Delve
Introduction
Delves are willing to risk everything just to find something new, something that no one else has seen before. They are driven to expand the boundaries of the known, often rediscovering what was long forgotten. Delves delight in finding never-explored ruins of the prior worlds and cataloging them from top to bottom. Mysteries presented by weird machines and broken scrap are nearly identical for Delves. They know that what others dismiss as debris might contain hidden treasure called iotum— like apt clay, protomatter, philosophine, data orbs, and more! That’s what most Delves seek. They won’t ignore cyphers and artifacts prized by others, of course, but Delves see deeper and are skilled at extracting the building blocks of the prior worlds.
As with other kinds of explorers, Delves are rare. Most people in the Ninth World would rather gnaw off a hand than risk the horrors that often lie within ruins or even just over the next hill. But without Delves, who would bring back the special components that some crafters have come to depend on? Delves aren’t fools; they take precautions, and they’re not immune to fear. But the lure of the unknown and the thrill of discovery outweigh the risks. Longevity isn’t as important to a Delve as discovery.
That said, a Delve won’t discover much if they don’t have the stamina to push through when things get tough. Delves need to be at least a little skilled at a lot of things. They need Might and Speed to deal with the challenges they face, but they need Intellect to help them salvage for iotum and other numenera items.
To explore inscrutable ruins, Delves have to be able to react quickly, squeeze through small spaces, and often run away without being weighed down by heavy armor. A few might choose light armor, though most prefer clothes that don’t restrict them at all.
Delves in Society:
Delves don’t spend much time in society because they’re off exploring. When they do come back to a base, settlement, or larger community, they are given a wide berth by those afraid of the numenera, which is often a surprising number of people. To commoners, the numenera is as likely to help you as it is to kill you, disfigure you, or send you hurtling into the void. So Delves usually seek the company of other explorers, such as Nanos, Jacks, Glaives, and others. Delves also seek the acquaintance of Wrights, and vice versa, because the iotum that Delves prize is equally sought by Wrights to craft installations and other wonders.
Sometimes Delves deliver objects or messages between distant locations, or they provide their expertise on travel routes to merchants and other explorers. But these are usually secondary goals, convenient in that a long-distance trip allows them to find more previously unexplored locations. Sometimes a Delve’s deliveries are delayed while the Delve spends an extra week or more investigating an abandoned structure or ruin. This can put a strain on otherwise cordial relationships with Glaives and Nanos, who each see in the Delve a bit of themselves. Arkai are least likely to want to upend their stay inside newly developed communities, but they understand the value a Delve associated with a community can bring, if the Delve decides to use the community as their base.
Delves in the Group:
A Delve isn’t so much a leader as a scout, though some Delves do naturally step into the role of directing a group, since they’re often the ones who can find the best route forward. Though they are resilient in a fight, they are not front-line defenders; that’s obviously a job for a Glaive. They pay attention to knowledge provided by Nanos, but they know enough about the numenera themselves that they don’t need to rely on them. Delves may spend long periods of time exploring, but many enjoy talking about what they found with a small group of friends or allies.
Delves and the Numenera:
In many ways, the numenera is what draws Delves to explore—the numenera and the special components that bring the numenera to life. But Delves are excited by any discoveries related to the numenera, whetting their appetite to explore further. Their skills and knowledge give them excellent means to find and salvage iotum and other valuables from otherwise dead ruins.
Delves look for items that help them improve their ability to search and find out information. If a Delve doesn’t know where to look, then they’re virtually useless.
Advanced Delves:
As Delves gain experience and become more skilled and powerful, they gain abilities to better understand the numenera, to tinker with it, and to salvage and find new uses for iotum.
Delve Background:
Lots of people explore, but not all of them are Delves. Delves have a special relationship with the iotum. Something in your background has put you in this position and is at least partially responsible for your talents.
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