Fool me twice, Part One

[Pash Raj'oriq]

Vhalar 50, 717

The chill of the Cold Cycle's turning had finally begun to seep into every day life around Scalvoris, though of course Scalvtown itself was relatively warm underfoot thanks to the strange geography. Pash woke late, content to procrastinate the early morning breaks away in the comfort and company of Kali'rial before he decided it was time to put into motion some changes, changes that required the assistance of the blacksmith, Hurk, and his son, Carl. Slipping away with no small amount of reluctance, the seafaring musician made his way into town, a song on his lips and many questions washing onto the shore of his mind.

The walk was the kind of motion Pash required, the movement of his body always needed to help him process things that were troublesome or hard, and while his calloused fingers absently rubbed where fresh, pink scars lay hidden under his layers of clothing, he considered his options. The blacksmith shop, Little Korlasir, was conveniently tucked between a delicious Bakery and a General Goods store, both of which the tall Biqaj was planning on paying a visit to once he'd had his brainstorming conversation with the two blacksmiths. The rhythm of smithy work rang out in the chilled air long before he poked his head into the doorway, lagoon blue gaze finding Carl first with a grin,

"Pash!" Carl paused mid-hammering to offer a wave in the other musicians direction, the two having hit off a friendship two seasons ago when Pash first purchased his Masterwork daggers. He paused in his work, wiping sweat from his brow from being so close to the forge, and welcomed the salty bard into the warm smithy, "What brings you in here this time? I'm free later to-trial if you'd like to play some music together again."

Pash grinned back and nodded to Hurk, who continued to work while his son took care of the familiar customer, "Ry’tsam! Aye, well, I find I'm without a lute for th' moment, but I'll sing while y' play anytime, Carl." He waved off the concerned expression that began to form over the young blacksmith's features, indicating with a shake of his head that now wasn't the time for such stories, though perhaps he'd still tell it before the break was over because the two men had that kind of bond, "I've got some questions for both 'f you, an' m'haps y' can help me with some craftin' too."

Hurk chuckled and also found a stopping point in his work before coming to shake the tall Biqaj's hand with a smile, "Alright, then. Go on."

"Well, I seem t' have a penchant for trouble, eh?" Pash began, much to Carl's bright-eyed amusement, "But I'm also a close combatant—I'm forever in th' personal space o' m' opponent—"

"An' that pretty Sev'ryn."

"Aye, hers too, Carl." Pash laughed, feeling more comfortable already about his concerns, "I've come t' realize that I need t' think 'bout some armor, but I don' want t' lose mobility. I don' want t' become stiff an' have m' abilities suffer."

"I'd say you'll want to consider leather armor, then, and perhaps you don't need full coverage." Hurk was already sizing the seafaring musician up, watching the way he moved when he talked, "We've made daggers for you, right? But you're the barehanded type, aren't you? I can tell."

The tall Biqaj smirked, nodding even as a calloused hand ran fingers through his sun-bleached hair, "Aye, that's right. I've got a friend whose an Alchemist, an' while he's away in Desnind, I've heard there's others in town who may be able t' help with m' ideas, too. Have y' worked with such things before, Hurk?"

"Yes. But it's costly, Pash." Hurk narrowed his eyes at the taller man and his voice dropped into a conspiratory whisper, "It's an expensive process, but I've got an Alchemist I work with almost exclusively. He's quite aware of how Carl and I make our armor and just how all the pieces must fit together."

"Oh? Well. Aren't y' jus' full o' wisdom, m' friend." Pash chuckled, relieved that the Little Korlasir was so well-connected within his community, "Cost's no' an issue anymore, livin' is—" The salty bard tugged at the buttons of his shirt and revealed the scars from just a handful of trials ago, sloppily sewn slash marks that left permanent reminders of his own recklessness across the tanned landscape of his skin, "I think it's worth every nel at this point, but I'll be honest, I don' even know what fightin' in armor'll be like."

Carl eyed the Biqaj's scars with a storyteller's admiration and it was clear the younger blacksmith held back eager questions to hear the telling of their origins, "It doesn't have to be as limiting as you think, friend. With an Alchemist's help, you can keep the suppleness of leather and cloth while giving your armor the protective hardness of the metal of your choice—and I've got recommendations. First, though, let me make some suggestions?"

[Pash Raj'oriq]

"Vrelore. As you wish."

Carl stepped closer and placed a hand on Pash's chest where his heart was, beginning to explain, "Obviously, you'll want to protect your core most—your chest, your abdomen. A cuirass should suit you well, and a wide protective belt, called a fauld. Since you're fighting with your hands or in close combat, I think a pair of vambraces would interest you, both as protection for that inked skin of yours as well as adding a hard edge to your attacks."

Hurk was nodding, retrieving some string in order to make measurements, "I think Carl's on the right track. A cuirass will be light, especially if it's leather and treated Alchemically. I think that Malorite would be a good choice of metal, but you'll have to pay for that, too. And it's not cheap, by the ingot, but it's stronger than iron or steel. I don't get to work with it much, but I've made a sword or two out of it."

Moving the seafaring musician's body as necessary, the two blacksmiths began to take measurements while they talked and Pash listened, Carl recording everything on a piece of parchment on a work table while Hurk carefully made sure to measure twice each of the necessary places to come up with properly fitting armor, and as they did so, Pash felt compelled to tell them about Magani and the Immortal's Tongue, about his combat misadventures, much to Carl's thrill and Hurk's concern. In the course of a half a break, the three of them conversed and formulated some kind of armored solution for the salty bard, Hurk even asking Pash to take a few swings at him so he could get a better feel of the other man's combat style.

"You know, you can also treat your clothes, should you want to, with the same hardness as your armor. While it's not as strong and a bit more difficult a process with soft materials like cloth or clothing leather, it's another level of protection. You're not a full plate sort of musician."

"Ze, you're right 'bout that." Pash chuckled, "Would it all be quick t' put on an' easy t' do by m'self?"

"Yeah. You won't have a problem with that." Carl shook his head, already beginning to sketch his ideas for his musical friend to see. He wasn't a fantastic artist, but he was capable of creating a simple outline of the armor he and his father had decided would work best for their customer, "And I'm happy to offer some training once we get you all sorted so you can get a real feel for your finished armor ... you know ... before you find yourself in more trouble."

Carl was grinning and Pash laughed at him, shaking his head, "Aye, for sure. I'll have t' take y' up on that."

Hurk was writing something down on another piece of parchment, "You'll want to go here and meet with Rhob, my Alchemist friend. He may be hesitant until you mention me, just because he also works at the University and doesn't do much advertising of his services outside of my shop."

"Thank y' much, Hurk. An' how much d' y' think this'll add up to?"

"From my end—for you?" Hurk looked to Carl and they both smiled warmly at the bard, "All my work will have to be truly masterful work, like your daggers. It won't be run-of-the mill everyday leather armor. That will take some time and—"

"I don' need y' t' sell me on 't, friend. I'm willin' to trust you an' your word. I also know that somethin' like this is worth th' coin, so it's fine."

Carl grinned and he and his father wordlessly agreed there was no need to upcharge the seafaring musician, "This will be at-cost, so let's get it all sorted. My guess, however, will be just under four hundred gold nel for the armor, maybe more, depending on the market price for Malorite when you pick it up. That's an estimate including my friend Rhob's fees, mind you, because we've been working together for so many arcs, but that's up to him what he thinks of you and your salt."

Hurk chuckled, rolling his broad, muscled shoulders, "But I suggest you also visit the clothier up the street here and see about getting some clothes the same way."

"Aye, that seems like an' interestin' idea. I guess I should get on m' errands, then, an' let y' get started on your part. Carl, if y' want t' come by th' fountain in th' Square this afternoon, should your da let y' free for a few breaks," Pash's tide pool gaze washed over them both with a grin, "Bring your instrument an' we'll have some fun, eh?"

"Yes, please."

[Pash Raj'oriq]

With that, Pash bid the Korlasir blacksmiths a good morning and stepped over to the bakery for a snack. Once he'd enjoyed something chocolate and delicious, he found his way to the clothier and explained his needs, much to the clothier's flustered understanding. It took several bits of going over the idea before the woman found herself somewhat excited over the idea of her work being combined with something that—to her—sounded utterly like magic. She even had suggestions of her own, such as creating a cloak that held the warmth of Scalvoris' peculiar orange sand! Pash was so taken with her suggestions, that he considered two of them: one for himself and a second for his lover as a gift before their travels began in the cold of Zi'da.

Finally, once he'd been measured again, much to the apparent amusement of the seamstress who giggled and blushed over his stories and accent, Pash chose fabrics and colors, discussed styles and fit, and finished up his order for the two cloaks, a cotton shirt, a leather vest, a pair of leather breeches, and a lovely scarf for a sash-like belt he'd always wanted but never bothered to purchase. If he was going to be spending some nel, he may as well spend it for everything he'd wanted, and another fifteen silver nel wasn't really going to tip the scales. agreed to return once he'd met with the Alchemist.

The Alchemist was harder to find, his home tucked a few blocks away from the shops and the Town Square, down an alley Pash had yet to really explore. He was home—thank the Immortals—although it wasn't until the seafaring musician mentioned Hurk that the older, quiet man began to open up, his dark eyes straying to the colorfully stained fingertips of the salty bard as if he understood them for what they were—witchbrands instead of just stains from a painter's hobby.

Their conversation took the rest of the afternoon, which made Pash grateful he'd paused for a snack. The two discussed his needs, his combat style, his desire for freedom of movement. They talked about the kinds of conditions he often found himself fighting in, his ability levels, and the places he was headed, which included travel and the sea. Rhob paused to admire Pash's ring, the matching proof of promise that he'd had made in Egilrund for Kali'rial and himself. He admired the Qualities Pash had chosen and the two spent another half a break brainstorming further on his armor and clothing, finally compiling a list of all that was needed. Perhaps it was the calm that the tall Biqaj exuded thanks to his Spark or his seafaring charm, but again, much like Hurk, Rhob agreed to do the work at-cost instead of asking for additional service fees, their conversation interesting him enough that he felt no need to negotiate.

Pash may have even left him with a few more ideas of his own, the salty bard full of random ideas. They shared some tea and then agreed to meet at the blacksmith's and the clothier's the next trial for preparation of all the items.

It was Pash's task the rest of the afternoon before meeting Carl again by the fountain to gather his necessary reagents: leather, cotton cloth by the yard, and Malorite ore. Tucking all of his purchases into his domain bag, he made his way to the Town Square where the blacksmith's son was waiting for him, already playing for a small crowd, once again welcoming Pash with a smile. The two would spend the rest of the afternoon together, laughing and playing music and singing for the busy townsfolk, the seafaring musician feeling strangely out of place without a lute in his hands, the ache in his heart for his grandfather's broken instrument dulled only by his skilled company and the distraction of a well-entertained crowd.

It was a good exercise of his other talents, Pash singing to accompany someone else, especially once the pair found themselves joined by one of the other local wandering musicians with her drum. Singing together, Pash and the drummer harmonized with Carl's instrument and sang some songs for the season, songs about the harvest and the frost and the coming snow, songs celebrating how the first of Vhalar was safe instead of terrifying, and songs of hope in the turning of the arc into the next.

Once they were tired and the sun began to set, Carl and Pash returned to the Little Korlasir so that he could drop off his supplies with the agreement that everyone would meet again early the next trial for preparation and the beginning of the process, though Pash wouldn't be able to pick up his finished works for several trials after that—both the blacksmiths and the clothier needing to create their finished products before he could make use of them.

It had been a busy trial, and the salty bard bid good night to his friends and the warmth of their forge to make his way back to the docks and The Muse, eager to share the evening with his dark-haired huntress.

Alchemical Process + Ledger

Pash’s goals for his purchases of armor and clothing are two fold: the clothing and leather armor remain flexible, supple, and wear just like normal clothes and/or normal armor would wear, allowing him the freedom of movement that he requires as a melee, unarmed combatant. The armor and clothing are also protective or as hard as not steel or iron but Malorite, Pash having purchased the ingots from the Blacksmith and Tailor in order for them to work with the Alchemist and use the material’s desired quality for the finished products. All purchases should be noted to be Masterwork quality, and the process is as follows:

Materials bought.
Materials cut into necessary pieces and prepared for item creation.
Pieces treated by Alchemist for desired properties.
Pieces turned into final items of Masterwork quality.
Pieces paid for and taken home.

The number of steps below follows the Alchemy skill steps, so please visit there for further reference.

Piecemeal Leather Armor: Hard as Malorite
Masterwork Leather Cuirass (Armor) 10gn *8 = 80gn
Masterwork Leather Vambraces (Gauntlets) 5gn *8 = 40gn
Masterwork Leather Fauld 5gn *8= 40gn

1) Number of items 15gn (3 items)
2) 5gn
3) 5gn
4) n/a
5) 80gn (Malorite Ingot for Malorite shavings)
6) 15gn preparation (primer)
7a) 15gn application (“Hard as Malorite”)
7b) 15gn application (“Supple as Leather”)
8) 15gn sealant
9) Masterwork leather cuirass 80gn, masterwork leather vambraces 40gn, masterwork leather fauld 40gn

20+15+5+5+80+15+15+15++1580+40+40 = 345gn Everyday Leather Vest: Hard as Malorite
Leather vest 1gn x 4 x .25 = 6gn
2) 5gn
3) 5gn
4) n/a
5) 5gn
6) 5gn preparation (primer)
7a) 5gn application (“Hard as Malorite”)
7b) 5gn application (“Supple as leather”)
8) 5gn sealant
9) Masterwork leather vest 42gn

6+5+5+5+5+5+5++542=83gn Wool Cloak: Warm as Orange Sand
Cloak 5gn
Wool x2.2

1) Number of items 5gn
2) 5gn (orange/warm sand)
3) n/a
4) n/a
5) 5gn
6) 5gn prep
7) 5gn application (“Warm as orange sand”)
8) 5gn sealant
9) masterwork wool cloak: 88gn

5+5+20+88 = 118gn

2 of these are purchased, one for Pash and one for Kali’rial, for a total of 236gn Leather Breeches: Hard as Malorite
Leather breeches 1gn x4 x.25 = 6gn x 8 = 42gn

1) Number of items 5gn
2) 5gn
3) 5gn
4) n/a
5) 80gn (Malorite Ingot for Malorite shavings)
6) 5gn preparation (primer)
7a) 5gn application (“Hard as Malorite”)
7b) 5gn application (“Supple as Leather”)
8) 5gn sealant
9) Masterwork leather breeches 42gn

6+5+5+5+80+5+5+5+5+42 = 163gn Cotton Shirt: Hard as Malorite
Cotton shirt 12sn x 1.2 x .25 = 18sn

1) number of items 5gn
2) 5gn
3) 5gn
4) n/a
5) 80gn (Malorite Ingot for Malorite shavings)
6) 5gn preparation (primer)
7a) 5gn application (“Hard as Malorite”)
7b) 5gn application (“Supple as Cotton”)
8) 5gn sealant
9) Masterwork cotton shirt 1gn44sn

0.18+5+5+5+80+5+5+5+5+1.44 = 116.62 Woven cotton sash (belt) 15sn Chocolate pastry 3sn TOTAL
943gn 80sn

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[Rumour]

Name: Pash Raj'oriq

Knowledge:
Negotiation: Tell a story to earn understanding and interest
Negotiation: Appreciate the work
Negotiation: Being honest about your expectations
Negotiation: Being on friendly terms aids in pricing
Unarmed Combat: Assessing armor for maneuverability
Unarmed Combat: Knowing your weaknesses
Location: Scalvoris Town: Little Korlasir Blacksmiths
NPC: Hurk, a knowledgable blacksmith
NPC: Carl, the musician's blacksmith
NPC: Rhob, Hurk's alchemist connection

Loot: -943gn, 80sn for materials, masterwork craftsmanship, and alchemy. Everything is detailed in the last post, but the loot is as follows:

• 1 chocolate pastry
  1 woven cotton sash
  1 Masterwork Cotton Shirt, Hard (or Tough, whichever works better) as Malorite
  1 Masterwork Leather Breeches, Hard (or Tough, whichever works better) as Malorite
  2 Wool Cloaks, Warm as Orange Sand
  1 Leather Vest, Hard (or Tough, whichever works) as Malorite
  1 Masterwork Leather Cuirass, Hard (or Tough, whichever works) as Malorite
  1 Masterwork Leather Fauld, Hard (or Tough, whichever works) as Malorite
  1 Pair of Masterwork Leather Vambraces, Hard (or Tough, whichever works) as Malorite

Injuries: Only the one made to your wallet.
Fame: +5 for a public performance.
Magic XP: N/A

Points: 10

- - -

Comments: This was a good thread to read, Pash. I like how you managed to weave story into a shopping thread, and how you brought in the NPCs' personalities to complement your narrative. Nicely done! I do want to request that you submit your Alchemist NPC and location to the Scalvoris Development Thread so that Pegasus is aware of his existence and can add him into the city lore. In future, it may be a good idea to submit these NPCs/locations in advance of writing a thread or using what's already available (for example, the NPCs skilled in Alchemy at the University).

Please note that I made a minor change to your first knowledge for clarity. Congrats on your many (many) purchases and your empty wallet! Looking forward to seeing you use these items in your next story.

If you feel I've missed anything or if you have questions about your review, please don't hesitate to send me a quick PM. Thanks!