Two Is Better Than One[Zub|Crafting]

Job Name: Two Is Better Than One
Job Rank: B
Job Location: Reim
Job Reward: 15k Huang |200xp [Maculis Secondary Circle]
Job Prerequisites: Magic Tool Researcher | Zuzu
Job Overview:  Zubaidah has requested Zion's services to add another magic circle to one of her magic tools. Consult with the client on what kind of magic circle they want and carve it into the tool to complete the service.

The sun had yet to rise and yet one shop on the Reiman market strip was already brightly lit. Magical Miracles specialized in these sorts of mundane and every day miracles. Magoi powered lighting. The owner of the conspicuous workshop was sat at his desk scribbling away at a new design for a magic circle. This one was intended to provide new methods of travel for trading expeditions by using strength magic to part the earth and form underground routes. Excitement and confidence shone in the youthful doll's eyes as his brushstrokes danced furiously until at last the magic circle was completed.

"I've still a few hours yet before dawn. Let's go give this a test!"

The storm kitsune made for the door and waved his hand against the wall where a magic circle dimmed. As it did, so two did the two bars of light magic lining either side of the workshop. The bell above the door way jingled and a gust of wind marked Zion's departure as he soared into the sky. His fox ears stretched and his nine tails billowed behind him like nine fluffy clouds as he enjoyed the freedom of the dark night sky. His playful storm winds carried him out of the city and into the country side where Zion found a spot to land and begin his test.

Parchment met earth and a palm full of magoi was sent into the circle drawn onto its surface. The ground below started to sink in and gradually Zion found himself eye level with the ground. Sinking a bit deeper, he turned the paper 90 degrees and the ground ahead opened up forming a cave. The magician smiled and felt a sense of accomplishment as he walked forward and continued on trying out how different angles could alter the direction the tunnel spread in. Just as everything seemed to be going well the soft dirt above collapsed in on Zion covering him in earth. Zion patted himself off trying to ignore the earthworm he noticed as he brushed off his shoulder. A mouthful of dirt was spit out and Zion freed one and hand from the rubble to wipe his face off so he could see.

One failure wasn't enough to deter him. As he saw the night sky above through the sinkhole he'd created Zion convinced himself he had just been traveling too close to the surface. Again his magoi fed the magic circle and again he delved into the earth. Deeper this time, so deep he even began to feel uncomfortable. Trapped in a way that the other tunnel hadn't. Just as Zion started to convince himself it was all in his head the tunnel opened up into an underground aquifer and water came rushing into his tunnel. The parchment in hand was utterly ruined as Zion got washed out and was forced to fly back the way he came to escape drowning.

Two failures made Zion begin to question the wisdom of this idea. Defeated, he dried himself off with light magic and returned back to his workshop just in time to beat the rising of the sun. The silver haired fox huffed as he began to regret installing that happily jingling bell onto his door. It did not fit his mood at all. He took a step inside and began to clean himself up a bit more, his transformation abilities casually hiding away those fluffy ears and tails as he took on a more human appearance to prepare for the role of shopkeep he would play during the day. Shortly after opening up he would hear the bell jingle and looked to the door in joy.

"Welcome to Magical Miracles! What miracle can I-...oh."

The silver haired youth deflated when he saw it was just a messenger and not a customer. The man was already holding out an envelope. "A letter for Swordking." The man announced. Zion nodded and accepted the fine paper gently caressing it with his fingertips. He hadn't handled paper like this since he was home in magnostadt. It brought a brief smile to the homesick doll as the messenger left and Zion moved to his desk where he would open the envelope carefully and read its contents.

---

WC: 709/1500

My dear ‘Swordking’,

I would be honoured if you would visit the Ash Company’s estate in Tisifun. As you might recall, I attended the Coliseum in order to showcase Parthevian spearmanship. In the same vein, I have invited prominent Reiman celebrities to Tisifun so that they might experience Parthevia for themselves. I must admit, however, that your invitation is somewhat unique among them. I do not mean to discredit your celebrity status, but I wish not to converse with you as a celebrity, but as a dungeon-diver. Even if you refuse this conversation, I would encourage you to visit the Tisifuni estate. But if you accept, I will arrive there on the fourth day and host you with a lavish banquet. We have much to discuss!

Warm regards,
Sukhainah bint Mansur, known otherwise as Zubaidah

Blue eyes scanned the letter and a furrowed brow nestled between them as Zion finished reading. The invitation was welcome enough on its own. Such an event would be a great opportunity for Zion to rub shoulders with influential people and spread word of his magic tool business. But Zubaidah had clearly hinted the true nature of the meeting had something to do with the fact that they had both been in dungeons. Two by Zion's count, though he was unsure if the Parthevian had ventured into more dungeons herself. He spent some time trying to scry out some idea of what exactly it could be that Zubaidah had in mind. Eventually, however, the time of the event slowly approached and Zion simply resolved to go find out himself.

Locking up the Magical Miracles door behind him, Zion set out for the skies carried on stormy winds. His long silver locks and loose Kou-style robes fluttered in the wind as he sped towards Tisifun. It was his first time to this side of the country and so Zion got a bit lost on the way. He took notice that the plant life below was somewhat different here, clearly possessing its own unique regional flora that was distinct from those found near Reim's heartlands. The sight really struck home to Zion that this Parthevia really was the remnant of something different to the Reiman culture now dominating this continent. The magician did finally catch sight of the manor though and circled the place from above once just to satisfy both curiosity and caution. After a round of observation from the sky, Zion would then descend in front of the entrance accompanied by powerful gusts that ended only when his feet gently touched the ground.


Zion would announce with a bow and a flourish for the poor startled doorman on duty. His fox ears and tails were hidden for now, replaced by human features thanks to his Trickster Foxspirit technique. But the elegant dress and eccentric mannerisms still made the magician stand out as quite the eye catching figure. It was a nice change of pace to not have that leather cloak on. Months of spent hiding under a hood made a chance to get out casually like this feel refreshing!

---

WC: 1115/1500

The magician gave a slight smile and a subtle bow towards the host and followed inside without offering much pleasantry. A high class social gathering like this was a bit out of the young doll's wheelhouse. His nerves began to tighten as they entered and the weight of many important movers and shakers of the local region made this humble craftsman feel like he would have lacked the qualifications to be invited were he not acquainted with Zubaidah through dungeons and many other smaller interactions that summed up to a strange fate between the two. One could say this was the first time the two were truly meeting in a casual way since their paths had first crossed. But even now there were formalities that prevented Zion from speaking to her in private as he was half forced into a series of introductions.

Ignorant of the local markets beyond his research into the Aurelius League and its magic tool trade, Zion found himself lost as he struggled to remember the names. None of them were more than vaguely familiar to him, but he wore a mask of comfort as he gave each guest a brief nod and introduction as Swordking of Magical Miracles, a magic tool workshop. Despite his unease Zion still tried to maintain a polite standing with these people as what his business needed most at the moment were connections and networking.  But at last Zion was dragged away from the many guests of illustrious families and moved over to greet someone that intimidated the magician in a different way. A man of means and measure that had certainly seen much in his travels surviving odds that would have broken lesser men. Zion greeted him as he had the others, but seemed awkward after introductions were done. His aloofness brought on by a lack of experience with large social gatherings, Zion failed to make any meaningful conversation until Zubaidah invited him over to speak privately.

The magician stifeled a soft sigh of relief and followed into the meeting room where he would find a seat for himself. The exhaustion of having put up a front the whole party landing on him making the fox seem to deflate in his seat. But only for a moment as he realized Zubaidah was still present. The youth scrambled up into a more proper posture and cleared his throat with a fake cough. "I insist that you simply misunderstood me, but it remains true that we met on antagonistic grounds. Very well, a start over is fine with me." He accepted her handshake gently and then gave a wry smile. "Unfortunately, circumstances make sharing my name a dangerous prospect. I'll have to ask for your forgiveness and once again introduce myself as Swordking." The child in a young man's body followed the etiquette hammered into him by Casvallion and spoke with the bearing of someone beyond his years as he offered an apologetic bow.

Leaning back in his seat and pondering for a moment about how he intended to return home soon. "Perhaps it will be more convenient for me to share my identity in the near future. I'll just have to ask you be patient and wait for that day." The silver haired youth spread his hands and shrugged before looking not at Zubaidah but at some distant goal in his own minds eye. "Though I imagine when it comes you won't need me to tell you my name. It is sure to reach many ears." The boy smiled and to Zubaidah it might seem like he was being arrogant and egotistical but in truth Zion was mocking himself knowing that only the stigma of being a constant target of all the worst criminal elements was in store for him once his enemies found him. But Zion soon waved such thoughts away and refocused his blue eyes on Zubaidah. "I can't imagine this meeting was simply about burying the hatchet. So what is the real reason you've called me here?" Suddenly his expression became stoic and firm. It was clear that he wanted to get right down to business.

---

WC: 1500+/1500

The edges of Zion's lips ticked down a notch as his host began to speak. The way she addressed him was overly familiar and put the youth on guard. His head didn't move but his eyes shot to the door as another person entered. One of Zubaidah's retainers? The fox cautiously watched her bring the magic tool over and accepted it with the sleeve of his robes rather then touch it with his bare hands. Only once the whip was received and Kihya retreated a step did he let his eyes fall unto the whip where they would search for a magic circle. While he studied the formula he made it a point to listen to his host. It looked as though he was ignoring her, completely focused on the Maculis whip, but he shifted in his seat slightly when she addressed him in that sickly honeyed manner. As though they were dear old friends.

A hard gaze met Zubaidah once Zion finished his inspection. He would grasp it in his hands properly now and placed it on the table slowly as he spoke. "First I must say that I admire your ambitions and they align with my own." The fox leaned back into his seat with a smile, no intention in him to explain his odd behavior.  Only he would know that he had been checking the whip for malicious formula in its circle before touching it.

"I believe magic should be used to enrich the lives of everyone. Imagine if every home came with magic circles carved into them? Water, food, heat. All of it can be made with magic circles and a bit of magoi from the residents! Even the house itself could be mass produced by creating a magic circle with a complex enough formula~"

He became more and more excited as he spoke. His face alight with a bright smile that glowed ever more true than his polite ones from before. His hands became animated and reflected in his eyes was the clear vision this youth had dreamed up of an ideal utopian outcome to his ambitions. "Not only that, but travel and transportation, communication, the medical applications! It would truly be a World of Magic!" Then all of that energy seemed to evaporate as he relaxed back into his seat becoming silent for a moment.

The fox had a forlorn gaze and a mournful smile. "Then my father's dream would come true..." Saying the words aloud felt silly but Zion still felt compelled to say them. He refocused his blue eyes on his host with a refreshed expression followed by a cheerful smile. "Sorry, I got carried away..." The magician then stood up abruptly and reached into his robes. "I should begin with a demonstration!" When his hand pulled out of the robes and rose high overhead the Magic Smith's Hammer gleamed dimly off the lighting in the room. Its reflective red metal body and glass-like crystalline face prominent yet still overshadowed by the magic circle underneath the crystal face lighting up as Zion filled it with his magoi.

A Molding Strike descended upon the Maculis whip with the furious might of a meteor and a bell-like tone rung out loudly on impact. Zion pulled the hammer back and let the lingering resonant hum of the crystal face slowly die out. Along with the fading of the sound, changes took place on the Maculis that were visible to the eye. The area around the magic circle had another circle being carved into the surface. The molding ended once the tone had leaving behind a second circle encompassing the first neatly. Zion returned the hammer to its pocket in his robes but remained standing and gestured to the door.

"The second circle probably isn't safe to use in this room. I suggest we head somewhere outside if you would like to test it. Though I suppose if you used it indoors your guests at the party might have a good time of it as long as no open flames are nearby~"

---

Magoi: 410/420

Magic Tool:

Maculis:

Zion winced again at the way his host addressed him and made a wry smile to cover it. Perhaps it was meant to be endearing but it only made the paranoid youth distrust her on some level. But he was no fool and could see where the flow of events was heading. This public display would likely be a good publicity stunt for Magical Miracles. He could see that this woman was genuinely leveraging her connections to help him and could not help but feel eager to see what sort of reaction the crowd would have. But as he followed Zubaidah in quiet though he realized the nature of the fuction he made lacked something. A final touch to awe and astound the influential guests gathered.

The fox slowly smiled as an idea came to mind and he reached into the sleeve of his robes as Zubaidah addressed the gathered crowd. At mention of his workshop, Zion would take a step forward putting on his best attempt at a confident face and swept the audience with his gaze. But he had no words for them yet and simply made  a light bow before standing off to the side appearing rather low key. The lead performer would be Zubaidah and the newly upgraded Maculis. But observant guests might notice Zion pull a pipe from his sleeve and bring it to his lips. A tiny bit of magoi flowed into the pipe during the performance and a tiny ball of heat magic gathered above the pipe's bowl.

As the crimson cloud billowed outwards it left behind a flammable trail and through a light blow Zion sent the Will-O-Wisp to hop out of the pipe and float down to touch the ethanol trail. The tiny flame was almost cute until it made contact with the damp ground and lit it ablaze. A chain reaction spread and a blaze chased after the cloud of mist which was nearing the end of its travel. As the veil reached 50m the flame caught up and consumed the cloud in a great blast.

Boom!

Wind and heat would blow back against the manse and all its guests giving them a small taste of the inferno. Thankfully, none of the flames managed to find fuel to linger and the ethanol burnt up fast. Now only charred earth and smoke remained of the flame. Zion nodded in satisfaction. That was much more entertaining! He calmly returned the pipe to his sleeve and then turned to address the wealthy observers.

"I apologize if that startled any of you~ As you can see, I threw a bit of fire into the mix with my own magic tool."

Another bow from the magician to the crowd, deeper this time. Zion then rose and met them with his best smile. "I am confident in being able to upgrade any magic tool with a second circle as long as it does not already have one. Furthermore, I make magic tools to custom order from scratch as well. Please visit Magical Miracles should you desire my services." Then he ended with a final modest bow and a salute to the audience by cupping his fist.

This done he would then turn to Zubaidah and mention discretely, "I do not wish to be swarmed with business proposals tonight. Could you help extricate me from the aftermath?" He asked in a helpless tone. If she looked carefully, his host might notice the vague look of dread on Zion's face at the prospect of personally dealing with business propositions from a dozen or more people at once.

---

Magoi: 400/420

Magic Tool:

Following his host close behind as they left the demonstration venue Zion did not relax until they had left sight of the other guests. He could feel their heated gazes on his back as he departed and hoped that they would not all arrive at his workshop in Remano all at once. Sighing in relief he eventually composed himself and began to stroll more casually behind Zubaidah clasping his hands behind he back as he took in the sights of Tisifun. For a town that was relatively new it was filled with an ancient aesthetic that harkened back to the roots of the faded empire who's legacy its people sought to inherit. He was distracted from these thoughts by a compliment which made the young magician's porcelain white face tinge red slightly. "Thank you, but it was a simple trick. Unless you mean the magic circles, but even those are merely a matter of transcribing a formula. Less of a skill and more so an education." He tried to remain humble but perhaps this would come off as a type of arrogance in its own way. Nevertheless he could not help but admit that he felt a bit of pride when having his talents praised.

As further words elevated his ego the magician couldn't help but temper his emotions. He hadn't failed to pick up on the subtle implication. Further business. He was wary of being taken advantage of and the way Zubaidah was speaking was almost like a prospector who had found a rare gem. But thinking on the matter it would indeed be useful to have an influential backer for his own ambitions. He had seen first hand that Zubaidah possessed not only wealth and connections, but also several capable retainers. It made him realize that he may needs to cultivate a faction of his own in order to realize his goals. After all, he could not simply rely on the good graces of his host, nor did he wish to place his dreams under the reign of another. So when the offer to fun his ventures came up, Zion already had some thoughts on how to answer.

"Business isn't my strong suit, I wish my steward, Jericho, were here as he would be a better negotiator."

The youth chucked at himself briefly before shaking his head. "That said, I do not wish to sell myself into your service long term." He stated bluntly. The youth took a few more steps before stopping and turning to face Zubaidah with a smile. "But I could use an investor of sorts once I return to Magnostadt to begin vying for a share in the magic tool market on a larger scale. Materials, personnel, and the might to protect them, these all will cost money after all." Zion held a finger up for each of the three points he would need help funding for if there was any hope at starting large scale manufacturing. "Typically you would expect a share in my profits but I have another proposal in mind..." The young Koval flashed a smile and spoke softly so that only Zubaidah could hear his next words.

"...exclusive distribution rights for any and all tools I produce that go to this north western continent. If Reim wishes to purchase my magic tools, they would need to go through you."

The words were simple, but if made into a reality would have an explosive impact on the leverage Zubaidah possessed geopolitically. Despite his naivety, Zion could see that this woman's ambitions did not end at Ladyship over a modest town. The weight this deal would give her, as long as he could deliver on his end, would likely be worth more than any percentage share in the profits of his business.

The compliment to his business sense made Zion feel that it was hollow flattery. He had no confidence in himself in this domain and was simply making an effort to be decisive. He had not actually expected his suggestion would be as enticing as it turned out to be. She seemed very satisfied with the conditions he had put forward and then proceeded to make Zion glad he hadn't chosen to boast just then as all the talk of getting things settled legally left him somewhat blindsided. The youth suppressed his look of shock and mentally chastised himself for thinking such an important deal could be sealed over a conversation and a handshake. It seemed there was much for him to yet learn in the world of business as even simple things like contracts were still somewhat new to him.

The tone shifted however as their steps had carried them to a more private venue and his host revealed her true intentions behind hiring Zion. The business transaction before was no lie, but more so a test. The magician felt surprised but maintained a calm smile as he listened to Zubaidah explain. He could not contain his excitement however once the magic artifact was produced for him to examine. The doll's blue eyes became wide with amazement as he gingerly accepted the Last Snow into his hands.

"I'm no historian, but I can see why this magic tool is in a grade of its own. This magic circle uses some sort of ancient script I don't recognize and despite being so small I can see it has many complex formulae densely packed together. Where on earth did they find this thing?"

The words gushed out quickly as Zion began more so to think to himself aloud rather than hold his focus on the conversation with Zubaidah. It only took him a short breath to realize he was the one being paid to answer questions right now, but he was making it seem as though the task were beyond him. Eager not to send the wrong signal, he hurried on to add "Er-I mean, don't tell me! Because I happen to have a spell to find out for myself!" He then drew his wand and tapped it onto the Last Snow casting Seeking Seer onto the artifact.

The magic would turn back time to the moments of it being uncovered by the archeological society. This was just a pit stop to satisfy Zion's earlier curiosity however. He would then urge the Seeking Seer with sustained efforts to search even further back into the history of the object in order to answer Zubaidah's question. Who created the artifact? But also why did they create such an object of power? For whom or for what purpose was such a thing neccessary? Soon a screen of light magic and a playback of sound magic guided by the clairvoyance of the rukh would reveal to them these secrets.

---

Magoi: 370/420

Spell:

The moment the magician's spell had graced the mystic armor something would begin to sing. Zubidiah could hear it clearly, Zion could see the song. The miniature magic circle began to glow so brightly that it would lead the light for his look in the past to grow even brighter. They were peering into something beyond what they were meant to know.

The rukh would begin to form a vision, just one of many. It started with heat, with flames so hot it was strange how they could feel it.  The light it brought was enough to blind everything around. Clang, clang, clang would ring throughout the room. A heavy hammer against iron, against ores never before seen.  Gems shined in the corner, and great metal machines poured molten materials. A large chomping maw spat the greatest plume of fire.

In front of the magnificent inferno was a figure, a shadow that seemed to hold the very elements in their hands. The rukh continued its dance, its choir. The hammer they held would glow. Next, they sat at a table, with tools meant for engraving. Then, next to them, amongst a great array of tools sat a hammer so grand, so gold it would be too heavy for the average person to wield.

All they would see was them working, the figure seemed to handle something hot, and lifting it up as a brooch, blazing bright. It was a sun in the night, it was the first of many. They were going to see the birth, the birth of it all. For this was the beginning, this was the story of the last greats in a world dying. All they had to do now was peer further into his story. The magic called to them, to put power behind their vision.

Post to continue the journey, you will find secrets that you may not believe

Shock came over the magician as his magic escaped his control and seemed to be taken over by the flow of the rukh around the brooch. The vision that presented itself was more than just a screen of light. It was like they had been transported back to the past as the heat of their surroundings assaulted the senses. The light was blinding but through it a song of forging played. The rhythmic sound of hammer on ingot stirred the magic tool craftsman in Zion's heart. He subconsciously reached for his trusty partner, the magic smight's hammer, and gripped it's handle gently.

Eyes adjusting to the light would slowly show the source of the great flame. A massive maw right out of a story book. And there, in the midst of ores and mechanisms of ancient past was a figure of power and skill. Awed, Zion watched as they worked to bring their craft to completion. Zion dared not break his flow of magoi to the spell here and continued to let it flow as he watched the vision play out. Absentmindedly he would say aloud, "Amazing, so this is the creation of an artifact..." His grip on his own hammer tightened. He could feel it, this was the presence of a truly great craftsman.

As they allowed the vision to overtake them the whole scene seemed to unveil further, as if this was not just the magic they had cast. No, fate had been waiting for this moment, begging for someone to come looking for answers. When people came knocking, expecting nothing at an empty house, that was when you could find a message from beyond. The darkness of the forge formed endless shadows around the warped metal that cowered in fear of the flames. The great fire of the forge screamed, yelling as the hammer glinted gold in the light. A great mallet swung with the force of a mighty man, one whose face would become clear in the light.

He walked forward, moving through the pair of them, this was a memory. This was a moment in time that had been lost, they were right in the assumption it was not of the world. No, it was the world before, one that had needed such magic to keep things safe. "Now, for the finishing touch...." he would grumble. Picking up a small blue gem, frosted blue as if it had been stuck in the tundra, and turned into a glacier.  He held it in his tongs, it gleamed against the white hot iron as he walked it over to the armor on the anvil. it was the one Zub had held, it was the last to be made and the one that was most gentle to him. The gem would be placed against the searing steel, the golden hammer would thunder, thunder and thunder! until with one last mighty swing, it warped.

All that lay on the anvil was a brooch, one in the shape of a snowflake. It was the last snow, gleaming now, cooling to the touch. He gently carried it over to a table, it was of dark wood which would cause its ornaments to lay. There resided 5 other brooches, 6 all in total, each designated for a certain soul. There were ones Zub had seen before, the armor of the Sentinel and the Tyrant.  Three that were unknown, one that would build, one to save, and another to hunt.  "Now to find the perfect souls, to find your homes." The man spoke gently, his eyes were golden and his skin pale. His copper hair would flitter over the jewelry as he looked deeply into it.

Fate would allow them, allow them to ask for answers. It was a spell in all actuality, but it asked of them, beckoned them from what they want. If they wished to see who these items went to, and why they got them then they would have to follow. If they wished to cut the story, then that was up to them. They could skip the how if they why was that important.  "First, to find a lion red enough for this...

The spell that was under his control seemed to be taken away by the rukh cause Zion shock. It was a terrifying thing, having your magic wrested away by some greater force. But there was no fear in the silver haired doll as his wide eyes shone with wonder. Never before had he seen something like this happen. It hinted that there was some other magic at work here beyond what he could fathom and the mere existence of such a thing was enough to fill the young magician with excitement. Zion forced himself to remain calm however and watched intently at the visions fate had deemed to show them. Echoes of a past artisan at the peak of his craft. The mans words seemed to suggest these masterpieces were already spoken for. Destined to find their way into the hands of their rightful owners.

The questions brought about by the vision were varied but when a strange will seemed to ask where he wanted it to take them next he felt that there could only be one answer. Zion did not reply right away and instead turned to Zubaidah. This artifact was in her possession after all, she had more concrete reasons beyond simple curiosity to interrogate the past further. "It appears the rukh can show us more...what is it you want to see? The journey of the Last Snow? Where the other artifacts wound up? Or perhaps you'd like to know what they were for or who the man that made them was? Choose well, this magic is no longer under my control and could end at any moment." The magician warned, his clear blue eyes serenely waiting to hear the woman's answer.