A rugged and sturdy wooden cabin with an added forge for blacksmithing. Both fireplace and forge serve to keep the house warm and inviting. A table and some chairs are arranged in front of the fire, but the interior is absent any bed or kitchens.

The connected forge is housed in its own room adjacent to the simple log cabin, but the wood here has been treated with oils and saps to prevent them from easily catching on fire. Tools are neatly arranged along one wall, within easy reach of the fire and anvil dominating this space.

Spark breathed in the acrid air of the forge mingling with the new scents of the freshly hewn and constructed lumber around him. He was protected from the elements, had a roof above and most importantly a place to explore, device and master his craft as a smith. He let the metal of his hands run along the metal of hammers and tongs. He let out a content sigh.

The smithy was sparsely decorated, and the shelves could definitely hold more inventory. With a shrug he conceded. "Everyone has to start somewhere."

He did have some materials, and some gold pieces to offer in trade for whatever metalwork adventurers would bring into town.

With the sappy feelings tucked away, Spark picked up his tools and started working a piece of iron with the steady sound of metal on metal, a sound that would become commonplace in Smith's Gambit.

Heavy footfalls could be heard outside the blacksmithing establishment for a short while before the sound of a meaty fist impacting on the door reverberated through the wooden foundations of the home.

If this call was hopefully answered by a sign of affirmation and permission to enter, the door would burst open from it's hinges, as if eager to get out of the way of the man behind it.

A blast of cold air melt the near-scolding heat inside the room, creating a flux of juxtaposed environmental conditions... It was offputting, like a whole sauna experience packed into a single moment, though much drier.

A shirtless blue genasi wearing a pair of thick, filthy and haggard trousers lined with fur and bundles of insulating leaves stood just beyond the doorframe. He had a small smile on his face and his eyes were intense but not unkind.

"Greetings, friend Spark. Sadly, this day, I am here for work and not bonding. I feel guilt my first journey to your place in town is this way..." the man blabbers solemnly.

"To give more information, I need your skills of creating metal items. Of course, I will pay in gold." he continues, "I think you know, but this is not for me. The day before now, my tournament did end. The victor wants this..." he looks in his pockets for a moment before pulling out a sheet of paper with crude design details on it, likely taken by him as notes while being lectured.

"as their award! This item will be golden. I have the rare metal, for you to make it. My only two wonders is if you will do this, and how much I need to pay you if you choose to accept."

He sticks out his hand towards the sapient construct, "Will you help me with this creation, Spark? You are the town's only smith, I think you know!" his entire personality seemed to have become less serious now that he was done reciting whatever business information he had surely memorized on his way here.

It was much more like how he usually was. Tidelan seemed to always become an actor when he was in an unfamiliar situation. His affection for Spark seemed genuine, though. It was doubtful if he knew enough about politics to fake something like that. It also stood to question whether or not he would put up with people he did not like living in the same town as the people he did.

Spark certainly welcomed visitors to his shop, and it was no less so with Tidelan. "Come in, friend Tidelan," Spark mirrored the greeting with a raised hand holding a smith's hammer as the other held a pair of thongs thrust into the fires of his forge. "I will be with you in no time."

After a few more passes with the hammer, Spark was content the item was coming along nicely, and so he doused it in oil before stowing his tools and coming up to the crude wooden table that served as a countertop.

"Let me have a look at this." The warforged bent over to study the plans. "Congratulations on completing your first tournament. It seemed very exciting for the whole town. Great job raising everyone's morale in these bleak lands."

The drawing wasn't much to go from, but he got the gist of it. Nodding slowly he scratched at a non-existent itch on his hard, smooth chin. "I think this is doable," he looked up at Tidelan with a smile. "I'm not the only smith in Smith's Gambit, however." He chuckled at the apparent play on words to give meaning to his jest, as Smith himself was just that, a smith.

"I'm happy to help you, though." Spark hastened to add, sure that the mayor had enough on his plate. "Not least because what you want is a jeweller and not a blacksmith." Spark chuckled again, and would probably have winked had he possessed eyelids.

Straightening up while holding the piece of paper he smiled more earnestly. "It is no matter, friend. All manner of metals have passed through the Great Forge, and all manner of things that can be fashioned has been fashioned in that place." Spark's voice took on the air of someone intoning a prayer or a blessing.

"Now to business. It is in large parts up to yourself how much this will cost, and it depends on how much rare metal you wish to put into it. The more material that needs to be worked on, the more expensive it will be. Have you with you what you wish to smelt into this medallion?"

Tidelan explains himself to Spark in broken common. Fortunately, his message gets across with his careful choice of words. It takes a while.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:42, Fri 23 Apr 2021.

Spark nodded and as they discussed back and forth, they eventually landed on an agreeable item. "Certainly the wearer won't wish for a medallion too heavy to wear." Spark mused more to himself than to his customer.

"Very well, let me use 50 of these coins as a base for the item. It should make it substantial without creating a weapon. Half of this will be made into an offering."

Spark considered the notes one more time and nodded. "I think I will be able to create what the wearer has wished for."

Tidelan nods sluggishly, his energy seems to have faded after a long session of planning.

"I do not know of this offering, but it is your work, now. How much does this cost?"

Spark seemed to notice that his talk of ideas of form and fit, design and utility had worn Tidelan out. Such was the way of a craftsman consumed by his craft to the point that payment became secondary.

With a superfluous clearing of his throat, Spark put the design down. "Forgive me, I get easily carried away when talking about crafting metal. I will take another 50 gold pieces, so the entire piece with materials and my work will cost you a total of 100 gold."

He sat on a stool and tapped the pads of his fingers against each other. "Is this agreeable to you?"

Tidelan nodded eagerly. "Yes, it is agreeable. So, it is agreed. I am much at peace with this choice.", then he gave a foreign salute of respect to Spark before turning and leaving the room, "I hope you work well. I will come again.... after a few days, I think."

OOC: -100 Gold Pieces!

Spark thanked Tidelan for his commission. "You can retrieve the medallion tomorrow."

The cleric could have rushed the process even further, but he didn't see the need, and so he gave himself time to properly set up an altar and make ready for the ritual of forging.

Over the course of the rest of the day and well into the evening, Spark worked methodically to prepare. He offered prayers and invocations as he cleared and cleaned the forge thoroughly.

When he was ready and the shop was closed for the day, Spark set about the task in earnest. He knelt before his forge and placed fifty gold coins in several stacks upon his anvil, which was now resting on the solid timber floor.

The warforged touched his smith's hammer to the symbol engraved on his chest and asked for guidance. "Everything has passed through the Great Forge; let some of that pass through this vessel and allow another creation to exist in this world."

The cog symbol on Spark's chest lit up briefly, and so did the matching symbol on the hammer; one cog found another and then started turning. He could feel the divine power flowing from within him, through him and into his tools.

Then Spark started working, and for the next hour, he was bathed not only in the light of the fires from his own forge, but his shadow danced all around him as if he was surrounded by forges casting a brighter, more intense light.

Anyone nearby would be able to hear the hammer striking anvil, but this time it seemed deeper and somehow more profound. As the hour-long ritual concluded, the strange effect of a giant cog turning one tooth over could again be heard, reverberating through the forge and echoing into infinity.

Spark laid down his tools and beheld his creation.

A medallion almost one hand wide, in the shape of an eye. It was a ring of gold, with clasps ready to hold a crystal in its centre. The smooth surface of the gold was seemingly unworked as if the piece has been moulded this way, but that was impossible as, at regular intervals, black streaks of some other mineral drew lines from the centre outwards, in the style of rays. As the smith held the medallion by its chain and I spun lazily, he could see how light would catch the darker minerals and intensify, making it look like rays of darkness emanated from the centre.

Spark was pleased and offered a final prayer to his benefactor. "This humble apprentice bows in gratitude for the inspiration I have been shown and the blessing that has been placed on me. Long may the hammer strike, and the fires of the Forge burn."

Then he took his rest while also making sure the piece was properly polished, and before Tidelan came to retrieve it, Spark had put together a wooden crate that would hold the piece on a bed of animal fur.

Tidelan returns as promised, and collects his item quietly as to not disturb Spark. He takes a moment to admire the thoughtful and careful packaging and nods to himself in approval.

On his way out while lugging the box, he set it down gently to take a peak at it. A grunt of surprise came from him unbidden, and he held his breath for a moment before exhaling with a vocalization. It seemed he was stunned at the craftsmanship of the piece.

He hurriedly placed the lid back on and made his way through the cold back to his home to finish his preparations for the upcoming ceremony.

After having signed up for some work, Qitris was in need of a place to put her things and establish herself temporarily until a more permanent - and hopefully structurally sound - place could be obtained. As she exited the town hall, however, the smell and sounds of a forge being maintained drew her aside and towards the structure. No matter where you went, civilization needed smiths to make the tools that allowed the people to prosper.

Stepping in through the doorway she slowly looked around taking in the larger pieces and the minor details of this space. Whoever the smith was had great respect for their workplace and tools. "Hello? Is the smith in? I'm new here, but I, too, am a worker of metal. My name is Qitris. ...I hope I'm not talking to an empty building..."

Spark was at that moment studying a length of metal that was fast approaching becoming a sword. As such, lost in thought and the minute study of the mineral in his hand, the warforged might have seemed like a statue himself, or perhaps some exotic suit of armour put on display in the small but efficient workspace that was his forge.

Looking up suddenly, Spark realised he had a visitor. He offered a small wave, the face lighting up in a smile as if he had features to actually convey such human emotions to others. He put the piece of metal back in the furnace for reheating as he wiped his hands with a cloth.

Comprised mostly of metal panels, Spark was joined together with what seemed like a wooden material that served as his neck and midriff. His face was a metal mask, but not intended to be a terrifying one, it held a sliver for his mouth and two holes for nostrils, and his eyes held some manner of crystal or such material that glowed softly.

"Well met, Qitris!" He offered a hearty greeting, but that could be because the incessant clank of his hammer on steel had set his ears ringing a bit. They usually got better over time.

"Welcome to the Melting Pot, I am Spark and this is my place." He moved the few paces over to the counter, little more than a tall table for customers to lay out plans and designs, as well as a place to conduct financial transactions. "What can I do for you, are you perhaps looking for some armour yourself? I have a small stock of some chain mail that might only need to be custom-fitted, otherwise, I could perhaps knock together something else for you?"

What might have been an eccentric suit of armor on display was actually alive! She had heard of sapient armor folk, but had not met one in person. This was fascinating in and of itself. Qitris watched its movements with interest as the gaps between the plates were not filled with chain like a normal suit of armor, but wood! Amazing flexibility. And they had the skill and manual dexterity to work finely wrought metal goods, too. Incredible.

Catching herself staring, she remembered to blink and shook her head gently at the service offer. "Well met, Spark. I would love to see what armor you have in stock to see your work, but I have myself a set of chain that I managed to make myself, she said as she set her bag down in a bundle with her mace and shield.

Holding her arm out in front of her allowed Spark to see both the linking method of the sleeve, a combination of steel and brass creating a scale-like effect, and the brass trim on the gauntlets with three interlinked rings in a line on the back of the hand. "Took me several weeks just to get the pattern of links down, but once I did it really flowed. The gauntlets were fun, too. Nothing quite like hammering out the design and watching the metal form what you see in your mind, yes?"

She had almost forgotten the other part of Spark's offer. "Ah, yes, when I have more funds in my purse I would be quite interested in something in the way of more plates. I just haven't made up my mind if I want to go with a full suit or only a partial for the time being."

"Oooh!" Spark exclaimed with untempered excitement at the revelation that a fellow worker of metal was in his shop. He moved closer to study the chain work as Qitris described her process of creation and there were a number of admiring noises coming from within the tin man.

"That looks beautiful, indeed, Qitris!" He exclaimed as he moved back to give some space. "A great work, to be sure. I am equally sure that your next work, be it full or half plate will be equally fine."

He looked around the space, it wasn't a big space, a single room that fulfilled most of his needs, but with the groundwork laid out for an extension in the near future.

"If you're staying in town and fell the call of the fires, you are welcome to share in this space, especially when I am out on missions. After all, the forge is best kept at a steady temperature. And should some serious work come through the doors, perhaps more hands are better for it?"

Qitris couldn't help but grin from pointed ear to pointed ear at the compliments on her work. She hadn't quite expected that degree of response from another smith, but she was glad to accept it. "You flatter me. I'm sure that your work must be of quite the quality work to have a forge of your own in this place." She cast another glance around the room to see the works in progress and the completed items adorning their set spaces. It was different from the temple, but just as inviting. A little more cramped, maybe, but that was fine. The heat was a welcome relief from the cold outside.

Ears visibly perking at Spark's offer, Qitris was quick to agree. "Oh, but of course! I'd be glad to help out. I've always got something on my mind that needs to be made into form from metal, so if I am not here you can bet that I am out on the road doing some odd job for that Smith guy." Not that she had anything against their benefactor and guy-who-runs-the-place already, but most people in charge were kind of persnickety and rubbed her the wrong way. Which brought about a similar thought.

"Oh, tell me, as one craftsman to another, are you opposed to new ideas or are the old ways always better? I've been tinkering around a little and, well, I keep finding new things out all the time. But this is your forge, so it seems like something one should get permission for."

Tusk enters the warmth of the Melting Pot and sighs with relief as it warms his joints. He makes his way to where the other two are conversing.

"Pardon my intrusion; I am interested in speaking with Spark about helping with some smithing work on the side. I may not be a spring chicken, but there's plenty of life left in me yet."

Spark reflected on Qitris' questions and a smile would have broadened on his face had he the features for it. "In my shop, every aspect of creation is equally welcome. The traditional and sturdy work has its place, and most customers prefer what they know will work, but in the bursts of creativity is where the paths to new inventions which in turn will become better and stronger traditional works."

He was about to continue when the door open again. "My goodness, I don't think I have had this much traffic ever. Welcome friend, come in and warm yourself."

The creature of metal, wood and various crystals adorned with glyphs of minerals reached out a hand in greeting to Tusk. "I am Spark, owner of this little shop, and you are in luck. We are three metalworkers under one roof right now, and I am always interested in sharing the load and offering as well as gathering inspiration and motivation from colleagues."

Turning back to Qitris, he finished his earlier thought train. "Everything that is has passed through the Great Forge, and everything will return to be remoulded and created anew in some shape or form. Every idea is welcome here."

Tusk takes the offered hand in a meaty handshake.

"The name's Tusk. I need to secure proper lodgings, but I'll check in with some regularity to see what you can use the help with. Then we can negotiate how much value I provide, as well."

Tusk waves at both Qitris and Spark, and heads back out into the cold.

Malkus enters the Melting Pot, admiring the various wares on display. He approaches the two, patiently waiting until their business is finished.

...

Once addressed, he smiles genuinely and introduces himself.
"I'm Malkus; it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm interested in something a bit more robust than this," he offers, indicating his maille.
"Those of my Order have always been quick to sing the praises of a good suit of brigandine (splinted armor). What's your price for a suit, and when would you have it ready?"

Having hopefully completed this errand, Malkus waves and leaves the shop.

Tusk returns to the forge, the heat providing a welcome reprieve from the bone-chilling cold outside. Knocking his boots at the door, he heads inside to find Spark.

"Hello, again. Any projects in the works for today?"

Spark greeted Tusk, but sadly shook his head, no. "There's not too much work just now. I had an order for some splint armour, but the customer required it quickly, so I finished it myself."

He gestured to the glowing coals. "You are free to spend time here and work on any projects you have."

Fresh from the Tavern, Malkus enters Spark's forge and greets him warmly.

"As agreed, here is the payment, and," he hands a pouch and a folded bundle of maille to the proprietor, "this."

162 gp and a suit of chainmail to Spark.

Spark returns the welcome and motions to an armour stand carrying a newly crafted splint armour. "Your splint as agreed. Do you wish assistance in donning the armour right now?"

Spark will help with the armour, or if not will bid Malkus a good day.

Malkus grins as he spots his newly commissioned armor.

"I've got an idea about putting it on, but appreciate you helping me get the hang of it this first time."

After making sure it fits well, Malkus thanks Spark and heads to the portal.

A lightfooted elf enters the Melting Pot, some tiredness evident on her face but counterbalanced by an enthusiasm that only comes from a day's work done.

"Um, er, hello," she starts off a little sheepishly when addressing the wooden-metallic man, unsure if he is a strange suit of armour until he moves, "I am looking to buy a scimitar, preferably in the elven style if you have one. My little dagger here," she gestures to her hip with a broad smile, "just isn't cutting it any more."

Her blue-green eyes sparkle with mirth, or it could just be the reflection of the nearby coals and embers.

She places the small pouch of earnings she had made for the days work on the benchtop in front of her.

"I hope twenty-five gold ought to cover it?"

OOC: -25 gold + 1 scimitar

Not enough gold to buy from Sai just yet so -3 gp for a room at the Frostbite Inn and a long rest to level up!
This message was last edited by the player at 07:11, Mon 24 May 2021.

Spark greets Tiria warmly and listens to her request. He retrieves a scimitar from a weapon stand. "I'm afraid I don't have anything specifically elven, but I have reforged this one in my own style, so it is at least unique."

It has lost all the horrible markings the goblins had put on it as their signs of prowess. Now it is a sleek and pure blade if a little unadorned, but with a pattern of etchings running down the blade, making it a one of a kind.

Tiria takes up the weapon and inspects it by looking down the curved edge of the blade and turning it this way and that in the light as she tests it's weight.

"Looks good, hang on a moment," she says as she steps back for a bit more space, checking around her to avoid hitting anything.

With a series of practiced movements she dances herself and the blade around in the intricate techniques of the bladesong, causing the eponymous thrumming whir of sound to ring forth from the scimitar.

Coming to a stop she grins broadly at Spark, "It is very well balanced, I'll take it."

"Excellent swordsmanship," Spark compliments excitedly, pleased that the customer was happy with their purchase.

Tiria blushes, "Well, I'm still learning, but thank you."

She takes up the scabbard and carefully stows the weapon.

"I, um, suppose, er, I'll go now. See you next time," she flashes an awkward smile and quickly heads out the door.

A small, wheelchair-bound Gnome wheeled herself agily into  The Melting Pot.
She herself was little more than half Spark's height, if she'd been standing; and so, even seated in her wheelchair, Donella took up little room in his store, and could easily navigate the space within.

She seemed interested in any wares he had on display; her discerning eyes falling, particularly, on smaller and more intricate items of metalwork.
Although, seeming anything on any higher bench tops was obviously an issue for her.

Spark looked up from the forge to see the door swing open, but it took a step back and craning his neck to look over the counter to the newly arrived potential customer. He put the work down and made his way over with a friendly greeting. "Hello and well met! I am Spark and this is my place." He looked curiously at the wheelchair. "That looks like an amazing contraption you have there." He offered his appreciation for the craftsmanship and the mobility it offered its wielder.

Then he was all about business. "What might I off you on this fine day?" He would have smiled if his metal face had allowed such expressions, but the warmth in his voice laid bare his feelings.

Donella smiled at the metal-mans comment, and lovingly patted her chair, "My valiant steed", she said with a smile.

Then, she turned her attention to their business, "I am new to the town," she explained, "but am an artisan myself.   A tinkerer and artificer of smaller wares than your own ... clockwork, and such intricacies.
I intend to make myself a life and a business along those lines, here.  And was just checking out your store, being a fellow worker of metal as you are.
I might also have need of your abilities:  perhaps with the plying of metals down into a smaller, thinner form than I guess you might use them.  That I might craft gears and cogs and so-forth from".
She looked up at him then (so far 'up'), "Do you think that you could perform such?  Provide consistently thin sheets of metal?"

Spark scratched his chin at the request. "I can certainly hammer metal into sheets for you, but it would depend on how thin you will need it." He moved over to an armour stand and retrieved a breastplate under construction. Holding it out for Donella to inspect. "I can regularly supply material in this thickness, but should you require much thinner metal it would be a more specialised operation."

The sheet of metal Spark provided would measure around 2mm in thickness with some slight variation.

Donella spent an hour or so, discussing 'shop' with Spark; the intricacies and possibilities of his skills, that could provide her with the metals, cogs, sheets and gears that she would need for her own craft.

Once they were done, she had developed a fondness for the big metal lad.
"Thank you, Spark.   I'll be in contact once I get my own operation up and running properly", she said, before leaving to continue exploring the village.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:55, Sat 14 Aug 2021.

Spark was impressed by the woman's intelligence and vision. She obviously had a goal and wasn't afraid of forging ahead toward it.

"It will be a pleasure doing business with you, friend. I will be seeing you around!" He waved as she left the shop.

Santio came to Spark's 'Melting Pot' a few days after the two had returned from their shared adventure, guarding the Gnome Galenna.

He was looking for a new weapon:  a long sword, in fact.
"What I would really like is a blade that ..." and went on to describe what he envisaged of the sword.   In effect, he is looking to have a katana made.

- I am assuming that 'katana' is just a flavour text, and will have the statistics of a Long Sword.
- Is it possible in this game for me to pay Spark my GP, rather than to some nameless NPC?
- Is it possible for Spark to make some kind of exceptional, good quality, sexy sword ... something that Santio can be really proud to own?   (and maybe even improve its statistics some how?)

As Santio enters, Tusk looks up from sweeping the hearth long enough to wipe the sweat from his brow and overhear the lad, before getting back to work. The metallic dust never completely goes away, but he's at least able to help keep it under control.

Tusk is content to let Spark speak to the young man; he's personally less inclined to pleasantries, and is really just helping with the enterprise, anyway. He takes care not to be overly loud or distracting while they conduct their business.

A longsword flavored as a katana is fine. This shop is run by Spark, so you'd give him the money. If Spark wishes, he can craft you a +1 sword, assuming he has the resources, and that you can afford what he decides to charge. Otherwise, he can flavor it however he wishes, but the game statistics will be the same.

The Warforged looks up from his work to see who is entering and is pleased to see his companion from not that long ago. "Friend, Santio!" he exclaims as he puts the piece of metal he was working back on the burner and moves the short distance to the counter.

After listening to the wishes of Santio, as well as recalling how he had fought on their journey with Galenna he nods and puts a few ideas on paper. "I can certainly craft something with that kind of design to it, and if you want something with a little more bite, I can also imbue it with the essence of the Great Forge. This will aid in both the balance and bite of the blade, as well as increasing durability and hardiness of the weapon."

"The price would be 400 gold pieces, although I am willing to trade in any metal weapons and armor you might have found."

Santio nodded, "I have nothing to trade right now, and not that amount of money.  But I shall be back, when I have that.

Until then, please, how much for a stock sword?"

Spark nods, understanding. He moves to fetch one of the swords Tusk has fashioned as part of honing his skill at the forge. "This will serve you well."

He hands the sword over for inspection. It's well made but lacking any flourishes or finer details, but the edge is straight and the feel of the metal is good.

"It should hold an edge as well as the next one, and will be 15 gold pieces."

Santio held the blade a moment, testing it.
Then, with a nod and a smile, said, “This will do just fine, thank you friend Spark.
And when I can afford the upgrade, I’ll be back to see you”.

He payed 15gp —> Spark, and left; happy with his new weapon.
He had some practising to do, however.

Spark would have smiled if he could at the compliment. "I will look forward to seeing you here again."

After Santio had left, Spark turned and deposited 5 gold pieces with the creator of the sword. "Well done, Tusk. That was a fine sword indeed."

Victor strode into Spark's Melting Pot, his blue eyes clearly focused but also indicating excitement.

"Hello there, I am in need of an upgrade to my equipment. I would like to trade in my greatsword, glaive and armour for, alongside some coin of course, for something more suitable. I have heard from my... friend... Tiria, that the scimitar she bought here holds it's edge well so I believe I am in the right place, can you accommodate me?"

OOC: I'm looking to buy a shield embossed with a holy symbol: 10 + 5 = 15 gp, a longsword: 15 gp, and a set of Splint Armour: 200 gp, for a total of  230 gp.
I believe this would cost you 23 DTUs and 23 gold to craft, netting you 23xp and 207 gp in profit.

I have a greatsword (50 gp base), glaive (20 gp base) and a set of chainmail (75 gp base) to sell if you're wanting to buy them, else I can sell them to the NPC store.

Spark greeted Victor warmly and absentmindedly and wholly unnecessarily stroked his metal chin as the customer laid out his wishes and designs. In the end, the smith tallied everything on a board and nodded.

"I can certainly accommodate you, and the total cost after trading in your weapons and armour would come down to 85 gold pieces."

Waiting for a confirmation from the prospective client, he added. "I can have everything ready by tomorrow evening."

Victor smiles widely, "Excellent, you have a deal. I look forward to seeing your handiwork tomorrow."

The tiefling hands over the items and gold up front then leaves to spend some time in the Frosthide Inn.

OOC: Awesome, I'll mark all that off on my character sheet now.
Also spending 3 gp for room and board at the inn for the night.

After fetching his amber, Tidelan enters the residence of Spark. The place is fresh to him despite having been here before. This is because he has purposely forgotten the surroundings from before, as this is not his Sylvan Abode, so it would be wrong for him to know it well.

Giving a single nod of respect to the metal man at work, Tidelan speaks up, "Friend Spark, I am here for your good metal-work" it is a strange thing to hear a druid say.

He puts two things on the counter, several busted tiger teeth, and a portion of amber, before pointing them out and saying, "With this thing and this thing, I desire for you to make a knife. The knife is not for battle, it is for my [Language unknown: Anngsa Haadse]"

From the quality of the teeth, it is clear that any weapon forged from it would shatter after a single hit. But Tidelan has specified he has other uses for it, though perhaps they are unclear if Spark does not speak Primordial.

Then, Tidelan is oddly quiet. After a full minute of intense silence, Tidelan looks at Spark and says, "Friend Spark... What I will ask now is many great to me. You are the only one that can do this..." he seems to want to say something else but is quiet.

At last, he points out whatever scrap metal and maybe a chain that is in the corner of the shop, and once it is gathered, he nods before pulling something from his satchel.

It is a beating heart, bloody and bigger than his fist.

"With this sylvan-natural gift and this blood of Gaea," he points out the two things, "I many desire for you to make a... neck-gem" he seems to be trying to say amulet, or pendant.

With that he is quiet and awaits a response.

OOC:

Haha Tidelan is always fun to bring shopping. He has no chill, so its very over the top and out of place lol

Anyway, I was hoping you could make a ceremonial serrated dagger. The amber would be for the hilt, and the teeth would make the blade. The dagger would not work as a weapon, because the gathered materials are too poor.

As for the impossibly-living heart and the metal scraps (which I assumed you have, or at least can acquire) I was hoping to make an amulet. It's for my new class feature, but doesn't have a mechanical use either, so I don't mind using metal for it since it isn't "armor" but an "accessory". Also the fact that they are both 'blood' is pretty cool [tidelan sees metal as the blood of the world]

You can decide the price, since these are strange requests. Tidelan has loads of money, lol

PM
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:31, Fri 29 Oct 2021.

Tusk pauses sweeping long enough to ponder whether the offered heart is intended to be payment for creating the non-functional dagger. After a moment, the bloody, blue fellow clarifies his intent.

With a shake of his head, Tusk resumes sweeping.

OOC: After realizing that Tidelan is providing amber for the knife, I edited that PM. Waiting on Tidelan to confirm how many DTUs the knife will actually take.
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:44, Fri 29 Oct 2021.

Letting in a gust of cold air, Malkus enters and quickly closes the door. The snow that blows in with him swirls and disappears quickly in the dry heat of the forge, however.

"Greetings, Spark. It is good to see you again!" he says with sincerity.

"I have a few items I'd like made. What would you charge for some splint armor to fit a Worg, and a greatsword, both of higher-than-standard quality? I'd also like ten standard javelins."

PM

The day after the Assault company returned from the attack on Burning Stag  (and having divided up the loot, and received their rewards), Santio returned to the Melting Pot.
"That blade we discussed.  Please, I now have the means to purchase it".  He placed purse with 500gp on the counter.  "Please, when you are ready, produce me the best piece you can, and let me know; if it costs more than this, I'll find a way to make the cost".

Spark raised his hand in greeting at Santio's approach. "Hello there, friend Santio. I had not forgotten about your blade even though the fighting for the Burning Stag has been fierce"

Accepting the coins, the metal man nodded. "I took the liberty of working on it before we made off to war."

He moved to the back of the shop and fetched a small crate, setting it on the counter to reveal a sword in its scabbard. "Now, don't be fooled by the rudimentary scabbard, I'm afraid that's not my forte. Please inspect the blade, and I think you will find it sings a bit more clearly and strikes a bit more true."

That's one +1 longsword (katana-looking) for 500 gp

Never a man to look garish or ostentatious ...... Santio didn't seem at all to care what the scabbard looked like.

Instead, he reverently drew the sword, and inspected it with great attention, and appreciation.
Stepping backward to give himself some room, he moved with it ... enacting some small kata's.

Then, he smiled at the larger metal metalsmith, and smiled.  Then bowed.  "Thank you, friend Spark.  You work is very pleasing to me, and it is an honour to have done this business with you".
Slipping the katana back into its scabbard, he attached the merchandise to his belt.

Before leaving, he simply said, "I look forward to spending more time with you, sir".
And with a last bow, left the store, very pleased.

Soon after, in a vacant glen on the outskirts of town, Santio could be seen practising katas with his new katana.

The man walks in to the "shop", if such it can be called, and looks around. He finds it to look...a little strange for a place of business as it looks more like one of the wooden cabins that have been built in town. Though he has nothing to compare it to. At least, not that he remembers.

He focuses on the task at hand and looks for the owner. When he speaks, his voice is soft and quiet, and accented in a strange way. "Greetings." He pauses briefly for a response before continuing, "I have heard you are the person to see about...metal armor? Is that correct? I was hoping to purchase a breastplate."

The giant Bearfolk entered the forge. The heat from the furnace was a welcome change from the snow-covered ground outside, though with his thick fur he didn't really feel the cold as much as those with naked skin.

He greeted the Warforged who owned the premises. "Good day to you, Spark is it? We fought together at the Burning Stag, though I must confess that we did not have time to converse. You did well, you have my admiration."

The pleasantries out of the way, he continued, "And so to business. I am in need of some upgraded armour. I am looking for a suit of splinted mail that fits my frame. Most sets are designed for humans or folks of a similar size but I am somewhat more... robust than others. Can you assist me? I would be happy to trade you my suit of chain mail if the price is fair."

"One more thing. Do your smithing talents extend to adding an enchantment to armour? If so then I would also like service. Can you do this, and what would the cost be?"

As they discussed prices he considered one further thing. "I have no talent in smithing but I am a quick learner, and as you can see I am big and strong. I would be happy to help you in forging my armour, if that would help and you are willing. I can give prayer to Selune to aid in your endeavours."

To be clear:
- I want to buy a set of splint mail armour
- I would like to enchant it to +1
- I want to sell my chain mail armour
- I can pay with Gold but can also use DTUs to assist if required, I have plenty
- If I use DTUs do I gain any XP as well?

Spark walked into the forge from an adjoining room, apparently having not heard either customer enter. In a bit of a fluster, he held up both hands in a disarming manner. "Oh dear, I am so sorry to have kept you both waiting. I must have been too focused on my work."

After hearing the requests he nodded and produced a clean slate to make some marks and measurements on.

To the soft-spoken one Ten he nodded. "Certainly you have come to the right place to procure some metal armor. Would you require the piece to be enchanted as well?"

To the larger and more imposing Golun he nodded as well, having seen both at the battle not too long ago. "I have no issues modifying a set of splinted mails to suit your size, and I can indeed imbue the work with a spark from the Great Forge to protect the wearer better than normal steel can."
Nodding once again at the proposed shared labor the warforged nodded again. "I would welcome the assistance, not to mention that it is always good for the wearer to have a keen understanding of how the protection is wrought, so as to best care for it out in the wild."

I haven't done the calculations right now, but the key factor is DTU's which until just this morning was a scarcer resource than mithril. I will have to charge in both gold and DTU's to be able to craft the items.

The man hesitates, clearly not having been expecting the question. "That is something you are able to do?" He performs a bit of mental calculation and then continues, "That would be more beneficial, of course, but I assume it would cost more and take more time. While I have recently come in to...more money than I think I have ever held before, I do not think that I have enough gold left right now to have it enchanted also."

After a long moment, he shakes his head slowly. "Is it possible to later have it enchanted? And what cost and time would it require, if so?" He tilts his head to one side. "Actually, I suppose I should ask, you don't have any breastplates currently crafted to be sold? How long will it take to craft a set for me?"

OOC: I have recently received DTUs for the Assault as well as what I have and have not used since joining the game, so just let me know what you require.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:43, Sun 26 June 2022.

Guyver entered, a little shinier than when Spark last saw him on the battlefield, gone is the dust of ages, gone the muck of his watery grave. Black lacquered wood and darkled steel plating and glowing eyes that have witnessed the distant past now all forgotten.

He nodded to Spark and waited his turn.

In reply to Spark (msg # 60):

Golun nodded. “Time I can offer. It would be interesting to see a craftsman at work, and more so to assist him in the creation of his artistry. I am yours to command.”

I have plenty of gold and 60+ DTUs so let me know what the cost is.

In reply to Golun Fearstorm (msg # 63):



Yes, any time a character spends DTU for any reason, they get XP.

In reply to Conspirator (msg # 64):

Nice. Spark, can you confirm Gold + DTU cost to complete my request?

Guyver turned himself off while waiting.

In reply to Golun Fearstorm (msg # 63):

With the sudden surge in customers for the warforged smith, an assistant steps forth to help with the work. Qitris approached Golun as she shifted a few beads on an abacus. "Sorry for the delay. With everything on the order - new splint mail and enchanted - as well as providing your old armor which we can - of course - offer a reduction in cost of work your total will come to 912 gold pieces and 5 silver. While the armor itself will not take long at all, the enchanting process will take around three weeks; materials and magic stuffs and all that. Is this agreeable?"

OOC: Golun's Final Total: 912gp 5sp and 54 DTU

In reply to Qitris (msg # 67):

Golun nodded in reply. "Your offer is reasonable, and I am happy to play my part in creating the new armour. I will add Selune's blessings as I labour."

-----

Over the next few weeks the Bearfolk laboured at the forge, helping the smiths in fashioning the new armour. Finally it was ready and he tried it on. "It is perfect, just what is needed to face the challenges ahead. I thank you, maybe I will join you again when my coinpurse allows for something else new, maybe a shield. In the meantime, I bid you good day, may Selune shine her moonlight on your endeavours."

Collected:
- +1 Splint Mail
- 54xp

Payment deducted:
- Chain Mail (used)
- 912gp + 5sp
- 54 DTUs
This message was last edited by the player at 11:33, Thu 30 June 2022.

In reply to Malkus (msg # 53):

There was another order that seemed to have gone by the wayside. Why did some of these people insist on blending in to the metal and stonework? The guy who liked riding giant angry dogs had quite the order to fulfill. "Okay, so if we understand what you are going for - you want special splint mail for your mount and a really, really nice greatsword. We can do that." A few more beads slid across the rails. "The metals are not a problem and can have those done in a few days. The enchanting is still the long part. Mythrian only grants blessing to the craft of metal, not the infusion of magic into it. That will be around three weeks. The total comes to 2,100 gold pieces for the whole package. Will that work for you?"

OOC: 2100gp and 55 DTUs

In reply to Ten (msg # 61):

Next in line was the quiet man with the creepy vibe - and a very simple order. "Sorry for the delay. Your request is simple enough to have it done today as there is no enchanting needed. For the cost of 400 gold pieces the armor will be made for you."

OOC: 400gp and Qitris will absorb the DTU cost of 1

In reply to Guyver (msg # 62):

The newest... oldest?... Most recent warforged addition to town had come in, but not yet placed an order. Giving a few taps on the chest to see if that would stir them from sleep Qitris began the sales meeting. "Greetings and welcome to Master Spark's Melting Pot. I am Qitris, providing assistance at this time. What can we do for you today?"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:17, Thu 30 June 2022.

The man will look at the speaker, as it changes from the warforged to a new person. His confusion is momentary but then washes away. He gives her a small bow. "That would be wonderful, thank you."

He counts out the gold quickly and hands it over to her, then waits patiently for the measuring and the armor to be created.

OOC: I am more than happy to pay 1 DTU in addition to the gold.

Malkus readily agrees to the proposed cost.

---

After what feels like months, our hero returns to the smithy. Snow swirls into the shop before landing as wet droplets as he holds the door open, and his worg stalks in behind him. Malkus carefully inspects the craftsmanship of the sword and the barding; satisfied, he hands over the agreed upon payment of coin.

He glances at the worg, and Dread silently crouches to an almost-prone position. Malkus removes her saddle, manages to wrestle the new armor over her form, and straps it down with the saddle on top.

He carefully slides the greatsword into his quiver and waves to the smiths as he leads Dread back outside.

"Thank you kindly. I look forward to joining you in battle once more!"

-2100 GP, -55 DTUs

In reply to Ten (msg # 72):

"Very well then, we shall have your armor coming up shortly."

-------------------------------

After the team took the man's measurements and the crafting rituals performed, Qitris presented Ten with the completed Breastplate. "Here you are, please check that everything is to your liking. If anything is off we can correct it."

OOC: Total is 400gp and 1 DTU

The man waits patiently and then tries on the new armor as instructed. It will take some getting used to, and it is heavier than the old, patched-up leather armor he has been wearing, but it fits well.

He gives a nod of respect to Qitris. "Thank you. It fits well."

Barring anything else, he soon takes his leave.

Guyver considered breaking the woman's fingers. The audacity of putting her greasy sausages on his chest. If she assumed he was aware words would have sufficed to rouse him so poking him must have been intended to provoke him.

He stayed his hand. She had been brave in combat, and had been good enough to include him in the redistribution of the accumulated wealth, and he wanted to make allies with these people, at least until he could figure out his bearings in this time and place. And given the number of organics in town it was probably forbidden by law to break fingers when being poked. He decided to give her a chance to redeem herself.

"Hello woman", he corrected himself glancing at her ears:"Elf. Qitris. I would like to speak with the one called Spark. I have a weapon that I need fixing and I need a furnace and some tools. I also want to make a duplicate of the design". He placed a piece of cloth on the table and unwrapped the weapon. It was composed of a wooden grip, a trigger mechanism, a chamber to hold a number of small projectiles in and a tube from which the projectiles supposedly would emerge at high velocities.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:46, Sat 02 July 2022.

Organic ears were notoriously unreliable.
She was possibly deaf:"I NEED A FORGE TO FIX A GUN".
He pointed at the weapon he carried, then to the forge.
Hammering metal might have deteriorated her hearing.
It never hurts to be considerate.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:38, Tue 12 July 2022.

A soot-covered Tusk quickly approaches the loud, metal being. He looks down at the bizarre contraption, then back up at the metal golem.

He raises an eyebrow in response to the question.

"So let me get this straight. You're wanting to just use the forge, or are you wanting us to work on that for you?"

"Ah, you work here too. I can do the fixing and casting of new parts. I just lack the workspace at the moment", Guyver explained:"Are gunsmiths still a thing in this day and age?".
He considered for a moment: "I have been inactive for a thousand years or so. It takes some adjusting to the new era. I was hoping your colleague could enlighten me to a few as he appears on the surface to be one of my kind. We met on the battlefield during the big goblin war .. You were there too, weren't you?".

Tusk glances about the room, the whites of his eyes starkly contrasting his dirty appearance. "Yeah, a few of us work here. Spark keeps us pretty busy."

He takes a renewed interest in the device before him.

"Ahh, can't say I've ever worked in anything so... archaic ... before, I'll have to check with the others. Nowadays, we just throw sharp sticks."

He thinks another moment before answering.

"I'll ask him, cuz it's his forge. I'm not sure how he'd want that handled. I'd be happy to introduce you two. And yes, I remember seeing you briefly, although I was a bit distracted at the time.

I'm Tusk."

He holds out his hand to shake, somewhat expectantly.

"Sharp sticks .. how innovative", he shook Tusk's hand. He was a bit creeped out by the soft skin around the hard bones as he held it closer to his eyes to observe it.
"Perhaps I should put my war spoils toward a forge of my own and reintroduce the gun, it is an effective weapon".

A dirty, sooty Spark poked his head out from behind a corner to survey a fellow warforged.


"My sincere apologies, friend. The amount of orders come in after the attack on the goblin stronghold keeps us all busy. I'm afraid we've come to a decebt working rotation as far as this workspace goes and I don't think we could accommodate another. We would of course be more than happy to fashion the tools you require, and unless the work on the weapon is quite exotic, both Qitris and myself have a blessing from the Great Forge that could help in repairing it."

He wasn't inconsiderate of Qitris differing faith, Spark simply implied that the Great Forge took precedence over everything it had created, Gods and man alike.

"As for shedding light on our similar nature, I'm afraid I haven't had the time to do much research myself. I come from somewhere in the mountains I think, I recall only flashes of my journey to Smith's Gambit, and I have but vague notions of a workshop and a Master from Before. I haven't been able to figure when I was last active. It is something I'm keen on finding out, however, so once work here dies down I think I will mount an expedition to try and find my Master's workshop"

At first, Qitris had thought there was something stupid in her ear. Perhaps the vocalizations from the other metal man were distorted by centuries of cobwebs and dirt. But, no, she was right in her first impression from the interaction with its second round of vocal trash. "Ah. You are indeed from a long, long time ago. I'll let these big burly strong men take care of you, then." And so she left them to it to go work on a less offensive mechanical pig.

"When you do go on that expedition count me in. I can tell you what I know. I worked in a factory, building the type of weapons I came here to get fixed. It was located under the temple we fought the goblins. The place was in ruins when I came to and the weapon I carry with me was the last I found. There was black powder on the walls and the place had been flooded partially by a river that had been directed into the underground facility. From what I could tell the place was created by dwarves. It stands to reason they may also have created us. And given the work I was doing they were gearing up for war. Against whom I do not know but it may have been the goblins. And since the dwarves don't appear to rule the region they may have lost", Guyver explained.

"It took quite a bit of effort to get out and I found myself in the temple where the goblin war played out its climax. Thus stumbling on your allies in battle. The goblins were the least likely to react favorably to my presence so I picked the other side".

(Is Spark still around, how much does full plate cost? Full plate +1?)