The Royal Artificery Society - IC

[WindStruck]

When the owl is mostly done, Isaera smiles a little and says quietly, "<Elven> I'm glad you like it. But I can't spoil you every night and deprive you of a hunt. We shall be good friends I think."

Though the bird probably understood absolutely nothing of what she said.

[DeTess]

The bird cocked it's head at the sound of Shandara's voice, but it gave no indication that it understood the elf's words. Still, it was content to remain perched on Shandara's hand for a while longer before eventually leaving again. Shandara would find the owl perched within sight of her window the next morning, though the bird would be fast asleep at that time.

[DeTess]

The last day of the festival started quieter than the days before, the previous three days of the festival having worn down even the most fervent of partygoers. The inhabitants of Vaungate knew that it wasn't quite done yet though, with the largest fireworks show in the known world set to take place that evening. Until then, there where markets across town, and the imperial palace had opened its gates to petitioners from all walks of life.

The imperial palace was a truly grand building, every wall and even most ceilings richly decorated with paintings, sculptures and tapestries depicting a variety of topics from past victories to fantastic scenes. Clear sines indicated where petitioners should go to have their petitions heard, as well as where curious onlookers should go to observe proceedings. Security was tight, the stern figures of the imperial guard clad in silver armour trimmed with azure Cloth holding watch all along the hallways. Supporting them where members of various knightly orders as well as members of the rangers guild. Shandara would notice that both petitioners and prospective onlookers seemed to be stopped seemingly at random by this collection of guards, and though most where allowed to pass on soon enough, others where taken out of the main hallway and would only return after some time, presumably having been questioned in depth or searched or something like that.

"Halt, citizen." A knight wearing plate armor and with heraldry showing a wolf of sorts motioned for Shandara to stop. "What is your purpose here?" Suspicious eyes look down on Shandara from behind the helmet's face-plate.

"It's okay, Albert." A familiar voice speaks up from behind Shandara. "She is a respected member of the Artificery society. I highly doubt she has any plans to cause trouble here." Captain Eshanel of the Ranger's guild stands behind Shandara. She looks quite a bit better than the previous time Shandara saw the half-elf. Though quite a bit of scarring remains on her face, it has faded, as if belonging to a years-old wound.

"Ah, if you say so, Ranger-Captain." The knight looks Shandara over once more, than indicates that she's free to move on.

[WindStruck]

After being well-rested from the previous (and admittedly exciting) day, Shandara prepares to visit the Imperial Palace for the first time in her life. She already did have a very nice dress tailored to herself, perhaps for just such an occasion, and the jewelry to boot.

It was an elegant and beautiful affair of green chiffon, silk, and lace, which covered much of her small and skinny form, yet did leave her shoulders, her arms, and her back partially exposed.

Did a quick search and this seemed pretty cool.

To compliment the outfit, she wore some velvet green slippers with thin leather soles on the bottom, and which were bejeweled on the top. She also adorned herself with some of the best pieces of jewelry she had set aside, and none of it very spidery, including some anklets, bracelets, necklaces, an arm band, and a thin jeweled circlet which rested across her forehead. Her hair was braided somewhat like a crown in the front, until it the two braids met at the back of her head and let the rest fall down past her shoulders.

Overall, with the dress, jewelry, and her parasol, she might have looked like some noble trying to catch a carriage ride in the wrong part of town. But with her destination being the Imperial Palace, it made sense.

All the art in the palace was definitely something to pay attention to as well. In a way, it was sort of like taking a trip to a modern museum. It's not like Shandara went out much anyway, and she would likely not be back for a long time, so she wanted to get the most out of it. While she did not intensely study every piece of art like an archeologist, she did take her time to take in all the surroundings, strolling at a very leisurely pace and frequently stopping for a moment at each sight that interested her before moving on.

That is, up until she was actually stopped by someone else. Her purpose? Well, that was probably obvious, wasn't it? Shandara could have articulated the reasons for being here herself. And the simplest answer would be best: to observe the court. However, just as she was opening her mouth to speak, the Ranger-Captain Eshanel vouched for her.

Shandara turned around to nod at her, and smiled softly. "Thank you, Captain. And I wish you luck when you embark upon your mission."

[DeTess]

"Thank you." The ranger captain replied. "My squad and I will be leaving tomorrow, and hopefully good news about our expedition will be reaching the capital in about four months." With a final nod the half-elf turned around and started moving through the crowd again, here eyes scanning around for trouble.

Ahead of Shandara the stream of curious onlookers and petitioners started to split up, based on signs giving directions to various halls where the high nobility where holding court. Most of the onlookers, and a decent amount of the petitioners where moving straight ahead however, to the throne room where the emperor himself was holding court.

[WindStruck]

At this point, Shandara felt herself looking at the various artworks and luxurious tapestries a bit less, but she followed the signs that pointed to the way observers should follow. She simply had no business making a petition of any kind.

[DeTess]

Following the signs indicating where Observers should go, Shandara soon found herself in a long hallway, with a number of doors leading off to her right. Three lines had been set up in the hallway, and a well-dressed servant was guiding people where they should go. The man gave Shandara an appraising look, then pointed her down the middle line. Unlike the rightmost one, where plenty of people where waiting for space to clear in the room ahead, this line allowed her to pass right along without waiting, and enter the throne room through one of the doors in the hallway.

The palace's throne room was a massive room. On the far side on a dias raised several meters above the floor a large throne was set, surrounded by smaller chairs. The center of the room was occupied by waiting petitioners, while on both sides of the room three areas had been roped off for onlookers. The largest of these areas on both sides where filled with men an women in fairly rough clothes, common laborers, farmers and the like. Shandara however found herself into a smaller area which had been furnished with simple chairs. Based on the far fancier clothing worn by the people around here this was where rich merchants, highly skilled and well-of craftsmen and the like where allowed to watch the proceedings, The area to the left of her and closest to the dias holding the throne was occupied by grander seating and what appeared to be members of the nobility.

The focus of nearly everyone in the room was the dias holding the throne, of course. Seated on the throne was an old half-elf, Raimel Tarian, the emperor himself. The emperor's long hair was a pure white, and he had a neatly trimmed matching beard. He was wearing what appeared to be a highly embellished military uniform displaying all manner of honours and ribbons, and on his head was a surprisingly simple crown, a simple band of reddish metal. Surrounding him where a number of advisors, and seated on the smaller chairs on the Dias where members of his household and the highest members of the empire's nobility. Most noteworthy among them was a female half-elf, maybe 30 years of age with short cropped red hair. She was wearing by far the simplest outfit among those on the dias, a simple uniform not unlike what captain Eshanel had been wearing, yet her position, standing right next to the throne, as well as her general bearing suggested she was one of the most influential people present.

"...and so we humbly ask you to send help to our village, that we might be rid of the monster stalking our herds and our people." A small group of peasants was presenting their petition to the emperor at the moment.

"Have you not requested count Tyrlon for aid? Your village lies within his domain." One of the emperor's advisors questioned the peasants. "This should first and foremost be on him to resolve."

"Ah, we have done that." The leader of the group of petitioners replied. "And of course we mean all respect to the count and his soldiers, but so far they have not been proven up to the task of finding the monster, let alone slaying it."

It seemed like the advisor was going to say more, but a slight gesture by the emperor stopped him. It was the woman standing next to the throne that spoke, however. "A squad of rangers will visit your village before the winter solstice arrives. They will deal with the monster." She spoke as if she was stating a simple fact, rather than making a promise.

The peasants expressed their gratitude and bowed profusely, and they where quickly guided away by a group of stewards so that the next petitioner could state their case.

[WindStruck]

So this was the great throne room of the emperor, the seat of power itself. In all honesty, Maerimydra was almost nothing compared to Vaungate, and Vaungate was merely the capitol of one sprawling, united empire. The palace itself made any great house or temple Shandara had ever seen underground pale in comparison, and the very throne room was massive and rivaled any of the greatest halls from her former home as well. But then again, one could argue that above ground, there was certainly more room for building..

While many drow would likely covet or spurn all aspects of this civilization given the chance, Shandara's analytical mind could not ignore how prosperous and peaceful (if not, orderly?) this all was. It was a bit daunting to think that she was sitting here in the same room as the emperor himself, but in all honesty, being in the same place as a High Priestess of Lloth would have probably been more intimidating. This was at least, as much as she could intuit based off what she knew, but she did know one thing: she was lucky to be here.

---

The whole process and gathering was fascinating to Shandara. She had never seen the emperor before, nor any of his advisors, nor the nobles. At least, not as far as she could recall. And the young woman in the plain uniform... Shandara racked her brain trying to think of who that was. Surely that must be the Emperor's granddaughter, Isalar Tarian? By appearance and mannerisms alone, Shandara would have never guessed this, but by the fact that she stood so close to Raimel Tarian himself, there was no mistaking it.

It seemed that, if anything, the granddaughter was getting practice doing the emperor's job, for the day when he would inevitably have to step down, fall ill, or worse. But in any case, Shandara had come to merely observe the proceedings, so she remained quiet and watched as new petitioners came and went. She was interested to see how various problems would be handled - or dismissed.

Spoiler: ooc

Show

yeah, just observing, but you don't have to write enough content for two whole seasons of Judge Judy.

So feel free to summarize, timeskip, or whatever.

[DeTess]

Over the next three hours a host more petitioners appeared before the emperor. Some requests where simple, asking the emperor for his support for a journey of exploration or to help a community fallen on hardship. Others where more complicated requests to the emperor, asking him to render judgement on cases local authorities had been stumped by.

Matter relating to defense of the empire and protection of its people where handled by the red-haired woman, often with minimal input from the emperor or his advisors. other matters where seemingly discussed in detail on the Dias, but the emperor never presented the judgement himself, leaving that up to his cadre of advisors. In fact, but the time dusk was starting to fall on the crowd of petitioners started to slowly diminish, Shandara realized she'd never once heard the voice of the elderly emperor during the proceedings.

[WindStruck]

Shandara had stifled a yawn. Or rather, tried to and failed, and this wasn't the first time. Perhaps it was time to go. And yet.. it was so strange how she had never heard the emperor speak. Not once.

Still, she felt she would not get the answer to that curiosity simply by observing more of the petitions. Nor would it be appropriate to just interrupt the whole process. It may have been hard to get the timing right, or perhaps there simply was no such thing, but when it felt like a good moment, Shandara slowly stood and exited the way that she came, following the practices of others who had vacated before her (be it bowing, never turning your back, or something else).

Once out of the throne room and in the hallway where three entrances were before, Shandara took her time to look around. Perhaps there was someone else that might know what was going on? Maybe a noble or some other from the very high end leaving? Then again, it probably wasn't a good idea to ask such a person...

For a few minutes, Shandara lingers nearby, occupying her time by looking at some tapestries.

[DeTess]

As Shandara loitered around the hallway, observing the artwork, a pair of noblewomen entered the hallway from the door leading to the noble section. As they passed by her, Shandara's sensitive hearing allowed her to pick up part of their observation.

"...appeared sharp and alert, it seems those rumors where just overblown." One of the Noblewomen said to the her companion.

"I haven't heard him say a word though, so those discussions could have been just for show." The other noblewoman replied.

"Ah, I caught some of those conversations, actually." The first noblewoman to speak taps one of her earrings. "He's terribly hoarse, might have had an infection of the throat. In fact, I heard..." The pair had passed by Shandara and they, and their conversation, where fading in the distance.

[WindStruck]

Well, now seemed to be as good a time as any to leave. Perhaps listening in on whatever conversation these two women were having would be fruitful. And it was far more desirable than bothering someone and soliciting information from them.

Spoiler: ooc

Show

Guess I'll just get going. Maybe another perception roll to see if Shandara hears anything else.

(1d20+6)[19]

And at this time, it might be best to wait for Prehysterical.

[Prehysterical]

After turning in early due to the sumptuous seafood meal, Bolten had difficulty falling to sleep. There was a niggling feeling that he had missed something, but he resolved himself to find out in the morning.

He woke up fairly early (especially for him) and made his way to the Society's main library. Perhaps there he would find his answers to the riddle of the dragon.

[DeTess]

It takes Bolten quite a bit of time to dig up the right resource. 'Florian's Almanac of dragons' makes no mention of the odd dragons Ulrik described, nor does 'the monster hunter's handbook' or 'color coded for your convenience, a guide to dragons'. However, after a bit more digging, Bolten finally finds a reference in a travelogue called 'journeys beyond the eastern frontier'.

This book describes the authors travels far beyond the eastern frontier of the empire and her encounters with all manners of exotic cultures and creatures. Though many of the stories seem exaggerated, she also describes encounters with strange dragon-like creatures that match the description Ulrik had given. One of these types of dragons, which supposedly favor living in mountain ranges and whom the author describes as 'wise sages, eager to share their wisdom with those that treat them with proper reverence' have a breath much like that of the bronze dragons that once made their lairs within the empire's borders.

[Prehysterical]

So, there was some precedent for the story, but not much to go on as far as actionable information... Perhaps a diplomat or ambassador would be able to help him? The Empire did engage in diplomacy with other nations, after all, and perhaps someone outside of his usual circle would be of help.

Bolten begins hunting for an office or embassy where easterners might be found.

[DeTess]

Bolten's search through the embassy district proves somewhat fruitless. There was one particular building that stood out to him, its building style particularly unusual and the guards at the gate looking somewhat like the humans described in the travellogue, a bit shorter than most humans in the empire with oddly slanted eyes. These guards informed him that the embassy was closed due to the ongoing festivities, and that he would best return several days after the festival ended, as priority would first be given to their countrymen once the embassy reopened.

As the dwarf was about to leave though, a peculiar humanoid left the embassy, flanked by another pair of guards. The humanoid had dragonlike features, his skin covered in gold scales and his head shaped much like the dragons Bolten had read about, suggesting that he certainly was on the right way.

***
That evening the fireworks show was held to close off the festival. Though the view from Shandara's room wasn't perfect, she could still see quite a bit. Flare's went up into the sky and exploded in streaks of golden sparks suggesting wheat, while red and green explosions in the sky brought to mind images of many of the other fruits and festivals brought in during the harvest. Some of the fireworks that came afterward painted images of all kinds of animals in the sky, and the whole thing was closed off with a dragon created entirely from the sparks of exploding fireworks making a pass over the city.

The owl spend most of the show huddled on it's perch, but when offered a safer space inside Shandara's home, the bird gladly took the offer. Once the noise and violence had finally settled down the majestic bird took wing again, most likely heading off to look for a meal. The net morning though, Shandara would find a dead mouse on her window sill, presumably an offer of thanks form her feathered visitor.

***
The Drow's next day, or at least afternoon and evening, where spend in research. Tracking down a suitable ritual to bond with the owl as a familiar wasn't too difficult. There where a lot of variations available, but given the bond she'd already started building, a simple ritual based on druidic rites to confirm that bond would probably be the best option. The ritual suggested executing it on a night with a full moon, which would be in a week's time.

Her other topic of research wasn't quite going as well. There was plenty of research on souls themselves, but rarely on the impressions left by souls on other objects. The majority of the research she did find was split between two topics. The first was the undead, and recorded instances off corpses raised as unintelligent undead nonetheless showing some rudimentary signs of recognition of loved ones. As the original soul was not at all a factor in the creation of such undead there was quite a bit of speculation regarding the causes of these incidents, with conclusions ranging from 'confirmation bias, no recognition is actually happening' to 'the original soul left traces of strong emotions in the body, which the animating energy incorporated in itself, resulting in something more than a mindless puppet'.

The other topic that discussed the impressions left by souls where studies on weapons, specifically weapons that had been passed down from warrior to warrior for several generations. Such weapons where often noted to develop magical abilities without any sort of enchanting actually happening. Often the abilities the weapons developed would also match to some degree the purpose to which the weapon had been turned. General consensus seems to be that over time the warriors wielding these weapons would leave tiny pieces of themselves on the weapons, which would eventually accumulate into a rudimentary kind of enchantment.

***
two days after the festival ends, Shandara and Bolten find themselves once again in the mushroom garden. They've been led to a smallish alcove in the back of the common room, where Dukkear is waiting for them. He is once again immaculately dressed, though the suit is different from the one he was wearing when they met the dwarf before. "Ah, Bolten, Shandara, it's good to see you again." Dukkear greats the two artificers with a friendly smile, though it does not reach his cold an calculating eyes. "Do you want to talk business first, or have dinner first?"

[WindStruck]

Shandara is dressed rather normally, as she was before.. though if the weather was cooling down more, she may be wearing some soft leather boots or shoes and a thicker midnight blue cloak instead of her silk one.

She ponders a moment at the Ironmonger's question and suggests, "Well. We still don't know what exactly your proposition is, and I'd hate to spoil a good meal over.. disappointment. If it doesn't work out. But that said... if you have other places to be, perhaps discussing business first would be courteous to your time."

She looked over at Bolten briefly as she began to sit down. But then, she deliberately and awkwardly looks around, such as under the table and around the seats. "Oh. I um.. I hope no one else would intend to be spying on you, or us..."

Spoiler: ooc

Show

With the amount of sheer attention Shandara is placing on this, would probably count as search with even multiple attempts. But here's just one perception roll for now.

(1d20+6)[21]

[Prehysterical]

For this meeting, Bolten has put on the dwarfiest attire that he can manage from his wardrobe. Mother always said that it was important to present himself well in the company of other dwarves. A fine leather vest rests atop a white buttoned shirt and above a pair of charcoal grey trousers. His beard holds small amounts of gold and jewels, a mixture of rubies, sapphires, and especially emeralds.

Bolten is admittedly a little apprehensive about this meeting himself, but tries to put on a good face. Dukkear wouldn't try to drop a mineshaft on another dwarf, would he...?

"Mother always said that it was bad manners to talk business over dinner. Besides, Shandara's right. I would feel better if you told us what the job was first. That would save you some silver if we decide that we are not interested. I would not take advantage of the hospitality of a clansman, after all."

[DeTess]

On her way to alcove occupied by Dukkear, Shandara had noted a couple of other dwarfs seated at the tables closest to Dukkear's table, all of whom looked like they'd lived hard lives. Though there was nothing directly tying them to Dukkear, they did give her the impression of bodyguards. It seemed Dukkear had taken some measures of his own to ensure no one would listen in.

"I'm not to worried about that." Dukkear replied in resposne to Shandara's question. "The people that had been listening in on my people during the festival have now all left the city. And don't worry about the dinner, either." Dukkear continued. "I asked you to come here, and even if we can't reach an agreement the least I can do is pay for the food. But if that is your preference, we can talk business first."

Dukkear took a moment to consider, then started explaining. "There's two things I'd be interested in. The first of these was an improvement on the bug send to spy on us. You suggested you had some ideas for that, did you not, Bolten? Ideally it'd be a design that is also fairly easy to replicate, so that our own craftsmen could create copies so that my people and I wouldn't have to worry about losing one once in a while."

"The second thing I would like a solution to is the issue of mobility. I used to rely on spells and elixers that gave me the ability to climb walls and ceilings with ease to get around the Underdark and go about my business. However, both solutions have proven to be less than reliable as of late. I suppose relying on means to magically gain the abilities of spiders was bound to prove a problem when fighting the followers of the Spider Queen." Dukkear shrugs, as if suggesting that Lolth herself was intervening to hinder him was not a big deal. "Ideally I'd have some kind of mechanical or reliable magical way to easily climb around, without otherwise limiting my abilities to move. Having the ability to anchor myself on rock surfaces while keeping my hands free would also be very welcome. Any other inventions or suggestions for gear that would easily allow me to traverse the underdark in a way most of its denizens would find hard to follow would also be much appreciated."

"So, what do you think? Any suggestions or ideas?"

[WindStruck]

Shandara raised an eyebrow at the first part of the job. She clearly remembered the odd debacle, Bolten casually talking directly into the spying bug. But was he really that loud?

"I might not have any input on the mechanical aspects for the spying bug, but if it was invisible, or at the least, the box was, that would probably be an improvement. Then again, the ability to see invisibility would be common when expecting spies.. so perhaps a camouflage would be best."

"For your other problem, I think I recall hearing of some magic that would allow one to enter stone. However, it was much like hiding and you couldn't move. Perhaps something similar to that, but of a far lesser degree?"

[Prehysterical]

The more that Bolten listens to Dukkear's growing list of problems, the more visibly excited he became. There was so much possibility here! Why, he could even repurpose the mental control circlet from the mechanical leg project for this purpose!

Thankfully, Shandara spoke up first and that gave Bolten a chance to calm himself somewhat. When she finished, Bolten added, "Shandara does have a point about the camoflauge... My primary concern, however, was about the use of live beetles as a carrier for the device. If you're going to the trouble of constructing an elaborate device like that recorder, you might as well integrate it into a clockwork beetle chassis. It wouldn't need to eat, sleep, or drink and it would not be a prey item for the animals living underground. If the beetles are commonly used for such listening devices, it would stand to reason that magic sensors would be used to pick up their living essence. A clockwork construct would bypass such countermeasures. The best part is that the listening device could be implanted directly within the construct itself instead of having to be mounted atop a living thing, which would reduce its profile and perhaps make it a bit less conspicuous. Work might need to be done to quiet the noise of the clockwork mechanisms and camouflage the entire assembly, but it can't be that difficult. As for being easy to reproduce..." Bolten shrugged. "I make no promises. What I consider to be reasonable does not always align with other clocksmiths."

"As for the sneaking and climbing around... I will defer to Shandara's judgment about how to avoid being detected in the Underdark. The climbing problem is easily solved, however. I can make you a cloak of arachnida. It will give you the innate ability to climb like a spider without the aid of consumables. Furthermore, it would make it so that webbing cannot stick to you, magical or otherwise. Finally, it will make you more resistant to spider's venom if you are unlucky enough to be bit.

Now, I say all this because that would be the most straightforward solution. It would also be the most cost-effective." Bolten clapped his gloved hands together and pressed the palms against each other, bringing them together to point directly at Dukkear.

"But.

You say that you need a solution that still allows for the use of your hands. I think I have a few ways that we can do that..." At this point, Bolten could no longer keep the excited grin off of his face. "For starters, I recently completed a project for a set of clockwork legs that can be controlled either mechanically or with a circlet of mental control. I might be able to repurpose that design into a sort of climbing gear. Not the most stealthy way to go about things or the most flexible, but less development time for that idea.

What I'm thinking, however, is a special spider backpack. It would be a clockwork apparatus strapped to your back that has four extendable legs that could grasp onto the stone for you. That would leave both your arms and your legs free. You could even dangle from the ceiling or a wall if you so liked! Now, I would need to draw up some plans for it, but I might be able to repurpose my mental control circlet to operate with such a device. I would need to fiddle with the enchantment so that your mind would be able to accommodate eight limbs, like a real spider, but I enjoy the idea of it if nothing else." Just the mere thought of it had Bolten almost jumping in place and clenching his fists as he beamed from ear to ear. "Oh, this is so exciting!"

[WindStruck]

Well, Bolten seemed easily excitable. Shandara might have slightly smiled, were it not for the other dangerous dwarf with them. She adds, "Unfortunately, I am rather inept when it comes to navigating or spotting would-be attackers in the Underdark. I have never been a ranger, a scout, a guard, or the like..." She shakes her head.

"About that cloak.. is not the fact that it has to do with spiders problematic? I.. really don't understand the extent of your problem, Dukkear. Could you explain what exactly has been going wrong with your old solutions? Is the magic being dispelled, or are the priestesses somehow interfering?"

[DeTess]

"I do not know for certain myself why the magic failed." Dukkear replied. "What would happen is that the effect would just stop at generally the worst possible moment, as if the duration had just run out. I've ruled out a problem with the potions and wands, and at least two of these occurrences happened while I wasn't anywhere close to a spellcaster capable of dispelling the magic... as far as I know, anyway. My clan's clerics have also ruled out a curse or similar effect, and the issue does not extend to any of the other magical tricks I keep up my sleeve. I have to agree with Shandara though, a cloak that derives its magic from the same kind of spell that has been causing issues so far does not sound like a solution. Your proposed backpack is quite another thing though...."

Dukkear sifts through a small pack leaning against his chair. and fishes out a sheet of paper and stick of charcoal. "Could you make me a rough sketch of what you're imagining? As for your suggestion, Shandara, I have made use of the spell for entering stone in the past to hide, but the limits made it quite impossible to use it as a way to move around. Do you have an idea for modifying it into a climbing tool?"

[WindStruck]

It really did sound like Lloth was intervening somehow. Spiders was most certainly Her domain... if allowed to affect the world directly from afar, perhaps simply relinquishing the power of spiders, so close to her followers and within her territory was well within Her limits? Though to be fair, it was perhaps the first time she had heard of any kind of divine power like this, aside from clerics channeling power themselves. It was frightening to think. She shivered a little at the thought.

When asked about the type of solution she had in mind, she shrugs and says, "I am thinking of an enchanted set of gloves and boots..."

Above the table, she slightly raises and outstretches a delicate hand palm up and says, "When your fingers and toes are relaxed, they would meld a few inches into the stone. When they are tensed," she curls up her fingers, "They're locked in place and cannot be pulled out of the stone unless it is damaged."

"It could take some getting used to, but I imagine it would be pretty simple to operate. Just quite intensive on your concentration. Could easily fall if you weren't paying attention, or not be able to meld into the stone if something alarms you.. Hm. Well that would concern me. It might not be the most reliable, though from what I have heard.. if anyone would be able to flawlessly use such a device, it would be you."

Looking between dwarf and dwarf, Shandara asks, "Well what do you think? Perhaps there might be an alternative option to how that works?"

[Prehysterical]

Bolten happily takes the offered paper and charcoal stick and begins drawing out the image in his head. Of course, being Bolten, the "rough sketch" is drawn with near-schematic level quality. He has to remind himself not to include gridlines or anything too in-depth, sticking instead to rough estimates. As he continues, however, Bolten stops and looks up thoughtfully.

"Hmmm... Perhaps I am making this more complicated than it really needs to be. We can make the circlet so that you can control the legs personally, but perhaps it might be better to delegate that task to a machine. Rather than an equipment apparatus, perhaps it would be easier if I simply made it as an independent construct. We could use either a circlet or a control rod to control where the clockwork spider takes you. Instead of having to control all those limbs, you just have to worry about your own and you just tell the machine where you want to go. The best part would be that it could serve other functions when it's not carrying you around, like if you needed to haul something or use it as a distraction."

With that thought in mind, Bolten flips the paper over and tweaks the design. Instead of a mere backpack with a housing mechanism for the cogs and legs, the image of a ruby-eyed clockwork spider begins to appear. "We would design a special harness for you that would hitch to the spider's back, locking you on securely. Of course, it could also be disengaged in case of emergency." Beside the spider, Bolten draws a simple-looking hitch harness design that would slot neatly into a hole on the machine's top.

As Shandara suggests her own solution, Bolten looks uncomfortable as a flaw presents itself. "Shandara... If the boots are meant to meld into stone when the feet are relaxed, wouldn't that mean that even the floor would suck around the boots? I feel like Dukkear would be fighting every step like he was walking in mud. Or would that property be only upon activation of a command word or some such?"

Bolten rubs his bearded chin as he thinks about alternatives. "Perhaps a set of piton straps with a modified stone to mud spell? Maybe only the tips would be so enchanted and it would let the pitons sink in without compromising the rest of the rock underneath of his feet. Of course, we would have to make sure to enchant so that it would anchor sufficiently and not... have him fall off because it only sank in a few inches," he trails off.

[WindStruck]

Shandara looks at Bolten's sketch with interest. He was certainly going into a lot of detail. So much so that they would have likely ordered their dinner and it would be arriving any moment by time he was finished. "Hrm. I have a feeling you should stay away from the spider themes. Just because of the.. aforementioned problems. Even if it is just a thematic resemblance in your machine design. Perhaps an ant, or a mantis, or a lizard? Or perhaps an octopus?" she suggests.

When Bolten mentions the problem with simply walking she does look briefly crestfallen and says, "Ah. Yes, of course... I honestly don't know how that would feel, but maybe like sinking into mud would feel accurate. I suppose we would need a command word too," she sighs.

"The minor melding idea seems a little problematic. I'd be willing to experiment, though maybe a different method is better. Something that just.. magically sticks to the surface of stone? I don't think it would be as strong though. Or, perhaps, it may be safer to rely more upon engineering..."

[DeTess]

"Regarding controlling the climbing legs, I would prefer to have the option to manually control them." Dukkear was looking over Bolten's sketch with great interest. "It's not that I don't trust your ability to create something that can control them without my direct input, but I'd still like to be able to control them manually occasionally. Would it be possible to have both functions?"

"As for your stone melding idea..." The dwarf turns his attention to Shandara. "While the boots seem a bit impractical, just having the gloves to complement Bolten's design or even just an ordinary set of climbing spurs would make climbing a lot easier already. And if it was possible to expand their use to maybe allow me to dig small permanent holes through solid rock, that'd be even better. Even just being able to drill a small hole with my fingers to use to stash messages could prove very useful."

[WindStruck]

Shandara says, "I suppose it might work best only with the gloves. I was just trying to accommodate your request to keep your hands free..."

"If you don't mind my asking, what sort of activities do you plan to be doing with such climbing gear? I assume it's mostly stealth, a little sniping, plus anything else conceivable should things go wrong?"

[DeTess]

"That mostly covers it, yes." Dukkear replies to Shandara's question. "In my experience working in the underdark, a good set of climbing gear will get you into or out of any place you could care to name. Guards tend to watch the ground, and only the most savvy ever bother looking up. And sticking close to the walls or cave ceilings means you stand out a whole lot less than if you'd try to use magic to fly in."

[WindStruck]

Turning to Bolten, Shandara says, "I think your sketch looks very promising. Perhaps, rather than independently working on my own item, I can use my expertise in enchantment to magically enhance your creation? I think that would be the best all around."