Wow. Today started… busy. When I woke up, my mind had finally gotten all of the various pieces of the AElemental Maelstrom together, and fused, into one distinct capability. An ability to alter the energy of the Constant Heat spell, to make it a different form of energy at its birth, or strongly associated with it. Cold, Acid, Electricity, Sonic, possibly even more esoteric energy types.
Each one will require some additional research, but that is sufficient for me to know that the spell can indeed be altered. That wasn’t the only thing that the morning brought. I also felt more attuned with the Black Butterfly and their mission. I felt that she was protecting me, guiding me slightly, away from danger, and that she had opened up some of her divine energy to me, gifting me some small measure of mystical ability to darken an area, generate a field of silence, or generate a large amount of mist, all at a desire and with some focus. I also gained a further attainment to the vitriolic flames, enhancing my maneuvers and stances with further flames.
Even this wasn’t the extent of my changes. I felt hardier, more inured to combat, better able to resist physical stress and exertions of willpower, and even a vast increase in spellcasting capability. Not enough to reach a new echelon of arcana, but I did learn quite a few new tricks, and replaced the spell I had to look through images of myself, Enter Image. It was a decent trick back in Magnimar, for when we needed to keep an eye on criminals in cells, but here, we were MUCH too vast of an area, and I didn’t have a real building where it would be efficient. Maybe after I set up a sanctum, I can set up a kind of gaol, but then again, why would I worry about it for simple criminals when I am certain that there would be more… appropriate villains that regular cells just could not hold.
Continuing with the new things I learned, my divinatory abilities have increased, both for determining what is happening at other locations in the present, via my new spells of Clairaudience/Clairvoyance, and learning about possible future events, from Fortune’s Path. Both rounding out my capabilities for determining supervillain activity and what events are going to happen. I’ll wait for a bit to get things in line before working on setting up a more thorough divination lab. I decided to meditate to fill my pool of Arcane tricks, to maximize what I can do today. I got a lot to do today, and not the most time to do it in.
Deciding to clear out some space, I got the rest of the fish out of the extradimensional backpack from yesterday, and gave them to Rex for him to divvy up between both him and his new, “pets”. I got the Mini-Avengers set to work on today’s group of eight pairs of the gloves next. After they were ready and working, I got myself ready for a quick walkabout before coming back to start my own project for part of the day. I also knew that I would have to check in with the head nurse at Norfolk Sentara, just to make sure that they didn’t need any more information.
On my way there, I happened to see a group of people going into a shop that had broken windows and looked like it might be being emptied out. When I got within ten feet of the store, just as I was to change my outfit to that of “Verdigris”, David Sawyer happened to see me and greet me with a big wave and a lot of joviality. I calmed down a bit, and walked up. David introduced me to the rest of the crew and told me that he had taken what I had said to heart, and that he had gotten together with his old crew, and they had gotten a contract to start repairing buildings that had taken some problems when everyone disappeared. One of his coworkers asked David if I was the guy who got him back on track.
David beamed and told them that I was the guy that told him that I could either live like they were permanently gone, or live like they might come back, and which one would be better received if they did come back. The coworker nodded and said that it sounded like Pascal’s Wager. I shrugged, and said that I was not immediately familiar with what Pascal’s Wager was, but that if it helps to get people back to where they will feel better, then I am all for it. As David went back to work, which I figured was them removing destroyed material to replace with new, the coworker asked me if I really believed that the people could come back. I shrugged, telling him that of all the times that I had seen something or someone die, from any number of different methods, there was ALWAYS some sort of remains, not an absolute dissolve of everything.
I added that I had seen the people disappear into nothingness, not even leaving dust, so I had to believe that they might just be out of line with our time, so they might reappear at any time, could be tomorrow, could be five and half years from now, but eventually, they should come back. The coworker nodded, patted me on the back, and thanked me for my perspective. I asked him if he felt that those who had left were watching down on him from the afterlife, or if the people disappearing were a lot different in feel from the other times in his life that he might have lost someone. The coworker thought about it for a minute, and agreed that this was much different in feeling from other times, even when the person wasn’t around or when they were lost suddenly. I nodded and said that it seemed to me that it felt a lot more like they were just gone for a while, rather than gone forever.
The coworker seemed to agree, and asked me if I knew what he had been just a week ago. I told him that I did not, and he told me that before the Stark Foundation had put so much help into the Norfolk Shelter, he had just been another panhandler, but now since they have gotten so much help, they had been getting people matched with jobs that they had skills for. I told him that this was a great thing, and that if I ever met Tony Stark, I’d be glad to tell him how much his help had been received. He looked at me with a little grin, shook my hand, and went back to work. While I walked on to the hospital, I cursed to myself, learning someone who had been helped by my charity, but that was a few days ago, so I figured that if I could find some other charitable place along the way, I could still fulfill my requirements.
While I made my way to the Hospital, I thought of any other organization that could benefit from any largesse, and then thought about maybe S.H.I.E.L.D. might have some ideas. I opened up a text box with Jonathan, and asked if he had any ideas for charities that could use assistance. Jonathan told me that there was always the Ronald McDonald House Charity, that had a local branch, and could receive donations daily. I authorized him to take a duplicate amount of what was being donated every day to the Homeless Shelter, and donate that to this organization. Jonathan texted back that he would do so, and advised me that with this additional donation level, that my charity fund would decrease much faster.
I told him that it didn’t really worry me too much, as I had another batch of money having to go that way from Bob, as I was finishing up an order today, with the firearms, for the U.S. Navy Seals, so that would be another batch of money for the charity account. Jonathan responded back with just, “gotcha”, and asked if I was still slated to be going back to active duty by Tuesday. I told him that I would, that the armor just needed another day or two to get some modifications added to it, since my focus had been on getting the city’s supplies done. He didn’t need to know that the armor was finished baseline crafted yesterday, especially since I wanted to get some armor crystals made to enhance some of the more esoteric defensive features that were going to be added into the armor. Jonathan told me that he had a team in place at least until Tuesday, but as always, there might be some emergencies that just couldn’t be handled by S.H.I.E.L.D. agents.
After a bit more walking, I finally got to the Norfolk Sentara, where the ambulance crew that I worked with was, and where the event that happened yesterday occurred. I walked into the Emergency Room, and made my way to the charge nurse, to ensure that there were no issues. When I got there, Nurse Dawson was there, and saw me as I walked in. She walked over and thanked me, saying that the guy was way too strong to be held down by just the two orderlies, and that the doctor must have missed what I had seen because of the thought that there was a possibility of a concussion. I told her that all of you guys are so swamped here that I could understand how something as complicated as that could be missed, and that they should just take what happened and try to grow from it.
Nurse Dawson smiled and said that she would, and pointed out that Lee and Stan both wanted to buy me a coffee, for helping them out yesterday. I told her that they can keep the coffees, that they might need them going forward, if the city keeps the hospital as busy as this. Nurse Dawson smiled and said that she would tell them that, and I added that I’d be back with the Ambulance tomorrow afternoon, so hopefully we can keep people getting better going forward, and I’ll make sure to try to get all of the information I can for the people I bring in. Nurse Dawson thanked me again, and I went off to talk with the Charge Nurse Hopkins. I walked over to the Nurse’s Station and met up with the Charge Nurse.
We had a meeting behind closed doors, where she thanked me for my quick wit and responsiveness to the code white, but stressed that I had broken the chain of command, but code whites are not the standard situation, and she was glad that everything turned out alright. I thanked her for her assessment and promised to not act out of turn, as long as the situation didn’t require it. Charge Nurse Hopkins smiled and said that this was all that she could ask for, but reminded me that there could be ramifications if it was repeated too frequently. I agreed with her assessment and promised to minimize my off duty time in the ER as well. Nurse Hopkins smiled and said that they might actually want me to be there more, to help deal with emergencies.
I sighed and told her that I was glad to help out when and where I could, but that I might have some more pressing assignments, but as long as those were not impinging on when I could help, I would certainly help out wherever and whenever I can. I got up from the meeting, shook the Charge Nurse’s hand, and told her that I hoped that Nurse Dawson and the attending Doctor didn’t get in too much trouble, considering how packed the ER was when it happened. The Charge Nurse said that it was in the hands of the Hospital Administration, but that she was certain that the circumstances would be taken into consideration. I thanked her for letting me know that, and told her that I would be tomorrow. We parted ways with a handshake and I headed out of the Charge Nurse station and back out through the ER.
I managed to slip out without being noticed by the orderlies or the security guards, which might cause them more consternation from not having seen me, but I can deal with that tomorrow. I just need to get back and finish the work on my projects. I didn’t have any more issues on the way back, except for someone foolish trying to pickpocket me for a wallet, one that I didn’t even have. I felt their hand go for it, and I grabbed their arm, and looked to see who it was, fearing that it was the kid I had stopped previously. Nope, it was a different person, an older, mid twenties girl, who threatened to scream if I didn’t let her go.
I knew that I didn’t need any flack from the police, so I did, but told her that it wouldn’t be a good idea to keep up with her chosen profession, because there was someone cracking down on criminals now. She sighed dramatically and said that she didn’t worry about that, because if it ever came to it, she could just bat her eyes, and Verdigris would let her go. I asked her why she didn’t go to the Norfolk Shelter to get help with food and such, instead of this chosen action. She smirked and asked if I thought that she didn’t take every opportunity she could to get whatever she wanted. I cautioned her that this kind of thing might catch up with her eventually, and that she should try to keep in mind that not everyone is willing to play by the rules of social norms.
She looked at me like I was an idiot and asked what I was going to do about it. I told her nothing this time, but if I see her pickpocketing again, I’ll use the video that has been recording from the phone tucked in my shirt pocket, indicating the S.H.I.E.L.D. phone, with the camera lens pointing out, to make sure that she can’t get away with any kind of distraction. She balked and quickly ran off, without saying a word. She didn’t even ask if I was actually recording at the time. I continued the rest of the way back to the Storage Unit without any other problems.
By the time I had gotten back, the Mini-Avengers were done with their task of working on the eight pairs of Gloves of Stabilization, so I decided to get their help with another project. I disrobed the mannequin of all of the armor, as it was all completed. I picked up the inner layer of the armor, brought it over to the table, and brought out the bags of gemstones that Agent May had given me yesterday for a trial. Before starting the enchantment, I restarted the Unseen Servant with a focus on the firearms, to finish up Bob’s order. I counted out thirty of the synthetic rubies and twenty-four of the synthetic sapphires, and added a bag of salt. It took the nine of us, the eight Mini-Avengers and I, two hours, but when we finished enchanting the armor, we all watched it float off of the table slightly, responding to a breeze from Rex’s flapping wings. It weighed nothing, and in fact, it stayed suspended wherever it was placed in mid air!
It was the light absorbing matte black of void between the stars, and the rubies, sapphires, and even some of the salt crystals, all ended up becoming embedded in the weave, like constellations of stars. While holding the armor, I noticed some vitriolic green trace ways that seemed to be more present when the mental goal was not stealth or hiding. I decided that I needed to immediately put the armor on, and immediately felt like it weighed nothing even when on me, and was even less restrictive than my previous armor. This armor was going to end up giving me a LOT more maneuverability when it came to getting around, and maybe even help with some of the minor issues with the Phantom Chopper on the bike. Since I had been the first to combine these traits, I decided to call it, Umbral Zephyr, for the traits that it contains, and as an homage to my patron, The Black Butterfly.
I summoned up another Unseen Servant, to help me get all of my armor set correctly the first time. After a little bit this new armor was all assembled and on. It would take a little time to get used to, but I think that, when I am done, it will be MUCH more defensive than the last set, the one sitting in the corner, slowly self repairing. With the rest of the time available for the Mini-Avengers to sit around or work on their own things, I could either have them continue to work on the non-magical portions of crafting their own armor, or make something else, or just sit doing nothing. I decided to have them work on a pair of special segmented ceramic boxes that would have a special purpose later in the day, and just have the second unseen servant move salt bags from outside the tent to inside, stacked up.
While they were working on the segmented crates, and my armor on and nothing else to do,I decided to do some research into what I could use for the different variations on the Constant Heat spell, to test spellcasting capability from my Page-Bound Epiphany and testing it to see if there would be any distractions while wearing it. Focusing on the needed items, I decided to use a few spells to get the information that was available on this world, as knowing that blue-ice would work is not useful on a world without blue ice. What I got for answers is kind of amusing in a way. For the Cold Variant, I learned that there were three things that could actually work, and one more amusing than the other two.
First was Tillite, a stone constructed by the pressures created by glacial ice. The second, similarly was Quartz, which had an ancient association with water and ice. Third, was actually Glacial Ice. Not normal or manufactured ice, but it had to be glacial ice, which makes some degree of sense. Some of these items would be easier to acquire than others.
The next energy I contemplated was Acid. Again, without access to the special materials of my home world, I needed a lot more knowledge of the geology for this world. What I got as suggestions was… amusing. Obsidian or Sulphur. Sulphur was fairly simple to understand, as including water to it can create Sulfuric or Sulphorous acid. Obsidian on the other hand, was associated with it from the creation of the stone, which again, makes sense.
Sonic was an interesting energy association to research. Again, not so much ability to have stones crafted by Destrachan screams, or broken by the notes of a Trumpet Archon, so I needed a more generalized stone. What came up was a somewhat broad category, lithophone stones. Diabase, Jade, and Phonolite were all possible options that were not all that rare or extremely expensive, so they can work for the tasks.
Finally, at least until I can figure out more energy types that might exist to be investigated in this world, I focused on Electricity. This was an easy to figure out pair of possible components, Fulgurite and Amber. Fulgurite was very easy to understand, as it is a stone made from lightning. Amber was understandable not from the creation, but for the static potential. It was all coming together nicely, but now I had to go head out and try to acquire all of these materials for tests.
I decided to go for a ride and see how the armor reacted while I was riding around at speed, just to get my bearings and get a further feel for the armor and how it moved. Even with all of this new armor on me, it still felt like less weight and bulk than my previous armor. Maybe I’ll give my old set to an apprentice, if I ever get one. I popped out of the unit, with an eye towards riding around and maybe dropping by Jonathan, and letting him see the new armor. Now that I am not going to Bob’s everyday, I need to figure out a better way to recharge these batteries too. They have lasted a while, but I really can’t use the light in the storage unit to recharge them, not the least of which is that it will cause even more suspicion, and I don’t trust that Recharge spell to not damage the batteries.
Once I was ready, I cast Phantom Chopper on the bike, and then Vanish on myself, while lifting the bike up. I used my Dimensional Stride Tabi Boots to pop out of the storage unit and then with the remaining time available for my Vanish spell, started riding out away from the building. By the time I was visible again, I was half a mile away from the storage unit, and pulling out of an alley in full form, with the suped-up bike. I continued my way down, before using my S.H.I.E.L.D. phone, which had been adhered to the cradle via a Stick cantrip, to dial Jonathan on a call. Jonathan picked up and I told him that I would be dropping by shortly for him to see my new armor, and with a request for more assistance in locating things that I might need. Jonathan sighed and asked if it was some new material component for a spell or something.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
Without missing a beat, I thanked him for already figuring it out, and that I would discuss the specifics with him when I got there. Jonathan said that I should call him when I get there, and was about to hang up, when I said that I would be there in a minute or so. Jonathan quickly said that he would be right out. I zoomed through traffic without exceeding the speed limit the rest of the way there. I know that I got some looks, but I think that a few people likely just set it aside as maybe some new motorcycle gear that I was wearing, especially with my bike having been cloaked in the Phantom Chopper spell.
When I got there, Jonathan was just exiting the building. When he saw me in my armor on the enspelled S.H.I.E.L.D. bike, he looked a little stunned. I propped the bike up on its kickstand, stepped over the bike, and asked if he was okay. Jonathan took a longer look over the armor that I am now wearing, and gave it a more thorough inspection. After a minute, Jonathan spoke up and asked if it was done already.
I shook my head and told him that I still had some esoteric features to add, but that I would be working on them on a daily basis after I finish up the order for the city. Jonathan seemed to weigh that thoughtfully before asking what this armor upgrade did so far. I told him that this armor would allow me to sneak around better, to gently glide down from heights, and even walk on the air for a short period of time. I could see that Jonathan was mentally cataloging everything I had said.
I thanked Jonathan and said that the gemstones would work for enchanting purposes, taking the time to show him the red and blue tiny star points in the armor. Jonathan nodded and said that they would be much easier to store than pallets of salt. I agreed with that, and asked if there was something else that he could procure. I then went on to tell him about the discovery that I had made with the Constant Heat spell, and how I would need certain items to create a field of each type, and that what I needed from him was three each of the stones, of the appropriate sizes, so that I could generate one for myself, one for S.H.I.E.L.D., and one spare. He didn’t need to know that the spare set would be going to Tony Stark yet.
Jonathan took down the information and asked me if I wanted to go inside to see if he could source them quickly. I told him that I had to head back to the storage unit, but that he could drop by whenever. He perked up at that, and told me to wait while he went in and grabbed something. He came out with what looked like a cradle, and then told me that this was a wireless charger for the phone, and that there was a Solar Panel that could charge the internal batteries for it. There was also a forty foot cable for a set of speakers to attach to.
This was all useful, and I told him that, while thanking him. Jonathan told me that he could have someone come by, to help install everything. I thanked him but said that I could probably install it myself. Jonathan nodded and said that he could get help from trusted technicians if they were needed later. I thanked him and said that I would set it up today. Jonathan finished up our meeting by saying that he would let me know what his Higher ups say about the requests.
Jonathan noted that he would get back to me with whatever information that he could about the new request for materials, and a top up of more of the rubies and sapphires. I thanked him and said that I would be visiting a few people in the city first, before I headed back to the storage unit. Jonathan said that it might be a bit odd to look like this, indicating my armor and everything. I smiled and said that was a good point, and used my Power Suit to change my outer layer’s look, to be that of a regular, if well made, outfit. Jonathan remarked that this was an even more useful aspect of my gear.
We shook hands and I rode off, to make my way to Bob’s. Bob’s Gunshop wasn’t exactly open just yet, but it would be soon, so I figured that I could drop by and check in on Bob, Steve, Doug, and even Jessica. The ride was fairly boring, and I got to the Gun Shop and pulled my bike into the parking lot and saw the four other vehicles that I remembered, and a fifth that I didn’t. I walked up to the entrance, checked the hours to make sure that I wouldn’t be intruding or trying to enter too early. I decided to have a bit of a laugh, and changed my clothes back to that high end suit that I had used when I went through Harris Teeter earlier in the week.
As I opened the door, I saw Jessica behind the counter. It looked like she was almost tricked before she welcomed me into the store by name, loud enough for others to hear. It wasn’t a minute before Steve and Bob both came in from the side. All three of them seemed very happy to see me, at least from their mannerisms and tone. Bob said that he was surprised to see me, and I told him that I was just dropping by to talk to him for a few minutes, and to let him know that the commission would be done by the end of the work day.
Bob followed what I was saying and told me that he could speak for a few minutes. I thanked Jessica and Steve for the nice welcome, and that I’d try to talk a bit after, if I had time. Bob led me to his office and we sat down, and he asked me what I had to talk about. I told him that I can likely increase the speed at which commissions are done, if he can keep up the salt deliveries and keep the arrangements coming. Bob said that he wasn’t certain if the Navy wanted to ramp up the rate, but that he would put out feelers that he can increase the availability.
I thanked him, and said that I was working on something in the future, but that it might be a month or so before I know more. Bob said that he would be interested in hearing more when I had the time to do so. I also asked if he had gotten the building ready for what needed to be made for the security features that I had offered when I was still in the building. Bob asked if I was still planning on going through with it since I wasn’t working here anymore. I told him in response that the security was never for me, but for them.
Bob told me that he had stopped the contracts for the carpentry and such, but that he would get them lined up again. I gave him the name Dave Sawyer, and said that he had recently rejoined his crew, and that they might be looking for work. Bob told me that he would look him up, and tell him that I had recommended him. I told him to please not do so, that I was happy to just help someone where I could. Bob asked me what else I was planning on doing today, and I told him that I had a few things, but that after he picked up the rifles after four, I would probably be free. Bob said that he’d try to set up a dinner for everyone from the company, and that since I was still a contractor, I was more than welcome.
I thanked him and said that I really needed to head back to keep things going, back at the storage unit. Bob stood and shook my hand, saying that he would tell me what was determined when he came by to pick up the completed order. I told him that I would see him then, and we walked out of his office, out into the lobby, and I told him, Jessica, and Steve goodbye, and told Jessica and Steve that I hoped to see them again soon. They told me the same thing, hoping that everything was going well for me, and that I would recover quickly from the fight. I smiled and said that I was probably going to be going back to full service by Tuesday, and that I was going to be helping with the Ambulance tomorrow.
I left the shop and headed back to the storage unit, ready to get setup for the next part of the process. Everyone was fairly okay, and there were not any issues that I could see, so I spent some time setting up the solar cell for the charger base. When the speakers were set up and plugged in, I placed the phone in the cradle just outside of the tent in the storage unit. I decided to catch up on my notes before I started working on my next project. There is a lot to cover, so it is important to keep my notes steady for future reflection to make sure that I can understand where I am going forward.
**********
Thursday, July 19, 2018: 9:00 PM
I had spent a few minutes going through the roster of spells that I now knew and could cast. I used one of my new spells, Caffeination, to convert the water in two jugs into something else. I chose Tea, and got a basic, bland black tea. I took a drink, and it was warm, but it wasn’t anything to bring up. I filled a glass and walked out of the tent portion to check with Ears of the City.
Fortunately, there were no real issues that were coming up. Maybe criminals were still laying low or something like that. Looking at my other new spells, I thought about Fortune’s Path, but I didn’t have the incense for the spell, so I would have to pick that up later. For the Clairaudience/Clairvoyance, I stayed out of the tent to cast it, and I just focused on a spot in the middle of Elmwood Cemetery, and just watched it for a few minutes. This spell might be a good, quick, intelligence gathering tool, but it is VERY short range compared to Scrying.
Sighing, I went back into the storage unit and picked up the book I had started working on, for Tony and Pepper. I used Page-bound Epiphany and Amanuensis to put another five subjects of pregnancy and childhood healthcare to the manual that I was creating for them. I think another few days will have a good document for them to reference in the future. Taking some time, I decided to use my Scrying spell on Tony again. Bruce and Tony were working away on maximizing the parameters of the design that I have him, while still diligently taking turns making more stones.
Right now, it was Tony saying the “Calorem Me, Pepper” command phrase for Tony’s Hot Box, to make new Phoenix Cores, while Bruce was saying the command phrase, “Fac ut ira sit, numero uno” for Tony’s Petro Printer, reshaping the Phoenix Cores into the new pipes. The stack was high and growing, and between command words and moving the items, the two of them were bouncing ideas off of each other. Tony would bring up the possibility of using a liquid that could remain liquid at high temperature and pressure, and Bruce would bring up the Chernobyl problem. Tony retorted with the lack of radiation from these, and Bruce brought up that they are still hot enough to kill someone in as little as eighteen seconds of prolonged contact. They had settled on a good design, some of which was changed from my original, but it all looked to be very well designed.
I continued to watch them for the remaining fifteen minutes of my time, watching and listening to them bounce ideas back and forth against each other. Then towards the end, I heard a voice from nowhere tell Tony that the energy that was detected was back and focused up and to the left of the both of them. Tony, without looking, flipped me the bird and said that he had figured out that someone was watching him after his printer was delivered, and that he was getting fairly annoyed, “Wong.” The scrying window closed out and I wished that I had picked up the Sending spell from outside of my path, but I will have to work on that later. Obviously, this is BIG news, if technology can detect magic, but it is energy, even if it is arcane, so maybe it isn’t that odd, but it is interesting that he thought that I was Wong.
With the day moving on, I thought about two of the other spells that I had acquired, one of which I could cast right now. I used Truespeak to communicate with the Momma cat and the kittens. I cleared my throat and asked the Momma cat if her and her kittens were enjoying the warmth of Rex and the fresh fish that they got this morning. The Momma cat spoke up and said that they were indeed enjoying this safety and warmth, but that it might be time soon for her to take her children back out into the wild, to teach them how to get along. I asked her if she could provide me with her name, and the names of her kittens, and if we could talk for a bit.
She told me that her name was Bright-Eyes, and that her kittens were Dusty, Smudge, Ember, Sprout, Pebble, and Patch. Then she asked me what I wanted. I told her that I knew that she wanted to be free, and that I would not take that from her, but that I would be moving my tent and belongings shortly, in less than a week, and that she was free to come with me and bring her children as well. She can make her new territory centered around where I will be moving, and it will be less than a mile from here. Bright-Eyes listened intently, and asked if there would be easier access to the outside world.
I told her that it would be, but that they could also stay, and soon, there will be students, kittens that I teach to hunt and live, of mine, who might want to
Bright-Eyes said that she would think about this, but that she needed to teach her children to hunt. I told her that this was completely understandable, but that we would be moving to an abandoned warehouse that likely has mice and more, and if not, I can create something that will bring a prey to them every day. Bright-Eyes said that this was most considerate, and that she would heavily consider it. I thanked her and told her that I was more than happy to help her. I cautioned her that it would be best if she convinced her children not to beget more children, at least until we can get a handle on everything.
Bright-Eyes nodded and said that while she loved being a mother, it was terrifying and difficult sometimes, and sadly admitted that she had lost more than one kitten over time. I told her that this was rough, and I could not imagine how difficult that was. Bright-Eyes said that they hunt with the Great Mother now, but sometimes she misses them. I told her that we can help her litter now, and maybe in the future, we can see if there are other students that would like others of her line as bond-mates. Bright-Eyes purred loudly and went to go nuzzle her current litter, as I paused to think on this and the future.
My pondering, while the duration of the Truespeak spell ran out, led me to understand the rationality of Captain America telling me that it would help to have a sidekick or assistant. I wouldn’t bring Cal into this life unless he wanted to, but I will create the facilities for this, when the warehouse is acquired. A forty foot by twenty-five to thirty foot room would be sufficient, or even a bunch of smaller ten foot by ten foot rooms in a hallway would work. I can set up a single class area with seven of these tents, allowing for different courses. Now if only to find a way to get more teachers for skills and abilities.
After my postulation, I heard a knock at the roll up door of the storage unit. I went over to open it up and saw that Bob was there. I apologized and gathered the rifles, put them in the cases, and brought the two cases out to Bob. Bob apologized that he had texted but it seemed like it had not gotten through. I told him that I was trying to figure it out, and then he suggested that the whole staff were having dinner at the Monastery, if I was still willing to join them.
I told him that I would be glad to, and that I would head there immediately. Bob stopped me and said that they would be closing the store at eight, so they wouldn’t get there until after that. I thanked him for the clarification, and said that I would be there. We shook hands and he headed out, while I went to check why my phone didn’t notify me. I saw that the phone had accidentally gotten set to “Do Not Disturb”.
That was the start of it. There were five missed texts. Obviously, a text from Bob was the most recent one, with his message being that he was heading over immediately. Before that, there were four texts from three different people. The earliest text was from Pepper, asking if I had just been watching Tony, as she had just gotten a notice from F.R.I.D.A.Y. about the incursion.
A follow-up text from her a few minutes later was a laughing face image and a line that she had heard that Tony thought that it was Wong spying on him. The text was from a number that I did not have saved, with them saying it was Clint’s new number, asking if I had a few minutes to discuss a circumstance that he had come across in his new mission. I sent back a text that I would be available to text for a while now. Checking the last unread message, it was from Jonathan, saying that they would have the stones here by early morning tomorrow. I thanked him and said that I would make sure to get a set confirmed for S.H.I.E.L.D. as soon as possible.
With that set up, and the mystery of why the phone didn’t work is solved, I decided to just take a regular, non-enhanced, nap. When I laid down on my levitating cot, Bright-Eyes jumped up on my chest and curled up. Rex came over and curled up on the floor with the six kittens arrayed on his very warm body. This was a nice rest, and before I knew it, it was time to get up. There was less of an imperative to rush, so I convinced Bright-Eyes to jump down easier.
Getting up, I hit the rest-room in the center chamber, washed up, and got reequipped with everything. I spent some short time picking out an appropriate outfit to arrive at the restaurant, and then cycled it out for something better to ride the bike on. I let Rex and the inhabitants know where I would be heading before heading out. I got my S.H.I.E.L.D. bike ready and rode over there. There wasn’t much going on along the way and I found the parking for the restaurant fairly easily. I locked up the bike, and waited for the crew.
It didn’t take too long before the four of them showed up with someone new, a younger adult that seemed bright eyed. They introduced him as Jacob, and apparently he was Doug’s new apprentice. He seemed very interested in the conversation, and I was introduced by name (not superhero name) as a contract employee that worked outside the building. Bob told him that I was the one who worked at a different building, but that the commission I just finished was the reason for this dinner. I thanked him, and all the others, that they were doing the heavy work of the day to day, and that I was just doing certain commissions and we happened to come across.
The dinner went fairly well from there, I got a “New York Strip” with sauteed onions, with “lyonnaise” potatoes and steamed broccoli. It was very decent, and a flavor palate that I will remember for the future. Bob wasn’t shy about paying for everything, and almost demanded that we get dessert. I didn’t know what it was, and ordered the Crêpes Suzette. It was… interesting but good.
We finished up the meal, and I wished everyone well as we split up from the meal. Bob pulled me aside after Jacob left, and told me that he told the contact that was the origin of the SEALS contract that he was going to slowly extend the offer. I asked what that might mean for us, and he told me that we could expect weekly billets. I told him that this would vastly increase my charity fund, but that it also would increase the amount of salt that is needed. Bob said that we would need to find a better way to handle deliveries.
I smiled and told Bob to give me a week or two, and this might be solved. Bob’s eyebrow raised a little, and told me to keep in touch. I told him that I would, and we shook hands before leaving. I watched everyone leave, and then I made my way back to the storage unit. When I got back to the storage unit, I locked up the storage unit and dimensionally jumped into the unit, and grabbed a trio of the granite chunks that I had kept from the original pallet.
I focused on my remaining new spell, Stone Shape, three times, and focused on a different stone each time, getting the same design that I had made and provided to Pepper days ago for Tony. He has already moved past it, but having a sense of history and where the process started is good. I looked at the three Epoxiclay coffers that were dried, and cast a final Unseen Crafter to start adorning the boxes with runes and cravings. The boxes should be finished by the morning. I felt the stress of the day, and decided to head to bed, another day in the ledger.
Massive Dump of Information below.
First, there are six kittens. Every person who leaves can suggest a name in the comment. If I don't have enough by the time that they are officially introduced (next week or week after), I'll probably just find some generic names.
Current Inventory of items for the city: 9 Visors of the Ashen Path, 7 Deathwatch Safety Goggles, 8 Extrication Gloves of Stabilization
Spell:
(modified from Enhance Water)
Caffeination
School transmutation; Level bard 1, cleric 1, oracle 1, wizard 1
Casting Time 1 round
Components V, S, M/DF (a pinch of coffee grounds, tea leaves, or similar caffeinated substance)
Effect
Range touch
Target 1 pint of water/level
Duration instantaneous
Saving Throw Fortitude negates (harmless, object); Spell Resistance yes (harmless, object)
Description This spell transforms water into a caffeinated beverage, such as coffee, tea, soda, or sweet tea. The beverage is perfectly drinkable. The spell also serves to remove poisons, diseases, minerals, and other toxins from the water as it transforms. The more contaminants that exist in the water, the darker or more bitter the resulting beverage becomes. The beverage is created at the proper serving temperature, with coffee and tea being hot, while soda and sweet tea are both chilled.
A single serving (approximately 2 cups) of this beverage is potent enough to reduce the penalties from the fatigued condition from -2 to -1 for 1 hour. This effect cannot be stacked by drinking multiple cups.
This spell does not work on unholy water, potions, or other liquids with magical power.
Magic Items:
Gloves of stabilization:
Aura: Faint Conjuration, CL:1st, Slot: hands; Price: 1410 gp; Weight: -
Description:
These gloves look like high end extrication gloves that have a stylized Perthro and Berkano rune instead of the normal brand logo. They have the following capabilities: The wearer can touch a person every six seconds and stabilize them. The gloves can also clean and sanitize themselves on command. Also, the wearer gets a +2 bonus to Heal Skill Checks for first aid and treating deadly wounds.
Construction
Requirements: Craft Wondrous Item, Stabilize, Prestidigitation. Price: 700 gp
Umbral Zephyr:
Aura: Moderate Transmutation, CL:7th, Slot: Armor; Price: 24,400 gp; Weight: -
Description:
This armor looks like it absorbs light like the void between stars, in the places where there are not tiny pinpricks of red, blue, and white crystals, roughly 3 millimeters in diameter each. When light hits it just right, a matrix of vitriolic green trace ways show up on the armor, making the crystals look like constellations, matching the current night sky,
The Umbral Breeze armor is a suit of +3 Boron Carbide/Living Steel lattice Chain Shirt that floats weightlessly when not worn. Umbral Breeze has no weight of its own, and confers limited weightlessness on the wearer. It provides a +5 competence bonus to Stealth, and the wearer of the suit can use air walk for up to 10 rounds a day. Activated and deactivating are free actions, and the rounds need not be consecutive. Additionally, the wearer is permanently under the effect of the Glide spell, and if capable of flying, increases his maneuverability by one category.
Construction
Requirements: Craft Magic Arms and Armor, Air walk, glide, invisibility. Price: 11,760 gp
Feat: Homebrew
Elementalist Specialization: Spell Specific
Prerequisites: Spellcraft 11 ranks, Knowledge (arcana) 11 ranks, Ability to cast the chosen spell.
Benefit: Choose one specific spell you know that deals energy damage. When you cast this spell, you can change its damage type to any one other allowed energy type (Acid, Cold, Electricity, Fire, Sonic, or the spell's original type).
- The spell's level does not increase.
- Material components require a Knowledge (Arcana) check (DC 25 + Spell Level * 2) to research a new, appropriate component. The component's cost does not change.
- Spontaneous Casters: Casting the modified spell is a full-round action.
- Prepared Casters: The Modified Spell can be memorized as a variant of the original spell.
- This effect can be used a number of times per day equal to your Intelligence or Charisma modifier (minimum 1).
Special: Can be gained multiple times, each time for a different spell.
Character Sheet:
Curtis Zine:
9th level Human Investigator (Polymath/Questioner),
1st Level Arcane Savant,
2nd Level Evangelist of The Black Butterfly
10 STR, 17 DEX***, 16 CON**, 22 INT, 8 WIS, 16 CHA*
Class Abilities:
Investigator: Trapfinding, Spellcasting, Path of War Maneuvers, Subterfuge Inspiration, Keen Recollection, Trap Sense +3, Studied Combat +4, Studied Strike +3d6, Swift Alchemy, Investigator Talents: Perceptive Tracker, Quick Study, Terrain Mastery (Urban)*, One of Those Faces.
Arcane Savant: Adept Activation, Master Scholar, Esoteric Magic, Glyph Finding,
Evangelist: Obedience, Skilled (Fly, Handle Animal), Aligned Class (Arcane Savant), Protective Grace +1,
Traits: Finding your Kin, Tireless Logic
Feats: Technologist, Expanded Investigator Talent (E.I.T.): Rogue Talent (R.T.) - Grit, E.I.T. Expanded Inspiration, Obtain Familiar (Rex), Craft Arms and Armor, Craft Wondrous Item, Magical Aptitude, Deific Obedience,
Bonus: Improved Unarmed Strike, Alertness, Skill Focus: Knowledge Religion, Retrained to Open Mind, Skill Focus: Knowledge Engineering, Skill Focus: Knowledge Religion, Craft Construct, Elemental Specialization (Constant Heat),
All skills have at one rank at least, Craft Alchemy, Firearms, Diplomacy, Disable Device, Heal, Knowledge Arcana, Perception,Spellcraft, Stealth at max ranks, Use Magic Device is Headband skill,
Linguistics, Knowledge: Engineering, Local, Planes, Religion, Supers, all at 3 ranks,
Disguise, Knowledge History, Ride (Drive) all at 2 ranks.
Spell like abilities: Augury 3/Day SLA (training) Disguise Self (10 minutes/level total)
Nullity: obscuring mist 3/day, silence 2/day, or deeper darkness 1/day
+4 effective Caster Level for Spells and effects in Norfolk, Downtown Leyline.
+4 sacred Bonus on Sonic or Gaze attack saves.
Green Flame adept: +1d6 to any fire based damage spells, maneuvers, or powers
Spells: Base: 6, 4, 4, 3, 2 (Per day) after int/class: 10, 6, 6, 4, 3
Known (10,9,8,7,4), Caster Level 12 (Base)
0th Level: Amanuensis, Animate Tools, Canny Effort, Mending, Oath of Anonymity, Prestidigitation, Sift, Sign of Discovery, Stick, Ultrasonic Ray
1st Level: Caffeination, Cure Light Wounds, Ears of the city, Heightened Awareness, Minor Lasting Image, Scholar's Touch, Tears to Wine, Unseen Servant, Vanish
2nd: Constant Heat, Detect Thoughts, Fortune’s Path, Masterwork Transformation, Mirror Image, Page-bound Epiphany, Recharge, Unseen Crafter
3rd: Clairaudience/Clairvoyance, Displacement, Good Hope, Haste, Phantom Chopper, Scrying, Secret Page
4th: Army Across Time, Quieting Weapons, Stone Shape*, Truespeak
*** Level Bonus to Attribute
Curtis Magic Items:
Head: Thinker’s Domino Mask,
Headband: Darkwood Earcuffs of Vast Intellect +2 - Hidden,
Eyes: Spectacles of the Eagle,
Shoulders: Muleback Pauldrons of Unflinching Fortitude +1/+2,
Neck: Greater Talisman of the Blessed Winds,
Armor: Umbral Zephyr base layer, Outer Layer: Besagues (Pauldrons), Dastana, Chahar-Aina, Tonlet, Aventail (Helmet)
Body: Power Suit (Swindler’s Suit + Sleeves of many garments + pathfinder pouch)*
Chest: Alchemical Vest (Endless Bandolier + Apron of Careful Alchemist + pathfinder pouch) **
Waist: Healing Heavyweight Belt of Roguish Deftness,
Arms:
Hands: Arcanist’s Cesti, Red Sphere (Stealth) Cracked Ioun Stone (Implanted),
Pants:
Feet: Dimensional Stride Tabi Boots
Slotless Items: Traveler's Anytool, Ioun Torch, Blessed Bandages (*2), Least Crystal of Adaptation (Armor), Least Crystal of Return (Firearm), Campaigner’s Tent, Handy Haversack, Field Provision Box, Laboratory of Quadratic Alchemy, pair of Handy Haversack Saddlebags, Sanguinary Preserver, Quality Improvement Chamber, Zephyr Circuit, Desiccation Vault, Aetherm Conduit
000000
Familiar: Rex Pelor - Rhamphorhynchus (Elemental (fire)/Mauler) (speaks Draconic, understands Common/English, Elvish)
Rex Magic Items:
Dimensional Stride Bracers, Badge of Life-Keeping, Phantom Bird’s Hood