Skybound
Steampunk Skies

Without hesitation, the pilots leaped into their fighters, each machine a marvel of brass and steel, powered by the force of countless gears and pistons. The engines roared to life, sending tremors through the floor beneath them. Aria gripped the control stick tighter, her knuckles turning white as her eyes locked onto the looming threat above.

The military depot, city centre

Its noon, March 21st, the year 500. Hopefully you're all on time.

The city is bustling, its a bright day, perfect for the start of an adventure. This is a big moment for you all, the start of the next chapter of your life perhaps. And right now, Aveanor, city centre, seems to be the place to be.

As you walk through the streets, which are glowing with the midday sun, the city envelops you. The floor beneath you is made up of hundreds of perfectly square cobble tiles, and the roads are massive, at least 30ft across. Automobiles are still new and rare, and carts aren't allowed this far into the city. This means that the roads are taken up by people of all kinds, with no fear of being run down. Its a nice day, people are easy, and just move out of the way when a car comes past.

The buildings come in all shapes and sizes. Some tower above you, wheels to catch the wind poking out their walls and friendly faces waving down at the street. You even see someone trying out a balloon like invention from one of the windows. There are small houses too, rustic corner shops, public workshops, and the odd seller of arcane wears. This is the city centre after all, amenities galore.

And the architecture too! The buildings seem old and new at the same time. Swirls of metal, ornate balconies, cog powered pully systems, you name it. This part of town feels truly magical. Inventors do tricks for passing children, Fancy men open their coats, showing selections of weird and wonderful watches for sale, powder explosions go off as inventions aren't quite perfect yet, its a metropolis for imagination. As the pigeons fly over head, its easy to wonder what they make of it all.

The military depot is stationed next to the massive clocktower that stands in the heart of Aveanor. The sound of its incredible brass bell resounds across the city as midday arrives.

The depot itself is a fine building indeed. Made of brass, copper and iron, it stands out amongst all the other buildings. It functions as a central hub too, for public questions, announcements, reports, crime listings, and the like. Even the post operates from it sometimes. There it stands in front of you, its doors standing open, ready. Adventure awaits.

Feel free to go ahead and intro your characters. You're all on the road, in front of the depot.

Here's to a great campaign!

“Good Morning, Lieutenant.”

The uniform fits somewhat differently than it had, when she had last worn it, but it still serves well enough. Astra returns the sentry’s salute automatically, “Good Morning,” and proceeds toward the reception desk. Made it. In before the bell… She checks her watch, and sees she has arrived at the Military Depot fifteen minutes early; but then, she is not sure precisely where she is to report. In fact, she is not quite sure why she is here, at all..?

”Lieutenant Astra Andasca, reporting for duty. Recall Order AF8724-153B. I am expected, presently.”  Producing her papers from a cylindrical document case, she hands her orders to the clerk behind the desk.

The clerk takes the papers, peering at you over his small glasses. He has medium brown hair, a short top hat, and is wearing the standard military staff suit. He has a strike of experience in his eyes, a small moustache above his lip, and you notice a watch hung on a chain around his neck. He looks to be in his 50's. "Lieutenant Andasca." He says in a slow, formal tone, reading over the papers. "You're qualified in Cartography and Navigation, am I correct? I believe we are waiting for the rest of the recruits. You are early." He looks you in the eyes, ever so slightly disappointed.

“Quite so. Correct on all counts. Cartography and Navigation Qualified. And early.”

Astra’s delivery is deadpan, which is really the only way to deal with these desk-jockeys… but has he always been a clerk?

Forcing herself search beyond the stereotype, she tries to discern whether this clerk may have once served in another capacity?

[OOC]Judging from his uniform, any rank insignia, ribbons, or medals; the cut of his hair, shape of his mustache… any indication he might have served in another unit, in his younger days? I’m going by physical clues, so Investigation: 12; also History: 13 (both rolled on my character sheet, here on beyond).[/OOC]

He nods, confirming that your papers are correct.

[Yep, Investigation would be the one, and maybe History too actually. I've heard of Orokos before, is there a way to share your results with me so I know they're valid? Not that I think you would cheat, I just normally use the ddb dice roller, and want to make sure I know how Orokos works too] 

Takuma walks briskly down the street, and the depot comes into sight. He looks up at the clocktower, 11:54. By the time he's inside, he's 2 minutes early. He's wearing his best apparel, a simple brown silk suit and a purple bowtie, and a satchel with his belongings hanging on his side. 

More detailed description: Takuma is a high elf, with slender and defined features. He currently is wearing his brown silk suit with an Izzet insignia, and the purple bowtie, but usually he wears baggy but sturdy basic work clothes. As for weapons, he's got an elvish longbow from his family, as well as his rapier. He obtained a shortsword in the city, and has been crafting firearms for work lately, so he has a rifle. He is 27 years old, so looks the part, and is about 6 feet tall, weighing about 170 pounds. His hair is a nice wind-swept brown, with pastel green eyes that contain tiny gold flecks when the light hits them right. His skin is a slightly teal-ish gray. His voice is soft and deep, and speaks in an easygoing manner. 

*Later I can post more of a description of him* 

Quote from Yondor_The_Fantastic >>

Takuma walks briskly down the street, and the depot comes into sight. He looks up at the clocktower, 11:54. By the time he's inside, he's 2 minutes early. He's wearing his best apparel, a simple brown silk suit and a purple bowtie, and a satchel with his belongings hanging on his side. 

 Inside the military depot, the atmosphere is bustling, yet organized, different the energy of the city outside. The interior is expansive, with high ceilings and a sense of grandeur that matches the brass, copper, and iron build. The entrance leads into a large hall, with polished marble floors that reflect the warm glow of the lights above. There are a number of desks scattered around, and everyone seems busy at work.

Quote from DrummerBoyDragonSlayer >>

Inside the military depot, the atmosphere is bustling, yet organized, different the energy of the city outside. The interior is expansive, with high ceilings and a sense of grandeur that matches the brass, copper, and iron build. The entrance leads into a large hall, with polished marble floors that reflect the warm glow of the lights above. There are a number of desks scattered around, and everyone seems busy at work.

 He breathes out, glad to be here, finally. He looks for any kind of receptionist desk, or any signs that might point him in the right direction. 

There's a number of desks, some empty, some with customers. You notice one of the clerks, a man with brown hair and a short top hat, looking at you. Astra is with him, but you wouldn't know who she is yet.

He looks back at the man and nods in greeting, then goes and waits in line behind Astra. 

[[OOC: Updated intro post.]] 

As you go to stand behind Astra, he gestures for you to come forward, ushering you to the front of the desk. "I've already spoken with her, you can come forward. Do you have any papers?" He says in a formal, ever so slightly offhand tone.

[Sweet, looks great :D. There's a description of the clerk on post 3, if you wanted it] 

"Oh, yes yes, just in here... somewhere..." He searches through his satchel, then eventually pulls out some wrinkled documents showing his residence in the city, his occupation, and his identification. "There you are sir!" 

Grimthor Bloodsmith is a young apprentice Mechanic and blacksmith. He stands at around 5’11”, and has olive skin that shines with a green undertone in the light. His long black hair is typically tied back in a loose knot that hangs around his shoulders. He looks at himself in the mirror as he buttons up his “nice” shirt. Which really means it has less oil stains than the others. He is currently wearing a worn pair of leathers pants with a pair of new boots that were recently gifted to him by his parents. He comes from a family of tradesmen that specialize in maintaining the infrastructure of Aveanor. While they are not particularly wealthy, they are far from being poor. The benefit of living in a modern city is that there is always work to be done. 

Grimthor glances down at his pocket watch, and quickly tightens up his boots and slings his bag over his shoulders. He slides his smith hammer into the holster on his side and makes his way to the military depot. He lives in the industrial section of the city, so the walk to the central area is not to bad. He takes his time as he takes in the familiar sounds and smells of his home neighborhood. He will certainly miss waking up to this everyday. He his fairly familiar with the area, as his family has taken many government contracts. He glances up the clock tower to see that it is five minute to noon. He takes a deep breath, as he steels himself and quickens his pace. He walks up to the depot receptionist desk, ”Hello there, I have decided to answer the call to action that was issued” He pulls out a wrinkled letter that he had received in the mail. ”Can you point me in the right direction?”

Astra steps aside lithely, gesturing courteously to the tall elf, “Please go ahead, you’re up.”  

Astra’s voice is a touch deeper than one might expect, from her appearance, and carries quite well. Not exactly commanding, in this instance, but she certainly made herself heard.

She has inherited her human mother’s ruddy cheeks, but her father’s delicate elven features, though her ears are more rounded than not. She stands relatively tall at 5’ 9”, with somewhat broad shoulders tapering to an otherwise slim, athletic build.

She is wearing her “dress blue” service uniform, the hue of which is actually a blue-tinged grey, complete with saber at her side. Her posture is decidedly military in bearing, erect, never slouching.

Quote from Yondor_The_Fantastic >>

"Oh, yes yes, just in here... somewhere..." He searches through his satchel, then eventually pulls out some wrinkled documents showing his residence in the city, his occupation, and his identification. "There you are sir!" 

 He reads it over, picking out key details. "Eleven family... moved to the city... you have a skill with firearms, am I correct?" He peers at you over his glasses, reading your face like he does to everyone else.

Quote from MrAlienLlama >>

Grimthor Bloodsmith is a young apprentice Mechanic and blacksmith. He stands at around 5’11”, and has olive skin that shines with a green undertone in the light. His long black hair is typically tied back in a loose knot that hangs around his shoulders. He looks at himself in the mirror as he buttons up his “nice” shirt. Which really means it has less oil stains than the others. He is currently wearing a worn pair of leathers pants with a pair of new boots that were recently gifted to him by his parents. He comes from a family of tradesmen that specialize in maintaining the infrastructure of Aveanor. While they are not particularly wealthy, they are far from being poor. The benefit of living in a modern city is that there is always work to be done. 

Grimthor glances down at his pocket watch, and quickly tightens up his boots and slings his bag over his shoulders. He slides his smith hammer into the holster on his side and makes his way to the military depot. He lives in the industrial section of the city, so the walk to the central area is not to bad. He takes his time as he takes in the familiar sounds and smells of his home neighborhood. He will certainly miss waking up to this everyday. He his fairly familiar with the area, as his family has taken many government contracts. He glances up the clock tower to see that it is five minute to noon. He takes a deep breath, as he steels himself and quickens his pace. He walks up to the depot receptionist desk, ”Hello there, I have decided to answer the call to action that was issued” He pulls out a wrinkled letter that he had received in the mail. ”Can you point me in the right direction?”

 The Elven lady at the desk points at where the others are gathered, a few feet to your right, after looking over your papers. "I believe you are required to check in over there, desk A12."

[OOC: Just wanted to clear something up quickly, so people don't worry. I'm on the forums quite a lot, and want to encourage you all yo roleplay here when you want to. So if I see someone has posted, unless I'm sleeping, I do my best to respond, no matter how many posts have already been made that day. I'd feel bad just leaving it. I just wanted to say that this doesn't mean I plan to go fast, or that you need to post more than once a day. The story will only progress when everyone is ready. I just like to roleplay, and DM when people need me]

”Many thanks.” He bows his head as he makes his way toward the line of prospective recruits. As he approaches he notices what seems to be a soldier as well a man in civilian clothing.  Seeing the solder causes him to second guess himself, he looks up to see A12 labeling the station, so he proceeds to join the line formed at the desk. 

 "Please, come forward and present any papers of qualifications you possess." The clerk behind the desk says, looking at you. "This isn't a line situation."