Xavier and Ella were surprised at the efficiency after the sweat lodge meeting with the Elders. The guards, as if anticipating their departure, had the baskets of their gear waiting for them just outside of the doors. As a result, they were quickly dressed and reequipped with their gear and soon ready to depart. Speaking softly to one and other while they dressed, they decided to make a quick stop in the marketplace before heading out as neither had been able to visit it and they did not know when they would next be back. The left out that part of their reasoning was also to allow Lianna time to do what she needed to prior to their meeting her at the southern exit of the city.
The market was only a short walk from where they had met with the elders of the city and soon the duo was surrounded by the calls and rejoins of vendors and their customers. As Xavier had previously noticed the majority of the vendors were either Vulpiri or Felvari. The fox and feline, respectively, Animari seemed inclined to mercantile endeavors, and it brought a smile to Xavier’s lips as he inwardly thought, “Khajit has wares if you have coin.” Ella noticed the growing smile and raised an eyebrow but didn’t press him on the matter at the moment. Instead, she pointed out several well-crafted pieces of leather armor that seemed close to his size and would be good replacements for the articles he currently wore who were starting to show their abuse. They moved over to the Felvari vendors stall, the merchant seemed to be a general merchant, and her stall held a variety of items. Xavier looked at several different things before he finally inspected the pieces. Luckily none of them appeared to be enchanted and as he picked up each one he got a prompt detailing it.
You have discovered: Direwolf Hide Chestguard
Item Class: Rare
Item Quality: Superb
Weight: 4.5 kg
Durability: 100/100
Description: A rugged yet flexible chestguard crafted from the thick hide of a direwolf, dyed dark gray to retain a natural, stealthy appearance. The reinforced layering enhances durability while keeping the wearer agile.
Traits: - Wolf’s Resilience: Provides moderate resistance to slashing and piercing attacks due to the thick hide.
- Stealthwoven: The treated leather minimizes noise when moving, making it ideal for hunters and scouts.
You have discovered: Direwolf Hide Leg Guards
Item Class: Rare
Item Quality: Superb
Weight: 3.2 kg
Durability: 100/100
Description: A set of reinforced leather leg guards offering both protection and freedom of movement. The flexible knee joints allow for fluid motion, while the thick hide shields against minor impacts and environmental hazards.
Traits: - Enhanced Mobility: Designed to provide agility without restricting movement.
- Cold Resistant: Retains natural insulation, protecting the wearer from cold environments.
You have discovered: Direwolf Hide Gloves
Item Class: Rare
Item Quality: Superb
Weight: 0.9 kg
Durability: 100/100
Description: A pair of fitted gloves made from supple direwolf leather, ensuring a firm grip on weapons and tools. The fingers are reinforced with extra padding for hand protection without compromising dexterity.
Traits: - Hunter’s Grip: Increases grip strength, making it easier to handle weapons in wet or icy conditions.
- Clawguard Reinforcement: The fingertips are reinforced, reducing damage from direct impacts or abrasions.
You have discovered: Direwolf Hide Boots
Item Class: Rare
Item Quality: Superb
Weight: 2.5 kg
Durability: 100/100
Description: High-quality leather boots crafted from direwolf hide, offering silent footsteps and excellent traction on uneven terrain. The soles are reinforced with a thin but sturdy hide layer for added durability.
Traits: - Silent Stride: Footsteps are nearly soundless, improving stealth movement.
- Firm Footing: Provides better balance and grip on unstable or slippery surfaces.
You have discovered: Direwolf Hide Armor Set
Item Class: Rare
Item Quality: Superb
Weight: 11.1 kg
Durability: 100/100
Description: A masterfully crafted leather armor set made from the resilient hide of a direwolf. This armor balances protection, mobility, and stealth, making it ideal for scouts, hunters, and light-armored warriors. The treated hide retains its natural cold resistance, while expert craftsmanship ensures superb durability and flexibility. The set includes a chestguard, leg guards, gloves, and boots, each designed to enhance the wearer’s agility and endurance.
Traits: - Wolf’s Resilience: Provides moderate resistance to slashing and piercing attacks due to the thick hide.
- Silent Hunter: Footsteps and movements are dampened, improving stealth.
- Predator’s Adaptability: Increases reaction speed and agility in combat and tracking.
- Direwolf’s Endurance: Reduces stamina drain from prolonged movement or combat.
Set Bonuses, Resistances, and Stats (When All Pieces Are Worn
Attribute
Bonus
Description
Slashing Resistance
+10%
Thick direwolf hide provides moderate protection against cutting weapons.
Piercing Resistance
+5%
Natural padding absorbs some impact from arrows and thrusting attacks.
Cold Resistance
+15%
Retains insulation, preventing heat loss in cold environments.
Impact Resistance
+5%
Some shock absorption against blunt force attacks.
Mobility Bonus
+10%
Lightweight and flexible, allowing for quick movement and agility.
Stealth Bonus
+15%
Treated leather reduces noise, enhancing sneaking capabilities.
Grip Strength
+5%
Reinforced gloves improve handling of weapons and tools.
Balance Bonus
+10%
Enhanced traction from boots allows for improved footing on rough terrain.
Predator’s Adaptability
Active Bonus
Improves reaction time and movement speed when tracking or engaging in combat.
Silent Hunter
Passive Bonus
Footsteps are quieter, improving stealth-based actions.
Direwolf’s Endurance
Passive Bonus
Reduces stamina drain by 8%, useful for prolonged battles or long-distance travel.
The armor was a Scout’s or, in Xavier’s case, a Ranger’s dream. Though he had been wearing a full set of leather armor that one of the Ryntavael villagers had crafted it wasn’t to this level of work and had been piecemealed together. The fact that a designed set could carry so many bonuses inherent to its crafting was astonishing. It also reinforced the fact that Xavier still understood little about the world or its crafts, something he really needed to learn more about.
Xavier sensed her before he saw her. A shift in the air, the subtle hush of footfalls too measured to be careless. The Felvari merchant moved like a whisper on the wind, silent but deliberate, the kind of presence that made itself known without demanding attention.
When she finally stepped into view, the sunlight flickered across her tawny fur-like hair, catching golden streaks that shimmered like a coin under a merchant’s careful scrutiny. Her emerald-green, slitted eyes swept over him, sharp and assessing, weighing him not just in gold but in worth. A slow smile played at her lips, amused, knowing, as if she had already mapped out the conversation before, he could even open his mouth.
She was dressed for both business and mischief, flowing robes of deep purple and midnight blue draped elegantly around her lean frame. They were loose enough to suggest ease, and fitted enough to promise quick movement should the need arise. A finely worked leather belt sat low on her hips, lined with discreet pouches, each no doubt carrying something of interest, coin, ledgers, trinkets, secrets.
Her tail flicked, an idle motion betraying amusement as she finally spoke, her voice smooth and warm, wrapped in the practiced cadence of a seasoned negotiator.
Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.
“Xavier, was it?” She tilted her head just slightly, studying him with the measured patience of a predator who already knew the outcome of the hunt. “Nyssara hears you are a man who appreciates quality. Perhaps we should discuss an arrangement… one that benefits us both.”
The firelight danced in her eyes, and Xavier had no doubt this was a woman who never left the table with less than she came for, though he wondered how she knew his name. He then realized she must have been at the celebration the other night and likely heard of him there.
"Ah, friend, this direwolf hide leather armor, so fine and superbly crafted, yes indeed! Nyssara sees that each stitch sings of skill and care, like soft whispers 'neath the moons. The hide is both strong and supple, protecting you as the direwolf's embrace would, ja. Wear it and feel the wild power of the lands themselves guide your every step, just as a gentle purr comforts the soul. Truly, this be a treasure worthy of a wanderer such as yourself."
Once again Xavier had to bite back a near laugh, the woman even spoke similarly to the race of felines from the games he had enjoyed so much. It took him a few moments before he could respond and as he got control of himself, he triggered insight.
Name: Nyssara Shadowwhisper
Race: Feline Animari (Felvari)
Disposition: Welcoming
Level: Unknown
Class: Unknown
Active Effects: Unknown
Description
The Felvari, or Catkin, are a race of nimble and cunning humanoids who embody the grace, agility, and predatory instincts of felines. Their feline features include pointed ears, sharp eyes, and long, expressive tails, while their fur-like hair comes in a variety of colors and patterns—ranging from sleek black and snowy white to golden tabby and spotted leopard-like designs. Their slit-pupil eyes, which shimmer in shades of green, amber, or icy blue, grant them superior night vision, while their lithe and flexible builds allow them to move with silent precision. Felvari are naturally inquisitive, clever, and independent, thriving on personal freedom and the thrill of the hunt. Though often playful and mischievous, they are also fiercely protective of their kin and highly adaptable to their surroundings.
Stats
Health: 150/150
Stamina: 140/140
Mana: 140/140
“It is an amazing set of armor. So well done that I fear I do not have the coin to purchase it,” came Xavier's easy reply.
"Ah, friend, you have a keen eye indeed, yes? I am Nyssara, keeper o' these prized wares, purr. Feast yer gaze upon this superb direwolf hide leather armor, each stitch sings of wild grace and skill, a marvel truly wrought by the best hands in the lands, purr. The starting price is set at 1600 gold coins, a fair sum for such quality, wouldn’t you say? Now, perhaps we can parley like true kin and find a number that pleases us both, yes? Do consider, friend, and let the purr of satisfaction guide yer choice."
Xavier almost dropped the piece of armor he had been holding. The price was a small fortune in his estimation. He had no real idea the value of the Arathian currency as he had nothing to associate it with in Earth terms. He glanced at Ella who didn’t seem overly surprised by the amount the Felvari had named. Pulling up his inventory interface he looked at what was in his satchel and inwardly groaned. He thought he had a good deal of coin for as long as he had been on the world. However, the four platinum and 70 gold coins in his satchel was not nearly close enough to what the merchant was quoting. He leaned over to Ella and whispered as softly as he could. “How much is a platinum coin worth?”
Just as softly she whispered back, “One platinum coin is worth 100 gold ones. You have platinum?” She glanced at him a slightly surprised look on her face briefly before she schooled her expression. Neither really noticed the perk in the Felvari’s ears at their exchange, not realizing how sensitive the feline’s ears actually were.
Xavier chewed on his lip a moment; 470 gold coins was barely a quarter of what the merchant wanted. He knew the armor would be a good upgrade and replacement to his worn gear, but he couldn’t quite figure out how to make the trade happen. Then his eyes fell on another item in his satchel, the small box with the jewlery. A grin appeared on his face as he matched eyes with the merchant. “Do you have somewhere that we could sit and discuss trade?”
"Ah, friend, come inside Nysarra's booth, purr. This little nook be our private haven, where we may parley freely without pryin’ eyes. Step in, and let us discuss trade in peace, purr, there’s much to show and many secrets to share."
With those words, she led the two into her stall and the private section near the back. Curling up on a mound of cushions she motioned for the two humans to take seats across a small table from her on another collection of pillows. The two sank gratefully into the plush comfort and Xavier pulled the small box from his satchel. He was careful to open it away from the Felvari’s eyes as he inspected the pieces of jewelry within. Allowing Ella to see the works as well they motioned back and forth to one another as they tried to decide what piece to offer to the merchant. Unwilling to part with any of the enchanted pieces for now Xavier ultimately pulled out a single ring and placed it on the table.
You have discovered: The Golden Laurel Band
Item Class: Common
Item Quality: Superb
Weight: 0.14 kg
Durability: 80/100
Description: A thin golden circlet designed to resemble a laurel wreath, with fine leaf engravings.
Traits: A symbol of refinement and status, reflecting light beautifully.
Nyssara looked to the small band and then back to Xavier opening her mouth to respond before she stopped and looked at the ring again. The only indication of her surprise was the flick of one of her ears suddenly.
"Ah, friend, purr, what have we here? This ring, though fine in craft, is quite the unexpected treasure indeed! As a merchant who holds every glint of artistry in high regard, I must inspect it closer, purr. Let me have a proper look at its details, each facet may whisper a tale of its own, yes? Now, do tell me its story while I admire its gleam, purr."
Xavier motioned for her to examine the ring as she felt necessary. As she did, he told a slightly different story of how he found the band. Instead of letting it be known that it was discovered in the treasury of Rynthavael, he spun a tale of how it was found on the long-dead body of an explorer in the mine he had recently discovered. He didn’t know for certain how much of his story she believed but he thought he had done a passable job given he had found other items on the body of the poor dwarven soul. While he spoke, she rolled the ring back and forth in her fingers, a soft purr rumbling in her chest, eventually, she pulled out a small jeweler’s loupe and held it to her eye as she looked closer.
"Ah, my friend, purr, this ring be of fine quality indeed, with craftsmanship that tempts one to fancy a Sylmyrian touch. Yet, let us not get carried away by such tales, purr. The Sylmyrian, enchanting as their legends be, are naught but myths to most, purr. Their lore, like whispers on the wind, is more fable than fact. Still, the skill here is plain for all to see, a true marvel in its own right, purr." She set the ring down on the table, a calculating look in her eye as she turned her attention back to the duo seated across from her. "Ah, friend, purr, this ring ye offer is a marvel of fine craft, no doubt, yet its worth falls a touch short of the grandeur of this direwolf hide leather armor, purr. There’s a clear difference in their value, a gap that must be bridged if we are to strike a fair bargain, purr. Consider the ring as a worthy credit toward the armor, with the balance reflecting that disparity, purr. What say ye to this arrangement, friend?"
Wary of the fact that she didn’t mention the value of the ring or how much of a gap there was between it and the armor Xavier hesitated a moment. He closed the box of jewelry and tucked it back into his satchel as he mulled her suggestion. He had a hunch that the ring was worth quite a sum given its actual origins. That much was clear by her initial comment about it evoking Sylmyrian legend, far truer than she obviously knew. He had had a little experience with merchants like this back on Earth when he had been traveling and the souks in the Middle East were notoriously skilled at haggling. He picked the ring up once again and looked at Ella. “I don’t know if I can cover the difference. The armor is amazing but with the travel we have to do I think having the jewelry might be more beneficial to trade elsewhere.”
"Hold, friend, purr, wait a moment before you scamper off with that fine ring. Let Nyssara offer you a deal as sweet as a moonlit purr. Trade that ring along with a little extra, 100 gold coins, yes? And you'll be adorned in this glorious direwolf hide leather armor, fit for a desert wanderer and as fine as the sands of Sunspire, purr. A deal so fair, it tickles the whiskers, friend. What say you to this bargain, hmm, purr?"
Beside him, Ella nodded slightly at the new proposal. Xavier placed the ring back on the table and fished a single platinum coin from his satchel setting it beside the ring. He still had a suspicion that the Felvari was getting the better part of the deal, but it was something a lot closer to what he could stomach. Nyssara made both the coin and ring disappear quickly before she rose and retrieved the purchased armor. Soon Xavier had replaced his worn equipment with the new supple leather and marveled at how well it seemed to fit. Once more he pursed his lips wondering how much of this was fate or luck and how much of it was Danu’s involvement. Deciding against going down that rabbit hole he thanked Nyssara for the goods and stepped out of the shop. He chuckled softly as he noticed a new prompt and opened it.
Congratulations! You have learned a new skill – Barter level 5. The Barter skill represents a character’s ability to negotiate better deals, manipulate prices, and maximize value when dealing with merchants, traders, and sometimes even black-market dealers. A skilled haggler can reduce costs, increase payouts, and even influence merchants into revealing hidden goods or giving exclusive deals. At higher levels, Barter turns every trade into a battle of wits, persuasion, and psychological warfare. "Why pay full price when you can make them think they got a good deal?" +0.15% Discount on purchase prices. +0.15% Increase on sales prices.
That confirmed that he had done enough for the world to recognize he had some skill in bartering. He still felt that he got the short end of the deal given he was certain that the Felvari was much more skilled than he was since she was a merchant.
Xavier and Ella continued through the market for a short time though not so long as to make Lianna wait if she had headed towards the gate relatively quickly. They picked up multiple items that would serve them on the way back to Rynthavael, foodstuffs and the like mostly. Soon, however, they made their way towards the southern entrance to Verdantspire and as they came to the small square plaza there, they were met not only by Lianna and Frostclaw but High Speaker Kaelith.
Lianna was outfitted with the same gear she had worn on the attack on the raiders, form-fitting dark leather armor, a large bow unstrung and slung across her back beside a quiver of arrows, a small pack that sat almost in the small of her back and finally a short sword belted at her waist. Frostclaw seemed to bear the majority of her travel gear, several large packs were tied together across the great cat’s muscular back. Lianna, looked up to the two as they approached, a resigned and haunted look in her eyes as opposed to her normally fiery demeanor. Frostclaw, as if sensing her mood, growled low at the two before Lianna placed a hand on the feline’s head settling her.
High Speaker Kaelith Moonstride’s expression was an enigma wrapped in silence, her golden eyes half-lidded yet razor-sharp, betraying nothing yet seeing everything. She watched the duo approach with the patience of a hunter and the wisdom of an elder, her gaze neither cold nor warm, but weighing, measuring, understanding. The faintest flicker of amusement, so fleeting it may be imagined, played at the corners of her lips, a subtle, knowing smirk that hints at knowledge left unspoken. Her tufted lynx ears remained still, save for the occasional twitch, an unreadable gesture that could be curiosity, calculation, or quiet warning. Xavier came to stand before her feeling as if he was standing at the edge of an ancient woodland at dusk, her eyes upon himself, and suddenly feeling uncertain whether they were friend or predator, or simply waiting to see which he truly was.
She beckoned for him to approach, and he did so, taking a knee so he was more on her level instead of towering over her. When she finally spoke, it was in her usual soft voice, “You depart now with one of ours on an important mission, Xavier of Rynthavael. We trust her wellbeing to your care especially when it comes to the collar within the Wildlands.” She rested a hand on his cheek almost matronly. “We do not forget what you have done for us so far, you have returned many to us already. Please see our daughter back to her family safely human and prove to us your worth. May Lir’s Embrace keep you chosen of the gods.”
Xavier recalled from the discussions the previous night that the Animari referred to Danu as Liranya and he quickly made the connection between the High Speaker's words and the deity. “May her embrace shelter you as well High Speaker. I hope to return soon with news of what transpires in the kingdom and hopefully with more of your kin as well.”
She patted his cheek lightly as he rose. Lianna didn’t speak as she turned and strode off towards the woods leaving the two to hurry to catch up to her or be left behind. Kaelith watched for several moments before she departed the plaza herself, heading back to wherever it was she was needed.
As Xavier and Ella caught up to the fast-moving Iksari the woman motioned slightly, the duo was invited to Lianna’s party and once they accepted all their steps quickened further. Xavier noticed the same buff icon as before, Forest Runner, once again next to the images of the party members as proof of what the Ranger had done. Soon the forest enclosed around them, and they ran south, homeward to Rynthavael for Xavier.