Rivyn paced the length of his workshop, his mind racing with ideas and frustrations. The vendor's words still echoed in his ears: "People don't expect accessories from a blacksmith." That phrase haunted him since he returned from the market. He toiled through the construction of his first enchanted ring, but the skepticism of those to whom he attempted to sell it was disheartening.
He looked over at the ring that sat on his workbench. The moonstone glowed softly in the dim light, reminding him of the magic that lay within. It was good work-delicate, finely crafted-but it didn't matter if no one was going to give him a chance. His reputation as a blacksmith was working against him. People expected swords and armor, not rings or amulets. And without customers, he couldn't complete the Main Quest the System had laid out for him.
His fingers itched to get back to work, hammer out more rings, perfect his craft. Yet, deep inside, he knew making more accessories was not the solution to the problem; he needed people to see his work, to trust that a blacksmith could make something so fine as an enchanted accessory.
Rivyn came to a pause in front of his shop, staring out the narrow window that did look out onto the street.
The streets of Velira were never empty, adventurers and traders and townsfolk about their business. Few, however, ever stopped to peer into his shop. All that could be seen from the street was the heavy forge and ranks of blank armor. No one would think he might be working on anything other than weapons. That was the problem.
He could almost feel the idea forming in his mind, a simple solution that might change people's perception of his shop. If people aren't expecting him to make accessories, well then, he'd just have to show them. Have to display his work in a way that no one could choose to ignore. The next morning, Rivyn stood in the doorway of his shop, looking up at the small sign above the door. It was old and weathered, the paint peeling, the letters barely legible. It read, simply: Rivyn's Forge. That wouldn't do. It was time for a change.
After that, he started freeing up his workshop's front area in the hours that followed, to accommodate the new display.
He swept and cleaned the floor, cleaned the windows, then readjusted the shelves so that they no longer obscured the outside view. Next, he carefully selected a few of the already-made accessories: the enchanted moonstone ring, the simple silver amulet, and a few unfinished pieces laid them out nicely on a small table near the window, positioning the items so any passerby could clearly view them.
But that was not enough. Rivyn knew he just could not stop at showing off his accessories. He needed to show people what they were and why people should buy them. Taking a piece of parchment and some ink, he meticulously wrote out a few descriptions of the items on display:
Moonstone Ring: This is enchanted with a minor mana boost, perfect for mages in need of supplementing their magical reserves.
Silver Amulet: Increases magical defense a smidgen. Suitable for adventurers that are up against spellcasters.
He pinned the descriptions next to the items, making sure they were visible from the street. It wasn't much, but it was a start. Now, anyone who happened to be passing by his shop would know that Rivyn isn't just a blacksmith but a craftsman of magical accessories.
Rivyn stepped back and viewed his work. It was small, but it would be enough to catch any curious eye; he hoped enough to alter the way people were looking at his shop.
The day wore on, and Rivyn stayed near the workshop, keeping a sidelong eye on the street. For the most part, nothing happened. The same stream of adventurers, traders, and townsfolk as always, glancing his way not once. Rivyn began to grow frustrated; maybe this just wasn't going to work at all. Maybe it was too soon. Maybe people wouldn't trust him no matter what he did.
Then, early in the afternoon, something changed. A group of young adventurers-most likely D-rank-stopped in front of his shop. They were laughing and talking, clearly on their way to the market, but one caught something that made him stop and point toward the window. Rivyn watched as they crowded around, peering at the accessories on display.
"Hey, look at this," one of them said, peering at the moonstone ring. "A mana-boosting ring? From a blacksmith?"
His companion snorted. "What would a blacksmith know about accessories? It's probably junk."
But the first adventurer didn't move on. He leaned closer to the window, reading the description. "I don't know. It looks pretty solid to me. And if it really boosts mana, it could come in handy. We've been looking for something like that, right?"
Rivyn's heart pounded in his chest as he stepped out from the back of the shop, trying to seem casual. "You're welcome to come in and take a closer look."
The adventurers turned to face him, some still skeptical, but the one who had shown interest in the ring nodded. "Alright. Let's see what you've got."
Rivyn set the moonstone ring down on the counter for them to see. The adventurer picked up the ring, turning it over in his hands, obviously impressed with the craftsmanship. The rest watched closely, awaiting their friend's verdict.
"It's well made," the adventurer said finally, slipping the ring onto his finger. A faint glow pulsed from the moonstone as it responded to his mana. He smiled. "Feels like the enchantment's real too."
Rivyn's face brightened with relief. "It is a simple enchantment, but it is trustworthy. It should give you a small boost in mana reserves during combat."
The adventurer looked at him, obviously considering buying the item. "How much?"
"Thirty silver," replied Rivyn, hoping it was a good price.
The adventurer equivocated for a moment, then nodded. "Deal."
As Rivyn exchanged the ring for the coins, he couldn't shake the minor feeling of triumph in his chest. It was a minor sale, but it was his first true step into the world of crafting accessories. More importantly, to at least one customer he proved that a blacksmith could make quality magical items.
Over the next few days, more and more people started to stop by his shop.
Some were merely curious, others browsed through, and at least some bought something. Rivyn's collection of accessories was working. The adventurers and mages-especially the more lowly-ranked-were attracted to his crafted, enchanted items. The skepticism still lingered, but the more people saw his work, the more willing they were to give him a chance.
Every sale was like a new vote of confidence. Rivyn started to branch out in what he had on offer, trying various enchantments and designs. Rings that would work minor healing, amulets of augmentation for physical strength, charms to give a boost to stamina-he crafted them all. He set each new creation in the window and labeled them neatly, detailing their effects and prices. It was slow at first, naturally, but soon his reputation began to grow: the adventurers who bought from him told others about the blacksmith that did magical accessories, and it wasn't long before Rivyn found himself taking on small commissions for custom pieces. One night, while working on a new ring at his workbench, the one by now very familiar chime of the System sounded inside Rivyn's head.
[Quest Progress: Make and Sell Accessories – 3/20]
A smile tugged at Rivyn's lips; still a long way to go, but he was on the right track. His plan was working, and his reputation grew little by little. The overwhelming challenge of the system wasn't quite that anymore, and for the first time since coming to Velira, Rivyn felt like he was truly making progress. He gazed out the window, his attention remaining on the few passersby who looked at what was in the window display before continuing on into the evening. His accessories were starting to speak for themselves, and that was all the proof he needed. Rivyn turned back to his workbench, his hands steady and his mind focused. There was still much to do, but now he knew: he could do it.