Lower City, far Tower.

If I remember our approach correctly, that tower is part of another building, while the close one is stand alone. The building is also in what looks like a once dense part of the city laid out for aesthetics, so probably the museum.

The upper city looked more like some sort of industry, not a population center. Hard to say from view we got coming in, but Lower City Far Tower is probably the best bet.

>>1103551
Sounds like an accurate take on the situation.
This way silv.

Be sure to put the core in something soft and protective, not just clanking around with your rocks or whatever and getting scratched

>>1103543
Honestly we should probably visit them all for knowledge. Try the closest one first.

Lower, closer.

>>1103551
Changing my vote to this, actually.

1/1 Silv 2025/02/15(Sat)12:24 No. 1103798 ID: 1effd3
File 173965107540.png - (759.05KB , 900x750 , 021525_FromNothing2_015_.png )

>Be sure to put the core in something soft and protective, not just clanking around with your rocks or whatever and getting scratched
“All I’ve got in my back is some runes, and some cooked glowshrooms. It’s safe to put in here, right?”

>Museums typically have grand architecture. But if you none of them look particularly fancy from here just start at the closest.
>lets start with the closest tower and fan out from there. I mean we were planning on exploring this place anyways, might as well be thorough.
>lower City, far Tower. If I remember our approach correctly, that tower is part of another building, while the close one is stand alone. The building is also in what looks like a once dense part of the city laid out for aesthetics, so probably the museum. The upper city looked more like some sort of industry, not a population center. Hard to say from view we got coming in, but Lower City Far Tower is probably the best bet.
>Sounds like an accurate take on the situation.-^
>Honestly we should probably visit them all for knowledge. Try the closest one first.
>Changing my vote to this, actually. ->>1103551

-Lower Close: 3
-Lower Far: 3
-Silvs choice: Lower Close.

—
Walking around the ruins and alleys, you travel to the nearest of the towers on the lower city. It appears to be just a lone tower in the middle of a city square(its circular though?), with a lot of Voidlings at the tower's base. You can actually see the father tower straight down the road, hiding behind another building. Maybe that’s the museum?
x3 Tremor Runes obtained.
x1 Ice Rune obtained.
Silvs bag is getting full…

“My bag is getting full… should we look around these buildings Tetsi, or head for the next tower?”

>>1103798
Head for the next tower.

One quick look.
Try to find a delivery mechanism of some kind. Something to launch your loot out into the air where you can retrieve it later.

Don't really need all these tremor runes. Combine some into ore runes to save space. Might as well see if that ice rune will combine with tremor or ore while you're at it.

I mean, I guess we could probably cut through some buildings to get to the next tower so I guess we can check them out as we're passing through.

Yeah, as you acquire too many runes you can experiment with combining them.
Maybe just cursory inspections, unless you see something interesting?

>>1103798
>All I’ve got in my back is some runes, and some cooked glowshrooms
you didn't bring the pick?

>>1103802
that'd be just wasting them, since we can just switch any rune to any other known rune without spending any. Better just try some of the combinations we don't have yet, like >>1103805 says

2/1 Silv 2025/02/15(Sat)17:09 No. 1103809 ID: 1effd3
File 173966818301.png - (119.63KB , 659x659 , 031524_FromNothing35.png )

>>1103802
>>1103808
"I suppose I could combine some runes, and I can convert them into other ones at will... What combinations would you like to try Tetsi?"

For previous combinations: https://questden.org/wiki/From_Nothing_Runes

I've been thinking about Toxin + Ore. Thinking about it a lot.

>>1103809
Hm.
What is our current carried count?

Oh, and we can invert a few tremors if we need to.
Oh!
Ice is an advanced on and we dont know what happens with ice tremor or ice breeze yet.
Not sur on the former but the latter sound a good candidate for a cone of arctic air.

>>1103810
That's fantastic!

I wanna see Primal combined with something. Perhaps Life, Nature, or Potion?

>>1103798
Maybe we can find another bag in one of these, or a storage container for our stuff back home.

>>1103809
so I'm a bit curious as to what happens if you combine a primal with eldritch

1/3 Silv 2025/02/25(Tue)08:23 No. 1104200 ID: 1effd3
File 174050060387.png - (243.27KB , 900x750 , 022425_FromNothing2_016_Runing.png )

x14 Runes available:

Rune combinations attempted:
Toxin+Ore= Success
Static+Static= Success
Breeze+Life= Failure
Life+Harm= Success
Tremor+Flare= Success
Toxin+Harm=Success
Primal+Eldritch= Failure(?)

The combination of Toxin and Ore created a new rune!
Corrosion Rune obtained! Inversion creates another rune. Decay Rune obtained!
“Corrosion and Decay… They’re kinda the same… Right?”

The combination of Static and Static created a new rune! It is slightly more unstable.
Charge Rune obtained! Inversion failed. Static spell has been improved.
“A new rune, and my Static spell got improved?”

Breeze and Life did not fuse. x2 runes lost.

The combination of Life and Harm created a new rune!
Cycle Rune obtained! Inversion creates another rune. Stagnate Rune obtained!
“Cycle and Stagnate…?”

The combination of Tremor and Flare created a new rune!
Convection Rune obtained! Inversion failed.
“???”

The combination of Toxin and Harm created a Decay Rune!
Alternate creation of Decay rune discovered.
“Huh, another alternate creation…”

Primal and Eldritch did not fuse… yet. x2 runes lost.
1 attempt performed.
“Doesn’t seem like that combo worked either Tetsi.”

THE CONCEPT REFUSES TO REALIZE, BUT IT IS THERE. MORE ATTEMPTS ARE REQUIRED.

x5 Runes remain in the bag.

2/3 Silv 2025/02/25(Tue)08:23 No. 1104201 ID: 1effd3
File 174050063469.png - (385.67KB , 900x750 , 022425_FromNothing2_017_Museum.png )

>One quick look.
>I mean, I guess we could probably cut through some buildings to get to the next tower so I guess we can check them out as we're passing through.
>Maybe we can find another bag in one of these, or a storage container for our stuff back home.

Silv weaves through broken buildings following the road to the next tower. It seems anything soft rotted away long ago, leaving only things that don’t decay as easily. There's crates and such, but carrying around one of those would be cumbersome while exploring.

—

The museum stands solitary in the city plaza, it’s windows shattered and walls cracked with age.

3/3 Silv 2025/02/25(Tue)08:24 No. 1104202 ID: 1effd3
File 174050065094.png - (197.23KB , 900x750 , 022425_FromNothing2_018_InTheHallsOfHistory.png )

“...Wow…” Silvs voice echoes through the dusty hall, light streaming in from the broken skylights. Long forgotten exhibits yearn to be witnessed once more, despite that none shall come.
But one has come.

“We can… take a look around right? I mean, to find the frame for this core, yeah…?”
Silv is doing a bad job of hiding her excitement.

kid the whole reason we're here is to explore. Knock yourself out and take a look around. Unless we find a layline I doubt we'll be coming back here so enjoy it while you can.

Corrosion and decay both represent an increase in entropy, but decay is wrought by life where corrosion is done through simple chemical reaction.

I always thought the static spell was missing something! Plus now we have a rune to make mana batteries with!

Cycle and Stagnate are conceptually linked to life. Put simply life is born then it dies. From it's body new life emerges. I don't think the rune has to interact with life exclusively though. Rather, it should iterate any closed loop.

Stagnate is just that, to stop a cycle. It could be used to create cursed immortals and undead, or to simply preserve food.

Convection has to do with the movement of heat through a medium. It can be used for climate control, weather spells, and well alchemy.

And primal plus eldritch seems... so powerful it needs multiple attempts? we'll worry about that later.

We should try imbuing more runes and spells into things when we get back...

Anyhoo, as for the here and now- Hell yeah! Take your time, Silv,
We're just as curious as you are!

>>1104200
>Breeze and Life did not fuse. x2 runes lost.
Ah. So there IS a cost to not doing this in a nexus.
>Life+Harm= Success
So fusions between inversions are possible? Interesting. When we have the runes to spare, I'd like to check out Flare+Stream and Tremor+Breeze, then.

>>1104202
Take your time, we're not in a hurry. Yet, at least.

>>1104200
We have a hidden insight. Primal plus Eldritch can work, but we'd have to attempt it multiple times. So, it's expensive, whatever it is. Might be worth dumping some runes into it every now and then to try getting it. Or maybe we wouldn't lose runes for trying it at home?

>>1104202
Yeah! Let's explore! Make note of anything intact. Are there any brochures?

Look around for the cool loot

>>1104200
>Corrosion is the inverse of Decay
I was not expecting that, but it makes sense if you twist the meanings. If decay is the death of multicelluar life into base components, the corrosion is the death of synthetic infrastructure (especially walls) into bacterial life. Try both runes out on living and nonliving beings, see what happens.

>Cycle and Stagnate
When applied to yourself, Cycle increases your regenerative biology (how fast you heal from wounds and disease) at the cost of lifespan. Stagnate does the opposite.

>Convection
Okay, you know how magical ice doesn't melt even after putting flames next to it? That's because the magic is suppressing convection, which represents the flow of heat transferring from excessively high areas to excessively low areas. If any form of energy is concentrated, in its natural state it seeks to expand outwards and transfer until all areas are even in energy suffusion. Now, the inverse of convection should be Vacuum, which is an absence of any matter or other means of transmission energy, but... this whole world is a Vacuum, and yet... it's not. It's not like the vacuum in most realities, which may be why you can't create Vacuum runes here.

Looks like attempting to merge Primal and Eldritch did something on our end, but it still fizzled. I get the feeling you shouldn't experiment with this until we're ready to fight a Horror.

>Museum
We're the last among the last sapient guests before this place is eaten by voidlings, so feel free to take everything you can. Find a chassis that emphasizes strength, if we can get our new golem to carry half the museum out, this mission will be a success.

>>1104202
I saw no deadline on the core.
We have time.
Moreso, its a wise use of it
You never know what youll discover.

I'm pretty sure in this case "convection" refers to the movement of lava underground.

>>1104200
>Corrosion and Decay
One is of inorganic material, the other of organic.

>Cycle and Stagnate
Cycle advances things, Stagnate halts them?

>Convection
This creates intense atmospheric heat, like from lava.

>1 attempt
Hm. Whatever it is, it either doesn't want to exist or reality doesn't want it to exist. It might be dangerous to press forward.

>>1104202
It's dark in here. We still have Marshlight prepared, right? Let's get a Marshlight going.

>>1104206
Let's save more experiments for later. We're down to 5 runes, we need at least 3 to craft a new spell if we need one while exploring here.

1/2 Silv 2025/03/04(Tue)11:07 No. 1104503 ID: 1effd3
File 174111525372.png - (627.22KB , 900x750 , 030425_FromNothing2_019_DontTouchTheExhibits.png )

>>1104204
>>1104206
>>1104215
>>1104220
>Let's save more experiments for later. We're down to 5 runes, we need at least 3 to craft a new spell if we need one while exploring here.
“You’re saying Primal and Eldritch did do something? We can try it again later, but it would probably waste a lot of runes… We don’t have many runes at home either, and they’re probably more useful for making the island bigger.”

>kid the whole reason we're here is to explore. Knock yourself out and take a look around. Unless we find a layline I doubt we'll be coming back here so enjoy it while you can.
>Hell yeah! Take your time, Silv, We're just as curious as you are!
>Look around for the cool loot
>Yeah! Let's explore! Make note of anything intact. Are there any brochures?
>It's dark in here. We still have Marshlight prepared, right? Let's get a Marshlight going.
Silv starts to walk around the dusty halls of the museum, placing Marshlights as she does, lighting the forgotten exhibits. Many are decayed and corroded, but from what you can tell, this museum mostly housed technological innovations and historic objects. There are some old rusted swords, broken energy devices, and broken golem frames. Some of the displays are missing however, but their plaques remain. You read some of them while Silv plays around with the exhibits.

First Attempt of Non-Magical Mechanical Flight
Designed in █████ by ████ ██████, this gyrodine was his first attempt at non-magical powered flight. He ████ ████ ████-(Most of the text is faded, and you quickly get bored.)

Rune-Conduit Engraving Laser
A damaged ████ used in the early days of Mainefalis. Used primarily in the construction of ████ golems and ████ towers to channel arcane energy more efficiently. The principle of █████-(You quickly get bored again.)

Failed Prototype Battery Core
One of the first Core prototypes used in arcane devices. This specific prototype could hold a large amount of arcane energy, however would discharge it all incredibly quickly. ████ was damaged in ████ during testing, and no longer ████-(You once again, get bored.)

After exploring and playing with the exhibits for a while, you and Silv head for the other side of the museum. Most objects in the remaining exhibit halls are rusted bits-n-bobs, devices broken beyond repair, and small magical trinkets with no clear use.

2/2 Silv 2025/03/04(Tue)11:07 No. 1104504 ID: 1effd3
File 174111526957.png - (405.11KB , 704x750 , 030425_FromNothing2_020_Storage.png )

After breaking down a stubborn door, Silv enters a backroom of sorts, full of crates and workstations, all looking rather dilapidated.
“We didn’t find anything in the main area, but this place seems like storage. Do you think we’ll find a working golem frame here Tetsi? The golem said they’d be in good condition here, but everything so far isn’t looking great...”
“Wait, what's that?”

The back of the room has several large cylindrical containers, connected to the wall by pipes and conduits. Beside them is a cracked glass panel, and a receptacle that is connected to the walls piping.
“I guess this must be it… It’s got the thing to put the orb like the golem said. S I just put this here and-”

As Silv puts the golem core onto the receptacle, it quickly gets pulled into the wall with a loud *clunk*, and vanishes. Duller clunks can be heard behind the wall and in the pipes. Nothing else happens.
“I suppose I probably need to charge this thing? Like with the golem?”

That glass panel needs a charge yes. But is our improved spark too much for it? We need something to test it on.

>>1104504
Not sure. What's that next to the wall, a control panel? The mechanisms here are still functional so there's at least some power, which means the control panel should work. We shouldn't need to charge anything, just gotta push the right buttons.

Let's do an infusion.
Go back and grab the Failed Prototype Battery Core.
infuse it with the new CHARGE rune.
Instruction: Invert base function; Reconfigure into Regulated arcane energy emitter/charging device;Set Power Source(Rune);

Then use the infused device powered by a static rune to charge the machine.

>>1104522
Pretty much this. And keep the Battery Core, you might be able to jury-rig an EMP out of it (electric explosive, deals extra damage to golems and other machines while keeping life intact). Extremely useful against giant robots.

>>1104503
I'm wondering if you're probably better off keeping that helmet? You don't wanna get your head hurt after all.

>(You quickly get bored again.)
What's happening to our attention span? Usually we're very interested in how this kind of stuff works.

the battery core might be useful but from what was readable from the plaque it sounds like while it can hold a nice charge it's just going to dump it all at once the same if you just zapped the machine yourself... though if you do need a larger charge than your normal zap then it could be useful.

>>1104504
I think youre right.
Just remember about the potential feedback zaps this time.
If you zap yourself too often youll do yourself a mischief

I think its implied the acutal displays are missing, its only thier info cards

>>1104527
Yeah but I'm pretty sure the methods these people used and the methods is and Silv use are fundamentally different. Its almost like these people were writing code in assembly, but it's and Silv are writing in Python with ChatGpt open. Their way was more powerful, but we can do more with way, way less.
Earlier, we made a magic artifact by shoving a rune and some void goop together. Something automated the change.
The way I see it, the flawed, broken battery is just raw material and a ball of concepts. The item itself should be less important than the concepts represented by it's existence, theoretically at least. I dunno if it'll work, but I think it's worth a rune to find out.

>>1104504
Yeah, looks like the panel needs power to run the activation process. If we find the generator and stick a marshlight in it, the normal power system should ensure it doesn't let too much power throigh and overload. Follow where the tubes and wires go.

1/4 Silv 2025/03/07(Fri)11:54 No. 1104619 ID: 1effd3
File 174137726352.png - (87.55KB , 900x750 , 030725_FromNothing2_021_SomethingPrecious.png )

>I'm wondering if you're probably better off keeping that helmet? You don't wanna get your head hurt after all.
“But my hat is important to me!”

2/4 Silv 2025/03/07(Fri)11:54 No. 1104620 ID: 1effd3
File 174137727962.png - (122.58KB , 900x750 , 030725_FromNothing2_022_SomethingBorrowed.png )

“...Wait, why is it important…?”

3/4 Silv 2025/03/07(Fri)11:55 No. 1104621 ID: 1effd3
File 174137730351.png - (186.97KB , 900x750 , 030725_FromNothing2_023_ForcedReboot.png )

>>1104522
>>1104523
>>1104527
>I think its implied the actual displays are missing, it's only their info cards.
The plaques you read before were from displays that were missing their exhibits. Unfortunate, because you’re sure they were cool.

>>1104545
Silv nods along, but it’s clear to you she has no idea what you are talking about.

>Yeah, looks like the panel needs power to run the activation process. If we find the generator and stick a marshlight in it, the normal power system should ensure it doesn't let too much power throigh and overload. Follow where the tubes and wires go.
From the looks of the pipes and conduits, they appear to be connected to the Arcane Tower of the museum. If it's supposed to power the whole building, Marshlight probably wouldn’t be enough, even for this backroom.

>That glass panel needs a charge yes. But is our improved spark too much for it?
>Not sure. What's that next to the wall, a control panel? The mechanisms here are still functional so there's at least some power, which means the control panel should work. We shouldn't need to charge anything, just gotta push the right buttons.
>I think youre right. Just remember about the potential feedback zaps this time. If you zap yourself too often youll do yourself a mischief
Silv does as you say, and starts tapping the glass panel, looking for buttons.
...There are no buttons, just a dark piece a cracked glass.
“Ok that doesn’t work. Now to use Static carefully.”

Grabbing the sides of the panel, Silv tries to cast Static as carefully as she can, and thanks to her spell being improved, she has improved control of the power output!
Starting out low and slowly ramping up, the glass panel begins to flicker to life.

4/4 Silv 2025/03/07(Fri)11:55 No. 1104622 ID: 1effd3
File 174137732529.png - (419.51KB , 900x750 , 030725_FromNothing2_024_Build-A-Bot-Workshop.png )

Many buttons and text appear on the glass panel.
“Hey, I did it! So uhh.. What’s it saying Tetsi?”

—
Golem Restoration System Online
WARNING: Damaged core inserted. Core Stress limited. Please insert different core, or repair the current core.
Damaged Core Stress Limit: 2/3 Available.
One module pre-loaded into Frame: No. M31-D.

Caretaking Module Ω: [Core Stress 1]
Install Location: Head.
████████████████████████████████████

Modules found in storage. Accessing records…
...
...
...Records Located. Displaying available modules:

Mobility Module α: [Core Stress 1]
Install location: Legs.
Enhanced lateral mobility for the unit. Not compatible with Mobility Module β.

Mobility Module β: [Core Stress 2]
Install location: Legs.
Enhanced vertical mobility for the unit. Not compatible with Mobility Module α.

Bio-Furnace Module λ: [Core Stress 1]
Install Location: Torso.
Allows the unit to fuel itself using biological matter, assisting if offsetting energy requirements.

Machine Learning Module α: [Core Stress 1]
Install Location: Head.
Capable of memorizing and performing physical actions. Can memorize 2 instances.

Security Module Δ: [Core Stress 2]
Install Location: Arm.
███████████████████████████████████

What modules would you like to install? 2 Core Stress is available for module installation.
—

You tell Silv what the panel says.
“Modules? Install? I don’t understand what any of that means, but you seem to do Tetsi, so I’ll let you choose what to do, and tell me what to press on the glass!”

Modules are things that give the golem more abilities.
To install something is to attach and make ready for use.

Currently it has a "Caretaker" Module Installed...
No info as to what that means, probably useful though.

Available is...
Something that looks like a weapon, Something to let it learn, Something to let it "eat" so it uses less mana, Something that lets it fly, float, or jump good, and something that lets it go fast.

We can choose two unless we pick the Weapon or the Flight(?) module, those have to be taken on their own with nothing else.

Personally I think we should get the Speed (Mobility Alpha) and Learning modules.

They got swords and shields here (a few of which we should totally take) which can pass for weapons should we need them and energy use is a problem we can solve on our own. Passing up upwards mobility hurts but i think passing up machine learning hurts more.

Okay, a module is a part that can be installed on many different types of entities, so you could put it on a guard robot, a walking supercomputer, or even a nurse droid, and it would give all of the above the same abilities.
Modules are going to be useful from here outward; if one of your golems breaks down, you can take their core and modules and stuff them in another. That is, if you can find a shipment of spare chasses in time.

Caretaking module Omega looks like the program installed on the core. Looks like they're supposed to start out at 0 stress but the damage increased it to 1. But we don't have any means of fixing them, so whatever.

Get the Bio-furnace. We don't have any means of efficiently powering golems, so giving our new friend an alternate means of absorbing power - through our farms - will be essential. We can worry about efficiency later, right now we need them functional and ready to carry as much of this island's tech resources as possible.

Last module will be Mobility Module Alpha. This gives the golem faster movement speed, but no jump jets to defy gravity... but since we're kind of stuck in a space void, we can just parachute from the top if we need items from higher locations.

Alright, once your new servant is up and running, their primary objective should be to find a way to repair and reconstruct even more golems, secondary objective will be collecting any rare components that are at risk of being eaten by the voidlings. Once you've reconstructed an army (or at least tried), have the golem(s) build a cart and carry as much resource as you can, then make it back to the island and deposit. Repeat for the ice island, and continue making trips until the giants arrive.

Seems simple enough. Let's get into the world-building business!

>>1104620
Did your teacher give you that hat? I wonder if your teacher was also your mother?
>>1104622
Hard pass on the security module. We already saw how that can go bad! Though, it is on the arm, which implies it's a weapon and not a behavior alteration... still, better safe than sorry, especially since it has a blacked-out description.

Hmm, I think getting a mobility upgrade is important. During a tough fight, you need to stay mobile, and by perching on the robot it can handle both your evasive needs. Without a detailed description it's hard to tell exactly how good either one is, but I'm leaning towards the first one.
If we're doing that, Machine Learning seems like the best option for the leftover point, since while Bio-Furnace would be good for efficiency, we don't know how much organic matter it consumes and you might be able to recharge the bot with your advanced Static anyway.

>>1104624
Caretaker is Installed on the Golem head not the core itself.
We would have more max Stress if the core were undamaged.
Starting at 1 instead of 0 is because Caretaker fills 1 stress slot.

I feel the bio-furnace is a must since we really don't have a way to reliably recharge a golem should it run out of power

next I'll say Learning Module as I feel that would be more useful though I won't say no to Module α but I don't think that is as important since the description says Enhance so I believe they'll be able to move around even without it.

so Bio-Furnace and Learning Module have my votes

>>1104622
Both αs will work fine, I think

>>1104635
>I feel the bio-furnace is a must since we really don't have a way to reliably recharge a golem should it run out of power
I mean I'm pretty sure Static's got us covered

>>1104624
I agree with kome, his ideas are well thought-out and rational.

>>1104620
It matters to you, so it matters to us.
You'll remember one day.
Likely out of nowhere.
Besides that, its cute.

>>1104624
Improved speed may also confer improved carrying capacity which we could really do with.
Agreed on the biofurnace.

For now our new pal wont be operating independantly so machine learning isnt as important as it will become.

I'll be closing the suggestions in a few days to a week, so get what modules u want installed into the golem, as an upcoming update might take me some time due to other obligations and plans

1/1 Silv 2025/03/12(Wed)11:27 No. 1104849 ID: 1effd3
File 174180404261.gif - (139.16KB , 560x467 , 031225_FromNothing2_025_Initializing.gif )

>Did your teacher give you that hat? I wonder if your teacher was also your mother?
“I… don’t know…?”

>It matters to you, so it matters to us. You'll remember one day. Likely out of nowhere. Besides that, its cute.
“Thank you, Tetsi.”

>>1104623
>>1104624
>>1104632
>>1104634
>>1104635
>>1104656
>>1104681
Votes:
Mobility α: 6 votes
Learning α: 4 votes
Bio-Furnace λ: 4 votes

Silv must break the tie in the vote!
“You have a lot of good points Testi…”
“The golem being able to eat would be neat, but we don’t really have that good of a food supply. We can likely recharge it using Static or runes like before, and getting runes is probably easier. I’m not sure exactly what ‘machine learning’ is, but it sounds better in the long term, so I think I’ll vote for the Learning Module.”

Silvs vote has been cast!
-Mobility α
-Learning α

“So now I just tap these things on the glass, right?” Silv asks, tapping icons on the glass.
The icons shift around, and a new dialog box appears.

—
Golem Restoration Initialized
Frame: No. M31-D: Core Stress 3/3 with current Modules:

Caretaking Module Ω: [Core Stress 1]
Mobility Module α: [Core Stress 1]
Machine Learning Module α: [Core Stress 1]

Begin Golem Restoration Sequence?
-NO
>YES
—

Silv presses the button.

—
Golem Restoration Initialized
Process might take some time: Please stand by…
—

Clunking can be heard from within the walls, air begins to hiss from pipes, and the arcane conduits begin to activate. You and Silv take a couple of steps back as things happen.

I wonder if the core will like it's new configuration... I hope so.

Speaking of the core, remember how it said it got here? This void we're in must be somewhere between worlds.
There might be a way to get you back to your original plane, Silv! Eventually, at least.

>>1104849
Hmm, I wonder how long this'll take. Anything to look at nearby that we haven't seen yet?

hmm, be nice if this thing had a timer on it so we knew how long we'd have to wait...
~do do do dooo~...
...So Silv, what's your favorite thing you've seen since you got to the city?

>>1104850
Yes. It's possible that bomb we heard about destroyed a world and littered the remnants here, but it's just as likely that it was like a bag of holding in portable hole arrow that sent everything in range to the void. And Silv likely ended up here in a similar way, magical experimentation or weaponry gone wrong.

>>1104849
Hey.
Hey silv.
Its kinda exciting waiting, huh?

Man I wish that caretaking module that came preinstalled told us what it did. I'd be less nervous if it had just not listed anything, but the whole blacked out redacted presentation makes me just that little bit anxious.

>>1104849
Sooo... how about a rousing game of eye spy while we wait?

Well Silv we're going to be parents. How does it feel?

You know, with the swords and shield here, I bet we could infuse them and give them to Fern!

He could be our little knight!

1/3 Silv 2025/03/26(Wed)09:50 No. 1105432 ID: 1effd3
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>Hmm, I wonder how long this'll take. Anything to look at nearby that we haven't seen yet?
>hmm, be nice if this thing had a timer on it so we knew how long we'd have to wait...~do do do dooo~......So Silv, what's your favorite thing you've seen since you got to the city?
>Hey. Hey silv. Its kinda exciting waiting, huh?
“We haven’t looked around the raised area yet… How long does this initialization thing usually take?”

>Sooo... how about a rousing game of eye spy while we wait?
“I spy something dusty.”

>Well Silv we're going to be parents. How does it feel?
“Tetsi, your humor confuses me sometimes.”

>I wonder if the core will like it's new configuration... I hope so.
>Man I wish that caretaking module that came preinstalled told us what it did. I'd be less nervous if it had just not listed anything, but the whole blacked out redacted presentation makes me just that little bit anxious.
“Maybe it was broken like everything else here? ‘Caretaking’ sounds good at least. I wonder what the frame is though? This storage thing is a bit smaller than the golem's previous frame.”

>You know, with the swords and shield here, I bet we could infuse them and give them to Fern! He could be our little knight!
“Those swords were taller than I am! I don’t think Fern could even lift them!”

>Speaking of the core, remember how it said it got here? This void we're in must be somewhere between worlds. There might be a way to get you back to your original plane, Silv! Eventually, at least.
>Yes. It's possible that bomb we heard about destroyed a world and littered the remnants here, but it's just as likely that it was like a bag of holding in portable hole arrow that sent everything in range to the void. And Silv likely ended up here in a similar way, magical experimentation or weaponry gone wrong.
“ Maybe you’re right Tetsi? I still don’t remember much-”

KLENK.

>>1105434
She... is cute.
There.
Ive said it. We were allbthinking it.
Even you silv.

Greet our new friend.
Welcome her to a revived state.

 

Your attention is grabbed by a sudden shift in the atmosphere. The mechanical clunks have quieted, and the conduits crackle less. Air and steam hiss as the door to the cylinder creaks open, a low fog escaping as it does.

After a long time of inactivity, the golem takes their first steps once again.

3/3 Silv 2025/03/26(Wed)10:08 No. 1105440 ID: 1effd3
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“Activation of Frame No. M31-Domestic confirmed. No operational flaws detected.”

The golem turns to Silv and Testi.
“You have reactivated the unit “M31-D”, completing your end of our previously discussed arrangement. I will now register you as my new master, Master Silv. However…”

“However?”

“...I would like to exercise my new found freedom. I would like to rename myself to…”

The golem pauses.
“Galena.”

COMPANION RECRUITED
— — —
Name: Galena

Race:Automata Golem
Core Stress Limit: 3/3
Primary Runic Affinity: Unknown.

Class Archetype: Unknown
Class: Maid(?)


Abilities:
Upkeep: Can be given a Static rune (or other energy equivalent) to keep themselves active for several days, otherwise she will shut down till minimum recharge.
Caretaking Module Ω: Expert in various housekeeping and caretaking duties. Can manifest various tools used in housekeeping. [Core Stress 1]
Machine Learning: Capable of memorizing and performing physical actions. Can memorize 2 instances. [Core Stress: 1]
Mobility Module α: Enhanced lateral mobility for the unit. [Core Stress 1]

...Huh.

Anyways, she looks like a human. We're... experts in that race.
Humans have misshapen skeletons, tangled muscles, mediocre minds, and an unfortunate subconscious impulse to find the worst tyrannical creep they can find and worship them.
This combination of negative factors, when honed into a political weapon, typically makes them the most prosperous race in any world you find them in - at the cost of every other race's happiness, as the common humans get suckered by their own psychotic rulers into doing vile, self-destructive acts of mass-genocide "for the greater good." They're not evil so much as equal parts stupid and gullible, though some internal cruelty goes unchecked because of said stupidity. One of the few things humans have going for them is a propensity to grow stronger, faster than most other species, but their growth is so mired in abuse and trauma that the most powerful humans tend to be the most volatile and insane. I describe them as "weakness made power;" capable of so much, but typically slaves to power itself - their State's, or their own.
I'm not surprised some human aristocratic maniacs ordered this massively irresponsible science experiment and got the whole city killed.
But what the scientists built before they were forced to end their world... it will be the foundation of your new nation.

Welcome to the team, Galena.

Do a second sweep of the museum. Keep the voidlings from eating the power lines, we'll need to use this museum multiple times to re-construct multiple golems. Once we have an army, hold a meeting and discuss what to scavenge next.

>>1105440
First, Silv, let her touch us so we can communicate directly.

Welcome, Galena! Do you like your new cores? Is it possible for us to swap them out?

>>1105440
Ask Galena why they desire to register you as a 'master' anyway. They have freedom of will and thought right now, wouldn't they rather retain that?

>>1105444
Were humans really that bad. I always figured that sociopaths tended to exploit flaws in their herding and social behaviors to put themselves in power, but beyond that they tended to be pretty ok.

Also, use the museum multiple times? We don't know how long these islands will be near ours and the docking spell is untested. Sure we could dows for the Star of Frost and Dust to get back here, but there's no way we can haul that much material to-and-fro over such distances.

>>1105440
Good morning, Galena. It looks like you've been gifted hands and opposable thumbs. Did the new chassis come with instructions or do we need to practice a bit?

what the... huh, I was expecting something more like the body we found her core in to begin with... this model seems... a lot more advance. Though now I'm wondering why we haven't seen any more models like this when we've seen dozen of offline golems around already?

But yeah, uh, welcome to the team. Would you happen to remember anything about this city still? We wouldn't mind a guide.

>>1105444
Kome, please. You don't know if any of that is true, you're injecting fanfiction again.

>>1105440
I think I'm starting to understand why we can read certain things you cannot. We're from a different world than you, Silv. Most likely the same world Galena and W3AV3R are from, unless it's a coincidence that they have similar written languages. I wonder, were we normally part of this staff, or did it absorb us?
Anyway, ask Galena about humans.

Galena. A beautiful crystal of sulphur and lead that hides a hint of shimmering silver. A most fantastic designation!

Alright. I got a ton of questions, so bare with me.

You're clearly intelligent, but would you b consider yourself quasi-sentient or fully sentient? The difference is subtle but it makes a big difference in how we should treat you.

What are your safe operating temperatures? Use a temperature scale graduated so that the freezing point of water is 0 and the boiling boing of water is 100. (Assuming standard air pressure at sea level of your original world.)

Do you have remote access to the Akashic Record? Did your civilisation ever have such access? If so, is there a device we can take that might help us do that?

Do you have any stored information? A users guide perhaps? Maintenance guide?

Might there be data pertaining to magic or engineering on a portable storage device somewhere? Or a book. Books work too.

If you opened the machine you stepped from- with or without force- could you retrieve the unused modules? If so, Could you hot-swap modules yourself?

Do you know where we might find a compact set of magic engineering tools?

Are you water proof?

How strong are you? Could you pick up something here that you would consider a *moderate* load as an example?

Please show us an example of your lateral movement capabilities.

Please list all on board sensors.

Are you capable of feeling pain?

Do you feel emotions?
If not, do you simulate them?
Can you determine the emotions of others?

If we were to imbue a rune or spell somewhere upon your chassis, perhaps an arm, would that cause interference with your systems?

Do you know where we could get a Bag of Holding, Dimensional Storage Ring, or Backpack around here?

Do you know where we could get a portable structural/magical analysis tool?

Are you familiar with a magical construction known as a Manapulse Nexus?
If so, was there one here? We need to study it's remains if so.

Is it technically possible to utilize your machine learning skill in a non-kinetic way?

What counts as a physical action, breadth wise? For an example of what I mean, would a physical action be like learning how to use a hammer effectively, how to build a cabinet, or how to do carpentry in general?

What are the base learning and skill retention capabilities of your primary core? Would they be better if you were repaired?

Can you effectively lift and/or use those swords/shields/armor over there?

Before you fell out of commission, did you notice the voidlings coming and going out of anywhere specific? There should be THOUSANDS of runes scattered all over the place, but were not really seeing any. Aside from being useful, if allowed to amass in one spot they can spawn monsters.

Did you know you're very cute now? Because you are.

That's quite different than the body they had before. Ask if they're feeling alright in it, Silv.

1/2 Silv 2025/03/30(Sun)16:11 No. 1105612 ID: 1effd3
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>That's quite different than the body they had before. Ask if they're feeling alright in it, Silv.
>Greet our new friend. Welcome her to a revived state.
>what the... huh, I was expecting something more like the body we found her core in to begin with... this model seems... a lot more advanced. Though now I'm wondering why we haven't seen any more models like this when we've seen dozens of offline golems around already?
>That's quite different than the body they had before. Ask if they're feeling alright in it, Silv.
“It’s great to have you with us now Galena! But, why is your new body so different from your old one, and the other broken golems?”

“This frame was constructed back during the time when Mainefalis engineers cared more for quality over mass production. This frame was also specialized for domestic use, so it’s relatively more advanced compared to other models at that time.”

“Is it a good body for you?”

“This frame is perfectly sufficient Master Silv.”

>First, Silv, let her touch us so we can communicate directly.
“It seems that Tetsi wants to talk to you directly,”Silv says, holding Tetsi forward.

“Ah, I understand now. Master Tetsi is some form of sentient artifact that requires contact to communicate. I was confused in our initial meeting who you were referring to.”

“Tetsi’s the one who’s been helping me survive here. They're a good friend.”

>Did the new chassis come with instructions or do we need to practice a bit?
>Would you happen to remember anything about this city still? We wouldn't mind a guide.
“I have no problems controlling this frame. I am unsure about the current state of the city, so I will require time to investigate.”

>Ask Galena why they desire to register you as a 'master' anyway. They have freedom of will and thought right now, wouldn't they rather retain that?
“It is my choice to serve, as is not my choice. I cannot function without aid, and aid is what I function for.”

>>1105465
“...That is a lot of questions. Give me a moment.”
“...”

>You're clearly intelligent, but would you b consider yourself quasi-sentient or fully sentient? The difference is subtle but it makes a big difference in how we should treat you.
“You can treat me as any other sentient being.”

>What are your safe operating temperatures? Use a temperature scale graduated so that the freezing point of water is 0 and the boiling of water is 100. (Assuming standard air pressure at sea level of your original world.)
“This frame can likely tolerate multitudes of temperatures safely. On your scale, perhaps 5 through 80.”

>Do you have remote access to the Akashic Record? Did your civilization ever have such access? If so, is there a device we can take that might help us do that?
“Unknown.”

>Do you have any stored information? A users guide perhaps? Maintenance guide?
>Might there be data pertaining to magic or engineering on a portable storage device somewhere? Or a book. Books work too.
“Only my initial knowledge, and the knowledge gained from my modules. I would like to check the museum's archives for anything of use however.”

>If you opened the machine you stepped from- with or without force- could you retrieve the unused modules? If so, Could you hot-swap modules yourself?
“It is unlikely.”

>Do you know where we might find a compact set of magic engineering tools?
“Tools would likely be inside of a workshop, however, given the amount of time, they’re likely
non-useable.”

>Are you water proof?
“It is not recommended for this frame to be submerged for a prolonged period of time. Also, it doesn’t float.”

>How strong are you? Could you pick up something here that you would consider a *moderate* load as an example?
“Hmm… I am unsure of this frames capabilities in that regard. I could carry Master Silv with minimal effort however.”

2/2 Silv 2025/03/30(Sun)16:11 No. 1105613 ID: 1effd3
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>Please show us an example of your lateral movement capabilities.
You hear a small click as some small wheels come out of Galenas heels. She then proceeds to zoom around the room a bit.
“Is that sufficient Master Silv, Master Tetsi?”

“That’s amazing Galena!”

“Thank you Master Silv.”

>Please list all on board sensors. Are you capable of feeling pain?
“Sight, touch, smell, hearing, taste, which I can disable as needed. I shouldn’t feel ‘pain’ as long as it’s not damaging to my core.”

>Do you feel emotions? If not, do you simulate them? Can you determine the emotions of others?
“...I am unsure how to answer, but yes I can determine others emotions.”

>If we were to imbue a rune or spell somewhere upon your chassis, perhaps an arm, would that cause interference with your systems?
“Tampering with my frame without the expertise of doing so is ill advised.”

>Do you know where we could get a Bag of Holding, Dimensional Storage Ring, or Backpack around here? Do you know where we could get a portable structural/magical analysis tool?
“I do not.”

>Are you familiar with a magical construction known as a Manapulse Nexus?
If so, was there one here? We need to study it's remains if so.
“I am not, However, Master Silv stated earlier that you said that the Ley Lines were similar in concept.”

>Is it technically possible to utilize your machine learning skill in a non-kinetic way?What counts as a physical action, breadth wise? For an example of what I mean, would a physical action be like learning how to use a hammer effectively, how to build a cabinet, or how to do carpentry in general? What are the base learning and skill retention capabilities of your primary core? Would they be better if you were repaired?
“Unsure.”

>Can you effectively lift and/or use those swords/shields/armor over there?
Galena picks up one of the swords, which immediately breaks in half.
“Yes I can, however, I do not believe they will last more than one or two uses.”

>Before you fell out of commission, did you notice the voidlings coming and going out of anywhere specific? There should be THOUSANDS of runes scattered all over the place, but were not really seeing any. Aside from being useful, if allowed to amass in one spot they can spawn monsters.
“Unfortunately I know nothing in regard to this. I am aware however that congregations of runes occasionally generated… force. I am uncertain how to explain further.”

>Did you know you're very cute now? Because you are.
“Thank you Master Tetsi.”

Galena moves some of the metal crates in the room out of her way.
“Master Silv, Master Tetsi, I would like to gather whatever useful information that remains intact in the museum's archives. This may take some time, so if you wish to wait for me or continue exploring on your own, that is entirely your choice. Do be careful however if you choose to explore without me.”

“What do you think Tetsi? We still have that upper area to check out, and you wanted to try to get one of these new Voidlings tamed.”
-Wait for Galena.
-Explore raised city.
-Try and tame a new Crawler Voidling, or the larger Voidlings.

>>1105613
Attempt to tame Big(ger) Voidling!

>>1105612
I would recommend against calling us "master". Some of the voices might get... ideas.

>>1105613
Crawler voidlings are cute.

Attempt to tame, but lets not go too far. Let's get one of those cute leggy bois.

Our island isn't gonna hold many more voidlings, I don't think. Also, don't they have to eat?

I'd rather explore the raised city.

I’d like to explore more of the city but I’m not to opposed to grabbing more friends… though at this rate we’ll need to expand the island soon with so many bodies on it.

Leggy boy!

>>1105629
Valid points +1 to this suggestion

Crawler Voidling. With training, they might be capable of building structures. Or eating them.

1/1 Silv 2025/03/31(Mon)16:23 No. 1105646 ID: 1effd3
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>I would recommend against calling us "master". Some of the voices might get... ideas.
“I do not understand your intent Master Tetsi.”

Votes:
-Wait: 0
-Explore: 3
-Tame: 5

“We’re going to go outside and try to tame a voidling. We won’t go very far.”

“Very well, please be careful.”

Leaving Galena to sort through records and information, you and Silv head outside in search of some voidlings, but not before grabbing some random junk to feed them.
>Our island isn't gonna hold many more voidlings, I don't think. Also, don't they have to eat?
>I’d like to explore more of the city but I’m not opposed to grabbing more friends… though at this rate we’ll need to expand the island soon with so many bodies on it.
“I wonder if voidlings do need to eat stuff, or if they just ‘do’? They do eat whatever they can get in their mouths. Niaid converts the water in the pond into Stream runes, and I think Flumph mostly eats air for Breeze runes? But we do need more space on the island, and we need a lot of runes for that. Hopefully with Galenas help, we’ll be able to get more runes with less trips?”

>Bigger Voidling x1
>Leggy Crawler x 4
After a little searching, Silv finds a leggy crawler voidling and tries her usual tactic of talking while trying to feed it random junk. It quickly scampers off. x2 attempts remaining.
The second attempt goes much better. Using a generous amount of junk and petting, you and Silv manage to tame a new voidling!
Overall, that didn’t take too long. You can either return to Galena and see if she’s done, or head to the raised city. Also:

SUGGEST NAMES FOR THE VOIDLING

>>1105646
Hmmm... I think we should start bringing back random junk from our expeditions to feed voidlings with. Might even get extra runes that way. Good thing we have Galena now, who can carry heavy loads for transport.

Let's name it Koichi.

ah cool, you got yourself a backpack. Let's name him pack.

And since that went quicker than expected I see explore the the raised city.

>>1105646
>SUGGEST NAMES FOR THE VOIDLING
Hmm. How about Nil?

If they're going to hang out on your back you should name them Kazooie

>>1105653
Seconded.

Let's head back to Galena. See if we can feed the voidling some stuff from the museum to create new runes, like gathering and feeding some of the dust from the rusted sword might get us a Corrosion rune?

Nightweaver!

And look around for any rare species of Voidling to tame. You never know.

Zilch!

>>1105653
Thirded.

For reasons we cannot ever truly explain silv, the name Kazooie is one that brings good omens.

There is power and benign symbology within it and it posesses an esoteric significance hailing as it does from worlds distant and strange.