Days had passed since the boisterous feast in Ironwood, and the pounding in Thaddeus's head had long subsided. With a clear mind and an understanding, he returned to his woodshop in Woodhaerst. The challenge of replicating the epoxy still loomed over him, but at least he now had a direction thanks to his conversations with Vakdraen and the dwarven elders.
Sitting on his workbench, surrounded by his tools and material, and thought about the properties of epoxy in the real world. His eyes fell on a barrel of mana stones, buckets of water, bowls of cedar resin, and bags of crushed limestone. These were items he collected for experimenting.
He started by adding one quart of resin and water together. Then he mixed in a teaspoon of lime dust. He carefully examined each one, taking care note of each step. He finished mixing the solution, before activating the mana stone, with his mana. After five minutes he spread the liquid on wood and waited for it to cure. The solution was watery and easily dripped onto the wood. Taking a torch, he heated the solution to pop the bubbles and stop the solution from cracking or warping.
After he finished, he set the wood aside and marked it as 'Attempt 1' and listed the time he finished. For this to work he needed to measure how fast it took each attempt to cure and the effects of the epoxy.
For the next attempts, he varied the resin, water, lime, and input of his mana. He wanted an ideal combination that would produce transparent, strong, durable epoxy. His hands moved with purpose as he experimented. By nightfall, Thaddeus finished over a hundred attempts. Yet, none were cured in a matter of hours. Regrettably, he realized the in-game process might take days, or even worse, weeks.
The next day, as he waited for the epoxy solutions to cure, he turned his attention to constructing the table. He chose superb-quality planks and boards. Oakwood was strong and had a beautiful natural grain. It was the perfect combination of being aesthetically pleasing and durable. With precise measurements, he crafted the table's 15-foot boat-shaped conference table.
The table was rectangular, but lengthwise, the edges flared out giving the table greater width allowing 16-18 to sit comfortably. Thaddeus placed three large oak planks on his worktable, but he kept the center open for the epoxy.
Carefully, he carved a channel within the table's surface, creating a path for the resin river to flow. When he found the right solution, the epoxy would fill in the gaps and form a widening black river, that would complement well with the dark stain he'd apply. He knew the black epoxy and dark stain would make the wood grain pop in appearance. Moreover, the spider table legs would be painted black to keep the focus on the wood grain.
With the channel prepared, Thaddeus began observing the solution attempts. While not all had cured by week's end, a few had. The most promising was his 33rd attempt. That solution was one quart of resin, half a cup of water, 20 grams of sand, and 60 grams of crushed limestone. The solution was thick, viscous, and poured out syrupy. However, unlike real epoxy, it wasn't transparent. Instead, it was a little cloudy and translucent.
Using his 33rd attempt as a base, he, and Sabrina meticulously, modified the indigents until the solution mimicked the transparency of epoxy. Yes still, it took them longer to figure out, how to cure the mana in a day. Finally, discovered was to add the mana stone to the mix. Using it this way, the mana stone acted as a catalyst instead of a conduit.
With cautious optimism, they carefully lowered the wooden frame onto a sturdy base. As the epoxy river settled within the confines of the frame, Thaddeus and Sabrina held their breath. The moment of truth had arrived.
Slowly, Thaddeus applied pressure, pressing down on the epoxy surface. It held strong, its surface showing no signs of cracking or weakening. Sabrina's eyes widened in amazement as she watched the material respond exactly as they had hoped.
"It's holding! The bonding properties seem to be working," she exclaimed.
Thaddeus grinned, relief and triumph washing over him. "We did!"
When the solution was finished, Thaddeus and Sabrina received a message.
System Message:
Congratulations you have made a substance, not the game's item registry. Please give it a name.
"We did it! Hurry, give it a name!" Sabrina screamed happily.
"Epoxy" Will responded.
System Message: World's First Bonus
Congratulations you have made a substance: Epoxy. It has been added to the game's item registry. Reward: Plus 10 gold, +5 fame, + 10,000 EXP, +20 SP
"…"
"…"
System Message: Global Announcement
Congratulations to Thaddues and Sabrina for being the first players to add a new item to the game's item registry. Reward: Plus 10 gold, +5 fame, + 10,000 EXP, +20 SP
Neither Sabrina nor Thaddeus could believe the windfall they just earned. They earned coins, and fame, leveled up, and could almost jump a skill rank. And if that wasn't enough the system announced it globally, regionally, and locally.
"Oh my god, Thaddeus we're famous," Sabrina said jumping up in excitement. In near sheer disbelief, she took the 10 gold coins out from her bag of holding to check if it was real.
As Thaddeus was used to getting these messages, he added the 20 SP to woodworking, leveling it up to foreman, and watched Sabrina celebrate.
Name: Thaddeus Brown
Race: Human/Bearkin
Class: Artisan
Sub Class: Druidcraft
Titles: Pioneer/ Baron
Level: 58 (33,551/38,546)
HP: 4,752/4,752
MP: 608/608
STR: 74
AGI: 68
VIT: 66
INT: 32
WILL: 19
CON: 72
Charm: 9
Fame: 35
Free Attribute Points: 0
Free Skill Points: 0
Skills: Earth Magic (Lv. 53), Two-Handed Axe (Lv. 15), Lumberjack (Lv. 81), Analyze (Lv. 76), Surveyor (Lv. 52), Field Dress (Lv. 14), Woodworking (101), Cooking (Lv. 16), Leatherworking (Lv. 72), Tailoring (Lv. 60), Forging (Lv. 74), Smelting (Lv. 66), Toolsmith (Lv. 75), Architecture (Lv. 15), Wagoner (Lv. 6), One Handed Axe (Lv. 56), Cleave (Lv. 45), Bash (Lv. 44), Fast Slash (Lv. 35), Growl (Lv. 17)
SPELLS: Rock Wall, Erosion, Arrowhead, Druid Grove, Rock Dome, Polymorph
After the celebration was over, they returned their attention to the worktable. Before pouring the epoxy, he added two coats of varnish to the oakwood. After the varnish dried, he embossed the Mythical Guild's name in gold onto the table's surface. He painstakingly forged the branding iron, and before heating it up and carefully burning the wood.
Two days later, he mixed in a little coal ash to color the solution and stirred. After stirring, the dark epoxy looked perfect. Slowly he poured the epoxy and watched it rise, filling in the gaps between the oakwood, and forming a widening black river. After the epoxy reached the top of the oakwood he stopped pouring and began touring the bubbles to help it cure.
The next day, after the epoxy hardened, he planed and buffed the epoxy until it was smooth and polished. When he finished the epoxy table looked shiny and reflective. He could see the sunshine bounce off the table. Turning the table onto its side he attached the spider table legs. Because the 15-foot table was so long, he attached the spider legs side by side.
Days turned into nights, and the workshop's lanterns cast a warm glow over his work, a testament to his unwavering desire. When the conference table was completed, he began crafting 18 chairs. The black leather chairs perfectly matched the dark conference table.
Finally, after two months of research, experimenting, and crafting the conference table and chairs were finished. Thaddeus stood back and admired the epoxy river table with the engraved name of Mythical Guild shining in gold. He had a profound sense of satisfaction; it was his testament to his love of crafting. At first, he dreaded Odin's request, but over time he grew to relish the challenge. Pushing the limits of the game he had achieved the impossible—creating epoxy and adding a new item to the Heaven's Gate's Item Registry. He felt a surge of pride that resonated deep within him.
Even better, the global advertisement was free marketing for Iron and Oak. Word of Thaddeus's achievement spread like wildfire across the virtual realm. Already Travis was inundated with calls from customers scrambling to add their names to the waitlist. Crafters marveled at his ingenuity, declaring their desire to follow in his footsteps.
Furthermore, when Travis uploaded the images of the conference table and chair images, the forum buzzed with excitement, and Iron and Oak's subforum made it into the top 10 articles.
In a moment of serendipity, ColdRose, the same guild master who had purchased the heirloom sofa, congratulated him through the forum. When the famous guild leader left a compliment, other notable guild leaders and guild crafters praised him as well. However, the happiest person was Odin.
The Mythical Guild leader was thrilled to own the table attributed to the world's first bonus. Travis, ever the shrewd businessman, knew that the furniture's rarity increased its prestige and price. Negotiations ensued, and a deal was struck that would see the epoxy river table find its rightful place among the treasures of the Mythical Guild.
The news of Odin's acquisition echoed throughout the virtual realm, cementing Thaddeus's reputation as a master crafter who defied the limits of the virtual world. Iron and Oak's success continued to soar, their name synonymous with innovation, artistry, and the pursuit of excellence.
In the following days, Thaddeus's workshop became a whirlwind of activity. He poured himself into every creation, infusing them with narratives that captured the essence of the virtual world. From a majestic oak table that embodied the strength of unity to a delicate rosewood vanity that celebrated self-expression, each piece was a masterpiece of storytelling and artistry.
However, Iron and Oak's fame brought imitators. Their attempts to replicate Thaddeus's designs paled in comparison. The virtual world recognized the difference between handcrafting with heart and crafting for profit. With the storm of competition, Iron and Oak emerged stronger.
The success of the epoxy river conference table marked a turning point for Thaddeus and Iron and Oak. As the demand for their unique and masterfully crafted pieces continued to grow, Thaddeus realized that he couldn't undertake every project alone. It was time to expand the business and pass on his knowledge to a new generation of craftsmen.
With a clear vision in mind, Thaddeus decided to accept apprentices into Iron and Oak. He believed that by sharing his skills and passion, he could inspire others to carry on the legacy of craftsmanship he had started. It was a bold step, one that would require careful planning and guidance.
Thaddeus and Sabrina set out to find talented individuals who shared their dedication to the art of crafting. They held an open call in Heaven's Gate, inviting players from all walks of life to showcase their skills and demonstrate their commitment to the craft. The response was overwhelming, with aspiring craftsmen from different corners of the virtual world eager to be a part of Iron and Oak.
After a rigorous selection process, Thaddeus handpicked a group of apprentices who showed exceptional promise and dedication. These individuals came from diverse backgrounds, each bringing their unique experiences and talents to the table. Thaddeus saw it as an opportunity not only to teach them the craft but also to learn from their perspectives and ideas.
The apprenticeship program was designed to be comprehensive and immersive. Thaddeus provided hands-on training, just as he had, guiding the apprentices through every step of the crafting process. They taught them the art of woodworking and design.
The apprenticeship program wasn't just about creating skilled craftsmen; it was about nurturing a community of like-minded individuals who shared a passion for crafting. Thaddeus organized regular workshops, where the apprentices could collaborate, share ideas, and learn from one another. It was a space where creativity thrived, and new ideas were born.
The apprentices began to take on their projects, infusing their unique styles and perspectives into their creations. Iron and Oak's workshop buzzed with activity as apprentices meticulously carved, engraved, hammered, screwed, planed, jointed, and painted.
With each passing day, Iron and Oak's influence grew stronger. The workshop became a hub of creativity, innovation, and camaraderie. Thaddeus watched with pride as his apprentices transformed from novices to skilled craftsmen, each contributing their unique touch to the world of crafting.