Winning Vote:
[X] Accept: Take on [Difficult] Dowry Pt. 1: The King of Ungor wants two cloaks? By Grungni you'll give him two cloaks! Damn finest cloaks anyone will ever see! Must be completed in four turns starting Turn 15.
- [X] Accept Amulet, Combo: Add Amulet to items in [Difficult] Dowry Pt. 1: Tell the king you'll take on the Amulet Request as well, what's one more task on the pile?
…
The Procession is one filled with great fanfare as almost every dwarf in the hold comes to see off the Great Throng as it passes through the Underway station. You stand with the Elder Council, behind Otrek and his family as they stand and watch as rows upon rows of Dwarfs pass through the great doors into the Underway. Farther behind you, the imposing form of
The Miner stands at attention, its glowing eyes staring down at the dwarfs while it holds its pickaxe in both hands.
The noble procession passes through first with Grimnir at their head, thousands of royals marching behind the Valiant, stoic and proud even as the army behind them chants and sings. You see Prince Durabarr glancing at his bride-to-be before he notices you eyeing him with amusement. The Prince has enough self-control to simply nod back at you, the both of you agreeing to silently let his fawning stay unmentioned. You're sure that handing that letter will be one of the first things he does when he arrives at Ungor.
…
The opening of the Underway is a great boon to the hold, for one thing, it's a safe and secure connection to the rest of the Karaz Ankor, something that made intercontinental trade a great deal easier. In most folk's cases, it meant there was more to buy and a safer way of meeting kin from other holds.
For you, it was the same, though the things you bought tended to be a bit more exotic.
"The Oathgold, as requested oh brother of mine," Jorri chortles, patting the chest he was resting against.
"Took you awhile to get here, keep it up and you might have to rebrand to 'the slowest Krut-head' in the Karaz Ankor," you snark back.
"Bah, slow for you Mr. 'Built The Underway Meself', but for anydwarf with their head screwed on right, a decade to get this stuff from Ekrund is downright incredible! Especially when half the merchants are off to war. Grimnir kicked a lot of rears into action, good two out of three holds down south are mustering for campaigns these days. Now, enough about that, tell me how my little girl's doing," Jorri replies, getting off the chest to let you have a look.
"Good enough, even if she was a dwarf four decades her senior, enough for the trial at least. It'd be unorthodox to send her off so soon, but she's got the skills. Normally I'd wait eighty years, and I might just do that, but if I sent her off to do her journeyman project she'd not shame the Clan," you answer as you inspect the Oathgold inside.
"Haha! Of course she won't!" Jorri chortles as he peaks over your shoulder to stare at the contents of the chest as well.
Not that either of you would tell her of course.
"Why are you staring?" you ask nonchalantly, gazing at the glimmering metal.
"Didn't get much chance to. 'Sides, what's wrong with another look?" he mutters.
You grunt in agreement, finding Jorri's logic sound for once in his life.
Ah, Oathgold. Trace amounts could be found in some gold seams, but Ekrund in the far south was the greatest source found in the Kingdoms so far. Gold so pure and beautiful that it was said to be as good as the oath of a king in the eyes of many a dwarf, and you could certainly see why. Your people had a litany of words for gold, but
oathgold was special.
Even for gold, which said a lot if you were a dwarf.
Both you and Jorri sigh in contentment before you very regretfully close the lid. Keep that thing open and you'd be stuck staring for a good half an hour. Gold Madness was understandable but never something a dwarf wanted to fall to in public. The embarrassment was enough to have some of you hide in their homes for months to ride out the shame.
"What have you got Snerra doing right now anyway?" Jorri asks, looking around for his youngest child.
"She's out running errands for me. A few of the merchants I'm having her meet are young, looking for patronage, but it'll be up to her to figure that out and what to do with it, same as Dolgi and Fjolla. I'm timing her as we speak too, she's trying to break her personal best from the way she pushes herself. In terms of work, well If I can't critique the technique It just means I have five more things for her to work on," you say.
"Ah, fills me with pride to hear that," he says with an overdramatic sniff.
"Course we'll never tell her that," you say.
"Aye, not till she's four hundred," Jorri confirms.
"Five," you counter.
"Four fifty," Jorri argues back.
You grunt, you suppose it wasn't
out of question. But you're more likely to wear Jorri down to five centuries, as any older brother ought to do.
…
"Brokk, how's overland travel past Ornsmotek?" King Otrek asks, staring at the be-feathered ranger.
"As bad as it is here my King. Snow as deep as four dwarfs atop each other in some places and the winds are cold enough that some of my older lads are actually talking about it," the ranger reports.
"Much trouble navigating for any dwarfs braving the trek?" the king continues.
"Had some of my lads keep a few paths clear and mark off the more deceptive areas, overland travel's still slowed down to a crawl between the northern holds. Only folk going out into the surface are my rangers and any dwarfs carrying those
hearthstones the Rhunrikki found," Brokk answers.
"I'll see what little can be done on my end. Brokk, figure out a way to keep the snows clear as long as you can, coordinate with the rangers of other holds if you have to. Be a damn shame for the Valiant's efforts to get snowed in of all things," Otrek says.
At that, all grunt in agreement. It would be a terrible shame indeed.
"Speaking of outside, how have efforts been with the griffon?" you ask, glancing meaningfully at the onyx feathers hanging off the ranger's cloak. He's been collecting quite a few of the things, almost enough to cover his cloak in it. Gifts, or close enough to the concept, from the creature he told you, helped that they muffled sound about as well as some Runes as well.
"Got enough of a rapport with the one we both met to have a good idea what she's thinking, but it's tougher with the rest of them. Harder to parse given the lack of prior contact, I had to rely on body language for a lot of my efforts with the first one you see, but I'm making it work," the elder admits before taking a drink.
And wasn't that another startling development?
Brokk handing you the measurements of several dozen Griffon necks was one thing, but seeing the shadows of dozens of the creatures now appearing across the darkening sky over the hold was certainly an odd sight the first time you saw it. More so the fact that dozens of the creatures were in such close proximity with each other. Griffons weren't the most communal creatures according to most Dwarf reckoning, but these ones had been glutted on a diet of Greedy Trolls, so who knew what else could change.
You're only thankful they don't seem all that hostile right now.
"As long as they don't hurt any dwarfs minding their own business I'll leave it to you keep an eye on this. Let me know if you'll need anything to keep them peaceful," Otrek says with a gruff grunt.
"Blankets, lots of blankets, wool or cloth. Nothing fancy, they'll probably shred the damn things by accident, but I'm not picky. A few of those hearthstones too," he replies immediately.
Otrek grunts in affirmative.
…
(Roll, Dolgi: 22)
You watch from several meters away, sitting on a bench and eating some stonebread, as Dolgi leaves yet another shop empty-handed. From the looks of things, he's been doing rather poorly lately. Not in terms of quality, because you'd throttle him if he was making shoddy work, but in terms of getting any real work to
do. The troubles of having so many Runesmiths in a hold is that there's always someone to compete against. Course the lad's got the chops, just seems like a run of bad luck. Nothing really impressive for him to do and prove himself, just a lot of more mundane Runework from your observation. He's got enough money to get by for centuries, but it's clear the lack of any
real work is affecting the young lad. Of course, you also see him clench his fist and tug on his beard, energy seeming to fill his veins as he likely makes an oath to overcome the challenge.
Never was one to let this sort of stuff get to him.
Good.
…
(Roll, Fjolla: 77)
You listen in on a few jewellers trying to hash out a deal with each other from your position nearby. The bar is packed, but the background noise fades away as you tune your ears in.
"Look Kemma, you commissioned her last week for that necklace for Thane Granitehead's wife, you can't get her again! We all agreed that we don't go back to back per week," A dwarf says.
"Its the free week! We also ALL agreed that there would be one free for all week, so what takes precedence here? The free week came before the two-week agreement," Kemma argues back.
"Look, I have records from last week's meeting right here. Subsection III Clause B, 'the agreement to not double back on weeks is taken on under the agreement by all parties that it holds true to free for all week.' right there," he explains.
"Subsection III Clause C, 'In the event that such an occurrence is to happen, the defending party must prove their claim is of substantial value as to overturn the ruling of Clause B upon oath on one's earnings for the past three years,' you tosser!" she defends.
"Aye she's right there Grimm, but of course it means she's got to prove the value of her commission," another dwarf pipes in.
"A necklace for the grand-niece of Queen Girda Ironarm doesn't count?" Kemma retorts, voice incredulous.
"Of course it does you daft tosser, but that's your fault for being coy about it! All 'oh you'll see Grimm,' now look at the time we've spent arguing instead of drinking!" Grimm snarks back before taking a massive swig from his tankard.
"Clause D," another voice says.
"Of course! I forgo the right to do so again for the rest of the year, I Kemma Goldenpick do so swear on three years of my earnings," the woman says, arm over chest.
The group grunt in affirmative.
You meanwhile, simply nod from your table. Fjolla's doing good enough, still room for improvement of course.
…
- The holds fight back! Grimnir's cleansing of the North has emboldened many a hold to sally forth and take back their lands and safeguard their homes.
- A bitter winter. Snows higher than four dwarfs stacked high and winds cold enough to make even a Longbeard comment on it. While the North is free of beasties, trade is still slowed by the weather. In other news, your newly named
hearthstones are seeing
quite the uptick in sale.
- The mystery revealed continues? There's more than one of the creatures apparently. Odd. Griffon's don't usually congregate like this. ???
Gain:
- +1 Oathgold
...
You have (5 -1) =4 actions and 1 apprentice actions this turn:
General:
[ ] Odd Places 3/10: Look on Master Yorri's map and try and discover one of his marked locations. The locations will certainly be odd, but whether they'll be useful will remain to be seen.
[Cost: 1 action] Roll for usefulness.
[ ] Apprentice Hunt: Go out and trawl through the local and regional populace to find a beardling or two worth your time. No stone unturned, no clan unchecked, no record unread, even the Foundling Wards!
[Cost: 1 Action] Apprentice Vote after Turn Results.
[X] Teach your apprentice.
[Cost: 1 Action] Locked in for 0 turns. Apprentices can now be released into the world
- [ ] Release them: Your prodigious young niece is of a level of skill, if not age, that she can begin the journeyman's trial. It will be perilous, but considering the state of things right now, it's unlikely she'll leave the immediate area or the hold for a while yet.
[Cost: 1 apprentice action permanently] Gain 1 Action once the apprentice is released next turn.
- [ ] Hold them: She isn't so much unready as she still can learn more. There's an argument to be made about keeping her and packing more knowledge into her little head, not that she necessarily needs it. You retain their services, though technically you could hold them here for eternity, it would not look good to do so past their second century.
[Cost: Delayed Journeyman Trial]
Requests: Denote which simple request will receive the Apprentice Action in your plan.
[ ] [Simple] Torques A Plenty: Elder Brokk has asked you specifically to create a set of Runic Torques, all meant to facilitate proper communication between what is clearly an avian and a dwarf. You remember Master Yorri told you about the time he bargained a few feathers off a Great Eagle. He never told you how, but you remember being taught a few odd runes in your past, just have to figure out which combination worked for Master Yorri. Maybe his book has something? Worst come to worst you could send a letter to the Dwarf.
[Cost: (3-1) =2 Actions] Productivity Like No Other will proc.
[ ] [Simple] Apprentice work: your not
that young, but still young, charges are now of an age you feel it acceptable for them to do a bit of exploration. Send your apprentices out into the hold and pick up a few tasks from whoever offers it to them. Give them a bit of experience for their upcoming task as journeymen and let them build a reputation in the hold. You'll, of course, critique their work and use it as a learning experience as any good master ought to.
[Cost: variable apprentice actions.] Roll for usefulness. 1 Roll per apprentice action.
[ ] [Difficult] A Higher Standard Pt. 1: You've gazed upon the face of the Ancestors a lot in the past few years, especially when you were making your alchemical flame spitters, and it's inspired you. A banner to rally behind, something that dwarfs will look to and fight all the harder with it at their back. A banner worthy of the hold of Kraka Drakk to be held aloft with pride by an equally worthy standard-bearer.
[Cost: 1 action] If a rune you want requires special ingredients that you don't have access to I will alert you.
- [ ] Choose: choose three runes you want on the weapon.
- [ ] Theme: write in a theme for the weapon. (I will roll to see if you find a new combo)
- [ ] GM: Leave it to the GM. (I will roll to see if you find a new combo)
[ ] [Difficult] Dowry Pt. 1: Two cloaks and an amulet to be ready for the wedding of Prince Durabarr Stonehammer and Princess Orra Ironarm. It A multi-work project
[Cost: 1 action] Due in 4 Turns. If a rune you want requires special ingredients that you don't have access to I will alert you. Format for multi-item requests at the bottom of the update.
- [ ] Choose: choose three runes you want on the weapon.
- [ ] Theme: write in a theme for the weapon. (I will roll to see if you find a new combo)
- [ ] GM: Leave it to the GM. (I will roll to see if you find a new combo)
[ ] [Difficult] Write in, A Miner's Brother: Since returning from the campaign you've been reflecting on Grimnir and how he fought, twin axes flashing. Sometimes you found yourself looking at the Miner while these thoughts tumbled through your mind, and now they've all fallen together. You could make it a Brother, a Warrior. A twelve-meter tall Gronti forged from steel polished to a wondrous shine with twin axes of Gromril, mighty and doughty to set before the Inner Gate of Kraka Drakk, whose king is descended from the Valiant One.
[Cost: 1 action] If a rune you want requires special ingredients that you don't have access to I will alert you.
- [ ] Choose: choose three runes you want on the weapon.
- [ ] Theme: write in a theme for the weapon. (I will roll to see if you find a new combo)
- [ ] GM: Leave it to the GM. (I will roll to see if you find a new combo)
[ ] [Difficult] Write In Pt. 1:You've had an idea! This is the template for the write-in item requests! Please put down the name, description and type of equipment/item you want made. Pt 2 of the item will cost differently depending on the number of items and potentially the size of it as well. A base guideline for Pt.2 costs will be at the bottom of the post.
[Cost: 1 action] If a rune you want requires special ingredients that you don't have access to I will alert you.
- [ ] Choose: choose three runes you want on the weapon.
- [ ] Theme: write in a theme for the weapon. (I will roll to see if you find a new combo)
- [ ] GM: Leave it to the GM. (I will roll to see if you find a new combo)
Research: Your career and your honour demand you hone your craft, and it's usually done through poking at runes and seeing what works.
[ ] Silverwood: An entire forest odd silvery Wutroth is now under your ownership. While a large profit driver as you are well aware, there's an odd feeling in your belly when you look at the stuff. Beautiful like nothing else, and stronger than regular Wutroth as well. You know a few runes that require Wutroth to make, but maybe this has something special to it as well?
[Cost: 4 actions] Student of the Odd will proc.
[ ] Hearthstones: This deep orange gem glows with never-ending heat, never enough to boil water, but enough to sleep comfortably at night and keep a bowl of stew warm long after it's left the stove. You have a few theories about how useful the material will be, but you can't ever be sure. At least it's likely to be a profitable resource when you can get some actual production going though.
[Cost: 4 actions] Student of the Odd will proc.
[ ] The Secrets of Light?: That moment with the shield and sunray, the light of your torch glinting off the crystal, both sparked something in your mind. An ember that refused to be burned out. You've done permutations to the standard Rune of Light and a few on Master Yorri's Rune of Reflection, but maybe there could be more?
[Cost: (8 -2) =6 Actions] Student of the Odd will proc.
[ ] The Movement of things: The Rune of Waking or Animation as some would call it is a rare rune. How Master Yorri knows both the regular and Master Rune could be explained by either a harrowing adventure full of terror, beasties and treasure or by something as mundane as asking a friend, you could never be sure with the man. Still, this was a rune that, to your frustration, you haven't had much chance to tinker with. Maybe just a peak?
[Cost: 8 actions] Student of the Odd will proc.
[ ] The Rune Metal Pt. 4: You've made Adamant, a form of Gromril harder and stronger than any you've ever seen. The metal abhors magic, even that of Runes to some extent, making it difficult to inscribe on the metal itself. You need to find a way to make this in a less explosive fashion, and maybe figure out what exactly its properties are.
[Cost: (8 -3) =5 actions] Student of the Odd and Mind for Metal will proc.
[ ] Understand a Master Rune: The same idea as studying any rune in theory, in practice it takes a lot longer and there's often a large chance of explosions.
[Cost: 16 actions] Depending on the choice, Student of the Odd and/or Mind of Metal may proc.
Order: You can order 1 new item a turn, but can have as many orders ongoing as you want. Don't hoard mats.
[ ]Write-in:
- [ ] Kingly Authority: You may petition King Otrek to flex his political muscle to expedite the process.
[Cost: 5,10,15, Favour from King Otrek, depending on tier] -1 turn taken on order.
[ ] Kingly Authority: You may petition King Otrek to flex his political muscle to order something for your use.
[Cost: 5,10,15, Favour from King Otrek, depending on tier] +1 Order.
Write in Equipment Action Costs:
1 Action - 1 standard piece of equipment.
2 Actions - Multiple pieces of equipment or Large individual items
3 Actions - Very Large individual items or a full/near full set of items.
How to vote on Multi-Piece Difficult Requests.
[Y] Dowry Pt. 1
- [Y] Choose/Theme/GM: For Item 1
- [Y] Choose/Theme/GM: For Item 2
- [Y] Choose/Theme/GM: For Item 3
Remember to vote by plan. There will be a two-hour moratorium for discussion.
AN: Well this is shorter than I'd like, which seems weird but its cuz most of the update is uh taken up by actions. Oh, just a question for all of you, is the action selection a bit too dense? I mean should I put in some line breaks or spacing between them or are yall fine? But anyway, thanks for waiting a week to read this, C&C as always. :^)
