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The Menagerie play by post RPG would like to thank both Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson for their Dungeons & Dragons role playing game. They made the world that much more fantastic.
Chaz [M:18:195:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=395&page=1#5840] member is offline
Charles Hire, Engineer
Joined: Sept 2011 Gender: Male Posts: 522
The Foundry « Thread Started on Jun 7, 2012, 5:49pm »
From the outside, a multi-level mansion, bricks and glass rundown and damaged, the mortar being reclaimed by the vines and wilderness. One or two chimneys still exist, held fast with brass supports and pipes. A series of vents span the roof, seemingly weakening it.
But the blacksmith wouldn't have moved in if he wasn't sure it could be...improved. Part of the mansion's floors had caved into the middle, and it was here he' d put his forge. A circle of tools and benches and the ever-present fire and clanging of machinery, lovingly assembled and cared for. The walls were rebuilt, supported with metal joists, open to the air on one side. On either side of the forge area, what remained of the floors had been reinforced, spiraling stairs and sliding poles leading to and from the uppermost floors. On the one side the engineer had placed his bed and belongings, and above him his daughter's. On the opposite side was where the musician was welcome, anytime he pleased.
It was broken, haphazard, fleetingly stable, and so much like the blacksmith himself it was strange to look at. A long time to work on the ruined building just outside town, and a long time to learn and grow with it. As his daughter grew into a young woman, the man matured himself, but not so much he lost the spark that drove his clockwork heart. A bit less awkward, a bit stronger in body and conviction, but no less utterly devoted to those near him.
Like all machines, the engineer needed drive and purpose. The Foundry fired his heart, gave him drive, and his family directed his life, gave him purpose.
A good scientist is a person with original ideas. A good engineer is a person who makes a design that works with as few original ideas as possible.
Chaz [M:18:195:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=395&page=1#5840] member is offline
Charles Hire, Engineer
Joined: Sept 2011 Gender: Male Posts: 522
Re: The Foundry « Reply #1 on Jun 7, 2012, 8:51pm »
Clang, clang, clang.
The forgelight lit the blacksmith's thin silhouette as he worked, eyes glimmering in the dark under his goggles. The hammer in his right hand fell upon the blade again and again, folding the steel, shaping it. From the left shoulder down his arm was gleaming brass, delicately-shaped mechanisms clicking and whirring and shifting as the long metallic fingers held the blade steady, and plunged it into the water, making steam rise to the ceiling. This one was for a customer out of town, an adventurer by the look of him. He didn't know; he just fixed things. He was good at that.
He grunted and shifted his left arm, flexing the pistons and joints. The elves hadn't taken kindly to Nikole even existing, and he'd...had to sacrifice some things. He tightened the strap across his chest that held the arm in place and looked up to the top floor on his right, to where she slept. He worried for her, sometimes. But that was for tomorrow. For tonight the fire burned and the steel clanged and smoke was belched into the sky. Soon Anri could come back, and everything would turn out fine.
A good scientist is a person with original ideas. A good engineer is a person who makes a design that works with as few original ideas as possible.
Dominic [M:123:1420:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=382&page=1#14144] member is offline
[b]Let me tell you a story...[/b][0:No encore today][1:You have my attention]
Joined: Nov 2011 Gender: Male Posts: 329
Re: The Foundry « Reply #2 on Jun 8, 2012, 6:56pm »
Dom had gotten the wanderlust into him after a while in the town, but he'd started to consider it another 'home'. Finally a place he'd be able to come back to, maybe. But since he was back there was one person he wanted to see, before anyone else. He'd heard that there was this crazy smith in town still. No-one at the tavern had remembered him, though they knew the Cathian who lived in the big old rundown mance at the edge of town.
The place was not hard to find, all he had to do was follow his nose and ears. The sound of beating metal, the sharp smell of smoke. He doesn't really look all that different. A couple of lines in the face, slightly nicer travelling clothes and knapsack but it's still the same old Dom with Prudence on his back and his staff softly clacking on the floor. He can feel the heat coming off the furnace even from outside and he ambles in.
"Hey. I'm lookin' for a blacksmith. Odd guy, hides in rafters, good singing voice. Know him?" he announces, cheer in every syllable.
Love, like Hope, has too few letters for a word so powerful.
Chaz [M:18:195:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=395&page=1#5840] member is offline
Charles Hire, Engineer
Joined: Sept 2011 Gender: Male Posts: 522
Re: The Foundry « Reply #3 on Jun 8, 2012, 7:04pm »
His ears twitched as he heard the familiar voice. His troubled frown widened to a grin as the musician approached and he doused the blade for the last time, cooling his metal hand. He fought the urge to run up and hug the man; it had been a while since he'd seen him, since before Chaz had moved.
I know him. Nervous type, I think. Talks too much.
He laughed, rubbing his good hand through his hair. This time he did hesitate once and give the man a friendly hug, careful around Prudence.
Welcome back home, Dom. I'm sure Nikole will love to see you.
A good scientist is a person with original ideas. A good engineer is a person who makes a design that works with as few original ideas as possible.
Dominic [M:123:1420:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=382&page=1#14144] member is offline
[b]Let me tell you a story...[/b][0:No encore today][1:You have my attention]
Joined: Nov 2011 Gender: Male Posts: 329
Re: The Foundry « Reply #4 on Jun 8, 2012, 7:16pm »
Dom clapped his old friend on the back heartily as they embraced. Oh it was damn good to find someone familiar. Life on the road can be quite lonely, even if you're as gregarious as he is. That smell of fur and smoke and metal is very Chaz, and something he rather missed.
"Oh, she'll not remember me. She could barely say my name before I went out wadering again. Though I did think of her often. I wish I had some gifts for you but I've been travelling light."
He reached up and with a couple of swift motions that might seem a bit too familiar if one didn't know that he couldn't see, and odd even if one knew the two men knew each other, brushing fingertips across Chaz's cheek and along his metal arm. At the same time he clicked his tongue a few times, tilting his head.
"Looking good, man. Real good. Fatherhood suits you." He doesn't mention the arm, though his fingers do linger on it a moment, a silent indication of understanding that something serious has happened while he's been gone.
Love, like Hope, has too few letters for a word so powerful.
Chaz [M:18:195:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=395&page=1#5840] member is offline
Charles Hire, Engineer
Joined: Sept 2011 Gender: Male Posts: 522
Re: The Foundry « Reply #5 on Jun 8, 2012, 7:36pm »
There was a meaningful pause as Chaz chuckled nervously, good hand running along the brass, letting it click hiss softly.
Yeah, yeah. A while back I found out some of the Drow aren't too happy with...well, me. You give up a few things. He was distracted by a rustling from the uppermost floor, the entire thing curtained off except for where the staircase spiraled down. Nikole poked her head out, carrying a small stuffed toy down the stairs, quiet but staring at the new comer with faint familiarity. Chaz clapped Dom on the shoulder, laughing it off.
I'll tell you later. It'd make a good story. Nikole? He approached the stairs, looking up the spiral. The young Drow girl was obviously dressed by her father, overalls and a ratty shirt underneath it, white hair down to her waist and big green eyes that looked from her father to Dom suspiciously.
Do you remember Uncle Dominic?
She nodded as she descended the stairs.
I think so. I re...remember a guy with a guitar he played and had white eyes. She walked up to Dom and looked up at him curiously, hugging her doll.
Did you bring me anything?
Chaz wiped his face and gave a small groan of irritation.
A good scientist is a person with original ideas. A good engineer is a person who makes a design that works with as few original ideas as possible.
Dominic [M:123:1420:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=382&page=1#14144] member is offline
[b]Let me tell you a story...[/b][0:No encore today][1:You have my attention]
Joined: Nov 2011 Gender: Male Posts: 329
Re: The Foundry « Reply #6 on Jun 8, 2012, 7:50pm »
"Hells, coz. If it makes a good story it'll make an even better ballad." he drawled, hooking a thumb into his belt.
The wandering bard felt a strange surge of pride at being called 'Uncle' in this context. He turns his face to the girl, lowering himself to one knee so that he'll be approximately of a height with her. He takes off his had, placing it on one knee and opens his eyes slowly. They are, as always, milky and unseeing.
"When I met you last, Nikole, the only thing you wanted was sweetrolls, milk, and to pull my hair." He grins and runs his thumb around the hatband, behind which are tucked several plectrums of different materials. He has one that he's a little loathe to part with, but it'll be a nice little token. He holds out the shiny metal triangle, the edges smoothed and rounded.
"This is my best pick. I played my best songs with it while I was away, it kind of gave me luck. It's a piece of a sword whose blade was folded a thousand times, they say. I wore out three rasps taking the edge off it." He handed it over "Take care of it, and keep it away from your Dad, or he'll start trying to study it or something."
Love, like Hope, has too few letters for a word so powerful.
Chaz [M:18:195:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=395&page=1#5840] member is offline
Charles Hire, Engineer
Joined: Sept 2011 Gender: Male Posts: 522
Re: The Foundry « Reply #7 on Jun 8, 2012, 8:23pm »
Nikole gingerly took the small pick, turning it over in one hand. Chaz would admit to himself that he did want to study it, but it was a gift for her. She smiled wide, and looked to her father.
Daaad, can I get a guitar like uncle Dom? He nodded, tussling her hair.
I'll see what I can do. If he'll be so kind as to help me make one. What do we say when we get something nice from someone? She paused.
Extra for hazard pay?
No. We say thank you. By way of saying thank you she threw herself onto Dominic and hugged him, then put the pick in the chest pocket of her overalls.
A good scientist is a person with original ideas. A good engineer is a person who makes a design that works with as few original ideas as possible.
Dominic [M:123:1420:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=382&page=1#14144] member is offline
[b]Let me tell you a story...[/b][0:No encore today][1:You have my attention]
Joined: Nov 2011 Gender: Male Posts: 329
Re: The Foundry « Reply #8 on Jun 8, 2012, 8:30pm »
Dom couldn't keep the laughter from bubbling up from deep inside his chest. He hugged the girl in return, smiling ear to ear. He stood up from the kneeling position, putting his hat back on his head and ruffling the girl's hair, careful when reaching out to touch her.
"Of course I'll teach you. I was actually thinking that might be a way of earning a little extra scratch. Seems like there's plenty more folks around than used to be." He tilts his head "That reminds me. Think they'll still have a room open at the Tavern? I intend to stick around a while and I'm gonna need somewhere to put my head down that has a roof over it." He's slept rough more nights than not on his journey, though his travels after first coming to Wistvale have been more comfortable than those which went before.
Love, like Hope, has too few letters for a word so powerful.
Chaz [M:18:195:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=395&page=1#5840] member is offline
Charles Hire, Engineer
Joined: Sept 2011 Gender: Male Posts: 522
Re: The Foundry « Reply #9 on Jun 8, 2012, 8:37pm »
At the mention of the tavern, Nikole could figure out what would happen next. She squeaked happily and bolted up the stairs to her room, wanting to get dressed. Chaz watched her go then turned back to Dom, nodding.
Of course. The one thing they let me do in there was make one room the king suite. Guess which one I picked? He went to the forge and shut the huge lid on the metal can, wiping off his hands.
Let me get cleaned up a bit. You uh...really think you can teach her? I could probably... He trailed off, drawing shapes with his finger in the air, ears twitching. After a long moment, he nodded.
A good scientist is a person with original ideas. A good engineer is a person who makes a design that works with as few original ideas as possible.
Dominic [M:123:1420:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=382&page=1#14144] member is offline
[b]Let me tell you a story...[/b][0:No encore today][1:You have my attention]
Joined: Nov 2011 Gender: Male Posts: 329
Re: The Foundry « Reply #10 on Jun 8, 2012, 8:46pm »
Dominic shouldered his bag and Prudence once agian, waiting for the little girl to go do whatever she needed to do to get ready.
"I have no idea if I can teach her, but I'll give it my best shot. She might just get bored of it and give up. Or maybe I won't be that great a teacher." He shrugged "It'll be fun though."
He noticed the quiet moment and the musing exclamation, letting out a little bark of laughter.
"Of course you can. There ain't a contraption, doohickey, thingamabob or geegaw that the famous Chaz Hire can't cobble together." He leans in and whispers conspiratorially "And you *are* famous now, you know?"
Love, like Hope, has too few letters for a word so powerful.
Chaz [M:18:195:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=395&page=1#5840] member is offline
Charles Hire, Engineer
Joined: Sept 2011 Gender: Male Posts: 522
Re: The Foundry « Reply #11 on Jun 8, 2012, 9:09pm »
Raised an eyebrow, giving an amused but curious smile.
I am? I must have missed all the ballads about me. And the world still hasn't beat a path to my door, no matter how many mousetraps I make. And I've made a ton of them. Nikole grabbed onto a pole and slid down two floors, running up to her father, bouncing and grabbing her hands on Chaz's apron.
Carry carry carry carry! He laughed and did so, gently picking her up in his metal hand and putting her on his shoulders, letting her grab his ears. He winced a little, but said nothing about it.
Love, like Hope, has too few letters for a word so powerful.
Chaz [M:18:195:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=395&page=1#5840] member is offline
Charles Hire, Engineer
Joined: Sept 2011 Gender: Male Posts: 522
Re: The Foundry « Reply #13 on Jun 18, 2012, 8:51am »
They got back to the Foundry with no problem, Chaz looking distracted and distant, but still his friendly self. Dominic's room was on one of the half-ruined floors across the foundry from Chaz and Nikole, curtained off and with a railing around the splintered edge of the floor. A single sturdy staircase led from there to the center area. On the side of the manor that Dom was on, on the ground floor under him, was the kitchen area, that Chaz admittedly was a little intimidated by. He was not a very good cook.
Let me know if you need anything.
He spoke quietly, so as not to wake the child, and cleared one of the benches in the middle of the room, pulling out a large piece of paper and a thin stick of charcoal.
A good scientist is a person with original ideas. A good engineer is a person who makes a design that works with as few original ideas as possible.
Dominic [M:123:1420:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=382&page=1#14144] member is offline
[b]Let me tell you a story...[/b][0:No encore today][1:You have my attention]
Joined: Nov 2011 Gender: Male Posts: 329
Re: The Foundry « Reply #14 on Jun 18, 2012, 12:34pm »
Dom went up to inspect his room. He felt a little weighed down, having gone and purchased some new gear for the upcoming trip. He spent a while quietly inspecting the room, touching, feeling, clicking his tongue and tilting his head to get a sense of the size and content. There wasn't much. A bed with simple sheet and blanket, though far softer than he was used to. Bare plaster over brick for walls, bare wooden floors sanded of splinters but otherwise unadorned. A side table, a small chest of drawers and that was about it. He placed his new backpack and belt down at the foot of the bed, then placed his trusty old staff in the corner. He'd never get rid of it, and would probably have it as his usual companion but it was as much tool as weapon. He'd surmised he needed something a little more potent for this trip.
Kiko's little pep talk had shaken some of the guilt loose and it had fallen away. He didn't want to kill anyone, but he might have to at some time. He picked up the svardstav, feeling its contours and lines. The wood was clearly grained, which was good. He spent a short time memorising the grain, so he could know exactly which end was pointing where when he held it. He gripped the centre, twisting, and with a soft 'snik' of well tooled metal a slender, two foot long blade extended and locked with a click. The staff was weighted to counterbalance the blade, the weapon was exquisitely balanced, though heavier than his six foot length of oak. He twisted it again, pushing the blade tip against the floor and pressed down to reset the mechanism.
He heaved himself up, moving from the room to go rejoin Chaz. He brought his instrument with him, though with Nikole in bed he wouldn't play it. He had heard Chaz muttering about building her instrument though. He quipped quietly as he entered the room.
"Lutes are so last decade, Chaz. Prudence lives on, but she's different now." That was a painful memory. His instrument was different, flat backed and with an hourglass shape to it, six strings only. The neck was all that had remained of his beloved gift from his mother. He'd wept over the broken body of the lute that had been as much a part of him as his arm. But he'd used what little mechanical nouse he had, along with the help of a kindly carpenter, to work the shattered remains into a new body.
"Meet Prudence the Second. A guitar." He placed the instrument on the tabletop "A new sound for a new age. She's less tempremental than her mother, that's for sure, but you gotta work twice as hard to make her really sing. She'll be easier to learn than the lute, and easier to maintain." That much was true, he'd traded out the catgut strings of the old guitar for brass wound steel, expensive but they lasted a long time if you gave them the proper care.
"Shall we make Nikole her going away present then?" he asked his friend.
Welcome to The Menagerie. We are a free role playing game with less rules and more freedom. After many years, a couple of hosts and a few different game systems, we feel that less is more. Players get to be truly creative, which in turn leads to more enjoyment in game.
We invite you to join us in crafting our world and look forward to making friends. Should you have any questions, feel free to post in our chat box or ask any of our members or staff.
May you enjoy your stay.
It must be said that this game is the product of continued dedication and friendship.
Grayell: Game inventor and closet basement geek.
Yukiko: Admin and dream-weaver.
Marlena: Admin and promoter extraordinaire.
The Menagerie has enjoyed many incarnations, revamps, reimaginings and renovations and none of it would have been possible without the ongoing support of my friends, the players. Their unwavering loyalty and endless dedication to this project has been stellar.
I would like to thank all admin and staff past and present, in particular Tiberius.
I would like to thank friends and staff no longer with us, and to the few I hold most dear: John, Roland, Alex, Azriel and Jenkins.
Thank you all.
All images are the property of their creator.
Our 2nd site archive with: Total posts 70665, Total topics 1819 & Total Members 86.
...or our first site archive with: Total posts 69401, Total topics 1325 & Total members 145
...OR the very humble start of our game at our friends, www.Heroscapers.com.
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