Hello everyone, hope you all have had an amazing 2015 and hopes for an awesome 2016. I'll skip the dillydallying and get right to it. I created my first OC Foxtrot back in December 2012 for IRC RP. About half a year later (July 2013) I started forum RP for the first time with an updated version of him. From that point on I have been using the exact same character (backstory, personality, history, etc) for the past few years, transferring him from forum to forum to finally ending up with his own arc. So for 2016 I wanted to go back though all those adventures and threads and create an anthology of sorts, tying in all of those tales into an over arcing story. Now I wanted to let you all know about this first because I want to thank you for all the epic stories we've been lucky to be a part of. Secondly... I don't really know how to do it. Below is a link to a list of all of the threads he's ever been in (crossed off ones mean I can't find it/deleted/etc). Finally it's to ask all of those involved in these threads for their permission to their OCs likeness (or if they created the thread, permission to use it). If anything guys I'll just have this posted on Deviant Art just for the fun of it but I wanted you all to know ahead of time to see if this was ok with you. I can't say when it'll be complete but I'll certainly keep you all updated as well in the case that I may need help with it. Thanks again for your time, any questions you can PM me and I'll try to answer it the best I can.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xXgrc-oMRzHGfnWFWvXReakpEeUbVW_VOfrbWQe3ODM/edit?usp=sharing

P.S. If anyone has access or a copy of any of the threads that are crossed off in the document, may I ask for a copy? There are huge segments of the first forum I'm missing and it's a challenge to work around it.

Foxtrot nods at the blacksmiths answer, "Huh, I see. Well that covers all of the questions I have today. Ironfire I appreciate the service and information. I guess I'll stop by later in the week." Foxtrot then casually salutes him, "Until the sir you have a great week and I'll see you later." With that the unicorn makes his exit out of the store and continues the rest of his day.

As the two discussed their business, Foxtrot remains in the background, browsing arms and armor displayed in the forge. Remaining silent, his ear does tilt slightly in the direction if the conversation, simple curiosity being piqued. As his eyes go from one set of armor to the next, he takes a single glance at the wares the guard presented; satisfied with just a look over, he avoids any contact with the guard, the last thing he needs is more interaction with the authorities.

Foxtrot chuckles and nods at the blacksmith's answer. "Yea, usually the best things are the simplest. I recall when I made my mom proud. It was when I beat her in a duel by cheating. She knew I cheated but she was alright with that. Said that life isn't fair, so when you have to, use every advantage you got or that you yourself can make." The unicorn shrugs, "Not the most noble lesson I learned, but effective. Sure as hay saved my hide several times. So you said smithing was in your family, are both of your parents blacksmiths? Do they have forges open around here like yours?"

"Alright then." Foxtrot replies, "You mentioned something about folds in the metal. Does that mean that this weapon is layered? Or does the folding refer to a process in its creation?"

Foxtrot's eyebrows certainly rose when the blacksmith presented the recommended equipment, more so at the stones. "Woah, I had no idea they came in different sizes. I have the one in the middle but haven't seen these others before. Then again that would explain why my sword never got as sharp as I'd expected." The unicorn pauses for a moment, "Ok so 100 strokes, 20 per cube... Got it." He looks back to Ironfire, "So uh, how much do you know about katana's in general? I mean I'm awesome with techniques to use them, but just physical aspects I'm not so well at."

Foxtrot shrugs at Iron's inquiry, "Just wondering. I've heard stories of legendary swords shattering and being reformed into something stronger." He then chuckles, "Also real examples of guard recruits getting too rough with their flimsy standard issue weapons. Quartermaster always says they'll get it reforged but I never saw it myself." His hoof falls onto his sword as he shifts it on the counter a bit, "Thank Celestia I've never come across that problem; even more so with how old this piece of tin actually is."

Foxtrot reaches out and shakes Ironfire's hoof, "Pleasure's all mine." Retracting his hoof he continues, "But yeah, three to four days should be fine. I'm sure I'll manage without it; at least knowing that it's in good hoofs." He glances over his shoulder to scan the store, "And judging by the establishment here, it's in very good hoofs. Seriously though by the looks of this place I can guess you've been doing this for years." Looking back to the smith, Foxtrot asks, "Do you also enchant arms and armor?"