The Newt and Demon

Chapter 3.27: Lodestones

Chapter 3.27: Lodestones

Alrans sudden appearance in Broken Tusk sent shockwaves through the town. News traveled fast, even as the town grew larger. As Theo and Alran exited the town hall, the concept of an alliance was the only thing hanging on anyones lips. The alchemist gave a brief tour of the town and brought the Mercantile Chair to do business the way Broken Tuskers did. Atop the eastern wall, overlooking both the Elven Guardian and the nearly completed bridge.

I was surprised to see a new bridge, Alran said, withdrawing a comfortable chair from his inventory. Theo sat atop the crenelations.

Weve been busy, Theo said. What surprises me more than anything, is that you came alone.

I have my guards, Alran said.

Theos mind had shifted completely on Rivers and Daub. He didnt appreciate their duplicitous nature, but he understood where they were coming from. Some people needed to be shown power to understand where they stood. With a shortage of high-level people in the south, this was easy for Broken Tusk to do. Now they sat on the wall as equals, scheming against a common enemy. That brought enemies together, after all.

Yet Im suddenly worried about your safety, Theo said, letting out a sigh.

How kind, Alran said flatly.

There were several steps they could take immediately to improve their relationship with Rivers. The trade deal was a good start, but it wasnt the firm bedrock the alchemist wanted to seal the alliance together.

A road, Theo said, gesturing beyond the safety of his gates.

Every road from Broken Tusk to Rivers and Daub was packed dirt. Conditions were worse at the start of the Season of Blooms when the endless rains came to ruin it all. A sturdy road was a way to decrease the time for travel between the settlements. It would have a practical use, but also a philosophical one.

Alran wiped his brow again. I didnt expect you to receive me so well.

I want to squeeze you for cash, Theo said, grinning. Well, youll want to use my port, and Ill charge your people for the privilege.

A port? Alran said, ignoring Theos snide comment. Honestly? That would We wouldnt need Qavell. Not for a damn thing. We could sail to Veosta, The Khahari, Slagrot, or even Tarantham.

That was my idea, Theo said. A fleet of merchant ships, and perhaps a small military navy.

We would gladly pay the fee. Whatever it was, Alran said.

Roads first, Theo said. Once my guys figure out how to make bridges, theyre going to build my harbor. Then we can work on the roads, and talk about boats.

Theo and Alran went back and forth after that, discussing the best way to prepare for the future. Their thoughts both centered on the idea of a harbor on the eastern shores of the continent. It wasnt enough to build it. They needed to get the word out that it was functional and ready for travelers. Adventurers would come from other powers in the world to explore the local dungeons, strike trade deals, and experience the once-dead continent. All this talk got the Chair excited.

Aarok came at Theos request, joining him on the wall. The alchemist requested an escort for the chair, all the way back to Rivers and Daub. The Guildmaster saw how dire the expression on Theos face was, assigning some of the best adventurers and paying out of the Adventurers Guilds private funds.

Traveling from Broken Tusk to Rivers could take as much as a day, if you moved as slow as a normal person. But once a person pumped points into [Dexterity] and [Vigor], that journey would take far less time. Aarok expected them to return by the end of the day, but issued secret orders for some spying. Alran would expect that, though, and Theo hoped the Chair was smart enough to give them a tour.

Once everything was sorted and the Chair was on his way back to Rivers and Daub, Tresk joined Theo to inspect the progress on the bridge. According to her, their first few attempts were horrible. It collapsed twice in one day, and three times the next. Their current iteration of bridgework held enough for someone to cross the wide river, and showed no signs of collapsing. Still, the alchemist kept his distance as he spoke with Ziz.

There were more laborers than before. Ziz normally worked with 4 of his friends on stoneworking jobs, but there were twice as many working on the bridge. Everyone was expanding their teams, and for good reason. They were all stretched thin as the town grew more rapidly than they could keep up with. Still, they were excited with the idea of working on a road, promising their skills would expand after completing the harbor.

Theo returned to town and had a short meeting with his people. Aarok, Luras, Alise, Azrug, and Tresk all attended. They shared the alchemists feelings on the future of the town, wishing for nothing more than to get closer with their neighbors. Alise took the opportunity to command the room and give a full report of administrative concerns. Azrug gave a half-hearted report on their finances, looking as though he was tired from the task. Heavy bags sat under his eyes and he slurred his words as though he were about to fall asleep at any moment.

Alise advised he hired administrators to help.

Theo was happy to escape with his sanity. Any more meetings in the day would have worn him down, draining his mental stamina to nothing. There was much to do in the town, more than the alchemist could handle in a single day. Without the ever-growing support structure, he wouldnt get any of his alchemy done.

Bal and his brothers didnt show up to shadow Theo, and a part of him missed them. They were all off testing his newest potion, likely in a dungeon, and Tresk was confident enough to leave the alchemist to his own workings for the day. He had several hours left on his [Potion of Limited Foresight], so that might have helped ease the Marshlings concerns. All the meeting with Alran and concern about Grubs grim message had his mind shooting in every direction. Only when things got stressful did he find the inspiration to move past a hard problem.

Theo made his way back to Ziz and his workers, finding a nice spot by the river to sit and withdrawing a journal. He wrote everything hed learned about constructs. Since the Drogramathi Dronon didnt seem to care about doing it, hed be happy to take up the mantle. Once he was done writing his high-level thoughts, he added a section about power systems.

Its easy, Theo said. A worker had come over to see what he was doing, sitting there by a pile of chipped stone. Why bother with a complex power system?

What? the laborer.

Imagine if you had your [Stonecutters Core], but you needed another class to cut the stone, Theo said, withdrawing a marble tablet from his inventory. That wouldnt make sense. Production chains are fine, but it's nonsense if a class cant produce the base materials for crafting. What is the most pure concentration of mana I have?

Uh, the laborer said, scratching his head. Potions?

Exactly! Well, almost exactly, Theo said, withdrawing a flask of [Mana Essence] from his inventory. Filling the core of a construct costs somewhere around 40 mana. This essence has about 100 potential mana. He produced a glassware tray, setting his stone tablet inside and then pouring the essence over it. This is my power system. Alchemy. Makes sense, right?

Wait, is power mana?

No, mana is mana. Power turns into mana, Theo said, rolling his shoulders. I misspoke. The golems run on mana. So they can recharge themselves by inserting these tablets into themselves.

Theo withdrew the tablet from the essence with a pair of alchemically neutral tongs. He held it up, letting the excess drip off before inspecting the new item.

[Mana Construct]

[Alchemy Construct] [Mana System]

Common

Created by: Belgar

Grade: Excellent Quality

Infuse an object with mana. Can be used as a disposable power system.

Material:

Stone (Perfect Quality)

Effect:

Holds 150 unaligned mana points. Distribution rate and total capacity limited by quality of materials. Tablet will break after all mana is expended. Cannot be recharged.

A bit more complex than I expected, Theo said, reading the description a few times.

Several laborers had come over to check out what Theo was doing, but he did have a point. The amount of mana he infused into the golem was 40 points or so, which revealed a flaw in his strategy. He could keep dumping mana into the golem to keep it alive, or shove a [Mana Construct] inside, which would allow for longer operations. If the [Monster Core] was advanced enough, he could even tell the golems to refuel themselves. All of this for a few units of [Mana Essence]. He imagined mud golems running around with little essence tanks on their backs, but pushed the thought away.

The most complex containment core Throk had made so far was a single iron cage, laced with intricacies. Theo selected that one for his newest experiment, and a level 10 Fald [Monster Core]. Next, he set the assembly on the ground and shoved a pile of chipped stone over it, watching as the marble attached itself to the new core. He introduced enough mana, then ordered the creature to life.

A stone golem rose, assembling itself from the various chunks of marble strewn around the site of the bridge. It formed a rudimentary face, but still held the stunted limbs of the mud golem. Theo handed over the [Mana Construct], which the golem shoved in its chest, then inspected his newest creation.

[Lesser Stone Golem]

[Alchemy Construct]

Level 10

Stone is considered the most practical medium in golem construction. Stone golems are hard working, durable constructs.

Containment Core: [Alchemically Treated Iron Cage]

Monster Core: [Fald Interloper] (Level 10)

Medium: [Enriched Swamp Mud]

Alchemy Slates: [Mana Construct]

Power System: [Mana Construct]

Siphon System: None

Additional Modifications: None

There were many combinations Theo could use in golem construction. This seemed suited for work near the river, since the core came from the amphibious Fald. The addition of the [Mana Construct] gave him the sense that it would last for about a day before losing power. His only problem with the thing was the added mental strain. It was harder to keep his willpower around the level 10 [Monster Core], but a solution for that itched in the back of his mind.

Say hello to your new helper, Theo said, patting the rocky creation on the head.

Hello, Ziz said, poking his head out from behind the bridge. The golem waved back under Theos command.

The construct operated by Theos will, not verbal commands. Still, it felt better to issue orders to the little guy out loud.

Stick around here and do whatever Ziz tells you to do, Theo said. When youre low on mana, come back to the Newt and Demon. Theres going to be a crate outside with more [Mana Constructs]. Exchange your current one and discard the other. When Ziz is done working, patrol the mines and kill the monsters that spawn. Understood?

The golem nodded, but Theo made him do that. He could sense the constructs willingness to take orders, but that was the limit. The alchemist had given a few too many orders, which were pared down to a more simple set of instructions. Then, it turned to Ziz and waited.

So, I just tell it what to do? Ziz asked.

You can think of it as a he, if it helps, Theo said. But, yes. Just give him verbal commands.

Ziz didnt hesitate. He ordered the golem to pick up a heavy stone block, carry it to the far side of the bridge, then set it down. Impressed enough with the work, the stonecutters started shouting orders at the stone golem one after the other. Theo left them to have fun, feeling a thread of willpower trailing behind him as he went. The problem of maintaining his will over the constructs was easy enough to solve, although he didnt know how he knew. He made a note of that.

It was later in the day than he liked, but Theo made his daily offering and went down to tend his garden. A lot of the work came down to weeding the plants. Anything he was cultivating just sat there, getting replanted every few days. Then, when something was fully cultivated, it was easy enough to just cut away a part of the plant for future growing, and save the rest. It seemed like the perfect mindless task for golems. The only problem was that strand of willpower, floating off toward the bridge.

I need help, Theo said, standing awkwardly after Zarali opened her door. He saw she was working on some enchanting task, but dropped what she was doing.

Certainly! she said, clapping him on the back. Construct troubles?

I thought you were the best person to ask about this, Theo said. Im looking for a way to take the mental strain off of so many constructs.

Zarali smiled. She pulled a jewel-tipped hairpin from her hair and handed it over. It was made of copper, tipped with a purple gem on the end.Theo inspected the device.

[Decorative Lodestone]

[Cosmetic Lodestone] [Enchanting Equipment]

Rare

Created by: Zarali

Grade: Perfect Quality

A lodestone acts as a focus point for a persons willpower. Issue a command to the lodestone, which will be repeated to attached artifices, devices, creatures, etc, who accept will-based commands.

How much does this help? Theo asked.

From what you described, this couldnt handle a single golem, Zarali said. Right when Theo wondered why she even brought it up, she continued. But I can make a bigger one. I use them to split my concentration between enchanting tasks, especially ones that require my full attention.

For someone who had no experience with constructs, she seemed to work in an adjacent field to what he was using. Constructs seemed like an alchemists solution to artifices, although using Throks craft to create autonomous workers was a far off dream. Golems fell into a strange category of magical devices, halfway between an artifice and a potion. As strange as that was.

Zarali invited Theo into her lab, crossing the room to retrieve gemstones. What type of mana are you using?

Unaligned, Theo said. Im powering them with essences, now.

Arent you clever? Zarali said, withdrawing a handful of gems. Come up with that one on your own?

I did, Theo said, feeling some amount of pride. The golems accept [Mana Essence] infused marble slates.

Very clever, Zarali said. She closed her eyes and the green gems melted. She poured them onto the ground and it rose up like molten glass dripping in the wrong direction, forming a thin pillar of gemstone. Theo inspected the result, but it was close enough to the one Zarali had to do the same thing.

[Large Ornamental Lodestone]

[Cosmetic Lodestone] [Enchanting Equipment]

Rare

Created by: Zarali

Grade: Perfect Quality

A lodestone acts as a focus point for a persons willpower. Issue a command to the lodestone, which will be repeated to attached artifices, devices, creatures, etc, who accept will-based commands.

Come, Ill show you how it works, Zarali said.

The installation of the device was simple. Zarali asked him where he wanted the golems to work, and she drove the lodestone into the ground near his greenhouses. Then, they went off to form 2 [Lesser Mud Golems]. Theo used a level 10 [Monster Core] from an Ogre Snapper, and iron containment cores. He didnt want to go forward into using the complex version of the cores he had in mind, sticking to the ones that worked. 2 golems rose from the mud outside the western gate, stretching the alchemists will to its limit.

Theo led the group back to his new lodestone where Zarali instructed him on binding them there.

Were going to infuse your will into the gems, Zarali said. It was hard for Theo to pay attention, but he managed.

Zarali went through the steps to bind his will, and it was easy enough. He held the lodestone, feeling something of himself pass into the pillar of green gems. Then, he transferred command of the golems to the lodestone, feeling that thread of will lightening. He took a deep breath, wiping the sweat from his forehead. The longer he was attached to so many higher-level golems, the harder it was for him to focus. It was as though someone pulled a curtain over his consciousness, but freedom from that burden felt like a relief.

Instead of the three threads of will flowing from him, there were only two. One going to the bridge construct, and one to the lodestone.

That helped, right? Zarali asked.

A lot, Theo said.

When you want to issue commands, or change current commands, just send it to the lodestone, Zarali said. Make sure your [Power Siphon] is on in the lab. The lodestone should be able to reach it from here. Perhaps anywhere in town.

Only Zarali would offer to do something like this for free. Theo bound his will to the lodestone, giving his new creations a simple series of instructions. He didnt want to complicate things, so he would have them weed the gardens and pick reagents outside of the greenhouses. The alchemist set up a few [Dimensional Storage Crates] for them to deposit their findings in, and another for them to withdraw [Mana Constructs]. He then tended to his reagents, all while the Drogramath Priestess watched and chatted.

Each greenhouse was coming along nicely. Hed have 100% cultivated reagents soon, even as he was pushing for the new goal of 200%. The [Spiny Swamp Thistle Root] was climbing toward that goal, but it was slow. Considering all these things, the alchemist felt good about the day. Without the need to judge wreaths, he was free to pursue whatever he wanted. There was a lot of work to do.