fourth bolt ⚡ open january log

[ramuhs]

Who: Cid and anyone!
Status: Open
Where: Everywhere
What: MANTA board prompts: Beta Testers; In Superior Nogard, Treasure Hunts You; Lore Accurate Jellyfish
Warnings: None at the moment


⚡ a » beta testers

[This is a catchall post for the BETA TESTERS quest on the MANTA Board!! Anyone who is interested in contacting Cid either through the network or in person can tag into this post. Feel free to handwave any preliminary phone conversation if want to skip to in person meeting.]

NETWORK PORTION:
Greetings, this is Cid.

As some may have seen, I've made a formal request on the MANTA Board for anyone who may be interested in testing a few "gadgets" I've been working on these past few weeks. I know the scope may be a bit strange, but let's just say I had a lot of time and a lot of motivation in working on both.

So, if you have any cats or dogs that might could use some new entertainment, I have a few test products you can try with them. Don't worry, they're safe. My cat's already been through most of them so I can at least attest to their durability.

As for the other devices, unless I personally know you I'll want to have either myself or one of my assistants be involved in the testing to supervise how they handle. I have a few other conditions but those can be discussed in person.

Should you have any further questions, feel free to shoot me a message. Otherwise, if you're interested in helping me test these, contact me so we can arrange a meeting point.

LOG PORTION
[For those who want to skip to right to meeting Cid and trying out any of the devices, you can choose either to meet at his workshop or already have them out somewhere trying out the device. You can also use this post to skip all that and go right down to the results and follow-up testing. Here is a copy of what was on the MANTA Board for easier reference:

PET TOYS & SUPPLIES:

• Automatic ball thrower: A device that will take in a ball and will automatically shoot it out. Add a bit of lightning to make it go farther.
  
• Feather Chaser: A motorized device that will wind up like a top and spin a feather around over the floor.
  
• Mouse Launcher: Similar to the ball thrower, only with a mouse and with a bit of lightning magic the mouse will "run" over the floor to encourage chase. Attached to an invisible string that will reel the mouse back in.
  
• Roll Up Yarn Ball: Made of durable cord safe for cats, this "ball of yarn" will extend out as the cat plays with it before automatically rolling back up.
  
• Foldable Cat Tree: A special cat tree that can fold in a different ways to help fit most spaces as well as change things up to keep cats entertained. (Or fold it into a box.)

MAGITECH DEVICES::

• Non-lethal Electric Type Grenades: All grenades will produce some type of electric based method to stun, paralyze, and/or contain a target. Help test effectiveness: 1) non-lethal stun (medium to large targets); 2) non-lethal cage (medium to large targets); 3) non-lethal electric field (varying area sizes).
  
• Elemental Net Shooter: A handheld device that will release a net based on the magic element infused by the user. Would like to test the different results from varying elements.
  
• Close Contact Stun Device: A small, handheld device that when triggered will stun or paralyze someone.

The pet related devices will be handed out freely and without too much issue. For the grenades, Cid will have conducted an interview of sorts as he doesn't want these to be misused even if they are all non-lethal. While he would prefer to be there himself, he has a few people working for him (ie, NPCs) that can go in his places so others can make threads elsewhere.

All devices will need to be returned, and he did install something of a "self-destruct" feature on the grenades where they will cease to function if not activated by his own levin after a certain time. The net and stun device will have similar features.

As for success, failure, and everything in-between, go wild! Some will work great, some not, the pet related toys will either be a hit or a dude depending on the pet's attitude, and all of the non-pet devices will have electric wiring and lightning magic at their base so expect a few shocks while handling them. Feel free to have weird outcomes especially with the nets!]

⚡ b » toothy treasure chests

[So you just have to kill or dismantle a monster treasure chest to get the treasure, can't be that hard, right?]

Bit of lightning should at least stun it a bit. Don't want to risk damaging whatever treasure could be inside.

[These are also great tests for his devices as he continues to develop them.

And once the chest is defeated... Hmmmm.]

...So... Should we just cut this thing apart?

[A rough kick to turn the now dead chest over. Would have been nice if it just spat the stuff out.]

⚡ c » be more afraid jellyfish

[Yet another prime specimen to try either of Cid's grenades or the net shooter. But first they need to actually "fish" this thing out.]

Hm... Since this thing seems to be musically inclined, d'you think music would also lure it out?

⚡ d » wildcard

[Kept it a bit small this time, but open to other prompts! I have my plotting comment here or you can hit me up on through PM, Discord, or laenavesse.]

Comments

network.

[andstill]

you're the machines fellow, aye?

when you say you need folk to test them, you mean you need them for seeing if they can use the things? or for warm bodies to get stunned?

volunteering for the latter, if it changes anything.

[ramuhs]

[WELL. THAT'S AN INTERESTING RESPONSE and his brows are rising high before he snorts and starts texting back.]

Was more of the former, though I suppose I do need to do some "live" testing with the stun devices.

That said, I have to ask—you're not volunteering because you have a "taste" for electrocution, are you?

[Look, he won't judge, but also—he might judge a little.]

beta testers | network to start with lol

[empyrean_mirror]

I'm afraid I might have to borrow a pet to test some of these, cid

anything you need from me?

[ramuhs]

Given how many cats were given out not long ago, I'm sure it wouldn't be too hard to find. I'd even lend you my own cat if she hadn't already been through them all already.

But there is a little something I could use your help with.

Beta Testers - Network

[detectiveforhierophant]

I don't have any pets myself, but those other tools you're working on are definitely something I'd be interested in checking out.

One of them reminds me of something people in my world have, even, so it'll be interesting to compare notes.

[ --Dojima had to ask himself, though. At what point did Electric 'Magic' Just... become... Electricity? Was it something fundamentally different, or just that someone with that sort of 'magic' had more direct control over it?

He was never gonna get his head around this stuff, was he...?]

[ramuhs]

Is that so? Mind telling me which it is?

toothy treasure chests

[historiology]

Cut it? We don't know what's inside it? We might want to keep the chest to carry whatever it is inside too, right? I'm not sure if my sword might work to cut that...it's more ceremonial, really.

[Sorey says, glancing to his sheathed sword. He isn't sure if this would be sharp enough. He knows obviously the chest wouldn't be solid, that there would be something inside but he doesn't want to break it or ruin his sword or something. But he does want to help out if he can somehow.]

Maybe there's something else we can use?

[ramuhs]

Not sure if keeping this chest would be a good idea. Might start to rot.

[And then a slight tilt of his head in thought.]

Though it wold have been useful if it could be tamed to protect our own treasures. Bit of a shame, that.

[And now he's going to start thinking about it..... HMMM....]

But I think my own blade can pry it open. I'm just a little worried of accidentally cutting whatever is hidden inside it, and I am not sticking my hand down its gullet, dead or not. Not to mention the mess this might leave.

b!!

[maiestas]

[Rin is pretty impressed with that lightning magic. She had her own lightning magic -- it was her main element, actually. So seeing someone use it other than her makes her have a glint in her eyes. Though, she does focus up when Cid speaks, and the treasure chest lays there, defeated.

She kneels down to it, and reaches for her katana to pierce the blade in between the opening. Her other hand attempting to pry it open so they can see what's inside...]

Or pry it open with our bare hands...

[A pause.]

By the way, that lightning magic is pretty impressive old man. Kind of reminds me of my own.

[ramuhs]

Bit braver than I. With all that teeth it had, wouldn't be surprised if there were some hidden traps or something else that might trigger even after death.

[Not that he will stop her if she wants to, though—

He'll also grin at her words with a huff of laughter.]

But you flatter me, lass. I'm sure yours is just as impressive.

A

[cursedwords]

[ Toge is either rude or comfortable enough with meeting up with Cid to just show up with his cat in tow.

He gestures to him, the brown cat with a white ringed tail sits on command. Thornprick is a good cat.

Toge pats his shoulder and the cat scales his admittedly small form, climbing the back of his clothes to land on his shoulder.

Ta da! Toge holds out his hands. ] Tuna mayo.

[ Can he test some cat toys? Thornprick drapes his tail around the back of Toge's neck. ]

[ramuhs]

[And Cid will welcome Toge's appearance with some amusement, especially with the cat. His own cat is lurking around somewhere, but whether she'll show her face remains to be seen. For now they'll be able to meet in peace.]

Aah, a volunteer, I take it? Got a few options you can pick from, see which ones he takes to.

[If...any. Because fickle creatures, cats be. Regardless, Cid will let Toge and his cat inside his workshop where there's a table out already filled with a number of the devices ready for public testing.]

Network | Voice | yuezun | PRIVATE

[yuezun]

This venerable one would test the devices which intend to stun and paralyze with electricity.

[ramuhs]

A fine choice, and I'm willing to let you have a go with it.

Want to meet up somewhere or would you like to come to my workshop?

Network

[gr1m]

If you're up for a meeting and field-trip, I wouldn't mind running through tests for that netgun you've developed.

I have years of training, and hands on experience, with lethal and non-lethal 'weaponry' under my belt.

[He was also bored after brooding for nearly an entire month, itching to get out and do just about anything.

This sounded interesting enough.]

[ramuhs]

[Oh good, they both could use some good exercise to not brood.]

A former military type I take it? Then how about we meet somewhere.

network

[emet_sulk]

Cat products, you say?

[ He absolutely isn't thinking of a certain miqo'te to prank, no sir... ]

[ramuhs]

Aye, and so far they've at least kept my cat entertained for a spell. Was the main inspiration for all this.

c

[la_sombra]

It might.

[She eyed the jellyfish as it swam, shuddering a little at all the "eyes". At the question, Sombra shrugged.]

I'm not much for music-making, for the record.

[ramuhs]

Been learning a bit of guitar but that's about it.

[...Which if we assume they're using Cid's ship for this, he does have on hand. But he also isn't sure he's ready to make a live concert for this thing.]

Otherwise, I have some bait that we could try and see if it can take. Just needs to be a little closer to the surface for these nets to reach...

[Unless there was a way to shoot them further into the water??? If only he made it more like a harpoon.]

Jellyfish

[lucky_e]

Perhaps.

[More than likely. It's a little odd to think of jellyfish being music lovers. But it's no stranger than most other things.]

Do you know of any songs at all?

[ramuhs]

Only some bawdy tavern songs and a few sea shanties. You?

Network

[seemagicshit]

Well I got a cat that's a hunter. It'll stand up to something that determined?

[ramuhs]

Assuming you're talking about a normal cat, it should. Stood up against my little huntress fairly well.

But all the more reason to have these tested. They're going to break to something, but more different scenarios we can put it through, the better.

network;

[pinksidekicking]

Oo, me me! Test it on me!

I can be any size animal that you need and I love chasing things, and playing with things.

[ramuhs]

[Oh. Well.]

Didn't think about that possibility, but not a bad idea. Mind coming to my workshop? It's in Nogard.

network, sort of a wild card, also before gnomes; text

[indispensable]

I found some items in the volcano that might be useful for your work.

When should I come by to drop them?

[Sorry Cid Alhaitham doesn't do small talk. He's a straight to the point man.]

[ramuhs]

[Not even a how do you do—

ALSO TIMEY WIMEY RP SHENANIGANS]

Can come by my workshop later today if it works for you. But what kind of items are they?

Wildcard

[dragoonoflight]

[ It's late, and mostly quiet and Dion can't sleep, but finding Cid seems like a perfect opportunity. Without a word, he disappears a moment and comes back to finally approach him.

He sets down a bottle of liquor and a pair of glasses. ]

...Let's talk.

[ Not his most formal greeting or request, but maybe he'll sleep better if he gets things out of his system. Dion looks a bit hesitant like he'll be turned down. He could be. It would be fine, but he's hoping not. ]

[ramuhs]

[Cid looks up a little in surprise, but seeing that it's Dion and quickly recalling their last conversation...

He'll straighten up and put away whatever he had in front of him before taking the glasses and starting to pour.]

You sure? There's no rush.