Guys Don't Window Shop

by **Vanator** on October 27th, 2012, 2:50 am

Timestamp: 8th Day of Fall, 512 AV

Location: The Arma'Drex Smithy and Zhongjie Warren, Riverfall

After only a few days of being at the Sanctuary, Vanator was getting restless. Good food, rest, and the care Kavala provided had strengthened his body and his spirit. Yet, he felt out of place. The Drykas was not used to dwelling inside of solid structures, and he didn't really know anyone except his sister. Kavala had offered him a role at Sanctuary. He was not sure he was ready for that just yet, but the horseman did take to heart her desire to provide a store of arms at the facility should the need arise.

Kavala must have known he could not sit long, for she had already supplied him with a sum of miza's to purchase some weapons and armor. So, only eight days after his salvation from slavery, Vanator hitched up a cart to one of Sanctuary's horses and headed into Sanctuary. He had asked Aweston if he could spare a couple bells to help him with the load he planned to bring back.

Once within Riverfall, the men parked the cart out of the way and made their way into the Arma'Drex Smithy. Vanator leaded to the weapons room first. There were less than a dozen residents of Sanctuary, he believed, so in this first purchase he would provide enough arms and armor for them and a few extra. Additional purchases would have to be made, he was sure, Kavala was looking to expand the staff.

The Drykas sifted through barrels and shelves. He had decided on a good mix of weapons, so the staff can find what best suites them. One of the two smiths came out to help the humans. Once Van explained why he was there, the Akalak was glad to help gather the weapons selected.

From light and easy to use weapons like hand axes to larger ones that require more technique, like broad swords, Van hand selected each one. The Akalak stood by patiently, eager to express the specific quality of each piece. Vanator maintained a facade of indifference, handing each weapon to test its balance and the integrity of its metal. Once the Drykas had collected a pile of over a two dozen different weapons, he moved to the armor room.

Finding enough suites of armor in the sizes for human men and women proved difficult. The Akalak armorer, Loriim, was soon rummaging through his entire inventory. Again, light armor would be most appropriate for beginners. Van himself preferred wearing lightweight armor, for more agility. Seven sets of studded leather and four boiled leather were brought out. Van looked them over with approval. Several of the studded suits were small enough even for women.

Once Van was satisfied with what he had selected, the two Akalak smiths quickly calculated a price and offered it to the Drykas.

"Really?" Vanator replied. "I am planning to buy more arms and armor in one day than you sell in more than a tenday."

The Alakaks whispered between one another, Van unable to understand the Akalak tongue. Finally, the taller one spoke up. " Very well, five percent discount."

"I can go down to the bazaar and find blades from Anhatep and Syliras with keener edges than these. I just find it more convenient to to purchase them here. If you can't appreciate that, maybe I do need to go to the Warren. Fifteen." The Drykas replied

The two proprietors looked to each other. "Ten," the shorter one sighed, "I had no idea Drykas were so adept at thievery."

Vanator gave them a wide grin. "Deal."

Van left Aweston with a bag of mizas, asking him to settle up with the Akalak smiths and load the arms and armor into the cart. He was going to the bazaar to see if anyone was selling some sort of bows.

Van made his way to the Warrens on the other side of the falls. After perusing the market, he did find a merchant who had some imports that fit the bill. The man was Zeltivan, and drove a harder bargain, though Van was able to haggle him down from his inflated prices, just to save face. The Denusk selected several light crossbows. They were easier to master than a bow, and Kavala could lend her knowledge to teaching others to use them. He also picked up a few short bows and quivers for each ranged weapon. He finished his purchases with a small barrel of bolts and one of arrows.

With some helping hands, Aweston and Van managed to get everything onto the cart and headed back to Sanctuary before sunset. They now had a basic armory.

Purchases

by **Vanator** on October 30th, 2012, 6:18 pm

The next morning Vanator roused Aweston again to hitch up the cart. The weapons and armor had been unloaded and moved into the space Kavala provided, waiting in piles on the floor for proper storage. Now, Van was going to return to Riverfall to order some racks and tables to finish out the room. His sister had also generously suggested he resupply himself out of the armory funds as well, since he arrived in Riverfall with nothing more than a ragged shirt and trousers. The men stopped by the kitchen to quickly grab some bread and cheese before heading out.

The two Drykas made their way back to Riverfall. They made small talk, and Vanator enjoyed speaking Pavi with someone. But the Denusk was still deeply disturbed by his loss and the devastation he had learned befell the horseclans, so the conversation remained centered on the work at Sanctuary, nor did Van delve into any personal questions, and Aweston politely refrained from the same.

Once within the walls, the groom left to tend to some business for Kavala while Vanator browsed the bazaar. There were several craftsmen with samples of their furnishings. After perusing all their samples, Vanator decided on the weapon rack he wanted, after leaning in it and testing its construction. It was simple and unadorned yet sturdily built. He approached the burly Akalak carpenter , indicating his interest in the rack with a gesture. "I am interested in something like that." The craftsman laid his hand on the rack, as if appraising its value for the first time. "Good choice, The pegs here are removable, you can replace them with different lengths. Good solid design. Four gold mizas."

"Hmm." Van curtly replied, his eyes still looking over the rack. He knew the price was high. "I was planning on getting four, but at that price...well..." The Drykas let the sentence trail off. It was a game, they both knew it. Each had to play until one gave in, the Akalak called the human's bluff. "Sorry, that's the price."

Vanator did not react, simply allowing his gaze drift to a table. "Then I certainly cannot afford the tables I was going to buy as well."

"Well the tables are only 2 gold, how many tables?"

Four. Van answered, meeting the tall Akalak's gaze.

"Four weapon racks and four tables, for...twenty-four."

"sixteen."

"Pfft! Be serious horseman, twenty, and I will throw in extra pegs."

"Deal, deliver them to the Sanctuary as soon as you can." Vanator counted out the coins, making a show of dropping an extra gold into the carpenter's blue palm to help expedite the construction and delivery.

The Drykas continued his wandering, purchasing small barrels for the arrows, bolts and daggers,and finding a grindstone, an archery target and a padded practice pole as well. These were delivered to the Sanctuary cart. Before leaving the market, Vanator picked up a cloak, a couple inexpensive cotton shirts and two pairs of pants to wear until he had time to visit a proper garment merchant. He had two more shops he wanted to patronize before leaving the city.

Purchases

by **Vanator** on October 31st, 2012, 4:17 pm

Vanator made sure his purchases made it to the cart, where Aweston was waiting. "Can you wait just a bit longer, I have a few things I need to pick up." The younger Drykas nodded, content to wait with the cart and munch on an apple and meat pie he had picked up. Van had inquired of a passing Akalak where the leather shop was, being directed to Loads of Leather. The Dyrkas found the shop easily enough, becoming accustomed to the network of streets in Riverfall.

A young man with a ponytail attended the counter, stamping some designs into a leather belt with a wooden mallet. The man offered Vanator a nod, then returned to his work. After sifting through the tables, the Drykas has selected a belt and a pair of riding boots that seemed to fit. Then a pair of leather pants caught his fancy. They were supple yet rugged. The horseman held them up to himself to gauge the size. Obviously made for an Akalak. He searched the wooden rack until he found a pair that looked like they would fit, and he took them all to the counter to settle his bill.

Finally, Vanator found his way back to the The Arma'Drex Smithy. He already had an idea of what he wanted, having seen the inventory just the day before. Moving through the weapons room, Van went directly to the rack of axes. Though he hefted a large war ax, he pulled off a battle ax he had already chosen, a steel single headed weapon with a good edge. A hand ax with a broad head was selected also. Finally, a broad-bladed double-edged dagger was chosen. Placing them on the counter, Vanator was escorted again to the armor room by the shorter Akalak. The armorer gladly helped to fit Vanator with a chain mail shirt, the Drykas having never worn metal armor before. The chain shirt, along with a matching padded undervest, were added to the weapons. Vanator settled up, smiled and nodded before gathering up his arms and armor and lumbering down the street to the cart.

Purchases

by **Gossamer** on October 31st, 2012, 4:33 pm

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Character: Vanator
Experience: +3 Planning, +3 Observation, +2 Haggling
Lore: RF: Where The Best Supplies Can Be Found, RF: Haggling For Bulk Is A Must, Shopping Can Be Entertaining.

Additional Note:

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Completed Guys Don't Window Shop