Quote from AlaricBrand >>

[[First project for the week finished; normal services will resume here by the end of the week, I hope.]]

[[ Question about uniforms: yes provided by someone, but must also be made by someone...does Brand know who? ]]

[[No, but it is likely that the city of Constantine, as well as the temples, have their own armourers and tailors.]]

"Thank you, yes. Perhaps I am in the wrong place, but I was hoping for well-crafted items for those who live more...robust...lives...I noticed these...but they are not quite what I was looking for --  perhaps you have others? I am looking for a long, perhaps 3/4 length, coat, suitable for walking and riding, good in the weather, and hard wearing. Perhaps something like I have seen sailors wearing from time to time, but split at the back?"

The man listens and then says, "I have nothing like that in the store, but it wouldn't take long to make something like that up."

He then proceeds to walk around Brand sizing him up. As he does so, he begins to ask questions.

"What would you have the coat made of? Some sort of material? Or perhaps, soft leather? I would also need to know the colour and what you wanted in the way of pockets and protective capabilities?"

First project for the week finished; normal services will resume here by the end of the week, I hope.]

lol...no problem...back to work sucks enough, without feeling pressure to write game moves!

 "What would you have the coat made of? Some sort of material? Or perhaps, soft leather? I would also need to know the colour and what you wanted in the way of pockets and protective capabilities?"

Brand considers for a moment, following the man with his eyes, as he is sized up.

"I am not aware of the ideal materials, but i fear soft leather might not last a day on the road. I can specify some requirements, and would welcome any suggestions you may have -- for any aspects of the coat."

"First -- and please don't take this the wrong way -- I do not want something that looks 'fancy,' if you know what I mean. Simple. Practical.  Those are things I value. When I walk down the road, I do not want people staring at me because of my unusual coat. In fact, perhaps the more it looks like a sailor's oilskin the better!"

Brand pauses and looks around the room, then focuses once more on the man "If at any time you feel this work is not suited to you, please say so...I will understand."

[[ If they are close to other patrons, Brand will move away and lower his voice. ]]

"As to pockets, I would like both internal and external ones, and perhaps the potential to keep a spare dagger or two inside...where they won't get wet."

"Of course, I would like it to keep the rain off me, when I am caught outside. Yesterday was unpleasant."

"I also need to be able to fight while wearing it. This cloak is excellent in that regard, but gets soaked quickly; but it's still warm when wet, which is a plus.."

He pauses again, scratches the side of his face, once more [[surreptitiously]] checking his surrounds, then continues. "I want to be able to wear it over this armour, or bulky court clothes. [[ Thinking of his cummerbund and sash etc ]]"

"Colour, I had not really thought. Unobtrusive? A dark colour? Nothing flashy, as I said."

"Now...you mentioned protection: what did you have in mind in that regard? Are you meaning as armour, for weather...or something more...sophisticated?"

There are two other patrons in the store, a well-dressed man and a woman discussing trousers with a female staff member near the front of the store. The man and woman looked at Brand's clothing with distaste as he entered the store, but seem to have forgotten about him since then.

The man Brand is talking to listens to his list of requirements and doesn't seem at all put off by them, or the mention of weapons. In fact, Brand thinks his interest has been kindled.

"Perhaps a double-layered, tight-weave wool might work for the material," he says quickly looking away to a rack of short coats. "It's durable, can be dyed any colour you desired, and would certainly keep you both warm and dry... It would also enable me to unobtrusively reinforce the inner layer with metal thread to make it resistant to slashing weapons... Is that the sort of thing you are looking for?"

Brand nods, "That sounds very promising." [[ Does the reinforcement have in-game effects, or is this just reasonable colour? ]]

"As to pockets, would two outer ones and several inner ones...of various sizes...be possible?"

[[ IIRC, the stones are dice size: ]]

Brand smiles sheepishly, "One of my ... err ... vices ... is dice. I like to keep my favourite ones with me at all times, so a small buttonable pocket to hold them might also be a welcome addition. As well as some larger ones. Does that sound possible?"

Quote from AlaricBrand >>

Brand nods, "That sounds very promising." [[ Does the reinforcement have in-game effects, or is this just reasonable colour? ]]

[[The customised coat he is talking about will give you resistance to slashing damage.]]

"As to pockets, would two outer ones and several inner ones...of various sizes...be possible?"

[[ IIRC, the stones are dice size: ]]

[[Correct. They are the size and shape of 20-sided dice.]]

Brand smiles sheepishly, "One of my ... err ... vices ... is dice. I like to keep my favourite ones with me at all times, so a small buttonable pocket to hold them might also be a welcome addition. As well as some larger ones. Does that sound possible?"

The man thinks for a moment and then tells Brand to wait while he goes back out through the door he came in by. He returns shortly with a small blackboard and a piece of chalk on which he draws a rough picture of a coat, which he hands to Brand along with the chalk.

He then says, "If you could draw where you would like the pockets?"

Brand puts a rough mark in the left and right outside of the cloak, and says "I am not a craftsman such as yourself. For these I suggest a placement that seems normal to you for such a coat. Subtelty is desirable, though: no fancy scrollwork, and perhaps they could be lined for further processing against the elements? I do occasionally carry books and letters and such."

Then he pauses to consider the inside. "I am sure that your art will place some constraints upon what you can do, but perhaps inside, 2 more pockets in a similar location, then two, smaller at each breast..."

Looking perturbed, and a little embarrassed, Brand continues. "I am sure you are far better at this than I, but perhaps a line of smaller pockets between the two inner pockets, on either side."

[[Edit]]

"As to my daggers, perhaps one each side, here...and here" he says, indicating the side of his ribs, under his arm"

[[Edited:]] "Though, perhaps that may not be part of the coat?" [[End Edit]]

"What do you think, sir. Have you any suggestions?"

[[ Was Rawls shoulder scabbard attached to the coat, or a harness?]]

Quote from AlaricBrand >>

[[ Was Rawls shoulder scabbard attached to the coat, or a harness?]]

[[It was a sheathe (i.e., not rigid) and loosely attached with a harness to the chest and shoulder of his armour.]]

[[I'll do the previous move when I knock off for the day shortly.]]

The tailor nods in understanding as Brand describes his requirements.

But then he says, "If you want your daggers high on your body, then your internal pockets will need to be low; or the other way around. If they sit atop of each other, they will change the line of the coat and make it obvious you have something hidden. You would also run the risk of the daggers crushing anything fragile in the pockets. Thinking about it, I would suggest having the pockets low so that the fall of the coat would hide anything bulky."

He then takes the blackboard and makes a quick sketch that includes everything Brand requires incorporating his suggestions.

Then he asks, "And what colour would you like?"

Brand laughs, "The important question! The colour."

He smiles to allay any offence or barb from his comment, then his brow furrows as he looks at the sketch. "But first...the pockets. How low? Will I still be able to reach them, or do you mean just a little above the waist?"

[[ I assume they are reachable, so: ]]

"That sounds good. As to colour: I am probably not your most encouraging customer. I'm inclined to something that is not .... flashy, or particularly noteworthy, a darker colour perhaps. Do you have a suggestion? My cloak's colouring is convenient on the road and in more built up areas."

[[ Does Brand think he will be able to fight in such a cloak? ]]

Quote from AlaricBrand >>

Brand laughs, "The important question! The colour."

He smiles to allay any offence or barb from his comment, then his brow furrows as he looks at the sketch. "But first...the pockets. How low? Will I still be able to reach them, or do you mean just a little above the waist?"

[[ I assume they are reachable, so: ]]

"That sounds good. As to colour: I am probably not your most encouraging customer. I'm inclined to something that is not .... flashy, or particularly noteworthy, a darker colour perhaps. Do you have a suggestion? My cloak's colouring is convenient on the road and in more built up areas."

[[ Does Brand think he will be able to fight in such a cloak? ]]

[[Did you mean 'coat' above? The answer is 'yes' in either case, but it will depend on the fitting. Also, now that I think about it, a coat designed to wear over armour isn't going to fit without the armour. Just so you know.]]

"Strangely enough, Black will show the dirt," says the tailor. "I would suggest a brown so as to not stand out from the clothing most other people wear."

[[Did you mean 'coat' above? The answer is 'yes' in either case, but it will depend on the fitting. Also, now that I think about it, a coat designed to wear over armour isn't going to fit without the armour. Just so you know.]]

[[ I meant cloak: the blue/green double-sided thing.

Re: fitting; I was thinking he would need some bulkier clothes underneath, or it would just be a bit less stylish when worn (sag a little). Is that correct? I have no clue how bulky studded leather is...  ]]

Brand nods and smiles. "Then brown it is! How will it look if I am not wearing armour?"

 [[ lol. Guessing it depends on how the armour looks. Might need shoulder pads at least!

This is an interesting article. It seems studded leather never existed, and the nearest thing was not what we/I thought. Maybe it should be 'heavy leather' or 'reinforced leather' or 'padded leather'...

]]

Quote from AlaricBrand >>

[[Did you mean 'coat' above? The answer is 'yes' in either case, but it will depend on the fitting. Also, now that I think about it, a coat designed to wear over armour isn't going to fit without the armour. Just so you know.]]

[[ I meant cloak: the blue/green double-sided thing.

[[Yes. You can fight in the cloak. Acrobatics in combat might be tricky though, particularly rolls and the like.]]

Re: fitting; I was thinking he would need some bulkier clothes underneath, or it would just be a bit less stylish when worn (sag a little). Is that correct? I have no clue how bulky studded leather is...  ]]

---

Brand nods and smiles. "Then brown it is! How will it look if I am not wearing armour?"

"Despite your size, it will look a little big on you, but you said you weren't interested in being stylish," he replies and then asks, "Would you like a price for that?"

[[Yes. You can fight in the cloak. Acrobatics in combat might be tricky though, particularly rolls and the like.]]

Just checking: do YOU mean 'coat' in the above?

Brand nods, "Yes, I would. Will I need to sit down first?"

[[ After he has the price ]]

"Another question if I may: What will the wrire reinforcing be made from? Should I want another material, would that be a problem?"

[[Great images. I see what you mean about studded leather. My thoughts about leather and studded leather ala D&D is that leather armour (AC 11) is the softer and more comfortable leather you see motorbike riders wearing that you can wear around happily all day, while studded leather (AC 12) has been boiled in wax (see here) so that it is rigid and shaped to conform to the parts of the body it covers (like the 1st, 2nd and 4th suits of armour in your images).]]

[[Following on from my last post, wearing leather armour in public won't draw any particular attention, but wearing studded leather would, because that is the sort of thing soldiers wear.]]

 [[ In case you missed it, my post from above is below. But re armour: I like the idea of embedded plates in various key spots (eg. organs) as per the link. Probably makes for a much more flexible armour. The first image works pretty well for that, I think. ]]

[[ Move from before, just in case: ]]

[[Yes. You can fight in the cloak. Acrobatics in combat might be tricky though, particularly rolls and the like.]]

Just checking: do YOU mean 'coat' in the above?

Brand nods, "Yes, I would. Will I need to sit down first?"

[[ After he has the price ]]

"Another question if I may: What will the wrire reinforcing be made from? Should I want another material, would that be a problem?"

Quote from AlaricBrand >>

[[Yes. You can fight in the cloak. Acrobatics in combat might be tricky though, particularly rolls and the like.]]

Just checking: do YOU mean 'coat' in the above?

---

Brand nods, "Yes, I would. Will I need to sit down first?"

[[ After he has the price ]]

"Another question if I may: What will the wrire reinforcing be made from? Should I want another material, would that be a problem?"

The tailor gives a quick smile at Brand's initial comment and then picks up the slate, turns it over and starts figuring on the back of it with the piece of chalk.

Shortly thereafter, he looks up and says, "How does 5 Engles and 3 days for the finished item sound? But you will need to come back tomorrow with the armour you plan to wear for a proper fitting of the material part of the coat?"

When Brand asks what the wire reinforcing will be made of, the tailor smiles and says, "It would be best-quality, fine iron wire; I wouldn't recommend anything softer if you want to stop a sword slash."

[[And that's it for me tonight. Ciao.]]

[[ I think you missed this part:

[[Yes. You can fight in the cloak. Acrobatics in combat might be tricky though, particularly rolls and the like.]]

Just checking: do YOU mean 'coat' in the above? ie. can he fight in the coat these guys are making? I reckon if Neo can do it in a full length coat, then Brand can in 3/4. Just saying.

"How does 5 Engles and 3 days for the finished item sound? But you will need to come back tomorrow with the armour you plan to wear for a proper fitting of the material part of the coat?"

[[ lol 3 days....so next September???? ]]

Brand nods and breathes a sigh of relief, "Well, that's settled then...when would you like payment?"

[[ Brand accepts answer...he has the cash if necessary ]]

Brand agrees, then asks "With regards to fitting the armour: It is the same (or very similar to) what I am wearing now [[He has the studded leather on]]. Should I return tomorrow, or can you take the necessary measurements now? It is of little consequence to me; whichever is most likely to produce the best result."

[[ Waits for answer and agrees to whichever ]]

When Brand asks what the wire reinforcing will be made of, the tailor smiles and says, "It would be best-quality, fine iron wire; I wouldn't recommend anything softer if you want to stop a sword slash."

Brand nods, "Would bronze be and acceptable substitute?" [[IIRC Melitta and Dworkin both had bronze armour. I'm thinking (a) of if he achieves his ambition of becoming a caster, and (b) he might be able to get someone to enchant it with something nifty now; Bronze is also harder than iron and doesn't rust...the latter seems quite a useful feature if its embedded in clothes.

From the construction of his other items...does he know of other metals that would be better? ]]

[[ Re his armour: is there a form of leather that is based around plates and leather (plates held by studs), or is cuirboili the only option? ]]

[[ I will also hit the sack. This is much less stressful that melee! ]]

[[ Brand will also talk about two more things: a hood, and soft leather. I discounted soft leather on the basis of its durability. Your recent definition of soft leather leads me to question that. So: ]]

"Given your understanding of my requirement, do you think leather or wool serve better?"

And:

"We never discussed hoods. Is that a possibility?"