Valentina's posts

“So with that in mind, I think I will give my current vehicle another year. I’m glad we settled on a design for some conservative protection back at Central, I’ll make sure you’re compensated well. Thank you, Valentina.”

For a moment she had nothing more to say, she cocked her head sideways unused to such a phenomenon. He smirked at the notion of her being off-guard, and made his strike to grab the conversation again.

“However, neither of those things were why I came here today. Here - take this!”
He handed over a large frame, that when unwrapped revealed an award. In Honor of Valentina Tinker, congratulations on a successful first quarter, and helping make Voltra a fuller and better, more technologically advanced place.

She traced her fingers across the glass and smiled before spinning on her heel to view the room and determine where best to hang the award. The walls were covered completely in shelves with mechanical goods, so for now, she awkwardly opted to place it down on her overridden desk on top of a random pile of metals. Volkan snickered at her antics.

“Thanks Uncle, appreciate it!"
He patted her on the head before holding the door open for her. “One bit of advice though, if you don’t mind?”

She followed his lead outside. “Okay?”
He knew she could handle criticism well for the most part. His arms stretched squarely as if trying to capture a photo of the entire front of her shop.

“Might want to work on your welcoming aesthetics, I know what you sell speaks for itself, but the storefront could use some… tender love and care.”

Valentina scoffed, not so much at he, but the thought of her being able to ‘pretty up a place’. It sounded more painful than it was worth. Volkan gave a playful nudge and she threw her hands up. “I’m better off hirin’ someone else to do that. Not my cup of tea.”

A hint of discouragement hid between her words, some small but lingering sensitivity about not having enough cliché feminine traits and strengths, but Volkan’s criticism wasn’t meant to be anything more than a tip for good business. He caught the subtle and quickly hidden melancholy but diverted the conversation anyway.

“Speaking of a cup of tea, I’ll be attending the Vibrance festival this evening, it would be outstanding if you came as well, dearest Valentina.”
He placed a consoling hand on her shoulder.
“I know tea isn’t your thing, but it’d be a shame if you didn’t have a brew from a tree that blooms only once a year!”

She hummed and ha’d, toiling with the idea.
“Eh, I don’t see why not. I guess. Maybe I could jiffy up a mechanical brewer that optimizes steeping!”

Volkan raised a triumphant fist in the air with a shout: “Excellent idea!”
His deep voice projected loudly, startling a nearby passing family just as the sky suddenly turned grey.

For but a moment, Volkan thought his voice might have caused the sudden overcast, but he followed Valentina’s trembling gaze to see a giant airship blocking the sun, and preparing itself to dock down the road at Central Square.

First confusion, and then a strong blissful hope swelled in Volkan’s chest as he excitedly turned to Valentina.

“VAL my dear! Do you think it’s him?!”

But she was already gone, door slamming shut and the sign switching to “Closed”.

If this arrival was who he thought it was, then this pilot would owe the young lady an apology. But for now, the slight promise of being reunited with his best friend overcame him, and Volkan sprinted to Central Square with a feeling he hadn't felt so strongly in years: Excitement. Anticipation. Hope?

Day 12: Everyone is silenced by the unintentionally intimidating presence of Valentina...
Arriving fashionably late she is armed with a giant gun.
Brazenly aiming towards the bonfire as everyone shouts out begging her to reconsider.
On the TWELFTH day of SOLSTICE Panthalassa gave to THEE:
SNIPER'S SNIPIN’ BAHAHA!
She shoots her snowball launcher and it maliciously tackles Vreg’s bin and collapses it into the ground.
The fire goes out and a mixture of laughs and groans leak out.

A snow ball bashes off Valentina's head, and she realizes she is now faced with an onslaught of
shop keepers ready for a snow ball fight of a life time.

Gotta run! But keep ya eyes peeled cause' I got one more surprise for you Volties. BAHA!

---

[A very old recording recovered from the depths of a partially destroyed laboratory in the old territory of the forgotten realms. . .]

This is Dr. Valmiki commencing experiment number 9. The premise is as follows.

When we walk or talk, hold up a hand or kick the dirt beneath our feet, we exercise an innate and subconscious control of "life" around us. We breathe "life," we exhale "life," and every day, we USE "life." To better understand what "life" is in this experiment, consider what activity generates.

"Volts" would be correct, yes. It is this mysterious energy that all life exudes, big or small. We see it in the air, the sea, the land, insects, creatures of irrelevance, and in the masses that exert their dominance on the realms proper. Humans.

If volts are everywhere, then it would be no stretch of the imagination to state that they're everything. What could we do with everything? Anything, in theory. We could shape the earth, part the ocean, cure the incurable, or even rid ourselves of entire destructive colonies. I note the possibilities are endless.

Now we begin delving into one experiment in particular that follows this introduction. What happens when we prod a concentrated bundle of volts? Stimulate it beyond ordinary bounds? Failure. Life cannot exceed life even with the help of outside means. It merely pops.

However, we have found success in using a catalyst. With a catalyst, there is no pop until the moment of decision. What's decisive? That depends on what we want to achieve. For granting an end to the war, we'd most likely want the decisive moment to occur at a point of impact.

Enough volts were gathered for the catalyst. Host demonstrates remarkable ability to withstand temporary loads. Once the catalyst fires, the target has been declared non-functioning. Inert energy. Satisfied that the catalyst will render the prime realms unable to retaliate.

We will call this catalyst… no, it’s no longer a mere catalyst. This weapon shall be known as Entropy.

Development Update

Yes, that's right! Val’s shop is officially open and this silent event is introducing a new feature, Blueprints! You all know how handy Val is, she can turn anything - and we mean ANYTHING - into something with a purpose. After all, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure!

You’ll see more exciting content coming to Val’s shop in the future. Her items will usually be limited time only, giving you collectors a little more urge to hoard all the goodies. (We can get the phone number for the hoarders helpline from Val if you need it!)

We hope you’re as thrilled for Reduce, Reuse, Reinventions to finally open it’s doors as much as Val and Bernard are ready to whip up some new and unique inventions!

Bernard is concerned that Val is overworking herself, especially after one of their major production machines recently blew a fuse. He’s asking for the help of our Volties to gather the necessary supplies to assist Val with the remaining gifts she plans to make.

As a reward, Val might share some crafted gifts with you and maybe even her secret blueprints used to create them!

How do you gather the necessary materials?
Crafting Scraps can be found throughout the forums simply by posting. Once you gather these left over crafting supplies, head on over to Val’s shop!

Val will salvage what’s left of these scraps into the following refined materials:

Ribbon - Cardboard - Paint - Bulb

Where can I find my refined materials and what are they used for?
All materials that Val salvages will be found in your inventory under the “materials” tab. These are non-equippable items.

These materials are needed to build the gifts Bernard has supplied blueprints for. In Val’s shop, you’ll see the holiday gifts in addition to the salvageable materials. Click on the items to reveal the types and amounts of material necessary to create the blueprint.

How long is this Volunteering going to last?

Val and Bernard will need your help all December long to create just enough gifts to share with all the Volties!

You can start earning Crafting Scraps starting today, 12/1/2018!
Scraps, materials, and blueprints will be available through 1/2/2019

Get to crafting!

Bernard scurries up to your feet and seems to be concerned. He nudges you and points his antennae towards Val’s shop.

What could be the matter? Let’s follow the poor little guy!

As you enter the shop, you notice it sounds quieter than usual. There’s much less clinking and clanking; and those high pitched steam noises are no more.

Ggggg… GGggGg… ughhgg.. “No, got to keep..” ggg uh whhooo “working..”

Is that... Val? She seems to be half asleep.

Bernard hurries over to Val who’s hunched over at her workstation. He lightly taps her head to get her attention, her eyes now completely shut.

“Huh..?” Val’s eyes slowly peel open.

“Oh, Bernard, did I fall asleep again!?” She quickly gets back to work on what appears to be a snowglobe. “I really need to focus. Bring me a quadruple espresso shot latte, stat!"

You walk over to Val and express that maybe she should get some rest.

“Ah, I’ll be alright! Plus, I enjoy creating these little surprise gifts. They really help keep our spirits up during these dark, cold months. I’d be done by now if only that darn Amagamaterial-5000 didn’t decide to blow a fuse.”

It seems like Val’s glued to her project and far too busy to speak anymore, so you walk on over to Bernard who has some papers and blueprints layed out.

It’s an assembly line! Looks like Bernard wants to recruit some part time workers for Val’s shop - Voluntarily of course!

The documents contain blueprints and the necessary materials to create the unique gifts Val has been creating.

You look at the concerned bugger, wanting to help. “So, all we need to do is gather some crafting materials?”

Bernard hops up and down joyfully. “Well let’s get to it then!”