Christina smiled towards Tehr at his words and quickly agreed, hurrying along with Carolyn to show her the way to the baths and a chance to talk with her alone from the looks of it. Heidi in turn accepted her task happy to be of service, making her way out of the room once he'd finished setting up the instructions and their brief exchange of words was over. Leaving him with Rosalyn and Alex, the first of whom kept looking at him, and the second one who glanced after Christina and Carolyn but returned his gaze to Tehr as the others had left the room, focusing on what he had to say.<br/><br/><strong>"Yes, there's plenty of time for catching up later, I understand. Huh, well on House Saari I would say I only know a few things really, as for Forgefist, well a few more."</strong>He glanced between the two of them, while Rosalyn smiled in a gentle manner and spoke in a relaxed tone of voice for a change, looking happy to offer some help at this point.<strong>"House Saari holds a notable reputation for standing up on their own, but they're trustworthy allies as long as you don't give them a reason to turn away. They are known to be matriarchal and thus a curiosity to some, but they've managed to stand through some rather tumultaneous times. They've got a mainly human lineage but there's half-human blood running in their house, through marriage and an occasional adoption from what I recall. They have had to fight for what they have though, and are somewhat wary of trusting anyone too much of their combined assets."</strong>She paused at this point, looking at Alex who had just raised his hand to wave for a chance to speak in turn.<br/><br/><strong>"They do have somewhat of a black reputation as widowers and black widows as such, female supremacy with whispered insinuations of having husbands perish under mysterious circumstances. They have also provoked the ire of some of the more strict old families that dislike the idea of strong females, but that is more along the Novgorod side than here, the isles have benefitted from a strong queen so the divide isn't as bloody impossible to cross for the families around here, but still. There is proof in certain circles that they have 'disposed' of a few men in their ranks, but enough evidence to suggest the said men had turned sadistic, abusive, and violent towards cousins or adopted daughters of their house, leading to retaliation rather than being the ones to strike first. The proof is 'known secret', but trying to present it to any respectable court would lead to charges of slander and the cases are so 'old and cold' that they'd be irrelevant to many people."</strong>He came to a halt when Rosalyn grimaced at that time.<br/><br/><strong>"Speaking of which, a half-elf daughter of their house was in contact with the Duchy in the past but it was for her personal trades, but during that time a man from the Laetheil family approached her and became pushy with his attentions, earning a nasty, and public rejection. Upon trying to approach her again in privacy, and a bit more forceful yet, he reportedly 'ran right into her bodice dagger' as she 'drew it in self-defence at feeling threatened by rapidly approaching angry taller male'."</strong>She kept her expression serious at the time, looking down at her lap then.<strong>"While the Duchy is not held responsible the Laetheil family within the duchy is still wary of the House Saari, though father and I should be able to keep them cut off from any parts of the project."</strong>She smiled a bit hopeful at that end, looking up at Tehr with grateful warmth in those eyes.<br/><br/><strong>"Right, well, as for the Forgefists, they are both noble in human court, and nobles in their own society. Master craftsmen originally, they became elevated to 'fort commander family' and from there to 'ruler of the under colony'. The Forgefists are craftsmen and traders alike, they take pride at what they do, and while many of their clan stay away from the city they maintain a clear line of communication, and the two halves of the family work together. Forgefists earned their name in bloody revolts when their forces fought even once their blades were broken, the mailed fists hitting with the strike of the hammer blow to the anvil, but that's not confirmed as much as poetical license I've gathered. They aren't overly greedy or miserly but they do love good business, but they require trust and honor to be involved. Although there's also mentions that younger generation of the family in the city was showing some troublesome signs before their elders put a leash to it."</strong>Alex paused momentarily at this. The rumors on that were pretty common, the Forgefists were a House in the city, but they were a part of a clan that retained power and while subservient to the queen of the land they also stood on their own for a fair part. Unlike some other dwarven clans though they kept closely engaged in trade and thus dwarven goods were out in the market, from plates and tools to good sturdy dwarven ales and grog.<br/><br/><strong>"They respect good manners, but put family ahead of it. They are lawful people and avoid getting involved with things that would blacken their honor, but they are also willing to act where human morality gets hesitant. Supplying arms to two sides in a conflict seems fine to them from the standpoint of letting the opposing sides decide the matter for once and for all, and they are proud of the craftmanship of their works. They are not 'incorruptible' as such, but given their stubborn pride and honor they would be a very strong ally for someone similar in character and temper. The Duchy has considered them as neutral party, we neither got any outstanding trade with them but no conflicts either. We have, indirectly, bought some of their tools in the past. There was something more though, about a lost family treasure..."</strong>She paused while Alex snapped his fingers, looking amused.<br/><br/><strong>"The Broken Crown of the First Underlord. Apparently during the era of viking raids the earlier dwarven settlements got their share of trouble, and among them was the theft and pursuit of a crown supposedly enchanted to grant wisdom to lead the people well to the bearer, along with several other benefits. Unfortunately during the chase a blow was struck that shattered it in two. They are known to hold one half of the broken crown in their possession as proof it is not a faery tale, but the other half is lost to history."</strong>He paused and winced.<strong>"Quite possibly smelted down to base metals after the magic was lost and broken, and the gemstones taken off. Though the House still seems to hold onto some tradition of allowing those that leave their house to pursue the task of recovering even just rumors of the final fate and location of it."</strong>He shrugged awkwardly.<strong>"It got a bit off-topic I suppose but, stubborn and respectful of the old ways, I'd say?"</strong>He grinned a bit while looking at Tehr and Rosalyn after saying that.