Homestead Survival

<17 September 2024, MOLBRAK CAVERN, A>
[Theo and Julia]
Theo and Julia were woken by Ordus knocking on their door frame. "Theo, Julia. We have been notified to make our way to the council chambers."

They got up, dressed quickly, and made their way out into the lobby of the inn. Joshua and Fred were already up and dressed. Joshua nodded to Theo and Julia, "Morning. The two of you ready?"

Theo nodded. Julia smiled, "As we will ever be. I am excited to try out my new skill, though."

Kreldar arrived with Harbek. "Alright, let's get a move on then!"

The two Dwarves turned and headed out into the somewhat busy streets.

After several minutes of walking, they arrived at a massive keep set into an equally massive stalagmite. As they approached, a well-dressed dwarf looked nervous. Ordus increased his pace and beat them there. When they approached, he tapped his staff on the ground twice before speaking out. "Presenting Lord and Lady Sorrin."

Theo and Julia were mildly uncomfortable with the attention this action brought to them, but they were also generally unsure of what the protocols were in this situation. They fully intended to rely on Joshua and Ordus to help navigate these negotiations.

Harbek activated his skill.

>Local Message: Universal Translation Active

The well-dressed Dwarf bowed, looking even more nervous. "Lord and Lady Sorrin, I uh..."

Kreldar's face grew cloudy at the shifty attitude, but he only cast a glance at Joshua, who seemed to have a knowing look on his face. The well-dressed Dwarf continued. "...I regret to inform ye' that an issue has come up and I have been asked to have ye' wait for another day."

Joshua stepped forward. "Very well, know that this will impact our decisions; we will also be requiring the use of Lady Sorrin's skill Table of Names for the negotiations as part of recompense for this."

The well-dressed Dwarf opened his mouth to speak, and before he could, Kreldar turned and ushered Theo and Julia away. "I 'ave somethin' ye' will enjoy seein' come this way if ye' would."

The well-dressed Dwarf looked nervous, frustrated, enraged, and impressed all at once as Theo, Julia, and their entire party moved away at speed, leaving him behind to relay his message to his superiors.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

[Molbrak Council]
A table of beautifully crafted stone sat at the head of the gathering hall. The table played host to thirteen dwarves, all dressed in relative finery. In the middle sat a woman who looked frustrated with this gathering.

In front of the table, a well-dressed Dwarf was bowing low. "I delivered the message."

The woman in the middle seat responded. "I still think this is a bad idea; they're not our enemies. If anything, they've shown..."

A man to her side responded. "Nonsense, they need to learn we are an august body..."

The still bowed over, well-dressed Dwarf cleared his throat. "One of their retinue made a response. He stated that this would impact their decision, and they were going to insist on the usage of Lady Sorrin's skill Table of Names."

One of the Dwarves at the table let out a gruff laugh. "And ye' told them they don't make demands here, didn't ye?"

"I attempted to..." The well-dressed Dwarf trailed off. "...but I was unable to do so before they were ushered away by Kreldar Underbrace."

The woman in the center chair laughed. "Well then, enough of this, we will abide as we seem to be digging holes. I once again urge the council to reconsider our course of action."

The conversation soon devolved into bickering as the Council of Clan Molbrak failed to come to an agreement.

<17 September 2024, GRAND MESA OF SUMMER, A+>
[Sylvi]
Sylvi was panicking. She was currently flying across the surface of the Overlook in her dragon form, searching with every skill and sense she had that would do this. She landed at the Thronehold, shifting back into her humanoid form.

"Has she come back!" Sylvi demanded.

Velna shook her head, "No, she has not."

Sylvi started crying. Velna came and put her arm around the young dragon. "What are you crying about?"

"I lost Sarah!" Sylvi said, furious. "Theo and Julia asked me here to care for her and to protect you and Renno. And I failed them, and now I am going to lose the only friends that I have. I..."

Sylvi was sobbing and trying to get her thoughts in order when a voice that Sylvi had not heard for nearly nine hours spoke. "Sylvi, why are you crying! What happened?"

Sylvi and Velna looked up to see Sarah walking out of the trees. Sylvi rushed over, scooping the young girl and the thing she was holding up and hugging her. "Where were you?"

"I don't know, I found this cave, and I made a new friend," Sarah said, hefting up a strange skull, "This is Skully!"

An incredibly quiet voice spoke. "Hello, I guess I am Skully."

Sylvi and Velna looked at each other with concerned looks on their faces.

<17 September 2024, MOLBRAK CAVERN, A>
[Theo and Julia]
Kreldar quickly led Theo and Julia through the city and came upon a massive open area that had dwarves standing on platforms holding objects up and calling out in Dwarvish. Kreldar turned to Theo and Julia. "These are the markets of Clan Molbrak. This is where I think we should try to get the materials we need for your manor."

Theo looked around and quickly realized that each stone platform was an ongoing auction. "Oh, this could be fun."

"What do they accept in trade?" Julia asked.

"System coinage, and most anything so long as it has a value," Kreldar said.

They spent the rest of the day exploring the market and the rest of the city, eating local foods, and meeting people. At the end of the day, Kreldar and Harbek lead them back to their inn, where they all prepare for bed.