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    Default [Acro] Monument to the Efficacy of Steam I

    Within a valley a short distance from the organizations nearby is a wide, circular building with five arms protruding from it- each arm a hydraulic device that suck essence and steam out of the five geysers that surrounding the center of the valley. Bursts of green steam can be seen swirling artfully away from the devices as they safely draw away the resources and channel them into the building's heart- a heart of pistons pumping the magical lifeblood throughout the manse via cables of silvery metal. The glow of power can be seen in the walls, and felt streaming through the air as the building channels it all to the appropriate locations.

    Upon entering the large, steel double doors, one would find themselves in the outermost chambers, which form a circle around the inner chambers. The outer chambers are adjusted perfectly as living conditions- the temperature, air supply, smell, and generally anything you can think of being perfected for human use. The floors are nicely padded with a soft gray mat that absorbs and disposes of anything spilled on it, while any of the walls can be adapted into displays or interfaces for communication within the building, simple computers, or simply large, magical white boards. What is more, all of the doors open on mental command, approach, or touch (assuming they haven't been locked), lighting can be controlled with a thought, and furnishings are adaptable to any sort of purpose (a chair could unfold into a couch, table, or bed, or could collapse into a small nightstand). As such, each room has a completely identical set of furniture which can be adjusted to the user's needs. The outer chambers provide nice views of the outside, and a number of them contain small hotsprings. Typically these areas are used for personal rooms or entertainment.

    After exploring the outer chambers, one would enter the intermediate chambers. Within this area is the library- but not in the usual sense of a library; this library is an archive of luminous crystals that store knowledge inside them. With a touch of a hand, one can access its index and sort through its knowledge, and transcribe any material they wish to take elsewhere onto a single, softly glowing sheet of paper that can hold an extraordinary amount of information. Also within the intermediate chambers is an armory containing a large number of potent magical weapons (all of which are secured against anyone who is not authorized), a storage chamber (which is sealed off to anyone not authorized), and a large gallery for audiences and museum display. The gallery is capable of displaying a number of fantastic views, and manipulating its contents with finesse to prepare for any occasion.

    The central chamber, however, is the most captivating. The large, single room contains a vivid pool of red, yellows, greens, edging deep blue water that glistens in the room's lights, sparkling with magic and beauty. Surrounding this pool are a myriad of machines and workplaces neatly provided with the most exquisite and well crafted tools, a furnace powered by the intense heat of the lava flow beneath the valley with a series of hammers and bellows, a lathe that adjusts in every way to the slightest touch, and far more besides, some that only the most specialized magic users and craftsmen could identify. High above are a series of mirrors and lenses, and a ceiling that can slide open to display sun, star, and moonlight- capable of focusing or blocking out any specific one at the user's desire. This central room is a workplace of wonder, surpassed by none and only equaled by few.

    This is the home and workplace of Yaza, Precise Workings in Gold. Here she takes commissions for artifacts of wondrous powers, designates jobs to those willing to seek out rare components for her, and entertains her friends. Her enemies, however, should be warned that the place has a series of quite potent defenses...

    Welcome to the Factory Cathedral, the manse known as the Monument to the Efficacy of Steam.

    Artifact Information
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    Yaza creates very potent artifacts for anyone who asks. These artifacts are not things to be commissioned and taken lightly- they are true magical creations, powerful relics of legend that bind themselves to one user, and that user alone. While some use lesser magic to enchant items, Yaza's technique forges true artifacts that possess powers and rules that cannot be dismissed.

    The following two magical laws apply to Yaza's artifacts:

    Law of Ownership

    The artifacts will not work as well, or truly be owned, for anyone but the person Yaza created it for. Someone attempting to use an artifact that isn't their own will find it well made, but also have a sense of wrongness about it that may cause them great difficulty in using it.
    What is more, the ownership of the item is a bond breakable only by severe circumstances, such as the death of the owner. Unless the bond is broken, it is highly difficult to remove an artifact from its owner except for temporarily- thought the owner can lend and put it down as they wish. An owner also has an innate understanding of where their artifact is and its general condition. If an owner of an artifact remains dead for five days, the artifact returns to the only other who can lay claim to it- Yaza, the original creator. (Due to her connection to the artifact, Yaza has a vague sense of where and how the artifact is as well.)
    OOC: this is an OOC agreement you agree to when Yaza creates an artifact for your character. If the character is really dead for five days (including becoming undead- though if an artifact is made for an originally undead character either becoming alive or being destroyed would trigger this instead), then the artifact returns to Yaza, and comes under my control once more.

    Law of Resistance

    Yaza's artifacts, regardless of the materials and apparent nature, are extremely resistant to harm, and may even seem nigh invulnerable. They can be damaged, or even destroyed, but actually ridding the world of one forever requires great effort and power. To damage one to the point where it will no longer function requires rare and destructive magic, repeated assault with the use of an item of similar potency, or intricate understanding of its creation combined with appropriate attempts to undermine its workings. Even then, however, the artifact can still be repaired. To destroy one forever is an undertaking of epic proportions.
    OOC: this is a second OOC agreement and understanding that it takes far more than normal magic or mundane efforts to damage an artifact. To actually destroy one beyond repair not only takes a truly unique set of circumstances, but my express OOC approval.

    OOC Note- this probably isn't entirely complete yet- either because there are things I assume and take for granted, or because this freeform environment tosses something completely unexpected at me that really messes with the rules. So there may be changes.
    Last edited by AmberVael; 2009-06-20 at 06:09 PM.

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    Default Re: Monument to the Efficacy of Steam

    Woah. This...wasn't here when I left?

    Shrike, having stumbled across the place after leaving the Taverna, narrows her eyes a little and studies it carefully.

    Yaza, huh? Explains why she wasn't at the Taverna, she's been a busy girl...

    Heading up to the entrance, the, still slightly singed and fairly exposed, redhead heads inside.

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    Default Re: Monument to the Efficacy of Steam

    The door opens as she moves up to it.
    A pleasant, light female voice addresses Shrike as she enters.

    "Welcome to the Monument to the Efficacy of Steam. If you have business with Yaza, please state your name and business, and she will be with you shortly. If you wish to tour the manse, I can create a guide for you, or else list the places you are currently allowed access to."
    The voice seems to come from the walls.

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    Default Re: Monument to the Efficacy of Steam

    Shrike looks up, tucking a singed strand of hair behind her ear, and grins a little.
    Name's Shrike. I'm here to make a special delivery that Yaza requested.

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    Default Re: Monument to the Efficacy of Steam

    "Right this way please."
    An arrow appears on the wall, pointing towards a door that should lead inwards towards the center of the building.
    Upon opening it, Shrike will find herself in a hallway that leads directly towards a door to the inner chamber.

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    Default Re: Monument to the Efficacy of Steam

    In the hallway Shrike goes, whistling a inanely cheerful tune.
    It's not quite the 'I got paid twice!' kind of cheerful, but it's close.

    Reaching the door, she opens it.

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    Default Re: Monument to the Efficacy of Steam

    Shrike will see the central chamber and all of the wondrous machinery within, as well as the small, prismatic pool. Yaza is working with a strange molten metal that she appears to be singing to... however, as Shrike approaches, she seems to complete her work, and place a bar of now cooled metal on a bench.
    "Shrike. You found it then?"

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    Default Re: Monument to the Efficacy of Steam

    The prismatic pool catches the redhead's eye, but she nods and produces the bag triumphantly, handing it to Yaza. Indeed I did. Got this to show for it, too. She motions to where most of her top has been burned away.

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    Default Re: Monument to the Efficacy of Steam

    "I see."
    Yaza doesn't even blink at the sight, noting it impassively as she takes the bag and gently removes the plant inside, setting it out carefully before drawing a small vial from her bag.
    "I can deal with the burns if you need me to. Free of charge."

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    Default Re: Monument to the Efficacy of Steam

    Shrike shrugs, then nods. If it's not a problem. Won't help the clothes, but I needed a new outfit anyway.

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    Default Re: Monument to the Efficacy of Steam

    Yaza dribbles the contents of the vial onto her hand, then gently rubs the ointment over Shrike's burns. It will tingle and make a sizzling sound, but the main feeling will be that it is strangely cold, and feels like it is hardening Shrike's skin.
    And, in fact, it is. When Shrike looks down, she'll likely note that while the burns are gone, the injured skin seems to have turned to brass.

    "Your skin will go back to normal given time."
    States Yaza, siphoning off the excess ointment from her hand.

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    The coldness brings on a shiver, and Shrike pokes experimentally at the healed areas with a raised eyebrow.
    Well, that's different. How much time?

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    Default Re: Monument to the Efficacy of Steam

    "It depends on the size of the wound."
    She eyes Shrike critically.
    "I'd give it five to seven days."
    Yaza sits down on her work bench and gestures for Shrike to seat herself.
    "So, have you thought about what you will request for payment?"

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    Default Re: Monument to the Efficacy of Steam

    Somewhat, Shrike says after a moment's consideration. You said you did stuff that does enhancements, right?

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    Default Re: Monument to the Efficacy of Steam

    "I did. Most of these are a rather long process, however, and I am not quite stocked for them. You would need to wait for your payment."
    Yaza considers.
    "If you are interested in that, there is something similar I could do for you. What do you think of tattoos?"

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    Default Re: Monument to the Efficacy of Steam

    Well, I've got one, but it's just a plain old one. Never really got around to getting one of the special ones though. Shrike grins. You know how to make 'em, then?

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    Default Re: Monument to the Efficacy of Steam

    "I do."
    Yaza stands and moves to a special, locked cabinet, which she begins unlocking.
    "There is a particular art I learned in which one captures a demon and strips it of its flesh, reducing it to its soul and essence. With this liquid, one can do a great many things."
    She removes the lock from the cabinet and opens it, revealing a large array of jars, tightly sealed and made of metal, so as not to shatter if dropped.
    "One thing one may do is use magic and needlework to insert the remnants of the demon underneath flesh, and create a tattoo that confers some of the demons abilities."
    Yaza selects one jar and moves over to Shrike, twisted off the lid and displaying it to her- within is a silvery liquid that seems to shimmer and hum with a soft song.
    "It is called Chalcanth."
    It smells very good...

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    Default Re: Monument to the Efficacy of Steam

    And so she can't resist but take a good whiff!
    I think I'll go with this Chalcanth stuff. What sort of abilities are we talking about here?

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    Default Re: Monument to the Efficacy of Steam

    "It depends on the demon in question. Some demons will increase your strength substantially, and confer instinctual ability with war and weaponry."
    Yaza swirls the flask in front of her.
    "This one is a demon harpist- it would increase your beauty, persuasiveness, and performance skills."
    The synthetic woman looks down at the contents.
    "Incidentally, Chalcanth is also used in the creation of artifacts, while some simply drink it outright."

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    Default Re: Monument to the Efficacy of Steam

    Hmm. Persuasiveness, you say..
    Shrike seems to be giving that some serious thought.
    What about athetlicism? And would drinking it give the same benifits as having it made into a tattoo?
    Last edited by The Bushranger; 2009-05-27 at 07:42 PM.

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    Default Re: Monument to the Efficacy of Steam

    "Athletics..."
    Yaza puts down the jar she was displaying and moves to the cabinet.
    "Perhaps one of the blood apes, or jade lions."
    She looks back at Shrike.
    "And no, it does not- the effects of drinking it are mostly temporary. It renews one's energy, induces euphoria, and transfers a few of the demon's memories."

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    Default Re: Monument to the Efficacy of Steam

    I think I'll take a pass on that then. Is there a limit to how many a person can have? 'Cause being more persuasive and more athletic would be great.

    It might be noted the redheaded lightning-slinger is already athletic enough she does backflips off apartment buildings for kicks...

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    Default Re: Monument to the Efficacy of Steam

    "They are rather large tattoos, and the demonic influence might be rather strong with more than one. Still, it could be possible."
    States Yaza.
    "It's possible I could find an appropriate demon to give you a mixture of abilities, if that is what you prefer."

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    Default Re: Monument to the Efficacy of Steam

    I think I could go for that. Shrike nods, grinning. If it's not too much of a bother. Speaking of which, you got any more jobs you need done?

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    Default Re: Monument to the Efficacy of Steam

    "The question is not whether I have jobs, but whether I can afford to pay out on them."
    States Yaza.
    "Luckily, I have a fair amount of coinage and some resources for artifacts now."
    She gestures to the cabinet.
    "Now, I can give you a tattoo and have it done within an hour, but I need to know what demon to use. I currently have a wide variety of common demons..."
    Yaza considers.
    "For your purposes, I suggest either a gilmyne or a chrysogonae."
    The synthetic woman looks at Shrike for a moment.
    "A gilmyne would be most suitable, I believe. They are dancers of flame, striking a harmony between athleticism and social adeptness."

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    Default Re: Monument to the Efficacy of Steam

    The fox-girl cometh.
    “Me quoque per multos similis fortuna labores
    iactatam hac demum voluit consistere terra.
    Non ignara mali, miseris succurrere disco.”

    – Publius Vergilius Maro, The Aeneid

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    Angela will find her way into the first outerchamber with no trouble, at which point she is greeted by the same pleasant, female voice that greeted Shrike.

    "Welcome to the Monument to the Efficacy of Steam, home and workplace of Precise Workings in Gold. How may I assist you?"
    The walls seem to light up faintly around Angela.

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    Default Re: Monument to the Efficacy of Steam

    Yaza wanted to see me about an artifact. Angela glances around curiously.
    “Me quoque per multos similis fortuna labores
    iactatam hac demum voluit consistere terra.
    Non ignara mali, miseris succurrere disco.”

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    Angela will see she's in a rather simple room- there are two couches to either side, along with a desk that appears connected to the wall. There is a door on each wall, leading into other parts of the building.
    "One moment."
    There is a pause, then the voice speaks again.
    "Yaza will meet you in the room on your left."
    Arrows flash along the wall and floor towards the appropriate room.
    "She will be with you momentarily. Is there anything else I may do for you?"

    If Angela enters the room on her left, she will see if furnished with a few chairs, a desk, and a long couch. However, in the center of the room is a bubbling, brilliant blue hotspring edged with gold.

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    That'll be it. Angela enters the room and examines the hotspring.
    “Me quoque per multos similis fortuna labores
    iactatam hac demum voluit consistere terra.
    Non ignara mali, miseris succurrere disco.”

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