escordvi | AUGUST CATCH-ALL

Entry tags:

AUGUST CATCH-ALL | OPEN TO ALL

Who: Darin Altway and You!
Status: OPEN
Where: The Starmetal Forge and around Eltrut and Nogard depending on the quest!
What: The Starmetal Forge Grand Opening and MANTA Board quests!
Warnings: None!

-STARMETAL FORGE GRAND OPENING-

[It took longer than he would have liked but after months of hard work, he's finally managed to do it. He'd saved up enough money and made enough connections to rent out and properly refurbish a big enough workshop then applied for his formal business license. And now, finally, after all of that and months of preparation, he can finally say:]

Welcome to The Starmetal Forge! Whatever your wish may be, with this hammer, I'll forge it into reality!

[The workshop isn't massive. It's actually rather modest, but Darin's invested all of his time into preparing for this day. The forge is fired up and he has two very meticulously organized and cleaned workstations ready to go with pristine tools. There's plenty of space for people to come and watch him work and even a sizeable storeroom for more rare materials; including the small horde of elemental gems he'd recovered from the Abyss.]

[But the crown jewel of this endeavor is the sign above the door. A sign bearing his personal emblem; a shooting star whose tail curls into a perfect circle with the handle of a smith's hammer coming from the comet itself, as if the star was the hammer's head. It's an emblem he'd kept ever since he took up the hammer. One he'd hoped would adorn his own forge some day. And now, the day has finally arrived.]

[He'd placed a MANTA board request specifically for this month. Anyone with any rare materials and wish for new items or equipment could bring it to him and all he'd charge is a small labor fee. He can't wait to see what people bring in!]

[When you come to check the place out, he's already tinkering with something or other. But you'll catch his attention soon enough and he lifts his head, smiling.]

Hey, welcome to The Starmetal Forge! Name's Darin Altway, Master Smith and Forgemaster! What brings you in today?

-GEMSTONE RESEARCH-

[With an abundant supply of Gemstones at hand, Darin has already been tinkering with ideas. But first, he needs to see just how powerful these stones are and if their various elemental effects can be combined.]

[Darin has had in mind a variation of a grappling hook for some time now. Something that can be fired with some sort of propulsion mechanism and retracted with a small motor. But he'd like to incorporate some of the gemstones as a way of magnetizing the grapnel. Something that will allow him to grip metal surfaces as well as wooden or stone.]

[So he's in the testing area, working on a glove with an elemental gem of wind and lightning slotted into the back of the hand to see if he can create some sort of magical, magnetic effect. This surely won't end poorly for anyone who wants to look over his shoulder.]

-TRAILING DAWN-

[Darin doesn't spend as much time on Nogard as he should. Honestly, being a Corsair never really sat right with him, but it was better than being a Paladin. Just another instance of never seeming to fit anywhere specifically. But since he's on Nogard doing some testing of his gear, he's decided to take some time and wander the beaches like he used to do back home in Kenmore.]

[When he finds the large, deepwater fish dead on the beach, Darin finds himself kneeling and examining them.]

What the hell are these doing way up here...? Deepwater fish don't usually wash up on shore...

The hell is going on...?

(OOC: I am open to other threads and quests so feel free to ping me on Discord at bitterbearface or Plurk (

bitterbearface)if you'd like to do something else!)

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Hah, I know that all too well, believe me. And nothing wrong with thinking of the bigger end goal, just so long as you remember to start smaller to get there.

[A friendly wink.]

Now, how much testing have you done so far?

Only what you just saw. I've been working on creating the housing and making sure the gems can actually channel the mana into the device.

[Darin motions to a blueprint of what is essentially a hookshot; a hand-mounted device with a retractable, propelled grapnel.]

I gotta make sure each piece functions before I incorporate it into the whole, after all.

You got some ideas? If so, I'm all ears.

Well if you're willing to hear...

[And so Cid will share some of the thoughts he's had in mind for these. Some are definitely far-fetched while others are a bit simpler and easier, but they are bound to come up with a few designs based of them. One of which will be for a fitted, fingerless glove that would incorporate the gemstones in some defensive manner with the mechanism incorporating the subtle movements of specific fingers. Whether it will work or not—well, that's what testing is for.

That's how the afternoon hours will pass until it's near evening, at which point Cid will check the watch on his wrist.]

That might be it for me. What say you to a drink? A celebration for today's progress.

[Darin's mind is flooded with possibilities, many of which he's already started sketching out, making lists of components and hurdles to overcome and work through. He barely hears the question, so deep into his musings...but when he realizes Cid just invited him out for a drink, he laughs.]

Honestly? You read my mind. I haven't had a day this fulfilling in months. Best way to finish it would be a drink or three.

You got a place in mind?

Let me see...

[He looks around where they are, going through the mental map in his head.]

There's a fine pub not too far from here that should suit us fine.

Well, I'm far from picky when it comes to booze! Lead the way!

[Once they arrive at the pub, Darin goes and secures a corner table and takes a seat. It's an old habit from his traveling days— he likes to keep an eye on the door. Even though he's not wanted in this world, old habits die hard.]

It's nice getting to actually sit and talk to you and not be chased by bounty hunters or escaping from prisons.

[There's a quiet laugh as he brings back two pints of their finest ales and a bowl of chips and salsa to the table (he's got wings coming, too), not minding the location at all. An oft preferred one of his own, really.]

I'd say this is the first time we did have a proper chat, eh?

When not under duress? Yeah, I'd say this is the first time.

[Darin gladly accepts the drink and holds his pint up in a 'cheers' gesture before taking a few hearty gulps.]

But...based on our last conversation down in the Abyss, I think I know what this is all about.

So, I guess...you've got questions. Fire away.

[His joviality melts away a bit into something more pensive. Nervous. He's glancing around to make sure none of the other patrons are paying them any mind.]

[Truthfully they didn't have to go directly to it, but... Perhaps it's better this way. So with a casual, relaxed sip of his ale, Cid lets it rest in his mouth as if in thought before he just half shrugs.]

All right. What is it about yourself that's got your knickers in a knot?

[Darin snorts into his drink and chuckles.]

Never had it put that way before but hey, I guess you're not wrong.

[Darin sighs a bit.]

So, I'm sure you've noticed by now that I can do things that most people can't. Not without some kind of magic, anyway. Thing is...what I do isn't through magic. I can just...do that. I'm physically stronger and more resilient than people. I can toss anvils around like bread rolls and I heal quicker from most injuries. Small cuts usually just heal right up.

I've had to hide who I am and what I can do because where I come from, these powers of mine are unheard of. In fact, most people already ostracized me on account of my blue hair. People don't have hair like mine where I come from unless they've got tainted blood. Demonkin and beastkin and the like.

[Talking about this has, admittedly, become easier. Darin's seem some broad acceptance of his strength since he's been in this world but the topic is still sensitive.]

[It's a good icebreaker. But he'll listen to him, his mug silently set down on the table as he does.

There's something like contemplative understanding as he nods slightly.]

Aye, such things are common in any world, unfortunately. And you are afraid those same prejudices will happen here?

I was, at first. I don't like using my powers if I can help it. I usually try and reserve it for when they're needed. Hell, everything I make in the forge I can probably do without tools but...I dunno. Seems like cheating to me.

[Darin stares into his mug. There's more to it than he's telling at the moment. It's the source of his powers and what they mean for him, his world, and ostensibly this world that has him keeping his guard up.]

But...people here have shown me they're a bit more welcoming. It's been an adjustment not getting side-eyed everywhere I go because of my hair. And when I do use my strength...

[He thinks back to when he caught that tree in Garuda's attack and how he saved Zelda...]

...When I do use my strength, people are glad for it. They don't see me like a monster.

[Cid watches him for a moment before he crosses his arms over the table, hunched forward for a bit.]

Yet that still makes you feel uneasy rather than reassured.

[Darin falls silent, pressing his lips together in a thin line.]

[It was revealing the source of his power that terrified him the most. The look Zelda gave him still haunts him, even though they've sorted the misunderstanding out.]

[He takes a swig of his drink.]

[Sooner or later he was going to have to tell people. People wanted to be his friend in this world and they should know what they were getting themselves into. And...who knows? Maybe more people will be like Zelda and actively pursue him. She did reassure him that if he started to lose himself to his power that she'd stop him...]

[If anything, maybe he could find people who could help her.]

...It's the source of my power that makes me hate using them. My twin brother and I...we both carry within us half the soul of an Archfiend God.

[He pauses here, glancing at Cid out of the corner of his eye, trying to gauge a reaction.]

[There is definitely a look of surprise at that. He knew Darin has inhuman strength, but whether it was latent, some sort of unique power, or perhaps granted to him was left unclear.

Yet he still remains calm...again more contemplative than anything. How similar is this "Archfiend God" to the Eikons? Or is it more akin to Ultima?]

What is this "Archfiend God" and how did you and your brother come to have half of its soul?

...Born with it.

I didn't even know what it was for most of my life.

[He huffs a little, almost mockingly at himself.]

Apparently...our mother didn't live through the birth. And when I was a kid...monsters attacked my home. My father and my brother were both killed and I survived because...well, because I tried to run.

They cut me down and I hid under my father's body and played dead. I survived but...

[He shakes his head. No, no point getting into the survivor's guilt.]

...Fast forward to a few weeks before I wound up here. I'd been framed for an assassination and it turns out the man behind it was Dromas, my brother. Back from the dead. That's how I found out. That we were both halves of a Demonic God. His soul had been brought to the Archfiend Realm where they put him in a new body. Trained up his power. He was going to be a weapon until he escaped. He made it back to Anmaral and decided that he wanted us to fulfill some grand prophecy.

[Darin grabs his pint and downs the rest of it in one long series of gulps before dropping it heavily on the table.]

Apparently, we're prophesied to end my world.

[Darin's almost afraid to look at Cid. The only other person who knows this truth is Zelda and she was horrified. And though that turned out to be a huge misunderstanding...it still hurts when he thinks about it.]

[His expression has definitely hardened upon hearing everything, and there will be a few moments of silence as Cid sits there, a hand slowly stroking his chin as if in thought.

...Prophecies.

Fate.]

And?

[Yet his voice is again calm, almost probing.]

Do you want to fulfill that prophecy?

[Darin shoots him a look.]

The hell do you think? Of course I don't! But my brother made it very apparent that my 'want' isn't a factor. That I'm a ticking time bomb! A catastrophe waiting to happen!

Hell, this world's probably in danger because of me for all I know!

[There's just the slightest quirk of a smile as he waves a hand.]

Calm down, I needed to hear it from your own mouth.

Now, how exactly is this "end" supposed to happen? Does this half soul of yours need to be activated? Does it need the other half? A certain ritual?

I don't know. Dromas was intentionally vague and was pretty clear he was going to make my life miserable until I joined him.

So odds are, we need to be together. Two halves and all that crap.

...Doesn't change what I'm supposed to be able to do. Dromas leveled an entire city as a show of force. Wiped it off the map then...transformed it. All the buildings. The people. Made it into some kind of spire.

Thousands of people, Cid. To send a message to me.

Aye, that's what your brother did.

[Which is truly horrific, it is, but in a way, also a distraction. He looks at him pointedly.]

But not you.

Edited 2024-08-23 05:41 (UTC)

No, I didn't. But that doesn't mean I'm not capable if I train myself.

Something I've never done before because...well, I didn't want to. People already saw me as a monster just from looking at me. The last thing I needed was to give them more to be scared of.

There's a lot I don't understand about myself, Cid. And that makes me dangerous.

[To that, Cid just lets out a small breath that almost sounds like a laugh as he shakes his head. He can already see so much of Clive sitting right there before him, circumstances both different yet similar.]

You're right—not knowing what you are capable of may be a dangerous thing. Suppose you lose control or someone else manages to manipulate you, take control of your mind and abuse your powers against your will. Given what you said, it makes sense that you would try to hide it all under lock and key.

[A small tap of his finger.]

However, that path is no better than allowing fate to play out as it wishes.

[Darin rocks back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest.]

Yeah? How do you figure?

[Just a casual shrug.]

Besides what I just said? It's essentially giving up.

Instead of protecting the people you do not wish to harm, you're setting yourself up to do exactly that.

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