Harkensons Arrival - RPLOG
Participants
Date
31/8/477
Log
A fine early morning just outside Firmament. The hulking great shape of merchant Harkenson's vessel, the UGMS Contact Light, is laid out on the tournament grounds like a beached whale of steel, and one side of the ship has been turned into a ramp, opening up into the enormous cargo hold. The Creator Church has already been on the scene for a little while, bringing out the goods that were ordered the last time the merchant was in town - has it really been a month or even more?
Although the sight of Creators has become a little more commonplace in the last few months, the reappearance of the Creator merchant has created quite a stir in town, a small crowd having poured out of the gates to see the spectacle.
A small smile, a flick of Flora's tail as she rides a golem about the tournament grounds, silently save for the sound of the golem's paws hitting the ground.
The golem, Bastet to some, has a sleek, feline shape and is covered in a layer of blackened leather, allowing Flora to ride the metal device comfortably.
Finally, within her bag, some very precious cargo to be observed by the merchant, among with a sizable bag of crown... Not scepters, actual crowns.
The mute nurse shark is inquisitive, curious why the Creator ship has come back. She's never seen or met Creators before, but, she's not convinced that they are as high and powerful as the church claims. At least, not individually. Granted, that's partly because the only exposure to creators is through their tech. So, she notes that Flora is there, but keeps herself to the background a bit, observing.
It was far more of an extravagant and overwhelming sight for a certain silver-furred ferret, who had basically sprinted from district to district to figure out where this massive construct would go, her eyes constantly pinned to the sky.
Jill was even down on all four, sprinting at quadrupal speed and occasionally dodged any crowd she could by going through short-cutting alleys.
However, when she came to the tournament grounds, there was already a bunch of beings gathering, making it pretty likely the ferret would end up bumping into someone, as she wasn't paying attention once she was this close to the vessel!
Cythim was looking, curious and somewhat uneasy, at the vessel. Having heard that they had passed beforehand, she tried her best to be here this time around, to see what kind of goods they would be selling. Having always a it of money on her, she checked it before switching of souls, feeling that it could be useful.
The youthful plant being was moving around in the vicinity of the vessel, wearing his usual body covering heavy cloak over him. Rokarion kept a criticical gaze on the vessel admiring the Creator's large machine. He noticed the crowds forming and decided to remain as far as possible from any grouping of beings, after all that might limit his view and he did not want to miss anything yet.
It doesn't take long for word of a landed creator ship to reach Sara's ears and she immediately rises from her seat at the bar in the Freeswords inn and dons the crimson silk scarf, lifts the hood of her cloak, and makes her way out into the city proper. After a few minutes of walking, and weaving through the general populous of the city proper, Sara makes it to the tournament grounds and stops just short of the others gathered here. "Hm.. wonder what this Creator is gonna do.." she asks of noone in particular before stepping closer.
Once suitably enough beings are gathered outside the craft and the priests have finally collected their merchandise - which looks to be an assortment of chemicals and machine parts intended for the refurbishment of the sewers - the Creator, Mr. Harkenson himself steps down from the ramp to greet all beings present, his fleshy form flanked by two of his crew. One wonders why in this era of fleshcrafting a Creator would willingly remain that way, but such a question would be insensitive.
"Welcome, beings of PROMISE!" he says most jovially. "I hope you have received my missive a week ago, and apologise for the long wait since my last meeting with all of you, but certain issues with securing import and export permits held me up for a little while. Nevertheless, I am here, and as you can see, the goods ordered by your monarch and priests have safely arrived.
"My only desire is to bring to you the wonders of the Creators - within the limits set by Mr. Parson, of course, and for the right price. From henceforth, my aim is to have my ship be present here in Sweetwater on a regular basis on certain days of the week, in other nations on others, and return home after that. Not much unlike your own caravans. Before I formally commence the opening, are there any questions you'd like to ask?"
"Yes. Flora has several questions, yes. If Flora may ask? What, exactly, is it that Mister Creator Harkenson is selling?" she rumbles, tails swaying behind her, before she looks at the ship with another flick of her ears. "In addition... Flora has one Creator-device to be repaired, and one that Flora would like to have checked to make sure it still works properly, yes," she rumbles.
"Time, of course, is of the essence, yes. Flora has further questions, but they can wait until after the opening, yes yes," she murrs softly.
"Oh, and one more question, yes... Will there be a store outside your ship, Mister Creator Harkenson? Or will the ship BE the store?" she asks with a small, friendly smile, a flick of her ears.
CLANK! A little away from the scene, the acrobatic ferret could be heard clatter into a large heavily armoured bear, likely of the Shelled or Heavy Clan. However, thanks to the lithe and tiny form of Jill, the bear did nothing but growl "Watch it, weasel.." and continued his slow stroll over towards the rest of the people.
The leather padded rogue had bounced a few feet back at the impact, holding her head in brief daze. However, as the Creator spoke up, she came to her senses and hopped over to join in; the small, thin being easily squeezing and zig-zagging all the way through until she was in the front to ogle at the vessel and fleshy beings!
Cythim lifts her head up toward the folk, named Karkenson?, and hear his speech. Unaware of they goods, she asks, "I have a question. What kind of goods are you selling? As i wasn't present last time when you... arrived here, in our town". She tries to remain calm and look around to see if there's familiars faces as well to see of any hint of what could be in the ship.
Rokarion moved closer to the ship as soon as he saw the Creator attempt to move out of it. Standing at the front, He watched the Creator speak with interest, the first time he have seen one, but yep similar to the descriptions and statues he saw and heard. Rokarion attempted a peek at the cargo hold, his face in its usual serene expression. After both Flora and Cythin finished asking he chimed in, speaking in his usual calm and polite tone, "Will you also offer repair services for the items you sell? Because I do not think that you are allowed to sell will anything more than just simple trinkets, and I want to know if they can be fixed by our hands or if we will need your help for it." After all being the only seller Creator technology he can make quite the bit extra monvey also offering the only possible repair services.
As she overhears Flora's voice Sara makes her way closer to the tigress in question and gives her a nod in greeting before turning to the creator once more. After raising a clawed hand as if trying to get the creator's attention Sara asks, "Hrm.. never really heard of this 'missive' before, but I suppose that doesn't really matter. What gear would count as 'off limits'? And how long exactly will you be staying here? You mentioned some days, but how many in particular?"
Harkenson coughs at he's swarmed with a volley of questions, although the merchant easily keeps his cool. "For now, I have been authorised to sell to the common being articles of clothing, as well as curiosities. Why not appear to one of your gatherings outfitted in the same clothing that Creators can have? Certainly they would think highly of you. Furthermore," he holds up what looks distinctly like a bobblehead of the sort Jetstream dispensed some months ago. "We have entertaining amusements of the like you have never seen before. But why, please enter, and see for yourself!
"On a more restricted level, as you have seen, we have provided the training, chemicals and parts required to restore your city's sewerage system to full functioning order - of course, this is in full agreement with your king and church. For those who have shown the capability for greater responsibility, Mr. Parson has granted greater concessions. "If you have something you would like to request...well, while it is in my interests to do business with you, it will have to be approved by Mr. Parson.
"With regards to repairs, they will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. While I can reasonably assure you that devices may be checked to ensure they are in good working condition, restoring malfunctioning devices to functional order will depend on the circumstances, as mentioned in my earlier missive. Please speak with one of my trained TINKERS and they will assess your situation.
"How long will I be staying? I have spoken with my crew at length, and there are a few who wish to remain here at the hospitality of the church, have a working holiday of sorts. I will leave a portion of my stock with them, and they will run a small franchise of sorts...the same thing will happen in other major population centres, of course. Everything will be accounted for when the weekly pickup is made, and staff rotated out as necessary. Now, without further ado...please, view my fine wares."
With that, the merchant retreats into his ship, and the crowd wastes no time in climbing up the ramp and into the vessel's cargo hold. The interior is cool and lit with white light by a number of huge lamps hanging from the ceiling; an effort has also been made to decorate it - with varying levels of success. But the effect is clear - this is a mock-up of what the eventual storefront will look like. Upon one wall is a sign with the rules set down by the planetary committee on the definition of contraband, and on another, prices, as well as certain articles of local "art" the Creator is interested in paying for.
But what is more important is the merchandise on display. Clothes, both in local and Creator fashions, made of their materials - complete with a device that instantly takes measurements and personalises a being's order to some extent on the spot, if the prefabricated garments on the racks are not to one's liking. Toys and colourful objects - bobbleheads, blocks that snap together and stay that way until pulled apart, and yet more...
Flora smiles and nods lightly. "Well then, yes... Lets talk business?" the feline rumbles, approaching Harkenson without hesitation quite directly, and pulling out not one, but two creator devices, one of them horribly mangled. "This one works, yes. That one... Evidently does not," she rumbles, pointing at the one that is peeled open like a banana.
"Flora would like to make sure that this one works correctly, and if possible, that one to be repaired... Or if permitted, replaced," she rumbles, her ears flicking as she moves her eyes past the different toys, pointing at no less than ten different, relatively large sets of the fancier bricks, with axles, gears and springs. "How much for all of those, yes?"
A small smile, before Flora leans back. "In addition, Flora wants to ask one more thing, yes... Since Mister Creator Harkenson is traveling from city to city... Would there be a possibility for LongTech Industries to charter some space to ship supplies? Not now, of course... Since we only operate locally... But it's good to prepare for future events, yes."
Cirra blinks a bit, taking out her chalkboard. She writes frantically <Looking for a waterproof bag of some sort. Waterproof clothing would be nice, too.> She looks around, tapping on the board to see if she can get his attention.
Jill listened with all the strain she could muster on her round, almost mouse like ears, jumping a little in place from excitement. However, moment there was word of business and prices, the ferret frowned so hard that even her body bend down in gloom. She had come to the place for work in the first place, but it was difficult when you had nothing on your name, when nobility sauntered about on daily basis. Already would she give up on the idea of obtaining some fancy Creator trinket, useless or not.
She could bargain her weapons, but she didn't want to risk getting robbed blind, since she didn't know the value or purpose of any Creator devices. So with the shallow-hung head, Jill made her way back out the crowd. Poor lass.
Cythim followed the crowd, entering in the ship. As she looks up she notice there is no fire or any sort of... mathemathics?. "This place is so wierd... i feel like in a dream...".
Being more interested in the clothings wares for the time being, she looked around to see what kind of styles they were offering and asks around, "What kind of clothing are you selling?".
Rokarion moved in with the crowd and started looking around. Soon enough he took out a small notebook and a LongTech's Fancy pen(TM). And started scribbling things down moving towards the strange blocks first. He looked with fascination at the small blocks, and attempted to try them, if he was allowed. Soon enough, he left them alone and went back to checking out the offered crafts, while jutting notes and small doodles on his notebook as he did.
After following Mr. Harkenson into the hold of his ship Sara begins to look over the various devices, toys, and clothing. "Hrm.. looks mostly like novelties.." the lizard mumbles to herself as she looks over the displayed toys. "Cute though.." she continues as she lifts a plushie from one of the shelves and gives it a light squeeze. "Think I'll take it.." Sara muses as she looks over the rest of the cargo, occasionally feeling the displayed articles of clothing before passing by.
At the very opening, the crowd swarms in and starts picking at the clothes and gewgaws with wanton abandon. Oh, the things folk will buy to make others jealous and stay at the forefront of society. Who can say they've worn clothes made by Creators, after all? Some are positively in awe at the instant fabricator on hand, while others try on boots, skirts, doublets, hats, either in creator fashion, or made with their materials.
"That will cost you two crown for the lot, M'lady," Harkenson replies, recognising Flora from the last time he was in Firmament. "You may pay at the counter near the entrance, where you may see Timothy about your LASER POINTERS, although from the looks of it, the damaged one simply has a bit of botched circuitry. I'm no TINKER, though, which is why I pay him."
"I'm afraid your request for miniatures from the last time we met has yet to meet approval either way, though. And as for a courier service...well, we shall see. It is an attractive option." Typical salesman, trying to keep his options open.
Cirra is helpfully guided by one of the Creator crew to one of the racks, where she can find the clothing she wants.
After picking out their selections, the various beings who have elected to purchase something form a line by the exit - which from this side, appears to have some sort of red light over it - and form a line to wait for their turn to make their purchase.
At the very opening, the crowd swarms in and starts picking at the clothes and gewgaws with wanton abandon. Oh, the things folk will buy to make others jealous and stay at the forefront of society. Who can say they've worn clothes made by Creators, after all? Some are positively in awe at the instant fabricator on hand, while others try on boots, skirts, doublets, hats, either in creator fashion, or made with their materials.
"That will cost you two crown for the lot, M'lady," Harkenson replies, recognising Flora from the last time he was in Firmament. "You may pay at the counter near the entrance, where you may see Timothy about your THERMOMETERS, although from the looks of it, the damaged one...it needs a entirely new power source - you're fortunate it didn't explode while you were around, or you could have been seriously hurt. I'm no TINKER, though, which is why I pay him."
"I'm afraid your request for miniatures from the last time we met has yet to meet approval either way, though. And as for a courier service...well, we shall see. It is an attractive option." Typical salesman, trying to keep his options open.
Cirra is helpfully guided by one of the Creator crew to one of the racks, where she can find the clothing she wants.
After picking out their selections, the various beings who have elected to purchase something form a line by the exit - which from this side, appears to have some sort of red light over it - and form a line to wait for their turn to make their purchase.
"These were not within Flora's posession at the time, no. They were recently recovered from a creator ruin, yes," the she-feline murrs with a small smile, before nodding lightly. "Flora will take... Ten of each, then," she mumbles, flicking her ears lightly, before swaying her tails behind her and moving around the store curiously.
"Flora understands, and it is not an issue. They are still, mostly, idle musings, although we could likely use them, yes," Flora notes, smiling faintly, before moving around and gesturing the creator at the counter towards the sets she's chosen, then to the bags slung over her golem. "Flora will make several trips, if required," she notes, leaving the money on the counter and already moving on towards Timothy, placing her tools on the counter. It doesn't seem she spares any time at all in her purchases.
"Oh... One more thing... Flora is hoping maybe Mister Creator Timothy can tell Flora? What does 'circle C' stand for? Flora's seen that when it displays zero... Water freezes. And when it displays one-hundred, water boils... But Flora would like to know what to call it, yes," she murrs softly, waiting for the 'tinker' to get to work.
Rokarion finishes checking the merchandise and his scribbling. He then flips open a new page and writes something down, before heading towards Mr.Harkenson, assailing him with his natural jasmine fragrance as he gets closer, he then says, serene as always, "Nice to meet you, Mr.Harkenson. I am Rokarion of Cliffside, and I must say it is a pleasure to finally meet one of your kind. If I may ask. I want to get two sets of those building blocks over there, and also I would like to get some waterproor containers similar to mine." With that Rokarion slips four small pouches and a larger satchel from under his cloak to the view of the merchant in front of him. "How much would you require for this transcation?" Rokarion glances with interest at Flora and her "thermometers", so that is what they called them, before turning his attention back to the chubby Creator.
After following Mr. Harkenson into the hold of his ship Sara begins to look over the various devices, toys, and clothing. "Hrm.. looks mostly like novelties.." the lizard mumbles to herself as she looks over the displayed toys. "Cute though.." she continues as she lifts a plushie from one of the shelves and gives it a light squeeze. "Think I'll take it.." Sara muses as she looks over the rest of the cargo. After looking over the rest of the gear with either little, or slight enthusiasm depending on her need, or knowledge on the item in general, Sara makes her way to the lineup with both the plushie, and an only recently fabricated dress made to her specifications.
Cythim sighs at the styles of the clothings, clearly not fitting her tastes. As she browse throught more "normal" clothings, she tries to touch some, feeling their textures. Not fancying anything, she grab a brown hood and try it on her head.
Then she looks around the toys, browsing through them but doesn't catch anything on interest until she pot a salamander plushie. She grab it and looks around it.
Feeling she got what she wanted, she simply wait alongside the others to buy what she grabbed.
Timothy peers at Flora's broken device. "It certainly falls within the boundaries of what we're allowed to fix, so long as we don't tell you how to go about doing it. This is a fairly simple thing to do, although you're lucky it didn't malfunction while you were around - you could have been seriously hurt by CREATOR WRATH. As for the scale, it's Celsius, named after a SCHOLAR of some import who lived a very long time ago, even before your Creator Saints. Please wait while I replace the power source and it'll be as good as new."
Harkenson nods, and extends a thick arm to the counter near the exit. "Half a crown for the satchels, my dear friend, and as I told the lady, two crown per box of these LEGOS."
It certainly seems to be quite the time, as everyone makes their purchases and pays up - even when everyone currently present is leaving, there are more beings waiting outside to fill up the space vacated by the previous shoppers. Seems like the ship will be here for quite a while.
