Act 3. Deeds and Dead

The cheer drained from Orryn. Whatever the elf said, it had the smithmaster hot. Now, the chance for parley danced perilously on the edge of violence, threatening to fall into chaos. But he had already given his vow of aid. If all it could be now was an attempt to cool stoked fires, he had to try.

"This is not some cackling wizard gone mad Grusk. Ye have at yer disposal one of the greatest dwarven smiths from a time before much of this city existed! He laid the foundation of this place, an' ye want to drive him away like a blasted rodent!?"

He stabs a finger at the trapdoor.

"That ain't some monster to be hunted down. I got ye a chance to talk it out with him. See if there is an arrangement where ye both can be content. Why waste the opportunity?"

Zyra tries to support Orryn. Social Conflict
Grusk gives up the underground area and Zyra is paid for her help by Hornrock as well
Hornrock is convinced to flee and/or leave the building and its underground areas
Combat starts and Grusk will try to have Hornrock destroyed
Grusk accepts this is not a monster and can, at least, talk to Hornrock

"Ye don't find it odd we are all no worse than after the lab? The moment Zyra and Legolas went down there. Hornrock could have attacked, but he tried to communicate.

When we found him further down. Again, we talked rather than sluggin' it out. Ye should have heard the poetry the man produced when I furnished him with a bunch of words. Never seen a monster do that.

Hornrock is in a bad situation, but if ye were in his place. Unable to reliably talk, and lookin' like he does. It's no wonder he is withdrawn down there. But problems want for solutions, isn't that what we smiths and tinkerers do? I saw a man needin' help. Not a monster to be vanquished."

Zyra's support

Orryn wanted to crush Zyra in a hearty gnomish durability test. Or, as some are inclined to call it, a hug. He may have carried the bulk of the argument, but with her backup. Saying just the right thing to drive the point further. It made the near impossible one step closer to doable.

Grusk was on board. Now they just needed to convince Hornrock to share the forge, and acknowledge Grusk's ownership. There was hope, if only a nugget. Time to forge it into a workable relationship, or watch it all go up in flames.

"Right! Not a peep about any of it, an' we all learn to share. Works for me! Now then, let's go see if we can settle this matter for good!"

Orryn made it halfway down the steps before stopping to turn back to the others.

"Ah, I nearly forgot. Happen to still have that light handy? I spent my last one down there."

With light secured. He made his way through the detailed route Zyra provided. Asking after Hornrock as he went. Making sure, just in case, to provide a word of reply.

Zyra follows along with a Orryn and Grusk feeling optimistic about the next stage. If the construct could be convinced to also take on Grusk as a "master apprentice" of sorts... Zyra is sure Grusk could learn some new tricks from the old dwarf. At the end of the day, Hornrock needs companionship to keep some semblance of sanity and Grusk is a merchant as well as a craftsman. Surely he will see the potential profits of enhanced wares...

The trio descended into the deep forge-halls once more, their boots echoing faintly along the narrow stone passages. Orryn led confidently, his torchlight dancing along soot-streaked walls and dusty reliefs as he followed Zyra’s carefully mapped and now safe path. Grusk said little, but his grip on the axe remained tight, eyes sharp.

Around the forge, workstations still lay in quiet disarray. Anvils stood like sentinels beneath stone arches. Bellows sagged, their leather skins mottled with mildew. Tongs and crucibles rusted where they’d been left—too long untouched, too long buried in this deep quiet.

And in the middle of it all, Hornrock waited.

He stood motionless, framed by the faint red runes and the ghost of a forge that once burned with purpose. The yellow lights of his eyes turned toward the approaching group, tracking them. He did not speak yet, but he watched—and listened.

"Ah, there ye are!"

Orryn found a spot on the cool stone flooring, removing his hat as he settled himself down and motioned for the others to find similar spots.

"Before we start. I think an act of civility is in order. Please, everyone, take a seat."

He waited for the others to act on his recommendation before pressing on. With luck, they would all follow his example.

"So, Master Hornrock, are ye in need of words, or has my return given ye what was established before?"

Grusk hesitated just a moment before lowering himself to the stone floor with a grunt, setting his axe aside but keeping it within easy reach.

The construct turned its glowing yellow eyes to Orryn and gave a small nod. "Your return is enough. The words are mine again," Hornrock said.

Zyra follows suite and seat herself to the other side of Grusk completing the small circle. She remains silent but alert and allows Orryn to continue in the mediator role.

Orryn nodded with a smile. The return of words made this easier.

"Good. There will be need of these words, as there are critical things to discuss. I want both of ye to understand the reality of a negotiation. They require compromise. Each party will lose something they would rather keep. This is unavoidable."

He emphasized the last words, passing a look to both Ironsunder and Hornrock.

"With that said, I am third party to this dispute. I neither have owned, nor own this place. But towards the objective of dealin' honestly as mediator. I will state my desire to aid and learn from both of ye. Through years of hard work and study, both of ye hold value beyond simple coin. Skill does not come lightly, an' knowledge is often gained through hard lived lessons. I myself am a craftsman. But know this is an endless endeavor. Always there is more to be learned. Things to make. Lives to improve. But nothing can be done while these issues between both of ye persist."

He motions to Hornrock.

"Ye have admitted to the state of yer forge an' yerself. Broken things in need of repair. Paths to pave and tread."

He motions now to Ironsunder.

"Ye claimed this place from the city. Given potential to what was long dormant. No one I have spoken with doubts yer skills. This place would thrive under yer leadership."

He took a deep breath, now for the part at the heart of conflict.

"Hornrock built the place. His work laid the foundation. His efforts, however, left the place in disrepair. Like it or not, Waterdeep is the authority of the region. By their laws has this place gone up for sale, an' by Master Ironsunder's efforts, has it been purchased. But, from what I have heard from each of ye. There might be space to share."

He looked to Hornrock, meeting those glowing eyes.

"So, the challenge arrives. What can ye let go to make peace of this situation?"

The construct stared back at Orryn, yellow eyes pulsing dimly. "I do not bend to city charters or coin," he said slowly, but the edges of his voice lacked the sharp defiance it had carried before. "Yet… I cannot deny what I’ve heard. You speak plainly, Orryn. Fairly. I laid the stone, aye, but time passed me by. The world above moved on, and my hands were still." His gaze shifted to Grusk. "You have fire in you, Ironsunder. The kind that could wake this forge again."

Grusk narrowed his eyes, arms folded over his broad chest. "Damn right I do. And I paid for that right. I bled coin and ink to get it, and I’ll not be made tenant in my own forge." His voice was steel, but his posture had softened. He studied the soot-blackened pillars and the cold iron around them, the legacy and ruin tangled together. "But… maybe there’s sense in what’s said. You want to stay? Fine. You can stay. But you don’t speak to clients. You don’t walk above unless I say so. "Social Conflict
Grusk gives up the underground area and Zyra is paid for her help by Hornrock as well
Hornrock is convinced to flee and/or leave the building and its underground areas
Hornrock and Grusk share the underground area

Master Hornrock and Grusk, you are both craftsmen and merchants. Already, you respect each other, it's plain in your speech. Do you not see the opportunity? With both of you working together would would be producing likely the best smith offering in all of Faerûn. You could charge a hefty premium. With those kinds of profits, you could hire an army of apprentices and before long your fame would grow beyond Waterdeep and attract even richer clients.

She pauses briefly to gauge the reactions. Takes a deep breath and forges on...

Master Hornrock, working together, generating those kinds of revenues, you could hire some of the wisest minds in Faerûn to help you with your search to stabilize your form. Master Grusk, working together, you would have returns on your investment in less time than you ever imagined. Would that not be an offset to having an unexpected tenant?

Zyra looks then looks to Orryn for support or encouragement...

Orryn tugged at his mustache as he met Zyra's seeking gaze.

"It could be quite the partnership. If nothin' else. Should Hornrock wish to craft new product. It would surely be of a quality we have not seen in some time. Either way, this place will need profits to begin the repairs proper. If they chose to work together, the process could go faster. The city is never short on need of new solutions to old problems."

He turned back to the smiths.

"The point is made. There are things that could be gained beyond shared space. Is there an interest in this? Regardless of fame or fortune. I will work in what capacity I can to figure out solutions for Hornrock. That much I had already planned on."

Hornrock turned towards Zyra:

"I built to last. My tools were meant to span generations, not quarters. Yet… I know the flow of trade. If partnership brings means to mend the cracks in this frame, I would endure it. Not just endure. I would shape it. But I will not be some ghost in the wall. My hammer must have a mark, and my name be known where it earns praise."

Grusk snorted lightly, the beginning of a grin hiding behind his bristled beard. "A mark’s fine, so long as it’s on things we make together, not on the deed. You don’t talk to people. You don’t haggle prices. That’s my work. You keep the fire hot, you turn out good steel, you teach if asked—and you don’t start any nonsense."Social Conflict
Hornrock and Grusk share the underground area
A complication. Something bad. It won't be that easy.

A grin pulled across Orryn's face. The thin threads were twisting together, each in turn strengthening the other. Impossible had long shed it's claim. Giving way for possible to pass off to probable. Short of a major mishap, this was happening.

"Excellent! Have we reached an accord? There is plenty of work to be done to get the place ready. If there are any issues that need further addressed. Ye can handle them as we handle them now. As fellows sat down, discussing things honestly. I'm particularly excited to see what both of ye are capable of. Together, ye might very well shake the foundation of this city. But I'd settle for payin' the bills for now."

He winked as a chuckle rolled in to fill the light flickered chamber.