Solo First Smithing

[V'alen Dv'orn]

42nd of Winter [501]

It was a cold day. The wind was bitter and the snow was harsh, but V'alen was trudging through the snow, towards forge. She had previously arranged to use it, in exchange for a small price. Shivering, V'alen pulled her scarf around her tighter and continued her short, but arduous, journey. Compared to the rest of the white, snow-covered buildings in the settlement, the forge was a beacon. It wasn't clear, but it looked warmer than most. Upon entering, V'alen was greeted by K'Sein. Her appearance hadn't changed at all- the same red bandana and forge overalls.

"Well, I'll leave you the keys. Lock up when you're done." said K'Sein roughly.
"I will do so, thank you." replied V'alen.

V'alen got to work. Firstly, she put more wood in the fire and pumped air in. The flames blazed and spat ash in her pale face, but she turned her head, coughing slightly. Satisfied that they were hot enough, V'alen readied herself and put the metal in. She knew that she wanted to make a sword, but apart from what she had read, she had little idea what to do. It was too late to call K'Sein back, so V'alen sighed and prepared herself for the worst.

[V'alen Dv'orn]

V'alen ran her fingers along the wall, looking for an appropriate tool, though she wasn't even sure what that was. Upon reaching a moderately sized hammer, she decided that she would use this. The size of the hammer should be proportionate to the size of the work, she recalled from a book. Carefully, using tongs, V'alen took the red hot metal out of the furnace and put it on the anvil. Well, she thought, here we go.

Clang! Metal struck metal and a stream of red sparks erupted. The metal dented slightly and V'alen was encouraged. She kept striking the metal and managed to bend it into a somewhat rectangular shape, though with a few odd bumps here and there. V'alen noticed that the metal was starting to cool down, so she put it back into the flames, which had also cooled down, so she pumped more air in. After waiting about six chimes, she removed the iron and repeated the process.

About a bell and a half later, V'alen held in her hands something which vaguely resembled a sword and would be considered half dangerous as a kitchen knife. However, she was actually very proud of her work, because she understood that it took a lot of work to get it right. By now, the skies were getting darker, so V'alen put out the fire, locked the door, and headed home.

[V'alen Dv'orn]

Sleep was satisfying. Combined with a hearty breakfast and V'alen was very happy, bright-eyed and ready to do the day's tasks. She had one job that she was excited to do today, and that was to sell her sword. A dull lump of iron with a sharp end was all it was, but it was still worth slightly more than what it had cost to make it.

The snow had cleared somewhat, making the journey to the forge much easier. Inside, V'alen found K'Sein, already working away at some masterpiece blade. It was a fine sword of pale steel, its hilt embedded with pearl.
"What can I help you with, V'alen?" asked K'Sein.
"I would like to sell the sword that I made. Is that alright with you?" replied V'alen.
"Ah yes, how did you get on?" K'Sein glanced at the metal V'alen was holding, with a slight look of disapproval, which faded immediately when she saw that V'alen noticed.
"Alright I think, but I know it needs work."
"No matter, let's get this thing sold then." K'Sein gave a friendly smile.

Bells passed, but the sword was still there. It wasn't as though there weren't any customers, because there were lots, but the sword seemed to turn invisible as soon as anyone passed by it. V'alen was slightly disheartened, but she sat patiently, next to K'Sein at the counter. Bored, she stilled her mind and Saw around the shop. Scrutinising her own sword, V'alen suddenly noticed something. Whereas all the other swords were pure, the sword that she had made had a dark line down the side of it. Frowning, she picked up the sword and took it to K'Sein.

"What's this, K'Sein?" she asked curiously.
"Ah, I was wondering when you would notice. This is Impurity. It's based on how you make the sword, but put simply it is a weakness. When you get more advanced, you'll learn to make swords without Impurities, but as it's your first time, I'll do it for you." K'Sein explained. She then disappeared into the back room for about ten chimes, then came back out.
"Check it."
V'alen Saw again and noticed that the mark had disappeared.
"Thank you K'Sein." V'alen beamed.

During the next bell more customers came, and this time more came to have a look at the sword. Eventually, one human man picked it up, tried slashing around with it a bit, and decided to buy it. K'Sein commented on how it would serve him well, then carried out the transaction. V'alen was overjoyed and went back home with an added spring in her step.

[Traverse]

Hello V'alen,

I have posted in your CS and until those issues are worked out I cannot release your grade for this thread.

Let me know if you return, however, and we can get your CS all fixed up and I shall ge toyu your XP.

-Traverse