Air outside was noticeably colder, heralding the arrival of autumn and another caravan. With it came also outpost liaison
Etur Violetmines who had big news for Doomhollow.
"A... barony?" exclaimed mayor
Minkot Paddlestabbed. "A barony! This is a great opportunity! A great honor!"
"Indeed, my good mayor. So I suggest finding a suitable candidate for a baron as soon as possible. These things can't be delayed, you know!"
"I... of course. I'll put the word out immediately!"
Nobility was bestowed in dwarven culture via a method called
a polite discussion with local rivals, a process which could involve anything up to and including a heated fistfight. Luckily permanent injuries from the selection process were very rare, lifelong feuds and grudges less so.
In the end it was
Vucar Boulderteaches who wore her rivals out through sheer bloodymindedness and monstrous sense of self-importance. She herself maintained she won by virtue of her regal bearing and noble countenance, a claim that caused a lot of embarrassed coughing whenever it was brought up. There might have been something in her words, though: her bulging eyes and splayed ears certainly reminded some of historical rulers from the more tangled family trees. Compared to those paintings about nobles who seemed to be almost entirely composed of teeth or chin, Vucar appeared almost common.
"What... *ahem*
Hwat a glorious day!" the newly appointed baroness gloated. "I have always maintained there was something separating us from the common rabble. Haven't I, Libash?"
"Yes, dear." Her husband
Libash Yawnedrag had learned long ago that it was just easier to not argue.
"But we really can't be seen in a
dreadful hovel like this, one in our position must think of appearances. We need a new house to suit our status in the
societeah. Isn't that right, Libash?"
"Yes, dear."
"We need to find someone to make the arrangements,
sureleah they can't expect a
baroness to handle these matters herself, do they? Oh, it's so hard to find decent help these days! Isn't it, Libash?"
"Yes, dear."
"'Yes dear, yes dear!' Don't you ever say anything else?"
"Yes, dear. Um... no, dear?" Libash's brain had engaged just a bit too late. "Yes, dear."
"Hmph! Oh, there's someone planning a workshop! Yoo-hoo! You there, my good man! A word, please!"
"Y-yes?" Staalo had been startled from his thoughts.
"My good man, as your new baroness we
requireah new accommodations to suit our position. We have formulated a list of requirements; nothing extravagant of course, just bare
necessities..."
"Everything in ordah? Jolly good! Remember we like electrum; we trust the decorations will be handled accordingly. Off you go then, my man!"
Staalo was left standing stunned in the middle of newly carved statue plaza. He sensed trouble ahead.
Just when things had been going so well.