The quaint decor of the small working home was a pleasant change of pace to the more grand architecture around most of the city, Zoccola thought.  More suited to her own tastes.  She offered a grateful nod to the matron of the house and gestured vaguely back the way they'd come to where the pair of escorting guards were bound to be shortly thereafter.

"If those two allow themselves a break, they can order whatever they like on my coin." she mentioned just loud enough for the guards themselves to be able to catch.  She didn't speak Elvish and could only hope they were all bilingual as a matter of course.  Even if they didn't relax from their task it was better to at least put the offer out.  Once upstairs at the balcony, The Hound set himself dutifully by the doorway in his usual manner.  Zoccola, meanwhile, stepped along to pull out a chair for Elodie before taking one of her own.

"Nice of you to invite us along, Nalisha, though I can't help but feel there's business involved.  We've never really taken the time to become friends before." the Goblin wryly noted.  It wasn't that Zoccola disliked her at all, but their relationship prior had been strictly professional and firmly at arm's length by the Buymark's own demand.  "What can a pair of humble witches like us do for you?"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:18, Tue 14 Dec 2021.

Nalisha smiled. "Very true. Buymarks are quite accustomed to solitary life. The job is always at the forefront. Many of us live most of our lives with nothing but professional acquaintances." She took a sip of her coffee finishing the cup before it was refilled with the aromatic liquid.

"This coffee for example. The trade was brokered just over 10 years ago by a colleague of mine. It's brought income to the southern growers by providing a sizeable export destination and a new delicacy to those dwelling here in the valley. It has enriched many lives but no one now knows where that Buymark is. He moved on to the next job, his accolades left behind here."

She smiles slightly, "Winter is fast approaching and  with the passageway closed things are about to get very isolated. There are very few of us here from the outside world."

Elodie cocked her head, though inwardly she felt a worry blossom. Winter would seal off the valley?

"Seems like the dwarves ought build themselves a canal, if they're cut off in winter. That lake would provide the most lovely egress from their valley, so they could be well supplied with winter wheat." She sat down next to Zoccola and signaled for coffee to be brought for the two of them.

"So are you planning to stay your time here?"

Winter would surely be quite bad in the valley, Zoccola inwardly noted.  Cold winds coming up off the lake and low-laying elevation would ensure a heavy, lingering seasonal frost.  She absentmindedly pondered the behemoths they'd encountered; had those in the waters been migrating down river for warmer regions in the south?  Did the valley-bound dinosaurs travel to the volcanic eastern side of the valley or even retreat underground to escape the seasonal shift?  There was still so much to be learned if they were to make good use of the valley...

"Speaking of the southern lake, do you happen to know if any local groups claim ownership of the island there?  Because, if they haven't, I'm calling dibs." a remark only half in jest.  "But honestly, I'm more surprised that the Dwarves here haven't just built subterranean routes through the western mountain range.  Is the foundation terrain there unstable?"

"Gov. Hawkryn hasn't bee overly forthcoming with me about the long term infrastructure plans of the dwarven communities here and to be honest I haven't asked. I know the greatly favor trade to the east the the city of Dwarven. Something about an insult long ago in Thorfen by a advanced trading party. I mean long ago in Dwarf terms. The city of Dwarven won their favor so they focus eastward."

She took a sip of her coffee, "There are some smaller channels so supplies will continue but many of the merchants are uneasy to make the trip for feat of the worms."

"As for the creatures of the plains and winter, I have no way to know. I haven't set foot out there."

"Well I have made arrangements for this winter. Winter in The Root is easier than in most places. Hell, Dwarven's an icebox. Elvish magic warms the stones keeping the community quite pleasant even in the deep dark months. I have a room close to this shop. Once spring arrives I'll see what contracts present themselves."

Zoccola listened quietly throughout and only afforded a small distraction when the matron returned with their servings of coffee.  She daintily took a sip from her own cup but couldn't keep from scowling a little at its flavor.  Without remark, she drummed her fingertips on the cup's edge and a little charge of arcane energy sent the coffee bubbling hot until it ended up overboiled and acrid.  No doubt she'd absolutely ruined the flavor... but, as was the case, it suited a Goblin's tastes much better on the second sip.

"We'll have to figure out something ourselves then as well.  We can't impose on the Governor's generosity for too long." she mentioned sidelong to Elodie.  Sure, they always had the Estate, but it was better they figure out a more concrete living situation for as long as they'd be staying in the area.

"You mentioned the worms.  Is it just the two in the main channel that's causing the trouble, or are there more throughout the valley as well?"  If the Purple Worms blocking the Hammer were impeding on trade, then she'd have to negotiate a better deal with the Governor before they handled it.  Getting the Hammer was one thing, sure, but there was a lot of gold tied up in that route as well they'd be leaving on the table if it wasn't bargained for properly.  "We found trace of at least one a ways outside of The Root."

Elodie, less mindful of opportunities for making coin, already had her mouth halfway open to speaking exactly what was on her mind. When Zoccola spoke, though, she coughed and stopped herself, very obviously stopping up her tongue. A long sip of coffee followed, then a grimace and a long pour of cream till the coffee was near white itself.

The clear halt from Elodie piqued Zoccola's attention and yielded an inquisitve look; her expression quirked to implore and invite her friend to speak her mind if she so chose.

Elodie looked to Zoccola for confirmation, and finding it, shrugged.

"Well, surely the elves can get here in winter, can't they? I've seen an elf walk atop snowdrifts as deep as a man. They've every manner of cleverness, and if they can warm a whole city, surely they can warm a caravan's way in, can't they?"

"I'd expect it'd be more a matter of unpredictable weather, or perhaps an entirely different breed of native wildlife that becomes active during the winter.  We were able to move fairly quickly and inconspicuously through the wilds, but even we ran into trouble.  A caravan route would be a whole other problem." the Goblin reasoned, though Nalisha was given a look as well for her input on the matter.  "Being able to do it is one thing, but having it be viable and worth the effort is another."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:21, Fri 17 Dec 2021.

"The elves of this forest don't aspire to much beyond the borders of their wood, They are known as the Elforishlynn and for the most part are self sustaining from the bounty of the forest. They maintain an intimate connection to their woods and perhaps some of the most powerful druids alive may dwell within. The connection they have with the dwarves grants them enough of the outside world but also through these dwarves' access is also controlled.

The elves that have a more urban bent are here in The Root. Most reside within the forest. There have been precious few of the Elforishlynn who have ventured through the Underhalls and into the Bower proper."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:37, Fri 17 Dec 2021.

"So the Elves manage things within the valley, the Dwarves are keen on expanding beyond it, and you're right in the middle as the mediator for all the business that'll be going in and out.  Cozy spot to put oneself into." Zoccola observed from beyond the rim of her cup.  Nalisha had secured herself a position of considerable influence and profit, but with that was bound to be an even greater load to bear when it came to responsibility.  Which led to the obvious question:  "So why explain all of this to us over a spot of coffee?  What's your angle?  What does a Buymark in your position want from women of our talents and association?"

Elodie sipped her coffee again, but inwardly she felt a spike of annoyance at the very existence of Buymarks. So many nobles spurned mercantile pursuits, as though money could be made by honor, dignity turned a profit, and noble blood produced noble lifestyles. Her education at the temple of Kol Koran had taught her differently. Value was made from land and labor, and money an administrative convenience for distributing that value. But now nobles were always at the beck and call of their mercantile creditors, and these merchants were devising titles of their own. As if they could simply buy what a dozen generations of war and struggle and good breeding had made possible.

It would not do! When she was leader of House van Gryff, the books would be neat, the accounts in the black, and it would be her agents who administered the estates, not some hired merchant!

"It is very good coffee, though. And the cream is fresh." She said neutrally, keeping her thoughts to herself.

Nalisha nodded at Elodie and picked up her coffee.



"I saw you walking. The coffee is good here. There was nothing more. Chat, drinks with those who share a similar experience in the world. Us Buymarks aren't always conniving with a secret contract Zoccola. Not always."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:21, Fri 17 Dec 2021.

Strolling by and heading to their current shared abode he thought he heard the voices of Elodie, Zoccola, and another. Approaching the building where the three are having tea or coffee, Jurassic noted their presence on a balcony above him. Confident that someone of his stature couldn't be missed he called from the distance, "Ahoy ladies. Might I join you this fine evening?"

Elodie laughed at that particular exchange, at least a little relieved they weren't being involved in yet another scheme. Seeing Jurassic, she waved a hand and scooted her chair over to make room for him.

"Of course, Jurassic! Jurassic, this is Nalisha Relcaren. You saw each other before, but you can meet properly now."

Nalisha looks up at the large Goliath, she stands up and pulls over a large chair designed to be a loveseat but in this case, just the right size for one.

"Please have a seat. We haven't met formally, I am Nalisha Relcaren."
This message was last updated by the player at 00:38, Mon 03 Jan 2022.

Jurassic made his way up to the balcony. "Thank you Elodie." He made sure the seat could support him before sitting, "Mistress Nalisha, I am Browden Jurassic Wungauva, a pleasure to make you acquaintance."

He sat carefully, but relaxed quickly as the seat carried his weight. "I am afraid carousing does not suit me. I prefer warm tea and quiet contemplation to alcohol and rollicking."

"For someone of your size I believe that's wise." Nalisha responds with a smile.

While Zoccola ultimately wasn't surprised to see Jurassic having parted from the group, she had expected it to take a little bit longer before Booth wore out his own welcome by the Goliath's standards.  Jurassic came across to her as so well-mannered that she figured he'd have tolerated more just for the sake of being polite.

"That's just Longshanks for you.  His idea of a good time is getting blitzed as fast as possible and passing out slumped against a wall." the Goblin sighed over her coffee.  An exaggeration, perhaps, but not an especially grand one.  "When we were down in Dwarven, he dragged a bunch of our company around on a footrace crossed with a bar crawl.  Somehow he doesn't get that's not everyone's style.  Living like that myself wore thin on me ages ago."

She and Elodie never had gotten that show they'd hoped for, Zoccola inwardly recalled.  "Say, Nalisha?  What's there to do around here anyway?  Do they have any kind of entertainment, or a library, or even shopping?"
This message was last edited by the player at 04:52, Mon 03 Jan 2022.

"I have heard that Dwarven poetry is quite nice!" Elodie piped up. "They have fine memories, and can recite for hours. Though as I have heard, timelier verse forms are lost on them. If you go to a dwarf's recital, you had better be ready to sit patiently for hours, lest they take insult!"

She laughed and shrugged.

"Of course, that's what I was told."

"Well you're not too far off Elodie. Dwarves are all miner-poets and many of their poems and songs come from  extensive time in the deeps. They are partly used to pass long periods of time. As for insult, that is exaggerated somewhat. It fully depends on the manner of your departure rather than the time spent listening."

She leans back and takes a sip of coffee, "Oh, there's a fantastic market here. Most of the items are locally crafted but this, to be honest, is a boon rather than a negative. I would wager you can find most of what you are looking for here."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:55, Wed 05 Jan 2022.

Jurassic made a small comment. "Dwarven Opera. I was treated many times by my former master. I highly recommend the opera."

"Here's hoping.  I've got plans for quite a few works, but finding the right components for spell development or enchantment construction is tough.  There's some extremely... hm... esoteric demands."  A flourishing market was a good sign to begin with, though the needs of Zoccola's research were so demanding that she never assumed she'd find anything too easily.  "Honestly, I don't know where I'm going to find a Vampire's fang or nearly anything from a Dragon..."

On the matter of opera, Zoccola made no remark and contended herself to sips of her drink.  She'd never attended such a recital.  Though the prospect of long-form storytelling did have its appeal, to be certain.  "Opera aside, what sort of entertainment do you all prefer?  I've always been fond of banter comedy.  Y'know, a fast-paced back and forth, lots of word play and clever turns of phrase, that sort of thing."