[Video] UN: alistair

[nobroth]

So, hello. My name's Alistair. And I need to talk about a little thing? Nothing bad. Just. Kind of a 'this is happening' notice and a question.

First of all.

[The picture shows Alistair's face from mostly underneath with a vaguely rocking motion, his breath fogging every exhale - he's outside, and it's blasted cold.]

I'd like to thank Foggy for teaching me more about how to use this thing. It's a little easier with my little fingers, so thank you.

Second of all--

[The picture shifts, swinging around to show a pile of limbs to one side, and a few logs to the other side, bark partially removed.]

I've been working on starting some kind of lumber production up. Because with one house burnt down and I've heard about a barn, well, building a log barn is possible, but heavy, and a little stupid for a building as large as a barn. And I happened to spend some time with a logging group in the Free Marches, so I know what I'm doing. If you're out in the woods and you see a tree with a ring of bark cut away from it, it's not something creepy. It's me, marking which trees are suitable for harvest. They're either dying, in a crowded area, or are big enough to be a threat if they fall. Some of them are healthy, but for the projects I've heard of, we need some big trees for beams. Anyway.

[He points to each pile in turn as he talks about them.]

These branches here are too small to use for much. If you have a project that needs smaller pieces of wood, these are ready for some kind of something. The smaller limbs are probably best for kindling or whittling. The larger ones might be able to be turned into small plank lumber.

These logs over here, though, are going to become real lumber, but here's the hitch. I've been trying to get the bark off these things with this.

[He hefts an axe up into frame alongside his face.]

And it's been damned hard. I've heard there are some people around here with a forge, and I would've found it by now, but I've been uh.

....Dealing. With some things.

So I've not looked around much.

What this comes down to is - forge people. I have no idea who you are, but I'll trade lumber for supplies to make lumber. Let's talk? My first projects are the ones that'll make all this easier. After that, full production with anyone who's willing to listen to my instructions as they're learning, because I'm not stupid enough to think I can do this by myself forever.

But right now, it's damned cold, and my fingers are starting to do that burny-achy thing so I'm going back in a house. Andraste's armpit, where did my gloves go-- Oh right--

[And that's where the video ends.]

Comments

[nobroth]

Strangely enough, this isn't the first time someone's offered to steal for me. ...No, don't steal. Just.

Andraste's flaming knickerweasels, I don't know.

[skyward_eyes]

I didn't say steal. The guy gives it away for free.

So just... bypass the middle man.

Also that sounds like a creative curse. Love it.

[nobroth]

I don't know what kind of world I live in where we swear by our prophet's ... bits. But. I'll take a piece of paper, I guess. Then I can draw what I need to show you and show the forge people.

...That's so strange to say. Forge people. As if they're another race.

[skyward_eyes]

One of my brothers is a ‘forge people’. Trust me, it IS another race.

[He seems so pleased to say it too.]

I’ll bring you some paper. Glad to. Should be fun getting it.

What sort of prophet?

[nobroth]

[There was no audible blinking, thank the Maker, but there was a bit of confusion before he answered.]

Religious prophet? Is there another kind?

[skyward_eyes]

Literally any other kind? Like, why would religion need prophets?

[nobroth]

To spread the word? To tell the truth? The Maker had turned his back on us. Andraste convinced him to give us a chance.

[skyward_eyes]

Yeah. My world killed our creator for eating babies.

[nobroth]

...You know, I think I'd kill a creator for that, too. That's.

............Ew.

[skyward_eyes]

Yeah. Pretty bad. I mean, he MADE us because he wanted to carve down a mountain that was blocking his view but he was tired. So... I mean, I don't know what to say about it.

[nobroth]

Well. At least we know why our Maker turned away from us. There were some mages who killed a lot of people and used their blood to break into the Fade, where magic is from, and walked through it until they reached the Golden City, intending to steal the Maker's power. When they stepped into the city, their corruption turned it black, and the Maker turned his back on us.

[skyward_eyes]

Oh, ours turned away from us because we didn't really take well to baby eating. So, you know, explanations there. But I guess the way your story goes I could understand that too.

I just don't get religion though. Sorry. We don't worship our creator.

[nobroth]

Eh...

I know he exists, but after being given to the monastery? I'm not much on worshipping, either. I just...

Honestly, I just swear by his balls a lot.

[skyward_eyes]

Would a being like that even have that sort of anatomy? And it doesn't smite you do doing that?

[nobroth]

Not yet, anyway. Of course, I also swear by his mortal prophet's flaming knickerweasels. That one will probably get me in more trouble when I finally do die.

[skyward_eyes]

Yeah, you did do that. Hope the punishment isn't that bad.

[nobroth]

It's worse when you realise she was burned at the stake.

[skyward_eyes]

Hyne. That's pretty bad.

[nobroth]

If you're interested, I'll tell you the whole story sometime. But it basically comes down to her being a martyr, and everybody swears by... well, hers and the Maker's bits.

[skyward_eyes]

Yeah. Tell me about it sometime. I'm getting some enjoyment out of reading about other worlds.