103. Master Crafters: Wiremu

I made sure I took a different route to Coastal Alchemy when I returned that afternoon. Stefan was in, and he was a short, stocky dwarf. I know there is a stereotype about dwarves being grumpy, but that did not apply to Stefan. He was friendly and personable, almost opposite the Enchanter Störst, who was next on my list to investigate.

After our greetings, I showed him the short piece of rope I had carried in a small box.

“This came from a Trap, and I am interested in what type of rope it is and how it has been treated to be so strong and sticky. There is also a toxin on there which is absorbed through the skin and numbs all feeling.” this is how I described it to him.

“Poisons are not my thing,” his voice was low, almost Orchish low. “I have a young fella on staff with an apprentice Poison Specialisation, he can have a look at it, and if it is beyond him, I can outsource it to someone I know.”

He poked, prodded, donned a glove and tried to remove it from the box, but it was stuck fast. “That is a damned strong adhesive,” he mumbled. “How did it not stick to the trap?” he asked.

“There were some runes enchanted in the trap. I have an enchanter looking at it.” I replied.

“Damned expensive trap” was his comment, and I agreed. “You are going to have to leave this with us. We will have to test the toxin first, remove it, and then find out what the adhesive is before I can find out what material the rope is made from. It has very high levels of Spiritual Energy, which is most likely the rope, but it could be the chemicals.” He looked at me, “We will have to test various chemical solutions on it, so you won’t be getting it back.”

“That is fine. There is more still in the trap. If you can, I am keen on an antidote for the toxin and the adhesive.” I said.

“I figured, but that is going to take time, depending on what it is. You already have an antidote for the adhesive if your enchanter figures the runes out. We will work on an alchemical antidote. I may need a bigger sample. This adhesive is good stuff. If we can reproduce it, there will be a good market for it.”

“No problem,” I said, and we said our farewells and I would check back in a week's time.

On the way back, I saw a sign, ‘Master Glass,' which seemed to be all sorts of glass works. I decided I had time to stop. After all, I have a big bag of spiritually enhanced sand. I only had a small bag on me, as I was using it to experiment with in my downtime. The front part of the factory was a shop that displayed their work samples. There were samples of different types of glass for windows in all sorts of colours and types. The most expensive was labelled “Security Glass”, and I picked up the sample as a merchant approached me.

“That is our latest in security glass,” he said. He was a thin, well-dressed Elf. “This has been spiritually enhanced to restrict spiritual senses and can come in various tints, and one-way viewing can be achieved with a coating we can apply. It is also guaranteed scratch resistant from non-spiritual materials and won’t break with less than a 45 in the Physical Strength Attribute. Even then, it will only crack, requiring multiple blows to break fully. It is our premium product, and we recently upgraded the Duke’s residence and the Enchanters Supreme.”

“I heard they had a break-in?” I queried.

“Yes, but it wasn’t our glass that failed. Master Glazier went and looked himself, and we stand behind this product,” then he added with a grin, “because it’s the safest place.”

I also grinned. I like a salesperson with a sense of humour. “I am here because I have come across some spiritual sand that I think you might be interested in, and I am looking for what can be done with it.” I pointed to a display which showed other glass products, drinking glasses of various types, jugs and other household utensils, including some domestic knives.

“Do you have a sample of the sand? I can take it through to our Merchant Assessor, as I think he is in at the moment.”

“Sure,” I said and handed over the small bag.

He took it and said, “That is strong, even I can feel the spiritual energy, and I am just a Merchant. Feel free to browse. I will be back shortly.”

I went and browsed the glass cabinet with the domestic products. I assumed the glass cover was a version of their security glass, but I didn’t test it. The cabinet was locked, but it was a very basic lock, even I could have picked it and my Lock Pick Skill is still in the Novice Level. I haven’t needed it with Tabitha around.

There were two glass drinking cups side by side. One was labelled Glass, and the other Crystal. The crystal one was much thinner than the glass one, even though they were the same style. It was also more expensive. The knives looked brittle, but I think one made out of Spiritually enhanced sand would probably work well cutting a particularly difficult rope. A skinning knife might work on skinning Monsters as well. I will have to ask when they get back.

The salesman returned with another male Elf, and I realised we hadn’t introduced ourselves. “Let me introduce you to Gwydr. He is a Journeyman Glassblower, Crystallier and Apprentice Glazier.” I had no idea if they were base classes or specialisations. I would guess specialisations. I don't even know what the Basic Class would be.

“Hello,” I said. “I am Sten, Hunter and Prospector.” I figured I would need to explain where I got the sand, and my Prospecting Class would be a good method of doing so. It did level at the time, and there is no secret as to where I got it, as the Mercenary Guild has been notified of the Sand Elemental.

“Good to meet you. How much of this sand do you have, and can you tell me where the source is?” Gwydr got right to the point.

“I have a mid-sized flour sack full, and it is from a half day down the coast. There is a Sand Elemental we reported to the Mercenary Guild.” I replied.

“That was incredibly dangerous. If you had picked up part of the core, you would be dead.” he seemed quite alarmed.

“I had someone with me who told me where I could collect from.” I said.

“Good. We already know about the Elemental. The Mercenary Guild informed the Duke, and he is putting together a group to study it, and we are experts on sand. I think Master Blåsare is planning to go himself.”

“What is the sand used for?” I asked.

“Many, many things. Most will be added to other sand in various ratios to bring out various effects depending on the Glass Workers' Skills. The Security Glass over there is about 30% Spiritual ingredients, but with this high level of Spirituality, we will be able to cut that down to around 20%. Come through to my office, and we can talk in comfort.” So we did.

Gwydr had a comfortable office above the shop with a view out to the harbour. He poured us a few drinks, and we sat comfortably.

He then got down to business. “We would like to buy the sand off you, obviously. But that is not the main reason I invited you up here. Crafters have many skills for sensing the Spiritual around us and in our work. A key Skill is called Spiritual Sensitivity, which is very difficult to get. Many people are stuck working with Mundane materials because they can’t get this Skill. As the Skill levels, we can tell a lot of different things about the Spiritual Energy, not just its strength, but also its flavour, if you can understand that.” I nodded. “I am saying this because the Stone knife at your hip and the stone darts on your chest all have a midlevel Spiritual Strength, and they all have the same flavour. You have that same flavour. I believe you have a Rock affinity.”

I am not sure what to say to that. The pause extended into the uncomfortable before I finally said, “And what would that mean here?” I started pushing Truth Sensing.

“It would mean that you are an incredible resource of Spiritual Material. However, I don't own Master Glass. That would be Master Blåsare. I am just here on contract to get my Glazier Specialisation. Master Blåsare would be the one buying your Elemental Sand as we went through the Saleman downstairs. Same with the source. I hope we can come to a private arrangement for my projects with you as my source. You do create rock, right? It looks like Granite?”

“I thought you needed sand?” I was not about to volunteer information.

“We have a tool out back, especially for breaking down rock. It is called a hammer.” He smiled.

I knew that I spent three horrible years breaking rock in a quarry. God, I’m dumb. He is trying to be friendly. He is trying too hard. I think he is a friendly guy, but I represent a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to him, and he doesn’t want to stuff it up, and it is coming across as forced. He is lucky I have Truth Sensing, which is now high Apprentice and, increasingly, gives me a feel for the intention of the words.

“None of this goes further than you and only you,” I said sternly.

“Absolutely,” he said, and Truth Sensing agreed. He was a craftsman, not a Spy or in another manipulative business, like Merchant.

“We will need to meet with my Sister before we make any arrangements. She looks after my business arrangements for me, and she is better at it,” maybe I can learn something.

“That’s fine. I could shout dinner tonight?” He was keen, that’s for sure.

“My sister has a date tonight. How about late tomorrow afternoon? It will need to be an early dinner as I need to be at the Comedic Rhythm show in the evening.”

“You lucky dog. I have been trying to get tickets, but all their performances are sold out, and then they are leaving.” Gwydr was obviously, really disappointed.

“I am going to be there working as Security. I could probably get you in if you don’t mind a couple of boring hours before the show. Just you, though.”

“Absolutely! That sounds great. And there is only me. I am barely considered an adult in Elf society, so no partner yet. I will shout dinner,” he said.

I was getting a good positive vibe from Gwydr. “Good. Now my sister Skygge or her senior agent Tāttā will come and negotiate the sale of the sand. I need a good Spiritually enhanced cutting tool, maybe a skinning knife. I want to cut a Spiritually enhanced rope without being obvious. Is glass a possibility for this?”

“Maybe,” he said, “but what is wrong with your Granite?”

Of course, I could use Granite. I am seriously brain-dead at the moment.

He continued speaking, “Glass or I would recommend a variation of Crystal, would get a sharper edge, but it is still more brittle than your stone. The advantage of a Glass Crystal knife is it is small and very difficult to see. As long as it is used only on soft materials, there is no problem.” He paused and then looked at me. “I am aware of a formula of glass crystal and a design that Cutpurse thieves favour. We could add a higher concentration of Spiritual material to make it more effective against this rope.”

“That sounds ideal. If you could negotiate a price and deal with Skygge or Tāttā, we will need at least four, but probably six would be better.” I was thinking of two for Tabitha and one for myself and Ruku, but extras are always good. Modrica might like one, but I think she would be happier with one of my serrated-edged stone knives.

“This will need to be a deal between the two of us. I doubt Master Blåsare would approve. If I could have a sample of the rope, we could test it.” Gwydr was trying to sweeten the deal.

“Let’s make the knife, and then we can test it,” I said. We made arrangements for a meeting the next day, and I departed.