The tavern ends up being a speakeasy in the basement of the rooming house where Ragnar lives, their liquor homemade and untaxed. Bertha had extra rooms, so she asks for the Vala twins to help carry everyone upstairs, including a few trips with other residents who have passed out, and gets them settled for the night.
They meet back downstairs for breakfast the next day to help get themselves oriented and find out a bit more about the city. It turns out that the mountain is surrounded by light Fae territory, who embargo trade with the Dark Dwarves, so seeing an outside face is unusual. For that reason, they also don't accept outside coin, so all outside trade is done in goods and materials. This concerns Dimnys quite a bit, but Cain assures her he's brought a lot of Gems and such along that nobody needed so far in their crafting.
The Naga Raid contains a load of them, and they clear all the good stuff every run, but the designs they make only use one or two gems each, leaving a large stockpile. One that they now intend to use to trade for materials they do need.
"Ragnar, old friend. What is the mountain most in need of? I've got a pretty good selection, and I don't want to waste anyone's time bartering through items they can get locally." Dimnys asks when the Dwarf comes down for breakfast. Dwarven Ale and whiskey didn't seem to give anyone the sort of hangovers the Elven wines and liquors do.
"If you've got cloth and wool, it does well here. and gemstones. The mountain is rich in metals, but low on gems." He says after a moment's thought.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Then we should do alright. There's a Naga Raid in Sunnybrook, on the east side of the beginners valley, that is loaded with gems." Dimnys explains and his eyes light up.
"You came that far? They'll appreciate it even more then. Furs and Leather we're good on. The other dungeon is a Beastkin dungeon, and there's leather and fur everywhere for the asking. It's a bit easier than the Demon Dungeon too, but a lot more crowded, like the dungeon was the middle of a city before everyone went feral."
More crowded than the Demon Dungeon? That ones already like being in a ruined city, with groups of demons on every block. They'll definitely have to check that out later, once Dimnys gets the materials they came here for.
"Care to lead us to the best places to find these items?" Cain says, setting their list and an amethyst down on the table.
"I reckon I could do that." Ragnar smiles, pocketing the stone. "The metal forges are above us a little, and inside the hill. We'll start there. Then the specialty leathers are down by the trade row, we'll do them last, grabbing everything else on the way." He's making little map notes on the sheet, planning his route for the day so nothing is wasted.
Soon after they leave the boarding house, Cain realizes what the strange looks are about. With the city under blockade, only authorized merchants with approved goods can get through easily. The average resident doesn't know you can go through the Demon Dungeon, not that the average resident could make it even if they tried, so the assumption is that they broke the Fae blockade by force. And anyone who both could and would do that is a very dangerous person.
The metal smiths are happy to do business with Dimnys though. A Dark Dwarf is welcome anywhere in town. They're so happy to talk with her that Cain sends up having to drag her away from the forge so that they can finish their shopping.
"We've got a list to fill remember? You can come back and visit tomorrow, and the day after that too if you like, but first let's fill the Guild bank with what we came here for." Cain tells the reluctant Smith, who keeps looking back until long after the forge is out of sight.
It is mid afternoon by the time they finish. Misha ordered a huge amount of leather, and every kind and quality imaginable is available here. With a little luck Kone well be getting a full new set of armor soon. The Guild Bank function in their interface makes moving items and gear between members simple no matter the distance. The text based Guild messages are a bit lacking in comparison, as you never know if your intended recipient has seen them unless they answer.
"Did you guys want to check out the Beastkin dungeon before we go back? It might be some easy experience." Cain suggests, eager to see what the zone is like.
"Sure, it's another area dungeon like the Demon Dungeon, so maybe it also leads to towns with exits?" Kone suggests.
"Either way, it's a new dungeon to explore. How about it Dimnys?"
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmShe only ends up reluctantly agreeing because she doesn't want to get left out if they find something fun inside the dungeon. Mythryll told her the story of the time they found a hot springs in a boss room and camped out for the night. That doesn't seem likely this time, but you never know.
"Be careful when you go in, they like to crowd the entrance. There's something wrong with the creatures in there. But the leather is our biggest export, so feel free to try your hand." says the dungeon guard when they approach.
"Did it have exits like the other one?" Dimnys asks and he shakes his head.
"Not that anyone has found."
"Mind if I activate some skills before we enter? Since they're known to crowd the entrance and we've got young ladies present." Cain asks with his best smile.
"Have at, if you think it will help." the Dwarf laughs then goes quiet when Cain calls the Wrath Bringers to lead the way into the Beastkin dungeon.
"That's some skill that a Puppet Master Gets.." Ragnar whistles in appreciation, waving goodbye as they exit.