The Halls of Hilmer, Master Armorer

4C This shining shop has a front of armor plate—old armor from vanquished foes of Water deep, bolted together, polished a deep, gleaming blue, and protected from weather and theft by potent spells. Beware lightning¬like arcs of energy should you strike or wrench at a piece! It stands on the west side of the Street of Bells north of Water- deep Way its gleam visible up and down the street. Inside is a showroom and fitting room, with doors into a weapons practice room for clients to practice running, turning, fighting, and climbing stairs in armor, and the huge, cluttered workshops of Hilmer and his apprentices. Plate armor hangs — or, in the form of full suits, stands everywhere. Hilmer only makes plate, but he's gener¬ally acknowledged as the best, or among the best, in all the Sword Coast lands. His custom suits generally cost 4,000 to 6,000 gp, depending on the size of the wearer and the ornamentation. He hates chasing and over¬elaborate fluting, but has done enameled armors for Calishite satraps, at 8,600 gp each. Average price: 4000-6000 gp depending on size. Max price known: 8600 gp Hilmer will sell existing armor apprentice pieces and replace¬ment pieces, such as gauntlets, that are not custom fitted for mere hundreds of gold pieces, but he will not set his mark (a stamp of a gauntlet closing on a sword, and breaking it into three pieces) on such shelf stock. Hilmer armor is all custom made. Hilmer knows at a glance if armor fits properly and at a touch if its metal is suspect or if a wearer is using a blade or shield too heavy for him. He is a master craftsman and regularly ignores offers of estates and thousands in gold to become master ar¬morer of this or that kingdom. Thieves leave his shop alone. It's much easier to steal Hilmer armor from those who have bought it—because several of the suits of armor are animated metal constructs, that defend the place at all times! Others protect his nearby metals warehouses. Proprietor: Hilmer, the propri¬etor, is a tall, strong, and soft- spoken man, with shoulders as wide as most doors and hands with a grip of iron. He is a just, honest man.