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Post by King Njal I on Oct 9, 2020 5:22:25 GMT
Beliefs- I will lead my people to great discoveries.
- I will defend the scientists working under my leadership.
- I am ready to share whatever I discover with others, if my domain benefits from it.
It had been half a year since a streak across the sky had caused joy in the dwarves and fear in others. The comet was herald of a new age, one which marked the end of the dwarven boyking and the rise of King Njal I. The dwarven kingdom of Demacia was still in the process of uniting its people, and while the dwarves connected with each other, scientists gathered whatever stones they could find that had fallen from the comet down on to the earth as fallen stars. The rocks were gathered in Kirkwaa on Mainland in Demacia where a group of scientific dwarves, led by Njal, had begun experimentation. Whether there were other experiments going on elsewhere, Njal didn't know, but he knew about the research in Kirkwaa, and eventually decided to pay the scientists a visit.
Njal made his way into the depths of the compound that jutted out of the surface and dug deep beneath the ground. The halls were large but packed. It was a place Njal had spent decades working, but he hadn't spent much time here recently. He had mostly spent time either in the Dwarven Tunnels or on the sea, travelling between the islands of Demacia.
Njal turned and passed through an archway where he greeted three scientists that were cataloging rocks.
"Greetings Brun, Fili, Oinn. Tis been a long time. How's the family?"
After catching up for a little while, Njal turned his attention to the rocks.
"So this is the fragments from the comet? Have ye discovered anythin' yet? What experiments have ye attempted so far?"
Njal took up a pad and started scribbling notes.
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Post by Lidhuin on Oct 16, 2020 7:29:15 GMT
Exchanging pleasantries, the scientists relayed news from Kirkwaa, including concerns about the reliability of supplies in recent times. The tunnels had helped things in some places, but it had apparently led to a reduction in supplies being routed to Kirkwaa for logistical reasons.
Describing the fragments, Brun explained, "They are nothing like from this earth. While there are records of similar starmetal in the past, the origins are all the same - discovered on the surface, otherwordly, and frequently accompanied by celestial events."
Fili added in his observations, "Starmetal is most frequently described as being a conduit for magical power. That is to say, we could find no recorded instances of starmetal inherently having magical power itself, even though it lends itself very easily to runesmithing, enchanting, and the like, making it highly desired among master artificers and druids."
Oinn finished off, "Which is to say, it appears that these fragments may actually possess some inherent power. We have based this hypothesis on our observations regarding a number of odd events that occurred shortly after these fragments and their dust settled upon the land. However, we have been unable to conclusively prove our hypothesis. Our standard experiments have not yielded any measurable results, and we have yet to finish developing novel methods of investigating the fragments."
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Post by King Njal I on Oct 16, 2020 8:23:09 GMT
Njal wrote down notes as the scientists explained the state of their research. The comment about supplies was set in the margin, not that it wasn't important, but right now state matters needed to be dealt with. Maybe when everything had settled down more, he could prioritise research and developmoent more. He personally wanted to channel funds and resources to Kirkwaa and his old colleagues, but he foresaw dire consequences to the larger picture if he did that now. He would have to think about it, bide his time, and do it when it was appropriate. "I think we should take this tae the next level of testing." Njal replied when the scientists were done. "We need tae manufacture tools with the material and see how it conducts itself. Yer idea tae add the material to runesmithing is good, and we should investigate further if yer able. Secondly, I wish ye tae attempt tae either forge axes with the material, or at least imbue axes with the material, and then investigate the material's properties in respect tae weapons. Finally, if maybe, have a go tae forge armors with it. Forge chainmails or plates, or at the least imbue armor with the material. See if it increases the defensive properties of the armor. I'm sending ilka single scrap o' material yer way, but ye'll have tae do with whatever other resources and funds ye have. The governmental transition steals time. How long afore the foremost runes/weapons/armor are finished and done for testing?"
Njal was still scribbling notes.
- Runesmithing (What magical effects? Runesmithing! Increase magical affinity? Increase magical properties of imbued weapons and armor? Other properties?)
- Weapons (Axes. Complete weapons or imbued.)
- Armor (Chain or plate. Complete armor or imbued.)
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Post by Lidhuin on Nov 2, 2020 4:54:24 GMT
Nodding, the smiths agreed.
"We could smith and have a prototype ready by the end of the month - after some preliminary testing to ensure we aren't wasting your time, of course." Fili promised. "Oh, an axe prototype."
Oinn, however, added, "It would be a concern if smithing with this material produces cursed magical items rather than beneficial. As I mentioned we have observations of odd events. Some of these odd events have occurred nearby, but we haven't been able to pinpoint a source. For example, some of our more ancient tools have behaved erratically: Our compass has been leading some of our best explorers astray, lightning has been striking the same nearby mountaintop repeatedly without a scratch to the surrounding area, and in more distant lands, we've heard rumours of the dead walking. Thankfully none around these parts."
"I ruled out the material that we have in our possession. We've had no lightning strikes and there's no apparent divergence on our compass when we bring it near any of our material. It all seems centered in the nearby mountain that has been attracting lightning."
Brun added, "We suspect there may be an especially large quantity of material there. But it could also be something much worse. And as mentioned, our explorers have had a hard time navigating and frequently don't have, well, the supplies we mentioned before. By the time they reach the foothills, they've had to return here to avoid running out of supplies halfway up the mountain. Perhaps now they know the route without the compass, but well..."
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Post by King Njal I on Nov 2, 2020 8:38:00 GMT
Njal listened to the scientists and nodded to their suggestions. "Craft the axe. Even if tis cursed, we'll learn a lot. If I find an expert, I will send him yer way."
They continued the discussion on the material and when Njal was satisfied he made his farewells. He left the complex with his notes.
Njal had a mansion on the foot of the nearby mountain, known as Wideford Hill. He had been incredibly busy since the comet had streaked across the sky, and had not noticed the lightning strikes near his own home. Sure, it had been bad weather from time to time, but nothing that had drawn his attention. He was now much more intrigued and interested, but also cautious. A few days after his meeting with the scientists, he had gathered an expedition primarily made up of his former axewielders that he had served with. When they were ready, packed with climbing, survival, and excavation gear, the four dwarves made their way up the path of Wideford towards the cairn, pulling with them a pony with a lot of their supplies.
Reaching the cairn was the easy part, especially with the path leading from Njal's mansion and up the side of the hill. From here, they roughed it up the steep barren mountain top where lightning struck more often than natural.
"Be careful. We do nae want tae stand where the lightning strikes, but we want tae find what it's that it strikes. We can need tae dig. Search for any signs o' lightning strike in the area."
Njal took distance to the rest of the axewielders, to ensure that if one was struck, then others would be able to help. He also hoped and wished that he wasn't the one who was going to get struck, but at the same time hoped that his axewielders were as lucky and careful. Njal wandered through Wideford Hill, looking for signs of whatever it was that drew the lightning strikes, and the attention of the scientists.
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