================== Eldarin Calendar <in Sindarin> ===================
IC time is: Nighttime < About 10:33 PM >
IC day is: Oranor <Sun-day>
IC date is: 4 Ethuil <Spring>
Moon phase: Waning Crescent <VISIBLE>
Earendil: Gil-Estel is not visible.
IC year is: Loa 17 o Yen 22, Nelandran o Endor <TA 3041>
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RL time: Thu Jun 14 08:31:09 2007
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Hall of the Crafters
As you ascend the final few steps of the spiral stair and step upon the talan, you realize that, every bit as massive as the mallorn that supports it, the Hall of the Crafters is truly a marvel. The wide flet of smooth, well-trodden oak spreads about the lower canopy of the tree. Near the trunk of the tree sits a large, octagonal table of gold-inlayed cherry with chairs pulled around. Upon the table is a large silver salver holding a crystal decanter surrounded by ceramic wine mugs. To the rear of the talan, and partially isolated by long, heavy tapestries suspended from the branches above, sits a large desk with a high-backed chair, a cabinet with many small shelves for papers and reports, and a few smaller chairs for discussions.

To the front of the main area of the talan are padded, and in some cases covered, display cabinets filled with a great variety of goods and products produced by the crafters.

Contents:
Ereduinthil (Temped by Galharth)
Daerlach
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The Hall of the Crafters is silent as the sun drops below the trees of the Wood. Workers take leave of their seats, exiting from the hall and striding outside. One, however, remains stationary. He sits at a small, okaen table, pouring over a parchment drawn with complex strands and braids, all apparently linking together at the center. in one hand, he holds a long cord of wire, carefully stranding it with the other hand, long fingers meticulously finding and removing stray knots.

Humming a lively tune, and balancing a level on the tip of his right finger, Ereduinthil enters the Hall of Crafters. Silence existed before him, and is now lost to the carpenters noisy entrance. Clearly entertaining himself with both the balancing act and the humming, he approaches the table with intest. "What are you making?" he asks, as he bends his head to gain a closer look.

The ellon looks up from the parchment at the new arrival.

"AH, this?" he says, still twisting the wire with one finger. "An exercise my master has given me. Would you like to see how it is done?"

Taking the balanced level into his hand and tucking it securely into his belt, the carpenter lifts a brow. "An exercise? It looks as if you're straigtening wire." he mutters aloud. Reaching out, he grabs a chair, and draws it closer to the table. Taking a seat, he peers up into Daerlach's face and nods. "Sure, show me what you're doing, and how it's done."

Daerlach holds up the partially completed braid of wire in one hand, pointing to a spot on the parchment with the other.

"this is pratice for the shaping of gems. See here? I must complete a seven-strand braid with this wire, a three-strand braid here--" he gestures to another spot on the parchmen, "--then mold them together into a desirable shape."

All the while, he has been continuing work on the wire with one hand, slender fingers twisting and bending the wire into more and more complex patterns.

"What are you going to make with it? Or is it just practice for the sake of practicing?" Ereduinthil says as he leans his elbows on the table, while watching Daerlach's fingers dance over the wire. Tilting his head slightly, silvery hair cascades over his right shoulder. "It reminds me of dove-tailing wood angles." He mutters as his deep blue eyes follow the movement of the wire. After a moment's pause, the carpenter leans back in his chair. "Ya know, something like that could be fitted into wood, along with several gems." His eyes open wide and a smile spreads across his face. "Wouldn't it be interesting to make a nice chair for the Lord and Lady?"

THe flecks of blue in Deerlach's eyes shine.

"It is practice. It is important to keep the fingers alive; without such as this, the fashioning of gems would be all but impossible." His face brightens at the carpenter's second suggestion. "Indeed it would. My master has been reclusive of late; i have not had as much experience in the true shaping of jewels as I would like. A chair... that does sound like a nice idea."

Holding up a hand and bending each finger one after the other, the carpenter smiles at the comment made about fingers. "Oh, aye, I spend a great deal of time making sure my fingers remain alive and firmly attached to my hand." He chuckles softly and looks again towards the Jewelsmith. "Saws are a great hazard in my line of work."

Falling silent for a moment, the carpenter falls into consideration. "Who do you suppose we could talk to in order to make sure that such a set of chairs would not offend the Lord and Lady? It'd be nice to present as a gift so we couldn't just outright ask them." Peering directly at Daerlach, he furrows his brow. "Do you know of anyone who might give us advice?"

Daerlach raises his other hand, flicking yet another wire from his sleeve. He begins to strand these two wires together, hands moving progressively faster, all the while his eyes still remain locked with the carpenter's.

"I do know of one person we may ask. Her name is..." Daerlach furrows his brow. "Maruiel, I believe."

Nodding once in silent consideration, Ereduinthil rests one hand on the table as he rests his other hand over his lap. "How's this," he mutters softly as he continues to hold his gaze upon the jewelsmith, "You ask, and if you find that such a gift would be well received, then let me know. I'll be glad to work with you on the project."

Lowering his gaze to peer at the table top, he pause again. "You should be able to find me down on the Long Lawn. I'm working with a crew who's helping to raise items up from the sunken ship." The corner of his mouth rises slightly in a half smile. "And if you wanted to help with that project, I'm sure no one would object."

Daerlach's fingures continue to work with the braided wire.

"Indeed. I will ask, and see what she may have to say on the matter." The ries are beginning to, if one's eyes do not deceive, take shape into a small sparrow, wings outstretched. "That sunken ship you speak of has raised quite a stir. I have, as a fact, considered helping with that endeavor."

Drumming his fingers lightly on the table top, the carpenter nods. "We have the figurehead up and on the shore. It's moving somewhat slow while a few ellon are gone on their research trip, but there's still plenty to do." He pauses his finger drumming as his gaze moves to the forming shape. "You have quite a talent there," Ereduinthil says with a nod towards the wire. "It makes me hopeful that we'll be paired in making those chairs."

Daerlach smiles at the compliment.

"I offer my thanks. My master takes things slowly; the learning of the craft takes quite a long time. And meanwhile, I parctice; for it is far better to ruin a strand of wire than a valuable jewel."

The wire continues to tkae shape, the jewelsmith's fingers persistently moulding the wire. First come the curved, outflung wings, next, the intricate knottings of the body itself.

"I can understand your care, we carpenters put forth a similar effort." Ereduinthil says thoughtfully, "It's such an effort getting wood from the foresters for our projects. Mistakes are just not acceptable." His voice grows somewhat distant, and the carpenter looks away as if considering his own words. "Indeed, for some of our projects we've sadly had to take a living tree, and an error on our part equates to the loss of a life for no purpose."

For several long moments his voice grows silent. Shaking his head, to shake his mood, the carpenter rises from his seat. "Alas, I've been working a bit harder than I should have, and my mood has grown dark." Taking a step away from the table, he pauses. "When you're finished with your practice, feel free to join me at the Mar for a nice glass of wine and perhaps we can discuss designs on this possible chair."

THe sparrow's tail is shaped now, beneath Daerlach's quick fingers.

"That is what my teacher is concerned about. THings must be checked and checked again before we can begin the true craft." THe sparrows miniature head comes to bear, then its tiny clawed feet, and it is finished.

Daerlach stands, and bows. "THank you for your time. I believe i will join you in the mar. A glass of wine sounds particularly nice. I think, though, i shall rest for a little while beforehand."

Offering a smile, and nodding his head, Ereduinthil raises a hand. "Then I'll see you there shortly." he calls out as he departs the Hall. "Have a nice rest!" And with that the carpenter is gone.