Vessel/Will Finds a Way

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This page is to act as a chronicle of specific discussions between the Autom Lord and their creation, Vessel. They will probably not be in chronological order for the most part, but they all occurred during the span of 693 to 700PR.

"What is a vessel?"

The scene is right after AL's experimentation that created Vessel.

The stench of sulfur and stain of soot enveloped AL's coverings and the wall behind him. The beams of light from the small windows shone through the smoke that created a thin fog throughout the room. AL had been knocked onto the floor not once but twice, their laughter as powerful and boisterous as the ring he used to kickstart whatever it was he did.

They spoke almost like a shy child; pausing and turning away from who they're talking to, but in the room silent save the ringing from the explosion, their words echoed and boomed like cannonfire.

"What is a vessel?"

AL picks himself up and inspects the newly created Protoforged, a hearty chuckle being sustained while he circles around Vessel, very confusing to the latter.

"Well, a vessel is merely something that holds something else. But that's a word, that's not you. You are Vessel. And like I said before, you are my greatest creation."

"I am... Vessel. Alright. What is a creation?"

"A creation is something you make, usually because you know how to make it."

"What does it mean to know?"

"That is a wonderful question that the wisest philosophers have spent decades trying to figure out. Personally, I go for a minimalist answer; to know something is to understand it, by whatever means necessary."

"So... knowing things is important."

"It's the most important thing, buddy!" The question as to how they were speaking perfect Common while making such blunt statements never really occured to AL. "Knowledge is power; the power to move armies, to grow crops, to raise animals, to convince allies and thwart enemies... it's the power to make choices... to be free."

"Then, what is freedom?"

AL sat in silence for a moment while he pondered this question.

"Freedom is a complicated subject. I may have lied when I said that knowing things is the most important thing, that honor goes to being free. What use is knowledge if you can't exercise it? What good is money if you can't spend it how you want? What kind of a choice is it, when every outcome is the same? To be free is to be unburdened by force, coercion, or violence. To be free is to be able to make your own choices in life. It's very much a state of mind, in a way, but that unburdened bit is what it all boils down to."

Vessel, mimicking AL, sat after the response, before waiting a few moments to respond.

"I see. So are we free?"

"I couldn't tell you, friend."

"Alright. Who are you?"

"I would hope by now you would understand. I NEED you to do this."

The setting is in the archives of the Clan of Auton (the now further developed basement of Chateau non Loft), 700PR

"I don't know why you're acting like this, we already need to be careful as is nowadays! I can barely go out to get new books! I've already lost nearly all of my artificer contacts trying to protect us! They're going buck wild over these new 'Warforged' guys... heard through the grapevine they're made out of some of the same stuff as us... sure they'd love to see how it works with us once they figure them out... hell so would I to be frank."

"I don't care. I would think you'd respect my autonomy."

"That's not what I'm talking about, this isn't some attempt to control you or tell you what to do... this is me trying to save your life."

"So what? It's my life to live or die, however I want to."

"I would hope by now you would understand. I NEED you to do this." AL at this point was keeping themselves from screaming at Vessel. "This is more important than you or me. This is more important that the Clan. I could care less about the Clan surviving, they can hide or they can do whatever they feel is right to weather these turbulent times. They'll keep working towards the goal we all are working for. I said this when I first met you, that you are my greatest creation. I only want what is best for you. But if you don't listen here, you won't have a chance at what's best for you. So please... just do this for me. I promise... no matter how long it is... I'll find you again. Wherever."

Vessel would have sniffled had they had the proper organs to do so, but their sorrow was visible from just a glance.

".........Only because I trust you, and because I trust in the Clan."

"Goodbye my friend. Remember everything I've taught you."

As the door closed behind AL, Vessel sat on a bench in the cramped room, a hide away hole in the depths of the archives.

"Goodbye... father."