Falma'makil (Crested Wave Weaponry)

[Peach]

One could smell the smoke from a large distance away as they approached the gray-stone building. The odor hung in the air in thick clouds, filling some throats with the coughs of hay fever. The forge made its presence known before one even rounded a corner to see it, an business as ancient as any of them. For indeed, the race of the Moriquendi started with a war, and many races ended with similar fights or even petty squabbles. Weaponry had taken over the minds and lives of many, making a new class of warriors every time its technology advanced. It invented war, it created violence and from the depths of its bloody carnage, it created peace.

The building was probably one of the least attractive in the holy dark elf city. It was tucked near the edge of the city, the blackened smoke drifting from its chimney staining the air behind it. The smudge never lasted long, however, always being cleaned away with fresh breezes into the forest surrounding Ethgan'tor. It was made out of a light granite rather than marble, a simple square building without the courtyard that graced most of the building in surrounding areas. The stone was worn and old-looking, the many years of use beginning to take a toll on its appearance. Two large windows stared from the solid rock like eyes, its well-cleaned glass providing a clear view into the smithy.

The heavy wooden door that provided an entrance stood open, its tarnished bronze knob unused by any customer. Inside, the room was very down to business, no decorations upon its blank walls. The only furniture was a single chair next to a counter covered in burn marks and loose papers. A young-looking Moriquendi teenager sat behind it, looking gloomily at anyone who entered. There was a single smudge of ash upon his pale face, creating a bruised appearance under his faded gray eyes. His hair was tied back in a short tail behind his head, giving a slightly scholarly look to his otherwise grungy physique.

A good distance behind him was the forge, sparks of fire flying from it to illuminate the walls with an orange light. Red-hot glowing metal was shaped there by a dark elf, stocky looking for one of his race. A thick leather apron covered his slightly blackened clothing, protecting him from the fire. His scarred face was set into a look of complete concentration, green eyes glinting with an intelligent air. His wild hair was cut short to keep it away from his work. To the right of the anvil was a rack full of weaponry of many kinds, although sword blades were few in number.

The boy at the front desk cleared his throat loudly before beginning to speak in a bored monotone. "If you wanna order something, jus' talk to me, 'kay? The boss is busy." His bluntly square finger tips began to search through the papers on the desk, finally producing a blank sheet and a pen. "and hurry with it, I've got somewhere to be."

[Retfewd]

TIMESTAMP: Before leaving Ethgan'tor


'Well, now this young man looks like he will be fun to deal with' Retfewd thought as he heard the greeting that came from behind the desk. It was obvious that this boy was not the most congenial, but not much more could be expected from a future warrior. The air was thick with smoke and ash it was hard to breath and he wondered how someone could work under these conditions. His eyes wandered over the selection of blades, he admired them and thought of the adventures that each one of those blades would one day face.

Retfewd knew what he needed and he had 500 coins to spend, but he was looking for a deal. Looking straight into the eyes of the young boy with his dark eyes he remarked "I am preparing for a long journey. I might find need to protect myself and am in search of a fine dagger with a thong to attach it to my wrist for concealment and easy access." Retfewd paused to again scan the shelves of blades then returned his gaze. "My funds are very limited so what can you offer me?"

[Peach]

Oleg sighed, nodding with a quite bored-looking air as the Moriquendi spoke about a dagger. Something that everyone seemed to want those days, concealable for a surprise attack. Some people had morals, deciding that it was somewhat evil to injure someone in an unexpected manner, but those folk were slowly fading from the surface of telath. In handwriting that hadn't gotten much better than a child's, even with the age of the elves, the teenager scribbled out Retfewd's order onto a stray piece of parchment and threw it on top of the pile. Any form of organization could be dealt with later. Surveying the customer with his steel-gray eyes, the dark elf coughed slightly, trying to clear his lungs of the smoke that constantly plauged him. "Not on the belt, eh? Sure, we can get you something, I guess."

Chuckling at the notion of limited funds, the boy pushed himself away from the counter and stood at his leisure. Although weapons could be bought for quite a cheap price, the quality depended upon expense. Flashy weapons that were made to kill other sentient beings such as daggers and swords were more difficult for the master to make, due to his lack of experience with them. Even so, he spent a lot of time on each piece, ensuring more with his nimble fingers than most human forges could. From the weapons rack that already contained a few made examples, the pale elf took a few daggers and held them out for the customer to see. "Well, here are the ones in our lowest price range." He flipped the first one about skillfully in his dextrous hands and held it up so that it caught the light. The blade was a silver color that almost seemed viscous in its smoothness, about a hand long with a black wooden and leather-wrapped hilt.

"This'll cost ya 'bout... forty crowns with the leather thing." The second was thinner and even shorter than the first, although deadly-sharp looking. The handle was red lacquered and the blade, like the former, quite undecorated. "Thirty-five for this 'un." Oleg raised his pale eyebrows in question. "You can get one made, if you want, but this is faster."

[Retfewd]

Admiring the blades, his mind started working taking into effect the size and the quality. They all looked as if they would do the job as long as they were sterdy enough. His eyes were glued on the first that was shone him the size and the quality seemed to match up just as he wanted it. "That first one seems to be what I was looking for. I was wondering though if it would be possible to take the price down a couple of crowns to about 35-36? By the way can I handle it to see how it feels?" Retfewd questioned no longer looking at the knife but, staring straight into the eyes of the boy as if trying to influence him in some way as to get a better deal.

[Peach]

The young dark elf shrugged, agreeing in a resigned manner with the price. Although they were usually set firm, what difference would a few crowns make in the long run? Perhaps it was such an attitdue that was preventing him to move on from Apprentice to Expert in the trade of blacksmithing. Or that his heart was somewhere else alltogether... Nodding, he flipped the blade downwards, offering it hilt-first to the customer while setting the other one back on the rack.

"How it feels? Sure, go ahead." It was a strange concept, to think that a killing device could have a certain quality. Any sharp blade would do the trick, but perhaps finesse did have its merit. Oleg stood back, allowing for Retfewd to have space in his exercises while he secured a leather cord that seemed to fit the order. Sighing, the Esh'laheir thoughtfully spun the item about in his fingers, gray eyes never leaving the elder's form. Perhaps he would be able to escape from the drudgeries of the forge one day, as well. Become a scholar, or even at traveller at least. His current profession wasn't exactly... becoming.

[Retfewd]

His eyes lit up as he was reaching for the hilt of the dagger. A bit of light caught the blade and shinned onto his face and then the beam went onto the walls as he turned the blade in his hands. It was light weight and it felt good in his hands as he swang it back and forth. Sure if his enemy had a sword his little dagger wouldn't be so effective, unless it remained concealed until it would be more effective. Running his finger along the blade testing it's sharp edge and as he did so a sudden pain shot into his finger. Lifting his finger to his eyes he saw a small drop of blood running out of a small cut. "It definitely is sharp enough" he thought as he sucked on the finger to stop the bleeding.

With the dagger still in his hands he made some more thrusts and swings in the air getting the feel of the small blade. "It is a nice little dagger your boss back there has quite a talent for weapon making. In my travels I don't know what I will face, but at least I will be prepared with this blade concealed. Ever think of doing any exploring outside of Ethgan'tor?" Retfewd questioned placing the dagger onto the counter switching the direction of the dagger so the hilt faced the young man.

[Peach]

The apprentice blinked in a slight form of surprise as the customer cut himself with the weapon, and choosing one of the most sensitive areas of the body to do so. It was obviously to test for sharpness, but one could have easily have cut a hair or something of the like. Chuckling lightly at the abnormality of the situation, Oleg nodded in agreement to the traveller's simple statement. It was, indeed, a sharp weapon. Such was the most kindred way to make things, providing as little pain as possible as one made a cut. Blunt weapons could be ever nastier than their keen counterparts, as many warriors would already know.

"My boss? Uh, yeah, talented huh." He'd never really seen his father as an authoritative figure more than a teacher. It wasn't like he was being paid with anything more than his arcanic education, meals, and a roof over his head. Oh, the trials of being young and well taken care of. "Nah, not really thought of that as of yet. I'm still finishing up on education and what not. Afterwards, though, 't might be an option." Taking the blade by the hilt along with the leather strap, the teenage Esh'laheir put the items into a small cloth bag. "Thirty-five crowns, then."

[Retfewd]

"Well, young lad its been a pleasure doing business with you maybe someday we shall meet again." He pulled his purse out and dumped some coins into his hand and counted out thirty five crowns and poured the rest back into the bag. Dropping the coins onto the counter and reaching for the bag he smiled broadly. "Thank you, be sure and send my compliments with your father and good luck with your studies. Who knows maybe I'll see you on the road after a time."

[Lar'ial Est'iaran]

Brightening 2 of Cycle One
Ioannes to Imperos in the Season of Summer, of Era I of the Celestine Mandate (Current Pattern)
Era X Post Fractum in the Age of the Darkening, the Mageocracy of Julos the Mad
Paradigm: The Truce of Demios and the Merfolk

Lar'ial slowly walked into the Shoppe, and up to the counter.

"Vedui, I would like to inquire into the making of a pair of Nekodes. They are 12" wolverine claws, with black leather elbow length gloves. I would also like to buy a Hard Leather Breastplate. I believe that should come to around two hundred and forty crowns. Here are the required crowns." she said as she set down the crowns, and waited for the person behind the counter to respond...

[Peach]

Brightenings were slow when one worked at a forge. Especially the counter, where documents were crafted instead of fine weapons. Needlessly, Oleg shuffled through the numerous sheaves of paper, attempting the illusion of work. Even if he had lazed about, however, his father wouldn't have noticed. The master was always too absorbed in his work to pay attention... Somehow, that made the drudgery of the situation even more depressing. Needlessly toiling wasn't a good way to spend one's youth, especially when the situation was worked into dramatics by one's overactive imagination. Or lack of one. Looking over his shoulder, the Esh'laheir youth sighed, all the while wondering when work would be over. So absorbed was he in this pensive state, that it took a few moments to register a new presence.

Once noted, he turned about lethargically, and nodded in lieu to Lar'ial's requests. Her price was slightly overstated, although Oleg wasn't going to any lengths to correct it. A crown was a crown, and the more there were, the better off one could be. After fetching the requested items and ambling back to the counter, he lay them on the wooden surface and fetched the offered crowns. "There you go. Enjoy." Smiling slightly at his simple words, the adolescent turned back to the desk and made himself appear busy again.

[Arwenna]

Arwenna pushed open the door and walked into the room, careful not to step on a few stray nails lying on the floor. She moved toward the boy at the front counter nad cleared her throat. When he took no notice, she tapped him on the shoulder.

"Excuse me?" she stopped abruptly and started coughing from the smoke billowing from the forge. She pressed her hand to her chest and finally the coughing subsided.

She looked at the boy in embarrassment, but continued. "I was wondering what kind of weapons you sell. I'm on a low budjet, so is there anything cheap that can do the job? I'm not really sure what kind of weapon I'd like, I was hoping you could help me with that, too."

She waited anxiously, the smoke and heat was getting to her. Her silvery locks were sticking to her damp skin already. She brushed them away, still looking at the boy, who seemed intent on his peice of paper. Breathing heavily she forced herself not to think of her past experiences with fire. Of the death and destruction it had brought on her life.

But she pushed those thoughts from her mind when the boy finally spoke up.

[Adder]

The boy spared her barely a glance as he busied himself with his notes and the smoke appeared not to bother him at all.

Weapons? He repeated, as though she had asked for diamonds from Sheria and then sighed, a long whistle of breath released.

Well this is a forge so to a certain extent you can have what you want, but really if you are looking for budget then you are going to want something ready made. Custom will cost you more money because you are paying for a lot more of the smiths time.

He pushed his papers into a pile and placed a piece of slag on them to prevent them being blown around by any chance gust.

I don't really know what to suggest for you since it sounds like you don't have any training. Do you want a weapon to start training with, or is it something to pose with?

If you just want to scare off people then a glaive is a good thing, but it's quite cumbersome and if you don't know how to use it, people will see that. On the other hand if it's defense in a tight spot then your dagger will be as good as anything, you can use it in many places where a longer weapon would be useless.

He looked speculatively at the dagger she wore. [b]What I might be able to do for you is to part exchange your existing dagger or perhaps we could customise it for you, it wouldn't cost so much to alter an existing weapon.[\b]

He waited to see if anything that he had said would strike a chord with her. At the moment, he didn't have enough information to give her what she wanted. He could just sell her something, but the forge had a reputation to maintain.

[Arwenna]

Arwenna looked nervously at the billowing clouds of dark grey smoke, watching the smoke swirl around and around until it reached a window, where it whooshed out into the clear cool breeze outside. Her stomache churned as she examined the smoke, the hot humid air and the smoke really didn't get along with her well.

She looked up, remembering that the boy was waitng for her responce. "Um, the weapon, yes...Well, I'd like a weapon to start traininng with..." Arwenna coughed again, holding her hand over her mouth. She nervously looked at the forge and decided to hurry things along.

"To be honest, though, I'm more interested in magic, than plain fighting. Do you make staves here, or am I in the wrong place? What I'm really after is a staff with a magical crystal set in the top of it. Amethyst, I've always been drawn to purple. And cherry wood, I'm not sure if thats very strong, but it looks lovely..."
Arwenna stopped, seeing the boy staring at her with raised eyebrows. She blushed, realising that she had been twittering on about her perfect staff.

"Er, I'm so sorry. I suppose I'm probably in the wrong place for that sort of thing. Is there a place around here that could fulfill my requirements?"

[Adder]

The boy grinned at her and shook his head at her notions. He wasn't that much younger than her really and could easily see what she was thinking.

A cherry staff for arcana with a crystal on the top? He grinned openly and tried not to laugh out loud. Don't you think that would be a little showy?

He chuckled to himself and leant against the counter, his elbows resting on the top.

Now if I was going to have a staff for myself, what I would do would be to take one of these glaives and use that as the staff. I mean I know that gems are the best way to store enchantements but just think of the surprise that a glaive would give you. A staff with a big showy crystal on it just shouts mage, doesn't it which mean that what you are going to get is a knock over the back of the head by any street thug that wants to mug you. Now with a glaive they will think they can take you face to face, which is when you surprise them by frying them instead of trying to cut their heads off.

He smiled in satisfaction with the image that he had created in his head and then remembered that he wasn't alone. Of course if you don't fancy that then we can probably sell you a staff, though I don't know that we have cherry in stock, it's not something that we have a great call for in weapons. Then you would need to get a crystal added, but then you are going to want it enchanted anyway.

But really, if you want a staff to learn arcana then I'd suggest that you get it from your teacher. You are going to need a mage to enchant or imbue that crystal anyway unless you just want it to be decorative so maybe you should try the Istimamen' Selu, the arcane academy.

[Arwenna]

Arwenna smiled, "Thankyou for your help. I will go to Istimamen' Selu." She thought for a moment about the staff she wanted. "To showy..." she muttered to herself.

She raised her hand in farewell ant turned to leave the shop, nocking over a stand of weapons as she did so. She blushed and hurriedly picked up the swords, daggers and glaive and put them back on the stand. She then hurried out of the shop before she could knock anything else over.