Date Please…
Context
The group is visiting Dwarf Mine on the way to Tarsh to investigate the Bat.
Events
Berra has asked for a short private talk, please, by going to her door and asking that outside. Possibly there is even a dwarf visible there.
There is not. But a moment or two later. A (?the?) dwarf comes to your door, “You asked an audience, lass? This way.”
Berra matches her pace to his. “I like your rooms,” she says. She smells of freshly bathed Berra, and is still damp.
“Aye. We try to provide adequate maintenance for lots of species.”
“What does adequate maintuhnance for Dwarfs look like?” Of course she is curious.
“That isn’t information you need, lass. If a unit is deployed to you, it will bring maintenance requirements with it.”
“Erm, alright, but that wasn’t what I was asking. But I guess thank you for answering something else. Do you like chilli jerky?”
“It isn’t necessary. This way.” And he shows you into a small workshop. Then sits down, “How can I help you, lass?”
“S’two things,” says Berra. “I think one of them helps you a lot more.” Three’s hardly a pause, although someone who knew her could read her well – she is thinking of how much to say, not what. “I think dwarfs don’t like trolls. Right?”
“Aye.”
“Oh! Are you sitting down because you’re stasi…. right, sorry. Trolls. There’s a troll that’s very interested in the Goddess of Salt and Teeth. The one you remember that’s dead. I think he’s trying to bring her back, and that’s why we even found her.”
“That would probably be unfortunate for humans.”
“Well, if you don’t mind, that’s not really a problem for you. I don’t know if he’s trying to control her, or trying to wake her properly. I think just wake her. It’s Drazn’k Backbreaker, if you know him.” Berra shrugs, prepared to move on.
“Well, any new Troll God adjusts the equation. But I reckon it’s within parameters.”
“Uh, I don’t know those words. I think I get what you mean, though. Her being around is the big thing – you ain’t so worried about the state. Well, the other thing’s probably pretty big but I dunno how to judge it really. You get different types of iron, right?”
“Correct.”
“I know some that’s pure Death. Humakt made it. It’s waiting, and I don’t know why.”
“Aye? Well, all components have their eventual function.”
“I’s gonna ask you to help me get it if the bit about the Goddess was important to you, but this is me saying I intend to get it. I’ve got a use for it, so if I live, and become a Rune Lord, that’s about when it’ll come back into … come into… this world.” Maybe she meant to give away that it is in the God-time. Probably. She does not wince after saying that.
He shrugs, “As long as the component is not damaged and available when it is necessary to its function.”
“Kay. If that’s all you need, I’ll try to make sure of it. It’s the one thing that’s good enough for the job.” Berra bows. “Thanks for your time, then. Turns out they were both pretty small things, but I’ll try to let you know about any big changes.”
—-
If the Dwarf keeps such records they will note that Berra does not use much water after that, and none of it pre-heated. She also gives no evidence of having slept in the bed, or used anything in excess, after that conversation.
