waiting for me there. Would, uh, would anyone... like to come and have a look with me?"

Asar gives Ms. Sanderson a brief smile and a nod.

"I don't know about Cosmic. I certainly never made it out into space, even when I was at the top of my form. I would need a staircase to run there unless I figured out how to run on air I suppose. The mortal children of Tiamat, the Atlanteans, I am happy to see survived. Marduk having won, I had all but expected them to have been hunted down and wiped out. They guard what is left of Tiamat and having that weapon gives them a certain gravitas while doing so. It helps that as a people they are pragmatic and unless a great champion arises from them the weapon will never be used for them nor will they suffer some great catastrophe if it used accidentally. Until I am significantly more like my old self, if that is even possible, I would not have used it except in the most dire of circumstances."

Asar listens to Nathaniel and nods.

"I am interested in following up that lead Nathaniel. As for the gems, they are a gift of Tiamat. If you do not want it and the minor restriction that having it brings, then return it to me and I will hold it in your stead."

"That does not address my concerns regarding the gems. They were artificially constructed but I am unaware of technology capable of such complex molecular manufacturing. Additionally, they were designed to emit a form of energy I cannot identify in a field of unknown scope and size. Can you be certain it is safe to carry them in public? I am not concerned for myself as far as maintaining possession of the gem. I am considerably more durable than a human. I also passively generate a field that prevents a considerable amount of harmful energy transmission to my body. My concern is for any innocent civilians in proximity should the energy matrix within the gems activate. Without sufficient knowledge of the form of energy or how to engage the gems properties I am worried collateral damage in proximity to the gems and those carrying them," Sam further explained in an even and calm tone.

"I am certain about only what I have told you about the gems. However, I highly doubt they are dangerous to anyone in our group or civilians at large. As for technology, this term you use for how to manipulate the material world, I am unaware of any such that could make such gems. That being said they formed out of water that was in a magic looking bowl, so perhaps magic is the answer?"

Asar doesn't appear to have any further answers.

"Perhaps some manner of chemical engineering then," Sam mused evenly, seemingly dismissing the idea of magic. "If you are confident they are safe to be carried in public, I will accept your assertion. With minor precautions in place."

Without warning, Sam lifted up his shirt and his undershirt. Beneath them was not the skin of a man but a metal framework and plating. There was no sign of anything organic beneath his clothes whatsoever actually. No skin, no muscle, no tissue, no organs. Metal and hydraulics and gears and tubing and wires. Sam delicately pried at one of the smaller panels lower in his abdomen until it pulled open and he slid the gem inside then resealed the panel and lowered the shirts, tucking them back into his pants.

"Do you anticipate further potential danger to civilians from individuals involved in the previously planned receipt of the statue Nathaniel? If so, I will accompany you," he said matter-of-factly as he turned his attention to Nathaniel.

I would think that an advanced enough s ience would appear to be magic to us, Phoenix says as he pockets the gem.  I just hope heat doesn't ruin it.
He turns to Nathaniel.  I could go, too.  I'm pretty good at blocking escape roots, whether it's to keepnthem from getting away, or so that we can.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:22, Sun 22 Nov 2020.

“Excuse me, Sam.” Arthur said as his jaw dropped. “Are you wearing some form of mechanical device?”

"Negative, Arthur. I am not in possession of a mechanical device. I am a mechanical, inorganic lifeform," Sam clarified as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

In truth, he didn't fully understand it himself. His body and the parts that comprised his mind were significantly more advanced than any technology he had observed in the sixty-three years of his active memory. The man he'd met when he first activated in his memory assured him they had not constructed Sam but then where else might he have come from? One of many secrets lost to the parts of his circuitry beyond his ability to repair.

"I have been fully functional in my present form since June 27th, 1845 at 3:47 PM local time in Illinois. Minus minor modifications to facilitate the ability to camouflage my nature from civilians," he added.

Asar looks at Geo in a-new.

"Most impressive. A living golem as it were. Geo, do you consider yourself conscious?"

Nathaniel smiles at Geo, Asar, and Phoenix. "Thank you, thank you all. I appreciate the offers of assistance, and accept. My studies have, heretofore, been quite solitary in nature. Fruitful, but also isolating. It is good to be among companions once again."

He presents the paper with the address. "This is, I believe, a warehouse of some sort. So any sort of thing may be waiting inside. Perhaps a cautious approach is best?"

"Can your magics make us all invisible or cover us in shadows Nathaniel? Otherwise lifting everyone to the roof should not be all that much of a problem or a strain. I am sure it will be easier to gain entrance unnoticed that way. We should be off for we have a train to catch all to soon."

Asar smiles at the group.

Hiram had goen steadily more glass eyed as revelations were casually made around him. gods and immortals were one thing, he'd always held some belief that there was more in the world than man understood, what with being a religious student, but a mechanical man? it took some extra brain power to process that fact.

He did snap back to attention briefly at Asar's mention of a golem. Hiram felt the shadow of his father rise up in him, eager to correct the man about the topic.
"Actually since there seems to be neither clay or hebrew words to breathe life into him, I cannot say that Golem is a fitting term for the mechanical sir... Not that I can say I have a better term..." He piped up, ending in a mutter as he regretted admonishing Asar.
"A-at any rate, if we going to investigate a place, I might be able to help. I may be able to hear or smell something at the warehouse to forewarn us."

 From outside, you all hear the sound of someone clomping about with heavy boots on the deck outside, a French voice calls out in English, "Hello, anyone here? Port Authority here to talk to whoever is running this thing... Hello?"

Asar opens the door and is about to leave when he turns his head and says to the two of them, "Looks like we get to hand things over to the authorities. See you topside if you want."

He heads up and greets the 'someone' in a British accented English. He tries not to look intimidating, but it is hard when one is large and muscular to the point of looking like an ancient greek hero.

"Good day to you. I am Asar Uludu. My companions and I were aboard Mauretania when we found this ship adrift with a hostile force aboard. Having defeated that force, we have repaired it and sailed to it's home nation to hand it over to the proper authorities for it's return to it's owners. Can you help us with this?"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:04, Sun 29 Nov 2020.