The old man grasped Ari’s hand as she knelt down, five silver gleaming in her palm. Dragging it up close to his nose, he drew in a deep breath, taking in the aroma of precious metal. A shiver ran down his spine, and he swept the coinage off her hands next, cradling them like one would with a child. [b]“Thank you,”[/b] he blubbered, [b]“Oh, may the s-”[/b]

Then, Raymond spoke up, about the talismans, with Amulak soon following up.

The old man froze, turning his face up towards them.

[b]“It’s…”[/b] He swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down against his weather-beaten skin.[b] “…been so long! Oh, bless the Sun’s Providence, bless the kindness of the Immortals! To take pity on an artisan such as myself, oh!”[/b] Hands still gripping the five silver, he thrust his airs skywards at an angle, before prostrating himself so low that his forehead bounced against the pavement. [b]“Yes, yes, silver, twenty, please! To have lost such hope, only to regain it once more! Blessed days, blessed benedictions!”[/b]

The old man pulled himself back up, before bringing his hands up over his mouth, muffling the words he spoke within. A soft light peeked out from the gaps in his fingers, and when he removed his hands, there was a paper talisman. The color of the paper looked yellowed by age, while dark red symbols marked its surface. In the light of midday, it looked almost glossy.

[b]“This right? This had to be! I was famous for these! …before misfortune fell at least. Please, I can make as many of these as you want!”[/b] He made a grab for Ari’s hand once more, but missed. [b]“Twenty silver for one, fifty for three!”[/b]
[sub][@Searat][@GreenGoat][@Psyker Landshark][@Haha][/sub][hr]She was even more imposing up close.

Easily two meters tall, if not more, the ogre smith wore a thick leather apron and shorts, clothing light enough to show off thighs that could absolutely crush watermelons. Her red skin was pockmarked by small burns, and veins bulged out from her forearms as she wielded a short-handled hammer with a head the size of a bowling ball. Sweat seeped into her sooty bandana, and her white hair was cropped short, more of an overgrown buzz cut than anything else. She hammered away at the weapon in her tongs a couple more times, before quenching it in oil and turning to Lugh.

[b]“Silver coins?” [/b]The blacksmith leaned over slightly, hooking her hammer over the straps of her apron. [b]“You…ah, new to these parts. Kiddo, ya gotta get that coinage changed to rishis if ya wanna do business round Horoshi. Find a bank or somethin’, otherwise yer probably getting’ scammed.”[/b] She leaned closer to him, glaring at Lugh with her coal-like eyes, taking in his posture and his countenance. Only a couple inches separated their faces from one another. A moment passed, then another. She frowned, a flicker of resignation or disappointment in her features. The blacksmith stood up straight once more, cracking her neck.

[b]“I can see yer eager to get goin’ though. Not a numbers lass m’self, but with twenty…feel free to grab any two things from that wall over there. Armor pieces are separate though.”[/b]

Pointing in that direction, the ogre smith motioned towards a rack of rudimentary weapons, shields, and armor pieces. Though basic in design, they seemed sturdy, reliable. It wouldn’t cause any explosions when you swing them, but it didn’t look like a scam either, at least.
[sub][@Cu Chulainn][/sub]