[thearchitect] image/text

[emet_sulk]

[ The photograph attached to the post depicts the front of a small shop called Polydegmon's Lapidary and Brew. It's got that 'new store' look, where everything looks pristine and nothing has been touched by grime or dust settling in the corners yet. It's not the most terribly modern-looking place (look, the rent was cheap).

He wouldn't even be advertising it here if a certain someone didn't bug him to. Honestly, he could do without the publicity... ]

I am now accepting commissions as a goldsmith and alchemist. My hours are from midday to six, weekdays only. Or whatever it is you call them. No, my prices are not negotiable.

[ Attached beneath the above terse remark is the address to the store. ]

Additionally, I will NOT accept requests for items to use in warfare of any sort. At all. If I find that you have done so then I will make sure you regret it for the remainder of your days.


(ooc: Please respect that a character will suffer some kind of IC consequence if they try and use his products as IC war propaganda or in serious IC war efforts. Doubly so if they deceive him for it.

[CW: Discussions of warfare in certain threads. Please use discretion when reading.]

Comments

[konpeito_aji]

Well met Darin Altway! I'm honored!

Have you ever created a named blade?

[Listen if you let him, he will fanboy swords, and metal techniques forever with you. Forever. And ever...]

text; un: 0123

[scension]

Congratulations on opening! I hope everything goes well.

[He doesn't immediately recognise the handle, but he really does hope so! There's a lot that goes into setting up a new business.]

If you don't mind me asking - what kind of things do you expect to commission? Just potions and metalwork?
What I read about alchemy magic made it sound almost limitless.
It's thoughtful of you to put your stance on weapons up front, knowing that.

TW: genocide/holocaust + obvs war

[konpeito_aji]

[Wellll... Nobunaga fought the monks a few times, told them to stop fucking up his shit, then got fed up to the nth degree and set their whole mountain base (including women, children, cultural "holy sites" etc!) on fire.... soooooooooooo......]

[Also he is DYING OF LULZ AT THE NOT KNOWING WAR.]

[Yo, he wishes.]

[Wait, does he?]

[....]
[He should go back and look up some of the World War stuff people have mentioned in passing to him, but he also REALLY does not want to because Japan is doing great in the 2000s and 2100s and beyond, that's what matters, RIGHT? RIIIIIGHT??????? And the 1800s! So what does he need to know about the 1900s or 1700s for?]

[Okay, so skipping Earth's two biggest wars, is definitely a sign in favor of "Yes, Oda Nobunaga wishes he did not understand war so well."]

I didn't say you could withhold knowledge.

[How does he begin to explain it? Their perspectives feel as different as from underground and beyond the sky.]

[Would Kitsuno know? She was after all, not mortal, and had at least observances of her Demon King and the mortal realm.]

There is nothing that cannot be used as a weapon by those intent on doing so. The very ground itself. Earthquakes, trees, air, water. Things meant for life can take it too. All medicines can be poison. Water is necessary for Earth-life, yet it is often used to murder.

I do not have offensive style magic. In order to defeat slimes, and ghosts I literally had to use healing magic to hit them with magic healing shields.

Your friend spoke of how close your society's people are to each other. And how you used a lot of art to express your society's emotional depths and close bonds.

In my world, even art is war. It is known as "propaganda," wherein you use carefully curated "information" or even lies, to stir up emotions and set passions aflame. [The part Nobunaga hates most. He's all for the arts, but he hates the bullshit and won't bother lying to people. This has a lot to do with why he went after the monks. Almost all of it. The politics, and especially, the propaganda. It went beyond undermining him, but constantly telling people to sacrifice each other, or sacrifice their Earthly desires for some magical reward that would only happen when they were dead. Feh.]

Tea ceremony is even war. In order to convince my people they had more to enjoy at home in their own lands by their own production, own merits, own pride, I encouraged artisan pottery and ceramics, the love of tea fields, reminding the warriors of what a luxury was so they didn't view themselves as weapons, and could remember what it was to enjoy things other than war. Yet even that was a RISK - as you spoke of with using weapons that could harm more than the intended. Because it meant having to trust a lot of idiot demons not to get jealous and idiotic of each other, and not to decide that burning and invading each other would be easier than making their own things better. I used tea for negotiations. But I had to deal with poisons so often I had poison testers since my childhood.

Anything that can be used to survive, and promote peace, culture, art, and enjoyment of life, can also be used for war.

I am from an era where guns were only recently introduced to my country. I was one of the only people to see their application in war. The samurai considered them inelegant, the warlords scoffed at them considering them a novelty toy, and nearly everyone thought they were too economically expensive and would have to be imported wholesale. I used them for hunting.

I love the future. A woman from 500 years my future was distressed that I was going to have my falcon hunt a rabbit for her dinner.

I don't think I can possibly express how anathematic that would be to most demons, or even humans in my time.

While here, I have been ecstatic to learn that there are things known as "Food banks" where people donate food to ensure others don't starve. In my time even children were pressed to war and forced to starve. If they didn't hunt, they would starve. She was worried about the rabbit. Again, this is anathematic to my time, but no less wonderful.

I became the Demon King to ensure my people could have luxuries like candy should they so desire. It took a few hundred years, but they did it. They're so surrounded by luxuries, they don't seek war anymore, and I couldn't be more proud.

But this isn't to say sugar isn't war either. Anything with the right (or perhaps wrong?) application can be.

The Chinese invented gunpowder, but they didn't perfect its use in weapons. They used it in fireworks. Art. For hundreds of years it wasn't perfected as explosives until later. Zidane told me of bombs and explosives. Bombs being a living monster in his world, and also an incendiary device for construction safety. Something meant to save lives, but all I could think was how an enemy would try to use it against me.

Like I said, even healing protective shielding can be used as weapon.

I actually admire your stance. [Even though you're a punchy ASSSHOLE!!!!] But perhaps you are so far beyond basic mortals' comprehension, that you have also lost sight of how they think. [Yeah, that's a VERY unsubtle mocking, even if it's written otherwise.] While it's admirable you choose not to engage in the war of information curation, demons can probably find another avenue for weapons creation if you give them so much as an idea that it could be done. Like I said, even tea.

Perhaps focus on the selling points of peace, and your products. In my experience, that's usually how merchants were able to distract me with bribes of candy. And yes, also tea.

[emet_sulk]

Oh, but I do understand you. I understand very well. I have lived thousands upon thousands of lives amongst your kind. It is YOU who do not comprehend me. Such an arrogant but so very typical assumption of one of your kind.

Your peace won't last a century. Your charity will eventually be exploited by the cruel and mean. Surrounded by luxury, you will forget the lessons of history as your eyes turn to your neighbours and you begin to measure their wealth against yours. The names, deeds, and losses of the past will lose all meaning - and then the cycle will begin anew.

War is not a natural state. Peace is not fought for. Peace should never be fought for - THAT is what your stupid little minds can't seem to comprehend.

I have humoured your query more than sufficiently. I'll not be humouring anything further on this subject.

[emet_sulk]

Thank you.

I will accept commissions for potions, metalwork, ornaments and such. With alchemy I can create unusual objects that may be difficult to make traditionally. I would rather not take away business from other artisans but I will not turn such requests away.

I am led to believe alchemy can also create weapons, but as mentioned, I will be refusing all such requests. Similarly, I will not be making poisons.

[emet_sulk]

What else am I to do?

I try and I try to make things like you understand. No more.

[emet_sulk]

I see. You have my sympathy.

My craft does bring some small joy, I suppose. It is the only way I can indulge in creative pursuits with my usual abilities taken away. However, I...don't have any other notable talents. Nothing that I would boast about.

[ ... ]

I did attempt to learn the violin once but it has been a long time since I held one.

[menphina]

For now, I won't even argue about being called a "thing".

[ Rude! ]

You can't teach everyone, you know.
Sometimes they need to find out for themselves.
... and maybe be a little more patient with those you do try to teach.
You've been doing this so long, you're just going to frustrate yourself more and more.

[foxtouched]

Thank you.
I know it may not be the same as the heartbreak an elder may have experienced,
But it never seems to feel differently, from what I know.

Ah... I've heard of the violin.
A stringed instrument, is it not?
They were playing some at the ball here.
Have you ever danced, Master Emet-Selch?

[scension]

Can you make a magnus? Or some other storage container?
They're hard to find in stores here.

[One day, Sagi will explain himself properly. Today may not be that day.]

Text, un: fashiondiva

[corpsewarblade]

Oh awesome, congrats!!

[She that last comment made her hesitate, though. Part of her wanted to ask if he objected to using them to fight monsters or carry out quests, another part of her wanted to ask what his issue was with using them for a war effort...

But in the end she left it at that. Perhaps- perhaps best not to get into a debate until the political situation calmed down. Besides, she had an act to keep up.]

Audio; un: Caster

[colchismagecraft]

[So, it looked like she wasn't the first to come up with the idea of making money from potion brewing- although her own ventures were taking time thanks to a lack of natural alchemy in this world.]

Alchemic commissions, hm? I'll have to come by and visit.

[emet_sulk]

It doesn't.

[ It doesn't. ]

I have danced, yes, but the only dance I am truly familiar with is the waltz. I'm not terribly fond of merry-making.

Why do you ask?

[emet_sulk]

No. They will never learn. You and your short memories will never remember the lessons of the past long enough to keep the horrors of war close.

These sabre-rattling idiots would never cry so loudly for invasion if they had already fought on the front lines. If they had ever had their ears deafened by the sound of an explosion set off at their back. If their blade had ever bitten deep into the throat of another man and they had to watch the life fade from their eyes.

If this land becomes embroiled in war, I will raze this entire place to the ground. I care not if it dooms our world. I am done with it all.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Because sometimes family can be your worst enemy.

I would like that. I'm opening my forge up to the public this week. You're welcome to come by.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I wish! On my world creating a named blade means youve made your opus

A weapon that is the pinnacle of your creativity and skill

But given this world and how I can use magic now? I think Ill be able to do it here for sure

[menphina]

Hades...

[ This is like poking a hornet's nest. ]

... I don't think most people here want to go to war if they don't have to.
Unless I've missed something-
Most people would agree with you on not wanting it.
Including myself.

My short life and short memory are all I have,
So don't decide what I'll remember or forget for myself.

You understand far better than that.

What's really gotten you this upset?

[foxtouched]

When I used to feel weary and worn from my duties,
My fathers and brothers would all gather together.
Sometimes we would all dance together, to hasten the blossoming of the flowers around us.
( That is one of our skills ).
And to rejoice in knowing we have each other.

But dancing usually helps me re-align my thoughts.
Perhaps, you could find some joy in it too, with someone you cherish.
And a good melody to go with it.

Maybe one day I may trouble you to show me the waltz you know.
A friend I made here and I tried to dance it, but it was quite funny when we tried.
If that would please you?

[emet_sulk]

[ Just thinking about how his friend would react if he asked them for a dance makes him grimace. Hythlodaeus would get that gleam in his eye and that little smile like he wanted to laugh but wouldn't. And then he would laugh when Emet gave him a Look. ]

I will keep your suggestion in mind. I would not mind showing you how to waltz. You and your friend both.

And if you do not mind... I would like to see your own dance. Do you channel power through the steps and movement?

[foxtouched]

She is more of a fighter, but that is all the more reason to learn something like a dance, I feel!

!!
I would love to perform a dance for you!
My skill to rejuvenate and summon the regrowth of the land does not exist here, but
I can perform what I do to invigorate it.

I do indeed channel it through each step,
though it is only the Oracle who can do more with it as I do.
Such as rejuvenate a dying land,
Or summoning visions through them.

Which is my role, of course.

I even performed here for a Master Ren Jinguji's talent showcase,
Some months ago.

But I'm more excited to learn a dance from you, Master Emet-Selch!
I will be very grateful for the opportunity to show you my own in return.

When can we meet?

[ It's saying the magic words with her- she loves dancing, so much. It's why she was ready to leave her duties so fast when she had the opportunity to travel. ]

[emet_sulk]

These idiots do not believe a world where peace is not won with war exists. They don't believe me.

[konpeito_aji]

I look forward to your attempts then! I own a few back in my world, but only one here with me, of course. Unfortunately it's ill-suited for finesse, and as I'm used to katana, the European-style blades have me a bit at odds comparably!

We can discuss this elsewhere, as I'm sure us enjoying such warlike things sets this goldsmith even more on edge, somehow, as impossible as that might seem.

1/2

[menphina]

!!


[ Of course they wouldn't believe him... with the different worlds people are from, how many are truly free of war and strife? Even if war didn't exist for the Ancients, didn't their fear and hubris end their tale?

She takes some time before replying. ]

2/2

[menphina]

[ Not... that it's the same thing, but all the same, she can't imagine anyone believing in an eternal paradise where nothing goes wrong. Even if, by his words, one did exist. ]


It's small-minded to deny it, aye.
But they'd need to know a world like that to believe it, wouldn't they?
You don't deserve to hear that what you experienced didn't happen, though.
I'm more concerned that you'll anger yourself even more and hurt your heart like this, Hades.

Is it really worth your well-being?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

You have one with you?! Would you allow me to inspect it for inspiration??

[Looks like Darin's completely forgotten about the demon thing. He'll remember eventually!]

Would you like to come by my forge? Ill be opening later this week!