Post by 3personal5me on Dec 3, 2019 9:01:39 GMT
Anthony had been travelling for months to reach Waterdeep. His father (more accurately, someone working for his father) had arranged the trip, which included passage with dozens of ships and caravans. The final leg of the journey was with such a caravan; a trail of wagons carrying trade goods to the city. He rode in a rather simple stagecoach, providing a quiet refuge where he could read and pass the time. He hadn’t brought many belongings with him; most of it fit in a chest that sat in the seat opposite him. Within it was a handsome sum worth of rare gems to be sold when he arrived. This would be all the money he had from his family; from then on, he would be financially responsible for himself. Not that he was worried; he was sure he would find paying work.
His journey was, ostensibly, to expand the Allerton family reach. He was to create inroads with the local government and nobility, introduce Allerton technologies to the city to create a market, and assess local technologies and resources for study. It wasn’t a lie, exactly. It was a creative way of wording his request to his father. What he really wanted was to get away from his family. To move somewhere where Allerton technology had not already been perverted and bent to the evil whims of some who controlled it; used against the weak and the innocent to further cement the power of the wealthy. He just wanted to help people, and make lives better.
He shook his head, clearing his thoughts. His gaze drifted to the ornate wooden cask beside him, looking suspiciously like a coffin. It’s bulk took up most of the stagecoach, and proved very difficult to get into the small space. Dark oak with golden trim, the case held many of Anthony's greatest inventions. He ran his fingers over the wood, steel sliding over the slick material. He flexed his metal knuckles, the light of the setting sun glimmering across the back of his hand. They were almost there.
The sun had already gone down by the time the caravan arrived. The various wagons peeled off almost immediately, heading to their respective warehouses and loading bays. Anthonys continued onward, reaching the heart of the South Ward before stopping. He took the pouch of gemstones, tucking it into his pocket for the time being. He disembarked, waiting long enough to ensure the porters had secured his luggage before heading inside. The room he walked into was small, with a desk shoved into one corner and a single lamp lighting the room. Behind the desk sat the Quartermaster; a dwarf, with a pipe in one hand and a book in the other . He clearly wasn’t happy to be at the office so late at night. His eyes flicked up to Anthony when he walked in, and he let out a dense puff of smoke. “Allerton?” he asked with the kind of gruff voice that only a life long smoking dwarf could have.
“Anthony Allerton, yes. I have some gemstones here, supposed to exchange them for the local currency”. If the dwarf cared, he certainly didn’t act like it. He held out one hand, prompting Anthony to hand over the pouch. The Quartermaster took the gems and eyed them, though he knew they were authentic. He had heard of the Allerton family before, and received word ahead of time. The entire exchange was pre-arranged, and the dwarf soon produced a hefty sack of coin for Anthony to take. It was a small percentage of the total amount, the rest being made available at the bank the next day. He quickly saw himself out, eager to get to a bed. Outside again, he found that his luggage had already been loaded onto a smaller horse drawn cart, the driver waiting for his passenger. Anthony hauled himself up onto the seat, and they set off deeper into the city.
It was late into the night by the time they had reached the North Ward. His family had prepared lodging and a workspace for him as well. His new home was a small villa on the southern border of the North Ward. Here, he would have a short commute to the workshop he had in the Trade Ward. For now, he was only concerned with getting home and getting to sleep. When the cart finally stopped outside the villa, Anthony was impressed. He didn’t expect a place quite so nice, given how long the lease was already paid. Property must be cheaper in Waterdeep. Letting himself inside, he was pleased to find that the building had been prepared for his arrival, and several torches lit the foyer. While he wanted to explore his new home, he decided to leave that for the next day. He helped the cart driver haul his luggage into the front room, tipped him with what was probably too many gold coins, then drudged upstairs to hunt down a bed. He quickly found one in a quaint room, and promptly collapsed onto it. Months of travelling was finally over, and he could feel it drain from his body as he lay there. Before he knew it, he was fast asleep.
Anthony didn’t wake up so much as he slowly came back to life. His head felt like it weighed a ton as he lifted it from the bed. He was surprised to find he essentially hadn’t moved all night; he was still lying diagonally across the bed, on top of the blankets. He closed his eyes, willing himself back to sleep, but failed. Dragging himself off the bed, he shuffled over to the window and yanked open the curtains.
His eyes were immediately on fire. Blinking harshly in the light, he realized me made the mistake of looking directly into the rising sun. He blinked away the spots as he staggered out of the room, guessing it to be late morning by the position of the sun. Returning to his chest of belongings, he retrieved his other set of clothes (he had brought three, but managed to light one on fire) and set out to find the bath he was certain was in the house somewhere.
Almost twenty minutes went by as he explored the villa. He had found the bath quite early, but his curiosity drove him to explore the rest of the building. He soon learned that the room he had slept in was actually a guest room; the master bedroom was down the hall and easily twice the size. Downstairs was a sizable library, with an office attached. And, to his relief, he found a wine cellar he could stock. His curiosity sated, he returned upstairs to bathe and change.
Feeling refreshed, Anthony dragged his belongings to his bedroom and then left the house, heading to the Trade Ward to see his new workshop.He had with him a sheet of paper with several useful addresses written on it; his villa, his workshop, some minor local nobility he was supposed to meet, and other useful tidbits. He knew the Trade Ward, and his workshop, was a short walk to the south, but he wasn’t certain where. He walked for a while, lost in an unfamiliar city, less concerned with going “the right way” and more interested in seeing the new city. As the buildings changed from the fancy villas to more utilitarian buildings, he assumed he had reached the Trade Ward. A local nearby was sitting on a bench, seemingly watching the crowd, and seemed like a person to ask for directions from. He approached the woman, giving her a wave and smile. “Hi, could you give me directions? I think I’m lost”. He already had the sheet of paper out, showing her the address. Her eyes lit up when she saw him, and greeted him with a friendly hello. After hearing his plea for help, she gladly pointed out to him that he had wandered into the Sea Ward. She gave him some simple directions, and he thanked her with several gold coins. Judging by her reaction, it was a lot. But as he walked away, back on track, he didn't notice her motion to a friend nearby.
It was several minutes later when Anthony found himself cutting through an alleyway. He wasn’t sure if it was actually a shortcut, but his guide insisted he would save time if he did. The alleyway twisted and turned, and once he was deep within and out of sight from the street, several thugs ambushed him. As the two burly men, one a half-orc and the other a human, he realized he had been set up. The two were armed with wooden clubs, wearing leather armor. The half-orc, with one broken tusk, smiled and laughed as they revealed themselves. “Well look at this, Mikey! Looks like someone is lost!” His accomplice laughed as well, hefting the club as they grew closer to Anthony.
“I’m not looking for trouble, I just want to get to the Trade Ward. So how about I give you guys some coin, and we go our separate ways?” Anthony backed away slowly, taking stock of what he had with him. In short: nothing. His armor, weapons, and all other equipment was currently sitting in a wooden box at home. That wasn’t to say he was defenseless; he just wasn’t as confident in his success. The human, Mikey, opened his mouth, as if to say something. Anthony saw his opening, and took it. He raised his metal arm, hand out, and a bolt of fire streaked forth from his palm. The flaming projectile slammed into the thugs chest, toppling him over as his clothes burst into flames. Anthony and the half-orc were moving before he hit the ground. Anthony was sprinting down the alley, back the way he came, but his pursuer was gaining fast. Several more bolts of fire were sent down the alley, but none struck true.
Anthony was breathing hard, already running out of breath, when the half-orc tackled him from behind. Anthony hit the ground hard, the wind knocked out of him as he was crushed by his foe. The brute stood up quickly, hauling Anthony up and off his feet completely. “You really think fighting back was a good idea?” He roared, slamming his prey against the wall. Anthony's head cracked against the brick, and his vision blurred.
“Not my best idea,” he groaned, trying to blink his vision back to normal. “Not my worst either”. His fingers twitched as capacitive crystals began to store energy. It was a slow process, and would take some time. Time he wasn’t sure he had. “How about I give you half the gold, and we call it good. Yeah?” His eyes were starting to focus, and half-orc face he was staring at was not happy.
“I’m going to tear you in half!” He bellowed in response. He turned and tossed Anthony across the alleyway, heaving him like a sack of flour. Anthony slammed into the opposing wall before dropping to the ground in a heap. He scrambled to his feet, the half-orc preparing to swing his club like his life depended on it. Anthony pushed himself off the wall, propelling himself into the thugs stomach. He lacked the power to tackle someone so much bigger than him, but the element of surprise seemed to play in his favor as the two tumbled to the ground again. He found himself on top of the half-orc, who seemed to be dazed from his head hitting the ground. Seemed only fair, considering he had done the same to Anthony.
The capacitors were finally charged, just as the thug started to put his mind together again. Anthony pulled his arm back, electricity crackling between his knuckles as he threw a wild punch. He made contact with the half-orcs other tusk, his metal fist plowing through the tooth and making contact with the thugs face. A terrifying amount of electricity coursed through him,his convulsing body throwing Anthony aside. He rolled, jumping to his feet and ready to fight, but the half-orc didn’t move. He looked down the alley, but Mikey was nowhere to be seen. Letting out a deep sigh of relief, Anthony started limping his way out of the alley. He had escaped with his life and his belongings, which was good enough. He didn’t want to go to the police and cause a problem on his first day in town.
Several hours later, Anthony had safely reached the Trade Ward. He was sore, but not as hurt as he could have been. By the time he reached his workshop, his limp was already gone. He found the workshop off a small sideroad, tucked away next to some warehouses. The remote location wasn’t for privacy, so much as to avoid hurting people in the event of an experiment gone wrong. Letting himself into the building, he found a large open space. Originally intended as a storehouse, it had been emptied of its shelving to offer plenty of floorspace. It was currently completely barren; he would have to order tools and materials soon. In the back was a small room, which he assumed was meant to be an office, and a small restroom. It was a basic building, and exactly what he needed. He milled about for a moment, before heading out to see about stocking the building.
Perusing the Trade Ward, he found many intriguing shops. While he desperately wanted to explore and find things to put into his empty house, he knew he had more important purchases first. He eventually found a raw materials shop, Sticks and Stones Warehouse, and went inside. A kind faced gnome was inside, currently addressing an employee and gesturing with a clipboard. Once he was done, he smiled at Anthony and offered him a friendly greeting. “Welcome, welcome! What can I help you with today? Building a house? A ship?” He seemed eager to talk, and was talking quickly for someone who sold rocks and wood.
“Ah, not exactly. Supplying a workshop. I’ll be needing resources, and tools if you can provide them”. The gnomes eyes lit up, and he rushed to the nearby counter to grab a binder. “Oh, I have everything you need, and more! Feel free to peruse the catalog, walk around and take a look if you want, and just fill out the form with what you want and bring it up here!” The man quickly returned to talking with his employees, seemingly directing them in preparing shipments. Anthony took the binder, not really looking at it as he started to work his way through the aisles. The shelves had placards on them, which had the name of the product, the price, and its location in the catalog. In the case of materials, a sample the size of a small vase was on display. He was quick to mark down the simpler things he would need: steel, iron, wood, and the likes. He picked out plenty of tools as well, including some larger pieces like drills and lathes. Tool chests, stools, tables, and dozens of other details were recorded and marked on the order form.
It was almost two hours before he finished, heading back to the counter to pay for his purchases. When he handed over the sheet, the gnomes eyes nearly popped out of his head. “My word! This is quite the workshop you’re building!” He quickly tallied up the purchases, triple checking the number before presenting it to Anthony. He seemed apprehensive, like he was afraid Anthony would reveal that the whole thing was a joke. But as Anthony began to fill out the payment form, supplying the details needed to charge his bank account, the gnome became giddy. Once the paperwork was finished, Anthony bid him farewell and left again.
All of this work was becoming tedious, not to mention dangerous. Maybe it would be a good idea to hire an assistant, who could handle this boring day to day stuff. Perhaps he could find some sort of labor office to hire someone. He continued to wander the Trade Ward, before finding someone much more trustworthy to ask for directions. The kind elf pointed him in the direction of a place where nobility tend to find their staff, and Anthony tipped him with a gold coin. Just one this time.
Finding the office he was looking for, Anthony was impressed to see just how ornate the building was. They clearly had, and knew, money. This was the place you went to when you wanted someone to be at your every beck and call. It was a concept he was familiar with, his family having employed dozens of them. When he went in, he found a spacious lobby with very elegant furniture. He was greeted by a young woman behind a desk in professional attire, who gave him the kind of smile that most hired help had. “Good afternoon sir, welcome to the Ardine Hiring Agency. What kind of help are we looking for today?” She seemed genuinely curious, but Anthony assumed she simply good at her job.
“I’m looking for a sort of generalist. Someone who can clean, handle paperwork, that sort of thing”. She nodded as he spoke, asking a series of follow up questions. Was physical labor involved? Would they be live in or remote? Hourly, or salary? He explained that he wanted to pay up for several months, and was a little low on money. She nodded as he talked, tapping her nails on the desk After several minutes, she seemed to have a clear idea of what he was looking for. She flipped through several files, pulled out a sheet of paper, and handed it to him.
“So, I won’t sugarcoat it; the budget is sort of a problem when youre looking to pay several months in advance. With that said, can I suggest Enna Galanodel? A moon elf, though not in the best condition. She’s a mute, and is missing an arm.” Anthony's ears perked up at the last part. Missing an arm? Why, he had just the solution. Then he saw she was one hundred and twenty seven years old. For an elf, that was barely an adult! “Far as anyone knows, she doesn’t have any sort of family. Perfect for live in”. Anthony shook his head slightly as he read the file. Anti-social, currently lives in the Hiring Agency dorms, never hired.
“Sounds perfect. When can she start?” He was originally just looking for an assistant; Someone to handle the day-to-day affairs of his villa. But after reading about Enna, he had to help. Filling out the paperwork went by fast enough. Contracts were signed, payment was arranged, and he gave the address of his villa. After being assured she would arrive the next day, he resolved to return home for the afternoon. It wasn’t a long walk back home, but he didn’t want to wander around town after dark.
Along the way home, he realized he had nothing to eat, and hadn’t eaten since lunch the day before. The sun hadn’t set yet, and the shops were still open as he wandered about, following his nose to a stall offering clam chowder in a bread bowl. It smelled incredible, and he was starving. The line was short, and he quickly found himself face to face with a halfling in an apron. “What’ll it be?” He asked as he stirred the clam chowder. Anthony inspected the menu, and found it to be quite simple. A loaf of bread for two copper, clam chowder in a bread bowl for two silver. It slowly dawned on Anthony just how much money he had been tipping people all day. This was immediately followed by the realization that he didn’t have anything smaller than a gold piece. He did some quick math in his head.
“I’ll take a clam chowder bread bowl and I’ll pay for the next four”. There were some cheers behind him from those that overhead the conversation, and some even pat him on the back as he walked away with his food. He paid them no mind, however, as he tucked into a hot meal.
To say it was delicious would be an understatement. It may have been the hunger talking, but it was quite possibly the best seafood he ever had. He supposed it made sense that a port town would have good seafood, but he certainly wasn’t expecting something this divine. He tore into the bowl, using it to scoop up the chowder and eat while he walked. He was nearing home now, just as the sun was beginning to set. He finished the food as he turned onto his street, and was home in no time. He quickly changed into his pajamas and got in bed, enjoying the four poster bed in the master bedroom. It was sparsely furnished, but he didn’t care. It was home.
He woke the next day to someone banging on the front door. He crawled out of bed, quickly changed, and made his way downstairs to open the door. When he did, he was greeted by a short, young woman. She couldn’t have been more than five foot five, with skin so pale it was almost blue. Her white hair framed her light blue eyes as she stared up at him wordlessly. When he noticed she was missing her right arm, his tired brain finally made the connection. “Enna?” She nodded silently in affirmation. “Come in, I guess. Familiarize yourself with the house”. He stepped aside, gesturing with his mechanical arm. Her eyes bugged when she saw the artificial limb, which she quickly grasped around the wrist and pulled close.”Oh, right, yes, the arm. Yes, I will make you one, yes, it might be done today, no, i’m not sure.” He knew what her questions were. He had been in her position once, and knew how anxious she would be to restore her limb. Her eyes grew hopeful when she heard she was going to receive an arm, but her smile faded when she heard it would take some time. She let go of Anthonys arm, seemingly just remembering he was now her boss. She sheepishly made her way inside.
“Like I said, familiarize yourself with the home. You can take the guest room upstairs. But be careful with the window! You’ll go blind”. He was already heading upstairs to get ready for the day. When he returned again, Enna was still standing in the foyer. He handed her a piece of paper with a list of instructions. “Short version; you do the housekeeping, finances, and all that other stuff. I’m expecting a shipment of materials at the workshop, and I want you there to receive it. Address is written on there”. He adjusted his belt, which now played host to some of the gadgets he normally kept locked up. It seemed Waterdeep was the place where carrying a weapon was a good idea. “There’s money upstairs, I want you to work on stocking the larder and decorating this house. Enna was reading the rest of the paper, looking over everything she had to handle. She nodded slowly, apprehensive. “I’ll be back later tonight; I have some shopping of my own to do”. He made his way to the Trade Ward again..
Having only two outfits was certainly going to make life unpleasant, and he was eager to fill his wardrobe. It was surprisingly easy to find an upscale clothing store; there were quite a few near the border to the North Ward. The shopkeepers were more than happy to guide him in the local fashions. When he explained the crimson and gold livery of his family crest, they were quick to incorporate it into his attire without being overbearing. For several hours he bounced from shop to shop, ordering clothes to be delivered to the villa. He traded in his original outfit, which was surprisingly unfashionable, choosing instead to wear one of the outfits he had chosen. The old clothes were left in the care of the shopkeepers, who were free to do what they wished with it.
As his shopping day continued, he happened upon a very interesting shop. Regal Meagle Arms and Armor, where one could purchase fashionable accents and attire for combat. He went inside, curious to see what they had to offer. He found cloaks, sashes, belts, fans, banners, mohawks, spikes, and everything else in-between. He was perusing a collection of unicorn hair pommels, when his eye caught a suit of armor against the back wall. It looked like a mixture of armor and brilliant blue tunic. It looked incredible. A shop steward approached him, admiring the armor alongside him. “Beautiful, isn’t it?” Anthony couldn't help but nod in agreement. “The Holy Warrior, they call it. Very popular style, especially with clerics. Though some wizards have been known to use it”. He couldn't help but imagine how his armor would look with the same treatment. “Only two thousand gold,” the salesman continued “and only takes a week”. Anthony shook his head, clearing his thoughts. He hated sales pitches.
“Oh, I’m just browsing for now”. There was no way he was paying that much for something he could do himself. Honestly, much of his shopping was just getting inspiration for things he would make himself. Cloth proved difficult, but he imagined he could pull it off himself. “Maybe I’ll come back in a few days”. He had no intention of returning, of course, but he felt bad saying otherwise. Once outside, he returned to one of the shops he had visited earlier. After a little searching, he found what he was looking for; a brilliant red tunic, made of a high quality silk. It was a fifth of the price, and would provide plenty of material to modify the armor. His final stop for the day would be a costly one, but worth it in the long run; he needed very expensive materials with which to craft Ennas arm.
He visited high end jewelers, antique shops, alchemy shops, and a rare minerals shop to acquire everything he needed to create a copy of his arm. It was much easier back home, where he had most of the materials he needed. What he didn’t have, he could purchase without regard to price. But now, he was harvesting platinum wire from ear rings and mythril filigree from old elven weapons. It was expensive, and the end cost would be comparable to what he paid for Ennas employment in the first place. But it would still prove to be an efficient use of his money, and he felt an obligation to help her if he could. A cheap backpack served to carry everything to his workshop, where he found Enna. She was in the middle of organizing everything that had been delivered earlier. The porters had moved the large equipment for her, but she insisted she do the rest herself. When Anthony arrived, she arched an eyebrow in curiosity. “Carry on, don’t mind me”. He straddled a stool and emptied the contents of his bag onto a workbench as Enna went back to work. He began the long process of dismantling everything, organizing it, and planning the design. Not every limb was designed the same way, and a lot of it depended on the person it was designed for. He borrowed Enna from her work long enough to take extensive measurements of her arm, and the remains of the other one. She too was missing much of her shoulder, though the damage seemed much more severe. He wondered what caused it, but didn’t want to ask something so personal. He pushed the question aside, and kept working.
He was working on the design of the metal plates; a puzzle with infinite solutions, and infinite wrong answers. When Enna silently placed a bowl of beef stew on the table, he realized it was actually dinner time. He had worked all afternoon, and didn’t realize it. Not that he minded. A day in the lab was a day well spent. He ate the meal as he explained the plate layout to Enna. He had no idea if she understood any of it, but she nodded slowly anyways. Sometimes that was all he needed; someone to talk to as he thought out loud. By the time he had finished eating, he had also finished the plate design. Enna took his dishes as he fired up the forge, ready to start shaping steel.
It was deep into the night when Anthony finished. He was hunched over a table, sweat dripping from his brow, as he finished the last sigil. He set the last plate into place, hearing the satisfying click that meant it was locked in, and finally sat back. It was small. Perfectly sized for her, of course, but it seemed so tiny on the table. The design was more sleek than his own, better suited to her frame, and should be just as functional. He rubbed his eyes, blinking away the sleep, and slipped off his stool. The forge still gave off a warm glow, the embers giving off a comforting light and heat. It was too dark to walk home, so he dragged a pile of leathers in front of the forge to serve as a bed for the night. He slowly nodded off to the sound of the crackling embers.
He was woken up by Enna shaking him. The forge had gone out, and the sun was just starting to rise. He sat up, rubbed his eyes, and clambered to his feet. “Do me a favor; let's turn the office back there into a bedroom. This won’t be the last time I spend the night here.” Enna pointed him to the table, where doughnuts and coffee waited beside the arm. He couldn’t help but feel she did it on purpose, to draw his attention to the arm. Asking without asking, so to speak. “The installation won’t be fun. It’s painful, to be honest.” She chewed her lip, then nodded. She had a determined look in her eyes. “Alright”, he grinned, “Let me eat, and we can get started”.
His journey was, ostensibly, to expand the Allerton family reach. He was to create inroads with the local government and nobility, introduce Allerton technologies to the city to create a market, and assess local technologies and resources for study. It wasn’t a lie, exactly. It was a creative way of wording his request to his father. What he really wanted was to get away from his family. To move somewhere where Allerton technology had not already been perverted and bent to the evil whims of some who controlled it; used against the weak and the innocent to further cement the power of the wealthy. He just wanted to help people, and make lives better.
He shook his head, clearing his thoughts. His gaze drifted to the ornate wooden cask beside him, looking suspiciously like a coffin. It’s bulk took up most of the stagecoach, and proved very difficult to get into the small space. Dark oak with golden trim, the case held many of Anthony's greatest inventions. He ran his fingers over the wood, steel sliding over the slick material. He flexed his metal knuckles, the light of the setting sun glimmering across the back of his hand. They were almost there.
The sun had already gone down by the time the caravan arrived. The various wagons peeled off almost immediately, heading to their respective warehouses and loading bays. Anthonys continued onward, reaching the heart of the South Ward before stopping. He took the pouch of gemstones, tucking it into his pocket for the time being. He disembarked, waiting long enough to ensure the porters had secured his luggage before heading inside. The room he walked into was small, with a desk shoved into one corner and a single lamp lighting the room. Behind the desk sat the Quartermaster; a dwarf, with a pipe in one hand and a book in the other . He clearly wasn’t happy to be at the office so late at night. His eyes flicked up to Anthony when he walked in, and he let out a dense puff of smoke. “Allerton?” he asked with the kind of gruff voice that only a life long smoking dwarf could have.
“Anthony Allerton, yes. I have some gemstones here, supposed to exchange them for the local currency”. If the dwarf cared, he certainly didn’t act like it. He held out one hand, prompting Anthony to hand over the pouch. The Quartermaster took the gems and eyed them, though he knew they were authentic. He had heard of the Allerton family before, and received word ahead of time. The entire exchange was pre-arranged, and the dwarf soon produced a hefty sack of coin for Anthony to take. It was a small percentage of the total amount, the rest being made available at the bank the next day. He quickly saw himself out, eager to get to a bed. Outside again, he found that his luggage had already been loaded onto a smaller horse drawn cart, the driver waiting for his passenger. Anthony hauled himself up onto the seat, and they set off deeper into the city.
It was late into the night by the time they had reached the North Ward. His family had prepared lodging and a workspace for him as well. His new home was a small villa on the southern border of the North Ward. Here, he would have a short commute to the workshop he had in the Trade Ward. For now, he was only concerned with getting home and getting to sleep. When the cart finally stopped outside the villa, Anthony was impressed. He didn’t expect a place quite so nice, given how long the lease was already paid. Property must be cheaper in Waterdeep. Letting himself inside, he was pleased to find that the building had been prepared for his arrival, and several torches lit the foyer. While he wanted to explore his new home, he decided to leave that for the next day. He helped the cart driver haul his luggage into the front room, tipped him with what was probably too many gold coins, then drudged upstairs to hunt down a bed. He quickly found one in a quaint room, and promptly collapsed onto it. Months of travelling was finally over, and he could feel it drain from his body as he lay there. Before he knew it, he was fast asleep.
Anthony didn’t wake up so much as he slowly came back to life. His head felt like it weighed a ton as he lifted it from the bed. He was surprised to find he essentially hadn’t moved all night; he was still lying diagonally across the bed, on top of the blankets. He closed his eyes, willing himself back to sleep, but failed. Dragging himself off the bed, he shuffled over to the window and yanked open the curtains.
His eyes were immediately on fire. Blinking harshly in the light, he realized me made the mistake of looking directly into the rising sun. He blinked away the spots as he staggered out of the room, guessing it to be late morning by the position of the sun. Returning to his chest of belongings, he retrieved his other set of clothes (he had brought three, but managed to light one on fire) and set out to find the bath he was certain was in the house somewhere.
Almost twenty minutes went by as he explored the villa. He had found the bath quite early, but his curiosity drove him to explore the rest of the building. He soon learned that the room he had slept in was actually a guest room; the master bedroom was down the hall and easily twice the size. Downstairs was a sizable library, with an office attached. And, to his relief, he found a wine cellar he could stock. His curiosity sated, he returned upstairs to bathe and change.
Feeling refreshed, Anthony dragged his belongings to his bedroom and then left the house, heading to the Trade Ward to see his new workshop.He had with him a sheet of paper with several useful addresses written on it; his villa, his workshop, some minor local nobility he was supposed to meet, and other useful tidbits. He knew the Trade Ward, and his workshop, was a short walk to the south, but he wasn’t certain where. He walked for a while, lost in an unfamiliar city, less concerned with going “the right way” and more interested in seeing the new city. As the buildings changed from the fancy villas to more utilitarian buildings, he assumed he had reached the Trade Ward. A local nearby was sitting on a bench, seemingly watching the crowd, and seemed like a person to ask for directions from. He approached the woman, giving her a wave and smile. “Hi, could you give me directions? I think I’m lost”. He already had the sheet of paper out, showing her the address. Her eyes lit up when she saw him, and greeted him with a friendly hello. After hearing his plea for help, she gladly pointed out to him that he had wandered into the Sea Ward. She gave him some simple directions, and he thanked her with several gold coins. Judging by her reaction, it was a lot. But as he walked away, back on track, he didn't notice her motion to a friend nearby.
It was several minutes later when Anthony found himself cutting through an alleyway. He wasn’t sure if it was actually a shortcut, but his guide insisted he would save time if he did. The alleyway twisted and turned, and once he was deep within and out of sight from the street, several thugs ambushed him. As the two burly men, one a half-orc and the other a human, he realized he had been set up. The two were armed with wooden clubs, wearing leather armor. The half-orc, with one broken tusk, smiled and laughed as they revealed themselves. “Well look at this, Mikey! Looks like someone is lost!” His accomplice laughed as well, hefting the club as they grew closer to Anthony.
“I’m not looking for trouble, I just want to get to the Trade Ward. So how about I give you guys some coin, and we go our separate ways?” Anthony backed away slowly, taking stock of what he had with him. In short: nothing. His armor, weapons, and all other equipment was currently sitting in a wooden box at home. That wasn’t to say he was defenseless; he just wasn’t as confident in his success. The human, Mikey, opened his mouth, as if to say something. Anthony saw his opening, and took it. He raised his metal arm, hand out, and a bolt of fire streaked forth from his palm. The flaming projectile slammed into the thugs chest, toppling him over as his clothes burst into flames. Anthony and the half-orc were moving before he hit the ground. Anthony was sprinting down the alley, back the way he came, but his pursuer was gaining fast. Several more bolts of fire were sent down the alley, but none struck true.
Anthony was breathing hard, already running out of breath, when the half-orc tackled him from behind. Anthony hit the ground hard, the wind knocked out of him as he was crushed by his foe. The brute stood up quickly, hauling Anthony up and off his feet completely. “You really think fighting back was a good idea?” He roared, slamming his prey against the wall. Anthony's head cracked against the brick, and his vision blurred.
“Not my best idea,” he groaned, trying to blink his vision back to normal. “Not my worst either”. His fingers twitched as capacitive crystals began to store energy. It was a slow process, and would take some time. Time he wasn’t sure he had. “How about I give you half the gold, and we call it good. Yeah?” His eyes were starting to focus, and half-orc face he was staring at was not happy.
“I’m going to tear you in half!” He bellowed in response. He turned and tossed Anthony across the alleyway, heaving him like a sack of flour. Anthony slammed into the opposing wall before dropping to the ground in a heap. He scrambled to his feet, the half-orc preparing to swing his club like his life depended on it. Anthony pushed himself off the wall, propelling himself into the thugs stomach. He lacked the power to tackle someone so much bigger than him, but the element of surprise seemed to play in his favor as the two tumbled to the ground again. He found himself on top of the half-orc, who seemed to be dazed from his head hitting the ground. Seemed only fair, considering he had done the same to Anthony.
The capacitors were finally charged, just as the thug started to put his mind together again. Anthony pulled his arm back, electricity crackling between his knuckles as he threw a wild punch. He made contact with the half-orcs other tusk, his metal fist plowing through the tooth and making contact with the thugs face. A terrifying amount of electricity coursed through him,his convulsing body throwing Anthony aside. He rolled, jumping to his feet and ready to fight, but the half-orc didn’t move. He looked down the alley, but Mikey was nowhere to be seen. Letting out a deep sigh of relief, Anthony started limping his way out of the alley. He had escaped with his life and his belongings, which was good enough. He didn’t want to go to the police and cause a problem on his first day in town.
Several hours later, Anthony had safely reached the Trade Ward. He was sore, but not as hurt as he could have been. By the time he reached his workshop, his limp was already gone. He found the workshop off a small sideroad, tucked away next to some warehouses. The remote location wasn’t for privacy, so much as to avoid hurting people in the event of an experiment gone wrong. Letting himself into the building, he found a large open space. Originally intended as a storehouse, it had been emptied of its shelving to offer plenty of floorspace. It was currently completely barren; he would have to order tools and materials soon. In the back was a small room, which he assumed was meant to be an office, and a small restroom. It was a basic building, and exactly what he needed. He milled about for a moment, before heading out to see about stocking the building.
Perusing the Trade Ward, he found many intriguing shops. While he desperately wanted to explore and find things to put into his empty house, he knew he had more important purchases first. He eventually found a raw materials shop, Sticks and Stones Warehouse, and went inside. A kind faced gnome was inside, currently addressing an employee and gesturing with a clipboard. Once he was done, he smiled at Anthony and offered him a friendly greeting. “Welcome, welcome! What can I help you with today? Building a house? A ship?” He seemed eager to talk, and was talking quickly for someone who sold rocks and wood.
“Ah, not exactly. Supplying a workshop. I’ll be needing resources, and tools if you can provide them”. The gnomes eyes lit up, and he rushed to the nearby counter to grab a binder. “Oh, I have everything you need, and more! Feel free to peruse the catalog, walk around and take a look if you want, and just fill out the form with what you want and bring it up here!” The man quickly returned to talking with his employees, seemingly directing them in preparing shipments. Anthony took the binder, not really looking at it as he started to work his way through the aisles. The shelves had placards on them, which had the name of the product, the price, and its location in the catalog. In the case of materials, a sample the size of a small vase was on display. He was quick to mark down the simpler things he would need: steel, iron, wood, and the likes. He picked out plenty of tools as well, including some larger pieces like drills and lathes. Tool chests, stools, tables, and dozens of other details were recorded and marked on the order form.
It was almost two hours before he finished, heading back to the counter to pay for his purchases. When he handed over the sheet, the gnomes eyes nearly popped out of his head. “My word! This is quite the workshop you’re building!” He quickly tallied up the purchases, triple checking the number before presenting it to Anthony. He seemed apprehensive, like he was afraid Anthony would reveal that the whole thing was a joke. But as Anthony began to fill out the payment form, supplying the details needed to charge his bank account, the gnome became giddy. Once the paperwork was finished, Anthony bid him farewell and left again.
All of this work was becoming tedious, not to mention dangerous. Maybe it would be a good idea to hire an assistant, who could handle this boring day to day stuff. Perhaps he could find some sort of labor office to hire someone. He continued to wander the Trade Ward, before finding someone much more trustworthy to ask for directions. The kind elf pointed him in the direction of a place where nobility tend to find their staff, and Anthony tipped him with a gold coin. Just one this time.
Finding the office he was looking for, Anthony was impressed to see just how ornate the building was. They clearly had, and knew, money. This was the place you went to when you wanted someone to be at your every beck and call. It was a concept he was familiar with, his family having employed dozens of them. When he went in, he found a spacious lobby with very elegant furniture. He was greeted by a young woman behind a desk in professional attire, who gave him the kind of smile that most hired help had. “Good afternoon sir, welcome to the Ardine Hiring Agency. What kind of help are we looking for today?” She seemed genuinely curious, but Anthony assumed she simply good at her job.
“I’m looking for a sort of generalist. Someone who can clean, handle paperwork, that sort of thing”. She nodded as he spoke, asking a series of follow up questions. Was physical labor involved? Would they be live in or remote? Hourly, or salary? He explained that he wanted to pay up for several months, and was a little low on money. She nodded as he talked, tapping her nails on the desk After several minutes, she seemed to have a clear idea of what he was looking for. She flipped through several files, pulled out a sheet of paper, and handed it to him.
“So, I won’t sugarcoat it; the budget is sort of a problem when youre looking to pay several months in advance. With that said, can I suggest Enna Galanodel? A moon elf, though not in the best condition. She’s a mute, and is missing an arm.” Anthony's ears perked up at the last part. Missing an arm? Why, he had just the solution. Then he saw she was one hundred and twenty seven years old. For an elf, that was barely an adult! “Far as anyone knows, she doesn’t have any sort of family. Perfect for live in”. Anthony shook his head slightly as he read the file. Anti-social, currently lives in the Hiring Agency dorms, never hired.
“Sounds perfect. When can she start?” He was originally just looking for an assistant; Someone to handle the day-to-day affairs of his villa. But after reading about Enna, he had to help. Filling out the paperwork went by fast enough. Contracts were signed, payment was arranged, and he gave the address of his villa. After being assured she would arrive the next day, he resolved to return home for the afternoon. It wasn’t a long walk back home, but he didn’t want to wander around town after dark.
Along the way home, he realized he had nothing to eat, and hadn’t eaten since lunch the day before. The sun hadn’t set yet, and the shops were still open as he wandered about, following his nose to a stall offering clam chowder in a bread bowl. It smelled incredible, and he was starving. The line was short, and he quickly found himself face to face with a halfling in an apron. “What’ll it be?” He asked as he stirred the clam chowder. Anthony inspected the menu, and found it to be quite simple. A loaf of bread for two copper, clam chowder in a bread bowl for two silver. It slowly dawned on Anthony just how much money he had been tipping people all day. This was immediately followed by the realization that he didn’t have anything smaller than a gold piece. He did some quick math in his head.
“I’ll take a clam chowder bread bowl and I’ll pay for the next four”. There were some cheers behind him from those that overhead the conversation, and some even pat him on the back as he walked away with his food. He paid them no mind, however, as he tucked into a hot meal.
To say it was delicious would be an understatement. It may have been the hunger talking, but it was quite possibly the best seafood he ever had. He supposed it made sense that a port town would have good seafood, but he certainly wasn’t expecting something this divine. He tore into the bowl, using it to scoop up the chowder and eat while he walked. He was nearing home now, just as the sun was beginning to set. He finished the food as he turned onto his street, and was home in no time. He quickly changed into his pajamas and got in bed, enjoying the four poster bed in the master bedroom. It was sparsely furnished, but he didn’t care. It was home.
He woke the next day to someone banging on the front door. He crawled out of bed, quickly changed, and made his way downstairs to open the door. When he did, he was greeted by a short, young woman. She couldn’t have been more than five foot five, with skin so pale it was almost blue. Her white hair framed her light blue eyes as she stared up at him wordlessly. When he noticed she was missing her right arm, his tired brain finally made the connection. “Enna?” She nodded silently in affirmation. “Come in, I guess. Familiarize yourself with the house”. He stepped aside, gesturing with his mechanical arm. Her eyes bugged when she saw the artificial limb, which she quickly grasped around the wrist and pulled close.”Oh, right, yes, the arm. Yes, I will make you one, yes, it might be done today, no, i’m not sure.” He knew what her questions were. He had been in her position once, and knew how anxious she would be to restore her limb. Her eyes grew hopeful when she heard she was going to receive an arm, but her smile faded when she heard it would take some time. She let go of Anthonys arm, seemingly just remembering he was now her boss. She sheepishly made her way inside.
“Like I said, familiarize yourself with the home. You can take the guest room upstairs. But be careful with the window! You’ll go blind”. He was already heading upstairs to get ready for the day. When he returned again, Enna was still standing in the foyer. He handed her a piece of paper with a list of instructions. “Short version; you do the housekeeping, finances, and all that other stuff. I’m expecting a shipment of materials at the workshop, and I want you there to receive it. Address is written on there”. He adjusted his belt, which now played host to some of the gadgets he normally kept locked up. It seemed Waterdeep was the place where carrying a weapon was a good idea. “There’s money upstairs, I want you to work on stocking the larder and decorating this house. Enna was reading the rest of the paper, looking over everything she had to handle. She nodded slowly, apprehensive. “I’ll be back later tonight; I have some shopping of my own to do”. He made his way to the Trade Ward again..
Having only two outfits was certainly going to make life unpleasant, and he was eager to fill his wardrobe. It was surprisingly easy to find an upscale clothing store; there were quite a few near the border to the North Ward. The shopkeepers were more than happy to guide him in the local fashions. When he explained the crimson and gold livery of his family crest, they were quick to incorporate it into his attire without being overbearing. For several hours he bounced from shop to shop, ordering clothes to be delivered to the villa. He traded in his original outfit, which was surprisingly unfashionable, choosing instead to wear one of the outfits he had chosen. The old clothes were left in the care of the shopkeepers, who were free to do what they wished with it.
As his shopping day continued, he happened upon a very interesting shop. Regal Meagle Arms and Armor, where one could purchase fashionable accents and attire for combat. He went inside, curious to see what they had to offer. He found cloaks, sashes, belts, fans, banners, mohawks, spikes, and everything else in-between. He was perusing a collection of unicorn hair pommels, when his eye caught a suit of armor against the back wall. It looked like a mixture of armor and brilliant blue tunic. It looked incredible. A shop steward approached him, admiring the armor alongside him. “Beautiful, isn’t it?” Anthony couldn't help but nod in agreement. “The Holy Warrior, they call it. Very popular style, especially with clerics. Though some wizards have been known to use it”. He couldn't help but imagine how his armor would look with the same treatment. “Only two thousand gold,” the salesman continued “and only takes a week”. Anthony shook his head, clearing his thoughts. He hated sales pitches.
“Oh, I’m just browsing for now”. There was no way he was paying that much for something he could do himself. Honestly, much of his shopping was just getting inspiration for things he would make himself. Cloth proved difficult, but he imagined he could pull it off himself. “Maybe I’ll come back in a few days”. He had no intention of returning, of course, but he felt bad saying otherwise. Once outside, he returned to one of the shops he had visited earlier. After a little searching, he found what he was looking for; a brilliant red tunic, made of a high quality silk. It was a fifth of the price, and would provide plenty of material to modify the armor. His final stop for the day would be a costly one, but worth it in the long run; he needed very expensive materials with which to craft Ennas arm.
He visited high end jewelers, antique shops, alchemy shops, and a rare minerals shop to acquire everything he needed to create a copy of his arm. It was much easier back home, where he had most of the materials he needed. What he didn’t have, he could purchase without regard to price. But now, he was harvesting platinum wire from ear rings and mythril filigree from old elven weapons. It was expensive, and the end cost would be comparable to what he paid for Ennas employment in the first place. But it would still prove to be an efficient use of his money, and he felt an obligation to help her if he could. A cheap backpack served to carry everything to his workshop, where he found Enna. She was in the middle of organizing everything that had been delivered earlier. The porters had moved the large equipment for her, but she insisted she do the rest herself. When Anthony arrived, she arched an eyebrow in curiosity. “Carry on, don’t mind me”. He straddled a stool and emptied the contents of his bag onto a workbench as Enna went back to work. He began the long process of dismantling everything, organizing it, and planning the design. Not every limb was designed the same way, and a lot of it depended on the person it was designed for. He borrowed Enna from her work long enough to take extensive measurements of her arm, and the remains of the other one. She too was missing much of her shoulder, though the damage seemed much more severe. He wondered what caused it, but didn’t want to ask something so personal. He pushed the question aside, and kept working.
He was working on the design of the metal plates; a puzzle with infinite solutions, and infinite wrong answers. When Enna silently placed a bowl of beef stew on the table, he realized it was actually dinner time. He had worked all afternoon, and didn’t realize it. Not that he minded. A day in the lab was a day well spent. He ate the meal as he explained the plate layout to Enna. He had no idea if she understood any of it, but she nodded slowly anyways. Sometimes that was all he needed; someone to talk to as he thought out loud. By the time he had finished eating, he had also finished the plate design. Enna took his dishes as he fired up the forge, ready to start shaping steel.
It was deep into the night when Anthony finished. He was hunched over a table, sweat dripping from his brow, as he finished the last sigil. He set the last plate into place, hearing the satisfying click that meant it was locked in, and finally sat back. It was small. Perfectly sized for her, of course, but it seemed so tiny on the table. The design was more sleek than his own, better suited to her frame, and should be just as functional. He rubbed his eyes, blinking away the sleep, and slipped off his stool. The forge still gave off a warm glow, the embers giving off a comforting light and heat. It was too dark to walk home, so he dragged a pile of leathers in front of the forge to serve as a bed for the night. He slowly nodded off to the sound of the crackling embers.
He was woken up by Enna shaking him. The forge had gone out, and the sun was just starting to rise. He sat up, rubbed his eyes, and clambered to his feet. “Do me a favor; let's turn the office back there into a bedroom. This won’t be the last time I spend the night here.” Enna pointed him to the table, where doughnuts and coffee waited beside the arm. He couldn’t help but feel she did it on purpose, to draw his attention to the arm. Asking without asking, so to speak. “The installation won’t be fun. It’s painful, to be honest.” She chewed her lip, then nodded. She had a determined look in her eyes. “Alright”, he grinned, “Let me eat, and we can get started”.
