Spirit Totem Dev (1/20)

[14:14] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "Right...I think she wanted it around this projection platform."
[14:15] Keaka Kamauoha says, "Mh, how big did she want them exactly? Still damned unsure how I feel about making it Nyeshk."
[14:15] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "Nyeshk for durability- and don't forget the soul-steel."
[14:15] Ohtli Tezcacoatl asks, "Do you think it would be better in something else?"
[14:15] Keaka grumbles for a moment.
(Keaka Kamauoha)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[14:16] Keaka Kamauoha says, "My issue with Nyeshk is that it stops mana... Unsure how that'd affect a spirit's flow."
[14:16] Windsor asks, "Might be Tyrium you're thinking about, isn't it?"
[14:17] Keaka Kamauoha says, "Could be, been too damned long with experimenting."
[14:17] Keaka Kamauoha asks, "Regardless- How big are we making these, Ohtli?"
[14:18] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "If nothing else, it's not going to be -entirely- Nyeshk. "
[14:18] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "I'd say...About as tall as you? "
[14:18] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "The important part, I'd guess, is the soul-steel core to hold the tethers themselves."
[14:19] Keaka Kamauoha says, "Mh, think it'd be good to encase it then."
[14:19] Ohtli Tezcacoatl asks, "All the work I need to do is based in blood- do you need a forge brought down here or anything?"
[14:20] Keaka Kamauoha says, "Peheh- No, I will be fine. Just provide me the ores and consider it done. I can still control the earth and such."
[14:21] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "We ought to have them stashed down here somewhere..."
[14:32] Thus, the spiritual smith went about his work! Keaka would first go about inspecting the divots in the platform, noting the circumference of the base for each totem. The plan was rather simple - Create thin poles of Soul Steel, encase each pole with heavy layers of Nyeshk, weld it into the platform.

Slow movements are made as a make-shift dance is done about the platform, a workstation of sandy earth sprouting itself from the ground. A solid platform of earth acts as an anvil, a molten recess for melting ores, and what seems to be two molds for the poles. The first mold holds the shape of a thinner pole with a thick stem reaching from its base, while the other holds the form of a casing for the first.

Setting a piece of Nyeshk from his own stash into the molten recess, Keaka begins to walk about in search of the remaining metals. Now where did Iosefka set those damned things?
(Keaka Kamauoha)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[14:33] The Drakan hovers, admiring his work and making sure nothing goes awry. Shaping metal is, quite clearly, not her forte. Not that she has any gripes about that whatsoever. She pats down her pockets, searching for something, and hums to herself.

"Have you done much else in Gehenna as of yet while you've been back? Have people at least been listening?"

No reason to not make small talk, so long as it doesn't disrupt the smith's rhythm.
(Ohtli Tezcacoatl)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[14:35] Windsor says, "Given everything I've seen up to now? Probably about as well as they have to you, Caretaker."
[14:40] Upon finding a small mound and digging it up, a pack of Nyeshk is produced from its slumber. These bits of ore are placed in the molten recess, a deep 'phantom' breath taken in as he holds his palms above the now filled pit. A stream of molten earth is unleashed from the extended 'flesh', earth slowly cupping the metals as a bath of magma is formed.

"They listen as well as a wall. While Slayder and his damned few seem to enjoy my tales and heed their warnings, the Chieftains avoid me, don't speak with me." A faint flick of his lip shows more than a small amount of annoyance, the stream of magma now halting as the ores are covered in a molten liquid.

The man turns towards the molds, dragging the casing version over to the platform. An rough inspection is made with a corporeal fist to make sure the casing will fit snugly in the divots. Finding it to be the desired size, two more molds are produced from the sandy earth about them.
(Keaka Kamauoha)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[14:44] The Drakan flashes him an empathetic frown. The whole affair leaves her sour too. Even more than she already cares to admit.

"I'm wary of all of them. Slayder included. But as I made clear when you were brought back, I won't tell you what to do. Unless an individual proves above and beyond the rest, I won't be helping Gehenna any longer.

"They can cleanse the wraith on their own. Heal their lands and maintain their people on their own. The work here I think is...more worthwhile. This at least I know won't be used to harm someone."

If by no other fact than she'll be the one that technically binds the spirits their in the first place. Trust is at a premium these days. For good reason.

"Is there anything we can do to help, Keaka? Got four extra hands here if you need any of them."
(Ohtli Tezcacoatl)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[14:49] Windsor folds his arms across his chest, content to watch the spirit man at his spirit work. "At this point, any ruin invited upon Gehenna was plainly just let to walk through the door by them. ...Not that I don't still hope they can somehow change courses."
(Windsor)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[14:53] Keaka mutters something to himself for a moment, perhaps lost in his own work. Pulled out from his thoughts with the offer of help, he gives a light nod.

"You've done your part for them - Let the children learn the damned hard way. They've not my respect for letting a demon on our lands. As for what you can do... Search about for more packs of Nyeshk if you can, think this'll cover maybe one and a half of the damned totems."

The spectral smith makes his way back to the molten bath, a small set of movements producing another bath near it for Nyeshk to be placed in. Coating himself in a molten shell, he places one hand in each bath and goes about transferring the liquid earth. A careful eye watches for the peak of molten Nyeshk, giving a slow nod as the blackened liquid separates itself from the molten earth.

"Besides that, I need one or both of you to slide the mold near the platform to the older bath. Time to pour it in."
(Keaka Kamauoha)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[14:54] Ohtli Tezcacoatl asks, "I know Iosefka's left more of the stuff around here somewhere. Windy, think you have the muscle to lend Keaka a hand?"
[14:55] Windsor says, "Of course."
[14:57] The Drakan gives the astrologist an appreciative pat on his shoulder before she rolls up her sleeves and starts sifting through the work site. There's all manner of tools, boxes, crates, chest, and other sundries that litter the place.

It's about as well organized as the cluttered tower of Barad-Dur...which is to say it is not very well organized at all. Amidst some minor grumbling she begins her search for that fabled cache of Nyeshk.
(Ohtli Tezcacoatl)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[14:57] Windsor almost certainly didn't have the external muscle to lend him a hand. Well... no, he did, but it'd been a while since he put physical prowess to the proof. Plainly not confident with moving a big ol' stone mold in place without incident, he conjured up some of his innate control over gravity to move the mold into place.

This had the effect of looking like he was effortlessly lifting the mold and putting it near the platform. As soon as it was ready, he directed a nod in Keaka's direction. "All good."
(Windsor)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[15:07] A hidden brow is risen as Windsor effortlessly lifts the mold. Keaka didn't exactly know how to feel about the magi's apparent strength, but that was questions for later. The spectral smith shifts a foot forward before dragging it back, a small spout sprouting from the bottom of the bath and into the mold as a hole cracked open at the spout's location. The molten Nyeshk would slowly make its march down into the mold.

"Grab the next one, be ready to shift it in place to catch the excess once it's full. Place all Nyeshk in the second bath, Ohtli, Soul Steel in the first." Keaka couldn't thank his lineage enough for enforcing this way of crafting upon him. To hollow out a piece of Nyeshk would take hours upon hours, but this way proved more efficient in both waste management and time efficiency.

With the rest of the molten earth transferred into the second bath, the molten smith slowly steps his way to the first mold. He would watch the steady flow carefully, his hands remaining on the sides of the mold. Once it is filled to the brim, he'd pull the mold out of the way; This would allow Windsor to replace it with the second mold should he react fast enough.
(Keaka Kamauoha)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[15:10] The Drakan strikes paydirt- figuratively, because the cache is actually in an unburied chest- and rummages through the motherlode of Nyeshk that's been left behind.

"I see the Nyeshk...But I'm not seeing the soulsteel," she calls over her shoulder from somewhere further back in the Oasis.

"Is that going to be a problem?"

Spirits, she hopes not. Ohtli's got enough problems for like...five lifetimes.
(Ohtli Tezcacoatl)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[15:11] The astrologian was quick to set out to the next step of his work, which was... just to hold the second mold for a time. He picked it up, again reflexively calling on his command of Gravity magic to his aid. Consequently, he was once again hauling up the stony chunk as if it were made of styrofoam, ready to move it in place as soon as he's ready.

As soon as the first mold was moved out of the way, he slid the second into place, pushing it underneath the flow to get it filled up. That much was more or less contingent on his reflexes, which, thankfully, have not dulled so terribly over the years.
(Windsor)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[15:18] No Soul Steel. Keaka grumbles to himself for a moment, silently cursing his own loss of materials over the years. The spectral smith replies back. "No, but my work will be partially done. Nyeshk casings should be finished once that Nyeshk is in the bath."

A silent nod of thanks is given towards Windsor as the mold is placed underneath, the remnants of the liquid slowly making its way down. The metal would take shape, yes, but the man had forgot about cooling the damned things. Thus, the filled mold is covered in another layer of earth, sealing its only entrance and escape, before hauling it off and placing it within the cool waters of the oasis.

The spectral smith would make his way back towards the two baths, arriving as the last blackened drop of Nyeshk drips into its mold. With no further purpose for that raised stonework, Keaka slowly descends it back into the ground.
(Keaka Kamauoha)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[15:22] They lack the steel, but the day's efforts aren't lost now that she's found the Nyeshk. She hauls the whole damned chest over and puts it in easy reach of the astrologist and the blacksmith both.

"There's tons if we need it. I'd bet Iosefka expected it to take a fair bit and started stockpiling it.

"Then all that's left will be to...add the soul steel? And power the things properly?"

It's as good a guess as she can make.
(Ohtli Tezcacoatl)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[15:27] "Mh. My plan with the Soul Steel is to connect it to the base of the platform. Could maybe create some form of wires with them, connect it to an altar for sacrifice."

Keaka speaks as he goes, placing bit after bit into the molten bath. The fallen smith only stops once he believes he has enough to fill the remaining molds. His gaze remains on the melting ores as he continues.

"Lu used to have this damned wire-creating machine... He was a Valmasian who went to serve the damned demons for whatever reason. Shame I never grabbed it once he left. What's your take on powering it?"
(Keaka Kamauoha)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[15:30] The Drakan starts making a pacing circle around the platform itself as she ponders.

"I don't know what would conduct the energy from a spire shard very well. That's what we're going to be giving them to keep them around and solid after all.

"The soul steel is meant to do stuff like that though, isn't it? Conduct spiritual energy? So long as it can connect to the shard, I should be able to call them through it and the tokens they imbued."
(Ohtli Tezcacoatl)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[15:39] Keaka gives an astute nod, a small smile held. "Yes- Soul Steel will help conduct spirits all the better, and a damned spire shard should do wonders. Could place the shard in the altar-to-be or the damned platform itself. Have the wires connect to it and such."

Moments would pass the trio by as the Nyeshk began to liquify. The hidden hues would squint as a foot is dragged back, a similar spout placing itself on the base of the bath. A motion is made towards Windsor and the mold, seeming to ask him to move it in place. Allowing the man some time to move it into place, Keaka goes about harnessing the spent molten earth into his mana.

"Should be enough for the rest of this mold and the next... Mind grabbing the other mold near the platform, Ohtli?"
(Keaka Kamauoha)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[15:40] Windsor does indeed move the mold back into place with little fanfare, keeping his hands off of it as the liquid metal was made to pour into it.
(Windsor)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[15:42] Good thing Ohtli's already got her sleeves rolled up, because now it's her turn for some manual labor. She doesn't have gravity magic to her favor, but a little elbow grease (and just a little bit of telekinetic lift) work just as well in her favor.

It's not quite as impressive as making the whole thing Styrofoam light. All the same the Drakan shunts the next mold into place.

"And...there?"
(Ohtli Tezcacoatl)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[15:48]
{LOAD GAME}

[15:50] "Yes- Be ready to slide it in once this one's out of the way... Should take the rest of the Nyeshk inside." The spectral smith mutters for a moment, watching the steady black stream carefully as it enters its new home. Upon reaching the top of the mold, Keaka quickly shifts it away from the spout. This would allow Ohtli to set the final mold in place.

A similar process is taken as the first, another layer of earth coating the mold and its only entrance and exit. This hefty piece of sandy stone and liquid Nyeshk is then moved towards the oasis. Placing it in the waters, the smith retrieves the first mold and makes his way back.

Upon his arrival, the mold is placed upon the ground. A few generous movements of his hands and feet cause the mold and shell alike to sink into the earth, leaving behind the desired Nyeshk casing!
(Keaka Kamauoha)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[15:53] Ohtli's understandably wary of molten metal. Especially something hot enough to melt the notoriously stubborn Nyeshk. She's careful to follow the experience smith's instruction.

When the next piece of emerges from its casing she nods appreciatively at the Spirit-smith's handiwork.

"You make it look easy. Well...easier."
(Ohtli Tezcacoatl)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[15:59] Keaka gives a hearty chuckle, admiring the produced work. A shame he never made his blade with those bones from oh so long ago. The whole process is, by all means, rather simple yet effective.

"Kamauoha line practices this technique. I'd say I damn near perfected it... Hopefully I can pass it to someone somehow."

A faint twinge of regret crosses his lips before the Nyeshk shell is placed near the platform. The spectral smith then makes his way towards the now drained bath as the last drop of molten Nyeshk drips into the mold. Once more, he proceeds to encase it in earth before lifting it up.

"Just need the last two to cool... Then that's pretty much all we can do." Lifting the mold onto his shoulder he slowly makes his way back towards the oasis. "Thank you both - Less damned strain on my mana with four hands."
(Keaka Kamauoha)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[16:01] "...We can find a worthy smith to learn from you yet. I'm sure of it," she declares in the face of his momentary twinge.

"We were happy to help. It's for a good cause, protecting the people here. Right, Windy?

"I don't imagine a lot more than time will help those hunks of metal get cold. Iosefka'll be glad to have the next step done. We did the grunt work, but this would've been that much harder without your help. So...Thank you, Keaka. It's an honor, as it always has been."
(Ohtli Tezcacoatl)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[16:02] Windsor says, "Of course. If there's anything I've learned from just /existing/ on Agartha, it's that you can't be too safe."
[16:03] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "That's so, as sad as it is to say..."
[16:09] Keaka gives a simple nod at the notion of finding a worthy smith to take his line's work. That in itself is hard enough, and with a 'phantom' breath he'd chime in before continuing on. "I'll judge who believes themselves worthy of my line. Glad your two joined me though - Better than my first big project with those damned red stones."

Thus, with a grumble he steps off only to return from the oasis several moments later. Placing the remaining molds near the platform they would be freed of their confines, the molds and shells alike crumbling away from the Nyeshk casings. The spectral smith would slowly make his way about the improvised work station, the stone bath and sandy anvil crumbling away into the earth once more.

With their work finished for the time being, the molten shell of the spectral smith would fade away. Dusting his hands, the visor turns to the duo. "Shall we hide the casings or leave them about?"
(Keaka Kamauoha)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[16:12] As if right on cue, the blue-winged Drakan is already gathering up some dusty, folded tarps that are draped over a stack of supply crates nearby.

"We can at least cover them up. But we don't get people coming this far into the Hold. Normally, if they're down here, they're here to steal the Nyeshk. No reason for them to come this far in."
(Ohtli Tezcacoatl)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[16:17] Keaka gives a nod, helping the Drakan drape the tarps across the three Nyeshk casings. The spectral smith gives a quiet grumble before gesturing forward.

"Well... Until the Soul Steel is gathered we're finished here. Again, thank you both."
(Keaka Kamauoha)