<21 August 2024, GRAND MESA OF SUMMER , A+> [Theo and Julia] A few moments later, Theo, Julia, Ordus, and Kreldar sat around the remains of their fire.

Theo smiled at the Dwarf. "So Kreldar, you made us an offer. You offered to work for us for one gold per Stoneflow, along with food and shelter. You asked to be allowed to take credit for the things you construct. And you asked us to consider working with your Clan to come up with something as far as the Deepwell is concerned. I am willing to accept this, but I want to make some things very clear."

Ordus translated, and Kreldar looked very serious. Kreldar nodded and waited for Theo to speak. Theo nodded and continued. "Firstly, I am not one for Pomp and Circumstance. While Ordus may call us Lord and Lady when others are around, we are really just Theo and Julia. I would like it if you just called us Theo and Julia as well."

The Dwarf looked surprised, and when Ordus confirmed it with a nod, Kreldar shrugged and nodded. Theo turned to Ordus. "Can you explain the Dwarvish calendar again? I know you said that a Forgeweek was ten cycles."

Ordus nodded, "Yes, Theo, the Dwarves have Cycles, Forgeweeks, Stoneflows, and Deepturns. Each Deepturn is twelve Stoneflows. Each Stoneflow is six Forgeweeks, and each Forgeweek is ten Cycles."

Julia nods, "So given the sixty-hour Cycle, a Forgeweek is twenty-five days, a Stoneflow is just under twenty-two weeks, and a Deepturn is just under five years. So he wants essentially a gold every five-ish months."

Ordus nodded, "that is correct."

Theo smiled, "Very well then, tell Kreldar that I would rather pay him for the whole Deepturn up front. If he completes it early, he will keep the rest of the money as a bonus. And we may be willing to provide a bonus for exceptional work."

Kreldar looked suspicious. Saying something to Ordus, who looked hesitant and then spoke for a while in Dwarvish.

After a moment, Ordus turned to Theo and Julia, "If I may suggest something, Kreldar is not used to this kind of generosity. Maybe you should use another of the servant contracts to show him that you are genuine and not trying to trick him."

Julia nodded, "If that would help, but will that cause any problems with his clan?"

Ordus turned to Kreldar and asked him something, and the Dwarf shook his head, saying something. Ordus turned back to Theo and Julia. "No, crafts-dwarves and skilled laborers are free to contract to others so long as they do not have other obligations to the Clan. The Clan will probably collect a tax from him for lost labor, but he is not worried about it."

Theo nodded and took out a Servant's Contract and the Servants Log. "Alright, well, let's do this then."

Theo activated the Servant's Contract.

Servants Contract You are in possession of a Servant's Log. Contract Negotiations Possible Continue with standard terms? 1. 100 Years of Service 2. Food, Water, Shelter Provided to Servant 3. A wage of not less than 1 Silver per month is to be paid in weekly installments 4. Years can be bought off the term of service for 50 Silver each. 5. Must follow direct orders. The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. 6. Betrayal penalties for Servant: Up to / Include Death 7. Abuse penalties for the Contractor: Up to / Include 200 Years imprisonment 8. Both parties agree to treat each other with civility and respect. 09. Both parties are allowed to renegotiate every five years. Negotiate Terms with Servant? You will be able to provide a list of terms and offer them to the potential servant.

Theo selected the Negotiate Terms with Servant option, and with Julia's help, they outlined an offer.

[Kreldar Underbrace] Kreldar was skeptical. Even though the elemental had assured him that the offer they had provided was good, he had a hard time believing them. He watched Theo and Julia, as they had asked to be called, mutter away before finally nodding, and a blue box of System glyphs that anyone could understand appeared.

Servant's Contract Terms Offered by User(s) Theo Oskar Sorrenson and Julia Brahmin to User Kreldar Underbrace 1. Service until the completion of the manor house you have designed (pending minor revisions). 2. Food, Water, and Shelter will be provided to you, though we have limited supplies, so it will not be luxurious. 3. A wage will be provided at a rate of 12 Gold per Deepturn. 4. You agree not to attack Theo Sorrenson or Julia Brahmin with any skill, weapon, language, or any other method. 5. You are allowed to voice your opinions, and we encourage you to do so. 6. Betrayal penalties for Servant: Forfeiture of any and all property owned by you as recognized by the System. 7. Abuse penalties for the Contractor: 10 Gold in addition to any system-imposed punishment of reasonable proportionality. 8. Upon completion of the manor house, this contract will be considered fulfilled, and Kreldar Underbrace may take what is his and leave. 9. If the manor house is completed before the end of the Deepturn, Kreldar Underbrace will keep the full 12 gold fee. 10. Upon completion of the manor house, Theo Sorrenson may offer a bonus of not less than 6 gold. 11. At the end of the Deepturn, both parties will reconvene to renegotiate if it is desired. 12. Both parties agree to treat each other with civility and respect. 13. In the event that Theo and Julia are both dead, this contract is considered fulfilled, and the minimum 6 gold bonus will be paid out regardless of the manor house's completion status. ACCEPT COUNTER

"By the stones, they really did mean what they said," Kreldar muttered to himself.

Theo said something, and the elemental man, Ordus, spoke. "Theo, would like to know if you have any questions?"

Kreldar shook his head, but he did hit the counter and then added a single line about being given credit for his efforts to bring glory to himself and his Clan. Theo smiled and pressed on an invisible box.

[Theo and Julia] Theo saw the adjustment that Kreldar had made, adding a fourteenth line that read, 'We agree to allow Kreldar to claim his accomplishments for the glory of himself and his clan.'

Theo had no issue with that and hit accept.

>Private Message: Servant Contract Agreement Reached >Private Message: Terms recorded with the System >Private Message: Terms acceptable and accepted by both parties >Private Message: Ensuring minimum compatibility, please wait...

A moment later, Theo felt a flush of power wash through Kreldar.

>Private Message: Language Y-7F63C-3_English Granted to User Kreldar Underbrace >Private Message: Minimum compatibility achieved

Theo stuck out a hand to the Dwarf, "Welcome aboard, Kreldar."

The Dwarf smiled and grabbed Theo's wrist. "Aye, lad, thank ye' fer the chance you have given me and the benefits. Now let's get ta' discussin' the manor house."

Theo and Julia smiled and leaned in for a conversation.

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