RP:Collection at the Dragon's Forge
From HollowWiki
Summary: With the Job completed, Nikola calls for Uriphiel-Shar to collect his order.
Date of Writing: April 23rd, 2020.
The Dragon's Forge
A lone building stands a few kilometers outside the city of Craugmoyle, only accessible by the mountain path between the dwarven city and Xalious, the city of mages. Though the road is rough or uneven by most standards, constant traffic from traders moving back and from between the two cities made the spot ideal for someone to set up shop. An aging stone building stands by the side of the path, two large wooden doors and a sign hanging on the outside, an anvil and a hammer drawn upon it. Walls are covered in vines while a chimney roars smoke on top making one imagine the warmth such establishment offers to counteract the mountain cold. Behind the aging building however is a two story home, it seems to be built much more recently as the discrepancies between the two designs are pretty apparent, having a bit more of a homey look, like a retreat home rather than those one would typically find in the city. A stone path on the side of the front building, leading towards the one behind it. Inside the store however, one would find the typical assortment of goods they would expect from a smithery, armors positioned upright as they are held up by their stands, weaponry of various shapes and sizes are displayed on several racks. Shields adorn the walls while the cheaper items are stacked in a nearby barrel and the expensive ones are placed underneath a glass case, all have their own prices displayed before them. At the rear of the store, one would notice a large steel door, most likely leading towards the owner's home a forge roars mightily as stacks of materials are stacked nearby, metal ingots and sacks of coal sit in the corner near an anvil while a long table separate this work space from the store proper, a desk where one would barter gold for goods and services.
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[Nikola] It arrived as scheduled. Nikola had a long day yesterday that she went home and prepared herself for bed right away. It was after breakfast when the courier came knocking at her door, delivering the ingots she has ordered from Frostmaw. Signing on his little clip board of course before hefting the small package back to her workshop. Just as she imagined it is possible for her to alter the Blue Iron, however as its matrices are held together with cold, she can only use brute force with it. Before she uses a small bit of energy on her fingernails to allow them to easily dig through the material but this time doing so would be detrimental for the metal's durability. Bit by bit she began working on making the rings for the man's chain mail as she knew without the help of her magic, this would take quite a while. Having to sew and mold each ring into shape is the reason why she asked for a week, hopefully she has given herself enough time to make it to the deadline as it is taking her quite a while to even make a single ring but hopefully she'll learn, find out easier ways to make the chain mail as she take the challenge and hopefully, slowly make enough to catch up with deadline spending the rest of the day trying to find this technique in hopes to speed up the process.
On the second day, she got bored on making rings, she went ahead and collect armors that fit Uriphiel's size or at least close enough, his armor was easy, as she has acquired True Steel armors before, several of them are stored somewhere nearby, full sets of armors looted from battlefields of time long past, she simply had to edit them as knights of the olden times have a different sense of style than the current ones. Cleaning them, patching them up before heating and molding them into their new shape, at the same time altering their matrices to improve their durability and quenching it on a vat of oil. Like with the sword before, it was then cleaned and polished with metal dust, heat treated so their color would match the designs the man has requested and as he didn't exactly provide her with the gems, she kept the spots where they need to go large enough for another blacksmith to set the stones in. Of course this task took her most of the day but not all of it so she begrudgingly continued making rings, progressing bit by bit.
A Ghroundium ingot soon became her target as she continues her work the following day. She needed metal rods to act as rebar for the shield, the man is wearing so much armor anyways that she doubts he would want rebar inside the very armor he uses. The shield however, would need it as powerful blows may dent it. She builds a cage of Ghroundium rebar, placing it inside a waiting shield mold before pouring in molten True Steel, it would take a while for that to cool down so she takes this time to add leather padding and straps to the man's armor, should there be still time left as the shield isn't solid enough, she'll continue making the rings. Once the shield is solid enough, he would take it out of the mold and alter its matrices like she always does before quenching, heat treating, cleaning and polishing it.
Fourth day was great sunny day though she can't help but feel exhausted thinking she'll be making rings again today so instead she made the spear. It is simple enough, a Partizan made out of pure True Steel. Springy steel isn't exactly a suitable material for short swords as though light, in combat, the vibrations would easily flow upon its small form. But making a long sword or a spear, such disadvantages becomes a no issue. She had to melt several True Steel equipment that she has to satisfy the demand for it. It’ll be like returning them to their proper owner... ish? so she would not add additional material cost for it. While waiting, more rings! yay! Happiness was escaping the saurian's eyes at this point even audibly exclaiming relief when the spear was ready to be taken from its mold and just like clockwork, she began the same repeated sequence of blacksmithing upon the Partizan, making sure it fits the man's designs, just like the armor and the shield.
Fifth day is simply inevitable. She sat quietly at the corner of her workshop making rings all day till she finally finished the piece. It was heartbreaking. Though she has learned so many things with Blue Iron, the amount of time and effort that it took her to finish it gave her one simple answer. It’s not worth it. She closed her eyes as she finishes the piece before mounting it on a nearby armor rack, the scales could be easily sewn in place tomorrow. She needs a long bath and rest.
Sixth day came and all she needs to do now is sew in the scales. Using a Ghroundium needle and a string made out of mithril, she began sewing he scales in place, whenever she sheds them, typically there is a bit of skin left on the back of the scale itself which is as strong as hardened leather, though the Ghroundium needle is clearly too much for such simple task, no simple needle could remain intact pulling around the weight of the mithril string. Securing every scale in place just like how the man wanted. Leather was added upon the spear for its grip, and padding and a strap for the shield.
"Chain mail made out of Blue Iron, check." "Scales on the exposed areas, check." a scale mail is typically worn or sewn over padded leather armor. She has some of it in her shop, or maybe his military would provide him one. "Armor made out of True Steel and Mithril, check." avian armor has always been using such mixture anyway so there wasn't much she changed. "Spear, Check." the wings have been sharpened and the pommel of the weapon is more like a blunt weapon it is shaped as closed fist of a bird.
As sewing the scales in place barely took any time at all so she spent the rest of the day adding the designs, like for examples the wings upon the man's boots, or the high shoulder guards and other intricate designs that is drawn on her notes. She adds more material on the helmet next as the wings on the ears and the gold beak needs to be reinforced. The sockets for the eagle eyes, chest plate, shoulder pads, shield, boots and knuckles are all empty but it’s fairly easy for a smith to alter them to set the stones in.
On the seventh day a courier was sent, Nikola sits quietly in her workshop with the completed piece standing on a stand nearby.
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[Uriphiel] By the time word had reached Uriphiel, the sun had already begun to set behind the gargantuan slumbering mountain named after the Patron of Mages. The looming shadow of darkness reached its spindly fingers through each and every pathway leading up the eastern side of the range, leaving the trail ahead spotted in orange glow as the roaming guard lit the torches that lined the busier stretches of the well traveled road. It would not take long for Uriphiel to reach the Dragon’s Forge, as Nikola’s direction was quite clear in exactly where the building sat. The large doors pushed open and two armored guards stepped inside, followed not long by their Shar; And over the avian’s shoulder a large regiment of soldiers can be seen, ordered to wait outside with a few crates stacked neatly to one side of the walkway so as to not disrupt local traffic. The unarmored knight was dressed much like he had been days prior - In his dressy best, complete with waistcoat and tie, all in complementary hues of navy, white and gold. As he took a few steps across the dusty floor, Uriphiel would have a cursory glance at the well decorated shop, briefly appreciating the many works that lined the walls. In its own way, it was a display of art. By this point, it was assured that Nikola had entered the picture, so the large avian with gilded wings would address her as soon as his eyeline met hers. “Is it finished?” he asked. Uriphiel did not want to jump to assumptions.
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[Nikola] "I would not have called for you if it wasn't" sipping her tea while leaning her rear against the long desk behind her. She watched the man's entourage as they stood guard in front of her store, could sense some not so friendly glances toward her direction but she doesn't mind. She is after all in her domain, unless everyone here could fight countless objects flinging onto them with her magnetism, could even manipulate suits of armor to mobilize or weapons and metal ingots to pepper them should they try anything funny. Putting down her cup and stood up before turning to the side and point at the man's equipment, his armor positioned upright on a stand while his shield sits near the ground, leaning onto it. The spear as well leaning against the armor's shoulder. "The dragon scales are naturally blue so most of the colors I added upon it is also blue just to make sure it would fit the color scheme." unlike the typical avian armor which if she recall is either gold or silver, the armor before them has shades of blue all over, heat treated till their shade change into a blue-ish hue. The large plates are of course still gold/silver but the designs upon it have the metallic blue shade on them, allowing its wearer to stand out even more. For the Partizan, she was actually thinking of adding a tassle on it however tassle is typically red, which contrast the current colors so she simply didn't add one. Should he want one, she is quite sure the man has enough authority to acquire something as simple as that. Tassles are fairly easy to add later as they are just animal hair, typically from a horse. She has a padded suit sitting in her desk should the man not have one. Wearing a full chain mail after all would be really uncomfortable.
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Uriphiel tucked both hands behind his back and took a leisurely stroll over to the armor stand to inspect each piece quite carefully. There had been improvements over the original design, for which the avian would be grateful. The colors stood out much more than his armor from the past and it was clear from the man’s expression that he did not mind in the slightest. Although he tried to keep himself in a professional mindset, Uriphiel couldn’t help but to softly smile as he was taken back to his glory days the longer he stared upon the finely crafted set standing elegantly before him. Forcing himself back to the present, the Shar turned toward the entrance and motioned to one of the guards who then leaned their head out of the open doorway and called for one of the shim waiting outside. A younger avian, barely into adulthood, entered the shop quite quickly. He was a handsome man with magnetic eyes of caramel; Wings and a neatly styled pompadour in the same shade of brown. He wore the classic style of armor issued by the current Schezerade Empire, in hues of gold and silver, but with accenting colors of red found upon his cloak and bracers. “Nikola, this is my squire, Quinnelan. Quinnelan, Nikola.” After handing his Shar a medium sized leather satchel, the younger male dipped his head respectfully toward the warsmith and said, “A pleasure, m’am.” It was a polite greeting, and unlike his fellow shim waiting outside, there was a sense of honesty in his words. He held no crude judgements of the Saurian. Uriphiel turned his attention back to the rack of armor and opened the satchel he had been given, not long in removing a handful of perfectly cut gemstones. If Nikola followed the measurements precisely, then the stones should fit into the slots without issue. The first to be tested were the eye-slots in the helm, a smaller amethyst stone pushed gently into the setting. It took a moment, but there would be an audible click, signalling that the gem was now locked in place. “I like it,” Uriphiel said, finally acknowledging her explanation. “It is an improvement over the original design, I will admit. The color shines.” Another soft click and then another as the rest of the gems were slotted into place. Large sapphires in the shoulders and shield. Garnets, emeralds and rubies in the gauntlets and ankle guards. When he was finished, Uriphiel stood back to get a better view of the suit. There was one thing missing, however. The most important component of the armor - The core. Quinnelan reached out for the now empty satchel, and offered a small leather wrapped item in exchange. Uriphiel hastily unwrapped the item to reveal a large, trillion-cut, blue fluorite gemstone that held a brilliant azure light swirling in its center. With the help of the human mage known as Odhranos, the stone was able to be completed in a timely manner and imbued with the ability to draw deep from the well of the world’s mana. The avian held his breath and took a step forward, carefully positioning the triangular gemstone over the cavity in the center of the chest plate. There was a louder, more forceful click when the stone was pushed in place, followed by a soft whooshing sound that seemed to resonate through the entire suit of armor. The various gemstones that had been slotted all shimmered softly, powered by the now active fluorite core. Uriphiel did not fully know if the armor would work as intended until he put it on, but his initial conclusion pointed to all signs being positively in his favour. “It’s perfect,” he stated. The Shar bobbed his head to one side once he looked to Quinnelan, and the squire made his way out the door to give the orders. Several guards entered, carrying open crates packed with hay. They wasted no time in disassembling the armor rack, placing each piece of armor in its own protective case, while Quinnelan took claim of the Partizan. As things were becoming ready for transport, Uriphiel turned to Nikola. “I am quite pleased. I shall put it to the test soon, enough. If it holds up well, I will gladly add to your list of endorsements. I may also have a job for you in the future, if you are keen on working with our nation. Plenty of gold to be made. Things are changing in Schezerade, this I can promise. It is time to rebuild toward prosperity and put to rest old rivalries.” Uriphiel touches a fist to his chest, a sign of respect toward the warsmith. Waiting for his squire to bring in payment, Uriphiel asked, “What is the final tally on my bill?”
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Nikola still don't understand why they chose red of all colors. It makes them alot less 'stealthy', atleast blue could potentially mix with the color of the sky.. then again wearing gold and silver isn't exactly stealthy anyways so red would not do any harm so she drops the subject on her mind. She smiles at the man, bowing a bit as she reply, "Glad you like it." turning to the man's squire, nodding at his direction, "Likewise." Watching the man as he began setting stones in place, she did set some space for adjustment should the gems would not fit but apparently it was just perfect. As magics began to pour onto the new vessel, "Oh, so that's why..." she imagines that these stones would make the armor weigh less? she hopes at least. As the guards came in to disassemble the piece, she turn to the avian and said, "It took me a while to get the dwarves to like me, I'm fairly certain your people would do the same. Forcing your people to 'like' me would damage your politics and or reputation so it'll be best not to force so. But... I am always open for work and consultation as long as there is wealth or favors to be had." She smiles and bows once again to the man, "In total, it'll be twenty five thousand gold. But as you have already provided five thousand during our first meeting as initial fee, twenty more would suffice." should the man pass the gold toward her direction, she'd most likely reach out to him, a hand shake as sort of 'to seal the deal' as they say.
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Uriphiel nods in agreement, using one hand to brush an errant strand of hair from his face. "What you say is correct. However, the current state of the Empire is one that wanes, unless something drastic is done to change the face of our society for the better. With the turmoil that has recently passed, it is my suspicion that Schezerade lacks proper leadership. Those currently in the positions of power need guidance. I suspect that if our people can begin with this as our starting point toward change, then, in time, there will be no need to force anyone to 'like' outsiders. This, I feel, is absolute." When the shop was nearly empty of the crates and purchased armour, two guard entered, carrying four satchels of gold. They placed them upon the desk and quickly returned to their post outside without so much as a glance toward the Saurian. Uriphiel looked to the outstretched hand and paused; He had decided against wearing gloves this evening and it seems the choice was coming back to haunt him. He gazed down, inspecting the woman's hand closely, before he finally told himself to show some spine and by extension, respect. Avian and Saurian hands met and firmly shook, Uriphiel offering a cordial smile shortly after "Twenty thousand, it is. Five thousand per bag - I've counted it myself, but I would not be offended if you chose to double check for peace of mind."
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Nikola She did clean her hands, she wasn't making anything at the moment after all and she doubts anything would survive the way she wash her hands. She's a woman who constantly dips her hand into scorching flames and molten metal, its probably cleaner, purified than any other person's hands. "Do not worry, Gold is metal, I passively counted it as soon as it entered my territory. Not that I don't trust you ofcourse, it just... happened naturally" Her field, though not that wide range could still perform such task, magnetism does lose its control over distance anyway. Firmly shaking the man's hand and smiling, "I'll think about your offer... I was unable to do any thinking recently as I've been too busy with your armor. But it is an appealing prospect that I say, we'll see. But yes." As bags of gold reach her table. She raises her hand and a large book began floating from one of the shelves, it has metal framing upon it and therefore was willed to move by the saurian. The book levitates before them as she produces a stick of wax, a quill and bottle of ink from a nearby table "This is how I collect my seals, ofcourse not all of my clients has peerage or rank so not many are allowed to leave a mark on this book." she say that but the book is worn and most of its pages are already filled with documents, a clear sign that she has been doing this for so long. After flipping the pages several times till she finds an empty spot, "Sign here, here and here please." It was a simple contract, apparently written countless times on every page of this book so all the man need to do is add his name and the date he has received it. All other information has already been added, like what he ordered and how much did he paid for it. Three copies, one for him, one for the parchment that she always carry around and a final one for this book. Hopefully the man has a seal with him, she could easily melt the wax with a nearby lamp or her own magic but the man acted oddly last time so she might not do that. "Other Blacksmiths leave marks on their work, some does it with finesse while other leaves unwanted blemishes on the metal that might even damage its durability. As my mark is far too obscure to be easily seen, I've been giving away this document, as a sort of proof like pedigree.. or brand I think is the proper term."
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Uriphiel took the quill and placed it to the page to sign the date first, and then a stylized “P” and an “H” - the classic Phandarion signature. To those of this day and age, it might not mean as much, but any of a considerable lifespan or who dabbled in collection or trade of jewelry would most assuredly recognize the mark. He repeated the process as many times as directed. The tall man then motioned to his squire, who would rummage through the satchel hung at his hip and take out a marble seal. “That is fine by me. I will proudly display it in my study,” Uriphiel said with a smile. Once the seal, stylized in the same manner as his signature, was pressed into the wax and no longer needed, Uriphiel handed it back to Quinnelan to clean and put away. “Again, thank you for your services, Nikola. I will put the armor through its paces soon enough. It will be some time, but I will send word once I am certain, that we will have a need for your skills. First, shall come the arduous task of bringing change to the senate.” Uriphiel sighs. He knew that this would be a momentous task, to change the minds of a generation that barely even trusted him. The future of his people hung in the balance, and it was this reminder that allowed the Shar to push forward with his goals. “Is there anything else that is required?” he asked. Uriphiel would wait for Nikola’s response, but if there was nothing else to take care of, then he would make his exit and ride into the night with his regiment back toward the floating city of Schezerade.
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Nikola looked upon her little 'collection' with a smile before running her nails upon the page the man just signed. Whether due to its sharpness or some other magic is involved, a third of the page was cleanly taken off the book, the man's copy of the contract and as always the parchment is enchanted to ensure its genuinity and protection from damage. "Nope, everything is in order." she closes the book and set it back to the shelf where other similar looking tomes are placed side by side. She turned to the man and give him his copy of the contract before bowing, "A pleasure doing business with you, Shar Uriphiel and I look forward hearing from you again soon." she smiles. She did say that it'll be difficult, politics and all that, it'll probably take years, decades, centuries even to sort out this feud between the races... but they are races of long life and a century does fit 'soon' in their vocabulary. Finally she waves at the man as him and his entourage leave the premises.