The Essential Tools

Harrumph.

What's up, Samora? If you're feeling worn out we can stop by Ratle for a breather.

Hah! Do I look like a bumbling geriatric to you, boy? Not yet, I don't! I was merely recalling that Ratle is home to an excellent blacksmith to whom I need to pay a visit soon.

Oh. You need something repaired?

Yes, although not a weapon but one of my hollow wares.

Is that a type of cooking utensil?

Correct. My favorite pot is currently out of order due to a large hole in the middle.

Let's go to Ratle and get it fixed then.

Ho, Samora!

Well met, friend. It has been some time.

This must be the hundredth time you've managed to shatter that knife of yours.

I have NOT broken it that often!

Heavens, it wasn't long ago that you snapped the thing clean in half prepping a damn golem.

Well, I wanted to try something fresh. But it was too hard to eat. Literally. Nothing to savor but rocks!

Well, what did you expect!

I thought to see for myself whether or not any part of it was edible. And now I know. Anyway, this time it's my pot. Here.

What in the blazes is this?! What sort of recipe blows a hole this big through solid metal?

Stew à la Elder Dragon Fire Sack for that extra kick to the senses. A theoretically ingenious Nouvelle Cuisine plate. But as soon as you light the thing, BOOM! It explodes.

And all my precious, delicious stew, evaporated, just like that...! *sob*

(...Well, what did you expect!)

All right, I'll fix it. But it'll take some really good quality material to patch up a hole this big. You should be able to find some somewhere 'round the Vasu Mountains.

Uh... I'm guessing that'd be Iron Ore, right? That's fine, but I'm not exactly an expert in appreciating mineral quality...

Harrumph! Leave that to me. Any Dwarf worth their salt has an eye for ore.

Okay then, will do. Let's get going to the Vasu Mountains.

Oho! This will do nicely.

Woah! Good eye, Samora! You spotted that in an instant.

An easy task for a Dwarf. A dwarf with an eye for, say, ingredients is far less common.

Interesting, I never knew that. All right, we should hurry and get this ore back to the blacksmith's.

Indeed. It's been far too long since I whipped up a good stew.

Look at that, a prime hunk of Iron Ore! Sure you want to waste it on a pot of all things?

Yes. Now get on with it, if you will. All this running around has left me famished.

About that... When I went to my workshop earlier I found that my fuel's gone and run off on me.

How does something like that even happen?

Well, the fuel itself is actually monsters.

Then you'll have to get yourself some more of this "fuel," eh?

About that, too... I was hoping you'd go get it for me.

Why, you miserable excuse for a blacksmith! Are you the customer here or am I?!

No need to get so worked up, Samora. We just have to catch these "fuel" monsters, right?

Confound it! All I wanted was to make something good to eat!

That's why we need that fuel. It's easily found in Nadara Volcano.

Did I hear that correctly? You mean to send us off on yet another troublesome errand?

Please and thank you. Look, I'll even give you a discount for the trouble.

Harrumph! We are left with no choice. To the Nadara Volcano, Aldo! Posthaste!

Oho, there we are!

A giant source like this is just what we need! Now, first thing's first: We teach it some manners and pin it down!

All right, gotcha. But don't push yourself too hard, okay?

Damn it, boy! I keep telling you, I'm not THAT old yet!

Excellent!

What now? Do we just drag it back to the blacksmith's?

No, it is far too large to be used as fuel as it is. We'll need to be smart about this.

Cover me!

Whoa! It split into a ton of little ones!

Now, Aldo, seize them! But be gentle about it!

Right, gently now...

Ouch, that burns!

What part of "gently" don't you understand?!

There's nothing for it now. Grab 'em!

O-Okay!

Ow! OWWW!

For goodness' sake, pull yourself together, boy!

Phew. I believe we caught them all. Somehow.

How come you didn't seem to be bothered by the heat?

I'm a chef. I am used to handling scorching hot items without injury.

Oh. Your beard's looking kinda singed, though.

Don't worry, it'll grow back before long. Now, let's get this "fuel" back to Ratle as soon as we can.

There, take your blasted "fuel"!

My! That's a real decent amount there. I won't have to worry about restocking for a while.

Hah! Really makes the score I had the last guys bring back before ago look like nothing! Anyway, without further ado, let's get this hole plugged.

Here you are, Samora! Satisfied?

Harrumph! Immensely! It looks good as new.

All thanks to you two getting that Good Quality Iron Ore and lots of fuel.

Just make sure you keep a closer eye on your fuel stores next time.

Oh yeah, a real close eye.

We finally got your pot fixed. Good for you, Samora.

Good for you too, Aldo.

Huh? Why's that?

With my pot repaired, you'll be able to have my delicious stew anytime you like.

Oh yeah, that's right. You're always making sure everyone gets a good meal even when we're sleeping rough.

Now then, as my trusty pot is back in commission, it's time to go foraging for ingredients!

I'll perfect my Elder Dragon Fire Sack Stew this time, if it's the last thing I do!

...Please don't blow it up again.