Prelude (Part B) - Fort Ohm, First Morning

After a night of sleep, whether restful or full of anxiety, you awake the next day to a slightly odd voice of extreme clarity and with a somewhat very proper accent, "Good morning Volunteers! My name is Coppertop 5. It is Monday, September 3, 1883, and it is time to get you registered with the Tesla Ranger corps. If you would please get dressed and meet in the Mess Hall in 15 minutes for breakfast." As each of you awakes you will notice standing in the doorway to the Barracks the curious sounding person that just spoke. It's a cog! Its exterior is primarily brass, however, his cranium area is a polished copper.He begins to turn and walk out.

You each awake and possibly notice each other for the first time within the Barracks. You are the only 6 in the Barracks.

Coppertop 5 looks stunned, almost startled as Collie rushed toward it beginning to take a close look.

She first realizes it is like most cogs she would have encountered, being that it is built in a "human" form (two legs, two arms, hands, think C3P0 but slightly more fluid in movement, not so rigid). She would notice that it has a shiny steel plate attached to its upper left chest area that reads Babbage Calculations Company. She also indeed hears the gears moving and would know that it is a miraculous contraption of gears and Tesla Science electricity. The exact interior functions would require some time and conversation.

The cog pauses for a moment as Collie moves around doing a quick inspect. It gives a brief pause as to not stifle her curiosity. After a moment it says, "Pardon me Ma'am, I must be going." It then continues on out the door.

As Collie moves around in front of Coppertop 5 it abruptly stops. "I do say madame! You are quite insistent. I'm not certain Master Calvin would permit to my disassembly, but you may speak to him if you would like in the Lab." He respectfully attempts to walk around you and go on his way.

The Mess Hall isn't far from the Barracks. Just a hundred feet or so down the gravel path that led you here. The sun is now peaking right over the eastern ramparts, spraying light on the interior of the fort. You might notice the fort is now much more awake now that it is daytime, and for those of you that showed up at night you may notice that the large metallic spheres on the watchtowers are not "electrified" at this time. Soldiers are going to-and-fro with what could be their daily routines, but generally you see no extreme urgency in anyone's movement. Perhaps signalling that all is well, at least right now.

The Mess Hall is a large square building of brick block with wooden doors and windows. Two large chimneys reach through the roof towards what could be considered the rear of the building. You may notice the smell of freshly cooked breakfast. A set of double doors lead to the entrance up a few feet of stone steps.

Entering in the Mess Hall you'll see a large open room, high ceilings, large windows and hanging electrical lamps, with several wooden tables scattered about; reminiscent of picnic tables and benches. There is what would be some sort of self-service line (think buffet) to the left with ceramic trays, silverware and tin cups. Coffee, eggs, bacon and sausage are at your fingertips along with fresh biscuits. You'll notice a few soldiers eating already.

Upon heading over to the buffet you'll be greeted by short, stout woman with a quite jolly demeanor. You'll have some variation of the following depending on if you enter alone or with one of your new found companions.

"Well good mornin'! A new Tesla Ranger recruit I take it? Well, you won't be doing much "Rangering" on an empty stomach now will ya!? Help yourself to some breakfast. And, if there is anythin' ya need please be sure to ask. I'm Gilda, Gilda Goodwright.

Gilda responds to Vivian, "Well bless you darlin'. I do try to keep ya'll fed the best I can. Learned from my grandmother down in Savannah years back. Please enjoy."

Shooting a glance over to Collie she says, "Well, I haven't heard of ya til' now, but maybe you're right! Just don't let those big ol' metal goons spoil your plans of fame!" She gives an endearing chuckle, as she motions you to help yourself along the buffet.

Gilda gives Doc a nod and a big smile at his comment on "rangerin'" before he scurries off to eat and chat with Vivian and perhaps Collie.

She also acknowledges Monte with a smile and a southern-inspired, "Well you sure are welcome sugar."

Gilda looks Roland up and down and hears his sincere thankfulness and begins to reply, "Well bless you...you're quite welcome. You go on and.....", she pauses and peers down at Roland's feet as he moves to put the food down for Oliver. She then sees Oliver, "Well I see you don't travel alone! What a cute cat." She addresses the cat, "You eat up too!" Seemingly not caring that Roland took some food for the cat she smiles happily.

As you lot are having breakfast and conversing Coppertop 5 enters the Mess Hall and approaches your table.

Addressing you as a group it says, "Good morning again recruits. I trust the breakfast is satisfying for you all. It is currently 8:30 AM and orientation is 1 hour from now. It will be held in the Headquarters building, in the main conference room. Please be on time so that we may properly register you. If you have any questions please find me or someone in uniform."

The cog turns to proceed out of the Mess Hall.

I don't think that Monte would have one of those, having a d8 in the Survival skill, I'd imagine he's generally accustomed to keeping track of the passage of the day by the use of the sun, moon, and the stars.

Doc makes his way to the Armory. It is a two-story building comprised of stone blocks with only a few barred windows. There is one guard posted outside the entrance of the Armory.

"Good morning Sir. What business brings you to the Armory?", the guard asks. He looks at you curiously. Possibly considiering that you're not in uniform and seemingly seeking entrance into the fortified building.

The guard reaches out and shakes Doc's hand and looks him up and down curiously.

Doc takes the hand confidently and gives it a steady shake, holding the guard's gaze as he does. "You folks have set up quite the installation here. I'm very impressed."

The guard proceeds with the handshake and says, "Well thank you, Sir. Let me go ahead and get you inside. Talk to Quartermaster Gilliard inside to check on your equipment. Have a good day."

He unlocks a large metal door with a key and opens up. Inside the large block building, you enter immediately into a hallway, a half-door (waist-high) to the right acts as a sort of entrance to a small office and directly ahead are more iron bars to proceed through. A gentleman steps up to the half-door. He is an older gentleman, greying hair, wears glasses that seem as much a part of his face as his nose. "Ehhhhh. You must be the Doc?"

"I am, indeed. Dr. Gregory Murphy, but Doc serves right well by my estimation. It's a pleasure to meet your acquaintance. Would you happen to be Quartermaster Gilliard? I was just hoping to check up on the devices I'd brought in with me before orientation if that isn't too much trouble."

"Yep, that's me. I'm Gilliard. I figured you'd be comin' by to check on those things. Mind you I didn't go snooping beyond the requirements of my duty. I just had...well, I had to make sure there wasn't nothin' threating about em'."

He walks out and towards the iron bars and pulls out a key attached to his waist belt. He unlocks there door.

"This way." He opens the door and heads in. He shows you over to a corner where you see your property in neat order.

"Have a look if you'd like Dr. Murphy. Everything is as it should be."

He waits for you to inspect.

"It's not a problem Doctor. Do take care to not be late. I suspect I'll be seein' ya soon."

He leads you out, locking up behind himself as you go.