Asshole McGee

Carne, Auric Golem

>>13637330
seconded

My label is not important, for I simply am. Abhorring violence in my domain, I make my way over to the scuffle, my body groaning and creaking from years of disrepair.

Provided the combatants do not turn their rage toward me, I hold my arm out and hand up in the universal sign for 'stop'. Then, summoning what power I can to try to reactivate my vocal gears, I groan out a rusty sounding "Halt. Cease your disturbance and state your purpose here."

>>13637330
You shall about the name of Carne, for now. If you wish to change your identity later, you will most likely change that as well.

You stand upright fully. A few vines still grip your legs, but they are weak enough that you can simply walk out of them. The elf and human are laughing now. The animals are apparently friends. Your rod of lightning a few feet away, its sheath long since rotted. Next to it is a small overgrown diamond. It was commonly used in the old empire as a large denomination of money.

The tree you were just sitting under has begun to creak. Apparently you were supporting its weight slightly.

>>13637330
>Carne, Auric Golem
Shouldn't that be "Argent Golem"?

>>13637410

I didn't want to be that obvious of a reference.

Also, GOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLDDDDD

>>13637378
The animals look at you oddly. They have most likely never seen one such as you. One of them, the human, picks up his weapon and holds it off to the side, unsure of whether to defend himself.

The human is the first to speak, though not at you.
"Uh, Foran, did that thing just talk to us?"
The elf responds.
"I don't know."

Take the diamond and the rod, try to move out from under the tree without destroying it, look around for any more items.

Assess your state, Carne. What has failed in your body? What can be repaired?

>>13637426
Those... are two very good reasons, actually.
Carry on, then — forget I said anything.

>>13637479
You remembered to take the diamond and rod as you approached the pair.

You were deactivated by a massive pulse of magic energy. You believe it killed all life withing several miles of you. How you came to be in a forest is a mystery.

There is still the matter of the animals.

>>13637479
After that, try to determine the cardinal directions. Hopefully you can find north.

Greet the human and elf again.

I am monitoring this thread.

>>13637529
The device in your arm constantly tells you the time and makes you aware of the direction you are facing.

From the tree, the animals are east.

You ask them again what they are doing here.

The animals turn away.

"Ok, it's definitely talking to us, Foran."
"I know..."
"What should we do?"
"Talk to it?"
"What if it wants to kill us?"
"Then we'll run away."

The elf turns to you.
"Greetings. We are, um, practicing our sparing. What... I mean, who, are you?"

>>13637552
What and who are you, Carne? What do you recall of your history, and the nature of these animals? Would they fear you if you told them the truth?

At least inform them that you're not interested in conflict.

>>13637567
You recall being built exactly 1200 years, six months, two days, an six seconds ago. You were designed to create the next generation of artifacts for the Old Empire. When the empire fell to infighting, and their knowledge was lost, you remained, having memorized almost all of their science and arts long before.

Humans were the initial creators of the Old Empire.

Elves joined after the Dwarves and Gnomes.

Beyond that all you know is biological information regarding them.

You inform the animals of you non-hostile intentions.

"Oh, good, we thought you might want to kill us for trespassing or something."

As far as you know they are not.

>>13637617
Inform them of your name. Ask them if they wouldn't mind introducing themselves. Do not inform them of your purpose.

Ask them if they might tell you who lives in these woods, and the lands around them, and who rules them.

>>13637647
You state your name, and ask for theirs in return.
The elf continues to speak.
"I'm Foran, and that's John. Nice to meet you, um, Carne."
The human waves slightly.

Asking for information regarding the woods, the animal known as Foran explains that they belong to no one, but are near enough to a large port city that they might as well be part of it.
"Port Adder, it's called."
The elf hands you a map.
"Would this help?" He asks nervously.

>>13637695

Thank them for the map. What do we need to repair our weaponry? And while our directional equipment is functioning, how about everything else?

>>13637695
What armaments do I posses?

>>13637695
See if we can recognize the coastline, if it corresponds to the location of any place we remember.

Compare map to current geography pane in your memory cog.

...Uh, look at map.

Examine the map. Memorize it if possible, attempt to make a copy if you have the supplies. If you can't memorize it, offer to buy it from them. Offer your services as an escort to their resting place/wherever they're going in exchange, possibly, if it's a short trip.

Anyone hearing the Robocop themesong? I sure am.

>>13637749
"Excuse me, I have to go. Somewhere, there is a crime happening."

>>13637708
You are unsure of the condition of your rod of lightning. It may be drained of power, or broken. It may be working perfectly. There are no visible defects, even with your enhanced vision.

Apart from the timekeeper and direction finder device, you possess enhanced vision. You appear to lack ultraviolet and above vision at the moment, though you recall having them previously.

You also sense that your gliding, flying, teleportation, hard energy shield, and ranged kinetic mover systems are offline.

Your remote magnetic field generator is online, however.

Ok, I'm gonna take a trip now, just in case.

The trolls are hungry tonight.

>>13637708
You thank them for the map, and the elf thanks you in find, for some reason.

>>13637718
>>13637725
>>13637743
You memorize the map in roughly 103 microseconds.

Cross-referencing the map with others in your memory, you recognize three distinct marks. The rest of the map is too poorly made to be of much use, apart from the locations of the cities.

You are in Northmourne, near the north-eastern edge of the Old Empire's previous holdings.

>>13637813
Ask Foran and John which of the cities nearby is most likely to have sufficiently advanced mechanics and knowledge to help you discover things that are broken and reactivate offline systems.

Also we should test out our lightning rod to see if it works, but let our new friends know first so they don't freak out.

>>13637777
>>13637813

Alright. We need to get the rest of our hardware operational. I'm going to assume we need supplies and a dry workplace to properly access the damage? Let's show John and Foran the diamond and say that we'll give them most of the money it can be sold for in exchange for accompanying Carne to Port Adder, purchasing a disguise (or providing us with clothing) and procuring us some lodging. They seem respectable enough and they can have the lucrative amount of excess money in exchange for these services. We'll take what we need to bring our functions to operational status again, then set out on rebuilding the artifacts.

>>13637813

What are the three marks?

For objectives, I say we head for whatever city we recognize from old memory. Maybe we can find someone relating to constructs or a record of Carne or something.

Nah, don't test your lightning rod yet. You might want to keep that kind of power to yourself, and besides, you have fists MADE OF METAL.

Give the elf and human back the map. Assess your natural weapons. Ask them if they need anything and where they're from.

>>13637862
What, showing a diamond to animals. Tell them you'll offer protection in the form of an escort to wherever they're going for a few days maybe, in exchange for that stuff.

>>13637862

A disguise? We're a metal man in a fantasyland.

We'll punch out a tabard and call ourselves a knight errant.

A very fancy knight errant...With gem lazer eyes.

Dammit I forgot my trip.
Whatever. I don't need it.

>>13637874
The three marks are areas of the coastline.
You recognize no cities, but perhaps their names have changed.

>>13637848
John and Foran explain that they've never seen anything like you before, and as such would not know where to even start.

You inform them of your intention to test the rod of lightning.
John finally speaks to you.
"Oh, we'll just step over here then."
They step away, and you focus on activating the rod. A brief spark, then nothing. You almost put the rod down, but it suddenly shoots out a massive bolt of energy. It appears to have been supercharged by the magical energy pulse.

John and Foran fall onto their posteriors in shock.

>>13637862
They turn away again to discuss it.
"A diamond? That's worth a lot of money."
"Yeah, but you saw that lightning thing. He might just zap us after we're done."
"But a diamond? Of that size?"
"Worth it?"
"Yes/ That things the size of an apple."
"We'd not have to work for years, if not the rest of our lives."
They turn back to you.

"Ok, Carne, we'll work for you. What do you need?"

>>13637909
A cowl, heavy robes and a heavy cloak and we'll blend in fine.
>>13637908 They're fighters and this is a fairly settled area. They probably don't need the protection. The one is an elf, meaning the forest isn't scary or hard to navigate. They'd have no purpose in considering it. We'll be lucky enough if they do it with the promise of lucrative pay, considering how alien Carne is to them.

>>13637943

What supplies do we think we'll need to facilitate the repairs on our downed systems? Whatever they are, we'll list them - and ask the equivalent cost they reckon in Adder. Besides that, just a disguise and a place to work in peace in the city. They can take the remaining gold we received for the diamond and split it between them as payment.

If some of the items needed are unique (say, black dragon scales) we'll withhold that information until later, at which point we'll ask the necessary questions to find the locations where we can secure them... with lightning.

God-damn. Now there's animals that know of our obscene wealth and excessive power. AWESOME. Hope they stay loyal, considering they know everything they need to screw you over and bring you to the attention of the powers-that-be now and you know NOTHING of their world.

Pump them for information. Patiently. The world, power structures, what they do in their miserable little lives, whatever you can get.

>>13637981
Oh, and list inventory.

>>13637943
>Two unemployed adult males.
>Begining to look like goofs.

We just hired the Bill and Ted of Northmourne didn't we? Excellent!

>>13637981

We have a diamond and a lightning rod which may or may not be unreliable. All we know is that it gave a larger jolt than expected because of the shock that took us out some time ago. Could stop working now. That doesn't sound like obscene wealth or excessive power.

But yes. Pump them for what they're worth.

>>13637995
Damn you figured it out.

>>13637971
You need quite a bit of materials. Listing them takes about five minutes, with you vocalizing nonstop.

The pair appear clueless for a moment. Then the human speaks up.
"I know a guy who deals with a lot of magic stuff. He lives on the docks, he'll have what you need, I'm sure."
Foran tries to whisper to John.
"Sloan hates us, remember?"
"Yeah, but he'll give us the stuff with that diamond and Carne."
>>13637992
You have yourself, the diamond, and the rod of lightning.
That's pretty much it.
>>13637981
You interrupt their talking. They look at you, and you tell them to tell you all the political information they can.

Foran tells you over the course of an hour.

Apparently there are seven major factions in Northmourne.

There's the Raiders, from the east. They pillage and burn towns with impunity. Everyone hates them.

There's the Orcs and Icemen, to the north. The Icemen are barbaric humans that lead the Orcs. They only trade with the Vardans.

The Vardans are a naval nation. They control Adder. They are largely responsible for most of the trade in Northmourne. Everyone but the Raiders deals with them.

The Mordans are located to the far west. They do a lot of spooky stuff. Mostly necromancy. John tells you a joke about them. It's not funny, but Foran laughs hysterically.

The Gords are gypsies, but they are THE mercenary force in Northmourne.

>>13638090

"I will not be used as a bartering chip in order to curry favor with a local magi whose scruples you have brought upon yourself. If you attempt to take advantage of me, know that it will be short lived. As will many other things."

Did any of the factional names sound-like any nouns we know of?

The Gords protect the Vardan's lands, and are payed handsomely. They'd still betray them, but it would cost a hundred times more than normal.

Then there's the Frt. Bug people. Live in hives. Always after tree sap. It's a drug to them, apparently. They live in the desert, though. It's the only place they can survive.

Foran finishes. You remind him there's one more.

"Oh, right."

The Drake Empire is the primary opposing force to the Mordans. They are to the south of Mordas. They are very religious and their society is a rigorous hierarchy. Most 'free' people are treated like slaves. Slaves are treated worse. The middle class and above can basically do whatever they want to the lower classes, and there's nothing they can do about it. This pattern extends to the upper levels of their society. They are brainwashed into thinking it is a perfect system from birth.

John frowns at the mention of them. Foran also doesn't like them. Apparently they are always kidnapping people on the borders. Except the Vardans. The Drake Empire needs them for imported goods.

>>13638090
Chuckle at the necromacy joke. Watch their expressions. Let's see if we can pull off this interaction thing.

Consider how best to disguise yourself, and whether or not you could pass for a heavily armored, rich Knight or mage or something. Maybe you'll need a tabard or a lot of paint or something to hide all the crystals and claim to be 'wearing magic plate.'

Ask them what they used to do before they came into your employ.

Look around for anything else of yours. Consider looking underground, it's been a while. Or inside trees, if they've grown around your possessions. Consider turning on your magnetic field to pull something out from underground if necessary.

dammit, I have to go to sleep, and I will miss the rest of this :(
better see this later on :(

Awesome job GM, loving the story so far!...

John is familiar with this "Sloan". Foran has outlived his usefulness.

Immolate Foran.

Well, sounds like the world really went to shit, then. Hmm.

>>13638137
Oh. And ask them about the Old Empire.

>>13638163
1) We don't immolate.
2) Don't harm your two employees, you just got them.

>>13638133
The Vardans are the only faction of importance for the time being, we need to get in with them somehow. Our ultimate goal should be to visit the "dark" empire and hope to find a record of some sort.

>>13638121
"Oh, no, we didn't mean it like that. We meant that he'd be intimidated and give us the stuff because he was afraid of you. Also he'd probably be shocked by that diamond."

You cannot recognize any of the words, but Moridan was a famous necromancer who contributed to creating you, along with hundreds of other powerful or brilliant people.

Drake could have to do with dragons. But you're not sure.
>>13638137
They eye each other as you laugh.

You could wear very heavy robes, and pass for a mage-knight. Assuming that they still exist.

"Oh, you know. Stuff."
"We were bards."
"Yeah, but that didn't pay the bills so we became bodyguards. Which we weren't very good at, so the guy we were protecting got killed. And we skipped town."

"We're better at it now though."

You activate the field, and instantly you are aware of all magnetic objects within 400 feet. There is a large deposit of iron below you. And a few trinkets nearby. Pulling them to you, you identify an amulet of invisibility and two rings of regeneration. The latter are useless to you, unfortunately.

The iron deposit is VERY large. Perhaps worth quite a bit. Your magnetic field generator is not powerful enough to move it.

>>13638205
Yes, let's take our extensive knowledge of artefacts into the lair of the most powerful bunch of necromancers around and see what happens to our brain. Maybe they'll only tear out everything we know and destroy the memory of our former masters and creators on the second day we're there.

You've thought this through, haven't you? ><

>>13638190
"The what?"

>>13638221
We shall remember this place and mine it later.

>>13638163

An excellent suggestion, sir... Except for little fact that we don't have immolation cannons.

On top of that we don't have immolation cannons.

[/robot joke]

>>13638221
Ask them to teach you some songs. Mark the location of the deposit on your mental map. Ask them about mage-knights, and about whatever else you might disguise yourself as. Ask them if they know of any large stone houses for sale in the city, or short of that warehouses. Mage-knights sound like they need estates.

Also ask them who one would talk to about staking a territorial claim on the forest, or on mineral deposits.

What kind of artefacts can you make, incidentally?

>>13638232
I meant "Drake" Empire so tired right now..... They seem to be just the type of place to have libraries.

>>13638235
Ask them about history, while you're at it. Might as well figure out what these people know.

Inventory aside, what are our raw combat capabilities?

How vulnerable is our frame to being punctured or hacked apart? Crushed? Are our actuators so strong as to be able to lift a person? An ox? A house?

>>13638258
That's a better idea, but we can probably just send an emissary after we set ourselves up as a major power or something. We're meant to build artefacts, we can accomplish that more efficiently when we have the industrial and magical capacity of a nation-state behind us.

(Like a spark in girlgenius, amirite?)

>>13638221
Save the rings of regeneration. We can use them as bartering tokens with Sloan. Now we don't need a disguise as immediately as we thought - the ring will come in handy. Before we make any plans concerning the Mordans or what-not, we need to make sure all our systems are fully operational.

"Bards, you say? And bodyguards? Well, you two are fanciful at telling jokes - let's hear some more in time. But for now, let's leave immediately." We'll record our travels, so we can return to this spot and open a mine as an investment.

Give John and Foran the rings. Something tells me they're going to need them, often.

We should proceed to Port Adder. First order of business is returning our root covered ass-plate to acceptable performance standards.

>>13638301
I agree with this anon.

They're definitely the type to... die.

>>13638289
DM seems to've indicated we can't use the rings, and probably not the invisibility necklace thing.

We might pay the employees with them or something, maybe. But right now we need to go, yeah. Head to the city, check your surroundings with the field every few hundred meters, pull in trinkets or valuable metal when you find any.

>List stored plans for artefacts, asn questions of the employees along the way.

>See if you can find a robe ASAP. You need to get some kind of cover immediately. If you can't, see if you can make one from plant fibers. You're a freakin' artificer, surely some weaving isn't beyond you.

John and Foran are going to ditch us for ale and whores as soon as they get paid.

Unless we can figure out a better way to bind them to our services, save the rings.

>>13638260
You can lift roughly two tons, if you exert yourself. Your body automatically repairs itself if damaged.

You frame can support roughly three tons of weight before buckling. If it did so you would not die, but you would be unable to exert force.

Your plating has previously withstood fire from artillery and still held together. It was damaged significantly, however.

>>13638254
They sing a song about slaying a dragon and eating it. According to them they made it up.

They've heard of mage-knights, but never seen one. Apparently one of them took down an army of 700 Gords recently.

This territory is pretty much controlled by Adder, so the governor of Adder would be the one to talk to.

As for artifacts, you know everything that the Old Empire knew. So, a lot. Think Eberron. But more advanced.

You doubt anyone still has the means to construct them, however.

>You can lift roughly two tons, if you exert yourself. Your body automatically repairs itself if damaged.

>You frame can support roughly three tons of weight before buckling. If it did so you would not die, but you would be unable to exert force.

>Your plating has previously withstood fire from artillery and still held together. It was damaged significantly, however.


We take no shit from meatbags.

>>13638369
Damn. If we are part of a series, there have to be more like us out there. John and Foran claimed to never have seen/heard of anything like us though, so I take it we're unique?

Do we have any information about others like us ever being made?

A necromancer was involved in our construction. Do we have organic components? Were we ever...something else?

>>13638389
>A necromancer was involved in our construction. Do we have organic components? Were we ever...something else?

Seconding question.

>>13638349
Damn, we'll have to figure out how mage-knights are perceived in port-adder before we assume the identity of one. If they're not hated, we could take up residence as one.

Head towards Port Adder. Take your hirelings. Keep your magnetic field on, pick up any more trinkets along the way, and make note of any iron deposits.

Ask the hirelings where you can get a robe, though.

>>13638328
>>13638289
You look for someplace to put the rings. You have none. Foran, apparently seeing what you're doing, hands you a pack. You place the rings in there.

According to you map, Port Adder is 7 hours away on foot. You mark this location mentally.

>>13638301
>>13638328
>>13638289
You signal for them to come along, and head out.

Along the way you see plenty of unused land, and detect other deposits of various valuable metals.

As you approach the Port the forest turns to farmland. Their agricultural techniques are appalling. What, do they all live in caves?

You see a house built into a cave.

If you could frown you would.

>>13638345

Three options I figure:

1-Talk them into being our bodyguards for the diamond payment. Their salary takes effect at the end of the fiscal quarter.
2-Appeal to their bardian nature and being his entourage will not only proove profitable but an excellent adventure as well.
3- threaten to pull them inside out if they say no.

Yes, we are tougher, stronger, smarter, and better looking than both of them combined but it never hurts to have some locals on your side.

>>13638437
>If you could frown you would.

Approximate "sigh". Should be good enough.

>>13638446
Meh.
>>13638437
Tell them that Elves and Humans used to be part of one of the greatest powers in the world, the Old Empire, and that its might was paralleled only by its wisdom and the prosperity of its citizens.

Ask them how they feel about the current state of politics. Gauge their reactions to better understand how these 'animals' behave and think.

If they don't freak the fuck out and generally take things well, tell them a bardic epic from the old days. Make it nice and catchy, but also historical. Sing it, so to speak, if you can. They can use that when they're bardin' at some tavern or whatever, they'll probably have opportunities to do so in your employ.

>>13638446
I totally agree. We need some way to cement these guys to our side.

Make something up like; "You guys think this tiny rock is cool? I am detecting rocks like it all over."

>>13638221
>"We were bards."
>bards
>BARDS
>Dude made of metal

Make artefact drum kit.
Start a band.

>>13638389
You were unique. Commissioned by the emperor himself. You were meant to lead the empire's artificers and other magic users into a new age.

The necromancer contributed to the negative energy half of the magic/anti-magic section of your animation enchantment. He was in charge of that section, and the ten others who worked on it.

>>13638418
Aparrently the Vardans and mage-knights used to be allies, but they have begun to grow apart in recent years. The mage-knights still have a presence in many Vardan cities, and efforts are being made to renew their alliance.

There are currently no mage-knights in Port Adder.

>>13638488
Well, if we turn them into whores for gold and diamonds they'll get greedy and try to abuse us, if we make them fear and hate us they'll use our secrets against us, and if we don't pay them until the end of the quarter they'll prolly get antsy.

However, we do probably know an entire civilization's forgotten songs, legends, histories, jokes, ballads, epics, poems, and other assorted bullshit.

And they're bards.

Do you think that'd do some good? :3

Looks like they were literally blasted into the stone age. More reason to equip and recruit John and Foran. They'll be our empty meat-cups in which we'll poor our smart-water into.

Worked for Mr. House.

>>13638481
You lecture them on the Old Empire. It takes about an hour for you to finish telling of it's first seven years.

They look bored, so you begin to sing them the Infinia, an epic that takes place over the course of two hundred years, and followed the empire's founding and growth.

It is 134 hours long. So you only sing them a part of it. The gory bloody part at the beginning.

They like it a lot.
>>13638488
Their faces light up at this.

I'm just concerned that these two are as serious about their bardic careers as they are their bodyguarding abilities...and we know how that turned out.

Granted, when we discovered them they WERE practicing fighting, so maybe they're not the total airheads I'm picturing them to be.

Bribe with song first.
If that don't work, the moneys.

>>13638547
Well that works, we've promised them a life of song and riches.

John joined the party!
*fanfare*
Foran joined the party!
*fanfare*

Here's a line from the Infinia's beginning that they liked.

"And LO, DID Maximil's head burst open, and his brain did split, and his left temporal lobe did let fly and land in his wife's gaping mouth, and in her shock her did swallow it, and choke to death, her face turning purple. And their son, he did vomit, and then tears up, and then vomit more."

It's much more poetic in Old Imperial.

>>13638556

...We all wanna be rockstars...

We'll surprise them with studded-cod pieces after we get TK module.

You walk over a hill, and John lets out a shout.
"Look! There it is!"
Port Adder looks rather small. A mere two hundred thousand residents. And not a building over ten stories high.

You swiftly count a thousand boats in dock.

Foran and John walk ahead of you, to a stall nearby. They run back with a thick robe with a dark hood.
"Here, you can use this to disguise yourself."

>>13638547
Well done.

So, the Mage-Knights are sufficiently plentiful to have some sort of political organization or diplomatic presence? Guess that means that inpersonating one of them could be a fucking bad idea.

What do we have left, five hours on foot before we hit the city? Divert to the nearest village and buy a robe please.

Also, seconding this: >>13638481
>Ask them how they feel about the current state of politics. Gauge their reactions to better understand how these 'animals' behave and think.

>>13638598
Herp.
>>13638598
Put on robe. Put on hood. Put on invisibility amulet thing and make it inactive if possible, otherwise put it in your pack. Thank hirelings.

Examine entrances to the city, is it walled? It doesn't seem to be walled. See if you can spot stone buildings.

>>13638611
You struggle a bit to put on the robes, having never worn one before. But your superior intellect prevails, and you close them and put on the hood. The invisibility amulet is inactive, and can only be used for an hour at a time. You wear it just in case.

The city is not walled on the outskirts, but towards the port and around it, to the sea, a three story wall with various gates protects it.

They appear confused by the politics of the Old Empire, but a few things they find 'sweet'.

Aright, fellow questers, planning time.

If we're going to build artefacts, we can use them for personal gain or we can help these backwards peoples, I guess. Either way, we'll probably rise to power and prominence if we survive.

If we're going to restart the old empire or build a new one, well, that'll sure take some doing.

If we need raw materials and political power to build artefacts, the factions need to be approached, neutralized, or eliminated.

These mage-knights sound capable, we should probably get them on our side.
If we can get the Vardans with us, we have trade as a bargaining chip for everyone else.
If we can pay the Gords and grant them lands, they'll probably love us forever.
If we can get elves to provide a steady supply of tree sap or cure the desert people's addiction to it, we have them in our pocket.

The religious Drake empire will probably take some serious restructuring, and the necromancers might be totally unsalvageable unless they're somehow good despite playing with souls. Maybe we can civilize the raiders.

So what's our goal? Personal power? Survival? Preservation of knowledge? Conquest? Empire-building?

I vote for some vault dweller shit, here. These people can't tell their ass from a hole in the ground, we could save some lives if we rebuilt civilization in a benign fashion.

Also if we try to take on the world it might kill us.

>>13638658
>You were unique. Commissioned by the emperor himself. You were meant to lead the empire's artificers and other magic users into a new age.


Seems good enough. How quaint, to have the meaning of life spelled out for you. Let's do this.

>>13638672
'Aight. Launchin' reconquista, I guess. WE'RE GONNA CARRY THAT WEIGHT.

>>13638646
Look around for a house to buy, and a jewler to assess the value of your bling. I mean, er, diamond. We're going to need us some golds, or whatever the currency is. And maybe a bank to hold it, or a merchant house.

I'm starting to get tired, so I might log off in a bit.
If you guys want to archive this that's cool. I'll continue tonight or tomorrow night.

As you get closer to the city, you begin to hear thousands of voices speaking at once. Some bartering, some discussing current events, even two plotting to murder someone. Passing the city limit marker, hundreds of people crowd the streets, and hundreds of stalls sell them seemingly random items. Even more people crowd the stores, a 'blacksmith' here, a 'doctor' there. Heralds announce various new laws and inform the people of any important news.

Roughly a dozen people have given you weird looks as you enter the city proper.

It's less hectic but just a crowded and loud here.

>>13638693
Doesn't /tg/ autolog? I don't come around here too often but I'm glad I could contribute.

>>13638658

I agree. We were made to protect the empire AND make robots. Right now, the only remnants of that empire likely are these small unaffilated peoples.

Therefore we build these guys up, slap the raiders, and work to push back these seven "invaders."

Politics dim when you have super-strength and artillery-resistant armor.

>"We were bards."
>"Yeah, but that didn't pay the bills so we became bodyguards. Which we weren't very good at, so the guy we were protecting got killed. And we skipped town."

>John tells you a joke about them. It's not funny, but Foran laughs hysterically.

>They sing a song about slaying a dragon and eating it. According to them they made it up.

>So you only sing them a part of it. The gory bloody part at the beginning. They like it a lot.
>"And LO, DID Maximil's head burst open, and his brain did split, and his left temporal lobe did let fly and land in his wife's gaping mouth, and in her shock her did swallow it, and choke to death, her face turning purple. And their son, he did vomit, and then tears up, and then vomit more."

These guys are BAD bards. They're like one of those stoner garage bands that have no talent and never actually put any effort into getting better.

>>13638693
Nice work, GM, gonna archive. Thanks for the quest.

Look around for a town crier or tout or a damn signpost. You want a jewler, gem merchant, or assayer of goods. Gotta get this diamond priced by multiple parties and get the best price. Ask the hirelings about it.

Make like you're supposed to be exactly where you are, act like a mage-knight I guess. You're supposed to be here, you have an air of authority or whatever's appropriate. Just no booming announcements yet.

>>13638728
>>13638692
You head towards the port district. Though you look out of place, you manage to act like a mage-knight. Who, according to John and Foran, are held in higher regard by the wealthier citizens. So nobody questions your being there.

You turn down a street, and see two jewelers. One looks fancier, and has more wealthy people going in and out.

The other is less fancy, but has more, less wealth people going in and out.

John and Foran go to a shop to buy some food. Also, John tells you Sloan's shop is nearby.

>>13638728
Archived.
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/13637263

>>13638765
When they come back from buying food, wait for them to break their fast and let them eat, then take them to the wealthier jewler first and get the diamond assayed, but don't sell it. Be polite, wait in line or whatnot, don't break through any floors. Take note of the other citizens there, see if you can learn who the interesting people are, spot mages if possible.

We'll go to the other shop second, with less witnesses around and inside it there's a higher risk of attempted theft or some stupid shit. The rich shops likely stay that way by buying low and selling high, though, so the crappier shop might give you more scratch for your gem.

You never know with these meatbags, man. Sheesh.

>>13638798
Oh, and you'd better make up a fake name for your new mage-knight persona in case you don't want people knowing your truename or something? I don't know.

Does knowing your truename give someone power over you?

Waiting for your hirelings to return, you stand in a corner. Many people walk by. A pair of aristocratic ladies eye you, one giggling, and they turn to each other and talk in hushed tones. They appear to be attracted to you. Strange.

Watching the crowd, you spot a mage. Your vision identifies him by the aura of magic around him. By Old Empire standards he hasn't even graduated elementary school. But by the standards of this new era, based on what you've seen, he is a force to be reckoned with. You believe you could easily grind him to dust, however.

John and Foran have returned. They are eating what appears to be a bacteria infested dairy product. Cheese.

Disgusting.

>>13638808
Truenames only exist for elementals and other outsiders.

Which you are not.

>>13638858
>>13638808
This raises the question, who are you programmed to take orders from?

>>13638858
Thank God. Hey, do I believe in a God? Worship a God?

Fix the mage's features in your mind, make a courtly bow to the ladies, consider the legend of Rood the Doorforged (he knows what the ladies like), and when your bard hirelings are done proceed to the jewler's shop as planned.

>>13638873
Seconding this question. Do you have some sort of key or control device, like a shield guardian? Did the emperor instill you with loyalty and otherwise grant you autonomy? Fucking construct artificers, how do they work?

>>13638873
You are not programmed to take orders from anyone. Free will was necessary to increase your ability to artifice. But you were loyal to the emperor.

So, wat do? Thirty minutes and then I'm out, for now.

>>13638878
You are aware of all religions practiced up to the point of your deactivation.

There are not gods dealing with constructs or magic-users that you know of. So you have thus far not worshiped any.

Also, the existence of CREATOR gods has never been proven. There are powerful outsiders who claim to be gods, but they are mostly just bullshitting.

Also, outsiders were almost never involved in anything on the material plane. If they are now, that would be strange.

>>13638885
-Courtly bow to laydees
-Look over mage, remember mage
-Enter expensive, well to do jewlers' shop, get gem assayed, do not sell, take note of people inside
-Enter less well-to-do jewlers' show, get gem assayed, do not sell
-Consider an auction or something if it's worth a heap of money.

>>13638798
And ask both store keepers if they know any gossip regarding mages in the town or its surroundings.

>>13638923
Second.

>>13638914
>>13638878
Bowing to the ladies as they look at you again, they blush and move faster, glancing back. Scanning the mage on multiple spectrums, you memorize all you can about him before he moves out of your sight.

John and Foran finish eating their cheese.

You enter the more expensive jewelers. Three assistants talk to the customers, and the shop owner examines a grape sized diamond.
"This might be worth, maybe a thousand piece of gold at an auction. Maybe two."

"So you'll give me a thousand for it?"

"Hey, I don't know if this is even going to sell. Auctions aren't a sure thing. I'll give you, say, two hundred for it?"

>>13638952
'Listen, friend, I'll think it over. Say, you heard of any interesting mages?'

Listen politely, nod, compliment his shop, then turn on your metal heel and get to the other jewler's. This guy's proving a fucking chump. If this shit keeps up, we're holding our own auction right in the fucking street.

>>13638986
He wasn't talking to you.

He was talking to another guy.

You're still in line.

>>13638986
Well, unless they're not talking to you yet. Is that YOUR diamond he's examining? How big is your diamond, Carne? Compensating for something?

>>13638993
Waiting In Line: The Game

>>13638952
Oh look, it's Pawn Stars.

>>13638993
D'oh. Alright, cool.

But yeah, how big's your diamond?

See anyone rich and interesting in here? Anything freaky or mystic you might need for an artefact in a display case? Lol, magic gems?

Case the joint if you want, who knows.

>>13638993
We wait in line and inspect the shop and its customers while doing so.

Do we have any idea about the value of one gold piece? It might have devalued since our time, the coins may be lighter, there might be a new gold mine we don't know about. Maybe the value has gone up.

>>13639011
>>13638994
About the size of an apple. Perfectly cut. No flaws.

THE BEST DIAMOND EVER.

Eying each of the piece of jewelry in the story, one catches your eye. It's no in a display case though. It's behind the counter, on a table. It looks like it's going to be melted down.

It's an Oculas. A small ball made of obsidian laced with gold, set in the center of a larger ball of silver. A very powerful artifact.

It's a bit oxidized. But you can fix that

>>13639018
You ask Foran how much a gold piece is.

"Oh, that's like, a pound of gold. You could buy a pretty big house for ten. Five rooms, at least."

The man at the counter leaves, having not sold his diamond. The Oculas continues to hold your gaze. How could it have ended up here?

The shop owner looks at you.
"Can I help you, mage-knight?"

>>13639056
Compliment the shop, ask for an introduction, make minor small talk about exchange rates, and ask him the price of the Oculas offhand after inquiring about several other pieces to be sneaky.

Ask him to price the rings of protection and the necklace of invisibility, then get the diamond assayed.

>>13639056
Offer your interest in the curiosity, in the corner, make it out to be a trifle don't make it seem as though you know or care what it is.

>>13639047
>>13639056


"Yes, I have this small jewel I'd like to hear your opinion of..."

"I see, I see... "

- ask about the mages

- notice the Oculas, mention it might interest a child of one of your associates.

>>13639072
>>13639079

Yes, we must look at other items both before and after this while looking indecisive.

>>13639079
>>13639077
>>13639072
Asking about the various items in the shop, he goes into great detail regarding each of them. When you ask about the Oculas, he shrugs.
"That thing? Some guy brought it in, said it was cursed, said it killed all his friends. Ha. It's been here for weeks, and nothing's happened. I was gonna melt it down. You want it?"

Yes, you did. It might interest one of your friends' sons.

"Alright, sure. No problem. I'll give it to you for one bronze."

You say you'll consider it, and then show him the amulet.
"Hmm. Interesting. Some kind of ancient design. Where did you say you got this? It could be worth quite a lot."

>>13639088
Alright, so.

-Be nice to shopkeeper
-Say nice things about the shop
-Ask for his name and so forth
-Ask about various things he has for sale
-Get the price of the Oculas, quietly and offhand so as to mask your interest
-Ask him for a price on your magic trinkets, the rings of pritection, and the mecklace
-Get him to assay the diamond

>>13639103
I assume that's you, GM?

Anyway, ask him what 'quite a lot' means, in the neighborhood to be exact, and tell him you got it in a terrifying hellhole on one of your mage-knight undertakings. The hellhole was melted mostly to slag, but you got this out of it at least.

>>13639113
((Spoke nothing like the GM, I don't trust the Anonymous))

>>13639117
I'll wait for the confirmation before I go further, suggest we all do the same >.>

>>13639113
My name keeps mysteriously disappearing for some reason.

"Hmm. Interesting place to find something like this. Maybe it's got some magic, eh? I could give you eighty gold for it. And, you know what? I'll throw in that thingy."

He pointed to the Oculas.

You think you could get a better price. You pause. He speaks up, obviously wanting it.

"Alright, a hundred and the thing. Deal?"

My writing skills are slipping, I need to sleep in a bit.

Twenty minutes and then I'll go.

This time I'm serious.

rolled 2, 4, 6, 2, 1, 3, 3, 2, 3, 1, 3, 6, 3, 5, 1, 6, 1, 4 = 56

>>13639126
i think its a bad move to get rid of the invisibility amulet, we should trade for one of the rings

I am screencapping this now, rest of you do what you want.

>>13639134
What the hell, the amulet does have quite a bit of power.
Pull a switch, offer one of the rings instead. If nothing else, you have two of them.

>>13639134
I too think it's not smart to get rid of the amulet this soon, but let's continue about this later.

>>13639140
>>13639134
You act like you're considering it. Then you pull out one of the rings.

"Oh wow. That's interesting. This... this might be worth more than the amulet. Maybe a lot more. Did you get this in the same place as the amulet?"

Yes.

"Wow. See those markings on the side? Those are Ancient markings. Something about healing. Um, wow. I'd love to buy this. If you want, I'll give you two hundred gold for it. And the thing."

He nodded to the Oculas again.

>>13639159
Give him a hesitant motion, see if you can milk something else out of this guy. If he doesn't go for it, what the hell, two hundred gold. Work out where the hell you're going to store the gold, though.

We're selling awesome shit for hardly any gold... why now?

>>13639165

200 gold is A LOT of money in this world.

I say we sell.

>>13639163
You sit there, staring at him. Just staring. A few seconds pass.

"Ok three hundred gold. That's my final offer."

Hmm.

"Come on, that's my final offer. You want it or not?"

John and Foran are messing around with a small gold egg. Spinning it around on their fingers.

Try to barter. See if we can sell it for more gold. Then sell it.

>>13639184
SELL SELL SELL SELL SELL

We will start mining to ARTIFICE THE WORLD.

>>13639169
>>13639165
>>13639184

It's good money, and nets up a potentially very powerful artifact. I say we sell.
Streeetching the words

>>13639184

300 and the Oculas, which we can fix and use as well. Seems fair with the Oculas included. Let's do this!

We need cash on hand for smaller purchases, after all.

Once that's done let's show him the diamond.

>>13639184

"Yeah, we'll take it. And the Ocu-

... That ball."

>>13639201
Second. Do it, faggot. DO IT.

Since general consensus seems to be sell it, I'll say you do.

You nod, and hand him the ring. He smiles, a fake smile, and hands you the Oculas.

"Alright, here's...."

He hands you a piece of paper.

"A bank note. I has my signature, bring it to the bank by the docks and they'll give you the money."

You check it over. It looks authentic, based on your knowledge of bureaucratic procedure. Foran drops the egg, and John catches it. You wave to them and exit the building.

Holding the Oculas, you can feel the magical energy pulsing. Trying to escape. To do what is was made to do.

Ok, this is the end for now. No more. The end. See you tonight, where I'll post this again.

>>13639217

Gooooooooooooood night. I'll see you tomorrow during my first period.

>>13639217
Awesome quest, GM. You're a brolaf. See you when you get back.