ZincAboutIt

I can read through a few of Mac's recent posts, he did some backstory somewhere recently I think. If it's not canon yet we can always consult the most high lord of Voidish Science and Baking for confirmation.

Yeah that seems fine. How far back is this taking place, anyway? Several hundred years? A few decades? A thousand years?

Are we working with rough chronology here in the other Cosmere worlds, and should we construct characters accordingly? Like, no Mistborn Era 2 Twinborn combos, for example? Only old-guard Radiants? Etc? I want to know what's on the table for character creation. Also, nailing down how much power level we're all allowed will also be helpful.

The worm had lowered its head, lunging for a few more ACE employees. Corette gripped her long needle, ready to dash forward. This was it! A gigantic spire of rock materialized above her, seemingly from nowhere. It tore a long gash in the worm's side, and Corette threw herself backwards out of its path, wrenching what would surely be a horrific twist into her spine. Still, she wasn't fast enough. As it crashed to the ground, a large piece of stone flew off and ripped a jagged line in her exposed shoulder. Corette heard herself scream, tumbling to the sandy floor and gasping against the pain. Gasping. She'd stopped tapping her Cadmium. Terror flooded her. Corette flipped over, her strained back muscles groaning in protest, just in time to watch the worm stop, then begin to turn its head towards her. It was almost as though Corette were back in the speed bubble, watching it all happen in slow motion. She felt her fingers tighten around the dagger - by some miracle, she hadn't dropped it in her fall. The worm stayed low, shifting its undulous bulk along the cavern floor. Dark blood seeped thickly from the gash in its side, puddling in the sand, turning it quickly to muck. Corette grit her teeth against the pain, forcing herself to her feet, and tapped her Cadmium again. Blood dripped down her left arm, and her body felt like one large collection of aches. As the monster turned, Corette tightened her hold on the thin blade, dashed forward, and slammed it into the soft fold of its ear. The shriek that ripped from the worm's serrated mouth was a sound unlike anything Corette had ever heard. It rolled towards her, so fast that she barely had time to react. She scrambled away, sprinting full tilt across the cavern, then slid down behind an outcropping of rocks. Three others waited there: Rig, and two people she didn't know by name. One was holding something in his hand. "I think the dagger's still in its ear," she said, gritting her teeth and inspecting the gash on her shoulder. It was deeper than she thought. "Damnation Soulcasting ruined my plan - who Soulcasts a whole boulder out of thin air in the middle of a cavern full of people?" She turned to Rig. "Do you think you - rusts this hurts - do you think you could Push the dagger in further? Maybe rip through the brain?" @TrailRunnin @I think I am here. @I Rashek

Corette tapped her Cadmium, and stopped breathing. It was a strange sensation, the dissonance of feeling as though her lungs were full of air clashing with the stillness of her chest. She moved like a ghost through the wild, screaming melee of the cavern, circling around to put herself alongside the thrashing body of the worm while Rig peppered it with coins from the front. Her feet pressed softly into the fine dust that coated the cavern floor, and she held her long dagger with steady fingers. Its cold weight was comforting in her hand, and she focused on that familiar chill, forcing it to cut through the seesaw of emotion that rippled around her. Between the worm's Soothing and a new tide of Rioting, Corette needed a firm lifeline. She was just ten feet away from the beast now, and it hadn't so much as turned its head in her direction. Corette would have breathed a sigh of relief at that, if she'd needed to breathe at all. She'd been right. A tiny smile played at the edge of her lips as she waited, tracking the movements of the creature, trying to anticipate its next lunge. When it lowered its head enough, she'd have only a moment to drive the point down into its ear canal. Just one shot. Her heart pounded in her ears, that much louder now that it didn't have to compete with the sound of her breath. She hoped it couldn't detect that. Corette kept close to the wet, luminescent side of the creature, noticing that patches of its skin were slowly steaming away. Acid? She cast an eye over the crowd to see the Ghostblood woman, the Elsecaller. A Soulcasting, no doubt. Corette wrinkled her nose a bit; the pain would make the worm's movements all the more erratic. But, there was no helping it now. She stood on the balls of her feet, ready to spring. Her eyes flicked towards the speed bubble, where Bulveye waited with his massive gun. When he unleashed that thing, the worm would go straight for him - all that sound would be like one big flashing sign. That would be her opening. She'd succeed, or she'd die.

A cautious TUBAist peeking out from their tunnel for Inktober 10:

Lita glanced over at Laurelai, who had subtly shifted her posture and curled her left hand slightly into her sleeve. So, she's Rosharan today. A decent-enough cover, and one that Laurelai had perfected. Lita, for her part, hadn't bothered with a disguise. This "B" had arranged a meeting with Lita herself, after all. No point in pretending she was someone else. "Someone who knows what they're doing," Lita replied. "Whoever this is, they either know their way around the underground, or they know someone who does. That message came from Tanner's - I recognized the ink - and you know that nothing gets past Beau. Someone's been saying all the right words in all the right places. They're either an expert, or a complete moron with too much money." She began walking towards the massive oak bar. "As it is, I don't see anyone here matching either description. We must've arrived before they did, which is always a special treat." Lita pointed at the menu, which graciously pointed out how cheap the alcohol quality was here. "Meager offerings, I know, but shall we get you a drink, Brightness?" Lita gave Laurelai half a wink and rapped her knuckles on the bar, trying to catch the attention of whichever scantily-clad server was on duty. "Two glasses of your best wine, please. I realize that might be asking a lot, but do what you can."

Corette felt her stomach lurch when Sarah rushed over and threw up a speed bubble. In a moment, all the gentle calm that had clouded her mind fled, and she gazed in horrified fascination at the glowing worm that rose slowly before them. She could feel the bright, quick rat-tat-tat of Sarah's bendalloy beating around them like a snare drum, joining the rest of the signatures that had erupted in the cavern at the worm's appearance. She looked around, counting herself, Sarah, Rig and the soldier. The Director stood just outside the bubble, a small knife leaving her fingers in a slow, straight progression of silvery light. Her face was determined, and there was no trace of calm. Must be aluminum in that hat, Corette thought, looking at the beret jammed haphazardly onto Stancel's head. Good, they needed someone who was immune to this thing. Corette had started fighting the Soothing the moment she realized what was happening, but it was like trying to think through syrup. Every fiber of her being had simply wanted to sit down, take a rest, and wait. She knew that as soon as Sarah dropped her bubble, she'd be back to slogging through that tide of apathy. Corette clutched her upper left arm, feeling the hard curve of one of her cadmium bracers, and grimaced. She hoped this thing's Soothings couldn't get much stronger, otherwise some of them might be in bigger trouble. With a shake of the head, she pushed those thoughts away. She would be fine, and everyone else was not her problem. Sarah and Rig spoke almost at once, and Corette looked back at the worm. Slowed down as it was, she was able to observe it more closely. It didn't seem to have any eyes, nor any orifice but a mouth, but it lunged with deadly accuracy. "How is it hunting us?" She said, mind whirring. "It has no eyes, no nose either that I can see. How does it know where we are?" Rusts why couldn't she have been born a Tineye? She squinted at the thing, stepping to the edge of the speed bubble, and caught a glimpse of a small folded slit about one foot back from its round, bristling maw. Gills? Maybe. But no, she thought she saw those a little further down its body. Ears, then. She couldn't be sure, but she guessed it was hunting them by sound, listening for waves in the air, disturbances around them. From its accuracy, the thing must be able to detect minute changes. A footstep, a scuffle, even a breath. A breath... An idea began forming in her mind - an insane idea. A terrible idea. Something could easily go wrong here - any dozen somethings. She shoved those worries down, focusing on the adrenaline coursing through her, the thrill of danger, of the unknown. A quick check of her metalminds showed a wealth of breath - hours stored up, hours during which she wouldn't need to breathe at all. She grinned, looking from Rig to Bulveye. "I think it's tracking us by sound," she said to them, already slipping her feet out of her boots. Corette knew she had to be as quiet as possible, and that meant bare feet. She pulled off her socks, then shucked off her pack and unzipped her coveralls. The cold air of the cavern rose the hairs on her body, now bare aside from a thin undershirt and shorts. She pulled a long, thin dagger from the sheath strapped to her right calf. "If you can distract the thing, I might be able to sneak up on it," she said, motioning to her cadmium torque and the two bracers on her upper arms. "Cadmium," she told them. "I don't need to breathe, and if it can't hear me, I can get close. See that little slit behind its mouth? I think that's an ear. And if it's ear is there, then its brain might be there. Try and get it to lower its head, as low as you can." She twirled the dagger around a finger; it was so thin and sharp it was almost just the blade of an awl - ten inches of clean, polished metal. The point flashed in the low, blueish light, and her eyes were just as cold. "Can you get me an opening?"

Hi there! I run Into the Dark and you could probably join relatively easily in that there isn't a super firm attendance list yet, and they are also still in the first initial cavern. After they progress deeper into the caverns, it will become increasingly more difficult/impossible to join the official expedition, but you could still join in now. Things are a bit chaotic in there at the moment, but you could just slot your character into the action provided you read the original post and familiarize yourself with the plot. If you want to join, I highly recommend doing so today or tomorrow, because as things progress it will get dicier and dicier. Welcome to the AV! We're glad to have you!

Lita moved through the Alleys, weaving herself and Laurelai a path. She held the shifting strands of reality like sections of hair, plaiting them, bending them, feeling them slide through her fingers. Space and time stretched like taffy, pulled apart before collapsing back together. She kept her eyes dutifully forward, ignoring the lure of the Void that whirled above, eager to devour her mind. In what could have been only a few seconds or several minutes - Lita was never sure - she felt a familiar tug off to her right, a sense of correctness. She followed it, stepping sharply off the path she had created, and felt her foot hit the gritty cobblestones of the alley that ran next to the Bleeding Spike. The sky reappeared overhead, overcast with small breaks in the clouds showing a watery blue. Lita took a deep breath, inhaling the many layered scents of the city, and felt herself relax a little. Despite living in the Alleys, she always preferred the air out in the city, even if it was filthy. A light breeze tugged at the loose strands of hair falling around her face, and she smiled. There was no wind in the Alleys, perhaps that was what made her uneasy. Too much stillness in the air. Lita flipped up the collar of her coat and removed her flat cap, tucking it into a pocket. Her hand brushed against the long spike that rested in there as well, and some of her nerves calmed. There was always a chance of danger when meeting someone, but the informant’s choice of location was somewhat reassuring. Killing someone in a tavern left a lot of witnesses. Besides, with Laurelai along, Lita knew she was possibly the safest person in the entire city. Lita briefly entertained the vision of the swift and utter retaliation that would befall someone who harmed Laurelai, and smiled. She then pulled out her old spectacles and set them on her nose. They were pointless - she was almost always burning Tin these days - but the stranger she was meeting didn’t have to know that. She waited a moment to make sure Laurelai had followed her, and when the blonde woman stepped up beside her, Lita grinned. “Shall we?” She said, and pulled open the tavern’s door with a touch of Pewter, ushering them both inside. According to her watch, it was nearly three in the afternoon, which meant that she could possibly arrive before this “B”. Lita cast an appraising eye over the place, glad that she’d been here before and already taken stock of everything. It would help if things went sour. Her green eyes moved over the occupants, trying to catch a flicker of recognition or a sign of her informant’s presence. Lita’s face was a mask of keen, polite attention, but inside, she felt excitement kindle its familiar fire. Where are you then, and what oh what have you brought for me? @Voidus @Ark1002

Deb watched with surprising calm as the monstrous worm rose out of the water to swallow Jenkins and Vedigen. Well, that's unfortunate, she thought, though she wasn't particularly worried. She looked over to Corette, who had said something. What had she said? Something about Brass? Brass... Rig's sudden gunshot startled her just enough for her to realize what was happening, and she immediately began burning her Steel. Deb jammed a hand into her pocket, then pulled out a small folded beret. The interior glinted with aluminum lining - one of the few things she'd kept from her time in the Wings. She pulled it onto her head, and immediately felt the artificial calm wiped away. Instead, panic hit her like an icy wave, and she flinched a bit before regaining her composure. "It's Soothing us!" She called to the camp, which was still in total disarray, most of the ACE employees and recruits still under the thrall of the creature's Brass burn. Harmony, it was strong. Deb looked to Bulveye, then his massive axe. "I suggest you begin using that," she said, then pulled a bag of slender, sharpened shards of metal from her pack: her throwing knives. Deb backed up against a cavern wall, bracing herself. Then, she took the first of the knives into her hand, holding it between her fingers, and took aim at the creature's open mouth. With a flare of her Steel, she pushed. The knife ripped through the side of the monster's mouth, and Deb thought she saw several needle-thin teeth clatter onto the cavern floor. It screeched, the sound filling the cavern with enough force to shake the ceiling. Deb gritter her teeth against the pain, then took aim again. Her old training took hold. There was no time for fear, not anymore. Rig landed beside her, quipping something, the tassels of his coat flaring in a glowing whirl. "Try and force it back into the water!" She shouted at him. "If we can cause it to retreat, there's an Elsecaller who could Soulcast the pool into stone." She'd already given the order when she remembered that Rig would have no idea what an Elsecaller was. It didn't matter. She launched another silvery blade into the worm, gritting her teeth against another ear-splitting shriek. "Get everyone away from the pool!" she shouted into the crowd, hoping that there were others who could shake the Soothing. Deb looked down and counted her blades, then took aim again. @TrailRunnin

Who knows? Probably either. Come be evil morally creative with me!

As Bulveye and the Director spoke to Rig, Corette felt herself begin to calm. Everything seemed fine; the giant soldier had loosened the grip on his axe, and the Director appeared more impatient with the man than with Rig. It seemed as though all would work out. And even if it didn’t, well, Corette didn’t really care one way or another. In fact, she couldn’t really find it within herself to care about much of anything, not even the familiar thumping sound that began echoing from behind her. What was that noise? It beat outwards, sure and languid and steady. So relaxing. Corette gave a contented sigh, looking over at Rig and smiling lazily. ”The boy’s clothes,” Bulveye interjected, breaking some of Corette’s relaxation, “they’re gone.” Corette looked at him, blinking. She’d have been irritated, if she hadn't felt so calm. The soldier really needed to relax. Couldn’t he hear that beat? So gentle. Both the Director and Buiveye were looking towards the pool now, behind Corette. Dimly, she was aware of how uncharacteristic her disinterest was. But, she couldn’t bring herself to worry. Still, she turned, listening to that rolling, soothing thrum-thrum-thrum. Water bubbled and gurgled in the pool, only adding to the effect. She gave Rig another lazy grin. Something clicked, and then a very meager flicker of fear danced down her spine. It was brief - so small she almost missed it. But she held onto that fear, tugging it down, down, down until she finally realized where she’d recognized that rhythm. Not just soothing. A Soothing. She whirled, staring at the glowing pool, which had started bubbling as though someone were boiling it for tea. Corette turned back to Rig, then the soldier and Director. ”Someone is burning Brass,” she said, voice low. Her eyes slid back towards the pool. “Or something.” @Grey Knight @TrailRunnin

I intend on coloring this, but the black and white version does have a nice crisp look to it. Today's Inktober offering brought to you by Dark Alley Marketing

For the second time in two days, Lita stepped out of the alley that ran beside Cartwright's Boarding House. The old brick building had survived the invasion with minimal damage, and Lita spared a moment to look at its smoke-stained facade with a measure of fondness. Her new home in the Alleys was far larger and more well-appointed, but she did occasionally miss looking out her window across the many varied roofs that made up the city. For that matter, she missed having windows at all. Lita wrinkled her nose and chided herself; now was hardly the time for reminiscing. There was work to do. She swept her gaze up and down the street, though she hardly needed to bother - her Tin-enhanced ears had already picked up the fact that she was largely alone. Still, it didn't hurt to be cautious. Lita adjusted her flat cap over her auburn hair and slid the Coin out of her pocket and into her sock, where it nestled up against the side of her ankle. Its smooth, cold surface felt familiar pressed against her skin, and she let out a slight breath that she didn't realize she'd been holding. "You can stay here, if you like," she called backwards, where she knew Laurelai was waiting. "I'll only be a moment." With that, Lita unlocked the back door to the stairwell with an old key and made her way up to the first floor. The woman who sat behind the counter was ancient, and she squinted up at Lita with milky eyes. "That you, dear?" Her voice was like the whisper of wind over old paper, though Lita knew not to underestimate the woman. She was a Tin Ferring, and while her eyes were blind, her hearing was as sharp as new steel. "Room 9," Lita responded, the same words she always gave. The woman nodded, then ran soft, aged fingers over the stacks of letters she had behind her desk. With a small flourish, the woman produced a single folded sheet of paper and placed it on the counter. Lita strode forward and slid the letter into a pocket, replacing it with ten chrysts. The old woman counted them with practiced fingers, then whisked them off the counter and into a pocket of her own before Lita could draw five breaths. "Sweet girl, paying extra. Granny remembers." She tapped one gnarled finger against her nose and grinned through a mouthful of grey teeth. Lita raised one eyebrow, but said nothing. This woman was an informant for more than just Lita, and the less she knew about her, the better. She walked out of the mail room, down the stairs, and out the back door, locking it behind her. In the gloom of the alley once again, Lita allowed herself to unfold the single sheet of paper and read the words scrawled across its surface in a deliberate, angular hand: I have some information you might consider valuable. Meet at the Bleeding Spike between three and six. Will be there for one week, beginning 12th Scholus. -- B Lita cocked her head, committing the message to memory before tapping some heat into her hand. The paper did nothing for a moment before a thin line of smoke ran up from one corner. Then, almost all at once, the letter caught fire. Lita waited until most of it had burned before grinding the ashes into the damp alley floor with the toe of one boot. She shook out her hand, frowning at the tiny blister that had raised on her thumb, and then turned back to Laurelai. "Seems as though the world is conspiring to get me to drink," she said. "Someone has 'some information I might consider valuable' and wants to meet at the new tavern. It's called The Bleeding Spike which is a bit ridiculous, but then I think we were all a bit spoiled with Malu's taste back at the Odd Job. Anyway, if you're willing to pretend you don't have a refined palate, they do serve port there. Want to come? I could use the company, and whoever this 'B' is, they didn't tell me to come alone." When Laurelai didn't object, Lita motioned for her to follow. Then, they both melted into the deep shadow at the back of the Alley and began to Alleytravel. @Voidus

Deb kept her expression cool and unruffled, doing her best not to reveal her own unease. As far as she could tell, Rig was fine. She looked sideways at Bulveye, wondering - not for the first time - if he was perhaps a little cracked. Still, it was prudent to be cautious. "Not quite yet, Mister Lekal," Deb said. "I don't wish to alarm you, but there is a chance that you could have come into contact with something dangerous during your time down here. By your best estimation, how long would you say you spent down here before we arrived? What did you eat or drink?" She looked over to Bulveye again, silently willing him to explain himself. The soldier was still holding his axe as though a battle would break out at any moment. Deb suppressed the urge to roll her eyes, instead pressing her lips into an impatient line. This was not what she needed to be doing right now. @Grey Knight -- Corette stood a few feet away, close enough to hear, but far enough to be out of immediate reach of Bulveye's axe. She flicked clear blue eyes from one face to the next, trying to get a read on the situation. The giant soldier looked wary, almost angry, as he eyed Rig. Director Stancel, by contrast, seemed impatient, glancing dubiously towards the soldier and maintaining only enough Steel to keep on the massive fellow's eye level. Rig put on a good show of appearing at ease, but his smile was a bit too tight. Would be a shame to lose him so early, Corette thought, tapping one finger against her lips. Rig was interesting, which was more than enough reason to keep him around in Corette's book. Corette folded her arms and looked him over. He'd put his ridiculous suit coat on over his coveralls, and the rather heavy dusting of glowing fungus only added to his strange appearance. House Lekal was a noble family, she knew that much from hearsay, and she had to admit there was a certain casual confidence about him that bordered on arrogance. That was certainly a trait she associated with nobility, though Rig looked like he could largely back it up. Yes, he could do quite nicely.

Ahh yes. My personal favorite.

The whisper-thin cheesecloth that is my conscience is weeping softly in the corner and begging me to try out RPing a character that isn't corrupt, power-hungry, devious, or insane. But, I probably won't. I've always wanted to try my hand at the limitless-demigod game, personally. *cue dark Galadriel speech*

Rig's face was calm, almost stoic but for the smile that hooked one side of his mouth upward. His eyes told another story, one that Corette knew was reflected in her own gaze: worry, confusion, and the first cold prickling of dread. She pulled a small smile onto her own lips, though she was sure it only made her look more worried. "Remember when the Director told you there were a whole bunch of other worlds?" She said. "He's from one of them. A universe that's in constant war. Earlier, he was talking about killing tyrants and eating ghosts or something. He's old, and he's strong. If that axe weighs less than eighty pounds, I'll drink this whole lake." With a sinking feeling, Corette watched the Director beckon them over. She suddenly began to regret introducing herself to this new fellow. "We'd better go over there," she said, a sullen note creeping into her voice. "And while I'm sure your obvious charm will be more than enough to sway them, I'd recommend turning on your Steel. Just in case."

Now this is intriguing. I wish to know more - what will it cost me? And yes, @AonEne, if you want the Gold, you gotta take the Steel too.

Well perhaps if you're very very good and you take back all those mean things you said about the noble and glorious art of hemalurgy, the Dark Yuleman will visit you this winter tide and slip a present in between your ribs stocking.

And here I was convinced that TUBA was vehemently opposed to the unsolicited gifting of “presents.”

Kenod’s right Ene, that should be nooo problem at all.

A parasite? Deb looked at Bulveye, then over to Rigex and Corette. The girl had noticed something was wrong - probably felt a swell in power, if she was burning Bronze. She looked from Rig to Bulveye with keen, nervous eyes. Deb gave a short sigh, then released her Steelpush and waved over a medic. If the young man was ill, they'd likely have him in fine working order soon enough. Darat held the Surge of Progression, and they had any number of fabrials as well. She crooked to fingers towards Corette and Rig, indicating they come forward. Then, she looked toward Bulveye. "I appreciate your vigilance, but there is no need for that axe of yours. We are all on the same team here - it will not do to be brandishing weapons at our comrades. This is not a precedent I wish to set, especially with all the competing Guild loyalties present." Deb gave the man a significant look. "Do we understand one another?" @Grey Knight @TrailRunnin