Some Little Helpers, planning

Well, the initial idea was to plan this with Bitch - their resource collector, but.. This one hadn't come and Stolas needed to work on it as soon as possible! So Kass would listen to him, offer some ideas perhaps?

Overall, be there.

And entering the main cabin, he guided the demon to the table while from the cylinders he carried with him he pulled out some schematics, "As you may have heard me mention, I am working on 'Little Helpers', automatons, but much simpler than Empyreans and even normal golems." And in that, he showed what he had planned.

Small metallic creatures, some spheres with propellers to fly and small hands - other small spiders, among other.. Always, small beings, to be assistants, deliver things and also messengers...

And who knows, collectors.

"You see, I will try to replicate the golem process, but I want to start small for now. A few experiments here and there, with something that will not demand so much resources.

And these little 'critters' will be of great help for such plan!" And having said that, he would then pull out another paperwork that contained a list of materials and description for each, their uses.

Golem Cores being the main one, a source of energy and what would give 'life' to the automantons. Cobalt, Copper and Iron Ingots, the base material for the bodies - the third one already being crossed out, probably because Stolas has everything he needs regarding that one in specific. Finally, glass.. Ethereal water and also some Wind Elemental Cores.

"For now, I need your insight into this project and I also need your permission, patronage - it will be a project that will help us a lot and also that will start my research of more sophisticated Golems.

Once possible." Concluding his speech, he would let the demon consider everything it was told and shown.
(Stolas)


Sitting down at the table, the Demon gets comfortable. Those ethereal tentacles begin to dissipate, fading into vapors and then nothingness. That isn't to say there are none-- there are in fact a few made of flesh that linger beneath those fog appendages.

And... there are only six of them. Some 'Master Octopus' Kass was.

"Hmm." It puts an elbow on the table and leans forward, looking at the plans. He pulls down his hood, revealing those oddly humanlike features.

"Unfortunately, my field of expertise is not in the art of crafting. I can do little to help you actually create these." Kass explains. "However..."

He leans back, hands resting in his lap. The shadows still conceal most of his form, even as he exposes the truth of his body and his human face.

"My skills have always been in stealth and subterfuge. That is, slipping through unnoticed either with words or with appearance. It is something that perhaps my predecessors have done, surely, but not to the level I can."

It smiles softly, no teeth showing. "That is how I have gathered safely even without using the 'buddy' system. The ores, ethereal waters, and wind elemental cores... I should be able to gather them with relative ease if I dedicate myself fully to it, yes?"
(Kass)

"Any help is welcome, as the rest of the work I will have to do - such as the chassis making, the rune system - internal parts, core purification with my mana, water pipes in case of overheating..

These things." Steps that he, as the creator, would eventually take - probably, in the days following this conversation.

He wanted this done as soon as possible, before working on chronomancy - since, he didn't know exactly what direction it would take him.. Given how volatile it can be.

"For now, I think an adequate number of things are.. For every thing request.. OK! First, Golem Cores? I already have some, but I need twenty-five copper bars, thirty cobalt..

And five cores of wind elemental! The rest, we already have to start working." That was a start.. For at least the early models. Obviously if he wanted to create more, he would have to work on it in the future.

For now, this would be enough.

"So, can you get these things for me - in case we don't have them already?" Once again, a request was made.
(Stolas)


"The copper and the cobalt I am unsure about, but I do remember gathering wind elemental cores earlier." It recalls, "I may have some in the storage of the demiplane. I can retrieve them and gather five more later."

Kass' hands rest upon its lap, staring at the Empyrean. Though they were 'family', the relationship was more like 'coworkers'-- that is, interacting in the same space and goals, but rarely ever meeting in private.

"I can check on the bars as well, though we may just have ores. Regardless, if the Little Helpers end up serving a goal to the rest, then it is a worthwhile project to pour resources into, yes?"

It taps a finger against one of its octopod appendages.

"Though, I do wish to know something. Why have you decided to help us when the Empire has a settlement north of here? You have put your life on the line for our cause and yet do not call yourself a cultist... An interesting case, to me, though do not take it as me being ungrateful."
(Kass)

"Don't worry, I assure you that just like the bombs, these automatons will be of great help - as simple as they are, this just the beginning, they will start other things if they are a success." That is, beings more oriented to true combat - golems made for war, more sophisticated beings.

And so, something that would be even more welcome than simple helpers - but for now, they are the focus of Empyrean's work. Which at a time would answer the doubt.

"That colony once was of the Empire, but now it has become the private realm of a greedy, haughty wildkin who only cares for himself and a reclusive group of people.

His closest friends.

While using others as tools, the citizens of his city and mainly, my people." Steam was released from under his mask-covered visage, notably his eyes glowed red for a few moments, "There was plans to change the place, but for that it was required a position of power, you know. Everything done, was me trying to do the right thing - but I was treated like an assistant to another!

And so, I left that place.

I was working in isolation, in a coastal cabin - until they started hunting me. Bounty Hunters, that were sent by Pascha himself - who labeled me a traitor and thief.

And why? Because that I had notes from Cid, a friend of his from the past, regarding such studies. Notes, that was allowed for me to have by DI, a former Harbinger.. But, since the research was not anymore carried in Providence, for them and mainly for Pascha..

I became a hindrance to their journey of becoming something powerful in this land, the one who does everything, who receives all the prestige.

And they had to get rid of me in any way possible." Having to remember that was unfortunate, but it was necessary for understanding the Empyrean's motives.

Now, why was he there?

"And as I didn't have many options left, being hunted by everyone else given their relationships.. After all, Urosil and Providence? The same thing.

And so, I ended up in the swamp.

After some negotiations, I formed an agreement with Ruallatan and others, thus ending up joining." And from that, it was already seen what he did daily.

He fought, treated wounds and created things.. While doing his research.
(Stolas)

There is something strange about this Demon, far different from Ruallatan or Chimera or Doctor Stitches. Even Queen, who mimicked the human form with its Lure of a corpse.

It listens. It gives feedback in its facial expressions as a human would, showing arched eyebrows and focused pupils. If it wasn't for the lower half of its body cloaked in shadow, one could even assume it was the same as any other Rhystian in the way it emoted and breathed and acted.

So, as Stolas explains how he ended up in the swamps, as he speaks of Pascha and DI and Cid, of bounty hunters and cliques...

It shows empathy.

"The job of those in power is to take care of those under them. To protect them, to shield them from the world. The fact that Pascha Pavlova abuses it to the detriment of his people is the sign of a weak leader." It explains, "You truly did not deserve the treatment just because of the circumstances of your birth. The power you crave should have gone to you."

It nods, a soft smile, a warm glow in its brown hues.

"But I will also assure you that the power you crave here is not something that is needed. You do not need to be in a position of power or to be equal with the likes of me to be heard and to have your projects funded."

"It is the vision of Vul'karik for us all to be unified in the end. To be whole. Working towards that goal, no matter it be harvesting crops in the field to feed to the smoke bombs that you make-- it is important. Your inventions will save our lives some day and for that, I am eternally grateful."
(Kass)

It was comical how someone who saw feelings as something only detrimental for one's life, ended up talking about how he felt - it was even weird..

A bit.

Even so, he nodded - "All that once was desired, was for me to help, for everyone to have for a suitable place to work, so that I could bring evolution to everyone - but in the end, due to the actions of others, I ended up in a situation that the world sees me as a cultist.

A traitor.. A threat to life.

When they should see me as something to bring them innovation and hope of a better future." His arms were raised to the side, before he shook his head.

Because? The schematics were quickly collected and then sorted into the appropriate cylinders - subsequently stored away, into his belt.

"Thank you for your kind words, Kass. Notably, the place that was once seen as despicable to me, to the point where I had plans for the inevitable extermination of all life that roamed here while working for Providence..

It became a more welcoming and supportive home than those who created me. Here, I have more help for projects and everything I need, than expected and without any charge.

And this, is everything I needed." And it was, what he got when he left that doomed place, the colony in which power went to mortals' heads, as usual.
(Stolas)


Kass says, "People often judge far too much based on appearances, yes?"
Kass says, "We do what we must to bring the vision of our Eidolon to the world-- but ultimately, to me, it is a noble one."
Kass says, "I am glad to have you here-- to be able to bring another to see what the world truly is without resorting to violence."
Kass says, "Now, it was... Five wind elemental, twenty cobalt, twenty copper, yes?"
Stolas says, "Yes."
Stolas says, "That should do for me to be able to construct some proper chassis and work on the animation procedure."