For each and every Spelldodger, there is a rite-of-passage of sorts. For your father, his was to serve in the Two Brothers War. For your eldest brother, he had a brief stint in the Royal Navy as a chief crewman. Then, your brother after him was a sword-for-hire in the Hinterlands for several years. Yours? Unfortunately, your rite-of-passage will be far less extravagant. Yours . . . is to attend to Royal Heritage Academy for Magical Application, usually just called the Academy, as its the only of its kind in Faleena.Your protests went unheard. Well, they were heard, but largely ignored. Your father insisted you needed this to "get some grit" and demanded you toughen up since, after all, "it's just school, little one." Your mother wanted to keep you at home for a few more winters, seeing as how you are the youngest of the three, but begrudgingly relented. The invitation came from the Royal House itself.Strange, given the Spelldodger deformity. The Spelldodger name began as a slur, a verbal mark upon your lineage for its inability to manipulate aether, rendering magical efforts null. This is all relevant due to the "Magic" in the name of the school you are to attend. Perhaps it's to poke fun at your lineage's deformity? One can only guess, and truthfully, you'd rather not.Right now, you're having dinner with your family. You leave tomorrow at sunrise. All the proper paperwork has been notarized and taken care of. A royal scribe was dispatched to your house three days ago. Now, it's counting down your final hours of freedom!Are you:>a boy>a girlGiven name:>write-in (no lolsorandumb names, please)((Welcome, one and all, to Technophile Quest. No, I couldn't think of a better name. It's basically what it says in the title and opening post. You're a "deformed" individual in a typical fantasy setting, only instead of being another by-the-numbers fantasy quest, you're an engineer. Decided to make this quest because, in a setting where both are 1:1 equal, I'd rather have a laser rifle in my hand than a spell book. And I'm bored. So yeah.1) Because /qst/ is a dying board and because I want to actually finish what I create, this quest will have updates that are inconsistent and (at times) rapid. But I only work 3 days a week and it's Friday so I'm hoping to get 2-3 done before end of day. Let's just say common update times will be seven days a week, between 5pm-11pm EST.2) If I get even one (you), I will assume someone enjoys my crap work and continue writing. Again, my goal is to get to some kind of finish for this thread. Not just update a few times and dip. If it sucks, either tell me directly or don't (you) me, lmao.3) I'm not the best writer so bare with me. I can promise I will make attempts to finish the thread. I can't promise that the thread will be good.4) This is experimental. Not trying to make it crunchy, but do want some systems and progression involved. Have to make you guys earn it, right?
>>6480499>a boyMorty Warsmith
>>6480499>A boy>Jonathan Murkwell
>>6480499>a girl who pretends to be a boy to be taken seriouslyIf I got it right - "Spelldodger" is a family name. So, >Chris (most assume it is Christopher. In actuality its "Crystal").
>>6480512>>6480515Last name is Spelldodger. Just a given name is what's voted on. No worries though.>>6480528Might go with yours just because it's a curveball. I hope I can do it justice.!!) Specialty vote. This will be the kind of technological fields you excel in. You get two you're good at, and one you're not good at.-- Good at:(pick two)-- Struggle with:(pick one)>Robotics & AIYou'll start with a rudimentary AI companion OR a small robotic companion (think the size of a tablet). Can be upgraded as the quest goes on.>Cybernetics & AugmentationStart with a prosthetic limb or augmentation (write-in). Can be upgraded.>Information SystemsStart with an information multitool (think the scan visor from Metroid Prime). Compatible with robotics and AI. Can be upgraded.>BiotechnologyStart with 5 bottles of healing water.>AerospaceStart with a one-occupant mount. Can be upgraded. (the specific vehicle is a write-in)>Weapon SystemsStart with an advanced firearm (write-in).>Dimensional EngineeringStart with a device that can teleport you short distances. When in combat, has a 3 post cooldown.
>>6480549-- Good at:>Weapon SystemsA handgun with a lot of different ammo types (some mildly unrealistic) with a possibility to switch between those instantly.>Cybernetics & AugmentationLeft eye optimized for shooting (very accurate distance perception, maybe also short to medium distance thermal vision if it isn`t too much).-- Struggle with:>Aerospace
>>6480549GOOD AT:>Robotics & AI (Heck yea free buddy)>Cybernetics & Augmentation>>6480561+1 to this anon's eye ideaBAD:>Aerospace
>>6480549>Robotics & AI>Information Systems>Biotechnology
>>6480561+1
>>6480549Good at:>Robotics & AIA little bird robot that looks very convincingly like a real one at almost any distance except for up close. The birds will are government drones!>Cybernetics & AugmentationI like this >>6480561 suggestion for augmentation, so I will support that.Bad at:>BiotechnologyI like the theme of someone heavily invested in cybernetics and robotics being totally uninterested in biology, save for how to swap out body parts for cybernetics without killing the subject.
>>6480561>>6480563>>6480564>>6480612>>6480635Calling it here. No need to drag out this vote. Since there are a small handful of you (not that I mind having a low voter count), I'll go ahead and do this . . .- Good At ->Weapon Systems>Cybernetics & Augmentation>Robotics and AI- Bad At ->Biotechnology>AerospaceYou'll get +10 to any rolls you're good at, and -10 to any rolls you're bad at. It'll be the usual best-of-three d100, with higher being better. In time, you might be able to switch your good at/bad at disciplines, or you might get other bonuses.Here is the pastebin: https://pastebin.com/6RiPUjp2Been playing a lot of RPGs so I decided to make an equipment system. That'll keep this from becoming too crunchy or too schizo. Anyway, give me an hour max to get this update out.
>>6480686This is Arlo's true form, by the way. If you were to get close to and view him.
>>6480686You're not going to get like twenty votes all the time, my guy
>>6480690Where did I say I expected to get that many? I literally said in the OP that I don't expect to get much attention, and that I'm fine with one (you) because that means at least one person enjoys what I'm doing and wants me to keep going.
>>6480561>>6480563>>6480564>>6480612>>6480635"You know, Crys," your dad says with a chunk of beef in his mouth, "I don't get why you make such a fuss over attending the Academy. It's just-""School," you finish. "I know, Dad. I can't use magic so it makes no sense at all for me to attend." You sigh and Arlo chirps some beeps in agreement. "See? Even Arlo agrees.""Arlo is going to agree with everything you say, dear," your mother replies."Besides," your father goes on. "You have something better than magic! Solid engineering can do everything magic can and then some. Don't think of your limitation as . . . well, a limitation. Think of it as fortune smiling upon you. I survived the Two Brothers War, didn't I? It only cost me an arm, and now, I have an even better one!" Your father bellows a laugh that slightly vibrates your insides and makes you wince. He always was loud. His cybernetic arm's servos began to wine as he spun his hand in one direction, then the other."We're only one day's journey from the capitol. It won't be troublesome for you to visit us whenever you want," your mother puts in.At your mother's comment, your father bristled. "See now, Grace. This is exactly why I want Crys to go. You need to wean her from the breast at some point! Why, both Elias and Toby were only thirteen when they left home. Toby likely killed ten men by his fifteenth nameday as a sellsword!"Your older brother, Toby, coughed slightly at that."In any case, you'd be able to find out what they say about us in the capitol. No doubt those snobby mages have nothing but poison leaving their lips. Yet they need to beseech the gods just to throw a fireball-""Rafe!" Your mother only used your father's name when he irritated her. His anti-mage rants usually did."Er, in any case, Crys is going. That much is final. She leaves by morrow's sunrise. And I'll see her off. Knowing you, Grace, she'd show up to the Academy with the teat still in her mouth."Dinner finishes, and you help your mother clean up. Your dad and brothers were either reading or tinkering somewhere. Since it's your last night here for a while, you wanted to get that quality time in with Mom before you set off. You and her both talk about hopes for what you'll do at the Academy. The kinds of people you hope to meet. You're smothered in hugs and kisses before you head to your room to spend what's left the night doing what you like before sunrise tomorrow.>Talk to Arlo for a bit before bed. (choose the topic)>Ask Toby to use his terminal to learn more about the school before you go.>Skip to the next day, before you leave.>Something else. (write in)((I'll be here for a few hours so updates might be rolled out quicker than usual.))
>>6480706>Ask Toby to use his terminal to learn more about the school before you go.
>>6480706>Something else.Give Arlo a final checkup to make sure he's in tiptop shape. Who knows if we're ever going to get some private tinkering time at... THE ACADEMY.
>>6480711>>6480715>>6480715You decide to bug your brother to use the terminal for a bit before making sure Arlo is good to go before tomorrow. You don't want your only friend falling apart on your first day!Right, then. First, the terminal. Since you're being forced to attend this school, it's best you learn a bit about it, at least. Just so you know what kind of aristocratic snobbery you're in for. You never took much interest in information systems, meaning, only Toby has a terminal. He's likely using it right now to do piss-all important.You knock on his door, and hear a flat "what?" in response."It's me, horseface. Let me use the terminal for a few--I gotta see what I can learn about the academy."Toby cracks his door ajar, the wooden creaks speak to requiring replacement. He sticks his head out and adjusts his spectacles. "Eh?" He furrows his brow, sticking his long nose close to yours. "Why don't you use your own terminal?"You shrug. "Never thought to. Come on, Toby. Just give me five minutes."He sighs. "Fine. Don't break it, and don't make any weird queries. Dad almost blew the thing up when I tried to teach him how to use it."You mutter a thanks and push past your older brother. You're not often in here, but his room is just as messier as you remember last time you visited it. Batteries and bits strew the floor, with the occasional multi-tool spotted amongst the menagerie of metal. Arlo chirps a series of low beeps from his perch on your shoulder."It's not that messy, Arlo. Once you know where everything is. Anyway," he pauses to jerk a thumb toward his desk. "There's the terminal. Five minutes. I still have upgrades to get to.""Five minutes," you echo with a nod.The pale green screen lights up with a push of a button. The screen shows a bunch of text you aren't interested in, before pausing on a black screen reading 'USER' and 'CODE'. "Uh, Toby?"Your brother slides you out of the way. "Sorry." A few presses later, you're in. The screen shows a rectangular box that reads 'QUERY'. You may not have much terminal experience, but you can read. So, you press 'FALEENA QUEENDOM MAGICAL ACADEMY' and press the 'QUERY' button. A few seconds later, it shows a detailed readout of the school. Its build date, the name of the current headmaster, and where it's located. It's as bad as you'd expected. A school for "gifted mages" (read: aristocracy) to attend and "enhance their connection with and understanding of magic." You scoff at the entry. Of course it would be yet another institution tied to nobility that is far up its own arse. And I have to do an entire year here.Just then, Toby peaks over your shoulder. "Ah," he says, shaking his head. "That's the infamous academy. Can it be any more pompous?"
You roll your eyes and shrug."Say, Crys. Do they know you're not a mage? I mean--none of us are. The Spelldodger name is known enough. Not sure why they want you to go."You shrug again. "Maybe the nobility is senile due to all the inbreeding?" Arlo chirps rapidly. His way of laughing.Toby chuckles. "Probably." His brow softens. "Y'know, we'll miss you around here. Even though the average wit will increase with you gone."You punch his arm and he feigns hurt. "Dumbarse. I'm not moving out. It's just a . . . prison sentence."Toby laughs again and gestures toward the terminal screen. "Indeed. That does sound about right. Just don't become a pompous ass when you're home again, okay?" He gives you a light flick on your forehead and leaves you to finish your work on the terminal.You finish thirty minutes later. There wasn't much to dive into regarding the academy. It's just a nobility school for haughty-taughty types to find more titles to apply to themselves--as if they lacked any."What do you think about the school, Arlo?"He chirps three times and flutters his wings."Me neither, but I guess we have to because the Royal House says so." You sigh and ready your tinkerer's kit and prepare to inspect Arlo. "Hop up on the workbench, buddy."Arlo, ever compliant and obedient, does so. Once he's on the workbench, you power him down and, using your tinkerer tools, get his chest open and give a good look at the wires and servos.((Give me a d100 roll, please. Best of three, or best of whoever-is-in-this-thread. You built Arlo and have been maintaining him for years so this will be an easy check.))
Rolled 89 (1d100)>>6480747I'm sure he hasn't been up to anything mysterious that could've damaged him.
>>6480747
Rolled 85 (1d100)>>6480747
>>6480758>>6480762Goes without saying, you pass. Updating . . .
>>6480758>>6480762As you thought, naught more than a routine check-up. Not one wire out of place. Arlo's way of thanking you is to buzz while zipping around the room."Guess you're happy. Think you're ready for tomorrow?"Arlo responds with two loud, long beeps."I thought so. Maybe you can go and I'll stay here? Just pretend to be me. Say your name is Crys. I'm sure I can calibrate your luminosensors to look something like me."At this, Arlo gives a sharp buzzing sound."I know. I had to try. 'Night Arlo."After ten minutes of tossing and turning, sleep finally takes you . . .A soft rap at your door wakes you up. "Time to wake up, sweetie. Your father is ready to see you off." It's Mom. The orange light spilling through your bedroom window tells you it's the crack of dawn. Arlo's eyes spark to life with familiar spheres of white. He hums and flies to your chest, then gives a short beep."I know, Arlo. I'm getting up." You take a deep breath and groan. Morning was never your thing. Your basic wake-up rituals complete, you get dressed and double-check your inventory one last time. Tinkerer tools, support kit, pack. All check. Arlo takes his usual place on your shoulder, his optics looking into your eyes and blinks once. You give him a soft pat on his head.Downstairs, Mom and Dad are sat at the table. The former drinking some tea and the latter snacking on some kind of jerky. "So," your father begins between ungraceful chews of meat, "you ready? You're all packed, then?"You nod. Glancing at your mother, she's taking it well. Not crestfallen like she was before when the letter came to see you attending this school. But you can tell she's still slightly . . . bummed about it. Which makes sense. You're the only girl and the youngest of three. You're supposed to leave the nest last, not first.Your mother stiffens after taking another sip. "I do think this will be good for you, honey. But no matter what your father says, you come home if things get to heavy for you. And Arlo, watch over her."Arlo responds with his 'happy' beeps and nods. You nod as well, before giving your mother a hug. "Don't worry, Mom," you reply. "We'll be okay. We'll be back before you know it. Right Arlo?" More beeps. He agrees."Right, then." Your father stands and claps his hands together. "We're off to the square. Grace, I'll be sure to stop by after and get that tea you've been bugging me about."Your mother nods and continues with her tea. You grab your pack and follow your father, who leads you to the carriage, which causes you to furrow your brow.
>>6480821"Uh, Dad? Where's the bike?""Hm? Oh--the bike! Yes, that thing needs work. I've been trying to get Elias to help with the repairs since he always rides my arse to use the bloody thing." He sighs. "But he's off on some boat somewhere, and I just can't be bothered. So, this will be our ride to the checkpoint.""Where did you get-" You barely have time to register that you're riding in a horse-drawn carriage after he replies. "Wait. You're not taking me all the way?""Ah, no." Your dad rubs the back of his head with a sheepish smile. "They said non-staffpersons aren't allowed to escort all the way to the gates. Something about security or somesuch. You know I pay little mind when nobility speaks."Knowing that nobles prefer things being as official as possible, and not wanting to make a bad impression on your first day, you have the presence of mind to ask him if he still has the letter. He reaches into his shirt and produces a neatly folded document. The yellow-white of the official scribery is barely made-out in the rising sunlight, but you can see the waxed seal reflecting some of that light. You take it from him and put it in your own pocket."Do you even know how to operate this thing?""Sure do," your dad replies. "I've been in a few carriages during the war."You fold your arms. "Mhm. And how many did you actually steer?""Pffft. How hard could it be, Crys? Just pull on these thingies here and woosh! It's just like piloting a skimmer.""A skimmer," you state pointedly, "is not a living creature.">Tell dad to grab a couple hoverboards and do this sensibly. You're not leaving your traveling safety to chance with an animal you have no experience with.>Tell dad to make sure the bike is actually good to go (will require an aerospace roll).>Write in.
>>6480822>Tell dad to grab a couple hoverboards and do this sensibly. You're not leaving your traveling safety to chance with an animal you have no experience with.Crys is smart enough to decide against attracting a lot of attention even by means of arrival. This decision totally isn`t because of her lack of confidence with a bike!
>>6480822>Write in.Take the horse drawn carriage, what's the worst that could happen?
