Session Start: Wed Jul 13 00:09:30 2011
Session Ident: Meara

Backstory is this: In the near future, scientists discover an asteroid heading for Earth. It's on a collision course and they currently have no way to stop it. They expect it to wipe out life as they know it. As such, they begin to prepare. Not only are they working on a way to try and deflect it, they are also sending people into underground bunkers... and preparing a sleeper ship that will transport about 10,000+ humans to a star system where there is another Earth-like planet so that they can colonize and start the human race over again. Enroute to this star system, the navigation system malfunctions and they go WAY off course.

[01:31] <Meara> The ship then experiences a severe core malfunction and the AI, unable to stabilize anything, makes the ship crashland on the nearest Earth-like planet. Less than 10k humans survive (but just enough so that it won't screw up the genepool). Upon landing and disembarking and usual procedure to save all survivors, they find themselves in the middle of a desert. Unable to agree, the survivors split into three groups and head in different directions.

Fast forward a millenia and two of those groups, the Mystics and Clockworkers are at war. The third group is neutral. The setting has become steampunk. Due to different radiation, etc., the Mystics (elves), who live in the forest, have gained control over the plants and elements.

The Clockworkers (humans) are unaffected because they live lower, in the grasslands and plains. The third group (the dwarves), live below ground and as such, are also unaffected, except for having a shorter stature, etc., just like real dwarves. We had planned lots of things... like finding ancient alien tech in one of the mountains, along with two survivors (entangled in a Romeo/Juliet story) and their friend (the alien tech having kept them alive for that long, and in their mid forties.)

We had also planned an excursion into the desert back to the ship which was to be "discovered" AI still intact and... slightly... insane... and singing show tunes. Not insane in a bad way... just over eager to see people. Also planned on finding more original survivors, buried deep in a mountain, still in their pod... and on doing a repeat of the whole Romeo/Juliet storyline with the idea that "history repeats itself"

Tech and Magic don't mix. Any time a mystic gets around tech, said tech backfires or breaks like crazy, 
and Mystics have a *really* hard time casting magic on tech.

There are also Sparks, which are half-breeds... basically half-elves. As I put it to Yuriko, Sparks are insanely brilliant, but insanely unlucky. Any tech they build or magic they cast has a bad tendency to backfire on them. Although they can tell you easily what's wrong with a machine just by looking at it, or can easily design a machine, they just can't... you know... operate it.


Mmmm... journeyman metalsinger/stonecutter? https://mikkelus.angelfire.com/Mystic/Mikk.htm 

There's Clockwork City, Scarlet Iron, or Mystic Vale.

Clockwork City is on the ocean... sort of a floodplain, too. Definite coastal region, and capital city of the Clockworkers.

Scarlet Iron is the dwarven capital city, actually *in* a mountain. 

Mystic Vale is also in the moutains but not actually *in* a mountain. More of the foothills.

 
[02:11] * Mikkelus makes best speed for the breakwater of the port he saw in the distance. Full sails billowing, he raced the storm for safety. The rigging of his small craft keened, ropes vibrating like harp-strings
[
02:16] <Meara> 6Clockwork City glittered in the distance like some exotic jewel. Spires that defied gravity, shining, golden in the sun that was now beginning to be hidden by ponderous clouds that looked dark and ominous. A thin veil of smog hung over the city like its own little rain cloud - mostly because of heavy coal smoke and goodness knows what else. The city spanned nearly three days in every direction and its outermost reaches were mostly farmland to provide food for the citizens that worked and lived in the inner most circles of the city. The docks were busy and bustling as any might expect them to be. The dockworkers were hustling, too, to get done with their jobs so that they could get out of the rain. Mikkelus can see other boats, like his, and even fishing craft, tying up away from the main docks.

02:23] * Mikkelus tightened the rigging even further, turning to get every bit of speed possible. He did NOT want to have to drop his sails and ride out the storm

[02:27] <Meara> 6He'd make it to the docks in enough time - just as the first few drops of rain begin to fall. He's directed by port authorities to sail his little ship away from the main docks and toward the others - where the fishing boats and other small craft were tied off. It seems the main docks serve commercial purposes only. They're friendly enough, but firm; they even tell him where he can seek shelter from the storm for cheap. "Star Vale Bed and Breakfast," he's told "Run by a crazy woman, but she's harmless enough."

[02:36] * Mikkelus is not about to argue with the port authorities. He makes landfall where directed, then, curiously, folds up his craft. The curragh is a flexible covering stretched over collapsing poles and folds down into a parcel somewhat bigger than his backpack. Five minutes pass while he disassembles his craft... he has, evidently, done this once or twice before. Then, somewhat wetter than when he'd started, he makes his way to the Star Vale.

[02:45] <Meara> 6The Star Vale is... not unaptly named. It is an odd house, though quaint and cozy. It is a cross between a cottage and a Victorian house. There is one tower that rises slightly higher than the rest of the house. A wrap around porch with a white railing and gingerbread trim give it a storybook sort of feel. Part of the house is done up in... bright pink wooden siding. Yes, bright pink. The other part, the tower, is a lovely river rock. The same sort of stone creates a fence around the place. One might have the impression that it's to keep the garden *in* rather than keep people out. The front garden is wild, a riot of color and bloom, with worn paths that meander toward the back yard. It smells heavenly. There's even a whiff of vanilla in the air. The house is also partially shaded by two large oaks... probably the only two in the entire city. They are hung with fairy lanterns, no bigger than a thimble, each one a different color and twinkling brightly. There's a sign by the wrought iron gate that reads in faded print: Star Vale B&B.

[02:51] * Mikkelus apprizes the ironwork of the gate out of habit, not really expecting to recognize the work of any smith he'd known. As he'd never been to this particular city, it was understandable that he wouldn't recognize most of the maker's marks... if the smiths here even used them. Closing the gate behind him, he moved to towards the house, eyes watching for anyone outside

[02:57] <Meara> 6There is no one; just the now gently falling rain and the flowers and bees that are seeming to enjoy it. The wrought iron gate is definitely handmade, by a novice most likely. Whoever made it, though, put a lot of love and a lot of work into it - that much is evident. The smell of vanilla grows stronger as he approaches the house. Once on the porch, it's almost enough to knock someone over - or make them curl their toes in delight. The front door is what they call a dutch door; the upper part of it swings outward to let in the fresh air. The glass in it is stained glass, depicting climbing roses and daffodils. There's a screen door before it, in a sort of gingerbread style to match the trim on the eaves of the house. Oddly enough, before he can even *think* about knocking on the door, it swings open, revealing... a woman. She's dowdy; dressed in a bright pink calico dress with vivid blue sprigs and a white cardigan. There are sturdy shoes on her feet; her hair is wildly curly and carrot-top red. Her eyes are brown, magnified by the large, round glasses perched on the edge of her nose. She is obviously an older woman, and she clucks her tongue at him. "Come, come! Before you catch your death of cold! You're here about a room, no doubt. They run ten gold a week, meals included, laundry too. We'll do your mending for you, too, if you aren't handy like that."

[02:59] <Mikkelus> Sounds wonderful. Ah, any chance I could get a hot bath?

[03:03] <Meara> 6The dowdy woman blinks for a moment and then... giggles. "Of course! Silly me! You'd want a hot bath after being out in the rain so long, wouldn't you? Poor dear, you must be chilled to the bone. Agatha!!" She turns and wanders off, leaving him standing there at the door. "Agatha!" Her voice is sing-song and sweet. He's standing there for a few moments before a young woman approaches him. Her hair is like the dowdy woman's, only several shades darker - she is also dressed similarly. She looks exasperated. Obviously, they are related. "I apologize, good sir," she says. "Sometimes... my mother..." She shakes her head. "If you'll come with me." The woman, apparently Agatha, turns and heads up a set of steps that are just off to his right.

[03:06] * Mikkelus offers a smile. If his hands wern't full, he might have offered to shake... time fr intruductions when he's looking a bit less like a half-drwned bilge-rat!. "I thank ye... both..." He follows Agatha, where ever she leads

[03:11] <Meara> 6She leads him up the steps and into a dim hallway. A stained glass window at the end of the hall fills it with rich, colorful light. It gives everything a pleasant glow. There's a little hall table with several lace doilies on it. On these doilies rest a vase of flowers, off to one side; a little lamp with a stained glass shade, in the middle and a pitcher and basin on the other end. A mirror hangs above it. Just below the window at the end of the hall is a window seat, covered in a dusty pink velvet, well worn. The carpet itself matches the window-seat coverings. Agatha leads him into a room that has a little bath attached to it. "Running water," she says, showing it to him. "It'll get hot on its own. Give it a few minutes to get warm." The room itself is small, but plain. It's decorated in soft blues and greens; the walls are a plain white with a few hand-painted pictures of wild gardens and forests hung on them. The single window in the room has stained glass mullions at the top and is framed by plain white curtains. "I figured I'd give you the least pink room in the house." She ducks out then, leaving him to his bath.

[03:19] * Mikkelus starts the tub to filling while he slips off his wet clothes. Climbing into the filling tub, embraced by the warm water, he offers up a sound somewhere between a sigh and a moan. A good and happy sound, by most reckoning
[03:23] <Meara> 6Agatha slips in a few moments after he's in the tub. There are towels on a bar for him to use... amazingly not pink, like the rest of the house seemed to be. Since his wet clothes are in the bathroom with him, she lets them be. However, she does lay out a soft, cuddly robe for him in a deep blue, along with a pair of leather moccassin-like slippers. There's a tray to go along with that; a covered plate holds an assortment of toast and jams, while a little metal teapot holds fresh, hot tea. There's a cup and two little covered bowls, one of sugar and the other holding cream. She slips out again, hopefully unnoticed.

[03:28] * Mikkelus doesn't notice her enter or exit the room, as he's leaning back in the tub, eyes closed, letting the warmth surround him and wash away the aches. Of an average height and a wiry build, possessing a youthful countenance that lacks even the beginnings of a beard, Mikkelus nevertheless carries and conducts himself as an adult. Judging by his face, he must be a young adult. Exposure to the elements while sailing his open currach has left his skin deeply tanned, and the highlights of his short-cropped chestnut locks have been sun-bleached to a coppery glow.

[03:31] <Meara> 6He's a handsome youth, at least by Agatha's standards. Even Agatha's mother has already prodded her -- ever on the hunt for a husband for her daughter. She's got no such designs on him, though. Agatha merely feels sorry for Mikkelus, since he got caught out in that awful storm. It's pretty much over by the time he's ready to get out of the tub, anyway. And if he goes to look for Agatha, he can find her at the end of the hallway, curled up on the window seat, reading a book.

[03:39] * Mikkelus emerges some time later, wrapped in the robe and looking only slightly waterlogged. His skin has been scrubbed until it fairly glows with health, and his hair still damp from the bath, he leaves his room eating a piece of toast with what looked to be blackberry jam. He offers a shy smile to Agatha.

[03:40] <Mikkelus> Hello again. Di I have ye t'thank for th' robe and th' tea?

[03:42] <Meara> 6Hearing his door open, Agatha looks up. She returns the smile and marks her place in her book before putting it aside. "It... is complimentary," she says. "Though... those were the only things I could find that weren't..." She sort of rolls her eyes here. "Pink." She walks toward him, unhurried in her gait. "If you like, I could wash your wet clothing for you."

[03:47] <Mikkelus> If ye would, I'm sure we'd all be grateful, thanks. "Ummm... I'm Mikkelus. Mikkelus Vagussen, late of Clan Swifthammer." He offered a smile and his hand in greeting... after switching the jam-toast to his other hand

[03:49] <Meara> 6Agatha smiles again and offers her hand to him. "Agatha Clearwater," she replies. "Do you have any meal preferences, Mikkelus?"

[03:54] * Mikkelus wraps his work-hardened hands around hers, surrounding her hand with warmth and gentle strength. He offered a smile, and thinking a moment, replied "I prefer eatin' in a small group... meals aren't for eatin' alone. And if I see no more hardtack and jerky for a year, it'll still be too soon!"
[03:55] * Mikkelus grins "Anything fresh and hot sounds good!"
[03:57] <Meara> 6Agatha laughs softly and shakes her head. "Alright," she says. "Normally it is just myself and my mother. Sometimes my older sisters join us, when they are... not so busy running  their own businesses." She gently pulls her hand away from his and disappears into his room. She returns with his wet clothing. "I'll get these washed right away and on the line to dry. If you need extra clothing... there should be some in the chifferobe in the bedroom."
[03:59] * Mikkelus nods, then thinks a moment. "Do ye set a formal or an informal table here?"
[04:00] <Meara> 6"Oh, it's very informal," she says. "Formal stuff is reserved for holidays and weddings around here." She smiles. "We're lucky half the plates match."
[04:02] <Mikkelus> Ah, good. Wouldn't want t'end up wearin' nine layers to a three layer settin', or t'be wearin' three layers when I ought t'be dressed t' th' nines.  
[04:04] <Mikkelus> And perhaps o'er dinner, I can ply ye for information about yer fair city, seein' as everyone in th' port was a bit preoccupied when I blew in.

[04:06] * Meara laughs again. "No, no," she says. "You could come as you are and I doubt my mother would be phased in the least." She thinks for a moment and then nods. "If they were preoccupied, they were probably getting ready for the storm. The docks seem to get it the worst, you know. Here, let me get these into the chute." She steps away from him for a moment and pulls open a section of wall that looks innocent enough. Apparently, it's a laundry chute. She tosses his wet clothes in and closes it up again.

[04:12] <Mikkelus> That they were. Can't say as I blame 'em... didn't really want to be out in another storm. No tellin' where I'd get blown to. In fact, I'm not entirely sure where I am....
[04:15] <Meara> 6"Clockwork City," she tells him. "Jewel of the East, Center of all Eastern Trade." She gives him a bit of a grin and motions for him to return to his room, where there's probably still toast and tea, unless he's eaten/drank it all. "The most bustling city on the continent, aside from Scarlet Iron in the north."

[04:20] * Mikkelus can take a hint, no matter how obvious. With a smile, he returns to his room, to tea and jam with bread, and places to sit while talking as well. And he does seem happy to engage her in conversation.

[04:22] <Meara> 6She too, is glad for the conversation. It's been awhile since she's had anyone to converse with, aside from her mother. "I can tell you more about this place, if you like. Or even Scarlet Iron. I've been there, once or twice." She settles down on his bed, toward the foot of it where she can place her back against the footboard.

[04:27] <Mikkelus> Well, this place is a good start, since I'm already here. I mean, I want t'hear about everything and how it relates, but gettin' my bearings here is th' first step.

[04:29] <Meara> 6Agatha nods and then thinks for a long moment. "Well," she begins. "As far as anyone can tell, the three major cities on the continent - that is - Clockwork City, Scarlet Iron, and Mystic Vale - are at least a millenia old." She taps her chin with a finger. "We are the most technologically advanced, aside from Scarlet Iron. Word has it that folks up in Mystic Vale are still using outhouses and mud huts."

[04:36] <Mikkelus> Perhaps they are, though if so, I suspect there may be a good reaon for it. If it's age is measured in millennia, then perhaps these ha' been th' result o' traditions, passed down for generations
[04:39] <Meara> 6"Traditions often change," she argues. "No one knows much about them, anyway. They hate us Clockworkers, you know - the Ironmen, too." She thinks a little more. "The King resides in Old Clockwork Tower. Or rather... he's the Clock Keeper. Keeps our big clock wound and on time. Really the only other thing to know is that this is an advanced city. We hire all sorts of people, from farmers to blacksmiths and scientists and alchemists."

[04:46] <Mikkelus> Ah? I'm a journeyman metal-singer, m'self. Trained by Swifthammer, and do a little stone-carvin' on th' side... nothin' too fancy or elaborate

[04:47] <Meara> 6Agatha thinks on that name and then shakes her head. "I'm afraid I've never heard of Swifthammer." She thinks for a moment, tapping her chin again. "They could probably use someone like you, down at the smithy's. If you want a job, that is, and you aren't just passing through."

[04:52] <Mikkelus> Could be, particularly if they have tools in need of attention... or replacement. Amazin' on how much difference havin' th' right tool for job makes! 
[04:54] <Meara> 6She nods. "Barney, the Smithy who lives down the street from us was looking to take another man on. His business is picking up." She smiles at him a little. "I'm sure if you showed him some of your handywork that he'd be happy to hire you."

[04:59] * Mikkelus offers a warm smile, his steel grey eyes twinkling. "I'll have t'make a point o' talkin' with him. Particularly if I hope t'be stayin' around here. Ahhh... and speakin' o' options, are there any navigable rivers nearby?

[05:01] <Meara> 6Agatha laughs. "Only a million," she replies. "There's one that runs right through the center of the city. You wouldn't know it for the docks are sitting right where the delta should be."
Session Close: Wed Jul 13 05:13:42 2011