[5/13/2026, 6:02:53 PM] Dammitwho
Ahoy
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[5/13/2026, 6:04:10 PM] Crion
ooh pretty art
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[5/13/2026, 6:05:01 PM] Nicolae
hallo
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[5/13/2026, 6:06:24 PM] Dammitwho
so, before we begin, did you have any thoughts on what you wanted to do?
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[5/13/2026, 6:11:32 PM] Nicolae
well, my thoughts were along the lines of: talk to dwarves in the Coins, find places he can ply his trade to earn some coins (alchemy lab in particular so he can make himself some bullets, maybe get a bandolier eventually), get to know some of the locals who might be able to answer questions re: Orb, Man in Black, etc.
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[5/13/2026, 6:15:30 PM] Dammitwho
Hm, alright
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[5/13/2026, 6:16:19 PM] Nicolae
well, we can get to some of that later
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[5/13/2026, 6:16:56 PM] Nicolae
i assume the more intense questions re: Orb, Man In Black might have to involve getting to know people to get them willing to open up about the people they know and the things they know
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[5/13/2026, 6:17:37 PM] Dammitwho
You'll always have an easier time asking about the Man In Black because you have no pressure for secrecy there
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[5/13/2026, 6:19:09 PM] Dammitwho
Tak has separated himself from the group temporarily. While the others look for some lodging, perhaps a place to rest after the long, tempest-tossed journey to Absalom, Tak finds himself eager to see more of the city in which he's found himself.
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[5/13/2026, 6:20:28 PM] Dammitwho
Heading west from the small square on the inner side of the Widdershins Gate, you've had a fairly pleasant stroll to the beginning of the Coins District, visible from the change in uniforms of the local guards - the citywide First Watch has given way to the Coins' Token Guard here.
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[5/13/2026, 6:20:34 PM] Nicolae
ah, that's a good point, and i imagine the man in black himself is probably not super concerned if some fuckin dipshit from his past is asking about him... "oh no, someone i've wronged seeking revenge, is it a day that ends in Y again?"
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[5/13/2026, 6:21:22 PM] Dammitwho
tfw it was tuesday
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[5/13/2026, 6:22:46 PM] Dammitwho
What he sees most immediately is one of the things he saw out on the cart driving towards the city - an enormous cathedral, which up close he can see is made of heavy iron plates, interlocking gears, steaming pistons, and sliding walls, giving the impression of an enormous mechanical insect with a clocktower on its back.
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[5/13/2026, 6:22:58 PM] Tak Ironflame
Tak, of course, made sure to mention that he was heading out on his own beforehand, and why. He doesn't need to invent the concept of the "fetchling goodbye" here.
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[5/13/2026, 6:24:17 PM] Dammitwho
The largest of the street signs at the transition point from the small gate district to the Coins say that the Grand Bazaar is further west - evidently at the center of the Coins. There are other directions too, though you'd have to look closer for that.
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[5/13/2026, 6:24:43 PM] Tak Ironflame
He'll wander the Coins, keeping an eye out for dwarven vendors and workshops. If he's lucky, he'll even find one from Dongun Hold.
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[5/13/2026, 6:25:08 PM] Tak Ironflame
What other directions does the sign say?
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[5/13/2026, 6:29:37 PM] Dammitwho
The Grand Dance Hall of Kortos northwest of you, north of the Grand Bazaar. The Hall of Commerce, where the District Council meets (and where a branch of the church of Abadar runs a bank, able to provide currency exchange or a divinely-backed loan), is SSW of you, southwest of the Grand Bazaar. A significantly nicer (gilded!) looking sign points to the Prophet's Academy, is directly north of you, NE of the Grand Bazaar.
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[5/13/2026, 6:30:57 PM] Dammitwho
There were a few other signs, as evidenced by the lighter color of the wall behind them, but they seem to have been pulled down.
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[5/13/2026, 6:31:31 PM] Dammitwho
None of this gives you much information on where dwarves might hang out, so Tak's initial plan to wander randomly might work out here.
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[5/13/2026, 6:31:37 PM] Tak Ironflame
Nothing obviously directly relevant to Tak's inquiries, but good to know nonetheless. He heads further into the Coins towards the Grand Bazaar.
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[5/13/2026, 6:35:23 PM] Dammitwho
As Tak continues west, he finds himself walking under a number of elevated pathways. At one point they must have been quite attractive, but since that time seem to have experienced some unrest - statues have been pulled down, angry messages graffitied (you can see a weary member of the Token Guard repainting one section from a hanging scaffold), and even a few scorch marks.
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[5/13/2026, 6:36:18 PM] Dammitwho
A few visibly newly-constructed shops have been built on them though, and the most prominent that Tak can see proudly announces itself as SHULN'S LABOR EXCHANGE - DEPENDABLE LABOR AT REASONABLE PRICES.
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[5/13/2026, 6:39:41 PM] Dammitwho
(I should mention at this point that Tak is never alone on the streets here. There's always at least a few people walking one way or another, carts going down the middle of the road, that sort of thing. Since the road he's on right now leads direct from the district entrance to the Grand Bazaar, things are actually more crowded than on the side streets - he can see other members of the Token Guard, visibly bored, wandering around in case there's a crowd control incident or something.)
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[5/13/2026, 6:40:05 PM] Tak Ironflame
Hmm, temp work? Might be worthwhile to keep in mind if more long-term money-making opportunities aren't available. He heads to Shuln's to ask about what sorts of labor they're looking for.
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[5/13/2026, 6:40:15 PM] Nicolae
oh i figured, if nothing else the background here is good for the vibe
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[5/13/2026, 6:41:00 PM] Nicolae
though i do wonder how much aerodynamic drag those faeries over on the right have to deal with from those asses
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[5/13/2026, 6:42:34 PM] Dammitwho
MY FAERIE GOT A BBL - TOOK IT OUT BECAUSE SHE COULDN'T RUN
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[5/13/2026, 6:45:06 PM] Dammitwho
Tak heads up a nearby stone flight of stairs to the elevated walkway. Shuln's at least seems like a busy place - plenty of people are heading in and out the employees only door, and Tak passes a group of plump merchants looking very pleased with themselves as they leave through the main entryway.
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[5/13/2026, 6:46:40 PM] Dammitwho
He enters to see a middle-aged dromaar [half-orc], who notices him instantly and says cheerfully "Ah, another customer! Abadar has blessed this day. Welcome to Shuln's Labor Exchange! I'm Thavin Shuln, humble proprietor."
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[5/13/2026, 6:49:29 PM] Tak Ironflame
Tak nods, and tips his hat in greeting. "Tak Ironflame. I saw your shingle--" he points to the "SHULN'S LABOR EXCHANGE" sign-- "and was curious about what sort of labor you're looking for at the moment."
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[5/13/2026, 6:54:39 PM] Nicolae
b
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[5/13/2026, 6:54:55 PM] Dammitwho
His beaming smile dims for a moment. As it might, upon learning that you want him to pay you, rather than you to pay him. Still he recovers gamely. "We deal primarily in unskilled labor in a wide variety of fields! Teamsters, basic construction, hauling, loading and unloading, Everything from local agricultural to domestic service."
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[5/13/2026, 7:01:52 PM] Tak Ironflame
"I see." He nods. "What is a typical daily pay for your workers? Say, for basic hauling work."
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[5/13/2026, 7:07:13 PM] Dammitwho
(back, sorry, was eating a burrito)
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[5/13/2026, 7:08:18 PM] Nicolae
did you bring enough for the whole class
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[5/13/2026, 7:12:11 PM] Dammitwho
"We have a unique arrangement here at Shuln's. We have deals with a number of local merchants to buy quality goods wholesale, and our valued team members earn credit points at the Shuln's internal commissary, where said goods are sold at prices significantly below market rate! The credit point system acts a 'multiplier', you see. Team members in good standing can make the point equivalent of as much as three gold per day!"
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[5/13/2026, 7:18:58 PM] Tak Ironflame
A gear mechanism in Tak's brain turns over and something clicks. To his credit, he does not show it on his face. Some places in Alkenstar worked like that. His father made a point to never deal with such places.
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[5/13/2026, 7:21:05 PM] Tak Ironflame
"Equivalent of three gold a day. Ain't that somethin'. I will certainly keep this opportunity in mind, Thavin Shuln, but I must be going." He tips his hat again, less politely this time, and takes his leave. He hopes there are more reputable businesses around here.
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[5/13/2026, 7:25:51 PM] Nicolae
if shuln is familiar with alkenstar hat-tipping etiquette he's going to be so owned
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[5/13/2026, 7:28:05 PM] Dammitwho
Thavin Shuln doesn't *literally* forget about Tak the moment the door closes, so don't try some "run back in and see if he remembers your name" horseshit player, but he might as well do.
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[5/13/2026, 7:29:43 PM] Dammitwho
"Tourist?" Tak looks over, and then down. A halfling man looks back at him, his face and tone somewhat sympathetic.
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[5/13/2026, 7:33:11 PM] Tak Ironflame
Tak looks down at the halfling. Alkenstar City is big enough to get the occasional tourist, and he knows enough that you can't just go around telling people you're a tourist. "I'll admit to some unfamiliarity with the place. Why do you ask?"
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[5/13/2026, 7:34:59 PM] Dammitwho
"Ya went inta Shuln's and came out lookin' like ya swallowed a bee, if'n ya don't mind me saying." He blows his nose into a handkerchief and continues. "Can't blame ya." He waves at the overhead walkway you're standing on. "Know what they used ta call this place?"
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[5/13/2026, 7:36:57 PM] Tak Ironflame
Ah. Guess my reaction wasn't as subtle as I thought, Tak thinks. "What?" he asks.
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[5/13/2026, 7:39:22 PM] Dammitwho
"Misery Row. Or, if yer feelin' fancy, the Slave Pits of Absalom."
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[5/13/2026, 7:39:41 PM] Dammitwho
"Never understood the 'pits' part. You see any pits around here?"
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[5/13/2026, 7:40:16 PM] Dammitwho
"Eight years ago we outlawed slavery. Somefolk got a little... excited." He pronounces that last word with relish. "So there ain't much left of the old slave markets."
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[5/13/2026, 7:41:51 PM] Dammitwho
"But... well. A buzzard's a buzzard, and they always come flappin' back to a corpse. Shuln's little outfit is all legal and aboveboard - ya get paid, sort of, can quit any time ya like. My dumbfuck brother got so into debt with him it took the whole resta the family ta haul him out."
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[5/13/2026, 7:42:02 PM] Tak Ironflame
Tak doesn't bother hiding his expression this time. "So Shuln's place is the improvement?" He grimaces.
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[5/13/2026, 7:42:48 PM] Tak Ironflame
"My condolences about your brother."
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[5/13/2026, 7:43:49 PM] Dammitwho
"Kind of ya. He's alright, just thick as pigshit. Always was. Anyhow, glad ta see ya didn't sign up. Just a friendly warning."
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[5/13/2026, 7:48:57 PM] Tak Ironflame
"Thankee sai. Much obliged. Are all the businesses in these parts running a similar setup? My friends and I could be interested in exchanging some honest day's labor in exchange for coin... not the point equivalent of coin."
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[5/13/2026, 7:51:10 PM] Dammitwho
"Nah, just the ones up on Misery Row here. Everyone else'll try and rip ya off a little, specially once they clock yer from outta town, but not in any serious sorta way. Bazaar's the Bazaar, ya know? If ya know what things're worth ya'll be alright."
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[5/13/2026, 7:54:13 PM] Dammitwho
A certain amount of hometown pride enters his voice as he continues: "Always jobs fer guys who're willing ta work hard. That's Absalom, baby, greatest city in the world! let's go spires love da spires"
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[5/13/2026, 7:58:41 PM] Tak Ironflame
Tak nods, and looks around for the spires. Are there any particularly prominent spires in the skyline...? Anyway. "Would you know if there are any dwarven merchants, crafters, or artisans in this district? Preferably not on Misery Row."
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[5/13/2026, 8:04:39 PM] Dammitwho
He looks a little surprised. "Dwarves?" He looks Tak up and down, then seems to realize something. "Ohhh, yeah, I getcha. Sure, plentya dwarves around. Same as elves and doublings. Ehh, humans. If ya ain't particular, might as well keep walkin' toward the Grand Bazaar."
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[5/13/2026, 8:07:23 PM] Tak Ironflame
Tak is not at all sure what the halfling is getting at, but is worried it might be prurient. Better head that off at the pass. "I apprenticed as a craftsman with some dwarves, and I'm familiar with their techniques and culture. An appreciator of their work." He remembers the sign from earlier. "This way to the Grand Bazaar, yes?"
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[5/13/2026, 8:10:03 PM] Dammitwho
"Yep. Straight west. Ya can't miss it." He puts up a hand for you to shake. "Bruskel Greatsun."
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[5/13/2026, 8:10:40 PM] Tak Ironflame
"Tak Ironflame. Pleasure." He reaches down to shake.
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[5/13/2026, 8:13:54 PM] Dammitwho
"Good ta meetcha, Tak. Be seein' ya." He doesn't appear inclined to go anywhere himself, leaning on the elevated walkway's stone railing and drinking from a skin of something.
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[5/13/2026, 8:14:34 PM] Tak Ironflame
"Safe travels, Bruskel. Maybe I'll see you around." He tips his hat and begins walking towards the Bazaar.
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[5/13/2026, 8:19:45 PM] Dammitwho
Tak heads down the stairs on the other side of Misery Row, and further toward the Grand Bazaar. He passes a few shops, including "Vex's Instrument Supply and Televox Repair", and on his left a large converted manor house that now advertises itself as the home of the Javelin Guild, a combination mercenary outfit and weapons manufacturer/arcane imbuer.
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[5/13/2026, 8:22:12 PM] Dammitwho
The alley next to the Javelin Guild plays host to a sight Tak has seen a few times before here: a small group of people (in this case, a pair of older humans and a few younger people) sitting around what looks sort of like a hearing horn for the deaf, but connected to a wooden box centered around a horizontal metal cylinder wrapped with copper wire. The box itself is then connected to a tall, thin metal flagpole of sorts via small alligator clamps.
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[5/13/2026, 8:22:45 PM] Dammitwho
What's unusual is that this time it's quiet enough that you can hear why they're gathered around the horn and its box: there's music coming out of it!
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[5/13/2026, 8:22:47 PM] Tak Ironflame
Tak has no idea what a televox is, but a weapons manufacturer might be interested in someone with gunsmithing experience. Good to keep in mind.
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[5/13/2026, 8:23:39 PM] Tak Ironflame
Well, I'll be damned. Tak wanders over to listen to the music and eyeball the device. It's some kind of music box, right? Just cleverly hidden inside the box.
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[5/13/2026, 8:30:32 PM] Dammitwho
The two older women are playing a game of Siege and having a meal as they recline in light chairs next to a small table, while the younger people (an aiuvarin, an orc, and another human) are lying on blankets on the ground with a few snacks. The music is kind of tinny, and there's a regular quiet crackling noise that interferes with it a bit.
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[5/13/2026, 8:30:34 PM] Dammitwho
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kKadLHdyvI
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[5/13/2026, 8:33:39 PM] Tak Ironflame
He approaches, and speaks up. "That's quite a tune. But I admit, I've never seen a music box that was able to do voices. How does this one work?."
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[5/13/2026, 8:37:46 PM] Dammitwho
"Ssh!" The aiuvarin hisses irritably, moving closer to the horn, but the older woman scolds him and he grumbles into silence. In a friendly, thickly-accented voice, she says "Hello, young man. You'd best come over with us so you'll not upset the young people, who are very important I am sure."
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[5/13/2026, 8:37:51 PM] Dammitwho
"From out of town, are you?"
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[5/13/2026, 8:39:10 PM] Tak Ironflame
Ah, youths. "That obvious, is it? I am from out of town, though it feels strange to call a place like Absalom a 'town'."
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[5/13/2026, 8:42:34 PM] Dammitwho
She nods. "Well, I suppose they don't have many televoxes other places. Something they pulled down from Silver Mount, they tell me, and shipped all the way here. It puts music and voices through the air, yes? But not so you can hear it. It makes the metal vibrate - " Here she gestures languidly to the thin metal pole. " - and the little clamps send the vibrations to the televox there." That's the thing Tak thought was a music box, with the metal cylinder wrapped in copper wire.
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[5/13/2026, 8:43:00 PM] Nicolae
we've heard of silver mount, right, that's where the weird computer terminal thing in the mine was from, and highleaf mentioned it in his notes?
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[5/13/2026, 8:43:07 PM] Dammitwho
Yep!
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[5/13/2026, 8:43:42 PM] Dammitwho
"Why it needs the copper wire thing I don't rightly know, but it has to be wrapped up just so or you don't get but an awful noise."
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[5/13/2026, 8:44:35 PM] Tak Ironflame
"Silver Mount?" Now his interest is piqued even more. "Oh, I've heard tell of all kinds of wonders from there. I'll be..." At least this particular Silver Mount wonder doesn't appear to be reanimating corpses into gooblins. Yet.
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[5/13/2026, 8:44:37 PM] Dammitwho
"Wrap them differently and you can get sound from one of the different places - 'stations' they call 'em. There's a fair few about."
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[5/13/2026, 8:46:17 PM] Dammitwho
The other old woman makes a move in the Siege game and breaks in: "My Ed just bought us one of the deluxe televoxes out from Vex's, so he did now. Comes with six different cylinders, and all you need do is replace one with the other to get whichever station you like? Only need to buy the one televox!"
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[5/13/2026, 8:47:40 PM] Tak Ironflame
A thought occurs to Tak. He had been interested in the devices down in the mine, but of course it was an extremely inopportune time for tinkering, on account of all the monsters. But if this televox comes from the same place, he could study the principles here, hopefully earning some gold in the process while he's here. "Vex's, eh? I saw it a little ways back... Do they make the televoxes there, or just import them?"
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[5/13/2026, 8:51:56 PM] Dammitwho
"Makes them herself, right there. She says it's like a piano or a guitar, so she does now, all about winding stretched wires."
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[5/13/2026, 8:57:13 PM] Tak Ironflame
Well, the weird devices down in the mine probably involved a lot more than winding wires... but he'll keep it in his back pocket. "All that just from winding wires. I'll be." He listens until the song ends, thanks the old women, and takes his leave.
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[5/13/2026, 9:01:11 PM] Dammitwho
The older women politely bid him farewell, the young people ignore him, and Tak continues on his way.
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[5/13/2026, 9:03:17 PM] Dammitwho
He gets closer to the Grand Bazaar - in fact, off in the distance he can see the street opening up onto the massive plaza that bears that name. But!
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[5/13/2026, 9:03:55 PM] Dammitwho
To his right, he notices a somewhat sprawling shop named "KITTEN'S SLUMBER" with a subheading of "Roswine Yarindam, prop.".
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[5/13/2026, 9:04:13 PM] Dammitwho
Pitch me a roll for dwarven culture!
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[5/13/2026, 9:05:49 PM] Nicolae
hrm. *looks at +2 Society* probably not that one. could i talk the gm into crafting as a sort of mechanical proxy...
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[5/13/2026, 9:06:20 PM] Dammitwho
I'm afraid not.
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[5/13/2026, 9:07:50 PM] Nicolae
well, i guess i can use my terrible society roll and use a hero point if i beef my homeland too hard
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[5/13/2026, 9:08:07 PM] Tak Ironflame
1d20 + 2
1d20 6 6
8
1d20 + 2
1d20 18 18
20
1d20 + 2 = 18 + 2 = 20
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[5/13/2026, 9:08:32 PM] Dammitwho
DC 17, so you made it
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[5/13/2026, 9:09:24 PM] Dammitwho
The shop's exterior isn't particularly dwarven-looking, but that doesn't mean much - what Tak *does* know is that Yarindam is a dwarven clan name out of HIghhelm, so it's highly likely that Roswine is a dwarf.
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[5/13/2026, 9:10:00 PM] Tak Ironflame
Excellent. Does the front of KITTEN'S SLUMBER suggest anything about the wares there?
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[5/13/2026, 9:10:01 PM] Dammitwho
(if Tak had failed that roll he'd just have known it was a clan name, not which hold it was from)
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[5/13/2026, 9:10:06 PM] Nicolae
(noted!)
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[5/13/2026, 9:10:29 PM] Dammitwho
The sign is carved into the shape of a cat.
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[5/13/2026, 9:11:57 PM] Dammitwho
Beyond that, not really?
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[5/13/2026, 9:15:12 PM] Nicolae
tak spelled backwards is "kat". it's basically fate
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[5/13/2026, 9:15:31 PM] Tak Ironflame
Tak considers, and walks inside. If nothing else, it'll be nice to hear some dwarvish...
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[5/13/2026, 9:20:40 PM] Dammitwho
Tak walks in, and-- oh! It's a familiar shop! That is, a shop for familiars, not a shop that is familiar. Collars and harnesses in various shapes and sizes hang on hooks around the shop, each with a small tag denoting the type of familiar it will fit. Small counters and boxes hold familiar accoutrements, everything from toys to food, and actual familiars of varying species are scattered about, sleeping in sunbeams or holding secret ominous meetings in corners.
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[5/13/2026, 9:22:44 PM] Dammitwho
Well in the back, far behind the main counter, you can see a dark-skinned dwarven woman with a bushy head of hair and a neatly trimmed beard, sitting in a large armchair and engrossed in a tome of some kind.
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[5/13/2026, 9:23:08 PM] Dammitwho
"Hello, hello, welcome!" The voice Tak hears came from nearby, and unless the dwarven woman is a ventriloquist...?
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[5/13/2026, 9:25:14 PM] Tak Ironflame
Ah. Well, if nothing else, he can ask what the hell the orbfella eats. And what it is, for that matter. Probably gotta call it something besides the orbfella. "Howdy..." he replies by instinct, and then looks around for the voice.
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[5/13/2026, 9:26:15 PM] Dammitwho
"Please, friend, I'm down here." Tak, looking down, can see an orange tabby cat swishing his tail and looking at him expectantly. It speaks! "Yes, yes, the orange cat. I'm Cabbage! How can I assist you today!"
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[5/13/2026, 9:33:19 PM] Tak Ironflame
Ah. I assume this is not Tak's first talking animal familiar. Little guys abound here in Absalom, it seems. "Ah, well... I did have a few questions, and seeing that this is a familiar shop, it seems I might find an answer here. Earlier, some friends of mine bought a small pet that the vendor claimed had been a familiar." He describes the orbfella as best as he can manage. "Does that sound fam-- like something you've heard of?"
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[5/13/2026, 9:41:49 PM] Dammitwho
"Oh, wow! A challenge! Do you know what it eats?" In the background, the dwarven woman looks up from her book.
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[5/13/2026, 9:43:26 PM] Tak Ironflame
"Sadly, I do not. I was hoping to ask."
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[5/13/2026, 9:46:08 PM] Dammitwho
"Hmm." The cat ponders cutely. "Does it make any noises?"
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[5/13/2026, 9:46:36 PM] Tak Ironflame
What noises did it make, if any?
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[5/13/2026, 9:46:42 PM] Nicolae
getting a little sleepy, memory is getting rusty...
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[5/13/2026, 9:48:39 PM] Dammitwho
it went like "moopmoopmoop"
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[5/13/2026, 9:51:57 PM] Tak Ironflame
"It made a sound like..." He pauses, unsure if he should be embarassed here. "...'moopmoopmoop'."
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[5/13/2026, 9:56:46 PM] Dammitwho
"Uh, hmm... well..." The cat Cabbage crosses its paws, uncrosses them, does a nervous little dance.
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[5/13/2026, 9:59:45 PM] Dammitwho
The dwarven woman has stood up and walked to the front of the counter. "Who did you say you bought the little guy from?" She asks, curiously.
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[5/13/2026, 10:00:00 PM] Dammitwho
(we'll wrap up after settling this)
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[5/13/2026, 10:01:38 PM] Nicolae
(fair, i was about to ask, getting a lil sleepy. lil sleepitatious.)
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[5/13/2026, 10:01:50 PM] Nicolae
(fortunately i rmeembered the logs exist)
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[5/13/2026, 10:02:06 PM] Nicolae
(but don't mention the vendor's shop name...)
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[5/13/2026, 10:02:37 PM] Tak Ironflame
Did the shop have a name that was simply unmentioned-upon at the time? If not, Tak mentions a kholo near the Widdershins Gate.
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[5/13/2026, 10:03:58 PM] Dammitwho
It didn't have a name, it was literally just some guy next to a bunch of other guys, all with their own wares and all shouting
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[5/13/2026, 10:04:17 PM] Dammitwho
(he's actually a ya-kholo [kangarooman] not a kholo [hyenaman/gnoll])
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[5/13/2026, 10:06:24 PM] Dammitwho
As soon as you mention the ya-kholo, the dwarven woman (Roswine, probably) brightens up. "Oh! It's probably from Sarusan, then! That sounds like a Lesser Magivore Whombat!"
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[5/13/2026, 10:06:40 PM] Dammitwho
"A hairless one, though. How fun!"
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[5/13/2026, 10:07:17 PM] Dammitwho
Cabbage gasps, which is funny when a cat does it. "Really?! Wow!" He turns to you. "Whombats are very interesting animals! Their feces are cubes!"
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[5/13/2026, 10:08:16 PM] Tak Ironflame
"That's..." Tak, very briefly, considers the logistics of pooping a cube. Eesh. "Fascinating. So... what do they eat, exactly?"
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[5/13/2026, 10:08:39 PM] Dammitwho
Roswine continues, politely ignoring Cabbage's helpful information. "You said the vendor told you he ate a scrying orb? He'll probably be digesting that for a few years at least. If he becomes less, uh, round, you're going to want to think about small enchanted items for him."
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[5/13/2026, 10:09:15 PM] Dammitwho
"Roswine Yarindam. Sorry, Cabbage is the boss around here, but I was so interested in your story..."
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[5/13/2026, 10:13:58 PM] Tak Ironflame
Tak considers and nods. "Tak Ironflame," he says, tipping his hat. "Cabbage is the boss? Your name's the one out front..."
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[5/13/2026, 10:16:22 PM] Dammitwho
"Sure, but he's the one with all the business sense." "Meeeow, that's right!"
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[5/13/2026, 10:17:53 PM] Nicolae
(ugh, do you think we'll be able to continue tomorrow evening? i am sadly flagging quite a bit)
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[5/13/2026, 10:18:12 PM] Dammitwho
we can if you'd like!
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[5/13/2026, 10:18:26 PM] Dammitwho
i was going to wrap anyhow
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[5/13/2026, 10:19:11 PM] Nicolae
(okay, i still want to ask re: dwarven work opportunities but i don't think i can think straight atm
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[5/13/2026, 10:19:21 PM] Nicolae
(excellent!)
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[5/14/2026, 6:03:53 PM] Nicolae
well well well
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[5/14/2026, 6:04:29 PM] Dammitwho
egg's
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[5/14/2026, 6:07:19 PM] Dammitwho
So! Tak has just worked out, thanks to the help of Cabbage (and Roswine Yarindam, his witch), that the orbfella is a Lesser Magivore Whombat. Not what he came out to do, but a win's a win. You're still chatting with them, what's next?
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[5/14/2026, 6:11:30 PM] Tak Ironflame
Probably time to segue into Tak's main goals here. "Ms. Yarindam -- or Cabbage, if you know -- I actually wandered in here for another question as well."
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[5/14/2026, 6:14:08 PM] Tak Ironflame
Then, he switches to Dwarvish:
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[5/14/2026, 6:14:33 PM] Nicolae
oh god DAMMIT i was using angle brackets to represent translated text and it interpreted it as an html tag and the whole thing fucking vanished
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[5/14/2026, 6:14:58 PM] Nicolae
one sec, i need to kill myself and then retype it with a different bracket
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[5/14/2026, 6:17:12 PM] Tak Ironflame
Then, he switches to his heavily-Dongun-Hold-accented Dwarvish: {I'm expecting to be in town for a little while, and was looking for work with dwarven crafters in exchange for coin while I'm here. I was hoping you might be able to direct me to the right places or people.}
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[5/14/2026, 6:20:30 PM] Dammitwho
Roswine: "Oh my goodness? You're from, uh--"
Cabbage: "Dongun Hold."
Roswine: "Dongun Hold, right! Um, if you don't mind my asking..."
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[5/14/2026, 6:22:59 PM] Tak Ironflame
Tak smiles. "I am indeed, ma'am. If you're askin' how'd a dwarf get so tall, well, you wouldn't be the first, not by a long shot."
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[5/14/2026, 6:24:22 PM] Dammitwho
"Well! Um, I'm not really sure. I'm not much of a people person, I don't get out much... Cabbage?"
"Nyaa," the orange cat says primly. "What kind of crafting work are you looking for?"
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[5/14/2026, 6:30:54 PM] Tak Ironflame
"Ah, totally fair." To Cabbage: "Most of my experience is in gunsmithing and a bit of alchemy, but I've worked with general metalsmithing, woodworking, mechanical work, mining..."
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[5/14/2026, 6:41:17 PM] Dammitwho
(sorry, dinner came through and i had to grab at it)
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[5/14/2026, 6:43:21 PM] Nicolae
(ah, that'll happen)
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[5/14/2026, 6:47:47 PM] Dammitwho
"Hmm... how much alchemy is *a bit*?"
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[5/14/2026, 6:53:14 PM] Tak Ironflame
"Black powder, some basic elemental reactions..." He is avoiding using the term "bomb" here. "My studies back home were interrupted, but I'm always willing to learn."
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[5/14/2026, 6:55:41 PM] Dammitwho
"Nyaaa... oh, that's a shame. We need unusual compounds sometimes to keep our friends here healthy, and having another supplier would be great!" A limbless fox slithers sinuously past Cabbage, looking at Tak for a moment and smelling him with a forked tongue before moving towards the back rooms of the shop.
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[5/14/2026, 6:56:34 PM] Dammitwho
"But black powder isn't really..."
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[5/14/2026, 6:57:37 PM] Dammitwho
"Oh! The Gallery of Innovation!" Cabbage perks up. "The temple of Brigh is always looking for custom metalwork, and there's always plenty of dwarves about!"
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[5/14/2026, 6:59:19 PM] Dammitwho
"I don't know much about guns (seems scary, nyaa!), and most of the people in the Coins are merchants rather than artisans! The Javelin Gallery might buy some off you? They might think you're a competitor, though..."
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[5/14/2026, 7:02:01 PM] Tak Ironflame
Tak watches the limbless fox slither past. "Your fella there seems to have misplaced a few legs," he comments dryly as it goes. "Gallery of Innovation? That sounds like just the kind of place I'm looking for. Is it nearby?"
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[5/14/2026, 7:07:47 PM] Dammitwho
"Pretty close, nyaa! Just head east until you hit the Clockwork Cathedral, then go south! You can't miss it!"
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[5/14/2026, 7:13:38 PM] Tak Ironflame
Tak nods and tips his hat, with a smile. "Wonderful. Thankee much, Cabbage, Ms. Yarindam. I'll be sure to tell my friends about KITTEN'S SLUMBER if they have any questions about their new little fellas."
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[5/14/2026, 7:18:09 PM] Dammitwho
"Glad to help, nya! Bye!" Cabbage doesn't wave, as that's hard for a cat, but Roswine does from her chair in the back.
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[5/14/2026, 7:21:34 PM] Tak Ironflame
Tak steps out and follows the cat's directions towards the Gallery of Innovation. East, then a Clockwork Cathedral, and then south. How long does it take?
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[5/14/2026, 7:26:48 PM] Dammitwho
Not too long, relatively speaking. Less time than it took him to get here, since he's not making stops.
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[5/14/2026, 7:28:25 PM] Dammitwho
Tak is probably familiar with temples of Brigh at least to a certain extent - the temple in Alkenstar City is one of the largest in the faith. This one is no different, built more like a workshop than a a more usual ecclesiastical building.
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[5/14/2026, 7:28:49 PM] Dammitwho
A large statue of Brigh in her clockwork form stands out front: https://pathfinderwiki.com/wiki/File:Brigh_from_Inner_Sea_Faiths.webp
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[5/14/2026, 7:30:58 PM] Dammitwho
Worshippers, or artisans (largely the same thing) bustle in and out of the busy temple's doors. A great many humans and gnomes, but also a decent set of dwarves. One seems less busy than most, standing a ways from the main entry and thoughtfully smoking a pipe.
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[5/14/2026, 7:37:20 PM] Tak Ironflame
Tak is not a religious man, but this is a damn nice temple. He nods to the dwarf standing by the main entry. {Good afternoon.}
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[5/14/2026, 7:40:46 PM] Dammitwho
He raises his eyebrows, and replies: {And to you, sir. Bryndak Ashmantle, at your service. What brings you to our crucible of the new?}
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[5/14/2026, 7:44:45 PM] Tak Ironflame
Tak smiles warmly and doffs his hat. {Ah, it does me good to hear dwarvish after so long! Name's Tak Ironflame. I'm in Absalom for a time, and was hoping I could find some dwarven crafters, to get coin, experience, and acquaintance.} The zeugma sounds even better in the original dwarvish.
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[5/14/2026, 7:51:18 PM] Dammitwho
{B'gods!} Bryndak cries. {That's an Alkenstar accent, or I'm a halfling! Surely you're not from Dongun Hold? Adopted, are you? How goes it out that way? What brings you here? Ach, my manners. Come, come, we'll go inside and have a sit down, I'll send one of the boys out for beer.} He turns and immediately heads for the door to the temple, eagerly gesturing for you to follow him.
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[5/14/2026, 7:58:12 PM] Tak Ironflame
{Adopted? That would explain why I'm taller than the rest of my family...} He laughs. {Oh, I'm here for many reasons. Making one's way in the world, having adventures.} He leaves out the parts about "my compatriots have a weird evil orb and also I've been on the trail of an evil wizard for years". {That would be much obliged, sir, thank you kindly.}
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[5/14/2026, 8:06:17 PM] Dammitwho
Tak and Bryndak enter the temple. The inside would be familiar to Tak even if he's never set foot in a temple of Brigh before - a large furnace for melting and casting metal, the sound of hammers on anvils, arguing blacksmiths. Across from him are smaller cubbies where craftspeople with jeweler's loupes and magnifying glasses assemble tiny clockwork mechanisms, while others do the careful silversmithing that helps them produce their wonders.
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[5/14/2026, 8:08:27 PM] Dammitwho
A bird made of gleaming brass and silver wire flaps to land near Tak, and gives a deep "Chrrup chrrup" sound from the grinding of gears before becoming airborne again to circle the room. Bryndak leads you through an open archway in the rear of the main room to a small cafeteria.
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[5/14/2026, 8:09:06 PM] Tak Ironflame
Tak inhales the scent of metal. {It's like being back home, except the ceiling is taller.} He walks with Bryndak, glancing at the craftspeople and their works as he passes by. He laughs in appreciation as the clockwork bird flies off, and tips his hat to it.
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[5/14/2026, 8:10:52 PM] Dammitwho
He orders out for beer and Absalom's traditional meat-onna-stick, urging you to sit and relax. { True, } he laughs. { I'll warrant you've fewer bumps to the head out this way, yes? So! We Ashmantles are from up Highhelm as I'm sure you know, and we hear so little from Dongun! Is all well there? }
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[5/14/2026, 8:19:00 PM] Tak Ironflame
{Oh, I learned quickly enough to walk while crouching down.} He laughs. {It's been some time since I was there myself, but I ask around wherever I go...}
What does Tak know about Dongun Hold's recent news? Anything worth bringing up at the moment?
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[5/14/2026, 8:25:07 PM] Dammitwho
High Queen Anong Arunak has been eager to reconnect Dongun more closely with the dwarves of the Five Kings region. To this end, she's been pursuing overland diplomatic efforts, as well as attempts to reopen the darklands routes from Dongun - the big problem, of course, is that (as every educated dwarf knows) the *original* routes went to Dongun from Koldukar, which is now called Urgir, the capital of the orcish Hold of Belkzen.
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[5/14/2026, 8:26:18 PM] Tak Ironflame
Tak relates this news to Bryndak, though it's possible Bryndak knows it already. But it's nice to make conversation.
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[5/14/2026, 8:26:22 PM] Dammitwho
Foreign policy was the talk of the town when Tak left, between High Queen Arunak's efforts and worries of a new war in the Mana Wastes as tensions continue to rise between Nex and Geb.
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[5/14/2026, 8:29:41 PM] Dammitwho
Bryndak strokes his beard thoughtfully. { Reuniting, is it? Not before time, and it might give the rest of us the kick in the pants we need. Were prophecy not dead, I'd hope the Axe of the Dwarvish Lords might turn up again - what do you think? }
The Axe, as Tak knows, was forged by the first dwarven High King, Taargick upon completion of the Quest for Sky. Long lost, legend holds the dwarves will always be a disunited people until the Axe is held by a true High King once more.
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[5/14/2026, 8:41:16 PM] Tak Ironflame
{It's a worthy goal, and one I think we should work towards, with or without the Axe. Of course, there are a few, even back home, who would insist that I not include myself in that 'we', just because I'm tall, skinny, and can't grow a decent beard.} He grins.
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[5/14/2026, 8:53:10 PM] Dammitwho
{ Well, you're in company in this city! Not around here, of course, but up in the Ivy District some of the lads go-- } He leans forward and drops his voice to a husky whisper. { Clean-shaven. } He sits back again. { It's a bit of a shock the first time you see it, I don't mind telling you! But of course they're decent sorts just the same. } He strokes his beard self-consciously. He clearly doesn't seem to think what he's saying applies to you - obviously your beardlessness is less avant-garde. { Bit like the hobgoblins turning up in town, I guess. TIme was you'd only ever see a hob if a crew of them were buying folk off Misery Row. Now they've got a proper country and all and a bunch have settled in here. Pair of hob veterinarians down at the Grand Bazaar. Great lads, great lads. Did for my little dog Pyrite when she was off her feed. }
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[5/14/2026, 8:53:34 PM] Dammitwho
{ Sorry, where was I? You wanted help finding work? }
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[5/14/2026, 8:54:48 PM] Dammitwho
A gnomish forgesweep runs up, panting, and delivers your beers and streetmeats.
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[5/14/2026, 8:56:10 PM] Tak Ironflame
Tak listens intently, and gives the gnome a "Thankee" for the food. {Yes, if you know of any leads, I'd be much obliged.}
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[5/14/2026, 8:59:21 PM] Dammitwho
{ You're always welcome here, then, as long as you can swing a hammer. Better if you can do finework. The machinists and inventors always need bespoke parts with fiddly tolerances. What're you good at? }
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[5/14/2026, 9:02:29 PM] Tak Ironflame
{Mostly gunsmithing and a bit of alchemy, but I can do woodwork, metalwork, mechanismwork... Can swing a hammer, too.}
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[5/14/2026, 9:07:42 PM] Dammitwho
{ Alchemy... the golemists might have something for you. As for gunsmithing, my advice is to find some free hours, work yourself up the prettiest museum pieces you can, and look around the Bazaar or the Docks for someone to buy 'em off you. Don't bother trying to get in with another artisan. It's a small market and they fight like rats in a sack for every contract. }
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[5/14/2026, 9:09:42 PM] Tak Ironflame
Tak nods. {Understandable. Sometimes I forget that firearms are still a novelty in a lot of places. But golemists, that'd be an interesting angle... do they also congregate here?}
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[5/14/2026, 9:11:11 PM] Nicolae
(also, the hour grows late again... do we at least have enough to reasonably extrapolate what tak is up to while the gang does their thing on friday? i can go for a bit more if we need to)
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[5/14/2026, 9:13:33 PM] Dammitwho
{ Not just here! We're but a hup skip and another hup from the Clockwork Cathedral, and a lot of those lads're followers of Brigh as well, so we do a lot of cross-work, you see? }
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[5/14/2026, 9:14:16 PM] Dammitwho
Yep! Tak basically has an open offer to Earn Income working at the Gallery of Innovation, and occasionally he can try to make attractive firearms and try and sell them at full Price
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[5/14/2026, 9:14:40 PM] Dammitwho
Bryndak is a good source for dwarven goss as well
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[5/14/2026, 9:15:13 PM] Nicolae
Nice! We can follow up on that... but if we're at a good stopping point, then I would like to stop, at this point. Thank you much for running but the time difference is making itself known...
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[5/14/2026, 9:15:56 PM] Dammitwho
:salute: