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.