A Maker's Renaissance [open]

[nadasharillen]

WHO: Nari and all you glorious crafty types out there
WHAT: Construction work at Skyhold! (slash catch-all for Nari)
WHEN: Justinian/Solace and heading into August
WHERE: The main keep/undercroft
NOTES: Hey y'all I missed you, let's build some things!

It had been an odd few months. Even though Sina had gotten better, Nahariel's spirit had settled tired into the walls, keeping inside them as if something terrible might happen if she left. So she haunted the keep, became as much of a fixture in the undercroft as the workbenches she toiled away on. There was always work to be done. Bows to carve both long and short, splintered shields to be repaired or crafted anew, hafts and hilts to shape, the wood worked lovingly until it was like silk to the touch. Night would find her the same way, quietly whittling the scraps from the day into feathers, leaves, halla, a candle flickering beside her until even the light of the mountains dimmed.

And then she would rest and begin again.

It was on one of the walks to and from the tent she shared with her clansister that the bareness of the Skyhold banisters finally struck her--followed quickly by an idea. For the first time in months, she exited the hall with purpose beyond rest.

--

Nari wants to really spruce up the hall!

Any characters with known crafting skills will be approached by a small-framed brown elf looking for collaborators to help carve the balustrades with techniques and imagery from their culture...and to get some new banners up (for those who can sew), some ornamental cultural weapons from smiths, and pretty much any other ideas that anyone might have.

Any secret crafters are welcome to notice the flurry of activity and out themselves spectacularly... and anyone who wants to learn a skill or craft is welcome to express interest.

Some women just want to watch the world build. :)

Comments

[nadasharillen]

"Sam," she replied, with a nod of acknowledgement and a quick smile that flashed bright against the brown of her face, "it's good to see you." Nahariel moved to lean forward and rest her elbows on a nearby bench, eyes flickering over the unfinished armor appreciatively.

"Your work's looking good. Have time for a little project?"

[el_tybs]

"Thanks, but it still has some work before it's anywhere near done." This wasn't an armor he was familiar with making, but seeing as it was a fun side project he messed with it on his off time.

Sam doesn't stop working, needing to set the metal as it was cooling, but he did pause to talk. "What kind of project were you thinking of?"

[nadasharillen]

"Ornamental," she replied shortly, continuing to watch as he shaped the plates. "Something to spruce up the main hall of the keep--make it really ours. I was planning on carving the banisters, alternating imagery. You know. Represent everyone. Then I got to thinking, and the banners could use an update, maybe some cultural weapons, shields..."

Nari shook her head, ran her hand through her short hair with a wry look that Sam could hear, even if he wasn't looking at her.

"I don't know. Unity. Beauty. Something that's not just utilitarian. Make the hall something that everyone could look at and see something of themselves. Silly maybe, but..."

The elf paused, picked for a bit at a splinter that'd come loose in the table.

"You in?"

[el_tybs]

Ornamental weaponry from different cultures to hang around the main hall. Sam finishes up what he's doing, forming the plate then cooling it that way he didn't have to worry about it getting ruined and that he can give Nari his full attention.

"We're going to have to find a way to get designs from the different cultures if that's what you're planning. I'm afraid I only know Ferelden style and a bit of the Free Marches." So that would be a 'yes'.

[nadasharillen]

Straightening up, she clapped her hands together in delight. "Excellent! Good. As far as the designs? I'm hoping I can find someone from each culture to do a piece." Nari grinned, tossed her hair from her eye with a quick flick of her head. "Which means I've got my Fereldan. And Free Marches, if you like. And perhaps something from the Circle?" A mischevious grin. "I'm happy to make the haft, if you know aught of staff-crafting, or know someone who does."

[el_tybs]

Sam raises his brow at the mention of the Circle. "Each Circle is based on the culture of the region it's in, more or less, so there wouldn't be much to on with that. If you want to do something for Mages though... you'll also need to include something for Templars and any other groups." Last thing any of them need is a group feeling left out and starting a fight some place.

"As for staffs I only know the art of adding blades and metal design to them. If you want it out of metal though we could work something out."

[nadasharillen]

The hunter waved her hand, "The staff itself I can carve, if needed. I just meant... well...," she paused, forehead furrowing in uncertainty.

"I have no idea how they work. Do you... put magic into them? Is there some kind of focus object you stick on the end? Are they just for show?" Nahariel laughed helplessly, covering her face with a hand, then peeking out at him from behind it.

[el_tybs]

That was a fair question, and extremely cute with the way Nari suddenly hides behind her hands. He's not used to her reacting in such a way, but he supposes that goes to show that they've been around each other enough that she's opening up to him more over time.

"Technically a mage doesn't need a staff, but it requires a lot more concentration to aim and cast a spell then. Staves generally have a focus in or around them someplace that allows us to focus our magic. Generally the focus is at the top where you aren't hitting it against the ground."

[nadasharillen]

That... made sense. She nodded.

"Can anything become a focus? Are there things that are better at it than others?" the elf asked, quick one after the other, shifting her weight as she settled into the topic.

[el_tybs]

[OoC: I'm completely BSing this since the game doesn't really tell you how staffs are made, etc. Just going with what we've discussed in FR and educated guesses.]

It was a lot of questions, but honestly he kind of expected it, after all, how often did Nari use magic or a focus?

"The focus does have to be magic based so not just anything can become a focus, and even then not everything magical can be a focus - the list though is pretty large. Items can range from a magical gem or some part of the the material of the weapon being magically infused."