Written By Apollo
Nov. 18, 2019, 7:33 p.m.(3/21/1012 AR)
Thanks to a kind word from Baroness Acantha Clearlake, I had the honor to craft a pair of cloaks for the king and queen this week. Their appreciation has humbled me. I don't think that when I was small I could have possibly imagined ever making anything for a prince or princess, much less high lords and kings. Most spectacular was an opportunity to have my hand at the sigil of The Crown, a symbol I'm sure has seen different interpretations through time as different artisans saw it through their lens and moment. It was inspiring - the hide yielded, and at day's end I'm pleased with the work I've done.
I wish that I'd had the insight or understanding to please Princess Alarissa to the same degree. I feel her loss in ways that I can't adequately explain, though perhaps insight has come at too late a date - and I still haven't any real idea how to address it through my art. Perhaps it will come to me yet. I don't need a contest or comission to do better.
I wish that I'd had the insight or understanding to please Princess Alarissa to the same degree. I feel her loss in ways that I can't adequately explain, though perhaps insight has come at too late a date - and I still haven't any real idea how to address it through my art. Perhaps it will come to me yet. I don't need a contest or comission to do better.
Written By Apollo
Oct. 31, 2019, 1:16 p.m.(2/12/1012 AR)
Relationship Note on Shard
It's sort of funny to have something a crafter does derided for being like a painting.
I made a choice about the materials I would work - a couple of them, actually, for reasons that differ but aren't particularly germane to the discussion - some months ago. I wrote about one of those decisions in the whites but otherwise made no announcement. It's not particularly a balm for my heart; at least once a week I have a conversation with a peer or moneyed merchant who would like me to work with stuff I don't, an unpleasant conversation at best. How dare I, one fine lord suggested, withhold armor that could on the field of battle be the difference between his life and his death? How DARE I.
I dare because I hold myself to count for the work of my own hands. There are many excellent reasons that I favor, to get specific, exotic hides from Arvum to Cardian snakeskin. One amongst them is that - for a fraction of the cost of a set of Cardian snakeskin, and in a fraction of the time, I can furnish a set of exotic leathers. The hides are less expensive to start; Cardian snakeskin is as likely to turn a needle as a sword besides, and so the work is slow, requires meticulous concentration, and the result as subject to the whims of the material as the skill of the tanner. On the rare occasion that skill and an exceedingly cooperative hide align, the quality that can be achieved is considerable, and might exceed the protection offered by armor based on exotic hides by a slim margin. A margin that I can't imagine is worth spending ten times the coin - coin that might have bought the services of another half dozen men skilled with a blade, and their armor as well.
Is a whisper of a chance that you, yourself, will survive - in this slimmest of margins between a killing strike that my exotic armor would not protect you, but Cardian snakeskin would - worth more than well-protected friends on the field of battle? Wealth isn't endless. I don't have to imagine this is the sort of reckoning that military leaders have to do all the time; it happens enough in my presence. But those calculations are also informed by armorsmiths and tanners. We know our trade, we know our wares, we know what goes into what we do. I would hold this in contrast to a painting, but there isn't a contrast. A painter knows her art, too, and the purposes to which it can be turned.
I also know a bit about markets and how they work. The Compact buys plenty enough of fireweave (or did) and steelsilk that - in the absence of fireweave after the embargo was announced - the price of steelsilk doubled. That doesn't happen in absence of demand; there might have been a fluctuation, but to double indicates a certainty that the price will be paid. Even before the embargo the price at market for steelsilk was vastly inflated over its cost in Cardian markets, or so I am told. What we don't manage in volume we make up for in pure profit - which inflates the impact of any decision to turn from that material to another.
These are practical pieces of a decision that was ultimately decided by my faith. Not the Faith, mind - only my own faith with the gods, which I try to let guide me. As I see opportunities to follow that decision with action that will help those enslaved, I will, and do.
I made a choice about the materials I would work - a couple of them, actually, for reasons that differ but aren't particularly germane to the discussion - some months ago. I wrote about one of those decisions in the whites but otherwise made no announcement. It's not particularly a balm for my heart; at least once a week I have a conversation with a peer or moneyed merchant who would like me to work with stuff I don't, an unpleasant conversation at best. How dare I, one fine lord suggested, withhold armor that could on the field of battle be the difference between his life and his death? How DARE I.
I dare because I hold myself to count for the work of my own hands. There are many excellent reasons that I favor, to get specific, exotic hides from Arvum to Cardian snakeskin. One amongst them is that - for a fraction of the cost of a set of Cardian snakeskin, and in a fraction of the time, I can furnish a set of exotic leathers. The hides are less expensive to start; Cardian snakeskin is as likely to turn a needle as a sword besides, and so the work is slow, requires meticulous concentration, and the result as subject to the whims of the material as the skill of the tanner. On the rare occasion that skill and an exceedingly cooperative hide align, the quality that can be achieved is considerable, and might exceed the protection offered by armor based on exotic hides by a slim margin. A margin that I can't imagine is worth spending ten times the coin - coin that might have bought the services of another half dozen men skilled with a blade, and their armor as well.
Is a whisper of a chance that you, yourself, will survive - in this slimmest of margins between a killing strike that my exotic armor would not protect you, but Cardian snakeskin would - worth more than well-protected friends on the field of battle? Wealth isn't endless. I don't have to imagine this is the sort of reckoning that military leaders have to do all the time; it happens enough in my presence. But those calculations are also informed by armorsmiths and tanners. We know our trade, we know our wares, we know what goes into what we do. I would hold this in contrast to a painting, but there isn't a contrast. A painter knows her art, too, and the purposes to which it can be turned.
I also know a bit about markets and how they work. The Compact buys plenty enough of fireweave (or did) and steelsilk that - in the absence of fireweave after the embargo was announced - the price of steelsilk doubled. That doesn't happen in absence of demand; there might have been a fluctuation, but to double indicates a certainty that the price will be paid. Even before the embargo the price at market for steelsilk was vastly inflated over its cost in Cardian markets, or so I am told. What we don't manage in volume we make up for in pure profit - which inflates the impact of any decision to turn from that material to another.
These are practical pieces of a decision that was ultimately decided by my faith. Not the Faith, mind - only my own faith with the gods, which I try to let guide me. As I see opportunities to follow that decision with action that will help those enslaved, I will, and do.
Written By Apollo
Oct. 27, 2019, 10:57 p.m.(2/5/1012 AR)
Relationship Note on Alexio
I managed to stop by Alexio's shop tonight, though I didn't manage it until he was already out. I was lucky enough to get to preview the space before it opened - truly lovely, sure to satisfy anyone who enjoys comfort and a little splendor - likelier to truly please those of the Lyceum, which only makes it well-placed. I very much look forward to seeing what all he manages to stock, and - selfishly - I hope having a proper place to ply his trade means he'll be about the city more.
His staff are perfectly lovely, but I still regret missing him.
His staff are perfectly lovely, but I still regret missing him.
Written By Apollo
Sept. 13, 2019, 3:54 p.m.(10/28/1011 AR)
The jests are all quite funny, really, but may I offer that towels are ever so much easier to clean than shoes?
Written By Apollo
Aug. 18, 2019, 10:55 p.m.(9/5/1011 AR)
Since I seem to have to have the conversation again and again, I'll be putting up a sign in my shop. But as a reminder, I don't work Cardian snakeskin at The Leather Paean. I am happy to furnish alternatives for design or protective purposes.
Written By Apollo
Aug. 11, 2019, 10:55 p.m.(8/19/1011 AR)
Sparring is strange sport. I understand the need for training, practically, particularly for knights and soldiers, defenders all. But this joyous play with swords, what is it about it that appeals so much to so many? Where is the pleasure in it? Maybe someone who enjoys it can enlighten me.
Written By Apollo
Aug. 6, 2019, 2:39 p.m.(8/8/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Nurie
I think Nurie and I are inclined to view all sorts of things through a lens of station. It's a slippery thing for both of us. Home and family, nobility - and we aren't. But not everything is about station. Someone who's going to strike a lord is as likely to strike a carpenter. A bully will push around merchant and Lady socialite alike. The sharp-tongued will have their way through a ball or the market to their advantage.
There's no subtle dance here at all.
There's no subtle dance here at all.
Written By Apollo
Aug. 4, 2019, 10:48 p.m.(8/5/1011 AR)
When I first came to Arx, I was awestruck. I'd never seen such a big city, of course. The market is second-to-none, the streets themselves are wonderful, and I can of course turn more coin here for my work than I'd ever been able to in Oakhaven. I found that it suits me, being here, and thought it unlikely that there was anywhere better.
And then I visited Ostria. I've never seen anywhere so beautiful in all my life. The gardens and pools, the pavers and shrines, it's all lovely and curious, spread out above the sea. Too hot by far, but people are clever about the heat. If I know nothing else about my future, it's that I'll be back again.
And then I visited Ostria. I've never seen anywhere so beautiful in all my life. The gardens and pools, the pavers and shrines, it's all lovely and curious, spread out above the sea. Too hot by far, but people are clever about the heat. If I know nothing else about my future, it's that I'll be back again.
Written By Apollo
July 15, 2019, 5:32 p.m.(6/20/1011 AR)
With the recent proclamation by the Faith barring trade with Eurus, I worry for my highly skilled tailor friends in the Crafter's Guild for whom fireweave is a lucrative material to work. I notice that Cardian steelsilk has doubled in price at market, and I have no doubt that many moneyed sorts who might have considered fireweave in the past now look to that as an alternative. I very much hope they will reconsider. Cardian steelsilk is made with slave labor as well, extracted under writ, and I can't actually see any distinction worth drawing between one slaver source and another. Perhaps our foreign visitors can illuminate a difference more readily apparent to their eyes than mine.
Until I receive some sort of clarity on the matter, Cardian materials will not be worked at my shop.
Until I receive some sort of clarity on the matter, Cardian materials will not be worked at my shop.
Written By Apollo
April 26, 2019, 2:52 p.m.(12/28/1010 AR)
On an entirely separate topic, I've had quite a lot of interest in armor crafted from exotic hides lately. When I first returned to Arx it seemed sentiment ran toward exotic materials being too costly, maybe not worth investing in - so I made my last runs of cloaks and caps from fine quality leather that is less difficult (and costly!) to find. Is the popular taste changing toward finer things?
Written By Apollo
April 26, 2019, 2:48 p.m.(12/28/1010 AR)
It seems as if favors are traded at an uncommonly low price at market lately. I wonder why that is?
Written By Apollo
April 7, 2019, 10:50 p.m.(11/18/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Cristoph
Wow. Duke Laurent is just incredibly thoughtful and generous. Is everyone this lucky? Everyone can't be this lucky. I should make him a gift.
Written By Apollo
Nov. 4, 2018, 5:35 a.m.(12/6/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Nurie
I appear to have a lot in common with Missere Nurie Baseborn, both of us grew up commoners in a noble household. The reasons may not be the same, I was not related to my household by blood, but none the less, I know it's difficult to be family and yet not family. The desire to please and fit in, and yet the knowledge that this gap can never be breached.
Even should they formally let her join their household, does that truly change anything for the better? What tangible benefit would she receive from title and status? It will surely merely mean that the world can no longer enjoy the beautiful products her art. I know I would be lost and adrift if they took my leatherworking from me.
But then, I barely know her. Perhaps I should not presume her experiences and feelings match mine so closely. I will have to get to know her better... and if that means getting to spend some time with an attractive and pleasant woman, well all the better.
Even should they formally let her join their household, does that truly change anything for the better? What tangible benefit would she receive from title and status? It will surely merely mean that the world can no longer enjoy the beautiful products her art. I know I would be lost and adrift if they took my leatherworking from me.
But then, I barely know her. Perhaps I should not presume her experiences and feelings match mine so closely. I will have to get to know her better... and if that means getting to spend some time with an attractive and pleasant woman, well all the better.
Written By Apollo
Oct. 31, 2018, 9:58 a.m.(11/27/1009 AR)
Arx is opportunity writ large. Just within these few weeks I've been here I've met princes, princesses and even the king. I've managed to impress some of them, enough that my business is beginning to kick into gear. Word of mouth and a little advertising have also kicked off, and it won't be long now until I will have a comfortable amount of funds.
Still, the people here frequently baffle me. Nobility and royalty that doesn't just not care about their rank, but which outright insists a common leatherworker they barely know does not use their titles, as though we were equals. Commoners who treat their betters as though they were beneath them. I guess the frequent exposure to nobility might make the meetings seem blase and normal, having grown up in a noble household I definitely do not think much of being around nobility, but there's a difference between familiarity and disrespect.
I suppose when they demand you disrespect them, it becomes respectful to do so? Still, things were simpler back home.
I guess I'll get used to it in time. Until then, I will reassure myself with the knowledge that I am where I am needed.
Still, the people here frequently baffle me. Nobility and royalty that doesn't just not care about their rank, but which outright insists a common leatherworker they barely know does not use their titles, as though we were equals. Commoners who treat their betters as though they were beneath them. I guess the frequent exposure to nobility might make the meetings seem blase and normal, having grown up in a noble household I definitely do not think much of being around nobility, but there's a difference between familiarity and disrespect.
I suppose when they demand you disrespect them, it becomes respectful to do so? Still, things were simpler back home.
I guess I'll get used to it in time. Until then, I will reassure myself with the knowledge that I am where I am needed.
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