“I haven’t begun to look at that information. I didn’t think that there would be so much going on in the month that I took over this position.” The Dwarves laughed, others yelling out that she was doing a fine job. “Would you and some others be interested in trying to set up an exchange of information?” Jesal asked.
“I can do that.” Felar smiled.
“Good! Okay, now onto winter preparations.”
***
Dave awoke in a corner of the smithy. He stood and stretched, popping things from his rough night of rest. He shook Kol awake, and then opened his bag of holding, took out a pot of Xer and put it into the furnace.
Kol stood up and wiped a coal-stained hand over his forehead, adding to the marks from a long night’s work.
Dave looked at the four swords and one shield in front of him. Each was different in their properties, hilt, and magical runes, but the shape of their blade was the same. To most, they would be too heavy for a one-handed wield. Dave had seen the Demons in action; they were much stronger than any creature of comparable size.
He looked to the sixth weapon: a war hammer with a bear’s head carved into it. It was as much art as it was functional. Hidden inside the head were magical runes that made the war hammer seem to have frost covering it.
Dave opened his blinking notifications.
Quest: Dwarven Master Smith Level 3
You must craft 10 weapons of S quality with your Smithing Art (Currently 10/10)
Rewards: Unlock Level 4 quest
Increase to stat gain
Class: Dwarven Master Smith
Status:
Level 3
Effects:
Allowed access to all Dwarven Mountains and Smithies.
Allowed to take on smithing apprentices.
+30 to all stats
Access to special quests.
Quest: Dwarven Master Smith Level 4
You must craft 20 weapons of S quality with your Smithing Art (Currently 10/20)
Rewards: Unlock Level 5 quest
Increase to stat gain
Dave studied his character sheet.
Character Sheet
Name:
David Grahslagg
Gender:
Male
Level:
122
Class:
Dwarven Master Smith, Friend of the Grey God, Bleeder, Librarian, Aleph Engineer, Weapons Master, Champion Slayer, Skill Creator, Mine Manager, Master Summoner
Race:
Human/Dwarf
Alignment:
Neutral Good
Unspent points: 496
Health:
24,300
Regen:
9.06 /s
Mana:
7,380
Regen:
22.55 /s
Stamina:
3,090
Regen:
18.25 /s
Vitality:
243
Endurance:
453
Intelligence:
738
Willpower:
451
Strength:
309
Agility:
365
Zel knocked on the door; Dave waved to the man.
He walked in carrying a box of breakfast food.
“Thanks, Zel. You’re a blessing,” Dave said as the three of them claimed a workbench and started to eat the packed breakfast.
“I see what you two were up banging around all night.” Zel looked to the blades.
“Yeah, they might not look like much, but they’re powerful weapons.” Kol gave Dave a look.
“Hey, better to use Mithril than squirrel it away, and yes, I do know how much Mithril it was.” Dave sighed. The pot on the furnace whistled. Dave grabbed the pot out of the furnace with tongs.
Zel gave Kol a look; Kol shook his head and shrugged.
“They’re Mithril blades?” Zel looked at them with clear interest. Seeing Mithril was rare; having four blades and a hammer made out of it was a once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing.
“Yeah. Why do you think we had to put them in Kroder snake’s sheaths? They’d cut anything else to bits.” Kol sighed.
Dave poured Xer into three mugs. “So, I heard that you want to expand the ceramics side of things into Wer’Koum?” Dave grabbed his cup and sat down.
“We’ve got some decent clay deposits here, but not enough to keep up with demand unless we hire more Earth mages to create it. Wer’Koum has massive deposits no one knows what to do with; they’ve got a port city, a Dwarven mountain, and are close to our buyers in the Heval Desert,” Zel said.
“Okay, I can get behind that,” Dave said.
“Also, we’ve been making a number of the things that you have patents on and selling them. Right now, we’re doing the major work on them in the factories and then, for the magical coding, we come over here. I was thinking of making true assembly lines to make the units that are being bought the most. Things like heaters and coolers. Proper showers for everyone, not just inns that Players use,” Zel said.
“Have you talked this over with Suzy?” Dave asked.
“Yeah, we’ve gone over the plans and she’s checked it all out. She seems to be onboard with it.” Zel crunched some bacon.
“Well, she’s better with that stuff than me. It sounds good to me, but she’s the one with the mind for that. I’m the dude with about a hundred ideas in every which direction and signs on the dotted line when she tells me.” Dave grinned to Zel and Kol’s smiles.
“Well, I should have made you deed over your company a lot earlier.” Suzy entered the smithy, with Induca beside her.
“Damn, it’s nice and warm in here!” Induca got up close to the furnace.
“You two look like you’ve rolled around in coal for the entire night.” Suzy sighed as she looked at Kol and Dave.
“Zel, I looked into Wer’Koum. It’s a good place, but Zol’Ord is better. They have more clay that they don’t even know about. They’re also better for distribution across all of Heval. Their taxes are lower and they’ve got a ton of Earth mages and low employment rates. We can get the government on our side, reduced taxes, get people employed and keep rolling. If we play it right, all of Heval will be benefiting from us being there. There is the possibility to expand down to Zol’sou as well, due to their teleport pad and their distance from the local swamps and the clay deposits. Everything we need for a thriving factory.” Suzy smiled, grabbed a cup from her bag of holding and poured in fresh Xer. “Dave, we’re going to have to talk about having a full up-and-running factory. Using people from multiple different trades working together to make production lines. We’ve got some factory lines with the smithies but they’re making just one singular part, like screws. Not complex things like a Muskoka chair, or a shower stall.”
Dave scratched his head and sighed.
“Don’t worry. I talked to some of the Aleph. It seems that they are interested in the idea of teaching some of our people how to run different kinds of factories. Something of a challenge. I want you and Zel to have a talk with them, see what items and components they can make for us and the items that we’re going to have to step up assembly lines for. Building it all ourselves is going to be a pain in the ass. If we can outsource some of it to the Aleph at a cheaper price, it’s worth trying out. We scratch their back and they’ll scratch ours.” Suzy took a sip from her Xer, letting out a content sigh. Her eyes closed in bliss. “Now, that’s something for later. You two are meeting the generals of the Devil’s Crater Army to finalize the contract for armor. Dave, conjure up a shower.” Suzy took a deep drink from her Xer.
“Yes, ma’am.” Dave smiled. He could always trust Suzy to keep everything managed and him up-to-date.
Dave conjured two showers and a changing room behind the smithy as Zel and Suzy got to talking.
“Catch!” Dave pulled out a staff and tossed it to Suzy. A screen appeared in front of her face as she studied her staff.
Dave checked the copy of stats he kept.
Staff of Hecate
Forged by Dave Grahslagg, this item has been made for his dear sister Suzy. With it, the very gods themselves shall fear her wrath and accept her judgment. After being broken in the defense of Devil’s Crater, it has been rebuilt stronger than before.
Quality: SS
Abilities:
Increased command of all elements making up the staff (+13%)
Increased range of Creations (+25%)
Wielder’s Willpower increased (+17%)
Grows in power through use. (+1% to stats of user, stacks with other items)
Summoner’s Bastille
Charge: 100,000/100,000
Durability: 345/345
“Told you I’d have it working in no time.” Dave stepped into the small changing room. He cleaned himself up, changing into new clothes. Kol did the same.
As they stepped out, the showers disappeared, the conjured water going with it.
Twenty minutes had passed and Suzy was caressing her staff like a lost child.
“Going to go blind from rubbing it so much!” Dave said.
Suzy half jumped, as if fearful that her actions would harm her staff. “Ass!” Suzy growled.
Dave chuckled. “Well, let’s go and make a deal.” Dave put the weapons and shield into his bag of holding, and slung it over his shoulder.
“Thanks for fixing her staff,” Induca said as they walked for a waiting cart that would take them to the teleport pad. Kol and Zel had taken the lead; Suzy followed them in a slight daze, muttering to her staff. Induca and Dave trailed after them.
“Can’t have my friends with anything but the best.” Dave smiled to Induca.
“I’m so happy I decided to come and hunt down the Lady of Fire’s kid.” Induca laughed.
“So am I—got two good friends out of the deal.” Dave grinned.
“Oh, you charmer.” Induca laughed.
“Well, I have my own work to see to. I’ll see everyone later.” Zel waved to them and headed for his factory.
“See you later, Zel!” Dave smiled and waved, jumping up on the waiting cart.
The cart moved as the horses pulled it down the road and toward the teleport pad.
“Thanks for fixing this up.” Suzy held up her staff.
“No worries.” Dave grinned.
“First we have the meeting with the DCA, then check on the work happening at the smithy. We’re going to hire anyone who wants to learn there. Might even get a few armorers on loan from the DCA. We’ve got a lot of interest from people who want to be smiths. If you agree, we’ll pay the fees for them to come to the smithy, written off as long as they can make it to the apprentice level. After we’re done with the meeting and checking on the smithy, I’m heading for Verlun. You can join if you want, or continue on to the guild hall.”
The guild hall that the Aleph had given the Stone Raiders for helping them was simply called the guild hall. The one in Verlun was called Verlun or Verlun hall, same for the hall in Cliff-Hill.
“I think that I’ll go to the guild hall. There’s plenty to be done there and I have a few ideas for future plans. Kol, you might be interested in it,” Dave said.
“A city buried under the ground—sounds just like home.” Kol smiled.
“I keep forgetting how many Dwarves are complete recluses.” Dave sighed.
***
Anna watched as Suzy, Induca, Dave, and Kol walked through the teleport pad.
“Hey, Anna, what you up to?” Dave asked.
“I’m here to guide you to the meeting. I’m supposed to be a general of one of the DCA brigades, though it’s mostly an honorary position because I’m with the Stone Raiders so much,” Anna said.
“Where is the meeting being held?” Suzy asked.
“In the main government building.” Anna waved to a large building that had risen in the center of Unity. The progress in just a few short days was incredible.
“Damn. Every time I see Earth and Dark mages at work, I have to pinch myself. Houses up in a day? No problem, where do you want the doors and windows?” Dave shook his head.
“Well, you guys have fun at the meeting. I’m going to find Malsour and Fornau. I heard some of my family also came by to help out with the city. They’re thinking of making a few mountains nearby,” Induca said.
“Don’t get into too much trouble.” Suzy kissed her girlfriend.
“Knock ’em dead.” Induca winked and headed off into Unity.
“So, how’s Alkao?” Suzy asked as they started for the government building.
“Ugh.” Anna shook her head in frustration.
“What? I’m the only girl here and I need to update the others!” Suzy said, as if she wasn’t asking for her own sake.
“He’s a fine leader of his people and focused on doing everything he can to help his people,” Anna said.
“Booooring. So, you’ve both been too busy to do anything. We’ll have to do something about that,” Suzy said with a firm nod.
“What does that mean?” Anna asked in alarm, looking rather flustered.
“Don’t worry—Suzy has this covered.” Suzy winked at Anna.
Anna rubbed her temples, her tail moving in small, frustrated movements.
“How have things been with the Beast Kin and Demons? It looks like a lot of work has been completed,” Dave said.
“We’re lucky that Verlun and Cliff-Hill are the only places other than the Aleph where people can get to us. Well, unless they want to try to traverse Ashal.” Anna gave them a look that showed her doubt of anyone trying to complete that suicidal task. “The Beast Kin are still teaching for the most part; the Demons who have taken up jobs outside of being soldiers are quickly adapting to their new way of life. They’ve never had so many options and it’s showing. They’re still buying up a ton of food from different places. They don’t have enough for winter, but with the reward they gained from defeating the Demon Horde and making their home, they should have it covered. Brigades are also off clearing out any monsters that might attack the peaceful folk and marking dungeon locations.”
“What about the mage’s, trader’s and adventurer’s guilds?” Suzy asked.
“They’ve been poking around. It seems that someone has told the mage’s guild and they are interested in opening up a guild here with a few magical teachers. They can administer tests to show people what their Affinities are, as well as their strength, for free. Alkao has accepted them and they should have a group arriving in a week or two. It will allow us to find out just what kind of mages we have in the DCA and train them in their talents. The adventurer’s guild is excited to come here and set up a chapter. The government is in talks with them, so that the dungeons don’t get overused and looking into possibly going beyond Devil’s Crater to find more dungeons and the like beyond our cliffs,” Anna said.
“Lot of money to be made in a land with so many high-level magical beasts and dungeons without civilization to keep them in check,” Kol grumbled.
“It’s what made the Demons strong and will strengthen the later generations. Also, with the dungeons within the crater, it will allow adventurers to fight in a dungeon without the dangerous trek to and from it,” Anna said.
“Yeah, finishing a hard ass dungeon just to get killed by a creature on your way home—not so much fun. You can find a bunch of people complaining about it on the forums.” Dave sighed.
“What about the trader’s guild?” Suzy pushed on as they entered the government buildings. DCA soldiers checked them over, saluting as they saw three members of Party Zero.
Dave nodded to them as they passed, getting a respectful half head bow from the ones he made eye contact with.
“What was that about? I didn’t think Demons lowered their heads for anything? Nor Beast Kin unless they’re weaker or out of deep respect,” Dave said.
Anna laughed and rubbed her forehead
at Dave’s ways. No Jukal would act like him—always asking for praise and deference from all else, even if they had never earned anything but been born into the right species.
“Dave, you practically turned the battle for the northern keep on its head. When the Demon Horde looked like they would crush the DCA, you created armor and weapons that served to keep many of the DCA alive and give them a clear advantage over the Horde. To them, you’re a hero, including how the Stone Raiders sacrificed their own lives to try to slow the Horde and kill off as many as possible when they overran the southern keep. We’re pretty well respected here, and you have the gratitude of Devil’s Crater,” Anna said.
Dave scratched his head nervously, unsure of what to say to such high praise.
“I never really thought about that,” Suzy admitted.
“You saved the army and the people in this crater. The Stone Raiders are heroes to these people,” Kol said. “Should hear the apprentices at the smithy, wanting to make weapons and armor like the venerable Dave Grahslagg.”
“Was just helping out.” Dave looked to Suzy.
“Yeah, in a big way!” Suzy laughed.
They passed through some more guards. There were people all through the lobby, talking to various people who directed them into the government buildings.
“So, the trader’s guild?” Suzy asked for the third time.
“Ah, well, that’s an interesting one. Because the Exdar’s Traders got their place set up, they’re on very good terms with the traders in Devil’s Crater, as well as the Aleph. They brokered the agreement between the two parties and are the biggest supplier for food. They basically got everything kickstarted here and got the traders in the area up to speed and gave a number of them loans to start up businesses. Being part of the Stone Raiders adds to their reputation. The trader’s guild came over with their people. We have licenses under the trader’s guild, so technically we’re just extending their reach. They were going to set up a massive chapter house here, but they saw it wasn’t really needed. We were pushing along all of Devil’s Crater faster than we thought possible. They opened a small place here and they deal with guild issues there. They’re rather pleased with all of the taxes they’re getting from us on different transactions. We’ve actually had our rankings as a guild increased with all major guilds for the help we’ve provided for them. Devil’s Crater is an untapped resource and they’re thankful to the Stone Raiders for helping them out,” Anna said as they reached large double doors with guards on either side. They opened the doors. Anna and the rest were greeted with noise as twelve people lounged around the room.
This is Our Land (Emerilia Book 5) Page 28
