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 Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2020 10:53 am
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Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2020 10:50 am
[340/300]
Seth knew his calling well before he ever stepped into the blacksmith's shop. He came from a long line of blacksmith families, all part of the Sector of Safety. Well known for their skill, his family focused specifically on metal bending. They were proud of their heritage, having developed a secret style of metal bending that was passed down from father to son. It was a well kept secret, as many family members didn't have more than one child.
Seth was proud of his heritage, having grown up hearing stories from his grandmother and grandfather while his father, uncle, and cousins began to take up the craft in the forge. Naturally, as soon as he was old enough to safely wield a hammer, he was out banging on cold steel behind the house.
They were smart enough not to let him near the fires.
He was proud to watch his family work, and would peek in when permitted to observe a little closer. As the world continued to grow thanks to the lightning technology benders in Hafelle, Seth was more determined to pick up the craft and ensure that the family craft would continue to live on.
Seth was always quiet, and didn't mind being set in his ways as his focus stuck to the blacksmith job. He refused to join in supporting the development of gunsteel. He holds pride in the quality of work and renown his family has.
As he finally got old enough to step into the forge and begin working on the simple tasks assigned to him, he was eager to be taught the family secret for crafting the most balanced blades (in their opinion) in the land. Still, they demanded he learn the basics as he was still quite young, and Seth kept quiet and focused on his tasks as always.
Because at the end of the day, Seth really just wanted to make a name for himself and his family, possibly by creating great weapons the bards will sing about over generations to come.
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Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2020 10:51 am
Coming Together WE
Sethaeus recalled the first time he heard about the cotenant across the sea. The researchers from the academy had been examining the island in the distance, too far across the water for them to reach by ship without a secure path. So when they developed the flying ships, many were excited to explore the isle and see if any other earthlings inhabited the shores. Seth, instead, was more focused on his most recent homework from his father...perfecting the temperatures depending on the metal he wanted to work. So when the ship left, he was at home in the workshop, ignoring the hustle to enjoy his freedom and silence.
When they returned after an apparent crash landing, bringing back earthlings and bug-people alike, Seth took a moment to acknowledge that there were people before getting back to work. He had too much to do as a helper to worry about the great big world. He had a craft to begin mastering, and he was determined to do so in a quick manner.
Over the years that followed, Seth wished he could become an actual apprentice. He was young, sure, but that didn't mean he wasn't ready. He sacrificed so much to get far, only to be told to be patient. To wait it out. That soon, it would be time, but for now he needed to just focus on his schooling and get ready for the full-time job when he was of age.
So, Seth didn't really notice when more visitors from across the waters came to visit. He didn't notice how they would explore, settle, or attempt to join in with the life around them. He only noticed when they arrived to make purchases, noting the differences depending on each new customer in order to recall who made the order.
Some had long ears, longer than any he had seen, with sandy skin or blue skin. The blue skinned customers caught him off guard with their bright eyes. Then there were the ones that looked almost Geian, but had bright red hair and eyes. They were a bit gruff, but easy to manage. Finally, the ones with the bug-eyes were the most startling. They were women who were taller than any earthling he had met, with a warrior spirit and keen interest to evaluate his family's weapons. Some made purchases, but most just looked around and moved on. Seth would grit his teeth for them, mostly because it felt like an insult on his family.
Eventually, the news calmed down enough that the newcomers were casual visitors, regulars even, and the gossip faded. That was until news came around that another island had been discovered. His family was quite keen to learn what they could, but Seth continued to work. His friends would come visit and tell him that these newcomers were different...they breathed and lived underwater of all places. Seth was curious, but let it pass just the same.
However he couldn't escape the gossip and began to wonder. If they lived underwater, did that mean they couldn't use metal? Metal tended to rust and weaken when submerged, but he had found swords in lakes generations later. Maybe they did use them for things beside fighting, since they apparently were peaceful traders. For a moment he actually considered the idea of living with them, since they seemed to operate at the same pace he himself enjoyed. But his family legacy was too important to pass on, and so he just shrugged and continued to work.
The rumors faded and none of the water breathers visited his workshop since they were discovered. Much of the news of Tendaji faded to Seth. He wasn't super interested in the world with where he needed to focus. His goals were his own, and even if he wanted to explore more of Tendaji, it would only get in the way of establishing his legacy. He needed to do so much in order to become an apprentice in the eyes of his father and family, and had little time for gossip and suppositions that many of his friends focused on. As a result, he found himself slowly fading from those circles, losing friends when he ignored and brushed them off. It didn't really bother him, as he knew he would eventually grow out of that group when he finally began to work at the blacksmith. So with the stories, rumors, and life in Tendaji, Seth let it continue to fade in the background and he focused on his work and future.
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Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2020 10:51 am
Whole New World WE
Seth was leading a cart toward the market, making sure the new pack animal was behaving moreso than focusing on the path ahead. This Quhar was a recent import across the ships that finally could travel between Belrea and Tendaji. It was the top pack animal of the 'mainland', known for it's strength and dependability. Seth was hesitant, as always with change, so he made sure that it did well with the heavier than normal delivery to one of the vendors Valmon.
As he successfully delivered all of the orders on behalf of his family, he took a small break to allow the creature to get water and food. Unfortunately, the stable he choose to stop in was near the marketplace, and so many other travelers were sitting around gosspiing about the latest state of Tendaji. Seth rolled his eyes and focused on tending to the animal.
"I hear there's one of those water breathers here...first time they made it across the sea." Someone was speaking loudly about as they cleaned a stall.
"What do you mean?" Another asked, and Seth shook his head. It was pretty obvious what he meant.
"Idiot...I mean that a water breather took the ship from Kahikina and is checking out the city. Using some sort of spell or something to stay hydrated...but has been sleeping in tubs or something like that..."
Seth snorted. Water breathers needing to sleep underwater, who would have thought? The Quhar seemed keen and content, and so Seth stepped back and left the stables for the evening. He paid enough to trust his creature would be there in the morning, and so he walked ahead toward his inn. He needed to sleep and rest, traveling tired and with commissions was not ideal even in the peaceful Belrea.
Ahead, he saw a crowd of younglings pointing toward one of the many fountains. There, in the sunlight seemed to shine a creature with scales and finned ears. At first, he thought it might be one of those Matori, but soon enough he realized why so many people were studying the creature. It was a water breather.
The younglings were giggling and gaping, whereas many of the academy-hopefuls were watching and studying the creature's movements and actions. Seth leaned against the wall, knowing that with the density of the crowd he wouldn't make it across the clearing without a struggle. He wasn't feeling like human interaction, so he just watched and let the scene unfold. It's not like he was interested, or so he told himself in his mind.
The Kahikinan was smiling at the younglings, beckoning them closer before stepping into the fountain. It's skin was covered in a layer of water so the scale and texture looked like a wet fish. It's hair flattened and the ombre became more apparent. And finally, it moved into the water fully and seemed to speak and breath to the children while submerged. The younglings laughed and giggled at the scene, moving to the edge of the fountain and looking in, some reaching out to the water as if they wanted to touch it.
Eventually, Academy Members arrived and rushed forward to speak with the Kahikinan, no doubt to offer it a place to stay so they could learn more first hand. The sight of their coats rushing through the crowd caused many of the viewers to finally move away, realizing the show was over. The younglings whined and pouted but were eventually led away, accepting that the fun was over and it was time to go home. Seth finally saw the opening he needed and moved through the thinning crowd toward the inn. He knew he'd have to talk about this experience with his family. His mother would want to know more about it, and his father would wonder what types of items the creature carried so he could sell them weapons. Seth simply wanted to get some rest before heading back home.
As he prepared for bed, Seth thought back to the sight of the Kahikinan. Tall, willowy, submerged in water it looked like a statue. He shook his head, uninterested in it and not wanting to think any more. He had a long trip ahead of him, and keeping himself awake wondering how a creature could breathe underwater was no way to get well rested. Beside, if one was here, it meant more were coming. Eventually, one would find its way to their blacksmith and his family would be able to ask all the questions they had.
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Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2020 10:52 am
Bug Island WE
Seth was taking a break from the tasks he was assigned in the family workshop. Being the youngest of the 'oldest', he was still a bit of an errand boy when it came to work. Sure, he was able to do simple tasks like preliminary shape metal and tools, but beyond that he still had a lot to learn from his family before he was trusted with the skills of his heritage.
Not that he minded, he knew hard work would pay off, but that didn't make him any less anxious to get to work. He felt like he was ready, even if his family continued to send him off on a youngling's errand.
Today, he was busy picking up leather and metals for the tools. He was back in the market, a place many recognized him from as he often traded and dropped off orders, so they understood he wasn't one to talk. He was efficient in getting in and out and back to the workshop.
"Hey Sethy!" Another Geian called out, polishing a pistol as she grinned across the clearing, "Picking up more leather?"
He nodded with a low hello at the girl he grew up with, an old friend who was following the ways of the lightning and learning how to build the metal used in such weapons. He understood why she did it, but didn't quite agree as he was raised on the art of blades and other 'ancient' tools.
"Did you hear the news? They say that some of those bug-girls are setting up shop across the sea on the islet."
He paused from grabbing his order to turn to the girl, his brow furrowed, "What do you mean?" He asked in response, curious enough to strike conversation.
"Oh, you know..." she leaned in slowly, a grin crossing her features having caught his attention, "Those big girls with the black eyes and antennae came across one of the air ships. There was a mass of them, packed as if they wanted to stay awhile. Not like the onesies that would come visit from time to time..."
The girl pulled back to wave to someone passing by, before turning back to her audience, "Spent some time scouting before they claimed the isle. Wont let anyone near by. Some say they even saw them clearing a space for a big-tree they want to plant like the one over in Tendaji. It's wild. We might have some new neighbors..."
His friend paused before letting out a laugh, "They love spears, so you might have some new customers soon!"
Seth didn't laugh, but when did he?
He wasn't really the laughing type, after all, nor the slacking type. He said farewell to his friend, grabbed the heavy packages and headed home. As he went back, he realized many of the locals were speaking about these bug neighbors. Some were excited, like the younglings who wanted to see and learn more, where others were hesitant. Even the lightning folk were a bit slow to embrace the opportunity. Did they come in peace, or did they want to start a war like they allegedly did years before.
Seth didn't know the whole story, but it did give him pause. His friend wasn't wrong...if a new tribe was settling it, it did mean new customers they could work with. But his family was strict in that they never built their weapons to fuel a war. Sure they couldn't control everything, but they wouldn't help someone take over, so he wouldn't help the Alkidikes did so on their island. If they wanted to stick to their little isle off on the sea, set their roots and become functioning neighbors, who was he to push them away?
After all, he wasn't part of the Sector of Safety. He was simply a blacksmith looking to continue his family's legacy.
As he dropped off the supplies to his father and uncle, he was pulled aside by his cousin to gossip some more. Seth found it a bit unbearable, the cool air biting his skin as he would rather be sweating in the workshop. He didn't mind his cousin, they were of the same cut, but gossip wouldn't get their jobs done. He tolerated it before taking the first opportunity to clean and buff the most recent orders, happy to do the grunt work if it meant getting away from the distractions of 'bug island'. Beside, he assumed that this topic wouldn't go away for a long time yet.
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Posted: Thu Dec 24, 2020 8:39 pm
Class Choice Solo
[ Seth finally has the opportunity to be recognized as an apprentice in his family's smithy. The moment has arrived...but he finds himself lacking. What does this mean for his journey? ]
"Congratulations, Son."
Seth felt a heavy hand slam on his shoulder as he ate his breakfast, almost causing him to choke on his food. Swallowing, he turned to look up at his father with a slightly frustrated, questioning gaze.
"Oh don't give me that look. I bring good news! It's time for you to start the next phase of your training. Congratulations, you're officially going to be an apprentice!"
His cousin from across the table grinned, echoing his father in the celebration and raising his glass in a toast. Seth felt his cheeks flush before a grin covered his cheeks, a rare sight that many didn't see.
"Seriously?" He asked, sounding like a joyful youngling. It felt like it had been decades since he began working in the shop as a helper, finishing up small tasks and mostly running deliveries. Becoming and apprentice meant he'd finally get a chance to work metal, "You're going to teach me the ways of our family?"
His father's hand squeezed his shoulder before releasing it, "Eventually, yes. For now we'll teach you the ways of a blacksmith. It'll take years, decades maybe before you master the art...and then decades more before you master our family secret. You know this is a long journey, son, but we're glad to finally bring you into the fold."
His uncle walked in, and another round of celebrations occurred. His mother brought out a new apron, his grandmother a new pair of work gloves. His father and uncle gave him a tool belt and his cousin a new hammer. He left the breakfast feeling like a new man, and yet as he sat down in his room he felt a little...empty? Disappointed? Words couldn't describe how he felt. He knew he should be happy, he was waiting for the day to finally arrive where he'd become an apprentice...but he thought it would be like an evolution to a new state. He still felt like the same Seth, with a new shiny bow but still the same. He didn't feel smarter, wiser, or stronger. Just more...burdened.
The journey suddenly felt so much longer, so much rougher. He knew it was a battle, but he thought he'd be farther by now. Taking a deep breath, he began to put the new items on from his family, looking at the family crest stitched in the gloves and apron. Their weight was heavy, but they also meant more. They meant responsibility, they meant legacy. Seth lifted his chin and set his shoulders. He had no doubt on what he wanted to become, and the disappointment was merely a stone in his path. He would step over it, leave it behind to forget about as he trudged on. He would build the legacy before him, build on his family's name and make sure they lasted for generations to come.
It was his role, his responsibility, and he was ready to take it on - after all, his family trusted him to finally become an Apprentice and he would not let them down.
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Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2023 2:28 pm
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Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2023 2:30 pm
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Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2023 2:31 pm
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Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2023 2:31 pm
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