Ceramics Workshop, SmithFest Day 1

Wen - Friday, May 16, 2003, 5:50 PM

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Lower Meadow

This spacious meadow is nestled in the side of a low hill. The Telgar river rushes past towards the southwest, forming the southern boundary, and buildings are spread out in all other directions. In the middle of the meadow is a large firepit, often used for craft cookouts. The air blooms with the smells of fresh vegetation and pure sunshine. Dotted along the ground, small flowers peek out through the greenery, vivid purples, yellows, and whites. Blue sky is broken only by the occasional tree, but otherwise, not a cloud looms on the horizon. Whispy puffs of breeze stir the calm occasionally, but very little disrupts the lazy summer day.

To the east, atop the large hill, sits the Main Work Hall. Several smaller buildings are clustered around it. To the west are the masters' cots. A road follows the river to the south.

Contents:

Kiln Area

Obvious exits:

Telgar Bridge  Barn  Masters' Cots  Main Meadow(Smithcraft Hall)

 

Public announcement: Wen announces "As part of the Smithcraft Festival, we will be having a ceramics activity shortly in the lower meadow (+go smi-meadow, lm). Everyone will get a chance to make their own pottery and have it fired in the kiln!"

 

Korynn comes down the hill from the main work hall.

Korynn has arrived.

 

Vorlin comes down the hill from the main work hall.

Vorlin has arrived.

 

Wen stands near the kiln, watching as people meander around. "My ceramics workshop will begin soon. Please gather around if you would like to participate."

 

Korynn moves toward the edge of the crowd, leaving room in the front for the shorter folk. "What exactly will we be making?"

 

Wen looks at Korynn. "It is up to you. I will merely be supplying you with the materials and some basic knowledge."

 

Dysan comes down the hill from the main work hall.

Dysan has arrived.

 

Sudas comes down the hill from the main work hall.

Sudas has arrived.

 

Taria comes down the hill from the main work hall.

Taria has arrived.

 

Sudas materializes silently at Vorlin's elbow.

 

Brees comes down the hill from the main work hall.

Brees has arrived.

 

Brees heads up the hill towards the Work Hall.

Brees has left.

 

From above, Madieth flies up near you from the area just outside the Smith Hall complex.

 

From above, Madieth disappears into Between.

 

Taria hangs around for a few moments, mingling quietly, until she notices the time and scoots to take her own turn in the smithcraft tent.

 

Taria heads up the hill towards the Work Hall.

Taria has left.

 

Vorlin moves up so that he is in a good spot to watch. He glances at the crowd then and makes a slight waving motion to Sudas so that the older man will also come and watch the making of the pottery.

 

Jenni comes down the hill from the main work hall.

Jenni has arrived.

 

Mishaelle comes down the hill from the main work hall.

Mishaelle has arrived.

 

Quarroul comes down the hill from the main work hall.

Quarroul has arrived.

 

Sudas steps forward as bidden and fastens an impassionate gaze on the demonstration.

 

Dysan shifts closer to the wheel. The lad seems at home, having done some carving... but pottery is new to him mostly.

 

Wen looks at those gathered around. "Welcome," she greets calmly. "For those of you who don't know, ceramics is the art of making things out of clay. It is a part of our glasscraft, as they work with sand to make glass, and clay is not far from that. Today, we have some clay for you all to work with, and we have our kiln," she gestures to the large oven-like structure, "ready to go to fire and finish the projects."

 

Wen continues, "So, if you will all find a place at one of the tables, my apprentices will hand out the clay, and we will get started."

 

Mishaelle nods silently, thoughtfully.

 

Dysan shrugs and heads for a table. Perhaps a bit of adventure would be good.

 

Quarroul rubs his hands together as he moves forward, "well, this will be something new. Can't be much harder than kneeding bread dough. Can it?" He looks for a place to sit, smiling.

 

Korynn moves toward the tables with the other 'students' and finds himself a seat. "I hope I make something that looks recognizable," he quips to his neighbor.

 

Vorlin frowns at stares at the kiln for a good long moment and then he too makes his way to a table, nodding to Sudas to follow.

 

Sudas follows stiffly, eyeing the clay as he goes.

 

A couple of Smith apprentices walk along the tables, handing out large chunks of moist clay to each person.

 

Quarroul rolls his sleeves up and takes the clay that's handed to him, "Should we have some idea what we're....going to make to start with?"

 

Mishaelle slides into the first open seat she sees, pushing up her sleeves before accepting a chunk of clay.

 

Wen stands at a smaller table that is viewable from all the others. She sets her own chunk of clay on the table and tears off a small piece. "Take a piece of your clay and play around with it a little to get the feel of it," she advises as she kneads the piece her hands.

 

Korynn pushes his sleeves back and takes the clay in his hands. Slowly, he begins kneading it back and forth, watching it squeeze between his fingers.

 

Dysan divides his clay in half, working slowly warm it. He looks like he's having fun. Ah, to be young again.

 

Vorlin frowns at his clay and then he pinches off a small bit and squishes it between two elegant fingers.

 

Mishaelle pinches off a bit of clay, rolling it between her fingers, squeezing, kneeding, out to a thin cord, then back to a shapeless lump.

 

Quarroul squeezes his hands through the clay before twisting off a good sized piece. Using his figners he pinches and rolls it, eyes intent on what he's doing.

 

Sudas stands behind Vorlin, glancing about at others as they make their attempts.

 

Jenni decides to hold back and just watch the others.

 

Wen rolls her clay around as she speaks. "It's a good idea to work your clay before trying to make something out of it, as it makes it softer and more pliable." After a brief pause, she says, "Some of the most popular things to make out of clay are dishes: bowls, plates, pitchers, mugs, etcetera. You could also make a vase for flowers, beads for jewelry, a figurine... It is completely up to your imagination."

 

Dysan flattens the first half of his clay, making a slab. He begins to work the second half the same way.

 

Korynn splits his clay in half and sets one lump to the side. He rolls the second piece back and forth on the table top, creating a long cylinder.

 

Vorlin stares hard at Master Wen as he listens and then turns back to his clay again and frowns at it like it's personally insulted him and then he finally turns to Sudas and asks, "What do you think would be better, a plate or a vase?"

 

Wen continues rolling her piece of clay into a ball. "I will be making what is called a coil pot, which is basically a bowl. You may follow my example if you wish, or create something of your own. Feel free to ask questions at any time."

 

Dysan looks carefully at his two slabs. He begins to cast his eye around the table, looking for something sharp to trim the clay with.

 

Mishaelle breaks a large piece off her chunk of clay, kneeding and rolling it between her fingers. When it's soft enough to suit her she begins to shape it, not by rolling or flattening, simply smoothing the clay into the form she would have it take, letting touch rather than sight guide her. A figurine, then.

 

Wen gestures toward small boxes that are set at intervals along the tables. "There are tools available to help shape your clay."

 

From above, Taralyth emerges from Between with a blast of cold air!

 

Wen flattens her ball of clay and sets it aside. She takes off another small piece of clay and begins carefully rolling into a long coil.

 

From above, Taralyth warbles swift greeting to those on watch, then spirals sharp and fast down to the primary meadow.

 

From above, Taralyth spirals down to a landing on the main meadow.

 

I'sai comes down the hill from the main work hall.

I'sai has arrived.

 

Dysan ahs. He picks up something from the toolbox nearest him, thin and flat. He begins to cut around the edges of the tallish looking slabs, turning the hand formed, irregular borders into neat straight lines. The lad does seem to have talent. Apparently, skills with wood do translate fairly well to clay. In sort order he has four smallish narrow retangular slabs.

 

Vorlin watches everyone else then to see what others are doing and then pushes up his sleeves and starts mashing on the clay in a bizarre parody of a child playing in with a mud pie. His features wear a dark expression, so enrapt is he in domesticating the clay.

 

I'sai wanders across the meadow, sleeves pushed up, whistling.

 

Verala comes down the hill from the main work hall.

Verala has arrived.

 

After creating a cylinder about the length of his forearm, Korynn selects a flat blade from the tools. He shaves bits of clay from his creation, creating something of a long, misshapen trapezoid. The second lump of clay is split again. This time, he begins to fashion a flat, round piece.

 

Wen looks over at I'sai and Verala. "We are working with clay if you would like to join us," she says and gestures toward some empty places at one of the tables.

 

Verala pushes hair back behind her ears and moves forward, "I would love to! Please!" A hop-skip to her step she moves forward to find a place next to a familiar Igen rider. "I just need to make sure to save Triven a spot."

 

"Master," I'sai returns Wen's greeting - and then there's a brief-flicked smile to Verala, who'd been greeted likewise - "Er, all right, sounds good; what do we do with it?"

 

Quarroul rolls and rolls the ball of clay in his wide palms, working it together before making a snaky length with it.

 

Dysan looks up, hearing a familiar voice and name. "Hello I'sai!" then he asks, "Triven is coming too? It will be good to see him again."

 

Verala smiles to I'sai and waves to the Telgar rider uncertainly. "um, oh....yes, he said he was going to check on something and then would catch up with me." The stablehand tells Dysan and then smiles to him as well. "I'm Verala, Igen Weyr stablehand."

 

Vorlin's head swivels around as he hears the name of his Headman mentioned by Verala. He gives her an appraising look and then looks back to his clay which still hasn't managed to mold itself into a work of art.

 

Wen finishes rolling her coil and sets that aside. She watches as an apprentice hands out a chunk of clay to each new person. "Make anything you wish. I will be making a coil pot, which you may do as well, but you are also welcome to make a dish, a vase, a figurine, or anything you would like."

 

The mention of Triven's name attracts the same attention as Vorlin's, but his pale gaze lingers a moment longer than Vorlin's.

 

Dysan smiles warmly, "Well meet, Igen. I'm Dysan, High Reaches... I'm just a kid." He tilts his head in the disarmingly charming manner of the young, but something in his eyes tells you not to mistake him for neieve.

 

Verala wiggles her fingers towards Vorlin, "Oh, Lord Bitra, hello." She sits up a little better in her chair, forgetting her clay for a moment. "Triven said that you might be in need of someone to help with the runners at the hold. Oh, I know this is a bad time to talk bussiness but..." She smiels her thanks as the wad of clay is passed to her. "A kid huh?" To Dysan, "that's a title?"

 

Wen picks up what looks like a fork. "To put two pieces of clay together, there is a certain procedure to make sure they will stick during firing. Gently scratch the surfaces that you want to stick together, then apply some slip," she picks up a container of what looks like mud "to each surface." She shows an example as she scratches the side of her coil and that of her flat piece. She adds some of the mud-like slip and carefully sticks the coil around the flat piece.

 

I'sai whistles again, this time less as tune than exclamation: "I'll give it a try, then, and thank you for the opportunity," and after glancing 'round here and there, angles for a clear spot near Dysan.

 

Dysan begins to join his rectangular slabs together making a box of sorts. He answers Verala with a nod, "it's the only title I have." He oohs and smiles at the craftmaster's timing. As instructed, he scratches the joins of his box to hold them together.

 

Mishaelle's figurine begins to take form, and that form is, coincidentally enough, that of a runner. Her eyes are closed though, so she is sculpting soley by feel.

 

"A kid has a lot responsibility," Korynn says lightly as he begins to craft a wide, two-pronged fork with his last piece of clay. "After all, someone has to eat the cookies and bubblies." Wen's tip catches the journeyman's attention and he watches as she demonstrates. "I was just about to ask about that," he says, looking dubiously at his three creations.

 

Quarroul looks over to see what Mishaelle might be working on. He's still making ropes of his clay, the length all the same, delicate cords ready to be worked.

 

Vorlin gives Verala a momentarily startled look as she addresses him. Still, any friend of Triven's or something like that. He nods to Verala and calls out a dry voiced, "Greetings. Ah yes, we are in need of someone to help with the runners if you are interested and Triven recommends you then perhaps we could work something out after the pottery lesson." Here he frowns at his clay again and rolls back up the mishapen plate he seemed to have started on.

 

Wen smooths the area around where she joined her coil and flat piece, rubbing out the creases to make one even surface. She pulls off another lump from her clay and begins rolling out another coil.

 

Verala kneeds the clay lightly in her long fingers, "That would be great!" She says to Vorlin in a polite voice and then turns her attention to squeezing and twisting and brutilizing the poor damp clay. "Lets see, what should I make."

 

Sudas notes the conversation between Verala and Vorlin, his second glance more assessing of the woman.

 

Dysan shares a look with I'sai. He seems to be on familiar terms with the bronzerider. "I don't like sweets much.. although I am very fond of Carianna's blueberry dishes." He stands his box up, looking pleased that it does in fact stay together. With his remaining clay he begins to fashion a lid. Being a kid is indeed hard work. The lad seems to have come into his own, a child at play.

 

Verala smiles to Sudas as he catches his glance and squeezes the clay in her hands, making the grey stuff ooze out between the digits. "Alright, a vase I think." Decided, she begins to flatten the mound out, peeling bits from between her fingers.

 

Wen scratches her surfaces again as she finishes a coil, attaching it to the top of the previous one. Slowly, a bowl-shaped object begins to take shape.

 

Vorlin steals a look at the box that Dysan is working on and then looks at what Quarroul is doing before he goes back to his own clay again and finally starts to roll it out into a coil as the Master is doing.

 

Korynn scratches each piece and applies generous amounts of the slip to the clay. He stands the long trapezoid on the edge of the flat plate and takes a few moments to try and make it straight. The Harper takes the odd fork and balances it at the top, prongs pointed toward the center. It isn't very pretty, but the journeyman still seems pleased with his work so far.

 

Dysan smiles winningly at Verala. "My grandfather was a stablehand before he became a rider." "From Nabol... originally"

 

Wen talks as she works. "The structure of a coil pot is quite simple: the coils build upon each other, and when smoothed, it looks like one whole piece."

 

Dysan marvels at the master's delicate control.

 

Quarroul shakes his head as the coils stack up only so high before the whole thing caves in, "Ah.....I think I should stick to making bread."

 

Korynn glances at the other projects taking shape at his table. He frowns as he looks at his own creation. "Excuse, Master Wen. How long would it take for something this thick to actually harden in the kiln? Will I need to shave off some of the bulk?"

 

The figure that takes shape in front of Misha that of what is, by proportions, a large, strong runner, not quite a draft type but just hinting at it. The sculpture is certainly no masterwork, but each joint and curve is at least in the proper place.

 

Verala's fingertips push down the clay, making it a nice round sheet, with a multitude of shallow divots where her fingers had been.

 

Wen looks at Korynn's project. "That should be fine. It may take longer than some of the others, but not too much."

 

Dysan finishes his lid and sets it aside. He picks up the sharp needle-thorn looking tool and begins to scratch a design on each of the sides, near the top. This, the boy can do.. being more used to carving wood. They look to be dragons, fairly detailed although the lad does lack the fine control to keep his hand absolutely motionless. They are a bit rough, in the end.

 

Wen continues to build her coil pot until it is just over a hands-length tall. She moves on to the task of smoothing out any last imperfections in the surface.

 

Korynn watches as Dysan as he detail his box. "That's not half bad. Do you think you could carve a harp on the base of this monstrosity?" he asks, gesturing to his sculpture.

 

Sudas could be a statue as far as anyone can tell as he stands stiffly behind Lord Bitra, waiting to see how the new project takes shape.

 

Vorlin finally has his coils, he glances up at Sudas to see if he is watching, and then he starts to form the coils into a near circle just as he has seen demonstrated by Master Wen but without the talent and experience.

 

Dysan nods, "I probably could. The tool is nice and sharp. I don't have anything like this at home."

 

Korynn gently slides the object toward Dysan. "Care to give it a try when you're done there? I was never very good with wood carving. It's something I really should work on."

 

Verala whistles cheerfully as she begins to fold up the sides of her flattened clay. Leaving a narrow bottom of the cener she pushes up and lightly folds the top until it looks like a wide-mouthed flower.

 

Portacia comes down the hill from the main work hall.

Portacia has arrived.

 

Wen finishes smoothing out her coil pot. "The last step, if you wish, is to add color to your creation. There are some paints which can be applied before the firing process, and several brushes of different sizes." She picks up a small brush and opens a jar of green paint, dipping the brush in and painting a wavy line across her coil pot.

 

Portacia wanders into the lower part of the meadow, a look of relief on her face, perhaps to be away from the hubbub of the main gather.

 

Wen nods at Portacia. "We are working with clay. Feel free to join us and make whatever you wish."

 

Dysan starts on Korynn's sculpture. He closes his eyes, trying to remember what Kaetan's lap harp looks like. After a long moment he begins with the graceful top line of the harp, then, with one hand steadying the other he draws the needle downward, making the strings. "I think maybe I'll make my box white. It's for Jarina. She'll like it."

 

Portacia's mouth forms an 'o' of surprise at apparently having stumbled on a workshop. Taking a moment to peer at what the others are doing, she shrugs and wanders closer to the group. "Thank you, Ma'am," she says courteously, letting her eyes wander over the selections available.

 

Verala makes certain that the vase is not going to fall open on her, pinching here and there until it keeps it's form. "oh, colors sound wonderful." She smiles and looks up for a moment to smile hello to Portacia and then waits for her turn with the glazes.

 

A Smith apprentice hurries over to offer Portacia a chunk of clay.

 

Korynn leans forward to watch Dysan work. "White would be a very elegant color," he says agreeably. "Is Jarina a friend of yours?"

 

Dysan nods. "Better than a friend now, actually." He beams even as his hands complete the harp. "There.. will that do?"

 

Portacia turns a beaming smile on the smith apprentice as she takes the clay from him. "Thank you," she says, then takes the clay, peers at it closely for a few moments, glances up to see what the others are doing, then begins shaping the clay with her fingers, working the material into some shape. What type of shape is relatively unclear, at least at first.

 

Alria comes down the hill from the main work hall.

Alria has arrived.

 

Wen finishes painting her green line and switches to yellow paint, adding a few large dots. "After you have completed your project, you can set it on the empty table by the kiln," she gestures to the correct table, "and we will fire it for you. These should be ready by tomorrow morning."

 

"Ah, I see," Korynn says knowingly. He bends down to inspect the harp. "Nicely done. It's much better than I could have done. It looks like I owe you a favor."

 

Verala begins to add color to her vase. It's hard to tell if she's just having fun with the colors or if there's a real plan to her messy brush strokes. Blue, purple and white and some green contribute to her artistic work.

 

Dysan laughs, "You don't owe me anything. Although, my grandfather left me a flute. I wish I could play it... at least a little."

 

Wen notices Alria and says, "We are finishing this session of the ceramics workshop, but you may feel free to work with some clay if you like."

 

Alria looks up from her wandering when someone speaks in her direction. "No thank you." She offers a smile to the woman and just looks about, spotting a familiar face, if not a familiar knot with that face.

 

'Tacia continues shaping her clay, occasionally asking the advice of the apprentice, or anyone else who happens to be around. The clay seems to be taking the shape of a bowl, if that generous of a term can be applied to the lopsided, concave shape in her hands. She looks up as Wen mentions finishing up the workshop, but smiles at the apprentice master's last words.

 

Korynn snaps his finger and grins. "There it is, then. I'll just have to arrange a trip to," he pauses to identify Dysan's knot. "To High Reaches. There's no point in letting that flute go to waste, is there?" He waves to Alria and signals for her to come closer.

 

Wen says, "The clay and other materials will be here all evening, for as long as people are here. There will be apprentices to watch and assist, so no need to rush."

 

Dysan brightens at Korynn's words, happy to have found another friend. He paints his box with a white slip that should leave it nicely shiny. After a last look, he slides the palette underneath it carefully and carries the palate with the box on top to the kiln.

 

Alria nods to Wen and joins her fellow Harper, "Hello Journeyman. I apologize for being late."

 

Portacia seems to have finished the 'bowl' she was creating. It certainly appears as a bowl, one that has been sat upon by a dragon, perhaps, with one side flatter than the other, and far from a perfect circle. "I don't think I'm doing this just right, Ma'am," she says in Wen's direction, holding out the piece for inspection. "What do you think?"

 

Korynn smiles at Dysan and turns to sort through the paints. He selects the closest thing he can find to harper blue. He shakes his head and gestures for the apprentice to have a seat. "Don't worry about it, Alria. Studies always come first. I'm glad to see that you could make it, though."

 

Wen examines Portacia's bowl. "This side needs to be a bit straighter, and it needs some more refining, but it is a good start," she determines.

 

Alria looks over what Korynn is making. "What are you making?" She looks about at the others to see what they are doing.

 

Portacia beams at the master and nods. "I see what you mean," she says, pulling the bowl closer to herself and examining it more closely. "Yes, definitely," she determines with a soft undervoice, then begins straightening the side Wen indicated. Once she has it fairly straight, she then begins kneading the clay along the top and bottom surface of the bowl, flattening out lumps as best she can.

 

Wen places her own project by the kiln. "It is time for me to be going, but I do hope you all had a good time. Please enjoy the rest of the festival - there is certainly more to come."

 

Dysan ties a small message to his firelizard's leg. "Time to tell my dad to come get me. I hope Nasydeth is still awake." He smiles to everyone and adds, "Thank you. I'll come collect my pottery tomorrow. It was nice meeting you all." He tilts his head and waves.

 

Verala pushes her vase over, finished with the painting, "This has been wonderful fun." It's not a perfect vase but it has flare, the design hiding the problem of deisgn with the unusual shape. "Thank you so much."

 

"It was nice to meet you, Dysan," Korynn says cheerfully. "I'll be by 'Reaches to help you with that flute." He leans back to let Alria get a look at his creation. "It's supposed to be display stand for a fiddle. I based it roughly on the design in the instrument workshop. It's the best I could do with pottery clay," he says with a shrug.

 

Portacia smiles over at those leaving, nodding to the apprentice master. "Thank you, Ma'am, I certainly intend to." She finishes up what she was doing with the bowl, the piece looking more proper now, and sets it on the table, apparently not planning to paint it.

 

Dysan giggles, "I'll be here a bit longer. Even dragons take some time to get off the ground."

 

Wen gives a brief smile and wave as she heads up the hill.