POV: Heath Dollen.
Date: Mörsugur 12th, 798. (Alt: 25th Dec, 798 AD.) Location: Götaland (Ancient Sweden.)
Yet another day has passed within the Cavern, a short time spent but well-ordained by Heath. And partway through the crack of dawn, they achieved a few of Valyria's main goals.
She can now grab an egg without cracking it! And they got to play a few games of hnefatafl, then Heath came back from his visit to Asdos to fully introduce backgammon, chess, go, hounds and jackals, mahjong, mehen, nine men's morris, senet, and the royal game of Ur.
Valyria could also remember all information very clearly thanks to how her storage capacity is designed to manage, self-repair and efficiently categorize 'tasks' that are of vague reference. So she beat everyone else at these games, which disgruntled many from the group as she was technically born yesterday. However, she could not beat Heath just yet. "You know so many games you say are hundreds of years older than you, Heath. How did you know of them so well?" Gorm was flummoxed on how he could have known.
"The all-knowing library of the Internet." He gave this usual answer now and then, though he would not disclose further what it meant. Hervor slammed the table, looking him straight in the eyes with defiance. "Are you going to tell us what it is, or stall further?"
"Fine, fine. I just enjoyed that expression of annoyance on all of you." Heath coughed into his hand before recounting this tale by first creating some misdirection. "When I was 30 winters old or so. I used this library for reliable knowledge from the Montgolfier brothers, who created the first flying machines over 241 years before my birth, to Humphry Davy, the man who pioneered the harnessing of electricity about 222 years before my birth. Which was stored lightning for appliances like lighting in homes, many came after from the internet-"
There, he explained of many inventions and how long before he was born, he went into greater detail about people who made machines: The Aeolipile and its Cart version (1 BC) by Heron of Alexandria or the Antikythera Mechanism (≈ 200 BC) by Posidonius of Apamea.
Automata or robots: The Automate Therapaenis (≈ 280 BC) by Philo of Byzantium and great machines like the Shadouf (≈ 2,100 BC) as the first cranes by the Egyptians. Original creator unknown, yet all examples shown were millennia old before his birth, which shushed the group. He would go more in-depth as everything he said helped prove his point as they were technologies the Völsung Clan did not originally have. Even the wheel, or glass (≈ 4,000 BC) and concrete (≈ 6,500 BC) were thousands of years old to THEM.
This humbled many of them, knowing they were 'standing on the shoulders of giants.' As Heath would say at the end of his paragraph. And they felt that description was rather apt. "That is how I understood the Internet, a wealth of nearly all of humanity's knowledge."
"All of that in a small object reminding of a book or scroll, figured out before becoming a mennskrðrútan, your people must be wiser than ours by such a wide margin they may as well be the Vanir to us." Hervor comments, which quite a few nod to. "Why would you say that?" Heath frowned.
"Because our Gods did not directly apply themselves or would even stall the progress that is then shared between groups, they would take or even destroy such knowledge from the Vanir or mennskr (Norse humans,) your people had some issues, such as the fall of the Bronze Age you described, but they always progressed in the end." Egill tried to articulate how he understood it. "And your people had no legal slavery as well. How had you dealt with your prisoners?" Agnarr saw Heath shift his eyes left, they were quiet for a bit before he began.
"We placed them in large complexes that provided clothing, food and shelter known as 'prisons.' That would be a set amount of time, depending on the crime that had taken place. Some are multi-purpose, with jobs for them to do, away from other people." Heath finished.
"How were they like?" Agnarr pressed on. "Their qualities were dependent on the type of government at the time. Some were about low provisions to increase income, focusing more on punishment, and others were based on rehabilitation. Providing enough leisure that they were closer to small storied homes called 'apartments.'" Heath saw them look confused. "The second option seems too lenient." Hervor mumbled. "Sometimes, some kindness in the form of proper homing could help better themselves." Heath was certain of that thought.
They stop for now, as this conversation would be best done for later. Though, the thought of prisons made him think of back home and with their own religions. The more he thought about it, Heath was surprised it took so little time for it to be accustomed to Brijga's antics.
Heath guessed from his experience as an agnostic spiritualist with an interdimensional deity as evidence that if there were Gods during those times, they would not have been so auiet, as evidenced by the sudden transformation of the world. They would have fought back to keep control unless it was part of their 'plan' or they were more mennskrðrútan / Divine extraterrestrials than he had expected. It can be hard to figure out when you have no way to back it up. "Understandable." Heath started getting up and mumbled something.
"Are you leaving somewhere?" Gorm asks, hoping it was nothing important. "I will travel back to the compound to alter the shielding. With it under the cover of impairment, I can make it safer against any magical threats." Heath then acquired some iron ingots to grind down.
Heath started floating while Gorm's next sentence began. "Understood, you can alter the structure with newer technologies as well. It requires much to follow the other structures you are making." "Of course, that is perfectly fine." Heath slowly glided, allowing them to walk beside him. "Why are you rushing so much currently? We noticed your growing stress over the past few hours." Hervor asked with scrunched brows, even readying her hand by her weapon as she was getting rattled by his paranoia. They waited for his response.
"I am worried for Gorm's son. As he would more than likely arrive in a few hours. I may need to check more thoroughly on whether the compound is safe from the Dǫkkálfar." Nothing more needed to be said, they thought of worst-case scenarios and how to counteract them.
"Your idea of using iron powder for the shield is quite ingenious, much in keeping with putting salt on the ground to ward off evil from the nearby peoples." Agnarr tried to lighten up the situation, which was successful. But they continued through the portal. Heath then created a circle 0.5-Model Meters (0.1616-m (0.5302-feet.)) smaller. Making it invisible to those with scrying eyes and would help keep most preternatural enemies at bay. From there, he created a half-sphere within the earth with this iron powder, encompassing the entire compound.
Heath checked throughout this process if there were any changes done, such as moved furniture or stolen items. And he eyed many of the longhouses in case more scouts were able to enter within the last 2 days by testing any 'soul residues' on surfaces. There were not.
'They must be very confident, or downright arrogant for them not to spy or go through into the compound during this time.' Heath shook his head, happy it was this way with no direct malice towards them. It took over 3 hours in total to set up the extra barrier. And he tested it by trying to fly forcefully through the underground spheroid with extra imbued magic in his armour. And he bounced off against the surface that felt stronger than titanium, it was a great success! Lastly, as a welcoming gesture, he rectified much of the structures.
The ground pathways were retiled with cobblestone and the farms were repurposed for more gardens due to them being unnecessary now. The style on the outside of them kept accurate and neat for easier travelling and greater manoeuvrability.
Heath upgraded the wooden structural supports to rune-imbued copper with an external layer of lacquered steel. He then cleaned, prepped, and repaired all surfaces, floors, roofs, and walls, which now appeared new and inviting. While visually identical, the construction techniques were also improved to make them longer-lasting as an additional safety feature. This could allow this historical site to last for thousands of years, even if not kept. Lastly, a large plaza was made in the middle of the building. Great furniture is used in its place.[1]
Instruments unseen by any of them during this age were made. A large keyboard about the size of an 88-key piano, but with an additional 15 keys in the original empty spots for greater tonality. On the right side, where you would sit, there are 40 editable strings in tandem.
Heath engraved the runes behind the many buttons, toggles and levers. If you did not know, it would appear completely normal to a modern person, only heavily augmented from the electronic instrument you would recognize in a higher-end thrift store by an Ethan Allen supermarket. Heath added to his intent that it would allow anyone to modulate, add, edit, remove or save sounds and their components. You could create little beats or even automate certain 'boppy' tunes with the help of the inbuilt intelligence beside your work. UI friendly.[2]
Off-topic, but both rune combinations you are shown here have also been applied to the Cavern's Ceiling and Floor, and Armours. Meaning they are further enhanced and if necessary, could be re-willed to apply wireless communication between magical devices!
Even the golem-folk Valyria could directly connect to it to interface it as necessary. It took a bit of finagling, as Heath would say. But it is all now interconnected as a massive system. This means that the 'keyboard,' tagelharpa, and violin are banded together. Beside it, a device close to an electronic drum kit was made. With the same runes as the keyboard. So now a full band could play if needed. Lastly, a large steel anvil with runes and intent, as the first example was made to set a piece that Heath believes will work well as a presentation.
'What song should I choose~?' Heath had so many choices available in his head that he did not know which to work with. Until he remembered a song from Pianistec he heard before he left. ''That it shall be!' Heath hummed a little tune to match its main orchestral record.
"What sort of device is that, another manufacturing setup?" Egill comes close and strums one of the strings from the keyboard, causing a loud *WHOOMP* horn you would hear from a bad sitcom. "That is a keyboard mixed with a harp, based on electronic instruments from my home realm." Heath's explanation was enough for them to look at it with wonder. "It looks like a combination of the hydraulis or lyre you described to us." Agnarr comments in hand. Which Heath nods to. "They are its predecessors." Heath says with a sing-song tone.
Heath feels through the barrier a faint thrum, as if there is a warm change in the air. He flies up by the edge of the barrier to check its location without warning the others. They get their weapons as they assume it is an attack, but Heath holds up his hand to signal it is fine.
Past modern Söderåsen Peak, a bit after one travels around a colony that we would soon know as Hälsingborg, two people who are too far away to be seen were felt as if their destinies were tied to the Völsung more than any other. 'I'm surprised I could feel that 'link' from so far away, to be honest. I must be growing in power quite quickly.' Heath pulled a face like Steve Buscemi's before focusing on it. Recognising it is much too close to a genetic link where you can check on similarities. He spiritually scans it for authentication in case it is a dud.
"It's Gorm's son, and he's coming in hot. I also feel one with energy that could be generally associated with females. . . OH SHIT!" After speaking in English, Heath zips down again by them, surprised by his fast movement. Heath then explains the situation to the group.
"So the princess of the Open Hand Giant's Clan is arriving. This will be interesting." Hervor says with added interest. "Why were you so skittish?" Agnarr asked Heath as he seemed more wound up than when he was setting up the Cover of Impairment over the compound. They would not understand that he saw the trailer, which gave examples of 'the future.' "You may not believe me, so I understand if you do not wish to hear what I will say." Heath starts with a sentence that immediately puts them on guard. "Tell us, if it comes from you. We will see to you wholeheartedly." Gorm says, breaking the silence. Heath thanks him with a look.
"Soon as they arrive. That raid that was recorded by your scouts that would come in a few years is accelerated. Now appearing a few weeks after. On that raid, the foreign invaders kill many. Including Hervor's sons." Hervor unnaturally stiffens while Heath looks apologetically.
"That is part of the reason why I wished for your people to stay in the Cavern as a temporary shelter, not just from current threats. Because while I did not know you personally then, I could not do nothing and see to your loved one's unnecessary deaths." Heath watches as Agnarr comforts Hervor, who's lips quiver slightly due to her visualising her sons deaths. "Please, I will make sure it does not happen, I am sorry for stressing you." Heath tries to comfort her, going to one knee while patting her shoulder. Agnarr and Hervor look to Heath.
"Thank you." They both feel more indebted to him than they already did, even if Heath would say that he requires nothing. "Would the both of you want a hug?" Heath tries to lighten the mood, raising his arms in faux-expectation. They obliged, surprisingly enough.
"You act more as a family than many who were of our blood," Agnarr says with a joky astonishment in his voice while Heath embraces them both. "While they accept death as a natural course in battle, I wish to change that, as some deaths could easily be avoided through other means." Heath raised his eyebrows in contemplation. "'Overwhelming firepower,' as you would say?" Hervor raised an eyebrow while saying this. Heath broke out of his contemplation and chuckled in a calming tone. "*Hah*Yes." They soon let go of each other.
"How have you come of this?" Gorm asks once the hug was done. "In the past, I had visions of the world I came to, and what to expect throughout. I am following this knowledge for the people closest to me." Heath gave a convincing lie to them.
"Could you give us examples?" Egill says in the background, with a half-smirk on his face after seeing the wholesome sight. "Of course, but later. They are only an hour or so away. And the amount of information I could speak of would be overwhelming in such a short time." Heath knew much of mythology and due to his studies of his original world that this one was based on, he knew of what to expect such as what countries or religions are dominant. There may be some differences, but that knowledge could be gained through magical applications.
Heath calls in Auto-141 to Auto-150, the first 5 would be the instrument users and the last 5 would work on the new weapons that would be forged upon the anvil. While Heath could create the weapons on his own, he wants a 'miraculous experience' for Leif and Sigrid.
At least that reduced the risk of him getting shanked by an angry couple who saw the compound was empty with the person who caused it still there. "Before they arrive, I wish for you to hear the song I edited from my home realm. If that is alright?" Heath prepared the instruments while Gorm was thinking on responding. "Of course, let us hear it!" Gorm was happy to hear of new possible songs again. Though it was not what he expected. A sudden sound in closety to a running chainsaw plays, continuing into a loud beat of an army's march.
The song stuns Gorm, who becomes fully still. Overpowered by the sudden expression done by Heath. The others sit in shock, yet rapt attention. Some stared with mouths open, as Heath never showed this side of him in front of others before.
A few seconds pass, and they tried to gather their bearings before Heath was between a sudden stop for the next part of the symphony. Heath's eyes bore innocence. But they turned to him at the same time, they stared at him with varying expressions of shock.
*"NO!"* All of them say it at the same time. And Heath had a 'what did I do?' expression. However, they were lucky they had paused in this regard, as the song was meant to be a copy of a dark military theme that would have required the ear mufflers from before.
Now to be ready, they prepare many foods on the side and the collection of Auto and Bus golems in attendance to deal with any potential 'unexpected variables' such as the Dǫkkálfar doing a raid while they are vulnerable upon their horses.
We will see what our heroes will do by the end of the afternoon, ever-growing wiser and more confident in their abilities.
[1] ᛟ (Heritage / Estate Rune,) ᚾ (Need / Hardship Rune,) ᛃ (Year / Harvest / Earth Rune) and ᚷ (Generosity / Gift / Spear Rune.)
[2] ᛉ (Protection / Shield / Elk Rune,) ᛇ (Yggdrasil / Yew Tree / Dream Rune,) ᚱ (Horse / Ride / Journey / Thor Rune,) ᛟ (Heritage / Estate Rune,) ᚾ (Need / Hardship Rune,) ᛗ (Man / Human / Self Rune,) ᚠ (Cattle / Livestock / Wealth Rune,) ᛖ (Horse / Twin Forces Rune,) and ᚨ (Odin / Inspiration / Wisdom Rune.)