Talon eyed the demonic tavern warily. His hesitation was only mildly assuaged when Franky made his declaration. He would keep that in mind. He still was not keen on the idea of setting foot inside a building that could up and eat everyone inside at a moment’s notice. However, seeing the people go in and out of it helped make the idea more palatable.
“Nothing.” He looked to Aoren and Mathias who were not entirely convinced, especially given Franky’s advice. The three of them went inside, waiting patiently as Franky visited with the small goblin girl. Seeing her so terribly marred by the horrors that had been unleashed upon Zaichaer only served to convince Talon that he had done the right thing. He knew the role that Franky had played in bringing about this destruction. That did not mean he took pleasure in the devastation that other had been made to suffer as a result.
“Thank you for the offer, Miss. I am fine but water for my companions might be appreciated.” He looked to Aoren and Mathias who both nodded. Mathias looked around the room. Talon could see upon the young man’s face an echo of recognition. He had no doubt that Mathias was no stranger to the needs of people on such a large scale. He had, after all, grown up among the disenfranchised masses of Gel’Grandal.
“Mathias?” The young man looked at him.
“I think I am going to see what I can help with around here.” Talon nodded. He glanced at Aoren who returned his look with a nod of his own. The large Kathar warrior set off to lend a hand where a hand was needed alongside Mathias. Their help might not be welcome but they would at least try.
He followed Franky then watched curiously as the man reached into his own shadow. It was a place that he could not see, for there was no light within it through which he could see. Still, he would not jump to conclusions any more than he had reason to.
“Food and water.” He cut straight to the heart of the matter. “I do not have mass quantities that can solve these issues overnight. What I do have, however, are skills. Resources. Tools. Things that can make food and water more accessible and quick enough to spare the survivors here the worst of the effects of famine and drought.”
He was already formulating an idea in his head. It would require that he take a look at what was achievable through the use of both Runeforging and Alchemy. Such feats were not beyond him, they would simply require that he be creative which was not something he lacked for.
“There is also the matter of shelter.” He would have to coordinate with others but he could already think of a few possible solutions to that particular matter.
“Building materials will be difficult to transport in the winter conditions. The roads and trade routes will be blocked. I do not have the power to suddenly banish winter. What I do have, is the power to open doors. Doors to places where resources such as wood, stone, minerals, all can be gathered in order to start rebuilding.” He did not imagine that Zaichaer was lacking in brave souls. Talon certainly had it within his power to open doorways to the elemental planes of Wood, Earth and even Metal. He would simply have to pinpoint the planar coordinates across the Slipspace. That would require he consult the Circle of Spells but such was the nature of the task. The elemental planes were infinite and he certainly would not be the first to come up with the idea of excavating them. Kalzasi made use of the quasi-elemental spaces in the Warrens when the need arose. This would be similar.
“I imagine that the majority of the people in your care are not fighters by choice but by necessity. If you have the laborers, I can provide access to these resources and the warriors to protect them.” The Dawnmartyrs were an order who had spent the vast majority of its history performing humanitarian efforts. The Knights had grown in number and he could certainly commit a portion of the soldiers of House Novalys to bolster their protection.
“This aid is, of course, not charity. Compensation would be expected from the capital that the Guild of Coins has afforded you.”
