In Kingjewel, deep within the Hightear mountain, BD0146, a human prisoner who has been tasked, along with many of his kind, to continue the mining operation done in the Hightear mountain due to humans being mostly immune to the curse done by Elysium.
There, 146 has been digging and digging. Eating food simply called "sludge" and barely getting any water or other accommodations to make the place more hospitable.
As the humans there have been given some anatomy, the remains of Kingjewel has now been filled with the said human prisoners, led by gangs formed by said prisoners. Even those dwarves who have been conspiring with humans that have been captured by Goldrock are sent there, fully suffering the effects of the curse.
There is a triad that holds some semblance of order in Kingjewel. Those being the Mud Opals led by BD0084 or Heinrick, the Nox Brutales led by BD0036 or Philipo, and theDeep Rock Scavengers led by AG0091 or Hammil.
The Mud Opals are mostly in charge of provisions. Those in Mud Opals are rarely seen mining on the lower levels, making it enticing to join for newcomers. But once you are in the Mud Opals, if you ever want to change sides, you'll have to pay up the betrayal fee. As for what betrayal fee is, let's just say those that had to pay it can't say anything about it.
The Nox Brutales are there to keep what little order there is in that hellhole. They have the most women of the place and are also in charge of the only brothel of the colony.
The Nox Brutales are also in charge of the gardens that produce breathable air to the city.
Deep Rock Scavengers are those that either spend most of their time mining on the deeper levels or they know their way about scavenging the remains of the once glorious city. They also hold most of the dwarves of the colony and are also allocated the duty of making sure the equipment keeps smoothly running and fixing things whenever need be.
146 hasn't officially joined any of the gangs of that place, so he has to bear with the bullying of the three factions.
146 heard that there is a passage in the lower levels that leads to freedom, but due to DRS being in charge of the place, he has hard time finding where the passage is, let alone any clues about it.
Once, when 146 asked around too much, he got a beating of a lifetime that made him unable to fulfil his quotas for multiple days. This led to him having to starve multiple days in a row, only barely making it by the end of the fourth day.
146 tried to garner support from other prisoners that haven't quite joined the other factions yet, but he was met with hostility from the other three factions, making him only gather a few allies before making his efforts to find others very quiet.
Illi jugs a mug of beer into his belly while Marques listens to Edmund talk about the Goldrock's old capital.
Edmund says "So to put it simply. Elysium has hindered Goldrock very little in the grand scheme of things. We are still mining valuable ores from those mines by using human labor. Must irk you very much, you human loving scum."
Illi finishes his drink, slams the mug down and makes a loud burp. Then he says "What did you say? I wasn't listening after BD… whoever it was."
Edmund gets red in the face and shouts "You human loving…!" Then calms down a bit and says "You know what, I don't mind your ignorant behaviour. As a dwarf, I admit that you have good crafting skills, but your ideals are nothing that a dwarf should be proud of."
As Edmund said all that, Illi called another drink to the table and was about to start drinking again before Edmund finished speaking, but he was too slow.
Illi humored Edmund and asked "So what makes my ideals unfit for a dwarf?" Then he began to drink again and pretend to listen.
Edmund proceeded to ramble "You poor soul. Drowning your sorrows in alcohol. It must eat your soul to have been working under human scum for all this time. Your dwarven ancestors must be trying to call you to see reason and take off those shackles placed upon you. For a dwarf, being under human servitude is a shame like none other. Your blood knows this and now you drown yourself in booze. A shame. A shame indeed."
Illi says after finishing another mug "In the dwarven culture I come from, drinking alcohol is a second nature to us. Is it not for this world's dwarves?"
Marques says "I do think that our dwarves are also known for their excessive drinking."
Illi asks "Then why is this so-called 'King of Dwarven kind' not drinking like us two?"
Edmund says "That is because I've been trying to guide you to a more healthy way of dwarven life. Like our friend Marques for example."
Marques is confused and asks "Me?"
Illi orders another drink.
Edmund explains "Yes. While your methods are more… friendly… towards humans. It does take the advantage of their sheer numbers in your mining ventures."
Marques explains "No no. I don't take advantage of my workers like you do. I pay them an appropriate sum of money to keep the mines running smoothly. They have breaks and are also paid hazard pay if the place is known for abnormalities in mining business."
Illi stops drinking and asks "You mean your miners don't get hazard pay by default?"
Marques says "No. What about you?"
Illi says "We pay our miners on top of the hazard pay regardless of where they are. Granted, we had to have to work on major engineering tasks to make the mines in Lostwood work the way they do."
Marques asks "You mean that you have found a way to mine the earth that gods have bled into?"
Illi says "Pretty much, but we do have to get some imported goods from Nous since not all ores are found in Lostwood."
Marques says "Well it would be weird if it did have all that you ever needed. Then again, gods work in mysterious ways."
Edmund laughs and says "Hah! You think that he is speaking the truth? No mortal being has been even able to cut a single tree on Lostwood since the battle that took place there all that time ago. We had to make special tools for the folks to just settle near to the forest or in an opening where the hardened ground wasn't as prevalent as the rest of the forest. We had to make a few trees fall by the roots to make settlements there for gods' sake."
Illi finishes the mug he had, ordered another and said "Well we have tools for cutting and digging the place. It is true that regular tools won't cut it, but it isn't that advanced technology to make it work either."
Marques, seeing a prime opportunity, asks Illi "You wouldn't be willing to sell a few of those items to my company, do you?"
Illi says "I don't know. I don't know the political ramifications of that. But if it was up to me, I'd sell some to you in a heartbeat."
Edmund, noticing an opportunity, puts in and asks "Wh-What about me?"
Illi stares at Edmund for a second. Then as the mug filled with alcohol is placed in front of him, he starts jugging it.
Edmund asks "W-well? Do you…" And Illi raises a finger to signal Edmund to wait up.
Once Illi is done with that mug, he orders another. Then as they wait, Illi asks Edmund "Do you seriously expect me to give you some after what you tried to pull back then?"
Edmund says "That was… But a simple misunderstanding. Surely you understand how it is impossible for a human to make a better sword from scraps than a sword made by me from the finest materials."
Illi turns to Marques and asks "You hearing this shit?"
Marques coffs and says "Mr. Diamond, while I get your frustration, I saw that podcast live and you literally tried to kill Mr. Tipten."
Edmund says "As I said, it was a mere misunderstanding."
Marques says "Yeah, no. Even if that was a misunderstanding, you can't act all cozy with someone you tried to kill."
Edmund mutters "Well… Umm…"
Marques says "And in all honesty, I'm surprised that Mr. Tipten is even sitting on the same table as you are Mr. Diamond."
Edmund, trying to salvage the situation, says "Well, umm… We dwarves are connected by deep bonds, so misunderstandings such as this can be forgiven as long as our craft is concerned."
After finishing another mug, Illi says "Marques… I called the lad and his advisor and they said it was okay to sell you weaker models and even some medium level models."
Marques says "Fantastic. I can't wait to see the results of that investment."
Edmund tries to use the good mood by saying "I'm also willing to put money where my mouth is."
Marques says "You can't be serious, Mr. Diamond."
Then Illi says something surprising "The advisor said that we can hand you a model for testing."
Edmund almost couldn't believe his ears and said "Re-Really?"
Illi says "Yeah. 'We'll get back to you by the end of this week' he says."
Edmund grabs Illi's hand, which was about to take hold of the mug, and says "Thank you. You won't regret this investment."
Illi janks off his hand from Edmund's grasp and then does what he was trying to do in the first place.
Marques whispers to Illi "Are you sure it is okay? I mean he tried to kill you, you know."
Illi ponders the conversation he had with Li and Lud.
Illi: Marques, the dwarf that is trusted by the empress of Nous or whatever, wants to buy some of our mining equipment. I'm fine with it if you both are.
Lud: I saw him and he seemed like a decent guy. I give you my approval.
Li: If sire is okay with it then I am too.
Illi: The Edmund guy is also asking some. I will refuse of course.
Li: Now hold on a minute. This could be an opportunity.
Illi: You mean?
Li: Why don't we sell one of our defects that should be better than what they have and when it breaks, if they ask for compensation, we simply blame them for not using it correctly.
Lud: Little devious, don't you think?
Illi: I'm okay if the lad is okay.
Lud: Hmm… Okay. Let's call that a payment for trying to kill us.
Illi: Okay.
Illi says to Marques "I don't care. 'Eye for an eye' they said."
Marques says "I… see."
Edmund didn't quite catch what the two were talking about, but proceeded to say "And while you are at it, give us some of your men to help with the curse you left behind."
Marques says "Now that is uncalled for."
Edmund asks "Is it? I'd say that they did a lot more to us than we did to them."
Illi says "The curse will stay. That I wowed my name on."
Edmund says "You and your people will one day pay for what you've done."
Illi chuckles and says "Is that good to say to a guy who is selling you something you yearn for?"
Edmund says "That is my dwarven pride. I'd hope that you'd have some, but alas, you are human lover."
Illi says "Wouldn't go as far as to say 'lover' though. All I care about is my machines."
Marques puts in and asks "I heard that some star elves have this thing called 'robophilia'. Do you happen to have something similar?"
Illi says "I'm straight up asexual and aromantic. Those mean that I don't have much of a sex drive at all and I don't yearn for romantic partnership."
Edmund says in annoyance "Who doesn't feel horny every now and then? Everyone feels horny once in a while. And not wanting a lover? I knew you were twisted when you were told you made a human your apprentice."
Marques asks "Are those, like, things that people can actually be? Like, something like homosexuality and stuff?"
Edmund shouts "Homosexuality is a sin that gods will judge you for! You will be cursed by Perkele himself if you start feeling things for your own gender. It is abhorrent. Simply, abhorrent."
Marques says "Haven't you seen Arthur and Ernest? They are a cute couple in my opinion. All the power to them, I say."
Edmund says "I have been holding my tongue so far as I've only seen them at those main events of the banquet, but what they are doing is against all the gods except Perkele. If they weren't from such a powerful nation, then I'd hunt them down myself. Of course a snow elf would stoop so low as to have sex with the same gendered human. Eagh."
Marques stands up, slams the table so hard it almost spills the drinks, and shouts "Arthur is a long time friend of mine and I won't take you talking smack about my long time friend!"
Edmund scoffs "I knew that you staying in the lower realm would make you have all kinds of odd ideas. You have completely lost your mind. If you weren't a fellow dwarf that I once respected, we wouldn't be having this conversation right now."
Marques says "How dare you. I've been tolerant of your behaviour towards humans for far too long, but now…"
Illi, once he finishes drinking the mug he has, says "Stop you two. Be civil. Each is entitled to their own opinion. Be it wrong or not."
Marques stares daggers at Edmund for a while and Edmund doesn't break eye contact from Marques either.
Eventually, Marques sits down and takes a long jug from his own drink.
There is a slight pause and an awkward atmosphere for a moment until Illi says "So how's your sex life Ed?"
Edmund asks "Ed? Are you speaking to me?"
Illi, after a jug, says "Who else you wanker"
Edmund says "My name is Edmund and no one is allowed to shorten it to 'Ed'. If you were one of Goldrock's people, which every dwarf technically is, I'd make an example out of you so that those who actually can do stuff understand that even they can't ridicule their king."
Illi says "So your move is to avoid the question? Sure buddy. I see you."
This makes Edmund rise up from his chair and say "I do have sex regularly you know!"
Marques, now a little drunk, says "With who? A prostitute? A king needs to pay a woman to sleep with him. Hah!"
Edmund shouts "I do have a wife, you know!"
Illi asks "Then where is this said wife?"
Edmund sits down, crosses his arms and says "Back at home making sure things don't fall apart while I'm gone."
Illi says "Likely story."
Edmund shouts "At least I have game!"
Marques says mockingly "With prostitutes. We know."
Edmund shouts "That is not what I meant! There are plenty of women making moves at me! I am the king of Goldrock after all."
Illi says "Yeah. Why don't you try to make a move on the waitress when she brings me another mug, eh?"
Edmund says "I'm happily married, so I won't do it."
Illi says "Coward" and proceeds to drink.
Edmund gets red again "I'm not a coward! You'll see!"
Edmund shouts at the waitress "Oi! You with a pretty face! I grant you the opportunity to sleep with me if you are willing!"
The waitress just ignores Edmund and brings a mug full of alcohol to Illi as if he didn't have a limit.
Edmund shouts "Oi! You sow! I'm talking to you!"
The waitress says "If you are acting like that, then Mat is going to have a word with you soon."
The waitress points at the cook of the place cutting off a fish's head, who then turns around to make a face at Edmund saying "What's up." And this makes Edmund quiet down.
As things calm down a little, Marques asks Illi "So is the tech that you use to mine at Lostwood complicated or do we need one of your people to come teach us how it works?"
Illi says "I would say that it is pretty basic, but that is by my standards. I'll have one or two of my boys come and teach how the equipment works."
Illi takes a jug from his mug and says "Then again, I'd have to think who to pick because some of them also think the stuff is so basic they might not give appropriate instructions."
Edmund then butts in and asks "How about the stuff you will be giving me?"
Illi says straight up "Selling. We are selling you a thing that might help you work. We'll give you a manual or some crap and if problems arise, you'll have to come talk to us in Elysium."
Edmund is a bit taken aback by Illi's response and says "Well… Your so-called country isn't exactly welcoming to the people of Goldrock, so that might be an issue."
Illi, after taking another jug, says "It isn't that we aren't welcoming, it is the fact that your people can't stand humans having rights when you waltz around."
Edmund scoffs and says "Well I've said it and I'll say it again. Humans are an inferior species and should be treated as such."
Illi states "Even if that would be true, spending energy getting rid of them and not putting them to use is a waste of resources if I'm being honest."
Marques says "Are you really okay with Faust being your king? It sounds like you have some misgivings."
Illi says "I have no issue with my lord. He is naive, sure, but he has placed his people to his heart, so that counts as something."
Edmund says "That is the least human should do. To value superior races above themselves."
Marques corrects Edmund by saying "He was talking about all of Faust's people. Which also includes other humans."
Edmund scoffs and says "Waste of time, I'd say."
Illi mock Edmund by saying "Yet my apprentice, who is a human, beat you at smithoff."
Marques says before taking a sip from his mug "That much is true. Can't deny much when that came to the public."
Edmund raises up and says "Do you have any idea what a political nightmare you and your people put me through with that stunt? I had to make people make reassurances that items made in Goldrock are superior to anyone else but the items made in higher realm."
Illi, after taking another jug, asks mockingly "And how did that go?"
Edmund slams the table and says "You shut your mouth." And then sits down and finally takes a jug from his own mug.
Marques asks Illi "Have there been any other issues when mining at Lostwood that isn't related to the toughness of the stuff there?"
Illi says "We did wake up a few ancient abyssal beasts along the way, but nothing too serious."
Marques asks "You mean… the beast that the gods had to descend for in order to protect the integrity of Lutah?"
Illi shrugs and says "Who knows. They did act all high and mighty. At least those who had the ability to speak."
Marques asks "You didn't happen to run into the Witherer beast?"
Illi asks "And what is that?"
Marques explains "It is one of the abyss' most notorious beasts that bring miasma from the abyss itself to the realms if it gets out. That miasma often either makes the ground inhospitable or even makes the aether vibrate in a way that makes horrors beyond mortal comprehension. Or that is what the stories say."
Illi, who had been drinking while Marques gave the explanation, says "There was one that gave a foul smell, but nothing we couldn't handle."
Edmund says "Hah! If they would have seen the Witherer beast, Elysium would have been long gone."
Then Maumar pops up and says "They did encounter what you call 'the Witherer beast' and put them out of their misery."
Edmund is startled by Maumar's sudden appearance and when Maumar was done talking, he disappeared like a notification telling you there is malware on your computer.
Illi doesn't give a shit about Maumar's sudden appearance and disappearance and just says "Huh. Guess we did encounter one." And then he proceeds to drink again.
Meanwhile in Kingjewel, some of Elysium's operatives come in contact with a group led by 146. And when they come in contact with 146 and ask for his real name, he says it is Joseph.