5/5 Chrysalis 2012/05/21(Mon)11:47 No. 414763 ID: c569f6
File 133762606132.jpg - (108.17KB , 600x600 , Protector_0034_Oh.jpg )

"…Oh."

Henigmarn takes the prisoner, which I have left more or less alive, and begins analyzing the spells that hold it in this shape. With luck, this will provide us with a way to trace its origin. Is there more I should ask before requesting transportation?

ask about being made a more... manageable size. because if you are stopped by a small opening it would be dreaful

Would medical attention help your wounds?

>>414763
Get any information he has on the attackers.

Medical attention surely wouldn't help, but having a reliably safe copy of whatever's written on your stone might, in the case of a scratch.

>>414885
the things have been in service for a LONG ASS TIME if they were gonna get a scratch it would of been long ago. also, the magic needed to build a stone is impossible to replicate, is a lost knowledge.

>>414886

The language is lost. Duplicating and repairing carvings without destroying the magics might still be possible. It's definitely a last resort though. Nobody is going to have access to that stone unless your body is basically destroyed anyway.

If examining the spells that hold the prisoner together doesn't reveal it's objectives, where it came from, or where it was to return to, perhaps Henigmarn could slap a long-range tracking spell on the prisoner, or an object implanted into the prisoner, and release it so it returns home. Uh, he isn't using a destructive analysis method on it, right?

Ask if Henigmarn and Mock have collaborated before on any projects. Specifically, I can see great benefits to the steam machines if the heat and water used in them can be reliably generated by magical means.

>>414957
>The language is lost.
But we have a native speaker right here, Mr. Guardian.
The ability to read and speak it must be programmed in.

>>415044
And how do you expect our buddy to look at his own heart, so to speak?

>>415049
I'm sure we could come up with an exceedingly cunning plan to read and duplicate Protector's heart-stone, given enough time on our part and theirs, but we'll have to leave it until after Prince Dorrin is safely back home. Then we'll have plenty of time to experiment and rediscover lost knowledge.

There is one minor thing I'd like to know: Did your heart-stone change size along with the rest of you, or is it small enough to have fit in your regular, small form?

1/8 Chrysalis 2012/06/17(Sun)06:45 No. 423440 ID: c569f6
File 133994071667.jpg - (153.55KB , 600x600 , Protector_0035_workshop.jpg )

>Perhaps Henigmarn could slap a long-range tracking spell on the prisoner, or an object implanted into the prisoner, and release it so it returns home. Uh, he isn't using a destructive analysis method on it, right?

I mention the possibility of a tracking spell to Henigmarn. He replies that he will keep it as a backup plan if he is unable to find the prisoner's origin through magic. He adds that he will keep the prisoner intact, though he mutters something about "as intact as you left him…"

While Henigmarn begins to study the prisoner, I ask Mock about methods of transportation. I shall still need to reach my destination once Henigmarn finds it. She thinks for a moment, then leads me into her workshop. Conveniently, it shares a door with Henigmarn's.

2/8 Chrysalis 2012/06/17(Sun)06:45 No. 423441 ID: 42491f
File 133994075475.jpg - (171.94KB , 600x600 , Protector_0036_bridges.jpg )

"The easiest choice would probably be to take the bridges," she begins. "That would take a while, though, and you can never tell when they're going to snap. They keep stretching as the islands drift apart. There are a lot of islands you can't even reach by bridge anymore.

3/8 Chrysalis 2012/06/17(Sun)06:46 No. 423442 ID: c569f6
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"Then there's my flying machine. The apprentices and I have been working on this thing for years - but you probably know that, since the Prince comes in here every chance he gets. I think it's ready for a test flight-"

4/8 Chrysalis 2012/06/17(Sun)06:46 No. 423443 ID: 42491f
File 133994081889.jpg - (170.30KB , 600x600 , Protector_0038_break.jpg )

A piece falls off of the engine. Mock catches it without pausing. "-Almost ready, that is. Give us half an hour or so. You can take a look at it too, if you like; who knows, maybe you'll find something we haven't thought of. I got the engines to stop blowing up, mostly, but you'd still have to bring me or an apprentice to keep them running."

Henigmarn calls through the doorway. "I could give you a wind spell instead, but then you'd have to bring me or one of my apprentices to maintain it. Air is tricky stuff to work with. One spell might get you where you're going, but it certainly wouldn't get you back."

When asked if they have collaborated on projects, they both nod. This flying machine is one of them; Mock designed the purely mechanical aspects, while Henigmarn enhanced it with spells for lift, wind speed, fuel, engine lubrication, and so on.

5/8 Chrysalis 2012/06/17(Sun)06:47 No. 423444 ID: 42491f
File 133994086813.jpg - (121.24KB , 600x600 , Protector_0039_wingdoubt.jpg )

>Wings

I ask Henigmarn if it would be possible to give me wings. He gives me a skeptical look instead.

"Have you ever seen your design? You and the other protectors are some of the most elegant old spellcrafting I've ever seen. That's why you've all lasted so long. There's no one on the island with that kind of skill anymore - certainly not me. I'm sure I could give you wings, given time, but… well, it would be like stitching a burlap sack onto a ball gown. They wouldn't last long."

> Ask about being made a more... manageable size. Because if you are stopped by a small opening it would be dreadful.

Henigmarn shakes his head. "Even worse. The size-changing spell is a pretty basic part of you. I could stick wings onto the outside, probably, but messing with core spells like that… I doubt it would work, and there are probably failsafe spells that would fry me if I tried."

>Would medical attention help your wounds?

What wounds?

6/8 Chrysalis 2012/06/17(Sun)06:48 No. 423445 ID: 42491f
File 133994093822.jpg - (213.07KB , 600x600 , Protector_0040_trebuchet.jpg )

>Bearapult!

My suggestion of using a catapult, or similar device, receives a skeptical look from both of them. Henigmarn clears his throat.

"Well, there is that old trebuchet-"

"Still in working order!" Mock interrupts with a proud grin.

Henigmarn rolls his eyes. "You and your hobbies. It wasn't exactly designed for… travel… but I could probably use a spell to temporarily increase its range and accuracy." He frowns. "It… might work? I guess?"

7/8 Chrysalis 2012/06/17(Sun)06:49 No. 423446 ID: c569f6
File 133994097115.jpg - (104.21KB , 600x600 , Protector_0041_island.jpg )

>Having a reliably safe copy of whatever's written on your stone might help, in the case of a scratch.

My heart-stone is enchanted to be all but indestructible. It could be destroyed by being dropped into an active volcano, or by any of a few highly advanced magical methods. Nothing short of that could even scratch it. To my knowledge, the world no longer has many active volcanoes or magicians of that caliber.

The rest of my body is slightly more vulnerable to damage. However, my heart-stone can regenerate it, given enough time.

> Did your heart-stone change size along with the rest of you, or is it small enough to have fit in your regular, small form?

It changes its size. In my small form, it is roughly the size of a marble.



Henigmarn's spell finishes soon enough. He unrolls a map and points to a small islet near Hammagroffle.

"Here. I can't be sure that this is where they took the Prince, but the spell that made the soldier was cast somewhere on this island. I could give you a more precise location, given a few days, but I don't think you want to wait that long."

8/8 Chrysalis 2012/06/17(Sun)06:50 No. 423447 ID: c569f6
File 133994101774.jpg - (125.84KB , 600x600 , Protector_0042_choices.jpg )

It seems, then, that these are my choices:

The bridges;

The flying machine, with the engines;

The flying machine, with a wind spell;

Grafted wings;

Or the trebuchet.

Unless, that is, any of you can think of another way.

hmm... with a wind spell the flying machine has the best odds of getting there and back.

Yes the flying machine seems the best bet... we just have to make sure it actually lasts the journey, a pipe falling off it isn't the most encouraging.

Ask him what he uses for power and for lift / buoyancy. Perhaps we can get him a little royal funding for better materials as well. It might take a little more time but it'd be faster then walking once you get started.

>>423447
DIRIGIBLE. And Mock.

TREBUCHET!

So, if you are really this kind of indistructable, would falling between the isles mean something like an eternal hell of falling down for you or would you be able to see what's on the ground? How long would it take to heal when you would get a little... flattened.

the flying-machine would provide a second way of getting home, why all else would lead to a backwalk by foot on bridges.
Well, the wings not directly, but I don't think you can let them undamaged within some fights when you are a close-combat-fighter...

Take the flying machine and Mock. It's the best option to get there and back, and you'll need all of Mock's expertise to keep this bucket in the air. You'll go and inform the queen of your choice, and request she release unlimited resources to Mock for this endeavor.

Ask Mock and Henigmarn if anyone has attempted to halt or slow the drifting of the islands. Anchoring together the ones with bridges using huge chains is an obvious method, but looking at the islands, they look more like pillars than floating islands. Has anyone tried climbing down the side of one?

Also run the idea by Mock and Henigmarn of using a continuously explosive spell in an explosive-proof container with one open end to generate thrust. It's not something you expect them to do right away, but it could be their next project.

>>423446
Wait, how would one drop it into a volcano, the islands have those? Do they make the islands bigger or do you mean on the... erh, ground? (what keeps these islands flying anyhow...)

Ithink taking the trenchabut to the big island of Hammagroffle may be the safest/fastest route, well depending on how long you think it will take you to recover.

I suggest the big island becasue I wouldn't trust a catapult to throw us onto the small island with such accuracy. Then again, there is the problem of returning, but I don't know how safe that flying machine is.

>>423447
Graft wings to yourself, attach yourself to the flying machine, then fling the flying machine out of the trebuchet over the path of the nearest bridge to your destination.

Henigmarn mentioned an apprentice could perhaps maintain a wind spell as an alternative to the flying machine.

Could we combine these instead? Take Mock with us to maintain the flier and one of Henigmarn's apprentices to maintain the magic?

I would prefer Henigmarn himself but he looks pretty busy.

Well, ask both Mock and Henigmarn to come along, see if they're willing and able.
If you get stuck with two apprentices instead, you get stuck with two apprentices, though having both the experts along will greatly benefit your cause, which you should mention. Especially Henigmarn, who can investigate as you go.

I'm sure Mock and the mage guy are both pretty busy. Their apprentices should be enough.

The bearapult would possibly be faster though. Maybe you should have them launch you, and then send their apprentices after in the airship to come pick you up after you've look around for a while.

That is, if you don't all fit in the airship. And assuming the bearapult really would be faster.

The bridges... would take far far too long. Your prince was taken, who has time to walk?

Flying Machine.

The trebuchet and the rope bridge seem incredibly unsafe (even moreso than the falling-the-fuck-apart blimp), and if your body was compatible with wings, why weren't they installed a long time ago?

1/4 Chrysalis 2012/10/05(Fri)21:26 No. 460636 ID: f4d4da
File 134949758586.jpg - (129.26KB , 600x600 , Protector_0043_justwood.jpg )

>Ask him what he uses for power and for lift / buoyancy.

For lift, Mock says she uses a gas that Henigmarn can magically extract from water, though neither of them truly understand what it is or how the spell works. Henigmarn found it in an old book.

Mock frowns at the mention of power. "For fuel, all I've got is magic and wood." She sighs. "Coal would be better, but most of the islands haven't allowed any serious mining since Charraglim fell apart. We'd have to import it from Hammagroffle."

The machine's lift and propulsion are magically enhanced, but the propellor can also be cranked by hand, and there is enough gas to keep the machine aloft if it has no cargo. Mock does not like to rely entirely on magic.

>Also run the idea by Mock and Henigmarn of using a continuously explosive spell in an explosive-proof container with one open end to generate thrust. It's not something you expect them to do right away, but it could be their next project.

I mention this, though it sounds like a dangerous method of transportation. Henigmarn says he has never found an explosive-proof container. But it could be worth a try.

2/4 Chrysalis 2012/10/05(Fri)21:27 No. 460637 ID: f4d4da
File 134949765564.jpg - (76.24KB , 600x600 , Protector_0044_pillars.jpg )

>Ask Mock and Henigmarn if anyone has attempted to halt or slow the drifting of the islands. Anchoring together the ones with bridges using huge chains is an obvious method, but looking at the islands, they look more like pillars than floating islands. Has anyone tried climbing down the side of one?

Several explorers have attempted to climb down the cliffs. A few have even come back. According to their reports, the islands continue straight down as far as they can see - exactly like pillars. No one has ever found a bottom.

Historians and geologists speculate that some great event split the world apart many generations ago, and the pieces have been slowly dispersing ever since, like shards of a shattered plate. If this is the case, we have no records here to tell what that event might have been.

No one has ever made a chain strong enough to stop the shifting of the earth.

>So, if you are really this kind of indestructible, would falling between the isles mean something like an eternal hell of falling down for you or would you be able to see what's on the ground? How long would it take to heal when you would get a little... flattened.

If the cliffs truly continue forever, I could likely angle my fall to hit one of them, then climb to the surface. If there is a bottom, unless it consists of fire or magma, I could recover from the impact - in a few months at most - and climb to the surface.

If the island pillars truly do end at some point, and there is nothing but void beneath them… The result would indeed be, as you put it, an "eternal hell." I would be permanently separated from the royal family. There is no worse fate for a protector.

This is why I seldom go near the void.

3/4 Chrysalis 2012/10/05(Fri)21:29 No. 460638 ID: f4d4da
File 134949775234.jpg - (161.60KB , 600x600 , Protector_0045_tuneup.jpg )

>Flying machine

After some discussion, the flying machine seems the best option. It is roughly as reliable as any other available means of transportation, and flight will allow us to more easily find and reach our destination.

Mock and her apprentices swarm over the machine, checking and replacing parts in a cacophony of clanking and incomprehensible shouting. I understand nothing they say. Henigmarn and his apprentices encircle the device to add a final, last-minute layer of spells for lift, thrust, and durability. I understand nothing they say either.

Mock is true to her word. In just under half an hour, she pronounces the machine as ready as they can make it on short notice. It is fully stocked with lifting gas, fuel, and all manner of spells.

>Ask both Mock and Henigmarn to come along, see if they're willing and able.
>I'm sure Mock and the mage guy are both pretty busy. Their apprentices should be enough.

"Are you kidding?" Henigmarn folds his arms. "This is high-powered magic here. Those fliers themselves are only slightly more advanced than what I could do, but the sheer number of them… I want to see where the things are coming from. Of course I want to go with you."

"Me too." Mock frowns. "If flying armies are going to become common, I'll need to make all sorts of changes to the castle's defenses.

"On the other hand… We're both pretty specialized. Wherever you're going, you might need help with things other than machines and animation magic." Mock looks at Henigmarn. He gives her a reluctant nod. "We've got several apprentices who could probably observe things and maintain the machine almost as well as we could, and they've taken the time to learn other skills too."

4/4 Chrysalis 2012/10/05(Fri)21:29 No. 460639 ID: f4d4da
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Mock and Henigmarn gather the apprentices, most of whom have finished their tasks, and give me a brief summary of their abilities.

"I don't know how much you weigh," says Mock, "or exactly how much the machine can carry, but I'd rather not put more than two people on it. Maybe three, if they're not too big."

>>460639
There are two Adrigans listed? He must really want to go.

Also I'd like to point out that if we want to get back the same way, we'll need space for the Prince.

Pick Adrigan and find out if she can change personalities at will. Multiple personality disorder is too awesome not to bring along.

Henigmarn: Considering how many spells are slapped on this flying machine, I wouldn't feel safe if he wasn't along to keep an eye on them. We'll also need him along in case the location the flying golems were made at isn't the location the Prince is at, and we need him to do magical forensics to figure out where they actually went, and perhaps figure out an easy way to destroy them.

Girl Adrigan: Since we don't know how long we're going to be in the field, having someone along who can hunt up food is a good idea, and a bow that can hunt can kill people as well as animals. Her tracking skills will come in handy if we ever have to hunt someone down.

Since these two are are rather small in stature, I think either of the following can fit:

Guy Adrigan: Having someone who can talk his way into places, or us out of trouble, is good. Plus, he can blow things up and set stuff on fire if things go bad.

Or, if he weighs too much, Maleen: Illusion and stealth magics are good, since we might have to infiltrate a location, and the climbing ability will get her over any walls or up into hiding spots.

As for when we get the Prince; He's a child, so pretty light, but if he puts the flying machine over its limits, then someone'll have to be left behind. They'll either have to sneak back via an overland route, or hide until the flying machine can come back for them. Everyone who is going should be made aware of this.

It'd be best if this thing approached the destination under cover of night, since it'll stand out like a sore thumb against the blue sky during the day. Ask Henigmarn if he has a spell of night vision he could cast on the pilot of the flying machine for once it gets within sight of the target island.

>>460662
well once we have the prince secure our bear form may turn off and we shrink.

>>460664
That might not be until the prince is out of danger, which might not be until he's safely back in Gorvindy territory, so we shouldn't count on it. Plus, even if the Protector does shrink, if the prince is somehow threatened mid-flight, it'll trigger Protector's big form, which if he's in the princes clutch at the time, would be disastrous. Best to figure someone is going to have to stay behind.

Oh, Protector, ask if it's possible you could be filled with lifting gas, to take some weight off the flying machine. You're pretty durable, so you could recover from being stretched out a bit. If they use a big syringe to inject it into you, it'll make gas pockets that'll hopefully seal up with your ability to heal. Though, they'd have to bring the apparatus to make and inject the gas with, for the return trip, so the weight savings could be a wash.

>>460639
Absolutely Mock, since she's the only advanced mechanist and we're relying on advanced mechanics to not fall.

Henigmarn, because animation/golems are what we're tracking, and "general magic" is most adaptable to what we might face. Which is, again, ultimately advanced quantities of spellcraft.

Save any extra capacity for the prince.

Mock, Heningarm, and Adrigan (the one who can track)
If only we could bring stealthy mage girl, too. We'd be set.

Can Frid shapeshift into something small and lightweight for the duration of the flight?

Chrysalis 2013/01/29(Tue)16:41 No. 488651 ID: acc9b6
File 135950648706.jpg - (152.89KB , 600x600 , Protector_0047_trio.jpg )

>There are two Adrigans listed?

Adrigan can be a male or a female name. This apparently causes no end of confusion among the apprentices, as both Adrigans refuse to respond to any nicknames.

>Ask if it's possible you could be filled with lifting gas, to take some weight off the flying machine.

This would be a brilliant idea if my body were built of more airtight materials. Sadly, this is not the case. Even the fabric of the flying machine must be carefully treated to hold the gas; my own skin would let it leak through in a matter of minutes.

>Can Frid shapeshift into something small and lightweight for the duration of the flight?

She apologizes and says no. Mass-changing magic is far beyond her current skills.


After some discussion, we decide to bring Mock, Henigmarn, and the hunting and tracking Adrigan. If my Prince proves too heavy, Adrigan has volunteered to return to Gorvindy on foot after we rescue him.

Once the decision is made, the apprentices quickly gather a lightweight selection of tools, weapons, and other supplies, such as food and rope. Having no need of any of these things, I simply wait.

Would you advise any other preparations before we depart?

I can't think of anything.

other than makeing sure they have food and water, maybe some form of currency and/or something worth trading incase you come across other towns and should need supplies.
Also in the [incase we are to heavy after we get the prince someone is going to have to get out and walk] problom wouldn't you be able to go back to your smaller form for the trip back and thus way less.

Did Mock bring along a means of seeing or otherwise navigating in the dark? 'Cause it would be best to bring this very obvious flying machine in under cover of night.

There an estimate on how long this trip is going to take, based on the prevailing winds. We may not have any choice about landing at night or not, depending on them and what time it is now.

What's the plan for the landing procedure? The flying machine is going to have to be tethered down before you're cut loose, lest it shoot into the stratosphere from the sudden loss of ballast. Do they have an anchor of some sort, or are they going to dangle ropes down for you to tie off to trees and rocks?

Oh! Do we have any means of communicating back to the others? If we discover something that the others here need to know, it would be nice to be able to just like, send a message back.

>>488687
If it can be two-way, even better. Might be able to consult the smarts of the wizards staying home if necessary.

Nah, the mechanical people and the pile of people collecting anything they can think of to make this a successful journey should have this all in hand.

However, can you show up a mental image of what you look like in your dormant form? I have my suspicions, but I'd like confirmation one way or another.

>>488651
>After some discussion
i'd say half a year is enough time for a discussion.

any maps of where we are going?