Daybreak:Volume 2 Chapter 13 - Revision history

Aorii at 17:53, 31 May 2025

2025-05-31T17:53:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:53, 31 May 2025
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	He then helped Kaede take off the chestplate, before taking it to the back of the shop where he exited through a heavy, wooden door.		He then helped Kaede take off the chestplate, before taking it to the back of the shop where he exited through a heavy, wooden door.

	''I wonder what 'industry' looks like on Hyperion?'' Kaede thought followed the armorer to the back. Her lips fell open as she looked through the open door, to the large backyard that the armorer seemed to share with several neighboring smiths.		''I wonder what 'industry' looks like on Hyperion?'' Kaede thought as she followed the armorer to the back. Her lips fell open as she looked through the open door, to the large backyard that the armorer seemed to share with several neighboring smiths.

	A series of open sheds with covered walkways linking them filled much of this space. The largest shed in the middle had a stone roof, and was built around a massive, two-story stone furnace and smelter. The stone structure was roughly squarish in construction. The side facing her had a chute that was being used to dispense molten metal into a mold. Meanwhile both flanks had a series of alcoves, each lining up with a workspace that included a blacksmith anvil, a stone table, and a large trough filled with water.		A series of open sheds with covered walkways linking them filled much of this space. The largest shed in the middle had a stone roof, and was built around a massive, two-story stone furnace and smelter. The stone structure was roughly squarish in construction. The side facing her had a chute that was being used to dispense molten metal into a mold. Meanwhile both flanks had a series of alcoves, each lining up with a workspace that included a blacksmith anvil, a stone table, and a large trough filled with water.

Aorii at 19:59, 11 March 2023

2023-03-11T19:59:32Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:59, 11 March 2023
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	The pitch-black gambeson that Pascal had ordered to her measurements didn't look all that different from a modern quilted jacket -- a girl's jacket at that, as it wrapped tightly around her waist and would have shown off her figure if she had more curves to speak of.		The pitch-black gambeson that Pascal had ordered to her measurements didn't look all that different from a modern quilted jacket -- a girl's jacket at that, as it wrapped tightly around her waist and would have shown off her figure if she had more curves to speak of.

	Kaede wore this padded armor over a black pseudo-uniform with white lines, which she had custom-made as the exact opposite to the white pseudo-uniform she wore back then. Its front buckles were half-hidden beneath a blackened steel chestplate that reached from her neck to just above her waist. The ~~chest guard~~ was held in place by leather straps that criss-crossed over her back and flaps around her waist. Meanwhile a simple kettle helmet adorned her head.		Kaede wore this padded armor over a black pseudo-uniform with white lines, which she had custom-made as the exact opposite to the white pseudo-uniform she wore back then. Its front buckles were half-hidden beneath a blackened steel chestplate that reached from her neck to just above her waist. The chestplate was held in place by leather straps that criss-crossed over her back and flaps around her waist. Meanwhile a simple kettle helmet adorned her head.

	"Yes, well, this is really the minimum insofar as 'armor' goes," Pascal shrugged. "I did request the 'reactive' enhancement -- the armor will magically harden at the point of impact. However it seemed rather unnecessary to fit you with a half-plate, especially since you said you are unused to wearing too much weight. It is not like you are going to wade into melee. The worst I expect you to face is the occasional arrow."		"Yes, well, this is really the minimum insofar as 'armor' goes," Pascal shrugged. "I did request the 'reactive' enhancement -- the armor will magically harden at the point of impact. However it seemed rather unnecessary to fit you with a half-plate, especially since you said you are unused to wearing too much weight. It is not like you are going to wade into melee. The worst I expect you to face is the occasional arrow."
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	All she knew was that Weichsel had a fully professional army, and that meant no 'camp followers'. Instead, every company and battalion had an integrated support unit, responsible for managing the soldiers' logistical needs.		All she knew was that Weichsel had a fully professional army, and that meant no 'camp followers'. Instead, every company and battalion had an integrated support unit, responsible for managing the soldiers' logistical needs.

	However, the real reason Kaede asked was because she still had reservations about serving as a member of the Weichsen military, or ''any'' military. Even highly disciplined modern armies could not escape the taint of war crimes, as American sanctions and threats against the UN International Criminal Court made their guilt in Afghanistan and Iraq all but obvious. And that didn't even account for countries like Weichsel which had centuries of deep, cultural hatred against the Northmen who raided them.		However, the real reason Kaede asked was because she still had reservations about serving as a member of the Weichsen military, or ''any'' military. Even highly disciplined modern armies could not escape the taint of war crimes, as American sanctions and threats against the UN International Criminal Court made their guilt in Afghanistan and Iraq all but obvious. The idea of an 'honorable war' had always been a myth created by romantic fantasies and belligerent propaganda. And that didn't even account for countries like Weichsel which had centuries of deep, cultural hatred against the Northmen who raided them.

	The historian in her might recognize the necessity of war. But partaking in it was entirely something else.		The historian in her might recognize the necessity of war. But partaking in it was entirely something else.

Aorii at 00:51, 13 March 2022

2022-03-13T00:51:51Z

Aorii at 17:50, 15 December 2021

2021-12-15T17:50:53Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:50, 15 December 2021
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	"Fine," Kaede sighed. Unwilling to risk an accident, she waited until the 'night soil' merchant emerged again with yet another bucket before she went inside.		"Fine," Kaede sighed. Unwilling to risk an accident, she waited until the 'night soil' merchant emerged again with yet another bucket before she went inside.

	The entrance hallway was short and led to a large, open-roofed atrium within the building. ~~The atrium~~ was surrounded by covered corridors with round columns holding up the roofs. There were lounge chairs scattered about, but none of them were occupied since it was winter outside. On the far side of the building she could spot steam coming out of the ceiling-high vents, as well as hear the sound of running water and the voices of people relaxing inside.		The entrance hallway was short and led to a large, open-roofed atrium within the building. It was surrounded by covered corridors with round columns holding up the roofs. There were lounge chairs scattered about, but none of them were occupied since it was winter outside. On the far side of the building she could spot steam coming out of the ceiling-high vents, as well as hear the sound of running water and the voices of people relaxing inside.

	''It really is like a Roman bathhouse,'' Kaede thought.		''It really is like a Roman bathhouse,'' Kaede thought.

	The open architectural design was clearly one that originated from a warmer climate. It would not surprise Kaede one bit if ~~the~~ Weichsel imported the concept of these bathhouses from the Romans of this world -- the Holy Imperium of the Inner Sea.		The open architectural design was clearly one that originated from a warmer climate. It would not surprise Kaede one bit if Weichsel imported the concept of these bathhouses from the Romans of this world -- the Holy Imperium of the Inner Sea. This meant that it was even possible that Weichsel inherited a culture of 'recreational bathing' similar to that of the Roman Empire.

	''I should ~~visit one of these days~~. It's been too long since I've had a proper bath and not just 'cleansing spells'.''		''I should ask Pascal if there's a bath in his home.'' Kaede thought as she rather missed the ability to take a soak in the Japanese style. ''It's been too long since I've had a proper bath and not just 'cleansing spells'.''

	On her side of the atrium, a door on each flank was marked by a stick-figure sign. Needless to say, the one that had a triangle skirt was the one that she was looking for.		On her side of the atrium, a door on each flank was marked by a stick-figure sign. Needless to say, the one that had a triangle skirt was the one that she was looking for.

Aorii at 15:22, 22 August 2021

2021-08-22T15:22:06Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:22, 22 August 2021
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	All she knew was that Weichsel had a fully professional army, and that meant no 'camp followers'. Instead, every company and battalion had an integrated support unit, responsible for managing the soldiers' logistical needs.		All she knew was that Weichsel had a fully professional army, and that meant no 'camp followers'. Instead, every company and battalion had an integrated support unit, responsible for managing the soldiers' logistical needs.

			However the real reason Kaede asked was because she still had reservations about serving as a member of the Weichsen military, or ''any'' military. Even highly disciplined modern armies could not escape the taint of war crimes, as US sanctions and threats against the UN International Court of Justice made their guilt in Afghanistan and Iraq all but obvious. And that didn't even account for countries like Weichsel which had centuries of deep, cultural hatred against the Northmen who raided them.

			The historian in her might recognize the necessity of war. But partaking in it was entirely something else.

			Nevertheless, thanks to Pascal, Kaede was on the path to Weichsen citizenship. ''I should at least do my part to help Pascal defend the country,'' she thought.

	"Considering even His Majesty liked you? I doubt anyone will have a problem with you coming along," Pascal declared in a proud tone, though his countenance wore a faint scowl which puzzled Kaede. "Nevertheless I did attain his permission just in case. As for your role, being 'eyes and ears' means I would like you to stay at a good vantage point near the front lines. It would give me better battlefield vision and save an adjutant for passing orders."		"Considering even His Majesty liked you? I doubt anyone will have a problem with you coming along," Pascal declared in a proud tone, though his countenance wore a faint scowl which puzzled Kaede. "Nevertheless I did attain his permission just in case. As for your role, being 'eyes and ears' means I would like you to stay at a good vantage point near the front lines. It would give me better battlefield vision and save an adjutant for passing orders."

Aorii at 11:50, 7 July 2021

2021-07-07T11:50:46Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:50, 7 July 2021
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	"<Ugh, fine...>"		"<Ugh, fine...>"

	Kaede forced herself to walk to the far side of the room where she found a spot near the corner. The wooden bench was surprisingly clean, probably aided by the fact this was a 'female only' bathroom which didn't have to worry about men and their randomly aimed pee. She lifted her skirt and ~~shifted~~ the soft, clingy ~~fabric~~ between her legs ~~to one side as she sat down. It wasn't an ideal solution, but since her undergarments had self-cleaning enchantments, it also wasn't a real concern~~.		Kaede forced herself to walk to the far side of the room where she found a spot near the corner. The wooden bench was surprisingly clean, probably aided by the fact this was a 'female only' bathroom which didn't have to worry about men and their randomly aimed pee. She lifted her skirt and unbuttoned the soft, clingy fabrics between her legs from behind.

	''For once I'm thankful for wearing a skirt.'' She thought as she sat down on the latrine hole, while the fabric of her skirt completely covered her feminine bits. This would not have been an option if she was still wearing pants.		''For once I'm thankful for wearing a skirt.'' She thought as she sat down on the latrine hole, while the fabric of her skirt completely covered her feminine bits. This would not have been an option if she was still wearing pants.

Aorii at 20:31, 25 May 2021

2021-05-25T20:31:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:31, 25 May 2021
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	''Just like on Earth,'' Kaede reflected as she thought of how monarchs would use every tool at their disposal to remind the people of their royal legitimacy.		''Just like on Earth,'' Kaede reflected as she thought of how monarchs would use every tool at their disposal to remind the people of their royal legitimacy.

	''I'd love to see what all the countries will put on paper bills once they establish fiat currency.''		''I'd love to see what all the countries will put on paper bills once they establish fiat currency. IF they establish fiat currency.''

			There was no doubt that magic made counterfeiting far more of a threat.

Aorii at 20:21, 25 May 2021

2021-05-25T20:21:46Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:21, 25 May 2021
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	With his eulogy finished, the new landgrave's eyes scanned across the audience before falling back upon his father's casket and the black dragon banner that wrapped around it.		With his eulogy finished, the new landgrave's eyes scanned across the audience before falling back upon his father's casket and the black dragon banner that wrapped around it.

	"Hail the Black Dragon!" Pascal shouted as he snapped his boots together, stood perfectly straight, and raised his hand in a military salute.		"Hail the Black Dragon!" Pascal shouted as he snapped his boots together, stood perfectly straight, and raised his hand to his head in a military salute.

	The gesture was followed by dozens, hundreds, everyone gathered not just inside, but also outside the cathedral's gates.		The gesture was followed by dozens, hundreds, everyone gathered not just inside, but also outside the cathedral's gates.

Aorii at 18:17, 10 April 2021

2021-04-10T18:17:33Z

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Aorii at 19:36, 13 February 2021

2021-02-13T19:36:05Z

Show changes

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:51, 13 March 2022
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	"Waist looks bit loose though," the burly, middle-aged armorsmith noted as he came over and knelt down behind Kaede. He unbuckled and tightened the strap until the two leather flaps squeezed around her midsection. "I need to punch another hole here."		"Waist looks bit loose though," the burly, middle-aged armorsmith noted as he came over and knelt down behind Kaede. He unbuckled and tightened the strap until the two leather flaps squeezed around her midsection. "I need to punch another hole here."

	He then helped Kaede take off the ~~chest guard~~, before taking it to the back of the shop where he exited through a heavy, wooden door.		He then helped Kaede take off the chestplate, before taking it to the back of the shop where he exited through a heavy, wooden door.

	''I wonder what 'industry' looks like on Hyperion?'' Kaede thought followed the armorer to the back. Her lips fell open as she looked through the open door, to the large backyard that the armorer seemed to share with several neighboring smiths.		''I wonder what 'industry' looks like on Hyperion?'' Kaede thought followed the armorer to the back. Her lips fell open as she looked through the open door, to the large backyard that the armorer seemed to share with several neighboring smiths.
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	''I guess the Hyperion civilization will be a lot less worried about its carbon footprint.''		''I guess the Hyperion civilization will be a lot less worried about its carbon footprint.''

	The armorer soon returned with Kaede's ~~chest guard~~ and fitted it again. This time the waist flaps wrapped snugly around her midsection when he buckled the strap.		The armorer soon returned with Kaede's chestplate and fitted it again. This time the waist flaps wrapped snugly around her midsection when he buckled the strap.

	The familiar repeated all of her stretches again. The leather flaps proved just tight enough to give her waist support without limiting her range of motion.		The familiar repeated all of her stretches again. The leather flaps proved just tight enough to give her waist support without limiting her range of motion.
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	All she knew was that Weichsel had a fully professional army, and that meant no 'camp followers'. Instead, every company and battalion had an integrated support unit, responsible for managing the soldiers' logistical needs.		All she knew was that Weichsel had a fully professional army, and that meant no 'camp followers'. Instead, every company and battalion had an integrated support unit, responsible for managing the soldiers' logistical needs.

	However the real reason Kaede asked was because she still had reservations about serving as a member of the Weichsen military, or ''any'' military. Even highly disciplined modern armies could not escape the taint of war crimes, as US sanctions and threats against the UN International Court ~~of Justice~~ made their guilt in Afghanistan and Iraq all but obvious. And that didn't even account for countries like Weichsel which had centuries of deep, cultural hatred against the Northmen who raided them.		However, the real reason Kaede asked was because she still had reservations about serving as a member of the Weichsen military, or ''any'' military. Even highly disciplined modern armies could not escape the taint of war crimes, as American sanctions and threats against the UN International Criminal Court made their guilt in Afghanistan and Iraq all but obvious. And that didn't even account for countries like Weichsel which had centuries of deep, cultural hatred against the Northmen who raided them.

	The historian in her might recognize the necessity of war. But partaking in it was entirely something else.		The historian in her might recognize the necessity of war. But partaking in it was entirely something else.
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	"That all mana repel foreign sources of mana? Yes." Kaede answered his impromptu quiz before she puzzled. "So that means magic has trouble... healing other mages?"		"That all mana repel foreign sources of mana? Yes." Kaede answered his impromptu quiz before she puzzled. "So that means magic has trouble... healing other mages?"

	"Correct." Pascal nodded. "Healing commoners is easy. Healing mages, however, requires a special focus to compensate for their magic resistance. Samaran blood is never rejected in a transfusion. Likewise, healing spells --and only spells that cure or calm, for whatever reason-- cast through Samaran blood gain a limited ability to bypass mana repulsion. The blood also loses potency as it is used more. So effectively, your entire body full of fresh blood is a healing focus of the highest quality."		"Correct." Pascal nodded. "Healing commoners is easy. Healing mages, however, requires a special focus to compensate for their magic resistance. Samaran blood is never rejected in a transfusion. Likewise, healing spells -- and only spells that cure or calm, for whatever reason -- cast through Samaran blood gain a limited ability to bypass mana repulsion. The blood also loses potency as it is used more. So effectively, your entire body full of fresh blood is a healing focus of the highest quality."

	Being called a top quality trade good wasn't exactly a very flattering comment. But then, Pascal merely stated the facts 'as is'.		Being called a top quality trade good wasn't exactly a very flattering comment. But then, Pascal merely stated the facts 'as is'.
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	''Even so, is there even an incentive to create non-magical technological processes?''		''Even so, is there even an incentive to create non-magical technological processes?''

	After all, the people of Hyperion ''did'' have a solution for getting what they wanted, even if the supply availability was far lower. However this suited the mages --the most educated members of Hyperion society-- just fine, as it maintained the high value of their labor and their wealth as the middle and upper class. Meanwhile commoners without magic had to perform occupations like shovel manure for a living.		After all, the people of Hyperion ''did'' have a solution for getting what they wanted, even if the supply availability was far lower. However this suited the mages -- the most educated members of Hyperion society -- just fine, as it maintained the high value of their labor and their wealth as the middle and upper class. Meanwhile commoners without magic had to perform occupations like shovel manure for a living.

	"I'm guessing 'night soil' is a cheaper alternative then?"		"I'm guessing 'night soil' is a cheaper alternative then?"
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	Kaede watched as eight members of the Knights Phantom dismounted to pull the marshal's casket from the wagon. They lifted it upon their shoulders before carrying the mahogany funeral box up the short stairs and through the cathedral's double doors. The congregation followed the knights in, while behind them came several hundred military officers and other attendees.		Kaede watched as eight members of the Knights Phantom dismounted to pull the marshal's casket from the wagon. They lifted it upon their shoulders before carrying the mahogany funeral box up the short stairs and through the cathedral's double doors. The congregation followed the knights in, while behind them came several hundred military officers and other attendees.

	The marshal's casket was placed before the altar while Kaede filed into the space before a second row bench. Her eyes remained glued to Pascal who stood stiffly in the first row besides Princess Sylviane and other dignitaries. They waited for the next twenty minutes as the available space in the modest cathedral --which had clearly been built when Nordkreuz was smaller and less important-- was filled to capacity.		The marshal's casket was placed before the altar while Kaede filed into the space before a second row bench. Her eyes remained glued to Pascal who stood stiffly in the first row besides Princess Sylviane and other dignitaries. They waited for the next twenty minutes as the available space in the modest cathedral -- which had clearly been built when Nordkreuz was smaller and less important -- was filled to capacity.

	Then, as the last of the milling footsteps behind them fell silent, the clergy of Nordkreuz stepped forth and began their religious service.		Then, as the last of the milling footsteps behind them fell silent, the clergy of Nordkreuz stepped forth and began their religious service.