Flashback [The Ironworks]For the love of flame[GM]

[Clyde Sullins]

12 Winter 507 It had been a long time coming, but now Clyde was here. His father had been pestering him, trying to get him to take up a trade, preferably that of his father, for some time... He was honestly not sure why it had taken so long for him to come... After all, he had no real skill to work with... Nothing he was good at... What a depressing thought... So why had he not gone and learned a trade yet? He could not understand that. In fact, there were many things about himself he did not understand. He wondered if he ever would. But he pushed on, regardless, trying not to give in or up. But even though he could not place his finger on why, learning to smith, either metalsmithing and blacksmithing like his father, or even weapons or armor, it just seemed wrong... Like he should be doing something else, something better and more important... But it was beyond him what... So finally, his father had got his mother in on it, and the two of them together had pushed at him, and gotten him to accept a meeting with Ros Vizerian, the head smith really of Syliras. Who better to teach his son the craft? No one of course. It had taken a bit of talking, and convincing, but in the end he had gotten a spot for him, and a possible apprenticeship under the isur, if he did well enough. Or at least, that is what his father hoped for... Clyde was not so sure... But in the end he had come as he had promised, and showed up at the ironworks. After coming in at the front, were the customers shopped and talked and made orders, Clyde continued on past them, heading to the rear and the forges, for smithing... As he walked in, the heat of the room blasted against him, getting his attention at once. This was not a warm put you to sleep warmth. This was a hot scorch your skin slowly till it was raw and red heat... But even though the heat was a bit much for just walking in, something about it... The temperature? The color? Maybe it was the flames themselves, though he could not fathom ehy they would do so, had calmed him... He seemed almost at peace for a moment, before he returned to the world of clanging and shaping and forging. So he did what he could, and set off, asking around to find were Ros Vizerian was at, to begin his lesson... Clyde already seemed somewhat suited, after all he had those strange burn scars pocking his face...

[Marcus Braeden]

The many forges within the Ironworks always kept the air extremely hot. It was definitely the hottest place in Syliras, probably in all of Sylira. The fires there were always fueled, as smiths worked at all hours of the day and night. On the coldest of winter nights, the Ironworks would feel like the hottest summer day. The forge was huge, and smiths were scattered all across the room, working on individual assignments. A simple hammer could be crafted in one corner while an elaborate sword meant for a knight was crafted in the other. Syliras was a city based on metal, and as long as Syliras had a need for metal, the Ironworks wouldn't be shutting its doors. Ros Vizerian strolled through the Ironworks, enjoying the heat as well as examining the crafts of his workers. But he also needed to keep his eyes open for some boy seeking to learn the trade. What was his name? Clyde something. Clyde Summers? No no. Clyde Solle? No. Oh yes, Clyde Sullins! The boy's father had spoken to Ros, and somehow convinced the Isur to teach his son. Ros wasn't usually one to take on apprentices, as he had a business to run, and couldn't be bothered with teaching someone and running the largest forge in Sylira. But today was an exception. Ros finally spotted the boy, who was obviously searching for the Isur to begin his training. Ros sighed and strolled over to the boy. "Hello boy. You are Clyde? Clyde Sullins, correct?" Ros asked. "I am Ros Vizerian, the owner of this forge, and apparently, your new mentor." "Normally I'd give you a tour, but there isn't that much to see besides fire and metal. Plus I don't like to waste time. So first I need you to go grab a leather apron for yourself, gloves, plus a smithing hammer from over their" Ros pointed. "We can't have you getting any more burns" Ros said noting the boys face.

[Clyde Sullins]

The Ironworks was a den of noise and heat, clanging and flames. People attacking objects with hammers, to refine there shape to their choosing, sticking things into the flame of the open forges, heating them up, and wailing upon them again to shape them some more. At least, that is what it looked like to Clyde. He assumed there were purpose behind all of there actions, why they did what they did, even if he did not know it yet. Time would tell though, if he was right. But on the grand scheme, the room was very different, from most places in Syliras. Normally the castle was a strictly enforced peace, even if people were running about pellmell, being loud and bumping into each other. But this... It was sort of ordered, with a reason to what each of the men did... But all in all, it was utterly chaotic and loud, people running about, striking, flashes of sparks from the forge, heat, sound, the taste on the air of the heat and the metallic tang to it, and whatever was being used to heat the forges... It was a bit overwhelming really, in its chaos... So much order on the micro scale, that at the bigger looking macro scale, it appeared chaotic... He took a moment to take a deep breath, which only proved to burn on the way down, as the air was a bit cloying, but he did not let that stop him... He took a glance at some of the flame, and it oddly seemed to calm him down... Let his nerves loosen... He was a bit startled as the Isur came out of no where, and found him. He had been looking for him, though gotten a bit distracted admittedly, so had not expected to be found... He nodded as he asked him of his name, and took a moment to look the man over... Or not a man... He was sort of short, actually shorter than Clyde a bit in this case, which struck him as wrong, as he was no were near full grown. But this was a full grown man, or Isur... But looking at him, and his one odd arm which seemed like it could lift up an anvil one handed, he did seem oddly suited for such work... Like he was almost born to forge and smith and create... Was perhaps his entire race like this? That would be an odd thing, an entire race born to create and smith... Perhaps one day he would see others of his kind, and find out. But regardless, he certainly seemed well suited for this work, and completely at home in the environment. As he had said, like he was born for it... "Nice to meet you Mister Vizerian..." Clyde simply nodded again as he went on, saying he did not like wasting time, and that there was not much to show really. Clyde did not want to contradict him, as there did seem to be a great deal going on and to see, but he assumed it would be explained in his lesson... He nodded as he ordered him to go and get some stuff, apron, gloves, and hammer, basic tools for smithing, when the man had to add one more bit... He paused as he mentioned his face burns, and felt a sudden urge to yell at him for it, though he was not sure why... At the same time he almost felt like crying... But he managed to fight off the urge... He was not sure why he had reacted so strongly to the man mentioning his burns. He had just gotten them in some accident, not like it was anyone's fault in particular, or something to get upset about... But as he tried to focus his mind, and recall how exactly it happened, the memory seemed evasive... He could not recall how he had gotten them... Surely that was odd? And the harder he tried to recall, the more and more the memory seemed to slip away. It was like some fish he was trying to catch bare handed in a pond... The more he chased after it, the more elusive it became, and the more it ran away... Most disconcerting... He shook his head, trying to clear his mind, and taking in a breath, went over to were Ros had indicated. He grabbed a thick leather apron, and tied it on with the long strings in the back, to keep it situated. Then he picked up and slipped on the pair of thick leather gloves... Finally, he went over to the hammers, grabbing up one of the smithing hammers, which more or less seemed the same, though some of them were of different sized and weight... Then he returned to Ros in his outfit, and looked the Isur in the eyes, ready for whatever came next.

[Marcus Braeden]

The boy quickly returned to Ros with all the things he had been instructed to retrieve. Ros let out a soft chuckle, as the boy did not quite look like one of the big and muscular smiths often described in the story books. He was just a small boy, compared to Ros that is, who looked like he was dressing up in his father's smithing clothes. But then again, almost every apprentice started around that age, so it wasn't an uncommon look in forges. Hours and hours of smithing will eventually give one a grittier look in time anyway. 'Alright good, before we start with any sort of smithing, I ought to give you a quick tour. As you can see, there isn't too much to it, but I'll show you anyway. So let's get started" Ros said while motioning the boy with his hand to follow him. "The place where you got your equipment is where we keep most of the equipment. Smiths grab them and put them back when they are done. Hammers, aprons, chisels, among other things can all be found there." Next Ros pointed to the area adjacent to where the equipment was stored. "That's where we keep the various metals to be used for forging. It's mainly Iron and Steel, but we have some other metals as well." Ros continued walking around the room before stopping at a large iron object and leaning on it. "As you probably know, this is an anvil. It's one of a smith's best friends." Next Ros guided Clyde to one of the forges. In the particular forge Ros was showing, a sword blade was placed inside as the flames danced around it within the oven. "This is one of the forges. Obviously, try not to burn yourself around these things." Ros pointed at the barrels next the forge next. "These are quenching tanks. They are used for hardening and tempering. We also have a special tank that can be made for etching purposes. " The final stop was at the grindstone, which Ros explained was for sharpening and smoothing out rough edges. The pair then found themselves back at an anvil, where they could finally start smithing. "Alright, now, is there anything you have an interest in making. I mean. I could have you make a chisel, but that would be boring for both parties wouldn't it? But make it simple" Ros said. After Clyde answered, Ros instructed Clyde to fetch an iron ingot, which would hopefully be enough to get the boy started on some sort of craft.

[Clyde Sullins]

Clyde did his best to feign a smile, at hearing of the tour, but was not quite able... Also not quite sure if it was a joke... Since he could more or less see everything from here... But he would play along. Clyde nodded along, as he explained were they kept the metal. Heavy bars of metal which were an easy shape to mass produce, and could easily be shaped into other things... A boring and repetitive task he was sure to be pouring metal... But a lot better than the poor men who had to mine the metal. He smiled a bit there, from the thoughts in his own mind, at his own little internal joke... Better the pour men, than being a poor man. Next it was on to the anvil, showing it to him, explaining to him it was an important tool and a smith's best friend. He supposed that made sense, since from what he had gathered of hearing his father speak of it, it was one of the most used tools for blacksmithing. Right up there with hammers from which the trade got its name, and forges to heat the metal. And speaking of forges... They were the next thing on the little tour. He had a bit of a confused look, as he mentioned hardening and tempering... He was not quite sure how those things worked, or what water had to do with it... If Ros were to look him in the face, he would easily see the confused expression at these terms. As for the grindstone, that if nothing else seemed self explanatory. Though he would certainly like to see how it was used to shape a blade... Or wait, was the shaping down during the actual smithing? He was fairly sure that was right... That the grindstone just sharpened and finished... Though he wondered how exactly one made a blade have an edge, using one. Clyde was a bit surprised when he asked of him what he wanted to make. He was a bit shocked really, so soon being given the chance to choose... He thought on it for a bit... Really, he would like to learn how to make a sword. Surely every smith thought of that, it was such a interesting idea... But he had a feeling making a decent sword would be beyond him for his first try... Maybe something simple... Horseshoes maybe? That could be simple enough... "Maybe... Maybe a horseshoe to start? Or a dagger? I suppose a sword would be to difficult right?" After that, Clyde ran off and grabbed up a iron ingot. It had a decent heft to it, though was not to heavy. But he would imagine holding it for awhile, while shaping the metal into something, would get to be a strain on ones limbs. So far all of the smith's he had seen had decent arm muscles. Surely it was a good workout. Clyde returned with the iron piece, showing it to Ros. Really they all looked the same. Cast from identical molds, so as to be easily usable and uniform. Though he would be interested in seeing what came first.

[Marcus Braeden]

Ros chuckled, "Aye, a sword is probably a bit too much for you at the moment." Swords were simple enough in design that a novice could easily make a basic sword. But Ros always preferred quality, and a novice wouldn't be able to produce a very high quality sword. Even in a basic sword, with a standard hilt and blade, there were many intricacies one had to be weary of. The sword had to be as balanced as possible. It was also not enough to simply hammer out a sword using only the ingots. The sword needed to be hardened and tempered to make sure that the blade would not break. Ros doubted the boy even knew of the terms. It would be something he covered later on. "I'll tell you what, we will start with the horseshoe, as it will give you a good introduction to the process, and after that, we will try a dagger if your up for it" Ros said. Once Clyde returned with the ingot, Ros guided the boy to the closest forge and instructed him to place the ingot in the fire using one of the sets of smithing tongs that were set next to the forge. The pair waited several minutes for the metal to change from its dull gray color, into a bright red. Once the metal had reached the right temperature, Ros told Clyde to pull it out and bring it back to the anvil. "Alright, now that the metal is hot enough to be shaped, let's start hammering it into a horseshoe. I'll point with my hammer where you should hit to start out with, and eventually I'm sure you will be able to take the reigns and finish it up yourself...hopefully. And when the metal loses its heat and cools back down, be sure to heat it back up again, or we will be here forever." Ros explained. Ros pointed to the first spot with his hammer, and with each strike Clyde made, he adjusted his position and waited for the next strike. Ros also made sure to correct Clyde on anything did wrong, if for example he hit too hard or too soft, causing a deformation in the metal that needed correction.

[Clyde Sullins]

A small smile of recognition flickered over Clyde's face. He had expected it would be to much for him right now, to make a sword... Perhaps another time... Though he was sure about everyone who started here would ask to learn how to make one... He would try and be a bit more realistic about it... He simply nodded hearing they would indeed make a horseshoe. He had figured it would be a pretty simple thing. Probably it was some poor sods job to make horseshoe after horseshoe, unendingly, for the knights. He would not mind making one on occasion, but he would think that making a bunch of them, or for a long time without deviation, would get boring... And well, you could not exactly get to be a master smith, by making a million horseshoes... But he supposed as a new initiate to the trade, it made sense for him. Clyde took the metal, and using the tongs, set it in the flames of the forge... It took several chimes, but soon enough the color shifted, becoming lighter, and redder, till it settled on the color the smith wanted. Clyde made sure to note what the metal looked at during that time, so he would know later when to take it out. Finally Clyde pulled it out, and brought it to the anvil, showing it to his teacher. Clyde did his best, nodding as he instructed him... Doing his best to work the metal as he directed, with a gentle point of his hammer. He struck with his hammer as directed, watched as the metal bent, but only a little. It seemed he had not hit it hard enough. So the next hit was harder... But petch, now it was two hard... So he had to make some small strikes to try and even it out, so there was not a big distortion in it... Petch... Why did the thing not just curve as he wanted? It was like the metal was fighting him. But he supposed every master smith had felt as this at some point. Now the metal had cooled a bit, so he brought it back to the flames, and heated up the metal once more... Then back to the anvil, to strike at it, hitting the iron... Eventually, after a good chunk of chimes, he had started forming it into the general shape of a horseshoe... Sort of... Though it certainly was not as cleanly curved as other ones he had seen... And something else about it seemed off... He returned to heat it up once more, and returned, unsure of what to do next... So he looked over, showing him the iron that had begun to be bent into shape... Still off... What was it about it that was wrong?

[Marcus Braeden]

Ros sighed as the boy attempted to bend the metal with his anvil. Yes, the metal had been bent and hammered into the basic shape of a horseshoe, but it was by no means a smooth curve. Various dents and mis strikes of the hammer left the metal looking rugged and battered. Yes, Clyde had been striking the metal where Ros pointed and following his directions, but it wasn't enough. There was a certain technique that smiths needed to acquire before they could create a true piece of equipment. "Relax. Loosen up. Remember, you're not fighting the metal, but you are molding it, shaping it. Don't strike it as if it is some enemy out on the battlefield, but rather as your medium. Just like clay is the medium of the potter, metal is the medium of a smith" Ros said rather vaguely. Smithing as an artwork rather than a simple job was something Ros was a firm believer in. Ros continued to point where the metal should be struck and observe the results of each strike. Throughout the course of the forging Ros could be heard yelling various commands or critiques. "Too hard...too soft...wrong area...correct that dent...hit here...put it back in the fire and try again! These were all sayings that were all too common for Clyde to hear. But every once in a while, something more positive might escape Ros' lips. "Nice hit...good job!" Hell even a rare "Perfect! was uttered at one point by Ros. As Clyde continued to practice his forging skills on the horseshoe, the frequency of complements increased. But that wasn't to say the horseshoe was going to be perfect. Oh no, it was still the work of a complete novice, even if said novice was improving.

[Clyde Sullins]

Clyde stared at the bent hunk of metal, that he was supposed to be turning into a horseshoe. Wiping his brow with his arm, he tried to get some of the sweat out of his eyes. He had not even noticed it was there, till it had begun to obstruct his vision. He said he should mold and shape the metal, not fight it... Clyde did his best, but to be honest he did not seem to be a prodigy, he was getting it a bit, but he was still a far bit off. The process was very slow, and strenuous, and already Clyde could feel an ache in his arms. But he was determined to learn this, to figure it out, he was not going to quit. Over and over he struck the metal. Softer. Harder. Heat it up. Strike again. To hard... Constantly he was shifting, changing how he struck, getting closer to the way that the isur apparently wanted him to do it. Though he honestly was not sure what that path was. He was not sure if he was even on the right road... After awhile, the "horseshoe" was beginning to resemble its name, though certainly not a very good one. Not to mention, the entire process had taken him quite a while, with many reworkings and reheatings. He was sure that his teacher could do the entire thing in but a few ticks. With but a few strikes of his hammer, he likely could do such a simple task. He struck it again, and looked up, to see what his teacher said next. Was he done? It looked more or less done, more or less like the horseshoes he had seen before. But honestly, he was not sure... It looked terrible in his eyes, but his teacher seemed to think he was getting it right. "Is it? Is it done?" He asked, a bit tentatively, when he was almost certain it was a complete product. Not a good one, but a complete one. Looking down at his work, he asked one final thing. "Sir. Once this is done, could you perhaps show me how you make a horseshoe? Just to see how you do it. Perhaps that would better help me understand my mistakes. I doubt it would take you long." He looked him in the eyes, wondering what he would say. A bit of a depressing thought came in... Surely he would not do as he had requested, making such a simple thing was probably beneath him. Petch, why was he even bothering helping him out, to teach him, when he was clearly so unskilled? He could not fathom it.

[Nightmare]

Clyde

Skills:
Endurance: +2
Observation: +1
Socialization: +2
Blacksmithing: +3
Bodybuilding: +1

Lores:
Ros Vizerian: Owner of the Ironworks
Ros is a hands on teacher
Location: Ironworks
Layout of the Ironworks

Blacksmithing lores:
Gear to protect from burns
Tools of the trade
Anvils used to shape metal
Quenching tanks for tempering
Grindstone to sharpen a finished blade
How to make a horseshoe
Keep the metal hot to shape it
The suitable color for smithing heated iron
Mold the metal instead of fighting it

Notes :

'Tis a shame that the thread was never finished. Anyways, enjoy your grade!

Credit Lenz

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