Browsing for Inspiration

Log Info

• Title: Browsing for Inspiration

• Emitter: Mikilos

• Characters: Mikilos, Ygraine

• Place: Mithralla Merchandise

• Summary: A customer arrives in search of... she's not quite sure what. Conversation with the owner takes an unexpected turn into the nature of divinity and the importance of seemingly-small acts of good will and heroism. All in all, a rather unusually inspiring browsing excursion!

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=<* A15: Mithralla Merchandise *>=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

         Here, a large wooden structure has been built. Its somewhat eccentric yet elegant design suggests its owner may be of the arcane persuasion. To the side of the main structure is a small corral to for horses or wagons. Before the central building, a massive sword emerges from the earth. A sign upon it reads: "MITHRALA MERCHANDISE."
         
         Inside is a small seating area with several comfortable chairs. To the back, an unobtrusive but businesslike sales counter, and two large signs. One asks patrons to please wait here and not disrupt those inside the lab. The other offers a lab rental at a very reasonable rate. 

         To the left and right are a large set of doors. The doors on the right lead to a large room which takes up most of the building. Several long tables are scattered about, many with small tool racks. A small forge sits off to the side. Unlike the average workshop, maps of celestial bodies and guides to the elemental planes line the walls. Large frameworks of brass, silver, and crystal occupy space between the tables. A large shelf dominates the far wall, the containers upon it sporting such labels as "wyvern bile," "sulfur," "tiger's tears," and other exotic items. A glass-covered hole in the roof, set with mirrors, offers direct sunlight, or moonlight, to shine upon various projects.
         
         The doors to the left lead towards the direction of the mountains and what is reported to be a sildanyari-style ball room. Wizards.
         
         During regular store hours, a young Llyranesi man, Belhan Mithralla, keeps an eye on the shop and the lab. When not cleaning or helping a customer, he can usually be found reading some book from the library. 

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Mikilos bustles about the shop, dusting and polishing the assorted displays. The main door is closed against the cold, but the shutters are open and the shop sign glows with a minor illusion, inviting customers to step inside. Mikilos just looked at you.

A new arrival breaches the weather-proof haven, allowing in a sharp blast of the outside air as she slips inside. Fortunately, she closes the door quickly and firmly behind her, before pausing just inside the portal to peek around - and carefully lower the hood of her cloak... revealing an appreciative smile lifting the corners of her mouth, to go with a happily curious expression.

Mikilos glances over as the door opens, nodding politely with a smile. The elf finishes dusting off a set of daggers, giving the new arrival a moment to adjust, before turning the full of his attention. "Salutations and welcome. How may I be of service today?"

The newcomer dallies where she is, taking care over trying to make sure that she treks snow no farther into the establishment than is absolutely necessary.

"Oh, thank you," she says warmly. "I... well. I'm not entirely sure. Do you only accept custom by appointment, or are, err, drop-ins with an interest in *browsing* acceptable, too?"

Mikilos chuckles and waves vaugely. "You're perfectly welcome to look around, appointments unnessecary unless you plan to rent out lab scape or the ballroom. The library is also open to the public. Are you looking for anything in particular, or just seeing what's advailible?"

The woman quickly shakes her head. "Heh. No, no. I am afraid that I lack the necessary skills to make good use of a laboratory... but you have a *ballroom* here as well as a library? Wow. I am very impressed. And surprised, I confess! But, ahh, I apologise. My name is Ygraine. I am, in a rather minor sort of way, an adventuress. I find myself potentially in the market for an enchanted item or two... though I must admit that I am not at all sure what to invest in."

Mikilos grins. "Archmage Mikilostravia Abrioudelanarchie Mithralla, Lord of Estranillia, Builder Arcane, at your service. A pleasure to make your aquaintence, miss Ygraine. Whatever you choose to invest in, I'm happy to assist, offering a wide range of standard arcane items, or can comission something unique if you wish. If not directly, then thru recommendation of several quality craftsmen in the area. I've mostly retired, but remain on the roster at the Explorer's Guild myself. What sort of role do you prefer to adventure in? Perhaps I can offer some reccomendations?" The magus steps over to a small table where a kettle sits on a rune covered stone plate, with a plate of cookies next to it. "I'd also like to offer a bit of refreshment. There's several types of tea, and you're more than welcome to take a seat."

Ygraine blinks in surprise, before hastening to offer an elegant bow. "Ygraine fferch Gwydion of House Penlew, Muse of Ceinara, to provide a more formal education of my own. And, ahh... a warming bit of tea would be most welcome, thank you."

Carefully, she moves to divest herself of her damp cloak, before settling into place on a chair - one hand deftly maneuvering her rapier to avoid awkward entanglements - before neatly stripping off her gloves. "My, ahhh, role has thus far mostly been a matter of offering advice. Though I am at least notionally martially-capable, and a healer. My, err, my sole enchanted item thus far is actually a Hat of Disguise. But I was thinking of something with more, umm, *obvious* uses in perilous situations. Unfortunately, I have quite a few ideas for paths I might take with that..."

Mikilos nods, takeing a seat as well before offering a cup and selection of teas, most with berries or mint. "And to be clear, just 'Mikilos' is fine. Anyway, a simple magic weapon is fairly standard for solid reasons. Armor is always handy, and are various ways to get it, be it enchanted leathers or a ring of protection. And nothing wrong with having multiple ideas in mind, can usually try out a few before focusing on what style works for you. A good disguise can be the difference between losing a battle, and not having a battle at all."

"I have, err, heard of enchantments that can make one's *skin* resistant to harm? That might perhaps provide useful layered effects with the later addition of magic upon armour or shields. Such things being, I think, somewhat more commonly found?" The swashbuckling Muse shrugged rather self-consciously. "And... I, umm, I admit that I am just embarking upon an attempt to awaken a link to a valued old blade that has been in my family for a long time. I understand that some substantial resources might be useful in that, should I succeed. But, of course, surviving long enough to acquire *more* resources would be a good idea! So perhaps starting with something defensive would be wise..."?

Mikilos nods. "Amulet of Natural Armor is the standard item, though there are variations. I remember now were asking Seldan at the temple about awakened blades. Not an area I have much practical experience, but others have used the workshop to enhance their own items. As I understand, the item itself can help guide the process."

Inclining her head, Ygraine smiles warmly. "I did not want to presume that you would remember me! And we were not exactly formally introduced then. But, err, yes. A suitable place to work would be very welcome indeed, should such an effort with the blade prove to actually be possible. But, err... could you tell me how much such an amulet might cost? And whether I am correct in thinking that, in comparison to armour, they are rare... and thus less likely to be found while adventuring?"

Mikilos nods. "I admit I'm bad at placing people out of context. Anyway, yes, just finding such an amulet is possible, but not likely. The street price from a regular vendor would run around two thousand gold. Most Guild members offer a discount to fellow Guild members of about forty percent off, so one thousand, two hundred gold. But, crafting takes time, and is usually in demand. I could forge such an item, but am working with another comission until almost the new year."

After flashing a sympathetic smile at Mikilos, Ygraine nods slowly and thoughtfully. "That sounds as if it might be rather an interesting job, if it is keeping you busy for some time to come! But twelve hundred? Mmmmm. That certainly sounds quite tempting. If terrifyingly expensive by any 'normal' standards, of course! But that, err, discount is certainly worth knowing about. Thank you! That could make my budget stretch rather farther, to be sure."

Mikilos nods. "One of the larger jobs I've taken in recent history, though not my longest. And yes, the adventuring world is wildly different. It's easy to forget the payout of a small easy job can be someone's life savings."

"I felt that my enchanted hat was a wild indulgence! Though one that could perhaps be life-saving, and rather versatile... but as such things go, it is of course a rather 'minor' item." Ygraine chuckles softly. "And then I earn my keep while travelling by helping with a performance or healing some minor injuries, and I am reminded of just how long it would take me to afford such a thing through any *conventional* mode of work..."

Mikilos nods seriously. "On the other hand, how many times a week is a conventional worker's life on the line? How often are they personally targeted by a demon's ire? There is a tradeoff. I'm not sure it's fully fair, but it's not easy being an Adventurer."

Ygraine inclines her head once more. "Indeed. 'Peril pay' has its merits, to be sure. And I do try to repay... the world as a whole, I suppose, as best I can. I want to be helpful when opportunity presents, whether or not there is glory or profit - or peril - in prospect."

Mikilos nods again. "Agreed. If nothing else, I want to make the world a better place because I live in it. And doesn't help that it's impossible to know what might have been. I've stopped monsters that could have killed thousands. Did I really save a thousand lives, or would someone else have stepped in if I hadn't been there? Tomarrow you stop a pickpocket, a minor thing? Or if you hadn't stepped in, would they have gone on to be a bandit king and toppled nations?"

Blinking in surprise, Ygraine laughs softly and gently shakes her head. "*Thousands*? I am impressed! But yes... I do wonder if even the gods have much notion of what any event's unseen impacts might actually be. And I suspect that I should be glad not to know, myself. It is hard enough to deal with those things I can already perceive, I think!"

Mikilos smiles and nods. "To be fair, any monster MIGHT kill thousands. 'A single man can slit a thousand throats in one night. But he must run.' But yes, I imagine that's one of the real differences between mortals and the divne. Perspective on the world. Or maybe more than just the world. Are plently of planes of existance that we know about, and some we have only hints."

"Mmmm. The Historian springs to mind, with his sacrifice of part of his very essence for the good of... well, *everything else*," Ygraine says softly. "I still very much approve of the results of his purview, and am in awe of his personal loss... but as a deity, I felt much more *connection* to him when compassion was a key part of his nature. I think that I am glad that neither I nor other mortals can truly grasp the kinds of things he must have seen and foreseen, to push him to make such a fundamental *change* to his very being."

Mikilos nods. "That it's even possible may be a difference. I'm certainly not the same as I was a few years ago. But my fundimental nature hasn't changed. To be able to change what your existence means to the universe, that's not a trait held by mortals. Perhaps not even by all divine. I know Taara changed, comparitively recently, if not also from her role at the start of the first age. But is who she was in the begining really all that different from who she is now? Is she truely able to change her nature, or can it be done by only a few? Willingness is, of course, an entirely different question."

Ygraine blinks, then laughs softly. "I had not thought of things in quite that way... but yes. I, ahh, given the aspects of Ceinara to which I am personally most dedicated, I tend to think of Taara as being in some key ways directly opposed. Dark whispers falsely promising inspiration and freedom, rather than truly granting either... save in promotion of selfishness and malice. But you are certainly correct, in that she is reported to have changed role and even outlook, to at least some extent."

Mikilos shrugs. "I'm a magic man, a Universalist. I deal with all aspects of magic, even the darker ones. I hate Taara, I hate what she did. But I acknowledge it was done, and I deal with those changes, even if I do hope it's reversible... or at least parts of it are. I hope Animus can be resurected, and Navos can return to his previous position... but I wouldn't care to see the loss of Serriel. Maybe it has to be one or the other, but perhaps some sort of middle ground can be had."

Ygraine nods sympathetically. "I agree. I would that some grand events had turned out differently... but would any attempt to reverse such changes - even if it were possible - cost us at least as much as we restored? I dread to think what the consequences might be. Not that I am anywhere remotely close to having influence over anything of that nature!"

Mikilos shrugs again. "You might be surprised. Fairly recently, a few young adventurers went out to stop some wolves bothering a ranchers sheep. They ended up stopping a cult of werewolves who were changing the nature of dreams. Small things can lead to big ones."

Once again, Ygraine blinks in surprise... then laughs and cracks a grin. "*That* is impressive! My congratulations to them. And... as a follower of a decidedly unpredictable deity, I do rather strongly approve of serendipitous outcomes arising from seemingly-simple decisions. 'Today I shall try this' can turn out to be a *vital* choice to make, at times!"

Mikilos nods firmly. "That said, not every choice needs to be life changing. Too many starting adventurers get paralized from all the options. It's utterly possible to try something out, get it wrong, and move on to another option, with no harm done."

"I could be a more... *directly* potent servant of my Lady, had I not spent a significant portion of my time learning to make better use of her chosen weapon." Ygraine gestures to the hilt of her rapier. "I hope that she does not feel any disappointment that I have turned my attention to more straightforwardly *mundane* matters. I like to think not, and thus far I do not think I have cause to regret it. Indeed, I hope that my spread of competences might in many circumstances make me rather more useful than I would otherwise have been. But... it is a gamble, and I am unlikely to ever know quite how well or poorly it has truly paid off!"

Mikilos nods. "I by no means claim to know the will of the gods, but as long as you're trying to follow their doctrine, you're doing fine. As far as diversity goes, a healty dose is seldom amiss. I rarely have needed to use my sword, but the few times I did, was glad I'd invested some time and effort into being skilled. A one trick pony doesn't last long, but three or four quality tricks can carry you for quite a while."

Blushing a little, Ygraine gratefully ducks her head. "Thank you. I very much hope that you are right... and that I am managing to learn some useful tricks, to boot! I think so. I certainly try to. But I should probably stop taking up your time in *quite* this fashion, and, ahh, do some actual browsing of your stock. See if inspiration strikes, either for immediate purchase or future ambition, beyond my vague notion of a protective amulet. Would you care to accompany me as I wander, or should I grant you freedom to escape?"

Mikilos grins. "I do have tasks to do, but a break is always nice. I'll let you browse without hovering, but if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask myself or Belhan for assistance."

Nodding quickly, Ygraine flashed a warmly grateful smile. "Thank you. Truly. For the conversation, and the kind words. And the tea! And I might sample some of the baking, too, now that it might be wise to keep my mouth otherwise occupied! You have been truly hospitable."

Mikilos grins. "My pleasure. I make a point of treating all guests as well as I can. After all, they might end up spending thousands later." He smiles and winks.

Laughing, Ygraine nods. "Even a comparatively poor neophyte like myself is probably worth at least *one* cup of tea, yes," she agrees cheerfully. "But, truly: thank you. I am genuinely grateful. And glad to have better made your acquaintance now!"