Written By Ida
Aug. 21, 2020, 4:33 p.m.(11/18/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Piccola
Y'know, I have never tried to forge armor with pockets. Armor isn't something I get asked to do often, so it never even came to mind over the years, much as I do like pockets myself. I'm willing to give it a try! I might even have an idea as well.
Written By Ida
Aug. 20, 2020, 5:48 p.m.(11/16/1013 AR)
I have a new apron and it is one of the most wonderful things I have ever been gifted. The pockets are perfect sizes and the design is amazing. My old one felt apart some time ago and I just never saw to replacing it. This one? I bet will last til I am old and gray. If I make it to old and gray, mind you.
Written By Ida
Aug. 16, 2020, 12:49 p.m.(11/8/1013 AR)
I attended Sir Porter Kennex's godsworn and knighting ceremony at the Grand Cathedral this week. It was a really moving affair. The moment when his brother, the Duke of Stormward, released him from his family oaths, I think you could almost feel the pang of loss mixed with great pride. Sitting near my own brother, it reminded me of his ceremony with the King's Own. Chatted with a few new people during the event as well. It's always nice to make the acquaintance of other knights of the realm.
Written By Ida
Aug. 15, 2020, 8:55 a.m.(11/5/1013 AR)
I was honored by a visit by Legate Cassandra Laurent, who stopped by to give me one of the pouches I helped design for her weapons blessing ceremony. I didn't make the ceremony itself, sadly, which is a shame because I'd have liked to have my knuckles blessed. Achlector Wylla happened by, too, and I was glad to have a chance to see her outside of the shrine. The shop attracted more visitors as well, which reminded me of my earlier days in Arx when the shop was a bit smaller and I did most of my work in the main room rather than the back.
Anyhow, so I found myself presented with two requests that I didn't expect: an armor commission and knowledge about something that seems to be called a cestus (being made famous by one Sydney, a fighter I continue to hear a lot about, so no surprise there). The former from General Piccola Tessere, and the latter from a man named Gael - both new faces to me. I rarely create armor anymore, if ever, if mostly due to my inability to work the better metals for it. Weapons have always been my love and where I focused my learning. Still, it's been so many years since I've done a set, I'm looking forward to dusting off the old shaping tools.
As to the request from Gael, I'm afraid I wasn't much help, though I'm sure I've /seen/ things like he's described before. I've probably been put on my back once or twice by someone with such even. They sound more like a leatherworker's thing, even if they might be used as a weapon. Still, the inquiry made me curious and I might see about trying to fashion something like them sometime. I worked and saved for several years and managed to have a pair of steelsilk handwraps made for myself, and I can see how adding a little something might make them even better.
All told, it was an inspiring sort of day filled with interesting things and excellent company.
Anyhow, so I found myself presented with two requests that I didn't expect: an armor commission and knowledge about something that seems to be called a cestus (being made famous by one Sydney, a fighter I continue to hear a lot about, so no surprise there). The former from General Piccola Tessere, and the latter from a man named Gael - both new faces to me. I rarely create armor anymore, if ever, if mostly due to my inability to work the better metals for it. Weapons have always been my love and where I focused my learning. Still, it's been so many years since I've done a set, I'm looking forward to dusting off the old shaping tools.
As to the request from Gael, I'm afraid I wasn't much help, though I'm sure I've /seen/ things like he's described before. I've probably been put on my back once or twice by someone with such even. They sound more like a leatherworker's thing, even if they might be used as a weapon. Still, the inquiry made me curious and I might see about trying to fashion something like them sometime. I worked and saved for several years and managed to have a pair of steelsilk handwraps made for myself, and I can see how adding a little something might make them even better.
All told, it was an inspiring sort of day filled with interesting things and excellent company.
Written By Ida
Aug. 7, 2020, 10:17 a.m.(10/17/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Edain
When I was a younger woman fighting my way around the Oathlands, an equally younger Prince Edain gave me the honor of being one of my fans. I doubt either of us realized where our lives might lead back then; everything seemed so much simpler and all. He invited me to come to Arx as one of the smiths for House Valardin, and with my children grown I thought, why not? His patronage lead so many new people to the shop I had set up, and he honored me again by granting me a knighthood and title of Hammer of the West.
Here he is again, going down a path I doubt he saw coming, and part of me wishes I could follow him there as well. Maybe in time, that's where my journey will lead. Instead, for now, I will remember the words he told me his sister, Princess Tabitha, once told him: "In politics everyone is looking to get what they want and will turn on you to get it. Once you realize that, you realize there is never a reason to do anything other than what you believe to be right."
I promise to keep doing what I believe to be right and uphold the oaths I made to you and House Valardin, even if you aren't here to make sure that I do.
Here he is again, going down a path I doubt he saw coming, and part of me wishes I could follow him there as well. Maybe in time, that's where my journey will lead. Instead, for now, I will remember the words he told me his sister, Princess Tabitha, once told him: "In politics everyone is looking to get what they want and will turn on you to get it. Once you realize that, you realize there is never a reason to do anything other than what you believe to be right."
I promise to keep doing what I believe to be right and uphold the oaths I made to you and House Valardin, even if you aren't here to make sure that I do.
Written By Ida
July 6, 2020, 9:01 a.m.(8/9/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Porter
Princess Helena won an intense drinking game, I'm told, and dedicated part of her speech to me. For that, I received a very purple robe. I'm not sure it's my color, but I think I'm going to wear it around the shop. Or display it on that dog statue I generally avoid since it mysteriously appeared in the shop one day some years ago. It's too divine to just put in a chest where no one will get to see the magnificence of it.
Written By Ida
June 23, 2020, 8:41 a.m.(7/11/1013 AR)
I meant to write about this a few weeks ago, but y'know what they say about turning forty - the mind starts to forget things. Or so I've heard, it may just be bull. Either way, I was on my way to the market for a few things when I stepped into the shop and something was different. You just know these things, right? When you walk into your room, your mind (aged forty or no) somehow notices when there is something out of place or new. And so it was, which ended up being a book. Not just any book, mind you, but 'The Baroness and the Lascivious Pie Pt. 3' Oh. My.
Someone knows my embarrassing love of trashy romance books, it seems.
Someone knows my embarrassing love of trashy romance books, it seems.
Written By Ida
June 21, 2020, 9:32 p.m.(7/8/1013 AR)
Sometimes when the past comes waltzing into the present, it's a pretty great thing. The thread of the present is still there, but it is softened a little by memories and that we have been blessed enough to make it this far. Too many gone from my life and much too soon, but that's the thing about life - it needs to be lived. Or so I was reminded of today.
Written By Ida
June 20, 2020, 5:19 p.m.(7/6/1013 AR)
I enjoyed the last Festival of Death a great deal. The crafting were themes I'd never tried before, and the events and final picnic were all wonderful. It changed me, a little, which sound silly but so be it. So as we find ourselves celebrating again, I'm glad. New themes to try, new events to attend. Mostly I am glad for the reminder that the Queen is like our shepherd, and knowing those I've loved and lost found themselves returned to her embrace. It makes loss a little easier to bear.
Written By Ida
June 8, 2020, 11 a.m.(6/10/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Rymarr
Not you too, my dear old friend. I can't even find the words to describe this feeling of loss. It is like losing a part of my history. There aren't a lot of people left who I can trace back my path in Arx with, and you were one. I feel lost, but I know I can't allow that for long; you sure as abyss would not brook it, hmm? Thank you for the opportunities, trust, and friendship. You will be severely missed.
Written By Ida
June 1, 2020, 10 a.m.(5/23/1013 AR)
Well...maybe next Sip and Spar. I got a little caught up in sketches and hermitting apparently.
Written By Ida
May 29, 2020, 8:10 p.m.(5/18/1013 AR)
I've yet to manage making one of the Sip and Spars, which seems a shame since sparring has been a favorite activity of mine. If time permits, I think I'm going to try to make the upcoming one and see if I've still got a bit of the old one-two in me. I'll also bring a few nails, for party tricks. I suspect at least one person will find this awesome!
Written By Ida
May 27, 2020, 6:32 p.m.(5/14/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Ravna
Y'know, reading the whites lately and seeing your name popping up after not seeing it for a few years is... I'm trying to find the right word here, because 'delightful' seems too pansy to use and 'nice' might sound sarcastic. Nifty. That's a good word. It's pretty nifty.
Written By Ida
May 23, 2020, 9:22 a.m.(5/5/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Joscelin
There are time when I feel like I can hear you smiling. It sound ridiculous, probably, but sometimes I'll stop whatever I'm doing and go sit in my rocking chair out front. Yours is still there too, of course. So I'll sit and watch people walk by and think about those early days of getting our shops in shape and such. Of pies and the renewal of the Crafter's Guild, of friends come and gone. Whenever I misplace a hammer, I get a little pang knowing that it's really just misplaced and not taken for ransom. I miss you, dear friend, but always end up with a wide smile when I think about the years of friendship and mischief.
Written By Ida
May 16, 2020, 10:45 p.m.(4/21/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Sirius
Prince Sirius Valardin - you do me a great honor with such words in the whites. That you trusted me with a commission of such importance, as well, leaves me both humbled and appreciative. It was your vision that brought it to life, really. I hope the blade serves you well and for many years yet to come.
Written By Ida
May 16, 2020, 9:31 a.m.(4/19/1013 AR)
Alaricite is a metal I have feelings about. I respect it, somewhat like a younger person respects an elder maybe. It's a metal that feels old and somehow wiser than me when I work with it. It's hard to explain, but I find on those few occasions when I've reason to work with it, that I need to quiet myself for the task.
Forging a weapon from alaricite feels like my fighting days, is the best way I can describe it. There were certain fighters in the circuit that I knew I could beat, if I was really careful and utterly on my game, but that still awed me when I would face them in the ring. I respected them for their history, for what I knew they were capable of, and on a few occasions I didn't feel quite worthy of being considered good enough to stand across from them. I felt fortunate too, though, each and every time. And if I did well? Regardless if I won the bout or not - it felt really damn good.
Forging a weapon from alaricite feels like my fighting days, is the best way I can describe it. There were certain fighters in the circuit that I knew I could beat, if I was really careful and utterly on my game, but that still awed me when I would face them in the ring. I respected them for their history, for what I knew they were capable of, and on a few occasions I didn't feel quite worthy of being considered good enough to stand across from them. I felt fortunate too, though, each and every time. And if I did well? Regardless if I won the bout or not - it felt really damn good.
Written By Ida
April 6, 2020, 6:45 p.m.(1/24/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Riagnon
Lord Riagnon does me a great honor with his words and it made me smile. A lot.
I have written about struggling more often than not when crafting weapons over the last few months, though some good advice, as well as inspiring tales as the basis for pieces, I don't feel quite so lost in the forge.
I have written about struggling more often than not when crafting weapons over the last few months, though some good advice, as well as inspiring tales as the basis for pieces, I don't feel quite so lost in the forge.
Written By Ida
March 21, 2020, 4:02 p.m.(12/20/1012 AR)
Relationship Note on Juniper
I wish I could have come along, helped, or kept you safe somehow. My heart is broken and the world - all of this world - is already dimmer without you.
Written By Ida
March 9, 2020, 6:44 p.m.(11/24/1012 AR)
Relationship Note on Reigna
I'm sure I've written this before, and I guess I'm going to write it again now: I have struggled with my creativity lately. The stories don't come as easily as they used to, and the ones that do, don't feel as deep as before. I've started to wonder if my best work is all behind me. It's a scary thought, can't lie. I shared these concerns with Marquessa Reigna, when a commission was mentioned, and her advice was pretty profound in it's deceiving simplicity: do something different. Wildly create something in a new or different way. And with those words in mind, I managed to forge a sword that is all warm hues and echoes of the forest. The theme wasn't one I came up with, but looking at it differently and trying to work in hints of pale gold - which I haven't done before with these particular shades - created something I was proud to put my mark on.
Sometimes people end up creating the change we need, just when we need it.
Sometimes people end up creating the change we need, just when we need it.
Written By Ida
Feb. 3, 2020, 7:57 p.m.(9.240162450396825/14.449097222222223/1012.6866802041998 AR)
Relationship Note on Sydney
Your frustrations are ones I know quite well. Not all of them, no, but in this I do. There were no few times I felt passed over for things because I 'only' fought with my fists and it can be defeating, if you let it. So it seemed to me anyhow. Sometimes I did let it defeat me, I have to admit, but it rarely kept me from the ring most times.
It meant a lot to read your words, too. It's good to hear about others who respect the sweet science and genuinely /enjoy/ it. You can tell, I think, when it means something to someone. Your name is one I've been hearing quite a bit these last few months, and I bet I'll keep hearing it. I'll have to stretch out these aging bones and hope to catch you at the training center one of these days.
It meant a lot to read your words, too. It's good to hear about others who respect the sweet science and genuinely /enjoy/ it. You can tell, I think, when it means something to someone. Your name is one I've been hearing quite a bit these last few months, and I bet I'll keep hearing it. I'll have to stretch out these aging bones and hope to catch you at the training center one of these days.
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