[Heaven's Reach] Arts & Crafts

[Janos Tem]

Janos had finished making his initial rounds of the Voidswimmer not long after being brought onboard. His quarters were sizable, much larger than he was expecting, and the cargo hold that he had been granted access to was more than sufficient to hold some of his larger creations. He may not even be required to incorporate a way to collapse the Radiant Avatar of Succor. That would be favorable. On the other hand, not all among the crew could be counted on to keep a level head when in the presence of such a creation’s magnificence at any time when it was not actively assisting them. Humanity was legendary for its fair weather tolerance of those things it found distasteful.

At this point Janos stood alone in the middle of the cargo bay completely still staring at its open space. Admiring the angles and the efficient use of space and minimal obstructions, he could see the Radiant Avatar crouched in its trance state as its lessers took great care in cleaning and maintaining it before it was closed away in a specially crafted sensory deprivation space just in case it decided that its trance was inconvenient and that it wanted to look around despite the instructions of its creator or, more likely, some nosy member of the Voidswimmer’s crew wished to take it for a joy ride.

Were another to come into the chamber they would not see the Radiant Avatar. They would not see the container forged to hold it, they would not see the technicians devoted to its service. They would see none of these things. They would see only Janos standing and staring. This was what separated him from those around him. Vision. They lacked the perfection and artistry of craft and precision that had been all but lost in the time long gone. They limited themselves to such things as blasters and pistols and varying degrees of modification not because of the efficiency and lack of waste these tools of death provided, but because they could not see beyond these.

Janos Tem could see a great deal more. Metal dragons fueled by geomancy and the Wyld energy of the space lanes. Glorious craft as much alive as their pilot working in perfect harmony, the true great man, free and unchained by such things as hunger, frailty, even mortality. These are the things that occupied Janos Tem’s mind when he allowed it to wander.

A truly perfect society occupied by a truly perfect people.

The thing that kept Janos from making this a reality, logistical concerns aside, was the need to temper his vision with prudence. After all, who was he to decide what was perfect when he himself was flawed?

An interesting conundrum.

Janos stepped back from the center of the cargo bay, a shimmer of distorted space and light refracting off of itself highlighting the door to the cargo bay as it closed. He could have locked it from the inside but the Malefactor in him was curious and moderately hopeful. What would his faithful allies, he crew of the Voidswimmer, have to say about the artistry he was about to perform.

There was one way to find out.

Janos released his mind’s hand and channeled a significant amount of Essence into one of his distant artifacts. So much so that his Caste Mark could be seen to glisten from the right angle. As he did so, an arc of blue heatless flame manifested in the cargo hold, a half-bridge of shining blown glass and a few sprinklings of sand manifesting before him. One end anchored at his feet and arced into the air before him before disappearing through the fiery gateway.

On the other side of the gate would be a masterpiece of ritual science and shining example of what could be accomplished with focused dedication to perfect, symmetrical artifice. A cathedral of wonders capable of birthing the most potent of artifacts and even life itself. On the other side of the gate, Janos would be home.

He stepped onto the bridge and began to cross. It was time to go to work.

Mechanics

20 Motes (19 peripheral, 1 personal) to activate Bridge of Silver Mist

[Janos Tem]

The skies over his temple were mostly clear, clouds drifting lazily through the air. Looking out over the city that surrounded it gave Janos peace. Here he had achieved something that few others had. There was a world dedicated to existing together in perfect harmony. War was a thing of the past. Greed. Hate. Avarice. These were things that simply were not concerns. Their dedication to the ideal of cooperation and order had brought peace to this world. It was a dedication that they would not have had if not for his arrival. The people knew this and they were grateful.

Janos simply stood and observed as the power of their gratitude flowed through him, his smile relaying his approval back towards those who had been present at his arrival.

He said it was good.

Janos returned to the interior of his Manse, an open theatre echoing with distant bells, singing, a phantom cacophony of sound from somewhere else. The soft light of the sun outside had been tinted green, room features consisting primarily of black metal and brass. It was here that the energy of the Manse resonated with what was ultimately the source of his greatest strength. At once part of the Demon City and at the same time outside it. The same, and yet separate from the geography that was the Yozi Intelligences. This was where the magic happened.

Suddenly, without warning, but with absolute intent and timing, the laws of the known world were cast to the wayside and only the perfect driving will of the Manse’s master mattered.

Green light poured from the temple bright enough to read by for hundreds of yards and visible for miles. Clouds of glass formed and floated around him in perfect emulation of the white fluffy ones outside. Bolts of water shot like lightning between the glass clouds while pools of liquid, prismatic light formed at the corners of the room, three foot high “flames” made of dust and crackling musically like wind chimes. It had begun.

As the world around him lost its mind, Janos focused his intent on an open space in the chamber and a shape far more coherent and to the educated more familiar began to form, purple, hairless, and female. As it was, this being was a far cry from being considered ‘beautiful’, at least by human standards. Large, dark purple, almost black orbs where her eyes would be, the neomah cried out its existence, long strands of fire, brass and tin extending from her mouth briefly before retreating back inside her. Simultaneously, a nearly identical twin came into being nearby. Their combined scent, intoxicating as it was, was nearly overwhelming.

As alien as they were attractive, the neomah were downright plain in comparison to what came next.

An agata, jeweled mount of kings and princes, is best described as a wasp-like creature the size of a horse. With a carapace comprised of all of the subtle reflected glories witnessed by Florivet, the Whim-of-the-Wind, wings shining with the brilliance of the sunrise, and a headcrest more magnificent than any monarch’s jeweled crown. With six legs of shimmering crystal and birth cry of ringing bells of brass and crystal, Janos looked on at the near matchless beauty of the creature with familiarity. Of all the creatures of the Demon City, the agata was the one he was most familiar with. This was one of the ones that had made him into what he was.

After five hours of work, the world around him began to settle, supplicants bringing folded parcels of clothing suitable to shipboard life and all but identical to the uniforms worn onboard the Voidswimmer. The only significant difference was in place of the ship’s insignia patch was a patch with the sign of the Singularity, the faith that Janos Tem had spread across entire Directions of space and the same design that had allowed him to bring peace to this world.

The neomah nodded their acknowledgment to their creator, as did the agata. Janos returned the gesture, a tiny bead of sweat visible on his brow. He smiled. In the time it had taken him to create life itself, the glory of the Singularity and its temple had already refilled his Essence reserves.

Janos paused long enough to take a slow, measured breath and enjoy a moment of relative silence before the arcs of musical light began to streak through the chamber as he set to work again.

Mechanics

(Regained 20 spent essence from Cult and Manse)

(19 personal essence, 1 peripheral essence, 1 wp – Activating Constructive Convergence of Principles) – Shaping pool 13, Diff 5

(12 peripheral essence – First (She Who Lives In Her Name) Excellency spent to add 12 dice to the Shaping Pool)

(Deterministic Orb converting Shaping pool to successes – 25 dice

Shaping Pool = 13 successes, Diff 5 = 9 net successes)

Creating: 2 Neomah (3 successes each),

Creating: 1 Agata (3 successes)

Backing: Star Marshals 2 + Resources = Uniforms acquired

Over 5 hours, 22 essence, 1 wp regained from Cult and Manse.

Agata: Intimacy of Loyalty to Janos Tem – Motivation: to Serve as a riding beast.

Neomah(s): Intimacy of Loyalty to Janos Tem – Motivation: Provide companionship to the crew of the Voidswimmer in accordance to terms set out by Janos Tem.

[Janos Tem]

A less precision-oriented individual would have lost track of time in the chaos that had taken place. In the time since he had begun his works and now, the manse had been filled to capacity. All but brought to full working order, his Cathedral was just about ready to begin its work.

Janos turned his gaze around the chamber, steadily panning from one side to the other, extrapolating the contents and goings on in the chambers and corridors outside of this area. In the past 16 hours, the population of his world had grown by 1018 Attendants and escorts shuffled the newly 'born' members of the population off to their respective areas. Entire teams of assistants and aides and two auxillary shifts each had been formed, each calling on his own knowledge of the arts so that their many hands could be put to the task of creating great works in the name of their creator.

It did not take an expert, however, to realize that simply adding mortal hands and exertion to a project would only do so much. With that in mind, Janos looked over at the collection of dwarfish, deformed, and highly efficient Herenhal that had come to be over the past several hours. Janos found them personally repulsive, repugnant, and many other less-than-flattering adjectives. He could also not discount their skill at the forge and their dedication to creating works of grand artifice. This he would not discount them and as such, here they remained.

The one thing that many summoners and shapers did not take into account about the Herenhal, however, was their other appetites. Draped over the Herenhal, at least three per demon, were courtesans and other individuals that were quite literally created to be flesh dolls, toys for the Herenhal to play with to sate their passions until they invariably broke. Fortunately, this had been accounted for as well and there had been more than a mere handful created for this purpose. Contemplating this, Janos understood that he had just as many playthings for the Herenhal as he did aides for the crafting of magitech.

Many would view this casual disregard for the welfare of his lessers as calloused, completely lacking in compassion and virtue. Janos, however, understood that these 'people', unlike the teeming masses of humanity that roamed the stars (most of them, anyway) had been brought into being for this specific purpose, and that the self-determination that so many others enjoyed was inconceivable to them. To them, this simply was the way things were.

Janos drew himself to his feet, a bit slower than he usually did, considering he had been at this for 20 hours total with an hour break in the middle, but otherwise uniform to the other times he did so. This would be good for now. Now, he needed rest. Reality itself had been warped and twisted in ways that it was not meant to and in any other environment besides the pure chaos of the void could not have been. This was an exhausting task and now he needed rest for tomorrow, with all the pieces in place, the real work could begin.

Mechanics

(19 personal essence, 1 peripheral essence, 1 wp – Activating Constructive Convergence of Principles) – Shaping pool 13, Diff 5

(12 peripheral essence – First (She Who Lives In Her Name) Excellency spent to add 12 dice to the Shaping Pool)

(Deterministic Orb converting Shaping pool to successes – 25 dice Shaping Pool = 13 successes

+3 Successes (Willpower expenditure)

Diff 5 = 12 net successes

First Session

People: A Group of 1000 followers divided as such: 3 successes for quantity, 1 success for quality (4)

- 150 Magitech Aides

- 150 Genesis Aides

- 150 Vitriol Aides

- 150 (Fire) Aides

- 150 Sex Slaves

- 250 Assorted Infrastructure Extras (overseers, caretakers, etc)

+1 to form coherent structure and social organization around this

Demons – 4 Herenhal (8 successes)

Second and Third Session Demons – 6 Herenhal each (12 successes each)

Total: 1000 followers, 18 Herenhal

[Janos Tem]

If Janos had to guess which aspect of Vitriol Crafting dissuaded more potential artisans than any other, he would not even hesitate with his answer: Chalcanth and Azoth. Quite literally, both substances are made from the living Essence of demons. Its manufacture is decidedly a less than pleasant process, particularly for the demon involved. The quite frankly murderous process is more than a little off putting to most. Most, of course, being those who do not fully understand the workings of Malfean society.

Many think they do, but most minds and consciences simply recoil and refuse to understand how it truly works. The entire purpose of each individual Circle of Demon is to serve at the pleasure of their progenitors. The issue often arises when students attempt to attribute concepts such as “individuality” and “self-determination” to the First Circle. The Second Circle and even moreso the Third Circle can quite accurately be said to have identities and personalities that separate them from one another, but in the end they are all part of the same being, the same chain, the same tree. Cecelyne is the oversoul of Orabilis, who is the Oversoul of Florivet, who is the Oversoul of the Agata, which is an entire species of First Circle Demon, its existence contingent on the continued pleasure of its superiors.

In the Descending Hierarchy, the execution of a First Circle demon in the name of artifice is no different from flecks of skin that come off the hands when sculpting, or the sweat from the brow while forging. This is simply the way things are. Where the Second Circle is involved it is still much akin to the decision to cut one’s hair or get braces. This is why Infernal Craft is so difficult for those who do not truly understand the nature of what they work with. It is a hard concept to grasp, but not impossible.

As he mused on the topic, he oversaw the machinations of his Cathedral divided into two distinct processes. On one side, he watched as one of the Herenhal he had crafted the night before found itself inside some quite uncomfortable restraints. A chalcanth and vitriol mixture being pumped into it through apparatus worked in with the restraints. This would continue for some time until the creature was broken down into an inky substance, at which point it would be extracted through the same channels, with whatever remained being discarded.

On the other side, a similar mechanism held the agata he had formed earlier on in the day. This one, however, was not concerned with the nature of the being itself or making any sort of material component, this one was preparing the creature for its ultimate purpose. Brass and iron plates and bars were being grafted to the creature at different locations, its form being bent and repositioned in very awkward and unnatural ways.

Janos did not yet have the materials or the complete grasp of how he was going to finish his project here, but he understood completely that before him was not an agata. It was not a mount, it was not even a complete being. Before him was the core, the heart, the chassis of something much greater. The bellchime cries of the agata as it raged against its containment and its ultimate fate, was the first of many birth cries of the Radiant Avatar of Succor.

Mechanics

Create Artifact 1 – Programmed into the Factory-Cathedral Aspect for completion as soon as materials were available: Radiant Avatar of Succor, First Circle Hellstrider consisting of an Agata, a Marotte, a Neomah, a Sesseljae, and a Tomescu

Dice Pool = Perception 2 + Craft 5 + Vitriol 2 + Factory Cathedral 4 + 8 (SWLIHN) Excellency= 21

Aides = 16 Herenhal, 40 mortal aides = +12 successes

Time Intervals: 5 rolls / 1 month (Experimental Acceleration Mastery + Atelier-Manse) (no faster than 3 days with aid of Wyld Shaping)

Deterministic Orb: Dice Pool of 21 = 11 successes

End Result: 33 Successes / Roll, TN = 100 (4 dot artifact)

1 Roll = 6 days

Craft Artifact 2 – Programmed into Genesis Lab Aspect for completion as soon as construction complete: Demon Ink Tattoo (3) (Herenhal)

Dice Pool = Perception 2 + Craft 5 + Vitriol 2 + Genesis Lab 4 + 8 (Excellency) = 21

Aides = 30 mortal aides, 2 Neomah = +4 successes

Time Intervals: 5 rolls / 1 month (Experimental Acceleration Mastery + Atelier-Manse) (no faster than 3 days with aid of Wyld Shaping)

Deterministic Orb: Dice Pool of 21 = 11 successes

End Result: 15 Successes / Roll, TN 60 (3 dot artifact)

1 Roll = 6 Days

[Janos Tem]

Over the past three days, Janos had been hard at work. The population of his world had not grown overmuch, mostly demons formed for assorted purposes. Herenhal to round out the work staff and augment the Atelier-Manse assembly lines, the component pieces for the Radiant Avatar of Succor, and a few others to put to their final purposes at a later time. The Radient Avatar was on hold at the moment. There was something he just didn't quite grasp about their construction.

How complicated could it be? He had measured the Azoth bath that was needed to get the process going, he had the component fiends in their individual locations, there was simply something that was missing. As such, he had placed the project on hold and stored its components away to come back to. It irked him, in his perfect nature, to know there was something incomplete in his cathedral that he did not have the knowledge to complete. He did, however, know of a creature that possessed such knowledge, and soon that knowledge would be his.

Janos referred, of course, to the Naneke that he had set the machines to building shortly after he had set the Hellstrider aside. It would be coming to completion shortly, along with its Herenhal compatriot. The craftsmen of the demon world and the seekers of all forbidden knowledges. Between them, he would know what he needed to complete the machine.

In the meantime, the strider was still incomplete and Janos had been in its presence long enough. It was time to return to the Voidswimmer, to see what the rest of his crew was doing.

Janos stepped up onto the Bridge, this end constructed (this representation of the end anyway, such was the way with metaphysical spaces and Elsewhere) as part of the Manse. Powering the gateway again, the telltale arc of silvery blue flame appeared at the apex of the bridge and he stepped through it, a uniformed Neomah at his side and a Sesseljae within him.

On the other side of the bridge, in the cargo hold that had been granted for Janos's work would suddenly go from being empty to being centrally occupied with a silver half-bridge that passed through a heatless archway of pale blue. An arch that would soon produce a Janos. An arch that would fade into Elsewhere, along with the rest of the bridge, upon a mental command from its master.

Neomah

"Neomah are humanoid female demons with pale lavender flesh. They have full, sensual lips and large, dark eyes with no pupils. Their bodies are completely hairless and they often decorate themselves with piercings to make themselves unique. The neomah are not particularly beautiful by most standards, though they are far from ugly, and there is no creature in Creation or anywhere else that is as sexually appealing to as many species of being" - Exalted pg 310

This Neomah is dressed in a uniform similar to that of the Voidswimmer's crew, but where the ship's patch should be, there is a patch that has the insignia of the Singularity, the religion Janos has spread throughout Space.

[Dan Hawkins]

Nova didn't know what to expect when he entered the Cargo hold he'd given Janos. Still, Considering what Janos had said he was capable of, this request would be a simple one, and an easy for for him to gauge the craftsmanship and intentions of his Science officer.

The interior of the hold held a sight he'd not expected. Half a argent bridge, into what he assumed was a portal, with Janos standing there resplendent as always, and a female demon, a Neomah, by the intensely attractive scent.

"In truth, I'm somewhat surprised Janos, that this is all that's here." There was a hint of humor in his tone. "How have you been? I know you have not been here, and was beginning to wonder when you would return."

[Janos Tem]

"An artist's work is never done, Captain Hawkins. I have been arraying my resources so that they may best serve this ship and her crew. As for my whereabouts, I thank you for your concern."

Janos stepped off of the bridge though it did not vanish.

"What may I do for you?"

[Dan Hawkins]

"I have reacquainted myself with combat with a blade to a point that I feel it is time I acquire one of quality. I could simply buy one, but I didn't wish to insult your craft. I would ask that you craft me a Daiklaive of Orihalchum, as soon as is convenient for you."

He looked at him. "I confess I do not know your true capabilities, a file can only convey so much. I wish to learn more. Asking this of you, if you accept, the weapon you place in my hands will speak of you, or that is what a part of me feels."

[Janos Tem]

An Orichalcum Daiklaive. All the wonders of the worlds and he asked for an Orichalcum Daiklaive. At least he hadn't asked him for a hearthstone socket or some running shoes. Though admittedly, given the makeup of the crew, that may come next.

"A fine request, Captain Hawkins. The wise always test the waters before jumping in both feet, lest they find it not to their liking. I must know, however, if I am to craft such a thing, what it will be used for. It would not do to craft a blade that all but cried out to tear and maim the bodies of your enemies and then see it turned to simple sparring and ceremony. At the same time, a relic of wonder and grandeur that proclaims your magnificence to those who would say otherwise will have quite a different design."

[Dan Hawkins]

I will use it to defend every member of my crew, Janos, to perfect my art, and as the focus of my own personal desire to reclaim the prowess that my Incarnation knew in Ages past."

He looked at him. "Those who see it should know the quality of its maker, and that such a wonder is fit for the Chosen of the Unconquered Sun."

"Form and function must be as a Ray of the Sun, blinding in it's brilliance, and harsh and unforgiving when dispatching those who go against the laws of Justice."

[Janos Tem]

"Understood. I will make this for you."

Janos simply nodded. A standard Daiklaive was something he could quite literally produce in his sleep. This would be something more. Janos considered the correlation between the crew of the Voidswimmer and the Guardian of Sleep's Perronelles. Yes, that would work nicely.

[Dan Hawkins]

"Thank you Janos."

He looked to be ready to leave, but stopped. "What are your plans for today? Staying aboard the ship, or going into the station perhaps?"

[Janos Tem]

"For the day, my plans primarily consist of familiarizing myself with the ship's enlisted. Introduce myself around, ensure that all onboard know who I am. I am afraid I do not share the officers' love of sparring and drinking, and at this time I have not decided whether I wish to go into the station as much of what I need I have access to here."

What was unsaid, but no less apparent to anyone paying attention that Janos' disdain for the 'friendly spar' did not come from lack of ability. He may not be as gifted with a daiklaive as a warrior Exalt, but he was far from defenseless. Rather, Janos simply found them to be a waste of time. Useful for measuring the skill and prowess of a possible opponent, but otherwise meaningless. Even then, when a man is faced with 'perform or die', all the sparring room measurements in the world are simply speculation.

[Dan Hawkins]

"I prefer to think of my time in the dojo as training, though I admit, some of our officers are far more "Competitively Combative" to say the least. With so many new officers, It has been useful to see how they react, some vision of their potential skills and abilities. Having this knowledge of my subordinates is essential to make proper command decisions."

He nodded. "You made an impression on those who saw you the first time you set foot on this ship, and they have spread word of you around. Most is rumor and heresay. I have quashed the most outrageous, but getting to know them, especially the two medics who will serve as your staff, or should you require them wouldn't be a bad idea. They're good women, though many are somewhat young, none lack the skills to perform their duty though."

If you have some need of something, There are requisition forms on the data terminal. I check mine fairly often, though it is programmed to alert me to any urgent marked ones. Fill out the forms, and if it's within means, I will make sure you have what you require."

He nodded. "I look forward to seeing the fruits of your Craft Janos,

[Janos Tem]

"I have quashed the most outrageous, but getting to know them, especially the two medics who will serve as your staff, or should you require them wouldn't be a bad idea. They're good women, though many are somewhat young, none lack the skills to perform their duty though."

Janos had no difficulty whatsoever believing what the Captain was saying about his crew. Private military companies, particularly ones run by Dawn caste Solars tended to be on the upper end of the competency scale. With that said, he was not terribly concerned with their abilities to perform as crew for a military vessel. He was more interested in their genetics. Such a wide array of individuals in such close proximity was an opportunity one did not simply happen across often.

"If you have some need of something, There are requisition forms on the data terminal. I check mine fairly often, though it is programmed to alert me to any urgent marked ones. Fill out the forms, and if it's within means, I will make sure you have what you require."

Janos severely doubted that he would have to requisition much of anything from the Captain, at least not while they were in port. So long as he was in a fixed location he had easy access to an entire world's infrastructure if he needed it. Though he did idly consider what would happen if he requisitioned a bound and chained Second Circle Demon,. He somehow doubted that even with his vast means Captain Hawkins would be able to pull that off. If he was a Twilight, there might be some consideration, but he wasn't. Captain Hawkins was a Dawn. They were designed to murder the Second Circle, not cage.

"I look forward to seeing the fruits of your Craft Janos"

"I will not disappoint, Captain. Shall I set to work at once then?"

[Dan Hawkins]

"No, not if you had other plans Janos. I do not know when we will next be in a friendly port, and if you wish to enjoy it, I wouldn't deprive you of that."

He nodded. "This is the calm before the storm, once we leave port, It will be straight into the maelstrom."