"This works too?"
Seeing the sudden notification about reputation increase, Garrett leaned back in surprise.
Who would have thought, dwarves truly lived up to their reputation for appreciating a good drinking contest.
Still, this gave him new ideas about building relationships.
Apparently, increasing reputation didn't necessarily require combat. Just as he was contemplating this, he felt his vision beginning to sway unsteadily.
Oh no, the aftereffects were setting in!
He glanced at his status bar:
[Intoxicated: 5h34min]
"Ah, I think I should head upstairs and drop off my luggage first."
"Of course, but do mind your head, these halls may be a touch low for someone of your height..."
Thud!
A bumping sound echoed from the staircase.
"I'm fine!" Garrett called back, immediately retreating to his assigned room.
He retrieved some milk from his inventory and drank it quickly.
Whoosh.
The intoxication status was instantly cleared.
He hadn't forgotten his purpose for visiting, it was just that the unexpected development had disrupted his plans.
Still, at least he wouldn't have to pay for lodging, the young dwarf had agreed to cover his expenses.
After sobering up, he didn't tarry. He headed directly to the marketplace.
The market was indeed bustling, just as that courteous dwarf on the road had mentioned. Their trading caravan had recently returned, bringing fresh goods from distant lands, and everyone was out making purchases.
Among the dwarves, he certainly stood out,but fortunately, no one bothered him. After all, his reputation showed as [Friendly].
As he walked, several smithies along the roadside soon caught his attention.
"Finest blades and mail!"
He approached to examine the wares.
[Dwarven Steel Sword: Attack Power +7]
Even a weapon sold by a common roadside shop matched the quality of the finest materials he knew.
"Interested in weaponry? Then you've come to the right place, I only deal in quality craftsmanship."
"They certainly are." Garrett nodded, though he had no need for them.
None surpassed his ancient elven blade.
After inspecting the weapons, he turned his attention to the armor. He examined it closely, even tapping it with his knuckles a few times.
Finally, the smith could no longer contain himself.
"No need to look further. That mail's forged for dwarven frames, you'd never fit in it. If you truly want such protection, I could craft one sized for your build. Though, well, that would require considerable time."
"No need. I'm just browsing."
Garrett felt somewhat frustrated. He'd examined the swords, studied the armor, so why hadn't any new crafting techniques become available to him?
He began to recall how he'd unlocked new methods in Rivendell.
Right, it had happened after he observed their forge in operation. So that meant, to learn dwarven techniques, he needed to witness a dwarven forge at work?
"Have you decided what you wish to purchase?"
"There's nothing I want here."
Garrett shook his head and inquired, "Do you have any diamonds? Or obsidian?"
The dwarven smith regarded Garrett with a peculiar expression.
"Do I look like I'd stock such materials? You can't forge proper weapons or tools from such stones. I suggest you ask the miners who delve deep underground, they might have some stored away. Or, you could try that fellow over there, he deals in precious stones and jewelry."
The smith helpfully indicated the direction.
"Thanks."
---
Navigating around the busy trading group, Garrett arrived before a relatively quiet establishment and posed the same question.
"Obsidian? What purpose would you have for such a thing? I don't stock it. But I do have diamonds in various cuts. Are you seeking rings, necklaces, perhaps bracelets?"
"I want a whole piece."
The jeweler studied Garrett carefully.
As they say, appearances can deceive. This human gentleman wore clothing of fine material, fabric that would be considered luxurious even among the wealthiest merchants. He didn't appear to be someone lacking in funds.
"How large do you require it?"
"About this big," Garrett said, using his hands to indicate the dimensions he needed for his crafting.
Though he gestured confidently, he felt nervous internally. He wasn't certain he possessed sufficient funds for a diamond of that magnitude.
The jeweler's eyes widened as he observed Garrett's indicated size.
"By Mahal's beard! Master, that size... if you want a single solid piece, that would be extraordinarily difficult to obtain. But if you don't mind smaller fragments, I could probably gather enough pieces to match that volume."
Fragments, then...
Garrett hesitated briefly, then agreed, "That's fine. Let me see what you have."
Though the jeweler didn't understand what Garrett meant by his response, he still entered his storeroom, searched for some time, and finally returned with a collection of diamond fragments.
"See if these meet your requirements."
[Crafting Recipe Unlocked: Diamond Shard]
Multiple diamond shards could be combined to form a complete gem.
"This works. How much is it?"
The jeweler quoted his terms.
Garrett checked the silver coins in his inventory and realized the trolls he'd looted had indeed been rather impoverished.
"I don't have that much. Can I trade other gemstones for it?"
"That's perfectly acceptable, provided they meet the value."
At that, Garrett produced the remaining gemstones he carried, all salvaged from that Barrow-wight.
Even in death, the ancient dead proved useful.
"These stones are of excellent quality. They'll exchange for 1.2 times their volume in diamonds... Have you any more? This still doesn't cover the full amount."
"I'll make up the rest with silver."
Garrett winced internally at the expense.
Back to being nearly penniless in one transaction. But finally, he had what he needed.
[Achievement Unlocked: "DIAMONDS!"]
Back at the inn, as the achievement notification appeared, a deep-blue diamond materialized on his crafting interface.
Nearly all his silver coins and three precious gemstones had been exchanged for a diamond roughly the size of his fist, with one small fragment remaining after synthesis. He had spent virtually his entire fortune for just this one diamond.
And he still required at least one more, but couldn't afford it presently.
He felt considerably frustrated.
Suddenly, he recalled what the dwarven jeweler had mentioned, a diamond of this size, as a single piece, was exceptionally rare and valuable.
He had said that, hadn't he?
Garrett hefted the heavy, brilliant diamond in his hand.
To be honest, it was truly beautiful, crystal clear, of obvious superior quality, exceptional by any standard.
After a moment's consideration, he went downstairs to ask the innkeeper who the wealthiest individual in the settlement might be.
---
Not long after, at another dwarf's residence, a dwarf noticeably more prosperous-looking than others Garrett had encountered shouted in excitement.
"Magnificent! I'll give you everything, my silver, my gold, anything, just let me possess it!"
A large, beautiful, and exceptionally flawless diamond, of premium quality, no less, was practically irresistible to a wealthy dwarf with an appreciation for precious things.
"No need for gold or silver. I want diamonds. Lots of diamonds, fragments, pieces, whole stones, everything."
"Stay right here. Don't move. Wait for my return."
The dwarf rushed off with obvious urgency.
Time passed.
Evening approached, and Garrett was beginning to wonder whether the fellow would even return that day, when the wealthy dwarf finally appeared, struggling under the weight of a small but heavy chest. The sound of clinking gems came from within.
"Behold these, will they suffice? I can guarantee these represent all the marketable diamonds extracted from this region. You won't find more available for purchase anytime soon."
Garrett opened the chest and examined the contents.
The diamond fragments inside could probably synthesize approximately five complete gems.
This collector had clearly been serious about his hobby.
"Perfect. It's yours."
[Achievement Unlocked: Diamond Dealer!]
It proved a most satisfying transaction.
Garrett exchanged one magnificent diamond for enough fragments to create five more. The dwarf exchanged a collection of average-quality trade-grade fragments for a premium gemstone.
Both parties departed thoroughly pleased with the arrangement.