Ray
"My ideas have always been a lot larger than simply repairing old animunculi." He says, he pulls out a journal, several leafs of paper stick out from the sides, the journal looks like it's seen much better days. He pulls out one leaf, the edges are tearing a bit, and the image is slightly faded, but still visible. A sketch of what looks like an armless crossbow, there's a spot for storing bolts, as well as a chamber underneath the crossbow, "This is a weapon schematic I've been toying with, a steam-powered crossbow."
Rose
He takes the leaf of paper and examines it, tail twitching in his curiosity. He hands it back after a minute or so and says, "This is truly something I would not mind helping with. My spider was just the first thing I did when I was getting into Dwemer studies. Nowadays, my mind is set on expanding dwemer architecture just like that. Imagine, if you will, steam powered carriages or giant spiders that roam the land with people and cargo on its back, able to navigate the wilds better than a carriage ever could. Or perhaps pipes that bring fresh water into people's homes. That is my dream."
Ray
"I think the Baandari Peddlars use something similar to the giant spiders. There were also a few spiders back in the Second Era, I remember reading about them in my studies. They weren't common then, and they're even less common now, I suppose the art fell out of favor." He says, taking another leaf out, this one was more fantastical than the last, it's an enclosed farm, using piping of steam and water to not only heat the farm but also irrigate it, allowing crops to be grown all year round and no matter the climate
Rose
Dar'zaddha takes it and examines it in awe. He runs his fingers over the sketch lines before handing it back. He grins and says, "I would be willing to help put this all together. I am very good with my hands and putting things together. I know how to replicate dwemer cogs and what not."
Ray
"With that one I think the issue is heat. The Dwemer used steam for a lot of their power, heating the water using magma from deep in the ground." He says, "I'm uncertain how to do that on the short term... Perhaps enchanting of some sort?"
Rose
He thinks for a moment before nodding, "That could work, I think. I know fire salts can keep a forge blazing hot with just a pinch, perhaps that could be used, no?"
Ray
"True, true." He says, thinking, "The enclosure could even have it's own contained water cycle, so we wouldn't need to draw much water."
Rose
"Exactly! And it would improve quality of life immensely, especially for cities like Winterhold and Windhelm where the ground is hard with permafrost. Now, if only we could get the funding to attempt the project..." He taps his chin in thought before his eyes brighten with an idea, "I have connections in Markarth, perhaps the jarl would find it useful for the city?"
Ray
"Perhaps, but Markarth doesn't really need it, compared to Winterhold and Windhelm the climate there is quite mild." He says, "The Jarl of Windhelm might like the idea..."
Rose
"I only say Markarth because people know me there. I was supposed to research Nchaund-Zel, but this damned spider ambushed us. But yes, the Jarl of Windhelm might very much like the idea. The Jarl of Winterhold may not like the idea of using magic to farm crops as much," He nods.
Ray
"That's surprising, isn't it home to the College of Winterhold?" He asks, "Kind of odd to not like magic while housing one of the premiere magic institutions."
Rose
"If I remember correctly, he blames the college for most of Winterhold falling into the sea while the college stays standing," He answers, "It is odd that everything fell away around the college, I say, but I assumed it was just because the college had wards keeping it from being destroyed."
Ray
"Hmm, that is odd. I'm not sure what magic could have caused such an event. But landslides do happen." He says
Rose
"Yes, exactly. I do not think it is proper to blame the mages. Landslides happen, especially when you are living on a cliff," He says.
Ray
"Is Solitude still standing? I'd be surprised if that cliff was still standing." He says with a chuckle
Rose
"Yes, Solitude is still standing. I do not know how with its precarious positioning, but it is still standing," He chuckles along with him.
Ray
"One full siege and it'd be a part of the sea." He laughs, "So, are there any other major events I should know about?" He asks, with a somber tone
Rose
"There is a civil war occurring," He says, "I do not keep up with history and politics much, but from what I've heard, after the Empire lost to the Thalmor, Talos worship was banned. In response to that, Jarl Ulfric of Windhelm created a resistance and eventually challenged the High King to a duel. Ulfric won with a Shout, and now there is a civil war between Ulfric's Stormcloaks and the Empire."
Ray
He chuckles, though not because he found it funny, "Of course the Thalmor accrued more power. Shouldn't have thought anything different from them." He says, "I'd like to meet Jarl Ulfric, though. He sounds like a good man."
Rose
"I am... Neutral to it all. Skyrim is not my home and all that, so I feel like it is not really my place to take sides. I feel like helping Skyrim is just a step towards helping my own people," He explains.
Ray
He nods, "That is an understandable view." He says, "I'm on the side working against the Thalmor, though. They're irresponsible, they and everything they stand for must be destroyed." He says, a grim tone in his voice, "I was raised in the Summerset Isles underneath their rule, it was horrible. And the fact they've gotten this much power is unforgiveable."
Rose
"I understand that," He says, "Elsweyr has a high Thalmor presence. They are... Not kind to khajiit. I hold no love for them. I also think I do not know enough of the Stormcloaks beside rumors to properly put my support behind them."
Ray
"All I need to know is that they're willing to fight against the Thalmor. And it seems the Empire is in no state to try." He says, "I feel quite sad for the Khajiit, I must say. It seems any time the Aldmeri Dominion is facing any hardship them and the Bosmer are thrown in the middle of it."
Rose
"Thank you. It is... Rare that we are given any sympathy. Most think of us as liars, smugglers, and thieves, but they refuse to understand how stories and being nimble are part of khajiit culture. Let alone those who understand that moon sugar is just as much a religious imbibement as it is a seasoning. Even more so, people do not understand that people addicted to skooma are victims that are sick with an illness, and it is the producers that taint a holy substance into something terrible. Though, skooma is sometimes used by Moon Bishops in ceremonies, but that is strictly controlled. I suppose that is the only place it is acceptable," He rambles, animatedly waving his hands as he speaks.
Ray
He nods as Dar'zaddha rambles, quietly taking in everything he says, "I regret not going to Elsweyr when I had the chance. I suppose I'll stick around Skyrim a bit longer and visit at some point. As much as I dislike heat it seems like a nice place."
Rose
Dar'zaddha goes quiet as he listens to Haliochtus speak then nods vigorously, "Oh, home is beautiful. Though, I will say the inland makes places like Falkreath feel as frigid as this place we are in in comparison. The coasts are much cooler, though, much greener than people expect, too. If you are ever in Rawla-Kei, feel free to swing by the market and tell the suthay man selling vegetables with pure white fur that you know me, he'll likely sit you down with a giant meal and ask if you helped talk me out of my Dwemer obsession." He chuckles.
Ray
"He'd be very disappointed by my response," He says with a hardy laugh, "I wonder where I could set up a lab..." He says, thinking out loud, "I'd need to be a good distance away from a city, I doubt they'd like the sounds that would come from the lab."
Rose
"Eh, I've learned to just keep certain things to a low volume," He shrugs, "I rent a room in Markarth. Not a very fun city to live in, I'll say. Forsworn are thick in the hills, and the beds are made of stone. Not even straw, just slabs of stone."
Ray
"Perhaps I could repurpose a cave somewhere, perhaps in Whiterun or The Rift." He says, "Doesn't have to be pretty, just out of the way." He says, chuckling at the comment on the beds, "A proper dwemer bed."
Rose
"There's a cave pretty near the ritual stone, if you're willing to clear it out. I had to stay in the mouth of it while going from Windhelm to Whiterun," He says. "Actually, the dwemer seemed to have slept on metal frames. It's still dubious as to if they had some sort of mattress or padding atop them, however," He explains.
Ray
"They also slept on slabs of stone. You see beds like that in a lot of their ruins." He says, "If I take a cave I'd like one in a more mild climate. Preferably with a high ceiling for a more... Laborious and large project."
Rose
Dar'zaddha nods, "I did not know that. I will admit, my only time actually in a ruin was Bthardamz, and that was cut short due to Peryite's afflicted having taken over the ruin." He thinks for a moment before shaking his head, "I cannot think of a place like that. I do not do much cave delving, myself."