Average Busy Day in Khazagar
Grozurbaz
Walking through Grozubaz to reach one of its dedicated loading zones Rudil does his best to avoid the large swaths of runesmiths wandering the halls waiting for the market to be restocked. He had heard someone joke that they could lower the number of patrols through Gorzubaz with all the runesmiths doing sweeps of the area themselves.
Of course, in the end that comment is just a joke, the patrols themselves are not for intercepting interlopers. But to ensure someone can be present before multiple regent starved runesmiths cause a problem and at least stop it before a situation escalates above grumbling and shouts. Luckily his Lord has chosen his clan to staff Khazagar, it takes quite a bit experience with runesmiths to mediate with cantankerous runesmiths and every Winterhearth staff member is getting more experience by the day.
Entering Grozubaz Loading Bay 7 Rudil find himself surprised, not enough to get a visible reaction out of him mind you but surprised by the amount of caravanners and the greatly above average amount of cargo they are unloading. He spots the person in charge of the caravanners delivery and to his minor surprise he recognises them.
Walking over to the dwarf, Rudil calls out. "Jorek Jorrison!" The dwarf in question turns to face him and shakes his extended hand. "I am surprised that you would be heading this specific convoy, thought you would all hands on the wall helping out Jorri to be here personally."
"Rudil Donnarsson! Glad to see you in good form." Responds Jorek, letting go of Rudil's hand. "Normally you would be right that caravaners heading for Khazagar can be delegated to one of my nieces or nephews when da can't find the time." Joreks says looking over the cargo being unloaded. "But with the war up here and the influx of runesmiths attending Khazagar, the supply issue became apparent to us." Jorek explains, walking over to one of the caravans to grab its ledger to look through it.
"It became a topic of conversation at the dinner table when ma is finally able to tear pa from his desk for a moment.
That brother of mine tells me his plan for Khazagar, the marketplace he wants for it, we design the most Extravagant market, and he still manages to find a way for it to be not enough." Joreks says with his best impersonation of his father. "So, your supply problem ended being a little family project for us to solve and solve it we have!" Jorek exclaims with a smile handing the ledger to Rudil.
Taking the ledger in hand Rudil takes the time to read through it and can't stop himself from raising an eyebrow at the quantity of reagents on the list. The amount of reagents on the list would make the ruler of a minor hold balk at the thought of the cost but more importantly it was a lot more than was expected from fund Lord Snorri allocated. Looking up from the ledger Rudil can't stop himself for asking. "How did you manage to get all this without ruining the clan?"
Rudil knew Jorek was waiting for that question with how his face lit up. "Glad you asked! You see da was rather proud with the solution we got and wanted me to explain everything to Uncle Snorri, but ma managed to haggle him down to send one letter full of fatherly pride. Here it is," Jorek says while pulling out a rather worriedly thick letter from his pouch and handing it to Rudil. "Ill just give you the brief notes on how we did it."
Putting the impressively thick letter away to deliver later he nods at Jorek to continue.
"So, first of all we tried to think of a way of funneling the reagents from most of the foes being killed by the great throng up here. we quickly realised that the runesmiths on march are already fighting over every scrape so that was a bust." Jorek explains.
"Trying to buy from around the whole Karaz Ankor would not be financially viable so that was a dead end. At some point da ended up talking about the holds out east and how the lands are full of beasties and this is where we started seeing a solution. The lands out east are constantly full of monsters and beasts that need to be killed that they would be fine to part with. The thing is that the holds out east don't need gold because that have mineshafts brimming with seams of the stuff. What they do want and will pay handsomely for is foodstuffs." Jorek Says.
"So, now the problem is where do we find all the food and Huldra says how about out west there is food just running around those mountains and those holds are still growing. She suggests we go have a talk to some farmer guilds of the holds out west. Da explained that the western holds are going to be expanding their food production infrastructure so it would be unlikely that they can provide much food stuffs but they do have a growing market of new reagents. So Huldra talks to Thimburr about buying food stuffs from the southern hold to deliver out west and think it more than possible but that the southern hold would be happy for us to take over the food shipments." Jorek continues to explain.
"So, Huldra and I go west while Thimburr goes south to get everything organised and knowing that the food is going to feed beardlings in the east there are no problems for anyone. In the end we get the foodstuffs from the south and some more from the west with reagents. We bring them all the way to the east where we were paid a rather hefty sum in both gold and reagents. Now this isn't sustainable, and we are barely breaking even but it's helping build relations with both western and eastern holds and should last for the next few decades." Jorek finishes.
"Now the west is safe thanks to the High kings efforts but there isn't any underway to the east isn't a caravan full of foodstuff a tad dangerous for an overland trek out west?" Rudil asks.
Jorek nods "Aye, normally if you aren't protected well enough but I did say this was a family project." Jorek says pointing towards the carts and workers. Talking a closer look Rudil can see they are all wearing runic equipment and the crates and carts are runed as well.
"Ah, Lady Snerra and Karstah's work." Rudil say.
"Aye, some pieces from apprentices and master of the clan. Now how is Karstah? Good lass but needs to write more often, too much like her father. Tell her ma wants her to write more often." Jorek grumbles.
"I will pass it along but why didn't you ask for help from Lord Snorri?" Rudil asks.
"We know how Uncle Snorri thinks, you ask him for a ladder you get an elevator and the head of the local engineering guild ready to build you another two." Jorek says shaking his head.
Karaz-Irkul
Every part of Khazagar is a wonder and beautiful sight to look at but if one were to ask Bron of Clan Winterhearth what he would say that the most beautiful place in Khazagar was? He would respond Karaz-Irkul without a doubt in his mind every time. He still feels a thrill of awe and wonder every time he gazes upon the recreation of the night sky with all the glimmering constellations. The sight is all the beauty of the night sky with the benefit of not having to be outside under the open sky.
Being stationed at Karaz-Irkul is Bron's favourite posting out of all the places in Khazagar. All he has to do is wander around and provide information and direction every so often. Well, it used to be like that but now, recently it has been a much less enjoyable experience being stationed in the Central Hall. The once semi-occupied semi-peaceful hall is now bustling with dwarfs and the foot traffic coming through the area has become ludicrous. Bron and the others had to plan around tournaments creating a lull in foot traffic just to be able to sweep the floors during the day!
Oh, and the questions he gets these days, don't get him started! Before it was 'Where can I find this?' or 'Where is the tournament being held today?' or even 'What is the recipe for the troll jerky from Trogg-Khaz?' how he wishes he could return to those day, now it's just a mess. These days the only questions Bron gets are 'Where is The Gift Giver?' or 'Where is the Hammer?' or 'Is The Gift Giver currently carrying Karaz-Kazak-Rhun, if so where is he?' or 'What's the Troll Jerky Recipe?' or 'When is Grozurbaz getting restocked?'
Of course, he can't tell them where Lord Snorri is because he doesn't know! But the answer of, 'he is in Khazagar' doesn't seem to satisfy as many dwarfs as Bron would hope. He barely gets any time to gaze and admire the beauty of Karaz-Irkul these days. Bron is removed from his very limited daily wool-gathering time by the sight of a trio of dwarfs approaching him. They don't have the look of runesmiths so hopefully he will actually be able to answer a question.
"Greeting sirs, how may I be of assistance?" Bron asks with a bow.
"Greetings to you as well dawi, my compatriots and I would like to inquire about any current or upcoming runesmithing tournaments?" The one leading the trio says.
"Not an issue." Bron replies with nods and refers to his clay tablet. "There are two tournaments scheduled, one later today and another in a months' time. The first is a tournament sponsored by the metalsmith guild that will be located in Grozurbaz later today, the second is a tournament sponsored by the engineering guild that will be located in Tiwar-Khaz."
The trio of dwarfs thank Bron for the help and wander away while grumbling and at the same time another dwarf approaches Bron.
"Where is The Gift Giver?"
Bron holds back a sign with experience that would make the ancestors proud.
Kazaki-Khaz
Deep within the Kazaki-Khaz Gurna sits at a desk repeating the mind-numbing task of reading and compiling all of the security reports from the last few years. The number of reports ever since The Gift Giver has claimed the Karaz-Kazak-Rhun has increased to a staggering amount. A large majority of the reports can be summarised as a dispute between runesmith or minor cases of public disturbance. The most interesting and amusing reports in between the dull repetition of runesmiths bickering with each other are the reports of one the Drakk siblings getting up to some mischief or spooking some dawi from the south. Reading those always gives her some much-needed moments of levity before returning to grinding of her soul that is cataloguing these reports.
No matter how dull of a task it is, there is an incredible level of importance to have these ready in case one of these 'simple disputes' escalates to a point where there is a reckoning. At that point it would be extremely important for the relevant report to be used as evidence.
Still makes her almost hope for a siege for a distraction. Almost.
Trogg-Khaz
Before coming up north Svaldi of Clan Deepdelver was sure that this Khazagar business was a mistake and now that he has seen the place for himself. He is pretty sure that parts of this Khazagar business are a mistake but now he can confirm that the Trogg-Khaz was a good choice.
Svaldi was one of the few master runesmiths that was sent up north to try and get a look at the
Karaz-Kazak-Rhun instead of being sent down to the depths of Izril in the clans search for Thungni's Glittering Realm. Also, by pure coincidence since he was in the area he would also be able keep an eye on a few of the journymen from Clan Deepdelver that made the trip north. Just to make sure they didn't pick up any odd ideas about runesmithing from this place.
He had yet to lay eyes on Thungni's hammer, but he had learned that one of the clans Journeywomen managed to get a sight of it for just a moment. The lass was already swarmed by her fellows to describe what she saw and that would only get worse when she finishes her journeying and returns home.
Now where was he… oh yes Khazagar! The place was absolutely swarming with runesmiths at the moment and when he wasn't stalking the place looking for the hammer, he spent his time in Trogg-Khaz feasting and chatting with his fellow runesmiths. It was rather nice, good food, good company and all the same profession so much more relatable banter.
"I am telling you lads; I can't go a decade without getting a commission that asks for the most uninspiring work. Always something along the line of 'A weapon to strike down the mightiest of foes'." Mord begins to grumble and the rest of the table join him.
"Aye Mord, we know it's the same everywhere." Responds Magda.
"A weapon to strike down the mightiest of foes, Armour to withstand the strongest of blows and a banner destroying magic wherever it flows." Svaldi says before he continues, "Let's not grumble about uninspired commissions, we will be at it all night. What are everyone's most interesting commissions?"
The question causes a round of thoughtful looks, as all of the master runesmiths reminisce. Mord is the first to speak up. "I once had someone ask for an axe that would smash its foe as a hammer if it couldn't cut them down." Mord says, summoning a round of thoughtful hums from the table.
"Once had a ranger ask for a cloak that would hide them but also make them fall through air as if they were a feather." Magda answers.
As the group falls into sharing stories with each other Svaldi must confirm that this isn't a bad way to pass the time. Now only if he could find Thungni's hammer.
Tiwar-Khaz
Jedda wakes from her peaceful slumber to a state of not so peaceful wakefulness. Groaning while nursing a hangover Jedda looks around her room in Tiwar-Khaz for a moment before getting out of bed. While she gets herself something to drink, she can't help but think on how her journeying is going. The only reason she has this room in the first place is because she came to Khazagar before the rush of runesmiths, if she had shown up a few years later she would have had to find rooming in the town outside of Khazagar.
She wasn't sure what was expected when her master released her to her journey but never did dream that she would be going through what she has experienced here in Khazagar. Well, she mainly expected to learn how to make a Chain Forger, but she ended getting swept up into so much more. Such as the tournaments that seem to happen every other month and she only entered because she was having trouble finding commissions for funds and the prizes for the tournament would have been enough to tide her over even if she didn't win. In the end she didn't but fortunately for her, she must have impressed someone with her work because after she was approached by a few clients for commissions.
She also enjoyed the company of all the other journeymen and journeywomen that she interacted with during her stay. She is going to make sure that she stays in contact with them after all this, especially Konna. Fighting the blush that is over taking her face she shakes her head and clears her thoughts. She can say with certainty that she enjoyed her time at Khazagar but now it was for her to continue on her journeying.
Ror-khaz
Angval Shieldshatter is one of the lucky members of the cult of Valaya assigned to the medical station attached to Ror-khaz. Ever since every runesmith and their master decided that it was time to come visit Khazagar the place has been overflowing with the lot. To say that Ror-khaz has become active because of the increased members in attendance would be to do a disservice to the multiple words that exist to describe the situation. The whole thing suited Angval fine, as it allowed her charges a frankly fantastic number of opportunities to treat minor wounds and practice on calming hot-headed patients.
She is knocked out of her wool-gathering by one of the Winterhearth guards assigned to Ror-khaz entering the medical station. "Hoddri, what brings you here?"
"Priestess, I felt it prudent to warn you that you might be getting a large influx of patients soon." Hoddri say with a shallow bow.
"How bad, is it?" She asks and signals to her charges to start preparing the fortifying ale before heading toward Ror-khaz with Hoddri.
"Quite bad, what seem to be a discussion that I can only assume on the use of reagents in one of the alcoves then spiraled into an argument about what is the best reagent to use on the rune of impact. At that point the group had gained multiple more members and moved to one of the plazas." Hoddri explains and they make their way to said plaza.
Entering the plaza Angval is greeted by a large crowd of runesmiths arguing at each other all screaming about goats or crabs. "Hoddri, what am I looking at?" she asks.
"Well, the subject then evolved on to the use of goat or crab reagent and then someone jumped into debating whether if a Drak sized Goat could beat a Drak sized crab. At that point I decided it was best to come warn you." Hoddri response looking over the mass of dawi screaming points on which dragon size animal would win in a fight, the starting argument about runes all but forgotten.
Grungnaz-Khaz
When thinking of all the Runelords of Kraka Drakk its rather easy to overlook Lorna Dernasdottir compared to the other Runelords in the hold, well as much as one can overlook a Runelord. The Lorekeeper doesn't have the constant overwhelming presence that The Gift Giver has over the hold, nor does she have the unmistakable prodigal talent of Thungni's Chosen creating expectation defying objects. Neither does she have Thunderlung's electrifying passion nor the encompassing confidence in their creation of the Steelplate and Gildedeyes.
But as Thurna has learnt from her time learning the Master Rune of Wandering from Lady Lorna, one should never underestimate a runelord no matter what. While the Lorekeeper is Lady Lorna's preferred epithet she is also known by the hold as the Dragonsmiter which she earned by smiting a Drak that was a danger to her hold. When Thurna went to ask the runelord questions after her teaching session she was humbled by the experience. While Lady Lorna might not be as visible in her activity she is truly a talented teacher and runesmith.
It also helps that she has good taste in literature even if it was intimidating to be invited to a bookclub that has two runelords in it.
Kron-Thindrongol
Ottri hums to himself as he carries one of the newest addition to be added to Kron-Thindrongol once the appropriate copies are made from the original of course. He believes that The Gift Giver will be pleased to hear that the latest purchases have arrived and are ready to be added to the Library. Looking down at the title of the book that clearly reads Dreng's Almanac, a book that is an encyclopedia of all the currently know beasts that the dawi in the east have been facing over there.
Not the most relevant subject but a welcome addition, well Ottri shouldn't assume what information could be helpful to a runesmith. At least the option existing will allow it to be helpful and it is a nice break for him to copy a book instead of wrangling runesmiths that occupy Kron-Thindrongol these days. well.
Well, Ottri thought to himself, there were some moments of levity that could be found in these trying days, It was always amusing to encounter a runemsmith reading a book penned by Lord Snorri for the first time.
There were two main types of dawi that read books written by Lord Snorri, the first type are the knowledge seeking and ambitious who practically jump at the chance to read something written by a member of the Burudin and the second type are those who slowly approach the book of their choice with a mix of dread and resignation. The only difference between the two is that the latter dawi has already read something written by the Gift Giver before.
If Ottri was asked describe the Gift Giver's books he would politely say they are thorough or extensive and if he were to be less polite about his description he would say they are exhaustively painstakingly detailed. It is a common sight to see a reader bored out of their mind try to skip a few pages only to be confused by terms and details explained in the previous pages. It is not to say those books were not full of pertinent information but it does require a level of will to read those books. That is why there is the second type, they know each book is a bursting vault of information even if they have to mine through a mountain of limestone to reach it.
The Runelord's Workshop
Deep in the depths of Khazagar is the workshop of the legendary Runelord Snorri 'Gift Giver' Klausson who is currently involved in research that will change Karaz Ankor as it is known.
For too many years your project has had to wait in the sideline and now finally after dealing with all the disturbances you have found the time to complete it. Your masterpiece, a part of you never expected to be the one to do it but you have.
Looking down at the troll jerky he has created in the silence of his workshop The Gift Giver nods to himself in satisfaction. He has improved his troll jerky recipe.
AN: Thanks to
@BungieONI for proof reading and
@soulcake for taking the time to give this a look over for me.
