View Full Version : Armor, for two?
It was a rather slow and unbusy day in the armor shop. Many warriors with heavy pockets and no protection passed the armor shop by, looked it over, and left without buying.
It was looking to be a very bad day for the shop keepers running the store.
But that all changed when SHE walked in. A very unusual blue person with pink scales and irregular wings. A few people stopped to stare at her. She seemed used to it. She flicked her multi-colored hair back over her shoulders and changed her eyes to black. She liked them black when she had a purpose.
"I need armor, for a friend. He's a particularly large fellow, with an irregular body type, like me, but not like me. He doesn't have wings. Can you help me?" She asked.
"Some friend." a few citizens whispered.
"If he can cater to her, he can cater to me." whispered another, a fine warrior who immediatly began browsing some of the more expensive wares, and was soon joined by another.
"Oh, maybe it'll help if you see him in person." she said.
She raised her arms to the sky, levitated, becoming hazy and indistinct.
The image of a lightning bold struck from the suddenly darkened sky, leaving behind Hromagh's seal, wreathed with Arcane Symbols. They spread outward, causing more symbols to appear, then launched towards the sky. As they rose, something was appearing, something with the paws and mane of a lion, the body of a bear, and the head of a bull, a minotaur. He had in his hands a gleaming steel bladed axe.
He looked around looking for his enemy, finding none he turned to the woman.
"Mistress Irene, WHY in the name of all the gods did you summon me if there's no emergency? I am Grath, I am made by the hand of Hromagh for battle, not to be your friend when you get lonely." the creature said.
Some people backed off in fear, but returned, curious, and thinking it was an advertising gimmick thought up by the owner, proceeded to browse various wares.
"You need armor Grath, remember, four days ago at the citadel, you were nearly disemboweled and were completly beheaded?" Irene said.
"I don't need armor. I don't want to be weighed down in the middle of a battle by plate mail." the minotaur said.
"Well, I can't afford Plate mail anyway. Maybe a nice chain mail shirt. I know, decked out with pretty pink flowers, to make you cute." Irene said with a smile, and promptly proceeded to look at some chainmail. But Grath was not of a normal humanoid size, and unless the blacksmith had chainmail large enough to fit a giant, would probably have to make some.
"I am a Minotaur. I am a barbarian in nature, I am a beserker, I am fierce, I frighten even mighty warriors, I AM NOT CUTE!" Grath bellowed at the top of his lungs, rattling the all armor nearby. Unfortunatly, the public, arleady having convinced themselves this was a brilliant sales tactic by the appearently very lucky blacksmith, chuckled, clapped, and some even cheered. Many took to browsing the armor. A line of customers waiting to purchase lined up, almost immediatly turning that days fortunes around, nothing terribly expensive, but then one highly powerful and extremly wealthy warrior was still browsing the most expensive items in the store; appearently VERY intrested in them, and was merely waiting for an oppurtune moment to inquire about purchasing them, but also waiting to see what would happen next with the intresting woman and her pet minotaur.
"Now don't be such a bullie. A Chainmail shirt with flowers isn't going to kill you." Irene said.
"I refuse to be pretty." the clearly agitated creature said.
He turned to the employees, and single handedly gave them all such a glare, as to speak volumes about the unpleasantries that were about to ensue, if someone didn't stop her from making him pretty.
The day had started off slow and uninteresting, but if the Minotaur was handeled right, it would become a very profitable day indeed, just from all the interest from the gathering crowds.
Sorry for the delay.
"Pink floral chain mail you say?" The armor shop keeper rubbed his beard with an air of intrigue. It was not everyday that he had such a request, nor was it everyday that such a busy display of customers visited his shoppe.
"Well, I could use a few tricks to tint the metal to that color. I could even hammer in a few floral patters into the chain linking itself," he stopped himself for a moment, "although I'm none too sure how well that would work in real combat situations."
Always a man of honesty, despite his beady hazel eyes, he tried to convey a few worries he had with the young lady's design. "It might be unnecessarily expensive, and of little practical use as armor for your large friend. Are you sure that's what you want?"
OOC: Tis alright
IC:
Grath was looking at Irene with deep menacing eyes. Unless one knew of the secret bond that prevented a summons from attacking it's summoner, one might think Grath was going to rip her head off, as she stared back at grath with cool unimpassioned eyes. She was going to get her way, no matter what she had to do.
"As long as you agree to adopt some form of armor, I'll relent on the cute part, maybe a vine full of flowers wrapped around your horns would suffice." Irene said smiling.
"I'll adopt some protective covering, if you do too. You know as well as I that If I am regenerating I cannot answer your summons, no matter how passionate your cries may be." Grath said staring at her.
Irene sighed, and pointed at her wings with her tail.
"First things first though." she said.
Grath handed his axe to Irene, and turned to face the shop keeper.
"Alright, here's the deal pal. I fight in the manner of battle mad barbarians, berserkers some might call them. All I can say is, once I start swinging, I don't stop to think about any sort of plan or tactic. To that end, I don't need to be overly burdened and slowed down. Maybe a large shirt of chain-mail, or leather with thin steel plates sewn on. I leave it to the experience I can see in your eyes to assist me with matter. I was only given skill in battle when I was created by the divine hand of he whose image I share five months ago, to go with my impressive features, I was not given experience in practical Minotaur sized armor, if such a thing exists.
Truely, four days ago when I fought in yon mighty citadel, I lost, as armorless as I stand here now. Appearently, a good sharp blade can navigate it's way through my thick hair easily, sustaining both a slowing bow to the midsection, and a complete beheading. My mistress, she cannot fight on her own, she is as weak as a child, and perhaps just as skilled, though I have heard of some exceptionally skilled children. If my death can be prevented, or at least delayed, it would enable me to protect her much more effectivly, for my spirit alone cannot protect her." Grath said.
OOC: Essentially, Grath needs armor. Something sized for a minotaur like him. Irene does too, but that can come later. Grath dying every fight I can foretell would become quite cumbersome and annoying indeed.
"It really depends on what you're willing to spend," began the shopkeeper. "Leather armor is outright the cheapest option. And good leather armor can be just as worthwhile as more expensive options."
He paused briefly to breathe.
"However, there's no denying that semi-plated leather armor is much more protective, and for cutting damage, there's almost nothing better than chainmail. Comfort is the only thing I can truly recommend to you. Chainmail will pinch more, and leather will be far less likely to breathe."
He looked into the creatures eyes, slowly, as to not upset him. "I can form any armor to your body, but I need you to be the decisive one when it comes to the material and make."
Grath looked at Irene.
"That would depend entirely on the price, taking into consideration the extra material required to make something large enough for Grath." Irene said.
And don't forget about the excess in business our unusual display has brought you
the words meandered accross Irene's mind as she gazed around the shop at all the people who followed her in hoping for a discount, while new customers were looking at armor of all price ranges and types.
"Indeed, I want the best I can get for as much as she can afford." Grath said.
"Alright, I'll tell you what I'll do," said the clerk, stroking his beard. "A good quality chain mail shirt, for one hundred and thirty gold pieces. It'll offer you protection and mobility."
Though there was no doubt his story was busy because of the pair, he was not about to start handing out discounts to anyone. He'd been in the business too long for that.
"Fine, but what about her?" Grath asked.
"What about me, I don't need armor, I have you." she said.
"Yeah yeah, and what about those times you can't summon me, like when I've been killed. You know as well as I that it takes me soul three days to regenerate my body at Lord Hromagh's main temple in Kachuck. You WILL have some form of armor." Grath said.
"Fine, your so bull-headed sometimes." Irene said unhappily.
Grath huffed and stamped his foot.
"If I were to have armor, it must be light, and modified. As I'm sure you've noticed, I happen to possess a lovely pair of wings, and a tail. I'm not sure if you've ever had the experience, but crushed wings and cramped tails are not pleasant experiences. Also, it can't be so heavy as to weigh down my flight." Irene said.
"Might as well wear silk, or vlince at that rate." Grath snorted.
"What a lovely idea grath, thank you." Irene said with a smile and a cheer.
She hugged grath, who looked like he was enjoying it entirely too much.
"See, I'm not that much of a fighter. I'm a priestess not a warrior. Sure the gods send me into dangerous areas regularly, but I'm no warrior, I'm a summoner. I'd rather flee and hide than actually fight myself." she said.
"Silk is impractical. It won't offer much protection and it's pretty expensive." He stopped with a gleeful smile at the thought of silk armor. "The cheapest vlince armor I can give you is seventy-five gold pieces, and that's torso protection alone, and of average quality."
"Normal clothes might be the best way to go."
Grath meanwhile noticed the time.
"Listen, uhh, She's not strong enough to keep me around all day. You've got five minutes if your going to need to take any measurements. After that, I'm disappearing, regardless of who likes it or not." Grath said.
"Well, I don't suppose you have any regular clothes, then, do you? Or do I have to go find a regular clothes shop?" Irene asked.
"Hello? Did you even pay attention to me woman? You've got exactly five minutes to measure me unless he just so happens to have minotaur sized armor laying around back somewhere, because as we all know Minotaurs walking around and buying armor is normal." Grath said.
"Yes I heard you, you insulted me and threatened to leave. I was just asking a question, since my measuring skills are off par. Seriously, I measured my wing span once and got fifteen different results before I gave up." Irene said.
"We do have regular clothe," he spoke, ignoring the monster's outburst. "I could whip you up a flowing robe with space for both your wings and tail."
"For linen, which breathes well and provides a minimum protection, I could offer you a robe at roughly fifty pieces of gold."
Irene fingered the money in her pockets.
"What about something, stronger in protection? Also, I believe you that it would be roomy enough, however, I can fly. Not very far mind you, but it has saved my life on occasion, and so I'm sure you understand why I would want to retain full use of my wings. Besides, I'm still hoping they might get stronger and carry me further and longer in the future.
Mind you, I don't need or want metal, the thought of wearing chainmail makes me shiver, but perhaps Vlince if it's affordable, at least something stronger than normal linen.
As for design, I want it to be in a color that accents my blue skin nicely, for the wings, perhaps you could consider making it backless." Irene said.
"A vlince outfit like that would cost around one hundred and thirty-five gold, including the price of coloring." He stopped for a moment to do some calculations in his head, swirling his eyes around like a madman in the process.
"Altogether, the price would come to two hundred and sixty-five gold. If the price is alright with you, I can get to measuring and putting in the specifics."
Irene herself did some calculations in her head and nodded.
"Right then, I've got enough. Let's get to measuring, better start with mister impatient over there before he has an apopelectic fit." she said.
"It was a simple warning. Goodness woman, you think I can just sit here playing tea party all day? Like it or not there are limits to what you can do, and like it or not you can't keep me here all day." Grath said, a vein bulging in his forehead as irritation clearly showed in his voice.
He stood up to allow himself to be measured.
"While your at it, could you give me an accurate measurement on my wingspan?" She asked spreading her wings wide completly. They were a touch longer than her arms.
OOC: Wingspan is seven foot from wingtip to wingtip. Three foot wings, and a foot accross her body.
Within an instant the man darted about the two with measuring tape in hand. There was something about his movements, which were almost preternatural to the uninitiated. However, years of training had taught him to have complete control when it came to his work. Going through the motions, even with such strange customers, was as simple as could be.
He ended swiftly, jotting down many numbers on a small scrap of paper while his lips mimicked real words.
"I have what I need for now," he said with a glimmer, "but it won't be ready for three days."
Grath accepted the measuring calmly enough, but seemed upset and disturbed by Irene's measurings even though nothing untoward and unprofessional actually happened.
"So, I guess that's it then. I'll be back in three days, we'll stuff Grath into his new armor and I'll slip into mine." Irene said.
She reached into her pockets and pulled out the neccessary money show owed the man, and after recieving a reicept for her purchase, turned to dismiss Grath, but Grath was already disappearing.
First he glowed brightly, and then waves upon waves of energy disapated into the surrounding area. Nothing was harmed, but the armor vibrated at rather musical frequency. Then he was gone.
"Well, I guess he was right, I really can only keep him around for a certain length of time. Different from when he was killed though, I kinda like sending him away when he's alive." Irene said, with a shrug of her shoulders.
She walked out of the shop. Minutes afterwards, the wealthy patron that had been eying the highly expensive plate mail came over to inquire about purchasing it.
_______________________________________________
Three days later, Irene returned to the shop, Grath in tow. She had summoned him back just around the corner.
"Alright, better give him his armor first. Grath and I both have to pray over it and bind it to his spirit, or it'll simply clatter to the ground when he goes away. I'm NOT going to carry his armor around for him." Irene said, flashing her reciept. Though a customer as unusual as a minotaur was bound to be remembered by any shopkeeper.
Already Grath was muttering certain prayers in an archaic language to Hromagh, preparing to actually don the armor.
With great haste, the shop keep flung from behind his counter and over to his two most memorable customers. It was back-breaking work, lifting the Minotaur's massive chest piece and unceremoniously throwing it on him. However, no time could be wasted, for fear of his customer vanishing into the air again.
With his first task completed, he jogged to the back room and back with a hanger and robe in tow. Incantations were already being recited, and the clerk didn't want to ruin the spell. All he did was wait, holding up the robe on its hanger in the meantime.
As Grath's voice seemed to go into a deep crevice somewhere the air around him began to turn orange, and a nearby suit of ceremonial armor began to rattle.
Irene in turn began an entirely different prayer, as though speaking to many gods at once, with focus being on one particular diety alone. Though the tone and volume of her voice never deepened, it sounded as though it climbed the highest mountain in the world, like Grath's sounded like it descended into Haidia itself, though his tone and volume never changed either.
The air and his armor began to pop, snap, and crackle with energy, as the orange glow imbued itself into the chainmail shirt. Hromagh's symbol began to appear all over the armor, connected with them were intricate arcane symbols, as well as the lesser seals of other dieties. Finally, with a bang, Grath himself disappeared, and as a sign of success, the armor went with him. Irene's voice descended to normal, and she looked up.
"As an explaination to all watching, Grath is Hromagh's beast, but the art of summoning is given directly from the gods themselves, and if one's summon is increased in value, then all must be so increased in value. Thus, all the other symbols you saw were in effect, a contract between all the gods to let Grath keep his shirt, and thus it was binded to his spirit alone. That's what the arcane symbols were for." Irene said.
So saying she bowed a little bow. Then she took the robe and went into a changing room. While she was in there, Grath reappeared on the spot.
"Thanks, pal. Certain higher powers have noticed your skill. Expect an intresting event to happen later this week. More intresting than me? Yes. Positive? Definatly. But That's all I'm allowed to tell you." Grath said.
Irene came out, completly saitisfied. Her wings were free and clear, her tail was comfortable, she was happy. She walked over, kissed the shopkeep on the cheek, and then walked out of the store.
"Come grath, next stop, a field of flowers I saw just outside the city towards Akashima. I want to brade your hair and put flowers in it." Irene said.
"I don't want my hair braided or florwers put in it." Grath protested as he followed along.
And with that, the two were gone.
((Transaction complete))
Irene loses 265 GP
Irene gains Minotaur steel chainmail and vlince clothing.
Irene gains 125 EXP for Good Roleplay.
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