[ESMELTERAN MARKET] Forging for the Dragoon...

Stay away from Donal's... kept ringing through Kellar's head as he walked through the streets of Esmeltaran, keeping an eye up on the signs for what appeared to be a decent blacksmith. How am I supposed to know which one is a good blacksmith based on the sign, he wondered. He passed Donal's shop, not much to it, other than the sign Little One described in detail earlier. Kellar went to the end of the street and came upon a sign for a shop that caught his eye. Ansley's Anvil. Hmm, seems reasonable enough, catchy almost. He approached the stall and entered, he felt the heat hit his face, it brought back memories of hunting...

The dwarf smithy wore a heavy leather smock and heavy leather gauntlets. The dwarf's face was covered with a leather worked mask, with a crystal visor over the eye area. TANG! TANG! TANG! TANG! rung out loudly as the dwarf struck down on the sword blank on the anvil.  TANG! TANG! TANG! TANG! as the dwarf continued, and turned the blank again. TANG! TANG! TANG! TANG! rang out for a considerable while longer, and Kellar propped himself against the post in the stall, and fed Orbaugh part of a ration.

The dwarf dropped the worked sword into a cooling vat and set it aside. The dwarf removed her visor and gloves and set them on the workbench and turned to Kellar. What do you want blue man, questioned Ansley. I'm here to commission some work from you, not much needed really, I'd like to have some anchor points made on my armor, and a three javelins, said Kellar. I can't add anchor points to an existing piece, the metal for it is all wrong, you can't work that kind of metal to a rigid metal needed for an anchor point, she said.

What's your name anyway blue man, she asked. Kellar the Quick, a dragoon by trade, and you are? I'm Ansley Rubysmasher, owner of Ansley's Anvil. I confess I don't receive much work, being female an' all that, she responded. I can make what you request, but it'd be a whole new piece, with a new breastplate and harness system. The harness will be outsourced to Albert Capella, a leatherworker I use for most of my more intricate pieces, she said.

Very well, a new piece can be made, and three javelins, the harness, javelins and uh, yeah, I'll need a belt with a rotating anchor point assembly for it. I need to be able to have my hands free while my target is being dragged or towed. Can you do something like that, he questioned. It'll cost a considerable amount, but yes, I can do that for the new breastplate and belt assembly. When it's finished, you should be able to pull a considerable amount of weight, or it pull you, as you please, Ansley concluded.

Ansley sketched out the breastplate and belt assembly in front of Kellar. He looked over the drawings and noted, perhaps you could design it with a bit of a dragon? Like say, etch or emboss the breastplate to appear to have dragonscales? The same thing for the belt too, he said. That's manageable, again, it'll cost a bit more money, but will be completed as specified, Ansley responded.

As for the javelins, they'll need to have a barbed end, the each of them, with a ring shaped anchor point on the ends of them, Kellar said. That won't be a problem at all, I have a few spear blanks laying around here, and a few end caps made up as well, I'll just have to add the anchor points to those, Ansley replied. Give me a few hours and I'll have it all finished to specification. I have a breastplate blank ready that I'll add anchor points to. The belt assembly will take a bit of work, but it just needs to rotate when there's tension, but remain constant when there's none. The javelins will be done as well. What about chain? Will you need that and how much, she questioned.

Yes, chain will be needed, if you have 40 feet worth, that would be plenty. If they're linkable in 10 feet segments that would be best. A double end caribiner for the chains would be best, Kellar responded. Very well, the caribiners are expensive. I can't make those here, that's more for Cousin Avey. He's a goldsmith and clock maker that works on intricate devices such as that, she said. Kellar sighed as he heard Ansley continue on with cost and outsourcing to other workers. Alright, fine. Can you get these items made and put together in the next few hours? If the work is satisfactory, I'll commission further work, say.. a helmet, gauntlets and greaves, he said.

Ansley scoffs at Kellar. WHEN, you see the work is more than satisfactory, you will be back with further work to be commissioned mister Kellar, she said adamantly...

A few hours passed, and Kellar returned to Ansley's Anvil and observed two skilled workers leaving the stall. Mister Kellar, you just missed Cousin Avey and Al Capella. They brought the leather harness, belt assembly and caribiners. Cousin Avey made the belt assembly, he said something about using a tensioner like that of a clock. Al Capella also made a saddle stitched double ply belt to attach to the belt assembly. He said that it is extra durable, but has some stretch to it, to prevent chafing or snapping of the belt under load. You'll need to bring it back for maintenance every now and again, but we stand by our work, Ansley said.

Kellar slipped on the new breastplate and harness system. It fit like an old pair of slacks, but better. This is comfortable, it's light but feels incredibly sturdy. This is high quality Ansley, pass my thanks along to Cousin Avey and Al Capella. Kellar noticed that there were three slots on the back of the breastplate. What are these for, he asked. Oh, well I thought you'd like to be able to carry your javelins hands free and at the ready. They load upside down, be careful, she smirked. It works like this, you take the chain and attach it to the loop on the belt assembly, and then attach it to the javelin on your back. When you throw, the javelin will be fed the chain from this pouch right here, she said as she pointed to the pouch just below the belt assembly on the right hip. That pouch will keep the chain silent when moving, and is attached to the harness assembly attached to your legs.

Kellar tested the belt assembly with Ansley's help. See? When it's not under tension, the belt remains locked and stable. It prevents excessive noise from occurring, but once you apply tension, the belt assembly activates and the loop rotates freely. You should be able to use the belt as a brake if you can hold the weight under tension from your hand or with an extra loop connected to your breastplate, Ansley said. This is excellent, this is more than I asked for, it truly is. Consider me impressed and ready to move forward with a commission for more armor. Keep in mind I'll need some time to collect enough gold for such a project. I'll return when I have more gold to give you. Pass this along to Cousin Avey and Al, Kellar said as he handed Ansley an extra 20 gold pieces.

He shook Ansley's hand and bowed deeply. I must be going for now. I need to meet back with my companions. Farewell Mister Kellar, bring your equipment back for repair when you need it, Ansley said as she waved goodbye to Kellar.

Custer stalks Kellar down Amstel Avenue, careful to keep enough distance that he would not notice him following.  The traffic made it easy for Custer to blend in, and Kellar's skin made it even easier for him to be follow.  As Kellar's step slowed under the sign marked with the bloody battleaxe, Custer held his breath.  When Kellar continued past, he let out a sigh of relief.  Good man.  Good.

Custer pushes his cloak and hood back over his shoulders as he steps inside.  He had little reason to hide here.  He quickly spotted Donal leaning on the large anvil beside his cold forge.  In all the years Custer had done business here, he had never seen it used for much else.  The sign said smithy, but if Donal was swinging his hammer, it was more like to crush a skull than work hot steel.  

Donal stares at Custer, trepidation in his eyes.  He clears his throat, and tilts his head to the back of the shop.  Custer follows him through a narrow doorway into a small office.  Donal closes the door behind him, then says. "Hells, Custer, where have ya been?  Yall are more than a week late getting back.  Where are Julani and Rorge?"  

Custer lowers his pack from his shoulders, and answers Donal as he digs through his gear.  "Orcs.  They didn't make it."  Best keep this simple.

"Orcs?  No way the bo..."

Custer cuts him off, "Well they did!

Cuss lets the silence turn awkward before continuing the search in his pack and adding, "I almost didn't make it back.  Orc tribes are gathering all around the horizon.  They aren't alone, either.  Kobolds, Goblins, Wargs, and some new Cult of humans gather with them.  Saw a lot of them near the city, in Chainmail and Formation...  They must have figured us for scouts."

Donal sits on the edge of a table in the room and looks down at Cuss, "Well, did ya get th..."  Custer interrupts, "No.".  Donal sighs, "He won't be happy."

Good.

"He sent Thornheart's band out to look for ya just a couple days ago."

Not good.

"Are they back yet?"  Custer ask.

"Don't right know for sure, but I doubt it.  Roslyn's been by almost every day since you were supposed to be back, ya know?  Have you seen her yet?"

Custer voice is low, "No."

"You should have went straight up the hill, Cuss.  What are you doing here?"

"I lost some gear, and I nee..."  This time Donal cut him off, rising from the table as he says, "Gear?!?  I've known you for almost your entire life, Custer Thickett.  What are you up to?"

Mayhaps I shouldn't have come here, afterall.

Custer smiles up at Donal, "Can't get nothing past you, Donal.  I got tied up with some folks on my way back.  Been hired to investigate something for the Exchequer's, if ya can believe that.  Pretty sure either the Shadows or the Harpers are involved.  Mayhaps both.  Either way, it don't sound much like a routine job.  Somebody's making a big move, Donal.  I aim to be on the winning side of it.  The way it looks now, the whole damn city could be at risk."

Donal leans back on against the table and cross his arms, a look of frustrated disbelief crossing his face.  "You need to get home, Custer."

"I will, but not today.  Mayhaps tomorrow, if father doesn't send for me first.  Can you get a message to Roslyn for me?  Tell her that she can find me at the Golden Sands.  That's where I am staying for now.  Tell her to just ask for me by my first name, though.  Not everybody I am with knows who I am."

"Aye, I'll do it, but I have to tell..."  "I know.  I wouldn't ask you not to." Custer interrupts.

Donal hangs his head and nods slowly, then he straightens and slaps the leather apron of his costume at the thigh.  "Well, Custer Thickett, I'm pretty sure you'll be the death of m..."  

Custer bolts up from his chair, face turning red and spit flying as he screams, "Don't ya fookin say that!  Don't ever say that!"

Donal nearly falls back over the table as he throws up his arms, "Whoa! Whoa there!  Hey, buddy, it is all right.  Calm down."

Custer shifts his weight as he wipes his lips with the back of his hand.  "Sorry, I, uh.  The last moon was very cruel."

"Around these parts, they all are.  Just sit back down there and tell me what gear ya need to replace."

"I need to keep it off the books.  I'll pay ya for it, with some coin, and this"  Custer says as he drops his bag of Mordayn's Leaf on the table.  "Dreammist."

Donal's arms drop limp by his side, fed up, "Damn it, Custer.  Are you planning to go rogue on us?"

Custer raises an eyebrow.  

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

Replacing Lost:

Hammer       1 gp
Crowbar       2 gp
Hemp Rope  1 gp
Pitons x20    1 sp

Buying New:

2nd Hemp Rope      1gp
Grappling Hook      2gp
Studded Leather     45gp
2 Hand Crossbows 75gp each
1 Crossbow Case     1gp
40 bolts                    2gp

Selling Used

Leather Armor        10gp new


Subtotal: 204.1 gold (not including sold leather armor)

Custer will be short about 66 gold.  He is hoping to make up for that in trade with the used armor and Dreammist.

[Rolling persuasion]
15

The member 'Custer Thickett' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 9

Custer: Approved

The ranger made his way along a gently winding road, working his way through crowds and market bazaars, worried he'd misremembered Cuss' hasty instructions and gotten himself hopelessly lost...

He had.

Finally submitting (to his great, secret shame), Osvald Hale; ranger of the Small Teeth, scout, wayfarer, pathfinder and trail blazer, asked for directions.

Eventually he found himself at the entrance of a small workshop; Capella Saddle and Leatherwork carved intricately into a worn wooden sign beside the door.
The interior was cramped and smelled strongly of cut leather, waterproofing waxes and oils. Two young artisans worked quietly in the back, shaping a saddle around a massive wooden form.
Osvald was approached by a gaunt, tall man who looked down his hooked nose at the huntsman.

"Greetings, and welcome to Capella. I am Albert, and you must be... Here to pick up the bridle and stirrups for Lady Esmer's mare. Very Good, see Jeoff there in the back, he will collect them for you, and next time, don't arrive two hours late for pick up. I've given the Lady a very good price on these goods and I won't be taken advantage of further." He said without pausing or skipping a beat, before turning away in a huff.
"Ah..." Osvald cleared his throat "Actually, I'm here to see about some repair for my things and to commission a scabbard for a blade?"
Albert spun back, "Damn, boy. Why didn't you speak up? No backbone in the men of today. Content to move meekly through the world, never speaking out. What has Amn come to? Very well, let me have a look at your things."

Osvald removes his harness, bracers, and greaves and places them on a small table. All were tattered, frayed and torn. Splattered with blood, mud, or both.
Albert looks at the items with a heavy sigh, but seems otherwise unfazed. The old man began mumbling to himself about "The abuses adventurers put their things through," and "No concept of even the simplest routine maintenance amongst these brigands in the wild."
With another heavy sigh he looks back down his nose at Osvald; "If this is the sort of thing you'll be doing to your equipment regularly... I would advise some additional reinforcement."
The ranger responds, "How much would that cost me?"
To which Albert again sighs heavily, and sweeps his hand around the shop. "As you can see we work mostly in custom and detail pieces. I don't have the time nor facility to actively stock armour as well, so this will require a near complete rebuild of your items. The cost will approach that of a new set, and while they may not be new, I guarantee your things will not simply be... refurbished. They will be improved."

"Very well," says Osvald, as he shrugs the wrapped bundle from his back. Placing it on the table, he pulls back the tattered wrap to reveal the black Orcish steel.  "I also need a sheath made this."
Albert cocks an eyebrow at the sword and picks it up. "Very... strange. Light for such... crude steel. Where did you acquire it?"
"From some one who won't miss it. Can it be done?" says Osvald impatiently.
"Can it be done? Of course it can be done." Albert scoffs "Return in a few hours time, your things will be ready."


=====

Upgrade to Studded Leather Armor 45gp (cost for new set)
Scabbard for longsword 1gp

Osvald will also acquire:

A new length of hemp rope to replace the one lost 1 gp
A quiver full of new arrows 1gp
fresh torch to replace one used 1 cp.

and will attempt to trade his quarterstaff for part of the value (2sp) of said items.

Net Cost: 48gp 1cp - 2sp = 47gp 7sp 1cp

[Approved, Osvald]

[And Kellar. I said approved in chat, but Im posting it here]

Guys these posts have been farkin' awesome. Keep up the sweet stuff.