A Nerubian's Journey

[Massgamer]

Odd Spiderfolk​

"I have a few ideas, Chieftain Atuk," the 'nerubian', Krivax, said with what sounded like good cheer.

"Then please, share them," Atuk responded as he sat down on one of the seal hide pillows in front of the firepit while gesturing for his guests to do the same. Both Krivax and his companion Masruk did so, if not in the same manner as himself.

Both oriented themselves above the offered seats and then curled their legs until their 'lower bodies' touched the ground. Krivax folded his arms in front of him while Masruk laid his spear across his lap. It was… odd, but understandable given their different body shapes, more similar to the savage Magnataur than any Tuskarr, but much more polite and peaceful.

So far, anyway.

Elders Ko'kewi and Wumni also sat down, the latter with a sigh as she rested her old bones, while their party of warriors simply backed off a respectful distance… but still close given these strangers.

"First, you must understand that our kingdom, Azjol-Nerub, is very self-sufficient for the most part. We haven't interacted much with the surface world for a very long time since… Well, frankly many believe it has nothing we want or need. The Circle of Viziers, the order I am a part of, are among the only ones who still have an interest in the surface for research purposes, but even then most think we are better off on our own. I am one of the few who believe that the surface has much to offer us, but only if we lend out a friendly hand and speak with those who live here and get to know them. Hence, why we are here," Krivax explained.

He then paused for a moment before continuing. "Do keep in mind though this is mostly a personal venture. I have no authority to speak on behalf of my own city's ruler, let alone the High King. But I do hope our talks here might lead to something more official in the future."

Atuk hummed to himself as he digested the information. A whole kingdom living underground, apparently for a very long time and barely venturing to the surface, without anyone knowing was rather… distressing. Still, the fact they hadn't caused his people any trouble in the long memory of the ancestors was good, and even better this diplomatic venture by this curious and open-minded example of their kind.

Still, that left the question…

"If your people are so well off, then what could we possibly have to offer them?" Atuk asked outright.

"Well… if I can be frank, not a whole lot, but what you can provide can still help show the rest of my people that totally isolating ourselves is not in our best interests," Krivax said.

"And what would that be?" Elder Wumni asked with a slightly clipped tone.

"Knowledge is a big one," Krivax, earning a huff from the Elder Wumni. "Not your magic though! I get that the last nerubian here likely didn't leave the best impression. Viziers can be… a bit single-minded at times. While I would love to know more about it personally, I also would love to learn about your history, your customs, your traditions, your language, and everything you would feel comfortable sharing with outsiders."

"That would be something we'd be willing to share with guests freely. Our way of life is no secret, and so long as you'd be willing to share the same I think this could build the groundwork to a good relationship between our people," Atuk nodded at the easy enough request.

"As Shaman I suppose you'll be dumping that job mostly on me then," Elder Wumni grunted. "I suppose it won't be too different than teaching the calves."

"Thank you, Honored Elder, and naturally I will share with you my peoples' way as well. And if you ever feel comfortable teaching me a little about your magic I can gladly do the same," Krivax hummed and gave what Atuk thought might be his version of a smile… It was a little disturbing seeing the mouth parts in front of his face move like that.

"Don't go hunting whales just yet, boy," Wumni lightly warned.

"Of course," Krivax nodded before turning back to Atuk. "As for other things… is it true that you fish certain creatures from the waters that have an outer exoskeleton like us?" he asked while tapped at his chest, letting out a light clicking sound.

"Exoskeleton… you mean a shell? In that case, yes. We catch many crabs, lobsters, shrimp, clams, and other such creatures all the time in our traps and nets. Why do you ask?" Edler Ko'kewi questioned.

"Well, you see the main source of food for our people is fungus, algaes, protein-rich webbing, and especially raised and ranched insects, arachnids, and worms. Fish is a rare meal only few of our people actually eat, from whom I learned to fish from." Krivax explained.

No fish! Atuk thought in shock, not imagining anyone not taking part of the sea's bounty at least in some small way.

"Why not trade our excess fish and whale meat then for… whatever it is you use for currency?" Elder Wumni asked.

"We use coins," Krivax stated, sharing a convenient fact about how his people did business with one another that was similar to how their own did. "And unfortunately I don't think it will catch on since only a few of us as said actually eat and enjoy it. However, while I haven't tried it myself and I hope I can while we are here, that these creature's similarities with what we eat already will make a luxury market for those in my kingdom who come to enjoy them. This can be a very beneficial trade since it exposes my people to an aspect of the surface they like and you would likely earn much in exchange, be it coins or products."

That was an interesting idea… and it was harder to store shellfish than fish anyhow so they could sell the surplus during good seasons and use the wealth earned to better prepare for lean ones. Of course… this depended on whether the nerubians did enjoy shellfish…

Well, it was close to lunch anyhow.

"Then let us test it now," Atuk said with a smile.

---

Atuk chuckled a little as he took a bite of fried Fangtooh and shoveltusk, both provided by their guests to complete the gift giving ritual, alongside Elders Wumni and Ko'kewi as their guests dug into their own food… almost literally.

They were given steamed crab and lobster, with a side of oysters, to see how nerubians liked the taste of them, and the answer was apparently very much.

The chieftain watched as his guests dug into their food as if they hadn't eaten for days, cracking open the shells of all the foods with their teeth and happily sucking out the meat within. Masruk was especially eager, shoving a whole lobster into his mouth with only a couple bites, while Krivax was more restrained.

On the one hand it was a little nauseating watching them devour their meal with such gusto, but on the other he himself remembered his first solid meal of the sea's bounty very foundly too. His own children and their children were very much the same with their first fish as well. He could excuse a bit of messy eating considering the nerubians had never partaken of such fine meals before.

It was only after they cleared their plates that the nerubians recognized their rudeness and actually looked embarrassed, or as embarrassed as giant spider people could look.

"I- I apologize for our poor manners," Krivax bowed, followed quickly by Masruk.

"It smelled like nothing I've eaten before, and tasted like a mix of beetle and flyer- but better!" the warrior explained himself."

"I suppose that answers the question of whether or not your people would be willing to pay good coin for it then," Elder Wumni chuckled out loud at their shamed looks.

"Indeed, I am sure it will be the talk of the Spiderlord, Vizier, and Queen circles the second it reaches their tables," Krivax said. "Easily something they will pay a vast amount for."

"That is good to hear, though I doubt we can sell much all the time since there is only so much we can safely fish out of the sea every season without harming the population. You'd have to ask the other clans elsewhere if you want a similar deal," Atuk explained.

"If this grows as popular as I believe it will, then I am sure the High King himself will send trading parties to set it up," Krivax said with confidence.

"Hehe, good to know," Atuk smiled. "Now that we have shown you our bounty, do you mind sharing yours?"

"Of course," Krivax said as he reached for his 'magic bag' and began pulling out various items from it that should not have fit within something so small. It confirmed Orfus' earlier stories at least about the spiderfolk's strange magic, since Atuk knew of no ancestral items with similar abilities.

He then laid out several bundles of silk and a small pile of different ores before him, also confirming past reports.

"Since we live underground my people mine a lot of minerals pretty often and use them for all sorts of things. I am sure you can get things like iron and steel for cheap from us, but don't quote me on that since I am no merchant. We also mine precious metals like silver and gold, which we use in our currency along with copper and cobalt. I am sure you can find uses for that in tools, weapons, armor, kitchenware, etc."

"Indeed we can," Elder Ko'kewi said. "We value our tradition of making various things from the bones and teeth of the creatures we hunt, but we know the value of forged metal as well."

"Great to hear, but I'm sure you'll be more interested in our silk," Krivax said while unrolling a sheet and presenting it to them. "I don't like to brag, but our Weavers are masters in working it into all kinds of things: clothing, art, structures, stories, food, you name it. It can be woven into nets and ropes of great strength and longevity. As master fishermen I am sure you can see the benefit of it, but don't take my word for it. Take this and just try to tear it."

Elder Ko'kewi took the sheet offered to her, and after feeling it for a bit did as she was told and attempted to rip the flimsy looking sheet in twain… and failed.

Eyes widened all within Atuk's home as all the Tuskarr present watched as Elder Ko'Kewi failed again and again trying to undo the bindings that held the silk sheet together, all to no avail. She huffed a bit from exertion before huffing again and giving the sheet over to him in defeat.

Atuk merely held the thin and incredibly smooth piece of fabric before him, turning it over and over to see if there was any damage to it after all that effort or if there was some trick at play. Finding none of either he merely decided to also test its resolve against his own, in his humble opinion, great strength.

Yet no matter how hard he tried it did not break, and in his youth he had once pulled a small kraken to shore!

He merely looked upon the undamage sheet in awe before handing it to Elder Wumni.

The aged Shaman held the sheet within her hands, carefully rubbing her fingers through it while whispering under her breath, and her eyes widened in surprise.

"This fabric… the spirits like it," she simply said before handing it back to Krivax. "I've never seen anything like it. Not even the giant spiders of the Rivenwood could weave something such as that."

"To be fair, lesser giant spiders don't have our intelligence and skill," Krivax humble-bragged as he folded the sheet and put it away. "And our silk is also very receptive to magic, which is likely why your… 'spirits' like it. We weave many spells and magical effects into our silk for certain effects, but even in its base state it has countless uses. These are some of the most common ones, and in fact ones I made myself, magic and silk," Krivax said as he handed over another sheet, this time to Elder Wumni first.

"So warm," she said at once, rubbing her hands all over the sheet in surprise.

"That sheet contains an enchantment that my own robes hold we call 'minor flameweave', which in this case makes those who wear it have a constant warm temperature. I think you can guess how useful that could be here on the surface considering how cold it can get. That is not even getting into the Flameweave and Iceweave enchants which we use to heat up and keep things cool respectively, which can help in cooking and storing food. That is only the beginning though and I myself can enchant silk to have a wide variety of effects, and I am a total novice compared to master Weavers back home. And who knows, maybe you'll find them useful in your own magic like we do for our own." Krivax said towards Elder Wumni, who had at some point during the explanation wrapped herself in the magically warm sheet with a content smile on her face.

"So warm…" the eldery shaman simply said.

"I would assume that these magical… 'weavings' would cost a great deal," Elder Ko'Kewi pointed out.

"The more complex ones, yes, though minor ones can along with pure silk works tend to be pretty cheap since all nerubians can produce silk ourselves," Krivax explained.

Atuk hummed once more to himself as he considered things. From practicality alone these silk products could be very useful in nearly all aspects of his village's life, and the envy of the other clans once word reached them. All of which can be bought and paid for mostly through fishing, something they could easily do and then do more of once they had better tools.

It could be a very good deal.

"This is all very impressive and I won't deny that if a deal can be made that it would be foolish not to take part of it," Atuk stated, who was about to say more before someone interrupted him.

"If you are serious about wheeling and dealing with us you are gonna need to learn how to actually talk to us beyond broken words and magically transferred intentions outside these walls," Elder Wumni spoke up from her comfortable looking cocoon. "And since you seem so intent on getting to know the surface I say you should stay here and actually learn it right."

That earned more than a few shocked glances.

"You… you mean stay here? In the village?" Krivax asked.

"Where else are you gonna properly learn Kalu'aka than right here? Also, figure keeping you here for a bit and seeing how you do among our people is the fastest way to see just how honest you nerubians are in your peaceful intentions," Elder Wumni said. "Of course, assuming you both and the Chieftain are alright with it of course."

"I do not mind, so long as I can spar with your warriors regularly to keep up my strength and Krivax agrees to it," Masruk was quick to give his consent.

"Well… I wasn't expecting this so early, but so long as I inform my superior back home about my extended 'research expedition' then it should be alright. I have a magical tool on hand to let me do just that as well," Krivax nodded along.

"I would be happy to extend guest rights to you both for the time being, but if you plan to live and learn among us then you will be expected to contribute to the wellbeing of our community like all adult members of the Kalu'ak," Atuk warned them.

"Of course, that is something both our people agree on," Krivax readily agreed.

"Then on behalf of all Kamagua I welcome you among our tribe and hope in time you come to see yourself a part of it," Atuk intoned.

And so it was that Kamagua had earned itself two new… unique members.

 

[Massgamer]

Foreigners​

"I believe that should cover everything," Orfus of Kamagua said, sealing the deal with the ceremonial knot of trade, using a mix of knots from Moa'ki, Kamagua and Iskaal.

While it wasn't the fastest deal ever tied off, Chieftain Ko'nani in the end was glad it was done within only a few hours and a mutually beneficial agreement was made. Moa'ki Harbor would give the villages from the Isle of Spears their surplus of various stored food, especially shellfish to trade with the nerubians, as well as assurances of more of the same during lean times for the next year along with some of their stock of oil and skins. In the meantime they got the ore and silk that was brought here to use as they saw fit, something that was quick to be done with a nod towards a nearby warrior who then left to let the rest of the village know just that.

The ore would be sent straight to the blacksmiths to make into tools, weapons, and whatever else the village needed, while the silk would be sent to the womanfolk to weave into various useful shapes. The latter especially would be interesting since apparently the silk could be used for more than just making clothes, but also nets, ropes, and even insulating and reinforcing structures if done right, which might speed up repairs of their outer wall before the next attack.

These nerubians certainly knew what their customers needed at least.

"Then the trade is made complete," he finished with a nod, followed by the nodding heads of the various gathered Elders.

"Indeed, a great agreement all around," Orfus nodded before looking back to his companions. "Now I believe these two had further questions."

"Indeed, they were asking about those outsiders who come and trade with us?" Chieftain Ko'nani asked, recalling the spiderfolk's question.

"Yes, for you see for the longest time my people were under the assumption that simply nothing existed beyond our shores, so the news that something does has caught our attention," the one known as Krivax was quick to speak up, having looked quite bored but also full of energy during the whole period of trade talks, keeping himself quiet the whole time beyond some questions sent his way on the uses of the silk goods in question.

"Oh? Well, I suppose to be fair our people did for a long time too," Chieftain Ko'nani. "We only really learned about it as well several generations ago."

"I bit more than that, but yes, it was a bit of a surprise for us as well," Elder Duuqni spoke up. "Apparently the local human communities throughout Dragonblight, and I hear also Grizzly Hills, descend from those from the east who shipwrecked themselves or even willingly came to live here."

"The vrykuls' stunted offspring? They came from the east?" the other quieter nerubian who had the feel of a warrior about him, Masruk, finally spoke up and asked with curiosity.

"We… do not know to what you refer," Elder To'a admitted, confusion on the faces of all the kalu'akpresent, even Orfus.

"Well you see, our records indicate that thousands upon thousands of years ago, before the Great Sundering even, that a local race of half-giants, the vrykul, who mainly make their home in the Howling Fjord region and have been sleeping in their keeps ever since, were suffering from a… 'sickness' that caused them to give birth to children who were much weaker and smaller than them, what would later be called humans. Their king, disgusted at their weakness, at the time ordered them all killed, but despite this it seems they have survived to the present day. If what you say is true… then our assumption of their continued presence in this land is not due to avoiding the vrykul purge here, but apparently hiding out someplace much further away before the great breaking and then growing in this new land after that in safety before returning to their homeland at some point. That is my initial hypothesis at least." Krivax finished with a hum.

There was silence all throughout the Chieftain's house at those words as everyone spent several minutes processing what was just said.

A race of sleeping half-giants? There were only stories of true giants, and the legends of them giving birth to the infamous magnataur. These half-giants willingly slaying their own children just for being 'weak' in their eyes? Monstrous to the extreme and something no kalu'ak would do to their own children, even in the harshest of winters. Humans being small giants? Well… that one was less hard to believe since, despite on average being shorter than the average kalu'ak, Chieftain Ko'nani had personally seen a few examples of human strength and bravery in the face of what should be much deadlier beings.

"Returning to the main question, yes, the humans claim to come from the far east and kingdoms there," Elder Si'uigo broke them all out of their musings. "We occasionally see traders from them during the warm seasons who wish to trade in furs, oils, whale bone, and other things with us when they travel here in their 'sailing' ships. They are our regular source of metal tools and weapons… before you of course."

"Are they strong despite their size?" Masruk asked, seemingly intently curious.

"They are no slouches to combat, those who train for it at least," Chieftain Ko'nani. "And if you live in the Dragonblight, then you need to know how to defend yourself."

"They must have retained their parents' martial prowess then, good to know," Masruk nodded.

"Did they say what their land is called and what it is like?" Krivax asked.

"A land of warmth that they call the 'Eastern Kingdoms' apparently," Elder To'a answered.

"Most interesting," Krivax hummed further.

"Of course, we don't see them as much as the little green devils," Elder Si'uigo spoke up, causing most present to sigh and palm their faces, earning the attention of the nerubians.

"Green devils?" Krivax asked.

"Well, that is what we refer to them when they aren't around at least," Elder Duuqni admitted. "They call themselves goblins and also hail from across the sea. Short, green, point ears and noses, and more greed in their whole bodies than common sense. They aren't the worst beings to talk to… but they can certainly grate on the nerves."

"Indeed," Chieftain Ko'nani agreed. "I've dealt with them each time they come to Moa'ki Harbor and even if their visits are infrequent, each time they arrive they can be very… 'grating'. They are very fond of making trade deals and the like, but rather uncaring of anything beyond that. I hear the clans in the Tundra deal with it more often and worse too due to being a central gathering point for our people."

"They all have a death-wish," Elder To'a grumbled. "On one of their expeditions, they ventured out into the Dragonblight and attempted to harvest the corpses of the great wyrms! In another, they tried to brutally harvest the natural resources of an area before they were driven away; and their creations are always blowing up more often than not!"

"They can use said 'machines' to break through the ice during the colder months… but it just as often breaks down and becomes trapped in it as well," Elder Si'uigo explained.

"The goblins do not come here very often due to their difficulties adjusting to the climate, but when they do, I would say on average more die here than return home every time they arrive," Chieftain Ko'nani said grimly. "Not that they seem to care much, with those few who manage to survive going home with smiles on their faces at the 'great profit' being made."

"I would not recommend dealing with them if you don't want to be driven to your wits' end, but I'm sure they would pay much more than we ever could for your goods though," Elder Duuqni admitted reluctantly.

"We will keep that in mind…" Krivax muttered to themselves.

"Do they fight well at least?" Masruk asked hopefully.

"The few times I've seen it they mostly relied on their machines to fight for them. As prone to blow them up as their enemies," Chieftain Ko'nani said. "That's why we don't trade for any of their… complex creations."

"Oh…" Masruk actually sounded disappointed.

"We do have a few toys and gadgets from the gnomes though," Elder Si'uigo spoke up. "Their devices are more reliable and much less prone to explode randomly."

"Gnomes?" Krivax perked up.

"Oh yes, they are much more new to our lands, having only started coming here occasionally in the last few decades. They were part of a group with another race known as the dwarfs. Gnomes look like child-sized humans while the dwarfs are a little taller but also more stout and hairy," Elder Duuqni explained. "Unlike the human or goblin traders, they don't come here to trade at all, but rather explore and research apparently. Said they are a part of a group known as the 'Explorers' League' and want to study ancient ruins. They are very interested in the great pillars and ancient road for example."

"Are they still here?" Krivax asked in some excitement.

"No, they've only been coming by once a year, traveling on the same ships the traders do and doing short scouting trips into Dragonblight before leaving with them again. They say they are gathering information for a proper expedition later. They should arrive again when the ice is still at its thinnest and leave before the cold traps them," Elder To'a explained.

"We can introduce you to them when they return if you like, if their regular schedule holds they should arrive with some human traders within a month or so, and they are much friendlier than the humans and goblins that come by. We even traded for small things like the mentioned toys and gadgets, along with a few other things like tools, food, and maps," Chieftain Ko'nani stated.

"Do you still have them?! The maps?!" Krivax asked in a great deal of excitement, practically looking like he was about to jump up from his seat.

The kalu'ak were taken back by his energy, but Chieftain Ko'nani was quick to see another opportunity.

"Of course, and we'd be happy to trade them to you for a price. Maybe a few of the other items as well," he said with a smirk as he got up to collect the items in question.

A few minutes later he had a large scroll in hand and unrolled it before the nerubians, showing the Eastern Kingdoms.

"Amazing…" Krivax whispered in awe as he took the map in hand while his companion was less impressed.

"We have better maps," Masruk said simply.

"Do you know anything about these Eastern Kingdoms?" Krivax asked as he examined the map. "Their history? Their people?... Maybe any conflicts they are in the middle of? Don't want to get mixed up in anything nasty after all."

"Not much, but then again we didn't pry and they didn't share beyond what was needed to do business with each other," the Chieftain admitted. "Though the gnomes and dwarfs are friendly if nothing else."

"How do these 'dwarves' and 'gnomes' fight though?"

"Can't say much on the gnomes, and while I've never seen them fight, the dwarfs at least were well armed and armored when I saw them," Chieftain Ko'nani mused.

"Good to hear," was Masruk's response.

"The gnomes do make this wonderful device though that the calves love and I admit is very distracting too," the Chieftain admitted as he handed over an item from a small pile of various doodads traded with the gnomes.

"I fail to see how this would be entertaining at—" Masruk started to say, but quickly quieted as he held the device and it started to spin at his touch, causing his multiple eyes to widen and watch it closely as he turned it this way and that. "Oh… this is quite nice."

"Glad you think so… and we'd be willing to part with them for the right amount of trade," the Chieftain said, noticing how he now had them both hooked.

Oh yes, as those little green devils would fondly say, this was going to be a very profitable day.

 

[Massgamer]

Have No Fear! We Come to Trade!​

Oscar was feeling a number of conflicting emotions today in rapid succession that he dearly wished he wasn't.

General discomfort and irritation of returning to unbelievably cold Northrend to trade with the primitive natives who barely understood the value of coin, excitement of the potential turn of profit they would get trading cheap ores for much more valuable exotic goods that would sell well back home, outrage at being told by these walruspeople that they would have to 'renegotiate' their standard deal with them, surprise at learning about their new trading partner, glee at the thought of trading with a proper kingdom and the opportunities it would open up in the market with him and his associates at the forefront of it, to terror to finding out these 'nerubians' were spiderpeople of all things, and finally now… desperately trying to maintain his years long honed trader's face as he tried to maintain eye contact with said spiderpeople.

It was easier said than done considering it was hard to figure out which set of eyes he should be focusing on.

Still, his pride as a trader would not let him lose such a valuable opportunity standing right before him, so even as he sweated in his heavy furs despite the cold of the continent he kept up his practiced smile and opened up talks of trade with this 'Krivax'. He was very curious what this Azjol-Nerub could potentially offer the Eastern Kingdoms after all, ideally making trading missions to this continent being much more worthwhile than previous visits. So when the nerubians were done speaking with the Explorers' League members and their discussions with the walruspeople were over, he took his chance and hoped for the best.

He was not disappointed, and it did much to distract him from his fear.

"This silk is marvelous!" he said in undisguised awe as he was shown several sheets of the material, something that apparently the nerubians could produce relatively cheaply, so most of the costs involved would end up being in transporting it.

"Thank you," Krivax said with what Oscar thought was a smile. Thankfully, the magics of the chieftain's hut allowed them to communicate freely so at least words were coming in clearly. "It's pretty basic compared to what actually skilled Weavers can do, but it has many uses even in its base form."

"I am aware since silk is a luxury material back home. Only Dalaran and Quel'Thalas.can produce it in any reasonable amount, and even then only the richest can afford it," Oscar explained. "I am slightly afraid that if it's as easy to produce as you say that you could crash the market for it back home."

"Oh… that would not be good I assume," Krivax said nervously. "We could limit the amount we can trade at a time to reduce overall cost but not totally devalue it if that helps."

"That would likely be best, but for now it is no problem since few traders come to Northrend as is for the moment, though sure that will change once word spreads," Oscar said. "Your ores won't fetch as high of a price due to Ironforge's high output rate, but the prices of certain ones remain consistent for the most part so long as you moderate that as well."

"Good to know," Krivax nodded. "There are likely many other things that my people can trade, but at this time this is the most I can offer personally."

"Of course, of course," Oscar waved him off. "This is plenty for the time being. Larger trade deals can be made later on as our relationship with your people grows."

"Sounds very good, though since we have no maritime tradition at this time we'll likely have to rely on your ships for transporting said goods." Krivax pointed out.

"We'll need to find enough ships and sailors for such, but sure that can be arranged in time as well," Oscar nodded as he idly tried to figure out the logistics of such a system.

"Good, good," Krivax nodded. "Now that we've gone over what my people can offer I suppose now it's your turn to do the same."

"That does leave the question of what do you need," Oscar fired back with an honest smirk.

"Not much to be honest, but magical reagents or luxury goods such as new foods and the like would likely interest my people and get more interested in the surface world. It's been working with the tuskarr and shellfish after all," Krivax shrugged. "I don't suppose you can offer tomes of knowledge, literature, philosophy, and arcane lore?"

Oscar came up slightly short but quickly recovered.

"While there are many tomes in the Eastern Kingdoms most are in the ownership of the Church of the Holy Light, noble houses, royal libraries and similar institutions who would be… slow to part with such things easily, even for large amounts of gold." Oscar explained. "And the vast majority of anything related to arcane magic can only be found among the High Elves and the mages of Dalaran."

"Hmmm, would they be up for a trade? Azjol-Nerub has vast libraries full of knowledge accumulated over the course of thousands of years. I am sure they would find something among our collection worth swapping for," Krivax asked curiously.

Thousands of years?! Are we dealing with elves in spider form?! Oscar's mind screamed, but he kept his features schooled.

"Perhaps, but that is something you would need to ask them directly since I am simply a humble trader and sadly have no ties to such groups," Oscar admitted, knowing it was never good to build up your own image too high or else you wouldn't be able to live up to expectations.

"A shame, but understandable, since it's not like you knew about us at all," Krivax shrugged. "Hopefully we can meet with representatives of said groups at a later date, but for now we would be happy to trade simple things with you that you are willing to part with such as maps, books, and anything else you have on you currently that can help us learn more about your people."

"I believe I can arrange that," Oscar said, knowing that the captain has a small library in his cabin that he would need to beg and plead with to give up at least a decent amount of it with the promise of a larger cut of the silk profits.

"Excellent, then I hope this deal is most pleasing and that we can partake in more in the future," Krivax said with a nod as they sealed their agreement with a handshake… which had Oscar shiver as the nerubian's clawed hand was placed in his own.

Good profit or not, this will take getting used to.

---

"... That is quite the tale, and certainly changes a lot," Captain Stanton Prescott admitted after Oscar gave the full version of events in private with the man.

After the League members and him had returned to the ship to report back on the meeting with the nerubians the former had returned to the village to continue speaking with their newest acquaintances while he remained behind to talk with the captain about how this changed their mission on behalf of House Ashfort.

"As it stands, even after negotiations with the tuskarr, we will be at a net loss for this whole journey, however this news of a brand new and apparently quite wealthy and powerful kingdom stands to pay us back hundreds of times over if we play our cards right," Oscar explained. "I will be going to the nerubian city-state in a few days, and while there I hope to broker a larger trade deal with the city leadership, perhaps as payment for transporting a diplomatic delegation back to the Eastern Kingdoms."

"Which will not only net us quite a profit, but House Ashfort has first grabs at any new trade routes made and the glory of helping establish diplomatic ties with a foreign kingdom," the captain summarized as he rubbed his beard chin. "Which aught to seriously boost their reputation among the Lordaeron upper class."

"Exactly! This will be a massive coup, politically speaking, and House Ashfort and the rest of us can ride the wave when it comes rather than be overtaken by it," Oscar couldn't help the slightly predatory grin that came to his face at the thought.

"Still sounds risky since these are giant spider people of all things, and from the sounds of it most of them are not the overly friendly sort," the captain pointed out as he took a drink of alcohol from his private stash he brought out during the report.

"Yes, but even the most isolationist kingdoms still want some things outside of their borders, for even the elves still trade with the human kingdoms despite not allowing us in theirs," Oscar pointed out.

"Elves don't eat people… as far as I know," the captain said. "I've seen actual non-talking giant spiders wrap up and suck the juices out of men before."

"From all accounts they have no interest in eating people, Captain," Oscar waved him off, but still couldn't get the image out of his head of the nerubians happily crunching down on a crab shell and all.

"Its your neck that you're risking, so it's your choice in the end," the captain shrugged. "Guess that means we'll be stuck here for a little bit while you work your magic. Gonna have to give the crew a bit of extended shore leave while gone, not that there is much to do here, and get them ready to most likely receive more… unique looking passengers then. Of course, if you aren't back in a week gonna assume the worst and sail off."

"Fair enough, but I assure you it won't come to that," Oscar said… and privately hoped.

"This is the risk you merchants all take for coin and glory, I suppose," the Captain laughed while Oscar chuckled since he couldn't deny that fact.

If all went well, then he would become one of the richest men in the Eastern Kingdoms in a few short years, an image that made any risk seem worth it.

 

[Massgamer]

Adventure at Sea ​

After leaving Northrend's shores it would be a several month journey back to the Eastern Kingdoms, a journey that the Sea Cutter had made many times befores and that her crew was well used to doing at this time… only this time they were carrying some very unusual guests with them in the form of a group of giant spiderpeople known as nerubians.

Naturally, this was something that put most of the sailors on edge.

Thankfully for the most part both groups avoided and stayed out of each other's way, one due to unease and the other due to not deeming it worth it to interact with the 'lesser' group in any way beyond a few individuals. Therefore issues only cropped up on occasion, and thankfully when they did it was up to the most diplomatic of the nerubians to help meditate.

"Just… try not to eat a live seagull in front of the sailors, they find it disturbing when they see you doing that since they are used to eating their food after its well dead," Krivax, now in a Vizier form, which he was still getting used to, not helped by the ship's constant rocking, explained to one of the Warriors who had taken to hunting the seabirds in the ship's riggings to pass the time and to get a free meal.

"I fail to see the issue," the Warrior defended themselves, idly whipping away some feathers from their mandibles.

"I know, it's odd, but for politeness' sake while we are on their ship try to respect their wishes," Krivax asked.

"Hmm, very well. I will be sure to kill the birds before eating them and doing so privately so as to not disturb our hosts too much… despite the fact they don't seem to mind gutting fish on deck," the Warrior mumbled the last part as he walked off.

"I just know there's gonna be another complaint of that nature coming up again later," Krivax sighed as he went to inform the captain about how he addressed the complaint.

Feels like I've become an HR manager or something.

---

Life aboard a seagoing ship was something many of the nerubians had to adapt to in their own way as well since it was a very foreign concept to the spiderfolk who had never traveled beyond Northrend's shores in thousands upon thousands of years, viewing the sea as a deathtrap at best… which even the humans transporting them could not deny for the most part.

It was paradoxically easy and hard to find their sea legs as while their legs allowed them to stay upright easily while the ship moved, sticking to its various surfaces, it did not prevent several nerubians from developing seasickness from the constant rocking of the vessel.

Also, most of the nerubians did not like sleeping within the hold of the ship like the human sailors did, finding the idea of sleeping so close to the water as madness, choosing instead to either sleep on the deck itself in spun cocoons like the slumbering spiderlord, whom the sailors were very happy not to interact with, within the riggings of the ship itself. The latter reminded the nerubians greatly of their great webbed roads in Azjol-Nerub, easily climbing up and down its ropes and even making nests between the masts.

This caused concern among the riggers and the captain for the risk of interfering with their duties, but a surprising answer found itself thanks to the careful meditation of Krivax and the members of the Explorer's League. Namely, why not let the nerubians handle it?

Not totally of course, but rather teach them the basics on how to handle the rigging and let them do so under the guidance of the human crew. Not only were the nerubians fast learners, but their natural climbing ability allowed them to freely move within the upper parts of the ship without danger. They could act more quickly than the human riggers to the captain's orders and surprisingly their webbing helped increase the efficiency of the ship's sails by channeling the wind itself.

So did it become that the captain and sailors very begrudgingly ceded the riggings to the most part to the nerubians, for so long as they pulled their weight they kept their complaints down to a minimum and the spiderfolk could make themselves as comfortable as they could for the long journey.

That and few were brave enough to share their more private and rude thoughts into the faces of the spiderfolk directly.

---

"Not the worst passengers I've ever had… but I swear the crew is constantly muttering about mutiny behind my back at all hours," Captain Preston muttered to himself as he found himself in his captain with Oscar once more.

"They can learn to deal with it," the merchant scoffed as he happily wrote down in his logbook. "Once we arrive home their share in everything will be enough for most to happily retire if they want."

"Some things even gold can't solve," the captain answered back.

"Then clearly there was not enough gold involved," Oscar pointed out. "Between the transportation fee, which the nerubians vastly overspent likely to make a point, and the trade goods in the hold, we could beggar some minor noble houses. This is not even mentioning the reward House Ashfort will no doubt give us for carrying a diplomatic envoy and the benefits that will no doubt flow into their coffers from that alone if everyone plays their cards right. This is a massive investment opportunity and I don't want your men ruining that, Captain."

"Easier said than done," he muttered into this drink that he poured from himself.

"Make full use of Krivax and Masruk then, they are very agreeable by their peoples' standards," Oscar pointed out.

"Don't worry, I have," the captain agreed, finding both much easier to deal with than the rest of the nerubian party. The former being nearly overly friendly while the latter was refreshingly blunt and to the point. "The 'Viziers' are too stuck in their studies to care while the rest casually look down on us and only bother to chat when they want something."

"Well, if their claims of having a kingdom that is older than the high elves is true then that arrogance is only natural," Oscar shrugged. "Just think of it like dealing with them in spider shape."

"At this point that might be the most sane idea yet," the captain chuckled. "Besides, I doubt any of them have the spine to really go against our guests, and our guests have been following the rules for the most part if nothing else."

"Nerubians very much value rules and order I've found, it's a very pleasant aspect of them."

"Here is hoping it stays that way until we get to port."

---

The worst issue the nerubians dealt with while at sea was one that was rarely one back home, and that was… boredom. Or rather, a lack of tasks to do for the most part.

The higher castes were either slumbering or working in private, so that left the Weavers, Flyers, and Skitterers with a gulf of free time they weren't sure what to do with.

The Warriors made due, using their discipline to constantly guard their charges or maintain their bodies, but the rest found a surprisingly pastime when they were not doing duties for leaders or the ship itself. It was an activity that the newest Vizier in party had grown to enjoy during his diplomatic ventures after all, something that had to be taught and how most nerubians did not even have a word for yet, and what better place to do it than in the middle of the sea?

Mainly, fishing!
"The stars are much starker on the open water. I never expected that," Masruk mused out loud as he, Krivax and several other nerubians cast their silk lines into the water and trailing behind the ship during the middle of the night.

Indeed, with no clouds in the sky and on a calm sea the celestial bodies were out in full force, something that awed the gathered nerubians the same way it awed Krivax and Masruk not so long ago.

"Indeed, pretty amazing, right?" Kirvax nodded along.

"I think I got something!" The group's only sapient skitterer spoke up in shock as its line was being pulled taunt, nearly dragging the smaller nerubian off the ship until it stuck itself to the deck. "It's big!"

"Hang on then! Everyone, grab hold and pull!" Krivax ordered as he, Masruk, Weavers, skitters, flyers, and even a few Warriors grabbed onto the line and slowly pulled their catch in.

Masruk made sure to end the creature swiftly with his spear.

By morning the captain would awake and walk out on the deck to find a shark of all things hanging from the main mask from a silk rope, the sailors gathered around it in awe and the nerubians in what looked like smug pride at their catch, and reacted by simply sighing.

"Well at least the cook will be happy," he muttered.

---

"From the sounds of it I do hope to visit both your home cities when time permits. They both sound rather amazing," Krivax said as he and Masruk once more settled down for their usual friendly chats with Trixie and Malzie. It was a rather regular occurrence over the course of the trip given their tight quarters and good relationship compared to the rest of the crew.

"We'll be sure to give you a tour… so long as we give proper warning first of course," Trixie laughed awkwardly.

"I would not mind sparring with a few of your warriors though," Masruk pointed out.

"Hehe, of course lad, sure more than a few happy to trade pointers," Malzie laughed.

"Good," the Warrior nodded.

"Still, it might be a while before we can do so since it seems like we will be dealing with the human kingdoms first. Who knows how that will go since if the crew's reaction is anything to go by our appearance will not be taken in stride at first," Krivax noted.

"Most likely not, no. Humans… can be a mixed bag at times," Trixie admitted with a frown. "I can get being afraid of something if it's honestly dangerous… but it seems like some humans can be rather hateful for the dumbest of reasons."

"That is why you gotta step carefully around them until you get their measure, like feeling out the walls of a mine so you know it won't collapse on your head if you walk it wrong," Malzie nodded. "Most humans aren't so bad though, just rather insulated since they rarely see a friendly non-human face most of the time. Usually they deal with gnolls, trolls, or some other nasty thing after all. Just gotta give them a chance."

"Here is hoping we make a good first impression then," Krivax muttered to himself as he got a far away look in his eyes. "We might really need it…"

"Your mind wanders again," Masruk said as he broke the silence that followed those words. "Do not worry over what you cannot control, merely what you can."

"Yes, you're right again Masruk, thanks for the reminder." Krivax said with a smile.

"You'll have us too, at least for a little while, so try not to worry too much," Trixie said with a thumbs up and Malzie with a nod. "Gotta see this through to the end after all."

"Thank you, you two. It's good to know I have friends I can count on." Krivax simply said.

And so their journey across the sea went, not as one huge epic, but merely a number of small events that while holding no great significance would still remain a part of all involved in some shape, way or form.