May Catch-All and Quests | Forge Grand Opening

[forgeabettertomorrow]

🧙 WHO: Darin Altway and You
⚔️️ WHAT: Grand Opening of his forge and May Quests
🕒 WHEN: Throughout May
🗺️ WHERE: All over
⚠️ WARNINGS: None

A -Announcement- Network

[Darin is excitedly fiddling with his device. When he thinks he's got a good frame, he steps back.]

So, it's been a few months since I dropped in here but after a lot of work, I've finally done it!

[He steps aside to show a store-front constructed into the side of a very pictureesque hillock. The sign on the side of the road leading up to the front door reads "Forge Ahead."]

Today marks the grand opening of 'Forge Ahead' my dream made reality! And speaking of dreams, I'm putting out this call to make some of yours come true! Need equipment? Has your gear seen better days? Looking for a gift for a special someone? How about some expertly crafted tools? Well, Forge Ahead is here for you! And if there's any aspiring craftsmen, mana researchers, or engineers that are looking for employment, I've got more than enough space to accommodate! I'm looking forward to seeing everyone who comes out!

B -At The Forge-

[Just like the announcement said, Forge Ahead is located just outside of Camelot, built into a picturesque hillock so as not to take away from the beauty of Avalon. Already the sound of hammer on anvil can be heard ringing out from within, and when you walk through the large, oaken door a magical chime rings throughout the shop. Darin happily looks up from his work and hurries over to greet you.]

Welcome to Forge Ahead where we always look forward to your ideas! I'm Darin Altway, Master Blacksmith. What can I do for you today?

C -No Buccaing Out-

[Honestly, monster exterminating quests were beginning to be Darin's jam. They paid well, they gave him valuable experience and training, and more often than not he'd find some interesting raw materials he could use for his smithy. Besides, it was his motto that the more people he helped, the more he got his name out there. When looking to secure supplies, being known as dependable was just as good as being rich.]

[So, he's out on the edge of the Silent Shore in swim trunks; his dao strapped to his back and a bottle of underwater breathing potion in-hand.]

Before we decide on drinks this, maybe we should determine who can hold their breath longer. I've done some diving in the past but...who knows how far down these things are. Thoughts?

D -Holo, Goodbye-

[Darin was not one to deny someone their dying wish. Back home, he'd done so much for the elderly in his town that they'd actually come to rely on him. He was determined to make this trip along with anyone who would walk with him.]

Let's see...according to the map we should be coming up on the...

...Oh wow.

[He stops overlooking the river. The sight is unlike anything he's ever seen; rainbows arcing all over and stones glittering along the shores and in the river itself. It almost looks like there's gems literally springing to the surface, enriching the water with glitter and treasure.]

...This is beautiful...

-Wildcard-

[Got something else you want to do? Go ahead and start a prompt! Or, if you want, hit me up with a DM, on discord, or on plurk at bitterbearface

Comments

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Don't give me any ideas]

I need to assess the damage first. And source materials.

Did you get this weapon in Avalon or did you bring it with you?

[worldsokayestdad]

[do it you coward]

It arrived here with me. It's a fairly old blade, but I believe it's a simple high carbon steel.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[NO KRATOS NO]

Do you have any sentimental attachment to it?

[worldsokayestdad]

No, not particularly.

[It's just a regular sword, bro. He gave his fancy one to his son.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Great.

[He throws it into the fire.]

I'm making you a new one.

[worldsokayestdad]

[Oh.

Well, okay then.]

...I take it the blade was irreparable?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

No, it was crap.

I'm going to make you a better one that you have to promise to take care of.

[worldsokayestdad]

That blade has served me well for a very long time, I'll have you know.

[And your ass just threw it right into the fire. What a dick.]

Either way, I didn't ask you to make me a new sword.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Darin thumbs at the fire.]

You're welcome to go get that one back then?

[worldsokayestdad]

[Oh, is this what we're doing now?

Kratos raises a hand toward the flame,

and puts it out with a blast of water because he has elemental magic, you fuck.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!

YOU DON'T DOUSE A FORGE'S FLAME, YOU INCONSIDERATE JACKASS!!

[worldsokayestdad]

[Unfazed by Darin's outburst, Kratos retrieves his sword.]

You presented a challenge. I overcame it.

[Eat shit. The good news is, Kratos made that water, so he can unmake it. The water quickly evaporates away and he relights the forge with a snap of his fingers.]

Now, if you're finished slinging insults at me, I would like to speak with your manager.

[Of course Kratos would be the town Karen.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Oh, you want to see the manager?

Hold on. I'll get the manager.

[Darin walks into a back room.]

[Then returns wearing a different smock.]

Yes, 'ello, I am-a de manager~

[worldsokayestdad]

Wonderful.

[I mean, it's kind of funny, but Kratos has no sense of humor that he's aware of. So, he returns his sword to it's sheath and just turns to leave, clearly he's wasting his time.]

I'll be taking my business elsewhere.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Good luck finding a smith with access to the materials I have and can forge something comparable in quality.

I worked for one of the blacksmiths in town before I opened my own place. I doubled his output in the time I was there and personally guaranteed each piece was masterwork in quality.

You won't find someone in Avalon that can do the work I can.

[worldsokayestdad]

[God, is he serious right now? Kratos does pause and look over his shoulder, but he doesn't look like he's all that convinced to stick around.]

If you want my business so badly that you'd put down the other blacksmiths in town, then surely you can spare a moment to apologize for your unprofessionalism.

[Seriously. Kratos had just asked to have his sword repaired, and then this dick said that it could be repaired, pitched the sword into the fire without asking anyway, and insulted a potential customer. Way to run a business, ASS.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[It's his business and he can run it however he wants, also Kratos is also a dick so screw him.]

It's not about 'business.' You think I care about money? If I did, I'd be sucking up to you left and right.

No, it's about saving lives. Any smith worth his hammer knows he takes the lives of his clients in his hands when he forges a piece. I do what I do to keep people safe. With strong armor and peerless weaponry that won't fail you when your life is on the line.

Any smith that's in this trade for coin is an insult to the forge and the fire that burns within.

So if you want one of those smiths, be my guest. But you can't tell me that there isn't someone out there who would be heartbroken if a sourpuss like you got his ass slain by a monster.

[worldsokayestdad]

[I mean yes Kratos is a dick, but Darin was a dick to him first in this case, so basically everything is Darin's fault.

Speaking of Kratos, he is not at all impressed by Darin's noble little speech thing. He does turn back to Darin and cross his arms while he listens, but uuuuuh, nope. Not a single apology for insulting him and throwing his wolf sword into the fire. Lloyd would have probably thought this guy was cool as hell, but Kratos is very much done here.]

Humph. The only person that might apply to is someone I'll never see again anyway. Despite my best efforts, I've lasted this long with the equipment I already have, so I may as well continue to take my chances.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

How do you know you won't see them again? Wasn't aware 'future-sight' was a school of magic here.

[worldsokayestdad]

That's no concern of yours.

[It's because he peaced out and went to SPACE. but that's also none of Darin's business.]

If that's all, then I'll be on my way.

[He's going to try that LEAVING thing again. He's too old for this shit, man.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

You seriously don't care, do you.

I thought it was weird you seemed so disaffected when we were dealing with dragons but you seriously don't seem to care about your own life.

[worldsokayestdad]

[Or maybe he's just fed up with this because Darin doesn't know how to say "SORRY I WAS A DICK".

I mean even so, Darin is absolutely right, but Kratos isn't about to say so. He glances over his shoulder at Darin, before turning back to the door with a small shrug.]

If that's the conclusion you want to draw after two brief encounters, then be my guest.

[He keeps saying he's leaving, now he's gonna do it for real. He opens that door and he's heading outside, BYE LOSER.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[NOPE, DARIN IS RUNNING AFTER YOU NOW. AND HE'S PLANTING HIMSELF FIRMLY IN YOUR PATH.]

Two encounters, maybe, but I've got an eye for people.

...The wear and tear on your sword...

It makes sense now.

...Look, this might sound like an odd request but...please let me service your gear.

I won't charge.

[worldsokayestdad]

[oh my god what is this dipshit's problem? ???? Naturally, Kratos stops when some lumbering goofball abruptly appears in front of him, but he quickly steps to the side in an attempt to get around him. Barely ten feet out the door and this fucking guy, man]

I told you that this is an old blade, of course it's going to have wear and tear on it. Why would I give it back to you to service? Last time you threw it into a fire.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

And I'm sorry for that, but I didn't realize until now that the reason your sword is so screwed up is because you're putting yourself through an even worse wringer.

Just...let me fix it up for you. If, afterwards, you don't want to come back, that's fine.