Before he had even received the opportunity to be rid of his robes and finish his coffee, Rodias quickly found himself in an audience with Graft, the sight of the Sable Lord in his sleep wear no doubt proving odd, but with a snap of his fingers Rodias’ very shadow swept across his being as a spiral, trading cloth for cloth as he fully changed his clothes while barely moving a muscle. Displaying no response to it outwardly, Rodias would think: ”Thank god...thought I was going to have to have a meeting while hiding my morning wood.” MMO armor thankfully was pretty good at hiding genitalia.
Standing with a dramatic wind blowing his cape behind him, Rodias would carefully examine the hidden outlines of the items that Graft’s factory had completed, smiling in satisfaction as he said: ”Efficient as always Graft. I-...Wait, who are you?” as he turned to Tabula. Poise gave way to pure confusion, cape twisting into a question mark behind him as he observed Tabula from all angles, walking in a circle around her. Looking to Graft, Rodias would ask: ”Is she one of your employees, Graft?”
Aware of Tabula’s discomfort and confusion, Graft smiled. “That is correct, sir. She is the cornerstone of one of my new endeavors, Project EVO. Meet Tabula Rasa. Tabula, meet Rodias, my boss. Say hello, Tabula.”
“Hello, Tabula,” she stuttered, shaking. Rodias’ very presence seemed to affect her severely, unsurprising given the vast gulf between their levels.
Graft chuckled, which came out as a burst of static. “Allow me to share the details. The primary goal, or mission statement if you will, of research and develop is to make Bandersnatch more powerful. Some might think of power in terms of numbers, resources, and territory.” His AOI mask switched to projector lenses. Images of Mamoru and Gromgard flashed, then Chunnitrixx, then her mimics moving cargo to and fro. All things he himself could not possibly have seen. “I looked somewhere else. Where is the greatest source of potential?” The projection emitted by his lenses changed, showing an array of different species, including animals described by Kath and retrieved by Kaldorna and Zouyu. “Within living things. As you well know, every entity carries a metric that we observe, a measure of overall ability called ‘level’. That measure takes into account attributes like HP and abilities such as skills and spells. For some reason most entities remain stuck at a constant level, but Supreme Beings such as yourself are capable of increasing your level through experience. I wanted to see if a created being could do the same.”
He laid a clawed hand on Tabula’s shoulder. “Enter Tabula. I repurposed the leftovers of...my former authority as a study to try and guide development myself. I am ecstatic to report that she has already gained about five levels in the fighter class from training against my Guards, and exhibits heightened HP, Defense, and Strength. My current goal is to train her as a paladin and eventually valkyrie.” As he talked, his projection changed to show diagrams and relevant images. He’d been speaking matter-of-factly, if impassioned, for a time now, but as he clasped his hands together Graft’s voice grew excited. “My studies have a long way to go, but surely you can imagine the possibilities. We would be able to raise new personnel to suit any role, cultivating whatever skills we might need. Perhaps even we could ourselves attain new heights. An invigorating notion, is it not?”
Rodias paused to take in all this information which, frankly, was a bit overwhelming for the Sable Lord. So...this girl was created by Brushen Penn? He’d never seen her before...nor had he ever even heard mention from Penn of another NPC being created beyond those in the Factory Floor. He didn’t know how to feel, especially given the fear in the girl’s eyes as she looked at him. It was...strange, to say the least. Was this how “normal” people were going to react to him?
Shaking that thought from his mind, Rodias would instead address the premise of Graft’s “grinding” in order to strengthen the Chateau, the likes of which was in and of itself a very sound idea, and already provided an answer to a question that had been bothering Rodias since he’d engaged in his melee last night. That being, whether they could grow stronger at the same pace as when it was all a game. However, perhaps either because Graft’s life had mostly been spent at his current level or near it given how guild NPC creation worked, or simply from how seldom the factory director engaged in direct combat, there were nuances that needed to be addressed.
Clearing his throat, Rodias would say: ”It is indeed invigorating. But, it does have a few holes in it...at least, as far as you’ve explained it to me. To begin with, Tabula, was it? I suppose she started from an early level...say, anywhere below ten. Gaining experience from levels 1 to 10 is a simple matter, the type of experience that can be gained simply from enough sparring matches or training sessions. But once you grow past level 20 cumulatively, that’s when penalties begin kicking in. Put simply...in order to actually grow your Level, you need to not only work longer and harder at it, the actual experiences need to grow in peril.”
Walking to the window, Rodias gingerly opened it, looking outside for a small bird, perhaps one intent on soiling the rooftops with its feces, before a glint of steel would emerge from his cloak, a squawk echoing through the sky, before Rodias suddenly held the bird’s neck in his hand, tenderly held betwixt two fingers that could so easily snap it in two. ”I could kill a million of these birds, and never once see myself grow in strength. Even if it was my first time picking up a bow, it would need to be a challenge to shoot something down with it. Many people in YGGDRASIL would focus their levels on singular purposes; Base classes advancing into High classes, then Rare classes manifesting from their specific choices. My Shadow Class, for example, is only attainable by one who not only specializes in stealth classes, but skills to debilitate. Poisoner and Blood Drinker let me debilitate those I fight, but in terms of Rare classes, Shadow doesn’t increase my offense very much. I’ve heard of there being countless Rare classes that are unobtainable if you don’t follow a very specific Leveling routine...and even if you do, they may not be worth it for you as a person.”
As he spoke, the bird held in his grasp seemed paralyzed in fear, before it vanished completely inside of Rodias’ shadow, the Sable Lord’s now free hand brushing itself off against his cloak. Smiling slightly, Rodias said: ”However, knowing you, you already have an idea in mind to deal with this. Its worth noting as well, that just because it is hard to do something, does not mean it will make you stronger. If you, for example, tried to and managed to kill me here in this room, despite the difference in our levels, you’d maybe only gain about three. A large amount at once to be sure, but not enough to be worth the effort and risk. As such, its better for one to face numerous foes on their own level.
Graft listened at rapt attention, claws tented. Not only did Rodias seem to approve of his project, but he offered a whole heap of priceless information to help with it. When Rodias got to the point he stroked his mustache in contemplation. “Hmm, fascinating.” So, he would need to change the routine often. And he would need to do research to figure out the exact leveling path that could take Tabula from nothing to Valkyrie. He continued to absorb the Sable Lord’s advice up until the point he outlined a hypothetical fight between the two of them, at which point Graft sneezed. “Oh, pardon me. The very idea…sniff...of contention between us fills me with aversion. But thank you, thank you a thousand times for the guidance. I will put it to good use. Tabula will become a shining star in our guild.” He squeezed the Nightgaunt’s shoulder. Tentatively, she extended one of her wings, and the oversized hand upon it clasped Graft’s own.
Clearing his throat, Graft then tilted his head at his Guards. “Now then, I have much to show. Shall I proceed, sir?”
”Go right ahead Graft. I’m curious, since you’ve made these devices and kept them shrouded,” Rodias would reply, taking his seat upon his throne. He was poised with his back arched forward, waiting expectantly with his hands folded beneath his chin. All the while, he was thinking of how to make himself more...approachable. Was it the green skin? The ears? Both? What had Tabula so on edge?
Graft, meanwhile, looked almost giddy. He motioned a guard carrying two items forward. “Excellent. First, your order. I contacted my compatriots in the field and gleaned the necessary details from them to make two surveillance organisms based on this region’s animals. This one is Intravis, Type S.” A flick of the wrist unveiled a simple case made of the same greenish organic metal as the Factory, which popped open with a hiss. Inside was a small rodent, with coarse grey fur and beady black eyes. “Like all products in the Vis series, it’s designed to mimic the animal’s behavior while serving as a discreet surveillance drone. Salem’s eye would go inside its mouth.” The second small case swung open to show a larger rabbit creature, dull-eyed and listless. “Agravis, Type G. While the other is meant for environments where humans dwell, this one is more suited for fields, forest, and roads. G types are an alternative to your proposal that necessitates the use of Salem. This Agravis is actually a technoorganism, capable of storing everything it sees and hears as encoded data in its brain. I am able to interface with it to extract the data and view it for myself. I have a hypothesis that in the same way my Open Line and the various Message spells transmit information across great distances, I may eventually be able to route G types’ data into a machine, from which it can be absorbed mere moments after it’s experienced. It will take time, but I believe it to be the superior option.”
He waved the Guard away, who took the two little spies to the back of the group. Another took its place, also with two covered items. “I also have for you some navigational equipment. Spyglasses and compasses already exist, so I simply modified existing schematics for Factory production; if mine prove inadequate, I recommend order more sophisticated devices from Oz.” Without much interest he unveiled the tools, but the second veil he removed with aplomb. “This, however, is something truly exceptional. In Yggdrasil, bats and whales discovered their surroundings through sound. Surely, I thought, a technoorganism can do the same.” From the case he produced a wide, roughly circular object like across between a drum and a lung. Its top was sleek and smooth, glittering faintly in a multitude of colors. “Behold, the Scanner. Simply agitate the organism, like so…” He squeezed a bulbous growth on the thing’s side, making it wriggle.
After a moment it compressed, releasing a loud, spine-chilling tone that echoed throughout the Final Chapter and the floors beyond. Atop the Scanner, the prismatic surface began to generate light, gradually creating a three-dimensional projection that soon resolved itself into the shape of the Chateau Gothika in its entirety, and a bit of the mountain it sat upon. “Voila! That tone filters through its surroundings, touching everything and bouncing back to the Scanner. Then the integrated projector, reverse-engineered from the technology in my mask, displays the information it receives. The result: a topographical map of the surrounding area.” The Director looked very pleased with himself. “Of course, it is neither the most inconspicuous nor the most accurate, and it would need to be run constantly to keep users apprised of entities’ movements, but it is only the prototype.”
Rodias was looking very impressed, but at hearing the sound that the Scanner made, Rodias would seemingly freeze up, shivering where he stood. ”Erm...the technology sounds quite together but...would running it constantly not wear the device out quickly? Other than that concern though, very well done on the Intravis and Agravis. I would say to hold off on constructing something as elaborate as the G series’ central bank until we know it is needed, but I wouldn’t want to ruin your fun. “
Something about that noise was clearly aggravating...then again, he doubted that anybody could stand such a noise, save maybe for Graft. Looking over the navigational equipment, Rodias would hold up a spyglass and test its magnification, before putting it back down, looking satisfied. ”Fantastic work, Graft.”
“Why thank you, sir.” Leaning on his cane like a dandy, Graft talked through an enormous smile. The only flaw Rodias pointed out was something he conceived of as well. “I daresay that if you’re pleased now, you could very well blow your top in a minute or two. I’ll run through my other works.” As he listed his products his Guards showed them one by one. “Aydi and Emel Shells, able to shoot adrenaline and melatonin injectors, respectively. Useful for strengthening allies and sedating enemies. Iyes Shield, capable of wide-range defense via interception of incoming projectiles and spells with lightning bolts. Iyes Pylon, repurposing lightning for offense. And a particularly potent little problem solver, the Enar Patch.”
He held up the device in question, staring at it through half-lidded eyes. Roughly the size of a snuff box, it features a glass tank, a pump, various pipes and wires, and various needles on the bottom. “Short for Nanoflesh Rewrite. As you’re no doubt aware, I possess an incredibly potent ability as a Technoorganic Bioengineer: nanoflesh. While it looks like a mere fleshy putty the color of sea foam, I can control it at a near-microscopic level. I work constantly to increase my mastery of manipulating matter with it. The Enar Patch will help in the future as we seek to expand our influence. With a bit more R&D, I foresee being able to distill small amounts of programmable, high-performance Nanoflesh that this device can deliver into a host body and extract once it’s done its work. You see where I’m going, of course. We could surreptitiously alter people in this new world, changing allegiance, personality and even appearance, to a limited extent. Just sneak it onto someone, from a hero or a king to a particular guard or merchant, and watch events unfold from the shadows. A few changes in the right places and the courses of entire nations could shift to our advantage. Power and secrecy both, in the palm of your hand..”
Graft replaced the device in its case and held up his hands in placation. “At this point, were there any dullards around, they might ask if this was necessary. But you and I know better.” His voice became low and confidential as he stepped forward, his grin and eyes intense. “Our arrival in this world has set things in motion. We did not drop into a blissful and unaware paradise, no. Already, powerful entities skulk in the shadows, their ears and eyes on the unfamiliar newcomers. And we have not been subtle. Our scouts left the Chateau with no info-masking measures like False Data Life or Jamming, some flagrantly showing off their power or filling the countryside with noise.” His projector lenses flashed images of his comrades, seen through the eyes of his Guards. “Whoever it was that stole a peek at Kath in the village today was just the beginning. There were many beings stronger than us in the old world, and there are mostly likely many here. For that, we must be prepared.”
Still smiling that indelible smile, he raised a clawed hand from his cane and motioned the last few Guards forward. The four of them carried two large cases between them, lugging them into position behind their boss. Graft stepped out of the way, extending tentacles to pull both covers away, and the coffin-sized cases hissed open.
“Here are the firstfruits of Project REPLICA.”
Inside each was a body, white as porcelain. One was young, thin, and neither discernibly male nor female. The other would have been that of a somewhat thick-bodied woman if not for her pointed legs, overlarge hands, and faintly piscine features. “Body doubles. The most effective insurance policy. While little more than shells now, they are almost totally organic, and can be completed with the help of personal examinations and Kath’s archives, then developed into serviceable approximates and put to work. They can be sent out to deal with the unknown, or take a fall. Offerings to sate whatever would wish us harm, while the real prize slips away. They can be made of any of us, and act just like us. Even you.” Graft stepped back, bowing his head, and closed the cases. “I assure you, I make no pretensions of equaling the Supreme Beings in station. My meager creations pale in comparison to the works of the Board. I only endeavor to serve Bandersnatch, and to ensure its prosperity and future. I hope that you approve.”
Rodias looked over the adrenaline and melatonin injectors, the likes of which he recalled being uncommonly used buffing items in YGGDRASIL Online. They were fairly effective, but were limited in use due to the wielder needing to have ranks in Alchemy to even use them...though he had to assume Graft had improved upon the design considerably. The Iyes Pylon was impressive, seeing as he could imagine how effective it could be in a massive battle.
When it came to the Enar Patch however, Rodias’ mind started racing to wonder if allowing such a thing to be mass produced would be a mistake or not. It was without a doubt, objectively useful, but Rodias wasn’t short sighted enough to assume that it could purely be used to benefit him. The reality of it would be that any under its influence were under Graft’s influence, a prospect that bode some consequences given his enthusiasm for his work. He didn’t expect Graft to betray him in the slightest -- Far from it, he assumed that perhaps the most terrible thing that could arise from this is Graft using it to force the entire world to bend to the will of the Chateau. Rodias had no such grand ambitions...not yet, at least. Currently, just having a warm bed and delicious meals three times a day was bliss in and of itself, given the slop he ate back home. Keeping his subjects happy of course was another high priority. He’d have to discuss the nanoflesh later with Graft...but he could raise no objection to it. Not after he’d already condoned torture, grand expansion, and espionage on the innocent.
...Thinking back on it, Rodias was now growing more and more unsure of when he decided that those were okay. Not in a chronological sense; Each date was so recent that there was no way he could forget. It was more the...moral, sense, that he was entirely unsure of where he stood. Was this how his character would have viewed such issues? With indifference, or a single-minded self-serving interest in the preservation of the things he liked at any cost? It was frankly confusing...but...some part of Rodias deep down started to wonder…
Had he ever truly been a good person to begin with?
Standing from his throne, Rodias would loom over one of the REPLICAs, softly pressing a gloved hand into the side of its arm, testing the feeling of the flesh. It was uncanny. Almost a perfect recreation of humanoid skin. And yet, on the surface, Rodias couldn’t help but smile as he realized just how useful all of this was. ”No need to belittle yourself, Graft. Amongst all beings in this world, I doubt that regardless of strength any of them could think of something on this scale. No one’s loyalty is in question until it comes time to ask,” Rodias would say, looking to Tabula. Stooping a bit to be on eye level with her, Rodias would smile ever so lightly, easing his stance to let her know that he meant no harm as he held out a hand. The shadow of his head crept along it, before the bird from before, now dyed an inky black signifying it as a permanent resident of a Vampire’s Household emerged, obeying silent commands to chirp and sing for Tabula. ”I forgot my manners in all this excitement. I am Rodias. In a way, I am your Boss’ Boss,” he would explain, being as simple and brief as he could to make it easy on her.
As Rodias approached Tabula, unease filled Graft. He could not say with certainty what she would do. So far she’d been meek and passive, but anything could happen if he continued to agitate her -whatever his intentions-, and that could spell disaster. Fighting the urge to say something, he watched as Rodias attempted to show her a friendly face. To that end he resummoned the bird from earlier to beep and tweet, which might have been macabre had Tabula any real understanding of what happened. At first the Nightgaunt looked equal parts worried and defensive, but a curiosity replaced it. The Sable Lord introduced himself, and Tabula could respond of her own free will.
“Hello, sir,” she told him, her voice low but faintly melodic. Though silent, she’d been listening this whole time, and managed to pick up that ‘sir’ was something one called a boss. Papillary did it for Graft, and Graft did it for Rodias, so she should do it, too. Faced with such a strong presence, she felt an almost petrifying urge to do things she ‘should’, so as to make sure nothing happened to her, or to Graft.
Rodias felt a bit awkward, given that Tabula didn’t seem to react much at all to the songbird in his hand. Clearing his throat, Rodias would take a step away from her and withdraw his Household bird, saying: ”Well...let’s see, I believe that now that we’ve reviewed your current projects, is there anything else you’d like to go over with me, Graft?” as he turned to the factory director.
Bandersnatch’s last Sable Lord received a shake of the head. “No, that just about covers it. I will be working to improve upon these prototypes and ready them for mass production. In the future, I imagine Tabula will study with Aurora, but that may be a way off. Should you have any need, please do not hesitate to call upon us.” He bowed his head, followed by Papillary, and after a moment Tabula rushed to mimic the gesture. The Guards began to head out, carrying their various loads. “Farewell, sir.”
Rodias would nod, bowing slightly as Graft and his entourage left, leaving the Sable Lord alone to ponder just what was going on with his own mind...and whether it was something that needed to be cared for in the first place.
