Baldeenk looked at the Gnomish Council of Governance and thousands of curious gnos listening in. "It is with great pleasure that I have the honor of introducing our guest. A human adventurer from the Eldarin Continent. Top graduate from the College of Advancent, a joint institution of humans, elves, and dwarves. Justin Burnstock,"
We were in the main plaza, where three roads ca together in a small park. Everything was so small, I had to be careful as I moved. While the gnos were half my height, everything was half my size. So, not impossibly small, but small enough that I moved with care.
The plaza had flowers and a podium to speak at with so kind of voice enchantnt. Gnos were looking out of balconies all around this plaza, observing. A large clock tower or pillar was behind where the Gnomish Council of Governance sat on an elevated platform. It was a pillar since it went all the way to the ceiling of the caravan, just like in the buildings.
While it wasn't a holiday, many gnos had taken a day off to see what all the excitent was about. I carefully stepped forward and bowed enough to show deference but not subservience. There was a polite round of applause. Baldeenk let know gnos like to applaud a lot during speeches.
"Thank you, Gnomish Councilor of External Relations Baldeenk Zickleseckle." They sure loved their long nas and titles for things. "Thank you to the Gnomish Council of Governance and its councilors for welcoming to your settlent. I am impressed by the accommodations you have provided and the scope of your settlent within the dungeon."
I paused during the round of applause and so approving nods.
So of the gnomish councilors looked at like I was a demon with pinched faces and narrowed eyes, but even they clapped a single ti.
"The gnomish people are a testant to ingenuity and endurance. I look forward to exchanging knowledge that does not threaten your people or your settlent." That statent got a louder round of applause. Baldeenk had coached on what to say. Talking about conflict or fighting was bad, but knowledge and keeping gnomish secrets was good.
"To honor all of you, I am donating a book on cooking to your people, hoping to develop new and tasty food." That got an even louder round of applause as I set the book carefully in front of on a prepared table. Gnomish books were much smaller than human-sized books.
"Thank you for your kindness," I said and bowed again. I then stepped back as a large gnomish guard took the gift away on a cart.
"An excellent speech from our first guest in many years," an old gno said. "As Chief Spokesgno for the Gnomish Council of Governance. I am authorizing a committee to evaluate any trades with the human Justin Burnstock. He is also welco with us until he departs. I confirm that he has accepted the skill Gnomish Silence at tier 4 for those with concerns."
They forced to accept the cursed skill at that tier, but for being diplomatic, I would not point this out.
The tension seed to be reduced slightly in my detractors, and there were a lot of nods at this. "While we gnos maintain our secrecy, that does not an ignorance or stagnation. Endurance is not complacency. We will learn news of the outside, new skills, new thodologies, and in exchange we will enrich Justin Burnstock with our culture and skills suitable for departing with."
I didn't know how long I was going to stay. I would see what they offered first. The gnos' society was complicated in many aspects, though they seed peaceful. However, after the beastkin, I was still feeling wary.
The end of my ti in that settlent had been horrific. The gnos were like a breath of fresh air compared to that horror show on the surface.
"I am now authorizing the formation of the Gnomish Committee on Cultural Exchange. The committee chair will be Gnomish Councilor of External Relations Baldeenk Zickleseckle and the Vice Chair will be Gnomish Councilor of Internal Stability Safan Zingell."
The gnos in question stood up and bowed towards the Chief Spokesgno. Safan had a sour look during the entire greeting ceremony.
If I had to bet anything, I would bet that Safan and Baldeenk were political opponents of so kind. Their roles seed to go against each other to a large degree. I was stirring the gnos up, which would cause trouble for internal stability.
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on .
"Project Warehouse Two will be allocated to the Gnomish Committee on Cultural Exchange for the exchange. All gnos may freely interact with our guest, but I hope he understands gnomish sensibilities."
Baldeenk briefed on my responsibilities if he ntioned directly.
I bowed towards the Chief Spokesgno during the applause to show I had heard and understood him. I would defer to my minders about what I wasn't allowed to discuss preventing a huge disruption. My basic understanding of the gnos had already produced a couple of educated guesses about what they might be.
As a society and culture, they didn't like conflict or fighting. The number of guards for an enormous event like this was low. I counted only ten guards out of thousands of gnos, and three of them appeared to be the sa guards from yesterday.
Their combat power was incredibly low as individuals. They might have unique thods, but their primary and likely only real defense was secrecy. I felt slightly more forgiving of their cursed skill and threats upon that realization. If a legend showed up in their settlent, they would have no good way to resist.
A band of gnos even played music, and there were cheers.
Baldeenk then waved at to get my attention, and I was led away to the stares of the curious gnos. "You did a good job."
"Thanks. So, what is this project warehouse?"
"They work on special projects there."
"Do I need to worry about the currency?"
We'll cover all your expenses for the first week, and your food allowance will remain constant. You will need to purchase or trade for anything else."
I followed him to this project warehouse. "How does your economy work?"
"We use enchanted stone coins. tal is too valuable to be used for currency. Each gno gets paid based on their job and the demand for that job, with yearly adjustnts. All young, working, and retired gnos receive food."
"What about soone hoarding wealth or creating a monopoly?"
"The Gnomish Council of Economics deals with such things. There is a progressive tax on wealth and on inheriting wealth. So, it is hard to accumulate a lot of money over a long period of ti."
"Your people clearly have thought through quite a bit."
"We have been doing this for a long ti. Creating a stable society is second only to keeping our society secret. Secrecy is paramount."
"Why is that?"
"I should wait until we reach the project warehouse to discuss that, since Councilor Safan will be there as well as part of the committee."
"What about the other committee mbers?"
"Mostly there to observe or handle the resulting deals we might make. The key thing is that Councilor Safan and I will have to agree to any trade. If we both agree, there won't be any problem," he explained, confirming that they represented opposing political factions.
"And if gnos co to talk with ?"
He looked pointedly at my sword. "Don't create excitent or discuss outside things, especially fighting. We prefer to keep a calm environnt."
Giving up my blade is not sothing I'll do. I left Ozy behind out of respect for your culture, but asking to disarm would be a step too far."
"I understand. I hope you co to understand we are a peace-loving race. Too often, conflicts arise out of misunderstandings or greed. We focus on ourselves and keep the outside world out."
"Aren't you the Gnomish Councilor of External Relations? Wouldn't you be curious about the outside?"
"Partially correct, but one thing you have to know about us is that we are all united in secrecy without exception. My political differences stem from the desire to be more aggressive in our actions in the dungeon and to strengthen ourselves with more gnos sent out on carts. But I have no objections or issues with our general way of life."
"Does any gno object?"
"There are a few, and they are welco to depart into the dungeon. Unfortunately, none of them returned. Since you clearly don't know about us gnos, it is safe to assu that they all died."
We ca up to a large building, and Baldeenk pushed open the doors. "I arranged to have human-sized furniture so that we could sit and talk."
There was a table like in the dining room, with a human-sized seat and several elevated Gnomish seats as well.
"Thank you. That is quite considerate."
"We might not get many visitors, but we aren't savages like those beastkin. Take a seat. Soone will bring in refreshnts, and the rest of the gnos will be here shortly."
As I sat down, refreshnts were brought out, and other gnos appeared. They quickly took their seats, and I noted that each position at the round table had a little wooden placeholder they placed placards on with their nas and titles.
The last gno to arrive was Gnomish Councilor of Internal Stability Safan Zingell. He quickly took his seat, and everyone quieted down. Safan and Baldeenk had their supporters on their side of the table and sat across from .
"Let's start this farce," Safan said, glaring at .
"Vice Chair, that seems harsh. We are here to discuss exchanges we can make."
"Fine, but there will be no funny business or useless skills that are discussed. We are already stretched thin with our current skill levels."
"Of course. I think it would be best to discuss history first. That way we can understand the perspectives of our two sides. I would ask that Justin go first and talk about developnts on the Eldarin Continent over the last 3,000 years and what he observed up above with the beastkin."
Going first helped smooth things along, although I didn't like it. Safan seed engaged with my words. I won't discuss personal topics, but I can offer a detailed historical overview.
Reviews
All reviews (0)