Helix: Axe and Anvil Forge and Artisan Community.

[Spearmint]

This new thread will be for the specific locations of:

Axe and Anvil Dwarven Forge

Moradin Conclave Hall and dwarf community.

Associated artisans.

I am separating them from the village location thread so that information is more easily archived.
Please read this and post your character visit, giving a date to the post if you are able.

Axe and Anvil Forge: The actual smithing at the forge is overseen by resident Forgemaster who by default is also the patriarch of the Moradin faith in the region. Dwarven clerics are intimately entwined by devotion to their forge and therefore do not venture far from its location, hence only appear in the campaign as NPC characters.

Karl Barrelgut is the Forgemaster and ably assisted by a number of apprentice smiths who specialise in crafting agricultural tools and implements, metal based armours such as chainmail or full plate, shield crafting and the manufacture of weapons. Gern, his nephew works the smithing needs, Kord, his nephew acts as armourer and Sandy, a niece tailors any fittings and refurbishment.

All prices here are taken from the PHB (pg35) but at a base +20% mark up for tools and +50% for armours, shields and weapons (due to customisation and fitting). Duchy broadsword are exempt from the extra tax and mark up so may be bought at standard value.

The dwarves may also be able to craft or repair enchanted items such like armour and swords. Each is appraised on individual merit's and any crafted enhancement comes at a reciprocal cost to cover material compounds, spell craft and time.

Basic armour (all light types) can be bought 'off-the-shelf', all medium armour takes a couple of weeks to craft and heavy armour can take six weeks plus.

Moradin Conclave Hall
The heart of Dwarven and Gnomish community. The hall serves religious services such as the fasting and prayer Oath-sworn warrior vocations, axe or hammer blessing, frothy ales and mead distillery, keeping a record of historical archives and general birth, death, marriage celebrations.

Post here for any research or assistance you need. Karl Barrelgut as Forgemaster takes the precedent as Moradin priest.

Some dwarves who may be met here are:
Red Eric, dwarven warrior recruiting aid to venture into the wilderness and locate the petrified body of a hero. (see bulletin board).
Bogart, dwarf miner aged by encounters with ghost miners in the northern mines by the old quarry.
Dalziel, gnome wrestler and miner.

Associated artisans . A number of Dwarven or Gnomish craftsmen are based here including:

Konrad's: Artificers and Innovative Connoisseurs. Two apprentice artisan's work with him in creating various trinkets and mechanical gadgets. They are known to provide explosive flasks (diatomaceous earth compound's like TNT or acid). Gnimish and Treyvor are currently seconded to co-op Barrowmaze expeditions with Sven.

the Rosy Quartz jewellers, though owned by gnomes is based in the general village thread.

post here for interactions with these business or fellowship locations.

[Spearmint]

Orgoth

Orgoth brings the broken sword to the Dwarves at the smithy. It is a longsword not a broadsword.

"I have found this broken long sword, which the parts of interestingly radiate magic. Can you look at it and tell me if you can fix it and if so how much and how long? Thanks."

Orgoth takes his broken blade, recovered from a coffee guarded by a Crystal Statue.

The weaponsmiths assess it, balancing it in scales, measuring it out, fitting the pieces into shape.

"Sure it can be reforged. There are enchantments and runes within the blade, engraved words of power to give it extra cut and thrust. They need to be re cast as does the whole blade. The hilt is fine and can be reworked."

They take the shards and a couple of days to fully investigate. -10gp for their inspection. They concluded that given time, a month perhaps, they could restore it as good as new. The time covering the extraordinary forgings beyond producing a basic weapon. An enchanted +1 sword retails in value around 2,000gp+, but with you providing the raw material that contains a residue of enchantment, they will craft it for half price plus tax "Duchy taxes every weapon, tools are free of tax. Complain to Lord Krothos not us!".

So they quote 1499gp for a +1 weapon.

[OGRE MAGE]

At some point after their return, Sven has his larger hirelings carry the Kali statue chandelier to the workshop of the Associated artisans.

"Hi everyone."

"Any chance one of you would be interested in tuning this thing up for me? I think it still works, but there is some damage and missing parts that need to be repaired."

"Is this something you would be able to tackle here?"

He jingles his coin purse a little and smiles.

[Spearmint]

Konrads

The gnomes of course tell of its discovery and reclamation. The elder will inspect it and appraise its worth and ability to be refurbished.

Konrad: inspection of Kali chandelier vs 16 [4d6]=14

You jiggle coins in hope. The pottery body has a few chips and minute cracks but nothing that substantially affects the designs sincerity. The glass orbs can be polished and cleansed, new pipe work and lantern filament made, oil reservoir fitted.

He calls it 200gp for the next special clay, castings, painting, silvered accruments and finishing touches but it might take the best part of a month.

[OGRE MAGE]

Sven agrees to the deal, hoping he can at least recoup the fee from its eventual sale.

“Sure. That seems reasonable enough to me, since we all get along so well. Gur only offered me 368gp as is, which I thought was an odd number, but I don’t think that guy likes me too much.”

“Should I pay half down now?”

[Rex]

Orgoth

Orgoth brings the broken sword to the Dwarves at the smithy. It is a longsword not a broadsword.

"I have found this broken long sword, which the parts of interestingly radiate magic. Can you look at it and tell me if you can fix it and if so how much and how long? Thanks."

Orgoth takes his broken blade, recovered from a coffee guarded by a Crystal Statue.

The weaponsmiths assess it, balancing it in scales, measuring it out, fitting the pieces into shape.

"Sure it can be reforged. There are enchantments and runes within the blade, engraved words of power to give it extra cut and thrust. They need to be re cast as does the whole blade. The hilt is fine and can be reworked."

They take the shards and a couple of days to fully investigate. -10gp for their inspection. They concluded that given time, a month perhaps, they could restore it as good as new. The time covering the extraordinary forgings beyond producing a basic weapon. An enchanted +1 sword retails in value around 2,000gp+, but with you providing the raw material that contains a residue of enchantment, they will craft it for half price plus tax "Duchy taxes every weapon, tools are free of tax. Complain to Lord Krothos not us!".

So they quote 1499gp for a +1 weapon.

Orgoth

"We have a deal."

He pays them the 10gp for the inspection and 1499gp to re-forge it.

Sheet updated.

[Spearmint]

Orgoth

"We have a deal."

He pays them the 10gp for the inspection and 1499gp to re-forge it.

noted as paid for and should be ready for collection in four weeks, so circa 10th August.

Longsword +1 (shards & hilt recovered from Crystal statue coffer).

[Spearmint]

Konrad's: Artisans and Innovative Connesieurs

Gerdal enters the shoppe and addresses Konrad

"Good day to you my good friend, hope you are blessed this lovely day. I know you are a busy person, so I will get straight to the point: is it true that you are preparing a Candelabra for my good friend Sven?"

She carefully traces the facial outlines of a statue with her index finger, while speaking. "Beautiful piece."

The workshop of gnomes is new but the faces are not. You have ventured with Gnimish and Treyvor who busy themselves at benches. One winds up a hissing gadget that immediately gives you and Harkazz bad memories, a clockwork cobra.

Enquiring of the chandelier refurbishment, you can see the piece. A multi-limbed figure of blue terracotta that hold several glassy orbs in outstretched hands. The hollow figure is presently being fitted with internal augments, new oil reservoirs and pipe filaments enhanced by Orb Weaver threads.

it is a chandelier not candelabra too.

"The work progresses. Little adjustments are needed, glossing the patinas, healing the fractured in the body, replacing the cracked glass with finer crystal.

Can't see it decorating St Ygg's though. Where do you think he will hang it? Marilyn's mansion, Crowley's bar?"

[sastaz]

just waiting on convincing Sven of going through with this in the Strumpet thread before moving this narrative along. It'll play out differently depending on if Gerdal gets his approval or not.

[sastaz]

Gerdal watches the piece and the gnomes's work on it with great interest.

"You know what, I think he's going to sell it. Export to Ironguard. And, speaking of which, I agreed with Sven that you should work this piece into the chandelier as well."

She shows them the blossoming rose necklace.

"Beautiful, right? Would fit right in, and surely increase the value by a large amount. Do you think you could manage that? And oh, whatever you do, don't try it on, it's a necklace devoted to a not-so-nice godess, so you know, just work it in there. It's just like with that ircon cobra that I see you're tinkering with, don't get bit, right? So, what do you say?"

[Spearmint]

Konrad's Artisans and Innovative Connesieurs

The gnomes inspect the gilded, jet black necklace, looking at the thorny design. the black rose is a Nergal symbol, but one death cult and another, in Kali can work in tandem and the necklace is placed over the head of the multi-limbed statue. Certainly in the view of aspirants of the occult, the necklace of strangulation compliments the refurbishment effect, adding to the overall panache or grotesque nature of the work. Whether it causes any ill effect in the radiation of light, dazzling or baleful, remains to be seen as the work continues.

Gerdal for yourself, in using the practically 'instant death' item as a votive offering to your patron dirty, you receive the benefit of an ( unspecified publicly blessing.

The gnomes are sure the item will improve the artefacts allure and value when it comes to sale.

[Rex]

Orgoth

Orgoth purchases 5 Javelins to replace his lost ones. 55sp, sheet updated.

[ateno]

After lunch Callen and Cosmo walk into the community looking at the stalls.

"I suspect we should find the religious ones then?

Cosmo

[Hadarai]

Callen

Callen surveys the forge, still feeling the effects of their previous encounter. "Yes, they shouldn't be too hard to find I think."

Callen inquires where the leader of the forge can be found, once directed to Karl Barrelgut he'll make introductions.

"Many greetings Master Barrelgut, my name is Callen, a cleric of St. Ygg, and my friend here is Cosmo, master Illusionist, we come bearing distressing new I'm afraid.

We've just come back from an expedition from the Barrows and during our return journey we were hailed by a party of Lizardmen. While we treated they made it known that they had a prisoner in their possession, a dwarf by the name of Three-Moons.

We were asked to bring news to his kin that he was in their capture and that in three days time he would be executed. We were vastly outnumbered and in a bad state when this meeting occurred so the possibility of a rescue by us was not possible I'm sorry to say."

[Spearmint]

The Axe and Anvil Forge.

Karl Barrelgut, senior minister and forgemaster, more barrel chested than rotund in guts. He receives you both, setting aside his smithing hammers and calling apprentices to take over the labour.

"Dire news indeed. Three-Moons is a faithful son of the clans."

"They are right. I am not your brother and you have yet to gain the status as Ngenga, an honoured adversary. You can take a message to one who is though. His kinsfolk dwarves, that renegade priest. Tell him I have Three-Moons and that is all he will get. Three days and nights. After that his head will be posted here upon the trail." He plants a spear into the ground as if to signify he will go thus far and no further.

You share the exact message and detail the area that the encounter took place. Since then one moon has already passed. You learn that there has been centuries of antagonism between the dwarven clans who occupy the Moon Peak mountains and the Sauron tribes who dwell upon the Barrow Moor. This has intensified recently with Sauron patrols snatching captives from merchant wagons en route to and from Ironguard or Bogtown and harassing explorers who trek to the Barrow Mounds. The lizard men try to leverage the captives to sway the dwarves and this has also caused friction in the settlement as Lord Krothos sees what should be a predominantly dwarven-lizard man conflict spill over into his authority and domain. Following the successful 'Blossom of Death' expedition which Cosmo partnered in, the Lord despatched a force of troops under Foxrell to strike at them in their heartlands. The suspicion might be this is another tit-for-tat reciprocal action though the Sauron officer intimated it was directly aimed towards 'the honoured adversary', Barrelgut himself.

I included an XP bonus for delivering this news already in your expedition summary.

actions, you can ask any specific questions to Karl Barrelgut. add a 4d6 vs charisma check if you do so.

The dwarf determined that a rescue mission must be hurriedly organised. "You know the trail and have met the Sauron. Would you consider joining?" he asks. again you can respond as you like, a yes or no or talk over conditions if you did. Would they pay you, equip you, sponsor some favour in return? Etc.

Otherwise post concluding the conversation and action any other interaction or business you might conduct in these community premises. (Buy armour or weapons, commission any crafting, etc).

[ateno]

Cosmo is reluctant to agree to assist as they were under a treaty with the lizardmen. And he will say so if asked.

He will tell them the trail used and the landmarks where they spoke though.

Cosmo

[Spearmint]

The dwarves frown at any mention of treaty but each thanks you for bringing the news of the captive and they will endeavour a rescue if they can.

You can conduct any other business here or move to other downtime activities for your character.

[Hadarai]

Callen

"Would there be any chance of a peaceful resolution to this conflict? As Cosmo has said, we were treated fairly by this group and they showed no real intention of doing us harm even though they easily cold have.

If you intend for this mission to be diplomatic first and foremost I would join you...but I cannot in good concious join a war party to participate in this racial conflict.

If the Forgemaster says that peace is not an option, Callen will apologize for not being able to offer anymore assistance and will return to the inn to share a bottle of wine in celebration with Cosmo if he is interested.

[Spearmint]

Callen

There is a lot of antipathy between the dwarves in Helix and the lizardmen, a brutal conflict that has spilled over to the other races of humanity too. There are rumours to the exact root causes but nothing confirmed.

You will not know in character though Cosmo might if Sir Dewey or Vann Hector had spoke with him as they travelled. But read the Helix: Old Manse threads from post circa 61-70, around that mark and you will learn ooc information that gives a background to recent hostilities.

As far as the present situation, Karl Barrelgut can only say he would prefer to have no conflict but must go prepared for it. Other captives have suffered horribly and they wouldn't wish to see Three-Moons skinned alive. They will not press-gang you if you choose not to participate in the war-party but acknowledge that your prayerful healing and divine ministry and Cosmo's spellcraft and roguery would be useful additions to their war-axes and shields.

Your impressions of the Sauron patrol would be one of order, duty, competent warriors. The officer most likely committing to following through with his dire warning without as much as a second thought. What the Saurons' might want the dwarves to give up in exchange for the prisoner being returned unharmed, maybe be more than the dwarves can (or want?) to do.

So if that fills out the current situation, you can make a more educated decision.

I will post in your private threads regarding personal downtime and any follow up to the Nergalites. You can post in the tavern threads and other village locations if you wish.

[ateno]

You will not know in character though Cosmo might if Sir Dewey or Vann Hector had spoke with him as they travelled. But read the Helix: Old Manse threads from post circa 61-70, around that mark and you will learn ooc information that gives a background to recent hostilities.[/i}

What a political pile of pigsty, Cosmo has knowledge of a rumor, put together with a bit of conversation I will say this.

"I have heard from my friends some things and perhaps I know the origin of this strife, Was the egg every found and brought back? If not, that might be the first step to getting your friend back and stopping your tit for tat. Better than losing dwarves and others in a continuous progressive argument."

Persuasion roll (14 Chr) [4d6]=12