Making use of scraps.

[Corvus MacCallum]

Left... right, another left then a third left...

Thanks to the din of the hustle and bustle of capitalism the Highlander found himself unable to hear the scrunching paper within his grasp. He had been attempting to find the place for the last few chunks of daylight and was starting to lose patience, why the hell did the so-called Civilized adore tiny cramped little spaces and twisting alleys that only suceed in leading you up your own arse. Having been lucky enough to find a safe stash for his heavy gear the Wolf-man at least didn't have to worry about carving up merchants and customers who seemed hell-bent on bruising their shoulders against the far tougher Warrior.

Such a pain in the hole for a weapon.

His visage once more fell upon the scrawled instructions he'd been given by a fellow feral adventurer, didn't help that with each little draft caused by passing cloaks or foppish scarves the instructions were obscured as it bent in on itself. Couldn't grip it properly though, his left hand was busy hauling some rather large off-cuts from a Blazen Dragon, guff he was aiming to have made useful and the precise reason why he was putting up with this hideously busy locale. Working with Bone wasn't beyond the Highlander but all he knew was simple stuff, how to sharpen and brace correctly for a butter knife or scaling implement but he had bigger plans for what he was carting about and finally...

Thank fucking finally...

The Highlander arrived at the store he'd been looking for. Dingy little building, chunks of masonry missing from the structure and tattered banners, flags and tassles strewn over the surface. Looked quite appealing to the architexture hating wild-man and he was almost eager in shoving open the door... only to find his hand went through it. Quick barge of his shoulder got the thing fully open and he was allowed to roam his eyes across so many wondrous weapons, armours, garments and apparel made from living creatures. Always had a fondness for not wasting materials and these folks obviously had that mindset.

Clacking his claws against the bare stone floor, reassured by the chill he broke a smirk and sidled up to a collection of mummified minature monstrosities. Able to recognize a Goblin, Grobi too and a dwarfen proportioned Ogre... then one of the equallly dessicated forms stirred and the Owner of the place was revealed. Short frail and withered old man, didn't even bother mouthing what the Wolf-man was here for, he spotted a glint of off-white from above his shoulder. Corvus decided on breaking the silence.

"I'm in need of a Slammer for slaying bigger beasties than this thing was. Got four Blazen Dragon fangs, whack of gold and half a roll of its illustrious hide to sweeten the deal. Whaddya say mate?"

[Mutant_Lorenor]

The old man appeared frail, but there was a strength that was hidden in those old bones. Hearing the words of the wolf-boy the old man grinned viciously. He was missing a tooth or three, when he grinned. Also, visible upon his face was a scar over one eye which forced the man to wear an eye-patch. Listening carefully to the lad's request whilst he paid attention to the rest of the gathered crowd, the gentleman folded his arm across his chest. His eye narrowed as he looked at the customer. "Slammer huh young man? Planning on getting some more dragons under your belt? That's pretty good kid. Let me see, a sword like that will run you quite a bit of cash my friend."

"Now let's talk business. What will be the quality of the young sir's sword?"

"Tell me exactly what you're looking for and we'll work it from there."

The old man knew that the kid fancied himself a dragon-slayer. And dragon slayers required fancy weapons. Fancy weapons cost a pretty gold piece.

[Corvus MacCallum]

Fancy weapons were for nobles or boasters, what the Highlander sought was a tool for killing, a weapon that did nothing to hide its own brutality. He had already rescued one fancy implement from a Slavers grip and scoured its surface of the useless decorations and embossings. Tools for a monster hunter should only ever be notable for their sucess and deeds... not to material or pattern. How to give a reference though, the Highlander wishing he'd brought his own iron slab of a Slammer along but adapt and overcome, important lesson and one that he knew to exercise frequently. Slight wince caught at the left temple of the Wolf-man as his claws nicked a nice little cut near the opposite elbow, just a tiny nick to get something scrawable available. Few flicks of his wrist got the page his directions had been put upon onto its blank side and... with a few claw-tip taps at his cut to refresh the ink substitute, doodled out roughly what he was looking for in shape.

"Each claw is four foot long, so at the least two would do but having a third split in half and used as a sorta splint and main body seems a good notion. What I need specifically though is for the top claw to keep its slight hook, can be tricky to use on regular folk but for a huge beast it'll become a great help."

For a brief moment the Wolf-man wished he had brought along his blazen hide poncho, nice little proof of his achievement but he didn't need this old guy impressed, he needed him to do his job to the best of his abilities. Only corpses have trust in a flawed weapon.

"Probably gonna take a fair bit to get the claws good and slicing sharp throughout the entire length, but the dragon was pretty young so lots of give and flexibility. As for the first question well, I'm not much in love with the notion of getting killed when my sword fractures, I need this as high quality as the materials and your skills allow."

Honest, blatant, but within his mind the Highlander had a proper smile not just the trade-mark smirk on the simple notion that in the next few days he would be starting a weapons legacy. Not a weapon salvaged or rescued but made for his own needs and intentions... shall have to treat it well.

[Mutant_Lorenor]

Hearing the strange request of the man, the older gentleman carefully dissected everything that was required. The enhancements would bring everything in the weapon to a much higher cost. Physically frowning, the old man carefully thought about the situation. He looked at the quality of the dragon's claws being offered, made a few more calculations, and was satisfied. Judging by the smell of the gold on the youth, the man couldn't afford what he was asking for.

"I am sorry friend. Due to the cost of labor, and the particular functionality of the weapon and the enhancements you are looking for, I am afraid its going to cost. A lot." The old man paused for a moment before beginning the next phase of things. "Damascus quality materials are very expensive. So you're asking for labor and manufacturing of the weapon itself. You did bring the materials, but to meld the dragon bone still requires high levels of the arcane arts. I am afraid that you will have to request a cheaper quality weapon, or something else. As it stands you're weapon will run you back 15,000 Gold Pieces. We do not accept credits, or have store tabs."

"Furthermore. Despite the calculations I've done, your request is still a little bit vague. I'll need more clarification. What specific species of Dragon are you looking to hunt effectively? Also. Would you settle for lower tier quality weapon such as plynt-quality dragon bone, or steel quality dragon bone? We have the materials on site and labor would be more cost effective. Your particular materials will have to wait until you have more money."

[Corvus MacCallum]

Enchantment?... melding?

Either through his own difficulty in getting around this bazaar and possibly stumbling into the wrong store or the old man just not understanding what was being asked the Highlander was left with an offer he couldn't accept and certainly not what he was aiming for.

"I thought you were one of the Bone Carvers, Ivory Singers. No hocus pocus and habbalou faffing about. Was looking for the blokes that can carve an edge into a thigh bone and make it lethal, or know just the right way to cut and saw intersects and guide points to hold the thing together."

The Highlander got a quick flash-back to his last dealing with a merchant on the creation of his poncho, it seemed folks adored overcharging for simply working at dragon materials. Considering he had provided the most difficult part of that whole little process and still the woman tried to charge him a leg for it. Now this old fool was charging a royal dowry because he wanted to get fancy and mystical. Looking upon the frail old man he managed to keep his composure and stay fairly neutral in expression but a few solutions were rapidly flinging themselves around the branches of his mind.

Could simply walk out, not a bad option that, certainly have better luck among proper tribal craftsmen than dealing with this kind of being. Head to a blacksmiths and make the bone a sheath for steel or iron structuring to make a blade... Interesting prospect but not appealing quite yet. The third just reeked of a fool-hardy overestimation of his memories and experiances on simply paying for use of the workshop and tools to make the weapon himself. Didn't fancy the likely result of fouling up all four claws and having to strike out into the world for a new set...

"You're overthinking this way too much old man. I'm not looking to make it enchanted or effective against one kind of element. I'm looking to form a large, fuck-off sword out of these Blazen claws. Nothing fancy or special just solid honest construction without all the sparkly and fiddly magic getting in the way of pure feral craftsmanship."

Maybe I really did stumble into the wrong store, seems pretty likely so far... but, maybe another possibility.

"Do you know anyone on the premises or in the area that's a proper finger-felt Ivory Singer?... Hell a few lessons would do nicely and maybe tool rental, give it a whack myself."

[Mutant_Lorenor]

Please link the thread where you got the Bone from. I was told that by my superiors. Furthermore, other Bazaar mods would charge you more for your request. If you still want a weapon out of this thread, you're going to have to go simpler.

The old man took a serious offense to what the youth was saying. For a moment, the single eye flinched and twitched. However, there was no burst of anger or lack of composure. The man was a businessman after all and wanted the wolf-boy's business. Bone Carvers? Ivory Singers?

"Listen good sir. You are requesting to carve Dragon Bone. Regardless of what you might have heard, the cost and manufacturing for the labor will be more expensive in other locations in the Bazaar. If you simply want a weapon made out of the Dragon Bone you are providing we can do that. But any further enhancements will jack up the price. Forging equipment out of such a beast is a very delicate process." The old man realized that the youth must've been a country-tourist or something. He smelled of the open highlands of Yarborough District. "I am sorry but your current request, 15,000. Please ask for something simpler. If you want us to make you a weapon out of your materials, given the nature and quality of the weapon, you will have to get more money. Or request something cheaper. We have alternative materials that are within your price range." The old man said. He kept his cool the entire time trying to be a professional as much as he could. He smiled politely at Corvus.

[Corvus MacCallum]

You realise all this banter is just In-character for Corvus right?... got no opinion on this myself really just a shame that after having those things since level 1 I can't make any use of them still. Anyway here's the link http://www.althanas.com/world/showthread.php?t=4253

Delicate process...

The Highlander tried, he really did when dealing with merchants that he met on his travels and sometimes even enjoyed their company, but he was one of the Wolf-people in the Salvar snow-wastes. Having a bag full of gold meant absolutely nothing up there and to him it didn't either, but people here, so obsessed with lining their own pockets just so they have a large lump left behind once they're dead and buried. Pondering for a moment Corvus gave a glance from the corner of one eye to the tip of an exposed claw in the bundle slung against his back. Brought back some nice memories of Haldings little group, nice guy and his troops were dedicated if incorrectly employed, might swing by that region again sometime and see if any further work was available.

Maybe I could have a crack at this myself, got some teeth left over from it, be a nice starting point.

"Nah no requests, no comprises either. Cheerio."

Flash of lethal fangs upon his smirk and the Highlander simply carried himself out of the store and back into the bustle of the bazaar, gritting his teeth against the swollen crowds and hideous mixing of scents.

Ever onwards I suppose.

[Mutant_Lorenor]

Sorry to see you're not gonna buy something else. Its all good.

The old man seemed baffled by what had just transpired. Shrugging to himself he went back to take care of more prosperous clients. He didn't give the highlander another thought unless the lad were to return to continue the business transaction. The old man would keep an eye out for him in the future.

This thread is closed!

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