escordvi | February catch-all open log

Entry tags:

February catch-all open log

Who: Emet-Selch and you!
Status: Open
Where: See individual prompts
What: MANTA quests
Warnings: None at the moment

(Will match format)

1. Magitek Stress Test (location: wherever Prof Turo, G'raha, or Rem are) [general 4pt]

As part of the crew, Emet-Selch naturally isn't unaware of the various projects the others are working on. He doesn't take much of a specific interest in them, however, until they request help with testing its sturdiness.

Given that he is a mage of some passing skill (hah), he ends up being asked to help.

"I don't take any responsibility for what happens," he grumbles as he raises a hand. Magic gathers before his hand. A beam shoots from his palm to the shield, thin at first then growing in thickness and intensity. The machine powering the shield seems to hold up well at first but then it begins to make concerning sounds. Heat and a bit of smoke pours out.

Maybe he should stop--

BANG!

2. Fairy Fire Fashion [paladin 4pt]

While he hadn't had a personal hand in escorting this woman, the other paladins are quick to pass on word that she's offering each one of them a gift. Since it would be foolish to pass up free clothes, Emet-Selch presents himself to her and, after some consideration, makes his request: a robe of deep indigo with silver accents. Something like a more elegant, less intimidating version of his Ascian robes.

Perhaps you're a fellow paladin coming in for your own fitting and catch him scrutinising himself in a mirror.

Or perhaps you're a corsair trying to make a last minute attempt on the seamstress' life.

3. Mystery of the Fire Horse [special 12pt]

Given some time, Emet-Selch has managed to craft an ice-based magic barrier around himself as he ventures into the volcano after the fiery horse. Surely someone of his unique talents could find a way to send the thing back whence it came.

Unfortunately, it likes to run away from him. A lot. Emet-Selch isn't exactly the sort to run marathons and so he finds himself struggling to keep up, eventually doubling over with his hands on his knees.

"Godsdamn this horse!" he curses. He straights, wiping his brow. He should have brought some water with him. "Get back here!"

4. Wildcard

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"Excellent."

Really, after taking a moment to shield his eyes with the notebook Turo had with him -which had also been quickly flipped open for notes- was praise in blowing the thing up. Head tilted to one side as he took in what remained. Charred and melted yes, but still.

"Some could be surprised at how much better the data collected when something blows up can be, or whatever fails at all." Better to account for said failures and literal explosions. "Not surprising it did explode in such a way, given what we're using to power the barrier."

So the continued pushing? Was deeply appreciated- "Are you alright?" He wouldn't forget to check in with Emet-Selch after all.

Emet-Selch had covered his own face from the worst of the blast. A quick shield had sufficed to block any debris but he can still feel the lingering heat.

He slowly lowers his arms, frowning at the melted device. Truth be told, his heart is beating a little fast. It felt briefly like the explosions on a battlefield.

"I'm fine. I did not think it would fail so quickly however."

"We are still adjusting just how much energy may be needed from the fire crystal to toughen the barrier. I'm very familiar in working with crystals as a power supply, but it is still trial and error," more so in refining them to put out energy. How much or how little.

A hand did move to smooth his hair back before fingers curled just beneath his chin, looking over the debris field.

"We can take a break while another is prepped, if you would care to. A breather?"

He shrugs. Firing that beam of magic hadn't been taxing but they do have to wait until another is prepared, so he'll take the chance to rest if it's being offered.

A snap of his fingers has the debris slowly pulling itself into a pile for easy clean-up.

"Do you plan to create something that can withstand even my power?" he asks.

Huh, that was very convenient.

Turo nodded, slipping that notebook away within one of the large pockets of his lab coat then. "That is a hope for the future- or to get close enough that perhaps one day we can create something large enough, and strong enough, that the barrier could protect the leviathans here if ever needed."

Which would take time, but he was certainly willing to work towards it; even if on the side for whatever else may be needed along the way.

"Even if it is only for a few seconds longer, that time can be precious. I do greatly appreciate your help in these tests, even if with your power we only buy second by second that the barriers can withstand it."

That...certainly is ambitious. He crosses his arms, staring at the melted remnants of the first prototype. To make a shield large enough to cover a leviathan...

"In my experience, using several power sources to augment a barrier such as the one you're trying to design is the best option. Forcing a single unit to bear the load is asking for catastrophe."

"Indeed. It's something to work up to. First, of course, we want to ensure these individual units work well before we move onto something larger." Better to start small, learn just how the various resources could be used; what would make the best power sources. It was much easier to test and see what did and didn't work on that scale.

This was not exactly the same as his work in Area Zero, but it was close enough that Turo could get into it rather well.

"Personal barrier, then perhaps something to cover a group, then a ship- Well, I am sure you understand the thought process."

"Aye, that I do."

He thinks about the development of magitech, how his push to create the ceruleum engine led to an industrial revolution for the Garlean people. And even far, far before that with Allag.

"...Why use fire crystals specifically? Were you trying to make use of the heat they emit?"

Prove the smaller steps possible before going bigger.

"I am used to using crystals as a power source back home," he pulled a smaller notebook from an inner breast pocket of his lab coat. Sketches of the fire crystals, ways that Turo had been finding to better refine them and the output of power which each different technique applied; each ending up with a different shape as a result.

"The heat certainly plays into it, using that to generate power and finding other resources to perhaps combine that with as we go to increase what we will be able to supply for the barriers and increasing their strength with that."

If the professor allows it, Emet-Selch will attempt to peer at that notebook and its sketches.

"...What is the most advanced form of energy generation in your world?" he asks cautiously. He has witnessed so many different civilisations but not every one had been...ethical in its approach to expansion.

It was allowed, Turo even tilting his notebook so it was that much easier for Emet-Selch to see. Each sketch detailed, the various notes things observed and what he had yet to run through tests- and a few things crossed out neatly, either proven not viable or corrections written in place.

"Electricity, usually generated by some sort of turbine powered by wind or water- or even steam that is hooked up to a town or city. There is also also solar power." Various regions chose what worked best for them- "Of course there is thermal as well- it does depend on which region you happen to be in, the answer will vary. My world does our best to generate power in ways that are sustainable, though some still have to deal with pollutants to an extent some creatures have been changed so drastically or created from it." Some worked to try and correct that, of course- others... didn't seem to care, if he remembered his reading right.

"I work with crystals, which is the most advanced form of energy I know of, due to the fact I study them and discovered how much they naturally generate. It is not used outside of my lab, as far as I know, however."

"Hmm. Impressive." That's not sarcasm. Emet-Selch actually sounds mildly impressed. It's muted, though; can't let anyone think he's too impressed. "You all made the conscious choice to rely upon sustainable energy rather than finite resources?"

Maybe he can put a little bit of faith in this man. Just a little. He settles back on his heels and pensively assesses the other man.

"In my world," he eventually says, "crystals are by and large the result of aether coalescing and taking upon a solid form. The energy stored within their mass can be used to power a great number of things. In being consumed, the energy becomes ambient, whereupon the star will redistribute it once more through various natural channels."

Edited 2024-02-23 08:53 (UTC)

"The majority tries their best to live in harmony with the world and creatures around us, and we have found peace through this," there had been strife of course. Wars and battles while humanity was still trying to figure it all out, and some of that with Pokémon at their side. Some still abusing what came of it, of course. Some people... simply always would, wouldn't they. "It took great efforts to come to that conclusion, and some still try to abuse certain powers to.... fix what they do not believe is perfect, but fail due to higher powers and strong bonds of others."

Quite a few histories and articles about that after all. So much information he at least had at his fingertips, what was remembered outside of that.

Fingers curled just beneath his chin, Turo's head tilted in thought as he listened- "The crystals of my region came from a meteorite that crashed a million years ago, the impact creating what is known as the Great Crater of Paldea. They mostly grow within the crater itself, but some patches can be found formed in the dens of Pokemon -creatures of my world- that have been affected by the energy they produce." They still grew, given they were natural crystals- "I hear rumor there is a legendary pool where a fragment of the meteorite made impact within another region in much, much smaller supply, of course."

As far as Turo could remember... he had never visited, simply read about it.

"They grow, you say. Curious."

He wonders if that's true or if it's simply mankind attributing an organic trait to a phenomenon they don't yet understand. Anything is possible, really.

"Well, coming back to the matter at hand: you may need to find a conductor suitable for accessing the energy within these crystals. Heat is all well and good when it comes to fire, but if there exist crystals of other elemental properties then it will be bothersome to adapt your technology to each one."

And if they find, say, an earth crystal, there's nothing to easily access there.

"They do. They have even grown over trees within the crater- and over almost the entirety of the lab I worked within near the very bottom." It was fascinating, honestly. He could feel the energy while down there, like a low pulsing thrumming that had been comforting. To him at least. "The Great Crater ha a strange serene beauty to it due to their growth, especially within the caverns and caves."

It was strange to not feel it after knowing only it for so long.

Turo nodded, "You are very correct in that. Part of this is to figure out the best way to access it on top of the refinement process that helps focus that energy by shaping the crystal itself."

A hand went into one of his outer pockets, pulling out a shaped fire crystal he knew was safe to keep on hand, holding it up in his palm. It did glow and emit warmth- "I have taken into account what the jewelers here do when they are using the crystals to make something enchanted with one to do what I can from that side of it at least."

A small sigh. He glances once more at the prototype he has unceremoniously reduced to charred scrap.

"And that is where I come in..."

Yet he finds himself curious to know whether this man will achieve what he has set out to do. He has all the time in the world to observe. Wouldn't it be nice, for once, to oversee a project that isn't dedicated to some war effort?

"Well, I've no shortage of aether to draw upon. I hope you have enough machinery to take your readings from because this" - he points to the mess - "will happen many more times."

"Which is greatly appreciated, even if I only assume to speak for myself in your help."

Words sincerely meant, even as Turo looked back towards what was left of a proto-type. Every one that was destroyed meant they were that much closer to producing one that would hold up well enough and be useful- even if, for now, on only a personal level of use for the person that had it. A foot hold to start from that would do well.

There was a soft laugh, even if it seemed a little strange, a faint smile in Turo's expression as his head tipped. "I look forward to it, even if it means cleaning up multiple times.

"It still means progress, after all."

He nods absently. "Inexorable progress," he mutters to himself. Because mankind always seeks to better themselves. Even without help, they'll tear themselves down and rebuild within the span of a century - a speed still fairly dizzying to someone of his age.

"I will increase my power more slowly next time. I imagine you would benefit from seeing the break point of your machines."

"Most of it does tend to not care what lays between it and striding ahead," almost idly spoken as Turo finished up a few notes before tucking the notebook away for a moment. "Forgetting the present for a desired future that... is not going to be what they wish, ignoring certain signs."

He'd certainly witnessed something, at the very least.

Still, there was a nod as Turo soon was collecting cooled scrap into a sort of container that could hold it all safely. "That would most certainly do well- even if only a fraction of a second that it could happen in."

"Mankind cannot help it, fixated as they are on the short term." Emet-Selch has seen the results of man's hubris in the rise and fall of many, many nations.

He refrains from voicing more cynical opinions though, dragging his thoughts back to present-day problems with a sigh.

"Indeed. Let's continue."

"Far too many set their focus on a future without thinking of what all they do it may affect." He'd seen the calculation results, the disaster that had been closer and closer to coming if he had not forced himself to step in once he was no longer... capable of being stopped. That he could finally act and stop it, reach out for the help needed when opportunity presented itself.

Still, best not to dwell on what had already been done and hopefully stopped due to his presence no longer being in that world. Let it be safe, a machine now unable to be restarted.

"Give me a moment to get the next one started then."

He nods agreement. Emet-Selch has the benefit of his long life to better predict the outcome of his actions, but even he couldn't always anticipate the resilience (or lack thereof) of those he once manipulated. He reflects on his own successes and failures whilst the next prototype is readied, a pensive look upon his face.

He's far too strong for these early machines to withstand but hopefully, someday, that will change. In the meantime, maybe he can adapt the technology to another application.

There was a long road ahead, even for these barrier generators- but they could still do a world of good as personal shields even if temporary. Goals were something to be strived towards, this wouldn't be the end of development after all. Not a bad first step, and those that followed could see their own failures, but those could be learned from. Would be learned from.

Even these, little tweaks that could be done in the field to the power source to see just how it could affect the strength of the barrier shield.

It would be a good day.

Interesting choice for clothing.

[ It's not a jab or anything like that. Honestly, it's just that he doesn't really see robes all that often. They can't be super comfortable or convenient to fight in.

But maybe this old man isn't the sort to do that? ]

[ For some reason, wearing this robe puts him in a good mood. Or at least, a better mood than anyone would ever see him usually. And the material really is quite beautiful. ]

I find it more comfortable. Robes were what my people wore a very long time ago.

[ He turns to Cloud and pulls the hood up over his head. It shadows his eyes a little but not so much that he can't see out. The only thing he needs now is his mask. ]

[ To each their own. Cloud isn't actually judging the guy over his choice of clothing. It's just not what he really would expect to see. From anyone. ]

The hood going up part of it too?

Yes. And a mask.

[ He snaps his fingers and the illusion of his red mask settles in place. The red clashes a little with the glittering hues of the robe however so, after examining his reflection for a few seconds, he dispels it with another snap. ]

[ Right. The guy has the ability to kind of just. Make things appear out of thin air. Cloud remembers that much.

The red does clash so - ]

White or black would work.

Hah. White, you think...

[ After a moment, he snaps his fingers and creates a facsimile of his people's generic, white mask. The silvery floral embellishments certainly fit better with the robes.

Emet-Selch stares at his reflection. Ordinarily, he would be overcome with a wave of nostalgia. Instead, he feels strangely at peace. ]

Yes... It doss look better, doesn't it.

[ It's still a little out there for him, seeing someone materialize things from out of thin air. Of course that's not a thing where Cloud comes from. So it really only reinforces the fact that there are so many other worlds out there. And each one is different with rules and abilities that are just as varied. ]

I'd say so. That closer to what you'd be wearing at home?

No, actually. [ He sounds pensive. ] But I wish it were.

[ He turns to face Cloud. The robe shimmers gently, as if glowing with internal fire. Very little can be seen of his features, which is exactly as intended. ]

These robes should be black, but I think they'll do nicely for...fancier occasions. Besides, flashy outfits are preferred by mortals these days, aren't they?

You're asking the guy that more or less wears black all the time. Not a fan of flashy.

[ He tilts his head to the side. Actually it all works very well together. ]

Would stand out at a party or something.

I daresay I would stand out less if multiple other paladins take advantage of the seamstress' offer.

[ Or...maybe he still would since how many of them would think to commission a full length robe? ]

Speaking of which...were you also here for a fitting?

[ Cloud can't help it. He huffs, an amused laugh. Shakes his head and tilts it to the side. ]

Is that your way of saying that I should be here for one? 'Cause these colors... Don't really suit me.

Hmm, mayhap not formal wear but a tie instead?

[ Feeling unusually mischievous, he snaps his fingers again. This time it's Cloud's outfit that changes: taking on the outward appearance of a plain suit with a tie that glimmers like Emet-Selch's robes.

~~He's a Turk with a colourful tie.~~ ]

[ The sudden change in his attire leaves Cloud a little startled. The guy has some... Really interesting abilities. Doesn't change the fact that Cloud looks at himself in the mirror. And yeah, he definitely thinks 'Turk' and doesn't really care for it. ]

Feels... Awkward. I haven't worn anything like this in a long time.

Practical fellow, are you? Then how about this?

[ Another snap of his fingers and this time Cloud is back in his usual gear but with a colourful bandanna tied around his head. ]

Rem, who has been standing a safe distance away, still ducks and covers her head when Emet attacks the barrier. She can't even name what sort of magic or power he is using, but whatever it is, it's strong.

The smell of smoke fills her nostrils, and she hears the high-pitched whirr of the machine as it attempts to adjust its output. Before she can say anything, it's too late. Emet-Selch's attack shatters through the lattice pattern with all the force of an iron beam plugging through a glass ceiling.

When the smoke clears, the barrier itself is no more, and the contraption that powers it is little more than a charred pile of metal.

"...Wow." Cue a rather loud gulp. "U-um... Good job?"

Oops. Emet-Selch lowers his hands and frowns at the charred machine.

"I was not expecting it to be so...flimsy." That is kind of disappointing, actually. "I apologise. You'll have to make another now for someone else to test."

Edited 2024-02-08 13:46 (UTC)

"No... No, this is-- good! Helpful." She straightens up, putting on her best reassuring smile. It's a little forced, but she doesn't want to give the impression that she's that disappointed. They put their prototypes out here for a reason, and he's assisting.

Rem makes her way over to the broken magitek holding a hand to her mouth to protect herself from the smoke. It's too hot to touch. "I suppose an attack like that wasn't even your hardest-hitting one, was it?"

It was ordinary offensive magic, he thinks, but tactfully decides not to voice.

"No, it wasn't. I don't believe you would enjoy me bringing my full might to bear on anything let alone this barely functional contraption."

Rem crouches near the pile, lifting out her hand to cast a mild ice spell beneath it. That'll help cool it quicker so that she'll be able to piece through the wreck.

His comment that it's a barely functional contraption makes her puff out a cheek. His assessment is correct! But she can't help but feel a little defensive.

"H-hey, it's a prototype," her shoulders rise with a small shrug. "Besides, aren't you a god?" Or essentially one. A higher-god. He did say he and others created a god. "I doubt that there's a barrier out there that can withstand anything you throw at it."

"Not a god," he corrects. "But yes... I suppose there is little that can withstand my strength."

For some reason, this makes him melancholic. But moments later, he seems to shake himself out of it.

"Do you want me to use less power against the next one?"

[ Rem sits back, looking over the contraption that's... pretty much melted together. It'll take a lot more time to go through its parts, and so, she abandons it.

Instead, she stands up, turns, and walks to another box, which she takes out a knife to cut open. Another prototype is inside. ]/

Yes, that would be helpful. [ As she puts the contraption together, she glances over her shoulder at him. ] Can you temper your power? Maybe gradually ramp it up?

A put-out sigh. "That's precisely what I was doing... But very well. I shall reduce it further."

The strength of a candle flame this time, maybe.

Dear Crystals, if that was him limiting his power, she's afraid to know what it's like to see his full might! But this is good. Good. They need powerful people to test the barrier, so that it can be developed to withstand said power.

Rem brings out a second prototype shield. "Okay."

She takes a few steps back... then another few steps back. "Ready!"

Maybe if she asks politely someday, he'll demonstrate. Out on the open water where no-one can get hurt.

He raises his hand again, in the same posture. The beam of energy which shoots out doesn't...seem any different to an onlooker. And indeed, this second device only fares maybe a half minute longer before the paltry shields fail and it is utterly consumed.

Emet-Selch lowers his hand and glowers at the thing. "I halved its strength," he mutters defensively.

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February catch-all open log

Stress Test (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

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I can only blame work and ff7:re for ruining my tag schedule

it be like that sometimes forreal

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RL stress making me slow, sorry!

all good! we can probably wrap this up with them continuing tests

Works for me! 🎀

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Cloud don't lie you wore a dress that one time

shhhh

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stress test

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