Inbox | Caldera

[lost_and_foundry]

Comments

Holiday delivery!

[wildwarden]

( Some weirdo has left a small box of colorful rocks at Barcus's doorstep. There is an accompanying not-actually-terrible drawing of Night Sky handing said box to Barcus, with a second drawing on the bottom of Barcus eating the rocks and a "???" around him.

Merry whatever! She's illiterate so this is what you get. )

[lost_and_foundry]

[Peacock ore! He couldn't be more delighted, and he actually sits down to write her a thank-you note, getting about two sentences in before the drawing and the implication that she won't be able to read what he writes registers.

Hmm. Okay, then. Perhaps creativity is called for.

The next day, a familiar cat in a sweater will arrive in Night Sky's camp, with a little bag attached to her side, like a horse's saddle bag. Inside is a carved stone frog, and a matching set of objects in ceramic.

It's worth noting that where Satchel is, Barcus is probably close behind. She's not a homing pigeon, after all, just a cat that recognizes her friends.]

Gift Delivery

[makingmyway]

[ At some point in the day, there's a knock on the door, but by the time Barcus might come to answer all he'll find is a bottle of wine wrapped with a colorful bow, and an attached note. ]

I'm not sure if there are any similar holidays that you celebrate in your world, but I wanted to give a gift for you regardless. Thank you for being good company for Ashton. I hope our friendship can grow in the future as well.

Happy holidays,
Dorian

[lost_and_foundry]

[There are people he half expected to hear from, or get gifts from, and people he didn't. Dorian is not one he expected anything from, despite a close mutual friend, and it's touching.

(good company for Ashton...is that what the kids are calling it these days? ha.)

He takes the wine indoors and spends some time talking to his cat and putting something together in response to the gift. Later that evening, a small basket will arrive at Dorian's front door, with a bottle of Barcus' own homemade wine inside, as well as a corkscrew he's clearly forged by hand.]

Dear Dorian,

Your gift is very kind and much appreciated! I hope you will enjoy this in return. It's not real Gorgondy wine, but it's as close an approximation as I can create with the ingredients obtainable in this world. The ruby dust adds a little depth to the flavor; I hope you'll enjoy it.

If you would like to meet for a drink some time, undertake a quest together, or even just visit my home, please don't hesitate to call on me. I have a tendency to get lost in my own projects and I often benefit from people reminding me the outside world exists. I too hope we can be friends.

Sincerely,

Barcus Wroot

Holiday Delivery

[badnewsandshitlist]

[There's going to be a sharp knock on Barcus's door and a wrapped package and note.]

From one tinker to another - according to what word on the street says that you are the best around. I am going to challenge that title of yours, but only if you are provided with the best equipment. Don't disappoint me and Happy Winter's Crest.

Percival Fredrickstein Von Musel Klossowski De Rolo III.

[lost_and_foundry]

[The gift is absolutely delightful. Well-suited, well-made, and fortunately small enough to fit a gnome's waist. Barcus spends quite a while admiring it before he reads the note, which makes him laugh out loud.

'Word on the street'? Good gods, that makes it sound like he's been selling his work out of alleyways--which is not entirely beyond him, but not something he's undertaken thus far. No, he suspects in this instance the street means Ashton, and their opinion has become known either directly or indirectly. Well, far be it from the leader of the Ironhands to turn down a challenge. Evidently he has a reputation to uphold!]

Dear Saer Percival,

Any artisan has their strengths and their weaknesses, which is why collaboration is so very important. Competition and cooperation only make all involved parties stronger. I am honored that you consider me a worthy competitor!

That said, I would not begin to undertake a rivalry without you being fully informed, any more than you would begin one with me under-equipped, therefore please accept this gift in return.

Yours truly,

Barcus Wroot, Chief and Master Craftsman of the Ironhand-Gondian Alliance

[Attached to the note is a neat wooden box with a padlock and key--both made by Barcus, of course, to show off his range of abilities. Inside is a leatherbound journal with all of the notes made since his arrival in Caldera, including full chemical analyses of several samples from the quests he's undertaken.

There is also a vial of glittery white, coarse powder, with the following note attached: Request that you assist in testing this new form of smokepowder. A silencing spell is included, intended to take effect immediately upon ignition, thereby suppressing the noise of the subsequent concussive blast. Tests in my laboratory have proven successful on a small scale, however advise that you not use it as a primary weapon in battle without fully testing it on your own first. A full account of the results would be much appreciated!

Yrs, Barcus]

@warden; after Dorian's post

[wildwarden]

Hey. You okay, sweetness?

[lost_and_foundry]

Not even a little bit, but thank you for asking, dear. Would you mind checking on Satchel some time this evening for me? I expect to be out for a bit.

Text | un: sonofthewind

[makingmyway]

Ashton’s back. Turns out they had gone home for a while after all.

Thank you for all your help. They’ll likely reach out to you soon.

[lost_and_foundry]

wait are they okay??

[Presumably if they're back and alive they're at least capable of recovering from whatever happened but forgive him his anxiety.]

Voice

[goethbeforethefall]

Barcus Wroot. [There is a pause] This is Solas.

You may already have guessed, but your missing friend has been sighted. I parted with him at the market: he seemed eager to return.

[lost_and_foundry]

Solas. [Barcus is sometimes capable of holding a poker face, but this is not one of those times, and his voice bubbles with eight different kinds of anxiety.]

You saw him? Dorian said he was back. [Warmth colors his voice.] Thank you. I'm sure he'll...

Well let's just hope he doesn't go missing on the way from the market, I suppose, hm?

Text. @gadriel

[thecodexabides]

do you know anyone who

Might have need of

A highly corrosive

Venom?

I have.

A lot.

[lost_and_foundry]

[Well that's a hell of a thing to wake up to!]

Sergeant? I feel compelled to begin by asking if you've been injured due to this 'a lot of venom'.

But if you're all right, then yes, I would happily accept a sample to study. It's very likely I could find uses for it.

@DreadWolf | Much later, after the event

[goethbeforethefall]

How goes your recovery?

voice, @brilliantretort

[lost_and_foundry]

Hello, Solas!

I'm fine. Knee is slightly stiff still, but the pain is gone, and my hands are as good as new. You do remarkable work.

How are you holding up? You looked like you were wearing yourself thin back there.

[Voice] Ingenuity

[badnewsandshitlist]

[While typically Percy is the sort to rely on messages in text form, his hands are instead occupied right now.]

Pelor's Sweat... I think I finally got it working.

[There's the sound of what could only described as the sound of lightning going off.]

Barcus- if you have the time, I think I finally have some success with an invention of mine, and it may be helpful with your other pet project.

[lost_and_foundry]

[Pelor's what now? Barcus is mildly startled by the message incoming, because he was in he midst of reading, but he recovers quickly.

Uh...Percy? That crackling noise is concerning.]

H-hello? Are you all right, Percy? What in the hells are you working on that sounds like that?

[I mean, yes, he's interested, obviously!]

It's been too long since he's damaged your sanity, Barcus Text @gadriel

[thecodexabides]

can you help

me

find a nutritional supplement I require

since it is

apparently

frowned on to eat it in a baked format?

text, @brilliantretort

[lost_and_foundry]

[Given his willingness to feed Gadriel before, it makes perfect sense to Barcus that he would contact him for this. He's a little bit puzzled, wondering what supplement he could possibly be talking about, but sure, he'll bite:]

I'm certainly willing to try! I won't promise I can deliver, if it's something rare in this world, but I don't want you malnourished.

What exactly are we talking about here?

[Text] @daggerdaggerdagger

[ofravensanddaggers]

Hello Barcus, I know we havent' talked much but Percy speaks highly of you and I know from experience you're a good person.

It would seem my sister has gone home.

If you work with Percy in the future could you please make sure he's eating and drinking properly? He's bad enough at looking after himself but I'm afraid it's only going to be worse without her.

[lost_and_foundry]

[Well, first of all, it's nice to know Percy speaks highly of him, although it's not entirely a surprise. For all his bluster and sarcasm, the man has been kind, too.]

I'm so sorry.

[Or...not? Is that the right thing to say? Most people seem to want to go home, so perhaps Vex is better off, herself, but her loved ones are going to miss her here.] I'll make a point of consulting him on projects so I have an excuse to feed him.

What about you? How are you holding up?

[text] ingenuity

[badnewsandshitlist]

[It sucks to admit when you are wrong, and it is double when you personally feel as if you weren't wrong in the first place. But... If he wanted to be in semi good graces with Vax and his friends then he would have to bite the figurative bullet and apologize. ]


Barcus.


I may of been a bit curt with you.


I know you enjoy learning about new things. I can provide you with some schematics if you wish.


[There. That's the closest to an apology that Percy is willing to provide. Take it or Leave it.]

[lost_and_foundry]

[The thing is, Barcus doesn't expect an apology, which might actually make it even tricker to smooth things over. Now he's confused, and unfortunately mistrustful of this...whatever it is.]

Hello Percy.

You don't owe me anything. If you don't care for my company, I wouldn't force it on you. Perhaps I assumed too much.

I'm happy to continue collaborating with whatever work you wish to do.

[text] ingenuity

[badnewsandshitlist]

Hey Barcus.

It has been a while since I last heard from you.


Are you well?

voice, @brilliantretort

[lost_and_foundry]

Percy! [He sounds a little weak, actually, but he's clearly awake and comparatively upbeat.]

I...I got rather caught up in the earthquake, actually. I meant to check on you and a host of other people but then I fell off a cliff.

text @gadriel

[thecodexabides]

[Gadriel is texting because, like an Old Person, he thinks it is less intrusive and more able to be put aside and answered at one's leisure, and he knew the Archmagos was busy.]

Archmagos. [Smooth opening. But a few days ago he had told Gadriel to reach out if he needed or wanted anything.] I have a favor
?
to ask
?

text, @brilliantretort

[lost_and_foundry]

[Gadriel's beat poetry via text is always interesting to receive. Sometimes it's the herald of strangeness Barcus wasn't quite prepared for, but it's never dull! Besides, he did say he wanted to hear from him more.]

Hello, dear. I'm here, I'm just brushing Satchel on the porch. What do you need? I'm happy to help.

text @gadriel

[thecodexabides]

[oh no it's Gadriel again, gracing your bird with...himself.]
Archmagos.

You had mentioned
previously
teaching me how
to prepare food. [He hadn't had a reason before, because he could eat literal garbage, but a certain someone he is sharing a tent with is a bit more, well, discriminating in her tastes.]

[lost_and_foundry]

Good morning, Sergeant!

The offer still stands, if that's what you're asking. I'd love to show you what I know. I'm not exactly a master chef, but I'm capable.

[And Gale taught him a few recipes in camp, when they traveled together. Not that Gale's a master chef, either, as far as Barcus knows.]

[text] ingenuity

[badnewsandshitlist]

Barcus, may I ask your opinion on a personal matter?

[lost_and_foundry]

Any time, Percy. I hope you're well?

Text | un: sonofthewind

[makingmyway]

Greetings, Barcus! I hope you’re well.

I was wondering if you had some free time today. There are some things I’d like to talk with you about, and it seemed better to do it in person.

[lost_and_foundry]

['Can we talk' is usually not an auspicious start to a conversation, and Barcus finds himself staring at the bird-scroll for a good thirty seconds, trying to decide whether he should be apprehensive, and if so--how apprehensive. Overthinking things is his passion.

In the end, the only thing to do is find out what's on Dorian's mind by talking to him, though, so he responds after a minute or two:]

Of course, dear! I'm at home right now, if you'd like to come here. Failing that, I can meet you somewhere.

[Audio] [Ingenuity]

[badnewsandshitlist]

[There's an edge of excitement in Percy's voice as he speaks.]

Barcus, my friend! You will not believe what I have found in my workshop this morning!

[lost_and_foundry]

Well, it wasn't me, I've been at the workshop all day.

Tell me all about it, dear.

Action

[halfling_dad]

[A beautiful hand carved wooden rose pops up somewhere in Barcus' workshop with no note or reason for it being there. Any attempt to contact a certain halfling who might have left it gets no answer.]

[Future Dated- 4 Days after his revival & Action]

[badnewsandshitlist]

To Barcus,

I am writing to express my deepest apologies for my recent actions towards you. My behavior was inexcusable, and I deeply regret the harm that I have caused. You were a good friend towards me and I had once again betrayed you. You did not deserve to be treated in such a manner, and I take full responsibility for my conduct.

In light of this, I have decided to resign from my position at the Visitor Center, effective immediately. I believe this is the best course of action to ensure that the environment remains respectful and welcoming for all.

Please know that I am committed to making amends. I hope that, in time, you can find it in your heart to forgive me.

Sincerely,

Percival Fredrickstein Von Musel Klossowski De Rolo III

Text, @brilliantretort

[lost_and_foundry]

Dear Percy,

First of all, I meant what I said. You're my friend and I love you, even when your actions are inexcusable. Do not doubt that. You remain my friend.

However, because I can't speak for everyone else in Caldera, I will accept your resignation, at least for now. Call it a sabbatical until you've earned back the trust you've broken with others.

I can't offer you free access to the Workshop in good conscience right now. If you do need it for a project, though, I'll work with you so you can use the equipment after hours, when it will just be us there.

Depending on the project, that is. Just as I will not be making Runepowder, I think you had better plan not to make any firearms.

Is the demon gone? Or is it just subdued for now?

[Action]

[badnewsandshitlist]

Progress is a long road and I have barely taken the first steps in repairing broken bridges. I hope that this may help numb the pain. This is called Sandkheg's Hide. It is a very strong and extremely expensive drink. Please be careful, one sip managed to knock me off balance.

[There's a small vial of Sandkheg's Hide neatly wax sealed with gold wax.]

[lost_and_foundry]

[Barcus takes a quick look at him, scanning his face for signs of...what? Danger? Pain? Hard to say. Either way, he accepts the bottle with a smile, unquestioning.]

I've been warned by you and by Ashton that this stuff packs a punch. Gnomish constitutions are pretty strong, but I'll be careful. [He might have a higher liquor tolerance than Percy, but possibly not higher than Ashton.]

I'm told it tastes rather strong, too. Maybe a slice of lemon? [That's him being silly. In any case, he reaches out before Percy can slip away and gives him a gentle hug around the waist.] I know it's a long road, but I'm here, okay?

[It helps that he didn't harm Barcus physically, although he has no doubt he could have if he hadn't run when he did.]

@deathtochronos [three days after his death]

[guidingnight]

Good morrow, Master Barcus. I assume you have been successfully returned to the land of the living?

Voice, @brilliantretort

[lost_and_foundry]

I

I'm here, yes. [Not the most promising start, perhaps, but he's a little rattled still and the question doesn't help much.]

text, @bearpaws

[pokeabear]

[ Sometime after the battle. ]

Barcus, are you safe? I've been worried about you since the battle.
Let me know where you are—I’ll come to you if you need anything.

[lost_and_foundry]

Hello, Halsin. I.

I didn't exactly make it through the battle unscathed, I'm afraid, but I'm fine now. Maybe a little rattled.

I wouldn't mind company, if you'd like to come have drinks and let Satchel sit in your lap.

[Perhaps also let Barcus sit in your lap. Cuddles would be nice.]

Action

[fundamentalchaos]

After receiving a certain special request Ashton was happy to put both hammers in his portable hole before heading over to the workshop where he's sure Barcus is.

"Hey Pebble, you in? I got something to show you and a favor to ask of my favorite craftsman."

[lost_and_foundry]

Ashton's guess is accurate! Most days he's not questing find Barcus in the Visitor's Workshop for several hours, and today is no exception. When Ashton enters, Barcus is actually under one of the machines in the large main room across from the forge, doing maintenance and muttering what might be swear words in gnomish. He emerges when he hears their voice, though, sliding out on a mechanic's creeper on his back and almost running into their ankles. He's dressed way down, in a stained, ragged linen shirt with the sleeves rolled to the elbow, and a pair of goggles on his head. He beams to see them, though, and gets up quickly enough, wiping his hands on a rag that sticks out of his pants pocket.

"Hello, my love," he greets. "Bringing me gifts of flattery, hm? Careful, I've got wrenches all over the floor here, don't trip."

text @librarian

[twice_cursed]

How familiar are you with grids?

[Context? FUCK THAT NOISE that's for chumps.]

[lost_and_foundry]

Balthiel? Hello.

Grids in what sense? As a method for drawing detailed blueprints using a diagram of intersecting lines, as a metal framework, or as a network of cables or pipes for distributing energy or equalizing liquid pressure?