Action. Thought. "Speech."

The fox had a habit of exploring places he likely shouldn't. it's why he'd ended up in a shady deal with the collector. it's why, at the moment, his paws ached from the heat of the rock in the lower levels, burnt and sore.

a little bit of injury never stopped him though. especially not with how interesting this whole place was! it was difficult getting down her and he mightve sprained an ankle but who cares about that at the moment.

"Hello?! anyone home?" he called out, incase anyone else was here.

waiting for a reply, he walked around the underforge, searching for anything interesting to either bring home or study in its glory.

Action. Thought. "Speech."

He had no idea if his voice carried or not to anyone here, if there WAS anybody here, but he continued looking nonetheless. hopes are he didn't get killed, at the very least.

he padded around the forge, completely fascinated by its structure, everything linings its floors and walls. tables, benches, tools, so much that looked so interesting and yet so foreign to his eyes. it wasn't of the pristine, exact quality of the things he found in ursa, which made him wonder who made them if nobody here.

he continued to sniff around, hoping to find something largely intact.

A strange thing, to wander an abandoned place that had once so clearly been busy with activity. Much of what had once been was now decayed to dust, rusted away into nothing, but plenty had still survived the test of time--some pitted and pocked with age, others tarnished, fewer still remaining perfectly pristine.

One of these items was visible now--laying as if lovingly-placed, yet now surrounded by fallen rubble. It was a work of art, a spiked one-handed mace fitted for something near horse-sized: almost three feet long from end to tip. The handle was wrapped in old, treated leather, something that perhaps would need refitting, but the core of the weapon was one solidly-cast piece of metal. The rounded head displayed multiple straight, short spikes, intended for increased damage on impact; yet despite the mace's blunt nature, there was an elegance to its design, with a smooth handle and perfect balance. The manganese alloy used in its construction left it flexible, and yet intensely durable and strong. Time had honed its sheen from silvery to a dull, almost brassy hue, and the hole in its end--for a mostly-rotten leather loop (probably intended to be fixed to a belt or the like) featured a single, shining red ruby that caught the light of the Underforge and refracted it like living fire.

It would be difficult to move, though if Forgraves could get his teeth to the leather, certainly doable--wise, perhaps, to wrap it in something before dragging it through the caves. It weighed almost forty pounds, so carrying it would be beyond him. But it was a true masterpiece: it could certainly be traded away, or kept as a valuable keepsake.

@Forgraves

Action. Thought. "Speech."

to say he was speechless would be a gross understatement. it was HUGE! he didn't know exactly what it was name-wise, but it looked like a weapon of some sort? for a creature MUCH bigger than him, definitely, given the fact it was twice his size.

moving rubble away from it, he admired the craftsmanship, running his paws between the spikes carefully. he admired the ruby, wondering just how they managed to get it attached. he was definitely bringing this one home.

he sized it up, and dug his teeth into the leather. it was definitely heavy, but it was doable. he dragged it with him, wincing at the sound it made against the hard rock. he figured while he's here he might as well look for more, right? mace in mouth, he walked through the underforge, further and further, eyes alert.

Action. Thought. "Speech."

breathing labored, he huffed. he couldn't find anything else yet, but he kept going. taking a few stops to breathe.

he took a moment as he walked to appreciate more of the forge, how big it was. when he was a pup, forgotten places always made him feel small. like he could one day be just as if not more forgotten and nonexistent to others as this forge seems to have been for a long time. but now, it just adds to the adventure. when hes gone, if his gem survives, who knows? a new adventure, a chance for new experiences and new stories. the thought made him smile.

he kept walking, joy in his steps.

Another faint glint of metal: this from nearby, half-hidden beneath dust and crumbled stone.

It would need a little digging out--an act that would take a few minutes, and a little muscle, but was doable for even the fox.

Within was a long, broad bit of... Jewelry, perhaps? It was wrought silver, with slender links woven into a flexible band. It was, in truth, a belt-like object, designed to be fastened around the waist of a very large creature; a beautifully-ornate band provided some protection, while decorative silver 'lace' added silhouette to the top and bottom. A thick clasp at the back buckled it, and twenty-six polished Thulite gemstones--opaque and mottled pink--were spaced around the belt's length.

One of them was larger than the rest, and a little brighter; this one sat at the front of the belt.

It was large, but not heavy--easy enough to carry or drag; it was a little strange to look at, but perhaps Forgraves could find some use for this.

@Forgraves

Action. Thought. "Speech."

Forgraves put the mace down to follow the glint of light beneath the rubble. he began to dig at it, and did so for a good while.

after about 10 minutes, and he was once again absolutely astounded.

he got as much dirt as he could off of the belt, and was absolutely shocked at how pretty it was. "well look at you!" he laughed, absolutely jumping for joy at his find. "you are coming home with me!"

he managed to, for the most part, wrap the belt around the mace's handle. he gripped them both with his teeth, but paused as he went it for a moment. looking at the thulite, and ruby, it was an odd feeling. it could totally just be a hunch, andprobably nothing, but he always hated how much other gems looked like his own and other gembounds gems. he stared at the brighter center gem on the belt. maybe he'd ask someone to check it later.. just in case?

for now he shook it off, satisfied with his findings. he dragged the items with him, and began his long journey home.

exit