|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 1:40 pm
"Actually the leaders of nobles houses also come to the games to see if they wish to send their future warriors to our school. It's a way for the school to show it's excellent training skillings." Competition between schools was fierce to get the highest houses to send their warriors to the school. So the games were an excellent want to show off their end results. "So since your house is higher in rank your matron could easily come visit with guests to determine if she wishes to send her warriors here to train."
She smirked a bit at the female's last question. "Oh it is not that, I have just recieved a shipment of custom arrowheads from my house and I must have arrows ready for the next games." She reached into her pocket and removed a clothing covered item. Removing the cloth she revealed the most diabolical and deady arrowhead Shri had most likely ever seen. The crafting was amazing, light as a feather yet sharp enough to start cutting the fabric it was wrapped in. "My house's only use in society is the smithing skills. We make everything from weapons to jewelry." She remembered something Val had mentioned to her. "One brother has even discovered a way to mesh metal wires into whips. I believe your house is well known for their love of whips and as a priestess it seems to be the weapon of choice."
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 1:14 pm
Shri thought about it, and it made sense that the different schools would hope to attract prospective students by putting on exhibitions. When she thought about it a little harder, she was able to recall that her aunt received a barrage of invitations every year at the beginning of the calendar year, most of which asked her to attend a demonstration of some school's best and most accomplished students' skills. To her knowledge, her aunt had never attended any such function, having found a school of sorcery and a school of weaponry which appealed to her and never once bothering to look at any competitors.
"I remember begging my aunt to take me to an exhibition at a warrior school once, when I was very young. I didn't realize that the exhibition was the games we've been talking about, at the time. Not until very recently, in fact, did my mind make that connection." Shri smiled. "My aunt does not leave the manor unless specifically ordered to do so by the ruling council or the Spider Goddess, Herself. She says it is imprudent for a Matron Mother to go abroad. She's probably right, but I would die of boredom if confined to the manor for centuries."
Shri's voice trailed off as she realized that she was discussing matters which had to mean nothing to the archer. It wasn't as though the archer had to worry about her own House's affairs. She had a Matron who had a daughter training to be a priestess, if Shri recalled correctly. There was no reason for a warrior to concern herself over the fate of her House.
She looked with interest at the arrowhead the archer revealed and tried to decide whether it would be woth it to make a weapon so sharp. Could a person truly appreciate the damage being done to them if the blade slid in so cleanly? Of course, she knew what sort of damage could be administered with a whip and to what result, but archery was not her forte. She supposed it was best to leave the archer to her affairs.
"My house is notorious for its use of whips, yes. And any priestess will choose to wield her snake-headed whip over any other weapon, given the opportunity. Well. I'm not too fond of them, to be honest, even if they are gifts from Lloth. But most priestesses prefer them."
She thought about a whip made of metal wires. She'd some experience with whips that were made of metal in some way or another, but she could not recall hearing of one which was made of meshed wires. She wondered how heavy such a weapon would be, and if it would be at all practical. She could make a fine gift to her aunt or mother of such a weapon. And, of course, she wouldn't mind having one for herself, either.
"Smithing is not a useless skill, though it is a trifle unusual for a House to be so bound to a particular trade." She was fairly certain that the other Shri held her house in some disdain, but she wasn't quite sure why, and it would be unthinkable to ask directly. "It must generate a great deal of income for your House. I suppose, however, much depends on how the commercial matters are managed, whether it's done with competency or ineptitude."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2008 5:45 pm
Shri simply listened as the female spoke. Obviously a female training to be the next matron. Her sister spoke of similar things when she wasn't being annoying. She also listened to the talk of whips used by all priestesses. She began to form an idea. While her mother ran the house she did not run it well. She tried to cater only to the highest classes and tended to ignore the slightly higher houses. Building lots of contacts was far better than a few in Shri's opinion. Her house could do much better if it spread itself out a bit. As low in society as they were it was not a dangerous move and higher houses would not think them a threat. The other Shri spoke of smithing and seemed to ask a question by stating an opinion. It was a common tactic and Shri didn't mind answering it.
"Smithing is necessary for all houses with warriors. Metal can be used in either weapons or armour. Our house specializes in Smithing because of our location near a heat vent. We have a natural furnace to smith in. It is quite useful. And as for competancy my mother is hardly capable. I've suggested things many times only to be pushed aside. The woman is impossible. She won't ever admit she's wrong as is willing to damage our house to stay right." Perhaps she had said too much, insulting her mother and damanging her reputation to a higher house. But frankly she didn't care. Like any other ignored daughter she was angry and wanted to see something done about her failure of a mother.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2008 6:26 pm
"I wasn't arguing the usefulness of smithing. I was merely pointing out that it is unusual for a noble house to make a name for itself based on trade. Mostly Houses try to advance by garnering favor with Lloth or something to that effect, though destroying higher-ranking Houses is quite popular, too, as a means of aggrandizement." Shri sounded placid and non-confrontational because she was not at all interested in starting any sort of a disagreement with this warrior, who had already made it clear that she was neither intimidated by priestesses nor reluctant to spill others' blood.
"I am familiar with the location of your House, though it had not occurred to me that anyone would take advantage of the proximity to the heat vent as your family seems to have done. It's a great shame that things are being mismanaged. You seem sensible enough to make suggestions which ought to be heard and considered."
Shri understood very well about people who would not admit to being in the wrong. Sometimes it was simply self-assurance, but too often it was hubris, which often proved fatal. And easy to exploit. Her mind working like a matron's, she quickly considered whether it would be worth the effort to take over Shrilyn's House. It was not usually done, a higher House attacking a lower one, especially if the lower one was not a threat, but the financial gains Shri could envision might just make it worth her while to act out of the ordinary.
"I would be interested in hearing your ideas sometime," Shri said. She had seen through a window that the artificial illumination which signaled day and night in Llurth Dreir was dimming. She would have to depart soon. "But at present I am pressed for time. I have to be back in Gallidurth by full night. The next time I am in Llurth Dreir, however, we should do lunch. I would very much like to continue this discussion."
She smiled, looking very sincere. Those who knew her well would mark that smile and wonder what she was plotting behind it. Those who were less familiar with her tended to have different interpretations, ranging from paranoia (why was she smiling?) to enchantment (she's smiling at me!).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 5:55 pm
Shri smirked a bit but began to think about the perspectives of having an alliance with a higher house. Her house could be very profitable with their help as well as be put to good use for the goddess. As of right now the matron was in it for herself not for the goddess. Shrilyn hated that, thinking her so selfish to not think of the Spider Queen before herself. And her sister was no better. They really were useless to the house. But yes, the alliance would be beneficial for the house.
Normally that would mean she would speak to her mother about the idea but she knew that would be unnecessary. "Yes, we should speak agian on the matter. Perhaps....in a few weeks. I will be graduating then and returning to the city." She smiled politely but there was a definate gleam of something sinister in her eyes. She had something in mind and it was most likely a bloody one. "But for now I must fletch my arrows. Farewell to you Shrisin Baen'duis." She gave a small but respectful bow and walked off.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 6:00 pm
Shrisin watched Shrilyn walk off with a smile playing on her lips. The day had not turned out as she had anticipated, but she suspected that she would not regret how the trip had turned out. Of course, the meeting could not possibly be in a few weeks, as she would have to return to Gallidurth and would not have free time to go visiting for a while.
Plans were forming in her mind. She would have to be frugal for some time, but it would be worth it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
