Empire - Scene 42

Ada

(Ada) Garon of Adamant Hold is a public face of his particular group. The dwarves are often vague, at best, about their own internal hierarchies, but it is well understood that Garon occupies a high office of some sort in their society. He has invited Penelope and such companions as she wishes to bring to meet, about some 'Great Work' that they mean to undertake. It is, as with most dwarvish communication, hopelessly vague. Garon is in the reception room, waiting to greet the arrivals. "Penelope of Wayguard, and companion. Welcome." He doesn't wait any time whatsoever after that to get to his business. "We have need of a great many supplies and certain assurances of their passage to the Worldspine. Is this business in which you have interest?"

Umberto

(Umberto) Umberto arrives in the company of Penelope, playing the part of guard but also self-interest. A connect with the dwarves must have some value especially for his plots and plans with House Anadun. "Right to business is it?" He rumbles out in that Thesian lilt, before he places a bottle onto the table. "Are you in a rush or does your Great Work demand a rush?" He uncaps the bottle of fine Hadashi liquor. Not as rough as he would probably like from his own homeland, can't be too rough in the desert, but certainly a fine vintage. He must have liberated it from House Anadun's stores. Hopefully the Sufet is not too upset.

Penelope

(Penelope) Travelling by ship is way faster, but the wobbly legs afterward removes some of the poise Penelope attempts to express when meeting with the high-ranking dwarf. Manfred and Zygmunt have remained at the docks for now, dealing with dockmasters and the like. So it's just Umberto and Penelope acting as the temporary envoys. After a very brief spat of pleasantries, Penelope opens her mouth to speak but is stopped by Umberto. A chuckle follows his question. "That would depend on what 'rush' means. Dwarves aren't known for putting the hurry on anything if it would sacrifice quality." Back to Garon, she regards directly. "-To- Worldspine? I can say I am quite interested in helping arrange something for you, Garon. I've some contacts I could call upon, but it depends on the route. Different Houses treat their territories in varying ways. Are we talking by land or sea? And--" most importantly "--what is the manner of cargo you are transporting?"

Umberto

(Umberto) Umberto obviously has his own style of doing business. After posing his question though he lets Penelope take the lead. This is her little venture at the end of the day. He does pour out drinks though and slides them to all present. Hes proper enough that he doesn't drink right from the bottle like the brute he is.

Ada

(Ada) Garon, standing there dressed in a fine robe, wearing a fine bejewelled chain about his neck, evidently hasn't thought to offer food or drink. He merely glances at Umberto's bottle, then answers the question. "An ideal time is coming. We would like to have it fully underway by next spring," he answers Umberto's question. He turns then to Penelope, to answer the question in his mild, mellow manner, "It can all be staged here in Wayguard. House Karalis is supportive, of course, but it has not the requisite access to what we require. To wit, rations and travelling supplies to support thirty thousand of us for a period of at least one year. Further, there exists the question of our route. This is a subject of debate. The Red Waste, we know, is inhospitable. So too is the Underway, but we could more readily make it less so. Have you traversed the Underway at all? Few have."

Penelope

(Penelope) "Staged here." Penelope ponders the words and looks around the reception room. No, she doesn't think literally -here-; rather looking beyond the walls to Wayguard as a whole. "It would make the most sense, yeah. Strongest fortress and all that. So, you're needing rations for 30,000 people. Soldiers or are we talking civilians, as well?" From under her cloak comes a notepad where Penelope starts writing down some brainstorming figures. "I think I understand, yes. You need people to reach out to the Houses and such for---" 'donations' would be an insult... "--aide. We've a year's time to do this? We'll need a good idea of what figures are necessary to feed a population for that long." She has some ideas, of course. Asking the various militaries would be the first go. Another would be those of governance who deal a lot in trade and commerce. Scribble, scribble goes her charcoal pencil, taking note of potential avenues. "Coin for various modes of travel and... huh?" The... Underway? Brown eyes shift to Umberto. "I've not, myself. Well, maybe I snuck down there as a kid, but never went far." The boredom and insanity of Wayguard pre-teens. "Have you? Do you remember if Sir Manfred said he's been down there? I believe he has." To Garon: "Are you thinking of using the Ways?"

Umberto

(Umberto) Umberto was enjoying the drink and then has to really work to not spit it out. Rations and supplies to support thirty thousand dwarves!? He can only assume they need maybe 3/4ths as much as humans, considering the height and all. But then there is the girth. Maybe it evens out in the end. But thirty thousand. He manages to swallow the drink and not waste it. "Those are army numbers. Is your Great Work a battle?" Now that is his forte. Logistics is what wins wars. Boots and filled bellies. He peers at Garon, trying to get a read on the one opposite of them.

Ada

(Ada) Garon bows his chin slightly to Penelope's question about soldiers or civilians too, and to Umberto's query. "All that will be going will be able for battle should the need arise. We have set aside sufficient arms for them." Of course, he needn't mention that the dwarves have steadfastly refused to sell their weapons to humans for as long as anyone knows. Then he offers a confirmation to Penelope's question. "Yes. We can assure a fine repayment once the Great Work is complete. I can provide an itemised list." He nods slowly, long beard shifting against his robe, at the question about the Underway. "Seven Peaks Hold would rather that we do not. There is a view that a foray by many outsiders in the Underway would expose much about our people. We in Adamant Hold would prefer that we use the Underway, but we must acknowledge the requirement for human labour to clear a major collapse along the main thoroughfare."

Penelope

(Penelope) During the conversation, Penelope has found herself a table and whatever the nearest seat is to that because writing against the wall might be viewed as uncouth. And because it's getting difficult to read her own handwriting. A nod of acknowledgement is given to 'repayment' as well as 'upon completion.' In dwarvenspeak, that could mean years down the road. It also means a long-term investment who knows well that dwarves stick to their word. Penelope is certainly one of these people. "That would be appreciated, Garon, yes. The Houses are often hesitant to dedicate a fraction of their own resources to matters beyond their borders. Some more tight-fisted than others. With the Empire looking at a potential war in the West, as well, I suspect some will still refuse. Others, though, I think can be convinced to aide." Umberto is regarded with a cool, eye. A meaningful one. One that says she is expecting him to ask the questions that need to be asked for the logistics side of this endeavor. Because Penelope is many things, but a tactician is not one of them.

Umberto

(Umberto) "Well civilians can be ready for battle. But if this is a army... marching for war... the needs will be far different then some caravan. Warriors and soldiers will be able to stretch supplies longer and suffer the discomfort of a tight budget. They sup well enough on battle." Umberto rumbles out. Is he speaking with the eye of profit or simply stating a reality of how armies march. "Although I assume they have their own arms and armour..." He glances at Penelope for a moment before back to Garon. "Major collapse? What happened there? And why human labour? What do humans bring that dwarves can't?"

Penelope

(Penelope) "Numbers," is Penelope's first thought.

Ada

(Ada) Garon nods mildly to Penelope's thought on numbers. He firstly addresses the point about the houses and the prospect of war in the west. "I understand there is a broad range of concerns. I, as Garon of Adamant Hold, would indeed believe that the empire should move with the utmost alacrity to strike against the Dominion of Rin." He doesn't offer further thoughts on it. He allows in response to Umberto's point, "I understand. We will be ready for hardship, but we have much to do, and should not go short on food." Then he gets to the collapse. "During the exodus from the Worldspine, the Underway due west of where it met the first hold, and then the Worldspine network, collapsed." He pauses, but then demurs from offering further detail on /how/. "To reopen it would require the removal of vast quantities of material, the shoring up of walls, and supplies being brought far along by a route that is fraught -- but for us, it would be a superior point of ingress to our overland options. We cannot commit the requisite labourers to accomplish this in a timely way."

Penelope

(Penelope) "Do you, now? Fascinating." Though Garon doesn't speak for all of dwarvedom, he does wield quite a heavy voice among them. She glances again to Umberto to see if the soldier-turned-merc has thoughts on the potential war against Rin. But otherwise the topic remains on track. "I know you aren't likely to divulge too much of what this Great Work is, Garon, but I'm just thinking ahead here. While I trust you implicitly, the nobility won't be so quick to assume the best of anyone." who doesn't share their name or culture, anyways. "This Great Work: it is of mutual benefit to both Dwarves and Humans, yes? Is there some kind of promise I can give to those I reach out to that their efforts would be in their best interests?" Altruism is great. Grand, even! But one cannot defend borders or wage wars with alms alone. Any merchant worth their salt knows this. Stands to reason those of wealth -and- power not it even better. For once, her pencil stops moving, laid upon the table so that she can lace her fingers together. Atop her hands her chin does sit, gaze looking to Umberto. "Ware do you think? Mixture of military members and engineers? Some mining communities who could benefit by aiding the noble dwarves?" She grins a little. "I can't imagine -you- will pass up on the opportunity to pull some threads. Hit up some old contacts of yours who are looking for well-paying grunt work and possible adventure."

Umberto

(Umberto) "How much danger is there along the Worldspine network? Beyond just the natural dangers of mining and excavating." Obviously he is trying to suss out if there are creatures or other threats. "Hazard pay and all that." For the many workers they will need to hire and contract with to do the job these dwarves desire. To Penelope he grunts. Its clear he is souring on the idea. "This is a lot more then a little caravan and a little supply work. I don't know if I hit every possible contact I will be able to make this work. And House Anadun has requirements of me... I won't be able to oversee this personally..."

Penelope

(Penelope) Penelope barks a laugh, "Of course not! I'm just suggesting you could rope in some buddies, not lead the thing, Umberto. No no... we'll need someone of more stature and leverage for that. But c'mon. You can separate yourself from your duties once in a while for some adventure. Like Garon says: we got a whole year."

Ada

(Ada) Garon gives a short, affirmative, "Yes," to Penelope's first question, which isn't very helpful of him. Then, further, to the question about whether it is of mutual benefit, "Yes." He ruminates for a short time on whether there is a promise that Penelope might give, and looks to Umberto instead. "Creatures from deep places of the world have roamed the Underway since the exodus. I would not set foot in it lightly. I can provide warriors for security, but as we share the burden of defending Wayguard with House Karalis, so too would we be better sharing the burden in the Underway." Then he comes back to the matter of mutual benefit. "War looms for your people on more than one front. We hear not just of the Dominion of Rin, but of the trouble west of Hadash, and the ever-present outsiders to the north of the Commonwealth. Should we be able to complete our Great Work, we shall reclaim our armouries and restore our foundries, and provide weapons. We expect we shall have our own business upon the Endless Steppe, but we shall address that in due time."

Penelope

(Penelope) Penelope is preoccupied poking the grumpy, gruffy bear that is Umberto, but her mirth is stabbed in the face when Garon offers-- "Weaponry? /Dwarven/ weaponry?" Fun and games are over, kiddies, and Penelope has no poker face for her reaction. If there was anything that could get the Empire to consider aiding now for aide later, it is this. "If you're..." Penelope stops herself before using a common, human phrase. Of course he's serious otherwise it wouldn't have been said! She starts over. "That would be huge, Garon. Yes, I think I can work with this. At least in the sense of meeting with those who have the ear of even bigger fish." Hell, even Umberto cannot deny how lucrative to -his- business such an offer would be! Her partner is given a look, again trying to gauge his reaction, though Penelope continues to speak. "We will be in Wayguard for some time. If there are any details we should know before turning to Sanctuary, are you willing to send them my way? We've also got a Companion with us, so his knowledge of the beasts in the Underway could be of use. If, that is, the Holds do decide to use the Underway as your route."

Umberto

(Umberto) When Garon reveals that little detail, Umberto snaps a finger and pours out a new drink. "Now that... is mutual benefit." He rumbles out, "Enough mutual benefit we could get some of the major Houses to contribute to our efforts. A grand alliance between human and dwarves." Oh it warms the cockles of his heart, certainly. And hopefully his coin chest. "Unless there are those within our realms who cannot know of this venture?" He directs the question to Garon.

Ada

(Ada) Garon waits patiently for the end of Penelope's 'if you're' that never comes, but he's used to dealing with human foibles by now, and he once more dips his chin to her when she says she can work with that. "I shall send to you a complete list of our requirements," he informs her. He pauses to dwell upon Umberto's words. This takes long enough that it could become awkward. Eventually, he states, "It is safe for those within the Empire to know, but one should ensure that they are not too indiscreet. There are those elsewhere who should not know, but have little ability to impede us if they learn."

Umberto

(Umberto) "So this Great Work sounds like it is a return home then...? You don't seem... happy. Or perhaps we humans are just more expressive?" Umberto remarks as he looks over Garon. The man likes to get a sense on who is on the otherside of his dealings. Humans are far easier to read since he... is one. Hopefully he did not make some grand insult.

Penelope

(Penelope) Penelope, on the other hand, is back to her paper, rolling out more blank space upon which to scribble. "Discretion is my motto. Secrecy belongs to the Dwarves." There's more to put to paper than she can consider, but a few names are written then to remind her of later. "I've a few ins with some noble houses already. I can test the waters there: people I trust or who has at least has no reason to betray the Empire and, thus, your cause. A list would be great, yes. Perhaps I can ask my store's inventory manager to help me get a sense for the scale of this. Military quartermasters for the logistics.... perhaps an envoy to communicate with in Wayguard..." Her focus goes to the pre-planning. A year sounds like a long time, but it really isn't. Not knowing what the Great Work is will make pitching the idea to the Houses difficult, but that reward offered may very well be enough to make many overlook it. "We'll do all we can to shore up these numbers, Garon. We will focus on the provisions first. As for the Underway... we can all brainstorm that when the Holds come to an agreement on which route you all are taking. Best not to overload our plate too early. First thing's first, after all."

Ada

(Ada) "Once, there were more of us," says Garon, as if this explains why he isn't best happy. "I recall well the exodus. The Great Work is a grim necessity." He pauses. "Humans express themselves in a different way." He nods quiet acknowledgement to Penelope at first, then there's that matter of the route again. He clarifies, "Unless the route through the Underway is cleared, it shall be overland. Adamant Hold believes it to be worth the effort of clearing the Underway. It may be dangerous, but the Red Waste is potentially even more so."

Umberto

(Umberto) Umberto stares at Garon for a moment and then just grunts and nods his head. He can understand that. It is hard to be happy when there is great loss. Umberto usually drowns such in drink and women. "Mining and excavating... dangerous work there..." He still isn't sure of the best approach. It seems he leaves that to Penelope.