>>5384471“Sslavery sseemss the ssimpler sssolution,” you note.
“But will you get the same calibre of work?” he asks. “I am old—I do not fear death. My daughter is proud, as you can hear—she fears more for her dignity than death, herself. And anyway, you will need access to the sciences and magic beyond these mountains, to get the most out of us.”
“You think we lack the meansss to develop these sskilsss without MAMMALIAN help?” you hiss.
“If you didn’t find your own personnel lacking in that area,” the Geologist surmises, “you wouldn’t even be speaking with me right now.”
“I will not work for this… This THING, Father,” his Daughter spits.
“You will,” he assures her, a bit more sternly than he had spoken before.
To you, the Geologist affirms: “She will. We both will. But not as slaves.”
You consider his offer—surprising and initially-absurd as it sounds. Is there anything to it?
>Agree to employ the Geologist and his Daughter as free contractors, with privileges beyond the slaves here—maybe more even than the Duerger>No, you think you would prefer them as slaves—even if it means you must take some time to break them in before they are useful>These two are too cunning and defiant by half—kill them both>Make them prove themselves—you’re going to be culling the old and feeble anyway, so make the Geologist and Daughter perform a few executions of their kinfolk to prove their willingness to serve>Write-in
Note: options regarding healing Karz, a vote on whether to bed the Geologist's Daughter, and the fallout of your elder-cull are forthcoming. 