Seeking magitech engineers

[emet_sulk]

Type: Video
Sender ID: emet-sulk
To: Public
Subject: Seeking magitech engineers
Warnings: None

[ In a rare display, Emet-Selch opts to appear in person. This is important enough to warrant an appearance, he thinks.

The backdrop appears to be a cabin on a ship somewhere. He fills most of the screen so there's not much of significance to be gleaned from it. His posture is relaxed, fingers interlaced loosely before him on the table that his shellphone sits upon. ]

Greetings, one and all.

I and Rem Tokimiya of the Raiders of the Lost Arts are seeking engineers to assist with the development of an engine. 'Tis past time we made a concerted effort to develop one. Inevitable, I would say, as this world has progressed to magical trinkets. We have examined schematics of an old pirate ship and seek to eventually put it to practical use to improve the fleets of both paladins and corsairs.

[ He pauses. It looks as though he wants to add something but he seems to think better of it. ]

Send word to either myself or Rem if you are interested in contributing to the work. While an engine capable of powering a ship is our eventual goal, 'twill be enough to make something on a smaller scale for now - such as heaters for winter or automatic fans for summer.

Comments

[emet_sulk]

[ His expression definitely slides into a grimace now and he sighs heavily. ]

I don't plan to withhold the technology from anyone. 'Tis what Rem wishes. But I'm not so naive as to think that the corsairs and the paladins won't attempt to fight over the first working engine we make. Which means we either make two concurrently or we withhold the first until the second is finished.

[multidisciplinary]

[ Zelda nods. Yeah, he makes a good point about that. Why, even a successful prototype will be highly sought after, even if development is far from finished.

The princess contemplates these two options. ]

There are advantages and disadvantages to both approaches. Developing two engines concurrently means we could iterate on their designs twice as quickly. But at the same time, there will be twice as many problems to troubleshoot-- and those problems will likely worsen as the two designs inevitably diverge further and further from each other with each iteration.

[ Her attention returns to the screen. ] Which do you favor?

[ It's his and Rem's project after all. Zelda just wants to be involved. ]

[emet_sulk]

I would rather build the one engine first, ensure that it's functioning as well as can be expected before attempting to construct another. As you say, twice the work means twice as many problems to fix. 'Twould also be unkind to ask all those who have volunteered to do twice the work.

[ They ought to be compensated for their efforts, maybe from the sale or something of the first engine they complete. Hmm... ]

I suppose we could hold an auction for the first engine. Then the coin from its sale can fund further ventures as well as allow us to compensate the workers.

[multidisciplinary]

An auction?

[ She tilts her head in surprise. ]

That is awfully generous, but why would you not keep it for your own crew? Or, at the very least, your own armada.

[emet_sulk]

[ He shrugs. ]

I certainly could, but with this being a group effort that would come off rather selfish, aye? What right do I have to demand so much work from these men and women only to use it for my crew? Especially when I cannot even pay them a proper wage to begin with.

[multidisciplinary]

[ All good points, Zelda concedes with a nod. ]

I suppose I expected that anyone volunteering for this project would doing so solely for the love of the craft. Perhaps I am the exception.

[ Zelda's also still not used to having to think about things like wages. It sucks. How do normal people live like this? ]

But I will hardly turn down a wage for my labor.

[emet_sulk]

Then I suppose you ought to work hard to make this a success, hmm?

[ His mouth curves into an amused smile. ]

I will be the one most out of pocket here. We shall have to see if we can recuperate some costs by making smaller gadgets on the side.

[multidisciplinary]

[ That remark gets a good natured laugh out of Zelda. ]

Selling smaller gadgets seems a clever plan. Perhaps those of us inexperienced with this world's magitechnology might use that as an opportunity to learn.

[emet_sulk]

Aye. I noticed merchants selling magitech accessories lately. I'm sure we can do better once the workshop is set up and there has been time for proper tutelage. Little home conveniences such as heaters and fans and the like. Those are always popular.