Chista returns from Ironclad Mine victorious and bloated, but one last hurdle remains. The mine's owner Mr. Oremonger. The map she discovered showed this wasn't a simple iron mine, and something else was happening just under the surface. Whatever is happening, that's a job for an investigator, and the map and artifact would earn her a few points with her superior. She just had to sneak the map and artifact out under Oremonger's nose. Shouldn't be too hard...

What's this? A crowd? Well... it wouldn't hurt to take a moment and bask in this little victory, would it?

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Story Notes:

Alchemical Engine: Alchemical engines imitate engines recovered from the Silver Age and can vary in design. The most common devices utilize a heating element to rapidly turn water into steam, which then spins a turbine. More advanced engines use more powerful alchemical reactions to directly turn their fuel source into raw energy, bypassing the need for turbines or boilers.

“Points”: It is unknown who created the “Point System,” but it has remained a staple of the vast web of bureaucracy needed to maintain the Tsardom of Markovia. The system is relatively simple: the more points a person has, the more value they have to their organization. The less points one has, the less value they have for their organization. A simple system that has spurred a century of infighting among the dozens upon dozens of Offices, Orders, and Bureaus that make up the vast bureaucracy of the Tsardom of Markovia.

The Cheka: Of all the Offices and Orders in the Tsardom, only one has the unilateral right to supersede all others regardless of mission or station—the Cheka. The men and women of this secretive organization are the eyes, ears, and hands of the Tsar. Their primary charge is to root out any enemies of the Tsar, and they are granted wide-sweeping powers. Though agents of the Cheka often yield to other Orders and Offices in specific fields of expertise, this is only a courtesy, and not all are so courteous.

Bone Charms: One of the most basic forms of Witchery, Bone Charms use the lingering life energies from bone to create minor, usually beneficial effects for the wearer. The average hedge wizard, a novice sorcerer, or even non-magical gifted individuals can craft a Bone Charm with a basic understanding of the weave. In Markovia, bones ‘gifted’ from a Glutton's stomach are believed to have stronger potency than others, making them sought-after commodities for the superstitious. (Note: the idea is from Dishonored)

The Labyrinth: The Shattering wiped the Earth’s surface clean of the previous civilization, but the Ancients also built their civilization deep into the Earth. The factories, laboratories, bunkers, mining installations, warehouses, and living quarters supported the gleaming cities of silver on the surface and are now the only surviving remnant of the past. These installations were linked together by a vast network of tunnels, giving these ruins their name: The Labyrinth. Here, the treasures of the past lie waiting to be rediscovered, assuming one can brave the horrific monstrosities and powerful defenses that protect them.

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Author Notes

It's been a while sense I posted a continuation and to make up for lost time, I've decided to post the first third of the next chapter now. A little treat to hold people over as I edit the rest of the chapter. PS blame Baldur's Gate 3 for messing up my posting schedule.

I also couldn't properly make screen shots for this scene in Fallout 4. The downside to my creative writing is that I can't always capture scenes in Fallout 4. The Image used is a place holder that I made for fun recently.

See this post here for more Info and to give a broader feedback on the story so far!:

https://aryion.com/g4/blog.php?id=74038

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