[Location] Iceglaze Hold

[Cheshire]

Iceglaze Hold Iceglaze Hold built their Hold near a small deposit of icestone, the only deposit outside of Icestone Isle. Here all the builders, architects, and craftsmen live and have their workshops. When the founding members of were searching for a place to settle they wanted to live where the ice had the most luster. When they finally settled they found that the ice that they settled near was not ice at all but a mineral called Icestone. This mineral looked just like ice but had the strength of stone. The Iceglaze members began to quarry this mineral and experiment with it as a building material. Soon the Iceglaze were building structures for all the Holds and even Morwen. To this day Iceglaze are masters in architecture and building. The Iceglaze Hold is a large building which is actually one of the least elaborate buildings in the city. The Iceglaze refuse to change it because it the first building that they ever built and they see it as a monument to how far they have come. This building stands as a permanent reminder to keep moving forward in their building. The Hold is set up with rooms and living space on the ground floor with workshops either in the basement or out back in two person workspaces.

[Sharth]

Spring 65, 511 AV

After having found a place to sleep, and filling his growling stomach, Sharth walked toward Iceglaze Hold after a helpful suggestion from a stranger. He opened the door and stooped through, relieved to find a higher ceiling within. He stood up fully and began looking around. He didn't see anyone immediately, he could hear a sounds of labor and chatter. He followed the sounds, keeping in mind to duck when appropriate, eventually arriving in the basement.

He entered a large workshop full of the cordial Vanthan that inhabitants this beautiful city. The room grew silent as he was seen. It appeared to be some sort of building shop. Men were working on stone, wood, and the curious clear stone that looked like ice. His fur upon entering a non natural structure began reverting from white to his normal black. "I'm looking for some work. I'm not skilled but I'm a quick learner and very strong. I could help with building, learn carving or other such skills."

[Cheshire]

The men and women working in the workshop looked up in surprise as the Jamoura walked through the door. They all wanted to be the first to speak to the creature but who would break the silence? Gensen stepped forward, wiping his brow as he left his block of icestone alone on the table. No one would bother it. Who would steal from the leader of the hold? He held a hand out to the Jamoura. "Hello, I am Gensen, leader of Iceglaze hold. May I know your name?" He looked over his holdmates and then back to Sharth. "I'm sure we could use another set of hands around here. I doesn't hurt to have a strong Jamoura lifting what we can't, not to mention reaching what we can't." He rubbed his skin as he thought. "Come with me. Let's see how you work." Gensen led Sharth to a table where a small slab of Icestone sat. "Show me what you can do." He was not sure if the great creature would know how to carve at all but at times it was interesting to see what those who were intrained could do. "If you are going to work with us and you like working with this mineral, icestone, I would love to see you help us with mining. We are not the best miners but we are the only ones with Icestone."

[Sharth]

He watched as the authoritative figure stood up and approached him. Sharth could tell he was the leader just by the way he walked and carried myself. He didn't appear to try and intimidate like many from back home did. Everyone appeared silent, not in shock or fear, but in what seemed like curiosity. The man stuck out his hand, "Oh pardon my rudeness." He gingerly took the man's hand, his own completely engulfing it, and shook it gently, trying his best to not injure the man. "I am Sharth, a traveler from Spires. Its a pleasure to meet you Gensen. You have helped build a beautiful city." he saw that everyone mostly appeared to be working on stone or what looked like ice.

"I am able to lift a good bit, and well," he chuckled lightly, a resounding guttural noise, "Heights here don't appear the same as I am used to." He demonstrated this by raising his arms slightly and tapping his knuckles on the ceiling. He then followed the man over to a work table with a slab of that strange unmelting ice. He was unsure of what to do with it. But do something he would. But this work table would not support him. So he picked up the slab, now knowing it to be called Icestone, and tossed it around a bit. He doubted he could do anything too detailed. He held the stone in one massive hand, and grabbed a hammer and chisel in another. He sat down on the floor, his knees bowed out. He set the slab between his feet, which essentially were another set of hands. They gripped the stone as he held the tiny chisel and hammer in each hand by a few fingers. He looked it over trying to find the flattest face. He found one larger than the rest and would use it as a base. He faced that side away from his body and crouched over examining it. He lined up the chisel to shave off the far side to increase the area of the face. He struck the hammer lightly, but it was still too hard, and not centered. It barely scratched the surface and it pounded into one of his toes, sending up a spike of pain.

He readjusted his grip so his toes were further from the striking zone. He figured if he gripped the chisel tighter and struck the hammer more centered, he could keep it in control. He lined up the chisel once more, holding it more firmly. He raised the hammer slightly and brought it down with a high pitched ting. Still striking a bit hard, he saw it was not without results. He had a fresh face cleanly sheered away. He repeated the process along the same face, only suffering one hammer blow to his fingers. He ran his fingers over the finished surface. He could feel ridges where his blows had not been perfect. He continued the process for many chimes until he had a roughly made, oblong brick. It was by no means useable for a structure but it was his first attempt. He stood up and held out his work to Gensen, not saying anything.

[Cheshire]

Gensen looked the creature with a nod. "Well I'm sure our heights will be nothing to you. We tend to be a bit… shorter than our southern Taldera friends." He could only imagine what the others in the city would think when they saw that Iceglaze had the help of a Jamoura! It was not a thought of selfish pride or even egotistical glory. He was more so proud that he had one of the Jamoura at his side, at his hold's side. He watched with careful eyes as the Jamoura began to almost play with the Icestone. His eyes flickered a yellow color as he stood completely enthralled at the creature before him. He was even more surprised when Sharth put the Icestone between his hand like feet and started to carve. Gensen almost spoke up and told Sharth to be careful with the tools but instead he stayed silent, intent to see the Jamoura work as he pleased. It was clear to see Sharth was not skilled in the workings of carving but that much was to be expected. He was new to the art. Gensen took the Icestone and offered a smile to the Jamoura. "I'm not going to lie. It is not great but it is a start." He placed the Icestone on a table beside him. "For now we will employ you with more laboring work. Lifting, carrying, reaching, things like that. In your spare time you are welcome to work on carving though." Gensen was a bit excited to have a Jamoura working at his side. "We could use you in the mines. Do those terms work for you?"

[Banir Ironwood]

54th of Winter, 511 AV

A large and burly figure strode into the Iceglaze hold. The armour adorning his figure clanked and clattered as he marched across the well built form. The dirty green winter coat covering him the fur lined hood drawn over his head hiding half of his face. What the shadow of the hood covered a white scarf hid the rest. The metal claw on his right hand held a name scrawled on a piece of parchment. Looking around he managed to find a name engraved upon a door. 'Gensen' it read, checking once again the name on the paper he walked to it. Pounding on it with his left hand he opened the door and respectfully lowered his head. His gruff voice splitting the silence of the air as he spoke shyly.

"H-hello? I was instructed, that I could find, a job here. C-can I asume you are the one known as Gensen?" With his bulk only half way in the doorway Banir's eyes where barely seen from under his hood. They reflected a burning red but where rimmed with a light black of fear.

[Cheshire]

Gensen looked up when he heard a knock at his door. Before he could call out a reply, the person walked into the room. It surprised him to see that the person who knocked did not wait for him to stand and open the door himself. It was common courtesy after all. "Hello, I am Gensen." The Vantha could not help but feel a bit unsettled as he looked at the man. He was completely covered up. He had no idea what the man looked like, or worse, if he was a threat. "Before we talk about employment, I'm going to need to see your face." He motioned for the man to lower his hood and scarf. If he refused to comply, there was no way Gensen would even think about giving him a job. "How about you take off your coat and relax. Then we can get to know each other and talk about a job."

[Banir Ironwood]

Banir froze still, showing his face was a major problem for him. It was not due to the fact he had broken laws or was wanted. For reasons of disgrace and embarrassment. As his heart quickened as he needed to think of something. Quickly he humbly lowered his head his voice fractured and nervous.

"Mr. Gensen, I have, had an accident regarding, my face. It is very, embarrassing for me to show it. When I reveal my, face, it, it gives me great anxiety. I apologize for this, if I can make up for this, I will try." His voice was frightened and it was evident that other than the 'accident'. He was telling the truth, it was easy to tell whenever the large man lied. Though he did comply and take off his coat, turning his back to Gensen as he did so he moved half of his scarf up to hide his forehead. His Vantha eyes showing through the slit provided. His burly muscles contained by a simple cotton shirt. His hands looked like they had seen a forge before, large, rough and calloused with light burns on his fore arms.

Banir stood before Gensen's desk, looking more like someone reporting for duty. The hefty young man standing strong at six feet with powerful shoulders. His skin was quite like a Vantha's but it was built closer to that of an Isur. With beads of sweat running down his hidden cheeks he awaited Gensen's next words.

[Cheshire]

Gensen looked the man over, debating whether to push the issue further. It was his duty to keep his hold safe. What if there was something hidden that would have shown that his man was a threat. All men had their secrets though. They needed them. With a small sigh, Gensen nodded. "Fine, but a close eye will be kept on you just in case you are hiding something. It is for the good of the hold." He spoke bluntly, his eyes a vibrant green. "It is my job to lead and protect this hold so if there is something I should be worrying about, I'll find out." There was only so much intimidation that needed to be done. Gensen could not deny that the hold could use an extra set of hands. "So, what can you do for the hold? Metalworking? Blacksmithing? Building? What do you do…? Sorry, I did not catch your name."

[Banir Ironwood]

Respectfully bowing to Gensen then standing up right once more. In his mind he knew Gensen would find nothing but it would be better for him to say nothing. His heart pounded though it didn't beat in fear, it was excitement. When asked about his skills he almost jumped to attention as he spoke. With his body tense and muscles tightened almost like rocks beneath his skin. The skin tempered by days near a forge showed along his arms. His rough and deep voice broke once or twice out of a slight nervousness.

"I have, skills in armour and, weaponsmithing. Those are the, skills that where thought, to me by, my father. I am half Isur." Though he had to take small breaks between his words he hoped he had been convincing. Knowing that his father's race where talented in metal working he hoped that would assist in swaying his decision. His thick arms and hands behind as he waited in a nervous patience. With sweat glistening in his palms he whipped them on the back of his pants with some meager attempt at stealth.