Why is it that when the Dwarves say it would be easier to convince the Runesmiths to help if the project was Dwarf-led, they're glimmering with "the possibility of Runesmiths", whereas when the Eonir say it would be easier to convince the Grey Lords to help if the project was Elf-led, they're "being rather stingy with their knowledge"?
Because Belegar wasn't trying to tempt Mathilde, whereas Cadaeth totally was.
It was more the entire "We've got this huge library of knowledge, but no looking unless we host the project here."
Yeah. Though, this shouldn't be looked at "Oh, we won't pitch in fully into Waystones unless you let us do it on homeground!" but rather from the perspective of "Oh, look at this huge library we've got... wouldn't you be tempted by that, Wizard Lord?" Because that's how Cadaeth was presenting it.
Y'know, you can just say you don't trust elves.
Oh, I do, but...
...knowledge doesn't go away, gold and other types of backing is rather finite.
Their argument is "Oh, we don't know if what's in our library is useful to the task at hand, but we'll only let you look if we're hosting the project here." It's not that they refuse to lend out books, taking them out of the library, or even restricted section. It's "Host the project here or we will let you assume you're working impaired when a pair of glasses are readily available."
Keep in mind this is not their library of exotic cookbooks, this is seriously ancient and seriously dangerous magic. 'We are not giving you unrestricted access unless you work for us' seems every bit as reasonable as the runesmith secret keeping which no one seems to be calling out. We still get some of the information elsewhere but filtered through whichever elf mages leaves the forest.
Thing is that we are working for them. They wanted us to fix their waystones and came to us.
Because when Belegar talked about the Runesmiths and Runelords,
he wasn't trying to tempt and pique Mathilde's curiosity and interest.
"This is why you wanted to meet me here? To make a point about the history between Empire and Eonir?"
"Partly." She gives a sudden smile, almost managing to dispel the mood she's crafted. "And because curiosity is a powerful motivator. Though we will contribute no matter where it is that you will pool the efforts of Elf and Dwarf, we will not show you the wonders of Tor Lithanel unless it plays host to the work in question."
"What wonders would those be?" you can't help but ask.
"The towers and jewels of Tor Lithanel have captured the soul of many an artist, but I suspect most relevant to you would be the Library of Mournings, twice the age of your Teclis' White Tower. It contains scrolls that predate the Elven race, and scrolls written in the hands of Caledor, Astarielle, Maruviel, and Yvraine. Access to such a library would be of great benefit to the project, don't you think?"
You take a breath. "It would," you say with incredible understatement, trying not to show how tempted you are.
"Please do. We've no intention of being the mirror to our cousins of Ulthuan, who always seek to control and only ever grant the meagrest of morsels. We want to build a lasting partnership, and a lasting peace, with the institutions of the Empire, so we can live in peace in our forest. Considering the beings that would be all too eager to fill the void if we passed from this world, isn't that in everyone's best interest?"
She's certainly easier on the eyes than the Beastmen. You promise her that you'll have an answer for her soon before parting ways once more. You've got two possible hosts left to check, and a lot of hours airborne ahead of you.
Cadaeth, absolutely
was.
Look, it's pretty simple and clear what she was trying to do. She was trying to get Mathilde interested in
what the Eonir have to offer.
Whereas Belegar was talking about the practicalities of things; 'This'll be more difficult if X' 'But this is still doable' 'Etc etc.'
I'm not going to touch on the debate slash topic of "Oh, so you're saying they're supposed to give us everything just because, huh?" or "Oh, so they won't commit all-in if we don't pick them...
just like everybody else?" or any other variant of that (which includes various variants) because that is not what I'm saying nor what I am focusing on.
I don't even think that the Eonir won't provide Waystone-related knowledge and experts and expertise if we pick other locales. Obviously, they would. They'd have to do so, otherwise it would be pointless and get nowhere. And yes, obviously a faction or group will give more if they have more control over the venue. Sure. That's reasonable and not in question. But.
What I am focusing on, is the fact that Cadaeth was pretty explicitly trying to tempt and interest Mathilde; and the fact that Mathilde herself shows herself tempted and interested, via her internal narrative. By the knowledge of a library, and maybe the fact that Cadaeth is good looking. Which means, yeah, it's perfectly fair to point that out about the offers we got, because that's what actually happened in the text.
And, again, yeah, you could make the obvious argument of 'Well of course the Elves are going to want to put their best foot forward and make the best offer and etc' and sure, true.
On the other hand, none of the other parties involved have felt like they were
so obviously 'smooth salesman'ing me; nor did it feel like they were playing coy or trying to tempt
me (well, Mathilde) in particular and were all smiles and friendliness and smoothness. Which could just go to say that I like straightforwardness more and thus would choose options or people I
understand over those I don't. Which is fair. But which, hey, is a perfectly fair and reasonable way and reason to make choices and pick options.
For one, I'm not looking forward to potentially eating myself alive in paranoia at the possibility of double-checking everything a master diplomat tells me and says and does. Possibly pointless so -- that is, the double-checking and paranoia might be pointless -- because I have little ability to penetrate their unflappable demeanor and no idea who or what I'm really dealing with. So I'll take the Kislevites or even Bretonni over the Eonir I guess.
One great huge benefit of keeping it "in house" via the Grey Order, is that it's... kept in house. And one great huge benefit of keeping it at home and doing it at Karak Eight Peaks, is the fact that... we'll be among people that we trust fully, and who fully trust us to boot. (Well, as much as the Dwarfs trust Mathilde and Mathilde trusts the Dwarfs. Which is pretty much, actually.) Much less uncertainty. Much less questioning. Much less doubt and stress that way.
We also get to remain at home, our place of power/authority,
and see our Grand Library be built up!
... Assuming that's what we spend Belegar's Boon on, that is. I kind of want to build up our own library (well, it'd be Karak Eight Peaks' library, but, it'd be our library too) rather than just go off to another library. It's more... a-personal-achievement thing that way. But that's secondary, really. Just me sort of going: "Aw, but I don't want our Transcendent Boon Library being narratively overshadowed by another great big library in the story!" (Well, potential K8P Library. That hasn't happened yet. But. Well.) Maybe that's also unreasonable, or maybe there'll be room in the world/story for two great libraries, but, eh. Well admittedly, this paragraph's wasn't the most logical of complaints/issues. :s
The Karak Eight Peaks choice, though...
You know why it's so tempting to me? Because
we'd be potentially the equivalent of a higher-up in the hierarchy here.
i.e. We answer to nobody but King Belegar. We act with the authority of King Belegar, and we act with the authority of the Loremaster of Karak Eight Peaks;
us.
That simplification of priorities and hierarchical politics, and delivering-results-to-the-hosting-party, is
very desireable-looking.
If we -- and Belegar -- are our own boss here, then... It simplifies our priorities and directives. We don't need to work out sweetheart deals with the Bretonni or Kislevites, we just need to deliver results to the elves and dwarfs. And any extras or overwork or bonuses, are things Mathilde develops and does under her own initiative.
Admittedly, part of the tradeoff of that is that we have less bribes/temptations/offers, like from Bretonnia/Laurelorn/Kislev. But that's partly due to the fact that we
already have so much backing from our friend Belegar and we already hold a high position in Karak Eight Peaks.
