[OPEN] sorry for being a dark sorcerer. as if it's my fault

[techmaturgy]

WHO: viktor and YOU
WHEN: some nebulous time during/after the village hunts
WHERE: ke-waihu and out and about
WHAT: hi I have just rolled in from the woods with the werewolf delegation and what is this
WARNINGS: possible reference to terminal illness, will add more if they come up

i. from ke-waiar with love

[At some point, after the hunts begin, a delegation arrives from Ke-Waiar. They have a new arrival with them, apparently as part of the negotiations with the Beastmaster. He looks, uh

not great.

Pale and gaunt and terrible posture with wild, uncombed hair—almost like he staggered out of the forest outside of Ke-Waiar just days ago (he did). Probably it’s because he’s had a weird few days, right? Wandering out of the woods. Lack of sleep. Disoriented, trying to make sense of where he is and how he got here. That must be it. No other reason.

It isn’t long before he’s recognized as someone not from here, and that’s about when Taksui slides in. Maybe you happen upon this guy arguing with Taksui about changing hands, or a vague lack of technology, or access to his work, or something, all in an accent that is extremely out of place. Then there’s arguing with what seems to be a young villager, who insists that she’s been assigned to assist him while he’s here—and he insists, in turn, that he doesn’t need any help.

Actually, it seems like this guy is doing a lot of arguing, and is very animated about it for someone who looks so thoroughly exhausted, apparently not at all concerned with attracting attention or any potential faux pas. Also, sometimes he coughs a lot. He’s not having a great day, or series of days, and it seems he wants to let everybody know it.]

ii. out and about

[Except, this would be a terrible open log if Viktor was just fighting with everyone for the whole thing, so.

He gets his bearings. Viktor has always been industrious, and given the alternative, he’d rather be busy than not, so he sets about exploring Ke-Waihu. Though he avoids going too far into the forest, he can be found on the outskirts, most notably at various Witches’ huts, engaging the purveyors with interest (and possibly arguing with them as well, generally about esoteric nerd stuff, oops). He will absolutely stop and ask for directions if he feels like he needs it, or maybe where he can get his hands on some of that dark water stuff (yikes). Thanks in advance!

Barring that, he seems to take interest in the small temples, though apparently not out of any religious conviction. He is—he is going to touch that offering, or otherwise move it out of place. Tell him not to do that (or don’t, I’m not your mom), he’s definitely cursed enough.]

iii. house #6

[It’s not until he gets to his designated housing that he finally allows himself to let the implications of his displacement sink in—still alive, for now. Just misplaced. Somehow.

Viktor finds it almost too much to take in, and it's not until he's alone that he allows himself to fully process what all this is supposed to mean. He needs to recuperate from the whirlwind events of the last few days, but he doesn't have time, so instead of attempting to clear his head after being shuffled from one town to another, he gives in to his frustration. There's a chair near the door that he jostles violently with his free hand on the way in, and he all but throws down the crutch they've given him before sinking down onto the nearest (un-overturned) chair with some effort, scrubbing a hand through his hair and letting out a long, shaky breath.

That's about when he realizes he isn't alone (it's you, you're here, walking into this, congratulations).]

Sorry. [He seems to have the wherewithal to be embarrassed about the temporary outburst, but at the same time there's too much exhaustion behind the apology for it to seem fully sincere. Viktor knows, vaguely, that he’s meant to be sharing this house with others.] I didn't realize anyone else was here.

[Just, you know, forgive him for having a Moment. Also he’s your new roommate. Hello!]

iv. the network option

[In other circumstances, such a device would be entirely fascinating to him. Voice transmission. Real-time image transmission, like nothing he’s ever seen before. He wishes he were in a better position to really appreciate it. Part of him almost wants to dismantle it and see if he can put it back together. There are, however, better uses for his time, which is what has him addressing the network.

No fanfare. Just the following message:]

The villagers of Ke-Waiar informed me that I was found wandering the forest while in an altered mind state. I do not remember any of this, but my physical state upon “awakening” corroborates the story.

My understanding is that this is a communication channel for the similarly displaced. Although I am under no illusions that the information I'm requesting will solve any real mysteries, please detail the following if you're able to do so:

1. The circumstances of your arrival, including any involvement/assistance from those native to this world
2. Whether or not you were lucid upon arrival, and, if not, at what point you regained your faculties

Any input is appreciated.

V

v. wildcard??

[hey I’m BRAND NEW and down for anything. Happy to write bespoke starters, or feel free to toss me a wildcard of your own. Hit me up on plurk at whitticus OR on discord at whitticus#8139!]

Comments

[techmaturgy]

Clearly, you are, or we wouldn't be having this conversation.

[He's not so naïve as to think that it's concern for him as a person, rather, the effect his presence will have on the group. If he'll slow others down because they think they need to look out for him. That's what he'd be worried about, if he were a little less empathetic.

The mention of experience building gets his attention, even if this seems to be a roundabout offer of assistance he's not necessarily interested in.]

Are you an engineer? A mechanic?

[wooden_one]

I am clearly just curious.

[He says despite denying being curious earlier. He is good at a great many things...lying is definitely not one of them.

In fact, there is no good translation for either 'engineer' nor 'mechanic' that was understandable to him.]

I build mechas and weapons. [Says the dude dressed like he walked out of an period drama set in Ancient China.]

[techmaturgy]

There is a fine line between that, and invasive.

[But, he's willing to put the misstep behind him if he can get more information about the kind of work Chu Wanning is talking about. He's not interested in weapons (the opposite, in fact), but it's the other thing that gets his attention.]

What do you mean, mechas? An automaton?

[wooden_one]

[...okay. He can acknowledge this was probably rude. And yet he didn't know a better way to bring it up so rude he will have to be!]

Mechas are spiritual tools that can move independently and complete tasks.

[Automaton is also not a word he is familiar with, but yes they are automatons.

So, rather than try to explain, he fishes out a piece of paper from the haphazard pile, sending an inkstone falling to the ground in the process.]

Like this.

[In case his explanation isn't clear enough.

The paper he holds out has schematics for a machine that is humanoid in shape and carries weapons (and probably is a weapon itself). On the side there are some notes about spiritual energy and whether other forms of 'magic' can be used. There is also a name: Holy Night Guardian.

Also for someone who acts so unfriendly he certainly doesn't have any problems just handing out stuff he draws...]

What is an automaton?

[techmaturgy]

Similar to what you just described.

[It's interesting, finding different definitions for similar things across various worlds. Were he not deeply frustrated by his current situation, he might appreciate it more. This holds his attention for now, at least, reaching out for the schematics, which are easy enough to understand. The use of magic, particularly, gets his attention.]

Do these mechas--you mentioned that they move independently. To what extend to they think for themselves, or do they simply carry out instructions?

[wooden_one]

Then they are different words for similar things?

[He tried to appear uninterested but there's a gleam of honest interest in his eyes. He really wants to know more.]

They are mostly made to carry out instructions rather than think. Some are more intricate than others. The Holy Night Guardians, for example, are designed to defend against malevolent spirits and demons. At the very least, they need to be able to differentiate between what it needs to attack and what it needs to defend.

[And then, doing his best to seem disinterested but mostly failing, he asks,] And your automatons? Are they able to think independently?

[techmaturgy]

It certainly sounds that way.

[Perhaps, later, he'll be in more of a mood to find out more about other worlds--the places that the people here come from. For now, he's simply willing to give as much information as the conversation requires, and file the rest away for later.]

No, we haven't--I haven't yet made that stride. Eventually, I hope.

[wooden_one]

It will be quite a breakthrough, when you do.

[Because he believed in this sort of thing.]

Though there would be...implications to that sort of thing, wouldn't it? Moral ones.

[Mechas are tools but something that can think isn't just a tool.]

[techmaturgy]

It will be.

[Someone. Is self-assured. He was sure he’d been on the verge of that breakthrough before being pulled here, and it stings all over again to be reminded of the fact that he’s in another world entirely and his work will remain unfinished.

As far as ethics are concerned, well. He already knows what PIltover thinks of the Hexcore. He likes to think he’d take the appropriate steps to avoid a scenario like what Chu Wanning is describing, but the truth of the matter is that he’s not really sure what he’s doing.]

If it thinks and acts on its own, it should be treated accordingly. Like an individual.

[wooden_one]

[He nodded.]

Good.

[Because even if it wasn't his world and wasn't his responsibility he still worries...hopefully for nothing. Too often, people are willing to ignore another's personhood. Even so, he had faith enough in people to take this answer at face value.]

I would be interested to see your research if you would be fine with it.

[techmaturgy]

Well, if I'm able to recreate it here, I'll show you.

[The if is the most important thing, because without any of his specialized equipment or the conduit he uses to channel magical energies. He'll need to adapt what he knows to the rules of this world, which will take time.

(Time he doesn't necessarily have, but he isn't going to say as much to a stranger.)]

When I have something worth showing, that is.