Docks Talk
Tenebrae - Tuesday, January 05, 2016, 11:18 PM
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=<* A18: Alexandrian Shipyards *>=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
The scent of the shipyards combines the mystery of the arcane, of artifice, and good, old-fashioned, manual labor. Gobbers, khazad scramble about the place, along with a healthy-sized coningent of humans. Oruch shoulder the heavier pieces, and a number of ship skeletons may be seen along the banks, in various stages of beginning and finishing.
The noise here is louder than the docks--here, the thrust of saw, the slap of tar onto fresh, wooden bones, the argument over artifice-based improvements to rigging versus the benefits of conjured wind, all hold sway. The shipyards are a busy place, a productive one, and part of the heart of trade and industry that is Alexandria.
Munch tromps slowly across the dock, carrying a massive piece of artifice. Not that some assistance wouldn't be useful, but few others can budge such a soild bit of technology, and with that weird green light it's emitting, few others are willing. Sure, the gnomes are fine with it, but they aren't exactly able to help. And no one is allowing the gobbers to get too close.
Kailin makes his way through the shipyards, his head turning about left and right viewing sights that brought back many memories. Not at all a stranger to manual labor, he remembered his days of hauling heavy objects with a bit of a bitter taste. He reminds himself it got him to where he is today though, and he holds his head a bit higher as he walks. He sees Munch carrying the piece of artifice and watches for a moment before stepping over to ask, "Need some help with that?" Wouldn't want to be too presumptuous. He's learned his lesson, especially in this city.
Munch mmms, tromping a little farther to a soild wooden wagon, carefully setting the obscure bit onto the waiting pads. A small group of gnomes swarm, covering and tying down the... whatever it is. Munch turns, and nods politely. "Thanks, but nah. Hard part was getting the balance right. Think they've still got some boxes to shift if you're looking for work."
Kailin glances down the shipyard, but shakes his head. "Nah... I gave up that kind of work a long time ago, though when I did it, I wasn't getting paid for it." He gives a quick sound somwhere between annoyance and contempt. "Even still, not looking for work of that kind any more. I moved on to the Explorer's Guild. I'm getting plenty of work through there. And stories to go along with them." He nods to the piece that was placed on the boxes. "So do you work with these ships?"
Munch shakes his head. "Nah, not typically." Looking to one of the gnomes, the one with a clipboard, the golem gets a thumbs up, and turns his full focus to Kailin. "I wanted a part that was comming in, they needed a hand, it works out. I typically work with the Guild, but been sorta quiet. Not sure where's going to need the most help, hesitant to go anywhere lest the other place ends up being the important one. But, I'm sure will be a call soon enough."
Kailin smiles naively and his green exuberance shows through. "Well, I'm just getting my feet wet so I'm taking any and all jobs they can put me on. I'm not real sure of the real dangers out there yet. I'm still getting familiar with the city. I hear things hear and there about events, but I'm not familar with much except the big things and even then - only rumors." He shakes his head and finishes, "For most of my life, I was mostly focus on the 20 feet around me and couldn't much be bothered with the rest of the world. Now, everything is open and relevant so there's a lot to learn."
Munch buzzes quietly in amusment. "I understand. Was much the same way not long ago. Don't range too far though. Is a big world, and easy to get lost in. Find something you care about, keep focus around that, help keep yourself grounded."
Kailin considers the advice and says, "That's the thing, though. I don't know enough to know what I really care about. I mean, at present, I'm only just beginning to learn of devotion to the gods and have chosen Kor as the deity I favor. And in his name, I do battle. So completing the jobs assigned to me by the guild is also serving my god - usually." He shrugs faintly and comments, "Outside of that, I haven't yet found that thing which I am passionate about. Others have spoken of such a thing, but it eludes me so far."
Munch nods. "I'll never object to following of The Warrior. It's okay to still be looking, it's if you give up that trouble starts. For me, I fight for me. But I respect Kor's ways, and the lessons he teaches."
Kailin nods faintly and says, "It was pointed out to me that there has always been war and as far as anyone can tell, there will always be war. That must give Kor great power to see his will done. And there is no end to what he stands for." He nods faintly and says, "A powerful god, indeed that will always be fed by those who worship him and even those who do not." He nods faintly at that. "As I begin to collect stories for my clan and my temple, I find that I crave the rush of battle. It seems as though it could be my passion, but I feel as though I should be finding interests outside of guild jobs."
Munch nods in agreement. "Maybe find something to hunt. Monsters that prey on those not so strong, something not too great a danger to you. the DemonChomper used to hunt owlbears, give the meat to the taverns for stew. I used to roam the trade routes, wait for bandits to try and attack. They've learned better now. Wandered the Felwoods for a time, giant spiders thought I was tastey. Aren't so many of them now. Think I may take the raods to the deserts, I hear drakes have been attacking the merchants. Th But the war is the greater concern, and Heth greater than that."
"The few that I've talked to have advised me to focus on training with the guild before involving myself too heavily in the war." Kailin nods his head back and forth. "There was mention of smaller things I can do here and there, but to leave the fighting to those that are more experienced. Which I understand. So for other opportunities, I'll do what I can where I can." He motions towards the city and says, "I'll even try to do a thing or two myself if I can get enough people involved. I've heard there are some simple ways to assist without having even to leave the city."
Munch nods. "Plenty to be done in the city, certainly. the Watch handels much of it, but are things for which they aren't quite suited. Magical conjurations gone wrong, monsters in the sewers, always something or anotehr going on."
Kailin almost wretches at the mentions of monsters in the sewers. "Oh... yeah. I've gotten a job in the sewers. Just yesterday, in fact." He shakes his head quickly, enough that it looks like he might pull or tear something in his neck. "That is definitely not a place I want to be again for a long, long time. I mean, I held up well enough down there, but through sheer force of will. It was terrible and uncomfortable and just a horrible place to be. All to find a khazad that was hiding from some gambling debts..." He lets out a long breath, his head still shaking. "Too soon... too soon..."
Munch nods. "Yep. Life in the big city. So very glad I don't have a nose."
Kailin nods towards the piece that Munch was carrying when he first saw him. "Perhaps I may get into working with my hands. Art of some kind. Or metalworking. I think I might like creating something lasting. At present the most tangible thing I create is writing or poetry. But even then, I'm not very good. But there is a sense of accomplishment in creating something that might outlast you in this world. Even if it isn't widely recognized or famous. Maybe something more... tangible will enhance that feeling even further."
Munch nods. "Words... I'm not good at words. Not so great at making things, all I'm good at making is a better me. But I can break things. Break bad things, make a better world. Or at least a world with fewer bad things in it."
Kailin gives a pensive look and a deep, rumbling sound. "Well, I think the world will always have bad things in it, it seems. Evil is created on a daily basis in this world. Whether born or nurtured, it is reproduced quite efficiently. So you should have much purpose, by way of Kor." He nods at that and sighs. "Anyway, I think I have a few opportunities to consider. I think I may even be able to come up with something to help these situations most troubling to the city. Just talking about it knocked some things loose. If I can get the proper people to listen to me, perhaps my ideas can inspire some assistance. Even if it is small." He gives Munch a respectful nod. "Thank you for allowing me to take a bit of your time. I shall leave you to your work and I go to put these thoughts down in coherent form."
Munch nods. "Thinking it good. But it's nothing without action to follow, and more thought when the results are seen. Too many choose a path, and refuse to stray even when it goes bad."
Kailin raises a hand in parting to Munch. "Maybe I will see you around again soon. Maybe we shall cross paths again by way of one of my ideas." He grins at that and nods again before going about his business, his thoughts straying quickly to the things he might like to try to create.