video | un: yuheng

[rumination]

[ the video begins with a steady, clear shot of a man dressed in flowing white robes, buttoned up to his throat, half his hair done up in a high ponytail secured by a guan. he looks almost severe, and his tone when he starts talking is cool.

On his arm is a silver claw that laces up, and as the video continues, he clenches his fist and wriggles his fingers one by one. ]

This is an experimental piece of armor. It was originally designed to protect common people from demons. [ he glances down at the armor, a complicated look in his eyes for a split second before it disappears behind his usual cool neutrality. ] The demons here have proven deadly, and some people do not have spiritual powers that offer protection, so I have developed this.

[ perhaps one day, he can return to his original, grand idea of creating guardians for people, but it's impossible now, with the way items degrade. that's a future problem.

he finally looks back at the camera, still serious and reserved. ]

I am looking for individuals who are capable of fighting but do not possess spiritual power. It needs testing by someone else, and it is easy to find a demon or some beast in the Hinterlands. I'll be present for any fighting to observe the armor's behavior and provide assistance in any fight, should it be necessary. You will be compensated for your troubles.

[ he nods at the camera in dismissal and looks like he is going to turn it off before he recalls something and looks at the camera once again. ]

The armor is still experimental. While I have blueprints for an entire suit, I do not have the resources to create an entire suit of armor or more than a few of these. [ he holds his hand up, showing off the armor. ] Information would be appreciated on where to find more metal, leather, or scrap materials. And should anyone be interested in the armor after further testing, I will make note of it.

Good day.

[ with that, he turns off the camera, disappearing from view. ]

Comments

@mellifa

[somatosensory]

What exactly qualifies as 'spiritual power'?

[rumination]

I work with qi, so powers that arise from vital energy and cultivated for use by the individual. There seem to be many people here with varying powers, and I am interested in seeing how the armor reacts.

[somatosensory]

So anything innate, in other words.
Or does 'acquired' count?
Just in the interest of clarification.

( because "magic" seems to be a grey area, here, at least as he understands it. )

Accounting for that variety is going to be a challenge.

[rumination]

Innate but trained and developed. Everyone has qi, but some people can cultivate it for other uses. I routinely defeated demons and summoned barriers using qi.

Acquired powers are not something I've worked with, so seeing the difference and reactions to the armor will be useful research.

[ it's not magic, not really, although it looks like magic. and he has no idea how spiritual powers would react to magic. ]

Individual modifications might be necessary, depending on who wants it and what abilities they have. The original design was not meant to be armor worn by people, simply guardians who protected the common people against demons.

[somatosensory]

How are guardians different from people?

[rumination]

They are not people. Suits of armor, infused with a small amount of spiritual energy, able to detect and defend against demon attacks.

[somatosensory]

So they're like machines?

( this is the closest comparison he can think of. actually, the first thought he has is of themis, who both is and is not alive. it's uncomfortable, so he sets it aside in favour of pondering the rest of the answer. )

[rumination]

Mn. That's the closest analogy, although the power source is different.

[somatosensory]

More of that qi you were talking about?

[rumination]

Correct. Self-sustaining, so there is no need to replenish it.

[somatosensory]

( huh. )

Interesting.
Is there a reason that isn't an option for prospective protection and/or monster hunting?

[rumination]

The qi? Or the armor?

[somatosensory]

The Guardians.

[rumination]

They are not designed for monster hunting, simply for defense. And armor is currently a better use of limited resources, as the armor will provide protection for those who lack defensive skills when they are in dangerous situations, which happen regularly here.

Once we figure out a way around the soul-forging issue and I find more resources, it will be possible to create the Guardians. Until then, I am focusing on armor.

[somatosensory]

( well that's an entirely satisfactory answer. 10/10, nothing to add. )

If you need help with gathering resources, I'd be willing.

( less, admittedly, out of a sense of civil-mindedness than out of curiosity. but whatever gets the job done, no? )

[rumination]

I have sufficient materials for now but I will be in touch should I need more.