Runeforging One's Way (Aeros)

The Umbrium is the lower half and secondary seat of the Solunarian Capital and one of the dual-cities that comprises Solunarium Proper. Before the rise of Aværys, mining revealed the site of a ruined, underground city which they dubbed Oblitium “The Forgotten City”, the foundations of which were incorporated into what is now The Umbrium. Warmed by the magma that churns just behind the walls, the Umbrium houses the Palatium Umbrarum (The Shadow Palace) which was constructed directly beneath its sunlit counterpart, the Blazing Palace. This palace serves as the primary seat of government when the sovereign is moonborn, and houses the headquarters of The Silver Sentinels.

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User avatar
Aardwalden
Posts: 43
Joined: Fri Sep 02, 2022 12:35 pm
Title: The Stone Man
Location: Solunarium / South Ecith
Character Sheet: viewtopic.php?t=3650
Character Secrets: viewtopic.php?t=3660

TIMESTAMP: Ash 2nd, 122
NOTES: -
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The Under-Forge, Sanctine District

Opening to a quiet stir of whispers, the Under-Forge had seen a scarce few clientele since the doors opened. Mainly, wandering elves and vastians in search of creative inspiration, to feel for Aardwalden’s prices, and competitors that covertly scoped the establishment to gauge his worth no doubt beneath his nose.

The workshop was off limits to the public, but those Aardwalden took on to train could see more than the quaint shop at the fore, which anyone could peruse. On display up front were replicas of prior projects, swords and raiments of old dwarven filigree made of mundane metals. Even staves of such, showing the art of his metalworking without need for the risking of his artifacts.

Within the shop was a desk at the far end, the granite stone floor polished to a reflective shine. The entirety of the place was dark with the rock, and where gold glimmered in gleamed in contrast.

Merethyl and Vik, Aardwalden’s apprentices, quietly debated an aesthetic opinion between themselves. Together, the three of them had delivered a simple structural enhancement of a loved one’s locket, something that only took a pair of days. They were still in talks with other clients, who often had grand visions and desires which took more than a single meeting to express, often necessitating travel to their home.

So far, not a soul had asked for a weapon. Such requests as “Can you make this brazier burn forever with a green flame? Will you make for me a lightshow as I play my music?” often balked at the pricing they were faced with and scurried away. The more patient customers seemed to know what went into Runeforging.

The project Aardwalden now had involved composing a mural from Illumyte, given depth by elaborate golden filigree behind the light. He was no painter, but he was given a canvas for which to work from, and the unique challenge of converting painted paper to visualized light, planning his layers of filigree. The first few days of the project would no doubt require constructing the base grate of solid gold, for which he had already purchased from a reputable seller here in the Sanctine District.

“Aard,” said Merethyl. “Tell me, is this Mirror correct? We cannot agree.”

Aardwalden turned from his workstation, and peered down upon her scrawled paper at the halfmoon drawn there. “The make isn’t mine own, but it should serve its function. Yours, I presume?”

“Vik’s,” said Merethyl.

Vik appeared from behind her, his antennae twitching as he wrote upon some parchment there upon his hand in a clipboard, then presented it. ”I believe this shape better fits my hand.

Aardwalden shrugged. “Experiment. There is no best way. Be safe and use minor Dragonshards, however!”

Vik and Merethyl seemed content with the answer, then turned to quietly bicker as they studied Scrivening more, already off on their own experiment at a nearby workstation.

Aardwalden saw in his vision a figure lurking in the shop, and moved to greet them. “Welcome to the Under-Forge!” he decried, popping his head out. Aard had on a rather standard merchant’s vest and a white tunic beneath, glossy shoes tapping on the floor with the weight of his heavy, short body.

Shutting the door behind him, he stood in full austerity by his desk. “We have a catalogue of our products there on the table. Fine dwarven craftsmanship, and Runeforged wares; art, arms, and armor! Feel free to peruse, and I am around if you have any questions.” The standing tablet had each of the products and their worrisome prices, but never a say on the time or if they were immediately available.

Aardwalden had a seat behind the desk, and shut his eyes in thought. There was so much to do, and so little time.
- - -
word count: 698
User avatar
Aeros
Posts: 523
Joined: Thu Sep 01, 2022 2:18 am
Location: Solunarium
Character Sheet: viewtopic.php?t=3625
Plot Notes: viewtopic.php?t=3636
Character Secrets: viewtopic.php?t=3644

TIMESTAMP: -
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When you’re a lush with shifty work hours, you often find yourself wandering in your free time. Well, either that or curled up in a corner somewhere half conscious because you also take way too many other mysterious substances in combination with the alcohol. Oh, how sad it is to watch a man circle the drain, but how strange it is to watch him continue to exist in that vortex just above the drain, never falling in. For what? For why? Perhaps it was a quirk of his Fæ-ethalan biology, or perhaps he was just lucky, but nonetheless, he continued his questionable behavior day after day after day.

For Æros, today was one such day. He dared not to cross Umbrium’s threshold and show his face in Luxium, not for any sort of reputation-related reason but rather because…he wasn’t the biggest fan of the desert climate into which he was born. As a member of the Winter Court, his blood was quite weak to the heat. It’s not as if his parents cursed him with this weak constitution for the climate on purpose, however. He was, after all, a mistake; the young man was born from an affair his mother had with a traveler. They did not intend for such a thing to produce offspring, but all the same, his mother found herself to be with child only shortly after his departure. In Solunarium, having children was always seen as a choice. Should she have chosen to do so, she could have passed on the idea of having a Winter Færie’s child, but…she didn’t. Her reason was curiosity and curiosity alone. The Fæ were so very strange and wild– what would her baby be like?

Well, the result was a disaster, but it’s not as if she were blessed with the abilities to divine that future. And, well, arguably, him being as he is…one could blame her. For it was through her extremely poor example that he was raised with rough hands and callous words; she and his greater family didn’t handle him with the care he required and consequently…oops, they broke him.

Such as it was, such was the nature of life.

Æros wandered past a Runeforger’s shop known as the Under-Forge several times since he’d come down to live here, but he’d never actually entered. In his stupor, he figured, why not go and look? Some…rather sympathetic members of his family still funneled money to him, after all, so it’s not as if he couldn’t afford such luxuries should he have the desire for one. With his decision made, he wandered into the store and found himself looking at what was currently on display.

Then, his attention was caught by a voice. Loud enough to snap him from his thoughts, it was, but when he looked around, he saw…nothing? In his confusion, he followed the man’s voice when he piped up again, and ended up looking far lower than he expected to. The shopkeeper was…a statue? Was he…a golem? Made to be an attendant by the shop’s master…? Or…was this a sentient thing? Maybe a gnome? Oh, how so very novel!

With a slight cant to his head and expression of intrigue, he addressed the little stone man. “My, how I wish I came in here sooner…something as exquisitely crafted as you must have a gift for this line of work, I assume?” Æros chuckled, but he did possess a genuine curiosity about the being before him.

Anything other than humans and elves were rare in Solunarium, of this he knew well. He was treated as exactly as much of a rarity as this little one before him, he imagined.
- - -

'Thoughts'
"Vallenor Tongue/Speech"
"Vastien Tongue/Speech"
"Valasren Tongue/Speech"
"Common Tongue/Speech"
word count: 762

Say goodnight, to the weakness that you hide behind
Leaving the lies, leaving the fear inside
Never once were you truly alive
So scream all you like, no one can hear you


Soul laid bare,
User avatar
Aardwalden
Posts: 43
Joined: Fri Sep 02, 2022 12:35 pm
Title: The Stone Man
Location: Solunarium / South Ecith
Character Sheet: viewtopic.php?t=3650
Character Secrets: viewtopic.php?t=3660

TIMESTAMP: Ash Xth, 122
NOTES: -
- - -

By now, Aardwalden was well used to the mix of reactions his constiution drew from others, and he watched Æros’ attention set upon him in a way that was one of the more favorable outcomes. His still, weighted face crackled as the stones of his lips shifted, and he smiled with welcome.

Hands behind his back, Aardwalden stood straighter as the man examined him, and he in turn peered up at the strange fellow who was so dressed like the nobility of these parts, and of a complexion befitting these dark halls of stone.

To yield Æros an answer, Aard brought attention to the palm of his hand. Within his palm, aether bubbled from his skin and coalesced to stone, with the love and care of his craft giving shape to a glowing quartz. A Lodestone of decent size and strength, empty of any spell for the moment. “I leave that for my customers to decide. The satisfaction of my clients is more important to me than touting my skill.” Touching his finger to the crystal, he called to the air around him, feeding its stillness to a harsh rage that he whipped upon his finger and set to the stone, the air visibly rippling by his finger with the power of that finely condensed gale.

Lifting the crystal up to his eyes, he turned it around in his hands, gazing into its swirling depths. “This blade of wind can be strewn into a stave and commanded, or even a less conspicuous ring upon your finger. I could spread its pathways open to knock another off their feet, spread it over a pair of insoles to help you walk the air, or cut them by squeezing it further into the thickness of a blade. I could do the same with fire, water, or stone. Some may even ask for molten magma, glass, or a desert storm.” There was a wonder in his eyes, every word genuine as he delighted in the possibilities. “Versed in working with several Dragonshards, and able to impart any brought through my door. My apprentices and I can fulfill almost any order within reason.” He motioned to the table, where the catalogue stood. “If you can afford our prices, that is.”

Having made his pitch, Aardwalden closed his fist and saluted with a stony thud clacking against his heart, bowing slightly where he stood. A decidedly dwarven gesture.
- - -
word count: 455
User avatar
Aeros
Posts: 523
Joined: Thu Sep 01, 2022 2:18 am
Location: Solunarium
Character Sheet: viewtopic.php?t=3625
Plot Notes: viewtopic.php?t=3636
Character Secrets: viewtopic.php?t=3644

TIMESTAMP: -
NOTES: -
► Show Spoiler
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Oh, this little stone man was so very charming! From his mannerisms to simply how he moved, he was far more than only a little novel. Æros found him fascinating and wondered in the direction of his origins. Was he crafted? If so, how do you…craft sentience? If not…then what?

The Færie found himself just as enamored with the little man’s magical display as he was with his appearance. Elementalism had always been near the top of the list of additional runes he wanted, currently holding a very close tie with Semblance. The applications thereof were endless, it felt like. With a curious cant to his head, Æros watched as the shopkeeper infused the Lodestone with a spell imbued with the element of wind.

“My, how versatile those little things are. I always forget that Elementalists can make their own little dragonshards, huh? Must be nice to source at least some of your own resources in that regard.” The half-elf sounded just as enthusiastic with the myriad options as the stone man did. Much as he was had been feeling listless and apathetic, magic and crafts derivative thereof never failed to spark his interest.

The little salute registered in his head as…maybe Dwarve? He’d been taught a cursory amount about Dwarves, but that was some time ago and, well, he’d certainly never met one at any point prior.

“No need to worry about price, I don’t think. I’d have to buy a veritable hoard of dragonshards to bankrupt myself, far as I can tell. However…I came in as more of a wanderer; I don’t have anything in particular in mind.” Æros paused, bringing a hand to his chin in thought. “Have you made anything interesting of late? Personal projects you’re fond of? Maybe I’ll be able to make a decision as I familiarize myself with a bit more of the magic's nuance.”

That, and not being a Runeforger himself, his own concepts, he imagined, would be limited compared to what somebody more familiar with the craft could come up with.
- - -

'Thoughts'
"Vallenor Tongue/Speech"
"Vastien Tongue/Speech"
"Valasren Tongue/Speech"
"Common Tongue/Speech"
word count: 476

Say goodnight, to the weakness that you hide behind
Leaving the lies, leaving the fear inside
Never once were you truly alive
So scream all you like, no one can hear you


Soul laid bare,
User avatar
Aardwalden
Posts: 43
Joined: Fri Sep 02, 2022 12:35 pm
Title: The Stone Man
Location: Solunarium / South Ecith
Character Sheet: viewtopic.php?t=3650
Character Secrets: viewtopic.php?t=3660

TIMESTAMP: Ash Xth, 122
NOTES: -
- - -

While Aardwalden initially assumed the elf must be of Fae’ethalan descent, and thus not of royal lineage, the man’s proclamation of wealth left the gnome to blink in errant surprise. Perhaps he was Ex Rae’ha, or even one of the Duces? “My Dominus - when the markets despair you with shortages, being an Elementalist is very vital, and the conversation I hold with the elements affords me a very special connection to my work.” His fingers squeezed down around the Shard, and he tucked it away. “But this is just a small part of the science concerning my trade.”

The gnome had projects - that much was certain - but few of these were what he would call ‘personal’. Commissioned work was his mainstay, and much of that was bound to secrecy. “Unfortunately, I only take on commercial work, and those projects are not something I am privileged to share as my clients appreciate discretion. If you enrolled wtih us as an apprentice and signed an agreement of non-disclosure, I could offer more insights. However, I am happy to share with you more about my trade,” he told the noble. In truth, having a noble apprentice would do wonders to bolster his popularity among the elves. There were already two fae working beneath him. What was one more?

Aard began again with a deep, introspective stir of his thoughts and words. “My apprentices must work hard to study at least one trade beyond Runeforging itself, however. We work the ore into such shapes as thread for garments - tailoring and the like - or we shape it into jewelry, arms, and armor, even furnishings and decorum. I once admired the work of a gnome who fashioned Runeforged paints to create art with such depth that it could only be fully described in Pictographical terms.”

Raising a finger to the ceiling above, he exemplified his point. “The Umbrium houses a cultural nexus teeming with art, music, and a powerful governance with no shortage of wealthy clientele. Our products serve such interests of the legionnaires, collectors, duelists, artists, gladiators, miners, even the various organizations of this land. I could reinforce the identity of a blade to be so hard, and so sharp that it would need to be matched by Runeforged work or the defensive spells of a mage.” Aardwalden spoke with such reverence for his work. This was a true gnome at heart, an industrious creature who knew his Calling and pursued it with endless fervor.
- - -
word count: 467
User avatar
Aeros
Posts: 523
Joined: Thu Sep 01, 2022 2:18 am
Location: Solunarium
Character Sheet: viewtopic.php?t=3625
Plot Notes: viewtopic.php?t=3636
Character Secrets: viewtopic.php?t=3644

TIMESTAMP: -
NOTES: -
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The half-Starbon looked upon the stone gnome with an expression bearing both intense curiosity and fascination. Elementalism was a rune he’d always held a fondness for, and given its applications, he understood the pertinence of being able to hold one’s magic in a crafting material. Realistically, Æros wanted the rune more for its majesty and to commune with the elements as opposed to using it for that purpose, but nonetheless, he held great respect for world magic practitioners.

With an interested tilt to his head, “...is that an offer? I feel as if I’d be a fool to decline to learn beneath you, provided there’s space in your roster. My time is…quite open of late, and given my fondness for the arcane, fostering skills relating to Runeforging, I think, would be a worthwhile endeavor.”

Though he would likely view it as more of a hobby than a trade, he spoke with genuine respect for the rocky little shopkeeper, voice filled with utter delight at the prospect.

Responding to the next thing he'd said, “Ah, that makes sense. To be able to craft the items which one will end up forging does sound distinctly more efficient than having to procure everything from another source. The painter you mentioned has me intrigued; it is a shame that he’s not here alongside you. Scrivening is of interest, too.” Æros spoke musingly, no shortage of enthusiasm woven brightly into his words.

The purity of the gnome’s wonder prevented anything he said about his own work from sounding arrogant. He spoke with reverence for the craft itself, the magic that facilitated it, and the power his creations could wield, all with the respect each thing deserved. It was so very charming; Æros found himself enchanted with the idea of working underneath somebody so truly devoted to his calling.

"There really is no end to the applications of Runeforging, is there, hm?"

While Æros had learned about the trade in his schooling, the more creative applications were glossed over.
- - -

'Thoughts'
"Vallenor Tongue/Speech"
"Vastien Tongue/Speech"
"Valasren Tongue/Speech"
"Common Tongue/Speech"
word count: 463

Say goodnight, to the weakness that you hide behind
Leaving the lies, leaving the fear inside
Never once were you truly alive
So scream all you like, no one can hear you


Soul laid bare,
User avatar
Aardwalden
Posts: 43
Joined: Fri Sep 02, 2022 12:35 pm
Title: The Stone Man
Location: Solunarium / South Ecith
Character Sheet: viewtopic.php?t=3650
Character Secrets: viewtopic.php?t=3660

TIMESTAMP: Ash Xth, 122
NOTES: -
- - -

Aardwalden hugged himself curiously, stony fingers tapping audibly on a hard, rocky elbow while his eyes seemed to leer off into space with thought. “Hmm. I think Merethyl could take you on. I’ve been training her as well - you’ll like her, I think! She’s fae - both of my apprentices are; you would think I’m collecting your lot! But fae often seem to have a propsensity for the mysteries, hm? You will have my tutelage regardless.”

The gnome’s fingers fluttered as he smiled and turned, slipping behind his back. “That painter is long dead, I’m afraid. Lost to time. Only the Deepborn remember him now; much of his work was lost in the Sundering. Tragic. Very tragic.” Stepping behind his desk, Aard bent down to swish open a drawer, flipping through documents. “Both of my Apprentices have their own Runes of Control. Have you any as of yet? There will be no judgment here: you could be a Vampyr, and I wouldn’t bat an eye! Schwizzit’ka! Always more to learn, for the curious!” he said, a brief word of that strange Gnomish tongue eclipsing an entire phrase. Common was so burdensome by comparison.

“Formalities,” he said as the forms hit the table. “You indemnify me of any personal injury pursuant to both your work as a Runeforger, and you swear to be discrete about our sales and custom works. Artifacts are contentious to the realm - as such, we will not serve to fan embers to flames.” Aard moved a few forms across the table, each written in plain Common.

“Æros, to Runeforge is to weave any wonder one may desire. You merely only need a source, an idea found in the aether of things and spells, to find new purpose, and the time, the patience, and the ingenuity to bend that aether to their will,” he said as he invited Æros to have a seat. “The craft will confound you as a lady might. Be resolute, and focused. She will reward you.” Aardwalden found himself echoing the words of his dwarven mentor, a profound sense of Deja Vu overcoming the gnome.
- - -
word count: 411
User avatar
Aeros
Posts: 523
Joined: Thu Sep 01, 2022 2:18 am
Location: Solunarium
Character Sheet: viewtopic.php?t=3625
Plot Notes: viewtopic.php?t=3636
Character Secrets: viewtopic.php?t=3644

TIMESTAMP: -
NOTES: -
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Though he had already been thoroughly interested in this situation as a whole, Æros’ eyes of black-gold lit up yet even more at the mention of another Fæ-ethalan. It was so very rare to find others of his blood in Solunarium, and he couldn’t help but hope that she wasn’t raised here– primarily so he could bug her with questions about the circumstances under which she was raised. He wouldn’t be upset if her story was more similar to his own, however. As much as he may bask in the attention he receives for being so alien a figure, it would be nice to just talk to somebody that doesn’t immediately view him as something strange as soon as they see him. But then…there was also the fact that he would be the third in the group, and rare as it was to find a single other Fæ, this felt extraordinarily lucky.

“Wait, really? That’s actually fascinating, in truth– I’d be hard pressed to not claim your collecting of Fæ was intentional if I only gave a cursory glance, too,” he laughed. “All I can say on the subject is we do tend to have a penchant for magic and the unknown; that, at least, is a trait I’ve yet to meet another of my kin without.”

It was as tragic as the gnome said, to him, that the painter he’d mentioned was no longer among the living. Would’ve been nice to somehow attract the man to Solunarium and poke around his thoughts if that were not the case, but alas.

To the query regarding Runes, “I have two. Mesmer and Masquerade, at the moment. I’ve mastered Mesmer, but Masquerade is…something of a recent acquisition. I’ve not really spent much time working with it, I’m afraid– but that shouldn’t be the case for long, I don’t think. I’m usually pretty quick to pick things up, so I’ve been told.” There was pride in his voice when he spoke of his mastery over Mesmer, sincerely pleased with himself that he’d managed to pull that off prior to his fall from grace.

Ever since he’d started living on his own, the Starborn had put little effort into anything magical, academic…or really, ah, productive at all, for that matter. Coasting along due to being an eldritch and beautiful sight, he’d been surviving off his consummate skills as a dancer thus far, spending most of his free time either thoroughly inebriated or passed out somewhere. Not that he’d ever really bring this lifestyle up in pleasant conversation.

Æros did laugh a bit at the comment regarding blood mages, which, funnily enough, were legal here, as far as he knew. And yet, he’d never met one, or so he thought. If ever he did, he might have to inquire about getting the rune for himself, fanciful as such a thought was.

Approaching the table near which the gnome stood, Æros looked over the paperwork that had been laid out before him with a curious eye, though he was no stranger to formalities of this nature. He smiled and sat down as his newfound mentor continued to wax poetic about the craft, something the half-elf found deeply endearing. The most passionate are always the best to learn from, he thought.

“My interest is definitely caught, captivating as this all sounds. It’ll be nice to actually apply myself to something of arcane nature again, to be honest…” he didn’t elaborate on that, gaze now focused on the papers before him.

It didn’t take him too terribly long to go through everything, making sure he wasn’t signing into anything nefarious. Reckless as he was, he didn’t want to find himself in any precarious legal webs. Once he did finish, however, he signed the paperwork abiding by Solunarium’s customs.

“So it is done,” he smiled, “...happy to have been given a chance, here.”
- - -

'Thoughts'
"Vallenor Tongue/Speech"
"Vastien Tongue/Speech"
"Valasren Tongue/Speech"
"Common Tongue/Speech"
word count: 798

Say goodnight, to the weakness that you hide behind
Leaving the lies, leaving the fear inside
Never once were you truly alive
So scream all you like, no one can hear you


Soul laid bare,
User avatar
Hector
Posts: 355
Joined: Thu Jun 02, 2022 4:19 pm
Location: Gel'Grandel, Gelerian Imperium
Character Sheet: viewtopic.php?t=3187
Plot Notes: viewtopic.php?t=3339
Character Secrets: viewtopic.php?t=3335

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Æros

Lore: 10
Points: 10, no magic
Injuries/Ailments: none
Loot: None

Notes: Thread closed due to player retirement.
word count: 48
"And as you lay down your grace to me,
the skies begin to bleach red,
and the stars begin to fall,
I feel myself changing,
as my world starts dividing–"
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