The Adamantine Forge (Open Mingle)

[emet_sulk]

Who: All volunteers for magitech engine development
Status: Open mingle
Where: A workshop/warehouse in Eltrut
What: We're gonna build some tools and machines!
Warnings: None unless something explodes

(Related to July's MANTA board posting.)

The warehouse that Emet-Selch has leased for the purpose of magitech development sits on the fringes of Eltrut's port settlement. Its location close to the wilderness perhaps makes it a little vulnerable to random intrusions by native wildlife, but the old mage has accounted for this by erecting a simple barrier. It was the cheapest and largest place he could afford for the coming months, okay.

The inside is about as bare bones as it can get. It'll be up to the volunteers to populate it with their designs, their work, their tools of trade. Emet-Selch can be approached with requests for easily obtainable materials, but he's not made out of a bottomless pit of money. Everyone will have to work together to see this project to its end. Accordingly, there are several ways that people can contribute:

1. Crafting Tools and Materials

Before they can even think of building a ship's engine, first they'll need specialist tools for their engineers. Whilst there are of course NPC blacksmiths and other artisans willing to help, maybe a few Riftfarers would also like to lend their expertise?

Besides the tools expected of such an endeavour, they'll need conductors, metal alloys, and various other small components. Secondary crafts made from raw materials, essentially.

2. Building Machinery

Building the parts by hand is certainly doable but it will take a much longer time. Easier and faster to automate some of the process! There are a lot of moving parts which go into a functional engine and they'll all need to be as precise as possible.

Of course, there are many steps in the evolution of technology. The main goal for now is to build smaller-scale machines. If those participating want to take the chance to work on their own little projects, well, any progress is still progress, right?

Examples: Lifts, presses, electrical appliances, and other mechanical devices.

3. Workspace Outfitting

Finally, there's the workshop itself. Originally intended as a space to store a ship's cargo, there is not much to say about it besides that it's large and empty and has a small, ship's launch ramp outside (currently vacant). As work on the tools and machinery come together, there will eventually be a need to install amenities to facilitate later work.

Examples: Forges, power generators, mechanical workbenches and the like.

---

Outside of all this, people are welcome to come and go as needed or contribute in other ways. Whilst Emet-Selch hopes that things go smoothly, real life is, of course, never so simple or easy...

(Aka. This is an open mingle log! Everyone is free to make up whatever they're working on. While I would prefer that the warehouse doesn't get blown up or something, please feel free to contact me if you want your character to meddle in some way. I'm sure we can work something out!)

Comments

[emet_sulk]

Aye, F-shaped.

[ He...seems very certain. And doesn't seem to notice the confusion, still gazing upwards. ]

But with it curving downward, the residue may accumulate in the arch... I should have asked the blacksmith his opinion before he left.

[ Finally, he looks towards Izuku. ]

What did you have in mind?

[fullgauntlet]

Erm... Okay.

[Whatever you say, boss! Although Izuku is still trying to puzzle it together...]

I was thinking something like a L-shape. That way the exhaust or steam could go straight up a hatch outside? But I'm not an engineering student either...

[emet_sulk]

[ He tilts his head curiously. ]

L-shaped? How is that any different to the usual chimney?

[ He's definitely sensing some crossed wires here. ]

...What do the letters F and L look like to you?

[fullgauntlet]

...

[...]

Maybe we need some paper and something to write with...

[emet_sulk]

I think we do.

[ And so he'll cross over to a temporary workbench he has claimed for himself, neatly arranged with an assortment of stationery and small tools. In a tray, he has a stack of scrap paper. He takes one now and a pencil which he offers to Izuku first. ]

[fullgauntlet]

[Izuku follows and when he takes the pencil he's not sure if he should write in English or Japanese. He's learning both in school, so ... He picks English first and he writes the word "Left." To show the letter L.]

This says "Left?" The L shape is this letter here? That's the shape that we should be looking for?

[Izuku frowns...]

[emet_sulk]

[ That is definitely not an Eorzean 'L'.

Emet-Selch rubs his forehead and sighs. He should have expected this. Taking another pencil, he writes the same word in Eorzean letters.

The 'L' is an upside-down English 'T', the 'E' is reversed, whilst the letters 'F' and 'T' are reflections of an upside-down fishing hook. ]

This is the lettering used on the Eorzean continent.

[fullgauntlet]

Ah.

[Izuku can't help laughing sheepishly.]

We have very different written languages, Emet-Selch-san! Erm... that shouldn't be too much of a problem, I can sketch out some idea instead...

[emet_sulk]

[ He huffs as well. He should have expected this to happen at some point, but he hadn't had an issue with communication before this. ]

Yes, well, this is what I meant earlier...

[ He draws a proper chimney this time, standing straight then curving to the side. ]

I suppose 'tis similar to what you meant in the end.

🎀

[fullgauntlet]

[Izuku nods quickly. There's no harm done. Just a little miscommunication.]

That's alright, I think I understand now. I think with this we can start making plans to construct something like it.

[And with that, Izuku will spend the next couple of months doing his best to help out!]