001 - [VIDEO] | UN: HAMMERTIME

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[There's a number of false starts here. The video blipping on to a green eye then cutting out. Then snapping back on to a shock of blue hair.]

How the hell does this thing wo—

[Nope, it's out again.]

[One more time now. The picture is askew and there's a tall, blue-haired man tapping the lens of the camera, tongue sticking out of the corner of his mouth. Some of you may recognize him from the training grounds at the Red Spring. He was the one going around asking people to hurt him. You know. Like a crazy person.]

Okay, is it working? Screw it.

So, this thing is some sort of communicator, right? Well, for those of you who can see this, the name's Darin Altway, Master Blacksmith, at your service.

Now, I know we're all here for ~magical~ reasons and whatnot, but if this world is anything like mine, then you guys are gonna need top notch gear to prevent you from.

Y'know.

Dying.

And that's where I come in! Like I said, I'm a Master Blacksmith, and I'm here to offer up my services! I might not have a forge set up, but that doesn't mean I can't perform general maintenance, and if anyone can point me to some resources, I can start stockpiling!

Comments

[milkmycattle]

Yeah! That's exactly it! And yeah, there are some musicians like that too. They only make songs to make money, and there's no passion behind it. I can only respect an artist who truly puts their all into their craft. So, I'm sure you make some beautiful weapons too.

[ Crow smiles. Yes, finally someone gets it and people aren't looking at him like he grew another head!]

Isn't it? That's what I love about being a performer, it's so exhilarating to receive that energy from the crowd! So Mana Crystals are used in a similar way? Is that how you use magic in your world?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Finally! Someone who understands the true source of art is passion! Whether it's through metal or music, I can tell you've got a burning soul!

Everything that makes you love being a performer is the same thing that makes me love being a smith!

Mana crystals have a lot of uses in our world, but most of them are mined and used to power our technology. Only incredibly powerful mages can properly tap into and use mana crystals, and even then, they can only use the element they have a personal affinity with.

[milkmycattle]

Yes! You get me, man! I promise you my soul burns so ardently it can even scorch the sun! And I can tell your soul burns brightly too!

[ This is a beautiful friendship in the making!!]

So mana crystals don't come out of your body, they come from the earth? Kind of like diamonds? That's interesting that mana crystals are different depending on the element. Are they color-coded? Like Red is fire and blue is water?

[He's guessing since it would make it easy to tell one crystal from the other.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

My soul burns hotter than any forge! If your soul can scorch the sun, mine can take that flame and shape it into dreams!!

[Are they glowing? These two might be glowing.]

Yeah! My world is rich in mana. In fact, all living things have some sort of attunement to it! But mana of different elemental properties can gather in certain spots and form mana crystals!

Actually, all crystals look like prisms. They react to people and things with the same affinity. So you usually don't know what type of mana crystal it is unless it reacts to someone or something of the same elemental affinity.

Supposedly someone was working on a device that could test them properly, but I think it was still in development.

[milkmycattle]

That's so deep! Have you tried writing lyrics before? Your words sound like they could be a killer song!

[ These two are shining so radiantly, it'll probably cause eye damage.]

Oh, so it's easy to find mana, but the trick is finding which one has an affinity to you? That sounds cool! I wonder what type of mana would react to me? I hope it's not something lame.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

What?! Seriously?! I've never tried but I always felt that my creative mojo could extend beyond the forge! Maybe we could collaborate and forge the ultimate metal anthem!!

[This high energy himbo feedback loop is burning too bright!]

Well, if I had to guess by your passion, I bet you could make a fire mana crystal crackle burn like a volcano! Make it sing like the molten heartbeat of the planet itself!!

[milkmycattle]

The ultimate metal anthem?! That sounds so wicked! We gotta do it! The stars ordained it!

[ This idiotic blaze of hype is bound to break the internet!]

Yes! I can feel the heat coursing through my veins! Gushing out like magma, my velvety crimson ballads will rekindle any wavering flames! And together we can definitely set some souls on fire with our fierce, unrelenting passion!

[ Darin’s words easily rile Crow up, and now he feels he can go out and take on the world!]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Oh man...oh man, you know what we should do?

When I forge your axe, which I'm totally gonna do now, you should play something while I lay out the beats with my hammer. Imbue that baby with music from its very birth!

I'm picturing it right now...!

[He hurriedly grabs his small notebook from a pouch on his belt and starts scribbling.]

Oh man, this is going to be one of my finest pieces...!

[milkmycattle]

[There's a long drawn out gasp that comes out of Crow. His eyes are wide with admiration of how amazing that idea is!]

That's the best idea I ever heard! I can definitely do that! With my crimson vocals, I can baptize the metal and instill my spirit within it! This is gonna be so great!

[ He already knew his weapon was going to be badass, but now it will be even more marvelous.]

Plus, you should be honored to have a special performance by yours truly. My name's Crow, by the way.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Crow, I'd be honored to hear your music no matter the circumstance! Especially if it inspires me to create such masterpieces like this one!

You'll see. Once I source the materials, I'm going to make you a Great Axe so amazing, it'll be the showstopper of any battle! A perfect Rondo to close out the ballad of a truly burning fight!

[milkmycattle]

That sounds great! That's exactly what I want, for cretinous foes to see your magnificent axe and cower in fear before it! Of course, it would be a shame not to use your masterpiece now and then!

[But first he needs to learn how to use it properly before he hurts someone, or himself. Most likely himself!]

I hope my songs can inspire you, not only in making weapons but also in achieving all your ambitions full throttle! I hope it renews your spirit!

[Crow can talk for days of how he can reborn any stagnant soul with his fiery lyrics. So he cuts himself short for now.]

If you need someone to show you around or chill with, let me know! I've been mostly free aside from working.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Crow, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful partnership.

[milkmycattle]

Yeah? I feel the same way! But I gotta know how you feel about food, or else I might have to reconsider.

[This is a dealbreaker! He can't hang with anyone who hates food or heaven forbid, is on a diet!]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

How I feel about food? Uh...it's delicious? I need it? I'll never turn down a home-cooked meal?

...Or any meal?

[milkmycattle]

You pass with flying, flaming colors!!

With that said, we gotta have a meal together! Actually, I can treat you to a meal as thanks for making me a badass axe! What do you say?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Uh, I say "When, where, and what's on the menu?" Count me in!!

[milkmycattle]

That's what I like to hear! You're gonna love the hotel's continental breakfast! Until you get tired of it, but I still sneak some fruit and muffins for later.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

You sound like I'm gonna get tired of free food.

It's free. It's food. That's literally two of the best things that something could possibly be.

[milkmycattle]

Very true! It's hard to pass on free food! Nine out of ten it's already in my mouth before I can refuse! Though there's nothing wrong with variety or changing things up!

[He comes from a city where any kind of food is readily available, but Crow, of course, has his favorites!]

What do you like to eat?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Oh, you know the usual tavern fair. Sausage and steaks, the occasional cheese and wash it down with some beer.

[Look, Darin's from the equivalent of medieval times. Food hasn't exactly hit its renaissance yet.]

[milkmycattle]

Tavern food? Well, that sounds good, too. But you gotta try curry and tonkotsu ramen! Those two dishes are the epitome of culinary witchcraft! If I ever find a place that makes either, to my standards, I'll definitely treat you!

[His mouth is watering in anticipation for that day. Though, the Tavern fare that Darin mentions earlier makes him curious.]

I'm sure it'll be easier to find the cuisine you're used to, even if this place is a little modern. I had something called gruel, the other day. Wasn't bad!