Cast-Offs of Divinity - A Merchants of Divinity Quest

Prologue 11-13 - Time Passes Quickly:​

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Looking down at the paperwork you feel an unexpected sense of apprehension. You don't like it. It's not logical.

The source is easy to identify. Parting with such a large sum of money at once. You deliberately delayed to ensure you wouldn't be cutting things closely. But tension still gnaws at your gut. What if you need the money for something? Your debt still hangs overhead.

You squash the thoughts and press submit. You, Leviathan Grimm, will not let this hold you back.

Lose 1 high dot
Gain university attendance for Science (Biology) for the next 10 turns.
You will be required to take a test on turn 21 to prove the value of the universities investment in you.


Your first class starts with a frustrating twenty minutes of reviewing the class syllabus. Surely everyone could review this on their own time? Then the meat of the class starts and you tear in with all the gusto of a starving rat. The professor doesn't pull their punches and teaches at a blistering rate.

While your classmates frantically struggle to take notes you are sure they will have to review later you dig deeper. Homework is completed contemporaneously with the very lectures on the relevant subject. Information acquired synthesized and applied all in a single mental flourish.

Between classes you tear through the textbook and interrogate the teaching assistants for as long as they will let you. You are sure the only reason they don't complain about you monopolizing office hours is because students started showing up just to take notes on the questions you ask. Why ask their own questions when yours are so much better?

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Location: District 12 Research Hub. Sub-Level 13:

Your work at the clinic picks up to a similarly brisk pace. Patients come and go with every minor malady. The few more serious cases you promptly transfer to a higher level hospital.

If you had to describe it you would liken it to eating a large and filling but bland meal.

In truth you have nothing to complain about. You are being valued. You are doing something you enjoy. It only takes a small proportion of your overall time.

But a mad scientist never grasped success due to their well developed capacity for contentment.

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Location: District 12 Commercial Hub. Sub-Level 26, Repurposed Garage:

Your project meanwhile inches closer and closer to completion. First simple experiments with mice. Conditioning them to react to certain sounds. Then repeating the procedure with different sounds and testing how quickly they learn.

You did not seek a single result, but rather to build a methodology. You wanted a device that would work on more then mice. You wanted a process that would work on more then mice. So when you run out of mice you order a batch of finches and repeat your tests. Then a batch of rabbits. Seeking to determine what assumptions you can generalize, and which must be discarded.

How much weight should you give to the psychological data? How much to the behavioral? What signs were important? How can you determine what signs are important quickly.

You compile your data and look it over. Almost. You are so close. Just a few more tests. Just one last trial. You know you almost have it. You just have to be sure. You know it will work.

You will make it work.

Your alarm is ringing. Calling you put down your work for the day.

Do you answer?

[] Push on. Finish the device. Sign the contract.
Deducts 1 AP from next turn to finish the device immediately.

[] No there was something else you wanted to do first
Skips to next turn plan vote.

Auditory training aid: T3 Biology. Cost 9. Benefit: Gain +9 Naturalism (Animal Training). This is reduced to +3 for spontaneous uses. Research progress: (29/30) AP

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AN: This is more a narrative choice then a mechanical. I figured that with just a single AP left on the project Leviathan wouldn't be well inclined to stopping. Plus it means you would be able to plan next turn with full knowledge.