The Phalanx

[Cinna]

The Phalanx Found in a high corner of the Petal of Tranquil Slumber, The Phalanx is one of the few specialized weapon shops held in the Spires. With the Spires distinct lack of a proper forge many would think that holding up a weapons shop, besides a Fletcher or some such, might be fairly challenging. That without proper metals one could not have a proper shop. Well my friends, Vale is the type of man who lives to prove people wrong. As you walk up to this little corner of the Spires one of the first things you will notice is the intricate carvings that adorn the small entryway, the door alone a seemingly living, writhing curl of vines and flowers lovingly etched into the wood itself. If you follow these carvings into the deepest depths of the tree, you will find yourself in a surprisingly open and well lit room. One might suggest taking a moment for your eyes to adjust, because you really do not want to randomly feel around in here. Once you can see again you will understand why... Each and every wall is covered in weaponry. Spears of all shapes, sizes, and makes adorn the walls like prized trophies. Even more interesting is the materials with which many of the spears were crafted. You can spot blades of everything from Isurian Steel, to simple flint tips. Hafts made from every type of material imaginable. This is Vale's true art. His masterpieces. All yours for a price... If you look around again you might notice the fact that the carvings, which you surely noticed before, continue along the walls of this room as well, passing under the racks of weapons, curling and seeming to pool into a beautiful design high on the furthest wall... Directly underneath which you will find the main counter where, more likely than not, Vales assistant will handle any purchases.   Vale Name: Vale Ironwood Coglias Race: Isur DoB: Summer, 370 AV PoB: Sultros Title: None Skills: Blacksmithing 65, Carving 92, Weaponsmithing 68, Flint Knapping 82, Weapon: Trident 85 Gnosis: Izentor (2 marks) Vale... what is there to say? This man, he is what one could call the master of the oblivious. The living, breathing epitome of the ditzy artist... at least if all artists were built like a bull with a personality as calm as still water. Vale is pleasant, considerate, and downright gentlemanly on most occasions, his lips never all that far from a smile. However, If you catch him while working you will find out the hard way that he is not always so pleasant. To interrupt Vale at work is to grab the proverbial bull by the horns. His attitude completely changes as he focuses his attention on his art and any who attempt to speak with him can only hope for one of two outcomes... Either he will ignore them completely, or he will rage at them for interrupting his work. In the case of a rage it is suggested that one bring a shield... A big one...Just in case.   Vayet Name: Vayet Race: Inarta DoB: 475 (37) PoB: Windreach Title: Endal (Ex) Skills: Weapon: Spear 94, Training 86, Falconry 55, Leadership 42, Hunting 82 Vayet's story begins in the high fastness of Windreach, with the birth of a single highborn child... Vay was born a rare single child of an Endal couple and, as such, was afforded every luxury at a young age. She studied with the best tutors, trained under weapons masters. When she hit age eight, as all Inarta do, she was placed in the youth section of Windreach. Yet she refused to forget where it was she came from. She fought hard in training. She studied her lessons diligently. As she grew it became apparent that she would be a skilled fighter and hunter, which she proved again and again with spear and knife and bow. No matter the challenge placed before her she refused to back down, her pride would not allow it. She climbed the high walls of their mountain home. She spent a week hunting along the Thunder Bay completely unarmed. It is these acts of bravery, and possibly a bit of insanity, that eventually drew a young wind eagle to her. It did not take them long to decide that they were perfect for each other, both of them risk takers and daredevils. Dedicated and wild. The two hunted together. They used their bond to talk and joke constantly, one never quite far from the others mind. She was closer to her eagle than she had ever been to anything or anyone. Her eagle was her life, her world. They reveled in their time together. Yet all things must come to an end... often far sooner than one would like. It started a routine day. A routine hunt. But it was one that would end in the shattering of that world. By way of that selfsame bravery and brashness that had brought the two together they were cruelly torn apart. Hunting with one of the Inarta's Wind Eagles takes skill, bravery, and can give the adrenaline rush of a lifetime. But that is exactly why it must be done with caution. No one is certain exactly why it happened or how... all that is known, even to Vay herself, is that one day they lost control. As they went into a dive to grab a deer something went wrong. A bad gust of wind, some minor miscalculation. All that matter are the results. In the end Vay's mount barely managed to spread her wings in time to slow their fall. But it was not enough. The great eagle came crashing down, Vay upon its back. Vay managed to stand. Her eagle would never soar the skies again... She returned to Windreach a broken woman. Her body sustained no more than a few scratches and bruises, yet her heart was crushed under the weight of her partners death. At the loss of a friend so close as to be one. For a time she seemed as though she would never return, her body moved about its daily duties, yet her mind seemed to be gone. But every hurt can be mended, or at least salved, and ,eventually, Vay broke from her stupor. Her return to self was a new beginning. Once more shone the brass bravery that she was known for. The fire and energy returned to her eyes and not a moment went by that she was not doing something. She had lost her goal and, as such, strove to find a new one. She trained in her weapon of choice. She hunted the mountains and forests and streams. She honed her skills until even the best would search her out so that she might teach them some of what she knew. Yet it was not enough. The mountains without her eagle did not seem like a home. The vastness could not compare with what she had seen on the back of an eagle. All reminded her of her loss... So she set out. To find something new. Somewhere that would make her feel like she was home. For 5 years she traveled the roads of Mizahar,searching high and low. And eventually she found a place. The Spires. Here she found peace. Eventually she found Vale and decided that he needed someone to keep him in line. Eventually he consented to let her work for him. And she finally settled in one place. Note* She tends to be gruff and straightforward, but not mean spirited. Do good by her and shell do good by you.   Products and Training Products: Shortspear: Basic price 2gm Longspear: Basic price 5gm Spear, snake: Basic price 20gm Spear, two headed: Basic price 10gm Halfspear: Basic price 1gm Javelin: Basic price 1gm For weapons made of stronger material, please refer to the price list under the Different Weapon Materials tab. Please note that not all of the materials may be found in the Spires. The most common materials are stone, wood, iron, flint, and sometimes steel. Please price accordingly. Training: Weapon: Spear Hunting

Credit to Kel'Ashun