"Well, that's actually a way to make money."
Garrett mused to himself as he examined the five diamonds in his hand.
The diamonds synthesized through his crafting abilities weren't just large in size, they were also of premium quality. Regardless of the original grade, the synthesized result was always of the highest standard.
Collect inferior diamonds, synthesize them, then sell the results. This was practically guaranteed profit.
But such a scheme couldn't be repeated too frequently, overdo it, and it would cause market saturation.
By now, the openly available diamonds in this region had probably all been acquired by him. If he wanted more, he'd have to wait for new supplies to arrive. Of course, the dwarves' actual diamond reserves were certainly far more extensive. Especially the dwarves in these halls, they weren't living in poverty by any means. But they probably never anticipated someone purchasing such vast quantities all at once, and seeking only raw materials, not finished jewelry.
"Obsidian..."
Now that the diamond situation was resolved, the next material needed attention. This substance wasn't particularly useful under normal circumstances, so dwarves didn't typically stock it.
That meant he'd have to find an alternative approach. Time to acquire some molten rock.
Garrett went to find the smith who had previously provided directions.
"Do you have any lava here? I'd like to fill a bucket."
"Not a chance. What in Mahal's name would you want that for?"
The smith wracked his brains but couldn't fathom why a traveler would want lava. Was he planning to carry it home as some bizarre souvenir?
Preposterous.
"I really need it."
"Absolutely not!"
"How much for this sword?"
A moment later, Garrett purchased the shop's only sword, then asked again, "Just one bucket is enough. I'm willing to pay."
The sword wasn't exactly inexpensive.
But coin, well, Garrett never carried much on his person, but with his level of productivity, he could generate wealth whenever necessary.
In other words: spend freely, no need for frugality.
The smith studied him for a long moment, then finally relented, "Very well. I have a kinsman who works at the great forge. He might be able to assist you."
Relieved that arrangements could be made, Garrett exhaled. If that hadn't succeeded, he was prepared to try bringing additional supplies and excavating straight down to the depths, which, under such extreme conditions, might not even be survivable.
During a lull in business, the smith led him deep into the mountain halls, winding through numerous passages, so many that Garrett nearly became disoriented, until finally a vast forging chamber appeared before them.
"Greetings, old friend, how fares your work today?"
"Well enough." Before the massive furnace dominating the center of the chamber, a dwarf wiped perspiration from his brow and continued hammering a suit of mail.
After completing this stage of the work, he finally paused and approached to greet the smith properly.
"And who might this be?" he asked, glancing toward Garrett.
"A customer of mine. He requires a bucket of lava. Think you can accommodate him?"
"Simple enough. You want just the lava itself?"
"Yes," Garrett replied immediately, producing a bucket.
"Just need to fill this."
"Fair enough. Unusual request, though."
After exchanging a few more words with his kinsman, the smith departed to attend his shop.
Meanwhile, Garrett surveyed the forging chamber and all its equipment, feeling quite eager to examine it more closely.
"If I were you, I wouldn't touch anything, unless you fancy permanently scarred fingers."
The dwarf kindly cautioned him.
But Garrett touched the forge anyway.
-1.
"Sssss, ahhh!"
So hot, so hot, so hot.
[Detected advanced multi-block structure: Dwarven Master Forge]
[New Crafting Recipes Unlocked]
Yes!!
In that moment, he finally achieved what he'd been hoping for.
"You're more reckless than the most foolhardy dwarf I've ever encountered!" the dwarf grumbled while adding more fuel and stone to the furnace.
Garrett chuckled sheepishly, his full attention already focused on the new crafting interface.
The Master Forge, a complex multi-block structure, could be used to smelt specialized alloys and even process certain molten materials.
Like lava.
All it required was fuel and sufficient cobblestone, and one could artificially produce lava. Precisely what the dwarf beside him was accomplishing right now.
"Can I take a look around?"
Looking at the impressive machinery nearby, he was quite tempted.
"Observing is acceptable. No touching."
"Understood."
Garrett took a thorough tour, and soon, several new multi-block structures were added to his crafting repertoire. These were all unique dwarven technologies.
With these, smelting ores would be considerably more efficient in the future, and he would also be able to forge dwarven weapons and equipment.
Worth noting: most dwarven weapons were heavy armaments, such as battle axes, throwing axes, war hammers, and similar implements. Dwarves genuinely favored such weapons.
He suspected that sword in the smith's shop probably hadn't been selling well. He was likely the only customer willing to purchase it, which explained why the smith had finally agreed to assist with the lava.
Beyond weapons, he also gained access to superior tools: Dwarven Refined Steel Pickaxe.
This was a mining implement specially designed by dwarven engineers, exceptionally durable and far superior to iron pickaxes. Although it didn't last as long as the legendary diamond tools, it could be used to mine obsidian.
At this point, he possessed everything needed to construct an enchanting table and attempt other advanced projects. Though his body remained in the Blue Mountains, his mind had already returned home. He'd already determined exactly where to place the new structures.
It was long overdue.
Just as he was lost in thought, a rumbling from the furnace drew his attention. He turned to observe glowing liquid flowing through a stone channel and gradually filling the iron bucket.
"Here's what you requested."
Garrett thanked the dwarf and offered payment generous enough to cover several rounds of quality ale. Then he stored the lava bucket away.
[Achievement Unlocked: "Piping Hot"]
He had essentially completed all his objectives for this journey to the Blue Mountains.
"By the way, I heard this place is led by Thorin Oakenshield, rightful King under the Mountain?"
As he secured the lava, Garrett turned and inquired of the dwarf.
"Aye, pleased to hear you know our lord's name. It's under his leadership that we've been able to maintain the prosperity we enjoy here."
The dwarf replied, glancing at Garrett and then at the spot where the lava bucket had just been.
Wait a moment... where had the bucket disappeared to?
"Is your lord still here?"
Garrett wasn't entirely certain when Thorin was supposed to depart for Bree. All he knew was that next year, Thorin would encounter Gandalf in Bree, and that meeting would mark the beginning of the quest to reclaim Erebor.
"He..." The dwarf suddenly looked past Garrett, toward the chamber entrance.
Steady footsteps came from behind.
Garrett turned and saw a tall dwarf by dwarven standards, powerfully built arms suggesting tremendous strength, walking purposefully toward the forging station.
His countenance bore a kind of melancholy that seemed permanently etched there. Even though Garrett had never seen him before, he knew immediately, that was Thorin. Thorin Oakenshield.
The nearby dwarf offered Thorin a respectful bow.
Thorin paused briefly and gave a slight nod in acknowledgment. Then he regarded the conspicuously human figure nearby.
Under normal circumstances, any outsider trespassing in a dwarven workshop would have been immediately expelled. But this human appeared respectable enough, not the bearing of a malicious individual.
Just as he always did when meeting strangers, Garrett offered a calm, courteous bow. Thorin studied this somewhat memorable human for several seconds, then nodded in return.
And with that, he proceeded to his customary position and began his work.
Clang!
"Keeping the hammer arm strong, so it will be ready to wield weapons when the time comes."
This exiled prince, he was always preparing for the day of reclamation.