Chapter 36: Iron and Oak 2

With the contract signed, Iron and Oak were officially in business. While Thaddeus continued to craft, Travis officially registered the company, had its website designed, and contacted various traders he knew.

Traders were an affable and cutthroat bunch. They were great conversationalists and made fast friends. They would also sell their grandmothers if the price was right.

Travis was a well-known and respected Mythical Guild member. His outgoing personality and popularity was the reason he had his pick of trading post destinations. Managing Woodhaerst's was not only lucrative, but he was also able to expand this list of clients. Ironwood's mana stones, gems, and ore were shipped to several guilds daily. This meant Travis had a working business relationship with the main traders of several important guilds.

After the business was registered, Travis skillfully sent pictures and descriptions of the heirloom sofa to his contacts. Like a fisherman dangling bait, knowing the traders would pass the pictures on to their vice guild master, or guild masters if he was lucky.

Travis knew the best publicity was through word of mouth. As word spread among the traders about the handcrafted leather heirloom sofa. Travis's carefully curated network of contacts worked like a well-oiled machine. Messages flew through virtual channels, guild forums, and private chats. The images of the beautifully crafted sofa, adorned with intricate carvings and plush cushions, circulated among the traders like treasured secrets. To his astonishment, he didn't have to wait long for a fish to bite.

Travis knew that his peers were as equally well-connected. They held influence over the respective guilds, and as the news of the heirloom sofa reached the ears of vice guild masters and guild masters, excitement grew.

Meanwhile, in Woodhaerst and Ironwood, Thaddeus sat at his workbench thinking. The workshop was filled with the scent of wood, leather, and the sound of tools. Thaddeus concluded that he did not care whether Travis sold any of his crafts, he just enjoyed crafting, and happy customers were a bonus. With that thought in mind, he began crafting again.

He carved tables from rich mahogany, their surfaces gleamed with a finish that reflected the soft glow of the workshop's lanterns. The legs were ornate, adorned with intricate patterns that spoke of Woodhaerst's natural beauty.

He crafted cushioned chairs with the finest leather, hand-stitched and treated with oils that brought out a deep, vibrant hue, they were a marriage of comfort and elegance. Sitting upon them was an embrace, a connection to the craftsmanship that had brought them to life.

He created stately rosewood desks with gold handles. The drawers slid open with a satisfying smoothness, revealing compartments designed with an artisan's touch.

He constructed rustic leather and suede sofas and chairs with robust solid wood frames. The leather was tanned with care and supple to the touch, rich in color, a texture that invited relaxation. The suede accents added a soft contrast, a tactile pleasure that enhanced the experience.

Finally, he completed a cherrywood canopy bed with matching nightstands that was the crown of his collection. The majestic headboards and ornately decorated canopy were masterpieces and earned him his third heirloom notice.

Thaddeus moved among his creations, a contented smile on his face. He had poured his heart and soul into every piece. They reflected his journey, from homesteader to Petty Lord, to Baron, and they were beautiful,

Back in Trading Post, Travis received the first inquiries about the heirloom sofa. Guild representatives expressed their interest, seeking to negotiate the terms of the acquisition. Travis responded with careful consideration; his words were as finely crafted as the furniture he was selling. He maintained an air of professionalism while nurturing the personal connections he had forged with these traders.

As negotiations unfolded, the demand for the heirloom sofa became evident. Tension grew palpable among the guild representatives. Guilds competed to secure the prestigious piece for their headquarters, each vying to outdo the other.

Travis skillfully played the traders against one another, leveraging their rivalries to drive up the price. He played his role with finesse, skillfully navigating the delicate dance of offers and counteroffers. His words were like carefully chosen chess moves, positioning him as the master strategist of the virtual trading world.

Guild representatives sent messages laden with promises of future favors, exclusive deals, and rare resources in exchange for securing the heirloom sofa. Travis capitalized on their eagerness, using his reputation and relationships to his advantage. He artfully leveraged their rivalries, each party believing they were closer to sealing the deal than the others.

Word spread quickly, reaching the ears of ColdRose, a top player and the esteemed guild master of an all-female guild known for its dominance and style. Intrigued by the whispers of an extraordinary piece of furniture, she sought out Travis to see the heirloom sofa for herself.

Upon laying eyes on it, ColdRose was captivated. The sofa was not only breathtaking in its artistry but resonated with power and prestige. She could see how it would be the perfect centerpiece for her guild's headquarters.

After days of back-and-forth, an agreement was reached with ColdRose, the Jade Mountains guild master. Jade Mountain was a female-only guild in the Akkadian Empire that sat upon the rankings with Mythical Guild. It was rumored Odin pursued ColdRose and a merger with the Jade Mountain Guild.

The guilder leader agreed to a substantial sum, more than Travis could've dreamed. Moreover, ColdRose was a trendsetter, everything she did was monitored closely in the forum. Her purchasing the sofa, was the best publicity Travis could've wanted.

"I want to meet the crafter," ColdRose demanded.

"Yes, guild master," Travis said respectfully.

No doubt, Odin was already aware of her purchase and their conversation. Just talking to ColdRose would illicit a call from the guild master.

Travis quickly added Thaddeus adding him to the call.

"Are you the crafter? If so, what is your name and class," she asked in a delicate voice.

"My name is Thaddeus, and my class is artisan."

"Oh, I see you have a rare class. I was weary of purchasing this sofa at first, I didn't believe anyone could make custom furniture in-game. I must say I am pleasantly surprised; your sofa is better than expected. I know this is a bit rude, but can you tell me about how it was made?"

Travis at once held his breath, as a crafter how something was made, was like asking an alchemist for the recipes.

However, Thaddeus didn't care. Crafting was more artistry than mechanics. He described using superior-quality lumber and the process to make the sofa.

"I can tell you put a lot of enough into his piece. Might I ask you if this sofa belongs to a collection?"

"Yes," Travis said jumping in and cutting off Thaddeus. "The collection comes with two wingback chairs and a storage ottoman. Unfortunately, you'll need to pay for them separately," said Travis sensing an opportunity, relayed Thaddeus's idea of creating two matching wingback chairs and a storage ottoman to complete the ensemble.

"Merchants, you're all the same. I'll purchase the entire collection. It was a pleasure meeting you artisan," she said before ending the call.

The deal was struck, and ColdRose took possession of the sofa. The news of the successful deal spread like wildfire through the virtual realm of Heaven's Gate. Iron and Oak became a symbol of status, a coveted treasure of the elites. Heirlooms were rare artifacts and a crafter who made three artifacts was rarer.

While Travis celebrated the financial windfall, Thaddeus continued to craft in his woodshop. The successful sofa sale didn't concern him. Sure, the money was great, but he already had money. What made him happy was that the sofa had a good home. Concentrating again, he sketched the design for the matching wingback chairs and storage ottoman.

The success of Iron and Oak was a blessing, but with it came new challenges. In no time at all, Thaddeus was inundated with orders. The waitlist stretched out for months. More troubling, was the level of requests. Some were specific, others complex, and a few were vague. The thing the request had in common, was that they wanted an heirloom.

Thaddeus and Travis did their best to help their clients understand, not every piece would be an heirloom. Heirlooms were rare for a reason. Despite the disclaimer, customers demanded to join the waitlist.

Thaddeus crafted, while Travis's navigated the influx of orders. Travis managed communication with clients, skillfully negotiating terms, prices, and delivery schedules. The orders were specific and intricate, each piece tailored to the client's desires and preferences.

Week by week, the orders were completed and delivered to their proud owners. Each piece found its place in grand guild halls, opulent mansions, and prestigious estates. Thaddeus's furniture became the hallmark of luxury and style, an embodiment of the virtual world's elite aspirations.

Yet, even amid their success, two challenges emerged. First, the success of Iron and Oak also attracted attention from rival player crafters. Competing businesses emerged, with similar names, seeking to replicate Iron and Oak's rise. However, they soon learned to crafting heirlooms was not simple.

The second challenge came from Odin. After purchasing her sofa, ColdRose investigated Travis and Thaddeus. When he learned that both men had a relationship with Mythical, she called Odin. Hearing her praise Thaddeus, irked him.

Using his power as guild leader, he forced Travis to move his name to the top of the list. Yet, when Thaddeus saw his request, he flinched. Odin wanted a large epoxy river conference table, with the guild's name embossed on the table. However, epoxy, a material that existed in the real world, did not exist in Heaven's Gate.

Thaddeus found himself at a crossroads, his mastery of in-game crafting techniques was suddenly challenged by a concept that went beyond the game's limitations. His mind whirred as he considered how to create an illusion of epoxy and resin in a world devoid of these materials. The notion of crafting an intricate, translucent river within the confines of the virtual realm was a puzzle that demanded a creative solution.

He pondered various approaches. Could he mimic the appearance of epoxy using a combination of available virtual materials? Was there a way to achieve the illusion of a gleaming resin river without having the actual substance at his disposal? Thaddeus's mind raced, fueled by the thrill of an artistic challenge that stretched the boundaries of his craftsmanship.

Thaddeus set to work, experimenting with different combinations of virtual materials. He explored the potential of combining tree resin with gems to create the illusion of the river's depth and shimmer.

Unfortunately, news leaked of Odin's ambitious commission. On the forum players from across the realm followed the progress closely, intrigued by the notion of an Epoxy River Table crafted within the virtual world. Players who admired him believed he could come up with a possibility. Others disparaged him, by sawing a 'real' could easily work out a solution.

Thaddeus found himself facing an unprecedented challenge, one that tested the limits of his creativity and skill. His mastery of in-game crafting techniques was confronted by a concept that exceeded the game's confines. How could he create the illusion of epoxy and resin when these materials didn't exist in the virtual world? The idea of crafting a translucent river within the game's constraints was a puzzle that demanded a novel solution.

With the forum buzzing about Odin's ambitious commission and players taking sides, Iron and Oak faced their first significant obstacle. Thaddeus's mind raced as he contemplated the challenge before him, drawing upon his artistry and innovation to find a way to fulfill Odin's unique request.