The Ephraim Chair

Written by StillnessandSilence

"Ah, but every respectable inn, from the humblest roadside hovel to the grandest city tavern, possesses an Ephraim Chair—a seat of quiet dignity and lamentable purpose. It is there that the oblivious and the woefully trusting rest, while wiser men make merry. A necessary fixture, indeed, though one I have never had cause to occupy myself."

— ~ Ephraim Bartholomew Forewind II

The Ephraim Chair, also known as the Forewind Chair, stands as a testament to impeccable craftsmanship and enduring tradition. Whether in the humblest hovel or the grandest city tavern, one will always find its dignified presence.

Crafted from the finest Gleamwood of Portcross , its frame gleams with a natural luster, known to grow richer with age. The cushion, woven from the coveted Stormwool of Stormrams, is both resilient and luxurious, sourced from flocks tended by the Orcish clans along the Stormer border. Encasing the cushion is a cover of Whisperweave silk, a delicate yet durable fabric spun by the revered Sisters of Shuanala, who harvest threads from the elusive Widow’s Weave Moths.

Since the rise of the Ephraim Chair as a mark of prestige and comfort, the noble Forewind family of Portcross has flourished, their name now synonymous with refinement and indulgence. Whether as a seat of quiet contemplation or one of silent, knowing acceptance, the Ephraim Chair is a fixture of every well-appointed room.

The Ephraim Chair has an intriguing and tumultuous history, one shaped by passion, betrayal, and the relentless pursuit of perfection. Legend has it that Ephraim Bartholomew Forewind II began crafting these chairs as a form of personal catharsis after the infamous betrayal by Baresh, his closest confidant and his fiancée, Ianthe Tridentarius the Third .

“The Ephraim chair, a sad pitiful chair for those that thought they’d scored some luck, only to be told they can only watch the action they won’t be getting. A chair for those that are too weak to stand up for themselves and overcompensate every step of the way through life. Though this doesn’t reflect the man Ephraim himself, he CLEARLY has things together and can always get it whenever he feels like it. Obviously.”

— Ianthe Tridentarius the Third

"The Ephraim Chair? Oh you mean the chair that Ephraim made in order to convince himself that there was some dignity in having your betrothed stolen. I know it quite well. Even the great Krikini Lightwood has sat in my personal Ephraim chair you know!"

— ~Baresh Sturmen

History

The Birth of the Ephraim Chair:

Ephraim, once a man of poise and confidence, was left brokenhearted when Baresh, a trusted companion, and Ianthe, his intended bride, betrayed him in the most painful of ways. The scandal rocked the noble courts of Portcross, Stormer, and Ephraim, too proud and too dignified to display his emotions openly, found solace in design and craftsmanship.

What started as a means to channel his frustration and pain soon became a passion project. Ephraim began sketching designs for a chair that could both symbolize his emotional resilience and offer him a sense of control over the events that had shattered his life. This chair, The Forewind Chair, would become his personal triumph, a testament to the strength of his spirit and the evolution of his pain into something beautiful.

The Prototypes and Testing:

As Ephraim's obsession grew, so too did his desire for perfection. Hundreds of prototypes emerged from his workshops, each more refined than the last. Some were too grandiose, their designs overwhelming. Others were too simplistic, lacking the weight and stature he sought. He painstakingly tested each iteration, ensuring that every line, material, and texture was aligned with his vision of elegance and strength.

In these early days, Ephraim himself was involved in every step of the process—inspecting the wood, testing the resilience of the cushions, and even experimenting with different kinds of silk to find the perfect combination of softness and durability. It was rumored that Ephraim would sometimes sit in the prototypes for days on end, testing their comfort and durability, even tweaking minor details such as the precise angle of the backrest or the height of the armrests.

Significance

As word spread of his new obsession, the Ephraim Chair went from a personal project to a symbol of success, mastery, and vengeance. Portcross nobility, once scandalized by Ephraim's broken engagement, soon clamored for a piece of the chair's legendary status. The chair’s arrival in the grandest homes and taverns was seen as a mark of refined taste and subtle strength, its legacy growing with each passing year.

The chair became a cultural icon, and some say that Ephraim's business acumen and social standing revived the fortunes of his family, turning the Forewinds into one of the most respected noble houses of Portcross. The chair, once born from heartbreak, had become a legacy of power.

The Deluxe Model

Creation Date

26th of Athos 2565

Weight

50- 60 lbs

Dimensions

42–48 inches

Base Price

800 Gp

Raw materials & Components

The Crafting Circle:

As the prototypes took shape, Ephraim expanded his network, seeking the finest craftspeople and artisans to perfect the chair. It is said that he traveled from village to village, meeting woodworkers, silk spinners, metal smiths, and even storm mages, each contributing their unique talents to the creation of his chair. The Gleamwood of Portcross was chosen for its beauty and strength, and the Stormwool of Stormrams was selected for its resilience and luxurious feel.

Rumor has it that Ephraim made several secret visits to the Sisters of Shuanala to ensure the Whisperweave silk used in the cushion encasement had the perfect blend of lightness and durability, sparing no expense in his pursuit of excellence.