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[ZBridges]

I think biology would be a good choice for one of our textbooks.

Also, we might want to ask if there are any costs associated with the property that we have to deal with, such as upkeep or property taxes. Also, is there any income from our tenants?

[Kashyyk]

"How are the accounts?" You ask.

"I'll confess, I don't have a head for numbers. Doctor. But the ledgers are in the study, I'll show you where."

A cursory glance confirms Heidi's statement. The accounts are a mess. It appears you receive rent from your tenants, and a stipend from your brother, but it's not clear how that compares to your staff costs, estate maintenance, or taxes. It would take you a day or so to examine the ledgers properly, and several more than that to rewrite them into something manageable. A book on Computing would help here, or the assistance of someone with business or accounting skills. You know of one or two people at the Institute who could help, but it would be galling to ask. Perhaps your brother could spare assistance too.

[SCREE]

Leaning towards Biology and Civil Engineering. I like the idea of frankensteining it up while we turn our house into a non-euclidean nightmare as per Devastator's earlier suggestion. Maybe we can make parts of our house alive too

Is there any kind of seance/capturing soul powered technology type tree or is electricity our way to go for power sources?

Also what is our brother's general personality like and disposition towards us? How close are we?

[Kashyyk]

The disputed fourth Core Discipline, Thaumaturgy, is the study of phenomena outside the traditional purview of the core three. It is a difficult science to break into, as "experts" are rare, and their willingness to share rarer still. Additionally, even entertaining the idea of its existence would be grounds for expulsion from the Institute. Here lies the study of "Magic", "Souls", "Sparks," and other such concepts.

Power is an Applied discipline of Physics, and responsible for generating and manipulating energy in its various forms. Steam, Electricity, and even a new fangled concept called "Radioactivity" can be studied.

Your brother Michael is a few years you senior, and took after your mother. You've not spoken to him in years, except in the most vague of pleasantries. He never held to the idea that a Lady could have a Gentleman's hobbies, but kept that mostly contained whilst you both lived under your father's roof. That you even received a stipend from him was surprising, but perhaps your father had something to do with it.

You do have two other siblings though, both younger than you. Whilst you weren't overly close with either of them (personal skills not being a talent of yours), it was certainly warmer than with Michael. Your younger sister Beatrix is a classic young lady, and seems happily married to her husband Sir Richard Latton, living somewhere on the other side of the City. Your youngest brother Hugo actually seemed to enjoy your company as he was always following you around. Last you heard he was gallivanting across the continent, pursuing a life in the Arts.

[ZBridges]

Thaumaturgy appeals to me. Hopefully we'll have a chance to investigate it.

I think we should take a moment to write to Michael regarding the need for a bookkeeper for the estate, but other than that I'm ready to engage in some proper science.

[King Zultan]

That Thaumaturgy stuff sounds fun.

[Kashyyk]

It seems we have preference for Thaumaturgy and Biology books, as well as writing to your brother for assistance with the accounts. I'll give it another day or so for any other input, and then roll with that.

[SCREE]

Officially voting for Civil Engineering & contacting our brother.

^{Unofficially voting to find a rich old bachelor in need of a wife, preferably comatose, sickly, or on the edge of death, with no heirs to their name, whomst we can heal or at the very worst, experiment on should he meet his untimely demise.}

[Funk]

Officially voting for Civil Engineering & contacting our brother.

^{Unofficially voting to find a rich old bachelor in need of a wife, preferably comatose, sickly, or on the edge of death, with no heirs to their name, whomst we can heal or at the very worst, experiment on should he meet his untimely demise.}

+1

[ZBridges]

Changing my vote from Thaumaturgy to Civil Engineering to break the tie.

[King Zultan]

Contacting the brother about finances seems like a good idea.

[Kashyyk]

You place the Biology and the Civil Engineering textbooks alongside your journals, then root through a nearby bureau for a pen, ink, and parchment.

Dear Michael,

Despite my intellect, it appears I must turn to you for assistance…

You are soon surrounded by balls of paper, lines scratched out, and a small pool of ink half-heartedly blotted up. Having to stoop to asking for assistance was painful, and from your brother it was straight up humiliating. However, you've finally produced an acceptable letter, so you sign and seal it, then have one of the staff prepare it for sending. They expect it to take a couple of days at most to reach your brother's estate.

With that out of the way, you believe you have a few hours left of daylight. You're getting an itch. For SCIENCE.
TURNTURNTURN

Spoiler: Sybil Vaughan (click to show/hide)

Status: Physically Healthy
Mild Humiliation
Mild Megalomania
Negligible Fame

Knowledge:
 - Anatomy FOCUS: Level 3
 - Mechanical Engineering Level 2

Inventory:
 - Nil
 
Points of Interest:
> Whitland Manor
Your residence. Outdated, and suffering for it. You have space for a laboratory, study and library, but little in them. The estate includes a garden, woodland, and a small number of tenants. Managed by your Housekeeper, Heidi Denton.
 - Study with an anatomical wooden heart
   - Biology Textbook
   - Civil Engineering Textbook
 - Laboratory, with basic Surgical and Mechanical Engineering tools

> The Institute
The home of a pack of bickering, backstabbing fools and cretins. They claim to hold the pursuit of knowledge above all, yet they fail to acknowledge the progress of Science when it right in front of them. Managed by your nemesis, Dr Percival Wright, Curator.

Persons of Interest:
> Dr Percival Wright
Curator of the Institute and your nemesis. He was always jealous of your accomplishments and threatened by your Genius. And possibly a misogynist too. He needs to learn the error of his ways.

> Heidi Denton
Housekeeper at Whitland Manor. Known you for years, and helped protect your hobbies from your mother's disapproval.

> Michael Vaughan
Your brother, and now head of the family. You have not spoken recently, but he shared your mother's dislike of your passions.

[Doubloon-Seven]

Inspect our LAB SPACE for any BIOLOGICAL SAMPLE JARS or other specimens that have escaped notice in long-forgotten corners. It is time for a DISSECTION!

[ZBridges]

I have nothing against a dissection, but I'd also like to evaluate whether we have the necessary skills, materials, and tools to develop prostheses, implants, and artificial organs.

[Kashyyk]

Whilst you do indeed have a small number of sample jars, they are all empty. You will have to seek out new ones. Your estate boasts multiple staff members, a modestly sized woodland and grassland, as well as a number of tenants. Perhaps they can reveal a source?

Materials for Mechanical Engineering are comparatively easier to come by. There's a number of furnishings in this very room you could repurpose, and your engineering tools are all set up in your laboratory. You could even build improved versions of you Anatomical and Engineering tools if you desire.

Prostheses, Implants and Artificial Organs are all possible, although you know there is a risk of rejection by the subject, which can be minimised by making that a priority of the design. With your Anatomical expertise, you can theorise medications to reduce it, however you do not have the required Pharmacology knowledge to produce them.

Organic versions, whilst more challenging to create, may allow for an even greater reduction of risk. Perhaps to zero, if you can somehow convince the body that the organ was always a part of it...