The Cleavermaw glidded into the ramshackle and precarious skyport in Downside.
An orruk in striped breaches and a fancy hat
nailed a scroll to a noticeboard...
+++
A week later Glottul approached Kaptin Mogrum with a twinkle in his eye and
sparkle on his skin.
"Kaptin Mogrum, you ol' so-and-so! 'Aven't seen you since the Delta! Good to
see you still krumpin! Seein' as we got along like a gnob on fire the last
time, what do you say to another business venture, eh? We've got a bit o'
spottiness on the Shimmersea that Mogrek'll pay handsomely for a bit of orruk
kannons and know-what! For example..."
Glottul snaped his thick metallic fingers, and a few gluttons entered carrying
chests of various sizes, set them down and opened them to show their contents.
"Right, no sense muckin' about, so we'll get to the main event: For you and
your pirates' aid, you'll get this lovely chest of treasures!" First up, a
stash of Sky-Ship Supplies, perfect for the sky-kaptin on the go!
Next up, this stylish Cache of High Quality Armor! Just the 'fing for those
pesky gits who brought their bigga choppas and shootas!
Not enough you say? Well then, how about this Aetherquartz jewelry stash!
Fetches a high price in any market, and good for magickal mischief to boot!
'But Glottul you great big bronzegut, surely you 'ave something more personal
I can give my krew?' Say no more! If you join up now, we'll throw in this
Thaumaturgic Compass absolutely free! I understand you have someone in your
krew who has quite the eye for a gadget like this! The perfect thing to add to
his collection!
(12 resources total)
So, whadda ya say Kaptin? Are we back in business?"
Kapitan Mogrum, a Weirdnob Shaman wearing a long red coat made from looted
wizard's robes and a broad-brimmed hat folded up at the front, scratched his
platted beard and considered the offer.
"Thankee for your opening bid, mate."
He paused for a moment, weighing his words.
"We had a tough old time of it in the Delta, as you well knows. Those bakers
gave as good as they got.
So those sky-ship supplies will go a long way toward making the fleet a little
more shipshape.
And we is sure you also know that our main interests lie in sources of
thaumaturgical energy what we can put to use aboard ship. We are greatly
inclined to come to an accord, as there looks something of that nature by way
of your offered payment..."
He looks serious for a moment, as if there is going to be a "But...".
Then he laughed long and hard, wiped his mouth and yelled,
"Aye mate! That'll do I reckon. We has an accord, says I! Just send word to
the fleet, as to which heading to make and we will
ply our trade for you."
+++
“Flaming wrecks!?!” raged Mogrum, green lightning arcing from his head as he
strode back and forth across the battered deck of the Cleavermaw.
Lost Uzzog had relayed the bad news of the pummelling that some of their ships
had received.
The rest of the crew kept a safe distance from him, either below deck or in
the focsle. Well, as safe a distance as was possible while on the same ship.
They knew that they wouldn't have been truly safe from the Kaptain’s temper
even if they'd been on another ship entirely.
+++
Three weeks passed and the Hoard, Mayric's Ironclad, docked beside
Mogrum's ship the Cleavermaw, the elderly dwarf crossed the, rather
shoddily constructed, jetty and greeted the orruk captain with an informal
hand gesture.
"Greetings pal! Good to see you've returned from the aethersea in a good
state! What wonderful work you and yours performed out there! Been talking to
the other diplomats and we're quite content of the services you've offered us
so far and we've been wondering if you'd like to extend your contract with us,
for the right price off course!"
Mayrics pointed up at the massive balloon which held The Hoard aloft.
"Just so happens one of our explorers found another one of those big iron
balloons us Kharadron are so fond off. We'd offer it as payment, and I'll
throw in a open spot at the makeshift skyport I've built and a good service
job aswell, teaching your lads how it works and how to keep it in working
order. That's not all!"
An armourclad Kharadron carried forth a wooden box, in which a crystal made of
red gore like matter is laid.
"A true authentic piece of Varanite right there! Cream of the crop magical
energy, heard you're looking for that kind of thing! This one has some kind of
memory from history embedded in it, sure you can put it to good use!"
Initial offer:
- 5 Resources, Endrin For Kharadron Ironclad
- 5 Resources, Varanite Crystal With A Moment Frozen In Time.
+++
"Aye mate, we're still afloat, but in an over-cooked, or toasted state for
many and more o' the ladz!"
He looked tired and the singed edges of his seacoat attested to his words.
"I can't be dealing with that there varanite though. But I don't be throwing the goose out with the bathtub, I fair appreciate the offer and no mistake. It's generous beyond
expectations, tis true."
He struggled with some internal battle for a moment or two.
"Is there are chance of a slight modified bill of laiding? A like for like
exchange is all I'll suggest. Fair's fair: I'm not about trying to push up the
price."
+++
Glottul smiled and gave a thoughtful scratch of his chins.
"Of course! Never let it be said we didn't want to strike a fair bargain.
How's about this? We strike the varanite, and give you this Crystal Heart of
Woe? (5 resources) An even exchange by my reckoning. What say you?"
Revised Offer:
- 5 Resources, Endrin For Kharadron Ironclad
- 5 Resources, Crystal Heart of Woe
+++
"I'm sorry for taking so long in replying, I was unavoidably detained by a
bunch of damned skellingtons!"
He laughed a hollow laugh, clearly still very tired and slightly inebriated.
"The revised offer is greatly appreciated and I am happy to say the Fleet is
at your service."
He rubbed his hands together, suddenly energised.
"We must strike while the pudding is hot: Just let us know where-away to sail
as usual and we will go at 'em, hammer and thumbs!"
"Cheers, excited to sail the aetherseas with you again" called Mayric.
+++
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