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Name: John Smith Pic:  Backstory: John Smith, Professor at Noxford and long time supporter of the arts and science. Born in a rural village, his intellect marked him apart and he soon found his way to the big city of Tondon, where he worked in a paper mill while attending Noxford. He suffered an unfortunate industrial accident there and had his left leg crushed. While it never healed right, he managed to devise a spring assisted brace that let him walk almost normally again with the assistance of a cane. In a eureka moment he patented the spring design and its use in a number of industrial applications, not to mention carriages, brought him both wealth and acclaim in academia. Over the years he made a number of inventions and discoveries culminating in John being made a professor at Noxford. However he chaffed at the restrictions that the church had placed upon the university and found himself in trouble several times over it. When word of colonial expeditions to Peregrin Minor reached him, he was able to persuade Leonard, the Kings Illicit Half-Brother to get him a charter and used his personal wealth to outfit a fifth ship with a large amount of industrial equipment. Then he recruited heavily from Noxford students and industrial worker families, promising new open spaces to build and raise families, free from the churches restrictions and plenty of opportunity for all. Skills [+8] - Science (+4) John is very intelligent man and has studied/taught most of his life at Noxford. To say he is on the bleeding edge is no exaggeration. Steel Mind (+2) John raised himself up out of a hut in the woods to a man of science using luck, ingenuity, and strength of will. Rhetoric (+2) Academia can be a dog eat dog world, and to rise John learned to art of speaking. If not silver tongued, its at least copper plated. Drawbacks [-4] - Lame Leg (-2) Crushed in an industrial accident and never healed right. A brace and a cane let him get around almost normally, but any fast movement is at great effort. Dark Phobia -(2) Irrational, John knows, but the dark has always frightened him as a child and he has not escaped its grasp as a man. Who Holds Your Charter?: The King’s Illicit Half-Brother, Arthur FitzRoy. Long time supporter of science and shielded from the churches ire by his blood. His funding and status as a patron as kept the church at bay from Noxford All the Necessaries Fit Snugly in Four Ships. You Were Chartered Five Ships. To What Use Do You Put Your Final Ship? All the needed parts to quickstart industry. Milling and lathe equipment, waterwheels, ready to fabricate metal and all the works. What Sort of People Will You Bring To The New World? (Science +2) Scientists and Engineers. Mostly younger folk who seek to escape the church's choking grasp on the sciences, and a couple of professors wanting a fresh start. Culturally they're still Gault but they're a younger generation, less hidebound by their elders ways. Dr. Anders, 53y. Noted explorer of (Not-Egypt) and archaeologist. Insisted on making the trip to "avoid crippling boredom" and expressed much interest in possible ruins. Dr. Seljons, 36y. Accomplished medical doctor and surgical pioneer. Taking a new start to escape the scandal of eloping with one of his students. Dr. Casaway, 39y. Engineer eager to escape the restraints of the church on his research. Professor Ennami, 30y. Brilliant chemist who has been tried twice by the church and barely escaped. Hopes to no longer have to fear them coming. What Will You Remember of Gault on Your Long Voyage Away From Home? Noxford University, John's home for many years as a professor. Its hallowed halls hold all the high learning of Gault. He'll miss less the nearby church and its priests always "visiting" to make sure things don't get too heretical. When Your Sailors Whisper Rumors of Pyrenze, What Do They Whisper? They say the men of Pyrenze never shave because they believe to do so would weaken them. That beard braiding is done as a sign of status, with rings of precious metal placed in the braids to signify wealth. Quornes fucked around with this message at 00:08 on Jul 6, 2017 |
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May 22, 2017 03:24
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John Smith The two day journey back from the cave brought the perilously close to starvation but they managed to make the rations stretch. The sight the other colonists were celebrated with ragged cheering and growling stomachs. Already there is a hustle and bustle at the landing spot of industry, with buildings starting to go up all according to plan For John had little to do on the long sea voyage besides think and plot. What shape shall this new outpost take, to better science and mankind? He remembered the dirty and cramped conditions of the large cities he had been to, lived in, worked in, the squalor and dirt and suffering. Any new expansion done with little planning and crammed into any spot they could squeeze it into. No, that would happen here. Wide spaces between buildings lay vacant, ready to become avenues of travel in the future. A large two story building goes up in a otherwise empty square, to be home of future expansion. If this place is to be his legacy, John vows, then it will be one for the ages. Planned for decades of growth, not short term budget cuts and savings. - - - - - - "Pity we couldn't make it the cave", says Dr. Anders. The older man's belt may of tightened with the rest of the exploratory crew but he's still spry as ever. Indeed hes one of the first ones off the ship to stretch his land legs. He takes in the view, looking over the busy colonists before turning back to John. "It'll have to wait for another day. But once we get settled in, mark my words, I'll be back there. Who knows what we'll find?" The thought the cave, and the forbidding darkness within interrupts John's envisioning of the future. He suppresses a shudder and says, "Maybe, but for now here we are. I expect big things to happen when we're finished. A modern city, for a modern time and free of restriction." "Decided on a name yet, eh John?" "Arcadia" - - - - - There's a busy planning meeting between John and the rest of the academia who accompanied him. The future of the colony, of Arcadia is being hashed out. Details are hammered out through debate and rational recourse. There is some tweaking of the zoning and planing of the city but for the most part John's vision of it stays true. He had forgotten some of the sanitation aspects, which committee was quick to point out. The botanists lay out the need for crops that can survive and thrive in this environment and gain approval for their cultivation program without any argument. The geologists planned great expedition gets toned down, mostly due to labor shortages and settle for a general survey of the area. They didn't budge on the mountain trip though. The sailors had sent the lead captain, Captain Jack, to the meeting as well. "Now I know we can't get the supplies together yet to send us back to Gault with word of the colonies success and bring back more people and supplies, but my people are wasted on the ground. This inland sea here is who knows how big. Give us supplies when able and we'll explore and graph the surrounding water. If the tiny outlet we came in through is the only way in, then we'll want to secure it as well in the future." Much murmuring and debate follows, mostly arguments about food supplies and "wasted labor" but eventually after John speaks the committee is convinced. Captain Jack will have his expedition. --- Actions 1. The building/planning of the city. Wide avenues, space for future expansion and sanitation. What we can't build today, we'll build tomorrow. This might leave odd spacing for now but will pay off in the future and turn Arcadia into a jewel of the new world. Roads are left as open spaces, farming ground laid out and plotted. Piers for the ships set up in the natural bay, along with fishing locations and a future drydock set with foundations. 2. Domestication and breeding of ostriches. These large feathered birds will provide an ample food source, both meat and egg, for the fledgling colony. A breeding program will help isolate and then expand useful traits, i.e. tameness, egg laying speed, size. Perhaps they could be turned into mounts? Certainly they have a great deal of stamina. 3. Crops will grow here sure, but how do we make them thrive here? Setting up special farms along the normal will let the botanists monitor and cultivate new strands of crops to increase the harvest yield. Local flora will be sampled as well in search of plants that can be eaten, used for medicinal purposes, etc. Smelting silicone from the beach sand allows for a couple greenhouses to go to continue this cultivation program despite any weather or changing conditions. 4. A general survey of the surrounding area and its resources. A team of geologists and escort can head to the mountains to prospect for minerals such as iron. Another in search of ground springs/aquifers or rivers to help supply the growing city with water. Surveying and mapping of the geography as well. Part of this includes setting up a couple of spots to record weather conditions such as temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind speed and direction. 5. This inland ocean holds great promise. Send the two teams of two ships out to explore and chart this ocean. Record its currents, its depths, find what lays on the other side. See if the close section we came in through, when we first thought we were just entering a bay, is the only way in or if there is another exit. If it is the only way in, with such a narrow exit, then its consolidation will soon become paramount to control this inland sea. 6. This is not a general colony effort but solely a collaboration between John and Dr. Casaway. While the rest of the colony grows and follows the plan, they are experimenting and searching for new means of power. Having worked in the piss pot industrial facilities of Gault, John hates the dirt and grime they put out with the massive coal burning for furnaces. Free of the churches restriction, he hopes to explore new avenues and find a better way. Quornes fucked around with this message at 08:37 on Jun 3, 2017 |
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Jun 1, 2017 22:43
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KhediveRex posted:Your search for medical plants is moderately successful. You discover a curious red root. Its fine for cooking with a mild peppery flavor, but more importantly it seems to have a mild anesthetic quality. Some of your colonists have suggested it culd be brewed into alcohol, so far you have only made some medium strength pain killers. John Smith Arcadia has been everything John has dreamed of. A city built to his plans, wide avenues and plenty of space for future expansion. In fact quite a bit of space. Their colony is prosperous but small, and won't grow soon without an influx of fresh colonists. However they've yet to find any ready resource that might be shipped back to Gault and traded. And while the wide open space and freedom to start a family would appeal to many of the masses back in Gault they lack the funds to get them here. Ahead of him lays the City Hall. Its still a small building but in his minds eye he can envision its future, a glorious multi level building at the center of a bussiling city. For now it stays a wooden barn with upstart ideas on its size. He joins the que of others entering the building. Inside there is a general murmur of people and the sound of chairs moving as they find seats. The council chamber is illuminated by slanted beams of light catching faint trails of dust, and a couple of lit oil lanterns. Ignoring the small crowd John makes his way front and center, where he takes his seat at the head of the table. On his right and left are the professors who left Gault to join him here in the new world, free from the churches influences. He picks up the wooden gavel and gives it a solid thump. "All right all right, I hereby call this meeting." The gathered academia hush in their seats. "Firstly, I'd like thank Dr. Anders once again for coming out of retirement to join us and lending us his expertise. Without it, I doubt our recent expeditions would of gone so well." Polite clapping follows. Dr Anders merely nods in acknowledgement. "First, if we could hear from the Ostrich Breeding Program?" A young man in the front row stands up. "Ahem. I'm Victor Hemmingway. With the capture of the dire ostrich as breeding stock, we foresee a noticeable improvement in our current breeds and should also have a tame breed of dire ostriches for our self. Of course, these things take time but years from now they'll prove invaluable to the colony." Much nodding of heads occur. "Secondly there is the matter of this red root?" A woman stands up in the assembly. "Maria Haents. I found the root on a trip south towards the jungle. It has a fascinating number of uses. Cooked, it adds a peppery taste to food. I was curious about its, ahem, root of cause so I brought it to Professor Ennami. He was able make an extract but it didn't taste of pepper at all. Instead it was medium strength pain killer." Murmuring among the assembly. Dr Seljons, the colonists head doctor perks up at this and asks, "How strong?" "We used it on an ostrich that was about to be butchered. It couldn't feel any of the deep cuts that were made." Dr Seljons smiles. "This is a tremendous resource and one we should make use of immediately. Are any opposed to adding this..Haents Root to the Botany Cultivation Program?" Not a peep is heard. "Then its settled." "On to point three of the meeting, the proposal for the implementation of the sewer system..." - - - It takes three days before they finish. Most of the proposals and arguments were over minor things but several key ones stood out. Heny Wineheart approached the assembly with a radical idea that went for hours in debate before being accepted. A testing chamber for ships only on a small scale with models. He proposed that by first experimenting with these models they could find and correct flaws and improve designs before ever having to build a full scale ship. During a brain storming session for goods to be shipped back to Gault, the idea was brought up and accepted to make a new plant breed of beets, which seem to thrive in these conditions, that would be high in sugar and could be harvested as an alternative to sugarcane. Easier to plant, grow and harvest than sugarcane, it would be in high demand back home. The final proposal was the one debated the longest. Establish a fortified outpost at the entrance to the inner sea. The countless man hours it would take and its distance make it unappealing but ultimately it was agreed upon because of one thing. Fear. Despite their claim for rationality, Arcadia fears the influence of the church creeping in. Not to mention they've yet to see any sign of the other colonies, any of whom might be church backed. Controlling the entrance will help secure Arcadia's future, and stake a strong claim to the land in between there and the main city. They'll have to carve out a harbor and burn back the forest to clear its way though. - - - Finally free of the distractions of managing the colony (though quite frankly it mostly ran itself, with the other academia planning out things and the former industrial hellhole families content as they could be out here), John returns to his true passion and reason for coming here. His lab. Compromising a not insignificant amount of space on the fifth ship the lab was one of the first buildings to go up and promptly see John disappear into. Its a strange looking building, made in a geometric done. Billowing smoke comes out the top and loud banging noises can be heard periodically from it. No one's been allowed inside besides his partner, Dr. Casaway. John can see him still hard at work as he enters. Loud muttering and a BANG as something shoots off at high pressure. "Forgot to tighten a bolt again?" quips John. Casaway pulls up fogged goggles to look at him. "It was one time dammit! And no, it blew off. We'll need to recast again and find some way to control the pressure." "One time, aye but it nearly shot my leg. And speaking of pressure control, I've had some new ideas..." --- Actions 1. We will want a technological leg up on any potential rivals if we want to control the inner sea or cut down the travel time to Gault. We laid out the beginnings of a drydock, now we'll finish it and expand it to two slots. In addition a young mathematician, Henry Wineheart, who's father was a sailor proposed an idea. A testing chamber where small scale models of boats could be built and tested before a full scale one is built. He calls it the Water Tunnel. This facility will be made as well and testing to begin immediately, along with samples of the local wood types and their longevity in the water to see which will be used later. 2. With the dire ostrich secured, it will be studded out into the ostrich breeding program. Taming attempts will be made with turnips and the use of blinders to keep it docile. Its strength and size will be of great use in developing dire ostrich mounts. Further attempts will be made with the pygmy ostriches to breed intelligence and loyalty. Pygmy ostriches can serve as pets and highly trained animals, with regular ostriches as meat/egg providers, and dire ostriches as mounts and beasts of war. 3. Continue the cultivation program to produce crops that can not only grow in these conditions but thrive. Use the greenhouses to gradually grow strains of crops that can't grow here into hardier ones that can. In particular, we'll be trying to make a strain of high sugar beets that can be harvested and processed for sugar as a trade good. Far easier to grow and harvest than the slave labor plantations of sugarcane. Begin the cultivation and plant breeding of Haents root as well. 4. Continue to do a geological survey of the area and prospect for minerals, metals etc. Special attention is to be made in the search for iron and coal. 5. Establish an outpost at the opening of the inner sea. This will likely be between 50-100 colonists and have one of the five ships dedicated to it. This early claim will help control the strategically important entrance and help establish Arcadia's claim along the coast line. 6. Dr Cassaway and John have made progress but they're not finished yet. John can feel they are almost on the cusp of a break through. Continue to harness the power of heat and water to make...steam! Steam to power a new world of science and reason!. 7. Not a high effort but set up a small distillery using machinery we brought on our fifth ship. Experiment with brewing of the Haents root.
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Jun 8, 2017 14:02
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Letter from John Smith to Arthur Fitzroy posted:We've known for years now the Pyreneze have had these steam engines. In little under a year we have been able to make our own, thanks to the freedom Arcadia offers from the Church. I can't even begin to explain the possibilities nor do I think you are one to need an explanation. We're already beginning work on a new model and steam driven tools. I do not exaggerate when I say its worth its weight in gold. I have all my free ships back to Gault with trade goods to acquire material and goods we do not yet possess. By the time a ship arrives back here with your response I expect to be able to send you the plans for these new innovations as well. In the mean time however, we are in need of things that require a man of your influence. The threat of a possible rogue Pyreneze colony and the Church have forced me to begin the formation of a standing militia. Yes, I imagine that is worthy of a laugh. I have no military experience of my own. But there are many back home in Gault and even abroad that do. John Smith quote:An Excerpt from Victor Hemmingway's Treatise on the Ostrich of Peregrin Minor. John returns from the conclave, filled with new resolve at the news of the Pyreneze. Beautiful Arcadia greets him, his dream and the fruit of his labors. Now he must worry about that fruit being plucked. He makes his way down the ship gangplank, ignoring the strain as always to maintain a normal pace. This early, the dock is filled with fishing vessels back with the morning catch. There is an ostrich drawn cart waiting nearby with Dr. Anders. The older man waves when he sees John and motions him forward. "Good news I hope?" Dr. Anders asks as John sits down and the cart takes off. "Good, and bad. I've made a deal with some of the other colonies for supplies to further our own work here. The rest well, I will be calling the assembly for tomorrow." - - - "...and that concludes my briefing on the Conclave." John sits down, his throat parched. He sips water as the room explodes in talking. A gavel slams down, calling for order. "Order, order please! These issues will be addressed and are already being done so." John shouts. A man in front stands up and speaks. "How?" "We've already begun the formation of a standing army and new ships are underway. The Feial will abide by their agreement so there is no threat there. The formation of the Conclave Army and Navy secures us against outside attack, and the new outpost of Molpe secures the access to the inner sea." John stands up and spreads his arms. "People, we have come far. You have trusted me to lead you this far and look what we have accomplished. Yes, these coming years will be a trial. But no worse than any trial we have already faced. We are here now, together and strong in that unity. And once we have passed this crucible, through strength of body AND mind we will emerge even stronger than before." There is silence, a brief pause. One man stands, than another, and soon the whole room is on their feet applauding. John waits a moment before signalling for silence once more. "Now, onto the matters for the next period..." - - - Its late in the evening when the assembly finally finishes. There was a large amount of debate over the militant shift and the construction of a gun manufacturing facility but in the end it was accepted. However people were in good cheer over the long awaited University construction plans. As John walks into his office, he can see the great plan he had drawn up laying on the table. He had just started to read reports when there is a knock and Dr. Seljon walks in. The man's mustache is set in a hard line, a sure sign he wants something. John can always tell the good doctors mood by his the set of his upper lip. The man sits down right away before speaking. "John, I feel we're neglecting the health of the colony." John looks up surprised but Dr. Seljon continues on before he can speak. "Yes, yes I've seen the medical building of the university plan. But John, we don't have an actual hospital! I've been working out of an oversized barn." "Whats your proposal then?" asks John. "Double the size of the medical building. Have half built and serve as a hospital. The hospital will always be most update and the students will have access to patients to study." John sits there, stunned. How has no one ever thought of this before? "That is brilliant! It will take a day or two to change the plans but it will be done." - - - Actions: A mixture of 100 old colonists and 100 new colonists are sent to island, now named Molpe. They will settle there and build in a similar fashion to Arcadia's layout. A large section by the docks will be left alone for future naval expansion. Three of John's ships will be sent back with trade goods. Baby ostriches, ostrich feathers, Hardroot Beer, sugar beets...and a full model of a steam engine along with schematics, to be delivered only to Arthur FitzRoy and only when he personally comes to the ship. 1. John doesn't know much about military matters, but there are hunters and former soldiers among his colonists who would. Begin the formation of the Ostrich Roughriders, a group of irregulars with Captain Williams at their head. Williams is the tracker who first found the Roc breed of ostrich.. Set up a training ground, barracks, and armory. John has highly encouraged the men to report any suggestions they might have to the armory. His agreement with Sir Andrew also means they will receive military training and tactics from the man. 2. Part of coming to the new world was to escape the old restrictions on learning. But so far they do not have a large place to do so. Begin construction on the Arcadian University! While the actual buildings and size used for now will be small, a good sized section of land will be set aside for future expansion. Though they don't have anything to actually fill it with quite yet, they will build a large library as well. Dr. Seljon the head of the medical community has made note of the lack of a formal hospital and lobbied hard to get the university medical building to double as one. Consequently it will be the largest building there, split between learning facilities and actual patient care. 3. Steam ship! Many of the younger engineers are eager to begin on this project with John. There has been considerable debate on the actual design and method of propulsion. But they have plenty of time to work on it, not to mention two different drydocks to build in to allow for experimentation. Each drydock will build a different design so both can be tested. Using the sailors Mortimer lends to crew some of our existing ships frees our own sailors to begin immediate training on and with these new steam ships. Furthermore they will be able to give input and advice from a practical perspective that may be lacking from the technical side of things. 4. The news of the Pyreneze has made John, well, anxious. They hold the technological advantage in war and he's not sure how to bridge that gap. For the mean time he wants to set up a gun manufacturing and testing facility. If he can confer later with Sir Malcom Hawk, the grizzled war veteran might have suggestions. Otherwise he'll have to see what the Roughriders think from the experience they gain. 5. Steam Tools! Steam power is revolutionary allowing machinery normally powered by water wheel or wind to be used elsewhere. Anything that could use mechanical force can be powered with steam! Winches, lifts, cranes, pumps, even...wheels? Attempt to develop practical applications for the steam engine to help our developing colonies get a boost. 6. Dr. Cassaway believes he can improved the design of the steam engine even further! With the influx of metal from Andrew to provide material for prototypes Dr. Cassaway thinks he can make a smaller, lighter and more efficient steam engine than the one they currently have now. Low effort: 7. Andrews has asked that we investigate the effects of eyefruit. Dr. Seljon is eager to give it a shot. The light sensitivity only seems to come up when drinking the wine. Maybe distilling and concentrating will isolate whats causing this. Maybe it can be used? 8. Set up a small team to start studying how to bring water to Arcadia. We know of the fresh water pumping up from the cave, and the wells in the jungle. What would it take to bring either to Arcadia? Quornes fucked around with this message at 21:32 on Jul 11, 2017 |
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Jul 6, 2017 01:06
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