Sam's Workshop

[thecagedphoenix]

An Open Letter to Ascalon Settlement

To the esteemed people of Ascalon Settlement, 

Greetings! I am Sergeant Samantha Hendrikson of Falcon company. I, like many of you, am Ascalonian. I was born in the Settlement, and lived there most of my life. When I was eighteen I joined the Seraph, initially signing on with Harrier company and later transferred to Falcon, where I am currently heading up our Research and Development branch while advising on various cases throughout Divinity’s Reach. 

It has come to my attention that a Miss Solare has made a call to those both living in the Settlement and within Rurikton district within Divinity’s Reach to return to “Ascalon”. I know many people have been holding out hope to return home, but I feel like it is time we face the facts; Ascalon will never be restored. Yes, Ebonhawke still exists, and the surrounding land around it is vital to its survival, but Ascalon proper will not return to its former glory. For those of us who’s ancestors fled across the Shiverpeaks to establish a temporary home in another allied nation, they one day hoped that their children would return to their home; that was almost three hundred years ago. The Settlement, which more than likely was established as a temporary shelter, is a thriving township which not only coexists with neighboring provinces, but is reliant and relied on to the continuing survival of the region of Gendarran. 

My friends, we are more than just Ascalonian. We are strong, resilient, and determined to keep going. But most importantly, we are also Krytan. Our brothers and sisters are not off fighting wars against the charr, they are fighting the centaur! Our survival over the years has been more than a struggle against nature, but against thunderous hordes from the north, against the White Mantle who in recent years attempted the life of the Queen that shelters us, and against the dragons that threaten to consume not just those of Ascalonian and Krytan blood, but of Tyrian, Elonan, and Canthan alike! 

It is time to face the facts, my fellow countrymen. Ascalon is no longer our home; we made the trek to Kryta, pitched our tents and built our shelter here, in this very Settlement. We do not dwell on conquered land, but leased. It is time we stop yearning to abandoned those that gave the shirts off their backs so that we might exist and start figuring out how we can make our kingdom a better place for our sons and daughters to live in. 

I hope that you all stay and continue to find solutions for our current existing problems; our government may be fickle, but we hold a voice in it. Let us not let it go to waste. 

Sergeant Samantha Hendrikson 

Seraph Falcon Company 

1st Regiment 

[thecagedphoenix]

Entry 23

Update time. 

Leon went crazy and dropped off the face of the earth. I can’t find him  despite my best efforts. I’m angry and sad at the same time.

City has been quiet so nothing new on that front. 

I have the suit more or less situated. It feels weird and I still have to do a lot of calibrations (mostly in strength and  reflex; don’t want to accidentally hyper-extend a limb)  but I can’t do any of that until I get this damn chip implanted. Though that’s something that I might have a solution to. 

I met a minister the other night named Melanie Valen. It’s familiar to me only because of a lot of the stuff surrounding the incident in Shaemoor (which I’m probably going to put my hands in because it’s been a while since I’ve done any kind of investigating). In meeting with her I found out that she’s also dabbled in the realm of science (only found this out due to weird...implications. Some norn that is apparent friends with her accused of her of strapping a man down and stealing his...seed. She’s gay and apparently her wife is pregnant so there is clearly something weird going on there. Anyways.) She’s an accomplished doctor apparently and an alchemist, a field that I  wouldn’t mind picking up a few things in just so I know them. I briefly mentioned to  her some of my work (I obviously  left out the damning details. Most of them. Ok, I didn’t tell her anything about my project) and offered an exchange; we both learn from one another. I pick up a few things in alchemy, she learns how to do augmentations and I get this stupid chip installed. Hopefully without me dying. 

At least hopefully. 

[thecagedphoenix]

Entry 22

So me and Leon are beginning to investigate a family business to see if the plans fell into their grasp. Since Leon’s trail went cold and he speculates that they were picked up by someone (he’s not sure who) but because of wind of augments that they might be doing I speculate they might have them. There’s nothing concrete but that’s what Leon is going to work on. 

He’s met with the current head of Ignis’s Magical Emporium to try and see what he can find, working on going undercover as a prospective asset, though I don’t know if it’s going as smoothly as it should. They asked Leon to make a watchknight-esque device, something he has plans for and is working on it to present to them. He’s building a kill switch since it has a lot of similarities with our design so that’s a plus. I’m just hoping it all works out. 

The Hinterlands are getting hit hard from what I can understand and we’re going to be mobilizing soon. I’ll have to let Leon know that I won’t be around as much and not to burn anything to the ground... 

[thecagedphoenix]

Entry 21

A few days ago the doctors let me go to let me run the Inventor’s Fair for the Seraph. Because of how busy things were last year we couldn’t run it but it went out without a hitch this year. I have to write a few letters to the people who participated this year and we didn’t get anything as good as a few years ago but we did have an interesting submission. 

Miss Caroline Denton participated and showed us a gun that was capable of rapid firing. Taking some time to think of it I can imagine how difficult such a thing could be but she made it work. I want to do some stress testing on a few of them to see how they hold up to their limit but I feel I’m going to be handing her another contract to manufacture for us. With its defensive capabilities and Outpost Alpha coming up in the Hinterlands I feel like it will be very usable. 

A Lux Larkspur attended again this year and presented a saddle. Just a saddle. Lot of pockets, supposed high-level craftsmanship. While I don’t doubt the quality we haven’t dropped the gold into obtaining mounts so I’m going to have to tell her how it is. 

An asura also participated with a “medical” golem. Much as I think it would be useful I don’t like how it explodes randomly. 

A charr submitted a design that was unique, a cargo glider. While I can see its use it’s too limited in its design to be practical. Gliders have to be used from a high-up place, something that I find difficult with it. If it was self-propelled them we would have to have a chat. 

This was all that was presented. Not a bad year, but I feel like it could’ve been better. I should just be thankful it went off without a hitch. 

[thecagedphoenix]

Entry 20

So much has happened past week or two that it will take some time to write all this down. A lot has happened and will need to cover it. 

The operation in Mrot Boru was a success. It wasn’t without its injuries but compared to what could have happened, not to mention our haul, it went off pretty good. Flaux managed to short out most of their automated defenses and even took over half of their golems. I hate to admit it but it was impressive. I mean, my electolauncher did help with everything, repurposed to shoot the devices needed to make all this work, but it was his thinking that got it done. We stormed the lab and fought with the Inquest inside, killing or incapacitating about half of the workers before the rest hunkered down in one of the smaller buildings. Our scouting told us it was a “panic room”, though while it was heavily armored its purpose was to allow the krewe inside to rearm and recoup for a counterattack; it’s funny because they thought they were the targets. We estimated that it would take them a grand total of three minutes before they stormed out, so in that time we stole everything we could; blueprints, research data, battle plans, tools. It it was small and could fit in a bag we snatched it. There was even a half-finished neurochip there with the plans that I could very easily replicate. 

After all that was said and done Flaux was adamant that I turn over everything I stole; he knew my mission because I was transparant about it but apparently it was something he wasn’t keen on and didn’t tell me from the start. After many hours of fighting (which hurt, let me tell you; shouting matches with a bullet hole in your arm and broken collar bone isn’t fun) I relented. Mostly. I gave him the chip but feigned ignorance about the plans, mostly because I slipped them into my boot while he wasn’t looking. Was also easy considering for a good ten minutes a doctor we ran into forced him out of the room so he could treat me. 

All things considered everything panned out.

[thecagedphoenix]

Entry 19

I’ve been in Mrot Boru (spelled weird despite how you pronounce it) for about a week now gathering intel. I’ve been working with the asura in the area, namely a Peacemaker named Flaux. It took me some effort to get him to take me seriously, but after borrowing a page from Kass’s book he’s been fairly compliant. Have to make a note about dangling people by their ears over a river...

Anyways, the Invariant lab nearby is Inquest run and has some interesting projects going on inside it. There’s plenty of defenses between me and my goal but that’s what Flaux is here for. He thinks I’m crazy for wanting to break into the lab, but I think he’s more worried about his colleagues thinking he can’t outsmart the Inquest. Or me tossing him into a crudy river. Regardless we’re making progress and should be able to attempt something in the next few days. 

[thecagedphoenix]

Entry 18

Alex is in a mess. I just found out his wife died. I’d pry more into details of what happened if I wasn’t in a hurry. 

I might have a means of securing a neurochip. We have a brain surgeon on staff, but I did some digging on asura tech. The Inquest faction has a high probability of having something to the specs I need. Granted, the asura in general might have something but as much as I hate to say it stealing the chip would be easier. And since Inquest are fair game out in Brisban Wildlands...

I’m obtaining information and other pieces of info from reports from the region and will link up with a Peacemaker there to better understand my enemy. I’m loaded down with armament and should be capable of dealing with anything out there. 

I’m also taking my prototypes with me. I hate leaving my tranq-bow behind but I get the feeling I won’t be needing it. I have a backup in my gauntlet but it’s only one shot. Gives me a chance to try out the forge too.

[thecagedphoenix]

Entry 17

Things have calmed down a bit. No new developments on the case, but I’ve taken the time to relax some. 

Kass always said I shouldn’t let my guard down, but from what I hear what’s been going on with her lately...I should spend every moment sparingly like it was my last. I’ve spent some time with Jensa while she was in town so that was nice. I’ve been trying to divide my time between the watch and the workshop, which has been a nightmare to reorganize. I’ve had to replace eight of my tools already and I don’t even want to begin to think on some of the more delicate equipment. Will take months to get back to where we used to be. 

On another note, the suit itself is out of commission. All for the best I suppose. Thing was bulky, heavy, and at least three sizes too big for me. I’ve been working on a smaller system to fit inside my uniform with varying degrees of success, will have to test whenever Leon isn’t around. 

As for the chip...I’ll have to do some digging. I might have to get a surgeon to graft it, but all things considering I think it’ll be worth it in the long run. Just hope it doesn’t kill me. 

[thecagedphoenix]

Entry 16

I cannot comprehend Leon’s approach to investigations, but we’re slowly getting results. 

If he’d stop doing stupid things like stopping a stakeout to enlist someone who doesn’t need to be enlisted. 

Someone was wearing my face. He was a creep. He won’t be bothering me anytime soon but the thought that I was to be killed and replaced by him scares me. 

Running on two hours of sleep, approached the eighteen hour mark of consciousness. Getting harder to focus. Writtingis supposed to be helping. I 

[A drool mark would be left on this page.]

[thecagedphoenix]

Entry 15

Lo and behold, Leon screwed up. While it’s not 100% his fault things happened it’s him failing to tell me of things he’s doing that make me really happy he’s gay and I’m not single. 

He made a copy of the plans; that’s great and all and it makes sense to have redundancies (that’s one thing being in the Seraph has taught me). That being said someone stole them. The stole the plans to not only the design of a power suit, strength amplifiers, a neural interface and photon forge but also to a *bloodstone generator*. 

Anger aside I’ve already started investigating. The skylight to the room where he stored everything in was wide open; whether or not it was on purpose is beyond me, but I find it even more impressive that they found the plans (they were under a false board in a safe; I recognized some compounds that could be used in flashbangs, but have too many other leads to pursue over that). I also found a mask (made from some volcanic substance apparently) on the roof too, definitely mesmer based. 

We ran back to HQ to find two people outside, one person taking sentry (supposedly Seraph) and another making out with a copy of *my* plans and the helm to the power suit. I called them out and the two went separate directions; I went after the guy with the plans and Leon took the one by the door. And go figure I hit the clone; nothing was left save another volcanic mask [Addendum added to the side] (should point out that the rock itself is very glassy, found in a book it’s called “obsidian”; must investigate magical properties later). Leon had better luck. If you can call it luck; the suspect had his leg blown off. I don’t know how it happened but we have the suspect in custody regardless. Must make a note to talk bout Leon’s extreme tactics later. 

After some questioning the suspect revealed that he knew next to nothing; obviously an accomplice. He met with this guy named Kia at the Coin concerning the whole ordeal. He’s agreed to help solve this problem which I’m very grateful for whatever he can provide me with. 

I have Harker looking over the masks to see how they work. In the meantime we can only plan and replan. 

@thearsonistlullabye

[thecagedphoenix]

Entry 14

So I’m being watched by the Blade. 

I knew Leon was a Whispers agent, but I didn’t know about his affiliation with the Shining Blade. I went by his place so we could work on the project and it was all but cleaned out. Nothing. Only thing I found was a notice from the Blade that looked like a recall order. When I asked some of them about it an exemplar showed me a room in the Palace where his boss spoke to me. He seemed a little too interested in our project..which, by the way, is dubbed “Project Phoenix”. Dumb name if you ask me, but I guess it’s now stuck. 

Seeing as they didn’t want to tell me where Leon was or even give me the curtsy of “that’s classified” I gave him the silent treatment. He of course threatened me with torture but I won out in the end. I got shown out and I was just that much more terrified of the Blade. Of course, I had to go back and demand to be shown where Leon was which caused me to use the forge, but I got an interesting response. Of course, if the roles were reversed the Seraph would’ve done the same. Anyways, Leon popped up and pulled me to the side. He got me a patent on the device...which I’m really really grateful for. His name is on it too but I can live with that. 

I’ve been playing with other ideas and projects since then. If they really are watching me then I can’t have them looking at the generator. 

[thecagedphoenix]

Entry 13

To summarize, certain parts of the suit work and others don’t. 

The strength amplifiers seem to work just fine, though will have to be careful with them. They seem to be able to do a lot of damage but could also possibly hurt myself in the process as well as damage other equipment, will have to go back over and design special gloves to go along with them. 

The endurance system has yet to be tested, but I think it runs just fine. Leon was able to move around effortlessly in what seemed to be sixty eighty a hundred pounds worth of metal and equipment so there is that. 

The forge could use some tweaking, might power down too easily. 

The generator needs a few adjustments but other than that seems to work just fine. 

The implant...could have killed Leon. He was fortunate it only blew part of the chip and not the whole thing. He could have been paralyzed, or worse dead. 

He’s so...flippant about dying. No remorse, no regret. It’s like a lot of the times I’ve seen Kass charge headlong into a small force of centaur. Well, except she had this reaaaaally murderous look in her eyes, but still. He doesn’t care about his own safety and it worries me. Even if we get this thing to work and we start on other projects he might end up endangering more than himself. We needs some rules to prevent that. 

[thecagedphoenix]

Entry 12

I’ve been busy lately so I haven’t been able to keep up with this. Again. 

So the suit is nearly ready to test. Once things have settled down I can get with Leon and we can get things together to test it. I just hope it doesn’t backfire like it did last time...He’s insistent on stepping into it first, and I’m worried. If it goes wrong, I don’t know what will happen. Or if he will be alive for that matter. Most I can do is hope and pray.

Me and Alana...worked things out. I yelled at her; all the things I’ve been meaning to say since she got back. She hasn’t said anything about forgiving me, but I think for the time being we’re cool. We got matching tattoos...of those that died that day. I wish I could bring them back, tell them I’m sorry for my ineptitude, but I suppose most I can do is keep moving forward. 

Jensa is back and she’s alive. I’ve so happy she’s alright, I was super worried for her. She’s going to be staying on this side of the world for a while, or until the Vigil reassigns her. I finally told her how I feel. I couldn’t at first, but after a little bit of what I think is called foreplay I finally managed to blurt it out. I don’t know why, but it just I feel more confident whenever we get in the bedroom. I can’t put my finger on it...and might explain my drinking problem a bit. 

My leg is trying to give out on me. I don’t remember what the doctors told me about it but apparently I’ve done something wrong and now it hurts all over again. I can’t hardly walk now, let alone stand. I’ll have to have the medic look at it. 

[thecagedphoenix]

Entry 11

Alana’s...alive. 

I remember the last time I saw her...bandaged, laying on a hospital bed in the Settlement. Was told she’d be transferred to the Vanguard at some point to be looked over. Was told she’d never wake up. She was always a shield for me when I was in Harrier, keeping me from harms way. I never thought I’d see her again. 

Except now she holds a grudge. She remembers what happened, about how I disobeyed orders to lay down fire. I should’ve listened, or at the least been left to die. Instead...instead there’s eight graves sitting on a hillside because of me. Nine if Alana hadn’t pulled through. 

She’s reenlisted in Falcon now, under me. I don’t know how well this will work, if at all. She obviously means me harm. But at the same time I want to atone. Not for her sake but for those that died that day. 

I’m such a fool. 

[thecagedphoenix]

Entry 10

Ok, so I have a lot to write down here. 

First, the suit for the most part is complete. I talked with Lieutenant Corsano and he can help me with getting focusing crystals for the holoprojector and the generator (which...he’s crazy; he took the news of me playing with bloodstone very well all things considered). 

Before that me and Leon worked on getting an artifact for the generator itself. We meet with a contact of his (a scummy noble, by the way; one that supported the former Legate Minister) and got one such device. After that we talked more and...I think we’re friends. Which is weird, but...whatever. 

The neuro link is also still being worked on. I haven’t played with it since it nearly paralyzed me, but I think with Leon’s help I can get it to function right. I might also do some tweaking to make it more...permanent. Like fusing it to my head permanent. I wear a helmet so I’m not worried about it getting hit, but...I don’t know, there’s a lot of risks with it. Like paralysis. 

Leon insisted on testing the full suit first when it’s completed. I tried to protest but he build a lot of the components to his size. Go figure. But I guess there is an up-side. If it does fail and

I won’t lie, I’m getting really worried about Jensa. She hasn’t replied to my letter and I don’t know if something happened or not. I want to investigate but I’m scared I might not like what I find.

[thecagedphoenix]

Entry 9

It’s taken me a while to find the information, but I finally figured out how I can possibly draw magic from the bloodstone shards. 

After doing some digging I found out that the White Mantle were using certain mursaat (Seer?) artifacts to draw the magic from the pieces that they found. Great, right? Except the Shining Blade more than likely has all these pieces locked away, or even worse destroyed. 

I need to find a way to tap into this power, it’s the only thing standing between an operating generator and about two months of wasted effort. 

[thecagedphoenix]

Entry 8

So the campaign has ended, and nothing has really changed I think from when we’ve started. Well, there’s a lot more dead centaur but other than that nothing. We do have information that they have bloodstone, so that might make things easier for me in the event I need more. Lake Doric is under lockdown while they cleanup and there is no way I can get to Bloodstone Fen, so I’ll have to make do with the shards I have. I think if I can get the beta suit up and running I can do a few raids here and there, acquire more bloodstone, and the like. It’s a win-win honestly, if I don’t die. Risky, but whatever. Not like I haven’t done anything stupid before. 

I’m cleared for duty and have moved my equipment back into the city. Back to the grind I guess...