Canon says nothing about the size of the facilities, but humanity has expanded in a sphere several hundred light-years across. It's heavy implied that Manpower supplies the slave trade for all of that. Even in the US today the slave trade hasn't been stomped out completely. In the Honorverse I got the impression that half to a third of all star systems were habitable. Add into that loss of bodies from law enforcement and deaths I refuse to believe that the facilities would be any smaller.
I would debate that all the facilities are the same size and even the number of facilities, but that's neither here nor there.
Canon hasn't directly addressed the cloning facilities themselves, but it definitely is canon that Manpower/Mesa has huge facilities of this sort, and that their production numbers are very large.
This is largely because a notable portion of their production is for internal use, instead of for sale; the most well-indoctrinated of the slaves go to places like Darius, where they act as a comparatively well-treated labour force to support the long-term conquest plans of the Mesan Alignment. Those plans require large numbers of trained and motivated individuals who are loyal to their agenda, and the entire genetic slavery program exists to industrially produce a compliant populace to support those needs. Actual slavery operations are mostly what they do with those who are disobedient enough to not be worth keeping for the real project, but compliant enough to be worth selling. Those who are too rebellious to meet even that bar get culled directly.
To: Growing Vat Department factory 3
From: Growing Vat Department administrator
Subject: Heirloom Jacket
Last night Timothy's biker jacket from his deceased Grandmother went missing. It was last seen in one of the chemical storage rooms. I know it's against regulations to bring stuff like that inside, but I won't begrudge a mourning man his jacket for a few days. The guy may have been a bit obnoxious about it, but stealing family heirlooms is just a horrible prank. I know that no one left with it last night I checked the feeds. I'd rather not hand out any infractions for this, so if anyone finds it they can bring it to the administrator offices for lost and found in the next few days with no further incident
Due to a special action a skill has been generated: Blunt Damage Resistance level 1
Per +2
Due to a special action a skill has been generated: Meditation level 1
Congratulations! due to discovering a core skill in a nonstandard way you gain +10 Wis
It's been 2 days so far. Spent most of my time climbing around until the skill didn't level anymore. I fell down once and got a damage resistance of a grand total of 1. For blunt damage only. I familiarized myself with the computer some more and found that there's a chemical shipment inbound tomorrow. The weirdest thing that happened was during working hours after I woke up from healing from my fall, was that I was sitting absolutely still picking out labels across the shelf when I went into a braindead trance. 2 hours later I woke up with a new skill and 10 more wisdom. The best thing about all this is that I found a bitching jacket yesterday. It is altogether too big for me, but it's really sweet! And I'm not naked anymore.
I'm also not hungry or thirsty... or even tired. Guess I wasn't made from a survival game.
We're here now because of the chemical shipment. What I'm assuming (please sweet Jesus let me be right about this) is that the shipment will have to come in with standard security checks, but will be able to leave no fuss no muss. The part I'm actually certain about is that a massive cargo elevator is gonna come down here about a mile away from here in the facility in a hauler filled to the brim full of novel and rarely used chemicals. I'm gonna climb up to an access hatch in the elevator shaft while it's presumably nighttime, and come out on top of the elevator when it's coming down and stow away on the truck. Any slave surviving the disposal process and coming out to this part of the facility seems to have come completely out of left field for the people that made this place. I like my chances here.
Man there are a lot of high pressure pneumatic doors here, I'd be concerned I was in a space ship or something if I hadn't clearly seen the sky from the ventilation fan of the disposal unit.
+1 Per
I think the creepiest part about this place is that it's so clean and pristine. You think slaver and you think run down warehouse or shipping container to keep the people in. This is a massive enterprise that couldn't have gone on for as long as it's had to have been without official approval somewhere. Even the 'training' facility I was in was spotless. I keep getting comfortable like its just another day at work and its freaking me out.
Anyways I make it to the freight elevator without any problem. Looking around this place is real big. It's a square elevator and you could probably fit 3 semi trucks with trailers bumper to bumper in here easy. Wonder how big the truck will be? As expected I need a key card to activate it. luckily It's open air shaft at the bottom here, only some hazard lines between me and a 2 meter drop. Hopping down, going to ladder in the back, climbing ladder. It's very difficult to climb in this jacket
Climbing has leveled up by 1
Coming up on some conduit access cubby a third of the way up. Thank you OSHA. Looks like I got a long wait ahead of me here. I'm gonna see if I can meditate again without losing track of time.
--Delivery Boys--
"Hey man don't be nervous. It's just a security check."
"I know I know, I just don't wanna screw anything up here."
"Relaaaax man, you're doin' fine" He says as I deploy the landing struts "All we gotta do is land, open up the back for thems to see, and then help em unload. Easy Peezy." I landed the hauler with a sigh in the orientation dictated and opened up the cargo hold. Waving to the security guard as he stood there impassively, I waited for the check to be over.
We passed easily of course, And I ignored my co-worker ribbing me for being nervous about it. I was actually about to fall asleep when "Holy Shit! is that a flying jacket?" I say as I point at the wall.
My co-worker shuts up and looks over to where I'm pointing "What? Where?"
"Right the fuck over there!"
He looks again at the wall, then slowly back towards me "Are you screwing with me?"
"What? No I-"
He grins and says "That's hilarious man, here I thought you were gonna be a stick in the mud forever."
"But it-" *THUNK*
"That's our stop." he says while opening the cargo bay again and deploying the ramp. "We should get this done so we can go home."
I sigh and nod my head "Okay."
--Later--
We unloaded the hover units and handed them off to the technicians that know where they go. We stood around chatting with the security guard for a while when waiting for people to come get stuff. When it was all gone and everyone cleared off the security guard sent the elevator back up and we started walking back towards the cab. *Whoosh*
"THERE! There, I saw it again. A floating jacket just went up the ramp and into the cargo hold!"
I felt my arm being grabbed as I go for the cargo hold "No way man I don't fall for the same thing twice in one day." I look at him. "Jesus, here take this anxiety pill, if there's anything in there tomorrow we'll deal with it then. Kay? I'll drive us back." I hesitated, but nodded and got in the truck.
Name: Peter Johnson
Gender: Male
Age: 6
Level: 1 (100/1000)
Patron: Prometheus
Title: none
Special Status: Immature Body 9 years, 11 months, 26 days, and 14 hours remaining
HP: 150/150 MP: 210/210 SP: 200/200
Strength: 5 [10]
Vitality: 10 [16]
Dexterity: 8 [12]
Intelligence: 16(+1) Wisdom: 19(+10) Perception: 15(+3) Unclaimed stat pointsFeature disabled in hard mode
Perks
0/0 slots used none available
Traits
Slightly Autistic: you think differently than other people
Gamer's Mind: Protects from all forms of mental intrusion, influence, and control. Brain chemistry is always (mostly) balanced, and you can never forget anything. Negates all emotional trauma and impulsiveness. You are in complete control of yourself at all times and must consciously pursue your goals
Gamer's Body: Your body is that of a video game protagonist's. As video games are timeless and shite at simulating reality, you both no longer age and no longer take anatomical damage. Any attacks specifically made as an attempt to do so will inflict status effects. You also feel pain directly in proportion to how much health you're missing.
Skills
Observe max level: no cost. gives information based on perception stat
Climbing level 11(+7): uses stamina based on tools used and surface climbed. uses level/2% less stamina and you climb 5% faster with each level
Computer use level 4(+2): determines how good you are at navigating computer menus and settings. Has multiple sub-skills.
Blunt Damage Resistance level 1(+1): determines blunt damage resistance. resisted blunt damage equals skill level. no max level.
Meditation level 1(+1): increases mana regeneration rate by level*10%. you must stay absolutely still and cannot perceive the world around you when active
Due to a special action a skill has been generated: Stealth level 1
Huh? Oh shit I lost track of time again. Opening my eyes I see some activity down below. no one's pointing anything at me, or coming to block my escape. Just waiting by the control panel for the elevator. That is either a really low standard skill to get, or they've been failing to notice me for a while now. Lets see here, -10% base visibility per level, WHAT? That is very powerful, there has to be a catch. What would be my base visibility if someone was looking at me while I'm on an empty street?
500%
OK, that seems more reasonable. But goddam, that would be Skyrim levels of stealth fuckery if I can get this thing decently leveled. This is gonna be a priority to level in the future for sure. Guess its back to waiting for now though
A while later the elevator starts to come down. Oh man this is very nerve wracking. This is the most dangerous part of my plan here. If I get caught here I'm dead. I could hole up in the facility where there's less of a chance of getting caught. But I'd be no less dead if I was caught at any point in time here. I hate this, I feel like I'm playing a stealth game where I have to cast a massive ass shadow to progress.
the elevator is passing over me... And holy shit the driver's windshield is 7 feet from me. Huddling up in my jacket now
Stealth has leveled up by 1
*THUNK* I'm too afraid to look out I'm just gonna wait for ten minutes to see if I'm gonna be dragged away to my death.
Peaking out, and it looks like no-one is coming for me. Seems like everyone is unloading the truck. And holy crap did I say truck? I meant to say mini-tanker the length of 2 Millennium Falcons, with landing gear to match. It looks like everyone is busy swarming the thing unloading it for now, so I'm gonna wait until this dies down a little to make my move.
It does die down a lot after a while. looks like the thing is unloaded and they're just waiting for people to pick things up now. Gonna climb back down now. The 'truck', cause that's what they called in the delivery schedule, should block most people's view of me and that should be enough for my stealth skill to compensate for. I hope. I get down without incident, and take cover behind a landing strut. After a while I move up to the rearmost landing strut. Safer closer to the cover of the ramp. Will be easier to enter the cargo hold too. Failing that I'll take refuge in the landing gear machinery. Its been done before. If some normal ass 16 year old can do it with an airplane, me with my weird 6 year old Gamer's Body will be able to survive in this thing. As long as I'm not exposed to vacuum.
A while later all the cargo is hauled off on some weird hovering machinery, and it's only 2 other sets of legs on the elevator with me. The elevator's going up again. They're going to one side of the 'truck', and I'm going to the other side, up a ladder, and swish through the cargo bay doors.
"THERE! There, I saw it again. A floating jacket just went up the ramp and into the cargo hold!"
FUCK
"No way man I don't fall for the same thing twice in one day." *very long pause* "Jesus, here take this anxiety pill, if there's anything in there tomorrow we'll deal with it then. Kay? I'll drive us back."
I freeze right there. I wait until the ramp retracts and the bay door starts closing. I let out my breath and slide down to the floor taking deep breaths. Holy shit. That was NOT okay. I'd be hyperventilating and sitting in a puddle of my own piss right now if not for Gamer's mind. The fact that I have never pissed once during my new life is completely irrelevant, I would have found a way. Shit it's dark in here. I only have a glowing control panel for light. I saw some cargo straps in there while the door was open. I should secure myself before this thing takes off.
--Later--
- 61HP
It has been a bumpy ride, and I can say with absolute certainty that this piece of shit is not rated for human occupancy. 17 Sharp turns later and I am feeling it. Lets have a look at that control panel, is this thing OSHA compliant? Yes. Yes it is. Opening this and leaving now. There is a camera looking straight over here. Shit.
+1 Per
At least I have less than 100% chances of being thrown into a literal meat-grinder if I get caught from here on out. Oh god I hate this, this is very stressful. I need to go kill rats or something to level up before anyone comes looking for me. Why the fuck am I even here if I have no chance?
Main Quest: From Prometheus Himself
The men and women who rule Mesa have overstepped their bounds. They have set in motion events that will have terrible consequences for all sapient life in the local group of galaxies. I have long opposed those who would play God to ruinous effect, and I have sent you as my agent in this matter.
Objectives: Bring them low and turn their mechanations to ash
Time Limit: 150 years
Success: 5,000,000,000XP I really want this done
Failure: The complete and unrelenting enslavement/genocide of humanity. For a start
FUCK YOU PROMETHEUS!!! I was kinda hoping for more practical answer! Like why am on I on Hard Mode? Or why the fuck am I a slave? Y'know what screw it, I don't have time to give the sky the middle finger all day like a crazy person. Tightening up my oversized jacket, (still naked underneath here btw) I see a massive garage shutter with a people door next to it. I am leaving now.
Name: Peter Johnson
Gender: Male
Age: 6
Level: 1 (100/1000)
Patron: Prometheus
Title: none
Special Status: Immature Body 9 years, 11 months, 26 days, and 3 hours remaining
Unclaimed stat pointsFeature disabled in hard mode
Perks
0/0 slots used none available
Traits
Slightly Autistic: you think differently than other people
Gamer's Mind: Protects from all forms of mental intrusion, influence, and control. Brain chemistry is always (mostly) balanced, and you can never forget anything. Negates all emotional trauma and impulsiveness. You are in complete control of yourself at all times and must consciously pursue your goals
Gamer's Body: Your body is that of a video game protagonist's. As video games are timeless and shite at simulating reality, you both no longer age and no longer take anatomical damage. Any attacks specifically made as an attempt to do so will inflict status effects. You also feel pain directly in proportion to how much health you're missing.
Skills
Observe max level: no cost. gives information based on perception stat
Climbing level 11: uses stamina based on tools used and surface climbed. uses level/2% less stamina and you climb 5% faster with each level
Computer use level 4: determines how good you are at navigating computer menus and settings. Has multiple sub-skills.
Blunt Damage Resistance level 1: determines blunt damage resistance. resisted blunt damage equals skill level. no max level.
Meditation level 1: increases mana regeneration rate by level*10%. you must stay absolutely still and cannot perceive the world around you when active
Stealth level 2:(+2) no cost. decreases base visibility by level*10% when active. Must be consciously used. Base visibility almost always exceeds 100%
Looking around it seems as though I'm in an industrial area.
+1 Per
Or at least a version that would fit in a Coruscant lookalike, with skyscrapers that just don't end. I'm at one of the lower levels right now, and can barely see the sky through the walkways and hovercar traffic, with Hauler units like the one I escaped in and bigger interspersed. The level I'm on has a lot of bay doors and a very large loading/unloading platform with some work going on now. Aaaand some workers are staring at me. Time to start walking now.
It's either early morning or dusk out, so this level of traffic above us makes me think this is one of the main thoroughfares of the city.
+1 Per
This feels like an abnormally low bar here. Although with this as the only form of stat progression available to me it might not be low enough later on. Perception is probably gonna be my easiest stat to level period. No specialized equipment or techniques necessary to advance, just look at things and people.
+1 Wis
Found a... a prison wall? There's a door here. And a control panel. Says I'm not authorized to open the door. Why not? I'm trying to get out. Looks like a biometric whitelist.
Computer Use has leveled up by 1
Shit, this is to keep slaves in isn't it?
--Josh the security guard--
It was a long and slow day for Josh the security guard. It was also the end of his shift, and all he wanted was to go home. Then someone reported a little kid wandering the premises.
"Josh some little twerp just came out of vehicle bay C not too long ago, would you go check it out see how he got in?."
"Ten four" he said with a sigh and the beginnings of a headache.
The two minutes spent getting to the sight of the sighting was tolerable. The 10 more spent tracking the kid down was considerably less so. He was trying to get out through one of the perimeter fences in an alley. "Hey kid, what the hell are you doing here?" He stiffened, and huddled himself in that ridiculous looking jacket.
"Trying to get out Sir." He said as he turned around. He looked like the newest ManPower pleasure line.
Halting I said "Yeah I'll bet. On your knees and stick out your tongue." as I unclipped my scanner and activated it on my hand. Escaping slaves can get very jumpy about anything pointed at their head. He grimaced but slowly complied. The position revealing that he was naked underneath the jacket. This time I grimaced. Some things are distasteful even on Mesa. Especially considering that Prolong makes 20 year olds look 10.
"I'll be scanning your tag now." He looked confused at that, which in itself was mildly confusing. All slaves knew where their tag is. "After that We'll be getting you back to your own-" Dafuq? Error code 42: slave already culled. Trying again I get the same error. "Kid who is your owner?"
"I didn't get the chance to memorize his name before he kicked me out of a hovercar. I landed on one of your haulers midflight, then tried to leave"
I squinted at him "And the jacket?"
"Must not have been valuable to him."
"You realize this says you've already been culled, right? What reason do I have to believe you over the database it's connected to?"
"Then that leaves you with 2 possibilities. The first is that I'm telling the truth, and that my master is callous enough to do what I sad. And has the motive and capability to cover it up." He starts to slowly get up at this. "Or that I survived having my neck broken, being thrown into an acidbath meatgrinder, and that your company helped me escape." At this I am keenly aware the only weapon I have on me is a baton, armored I may be. Can't risk slaves getting a hold of a gun. He backs away to the side and gestures toward the door. "I am absolutely certain that should you want me to disappear, it would be easier, safer, and less time consuming to simply open that door, rather than any other disposal method you have in mind."
That was unnerving. Neither his tone of voice or expression changed throughout all of that. I stood there for a good few moments before I made my decision. I calmly and slowly walked to the door and opened it. "I'll have to hold it open for a slave. Go through now." He did. I went back up to the security office to look at the recordings. There was very damning evidence here that could hold the company liable. I went down to vehicle bay C to close the transport cargo bay, then went back up to the security office to replace the footage with something innocuous from a previous day.
Grabbing my whiskey stash I ended my shift.
--Peter--
+1 Wis
+1 Per
Due to a special action a skill has been generated: Intimidation level 6
That was close. Not sure how I'm so scary as a child, but I'll take it. I'm on a public street now, gotta try to look natural.
Stealth has leveled up by 1
And even with that I'm not sure it's gonna be enough. Gotta keep my eyes forward. Don't look at people, don't look away from people.
Stealth has leveled up by 1
I suppose it helps that foot traffic is starting to pick up. That just means a shift has ended though, still don't know what time it is. Gotta keep walking till I find someplace public yet suitably abandoned. It'll happen eventually. My stamina isn't even going down, I can keep this up forever.
Name: Peter Johnson
Gender: Male
Age: 6
Level: 1 (100/1000)
Patron: Prometheus
Title: none
Special Status: Immature Body 9 years, 11 months, 26 days, and 2 hours remaining
HP: 150/150 MP: 210/210 SP: 200/200
Strength: 5 [10]
Vitality: 10 [16]
Dexterity: 8 [12]
Intelligence: 16
Wisdom: 21(+2) Perception: 19(+3) Unclaimed stat pointsFeature disabled in hard mode
Perks
0/0 slots used none available
Traits
Slightly Autistic: you think differently than other people
Gamer's Mind: Protects from all forms of mental intrusion, influence, and control. Brain chemistry is always (mostly) balanced, and you can never forget anything. Negates all emotional trauma and impulsiveness. You are in complete control of yourself at all times and must consciously pursue your goals
Gamer's Body: Your body is that of a video game protagonist's. As video games are timeless and shite at simulating reality, you both no longer age and no longer take anatomical damage. Any attacks specifically made as an attempt to do so will inflict status effects. You also feel pain directly in proportion to how much health you're missing.
Skills
Observe max level: no cost. gives information based on perception stat
Climbing level 11: uses stamina based on tools used and surface climbed. uses level/2% less stamina and you climb 5% faster with each level
Computer use level 5:(+1) determines how good you are at navigating computer menus and settings. Has multiple sub-skills.
Blunt Damage Resistance level 1: determines blunt damage resistance. resisted blunt damage equals skill level. no max level.
Meditation level 1: increases mana regeneration rate by level*10%. you must stay absolutely still and cannot perceive the world around you when active
Stealth level 4:(+2) no cost. decreases base visibility by level*10% when active. Must be consciously used. base visibility almost always exceeds 100%
Intimidation level 6:(+6) no cost. Increases base intimidation chances by level%. Must be consciously used. Base intimidation chances range from +-200%
I went back up to the security office to look at the recordings. There was very damning evidence here that could hold the company liable. I went down to vehicle bay C to close the transport cargo bay, then went back up to the security office to replace the footage with something innocuous from a previous day.
whelp, either your in for creating a outer-heaven style group to take down a mega-corp (its always a fucking mega-corp who does this shit) or your going to go full on Rambo/John Wick on their asses.
whelp, either your in for creating a outer-heaven style group to take down a mega-corp (its always a fucking mega-corp who does this shit) or your going to go full on Rambo/John Wick on their asses.
"Then that leaves you with 2 possibilities. The first is that I'm telling the truth, and that my master is callous enough to do what I sad. And has the motive and capability to cover it up." He starts to slowly get up at this. "Or that I survived having my neck broken, being thrown into an acidbath meatgrinder, and that your company helped me escape." At this I am keenly aware the only weapon I have on me is a baton, armored I may be. Can't risk slaves getting a hold of a gun. He backs away to the side and gestures toward the door. "I am absolutely certain that should you want me to disappear, it would be easier, safer, and less time consuming to simply open that door, rather than any other disposal method you have in mind."
Sorry for the length here, but these breaking points just write themselves. also I gotta keep the ball rolling to avoid writers block
Stealth has leveled up by 2
Two and a half goddamn days later I've finally found somewhere to hole up. Had a couple close calls with rich neighborhoods I wasn't supposed to be in, but they let me be when I went away. I would like to say I've been bored, but I was in constant pain from the missing HP, and constant fear that I would run afoul of gangs or law enforcement. I would've preferred being bored.
Anyways it looks like a thoroughly trashed storefront one level above where I started, and in the shadier part of town. looks like the Sci-Fi equivalent version of a dollar store, all sorts of handcrafted junk and household items. Apparently not the best place for it. Probably ran afoul of gangs a while back, anything of actual use looks to have been looted long ago.
Picking up a piece of piping on the floor I start searching the place, nothing but empty and rotting shelves in the storefront. Door behind the counter looks broken off it's hinges. Looking in the first thing that stands out to me is the bloodstain spatter on the rear wall behind the desk with a-OH GOD! RAT SQUIRREL FOX THING MAULING MY FACE!
- 3 HP
Get the fuck offa me devil creature! Kill it with lead pipe! Die! Die! Die! Die!
Gained 10 XP
Oh shit it dissolved into nothing. And left behind a black plastic square? Observe
Solarian credit chit: 5 credits
Huh. Wish I had an Inventory to...
OH SHIT! I have an Inventory. It has an equip screen and everything! That is a fuckin game changer. I could be the best smuggler in the universe if I could ever make use of it. I could've robbed that ManPower storeroom so badly. Taking stock I have an inventory, don't need to eat drink or sleep, and I don't sweat piss or shit. Still gotta breath though. Assuming I don't shed hair or skin cells or anything like that either. All in all I have the perfect abilities to be some kinda ridiculous ninja person. If only I didn't need to breathe it would be perfect.
Enough distractions. There's a ratty looking couch to the side of the door it jumped me from. Goodnight.
You have slept: HP, MP, SP fully restored
You have slept on a Lice Infested Couch: Immunity to Minor Parasites until next time you sleep.
Hubijesus. Getting off of that thing. Putting the pipe and money into my inventory. Oh neato! I got a little money counter. Anyways, going behind the desk. Gonna see if I can do anything with my mana while meditating.
--Seccie gangsters: John and Mira--
"Mira you sure this kid ain't dead or just not there anymore? Those rats can be vicious."
"I don't wanna hear that from you, yer own damn fault we're so late." she said spitting "Besides, if he is there and alive he might be useful to the organization. Ransom or pressgang, both better options than whatever else is waiting for him down here. Stop lollygagging, lets go already."
I got out my knife and stepped inside. its one of the shops that no one bothered to renovate after the owner came to an unfortunate end. Looking through carefully, don't want a rabid rat clawing my balls off. Eyes either. Clearing the aisles I motion for Mira to flank the back office door. 3, 2, 1, rushing in and nothing. "The hell? Coulda sworn the place had a rat in it at least."
Mira starts walkingaround the desk "Checking the desk. Oooh, looks like we have a real cuutie over here."
"Hmm? Lemme see" I say walking over. There's what looks like a raven haired boy in a meditation pose with a jacket covering him up. "That's a bitchin jacket. Hey kid you awake?" No response. I flick him on the forehead. No response. "Weird, you got the rope?"
"Yep just get him in a better position for me." she said with a smile.
Name: Peter Johnson
Gender: Male
Age: 6
Level: 1 (110/1000)
Patron: Prometheus
Title: none
Special Status: Immature Body 9 years, 11 months, 23 days, and 11 hours remaining
Unclaimed stat pointsFeature disabled in hard mode
Perks
0/0 slots used none available
Traits
Slightly Autistic: you think differently than other people
Gamer's Mind: Protects from all forms of mental intrusion, influence, and control. Brain chemistry is always (mostly) balanced, and you can never forget anything. Negates all emotional trauma and impulsiveness. You are in complete control of yourself at all times and must consciously pursue your goals
Gamer's Body: Your body is that of a video game protagonist's. As video games are timeless and shite at simulating reality, you both no longer age and no longer take anatomical damage. Any attacks specifically made as an attempt to do so will inflict status effects. You also feel pain directly in proportion to how much health you're missing.
Skills
Observe max level: no cost. gives information based on perception stat
Climbing level 11: uses stamina based on tools used and surface climbed. uses level/2% less stamina and you climb 5% faster with each level
Computer use level 5: determines how good you are at navigating computer menus and settings. Has multiple sub-skills.
Blunt Damage Resistance level 1: determines blunt damage resistance. resisted blunt damage equals skill level. no max level.
Meditation level 1: increases mana regeneration rate by level*10%. you must stay absolutely still and cannot perceive the world around you when active
Stealth level 6:(+2) no cost. decreases base visibility by level*10% when active. Must be consciously used. base visibility almost always exceeds 100%
Intimidation level 6: no cost. Increases base intimidation chances by level%. Must be consciously used. Base intimidation chances range from +-200%
I don't see you doing this after it almost fucked over your chance of escaping last time. After all you don't know when another rat could show up let alone people so what are you doing leaving yourself wide open?
I don't see you doing this after it almost fucked over your chance of escaping last time. After all you don't know when another rat could show up let alone people so what are you doing leaving yourself wide open?
I imagine he though it would be a simple 'clear your mind exercise+ breathing" and not "disable all senses to reach unity with the universe' kinda deal.
Though admittedly- his MP is way higher than his HP, so unlocking it regardless of danger seems like the best idea.
And that rat wasn't that bad stat wise to deal with, only -3 HP.
Due to a special action a skill has been generated: Mana Manipulation level 1
Finally! That was the most frustrating thing I have ever had to do. Like a whisper at the edge of my senses constantly shifting to smoke in my grip. I would have given up long ago if not for Gamer's Mind. Does seem to be one of the expected ways to do this though, no stat boost for me.
Getting up and....
The hell!? Where am I? Looks as bare as a jail cell, but the bed and size of a child's room. Holy Shit I have clothes on! Who dressed me? Looking around my jacket is on the bedrest. Putting that in my inventory. Everything is metal. Again. lets see what's in the closet. Clothes, clothes, clothes, what looks like a chess set- What was that?
+1 Per
Looking around suspiciously doesn't reveal anything. I know I heard something because of the notification. Is there anything living in the walls here? It would explain why that store stayed abandoned if this entire area is infested. Rest of this in here looks to be board games and shoes. The window... is a screensaver. Must be an internal room, no way they would waste money on a setup like this if there was the option to cut a hole in the wall. I don't think I'm gonna get out of this situation anytime soon. Oh well, if whoever this is wanted me dead I'd be dead by now. I'm gonna try to figure out some ninja skills.
--Jean--
My turn to look into the new slave boy's quarters for his 4 times daily check. He hasn't moved in the week since we found him. He doesn't eat, drink, have bad dreams, or sweat on the sheets. Only sign he's actually alive is the breathing. The doctor we brought in to take a look asked if we were testing a novel hallucinogen on him when he was looking at the boy. I personally think ManPower is experimenting with high grade android technology, but we can't afford anyone who could tell and boss thinks it would be better to see if he'll do anything on his own.
Opening the door. Closing the door very quickly and quietly, and locking the door. Holy crap he's up. Rooting through the closet. Mira is gonna be ecstatic. Gonna go get her. And another grunt just in case.
--Later--
"You said he was the one who wrecked the closet?"
"Yes."
"And then just, what, went back to a meditation pose again on the bed?"
"Yes."
"I think you're full of shit Jean." She said, jabbing her finger into my tit.
"Hold on now-"
"I think you're just trying to cover up why his jacket is missing."
"Wait, what?"
"You heard me. Now get this shit cleaned up, and if it's not back where it was when I check in on him tomorrow there will be hell to pay for your stupid ass." I stood there gaping as she moved for the door. "What the hell are you waiting for! Get started." *SLAM*
--Peter--
Due to a special action a skill has been generated: Sticky Mana level 1
Yes! This is much easier than learning from scratch. Lets see how well it does on the sheets. *SKRRRCH* Not as well as I'd hoped here. Makes a cool velcro sound though. Feels a bit weird having mana leave my body like that. How much did I use? Status Oh wow, just that little bit lost me 13 mana huh. Guess that what's the Mana Manipulation skill is for. Also the Sticky Mana skill itself. I don't think its worth getting rid of my parasite immunity to go to sleep to regenerate mana. I also don't wanna wait for hours on end for it to regenerate naturally.
I think it's about time to meet the neighbors. Putting on my most winning smile I walk up and knock on the door. After a couple seconds a blond lady with hair past her shoulders answers. She has a broken nose, a black eye, several bruises, her arm in a sling, and is currently scowling at me.
I don't think she likes me very much.
+1 Per
Name: Peter Johnson
Gender: Male
Age: 6
Level: 1 (110/1000)
Patron: Prometheus
Title: none
Special Status: Immature Body 9 years, 11 months, 13 days, and 9 hours remaining
Unclaimed stat pointsFeature disabled in hard mode
Perks
0/0 slots used none available
Traits
Slightly Autistic: you think differently than other people
Gamer's Mind: Protects from all forms of mental intrusion, influence, and control. Brain chemistry is always (mostly) balanced, and you can never forget anything. Negates all emotional trauma and impulsiveness. You are in complete control of yourself at all times and must consciously pursue your goals
Gamer's Body: Your body is that of a video game protagonist's. As video games are timeless and shite at simulating reality, you both no longer age and no longer take anatomical damage. Any attacks specifically made as an attempt to do so will inflict status effects. You also feel pain directly in proportion to how much health you're missing.
Skills
Observe max level: no cost. gives information based on perception stat
Meditation level 3:(+2) increases mana regeneration rate by level*10%. you must stay absolutely still and cannot perceive the world around you when active
Mana Manipulation level 1:(+1) the ease and finesse that you can manipulate mana. reduces all mana expenditures by level/2% the mana difficulty of a skill is the level this skill needs to be at to use said skill without concentration at full effectiveness at max level.
Sticky Mana level 1:(+1) activation cost is 10 mana. maintenance cost is 20 mana per minute. mana difficulty is 15. reduction of maintenance equal to level% can coat yourself and equipped gear in a layer of sticky mana.
Climbing level 11: uses stamina based on tools used and surface climbed. uses level/2% less stamina and you climb 5% faster with each level
Computer use level 5: determines how good you are at navigating computer menus and settings. Has multiple sub-skills.
Blunt Damage Resistance level 1: determines blunt damage resistance. resisted blunt damage equals skill level. no max level.
Stealth level 6: no cost. decreases base visibility by level*10% when active. Must be consciously used. base visibility almost always exceeds 100%
Intimidation level 6: no cost. Increases base intimidation chances by level%. Must be consciously used. Base intimidation chances range from +-200%
