Subscribe to download
Padding Powder - Research into Unconventional Alchemy XVII

Journal of Conrad Azohi - Day 968 after embarking

The attempt at poisoning me which I detailed in my previous journal entry was an attack on morale. A message to the people who might be listening to me. A statement of "if a person so much as thinks about opposing us, there will be a price to pay." It is only because the natives here view me as some sort of magician that this message hasn't made them all turn away from the idea of banding together. That being said, even with the confidence that I seem to be granting people, many now choose not to speak to me any longer.

There have been other actions taken against the lower class citizens who are looking to band together. It seems that merchants have been encouraged to brutalize lower class citizens. I cannot state this as a certainty, but it does seem that there has been a large influx of thugs who actually seek out citizens with the intention of causing them harm. These last two weeks I have been occupied with healing injuries as much as I have been occupied with speaking with citizens.

I am concerned. These attacks from the rulers of Takik come even though we haven't yet attempted to take action which would necessitate a response. I wonder how they might behave in the future. These people, whose lives I intend to better, are not prepared for a war. If I lead them into one, I might do more harm than good. Though, even with these thoughts weighing on me, my conscience will not let me abandon these people. These lower citizens aren't given any chance to succeed or improve their standing in life. Only mud and the expectation of manual labor is left to them.

So, I need to equip them to defend themselves. Using the Excessively Stable Compound which I discovered in the Yut Koruga, I have devised a type of powder which, in large quantities, absorbs impacts very efficiently, translating the kinetic energy radially away from it's initial direction. We have adapted some clothing, fitting them with pockets which are then filled with this powder. The largest and strongest of the citizens have been outfitted with this padded armor. It is lightweight and effective at protecting the wearer, but inconspicuous. So far, these bodyguards have been very effective at dissuading merchant thugs from attacking communities.

Though, there is still danger if the merchants begin to bring weapons. This armor is good, but not perfect. So, we need to escalate our side before the rulers decide to escalate theirs. In one week, the lower class citizens will all go on strike. Though, we have work to do before then, to ensure that these communities are defended.