[Thunder Bay] Gale's Water Sparrows

[Phoenix]

Description: Named after the small songbird, these little boats may not look like much but are more than suited for an Inartan’s needs. For fishing or just for fun, these boats will get the job done. A new addition to Thunder Bay, Gale provides the waterside city with easy access to their fishing needs. Though not as sturdy, large, or as well crafted as the watercrafts from Avanthal, Zeltiva, and Riverfall, these canoe-like boats meet the base needs of those wishing to go out onto the bay. With relatively calm waters and if the sailor has no intention of going out into open waters, Gales Sparrows can be solely operated and are preferred to the larger, more complex models for this reason. With a rough wooden fence to mark the boundaries of his shop, Gale has set up his business directly on the shore of the Bay. With only the sporadic help of a few Dek, Gale does all the work himself, thus finding the location much to his advantage when singlehandedly dragging completed Sparrows to the water. The Sparrow Yard, as Gale calls it, is split into a half-dozen segments, where each houses a different step in the building process. Supplied with freshly treated and properly prepared lumber from the Unforgiving, Gale is able to quickly and efficiently work his magic. With his small, simple, square wooden home at the back of the Yard, Gale has set up the first station right outside his doorstep. Here, with the help of two sets of sturdy strong-backs (also known as sawhorses) the frame is constructed from thinner, and more easily plied strips of wood that were previously soaked in water in order to insure their flexibility. Once the frame is constructed, it is moved clockwise around the yard to the second station, where it is left for half a day, clamped and weighted down as they set and dry. This allows Gale to prep and start the next Sparrow while waiting. The third station is where the sides are added. This is one of the more tedious steps and usually requires the help of a Dek or two in order to make sure the boards are straight, lined up and attached properly. The fourth station is where this is also allowed to set, watched carefully as the wood settles for any mistakes or imperfections. Should any appear, the boat goes back to station three for any corrections. Station five is where the finishing happens. The Sparrow is waterproofed and checked for leaks. While the waterproofing sets and dries here, the paddles are made. The final station is where a final, careful check is done. If the Sparrow was made by request, any details or additions to the craft are added here. All finished Vessels are lined on the shore outside The Sparrow Yard.   NPCs Name: Gale Race: Inarta DoB: 570 AV PoB: Wind Reach Title: Owner and Creator of the Water Sparrows Skills: Shipwrighting 81, Carpentry 64, Construction 61, Sailing 52, Fishing 46 Gale grew up in Wind Reach, and like most never had any inclination to leave and explore the outside world. As a child, he would join the other Yasi in their Spring, Summer and Fall trips down to Thunder Bay. It was here that Gale fell in love with the water and, more specifically, sailing. But with their meager trade connections, it was hard for the Bay to acquire any watercraft easily, quickly smothering Gales passion. When it was time for him to choose his craft and either becomes Chiet or Avora, Gale immediately threw himself into carpentry. It took years upon years of hard work, but the dedicated man honed his craft into that of boat building. Though he knew he wasn’t the best, Gale nonetheless relocated to the shores of Thunder Bay and opened his shop.   Services and Training Services Basic Sparrow – 70GM Double Sparrow – 100 GM Rent a Sparrow – 10 GM/day Extra Paddles – 15GM Personalized Name – 5GM Rowing Lessons – 4GM Training Available Shipwrighting Construction Carpentry Fishing