Flann follows a few conversations.
1) A gnome unhappily drinking while his buddy tries to cheer him up. Flann only gets half the conversation, but it appears the unhappy drunk's girlfriend broke up with him.
2) Several conversations are going on about metal shortages, there's a distinct anger in the words being used, mostly directed towards dwarves.
3) A big tournament will be starting next week, where professional BANG! players will face off against each other. The local arena will be hosting it. There's debate on who will win.
Adran goes out drinking and partying with the others doing his thing. He will eventually make his way to the brothel and probably spend the night there. He will let the Boss know so he can be found the next day.
Adran goes out drinking and partying with the others doing his thing. He will eventually make his way to the brothel and probably spend the night there. He will let the Boss know so he can be found the next day.
Adran has a fun time drinking and partying, and then an even more fun time the rest of the night blowing gold like it was going out of style.
Kotsi is chagrined at her inability to satisfyingly BANG! the balls around the table, but finds herself enjoying her time nonetheless. Being away from the main island was...freeing, in a way. While she does not truly let down her guard, she had thought things through and realized pursuit of her here was extremely unlikely, if anyone even knew she was gone to begin with.
I wonder if I can concoct a long-lasting enough alchemic strength booster to complete a game. Or would that be a breach of the rules?
Later, Telv returns excitedly to his home and asks to speak to Connor.
"So, I managed to gather some interesting information, about the location of a Bracelet of Power, as told in the old song, The Ruler of the Bracelet. In the story, two Halvarians find a bracelet of power, and they have to take it to Cindra and throw it into a fire mountain. They form the Brotherhood of the Bracelet. As they travel, they are trailed by a Strix named Gottom who considers the bracelet to be his special posession, as well as nine different bracelet bogeymen."
"The story is told in three parts, each with their own title. he first part would be called 'The Brotherhood of the Bracelet', followed by 'A Couple of Towers', with the climactic ending called 'Hey, the King's Back!'""
"They also told me that if we go to the fire mountain, we can find this bracelet, so we should definitely go."
"Uh, that's an, interesting story, Telv." Connor replied uncertainly. "I'm not sure if we'll have time in our current mission to find this 'fire mountain' - that's called a volcano, by the way - but if we come across one, we'll take a quick look. Just in case."
Connor let out a long sigh to the side. "Did you see any of the others? I'd rather not have to send out the 'drunk gang' to bail our people out of the usual places in each town in the morning." he asked back.
"I did for a little while, but they told me they wanted to be alone, so I left them."
Flann returns to Telv's mannor early. Early in terms of a Celestrata delettante trying to foster a reputation for deep pockets. He gets lost in the maze of corridors before entering the hall where Connor and the master of the house are catching up."Say, Connor, I wouldn't take your first appraisal on those gears and such. The locals are being squeezed for raw materials. I'd talk to someone representing the dwarves if I were trying to get into the market."
Connor considered the information. "Miss Gearloose seemed suspicious when I said we acquired the gears from 'deep storage'. Acted like a Customs official until I told her exactly how the gears were stored on Atalantia." He shrugged. "The gears are already sold - my loss, if there was a better market. We're trying to garner favor with Mechwerx for new engines. Still, if the Dwarves offer a more profitable marketplace, the elders back home will take notice. Good job, Flann."
The next two days are uneventful. The city does seem to be low on crime, although that seems to be a side effect of near 100% employment, and rising wages. There's even outsiders being taken in for work.
However, there are plenty of rumors about shortages of metals beginning to show up, and the prices of metal are climbing rapidly.
Finally, on the third day, Altina shows up in person at Telv's house, looking for Connor. Upon being shown into a conference room by the resident vampiress, she looks annoyed. When Connor comes in, she immediately launches into a very angry rant. "Mr. McIntyre, my apologies. I know I told you we could rebuild your engines better than new. And we could, if those damn dwarves would sell us some ore. The nasty buggers have closed up their stores, and aren't even talking to outsiders anymore. Been doing business with Morgren Halfstone's clan for going on 300 years now, and the sons of a drow byblows won't even talk to us now." She looks mad enough to chew ore and spit out ingots. "The most annoying thing is, it's not like they're trying to up the prices. They flat out won't sell anything, no matter how much you offer. I offered them 10,000 gold for a 100 gold worth of iron, and they wouldn't even respond. Something weird is going on, and they won't talk to us." She stamps one foot hard on the ground. "Do you have any ins with the dwarves? The Regent seemed to be happy with your services. I'd give my eye-teeth, and a hefty discount on the engines, if you can help me get them back to the business of selling metal again."
Vim listened on from outside of the room in the hallway, grateful for the change of pace and the promise of some excitement.
Surprised at the well-behaved town, Vim found himself with less to do over the last few days than he'd expected; he'd spent the first night slipping into different faces at the bar every so often and keeping a watchful (and anonymous) eye on the others on the off-chance something sinister was afoot. Halfway through the second night, he'd given up, convinced the town was as safe as any he'd been in, and that criminals were few and far between, or at least wise enough to have retired given the strict punishments.
The promise of some intrigue, especially with the dwarves- a people he'd not met before, was exciting. And Vim knew he'd probably be missing the quiet days soon enough. He listened further, awaiting Connor's reply...
Connor absently ran a hand through his whitened but colored hair. Happy? he sent to both Hero and Tenfa. That's not the expression I would have used when we parted. Especially after seeing a god of Death.
"I am as much surprised as you are...concerned about your suppliers." he said immediately. "Thank you for arriving, Miss Gearloose. I will admit that this Dwarven information is not new to me. My crew has had liberty in your fine city now for days, and the only item that flies faster than those with wings is bad news."
"Your guess is more educated than mine with the Dwarves." Connor continued. "Mine and my crew's experience is with the cat-people and orcs of the far North, or the Regent's city here on the Surface. Still, there are only a few reasons why miners won't sell ore: supply or demand. Either their supply has evaporated, or someone else has a higher demand than yours. Demand that overrides profit is usually war, or an exclusive customer they cannot say 'no' to."
Connor moved from where Altina stood, back towards the door leading to the hallway. "If you desire to charter the Wandering Elephant on an exploratory mission, paid strictly on information found, then I will need to summon the leaders among my crew. We will need an excuse to fly to the Feld Ranges. If war with the Dwarves is about to break out with another nation, doubtless your country of Iska needs to know as quickly as possible. Likewise, if an unknown malefactor is holding the Dwarves' resources hostage, then Mechwerx, and Iska itself, needs to know."
Kotsi spends most of the morning tinkering in her new lab , but on hearing Altina has arrived, decides to make a jaunt upstairs for food. And if she happens to overhear something interesting in the process...well, that's just a bonus.
Her brow furrows at Altina's choice of insult, but she suppresses that feeling and hides her expression. The rest of the conversation is much more interesting than a bigot's expletives.
This sounds like it could lead to something far closer to my area of expertise. Information on a coming war is valuable.
Connor opened the door to find Vim within an arm's distance. "Ah, Vim," Connor asked, "if you would be so good to get our specialists, including the 'master of the house', and have them meet here? We have an immediate trade mission of some importance to discuss with Miss Gearloose, and I need their expertise." Connor left the door open.
"This will only take a few minutes. By talking with the crew leaders, you won't have to repeat yourself, and I won't have to worry about missing out on a question I should have asked." Connor reassured Altina.
"Certainly, Captain. Won't be but a moment," Vim says, offering a respectful acknowledgement of their guest-- "Miss Gearloose," he said with a deep bow--before turning and immediately seeking out the others.
He called to them all, both out loud and over the Network as he walked through the mansion, and filled everyone in regarding what he'd heard so far, but encouraged them to come organically as he 'found' them wherever they were instead of immediately. Better that way, so as not to draw too much interest in the event Altina was paying close attention and began to wonder how the leadership seemingly read each other's minds. Sure, they'd need to play dumb for a moment as Connor 'caught them up', but giving everyone an extra minute or two to consider their options could easily give the impression that the crew was impressively wise-- easily worth the risk...
Once everyone is retrieved, Altina nods. "I am indeed offering you a job, however, your payment would be in discounts for work, not in hard cash. I assure you, the discount would be significant for the work you're wanting. Basically, if you bring us back information about what is going on, but can't unblock the pipes, we'd give you half off the labor of any work we do for you in the future. Given the price of new engines, that's a significant payment in and of itself. If you're able to unblock the pipes and get metal flowing again, then we'd discount your work at 100% of all labor costs, meaning you'd only pay for the engines themselves."
Flann makes himself comfortable fussing with his pink curls on a footstool as Altina fills them in. ~And if we supplant the ruling parties and install our own valve?~ There's a trill of haunting laughter over the network. ~In all seriousness, just freeing up the hoard we brought to pay for this mess is enough to establish ourselves both here and back at Atalantia.~
<Hmm, not an inconvenient expedition either, when you think about it. If we're looking for where and how they get our tech down here, digging around their suppliers might be a good place to start. And if we don't find anything, we still ingratiate ourselves with the folks here, move up a level on their supply chain, and keep investigating. Seems like a fine plan to me, team. Thoughts?"> Vim says over the Network, even as he tracked Altina's body language...
Vim senses no deception in her. The locals don't seem to go in for much in the way of deception. So far, they've just flat out told Vim they won't answer certain questions.
<For what it's worth, she seems sincere> Vim adds.
"Negotiation is not a strong suit of mine but seems worth a shot. I'm ready to go meet these dwarves."
<This could end up as an unprecedented opportunity for us here. Direct payment aside, having such a large organization's gratitude is valuable. Being on their good side could make things much easier for us on our extended stay here.>
Flann leans in and delivers his next comment like a student earnestly delivering an answer in class. "Don't sell yourself short, Addie, you came out alright with the Regent." Then he looks around to gauge everyone's reactions. Flann has definitely spent too much time with gnomes.
Vim smiles. "And I can always lend a hand as needed."
Connor telepathically chuckled over Flann's network with the others. Poised in thought, Connor added Vim and Kotsi are right, this exploratory mission can lead to other revelations.
"All I know about these Dwarves is that they like precious metals and jewels above all else, and have a slight weakness for fine woodworking." Connor put in at the end of the others' comments. "If you could direct us to a nearby lumber mill, Miss Gearloose, we could deliver a small cargo of expensive wood, either furniture-quality or weapons-quality, to these Dwarves, and start making inquires about their ore production." He added "And, if you would, tell us the city name and any warnings about their Customs. I'll need to purchase a map for our ship's navigator."
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"Barda Koxka, 'Place of Exchanges' in Dwarven. And your ship won't do you any good, unless it can fly through solid stone, the city is about 2 miles under ground." She waves a hand. "I'd suggest taking a Clockwork Carriage, the Gand Line travels down there every morning and back every evening. Used to travel a lot more often, when we were shipping ore." She produces a map of the Clockwork Carriage lines, pulling it out of her belt pouch, and points to the 'Gand Line' to the Gand Ranges, squiggling south east in a round about way. "We're still getting ore from the Felderdrofen, but they charge us twice as much now, and they don't sell us Mithral or Adamantine. Only the Ganderdwarven do." Another line reading 'Feld Line' heads northeast toward Dirchmirde. A third line goes a short distance nearly directly east, labeled 'Siro Line' toward a small town of Siro. "We do have our own mines, but it's low grade iron and decent copper only."
"As to their customs, they don't bargain, they drink a lot, they do gamble, and they like to have bar fights. Or regular fights, usually fisticuffs, until someone gets knocked out only. They have a persnickity sense of honor, so don't insult them, or you'll get one challenging you to a duel. And by Chordwrite's Impossible Top, don't kill anyone, or you'll have a whole clan in a blood feud with you and yours for the next 10000 years."
"Underground?" Connor repeated dubiously. Being under the surface, interdimensionally in the Prison of the Elements, was bad enough. Tenfa's city had been less than a mile under the Surface, he guessed. "It will make our anonymity that much harder - the Dwarves will see us coming off of your Carriage and know you sent us."
"What kind of timeline are you expecting, Miss Gearloose?" he asked, changing the subject. "Staying long enough to find out their reason for closing up their shops, but not long enough to ask for citizenship, could still be several days, if not weeks. And if the Dwarves are not going to offer hospitality to strangers, we might be forced to make several Carriage trips to find the information."
"Opinions?" Connor asked his countrymen.
"Are we convinced our own presence as traders wouldn't be enough to merit a welcome? Or be at least enough to get us through the door and into the room with the right people..."
"The right complaints about our friends here might encourage the dwarven folk we're more their friends than we are the gnomes, or at least a valuable trading partner. Can't imagine they've too much wood underground, and if they truly don't care for the things, maybe they're be interested in another supply..."
<We should bring several valuable things to trade, in case one item is not enough. You did say they preferred worked wood, but I don't know if any of us could be considered good enough craftsmen. I dabbled in whittling in my youth...but I wouldn't trust my skills to impress their society.>
"<s there any information from our realm that would be valuable and (more importantly) permissible to trade for free passage? A smelting technique, or something of that nature we wouldn't mind getting out?>
Nothing from home. Hence the decades-old gears, and those were common metal. You're free to ask Miss Gearloose yourself. Connor replied over Flann's network, looking thoughtful.
"...Deferring to your experience, Miss Gearloose, do you think uror offer of trade-worthy woods should be enough to entice them, or might additional goods be needed?" Vim asks out loud, appearing to continue his thoughts after a silent moment of thinking and consideration.
"Very good then, Mr. McIntyre. Please keep me up to date on your progress as you can. Is there anything you need? As to timeline, sooner is better, but I understand these things take time. We're still getting metals from other sources, but the prices are going up due to the demand."
Turning to Vim, she looks thoughtful. "Unlikely, they trade with the Elves for wood, and have shut down trade with them as well. I am unsure what they would want to trade for or with. Whatever has unsettled them is something we haven't encountered before. This is more of a mystery than a shopping excursion I'm afraid."
"Hm. That presents its own opportunities. If they're so worried they've stopped trade, perhaps a group of 'problem solvers' will find an in to earning their trust." Kotsi finally says, speaking aloud for the first time in this conversation.
<Problem Solvers is a good idea. Intrigue or covert action would be tough, though not impossible. I can hold a convincing dwarf shape for 4 hours or so if I don't need to do much else that day, but that won't work for all of us. Probably better to present as ourselves, at least most of the time, and save the Metamorphosis trickery until it's needed...>
"Thank you for the information. Perhaps going just as we are, a company from the floating islands desiring trade, would be good enough." Connor concluded.
"Allow me to escort you outside." he offered, half-spreading one white wing towards the door along with an arm. <Last chance, everyone!> Connor telegraphed through Flann's network.
"Any tips, Miss Gearloose, on interacting with the dwarves would be welcomed. I'd hate to let a cultural misstep interfere with what could otherwise be a healthy relationship. Or perhaps you've an expert in the field that you could introduce me to? They are your neighbors, after all..."
The woman shakes her head. "No, thank you though. All our experts have failed. Following their advice will only get you the same results. I came to you because you don't have any exprience with them. I'm hoping you'll do or think of something we didn't and couldn't, because we are so familiar with them."
She then allows Connor to escort her out.
Upon his return, Connor stated "All right, instead of a weeks-long vacation with leisurely walks along Iska's streets, enjoying the delicacies, we've got a new mission." He clapped his hands together for emphasis. "It's just us going to Barda Koxka. I'll have the First Mate keep the Elephant in the nearby lake. Meanwhile, we can keep the crew busy constructing a drydock on Telv's estate. Is that good with you, Telv? The Elephant will be more secure the closer to the estate we keep it."
"Everyone, back to the ship - we've got to pack. We leave on the first train to Barda Koxka tomorrow morning, if no one has any objections. Vim, Adran, Flann - if you want, you can hit the inns and bars again, this time looking for Dwarven information." Connor said. "Ishthraxa, Kotsi - pack anything you think we might need for either a daily stay or a monthly stay underground. I don't know if we'll be able to get an inn or not. We'll have to play it by ear, maybe use our charm." He flipped up his emphatic monocle and down again suggestively.
"Let's go!" Connor finished, looking at the pendulum clock in the room.
Telv, very nervous about his new house, chooses to stay behind, to supervise any modifications personally.
Adran nods
"Ready boss."
Vim found himself sad that Telv would be staying behind, but happy to know their base was in good hands. It was always nice to have a place to return to on mission.
Brushing off his shoulder, he stands up, and nods along with Adran. "Can do."
Kotsi has sadly not had much time to prepare potions and helpful alchemical items, but gathers up her few belongings and reports to the ship as soon as possible.
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"If anybody goes to town before tomorrow's trains," Connor requested, "see if you can find a map of the dwarven city. A travel brochure. Places to visit and eat at. Anything."
Connor will get his stuff from his bedroom, and fly to the Wandering Elephant.
Things to do on the ship.
- tell First Mate Braden and the other Mates about the change to the schedule; indefinite rotating 1/3 liberty in Iska, 1/3 skeleton crew, 1/3 Telv's Estate making a drydock. One day each. Skeleton crew to focus on repairs & security.
- unlock the vault onboard, take out 9,000 gp. Give 1,000 gp to First Mate Baden for liberty pay & ship repairs, replenishment (if not from Telv's Estate). Keep 8,000 gp for specialsts to use in Dwarven lands. (See Cargo/Gold Allotment).
- pack stuff back into backpack (see Google Docs - Equipment List).
- use correspond back to Sanita and give her details of the gnome/dwarf metals problem. Iska's version of criminal punishment. Tell her about having to go to Barda Koxka, 'Place of Exchanges' in Dwarven. Also about Telv's Estate, which should be an Atalantian "safe house" now on the Surface.
Braden says one day at a time is tiring, given the distance from the boat to the estate to the town. Plus no work will ever get done since different people will need to pick up where someone else left off the next day. Better to do things in two week shifts. Not to mention the issue with hangovers if they go to town every two days.
Connor delivers his report.
Connor is going to agree with Braden and change the shifts to two weeks. But security on the ship includes a minimum of a two-man guard on the locked-and-chained vault at all times. They don't have to stand there and do nothing all day, but work in the hold nearby and make sure invisible thieves don't pick the lock. Or a Shaper making constructs to randomly march around the lockbox.
(correspond is one of those "you know if the person you've sent it to is alive, but they don't have to respond" powers. So interactive, if the person has anything to say.)
That afternoon, Connor will take a train to Iska and go shopping in the Jeweler's area. He'll take the last train back to the outlying area near Telv's estate.