RP:Issued Valkyrie Armor
Location: Vigilanti Semper
Caltarok || As if it had become a ritual for Caltarok when he truly stayed at Vigilanti Semper, he arose long before the sun would make her mark on the eastern skyline and bringing her first ray of light. Caltarok had find solace in the that quiet time when the night was darkest before the break of day. He would make his way to the courtyard forgoing any breakfast donning only the leather breaches provisioned to him by the guild's staff. The emerald tunic held in his hands should he require it, but otherwise he would go bare-chested. He was toned, but not overly so and a bit of pudginess could be seen in his stomach. He would begin his morning by running through the 'obstacle' courses on the field used to help new recruits learn how to be agile in battle, to properly balance on their feet, and to endure through rough terrain before taking up his sword to move through the motions taught by one of the guild's training masters. Usually no one noticed Caltarok's routine in this, but the staff's gossiping had caught the attention of one of the lieutenants.
Caltarok || Jourdain Glas, a lieutenant and a noble hailing from Aedrebyrg , had been sent by his family in hopes that being in the warrior guard under Lionel would curve his pompous attitude. However, by fluke through the paperwork by one of the lower clerks, Jourdain had been recruited in due to his noble birth as a lieutenant. This unfortunate err had been approved by Lionel during one of the rare times that the senior clerks was able to pester the Imperator to do the massive stack of paperwork that would pile high in his office. The Aedrebyrg family had tried to get this corrected when they found out two months later, but by that time the damage had been done and Jourdain had been able to throw his weight around to keep the mistake hidden by having correspondences lost, paperwork destroyed, and the family representatives turned away by the guards on duty that were loyal to the nobleman.
Caltarok || It was this very same lieutenant that had caught winds of the new recruit that was making a name for himself and of his habits from the staff. The initiate, Caltarok had been raised to soldier in a matter of weeks and had been able to call upon the imperator, the flare guardian, and several other high ranking members of the guild. Heck, Jourdain was even annoyed that he had been passed over by the lieutenant commander, Rilla when she had chosen the initiate Demeter, a common soldier Beldur, and then this blasted soldier Caltarok for some hush-hush mission that the imperator had assigned her. Jourdain thought it was long overdue for this particular recruit to get brought down a few pegs for how DARE a peasant from nowhere upstage him, a nobleman who dared to take the vacant throne of Venturil!
Caltarok || Jourdain spent a week watching Caltarok and how he trained after the promotion to rank of soldier. Along with this, Jourdain had went to the armor and coin-counters of the guild to find more information about Caltarok along with the measurements needed to set his plan into motion by ordering a set of custom heavy armor for Caltarok for the soldier as he had yet to use any armor beyond leathers provided by the guild for scouts. His goal with the armor was to make Caltarok a laughing stock of the guild by presenting and having Caltarok wear it. Once all was set, he would head out to the training yard after Caltarok and after he had his morning meal… a tender steak, a pair of eggs, some fruits, potatoes lightly fried/season. His retainers would make all the necessary preparations for when Caltarok would come escorted by Jourdain to ensure there would be no mistakes.
Caltarok || Having finished his morning workout with the sword, Caltarok sheathes the blade wiping it with a clothe before sheathing the blade. He had learned from the traveling that it was best to ensure the blade was always clean before he sheathed it. He may still be learning how to wield the blade against more than the wildlife in Lithrydel, but he had learn once how the stickiness of blood could affect and prevent him from drawing his blade from its sheathe. Looking up he saw one of the lieutenants headed his way, however, he didn't bother to salute the higher up. So many of the others had told him not to stand on ceremony so he figured this one time he would avoid doing so thinking this was just how things were done in Vigilanti Semper.
Caltarok || Jourdain hid his disdain as the solider before him did not show proper respect to one of higher rank, such as himself. How pertinent was this silly solider to think he was equal to the great Jourdain! The fool just nailed his coffin and would surely pay for such insolence! The armor wasn't going to be enough. No… Jourdain would recruit this solider to assist in the next defense assault for Aedrebyrg in the wastelands in whatever horrible fashion company he could muster. Just how to do it? How could Jourdain get such a request through the imperator without raising suspicion? A training session? Perhaps within a request for other soldiers as an outing to bolster the moral of the surrounding byrgs by reminding them of how this guild is a paramilitary for the sake of the Lithrydel as a whole? Yes, perhaps, that could work. Regardless, this was a future plan… it was best to deal with this soldier here and now. Might as well proceed with the plan. "Hey soldier! What's your name boy?"
Caltarok realizing he was the only one in the training yard responds to the lieutenants question, "Caltarok Vonnegut, sir. Is there something I can do for you? I was just heading in to get breakfast sir. Unless it is important, perhaps I can find you afterwards?"
Caltarok || Jourdain bite back a retort for the insolence of this peasant! Treating him like it was a bother for to be addressed by a higher officer! Barely managing his anger though there was tightness in his stance, Jourdain quickly proceed with coldness in his tone, "Caltarok… I see. Hold on a minute, please. I have heard that you are trying to work on your endurance. Have you tried running the course in heavy armor? The weight of it would be perfect way to assist in your training and it can offer a greater deal of protection in battle. I know you archer-types like speed and mobility; but you are training to use the sword are you not?"
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Caltarok having missed the tensing of Jourdain (really because his mind was focused on getting food) stopped in his tracks to hear out the lieutenant as requested. "I had thought of it sir. But when I had gone to the armory, they stated that there was no armor available for me to train in. But yes, I would prefer to be lighter in weight as I am more of a hunter or a scout. But yes, I am aim to improve my sword skills. Neither know when it might be better to stab or slice someone versus bashing their head in up close"
Caltarok || Jourdain nods to Caltarok all the while laughing internally. His plan so far had been working in that he was able to throw his weight around to prevent this soldier from getting any of the guild's equipment beyond clothes, swords, bows, and more arrows. It helped that the Flare Guardian had kept Caltarok focused on his archery training and apparent use of magic and that the soldier had been in the library studying quite a bit. "Tell me sir. At least how much do you know about heavy armor and how they are prepared?" With a motion of his hand, Jourdain directs Caltarok to follow, "Actually, why don't we head to my chambers? I can have breakfast brought in as we discuss or we can head to the armory and see what can be done for armor. A new shipment was brought in from the blacksmiths just yesterday. Perhaps there may be some there that would fit you or at least that is my understanding from the quartermaster. You see I want to ensure that all our members are appropriately outfitted with all the right gear. Heck, I heard you been trying your hand at fletching. I could request an artisan to come and assist you if you prefer."
Caltarok deciding that perhaps he should listen to this lieutenant a bit more had moved instead of heading to the dining hall to instead follow the lieutenant. "Yes'sir. Let us go ahead and head to the armory. As for the types of heavy armor, I really don't know anything from the materials or the vary makes or materials used. I seen a few different ones up in the Titans of Winter tournament but that is really about it." As they head towards the armory, Caltarok pondered what the impact to his training this might bring.
Caltarok || Sometime later, the two arrive at the armory. Jourdain talks to the soldier on guard (one of the men Jourdain had paid to follow his commands) there about any armor being available to be commissioned and given to Caltarok. It was customary that the armor be given unto the soldiers and that once given that they perform the daily rituals to keep the armor well maintained. Otherwise, they would be no good for the long marches. As such, once armor was assigned it couldn't easily be traded back into the guild unless it was horribly damaged or ill-fitted. It was manipulating these rules and Caltarok's desire to train that Jourdain had hinged his whole plan succeeding to make this man… this soldier… a laughing stock of sorts around the fort. After confirming with the guard, Caltarok was requested to fill out the paperwork acknowledging the handover of the commissioned armor. Caltarok had looked over the form marking the various pieces that would make his new suit of armor without truly understanding what they were, a winged full visor helmet, chest piece, armlets, flat-booted boots, graves with plate-enforced outer shell, and removable upper-back winged plating?... All casted in mithril.
Caltarok || With the paper work signed, the guard leads Caltarok to a backroom where some armorer-trainees are located. They take Caltarok's sword from it and begin outfitting him in the armor. Caltarok wasn't surprised at how efficient they suited him in the armor or by how well it fitted him. What was confusing to him a little was build of the armor. In the chest, there was a diamond of a spot that seemed to be without plating there in the upper center portion of his chest and then around the waist the full plates layered each other and flair outward a bit. Yet the way it was layered allowed the plates to fall straight down and moved every time he took a step. Honestly, it made him think that it was more of a skirt. Did human males really wear this kind of armor? Perhaps he should have paid more attention.
Caltarok || Jourdain had stifled a laughter at seeing Caltarok wearing the Valkyrie armor. It was more suited and defined for ladies, but Jourdain had requested the blacksmiths to tone down some of the more lady-like features in this armor. But he thought they did a great job with keeping many of the aspects as well. The 'winged' sections of the back when remove revealing Caltarok's back shoulders the way they did was a nice touch as well he thought. "So Caltarok? How does it feel? Of course, it may be awkward and heavy right now. Though as you practice and wear it around here, the weight will be nothing to you and your endurance will improve over time as well. Who knows maybe you will feel lighter after a while and be able to move faster too."
Caltarok is honestly unsure of this whole idea of the armor. But as he heard Jourdain explain the benefits of training in this weird armor, he couldn't deny the benefits the armor would give him over time if he got use to wearing it. But a part of him wondered what his sky sister would think seeing him in such an outfit. Then the armorers explained how if he grabbed a certain portion of the armor and pulled his arms that the wings would expand in the direction of his arm much like a shield and was part of the reason this was called the winged guard armor. They obviously neglected to mention that it was primarily worn by the women soldiers versus the men unsure of what to think about him donning the armor or what the guard was thinking giving Caltarok this particular armor. When they had saw it, they thought it might be for the new avian warrior they had heard rumors about. Caltarok thanked the trainees for assisting him and instructing him how he could get in and out of it by himself later on, about caring for, and what surprises were built into the armor. Thanking Jourdain, Caltarok excused himself adorning the full visor as well to hide his face as he head back to his room using the stairs as practice in moving in the cumbersome armor before he would lose it for the day to perform other activities. He would be found periodically for the next few days walking the halls in the full armor for brief periods of time adjusting to his new armor.