Iron Stars - kiaw

It’s been days since Kiaw had any scraps of food , and hours since the water ran out. There’s time enough without such things to go before trouble begins, and Kiaw is thankful for that. The fog and the forest are both thick, but not thick enough to hide the sounds of industry ahead. People yelling, hammers on roofs, announcement trumpets, and the background cackle of harnesses etheric energies accompanies the din. Something is ahead. The last, best hope

Madness? No... this... feels different... this doesn’t seem... She wandered forward, even magically held together, no food, no water, she missed the taste, the feeling of a fully belly, which, although functionally the same was certainly not emotionally, psychologically the same. Her keen eyes darted back and forth under her cloak and goggles, respirator clicking. (edited)

6

The clearing opens ahead, and before your eyes you can see a large city in a clearing. A stability field wreathed it , and from the outside it’s like the colors underneath of what’s inside are exaggerated and enhanced. The walls are tall, with purple and silver banners hanging from@them, and a large black steel gate

22:42

The gatehouse is strong and looks resilient

No? They have all been ruined all these years. Years? Had it been? She looked at her UI, the manual counter showed hundreds of days. Yes, yes it had. The daily reminder, the thing that maintained her sanity. Her unconnected goggles the thing.. the only thing she had been able to trust. She approaches the gatehouse, looking for any sign of life.

There are three guards inside who seem startled to see someone emerging from the mist. Their kit is archaic looking, but they none the less rebound quickly. “Who are you and where did you come from?” One of them@asks out the guardhouse firing slit

She laughs like a madwoman. It had been 883 days, 11 hours and 13 minutes since Hett had been crushed by a massive stone. The last person she saw that wasn’t in a dream. The sound comes across as something less-than-pleasant through her mask. She pauses and composes herself, squawking out in broken english “Kiaw Rh’ibb’iwk Rectifier of the fallen city of Redacted... Last survivor... I am believe. Does have food and water? ”

"We do. We found you here yes, old citizenship database. City Magistrate is going to want to speak with you, head there for food and water and we'll see to your medical needs

02:02

The large gates begin to groan and screech as chains and cogs begin spinning, getting the large metal doors to open and lever into place

Another slightly unnerving chuckle as she grudges forward, no possessions to speak of and no real injuries, to her body at the least. She heads in to the city, elated, nervous and trying not to think about the journey that got her here. She heads for the magistrate, or where she believed the magistrate would be.

The city capital is on a large hill in the middle of the city, and most roads seem to lead there if you follow them long enough. Several markets exist around the base of the hill, a mix of outdoor stalls and some modern enclosed storefronts

03:49

The capital building itself is a mix between house of commons and a large laboratory/academy, with many towers, and you can imagine deep vaults set within the rock of the hill. A large armored resonator keeps the null breaches away from the city, expanding to a kilometer or so outside city limits

A giddy little giggle as she picks up her pace heading for the capital building. It comes across as an unnerving corvid cackle through her mask.

Three guards are out front but seem to just be watching the area, not stopping people or checking any kind of documentation- which is fortunate as you do not have any. As you pass through a stone portico you find yourself on a green campus quad like space, with a mix of students, soldiers, and people from all walks of city life here on business freely mingling. Administration is a large building near the back of this campus and entering it, the office in question is of course on the top floor. Another set of guards protect the magistrate chambers directly, but you're permitted in after a few moments wait

The cacophony of voices was overwhelming after nothing but the sound of her own interface, the winds, the shifting storms, the rocks, and.... not much of anything else over the years. She needed to shove the panic and desire to run far down inside of her, somewhere near her stomach, which she could sense was both empty and somewhat angry at the fact, although suppressed and unnecessary in the face of her magic, sustaining life. She feared what it might be like eating after so much time not eating. She meandered into administration and upwards, somewhat absentmindedly, mentally prodding at her stomach, spleen, liver, intestine. More or less oblivious of her surroundings, the meditative analysis distracting her from the people around her.

There is food being laid out on the table, and the City Magistrate has sent only one representative to meet with you, a sharp featured woman sporting a purple and silver set of combat field armor, though you suspect its just part of the uniform and they're not actually expecting violent intent from you

20:48

"Please, make yourself comfortable and enjoy some food"

20:51

"There will be questions, I'm sure you're expecting that, but you're not going to be of the mind to answer them until you've recovered somewhat.

“ReKover? I’m FIIIIIIne! Fine fine fine fine fine!” She sits at the table, feeling the desire if not the need to eat, but forcing herself to be polite. She releases her mask from it’s mounting points on her face, her long-hidden nose and mouth in real, open air for the first time in years. Red and marred by the ravages of her people’s disease, she grabs a plate of food and begins eating, forgetting all about utensils even in her desire to be polite. “LonG walKK!”

"I'm sure it was. Have you been walking this entire time? Its been years"

21:14

She makes no face, or impolite reaction to your meal and lack of polish

She nods vigorously, notices she is eating rudely and forces herself to take smaller bites, still eating with her hands. “Lots” Chew chew chew “Walk” Munch munch “All the rest die. Wasn’t good enough yet.” A forced smile.

"I see. And you did all of this with no stability field tech ?"

“Yes” Big bite, munch monch monch “Focus, determination!” She mimicked her teacher, a bearded and volatile man... who was cut in half by a magic storm “Kept body focused, together. Solid. It did not like all the time!”

"I can see that. You're something of an anomaly then. We all need stabilization fields to leave the city, and here you are, walking right up to the gates out of the mist"

“ReK-ti-fiER! Helps with bad places. Does no stop rocks from.” She smooshes her hands together in a clap “Squish!” “Food good. Thanks!”

1

"Ah you're a rectifier then. THat could certainly explain how you managed to survive for so long out there by yourself. I'll have to pass that information along, but there doesn't seem to be a reason to detain you. So what do you think Kiaw, do you want Saliv to prosper again? Maybe to recover your village and have people live there someday?"

She looks at the woman, head cocked sideways with a not-quite-polite look of ‘the fuck you think?’ She looks back to her food, poking at it with a long finger. “Why would she not want that? Do people not want that? Of COURSE...” She stops herself. “Yes. Yes. I want the dead not be in vain. I want rebuild. I want be better. Do better. Next... next time.”

“There’s always exploring that needs to be done. Especially with your gifts. You’d make an ideal scout”

She nods. Back out? Less loud. Less talktalktalk. Jin talked all the time. Then she didn’t. What was that one.... ah falling into a bubble of extreme gravity. Gruesome. “I can go back out. Should get things. Connection to Ashen Ones? Did... are... what of my world?”

“I don’t know, star charts need to be updated and to do that se need to find a way back into space to begin with. Our ancestors stubbornly clung to life here. We are going to do the same. We have to reclaim this frontier before we go into the stars again”

04:22

“Once we do that, we can start looking for news of your home”

She nods again. It had been this long without a connection, what was more time? “Okay. What needs to do?” She pushes back from the table, her metal ‘beak’ snapping back into place.

"We'll be getting word shortly on if we have been able to reactivate a resonator in one of our surrounding settlements, onc we get that word, we're going to be sending soldiers to secfure the area, followed by settlers, and scouts. We'd like you to be one of those scouts. We'll have no idea whats going to be in the stable area, or beyond"

“It is... wrong, twisted, shifting, changeable. Wondrous and horrible.” She ensures everything is in place. “I go now?”

She presses a finger to her ear as though listening before you see the comms bead there and it’s thin wire trail.

01:28

“Tomorrow morning “

“Should have supplies. Comm... food.... maybe new clothes. I... stink.” She steps back away, conscious of 4-years of travelling in the same clothes. “Can.... I get... Clothing?” (I have 700 credits but no gear - can requisition enough stuff to use that up?)

(Yeah you could take care of all that before leaving)

Backpack - 50
Compad - 100
Telescoping pole - 10
Rations x 4 - 20
Binoculars - 200
Survey Scanner - 250
Survival kit - 60
Rope 20 metres - 40
Climbing harness - 60

Kiaw requisitions some items with the meager stipend she is provided and lodges down for the night. She tries to sleep on the bed, but it is too soft and she ends up on the floor, sleeping soundly until morning.

(no issues with the supplies, by the way)

18:02

By morning, the vehicle has returned- and although the column of settlers moving out to the village is far larger than what can fit within, its stability field is going to keep essentially everyone but you (who doesn't need it) safe from the magical instability between Dremlas and the now-unnamed satellite village

(Thanks

- Is it possible to have the Binoculars integrated to her visor?) Adaptive Modification - Active Kiaw takes point, freshly showered and with new clothes, a comfortable set of fatigues with all of her gear strapped in place and actual changes of clothes. With a series of excited chirps, she starts to lead the column towards their destination.

(I don't see why not)

21:21

(if they're readied they're accessible on you somewhere quick to get to, so right on your forehead or something seems close enough)

Kiaw keeps a watchful eye, looking out over the horizon for any trouble.

--Kiaw - Level up 1-2--
New HP - 13
Skill Points - 3
- Charisma +1 (-1 SP)
- Perform to 0 (-1 SP)
- Notice to 0 (-1 SP)

(Perfect. I’ll move the group thread soon

Kiaw watches Mac as he heads in to the village, looking over the place as well, she feels a bit alone, but also not sure how to connect with others. A rarity on this strange planet, even after all these years. The years of wandering, dwindling company falling to beasts and the varied forms of damaging magics. She got used to being alone; but she didn’t want to be. She also didn’t want to see more death, more loss. The unknown villager exploded, the lost guardsmen on the path. She decided to explore, see what she could do to help in this new outpost, her mask clicking and hissing as she hopped down and started moving.

1

(what would Kiaw be looking for? Just picking a building or is there something you'd want to accomplish before going home_

(Open ended I suppose - she is not terribly good at much other than being a rectifier - helping with labour, scouting, maybe providing protection or healing to anyone in critical need?)

(Okay. I’ll think of something other than just looking into random houses)

There is a large warehouse that the locals haven’t been able to get into, and it doesn’t look like any of the peoples wandering post scream were able to get in either

Kiaw checks in with the village, unsure what to do next, so used to aimless and yet purposeful walking, hoping she would arrive somewhere, it was all still a little surreal, people, wanting things.... And Kiaw, as much as she didn’t want to admit it, she didn’t want to remain a loner, she wanted to help. She had a brief exchange with the locals and, conscious of the fact that she was likely unnerving, she kept it brief and headed for the warehouse in question.

The doors are firmly shut. The entire complex is wired and bolted down save for a small gap on the roof where an access panel has been hacked away to run power lines inside

22:18

It’s too small for even a nimble or slight person to get inside

She looks over the exterior, examining the gap and determining it isn’t an option. She then tries the doors, seeing if there are any that are or could be forced open.

(Wasn't sure how rectifiery we can get with this, as far as changing our shape)

(I can heal and survive in bad environments. Nothing exciting yet.)

There looks to be a vent shaft that is too small for a human, but an ashen one might be able to fit. It's mounted on the roof, and heads vertically down into the building.

Oooh, get stuck and not die forever... or a couple years till someone finds me... could be worse! She wriggles in to the vent and makes her way inside the warehouse.

(exert/dex)

(6)

There is a puff of soot as you slide down and make your way to the bottom. The cloud expands, the trapped creosote dust of many many years all knocked free at once. It’s amazing the building didn’t burn itself down. It’s also difficult to see much with the thick clouds of dust in the air.

I emerge, a blackened and grumpy Ashen One, grateful for mask and goggles, but now struggling to see amidst the sudden cloud announcing my arrival to the interior of the building. After some initial grumbling, I look around, trying to make sense of the place and be at least somewhat alert for danger. (Trying first person)

You can see the doors at the far end of the building, chained shut. There are dozens of large crates on the left side of the room, and hundreds of smaller ones on the right, with a long pass through breeze way in between.

04:59

An office sits at the back of the warehouse, along with a lunch room

I make my way over to the crates, hoping to examine the contents, nightvision enabled and carefully scanning the surroundings.

many of them are marked with an eclectic mix of shipping labels, armoring marks, and commodity companies that are no longer in business anymore. there is a single very loud chirp sounding through the warehouse,before it goes silent.

I spin around to try to see what it might have been, concerned I might have awaken some eldritch beast or tripped an alarm.

It seems like it was an alarm, though you're not sure where the hub or source of it might be, or what else it might be connected to

I continue towards the office, concerned about what I might have tripped and what it could mean for my continued attempt at an existence.

The office door is locked and a small panel on the wall inside shows a minute remains before some sort of countdown timer reached zero. There’s no indication of what might happen when it does run out of time

I quickly move to try to pry open the door with the prybar I happened to bring along (ashen one racial ability)

(fix/int at +2)

(11!)

4

(up to you how we want to continue on this one)

(Let’s do some more - Kiaw things up a bit.)

You’re able to pry the door open and you see a computer that is heavily ambered and shows a countdown timer with 45 seconds left on it

I frantically look for a way to cancel the countdown, unconsciously making a high-pitched nervous noise,

(program/int)

(4

)

There is no way to shut off the security system, and as the countdown timer reaches 0, there is another loud beep, and the hiss of some sort of aerosol being released (edited)

(Adaptive Modification - To avoid breathing 1/3 spells used) I stop breathing, looking for the source of the aerosol and trying to piece together what the hell is going on in this building, my eyes dart back and forth as I nervously wait.

Vents around the perimeter of the room begin injecting some kind of yellow gas into the room

I think about grabbing a computer system and instead decide to get out of the room, not knowing what this gas might be or what effect it might have on me. “Screeeeeeeeeeeee!”

2

3

2

3

2

Escaping through how you got in, you manage to get out just as there is a dull thud from inside. The explosive gasses were lit by some kind of internal combustion source. The building remains standing but dark smoke billows out of now broken windows and breached doors. the entire building seems to sag (edited)

“Ooooooooooooooooo fuck.” I scramble off the rooftop and back to the surface, concerned as to the integrity of the building. Fuckfuckfuckfuck. Broke it. Broooooooke it. Was NOT supposed to happen.

1

)3xp, 5000 credits)

05:43

It just wasn’t meant to be, but no one was killed and eventually the warehouse can be pulled down for recyclable materials and salvage. Maybe something survived in there after all, but that seems to be an exploration for another day

3

Kiaw returns back to the village core, somewhat defeated, kicking at the ground, checking in with the leadership on any possible next steps and filling them in on the ‘state’ of the warehouse.

The captain in charge of the expedition has taken up a small post outside of town hall, and is working on getting billets organized for everyone

Kiaw approaches, head held low, voice a slight mumble through the mask. “I broke ware-house. Black smoke. Boom. Well... boom then black smoke. Maybe more of thud...” She looks at him, inscrutable behind her visor.

"That's alright, its what we expected had anyone tried it. Are you okay?"

She looks at him, a bit shocked and a bit relieved. “Me? Yes.... Am ok. Was computer... boxes inside. Loud noise, countdown, got back out and ‘thud’”

"Some kind of security system? Can't do anything about the contents now aside from hope something survived. We'll have to be more careful entering some of these larger buildings then. There could be more traps out there|

She nods. “What now? I can scout... search? I... try to do better.. Less explode.”

"We haven't cleared the town hall yet, fancy heading in there and seeing what's around?"

She gives a nod “I will do my best to not blow it up. Much.”

2

(I’ll get a map up)

Kiaw approaches, cautiously looking for traps and any ways to get in to the presumably abandoned building.

The front doors are closed and locked. It doesn’t look like anyone has tried to get in so far given the density of other traps in the surrounding area

Don’t blow it up, don’t blow it up... Kiaw moves around the periphery, looking for other possible entrances, eyes out for other traps.

There is likewise a back door, but its on top of a porch and you're going to need to jump or climb to get in

 Level up
—HP - Rolled 13 - same as prior - 13+1=14
—Skill Points - 3
2 - Punch to 1
1 - Talk to 0
—Foci - Unarmed Combatant
—Spells:
1 - Temporary Limbs
2 - Means of Ascent, Sanctity of Self

(edited)

Kiaw focuses, drawing upon an unseen and arcane font of power as a pair of limbs grow from her back, long clawed fingers and a leathery membrane drawn across light bones. Black-brown feathers sprout across the surface, shimmering in the daylight. I have wings! She then proceeds to flap, ungainly but effective in getting slightly off the ground before flapping stronger and rising into the air, then depositing herself a little-too strongly on the porch. (edited)

1

You make your way up, landing gently amid a flourish of membrane wings. The doors ahead of you are unlocked but closed and do not seem trapped

She approaches the door, opening it carefully and tentatively, her other hand balled in to a fist in case something might be waiting inside.

It opens into a common room with a threadbare yellow rug, a table, a bar type area, and a long hearth where patrons would have kept themselves warm

Kiaw folds her wings down, surprised with how quickly instinct kicks in and how naturally she is able to control them. She examines the room, then looks to the adjoining doors, starting on the right side of the room, nearest the bar. Dont blow up, building.

1

The bar is still well stocked with local vintage but the food has expired. You don’t even want to think about opening the fridge

a wrinkling of her nose under the mask and a thankfulness that she doesn’t have to eat. And she continues on to see what else might be stored... or inhabit the building.

You can hear the scurry of rodents in the walls. (Did you want me to label this. I probably should)

03:33

(That work? I’m in 1 now gonna go for 2)

Original message was deleted or could not be loaded.

Pinned a message.

(yeah wrks for me

15:13

2 is a large library. The datapads have no charge, and the books have gone to either mold or dust, but those insulated toward the middle of the shelves toward their brethren might be able to be restored with some time and attention

Kiaw takes a look around, careful to not touch anything and cautious to not set anything on fire. Something for later, books books books. Please don’t blow up. She continues on, carefully opening the next door (to 3) and peering into the room.

A study and large meeting chamer occupies this room. The terminal here is actually intact

Kiaw gives an excited chirp and then quiets herself, looking around before approaching and trying to access the terminal.

(program/int)

(8)

You['re able to break through the password and general security, and can query the database for any questions you might have

Query: Information about city - population and key structures

Population: 0 Key Structures: Warehouse (not Responding) Mine: Break-in Detected (cathal's mission) Refinery: Offline

She sighs, having blown up the warehouse. Access Records: Lead up to evacuation (edited)

THe computer begins processing white noise, and things that should not be real. An advancing wave of orange and magenta tinted air, with silver shards suspended in it. it almost feels like being underwater, and it washes over the entire region, turning people inside out, evaporating them, burning them, drowning them on land, and a million other horrible fates

Kiaw nods Well that seems normal enough, at least. “Good computer.” She pats it. She sighs Query: Contents of Warehouse

The warehouse had pipe work, construction materials And some survival supplies in it

She nods, looks around and continues on to the next room. Something for later.

4 is an art studio where half finished sculptures are held on plinths or under sheets. There are a dozen of various sizes in here

“Ooooooooooh.” Kiaw looks with interest, wondering what she could do with her own form, given the time and capability.

The likenesses are of people. Ones that used to live here. Most of them have different features such as nose size, cheeks, lips. You see different ways of sculpting for different looks

she loses herself in it for a short time and then shakes it off, thinking about her own imperfect form and the state of her friends and family back home. After a moment of melancholy she nods to herself and continues to the next room.

Heading back into 1, you could make it into 5 or 6

(5)

Kiaw exits from the sculpture studio, continuing to the next door, following the same careful process of slowly opening the door.

21:39

(Also - can I take a Martial Art?)

(Warriors or partial warriors can use skill points to learn or improve them)

(So not a thing for Mages then

)

(would have to spend a focus)

(Swap out the unarmed foci for Gentle Way?)

I believe you can determine if your unarmed damage is lethal or non lethal and I would say that the unarmed combatant focus is probably better overall in terms of damage done. Just food for thought. Gentle Way is still awesome in terms of the niche things it can do

(Going with Gentle Way - Good to go)

6 is a large pair of rooms showing the personal chambers of the former mayor and his bedroom. The furnishings are threadbare and moth eaten.

Kiaw gives it a once over, checking to see if there is anything of interest in the old quarters. Okay... not likely blow-up stuff in this room.. hopefully.

There are some works of fiction on the bookshelf and some maps of the town on actual paper. They seem to correlate to the maps you found on the computer system earlier

After a browse, she continues on to what she believes is the last door in the place, opening it carefully.

(Notice wis)

(7)

There is a gentle tug on the door opposite your own opening momentum. Some mechanism is behind it

“Hello? Is there a someone there?” She looks to see if she can determine what might be pulling the door closed and tries to check for any traps or triggers like she unfortunately tripped in the warehouse. “Please don’t blow up.”

You feel something like a weighted sack behind the door being hauled up and down gradually as the door opens and closes

(Would I be able to use an elongated limb to reach through and support the sack while I squeeze through the opening to prevent an unfortunate discharge?) (edited)

(You sure can Elastigirl)

She squeezes an arm through the narrow opening, supporting the mechanism to allow her to slip inside, careful to avoid anything on the floor that might trigger something. Keep not blowing up, please

you can see a weighted bag on a pulley system would have pulled the pin on some kind of spray can. Once emptied, the lighter can would rise on a thin line, and hit the strike plate of some sort of improvised lighter hung on the ceiling, burning the rugs, books, and the databank in this room

“Bad room.” She carefully dismantles the assembly and then looks around the room.

The room is well furnished and has several server towers arranged in a Beowulf cluster, along with several book cases full of material. Most of it looks like works of fiction

She thumbs through some of the books, looking around, then looks at the terminal, seeing if she can access it.

The terminal is password protected, but working, and powered.

Kiaw, somewhat terrified of blowing up the building when she gets the password wrong, instead elects to search for a written-down password. Otherwise might need to call in someone who understands these things.

A search of the office reveals that the password probably only exists in the head of the person who owned this computer once, the safest place for it, it seems

Kiaw Thinks about trying to access the system and thinks better of it, being far beyond her capabilities. She instead takes stock of the rest of the room and whether there are any further places to examine.

It seems that you've surveyed as much as you're able to given your current skillset

A little nod to herself, a mental note to come back later and she carefully exists the town hall to report back on her successful non-building-explosion.

(3xp, 5000 credits)

She returns to the captain, a little more confident now that she has dismantled the traps and not blown up the building.

“What did you find in there. It didn’t blow up , so that’s some success

She cringes slightly under the mask. “Yes, did not blow up. Was sculptures.... very beautiful. Office, bedroom... and information room... computer... did not want to break so... should send in someone who can access.” She shifts nervously foot-to-foot, looking at the ground, then remembering that that was rude to do and stared intently at the captain.

"You've done good work, and you've shown good judgment. Learning from past mistakes and calling things wisely in the field are the traits a good scout should have"

19:00

"You've distinguished yourself well, and the Inheritor Alliance is lucky to have you"

Kiaw lets out a nervous high-pitched squeal, then calms herself down again. “Y.Yes! I... I will be good scout. You want more arms?”

"We could always use more weapons. Why, what have you seen?|

She stares at him for a few long moments. “Arms.” She says is as a statement and a question. “To hold more weapons with?”

There is a moment of laughter as he takes in what you mean "I have enough actual arms, but thank you. So what will you do now? "

She looks at him a long moment and shrugs. “Last years I just walk. Could walk more. Anywhere you need me to walk?” She looks around the settlement. “Can also help make people not-be-inside-out. Get things pushed back in, fixed up.” She wiggles her fingers. “Maaaaaagic.”

(The resonator is up here already. Cathal went off to scout a mine if you want to join him)

(Good with that or any other scouting that would help!)

(That’s the major one right now )

(Ok, I’ll join in on that if it’s ok)