Written By Ida
Nov. 23, 2022, 5:53 a.m.(12/2/1018 AR)
Some swords have been gathering dust in the shop, though I almost come to expect that with at least one being a diamondplate piece. Hairpins and daggers always tend to sell better, so I suppose I should ponder over some new ideas for those. Maybe autumn or winter themes, given the season. It's been awhile since I've done some bows, though, and I have some nice goldenwood on hand to ornament such things with. Decisions.
Written By Ida
Nov. 6, 2022, 6:50 a.m.(10/24/1018 AR)
I am quite glad that the cestus for Lord Rufio's event were so well received. It was an honor to be asked to forge them and hearing how well the fighting went, I have definite plans to put myself into the fray sooner rather than later.
Written By Ida
Oct. 30, 2022, 9:24 a.m.(8/26/1018 AR)
I had the opportunity to make some cestus for an upcoming event. Nothing too fancy, but a new design that I was pleased with. Hopefully I'll be able to participate in one of these events, but until then the least I feel I can do is support them in a way.
Written By Ida
Oct. 21, 2022, 7:35 p.m.(8/9/1018 AR)
Relationship Note on Noah
Not that I have expectations generally, if really at all, but they rarely change at least.
Written By Ida
Oct. 9, 2022, 3:57 p.m.(7/13/1018 AR)
You might think that a weaponsmith would carry the best of blades. Creative, personal, and of a fine quality considering they have all the skills to refine and rework the piece. I've never learned how to use any sort of hand-held weapon, and at my age it's unlikely that I ever will. Some might think it ironic that I forge things I have no real idea how to use. I certainly think it's ironic, and maybe even a bit amusing. More seriously, though, I've always been a fist-fighter and just wondered if learning a particular discipline would make me biased somehow in my crafting.
All that said, I did forge myself an alaricite hammer that I am exceptionally proud of. Since I can't use it, it might seem a silly and maybe even wasteful thing to have done. I still did it, though, and I will look upon it fondly where it hangs in the back room of the shop. I've spent most of my life using hammers, and humbly carry the title of Hammer of the West, so it seemed a fitting project. I hope Jayus might look fondly upon it - the story of it is one I am proud of.
It's a huge piece. I apologize to anyone that might have been in the front room of the shop and heard me being less than kind with my words. It wasn't easy to get up on the wall.
All that said, I did forge myself an alaricite hammer that I am exceptionally proud of. Since I can't use it, it might seem a silly and maybe even wasteful thing to have done. I still did it, though, and I will look upon it fondly where it hangs in the back room of the shop. I've spent most of my life using hammers, and humbly carry the title of Hammer of the West, so it seemed a fitting project. I hope Jayus might look fondly upon it - the story of it is one I am proud of.
It's a huge piece. I apologize to anyone that might have been in the front room of the shop and heard me being less than kind with my words. It wasn't easy to get up on the wall.
Written By Ida
Sept. 10, 2022, 7:33 a.m.(5/10/1018 AR)
To be trusted as a Voice for the Templars is an honor I never expected. It's very humbling, and I hope I might serve the position justly. Growing up in our little hamlet in the Oathlands, I don't think either Austen or I imagined how much our lives would change when we came to the city of Arx. And while our paths and lives have certainly changed in unexpected ways, I feel like there will always be that nugget of our much-younger selves, deep in our souls.
Written By Ida
Aug. 21, 2022, 11:16 a.m.(3/26/1018 AR)
I managed to design two blades while airy flakes of snow covered the world in white for a little while. One was a commission, an alaricite piece, that brought back memories of a sword forged long, long ago. I tried to pay a small bit of homage to that old piece because I feel like the memories of who we were are important to carry with us. The other design just...came to me. I write often about my difficulties with inspiration these last handful of years and it's no joke, I assure you. So when something pops into my head somehow, I feel like I need to run with it. Which I did. It's funny how different a piece feels in my hands when the idea is from another or myself. Both instances, truly, are equally as rewarding to make.
Written By Ida
Aug. 1, 2022, 7:22 p.m.(2/15/1018 AR)
There was a cow at our parents farm that would get it into her head to chase me if I was in the field too long. Maybe she didn't like the noise I made while trying to fix one of the plows or the like. I was terrified of her after awhile, being as young as I was then. Today, though, she seems less scary. At least she didn't have fangs. Or a sword.
Written By Ida
July 31, 2022, 5:31 p.m.(2/13/1018 AR)
I meant to do something new in the shop, but the ideas simply would not come. Weightier thoughts, maybe, interfering with my creative ones. Worry, I guess it is? Sometimes putting good metal into fighting hands just isn't enough.
Written By Ida
July 18, 2022, 5:36 a.m.(1/11/1018 AR)
Sometimes I let my thoughts wander too long on those gone rather than those who are still here. I feel so fortunate to get to look back over the years and see how much has been gained, along with what has been lost. Families who have trusted me to put weapons in the hands of their House these last fifteen years, long before I could even work rubicund. It's really an honor I cherish.
Written By Ida
June 26, 2022, 12:05 p.m.(11/24/1017 AR)
Flipping through some of my sketch books while trying to come up with inspiration for something new, I came across a couple of old designs that I favored a bit. More the memory of crafting those pieces and a couple of people who purchased them, perhaps, but maybe there's something to be said about old things made new again. Or maybe I'm being overly flowery about it. Either way, I managed a small stock of one and two handed blades for the shop. I don't do the latter nearly enough, I suspect.
Written By Ida
June 19, 2022, 6:56 a.m.(11/10/1017 AR)
Relationship Note on Monique
It hardly seems possible that Lady Monique Greenmarch is gone from this world. I have so many memories from so many years of comradery, and yet words are failing me now on just what to write. She was a frequent visitor to the shop in my early days in Arx, and that never really waned. Her nickname certainly fit her perfectly, and perhaps there is no better way to truly describe her. She was a minx, with a good heart and daring soul. I will greatly miss seeing her come through the door with a twinkle in her eye, a decided smirk, and a grand idea for a new weapon. My most sincere condolences to House Greenmarch.
Written By Ida
June 19, 2022, 6:29 a.m.(11/10/1017 AR)
With war once again looming, I've instructed the apprentices to lower the refine cost in the shop. As well, I will likely see about stocking better weapons and maybe some emergency sets of armor for those who may have a need.
Written By Ida
June 12, 2022, 5:41 p.m.(10/24/1017 AR)
Relationship Note on Xia
I have been offered the chance to create an intriguing weapon born of an intriguing event posed to the citizens of Arx. The theme is one I've never attempted before, which has me ever more excited about the whole thing. It has been some time since I have worked on a commission. It will be nice to have someone else's vision drive the creation and, hopefully, shake the cobwebs off of my brain.
Written By Ida
June 5, 2022, 6:48 p.m.(10/11/1017 AR)
I tried a new design for some battle gloves, hand-wraps, and cestus in the shop. Nothing too fancy, mind you, but it's good to have the shelves a bit more full again.
Written By Ida
June 5, 2022, 9:15 a.m.(10/10/1017 AR)
Relationship Note on Reigna
What can I possibly write about Marquessa Reigna Keaton that would do her even a small measure of justice? Her kindness is a thing of legends. A woman of staunch beliefs and morals, she stood ready to entertain and debate the ideas of others. She respected opinions and viewpoints even if they were not her own. She always seemed to have a glimmer in her eyes - an energy of positive thinking in the bleakest of moments. There were no setbacks, just points to learn from and try again in another way. I wish I could put to parchment the amazing experiences I was blessed to have alongside the Marquessa, from simple discussions about commissions to extraordinary adventures. She was a warm and welcoming fire in a dimming world, and I will miss her presence among us.
Written By Ida
May 22, 2022, 7:20 p.m.(9/11/1017 AR)
I managed to stock the shop a bit. Nothing fancy, mind you. Some sets of basic armor, a few daggers (I did not message the Archduke as he has these styles already - I really need to come up with something to surprise him), and some cupridium hairpins. Old designs, with a bit of tweaking to make them just a little different. I feel like I have been half-here in the city, these last few seasons, but plan to change that soon. A life half-lived is hardly a life at all, right?
Written By Ida
April 28, 2022, 5:54 a.m.(7/18/1017 AR)
I am going to do more of the dark-hued daggers for the shop. While it may be a bit before I have time to design new things, I wonder what things I should do. I've been meaning to do some more sets of armor, even if they don't sell out all that quickly. Maybe some battle gloves and archer's bows. Suggestions welcome. I'm making a list.
At some point in the near future, I should be have time to take commissions again. I think.
At some point in the near future, I should be have time to take commissions again. I think.
Written By Ida
April 24, 2022, 2:13 p.m.(7/10/1017 AR)
I finally managed to make some of the dark-hued daggers I wrote about being inspired to make. I have a few more designs of them that I hope to get into the shop, but a good number made their way there the last day or so. I've enjoyed trying to blend hints of color into the dark metal and seeing what they feel like. Twilight, ice on a frozen pond, cool autumn mornings... There are more than I expected, maybe, and I'm a bit excited to try different blends.
Written By Ida
April 8, 2022, 5:30 a.m.(6/5/1017 AR)
I have great admiration and respect for the Grand Duchess of the Lyceum, who has been a generous patron of the shop for many years.
Black daggers, though...now I am filled with thoughts of moonlit nights, shimmering umbra, and stormy winter seas thanks to the Archduke. Maybe with armor sets to match. I need to get back to my sketchbook.
Black daggers, though...now I am filled with thoughts of moonlit nights, shimmering umbra, and stormy winter seas thanks to the Archduke. Maybe with armor sets to match. I need to get back to my sketchbook.
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