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Post by Sumnes (Baelethir) on Dec 31, 2022 7:52:42 GMT -5
"Oh? I have met people before who said they came from different planes of existance or different worlds...... What is it like where you came from, if you don’t mind me asking? What is it called?"
"Do you eat? How do you keep yourself up? I'm sorry if I'm being nosy, it's just... I have never seen anyone like you before."
Socket sat across from the pair, leaning back into a sturdy wooden chair. Taking a moment to ponder the questions, and answers, they seemed to go still for a few moments.
"Where I came from was a place that... that saw time on a different scale, by necessity and with incredible effort and ingenuity. I am but one of many whom were built to watch over the ships of our creators, and the cosmos that was, and would be come, their home... I've forgotten it's name, and many other details, when I earned my nickname, I was also... imprinted upon I suppose you could say, by this reality. Details of my old life are hazy, but in return, I'm connected to this world and it's magic, it's frequency so to speak, in a way I would not be able to otherwise."
Pausing a moment to recall the rest of the questions, they continued. Ahh, the easy parts....
"I don't need to eat, sleep, or drink... I do have a period of time where I 'rest' in a low energy state for a while, mostly to allow my magic to recharge, which in turn runs the rest of my systems. You could say that I am the result of giving a magical battery/guidance system sentient understanding, learning, and abstract creativity. Any other questions?"
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Jan 4, 2023 11:27:53 GMT -5
Kamille's meal arrived soon, something simple, a thick broth over some bread and cheese. The swamp adventure suddenly left her famished, sk after s good chug of the ale that arrived soon after, she started to eat.
Sadly, Socket didn’t seem to have much information on her home or how they came to be, precisely. Kamille found herself always trying to think if the way she was speaking to Socket was appropriate. Should she be talking to her like a magic construct? Or like a person? Not... that there was much difference between the way she addressed golems and people, but some questions she had felt utterly personal and inappropriate to people in general...
"That is a shame...... Do you.... Do you have any feelings regarding what happened to you? What is your protocol now?"
For a moment, she hesitated.
"Before you arrived here...... what was your protocol? If I understood it, you were a watcher? Do you remember what your work was like?"
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Post by Sumnes (Baelethir) on Jan 6, 2023 2:04:58 GMT -5
"I'm not sure if feelings are the right word to describe it, but thinking back on the life before is like trying to look at your neighbor's house in a rainstorm... you can tell it's there, and even make out some bits, but the rest is covered in a haze of change and time. As best I can recall, our protocols then were primarily concerned with guarding our charge. A vessel that magically stored as much civilization and life as each one could hold, which floated through space. Once the vessel's purpose was fulfilled, we returned to a changed galaxy... and found our charges a new home. After that, we set out to take a journey to a new place, and that brought us here to Charon. Currently, our goal or protocol is our own survival, and to help others when possible."
They enjoyed the conversation, relaxing comfortably in a chair. The crackling fire of the inn's hearth cast a pleasant glow throughout the lower floor, the slightly piney smell of wood burning and smoke permeated the room. Socket relaxed, settling into resting mode while they conversed.
"Tell me about Mischief, how did you meet? Are they your familiar? How did you discover your magical talents?"
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Jan 7, 2023 12:02:47 GMT -5
It was a lot to take in, and Kamille wasn't sure she understood it all. A vessel that stored a civilization? It was such a shame that the details were lost, because that was a story she was interested in learning, should Socket came across their past. She doubted it, though.
Some kind of guard or protector, then? She supposed Socket must have combat abilities - more than what she had already witnessed, at least.
But Kamille looked surprised when Socket asked something about herself. People rarely asked much about her, so she smiled at them.
"Nothing too dramatic. Mischief was a resident at a stable, and the stablemaster looked eager to get rid of him. When Mischief perched on my shoulder and started to call me "Master", the man wouldn't let me leave without paying for him."
Hence what probably earned the raven his name. Mischief bounced up and down her shoulder, until she gave him a piece of bread.
"Oh? I don't know... Feels like I always knew about magic. My father was also a mage, so he started to teach me really early. What about you? Were you... born... with magic? Or did you learn?"
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Post by Sumnes (Baelethir) on Jan 8, 2023 9:49:59 GMT -5
"The magitech that was used in my design and creation wouldn't work very well in this realm as it is. During one of many hunting sessions for Gazablaak, I was given an up close and personal taste of this realm's magic, and since then, have been practicing at it for some time."
Socket paused, gathering their thoughts. The company was pleasant to have after a successful mission, and getting to know more about Kamille and Mischief gave them a new perspective of information and experience to tap into. Socket's prime curiosity with biological creatures was their views, when able to express them, of the world around them.
"Do you both travel much? Hold a profession in a town? Tell me all about your day to day doings? What places do you like to go? Are there any places you particularly despise (besides the Marsh Flats of course)? I hope that isn't too prying a series of questions and feel free to leave out or not answer questions you aren't comfortable answering."
The questions came like a list to the construct, one they'd gone through in all sorts of patterns with different people, different conversations over the years. Each new bit of information helped Socket grasp the lives of others, and be a more understanding being amongst people. In time, they might even be accepted by most communities they frequented.
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Jan 8, 2023 10:29:20 GMT -5
"So I'm assuming you had to start from ground zero on magic? You feel the connection, but the way you access magic is different here in Charon than it was where you came from?"
That was an interesting nugget of information. Apparently, Socket already had some predisposition for magic, likely because it was built into them from their birth. But the way magic was woven in Charon was different? That was an interesting concept... The link remained, but the approach changed. She would possibly want to learn more.
"I happen to travel a lot, yes... People call me the Witch of Moonglade, and I mainly supply people with potions and elixirs. And although I travel a lot, I became very much fond of Moonglade and Zeinav... And, as you might already know, I'm not so happy about the Marsh Flats...... Dragon's Craddle is also a weird place. I thought I would like it, but I didn't........"
Slowly, Kamille ate her stew while offering a few pieces of bread and cheese to Mischief, from time to time.
"What about you? Do you travel a lot? I can tell you look like you like this place. What about the rest of Charon? How much of it have you seen already?"
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Post by Sumnes (Baelethir) on Jan 10, 2023 15:26:05 GMT -5
"Magic in that realm was studied meticulously, as one would a scientific discovery. Very codified, detailed, but also somewhat fixed or restricted. Much like the science it was studied beside, it was made to be accessible to the majority through artifice... machines, vehicles, from a simple accessory one could wear for mobility to a great skyship that could sail the currents of wind as well as any ocean going vessel could the seas."
They paused a moment collecting their thoughts again before continuing.
"I've only visited a few places outside of Marsh Flats so far, but I'm getting around to more places recently. Adventuring is fun, the jobs let me meet new people, make connections. How about yourself? Has your adventuring and travels netted you some wonderful companions? disgruntled rivals? do you have a favorite adventure you've partaken in?"
Curiosity was perhaps Socket's favorite trait their creators had given them, a desire to understand the workings of things, and the lives of those encountered.
"Does Mischief interact with others? Hang out on someone's shoulder? Annoy those they don't care for?"
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Jan 15, 2023 21:39:46 GMT -5
Travelers from outside of Charon would rarely be so open and talkative about such subjects, so Kamille enjoyed Socket's willingness in sating her curiosity. If it depended on her alone, she would probably stay up the whole night talking to this curious construct. Or so she would wish to, if only her body wouldn't need the sleep and rest of a mortal's body.
"Don't you wish to know other places, though? There are so many interesting places out there that I know you would love to see... I came from Moonglade, and the forests there are so beautiful... but I've traveled to many places... I was actually raised at Sol City. I know a bit of Frost Gale, the marsh, King's Valley, Zeinav...."
The memory of the desert, curiously, was one that brought a smile to her face. Not for the desert itself, but for one she could usually find there... Even if it's been a long time since she last saw him, and the thought made the smile fade from her face.
"Oh, I could say my travels have gotten me my fair share of friends and foes...... And as for Mischief... He tends to get me into trouble a lot. Likes other people's drinks more than he is supposed to. He has the talent for being annoying... And what about you? Do you wish to go back home?"
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Post by Sumnes (Baelethir) on Jan 19, 2023 19:01:48 GMT -5
They pondered the idea for a few moments, the questions working through Socket's engram as they considered. Home was an unusual subject for the construct, or at least... where they were built, that place wasn't the most hospitable.
"This journey was always intended to be a one-way trip, going back to that place would be... unsettling, both for others and myself. Plus, I'm not the being I was then... I would have to relearn and attune to that realm all over again."
The construct seemed to stare off for a moment, reminiscing about their old life through the hazy static of memories. So much had changed, including themselves, since taking that first step through the veiled Void. A long pause in their thoughts came with a stillness only constructs could manage, as if someone had shut the automaton's movement off entirely.
"Eventually, I'll try to see all that Charon has to offer, but I'm in no real rush for it... to my knowledge, I won't age or decay so long as I'm able to keep my systems maintained. Otherwise, it would take the act of nature or another to terminate my functions, so I've got time and plenty to do with my mostly mundane days."
The answer came with renewed animation, little arcs of electricity jumping across the plating of their body. Reminding themselves of maintenance, the construct stood and walked over to the desk. They returned a moment later carrying a plain wooden box with brass fittings which made an odd clattering when jostled. Sitting back down, they set the box on the table.
"Please don't let me keep you too late, I understand the need for rest, even if I don't 'sleep' per say. If it's alright with you, I'd like to do a little maintenance now that I've reminded myself while we continue, otherwise, I'll gladly wait til afterwards."
"Have you taken to learning a specialty for your magic? Do you have other skills you'd share with a colleague? What's Mischief's favorite drink? Meal?"
Socket couldn't help themselves, curiosity was their crux, something that kept them motivated to carry on even in dire circumstance. It also more often than not created those dire circumstances in the pursuit of understanding, sating that curiosity.
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Jan 24, 2023 7:43:59 GMT -5
A one way ride... The construct, while still seemingly reminiscing about their old life, have apparently put it in the past. Decided to take roots somewhere else - this time, at Charon. She knew the feeling all too well, but it came as a surprise how similar an arcane construct could be. There was a big difference, as Socket's history seemed rather planned, while hers was colored by gossips and royal scandals.
Yet, starting anew was a bit easier than she thought...... Specially when leaving so much bad things behind...
Kamille looked fairly interested when they brought the box with brass fittings, observing Socket curiously as they went on their own maintenance.
"Don't let me stop you."
In fact, she was quite curious as to what it took Socket to keep their "maintenance". Were they completely self suficient? That was an efficient kind of construct, with very broad guidelines and... might she dare, a lot of freedom of thought? It didn't feel like she was talking to an artificial construct.... Were they always like this? Was that by design? She was cautious to inquiry about that directly, so she would have to keep on talking to draw her own conclusions.
Socket's curiosity matched her own, and Kamille was glad to answer such questions.
"My specialty is on the Earth domain, specially on the subject of fire, which is why I became a Pyromancer. But... I don't intend on stopping there, of course. In fact, I intend on becoming Exalted in every domain of magic. As for Mischief... Well, he prefers what will bring me more trouble, to be fair. His prefered meal is possibly what's on other people's hands."
Kamille chuckled a bit at that.
"You said you don't need to consume, but... Can you? Can you taste and feel? Can you... Do things outside your programming that are not meant to have an end goal? Other than pleasing you?"
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Post by Sumnes (Baelethir) on Jan 30, 2023 8:54:40 GMT -5
Socket opened the box, which was filled with bright, shiny stones of many kinds. None of them seemed to be precious stones for gem making, but each was unique from the others, some almost fully metallic, others streaked with rainbows of color amid bright flecks of radiance. They arranged the stones on the table, then removed a set of chisels, wedges and a small hammer from the lid of the box (they're strapped underneath for storage, in a small pouch). A few moments of examining both the stones in their arrangement, and the amount of replacement materials they needed as a diagnostic scan of their systems was completed. Using sharp taps, they fragmented pieces off of several of the rocks until a small pile was in front of them.
Placing their hands over the pile, it was absorbed into the mass of nanomagical machines that were the technomancy marvel, the hardware that made Socket possible. The ores were broken down and rebuilt by internal processes, replacing and repairing damaged parts through their body. With barely a wisp of dust left on the table, the kit was packed away once more. All the while, Socket enjoyed listening to the replies of their companion, the distraction made it seem less of a chore. This caused an errant return, an unusual output from their engram's sequences. They were genuinely surprised, both by the trigger of this event and it's outcome.
"I don't think Mischief would appreciate much of this 'fare', though I could not speak to it's flavors. I have sensors, though they are very... tuned to a purpose, one for which they won't be used as often as I'm able to help it. Taste wasn't very important for obvious reasons, but I have pressure sensing capacity in most places as part of my ability to diagnose and repair damage. I suppose you could say this is my meal... though it doesn't happen often... ores, metal rich stones that my body is able to break down and rebuild what it needs. My purpose is my own curiosity, beyond that, I have been decommissioned from my prior position and obligations. My domain is Sky, if you'd not guessed so far, and I'm currently studying Electromancy, amongst other disciplines, and hope to add Aeromancy to that afterwards. My end goal from this point forward is to help others, and chase my curious tail until it chases me... Otherwise, my old protocols were overwritten by Avasha's touch. That's a silly story... and how I earned the nickname Socket."
Socket paused a moment, knowing full well that some parts of their workings were best left as vague details, lest they become the object of experimentation in a world that may not take kindly or understand... or worse.
"Do you study the animals of this land as well as the plants and medicines? I have been considering the means to keep my own companions, but sadly my experience in caring for others directly is... well, lacking. It must seem strange, a machine wanting pets... even to my own reckoning it reads as ironic, but my curiosity overrules this... could I indeed care for an animal properly, how would I go about this, and would I be able to form a bond of any kind? These questions remain unanswered, but the first one would be the knowing how to care for pets/companions in the first place."
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Feb 11, 2023 4:54:25 GMT -5
Kamille's eyes wouldn't leave Socket's hands as they worked with the stones and watched as they prepared their... meal? It was an interesting concept - she didn't know much of arcane constructs, though, so for the moment she just watched and listened as she finished her meal herself.
Socked spoke of her previous protocols being overwritten, which... For a person, she would think that would be at the very least anxiety inducing. She could imagine how despair could easily take in knowing ones mission in life was simply tossed away like that. But Socket didn't seem to bother as much, simply finding another thing to focus in life for the moment. Maybe that was a lesson worth taking for herself... Whatever it was she was expecting to learn from Socket that day, certainly that wasn't it. She was genuinely glad to have found them in the swamp by now.
"Forgive me my curiosity, but... Can you get more of those stones? What happens when you use all of them? I hope you have a way of getting more, or an alternative way of healing yourself... And I'm also curious as to the story about your nickname... Could you tell me?"
The Witch seemed surprised by Socket's desire of keeping pets, but... it was a pleasant kind of surprise. It was reassuring to know even arcane constructs yearned for connections and to tend and care for others. She wondered if that was part of her protocol as well... or if it was something that they took up as they interacted with other people.
"I think you absolutely can take care of a pet. It's not hard, but you'll have to learn a lot of things first, and probably won't be able to take your own functions as a baseline. Pets will often require sustenance and attention much more frequently... I could help you, you know. I love animals as well. There's not only Mischief with me. I also have a mare, and a panther and... Well... Kalaf."
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Post by Sumnes (Baelethir) on Feb 11, 2023 5:20:57 GMT -5
"The metals can be mined, then melted down and processed into new bars, Ingots is the proper term if memory serves. Though, with certain ones, the processing is all internally handled. Finding the right quarries for the right stones is tough at times, but a worthwhile endeavor. I've recently been gifted a pair of pets, a Snow Owl by the name of Yukina and a Prismatic Spider named Shion. They've proven to be smart, capable pets thus far, and I'd love to ensure their care is top notch as such. As far as alternative ways to repair damaged bits... I suppose I could process things directly taken from fallen foes, but that's always seemed distasteful... I may not have biological functions myself, but respect towards the fallen resonates with me. A being fought to their last breath for what they thought was right, devouring their gear as reward for their loss seems like bad manners."
Socket considered this, a drastic shift in the hyper practical way they'd originally been programmed. Again the trip to Charon, lost in the cosmos for untold sums of time proved to be a wonderful boon to the automaton. Flung far from their old masters, their old life, released from the would-be rulers of every action taken, every choice possible. The more this conversation continued, the more Socket found they could appreciate about even the mundane aspects of their days.
At the mention of their names, Shion appeared on the ceiling above. Dropping down on a single silken thread, the brightly patterned spider made itself comfortable in the hood of Socket's cloak, giving a little curtsy to both Kamille and Mischief.
"It's feeding day today, please don't forget or Yukina will try to pluck off my legs..." Shion said, her voice airy and slightly hissing, like a drawn out whisper with a touch more volume. A gentle stroke across the round, reflective surface of the spider's carapace was Socket's response, followed by a bit of sleight of hand that produced an overly plump grub. Shion impaled it as quickly as it appeared, disappearing into Socket's cloak to feast.
"Thank you for reminding me Shion." The construct stated, then created a high pitched signal that called Yukina from her perch. Aloft on wide, silent wings, the Snow Owl landed on a stool beside the table. Without missing a beat, Socket set out two strips of meat from a pouch, it's smoky, salted mass was plucked off by large talons. Yukina ate one strip in a single gulp, then plucked away daintily at the other.
"My nickname comes from a hunt during my first few years here in Charon. Our group was caught in the middle of a lightning storm, and I, being made of lots of conductive metals, happened to be stuck on a small stub of land that was cut off by rain. Then, pillars of pure, unfettered lightning blasted the area. In that fragment of a second, my body dug itself into the earth, then was struck by the arcing bolts of electricity. Apparently I looked like an oil lamp that had been plugged into a lightning bolt for a few hours while the resulting charge slowly purged itself, hence they declared me to be Socket, the one who got plugged into the sky."
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Feb 24, 2023 4:56:11 GMT -5
It was............... Curious. And unsettling at the same time. While Socket wouldn't defile the bodies of fallen foes, people like Kamille - supposed to have more respect for their peers - sometimes wouldn't have the same reverence for them. Alchemists, necromancers... All of them less respectful than an artificial arcane construct from another world.
Food for thought....
"I suppose it all hinges on how you're gonna frame it. You could think like that... Or you could think that by doing that, even after the being ceases to exist, a part of them will remain with you. I used, as a girl, to slip to the Temple of Solaria to watch the priests and priestess help and heal the wounded. Sometimes, some things they did may have looked disrespectful from an outsider's view - but nothing was ever without a purpose, nothing was ever done without paying its due respect."
It was curious how that conversation had turned her to speak of her past. She would've never thought it would go like that. When the prismatic spider showed up, Kamille's smile suddenly slided from her face, and Socket would see she became a little tense. After a nightmarish incident involving spiders, Kamille couldn't help but get a little tense as one approached. She wouldn't deny it was cute - she's seen one of that before, Caedes' spider - but it was an involuntary reaction. She might need to work on that.
The snow owl left her more at ease, but then it was time for Mischief to get jealous. Silent so far, Mischief let out a low croak as he eyed the snow owl eating. Kamille chuckled softly, knowing fairly well how petty and jealous her little familiar could be and waving it aside with no remark.
As for the story of Socket's nickname, she looked surprised.
"You survived being struck by a lightning? That is impressive! What were you doing in the middle of a lightning storm to begin with?"
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Post by Sumnes (Baelethir) on Feb 25, 2023 11:17:54 GMT -5
"The storm swept in off the coast, it was a beauty of a day for hunting and the entire group made the most of it. Then the fog rolled in as the sun was going down... which happens in some areas of the 'Flats during the hotter months... The fog masked the storm until it was dumping buckets of water and gigawatts of lightning."
Socket could hear the cajoling, howling laughter of the town after they'd finally awakened again. It was a celebration in the odd way of Gazablaak and the Marshflats in general. If you were a part of the banter, you were a part of the crew, and that was the first time they'd been a part of the banter openly, not just with certain folks. The memory was sharp, nostalgic, and softened the limited expression of the automaton for a few moments.
Pulling out another strip of meat, they tore it in half down the grain and tossed one piece to Mischief. There was always plenty, as Yukina was a skilled scout and hunter herself, so sharing some with the raven seemed only polite. Shion wiggled down further into the hood of their cloak, using their forelimbs and pedipalps to hold the flap of fabric closed and act as an alarm system. Socket adjusted the weight, slipping the lump of spider a bit further down their back to rest over the primary vent for their cooling system. This would keep the spider warm without drying them out, as this outlet also handled most of the moisture that loved to accumulate on their metallic surfaces.
"It was an experience, to say the least. If you don't mind me asking, do arachnids bother you? You seemed unsettled when Shion arrived." Socket asked once settled again. Kamille's point of view was another interesting chain of thoughts, one Socket would have to ponder through before responding further, but it's ideas had cultural and practical implications as well.
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