David_Black

"I was a front-liner for a while, but now I just run the tavern," Hiro piped up in response to Lessa's question. "and Dave here until recently spent all his time drinking me out of business. A few days ago however he opened up a shop in Tolbana called Black's Books and Baubles. Fancies himself an artist now. Personally I think he should be helping the children trapped in this game keep up on their education, but what do I know. I'm just a guy who sells fake beer to nerds." There was venom in Hiro's words, and while he was talking to Lessa he never once broke eye contact with David. Shrugging, he let the anger fade from his face, and went round to the other side of the bar to pour himself a drink.

David on the other hand played everything off very calmly. "Yeah, I know buddy. It's just with everything going on in Sword Art Online I wouldn't be sure how to even begin. There is only so much I can teach them as well. I'm no math whiz, and I know nothing of history. Plus these kids are from all over the world. How on earth am I supposed to know, and cater to each individual curriculum? It's impossible for one man. The best thing I can do for them is record what knowledge I do have into my books, and give away the Vanity quality copies." He finished before taking another massive gulp of his root beer. Wiping the foam from his face he looked Lessa in the eye. "What about you? What do you do?" He asked with great interest. 

Since acquiring a location for his shop David had not had much luck in filling it with merchandise. Paper was reasonably cheap, but continually balling it up and tossing it on the floor of his studio was starting to become wasteful. It wasn't so much that he didn't know what he wanted to write, but how to phrase it. Some drafts were coming off as too technical; sure to leave the reader sleeping within minutes. Others too artsy, and lacking in direction. What he needed to find was a middle road. Some way to write about topics that left others interested, but still provided all the required information.

"I've got it!" He exclaimed tossing down his quill. If he could record himself speaking via an audio crystal he was sure to write in a successful manner. David had always been great at public speaking, and conveying complex ideas through short speeches. 

Rolls

On a not so busy street just off <<Fountain Square>> in Tolbana sits a two story white stone building with a red ceramic tile roof. The door is ornate, lovingly carved cherry with a knot work border, and floral design on the interior. It's fittings are made from polished brass, and the heavy knocker resembles the face of a young wolf with it's teeth barred.  To the left of the door is nailed a brass placard embossed skillfully with the following words: 

Black's Books & Baubles
Artisan for hire, by appointment only.
Proprietor: David_Black

No sooner than you open the door is your sense of smell assaulted by the pungent aroma of whatever incense the Herbalist had on sale that day. The light within the shop is dim, and provided only by candles as the windows are obscured by thick black curtains. The walls are lined with well stocked bookshelves, and the shop area itself looks much like a parlor with two sofas, and two rather plush looking chairs surrounding a central coffee table. Every flat surface is covered in knickknacks, and oddity. To the rear of the room stands a single glass display case in which more precious artifices are stored.  A door leads out of this room to both the left and right, but they are clearly marked staff only.

Pricing

TBD

In-Stock

None: Come back soon.

Custom Orders & Order form

Not taking orders at this time, sorry.

The next morning David was at Barnabas's door before the sun came up. The old man took his time in answering obviously still sleep when David had rudely awoken him. Without a word he beconned the budding Artisan in, and pointed to a chair for him to sit in. He made tea for the both of them, and refused to say a word until both of their cups had been drained.

"Alright kid, what do you have to show me." Barnabas asked pointing to the small cloth wrapped object that David had brought with him. David smiled, and took his time unwrapping the loupe. At no time did he touc it with his hands, instead opting to hold it with the cloth. Reluctantly he handed it over to Barnabas to inspect.

"I know it's not much, but I hope it's good enough to earn my place as an Artisan." David said looking towards the floor. Though he was sure that he had done his absolute best, he wasn't sure if that would be good enough.

"You have passion, and you're humble. Those two things alone make you good enough to be an artisan David." Banabas said smiling. "This however is a work of art. Treasure it, and the knowledge you have gained by making it."

Thread Summary
 

Over the next few days David did not leave his room once. Hiro occasionally brought him up some soup or something to drink, but would always have to leave it at the door. David was focused, and he loved what he was doing. It was amazing to him how soft Brass was despite the fact that it was metal. One small strike with a hammer to bend it often left tool marks that had to be filed away. Chiseling was worse however as it was easy to strike too hard, and take too much material away. Adjustments had to be made to the design.

By the time he was through the loupe had lost one of it's lenses, and thus a degree of magnification but otherwise looked remarkable. It had been a lucky first project for David, and he was eager to show it off. After one final night of cleaning, filing and polishing it would be ready to present. David almost could not control his excitement.

The rest of the day was rather uneventful. David bought the barley, and hops for Hiro, and managed to get some delicious steamed pork buns from a rather amazing smelling food stall. He made his way back to the tavern without incident, and laid his bounty out on the bar for his student to inspect. The brewing supplies he put in the cellar where all of Hiro's cooking equipment was stored.

Looking at the stuff he had purchased David noticed that none of the tools were new, but they were all in excellent condition. The materials were top notch, and everything was organized so neatly that David could have found anything in the satchel blindfolded.

"Thats quite the haul." Hiro said beaming at the budding Artisan. "Guess you're serious about this huh?"

"You bet. I want to teach people, and through this profession I can give people the means to teach themselves. I've been looking through the enhancements that I'll be able to provide and quite a few of them would be helpful to most players. Not to mention the fact that I can make books, and enhance them. Knowledge and power all wrapped up into one. Who could ask for more." David replied before popping a piping hut bun into his mouth.

"So you get the things I asked for?" Hiro asked now sounding quite concerned.

"Sure did. It's all in the cellar." David responded knowing full well what was coming next.

"And my change?"

"How about one of these pork buns?"

After David had paid the man, and gotten the location of the glass maker he collected his items and went on his way. The glass maker was on the other side of the marketplace, and would not exactly be easy to get to at this time as it was nearly noon, and most players that called the Town of Beginnings home were out and about shopping for their midday meals. Still David waded through the almost endless sea of people, and made it to the Glass works in just under an hour. His stomach was rumbling however, and he resigned himself to getting a small bite to eat after his work here was finished.

The meeting with the glass blower went smoothly, and he even gave David some advice on how to make the required lenses himself next time. Six thick disks of class were tucked away along with the rest of the supplies. Now all there was left to do was to actually make the thing. David's smile grew wide at the thought of bringing a finished piece to Barnabas for inspection.

Emmet set to work compiling a nice, but cheap set of jeweler's tools. It contained several hammers, chisels, punches, files, and pliers. Everything he would need to begin making his Trinkets. He placed all of these items in a leather satchel, and set them on the counter. He then placed three rolls of sand paper (three different grades from coarse to fine.), and a glass jar filled with some sort of thick white gel in with the tools.

"The brass will take a minute. You want it cut in any particular fashion?" Emmet asked.

"Yeah, cut out six disks at about a two inch diameter for the widest, and about half an inch for the smallest. Just gradually step up from there, and I can do the rest." David responded knowing exactly what he wanted. Emmet simply nodded, and made his way into the back room. After a few minutes he returned with the items required of him.
 

"Well the tool's won't be any trouble. I have bins full of files, and chisels for this sort of thing over there" Emmet responded pointing a thick, soot covered finger towards the wall directly behind David. "The brass ain't no trouble either. I keep a good stock of that sort of thing. Sand paper, and I assume polishing compound I can get you aswell. There is only one hitch. Glass, or natural Crystal. While I can get such things I ain't got any here. I'm not exactly inclined to leave either as there is still work to be done today. Tell you what, you pay me 200 col for everything on this list except the glass, and I'll let you know where to find my supplier. Heck I'll also throw in a few tools you seem to be missing."

David nodded emphatically, and let out the phrase "That sounds amazing!". He did not expect to get so much help from this particular NPC, but was more than grateful for it.

A bell chimed overhead as David entered the shop. The steady pounding of steel could be heard ringing out from the back room. The shop was uncomfortably hot, and made David adust his collar a bt from the sweat that started to pool around his neck.

"Welcome to the bent nail. Name is Emmet. I'm the head honcho around here. How can I help you today?" A grisly beared man wearing little else but a thick leather apron, breaches, and gloves asked fro behind the shop's counter. The walls were lined with barrels and crates of various tools, and building materials. 

David walked straight up to the counter, and placed his list upon it. Pointing to it he began to ask for his supplies. "I need these items, and as cheaply as possible. Quality does not matter." he said remembering that Hiro was footing the bill for this little trip, and he still had to buy the barley and hops for him.

No sooner than his conversation with Hiro ended did David dart out of the Tavern, and begin to make his way towards the Marketplace. What seemed to be hundreds of people flooded the streets, and from a glance David could not tell if they were players, or NPCs. Neither would have shocked him with how immersive the entire world of Sword Art Online was. It was slow going, but David knew exactly where his destination was at this point so he was able to cut through a few alleyways avoiding the most traffic. It was only about 20 minutes after he left Hiro's Tavern that he came across the very shop he was looking for: The bent nail Blacksmith.

The building was of the common type for the area. Stone blocks made up it's exterior with a crude wooden door hung at it's front. A sign with an anvil, and a bent nail laying on it swung above the door in the breeze. Three chimneys extended skyward from the flat roof. David grabbed for the door's handle, and made his way inside. 

List in hand David made his way for the door. The marketplace was close at hand, and he knew exactly where he wanted to stop in first. There was an NPC blacksmith who specialized in tools for professions that might be able to provide him the things he would need. Just as David reached out for the door handle however voice called out from behind him.

"Where ya headed Sensei?" It was undeniably Hiro, and he sounded genuinely interested.

"Headed out to the market. I'm about midway done with the <<Earning a Living>> quest. I have to buy some materials with which to make my little project to present to the quest giver." David answered with a bright smile on his face.

"Sure sure. Well pick me up fifty units of barley, and fifty units of hops will you? They just need to be of Vanity quality as it's for the ale that I serve you. This should cover it" Hiro said as he punched some numbers into his transaction menu. A window popped up in front of David's eyes bearing the message.

"Transfer of 1000 Col from Hiro recieved. Personal message: Good luck buddy!"

David's jaw dropped as he noticed the substantial sum of money deposited into his account. "That will cover ten times the barley and hops you've ordered Hiro, need me to pick up something else?" He asked dumbfounded.

"No, just get your supplies and get to work. The sooner you finish that quest, the sooner I can get you out of here. Oh and I expect any change to be brought back to me."

Since David had not actually been awarded his profession title in game he knew that whatever item he created could only be of Vanity quality. This meant that it could not have any enhancements put upon it. This was fine as he had no practical use for the loupe at this stage anyways, but it would serve as a reminder to him that he should always work hard, and stay focused on the details. There was still the small matter of gathering the required materials and tools. A quick trip to the blacksmith, and the marketplace would be all that would be needed. David grabbed a quill, and some paper to begin writing down his list of materials.

1: Fine chisels.
2: Brass, or both copper and zinc to make it.
3: Glass or Crystal.
4: files, and sand paper.

Most of these items would be cheap, and easy to acquire but because glass and crystal were so often used in the alchemist's craft David knew he might have a hard time procuring them.

ME

Also Me
 

Hello world

Names Anthony, I'm 25 and currently reside in Arizona.
I'm a Christian, but not the judgey overbearing type. We're all human, and commanded to love one another.
I am an apprentice field engineer for an electronics company based in the US southwest , but currently out of work due to health issues.
I have played several characters on anime themed roleplay sites in the past. I rather enjoyed playing more academic characters.
I enjoy good books, hot tea, and D&D. Redheads are also quite enjoyable. As is a nice glass of scotch in the evening.
I dislike pineapple on pizza, Fireball (if you can call it this) whiskey, and social situations.

#roastmebro

Two days later David had finished the book, and come up with about a dozen more sketches for the piece he was to bring back to Barnabas. It was a simple thing; jewler's loupe with five degrees of magnification.  Nothing too special, but it's difficulty was in the details. David had sketched it out with tiny writing engraved all around the rim. It was a simple poem designed to inspire the craftsman using the loupe to be dilligent in their work. It read thus:

    They say the devil is in the details
    Well I'm afraid I disagree,
    The devil is in the final product
    Not being what you wished to see
    So forget about the bigger picture
    climb back into your hole
    and live among the details
    Where you have the best control.

The young educator laughed as he read over his work. It was overly simple, but all of the right intention was there. After all that is what truely mattered.

"History you say? That is most wonderful!" David exclaimed as he took Rothsbite's hand and shook it heartily. "In a game populated mostly by children it is great to see a fellow educator. Tell me friend, what brought you to Sword Art Online? Personally I wouldn't be here if Hiro had not given me a copy just before launch."

David propped his broom up in a corner, and went about righting the last few tables and chairs as he listened for Rothsbite's response. When that task was done we went round to the back of the bar, and retrieved four chilled mugs. Into each he poured a generous helping of  Hiro's best ale. The amber liquid had a nice frothy head, and notes of strawberry in it's aroma. He slid two of the mugs over the bar towards Rothsbite, and smiled as they stopped dead where he wanted them to. Heaven only knows how much beer he wasted getting that one down.

@Rothsbite

"I'm up, I'm up" David said through his next, less pronounced yawn. There was all the time in the world to lay in bed, but he had work to do. There was more than half the book left to finish, and he wanted to get a head start. The sooner he finished reading, and learning from this book the sooner he would be able to revise his designs. Better plans meant more detail, and more detail meant stronger artifices. Stronger Artifices ultimately meant more Col. That part of it however was very far from now.

For the moment David gathered all of his things, and took them upstairs to his room. He sat underneath the window, and once more opened his book to pour through it's pages. He had a lot of ground still left to cover. Looking to his last sketch of the the previous night David Black smiled. Hestia would be proud of him the next they met.

David began to stir just as Hiro closed the book, and set it beside him. He stretched, eyes still closed and let out a mighty yawn. As usual for the overly cheerful man a wide smile crossed his face shortly thereafter. There was absolutely no reason to be unhappy. He was soaking up the knowledge in the book at an incredible rate. At this pace he would be well on his way to crafting that item for Barnabas in less time than it took the man to write the book. His eyes creaked open, and he began to wipe the sleep from them.

"Rise and shine Sensei. I need you to get up and move this party to your room. Guests will start coming in soon." Hiro greeted his teacher. The sun had long been up, and it was nearly midday. Not that Hiro cared what David was going to be doing with his days, but he still had a business to run.

The next morning Hiro discovered David still at his table. Six sketches wadded up on the floor, and one particularily good one sitting on the bar. The behemoth of a man had his face pressed against chapter 10 of his book "Empowering the work". As Hiro peeled it out from under David's head he was able to make out a piece from the first page of that chapter.

"The more time, effort, and planning you put into the construction of your artifice the better enhancement effects will bond to it. Take this for example: A hastily made brass, and topaz ring might have enough of the crafter's spirit attached to it to to manifest a single enhancement of modest power where as a lovingly chiseled, sanded, and polished marble figurine carved with ancient runes of power might manifest three. Your intention for the artifice should be clear during it's entire construction. From planning to finish. This intention will build up as you work, and cause the manifestation of the enhancement itself."

David dashed all the way back to Hiro's Tavern positively bubbling over with excitement. Hestia had told him how rewarding a profession would be, and now he was going to get to see that first hand. Throwing open the heavy door to the tavern David burst in and found himself a nice single seated table in a corner to curl up at. He set the book down on to the table, and flipped open it's pages to Chapter 1: appreciating the art of others. His eyes glued to the page David let himself drift away into the words.

After about 3  hours of reading (and some six chapters later) non-stop David's eyes began to swim. He needed a break, and bad. Wanting to still keep busy on this endeavor David plucked an unburnt bit of charcoal from the fire, and carved it down into a point. He then procured some paper, and laid it out at his table. Within moments he began to scribble away; drawing out his next idea.

"What does it do?" David asked snatching up the book, and thumbing through the first few pages. The table of contents listed a great many types of trinkets, jewlery, and statues that a player might create if they had the inclination, tools, time, and materials. It all seemed easy enough, but there was certainly more to it than assembling the perfect combination of factors to creae a simple item. No there was the bit that Barnabas had mentioned earlier. The sacrifice of time, and money to actually learn the skill.

Barnabas laughed, and slapped David firmly right between the shoulder blades. "Silly boy, it's a book. You read it, and you learn things. I thought you were some kind of teacher or something? You don't seem that bright to me. I'm too old for a formal apprenticeship so this is my way of setting you on your path. Take this book, and read it cover to cover. Then make me something. Anything with the knowledge you gather from these pages. Come back to me with the item you made, and I'll gladly mark your name down as a Journeyman Artisan."

It was then that a menu popped in to David's view. It read as follows:

Do you accept the quest <<Earning a living>>, From Barnabas the Artisan?

[accept]  [decline]

David pressed the button for accept without even thinking about it.

Transaction Record

10/16/2017: Link -1000 Col, -7 T1 Materials

"Absolutely, consider that piece now sold."
David nodded both positively, and emphatically at the mention of his items prices. With a few deft manipulations of his menu he produced the wolf pelt, the wolf skull, and five bars of steel on to the Blazing Typhoon's counter. The wolf's parts had a significant meaning to him as they were materials looted from his first ever fight in Sword Art Online. With a few more manipulations of his menu he was able to transfer the remaining balance of the transaction in Col to Macradon's account.

"You should have your payment as soon as that transaction goes through. Please though, do be careful with the wolf parts if you can. They are important to me. The beast that gave up those pieces fought quite hard to keep them, and must be honored." David urged before turning to collect his new set of armor. "Say you don't know of any merchants around here that buy old equipment do you? I have a tier one uncommon set of Heavy armor that I will be needing to get rid of now." David asked as he unequipped his battered breastplate, and equipped the [Harbinger of Edges].

Transaction notes:

@Macradon

"Hiro. Good to meet you. I'm late for a resupply meeting so I'll leave the two of you to it. David, not a drop gets poured in your mug before this place is fit to serve customers in. Rothsbite, mugs and kegs are just behind the bar there. Help yourself. I should be back in an hour or two depending on how much X wants to talk my ears off today. See you both when I return." The proprietor of the Tavern spit out in a hurry as he equipped his travelling cloak, and made his way outside. Whomever the man was meeting it surely wasn't completely on the up and up, otherwise why would he have a hood covering his face on such a hot day.

David stopped sweeping for a moment and looked at Rothsbite intrigued by his question. "I'm David as you heard. Nice to meet you. As for me referring to a class I am a high school English teacher, currently working abroad in Japan. At least I was before this damned game, and that psychotic developer came into play."
 

@Rothsbite