The Beach

You walk a out of the church and note that Berda Trading Post is little more than a small frontier village. There can't be more than a dozen thatched roofs. You notice a small dock and make your way south until you come to a small sheltered cove. It is covered with broken wood and other detritus which were obviously once part of the Dreadship. You are not the only one there. Several others are rifling through the wreckage looking for valuables to salvage.

What do you do?

A heavily muscled Dwarf gives you a long look. You must be one of them Sea Striders. Washed t'up on the beach here yesterday. My name's Haedrid Rocksmiter and I'm the village blacksmith. An axe you say? I'm afraid that'd be sittin' at the bottom of the ocean. Tell you what. You look like a big, strong lad. You help me and the lads clear up this beach and I'll make you an axe. Deal?

Hand axe. Battle axe. Great axe. Whatever you like. Do we have a deal?

Excellent. Now put me down ya big softie . He says and you get to work. You spend the greater part of the day helping the townsfolk to collect and sort the salvage and then carry it into town. The other townsfolk give you a wide berth at first as your size and appearance can be intimidating but as you work together they warm to your presence and you even share a few crude jokes as you work. At about 5pm Haedrid claps you on the back and says Well done. Now a deal's a deal so follow me. He takes you to his smithy, cooks you some dinner and then shows you around his work space. As he begins to fire it up he says This will take me a few hours. Would you like to watch or come back later?

Haedrid fires up the forge and goes about explaining the various tools and equipment as he uses them. You watch fascinated as he turns a heavy steel ingot into a mighty greataxe head. The process takes about five hours. When he is done, he walks over to a pile of black staves and selects one. He tests the strength of the wood before he gets to work carving a placing to hold the axe head.
This is treated Berda wood. he explains. This is what our town is named after. It is very strong. Once he has finished it is late in the evening. He hands you your new great axe. It is a lethal looking weapon but to you it is a thing of beauty. You give it a few practice swings.
Now how about we head to the tavern for a few drinks eh?

Taking a break from working to clear and sort the wreckage from the beach, Harbek walks over to a bucket of water and takes a large drink using a ladle that is hanging from the side, before walking over to Haedrid.

Oy Haedrid. How you be doin' on the replacement ax for me mate? If'n there be anythin' I can be doin' to help, just you be lettin' me know.

Ah, Don' worry abou t'it. I'll get ta work on it after we're done 'ere. How abou' yaself? It's mighty fine of ya to help out ya friend e're but is there anything I can do for ya too?

Looking over at Haedrid with a grin on his face, Harbek waves his offer away.

Nay, I be fine. I did leave me warhammer on the ship when we went after them pirates, but am sure I'll be gettin' it back before too much longer. Anything else I be needing, Pelor will provide me. And if'n he don't provide it I probably don't be needin' it as bad as me thinks."

Taking another drink, Harbek starts to turn back towards the work needing to be done.

Once we be done here, I'll probably be needin' to figure out where our ship be docked I suppose. Until then, we got work to be doin'.

I admire ya faith and conviction friend. But tell me this. How do ya know that Pelor hasn't sent ya to me so I can help ya get back on ya feet?

Warhammer ya say? How about a battle axe? A customer comissioned a new axe and shield then he went huntin'. Never came back. I could let ya have em if ya like?

Raising an eyebrow as the other dwarf mentions the battle axe, Harbek turns back around to look in his direction.

"An Axe ya say? Been a while since I swung me an axe, but I be pretty sure I can get the swing of it quickly"

Pausing to giggle at his unintended play on words.

"If'n you has one I can use I would be most grateful to ya. At some point I will be needin' to track down me stuff. I got a shield that was left on the shield that be meanin' a lot to me. Can't be lettin' it get lost, but havin' somethin' with me to offer a bit o' protection would be the smart thing to be doin.

What'd it look like this shied of yours? What clan are ya from friend?