Geoffrey's Finest (Inactive)

Game Master CampinCarl9127

Does Akropash have a glass industry? If so, did she discover this pre-Rebellion?

No, they do not, and Rilka would be able to confirm that with a few questions. Talking to the merchants will be your best bet for that.

After a leisurely breakfast at their ruined manse, Toramin will go meet with the leadership of the masked healers.

"My friends, I must confess that revolution outpaced our plans. I must also confess the part that I played in precipitating these events. . . ."

Toramin then relates to them Targ's regicide and Acera's plan to use the egg of Lloth.

" . . . it seemed that the necromancer was attempting to hatch the egg to somehow empower or aid her dethroned goddess. I tell you all of these things because I respect and trust your organization. How can we uplift the people if the teachers and educators are they themselves ignorant. History teach us that ignorance is not a sturdy foundation for any society.

However, take heart my friends because uplift is still an achievable goal. . ."

Toramin then passes out copies of the rough draft of the constitution.

". . . this is a rough draft, but it will most likely be the seeds from which a new government springs. See the centrality of education? This is an incredible opportunity for you to guide the citizens towards more peaceful ends over time. The desert is harsh today. It need not be harsh a generation from now. I urge you to not let this incredible opportunity pass you by -- teach Akropash a better way. Get involved in the reconstitution of Akropash at it's foundations. How universal education is to be achieved is something you can guide in this new order.

In the immediate future, Akropash needs us to work together to create a more sustainable infrastructure . . ."

At this point, Toramin starts handing out a second set of documents concerning infrastructure developments.

1. Food and Water: Is Akropash currently self sustaining? If not, what steps can be taken to ensure that the base needs of the city state can be meet without importation?

2. Economic Viability: How can the mines be improved? How can profits be shared by all? -- Toramin has notes scribbled here about finding new resources through magic and elemental allies.

3. The Walls and building of Akropash: This bullet point is the longest and has detailed notes about how Akropash's physical shell can be both beautified and turned to suit its environmental challenges better.

The dwarf waits for immediate reactions and questions to his presentation, before they start brainstorming and planning the nuts and bolts of uplift.

However as the egg of Lolth is explained out all laughter is gone, and indeed there seems to be quite a bit of tension. "We had not known of this great evil in out midst. Where is the egg now?"

The dozen takes a few minutes to read the constitution, then he gets an answer that echoes the ones he already received. "As you say, rough, but it has a good foundation to it. With the right additions this will be excellent." The venerable man nods. "We are most gracious for the opportunity presented to us to do exactly what we had been hoping to achieve here. Your help will not be forgotten in this."

1) One of the reasons Akropash was built in this location was because of the underground river that runs through it. However, food is mostly shipped in, and there's not always enough to go around. Either there would need to be a massive rise in hunters or some sort of agriculture would need to start.

2) The mines are currently worked by slaves until they are worked to death, and all the profits go to the higher up slavers. Changing the mines to a line of work instead of a sentence could yield more profitable results.

3) The walls are something that will require time; manpower and stone are something the city has in abundance.

Total: 242.4gp

Feel free to modify the list any way you see fit.

"I have not seen the Egg itself, but the box that housed it -- and I hope the Egg as well -- I placed into the hands of Alia the Wise. I trust in her competence and desire for the Egg not to be used. However, if the lessons I have learned from my mother and grandmother are, then artifacts, particularly one's created by the gods, have a peculiar weight upon the world. They want to be used. Unless, it is destroyed then it will be stolen, lost, or somehow otherwise turn up in hands that will put it to use.

Whichever slavers once owned the mines, they are now the property of the people of Akropash. My recommendation is thus. All mines in Akropash's sphere of influence are nationalized. This will feed the city coffers. However, the miners themselves receive a generous wage, commiserate with their labor, and at year's end 20% of the profits of the mines are distributed amongst those who labor in them above and beyond their regular salary. This will make the mines one of the most appealing jobs in Akropash. Also, I recently liberated a colony of Pech. If you could put me in contact with them, then I may be able to persuade them to relocate to Akropash. They are skilled miners and need a new home. The mines will never be more productive than when the Pech are leading the mining operations."

"The bounty here is pitiful due to the nature of the land. But with more resources directed at sustain than war we should be able to increase agriculture and livestock significantly. I doubt we can be entirely self sufficient in a city this large in the desert, but we will be much better off. As you say, Fungus requires much moisture to grow, and we have not the tunneling skills of the dwarves. We will look into it though."

"Turning mining into an actual profession is an idea we had been looking forward to doing. It's far too much of Akropash's wealth to be ignored."

"As far as the Pech go, they are a secretive race and we know little of their civilizations. Do you have any more information that would help us contact them?"

"Given Acera's abilities, inclusive of almost divine regeneration, the colony of mutant spiders, the activities of the puppet witch, the shrine to Lloth with an Egg shaped indentation, and divinatory reports -- I have good reason to believe the Egg was here. But, I am not certain, which is why I am reporting the exact degree of my knowledge.

Expertise in mining is something that can also be purchased. If the skill of dwarves is needed, then dwarves can be hired. Infrastructure is expensive but too long has the wealth of Akropash been wasted on glue traps and the insanity of its past leadership."

Toramin relates the pech's name and physical description. "A sending could be used to establish contact."

"Ah yes, since you know one of their names contact can indeed be made. Tomorrow we will have the magic prepared for a meeting with this pech."

"If you can get access to Targ's dungeon there are millions of gold pieces worth of glue that could be sold. The same can be said for where Acera holed up. She had a pit of acid that could also be sold off piecemeal. The excesses of the last regime should be harvested.

As for dwarven partnerships, several of the central families are always looking for opportunities for investing. It is their habit to seek out people and organizations in need of capital in exchange for a healthy return on their investment. If you are not worried about the creation of short term debt in exchange for long term advancement, then I can put you in contact with parties who may be interested both within and without my family. Akropash will need new allies and new markets for its exports. The central families value stability and the spread of peace-loving civilization."

Though Toramin isn't as greedy as some of his fellows, there is a very dwarven part of him that thrills at the possibility of wealth creation. While he wants to help Akropash for its own good, enriching his family and the families who are allied to his family would be improve his political capital back home and spread the influence of the VotS. He is almost giddy that there is benefit to both of his missions.

"Is there anything else you would like to discuss today? Or should we meet again tomorrow at the same time?"

"Yes we are hoping to sell off the riches of the previous tyrants, as long as they cannot be used for nefarious purposes again."

"It seems their goals would align with our own, we would be happy to deal with your kind."

Good, I'm glad you're so excited about it!

"You have given us much to do and think about. For now we believe it best to meet again tomorrow to contact this pech. May the shade follow you Toramin."

Toramin bows to the elder, gathers his notes, and leaves.

Grandmother will be pleased if my efforts here expand Trealamhgabha wealth and influence. If she invest, then she can also guide which clans get which contracts, enriching their families as a function of enriching our own. It is pleasant that there can be such a strong congruence between my desires and my two missions.

Toramin will then check in with Ninnec and see if he can schedule an appointment with Rusilka.

Should I move on to day 5? I have the sendings prepared, if I do.

Returning the next morning, Toramin gives two pieces of paper to the healer who will cast sending.

Sending 1: Yana Trealamhgabha: Grandmother, it's Toramin. Helping reconstitute the government of Akropash after revolution. Investment opportunities abound -- mining, fungal agriculture, infrastructure. Please advise or send negotiator, if interested.

Sending 2: The Pech Toramin befriended: This is Toramin Trealamhgabha, who liberated your clan. Found potential home for your clan, inclusive of mining opportunity, shared profit, and mutual defense. Please advise.

Toramin sends his first message, and it takes about five minutes to get a response.

Yana Trealamhgabha: Grandson, good to hear from you. Thrilled for opportunity and your success. Will send negotiator. Visit home soon, urgent business about your sister. Stay safe.

The second message is responded to quickly.

Pech: Toramin, how are you contacting me this way? If you found a better potential home we would be thrilled to explore the opportunity to seek...

Clearly the pech doesn't grasp the nature of the magic and the 25 word limit.

Edit: I just checked your Akropash Bubble Goals section. Does it sound good to move onto the rest of your listed goals than?

I knew there was something the matter!

Toramin begins to furiously scribble his responses on to the parchment for the healer to trasmit, using his quill to count out the letters.

Yana Trealamhgabha: Returning in a fortnight. Keep it secret. If negotiator needs personal debrief, use magical travel. Will accept all scrying attempts. Love and honor, Toramin.

Pech: Spell. Twenty-five word limit. We overthrew slavers in Akropash. New government needs expert miners to develop industry. Come via underground to discuss?

Thanks! Sendings are fun! Can you make up a name for the Pech?

Pech (named Tenyi): OK. Found map, Akropash is a month's travel away. Will come to learn more. Just getting by here. I hope this turns out well. Thanks.

Toramin smiles at the possibility that he could be making the pechs' lives better as he scribes one last response.

Tenyi: Gone in a month. Go to healer temple. Speak to X (Leader of the healers) and Ninnec, whom I trust. Will expect your arrival. Small risk/potential great reward.

After the sendings are finished, Toramin will thank the healer who cast them. He will then inform the healers' leadership that there are some interested dwarven investors and a pech clan leader who is coming to visit.

"Tenyi, only speaks Terran and Undercommon. Make sure there is always someone nearby who can translate for him until he can learn the surface trade tongue. Pech are cautious and have very reasonable fears about oppression and violence. Please, make him feel welcome and secure."

After that meeting, Toramin will go with Ninnec to meet Rusulka. He will also give Ninnec a similar heads up about Tenyi. "Pech are cautious and danger adverse, he will be in a new environment. Would you be willing to look out for him and make his stay and possible migration here more comfortable?"

"We will try to reach the most mutually beneficial arrangement with both parties that we can. Both of those languages are common in these lands and plenty of us can speak them. We will be as hospitable as possible."

Ninnec is excited about the outside forces getting involved. "Ah yes, I do not speak Terran, but I do speak Undercommon. I'll make him feel welcome. They should have plenty to do here."

Toramin finds that his meeting with Rusulka is far less formal than he might have anticipated. He is brought to the roof of an old building where Rusulka is at. She is a dark skinned dwarf with light hair that is bound tightly in three lengths. She has a hard cut face with a scar running through her lip and over her chin. A warhammer rests at her belt and she wears comfortable looking silks over a thin set of armor.

"Ah, my Trealamhgabha brother! There are so few of us in this land, well met!" She gives him a strong handshake; not as strong as Toramin's, but nothing to sneeze at either.

"Sister, it is an honor to meet you. I have heard some small measure of your deeds in these land; they reflect well upon the Bolcán Gloine. How did you convince the healers to move to Akropash from Gesthil in such numbers?"

Family and rank are important to dwarven society, and Toramin will casually look for any biographical details she might be displaying -- runes in her braid, etc.

"Oh I didn't convince them to come, a land this desolate was crying for their help and they were begging for a chance to help. I just pulled some strings and silenced some opposition to get them lawfully into the city. Things are so much easier when they're done right in the eyes of the law."

She shifts sideways, hand resting comfortably on her warhammer in a relaxed position. "But I imagine this isn't just a social visit. What brings you to me?"

Toramin sees she has simple clasps that mark what family she belongs to, but beyond that she seems fairly plainly adorned. A woman who worked herself to success instead of being born into it.

"Hero? I did only what I thought was necessary and right. Surely, heroics are for those who crave applause. Ares, I am not."

Toramin jests with a smile before continuing.

"Surprisingly enough, this is mostly a social call. You are right there are few dwarfs in the city, though I did see a shrine to the Dark Smith when I was exploring a week ago. Which was a surprise, but I guess one that makes an unfortunate kind of sense given the previous slaving . . . But I digress, my apologies. There may be more dwarfs in the city soon enough. Akropash needs skilled hands and an infusion of capital to recover quickly. I'm trying to encourage some investors to put the wealth of Dağın Kalp to good use here. So mostly, I wanted to make your acquaintance and see if you had any advice on whom I might need to know in the city to help speed the recovery of Akropash's infrastructure. The healers are important and useful, but surely they are not the only people working towards the common weal in this city?"

"Well most dwarves tend to avoid the aspects of slavery, but I thought to make the land home and help however I could."

"Hmm...I know that old wispy elf Seimah has contacts about everywhere. For an elf he's a pretty decent man. There are a few politicians here and there that actually have good ideas for the city since you brought Targ's head out of that dungeon. If you like I can get you some meetings set up."

Toramin was slightly taken aback by the modesty comment. He couldn't judge whether she was mocking him.

"I imagine my ancestors would be better pleased were I like the other Trealamhgabha," he replies with a cautious smile.

"I've met Seimah. I wasn't impressed; he wasn't keeping the best of company at the time. Nevertheless, first impressions are just that. I would be grateful for the introductions."

She shrugs. "Seimah isn't the most pleasant company, but he's an excellent snake charmer. He's useful." The humans come out of the building and give her a signal, which she nods to. "I'll get in touch with them. Each one has their own talents. Not a bright bunch, but they have the right influence." She spits. "Politicians. Bunch of snakes, but have their uses, eh?"

It was Toramin's turn to shrug.

"Your pragmatism is a credit, and my thanks for your help. It is no wonder that the Bolcán Gloine are the leaders of security. It seems that you have the zombies well in hand. Though it is a dark art, I'm impressed by how many and how varied Acera was able to raise against us in so short a time."

"Nobody knew how Acera got so many undead under her power. Her influence was through time, planning, and resources. Not raw power."

Toramin was tired about people talking about how the harshness of the desert was indicative of how one should act.

"The white cloaks loved to talk about how harsh these lands are and how this harshness justified, or perhaps excused, their excesses. I say: people are people wherever they are. Their characters are determined by their convictions and their wills, not the desert heat. Pursuing the common good is not just a platitude for temperate weather no more than cunning and decisiveness are the sole province of the desert.

There is, however, a great deal to be said for time, planning, and resources."

Does Rusulka display a symbol of her god or goddess?