Quoted By:
“What words have escaped the barrier of your teeth, Nikandros of Thessaly? So laden with pride, they can hardly pass through the air before reaching my ears. Do you know that every week, I am approached by some young fool, claiming that he will remake Hellas in his image? I care not what kings consider you guest-friend. I have no opinion on such things and will never care to develop one.”
His rejection of your words is strangely intense, unreadable. You realize that you have misjudged this commoner – he is a man of phenomenal willpower. Your words have done nothing to sway him – but there is some other matter on his mind. His face is drawn tightly – a man consumed by loathing, but not directed at you.
“I care only for this – that you found Achilles in hiding on Skyros. Was he truly wearing the skin of a woman, cloaked by his mother’s magics, when you found him?” The master asks you sharply.
“He was,” you confirm. He breathes deeply.
“Then perhaps you are the right man for the job. My name is Polypias. I had an apprentice once; a brilliant young man named Auletes. He and I developed a method by which --- it matters not. What matters is this – only he and I knew the secret, and as I am without a son, this smithy was his to inherit. And then he fled to Ilion four months ago, turning his back on me.” Polypias’ face is a rictus, a deathmask – his shoulders frozen in agony. You amend your opinion of him – he may very well be insane.
Polypias looks you in the eye and continues –
“I will fasten the beak to your spear, and mold the talons into your knife – but you must swear the strong oath to kill Auletes with these weapons and none other.” You dare a glance at Castor and Teukros – as one, they shrug subtly, as if to say <span class="mu-i">what harm is there in the murder of a single bronzesmith?</span>.
You find yourself agreeing to his demand, strange as it is. You’ve killed well over fifty men in your manhood, and no doubt will send many more shades to the underworld – what difference could it make?
Polypias insists that you stay to witness the creation of your weapons, and you feel that you have no choice but to oblige – although to your dismay, you learn that this process will take most of the day. Teukros decides to accompany Castor, who is hunting after reagents for his pharmakis’ chest. The process is slow – the repetitive and laborious heating of the beak and talons, and the slow moulding of them into the correct shapes. After many hours, Polypias finally declares the weapons ready:
>Nikandros’ Royal Spear becomes the “Lebinthian Spear”. Damage = 1d5->1d6, moderately increased durability! Additionally, this weapon’s heavy spearpoint is unusually effective against armored foes! -1 to enemy armor bonii.
>Nikandros gains the “Lebinthian Knife”. This durable dagger provides a cutting edge that Nikandros could use, should he be disarmed in combat. 1d3 damage, -1 to enemy armor bonii.
