Yukino Kikukawa Ramblings

[Chegeek]

It has been almost a year since I first came here. So far my search has shown few results. To date I have only accomplished a few of my secondary goals. I have discovered a source of income. When I first arrived I found it impossible to find honest work, but quickly discovered that most individuals with any fighting skill made their living hunting pest level monstrous races. Recently the Sundren government has even started paying a bounty for the death of goblins and gnolls, so it is even more profitable that ever. Of course I had not planned on doing so much fighting when I arrived, but at least I am getting plenty of exercise.

I have also learned a fair number of new spells since arriving. Most of them from a merchant mage by the name of Roddwick. Others I have acquired from my fallen foes. I was quite surprised to find that the goblin sages have scrolls for some rather advanced spells, and in truth, this has lead to my only lead so far in my search.

In the process of fighting the goblins infesting the hills north of Port Avanthir and their allied human clerics, I found several scrolls detailing powerful necromantic spells for creating undead allies. I had hoped to avoid the route of necromancy, even though it is the most well documented of the possibilities, however I do not feel I can pass up this chance. I have been studying the scrolls. I am far from understanding them completely, but I feel I am making slow but steady progress. I will continue on this path until another opens.

Yuki
*there is a recent date written under the name*

Yuki sighs and leans back from the desk in the Sundren library at which she had been writing. She closes the leather bound book in front of her and slips it into a bag at her feet. Inside the bag are numerous scrolls and writing utensils. As her fingers brush the scrolls she seems to pause for a moment.

"not in here... someone might get upset..." she mutters quietly.

Picking up her bag she heads out into the night air of Sundren city. Busy as always knots of people stand about, while others hurry to unknown destinations. Yuki walks on, ignoring them and looking mostly at the ground. Mulling over possibilities in her mind.

"...the Sundren University is able to make golems... but I don't think they would share their secrets with me... and that might be a dead end anyway... hmmm... There's always the large population of Tieflings... but I don't think they would let me experiment on them... and it would be too dangerous to try and capture some... ugh... I really didn't want to use undead..." she sighs again.

"Ah well, best call it a night."

With that she heads off to an inn to find a bed for the night.

[Chegeek]

Yuki walks back into the library and goes to the back. Sitting down at one of the tables she takes a leather bound book and a piece of paper from her bag and begins to write a list onto the paper, frequently looking over to the book. After some time she rises and walks over to the librarian.

"Sir, would you mind if I posted this on the wall somewhere in here?" she asks.

"Let me see it. Hmmm... just a list of spells you know eh? Well, I don't see the harm in it, but why would you want to post this?"

"Well, I and another mage are seeking to collaborate and share spells that one may know and the other need to learn. We need a place to share information, and I thought the library would be the best place."

"Ah, a learning endeavor. By all means, post away! I do so love to see young people expanding their minds. Why, when I was your age..." ...he goes on for a several minutes. Yuki listens patiently until he is finished, then quietly posts her list to the wall near the front desk.

A list of spells currently known by Yukino Kikukawa. To be updated as new spells are learned. If you posses knowledge of any spell not on this list, please contact me, as I will be interested in buying or trading in exchange for the opportunity to learn.

Burning Hands
Cause Fear
Charm Person
Color Spray
Detect Undead
Endure Elements
Enlarge Person
Grease
Mage Armor
Magic Missile
Magic Weapon
Protection From Alignment
Ray of Enfeeblement
Shield
Sleep
Summon Creature I
True Strike

Bear's Endurance
Blindsight
Bull's Strength
Cat's Grace
Cloud of Bewilderment
Eagle's Splendor
False Life
Foxes' Cunning
Ghostly Visage
Gust of Wind
Knock
Lesser Dispel Magic
Melf's Acid Arrow
Owl's Wisdom
Protection from Arrows
Scare
Summon Creature II
Web

Deep Slumber
Dispel Magic
Flame Arrow
Greater Magic Weapon
Improved Mage Armor
Keen Edge
Summon Creature III


There is plenty of space on the rest of the paper to make additions later.

[Chegeek]

A small somewhat plain woman approaches the Sundren University and makes her way inside.

"My I help you?" asked one of the professors walking the halls.

"Yes. I would like to attend some lectures here. Could you direct me to the person I need to speak too?" replied Yukino.

"An appointment is required. Do you have one?"

"I am afraid not sir"

"Then you'll have to come back another time."

"Could you at least deliver this letter the next time you see him?"

The professor lets out a beleaguered sigh. "Very well. Give it to me."

"Thank you so much" Yukino bows and hands him a small envelope, then backs away before turning around and walking from the building.

Several days later the letter is finally delivered to the man in charge of new students. Upon opening it he finds a short note written in simple and very neat hand writing on scroll paper.

Dear Sir,

My name is Yukino Kikukawa. I am interested in enrolling in your university in order to further my knowledge of magic. I have formerly attended an apprentice mage school and have practiced my skills since then extensively. I feel you will not be dissapointed with my current mastery of spells, nor my commitment to learning and furthering the art. I am willing to pay whatever price I am able. If you will accept me please reply to the Sundren library. The librarian there knows me and will be able to reach me.

Sincearly,
Yukino Kikukawa

((If a DM would like to collect money from me I will happily give whatever I have, or seems reasonable for magic training.))

[Chegeek]

Today I was sitting at my usual desk in the library, doing some light reading and relaxing after going goblin hunting again. To my surprise the head librarian came to me and said I had a letter waiting for me. With much trepidation I opened the letter and found to my delight that I have been accepted into Sundren University! I am so excited! I plan to start attending lectures tomorrow.

Yuki
*the date is appended below her name*

I have been attending lectures at Sundren University for several weeks now. Already I have learned so much in many areas. I have attended lectures on enchanting items, alchemical formulas, golem frameworks, and many other topics. Of course, the lectures mostly only cover the general principles, I am sure there are many details left to work out. Still, I feel I am close to being able to start on my main project! I can hardly contain my excitement. First there are several more practical problems I will need to resolve though. I need to find a place indoors I can work without being disturbed. I will also need to acquire materials. And tools. Ahhh... so much to do. I'd best get started.

Yuki
*a later date is appended*

(( these entries appear in Yuki's journal ))

[Chegeek]

I think I have overcome the practical difficulties I mentioned in my last entry. I have found a small house to rent in Port Avanthyr. It is just down the street from the Temple. It is rather old and run down, but it is cheap, and it even has a small outbuilding for storage. I worry about conducting my work in town, but I can think of nowhere else I could acquire a building. I'll have to be careful and work during the day when people are busy. I'll also need to place wards on the entrances to my workshop. They won't keep out a determined intruder, but at least idle pranksters should be deterred by them.

The other two problems, materials and tools, are far from totally solved, but I have enough to begin. I decided to start on the support structure first, since all the other parts will be attached to it. Luckily for me, the Avanthyr Smithy sells iron ingots as well as smithing tools. I still needed a forge, so I worked out a deal with Foulbreath. He lets me use his forge in exchange for doing his book keeping. I am certain he thinks I am a fool, especially when he saw the strange things I have been forging, but that doesn't matter so long as he keeps his mouth shut about it.

Yuki

[Chegeek]

*There is a drawing of a human skeleton on this page of the book, followed by many many pages of detailed schematics of individual bones, complete with sizes and different angle views.*

I have been working on the skeleton for some time now. It has been very difficult. I spent the first few months learning forging skills. Unlike weapons all the pieces I need to make are curved, at least a little. Most of them also have small protrusions. And some are just small. The interlocks between the pieces are also difficult. The shape of the pieces I copied from the original. I had to design the interlocks myself, since the original is held together with tendons. Designing a hinge system that allows full movement while still holding the pieces together firmly was quite a challenge.


*a detailed drawing of a connection system follows this paragraph.*

Despite the difficulty I have persevered and am nearly finished. It is a bit spooky having an authentic looking skeleton in my workshop. All I have left to finish is the skull. Of course, since all the parts are made of iron it is much heavier than a real skeleton. I'll need to work on that. I would like to make a future version out of mithril, or perhaps with hollow parts. Both are beyond my current skill however. Not to mention I can't afford to buy mithril. I'll have to be satisfied with what I have for now, and move on to the next part.