Chapter 4 is the end of my Act 1 so I need to remember that it kicks off my rising action in Act 2. Also this complete’s my Act 1.
Act 1 (Chapters 1-4)
Chapter 1: Ames is running late, he gets ready in a hurry, races to the university and makes it to his class where he uses a reproduction of an artifact showing the Couran to lecture about the difference between myth and history ending the chapter asserting that he does not believe in the Couran as anything more than supersticion.
- show that his apartment is all about work, no family or significant others, his work is his life.
- show that he has many real objects as well as relics.
- Also show him refuse to leave the house without checking to see if he has the protective amulet on.
- he is a well liked professor and habitually runs late.
- physical characteristics of ‘native population – blue eyes, high cheekbones and blue-black hair.
- Note that almost no one else on the university staff shows these characteristics, they are all either empire of earther mixes
Chapter 2: After class Ames runs into his academic enemy (Devan) and they exchange poisoned barbs that sound like friendly banter to those around them. It is clear Devan has heard news that he hopes to take advantage of and is hoping to scoop Ames, buts of info leak out.
- their offices are next to each other so they are talking in the hall. Devan knows that someone with a big prestigious project is coming and hopes to make the project his. He is kind of lying in wait and had hoped that the project would come in when Ames was still with his class.
- During the conversation Ames learns that the project involves flooding and a potential dig site in the mountains where the Couran myths seemed to have started.
- As he talks to Drogan he mentally sifts through information for specifics that will let him claim the project over Drogan.
Chapter 3: The annual rains in the Pascar Mountain ranges are reported as being heavier than usual that year and an ancient town/temple site is revealed. Study is needed and the Thestan Land Co needs a team to investigate it before the next rains destroy what was revealed so they approach the university
- The Land co functions a bit like the BLM (Look up some of their regulations but adjust to fit the situation)
- Both Ames and Devan Batcol want the project as it is high profile.
- Ames leads the representative into his office, determines it is Pre-empire and promises to lead the team himself.
- Ames knows Devan is going to try to go over his head so he takes the dean to lunch first.
Chapter 4:Ames takes the meeting with the representative of the Land Co and even though Devan tries to protest, it is clear the pre-Empire artifacts make it in his wheelhouse so Ames gathers his team and while finishing out the end of the semester, plans.
- Ames knows one of the grad students he will be taking is really one of Devan’s spies and will report everything back to him. His name is Fanac Lamart. Ames decides it is better to know the spy than to have one he doesn’t know about added so he lets Fanac into the group.
- The local news get wind of the site as it is a big deal and Ames is interviewed
- Show that Ames doesn’t really need to tell anyone but his landlord that he is going to be gone for three months. There is no significant other and no pets. Since he eats out most of the time he doesn’t even need to clear out his fridge. Since he feels he needs to prepare somehow he gets rid of the dead and nearly mummified plant, consigning it to the trash.
