Kyrrga Gearforge

The Letter & The Bar

• The Letter from home.

  Status Report

  
  Geardance has assisted Kyrrga in catching the pygmy owl, obtaining a slightly unexpected letter from the charr homelands, written and encrpyted by multiple people: Her mother (Centurion Ira Ashfang), Tribune Gorewrench and Imperator Ironclaw!
  
  Currently Kyrrga is busy decrypting the letter. Encrypted it would state illogical things like her warbandmate Brouggh Gearmaul robbing her father Quaestor Zuhl Hammershot of all his drinks and a hail of frog balloons filled with Norn that has rained doom on the Asura.
  Kyrrga has received some help from Midnight Sweet who offered a basic insight that she had overlooked... Checking where the ink was oldest and faded.
  
  The first part reads (and as stated, it was almost faded):
  
  Legionaire Gearforge. STOP. Flame Imperator is dead. STOP. Large number of Flame repentants are now Scrappers for Iron Blood and Ash. STOP. Small pockets of resistance. STOP. Norn provided aid. STOP. Further instructions follow from your direct Tribune. STOP. Signed Imperator Ironclaw. POSTSCRIPT. I hope this finds you well, being so far from the Citadel, if you require we can send an airship to pick you up. Any other requisitions may be sent to your tribune.
  
  The second part was almost unreadable, Tribune Gorewrench has a terrible handwriting and didn't let an aide-de-camp help him... Eventually with the help of the human Jennifer Celeste, she found out the old fool had written it in mirror scripture. It reads:
  
  Legionaire Gearforge, if this letter finds you it means you're not dead and it means your warbandmate Brouggh Gearmaul did indeed manage to train pigmy owls to deliver messages. If not and this letter returns to me, Brouggh will be promoted to legionaire.
  
  As the letter of the Imperator already stated, the Flame Legion is no longer a major threat. Thanks to our new airships we've managed to execute a precision strike on the Cathedral of Flames. At the last moment we've received unexpected help from our neighbours in the Shiverpeaks, the Norn. It seems the hundreds of MIA, POW, AWOL and Gladiums have reached the Norn in conflict to our reports. What's special about this situation is that every single soldier that we had disowned or thought of as dead are in fact magically adept and the Norn -in their druidic ways- have cared and treated our kin with respect and educated them to use their abilities for good. The return to the legion bolstered our number as the rebellion of Kala did for female independance, making it easier to break their magically sealed gates and bring the Flame Legion to their knees.
  
  When we killed the Flame Imperator and most of his Tribunes and Centurions, most of their soldiers simply gave up. Some fanatics managed to get away and for pockets of resistance. Everyone that surrendered was stripped from their weapons and armour and now work among the Scrapper warbands. Those who surrendered who were magically adept however were not spared as they would still hold sway over others somehow. After the battle all the soldiers that came from the Norn lands re-entered the legions and the borders with the Norn have been reopenend again and some have stayed to help in the celebrations. The Imperators have decided to open a Librarium headquarters and allow every warband one caster. A quartet of Norn elders have volunteered to help run the Librarium and keep casters in check as long as the need is there to.
  
  +++STOP+++CLASSIFIED+++STOP+++
  
  On to important updates that concern you and your warband: 1) Your sire has gone to the battle at the Cathedral of Flames. He sustained minor injuries, the cause being Norn who couldn't handle Old Iron. Your sire was granted a medal for his service, a medal for singlehandedly subduing and entire Norn hunting party and a medal for supplying the troops and the feast with a lot of the stuff. 2) Brouggh Gearmaul's hammer concept sold well and he has returned to the Citadel in time. He has become a Primus in the Iron Legion farhar. 3) You may select a spellcaster for your warband, use standard entry submission form 8 appendix L, available upon requisition. 4) You may also elect an official auxillary for your warband outside of the Legions. 5) Your mother, being Ash Legion, managed to find out that the humans are having their own struggles and have given up fighting the Charr, await further instruction regarding humans. Should you have encountered any exceptional cases, please submit them and advise.
  
  The third part is written by her mother.
  
  Kyrrga, you rusty little kit. Your father, stubborn as the rest of your legion, fought at the Cathedral of Flame. I headed out during that battle, I wasn´t present. Brouggh had just returned, so he kept an eye on the bar. I went south along the Blazeridge. I found a human walking amongst the ruins. He didn't put up a fight, he was rather civilised. His name was Doug and he told me the humans no longer concerned with anything east of the Shiverpeaks, including the Shiverpeaks and the Norn. They were too busy infighting, much like us. Apparently someone claimed herritage to some bloodline and that threw off their political balance... Humans and their politics... Anyway Doug requested an audience with Imperator Ironclaw, saying he'd rather die in the Citadel a free man making an attempt to bring about ceasefire than get a knife in his back due to corrupt politics. He was denied his request of course, but I made sure he was escorted out the gates alive. He had found clues to the whereabouts of the Claw of the Khan-Ur. This is good news and the clues are being inspected by Imperator Ashskull, but it does worry me... what if a Khan-Ur is not what we need right now? Stay safe kit. Times are turbulent.
  
  P.S. Attached are blueprints to the new Ash Legion sniper rifle, courtesy of Tribune Ashfang (Yes I stole them).
  

  
  
  

  The Chained Letter

  
  A new letter came in, wrapped in chains and sealed with a mark of the Imperator
  

• The Drink - Dragon's Water

  For The Dragons Tongue bar where she had settled in, Kyrrga has decided to produce a new drink. A vodka with a mild hinted taste of honey. She is currently building a distilling rig and making the first test bottle.
  
  The owner of The Dragons Tongue -Ari- has tasted from the first bottle and described it as following: "Lightly sweet, well-rounded. It's vaguely creamy, slightly sour in bits of the aftertaste. The sweetness comes later, and the humming of the bees comes in an echo at the very end.". Her verdict on Kyrrgaś creation was a positive one, one that landed the charr a position as in home distiller : "This... could be the Dragon's Water. What you have is a beginning, and good as it may be, the distiller always has to evolve with time just as her drink will. As evolution climbs its way through, you may find that this was never the Dragon's Water, but only its egg. I will hire you as our distiller."
  
  The first bottle is a fourty percent, tripple cleared vodka on a rye and wheat base, ran through a distilling rig which has a bronze pipe at the exit which itself is lined with a specific type of honey (gathered from bees that work on sunflowers exclusively during the spring and kept untill the winter to settle) for the aftertaste.
  
  The first improvement on the list is perhaps a different balance in the rye/wheat mash and a batch of beehoney from Rancher Stingshots farm.
  
  After these improvements Kyrrga ran it along a few folks before deciding that this would indeed be the final product and she secured herself the primiere bottle {#8} before kicking production into full swing.

• Bar Journal

  • Dissonance and Resolve

    Journal entry... I lost count. I stopped checking my chrono, cant recall the last time I even did my excercise routines. Something changed. And I dont like it.
    There are some hostilities growing. Some open and violent, others silent and obscured. I must regain my focus...
    But I am unable to.
    
    Here it goes, might as well put it on paper, maybe then I can give it a place.
    My precious human is no longer the same. It pains me. It is not only a physical change, but more things changed.
    I thought giving it time to resolve was a good thing... But I was mistaken.
    I will not leave my vows lightly, but it seems this situation has at least brough some... room for interpetation.
    
    I only wonder who I can still count amongst my alllies...
    
    To top that, Claire came to visit after I received word from the Citadel that I am due for promotion. I cant shake the feeling that the scores arent settled between the two of us, but communication isnt easy.
    
    Speaking of the Citadel... Im feeling somewhat detached. It doesnt help that I havent heard from Sarrin in a while either. And she needs to verify that letter. Maybe Midnight will help me... I hope nothing affected that bond negatively. The last thing I need is a sparring partner who I cant trust anymore.
    
    If I cant rely on my own warband... who can I rely on? I know I can rely on stone, rely on Kythri, but I dont want to strain that too much. Stone, however durable, will some day crack. Its my hope of course that that day will not come before I die, but still...
    
    The next part is slightly obscured by soot and grease. The words *blend of lead, high carbon grade steel, white gold and cold iron* can be spotted in between smudges.
    A new page:
    
    Ive completed the armour. If my theory is correct, this will bring a suprise to any Flame Legion caster that thinks they can break me. Steel wont yield. Escpecially this. The lead should cause magical projectiles to loose most of their potency. The gold is simply there to obscure the obvious lead, plus it looks nice. I could wear this to a promotion.... or to war with the Flame Legion or for that matter anyone that means harm through conjured fire. And they will then know that steel wont yield and in that moment of shock I will strike them down. For Iron Legion... And for... well... This place is my second home, so I guess for the people that I can still rely on.
    
    On the back of the page
    
    As if she knew it... I wonder what would have happened if I had not fallen for Jen... It matters not. Geardance came along. I needed that. She helped me with my armour and we tested it. The test was succesful to say the least.
    
    But with the good comes the bad.
    I was so riled up in the prospect of being able to wage war again that spark came to oil. I clashed in the bar. Luckily most folks were kind hearted and accept me as their own, which is reassuring. Some.... Well... give it time.
    
    Geardance also used her talents to get Sarrin to verify the letter, but Midnight had a hunch that our Brevet wasnt going to join us on the trip. I write us... because Midnight agreed to come along with me. I blurted out my previous thoughts. And its a relief... her response was positive. But were not going to make a big fuss about it all, no big ceremony. We will just go up to Kythri and humbly request it.
    
    I only hope the gargoyle will not be angry. And if everything goes as I truly hope... I hope Kythri and Sally will still look upon me with favour as they did when I bonded with Jen. I hope they will understand and with luck even accept my switch of bonds to my sparring partner.
    
    A fresher page
    
    Were up in the air. En route to the Citadel.
    Brouggh brought a crew of cubs. The Scar warband, age 5-ish. Their leader is a spellcaster, he goes by the name of Darriag Windscar. Brouggh has expressed his concern. The cubs were quite suprised with Midnight being able to speak in our tongue. Brouggh even told the cubs she is more Charr than them. Somehow I think everything is going to be okay now, eventhough Sarrin is away... and something else... they found.... well... they found their equipment... clear traces of Flame Legion work... But that score will be settled later.
    
    Midnight now has three titles. Librarius, Sparring Partner to me and... for some reason writing this down now is easier... Wife... I should come up with a word for it in Charr.
    Kythri did as requested and I expressed my hopes, desires, intentions and thoughts and to my relief... Well... Stone is as dependable as Iron. I can travel Home safely to know Ill be welcomed back home at the Tongue by at least two pairs of open arms.

  • The Big Day

    15

    
    Notes are written throughout the day.
    
    Woke up early. Very early. Kept looking at my chrono every ten seconds. Luckily Geardance was there to keep me company. We spent the morning washing and kneeding out the last signs of our sparring match, which was nice and long overdue.
    For the first time in years I've taken the gears out of my hair. Midnight really was like her surname, sweet. She cleaned my nails, even filed off the bits that didnt belong, polished them and my horns, polished the gears. She even trimmed off the dead ends of my hair (which was also overdue...).
    After the incident with the minor bar fire and Ari getting wounded, I saw Tena display the same anger I would display if someone would hurt Jen... Made me think and confirm that I'm doing the right thing here. The ceremony is drawing closer and closer, but slowly I start to realise I might as well go with the flow, because it is what lasts after the ceremony that matters.
    
    Small stains of wax and oil on this note
    
    Cleaned my formal wear. Have no clue what Jen is wearing, she's apparently getting ready with some help of Red, but that's what I heard from Midnight who got ready with Claire. Used my time alone to reflect on what Im going to say and I still have no clue. Maybe... Maybe everything has already been said.
    Put some honey under my tongue after cleaning my teeth, just for that final touch, I mean, my hair already smells like almonds, so why not complement that.
    Might say something about how rare this is, how we complement one another and how loyal I am to her...
    
    Hastily written
    
    Oh dear. Adrenaline rising. I can hear all the people inside. Warband got ready, they all looked extra nice and polished, but they were wise to keep their muzzles shut. Here we go...
    
    Written with happy curls on the ends of sentences.
    
    
    THAT WENT BETTER THAN EXPECTED.
    And Jen... My Jen... Usually I'm not one for astethics, but she looked amazing. Even so that I immediately calmed down and felt confident to do this in front of all the people we know, love or maybe seen glimpses of.
    Midnight was quick to introduce and then to let me go first. Which was good, because Jen's words... Her sweet sweet words... I could never do better than that, I had to fight the feeling to go to the ground for her. It matters not where I'm from or what I've done, but only that we make each other happy.
    Kythri, wise and inventive as she is, brought the rings which inked themselves onto us, can't take my eyes off it, it's a nice reminder.
    Oh and Midnight... HA... This one is going to stick with me forever. "If there is anyone who thinks these two should not be joined.... keep your seat or you may loose your head". I think she said that with the warband in mind, which might have gained her respect from them too.
    I picked up my wife... Going to have to get use to that one... Wife... It does roll better off the tongue than fiancee... I took my wife in my arms and went to a nice room in the beachhouse...
    It went way better than expected. Some folks even let a tear of happiness roll... Now to enjoy some quality time with Jen... My Jenny... For whom I will slay untold numbers and live, because I want to return to her loving embrace each moment I can... My Jen.. My wife.
    

  • Deep breath before the plunge.

    14

    
    I have lost every clue of what is to come. Might as well just sit back and enjoy the ride.
    
    Geardance patched up the warband and we had a big sparring party like the old days back home.
    When finally I had to face my dear sparring partner we agreed to give it our all, with the exception of a few weapons. The fight was a hard one, I noticed I was out of shape... Or perhaps it was because I had just woken up.
    Eventually it came to an end when I overstepped and ran into her spear. Nearly cost me my life, but still I made a statement, pressing my pistol to her head.
    The entire warband sprung up to aid me, which was reassuring. More so, Midnight tended to my wounds before her own, thus I know I can trust her with my life in battle, which is good.
    We also now know our limits, I hope this makes it easier to spar on a lower intensity more often, it strengthens our bonds.
    That reassurance however does not hold up for the ceremony next sunday.
    
    Maybe its just best not to think about it and let it slide, let it wash over me. I am sure Jen and I will pull through and what matters is that we are happily together. Id be happy just to see Midnight there, not even needing to preside... I care not for the ceremony, but only for the love it represents... Strange... There more I get wounded, the more I long for the comfort of loving embrace. Have I really gone soft or is this what love is? Maybe this is why Charr have sparring partners rather than mates for life... On the other hand... I do enjoy every heartbeat of it, so it's not a bad thing.
    

  • Return

    13

    
    We couldnt find them. We found a pocket over resistance, but Reffin and Grar are off the grid. I did go to the Citadel, say hello to everyone, announce that I was going back. I showed them the ring that the gargoyle enchanted and told them I was to marry to a human. Even the Imperator spoke on these matters. His own Librarius apparently can read minds and reassured that it was all good and I was truthful. There was no need for a meeting yet, nor for any explanations other than my feelings. There were no penalties, no reprecussions, nothing negative to answer my deeds. I wonder what the future brings... Is Jen going to see the Citadel?
    
    
    Speaking of my favourite human. I have returned to take her in my arms again. All the fatigue of warfare and travelling just fell off my shoulders immediately, but theres something going on with her. I took her in my arms and reassured her that I love her and Ill always have her back, she took this to heart and held me tight in response.
    
    Some time in between. This part is written in shaky handwriting.
    
    I saw Gem, Ash's servant, feed today. The lich had told Tena that Jen had volunteered and I picked up on this conversation and couldnt help but getting drawn to this topic. I was furious at first, but it was explained that the sanguinary can not transfer the taint, nor has it happened yet. After some talking and finally finding common ground with the dead one, we came to a realisation. Her unwavering loyalty for Gem and the care that comes with it is quite similar to how I vow to strike down armies if I need to if Jen only as much as gets bruised.
    Ash invited me to take a look and so I did, with the help of a lot of Old Iron... I have yet to speak to Jen about this, but having seen how Ash went about the donation of Tena to bring her servant back from the brink of death... I think I wouldnt object. Although I would like to be there, just in case.
    It was mentioned that there was a need for a chrono, its the least I can make for them to make up for the rough start we had some time ago. With a little time and luck everything might turn out be just fine after all.
    

  • Skirmish

    12

    
    More loose scraps.
    
    
    The inevitable call... A call to arms. Reports came in about Reffin and Grar being spotted with a small pocket of Flame Legion resistance, still in chains. We were to immediately head out and head over.
    We are to leave the thirteenth.
    Brouggh finally overcame his pride and even show subservience to Jen. Im happy that this conflict has finally been resolved and that without anyone getting hurt.
    
    
    Less aged are the following notes
    
    
    Sally has been experimenting with potions again... Jen suddenly had extra appendages. To everyoneś suprise (Geardance was there too and she dove onto that thing...) I was okay with it.
    Now that I think of it I do miss that one thing that we did... Luckily the potion is reversable, but it has put a thought in my head. What would it be like...
    I will have to ask Kythri about this...
    
    Talking of Jen. Weve decided on a way to show our bond! We will use black ink like the Norn to to tattoo a ring on our fingers. It should show through my fur when its there and its the most permanent thing we can do. Since Midnight will preside over the ceremony, were asking Kythri to do the tattooing.
    
    Patrons at the Tongue are catching wind of the coming ceremony on the first of March. Zoë has caught wind too and wants to attend. Together with the fact that she supplies the ink for Jens pen, I have decided to craft her a suit of leather over which she can wear clothes without oozing up the place.
    
    The Eight bottle is finished. The drink is perfect now. Ive decided to keep this one in an obsidian bottle for myself, the Ninth will be the first of the final production itteration. Im giving the fifth to the gargoyle and the sevent to Tena as a token of appreciation.
    
    I have absolutely no idea how to go about this ceremony... At least there is no internal discord within the warband and ideas are flowing in, but still I have no idea. I should gather some more information and write stuff down.
    
    Zoës suit is finished. I havent seen her this happy since... ever actually. Fills me with pride to see that the catsuit works as it should, keeps my mind off of things...
    
    I asked Kythri on the whole transformation thing. The gargoyle requested a small bit of blood from both me and Jen and Midnight too if she wants to. She offered me to watch her work it and let me smith the rings. For Midnight I made a brass ring with silver moons worked in, for Jen I paternwelded gold and platinums into a ring, creating a nice patern and for myself I made a ring shaped like Uzuhls face, with eyes of mercury.
    The inital test was succesfull and I even requested to take my trasmutation to the next level. I gathered the materials needed and... I startled myself with my new voice and looks. Good thing I can make it go away by taking the ring off! Kythri was right though. It takes a lot of energy, its like getting shot in every muscle repeatedly without it being lethal.
    Time to scare Skane so his black fur turns pale!
    
    
    A hastily scribbled note
    
    Im going to miss Jen. She was asleep when I left. Sally, Kythri, Ari and Zoë all came up to say goodbye. I might have upset Jen by letting so many folks into the room... Gah... When I come back I will make it up to her. Midnight wasnt there either... I am determined to return. I have a wedding to attend to.
    

  • Down the rabbit hole

    11

    
    Quick scribbled lines, a flare of joy.
    
    Jen returned safely! Skane did as he was ordered to do, it's good to see someone still dutifully following orders after 5 years of doing one's own thing.
    
    Jen apparently missed me because she pulled me up to the room.
    I bowed my head to her and presented my precious side arm and asked her to bond with me, to marry me.
    She was in tears as she answered yes, absolutely not having expected this.
    She returned my side arm to me and we went to bed a happy couple as Legionaire and Auxiliary and as... whats that title again... fiancé?
    
    Kythri and Sally were overjoyed. Malck and Ari offered to assist (the latter having spilled the news to Sarrin, Skane and Grimm when she went along to meet them and pick up her ordered stuff.)
    Jen showed up at that meeting, not protecting herself from the snow. Sarrin and Grimm now had their confirmation that this was a serious thing and they did their best to adapt. Skane took a while longer, but eventually gave in with a smile stating he would do his best to clean himself of every little spot of oil for the big day. I only hope Brouggh will finally respect Jen and come too.
    
    The rest of the patrons at the bar were also happy. Jen has given me a name of someone she wants killed on sight if she decides to come to the big day for good reason Singrah Nahshon. We still need to figure out our wear, who we're going to invite, what to eat... basically the whole ceremony. It's a bit intimidating. I went down the rabbit hole, there's no turning back.
    
    We did decide to tattoo our rings as normal rings can get in the way of tinkering and other things and we couldn't come up with an alternative. A brand wouldn't show through my fur and I wouldn't want Jen scarred in that way. Plus jet black ink on my pale skin at least has the possibility to show through my fur.
    
    Midnight and I did something important today: We assembled Claire. It took a while but she's up and running again... Well not so much running, but she's amongst the living again. Maybe that burden of guilt will fall off my shoulders when I hear her forgive me with her own voice.
    
    Preperations for the Eighth bottle are underway. This should be the first bottle of the final product.
    
    After some thought we've decided the First of March will be the day of the big day.
    And I still don't know what I've gotten myself in to, but at least I'm happy with Jen and Geardance (with whom I need a good sparring session soon, it's been a while)
    

  • Warband Inbound

    10

    
    The journal book has been ripped apart by harsh winds. Papers scattered all over the place
    
    
    The warband finally came. I've been feeling ever closer to Jen and Midnight.
    
    I polished by equipment and went to the Grotto beyond the forest to mash some faces in. Apparently I left an impression on one who I beat nearly to a pulp, this might become problematic and a distraction from my duties.
    A few days later one of the Grotto's guards came to me and wondered what my profession is. I made her a sword in return for a couple of favours in the future. Her demeanour however is troubling mentioning the fact that she just vanishes every year or so. This feeling of attachment to the folks around this place, the warband will pick up on that.
    
    Sun was suddenly blocked out over the place where Claire died. Her body is nearly done, only need that engine.
    Anyway, the airship arrived. Marr and Gromm stayed up there, keeping everything running.
    Brouggh, Sarrin, Grimm and Skane came down. Midnight came along, clad in her armour.
    They all had their doubts at first, especially when Monica came around the corner too.
    Geardance quickly won Grimm's trust and Sarrin soon followed suit when she found out the dynamics between me and my sparring partner. When Brouggh started acting up a bit, Skane moved in to keep him from doing anything stupid. Geardance displayed a certain amount of level headedness that made resolving the situation rather easy.
    
    All my requested goods came in, for which I am greatful. New seatcover, Claire's engine, the barrels of Rancher Stringshot's honey, a few bottles of Old Iron, raw materials and two cows for milk because Ari wanted that for some reason.
    
    Geardance did blurt out that Jen was our loved one too and was a human. Luckily Brouggh was up in the ship when she told.
    
    -
    
    The warband met Jen today...
    Sarrin came in first, per her request. She saw the bond between me and the human (perhaps by seeing the bracelet) and immediately pledged her life to protect us. Jen did well to take her dagger and return it. Don't want to think about what would've happened if she refused.
    Grimm came in second. She's always been an affectionate one, so she could easily see what was going on. She became very informal and that's good.
    Skane came in next. When Jen told she was going to head out for a few days Skane offered a motorcycle and riding gear and to go along with her to keep her safe. It wasn't that big of a suprise, he's a caring one if he's not bossing Scrappers. Jen accepted his offer and Skane immediately went out to build a second bike... In retrospect I wished he stayed, because Brouggh came in fully armed and armoured.
    Brouggh, the proud fool... He refused to acknowledge Jen's position and he denied orders to stand down. He saw the bracelet and scoffed about how that wouldn't stop him. But I would and so did Sarrin and Grimm. What suprised me was how Jen handled the situation... She stood her ground and began flinging magic. Unexpected, but not unnerving for some reason... Perhaps that talk with Kythri and Jen in the sauna when the gargoyle announced her parenthood over Jen and what followed after that wasn't such an illogical next step...
    Anyway. Jen broke Brouggh by turning his offhand hammer to dust, combined with me giving him a stomping lecture about what is important.
    
    A tear obscures a few sentences
    
    Brouggh was carried out before Skane could return, which is good because Skane is not a fan of magic at all, even less than me.
    Kythri came up to the room, Skane excused himself for final preperations and Kythri and I kissed Jen goodbye and wished for her safe return.
    
    Made some preperations for the new batch of Dragon's Water, cleaned the whole rig.
    The thoughts of marriage have been haunting my mind during Jen's absense. Geardance is my sparring partner, which is as important to Charr what marriage is supposed to be to human kind from what I am getting. On that note: I consider Midnight Charr enough, escpecially now that she has at least Grimm's respects and was given a fire drake hatchling.
    I have discussed this whole alien concept of marriage with Geardance. She was a bit baffled that she was not going to be my wife, but after some talking it's okay now. She agreed to preside over the ceremony, eventhough I have absolutely zero clues about how to do this.
    
    Brouggh is still on shiparrest and is awaiting Jen's judgement. Want to settle that with her and Midnight at my side. They are all part of my warband and I will not have infighting, I am still their Legionaire.
    
    

  • Sixth and Seventh

    9

    
    I went to test the new sniper rifle near a fighting arena called The Green Grotto. The first one blew up and I caught some shrapnel in my leg. Monica, Midnight's sister, fixed me up.
    
    Sally from the bar gave me a scope. I reversed engineered it. Second rifle worked. Geardance fulfilled the role of Spotter for me. Killed a buck half a mile away.
    
    Shared the sixth bottle with those arena fighters. I think I can use them to let out bottled up anger once in a while, although they don't know that yet.
    
    Claire's body is almost done. I'm writing up the letter home to requisition for stuff. Ari made a request for Charr blood to give to her vampiric patrons. It angered me somewhat and I declined that request. So far I've got a few bottles of Old Iron on the list, honey from Stingshot's range, engine for Claire's body.
    
    Seventh bottle is also done.
    
    Jen got herself a job at TDT, she's not going into a lot of detail, but she has to learn magic. I asked her to promiss me not to dabble in darker stuff as it still chills me to the bones. I told her the reports of an Ash Legion Operative that once did and became a great threat. She did promiss me, but reminded me what Ari had already told me: I shouldn't fear the folks that come here.
    It's going to be hard, but maybe (together with Midnight and Claire) this might be just what I 'need' to become more tolerant of magic.
    
    Perhaps I should ask for the Gear warband to come here and establish an outpost. And maybe Jen can use the bracelet as a focus to summon me... I must say now that I think of it... How does it feel to be summonned?
    

  • Fifth bottle

    8

    
    It's the new year, exact day unknown.
    
    Going to keep this one short.
    
    Fifth bottle is done, second one is empty. Using the empty bottle as a candle stand.
    
    Claire appears to be alive, going to build her an effigy body based on the airship engines to keep her running.
    
    Spent the night with Midnight and Jen... Got my mind off of things.
    
    Made Jen her bootknife. And a pair of small pauldrons, worked them into the vest.
    
    The gargoyle has retrurned. Apparently she approves of the love triangle established between Geradance, the human and myself.
    
    Claire..inet... because she´s a clarinet.... I´m almost finished with the prototype.
    
    Met the little sister Sweet. Monica was quite awe inspired by the fact that her bigger sister shared a bond with me. She also told me a story about a moment in their youth how they grew closer eventhough they had had their differences.
    
    I hope Claire will find the effigy body good enough to keep and I hope she can appreciate it as the way for me to honour her fight. I am totally not ready to keep my cool around a witch of that calibre if Claire´s stories about her creator are true.
    
    On that note... I should try to improve the rifle design to be able to shoot accurately on 500m... Maybe some scope mounted on with variable settings.... A sniper rifle... I saw some blueprints back when I was a kit.
    

  • The sparring match

    7

    
    This entry smells of Old Iron, several drops were unfortunately spilled on it.
    
    So... Claire's armour is finished. Made some extra armour for myself too. Midnight helped me do one final equipment check. The Rope Rifle and Streamer are functioning as they should, extra armour is secured over my coat trousers and boots and my newest toy is a tower shield with a core of lead. I feel that we are coming to blows soon.
    
    I made love with Jen and Midnight. Seperate occassions, not at the same time...yet. We've agreed to a love triangle next to the fact that they both are considered part of the warband. Jen as Auziliary and Geardance as Librarius. They're making me soft, but it helps me cope with magic around me.
    
    Fourth bottle is done. As promised I gave it to Zeke Luna.
    
    Ari expressed some concern on her mood. I expressed my thankfulness of having my own seat, a job and a home far from Home.
    
    ----
    
    Sparring with Claire went... awry.
    Third blood.
    First score was mine. I landed my wrench on her collarbone hard.
    First for her was the response to that, she seared my right wrist. Midnight is healing it now, I am grateful for that.
    Second for me was a response to Claire's overly use of magic, rammed her between my shield and a tree, bit her on the same spot when she froze my face. Had to use the Streamer to warm my face up, which counted as second for her.
    We both lost control for a bit, she summonned some dark magics. I shot her... Eight times in the same place to interrupt her spell and take the win, but something was wrong. She had cast a deadly spell that aparently was meant for me. Luckily Midnight intervened and reached Claire's consiousness.
    
    What happened next saddens me to no end. Claire's efforts in the fight made her look more like and Iron soldier rather than a Blood like she chose the ribbon. I respect that in retrospect. She was stubborn and full of pride. She turned the spell on herself.
    I placed the sword I made for her on the spot of her death and picked up the gear necklace. The only thing that remained...
    
    Midnight picked up a small totem, which turns out to be Claire. I made a pouch for her to be carried by Geardance, who also wrapped the necklace around Claire's reverted form.
    
    I even offered to make a miniature effigy... But dear Geardance advised me to wait.
    
    Everyone in the bar gathered around when they saw how it had made an impact on me. Sally took the punch I gave her and then continued to hug me. This place truly has something about it...
    
    Ari made the hairs on my wrist regrown with her magic. The dryad was satisfied with the result. So am I. It did make my skin crawl though and I grew hungry because of it. I have grown used to Midnight... but to the rest I havent yet.
    
    Oh and it turns out Midnight has a biological sister who wants to meet me. It's something to take my mind off of things.
    

  • Third Bottle

    6

    
    More loose pieces of journal. Dates scattered.
    
    I finished making the third bottle. One of the staff members, Jaden, can't hold his liquor. Went out cold with just one sip. Bound him to the ceiling. Bastard used magic to get free after Ari splashed him with ice water to wake him. Gave him some Old Iron. Nearly killed the guy. It did inspire me to modify the standard rifle to fire a rope to entangle folks instead. It's a hard one...
    
    Fourth bottle is underway, already promised it to Zeke Luna, another staffmember. I'm thinking about asking Ari to take Jen in as a staffmember under my watch. If production is going to ramp up I'm going to need an assistant, might as well be the Auxillary.
    
    The old veteran brought in a keg of so called Rift Radiation tainted alcohol. To me it is refuse and waste, signs of inefficient industry, to her it is a highly potent alcohol which is also a hallucogenic. I tried it... Didn't faze me at all. I've began to create grenades to stun and confuse the enemy with this suff though...
    
    Had a talk with Claire. Presented her four ribbons, one for each legion. She chose Blood. I'm going to fashion her some armour when she gets her form right. Prepare for some hard sparring... I hope Midnight will have my back through this.
    
    I have also begun training the pygmy owl (whom I decided to name Runtlock) to obey simple commands. I hope he will pick up my teachings quickly.
    

  • The Auxillary

    5

    
    Jen has helped transscripting the letter. As part of my orders I have decided to take her as the auxillary to the warband. As soon as I finish transscripting mother's letter I will requisition the paperwork. As part of this I have made a bracelet that won't come off the human's wrist, just like the golden gear earring for Geardance.
    Geardance also came in at exactly the right moment, preventing damage to her wrist.
    The two of them are starting to become close, a positive thing as we all should be able to trust eachother blindly.
    
    In the meantime I have begun making a new distilling rig so the production of the drink will go smoother.
    
    Oh and before I forget, Claire shapeshifted into a mockery of a copy of a Charr and it almost came to a spar like back home (with live weapons, to third blood). Luckily Jen managed to diffuse to situation (in a hilarious manner might I add, by tossing her blanket over my head. Everyone had a laugh.). I have agreed to duel Claire sometime, but I feel I need to get to know her style better so she may represent a form better to her style and more convincing. I hope she can help me begin tolerating magic in case I go home.
    So far she has proven to fight like a Blood soldier, but she tries to stand as tall as Iron, be as crafty as Ash and use magic like Flame...
    
    The gargoyle has thanked me for having her pet's back. This is a relief, I don't to get on the gargoyle's bad side.
    

  • The Second Bottle

    4

    
    So I began producing the second bottle, I'm keeping the honey the same but changing the rye/wheat ratio to a 60/40. Also I placed the distilling rig over a stove and turned the heat down. It'll take longer, but I hope it makes the honey even more obscured (But still detectable) and the spirit more spicey.
    
    Geardance came walking in while I was talking with Ari and the other elf. I haven't slept or eaten in two days and been on booze staight. Luckily she had brought all kinds of food, so that helps.
    
    Went for a sparring session with Geardance, first blood. I made her a spear, a cuirass and a pair of bracers and shinguards and something special. I landed the first strike on her. She landed the second with a concealed dagger. The third was a bit of a struggle, but she got me good, I can still see the wound, it was a deep gash and I cleaned it with alcohol.
    
    Presented Geardance the golden gear earring I made her to symbolize our bond. Rather than calling her my pet or slave or mate I explained that a sparring partner in Charr society also means that you've got each others backs as long as you both live. She accepted with with much love and pride. Tucked her in and stumbled downstairs afterwards.
    
    Second bottle is done, been sharing it with all the regulars, positive reviews all around.
    
    I should go out for some big meat and some sleep, I emptied another bottle into my flask, still have a few in my cache. Need to decrypt the letter soon... And send father a note to bring me more Old Iron.
    

  • The Distiller

    3

    
    Bits of sweat darken the pages here and there
    
    The first bottle is done. I presented it to Ari and it landed me a position as in-home distiller. I have yet to fully decypher the letter, but I know I am going to requisition my confortable seat, some extra gear and a batch of Rancher Stingshots honey. I look forward to tending to the folks here too... A home far from Home. Father would be proud... I hope...
    

  • Teaching and Learning

    2

    
    Geardance is constantly (most likely unconsiously) proving her worth as a part of my warband for a non-charr. She did magically heal my hands, but thats of minor concern, she helped me retrieve the letter and shes a decent sparring partner. I might teach her Common Tyrian for starters, the more intricate details of Charr writing and speech are for a later date... I suppose I owe it to her to teach her some things about where I come from as she teaches me to be more tolerant to magic. (Not that Claire hasnt helped me in that, but Claire is a whole different case).
    

  • A home far from Home.

    1

    
    Scraps of paper, spread across multiple dates.
    
    This inn has some strange folks, but somehow it all feels good. Mother would have my head for not dominating these people and Father would have my head for sharing Old Iron with non-charr. The fireplace is nice to curl up to. Ive spent a few days here already. I keep to my routine though.
    
    The fireplace has proven to be a great place to make a cache like mother taught me. Lack of a permanent claimed seat brings opportunity. I had to take extra meassures for heat prevention, luckily I had some blueprints of a reverse flamethrower.
    
    I know more than a week has passed... Not sure anymore about how many days Ive been here. This place has become home far from home. The cache is complete and I keep to my routine. Untill now no one has even attempted to break into it, I have a feeling I can trust these people, how strange they may seem to me. It also helps that I ran into Midnight... now dubbed Geardance... Jen and Claire are good folks as well and Ari the owner isnt that bad either. She cant handle iron though, but it doesnt matter here... Strengths and Weakness... This place is soothing. And I found a spa. The possibility of a workshop is there, I just have to be creative about it... Might actually become a regular, everyone has tasted Old Iron, but Im running out slowly... Might make a new drink just for this place... Dragons Water.