Open Chronicles I want a cool sword

[Kara Orin]

A mild, sunny day graced Elbion. Only a few clouds dotted the skies and a light southward breeze rolled through the city. The temperature and humidity remained low enough for a day’s stroll to be enjoyable. As a result, a few more people wandered the Merchant District this day to peruse stores and stalls.

Kara walked along a street with several street merchants selling fresh produce. Her eyes ignored them as she examined the stores along the way. Her hair and cloak from the College of Elbion moved with the wind.

Eventually, Kara stopped at the sight of a blacksmith shop. Black smoke climbed up into the sky from a smokestack on the roof. She examined the sign displaying the store’s name.

The Smithy

A snicker escaped from Kara. Still, she approached the front door and entered The Smithy. Once she did, she would look around the store and begin to examine anything on display.

Pern

 

[Pern]

Clang. Clang. Clang.

Another day, another project. Dented armor. Broken sword. A custom dagger. Arrowheads for the city guard. New bracers for a hedge knight. A bit for the silk merchant's new horse.

Master Gibbson was away at the docks today, working on settling a deal on a shipment of ore, which left Pern in charge and a sooty young fellow polishing a set of worn grieves. Most shoppes in the Merchant district had little bells on the doors for when customers arrived. No such thing at the Smithy. The young man had seen Kara enter.

Clang. Clang. Clang.

Pern continued her work before the largest forge, mallet to steel over anvil, back facing the door.

"Afternoon," said the young man to the Mage, "we don't get many Mages in here. Somethin' we can help ya with?"

 

[Kara Orin]

Before Kara could take a look at anything in The Smithy, the soot covered man caught Kara’s attention when he called out to her.

“Hello,” Kara replied as she took a few steps toward the man.

As Pern hammered away at her work, Kara took a glance over to the force. Her eyes did not linger longer before they returned to the young man.

“I’d like to buy a sword,” Kara told him, “Are there any examples of your work?”

Pern

 

[Pern]

Clang. Clang. Clang.

"Wella," said the young man, lifting a soot and grime-covered hand to run through his equally soiled hair, "we have lots of swords, but I'm just an Apprentice." He seemed an awkward sort, attempting to gesture Kara's gaze towards a side wall upon which several swords hung on display. The vast majority were large swords meant for large men. Longswords, broadswords, bastard swords. The kind of swords that could cleave a man's head off in one strong swing.

Clang. Clang. FWOOSH.

"These swords are made by Master Gibbson and -and" he stumbled over a box on the floor as he directed Kara towards a separate side wall where some finer work sat locked in glass cases. Ceremonial swords, daggers, stillettos baring fine metal filigree, jewels, engravings, "these are Pern's work. What kind of sword are you looking for?"

 

[Kara Orin]

At the Apprentice’s gesture, Kara looked toward the wall of swords. A few of the weapons on display dwarfed Kara. The largest was as long as Kara was tall. She frowned at the sight.

When the Apprentice stumbled, Kara opened her mouth as if to ask if he was fine. Yet, the young man continued. Kara turned her attention to the Pern’s ornate works. She glanced over the jewels and gold. The works with engravings drew Kara’s attention the longest.

“Pern’s work?” Kara muttered after the Apprentice asked his question.

“Yeah, I’m looking for a sword made with engraving,” Kara added.

Pern

 

[REG]

it wasn't uncommon that jregh visited the blacksmiths through his many adventures around the world. there were more times then one that he somehow broke the handle of an axe or needed to sharpen them but didn't have the means to do so. so, when he was hired to escort a merchant to elbion, he managed to chip one of his axes and completely break the other one thanks to some thief slashing a particularly heavy and sharp sword at it.

so, he had gone to the smithy, hoping that they might do repairs. he had stepped into the blacksmith's shop, head tilted as he found that who seemed to be the blacksmith- or pern, whatever the male might be- seemed to be preoccupied with a woman. a human woman, a very attractive one, looking for an engraved sword.

"ah, i hope im not interrupting anything. if i may.. i think something made of copper would suit you, ma'am. it may not be the strongest metal, but its lightweight and quick." he offered, glancing nervously between the two as he crossed his arms over his broad chest.

 

[Pern]

"Engraving? Pern can do that, she's-"

And then suddenly, an orc appeared. Odd. Not many orcs in Elbion. As a matter of fact, the only one in residence so far as he knew was Pern herself. The young Apprentice blinked, sputtered, cleared his throat, "erhm- copper makes nice embellishment, but we don't use it for the swords. It's much too soft, even cheap iron can bite through it."

Clang. Clang. FWOOSH.

Pern plunged her current project into a vat of oil and withdrew it, absently leaning to swing the forge gate shut. The smithy instantly fell into a quiet din.

"Sham, can you get me a shteel ingot for thish necksht-" the orcess stopped dead, realizing very suddenly that Sam was preoccupied with not one but two customers. Whoops. Blinking, she set her work aside on a bench and reached for the nearest rag to wipe her hands.

"Apologiesh," she began, wiping the sweat from her face with the rag as well, "hard to hear cushtomersh over the forgesh. Who wash firsht?"

"Ahm, this Lady here," said Sam, gesturing to Kara Orin, "is looking for a sword made with engravings."

"Very well, shomething sheremonial? A gift?" Pern smiled from behind her tusks, flipping the rag to lay across her shoulder.

The Apprentice disentangled himself from them and moved to greet the new orc, "May I help you Sir?"

REG

 

[Kara Orin]

Kara turned to Jregh and listened to his suggestion. A single snort followed as she pressed one side of her lips. She raised a single eyebrow. She did not add to the Sham’s comment about a copper weapon.

When Pern called out to Sham, Kara relaxed her face and shifted her eyes to the blacksmith. After she looked over Pern, Kara gave a slight smile.

“Something more practical for myself,” Kara answered.

Then, Kara reached behind her.

“If I may show you an example,” Kara continued as she pulled out a single-edged dagger by the flat of the blade. The blunt back faced her palm.

If Pern did not protest, Kara offered the dagger with leather wrapped hilt facing Pern. The steel blade sported runes galore in several arrays. The runes seemed crudely etched into the metal well after forging. Typical runes meant to enhance the sharpness or strength of the blade were absent.

Pern REG

 

[Pern]

"Of courshe," the orcess replied, curiously watching as the woman withdrew a small dagger and offered it to her. She took it with a deft hand, turning it within her much larger palm. This blade was far too small for Pern, but it suited the more delicate grip of the human.

Keen eyes examined the make of it, doing well to keep judgement at bay of the quality of craftsmanship. The blade was a good one, but the etchings ... definitely done by an amateur, and that may have been stretching it.

"Shomething of shimilar style ish well within my shkillsh," Pern flipped the blade with one hand and offered it back to its owner, handle forward, "I can make you a fine blade with beautiful engravingsh, but I am no enchanter."

Kara Orin