Flashback [Izurdin's Forge]Crafting for Father [Closed:: Artifex]

[Ly'an Godhammer]

Ly'an had finally finished the stretching and folding of the two parts of her sword just as Artifex finished his little song, “Isn't that a drinking song?” She wanted to scold him for singing such a vile song in the temple of their father, but she just chuckled. “Well, I guess someone took the time to forge that song from thought eh?” Ly'an smirked and placed her craft back into the forge. She felt that the increased strength and durability from folding the metal as many times as she did would keep it from snapping with the first blow. Ly'an also knew it wouldn't stand up to Isurian steel much, but it was going to be worth the crafting time and experience she gained from the process at the very least. Back into the forge the actual blade part went, it was time to start the shaping of the blade, right now it was just a big rectangular shape and the tapered tang on the bottom. Once the tip and a good length of the sword was properly heated she pulled it out and started the process of making the shape of the blade, now came the part where she had to actually break off small bits and pieces of the sword's basic shape to form the blade. “And yes, tonight would be a good time for drinks. It is true we have not talked in a while.” She smiled with a nod and continued the process of shaping the blade, heating it back up and continuing the process. It was a slow moving process, not nearly as slow as the stretching and folding process, but still pretty dang slow. It was taking quite a long time, but Ly'an wanted to make sure that she was getting the sides straight and perfect and the point had to be correct. No good giving a bent and messed up blade as an offering. As she removed pieces with her hammer Ly'an paused and picked up all the pieces and threw them into a cast iron kettle that hung from a rod just over the forge's heat source. The ideas was to use the pieces she was knocking off for the pummel and hilt topper to keep the leather strap she was going to wrap around the tang from falling off. Once she had the tip and sides finished she placed the sword as close to the fire as she could to allow it to slowly heat up again as she waited for the metal to melt down completely. She knew it was going to take a while so she removed the sword from the forge, placed it carefully on her anvil so it balanced there. Last thing she did was remove her coif and gloves and laid them on top, her hammer rested on the workbench next to the anvil. With a sigh she sat down on a stool close by and took a deep breath, “Time will only tell how the sword turn out.”

[Artifex]

Artifex smiled as he finished the tune. He noted a hint of resentment towards his choice of song in Ly'an's words as she commented. He admitted that his choice could have been more devout, and even perhaps more befitting to the setting that they were in; but he felt that Izurdin would not mind this one time. Still he decided it would do good if he perhaps gave a prayer to Izurdin and an explanation to Ly'an. "I do admit it has a bit of a drinking song tied in, but i tried to morph it into a forging song. Alas i don't think that I am destined to be a maker of lyrics. May Father see fit to forgive my jovial outburst." He smiled and looked back to the metal as it heated up in the forge. He listened as Ly'an spoke, while the metals slowly reached the proper red hue. He was pleased by her approval of when they should have drinks and he smiled looking forward to the fun they would have chatting and drinking. Oh Father i pray thee not take offense to the chosen words i have sung in yer house, i mean no disrespect. I only mean to bring a tinge of joy and revelry to my work. Artifex saw at last that the metals had heated up to the proper temperature, and so he whetted the anvil and his scalp once more. Then he hefted the first piece out of the fire and in quick succession the second piece which he place on top of the first, so that the shield curved down toward the floor. However just before he laid the second piece down he applied some of the flux across the first pieces surface so that the metals wouldn't oxidize during the welding process. Then he hefted his hammer, and brought it down hard against the metal, thus driving the two pieces together. He was hammering hard because it took a lot of force to bind the two heated pieces of metal together. It was an exhausting process that tested ones endurance. Hammer blow after hammer blow followed and Artifex was briefly lost in the cacophony of blows. It was only once he had heard Ly'an speak that he had realized he had made the entire way around the metal hammering each point to created a perfect weld. He stopped hammering since the metals had cooled, and then placed them back into the coals, it would take a good few more hammerings before the metals were fully welded. "Aye time will only tell, and perhaps with a little faith in Father, and patience we shall see just what a wonder shall be crafted." Artifex figured he had a couple of minutes before the metals would heat back up, so he decided to take a quick walk over to Ly'an's forge while he-and she-was resting. "I have yet to decide what to do with the craft i shall take away from here. Perhaps i will offer it to Father, or the clan elders, i am not quite sure. What would you say i do, i value your wisdom as much-if not more-as the most skilled craftsmen."

[Ly'an Godhammer]

Ly'an looked at Artifex, she was shocked that he thought her input was more valued than most of the other smiths in the whole of Sultros. Looking back at the forge she was attempting to hid her blushing and then sighed before looking back at him, “That decision can't be influenced by someone outside of yourself. You have to decide on who to give it to and when. I can not give you either answer. It isn't my decision or my will to give such a find shield in the making away once completed.” The bald Isurian smith gave a smile and then looked back at the forge, she was trying to find a way to remove herself from the emotional strain she could feel, it wouldn't do to have something as blasphemous as emotional ties in the Forge of their Father, especially when they have works of metal being heated to temperatures that if kept unchecked would become a melted pool of metals. Ly'an stood and went to a shelf of molds that sat to the far right of the forges. Smiling she found a mold that would work perfectly for the pummel and cross guard she needed for her sword. It was a simple cross member with a hole already in place and the pummel even had the corresponding hole already in place as well. All she had to do was pour the molten metal into the mold, cap it shut with the top piece and let it rest to solidify and she'd have the pieces she would need for the sword. Bringing back the mold she set it on the bench and then looked at Art, “If you really want my opinion you should really ask yourself. I can not, nor will I, give you any influence that could impede on your judgment call and therefore give you the wrong response to your actions. It would be both wrong of me, and hurtful to you.” Ly'an smiled and placed a hand on his shoulder, “I believe you will make the correct call on that one my friend.” With her emotions at check as best as she could, the weaponsmith looked into the pot that held her pieces of metal, they were slowly melting and she wanted to have it go faster, so she gave the chain that held it over the forge's heat source a tug to slacken it and thus giving her the ability to pull the pot down closer before tightening the chain back snug. Hopefully now her small metal pieces would be melted soon enough. “I have a feeling this will take a bit of time before I can pour it into the mold. Why don't we just sit here and talk about something beyond our current works. Sound good?”

[Artifex]

Artifex smiled as he watched Ly'an go about her business. She was doing well in her attempt to hide her emotions, but a flicker broke through the bastion she put up around herself. This did not dissuade him from his emotions for her, he understood why she did what she did. To act in such a manner would only add to the stress of the work that was laid out before them; not to mention they were in a very holy place. He felt mildly ashamed for stirring up her emotions, and thus decided to pray to Izurdin for forgiveness and understanding. Oh Father I pray thee heed my humble words-in time-and forgive me for committing acts that would be deemed unfit in your house of worship. I did not wish to distract Ly'an from her work. Amen. He listened intently as Ly'an walked over to grab her mold, and then promptly returned to respond to his question. She was right after all, and he smiled when she put her hand on his shoulder. "You are right lass, and that is why i value your opinion. It is true and honest." He patted her on the shoulder and loosed a chuckle, nothing loud or boastful as if they were in a bar; an honest chuckle like the rumble of an avalanche from a man who had finally found the answer he had long sought after. It hit him then, as they were sitting there together, watching their respective metals heat up. It lit a sparkle in his eyes like a man who had finished a masterpiece. "What would you say if i were to propose to you that once we finish our respective works, that we honor Father by giving them to The Hammer, as a set?" He thought of one more thing to add, and he didn't want to be alone when he did it. If she wished to do the next part alone he would perhaps ask the priests of the temple to watch over him in case he could not manage on his own after imparting the gift onto the shield. "If so i would ask of you one more thing. Would you be willing to aid me-or join me-in imparting the gift (the izentor) upon our crafts, so that they may stand patient and strong against the test of time and serve The Hammer and Father for as long as they last?" "But don't fret on that now lass, you can tell me your answer later while we celebrate over drinks. I shall heed your wish and divert out discussion to something more relaxing. How have you been, how is your family?" Artifex allowed Ly'an to think for a time while he watched the forge. The metals were taking a little longer to heat up due the the thickness of the partially welded metals. The fire danced hypnotically in the forge, and thought again to the inscription he had envisioned etched upon the shield long before the construction of it had begun. He ran his right hand through his hair and the motion of lifting his arm revealed to him the izentor tattoo upon his arm. It was small and not as magnificent as some of the priests he had seen during his life so far; theirs stretched far down their arms and even the greatest of them reaching to their hands. He longed for the day when he could truly prove himself to Father, but all things in due time and patience. The day would come, and all he could do was have faith, work hard, and be patient. He turned back from looking at the forge, noting that he had a few minutes left before he would have to resume hammering. He calmly and eagerly awaited Ly'an's response. He hoped that he had not annoyed her by briefly adding in about their works. He just wanted the question to be out there. He had done as she wished though and switched the conversation. He was genuinely curious what she had been up to as late, and how her family was.

[Ly'an Godhammer]

Ly'an paused as she sunk in everything that Artifex had just asked of her. Give our items to the Hammer as a full set... That seems promising of things to come. The imparting of ourselves upon our craft would be an honor to both Father and I am sure the Hammer would be fond of the durability that would come of doing so, but is it wise to do so? I mean. We will be spending a whole day and night just gaining our strength back from the imparting of something so precious. Ly'an's mind still was trying to grasp what he was asking her, when the next question came out of no where and she blinked, “Oh.” She shook her head a bit and blinked a few more times, “Sorry, lost in thought. I am doing fine actually, been working on my craft. Parents have been fine. They are doing their own things as of now.” Ly'an nodded, her words seemed rather spacy in sound, as if she was still trying to figure out what to say about his first set of questions. Imparting my gift upon my sword would be the highest honor to Father that I can possibly get thus far, but I don't know if this sword is even worthy of my mark let alone to be given with a shield as a set to the Hammer... Is it worthy? Ly'an bit her lower lip, chewing on the soft flesh as she glanced her her forge. I mean,the blade is straight and true. The tang is folded and seems to be perfectly folded to ensure strength and integrity Standing she took a stick that hang from a nail by the forge and stirred her slowly molting metal, it was nearly ready to stick in the mold, just a little bit longer. Shuffling the hot coals around underneath it she removed the ash and slag that formed from the heating and forging process. A few pulls on the bellows and she seemed satisfied in the temperature of the forge before she sat back down once again on her stool. The bald Isurian's gaze was in the general direction of her forge's opening, the coal's heat dancing in her eyes, but it was obvious her thoughts were far from the forge. The pummel and cross guard will be a perfect fit for the tang and blade, matching nicely with my current design. The leather in the bins on the shelf will work excellently for a comfortable grip. She sighed and ran her hands over her face, the heat dried to skin quite a bit and she had to turn away from the forge's opening and dose her face with the water from her barrel before settling back down in place. With a sigh Ly'an looked at Artifex, “I will think about imparting my gift. It is a decision I can't make easily, nor am I willing to impart it so willingly. If I do happen to deliver the gift to my sword project, you shall know of it either before or after I do so.” Ly'an gave a nod and stood, seeing that the metal she was melting had finally melted down completely she busied herself with donning on gloves and coif. The weaponsmith grabbed tongs and mold and took her place at the forge. Using the tongs to remove the pot of molten metal she tipped it by gently touching the rim and tilting it towards the mold. The spout on the pot was designed for this task specifically and the smith was careful to filling the molds with little to no overfill before she placed the mold's tight fitting lid into place and placed it on her bench, letting the molten metal to harden completely before could pop it out. My gift is a reminder to myself, my clansmen, and my kin of our heritage. Our honorable and most noble ancestry. But it is also a tool. To make things stronger, more durable. To breath life into them is to show our pride and to honor Father. I don't want to impart my most precious gift on an item that isn't worthy of it. I can not decide upon such an important glorification without seeing the end project. Once more the bald female released a sigh as she once more removed the leather that encased her hands and crown, they were far too hot to just wear around a roaring forge when all she was doing was sitting and thinking... Waiting for something to finish so she could start the next step. The end of her project was nearing an end. OOCI think once they both finish their current projects this thread will be finished. After which I think we should do the drink thread, I want to do a solo thread, and then at the end of those two threads we do the thread to present the items. Sound good?

[Artifex]

Artifex relaxed as he awaited the heating of his metals. He relaxed as he watched Ly'an go about her work, and he admired her as she attended to everything. She was truly skilled. He knew the implications of the question he had put before her. He understood that getting an answer from anyone in her position-especially Ly'an- would take time. Imparting the gift of the izentor upon a work is never done to often, but that depended on who you asked, and the impact of their faith upon their craft. He also noted to himself that perhaps he would just have to be patient about the matter, because he felt as though Ly'an was deep in thought over her work; which was good of course. She would one day rise to become a master of her chosen craft. When she went away to continue her work Artifex took the opportunity to glance over at his metals; which were a bright red. He allowed a delighted sigh slip loose of his throat. He stood and walked back to his forge, first splashing the anvil and his face and hammer with water. Then donning his gloves he pried the metals loose of their fiery abode. He placed them on the anvil and hefted his hammer. The first blow rang clear and true. The second and third blow followed in short succession. Artifex patiently proceeded around the shield, hammering away at the metal, thus sealing the weld. He imagined that it would take one more sequence of hammering after the current set to solidify the weld. Artifex hammered away, working his way around until he arrived at the center of the shield. The red glow slowly faded, until at last the final hammer blow rang, and the metal dulled back to its natural color. Artifex flipped the metal over and checked the seams where the two metals met. He tried to pry them apart, but the hammering had cemented them strong. Still he knew that they could use one more hammering. After that he would be done with the first stage. What would follow would be meticulous. The etching would take a good deal of time, but he had done it a few times before so he was not a fool in that department of his craft. His plan was to etch an anvil onto the facing of the shield with a hammer emblem upon it; much like the holy anvil in the temple. Then he would etch in isurian across the top of the anvil the phrase Through faith we shall forge the future. He thought again after Ly'an responded to his question of imparting the gift. He put the metal back in and went over to explain himself to Ly'an. Sitting down beside her he patted himself down. He ran his fingers over the calluses and rough skin of his hand. However as he began to speak to Ly'an his eyes seemed to take a far-off look as he stared across at the holy anvil, and his voice took on a wizened tone uncharacteristic to his usual jovial nature. "Aye Ly'an. The imparting of the gift upon a work is something that should be done appropriately, and not foolishly. A crafter-and bearer of the izentor-should wait patiently-as Father often teaches-for the right work to come along that is befitting of the mark. Thus it falls to each of us to recognize those works, and give unto them all that we can pour into them; from our gift to our soul. For me this work of mine is nothing incredibly special. However it is unique in certain ways, and i feel that when it is finished and i deliver it to the Hammer to guard us for as long as it-and we-may last that Father will understand my decision. For me this is the proper time for the imparting of the gift. In my heart it is the right time. I do not wish to force your hand, and i have no intention to do so. You will know the time when it comes to you, as i know that the time has come for me. I would only ask for your help in making sure that i do not fall ill from the imparting of the gift. Otherwise i will ask one of the priests if they could perhaps watch over me in my weakened state, and if they will not help me i will be patient and make due in solitude before my shrine in my home. I only thought to inquire of delivering our works as a set so that it may stand for something, otherwise i shall deliver unto them my work, for it is with them i see it honoring Father the most. That is all Ly'an." He smiled when he finished. He enjoyed when he broke through his jovial nature, and spoke true from his heart. It was relieving. He hoped that Father had heard his words. He hoped that he was improving in his pursuit of proving his faith. The heat of the fire from his forge gingerly wafted over him, and he felt at peace. All i can do is be honest. This work is the first step of honoring my kin, and my clansmen. To find a place amongst my people where i may better them, lead them, teach them, and protect them from the horrors of the world. I can only hope to honor each and every one of them with my work, and my efforts. I pray thee find these words in your own time Father. OOCYa that sounds fine. I'm currently working on a solo flashback, and if you wanna start the drinking thread once this thread is done that's fine. I've been trying to think of a solo thread but i don't know what to do.

[Ly'an Godhammer]

Ly'an touched the top of the mold, it was still rather warm and not quite ready yet to be opened and the pieces removed. With a heavy sigh the smith walked over to the wall and located three fairly thick strips of deep brown leather. It was a magnificent color and rich in color. The leather was supple which would allow Ly'an to weave it together around the tang of the sword. She grabbed a jar of bee's wax before returning to her workbench, where she opened the jar and preceded to coat the strips in a thick layer of the wax. It came out as a pale yellowish color, but when heated up in the forge it would protect the leather from not just the heat but later from the tempering process and lastly from general use. The last thing Ly'an grabbed was the necklace around her neck. Removing it she looked at the small medallion that hung from the cord, it was made of cast iron, designed to withstand heat from a hot piece of metal easily enough. It was her smithing emblem. Something she was proud to display. It wasn't like the give Father gave her. “Aye, imparting of the gift is an important decision, I will come to a decision and let you know of it.” That was the last she made of the commenting on the imparting of her Inzentor. It was hours later, and the smith was finally glad that it appeared her pieces were ready to be put into place. She sighed with relief as she popped the crossguard and pummel piece from the mold, they were sleek and elegant, a little refining prior to the final tempering with a file and soft cloth and she felt she could be proud of the work... But is it mark acceptable? She frowned and decided to ignore her thoughts on that,it was too soon after all to make that decision. With the cross guard in hand she leaned over the forge's lip and placed the piece in the coals, wanting it to be red hot before she hammered it into place. Placing her sword flat blade against the work bench she held it in place by a simple clamp she found hanging on a nail at one end of the bench, with that tightly in place she gave a sigh of relief and fetched out the red hot guard from the forge and started to slide it onto the tang. It wasn't very long before it met resistance and the smith started to gently tap it on both sides lightly and in quick succession, alternating sides so that the guard finished it's transition to the base and came to rest. Satisfied with it's squareness to the blade she wedged the three waxes strips into place and started the weaving process. It was nearly a chime and a half before she had the strips fully around the tang, minus a small bit at the top and she secured the strips in place with a bit of tar resin before she took hold of the pummel and placed that into the forge. Nearly a half a bell later and Ly'an fetched the pummel out of the forge and gently hammered it snug into place on the end of the tang, With a sigh of relief Ly'an wiped her face and hammer head down with a damp glove. “I am nearly finished, how is it going for you there Artifex?” She glanced up, realizing she hadn't been paying attention to her comrade in the forge. Applying a final coat onto the leather of the hilt she unclamped the sword from the bench and placed the whole thing right into the coals, covering it from end to end and started the final stretch of the forging process. It was going to take a long time for the whole sword to reach the proper color she needed to temper the whole project correctly. That would take quite some time, so Ly'an made the preparations she needed to. Grabbing a hold of the barrel of water she pushed it over closer to the forge, it wasn't a long way from one side of the bench to the other, but it was a lot of work and effort to get it there. Especially after she just spent several bells pounding away on metal. For the next four or five chimes Ly'an shuffled a few bits of coal away from the sword to check the coloration of the metal before resetting them in place and going back to waiting. It was a tiresome process and Ly'an used it to busy herself with making sure the forges that weren't being used were kept lit and watching Artifex, she didn't speak another word since she last spoke. Father, please forgive my silent treatment to Artifex, I am just concerned and exhausted. Concerned that the project I am nearly finished with is not good enough to bear my gift upon it, nor am I positive it is good enough to present as a gift to the Hammer. I am exhausted for obvious reasons. Smithing, as with any craft, is hard work. Checking the sword's color, she saw it was a bright red color, with a smile and a sigh of relief she pulled it out, placed her hammer medallion against the blade right above the crossguard, gave it a quick couple of taps with her hammer and removed the pendant. Imprinted into the sword was her hammer pendant she wore around her neck. Leaving the necklace on the bench and using her tongs the smith waited until the whole sword reached a purplish-blue color and with a quick thrust into the barrel of freezing cold salt water Ly'an completed the final touches of the sword's forge process. A hissing sound erupted from the barrel as bubbles and steam roiled around the surface of the water. Once the hissing, steaming, and bubbling ceased the lady smith pulled the whole weapon from the barrel and took a piece of soft cloth across the whole thing to dry off the water that remained on it. The whole project was finally tempered, all Ly'an had to do now was put a combat edge and then polish it up. That is if I don't decide to bless it with my gift. Father help me with my decision. OOCMy longest post yet! 1068 Words

[Artifex]

Artifex watched as Ly'an added her last bit of opinion to their conversation. Then she walked off and went back about her work. He sat their alone, listening to the ringing of hammer blows, and he knew that she would be hard at work for some time. He did not mind the silence, for it was often comforting and revealing. Finally shifting his gaze from Ly'an and her work, Artifex ran a weathered blue hand through his crop of hair; shifting some soot that had collected there over the course of his work. He looked over to his forge; the metals were a scant few moments away from being ready for the finally welding. He decided to take the time to grab some last minute pieces he would need. He walked over to where parts were arranged. First he grabbed some leather straps that he would need for the enarmes, and a little resin to help keep the leather from burning during the welding and heating process. Secondly he grabbed some rivets and washers that he would need to secure the enarmes. Finally he grabbed a pointed piece of metal and a small hammer so that he could do the engraving. He checked the washers, making sure they were a tight fit which would make welding them to the rivets easier. Everything was in order. He returned to the forge and set the other pieces aside. Taking one last look to his right he saw the large basin that he needed to fit the whole shield into once it was done, and needed to be tempered. The bucket was far too small for that task and thus he was enlisting a large bath. When he looked into the forge the metal was a bright vibrant red and orange. He quickly splashed water over his hammer and anvil. Then he donned his gloves and pulled the shield out of the forge and placed it upon the anvil, which resulted in a hissing sound from the contact with the water still on the anvil. He turned it over once to check the seams all around, which were at this point virtually non-existent. He raised his hammer and thus descended the first of his blows. He went all the way around the inside delivering hammer blows against the heated metals. One blow turned into two, and three into four until all that he noticed was the rhythmic nature of the ringing. He stopped once enough blows had been delivered, and by that time he could scarcely recall the exact number; or the time that had passed. The metal was still hot, and even had retained a bit of its reddish hue. So while he had the chance he set the metal down on the anvil. He walked over to the bench and grabbed the rivets, leather straps, tar resin, and washers. He brought each set back to the anvil and sat them down. He flipped the shield over and grabbed one of the rivets. He then measured by eye and hand, and tapped the rivet gently enough against the shield at four points. The points were where the rivets would be driven in so that the straps could be secured on the other side. He was doing this part now, as opposed to after tempering because he wanted it to temper all at once. Plus the current heat retention would allow for the welding of the rivets and washers to go about smoother. He took the rivet again and placed it over the shields facing where one of the points had been marked, and with a series of powerful blows hammered the rivets through the facing of the shield. There was a brief exchange of sparks and the rivet pierced through the still hot metal. He checked the area for any structural damage which would result in some needed repairs, or applications of extra metal. However there was none, and since it hadn’t occurred the first time, it was likely that the rest would succeed with little problem. So he did the same on each marked point. Then he flipped the shield, and sure enough there were four points sticking through the shield. After applying some tar resin to the straps-which had holes in the ends-he slid them over the rivets. He could feel the heat through his gloves. Altogether there were four straps (one to the left, two crisscrossed to the right, and a longer one which would allow the user to sling the shield over their back when not being used). Then he took the washers and fit them over the rivets-which was a tight fit. He had to hammer them down in fact. Then he put the metal back into the fire for a little while. He needed the rivets and washers to heat up so that he could weld them together-and weld the rivets to the shield. The leather straps wouldn’t burn because of the resin he had applied. He would later add a piece of leather padding between the two sections of straps so that the shield didn’t wear away against the wearers arm. He watched in near silence the heating of the metal. Ly’an still had not said another word, and he didn’t mind. He was all for conversation and jovial things, but he knew when it was time to get down to business; and when it came to giving his all to his craft and his honoring of Father he gave every part of himself. Then out of nowhere he was caught off guard when Ly’an spoke. He didn’t respond at first, confused. Then realizing that she had spoken he said “That is good lass. May Father take notice of your patience in working your craft, and may you see all the results you hoped for of it, and more. Mine is going well lass, thank you for asking. With Father’s grace-and my own patience-I may see it finished within due time, however the engraving will take me some time still. You will have to grace me with your opinion of my craft upon its completion, if you be willing of course.” He said nothing more for the time being and turned his attention back to the forge before him for a while. He looked into the fire and saw that the metal was red hot again. He splashed the anvil and his hammer again, and placed the shield onto the anvil. He checked the inside, and found that the rivets and washers were red as the metal; then he applied some flux. He took a small bar of metal (not the one being used for engraving) and tapped hard at the washers-because otherwise his hammer blows would hit the rivets and thus risk pushing them back out. He did this with each washer. Then he flipped the shield over, and hammering each rivet once or twice into the shield to secure the weld between the rivets and the shield. Afterwards he repeated the step he took with the washers so that they were flush with the rivets base. He repeated these steps a few times over, to ensure the weld. He made sure that washers wouldn’t pop off while the metal cooled off, and that the rivets would fall out. Neither did. He placed a little more resin on the straps so that they wouldn’t burn, and he put the shield back into the heat. He needed to do one more thing before he started the engraving. He sighed. He was tired, but in a manner that one would be after a day of long, honest, and pleasant labor. It was sigh he knew well, and it was a sigh that was always followed by a smile. He took off his heirloom necklace. Then waited till the metals were a deep red, and near purple. After some time the shield finally reached the appropriate temperature and hue, and so he took it out and place it on the anvil after splashing the anvil with water. He sat the shield so that the face was pointing up toward the ceiling. He then took his necklace and eyed the measurements of the shield. He then pressed the anvil amulet into the hot metal, and held it there. After a while he pulled the amulet back and examined the shield. In the middle of the rivets of the shield was the imprint of a tiny anvil. He then donned his necklace, and checked the washers and rivets which were well welded and secured; thus he plunged the shield into the bath of water, which resulted in a hiss akin to a large serpent. A cloud of steam billowed upwards and then died away. Oh Father I thank you deeply for giving me the guidance and patience to see this lengthy task to its end. I pray thee give me the same guidance so that I may bring the finishing engravings to this work. Thank you Father for all of your wisdom, I remain your faithful-and humble-servant. After a few moments he pulled the cool metal out, and wiped it dry. It was smooth. He pulled on the straps, and neither the washers nor rivets budged. He smiled. He also realized that if he chose to he could almost add a combat edge to the bottom point of the shield. He wasn’t sure. He had the engraving to finish and then the work would be done, after that he could make up his mind about the combat edge. He sat the shield down against the anvil and wiped a hand against his head. Almost there. Almost finished. He hoped his endeavors would create that which had been birthed among his dreams. It was a simple dream, focused even, but none the less he had felt compelled ever since. Only time, faith, and patience would tell. OOCSorry for the delay in the response, when i saw what you posted i felt daunted in my endeavor the reciprocate something of equal value. None the less i am rather proud of the post, and my only question thus is, where do we go from here? A few more posts? Or should we wrap it up? I need at least one more to finish the engraving. I also didn't realize how long min was (1,646 words lol ^_^).

[Ly'an Godhammer]

Ly'an listened to her fellow clansmen as he finished up pounding away on his shield, it was beginning to look magnificent the way the forge flames danced across it's surface. She smiled at his back watching him work, admiring how his body's muscles contracted and stretched as he hammered away. Oh Ly'an get back to work! Admiration of your fellow clansmen can come another time. Remember you have drinks with him later on and you have to decide on gifting your sword and then giving it to him as a set. The Hammer would be proud of having a finely crafted set. Ly'an took her eyes from Artifex and looked back once more at her sword, it was dried off and resting on her workbench, the metal was dulled and nearing a grayish black color, the soot from the forge settling on the dull colored metal. She ran a finger against the edge, first up one side and then down the other. It was a tapered edge all the way around, but it was a dull edge. Definitely not combat ready. I should put an edge to it and then make a basic scabbard for it. After all, a sword can't just very well be naked unless in combat. With those thoughts in mind the Isurian smith went back once more to the shelves of supplies and found a whetstone she could use to add the edge to her sword's blade, and a few strips of heavy duty leather that appeared to be leftover from an armorer's leather armor making. This leather should work fine for making the scabbard, and this whetstone will work excellently for putting a combat-ready edge to the blade. I guess it is only time to start. Sitting down back at her bench she placed the leather to one side picked up the sword and dipped the whetstone in her barrel to wet it then shaking off the excess water before she started the grueling process of placing a combat edge to her sword. It took quite a few chimes, nearly as long as it took Artifex to finish the current stage of his shield he was on. Both edges were honed and sharped at a 35-degree angle, her father taught her that such an angle was perfect for the edge on any bladed weapon. It wasn't too steep or too shallow of an angle, plus it just plain looked good on her sword. With a quick wipe down with the edge of her tunic Ly'an admired her sword's appearance before she laid down the two pieces of leather, the good sides facing in on each other and placed the sword so she could trace out the outline she needed for the scabbard. A few quick lines were drawn and she was ready to go. Returning the whetstone to the shelf she picked up a leather punch, a few leather cords to use to sew the two pieces together, and a pre-made steel cap for the tip of the scabbard, else the sword would poke right through the leather scabbard. It took nearly a whole chime to punch the holes into the leather and then to string them together with the cording. Once completed Ly'an was able to fold it out the right way, so the good side of the leather was facing outward and she capped the tip using some tar resin and the metal cap. Once everything was crafted for the scabbard Ly'an paused and looked at it. Something is missing... What did I miss? She stared at the piece of leather for a bit longer and then sighed, Of course, the loop to attach it to a belt. Grabbing a strap of leather she punched holes into both ends, about a quarter inch from the sides of it, and then a set of holes that lined up to the loop holds in the scabbard. With a second length of leather cord Ly'an sewed the loop to the scabbard and then rechecked the fit of her sword. It fit snug and she smiled to herself. Maybe I ought to take him up on his decision to bless our crafted items and then present them as such... Wait to make a decision though, this is important. OOCI think after yer last post I'll submit it, just send me a PM after ya finish posting and I will submit it for us. Then can you start the drinking thread? =D

[Artifex]

Artifex turned from his work for a brief moment. He looked to Ly’an who had just turned from looking his way; he wondered. Shrugging he turned back to his work. He grabbed the chisel and the smaller hammer from the bench and returned back to the shield. He ran a finger over the small anvil upon the shield’s face. In his mind he envisioned the large picture that would soon be etched forever into the shield’s facing; he smiled. From the bench he retrieved a sheet of paper that had the picture of an anvil drawn upon it. He laid it on the shields facing so that backs of the rivets matched up with the four points of the anvil. He walked over to the bench and picked up a piece of chalk. Then by pushing through the paper he transferred the drawing to the shield. It was only an outline, but it would suffice to keep the outcome true as he engraved. Afterwards Artifex returned to the bench to grab the engraving tools and discarded the paper. The tiny tools of engraving felt tinier in his thick muscular hands. Yet he wielded them with the skill of a veteran. He made sure that the shield was secure, and wouldn’t shift. Satisfied Artifex began the final task before him. Oh Father let my hands strike true, and honor you with their patience and craft. He started slowly. The hammer hit the chisel without the same strength that had forged the shield. This was a different strength, a patient strength. Tap, tap, tap. The hammering ensued. He made it across the top of the anvil, and then went around the left side. Slowly but surely the image took shape. Time slipped away from Artifex as he went about the meticulous work with the patience of a moving glacier. When he came back around to where he had begun he stopped, and dipped his hand into the nearby barrel of water. First he splashed some water over his face, and then wiped clean the extra chalk from the shield and the engraving. Then he went back to the bench and grabbed another paper he had prepared earlier. Upon it was written a single phrase “ Through Faith We Shall Forge The Future”. He then repeated the same process with the phrase that he did with the anvil; however he placed the lettering atop the larger anvil engraving. Except something about the phrase struck a chord in Artifex as he went about the task. It brought a tear across his eyes, which descended and scattered against the shield’s face. When it was all finished he ran some polish and a cloth over the shield; bringing it to a shine. He marveled at the shield. It was all he had hoped it would be and more. The larger engraved anvil which surrounded the smaller imprinted anvil was perfect; as was the lettering of the phrase. Then he took the shield in his hands and tested the straps by attaching the shield to his arm. After slipping his arm in and pulling on the straps for good measure he was satisfied. His work was done. He turned from his work, and noticed Ly’an’s. “Ah lass I see your work has resulted in a work of wonderful quality. I can proudly say that my work has resulted in all that I could have hoped for; and a little more. However I still have the task of imparting my gift…” he paused, a nervous look on his face. Snapping back he continued “But let’s not think on that now. There are drinks that await us this night. We shall celebrate our success and praise Father’s name into the night”. He patted her arm and smiled. “I will see you later tonight Ly’an. May Father guide you till then.” With that he went to leave, gathering all his things. Looking forward to the drinks ahead.