Chapter 1: Hamlet Logic and Logistics"A normal approach to diplomacy is to observe and practice proper decorum. For dealing with the Elf civilization, it is prudent to postpone any tree felling activities throughout the duration of their visit. No items made or decorated with wood shall be considered for trade. Approach trade with patience for the value of normal items increase with time." -- Sanctume Spiritstone, from the book `Archives of the Ancients`Year 251.
The elf merchants are in the trade depot waiting, and everyone else is hauling the normal quality stone furnishings and crafts and mugs for
disposal trade to the depot. The unspoken mandate to get rid of anything less than exceptional quality is just the norm.
‘CaptainArchmage’: *
hands over the signed paper* "I will be done here in a couple of weeks, and I have a gig lined up in the tavern. I hope to see you there."
`Double D` was so elated finding a scrap of pig tail paper and barely enough dimple dye to write his own contract, and now it is signed!
He ponders about the length of `Double D` in his notes, and considers using `DD` for shorthand.‘CaptainArchmage’: "Be sure to talk to Asob Tinfishes, our esteemed expedition leader. Remind her the elf merchants are here because she is our broker too."
DD: "Right. Thank you." *mumbles about the paper supply shortage*
--
No time to be idle,
off to seek the expedition leader.Asob Tinfishes, female 53, planter, expedition leader is also the noble broker. Her presence has been requested at the depot but she is taking her leisure time, drinking.
DD: "Hi, I’m ‘Double D’ and I’d like to interview you for a story."
Asob: *
glug, glug* "I’m off the clock right now. Go ask the other nobles."
DD: "But we have a paper supply shortage."
Asob: *glug, glug, glug* "Ahhh. Well, I’ll be at the farm later after this last drink."
--
Off to see the record keeper.Zulban Growledknives, single male 80, the noble bookkeeper of Peacecity has no interest in any particular item and would rather count plump helmet spawns for fun.
DD: Hi, I’m…
ZD: I know who you are. Any official inquiry must be in writing.
DD: Uhh, just asking off the record.
ZD: Well then, ask away.
DD: Do we have any papers?
ZD: We have none. No sheet, no parchment.
DD: Do we have any pig tails?
ZD: We have sixteen pig tail plants, and no other plant that qualifies for paper making.
DD: That is good for pig tails, I suppose. How about drinks?
ZD: *brows furrowed* Aha! We have exactly 1 drink left, a dwarven wine vintage 250, and Asob is drinking the last one now.
DD: What? How will I get my extra monthly drinks?
ZD: Extra drinks, ha!
DD: I get twelve extra drinks monthly.
ZD: We have three buckets available. You can drink from the well to your fill, more than twelve a month for sure.
DD …
--
To the farms!Asob, planter, expedition leader, and noble broker is harvesting plants.
DD: Asob, did you know we are low on drinks?
Asob: *
stares* Why do you think I am harvesting these?
DD: Did you know your presence is requested at the depot?
Asob: *
glares* Of course, I requested myself there to appease the elf, but I am doing more important work.
DD: What about the paper supply issue?
Asob: *
smiles* Oh so you’re in the loop for
that paper supply issue. You can help. *
tosses pile of plants* Give these to the brewer. I have seeds to plant.
--
Hauling plants to meet the brewer.Vucar Graniteurge, married male 47, planter, brewer, reader, and musician.
Vucar: Dude, what’s up?
DD: There is a paper supply issue, and also a booze shortage, so I came here to find out why.
Vucar: Dude, it was a rhetorical question.
DD: Are we getting more booze anytime soon? I have these plants.
Vucar: Dude, those plants you have will do. But sorry Dude, I don’t have any empty containers.
DD: What’s with the noise upstairs?
Vucar: *
smiles* Dude. There’s the these hemp plants, and woah dude, they are the best plants, even way better when burning.
DD: They grow outdoors, and we do not want fire raging in Peacecity!
Vucar: No Dude, not that big of a fire, just small enough to cause smoke.
DD: What are you talking about? So what about brewing?
Vucar: Dude, there's no work order for more brewing.
DD: But I brought these plants.
Vucar: Thanks Dude, but like there are no drink containers left too.
DD: ...
Vucar: I'm late for my gig at the tavern. Laters dude!
--
Back to the farms.Asob was finishing planting seeds.
Asob: Stop! Yeah, just stand there before the stairs, don’t go nearer or up.
DD: Vucar said we have no containers for the drinks.
Asob: That’s a logistics issue. Bring it up with the manager.
DD: Wait, what about the depot?
Asob: Listen. Yeah, it’s time.
DD: Time for wha...
A piece of the earth’s surface collapses just above the indoor farms. Double D was briefly stunned from the dust spreading from the stairs. He regained his bearings from shouting of jubilation above, and then coughing soon followed.
‘CaptainArchmage’: *
emerges from the stairs* Damn, I was to build that door sooner but Dodok was in a hurry.
Dodok Boatwhipped, female 85, miner and militia commander.
Dodok: *
descends out of the stairs strapping a copper pick on her back* “Got `er done. Now, oft fo` mo diggin`”
Asob: *
smiles* Thanks. Our new outdoor farm, inside will be great. I’m late for a tavern meeting. *
points to DD* You, Ushrir, our manager wants to see you. Bye!
--
Off to the manager’s office.Ushrir Bridgegrowl, single male 75, noble manager of Peacecity.
Ushrir: You are quite an inquisitive fellow.
DD: Yes, I am. Thanks, I think.
Ushrir: What do you mean we have booze shortage?
DD: The record keeper says we have 1 left, and Asob has been drinking it.
Ushrir: My last report says we have 2 left, maybe 2 barrels or 2 mugs worth left. What is important here is not spreading fake news in Peacecity.
DD: I am concerned about getting my twelve monthly drinks.
Ushrir: We do have a well, and I sent work orders to brew everything.
DD: The brewer said there were no work orders, and no drink containers available.
Ushrir: You seems to be quite in-the-know of these. Very impressive.
DD: Any what about the paper supply issue?
Ushrir: What do you mean paper supply issue? We have no paper to begin with, so no issue.
DD: I just want to help to get my drinks and practice writing.
Ushrir: Good. I'm far too busy dealing with ‘CaptainArchmage’ and his plumbing problems... it started last year.. And now this business of bringing outside indoors!
2 days later.DD: Was there a point to rehashing all of the event last year?
Ushrir: No, just passing time. I am off to the tavern for happy hour.
DD: The hour is still dark.
Ushrir: That is the happy hour. You can submit work orders for me while I'm off. That should get you moving things along.
DD: How do I do that?
Ushrir: You already have understanding of the logistics and supply chains. What do you need for booze? Someone has to make something to get to the brewing. Make those orders and move on to the next in the list. And make sure to take your PTO. Like me. Now. Bye!
The task of creating work orders seems so simple from the manager’s office. `Double D` ordered wood barrels, stone furnishings, and even mechanisms.
--
Off to see the carpenter.
Atis Giltelders, single male 70, carpenter
Atis: You want 50 + 12 barrels? Each month? No.
DD: What do you mean no? I am authorized to submit this work order.
Atis: Sure you can submit, but I can ignore, deny, cancel fully, or partially comply according to my convenience and resources.
DD: That does not sound productive.
Atis: It does to me when I only have six logs available.
DD: Someone should get more logs.
Atis: Yeah, well, it seems someone in charge is showing politeness with the Elf merchants as there are no felling of trees happening since they arrived.
DD: Who is the wood cutter?
Atis: That would be me also.
DD: Do you need work orders to cut down trees?
Atis: No, that’s done manually. The manager goes out there and marks the trees for cutting. But like I said, someone is showing politeness while the elf merchants are here.
DD: In that case, the trade should happen soon.
--
Off to the tavern.
The Knowing Desserts is a quite roomy, and busy with dwarfs and visitors.
Asob: You are quite busy for a scribe. You need to take some quality PTO. And this here is the quality place for it.
DD: What about the depot? The elf merchants have been there a few weeks already.
Asob: Relax. They are a timid bunch. Hurrying is a sign a rudeness. Let them fawn over our
normal goods and they become more valuable in mere days. *
sips drink*
DD: Hey, I thought there were no drinks left?
Asob: You were busy ordering barrels that you forgot, we have a legendary stone crafter that make these quality mugs and rock pots. That is a shame as your dossier says you're a dabbling stone crafter.
DD: I never made it past apprenticeship. What dossier? I ...
*
CLANG* A loud noise from what seems like a solid metal hitting a metal pipe.
Asob: One ping, right?
DD: Yes, just one.
Asob: *
smiles* It’s your lucky day, migrants are arriving. Stick around, soon enough, we will meet all twenty-seven of them here in The Knowing Desserts.
On the 23rd of Granite, twenty-seven migrants began arriving, and that is normal. Of those notable: one more stone crafter, three mace dwarfs, one spear dwarf, one sword dwarf, two mechanics, one miner, and one child.
It has been two nights, and the migrants are still arriving with their animals. The moon is about to become is full in two more evenings.
--
*
CLANG-CLANG* The loud noise repeats, every hour.
Asob: I’m sure you know that’s the general alert for everyone to go in Safe Space. It is worrying that we have a few more stragglers coming in. But that’s normal.
As the moon sets down on the 26th Granite, the general alert has been lifted, and some migrants and animals are still making their way to Peacecity.
The Peacecity Times 7th Slate, 251 normal news report by Edd `Double D` ChapelbustPeacecity celebrated the new year with normal enthusiasm.
The year began with the visit of the Elf merchants seeking trade, and concluded yesterday with pleasing profitability for all. Asob, noble broker of Peacecity, arrives at the depot, points at the pile of
normal goods, and then points at the pile of elf things. She poses a question, “trade our
quality goods worth ☼1270☼ for some of your
normal logs, barrels, and clothing worth ☼643☼? Atera, the elf merchant agrees and seems pleased. The deal was done. After the departure of the elf merchants, wood cutting resumed to normal.
During the nights of the full moon which coincided with the migrants’ arrivals, the Safe Space general alert proves to be working well.
The fifty-three citizens of Peacecity continue the celebration with an increase surge of the drink supply in the normal tavern, The Knowing Desserts.
☼DD☼