...In which our hero buys an arm that will cost her a leg.

[BlackAndBlueEyes]

Considering that Corone is nowhere near as technologically-developed as Alerar, you would be surprised how easily I was able to locate a reputable and well-stocked scraphouse within Radasanth's city limits.

The insides were your standard fare; hardwood floors, dusty wooden shelves and tables littered with various brass, iron, and steel knick-knacks. In my left (and only) hand, I gripped a piece of rolled-up parchment that contained the schematics for my new arm, which were drawn up in my spare time while I was recovering from having my arm ripped clean off in exchange for the knowledge that proved useful in said drawing up of said schematics. Funny how everything works out in the end, isn't it?

With a curt smile, I greeted the greasy man behind the counter. We exchanged pleasantries, and I unrolled the parchment. Scribbled next to the sketches of my new arm was a list of items I would require from the scraphouse.

"Here's what I'm looking to do..."

Basically, I'm looking to build Madison a new arm. The inner workings are made of brass and are piston- and clockwork-driven, to allow her a full range of movement that she enjoyed when she had a regular arm. There will be no tricks or hidden blades; just a regular ol' steampunk-styled arm.

The hand and fingers will be made of dehlar, completely solid except for drilled holes and joints to allow her fingers to move. The tips of all five fingers will also be hollowed out, to allow the attachment of small tools in order for her to work in tighter spaces.

For protection, her arm will be protected by a layer of thin, interlocking titanium plates. These plates will protect her arm's inner workings from physical damage, but not from magical attacks.

As soon as she purchases the arm, it will be grafted to her body through the use of an alchemic rune and fully-functional by the time she's in her next thread.

The scrap merchant picked up the list, and furrowed his brow at some of my demands.

"So... Do you have what I need in stock? If so, what's the damage?"

[Aurelianus Drak'shal]

A thick, oil-stained finger scratched at the man's thick brow. He wasn't a stupid man, per se, but some of the schematics before him were a little.. well, mind-boggling at first. But after a few minutes of looking them over, he began to see the genius in them. He looked up at the slender young thing before him, noting with sympathy her missing limb.

"The war?" he asked, gently, before nodding to himself.

"We should have the base materials you'll need for the work," he said, flipping through an inventory book, and trying to get a rough idea how much of each material he'd need to satisfy her order. He was glad to see they did. He'd lost a son in the war, so he was glad to be able to give something back to a fellow victim of the conflict.

"Well, I can see what you're making here, and judging by the look of you, can I make a slight suggestion?"

Madison gestured for him to continue.

"Well, the metals here will be a hell of a weight, especially for a little thing like yourself, ma'am. For a little bit extra, I have a friend can make you a harness - help spread the weight a bit better across your frame. Arctic leather too, so it won't wear or damage easy."

He scribbled a few quick notes on a grimy piece of paper, humming to himself as he tallied up the total price of the raw materials.

"All told, that will come to," he whistled sharply through his teeth at the price, feeling bad he couldn't drop it any lower, "two-thousand, one-hundred and thirty two gold pieces."

[BlackAndBlueEyes]

My stomach did a little flip when the merchant told me the price. But if I were to become an artificer, then I suppose high prices for materials was something I was going to have to get used to.

With a brief nod, I said "Yes, absolutely. That is fine." I snatched my leather coin purse out of my pocket and counted out what I owed him.

It is my understanding that as soon as this transaction is complete, Madison's arm will be considered built and attached to her body, correct?

[Aurelianus Drak'shal]

As far as I am aware, sir, that is the case.

The scrap-merchant recounted the gold, to make sure every piece was accounted for - and indeed it was. He clapped his hands happily, beaming at the girl before him, his teeth shockingly white against his soot and oil-stained skin. He scribbled another note in the margin of the inventory book, before summoning one of the lads who helped out around the place.

"Simon, take this," he handed the lad the note with the quantities and weights of metal required to fill the girl's order, "and gather everything up. This is your only job 'til you get it finished, so run along."

The thick-set man turned back to his customer. "He's a good lad. Parents ran out on him, so I let him help out for some food and a warm bed. But, listen to me blathering on. Apologies, young miss. If you would just write your name, and where we can find you, then we can have your order delivered to you within the tenday."

He smiled, sliding over a customer ledger to the girl, happy with the tidy little sum he'd made.

[Max Dirks]

2132 GP removed.

Transaction complete!