Philosophy

Ooc - Same message

--Dalen Capital, Valade Estate. Evening, 2 DSTR--

Gularzob smiled and nodded his head in a short bow when Kalena agreed to viewing the sample. He was certain she would be pleased, but there was a voice in the back of his head that told him he had wastes his money and effort on some trash that she would turn down. He feared she wanted a complete replica of her old armor, but he hoped that she would appreciate his adaptations. Breathing in deeply, he silenced the voices by clenching his fist and cracking a few of his knuckles.

Feeling himself drawing back into the marble, imagining himself as a green stain on the clinical cleanliness of the estate, he was beginning to question why he agreed to come instead of just arranging a fitting in Kalena's schedule. He felt questioned and doubted, and with these feelings came the voices screaming his failures into his ears. The blades he had misforged, the armor that was weak in places, his mother's head in his hands. Squeezing his eyes shut and focusing on taking normal breaths, he noticed that Kalena was speaking to him and shot his eyes open. Looking at her intently as she spoke, he focused on the topic and ignored the knot in his stomach. Breathing in deeply at her question of Praitine steel, he was formulating an answer when she continued and then Kline spoke.

Holding his lips closed, he waited for a gap in the speech to find his voice. When Kline paused to take a drink after mentioning Gular's agreeance, he spoke, "I agree with much of what you say Kline, for an experienced swordsman with a stout branch could best a novice equipped with a sword forged by the gods themselves. However, with two opponents on equal footing, the steel matters more than previously. A smith who is careless with his hammer blows could turn the world's finest steel into little more than brittle rod. So, yes, I agree that the measure of the wielder and the smith can account for many imperfections in the steel itself, but there is a sort of hierarchy within the steels."

Pausing for a second to look between Kalena and Kline, he continued, "There is a possibility of finding pure Praitine on the black market, but to do so would be a death wish for the buyer and seller alike. The only way pure Praitine leaves those mountains is within the hands of a Timber Crag soldier, and only the best of those. The highest legal Praitine you can buy without threat of life and limb is seventy percent Praitine, eighteen percent iron, and twelve percent Mithril. This creates weapons and armor that are as strong as Mithril, but slightly heavier. Pure Praitine, with no iron ore or Mithril within it, is the strongest metal I have ever experienced. I only had the pleasure of working with it once on a pilgrimage to the Timber Crag Kingdom. During that time, I crafted arms and armor and watched the warriors compete and show the durability. Pure Praitine is easily four times stronger than the best Mithril, but it is twice as heavy, a fitting steel for the werebear that use it. It will cut Mithril in half and will take no damage from a return blow."

Hearing the conversation turning to their preferred swords, Gularzob chuckled softly before adding, "I must agree with Kline, but my sword of choice does not move me as much as one might expect. I prefer the reach of a zweihander, much like that of a polearm, but with the full-edged lethality of other swords. Able to be moved as quick as any other, but with the force and momentum to do to plate armor what no other sword can. Speed and sharpness are nice against lightly armored or unarmored opponents, but your sharp, light saber will bounce off plate with no effect."

Gularzob followed behind the others into the game room with a wave of confidence from his ability to speak. However, as he saw the ornate surroundings and felt as if it was all weighing down on him and crushing him, he had to steady his breathing yet again. He needed to take better care when agreeing to these gatherings, for he would need several hours outside of the city to make up for every half-hour he stayed within this home. Concentrating on not letting his nerves make him sweat stupendously, he swiped his sleeve against his brow before rolling them up to his elbows, revealing massive forearms from a century at the forges. There were a few burns and scars from hot and sharp instruments, and his hands were callused from years wielding a hammer and sword.

Finding a seat at the table, he listened carefully and watched as Kline described the rules. Narrowing his eyes as his brain processed, he pulled out his coin purse and shyly glanced into it. Seeing only twenty coins inside, he pulled fifteen out and stacked them up before him. Glancing over at Kalena as she asked of the value of the platinum, he answered nearly immediately, "Three gold coins per platinum." After helping to decide the value, Gularzob went into the game cautiously. He had a sorts of understanding at the beginning, but he did not want to go in without caution and lose his limited supply of coins. As the game progressed and he gained understanding and confidence, he began making larger bets. All in all, he lost half of his money before he began making money. By the end, he had quadrupled his original amount.

Gularzob smiled at Kline's comments on the three types of swords, agreeing with much of what the man had to say. Looking to Kalena as she offered a chance to spar as well, Gularzob put a hand up slightly before speaking, "I would be interested in sparring if you have enough practice swords."

Tag - Kalena, Kline, Lafayette, Eliza. And others optional