Location Mikayas' Emporium for Sculpted Curiosities

[Abstract]

Mikayas' Emporium for Sculpted Curiosities Often referred to as simply 'The Emporium', old Mikayas' shop is a standing reminder of a younger time in Ravok's history, having opened nearly 70 years ago. Worn tiles have cracked under the stress of heavy sculpture and the test of time, leading some to the assumption that the place is in need of repairs, which in turn compels them to shorten their time within the store, much to Mikayas' taste. Set within the Merchant's District, the Emporium attracts an array of different sorts, ranging from the enamoured in search of a gift for his lover to the doddering couple standing upon the precipice of their lifetime, wishing for a final memento to leave their posterity before passing on, and even to the faithful, Rhysol's chosen wishing for a representation to pray in front of. If one was prone to staying within the place for long, they would bear witness to a lifetime of work, the range of Mikayas' rise through his craft visible within his store. Entering the Emporium is a simple task, as the doorway is wide, allowing for a plethora of the elderly man's crafts to be seen from afar, an obvious effort to attract patronage. Though, upon entering, navigation through the store becomes difficult. An array of different sculptures, be it of the conventional sort, or relief were present to be admired and appraised. These sculptures were placed where they fit, some of which hanging upon the wall, others on the floor with signs posted warning that if stepped on, they were to be purchased. A narrow pathway led towards the shopkeeper's desk, several like it creating a sort of trail that led one along the entire store. A staircase could be seen in the farthest corner of the store, winding upwards towards the next floor, where Mikayas worked on his crafts in solitude, isolated from the world. Item prices listed are, for the most part, final, Mikayas' wish for limited exchange driving his desire to simply sell his craft and rush the citizenry from his store, preferring the simple quiet of delving into his craft over the tedious back and forth of haggling. Prices within the Emporium vary both on the size of the sculpture and the complexity, a discount generally given to those who purchase an item for religious purposes. The store consists of an upstairs section which contains a number of highly personal, esoteric works, as well as a living space for Mikayas, the old man preferring to stay by his works rather than purchase more spacious accommodations. The Emporium also offers engraving services, though Mikayas chooses not to make the craft his focus, finding it beneath his notice.   Prices A base price of 9 gold mizas per square foot of sculpture with detail enough to be seen as a shape. Adding more detail will cost an additional one gold miza per detail, and two mizas for complex additions per square foot (such as hands, arms, and legs. Faces cost three.) Engravings cost an additional silver miza per letter, two if the engraving is to be set in an elegant font. A sculpture that takes an extended period of time to design costs an additional 4gm per day for labour. An example price: Item: A bust. A bust is generally two to three feet tall and one foot wide(let's say 3, for the sake of the example,) so the item would cost 27 gold for the base. Then adding in the detail of the face is an additional 3 per square foot, so an additional 9gm to that price makes it 36. Adding detail to the base is an additional 3gm total (1 x 3,) so that would raise the price to 39gm. A bust would not take more than a day to create, so the price does not increase for labour. If a person wishes for a sculpture of stone, then the price increases to 12 gm per square foot, and details double in cost. A labour cost is implied, due to the rougher nature of the material.   Mikayas Mikayas: Owner and Primary Artist, 93 Skills: Carving: 65 Sculpting: 47 Philosophy: 27 Engraving: 26 Intelligence: 24 Negotiation: 22 Mathematics: 12 A quiet sort, Mikayas has spent the majority of his life in Ravok, having gone to Syliras only to learn what it was to shape wood before returning home to set up shop. Most know him only as the old man who owns the shop, the majority of those he could consider to be friends having passed long ago. Now, he lives out the remainder of his days continuing on with his work, wishing to pass his knowledge to another young mind. Though not one to converse with his patronage, Mikayas is not seen as bitter, for he happily works on his art, a sort of jump in his step as he passes it to the customer who eagerly awaits it. Rather, he could be interpreted as pensive, thoughtful. Perhaps the lifetime of carefully chipping away at wood and the occasional stone block have rendered him the sort to keep within his own mind, as extensive conversation while working upon his craft is a distraction. If one was to approach him with an intellectual conundrum, or an interesting riddle, Mikayas would drop his chisel and join them in their thoughts, eager at a chance to use his mind before it is stolen from him. One may not notice it immediately, but if they watched Mikayas walk for a period of time, they would notice the hitch in his step, the limp that subtly manifests. This is because his right foot is much lighter than his left, it being a wooden prosthetic that he personally sculpted, employing the assistance of a gadgeteer so that the ankle could bend with his step. Weighted down by a stone lining at the shoe, the foot is still lighter, and Mikayas avoids walking as much as he can to avoid the awkwardness associated with it. The tale as to why he lost his original foot is unknown, given that none would ever notice that the appendage was missing. If asked about his limp, he will refuse to answer, feigning deafness before rudely expelling the questioner from his premises. Location credit to Venser Rush!