As the two approached, the main shop, the scent of tanned leather wafted through the air, inviting visitors into a world of craftsmanship. The sales shop's exterior was adorned with intricate leatherwork, displaying the artisan's skill in transforming raw hides into masterpieces. A wooden sign, weathered by time and carved with the image of a might wyvern, swung gently above the entrance, bearing the shop's name in elegant script.
The facade of the shop was draped with rich, earth-toned tapestries depicting scenes from the Bonechill Bog – ethereal mist swirling around ancient trees, mythical creatures blending into the landscape, and adventurers clad in finely crafted leather armor navigating the swamp's mysteries and doing battle with ferocious wyverns. The tapestries not only serve as decorations but also tell a visual tale of the craftsmanship within.
Entering Wyvern's Hide, the two were greeted by the warm embrace of well-oiled leather and the soft glow of strategically placed lanterns. The shop boasted an extensive selection of leathers, sourced from various creatures native to the Bonechill Bog. From the hide of the elusive mistwood serpent to the supple skin of the swamp deer, each leather carried its own unique texture and magical properties. An array of colors, ranging from earthy browns to mossy greens, fills the racks, inviting customers to explore the possibilities.
Looking around the two noticed leatherworking stations scattered throughout the shop, each meticulously organized with an array of tools – awls, needles, and stamps. An expert leatherworker, a very young-looking elven lady clad in a sturdy apron, was meticulously crafting a pair of gloves at one of the workstations, her hands dancing over the supple material with practiced precision.
Continuing to browse, they looked closely at the showcases lining the walls, displaying an assortment of finished leather goods – finely crafted boots adorned with elven motifs, intricately tooled belts depicting scenes of swamp enchantment, and resilient cloaks designed to repel both water and mystical influences. Each item, a testament to the artisan's skill and a nod to the mystical nature of Sungrove.
In the back of the shop a secluded corner was dedicated to enchanted leather goods. Here, the two discovered gloves imbued with the essence of moonshadow, providing the wearer with enhanced agility under the moon's glow. Cloaks lined with feathers from swamp birds offering protection against the elements while allowing the wearer to move with an almost ethereal grace. Included in the magical items were backpacks with additional space inside. Opening one of them, Von thought the two of them could climb inside with room for at least one or two more of them before they pack would be filled. Knowing the price of these was much more than they should spend, they continued their perusal of the goods and hand before finding identical gear to that which Halder sold in the supply store.
The elven leatherworker stood from her workstation and walked to the two as they gawked at the various goods. "Are you here for a commission? What did your parents order?"
Monica took the lead, "No, we need some good boots preferably waterproof and a waterproof cloak for each of us. We would also like a backpack to keep our stuff in if we can afford it." She then removed the two diamond coins and the two towers from their pocket within her dress and showed them to the elf.
"Ah, so you are rated as the top students in your particular college. We at the Wyvern's Hide will be happy to assist you. What are your colors, and let's take some measurements. Come this way." With these words, she led them to a workstation with various instruments used by a cordwainer, punches and awls were placed in specific holes, beeswax and various other instruments waiting for the creation of new shoes and boots. She sat each of them down and measured their feet before forcing them to stand and measuring the length from their shoulders to their knees. A few more measurements later, and she declared, "I am ready. What are your colors again?"
Monica looked confused, but Von stepped forward and declared, "her color is bright red representing luck, though a deeper one would be acceptable, especially in the bog. Mine is currently any of the colors associated with chronomancy. We'll leave the details up to you. We do need to know the cost as we aren't particularly rich. We need to purchase a few other supplies and clothing as well."
"I understand. I can offer the cloaks to each of you in your colors with something related to your college for twelve aviarytens a piece. The cloaks will have two inside pockets as well. If you want them to be magical pockets, adding no weight, or holding more than meets the eye, I will charge you three groveons each robe, and if you want both properties for the pockets, then four groves each. As students, an adjustable backpack, so you can use it for years to come, will cost you twelve tens again, just like the basic cloaks. They will be designed to match your cloaks. If you want them to be magical, whether lightweight, holding extra storage, or having the ability to think of the item you want and have it on top, it will cost you three groves each. Again, for more than one property it will be four and for all three, five groves each."
Pausing for a breath, she added, "If you are seeking additional clothing for travel, I recommend Moonlight weaves. While she specializes in garments from moonsilk moths, she has a wide variety of gear for those going to explore the bog at reasonable prices, especially for students since her son and daughter studied at the academy. The owner's name is Brenda and showing her either of the two coins will get you a deal. Both will make her prices melt for you."
Monica beathed in as though she were going to speak, but the elf before her had not yet stopped. "If you are looking for day-to-day wear, may I recommend Katie at the Greenleaf Tailor's. She has clothing from bland to glorious in her shop and everything between. She, like I, attended the academy although, she specialized in transmutation magic and chloromancy, the magic of plants, whereas I specialized in choromancy and xylomancy with a fair amount of transmutation magic as well." Remembering they hadn't told her exactly what they wanted she then asked, "What did you decide up for the cloak and backpack?"
Monica and Von passed a glance before bringing out a circle. "Can we get..."
The elf remembered something else, "Oh, the boots! Speaking of Brenda, would you like the moonshadow boots? We infuse the leather with moonsilk from the same moths she uses making them lighter and sturdier. They cost a little more at four groves each, but they weigh almost nothing and are enchanted never to get stuck in mud while repelling water away from your lower legs and feet. This will keep your feel dry as you travel and not weigh you down. They feel like you are walking on soft meadow grass no matter the terrain and are sturdy in difficult terrain."
Still not out of breath, she kept talking, "We can also make out signature mistwalker cloak in the color of your choice for circle each. These cloaks have four inside pockets which hold four times what they would appear which add no weight or bulk to the cloak even if you fill the pockets with gold, but the favorite part is it is not just waterproof, but blends with the mists of the bog and draws magic from the bog to help hide you from predators while those you allow can see you clearly. It works for a period outside the bog as well as long as its foggy or misty, but only for a couple of days before it must recharge in the Bonechill Bog. Did I tell you they would be expensive costing even the two of you one circle each?"
Von nodded at Monica who drew several coins from her pocket. "I think we've dec...."
"I did mention, no matter what you choose, we will be happy to personalize them as well. We believe what you buy here at the Wyvern's Hide isn't just boots, a cloak, or a backpack, but a custom work of art. We don't just sell form and function, but something you will cherish."
This time, as the elven woman paused, Monica loudly and as quickly as she could before the woman could speak again, "After hearing all the wonderful stuff you can do for us, we decided to get two of the mistwalker cloaks, two of the moonshadow boots, and two of the best backpacks with all the specials. Based on your wonderful craftsmanship, we decided that only the best of the items you offered will do."
Chiming in while Mon recovered her breath, Von added, "Yes. you have convinced us that since we are purchasing works of art and since you have been so helpful letting us know who we should see for clothing, we would like these amazing items we purchase from you to be the very best." Slowing down since the elf was once again listening, Von spoke on, "however, we do need to know how long it will take to complete these are we aren't going to be in town for too much longer, maybe a week or so at the most."
"Ah, well, we have several masters working on things right now, but I believe we can have all six items completed within a week. Nearly everyone here except the panther are very capable transformation and transmutation students several with specific magics related to shaping and melding the leather with the silk. I am just beginning to learn this, but we can normally create one of the best packs every four hours, the magics will take several more, but the beast hearts we use are infused into the stacks of leather as a group, so very it makes them easier to use for the first few days. After that, they have already enveloped their properties and are set. On the good side, one heart can enchant as many as 40 hides for the minor magics or 20 hides can be imbued with the more significant magics for the cost of only one heart."
She drew a breath before continuing, "Since we have a quite a number of students bringing in the hearts from bog creatures in exchange for goods, we don't have to buy them which allows us to create the items with minimum expense as we have a large number of hearts on hand at any given time. So many, we are able to sell them at a huge profit to others who desire them outside of town. As top students with the academy who have been gifted with diamapenths, you can purchase the good cheaper than anyone except one of us. What would cost outsiders several dozen groves will cost you less than four circles."
"Thank you," the two said together. Von continued speaking, "Speaking of the college, the sun has risen, and we must get there quickly. Which way is the quickest way to the academy from here, or back to the huge fountain near Oren's shop?"