[Syliras Location] Mechanical Marvels

[Alistair deGrey]

deGrey began rhythmically tapping his foot to the exact metronome as the clocks had performed. It was a testament to the ridiculous amount of time he spent within the shop, or one to his impatience with this stranger. The man before him pondered a bit too long for Alistair's liking before he spoke. Would not a customer already know what he wanted before entering his shop? Regardless, he had best discover what this man wanted before he brushed him off.

"My good sir, I apologise for my vexation, however I have not the entirety of the day to answer questions." Alistair ceased his metronome and leaned comfortably against the wall. "Methinks it would be more productive to outright speak your proposal, and then I will inform you if it is too dangerous. Ah, as well, you may call me deGrey."

[Jaquise Emittere]

"deGrey? Alright." Jaq smiled for the first time that day, and it was neither a facade meant for disarming or distracting nor a wicked smile saved for those who irked Jaq's ire. Finally someone he could simply talk to without having to worry about appearances. Well it wouldn't be good to completely lapse into just Jaq but at least he could be frank with deGray, whose name seemed as curious as the person himself. "The first item on my list is a volitle liquid that when enough force is applied to, it breaks down in the most spectacular of ways. By catching fire and burning whatever happened to apply the force."

[Alistair deGrey]

Alistair had immediately straightened when he heard of what he was to craft. Philtering was something he had been wanting to practice more often, and this was the perfect opportunity. Although, deGrey made an effort not to reveal his excitement to his customer. "My good sir, of course I would be willing to devise this concoction for you. However, there are some other factors to consider." Alistair leaned back against the wall and forced himself into stillness, despite his urge to begin work now. He had more information to gather. "First, I can tell you now that I can decrease the cost of said substance dramatically by the application of a flame as opposed to force. It will also mean less force is required to activate the substance." deGrey pursed his lips and thought for a second, "However, I do believe I could find a proper recipe for alchemist's fire, which will explode upon breakage in the container."

"But, I will not lie. I am an engineer and inventor first and foremost. It would be exceptionally pleasing to me if you would allow me to make not only said substance, but a device to propel it through the air." Alistair straightened himself again and began to slowly pace, while tapping his lips with the side of his index finger. "Yes, I do believe that it would be very simple. All I require from you is a few answers." Alistair wheeled about to face his customer once more, "I need to know how far you are looking to launch the substances, and how large you want the device. As well as any specifics you want me to incorporate. In fact, just tell me everything you have in mind." Alistair began pacing again, but then caught himself, "Ah, I seem to have forgotten, you never requested a throwing device..."

[Jaquise Emittere]

"Alchemist's fire? An interesting name. And while I understand it would probably be cheaper to make it catch by flame as opposed to force, it would also make it less affective." The whole point of finding the substance was to allow Jaq to take earth as his next element. It was a choice he had thought over carefully and he had decided he should save dealing with fire again until he was more expirience, and while earth wasn't exactly much safer it was at least not goiing to set him on fire.

"Not always is fire available. As for the launcher, its interesting. I had intended on simply throwing the container at my targets but if you can give me a range I can not reach with my arm by making such a device then I'd be willing to fund its creation. It would have to be light weight though, and preferably on the smaller side." This was promising, but if this man made Jaq such a device, coupled with the already expensive alchemists fire, there was very little doubt in Jaq's mind of wether or not he could afford the other item on his list. He wouldn't.

"Before going to make such a device though, I was hoping you could tell me how much it was cost to obtain some copper D-wire, about twice the length of this blade here." Jaq patted the handle of the sword hanging from his belt. "I had the idea of lining the sides of my blade with it. I'm sure it would look odd as hell but if might be quite useful."

[Alistair deGrey]

The clocks, Alistair remembered the clocks. After hearing this man bring up D-Wire, he needed a second to collect his thoughts. A mage, he had not encountered one in Syliras yet. Piss off, indubitably the first request I receive is from a wizard. deGrey began winding an hour clock, spinning the shaft repeatedly as he pursed his lips and thought. I suppose I have little choice in the matter, mizas are mizas, yes?

After the clock had been wound, deGrey turned back to face the magus. "Do not ask me about D-Wire; however, Alchemist's Fire is entirely possible if you insist. As for the firing mechanism, I will have a design created shortly, return near the week's end. Now I insist you remove yourself good sir, I have work to do."

Without waiting for a reply Alistair turned and stalked into the workshop, shutting the door behind him. Upon which he slumped into a chair and covered his face with his hand. Wizards...

[Jaquise Emittere]

When the door shut Jaquise couldn't help but wince a little. The tone of voice had been easy enough to read, and the words plain and clear. The man had seemed to have gone from barely contained excitment to barely contained anger. Odd, but then again a man who could enjoy all of these fircking clocks and there constant ticking had to ahve his ecentricities. Maybe it was something Jaq had said? The man had told him not to ask about d-wire again. Maybe he didn't like it. Whatever it had been Jaq was a little let down. Now he had to go around to all the smithies and find someone who could aquire some d-wire and work with it. Jaq stalked out of the store thinking about the silver lineing of the situation. At least he was only looking for one thing now.

[Jaquise Emittere]

49th day of winter 509 AV

It was the weeks end, and Jaq was returning just as the man had told him to. The mercenary was a little wary entering the courtyard again, considering it seemed he had upset the man the last time he was here. It was important that he get the items he had asked for though. Jaq didn't like being unprepared, and with the trip he had in mind any kind of advantage he could gain was of the utmost important. It was with that thought that Jaq had spent hours wondering just exactly what else he could use. The list had been long but most of it was simply fantasy, such as a ship and a mercenary band to follow him in. One of the items he had thought of, however, would be useful for his trip and other instances. Hopefully this man would be able to help him again. With that in mind Jaq opened the same door he had opened last time, though this time not as carefully knowing he hadn't knocked anything down last time. That's not to say he kicked it open, but he didn't take several seconds to go through the door. This time he wasted no time looking at the nick-nacks lining the walls and simply called out to deGrey. "Hello. Its Jaq again. You told me to come by at weeks end." He closed the door behind him and turned around. "I also happened to have an idea for another item that I might need built."

[Alistair deGrey]

The sound of a metal object thumping onto the metal work table was accompanied by a series of foot falls. Through the two windows near the door could be seen the inventor's face for a brief moment as he passed by. Within a second of his window appearance, deGrey stepped through the doorway and faced Jaquise. The smell of cut wood trailed behind the gadgeteer, in stark contrast to the forge smells that were usually married to him. In sync with the differences was the fact that Alistair had shaved recently, leaving only a mustache and his hair.

Alistair began to lean forward on the marble counter top and opened his mouth to speak; however, at the last second another thought came to him. deGrey spun about and stalked back into his workshop. Not a minute later he had returned, with a rolled parchment. This time Alistair laid out the parchment on the counter and motioned for Jaq to step over to the surface. On this parchment was a design for his chemical thrower. Quickly, he scrawled "Request 001" on the top and flipped the parchment. Readying to write, deGrey moved his eyes upward to the man standing in front of him. "Well? What would you like done?"

[Jaquise Emittere]

Jaq walked over to the marble counter, taking notice of the design for what could be Jaq's chemical thrower. Interestingly enough it looked usable. Of course as soon as deGrey was done writing 'Request 001' on the top of the sheet he flipped the parchment over and Jaq was left with either looking at the blank piece of paper or at the store keeper. Considering how he had been dismissed last time Jaq almost chose the paper. "A device that can fire a grappling hook attached to a rope onto a rooftop, then if possible pull me up to said location. If it isn't possible I'd settle for it being able to simply pull back the hook and rope it let loose. I doubt I'll always hit it on the first try."

[Alistair deGrey]

Yes, yes of course. This was better than the simple launcher he had taken on earlier. deGrey stood and pursed his lips as he formulated a design for this addition. Yes, it would be simple enough. Simply create the canister and attach it to the crossbow, add a single pulley, and done. deGrey rapped his knuckles on the cold marble as he straightened and looked the man in the eyes. "Yes, it is entirely possible. In fact, it will be simple enough. Expect an additional cost though. I would estimate it to add approximately thirty Mizas to the cost; however I may be incorrect." Alistair began rolling up his parchment when he remembered the major complication he had discovered whilst investigating this request.

"There has been a calamitous realization that I must inform you of as well. Upon cursory inspection of Syliran stores, its come to my attention that Alchemist's Fire is a difficult recipe to find. It seems as if higher ranking philterers keep their most profitable or difficult recipes to themselves. I have several more prospects to dispel though, so fear not. However, realize that the cost of this recipe may factor into the final cost. This may also explain why so many of the philterers you have asked could not make this for you, it is so difficult to acquire." deGrey sighed, for talking this much exhausted him; leaving him bitter and weary from the prolonged social contact. He leaned against the wall behind the marble counter and closed his eyes, listening for a response.