Disclaimer: Don't own and never will
AN: Okay, this one is inspired by an idea I had while replaying the game.
Umodhi Indur looked up at Sandstone Villa and frowned. Then she looked at her gnome companion. Then she looked back at the Villa.
It was a beautiful building, with blue and green stained glass windows above the main doors. The arches were typical of gnome architecture of the Tuatha war and the building showed no signs of decay despite its age.
"I don't get it," she finally said after what felt like an eternity. "A museum to The Fateless One already exists in Mel Senshir and Canneroc is where they lived most of their post war lives and where they were buried. Why would you think that putting together a museum to The Fateless One in Adessa is a good idea."
Mikooss Knudd smiled.
"Mel Senshir is a long way from here and the city was never home to The Fateless One," he said and Umodhi frowned. "Their involvement in our fair city has left a mark. They helped stop Templar Octienne and resulted in an overhaul of the entire political system of the city. Their mark has been deep and long lasting in our fair city. It is only fitting that we commemorate them."
"Their mark is felt deeply across the mortal world. Why not do what other places have like Gorhart and simply place a statue or memorial stone? Why are you bothering me with a project that will cost the city considerable gold for an owner who was only a small part of the city's history?"
"But-"
"Dudbic Boodwisa has a far more sensible proposal that we return the Villa back to its original function. As a place to house visitors of great importance," She paused and looked down at Mikooss. "HIS proposal has far more traction with the City Council than your suggestion and would put the building to use for the living."
"But-"
"Tolin Xlag proposes a great public library. The structure is well placed, near the residential outskirts of the city and countless citizens could benefit from access to the written word."
"We already have the Great Library in the university," Mikooss said with a contemptuous wave of his hand. "We have no need for a duplicate and besides, the only people who really benefit from that are the Almain refugees and their descendents."
Umodhi raised an eyebrow at his comment, but said nothing. If he wanted to be a fool, well she was happy to allow him to be a fool. (The Almain population in this city had been here for over forty years by now and had even built large chunks of it.)
"No," He continued, seemingly oblivious to her reaction. "We should build something that will benefit the true people of this city!"
He suddenly went quiet and looked up at Umodhi, as if suddenly realising that he was talking to a Dokkalfar woman. Umodhi resisted the urge to sigh. This man had no subtlety or nuance, no grasp of the art of persuasion.
"The Almain population of the city would not care to hear you speak so dismissively of them," she said with a hint of annoyance. Mikooss looked at his feet in embarrassment.
"I just meant...well everyone knows that the Almain only came here because of the war and the Tuatha and...well there's no guarantee that they'll even stay in the long run. It's not...well now that the Tuatha are gone...well most people think that they can go home now." He looked at her. "I didn't mean folks like yourself. Your people came and settled here all legitimate and proper. The Almain came as refugees, crawling and begging."
"And the Gnomes of this city were happy to exploit their desperation to use them as low-paid labourers. Their traders have played a significant role in the local economy. They have stayed long enough to have families here and are becoming integrated into the City Council. Indeed, Lorth Mamoz has proposed that we turn this place into an Almain Cultural Centre so that the children and grandchildren of the Almain refugees do not lose contact with their heritage." She waved away Mikooss's objections with a wave of her hand. "It's not a serious proposition, but ever since the City bought the property off the Fateless One's family, there have been plenty of proposals like yours." She paused and shook her head. "Were it up to me, the city would not have indulged in such frippery. However, I was outvoted and now we must decide what to do with the building."
"The Fateless One was also a Dokkalfar, was she not? Surely you would not begrudge celebrating one of your own?" Mikooss asked and Umodhi smiled.
"Yes, that would be something worth reminding people of," she said with a slight smile. Perhaps there was a glimmer of hope for this fool after all. Encouraged, he pressed on.
"Despite the city's growth, Sandstone Villa is still placed close to the city entrance. It's presence would be a reminder to all who pass through the city gates of what the mortal races owe to one of your kind."
"It would certainly be a powerful reminder," she said thoughtfully. "Something that would make the Dokkalfar presence more noticeable than our small numbers would suggest is not something to be taken lightly."
"This would serve Dokkalfar interests far better than a great public library, or," He paused and spat with disgust, "A cultural centre." He spat the words out as though they tasted foul in his mouth. "Other Gnomes might not see the value of what I propose, but a politician as skilled and canny as you...well I'm sure that it should not be a problem."
Umodhi resisted the urge to sigh. He had been doing better and now he was overdoing things, like a child who has yet to learn moderation. Compliments were all well and good, but well placed flattery…
Ah well, it was of little matter. She had no real intention of supporting his case, not when he had presented it so poorly. Still, there was perhaps some use in his suggestions, something that she could use.
A year later, Umodhi Indur was the Counsellor chosen to officially open the Fateless One Grand Public Library.