Written By Ida
Dec. 28, 2018, 9:49 a.m.(4/4/1010 AR)
While trying to come up with a new idea with which to stock the shop, I ended up sketching (or what passes for such with my lack of drawing skills) a fiery bird that I think might deserve its own single piece. Maybe two. That thought lead to an unusually ambitious one of doing a bunch of individual pieces of varying themes rather than stick to just one design. I'll have to check the coffee supplies. Maybe the whiskey ones too.
Written By Ida
Dec. 25, 2018, 6:59 p.m.(3/27/1010 AR)
Commissions are done, the shop stocked and emptied again. Winter makes me want to be in the forge, if only for the warmth, but also makes me want to curl up in a blanket with some coffee and do some reading. It's felt like one of the colder of winters I've experienced in Arx, or maybe my blood is just thinning after living here for so long. Idle ramblings, all this, but it feels like my own life is about to turn a corner just as winter will soon fade into spring and figured that, at least, worthy of note.
Written By Ida
Dec. 23, 2018, 7:20 a.m.(3/21/1010 AR)
Despite somewhat recent forays into romantics, I think being officially married once in my life is probably more than enough.
Written By Ida
Dec. 16, 2018, 8:14 a.m.(3/7/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Lisebet
I am convinced there are restorative properties to Westrock Coffee. My brother Austen might quickly attest to the fact that I probably could not actually function before having at least one mug in me.
Written By Ida
Dec. 8, 2018, 11:53 a.m.(2/20/1010 AR)
One project down, four to go. Then? I think it's time to settle down for a long winters nap... Or maybe a visit back home. Probably long winters nap though.
Written By Ida
Dec. 6, 2018, 9:01 a.m.(2/15/1010 AR)
Sometimes it seems feast or famine in regard to commissions. I'll have nothing for a few weeks, the shop will remain stocked, and I can just watch the snow or look into other interests. Then there will be a wonderful convergence of people wishing to place an order or discuss a work, and I find myself busy and excited about the different stories to be told with metal. As well, the shop will suddenly be empty and that's when I can do a little indulgence into my own whims in regard to designs. I like the occasional quiet, but love being busy better, I think.
Written By Ida
Dec. 2, 2018, 7:37 a.m.(2/7/1010 AR)
I sometimes forget how truly wonderful it is to sip some hot chocolate with a customer while going over the details of a weapon. Such things always turn into so much more, it seems. A glimpse into a life that, were it not for my trade, I might otherwise have no idea about. I think that may be one of the things I love about forging weapons; the variety of paths I get to cross in the line of work.
Written By Ida
Nov. 24, 2018, 7:41 a.m.(1/19/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Austen
I have a few projects to work on and one would think with winter and people likely to remain indoors, I'd be at the warmth of the forge day and night. Instead, I've mostly just idled at sketches and been absorbing the quiet and seeming normalness for now. I felt such relief when my brother returned, bruised and battered as he was, that I guess I'm letting myself enjoy the two of us going about the days in the shop. Maybe when winter passes, we should take a visit back home; it's been awhile. Too long, maybe. The gods know letters hardly tell the tales as well as us all gathered over dinner and sharing them in person.
Written By Ida
Nov. 16, 2018, 2:35 p.m.(1/3/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Daemon
I am struggling to put my thoughts to words right now. I'm so furious and sad and... You know, it felt like a good-bye letter you wrote. Not on its face, not the words really, but something felt final in it. Maybe that's me thinking on it too much, with hindsight, now that word of your passing has come to Arx. I told you that you were to outlive me and you didn't listen. Oaths and steel, Daemon. What a wonderful knight you were, so bright and true. Never have I, or will I ever, regret our ride into that field. How reckless we may have been for it, but I would not change that for the world. Terrible times, but one of the most exhilarating in my lifetime. Your enthusiasm to do what might need to be done, even if we might face impossible odds, inspired me that day - though I never told you that. I wish I had. My heart feels rather broken by the news and I am sorry we might never get to speak again in this life. Dammit!
Written By Ida
Nov. 11, 2018, 6:57 p.m.(12/21/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Rymarr
I get a diverse assortment of visitors to the shop, both of the two and four legged kind. There is always coffee about, sometimes hot chocolate, and a couple of baskets I keep on the worktable with snacks. One of the baskets I visit Matron Teldra in the Valardin kitchens for, which she'll fill with some muffins or biscuits that I think bring more people to the shop than the promise of a weapon. Those, obviously, for the two-leggers. The other basket is for Runty and Quill - some biscuits made from berries or I really don't even know. They like them, so I don't really question it. I can't say I haven't reached into the wrong basket on a late night of work and realized my mistake too late. I have to agree, though. Once you get past that pine flavor, they aren't so bad.
Written By Ida
Nov. 4, 2018, 8:04 a.m.(12/7/1009 AR)
I'm not sure if this might be some remark to my age - crazy animal lady - or maybe just my supposedly caring nature, but it seems I've gathered quite a small collection of animals that are, every last one of them, a gift. Dopey the cat, from Lady Kima Saik. Runtystiltskin, the runted war elk from Lady Niahm Greenmarch, often called Runty except by His Grace, Prince Edain, who named him Weapon Rack. Quill, the grunty little porcupine (maybe I should call him Grunty to rhyme with Runty), who appeared after the heartbreaking loss of Countess Paige Stahlben. I think he liked the cakes I always 'dropped' when the Countess would visit. Since I don't really do much armor these days, I'm kinda thinking of renaming the shop to Ferron Arms and Animal Rescue.
Written By Ida
Nov. 3, 2018, 7:10 a.m.(12/4/1009 AR)
I have several sketches to work on, yet here I sit once again on the roof of the shop just looking out across what I can see of the city from here. The moon is bright tonight, painting everything in a subtle silvery hue not unlike polished steel or even diamondplate. I'd think it was almost mocking me were that not a pretty silly thought. The quiet seems deceiving, truth be told, with the bits and pieces of stories being brought back in hints of what might be occurring outside Arx's walls. Godsspeed to you all.
Written By Ida
Oct. 23, 2018, 7:27 p.m.(11/11/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Oliver
I took the chair that I had made for you and put it in the Crafters Hall. It was where we spoke when you returned to the city and probably my fondest memory of you. That you extended an olive branch knowing I might very well beat the ever-living crap out of you sure wasn't something I expected. And so the chair now sits where we had our last really meaningful conversation, as a reminder. That's all I really feel ready to write about right now.
Written By Ida
Oct. 23, 2018, 7:10 p.m.(11/11/1009 AR)
My apologies for any concern I might have caused, to judge my the messengers I've received. My personal work was not insulted...that I am aware of anyhow. It was more a commentary on an earlier journal, to be honest, about not liking to be considered a second choice when it comes to crafting. My vague-journaling needs work.
Written By Ida
Oct. 23, 2018, 7:30 a.m.(11/10/1009 AR)
I am no legend. I can not work alaricite and often struggle with diamondplate. Perhaps that makes me second best or choice in some people's eyes. Maybe that makes me their third choice when others aren't available. I give about zero fucks; I love what I do and I get paid well enough to do it. I am proud to put my mark on what comes from my forge and if that might lead some to think it good but not good enough? Eh. I recognize my worth and don't put that privilege in other people's hands. I don't care for disrespect either and there are a few I wouldn't take a commission from no matter how much silver they offered.
At the end of the day it's my choice to craft or compare, and I'll choose craft nine times out of ten.
At the end of the day it's my choice to craft or compare, and I'll choose craft nine times out of ten.
Written By Ida
Oct. 8, 2018, 10:55 a.m.(9/28/1009 AR)
I write this from the rooftop of the shop, which I will bring for official transcribing once complete, but I wanted a quiet place to collect my thoughts. My coffee has grown cold as the bustle of the city echoes below and yet I sit here, cherishing this moment. I have completed and delivered a weapon for House RedTyde, as commissioned by Count Fredrik and with valuable insight from Mistress Helia. Not any weapon, but what they will use as their house blade. It is not an heirloom weapon, being young and fresh from the forge, but I hope could grow to be such when I am very long gone and lost to all memory. That makes it no less special to me. I am a simple smith, no legend, plucked from the Oathlands by His Grace, Prince Edain, to serve as a house smith here in Arx. To have my mark on something of such honor is a trust and grace I never thought I might be allowed in this life. The tears that sting the corners of my eyes feel very good, though I am not a woman given to such things often, and I am so grateful and humbled in this moment.
Written By Ida
Oct. 8, 2018, 9:44 a.m.(9/27/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Dawn
I still think of you now and again, generally when I'm crafting something or going through old sketches. Mention of you by your brother recently, of course, brought you back to mind. Your kindness to the Guild, back in those early days when Joscelin took it over, as well as to us all when we started opening our shops is something I will never forget. When you would visit mine, I swear it became brighter, and your generosity in both word and silver was beyond. I feel like you trusted me too, which I can't imagine was easy for you to do with a lot of people. That always meant a great deal. What I miss most, though, were the small notes you would send saying how much an item pleased you - you always called it artwork - and your enthusiasm and excitement always made me very proud. I hope I will get to see you somehow, some way, one more time, whether in this life or another. Gods know I don't understand how that all works, but it doesn't make me any less hopeful.
Written By Ida
Oct. 2, 2018, 3:43 p.m.(9/16/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Thena
My skill with jewelrycraft is, at best, juvenile. If you don't mind a vaguely crooked coronet however, I've always kind of wanted to attempt one.
Written By Ida
Oct. 1, 2018, 6:34 p.m.(9/14/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Gerard
First, much as I wish I could forbid you to die, I know such choices are not mine to make. If I could do so, obviously I would. Should the worst happen, I will do whatever it might take to see that your wishes are granted. I hate writing this, but something will be taken to the Telmarch and placed with your family so that you might rest in the place you hope. This I vow to do even if I have to make my way to the Lodge myself to accomplish it.
Second, nothing you have ever given me could be considered paltry, material or otherwise. Time, love, and laughter are the real treasures in this life. I'm honored that you'd trust me with your possessions, and the gesture itself is hardly insignificant. I prefer you come home instead.
Second, nothing you have ever given me could be considered paltry, material or otherwise. Time, love, and laughter are the real treasures in this life. I'm honored that you'd trust me with your possessions, and the gesture itself is hardly insignificant. I prefer you come home instead.
Written By Ida
Sept. 24, 2018, 5:16 p.m.(8/28/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Joscelin
The first one is always the hardest. The pregnancy, the raising, it's all so new and so many times there isn't really one perfectly /right/ way to do it. There is the wonder and joy for each new thing too, though. That flutter in the stomach, the kicks, the coos, and first laugh. I don't remember the pain, to be honest, and almost swear the body or mind has some trick to make us forget so we all won't stop with one. I am, of course, no physician. By my third? I was in the forge when my water broke and I think that's why my youngest and only daughter Caerwyn is the talent that she is. Not that my sons are not, but she was almost literally born into it. Ha!
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