10th Devotion: Eradicating the City's Curses once and for all

[favoritetraitor]

Although I am new to the City, I am aware of the monumental undertaking in which I am taking on.

I would like to propose a collaborative effort amongst the Scientists, Doctors, and those who are versed in the Arcane Arts.

The purpose of this, is to gather information that might help us find a way to either prevent, or to ease the effects of what the populace is referring to as 'curses'. I understand that this might seem a foolish endeavor. But with combined resources on this project, I feel that we have as good of a chance as any to gain a better understanding of what we are facing. And if we are able to manage that, then the next step will be to find a way to prevent it.

If you feel up to the challenge, and have skills that will be useful for such a challenge. Please contact me.

~Dr. Solomon Goldsmith




[Private to Dr. Jezebel Disraeli / unhackable]

My dear friend,

Hopefully we will find others who can aid us in this project of ours. I'm eager to see who might respond and what talents they might bring to the table.

I trust that you will be able to provide a suitable out of the way place for us to devote to this project?

Funds are temporarily limited, but I am confident that I will be able to find alternative ways to build up our resources fairly quickly.

Please contact me when you are available to talk more in depth.

Regards,

Solomon

Comments

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

My own background has been in pharmaceutical research for the most part. But it's never to late to branch out to different endeavors, is it?

I'm curious as to your research... we'll have to get together to discuss your findings on the barrier. But what is this about a clock?

Forgive my ignorance. I have just arrived in the City a little over a week ago.

[somekindofsin.livejournal.com]

Absolutely not! I'm more of a chemist--er, and mechanic, and demonologist--myself, but expanding one's horizons never fails to reap some kind of a reward!

Oh, of course; my notes are still rather jumbled at the moment, but I would be more than happy to share what I know. As for the clock, it... ah, no one is entirely sure what its purpose is, which is what makes it so appealing. Have you seen the carousel in the center of the main square? The clock is directly beneath that, and there are a number of theories about it. Some suppose it's counting down to a universal Doomsday; others think it somehow converts our collective misery into a power that the deities use. Whatever it does, though, it's rather well-protected.

Everyone is a new arrival at one time or another--some of us more than once! I hope your first week hasn't been all that disconcerting.

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

My first week has been quite interesting albeit strange. So many intriguing things about this city... I hadn't heard of this clock before. How is it protected? And from what?

I wonder if it is somehow linked to the strange phenomena of these curses...

Perhaps radiation, or something of that nature that could affect those nearby...

with the proper equipment...

Forgive me. I'm just thinking aloud. Has anyone done any tests on the clock?

[somekindofsin.livejournal.com]

Then you've had a rather normal week, I think!

The clock may or may not be significant, although if you spend time alone you'll hear ticking in your head. It's absolutely maddening. I have no doubt that it's connected to the curses in some way, although how is anyone's guess.

I suspect it's protected from meddling citizens, actually. I've tried--and I know I'm not alone--to conduct tests on this clock, but the invisible barrier that surrounds it has been a formidable opponent. There were attempts to reset the clock, I think, but that was long before my time here.

Think aloud all you like!

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

Mr... ah... I don't believe I caught your name.

[somekindofsin.livejournal.com]

Carl, if you would. And yours?

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

Carl, it is a pleasure to meet you. You may call me Solomon.

I was wondering if you'd like to help out with this project of ours? If there is any possibility that the curses are tied in with more mechanical devices such as the clock, then we would greatly benefit from having you on our side.

I believe your skills would be useful. So, what do you say?

[somekindofsin.livejournal.com]

The pleasure's all mine, Solomon!

Of course I'd be willing to help in whatever way possible. It's a rather noble--if difficult--endeavor.

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

Excellent. It's good to have you on board. I am arranging a workspace for you to work in, and will let you know when it's set up.

I would like for you to run some tests on the area around the clock itself in order to find a way to bypass any of it's defenses.

[somekindofsin.livejournal.com]

I'm entirely sure that the defenses can't be bypassed--at least not regularly and whenever we might please. Perhaps the barriers protecting the clock are like everything else in the City and prone to behaving differently at different times, but I've been unable to get near the device from the underground. I recently attempted to access it via the carousel--which is, as you might know, above the clock and potentially related--with no luck whatsoever.

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

... hm.

Is there any record of what others have tried? I believe this should be looked into and documented for future study. Would you care to be in charge of this task?

Also, after careful consideration, this foundling organization has been named. You'll be receiving funds from ARTEMIS, named after the Greek goddess of the hunt. Appropriate, don't you think?

I am hopeful that as with my last corporation, this one will be quite successful as well.

We are considering a meeting where you will be able to be introduced to your colleagues and to ask whatever questions you may have, also for us to discuss theories and to come up with a game plan.

We're quite pleased to have you with us, Carl. Please let me know if you have need of anything.

Oh yes, before I forget... if you know of anyone who might be interested in joining our group... or that we can contact, please let me know.

[somekindofsin.livejournal.com]

I can certainly expand upon the notes I have already, of course, and I would be all too happy to investigate past instances in more depth.

That's an appropriate name indeed, and it's a pleasure to help. If you're looking for any other scientists to join your organization, you may want to contact Dr. Horrible. He's somewhat prone to accidents, you see, but he's quite brilliant.

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

Thank you for your recommendation. We'll definitely look into it and see if he would be a good candidate for this organization.

Your plans sound good. Let me know what progress you make.

We're working to set up a meeting soon, and will inform you of where to go when things have been arranged.