Goblin Caravan
Tenebrae - Friday, November 30, 2012, 6:40 PM
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'Goblintown' consists of a dead-end street where a number of poor (and, as the name suggests, goblinoid) residents of the city live. Many of the buildings here have been cobbled together with whatever material was available at the time, often bits of metal and stone stolen from the factories to the north rather than wood. That said, in recent days, many of these temporary structures have been converted to more permanent fixtures, giving the area a less 'shanty' and more 'conventional' appearance, interspersed with the previously impoverished look the place was known for.
The occasional shrine to Reos seems to represent the only 'official' presence in the area, with the City Watch seeming all but invisible here. In their place, there appear to be numerous Arvek and Gobber groups that form a makeshift community watch, giving the sense of wary eyes on every street. From time to time, the symbol of Serriel may be seen as well, though mainly among the Arvek, who oft bear it with pride.
At one point there were few shops here, but now the entire area bristles with brisk trade of things ranging from basic necessities to the more esoteric magical and bits of artificery. It is said that one can find everything they need in Goblintown without having to step foot in another section of the city, and this statement, judging by the activity in this area night and day, may very well hold true.
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Oates Stout human farmboy with genial grin & witty eyes 0s 13m Mikilos Tall male dawn elf, rosey blonde and handsome. 25s 1h
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Craft has arrived.
Word of the Goblin caravan traveled quickly, quicker than Craft could actually find where Snigzofs set up shop. Perhaps because he can't follow the smell of chemicals and cordite. He makes it, though, and immediately begins surveying their wares, and, having been in business long enough to adopt certain habits, finds himself inspecting the arms and armor of their guards, the engineering of all machinery and the reinforcement of any containers storing volatile materials. He finds his way to the scrolls, and stops as he notices one for Titan Fist. He strikes up a conversation in the Gobber tongue, it sounding very technical.
The night is dark, but the caravan is brightly lit with mana lights, electirc sparks, and a few small fires. Thankfully, the vast majority of those fires are supposed to be there. The wagons and stalls continue to bustle, but the noise is muted compared to the press of earlier in the day.
Mikilos stands out from the crowd, in part for towering well over the average goblin, is part of his lack of gadgetry ways, and in part for the dappled sunlight which seems to shine down upon him without any real source. It's an elf thing, just accept it.
The wizard wanders for the moment, peering about with casual curiousity, getting the feel for the place and mentally mapping out possible escape routes should they prove useful. You don't survive a decade of Adventureing without picking up some survival traits.
Oates wanders around, watching the crowds and idly observing the assortment of wares. Sometimes he stops to take a closer look at some of the machinery, watching the truly mechanical parts operate, and now and then he asks a few questions for clarification. Nothing major, just enough to get a better idea of why things work the way they do. He does keep his eyes open for any toolsets, especially those that would be of use to a trapsmith.
Craft continues his conversation for a few moments, and demonstrates his buckler shield, the faintly shimmering wall of force forming over his forearm. The gobber looks at it for a few moments as Craft gestures to another scroll. The gobber eventually gives a nod, and Craft dismisses the shield, resuming his scanning of the scrolls. The faint sense of someone nervous nearby draws magicite eyes up from the scrolls and to Mikilos, the white-blue of his eyes narrowing beneath the goggles as he observes him, which also helps him notice Oates inspecting the engine on one of the carts.
Mikilos isn't nervous, just cautious, there's a diffrence. The vendor who owns the suddenly floating vial of explosive liquid? Now's he's nervous. The string of questions which follow form the elf do little to dispell the nervousness, but it does change in nature. The vial isn't likely to go off, but neither is it likely to sell at the market price. Ah, the fears of merchants.
In time, the elf moves on, the explosives left behind, and a hand is raised in greeting to a familiar face. Well, more the rest of the body than the face, but let's not quibble over details. "Greetings Craft. How are you finding the displays?"
"Huh. So that lever there adjusts how fast those gears go with respect to the main engine," Oates notes in a thoughtful tone. "Wish I'd had something like this when the farm had the pest problem a few years back," he adds with a wistful grin, then shakes his head. "Ah, what's done is done, and I'd like to think that I'm a better man for it." Satisfied with what he's seen, Oates resumes his wandering, drifting in what happens to be the direction of the golem and the elf.
"Good. Much of it is something that I could make myself, but I was looking for inspiration for some new inventions," Craft explains, and gestures to the scrolls as he eyes the floating potions, the goggles flashing briefly before taking on a strange hue.
Mikilos nods in agreement. "Most of this stuff could be built locally, for a better cost than importing it. But I confess are some impressive bits here and there. And of course there are the scrolls. Can never have too many scrolls."
Craft's comment about inspiration for new inventions catches the ear of Oates. Adjusting his angle through the crowd, the farmboy makes his way to the edge of conversational range. "Ah, pardon me, couldn't help but overhear, but if'n you don't mind my asking, what kinds of inventions?" he inquires of Craft. "I know my way around some types of devices, and I'm a quick study and a steady set of hands for the things I'm not as well versed at."
"I'd need to modify them," Craft says of the scrolls, "but they'd at least give me an idea of the forces at play, and how they're meant to work." The farmboy gets the engineer/smith's attention. "Artifice, primarily. Directing magical energies through mechanical means."
Mikilos nods, turning his focus towards Oates as well. "He also forges weapons and armors. Good quality, but plainest stuff you'll ever come across." The elf grins, and extends a handshake. "Mikilos Mithralla, Builder Arcane."
Oates grins and gives Mikilos a firm handshake. "Jack Oates, Trapsmith and Farmer. Can't say that I've much experience with directing magic, but I do have a knack for building things." He tilts his head slightly as he looks at Craft. "A weaponsmith, eh? If you ever need an extra set of hands around the forge, I'd be willing to bring my tools and help. Can't say that I'm the best at it, but I'm a reliable hand at it."
"Not really looking for an apprentice," Craft explains simply. "I..." his metallic voice trails off for a moment, "have very particular standards." He reaches for Oates' hand. "I am Craft, smith, fighter, and artificer."
Mikilos's handshake is solid. Not quite so solid as Crafts, but more than typical for a wizard. "He works inside the forge. It gets.... warm." The elf explains. "I take it you're recently arrived to the city, Mister Oates?"
Oates shakes Craft's hand. "No worries; your forge, your rules," the farmboy smiles genially, then looks over at Mikilos. "Been here a bit over a week. Lively town, and looks like an excellent place to learn new things."
"Adamantine requires high heat," Craft says to Mikilos. "Now that I'm back to working with steel, it is not quite so warm," he explains, and looks back to the others. "What brings you two to the caravan?" he asks, turning at an explosion. Oh, it was just some explosives, nevermind then.
Mikilos hrmms, and nods. "Obvious I havn't visited you in a while. Curiousity, mostly. Though may be a few scrolls to pick up, I havn't desided yet." turning focus to Oates again, he nods. "Vast amount which can be learned. Not all of it plesant, such as the results of GutBombChili. Just remain aware, and should be fine."
The mention of GutBombChili and the implied hazards of consuming said item merit a reaction from Oates that is a mix of disbelief, curiosity, and wariness. "Mostly browsing, seeing what types of devices are here, and watching the people. You'd be surprised what you can learn from simple observation." Glancing over at Mikilos again, curiosity and wariness clearly having defeated disbelief, he asks "Where *is* GutBombChili served? Not sure if I want to sample it or avoid it, but I'd better know where to locate it either way."
"Look for a large, leather Golem, he's probably on his 3rd pot," Craft suggests, a hint of amusement in the metallic voice. He turns and buys a scrolls from the merchant, stuffing it into the pocket of his blacksmith's apron.
Mikilos shrugs. "Most anywhere can find a goblin chef, really. But the Ox tavern specializes. Sometimes. But yeah, Munch, said golem, can likely tell you where to find the most dangerous culinary samples."
"Hmm, might have to consider it one of these days," muses Oates. "Nothing wrong with a calculated risk, in my opinion. Keeps things lively, and is often worth the time, effort, and challenge."
"I don't understand his obsession with taste, personally," Craft says to Mikilos. "Then again, it seems a very organic pursuit." He looks to Oates. "Properly calculated," he agrees.
Mikilos nods, and shrugs. "An indulgance of the sences. Or a sence, anyway. Though in that case I think it's less flavor than material." He nods to Oates. "A calculated risk can certainly be worth the effort. just be sure your calculations are correct."
Oates gives a shrug with a nod. "You do the best with the data that's available, and you adapt as new info arrives. Doesn't mean that you won't be surprised, but at least you'll have something to start from."
Craft nods his metallic head. "Sounds like a good approach," he agrees.
Mikilos nods in agreement. "Naturally, the more starting data, the better. So long as one remembers to eventually actually start, and not just acumulate data indefinantly."
"Sometimes the situation tells you when to start, and sometimes you get to the point when new data is simply of less use than acting on what you already know," Oates nods. "The trick is recognizing when is which."
Craft gives a nod, and looks between the two. "I should get going. It was good seeing you," he says, and nods to Oates. "And meeting you. If you need weapons, come by my store."
Mikilos nods to Craft. "I should get back to the lab as well. Latest project should be done soaking. A pleasure meeting you, Mister Oates."
Oates nod to them both. "Likewise, and I'll keep your store in mind, Craft. Might be in the market for a heavy crossbow soon, but not sure when."
Craft nods his head, and then turns to slip off, returning to whence he came.
Mikilos nods, and murmurs an arcane phrase. A moment later, the wizard blinks and disappears.
No, he's just invisible. He's not powerful enough to teleport yet, but you have to start building these rumors early.
Oates gives the two a quick wave, then resumes wandering through the caravan market, observing people and examining devices.